Chapter 215: Unwavering Companions
At the entrance of the instance known as The Misty Garden, Bonnie and Ritchie were anxiously awaiting news from Jeremy.
Not long ago, the two had heard a tremendous noise emanating from the depths of The Misty Garden instance.
At that moment, Bonnie had intended to rush into the instance, however, Ritchie promptly intervened to prevent her. He recognized that if Bonnie were to enter the instance, the awakening process could very likely lead to unforeseen anomalies.
As the immense sounds from deep within The Misty Garden instance faded away, Bonnie gradually calmed down.
Thus, the two of them waited at the entrance of the instance for approximately half an hour.
By this time, the sun had begun to rise steadily.
The area surrounding The Misty Garden instance was illuminated by the morning light.
Gazing at the newly risen sun, Bonnie spoke with a tinge of impatience, "Why hasn't Jeremy emerged yet? Is it possible that he has encountered an enormous danger?"
Although Ritchie's expression also reflected considerable anxiety,
he still maintained an air of composure in front of Bonnie.
"We must have faith in Jeremy. Moreover, even if he is currently facing peril, there is nothing we can do to assist him. We cannot enter the awakening instance."
Ritchie's words, however, evidently failed to convince Bonnie.
She picked up her staff and moved to the edge of the instance entrance.
Ritchie hurried over to intercept her.
"What are you doing? Haven't I already told you that if you enter the awakening instance, Jeremy may very well be unable to obtain the awakening gemstone!"
Bonnie responded with a hint of irritation in her voice.
"I am fully aware that such a situation could arise. However, failing to obtain the awakening gemstone is certainly preferable to Jeremy dying directly within the awakening instance.
As long as Jeremy is alive, he will undoubtedly have other opportunities to acquire the awakening gemstone. I must go to rescue him! If you dare to obstruct me, I will have no choice but to attack you!"
The moment Bonnie finished her declaration, she raised her staff high.
At the tip of Bonnie's staff, an incredibly powerful frost spell swirled ominously.
Although Bonnie did not launch an attack against Ritchie, her actions served as a clear and unmistakable warning.
Ritchie did not flinch.
He was convinced that his judgment was entirely correct. Furthermore, he believed that Bonnie's plan of action would ultimately lead to Jeremy's failure.
"I will not allow you to enter the instance under any circumstances! If you truly intend to attack me, then bring it on!"
At this point, Ritchie was fully prepared for battle.
Although his Ravager's Gloves had already been brought into The Misty Garden instance by Jeremy, he could still rely on the shadow spells he had mastered to contend with Bonnie.
Bonnie's expression shifted rapidly from disappointment to resolute determination.
"In that case, do not blame me for being impolite!"
Bonnie raised her staff, and a fierce blizzard soon erupted around Ritchie's body.
Ritchie chose to retreat into the shadows, successfully evading Bonnie's attack. However, he did not forget his intention to prevent Bonnie from entering the instance.
Thus, Ritchie manipulated the shadows of the surrounding mutated plants to seal off the entrance to the awakening instance directly.
Ritchie's actions only served to infuriate Bonnie further.
"Are you still trying to stop me?! Are you truly Jeremy's good brother?! Do you genuinely want him to survive?!"
Bonnie bombarded Ritchie with a flurry of questions.
From his hiding place in the shadows, Ritchie replied without hesitation, "Precisely because I am Jeremy's good brother, I have complete faith in him. I know he will survive and successfully clear the awakening instance."
Neither Bonnie nor Ritchie could persuade the other.
Moreover, neither side could determine a victor in such a short span of time.
This situation left both individuals exceedingly anxious. Just as they were preparing to unleash their full power in battle, a sudden and intense wave of energy swept across the entirety of Moonlight City.
Ritchie and Bonnie were both drawn to this powerful energy fluctuation.
Their gazes instinctively turned toward the sky.
At that moment, a multitude of black dots appeared in the heavens. These black dots led to an unknown, mysterious world.
With the emergence of these dots, instance after instance began to pour forth from them.
These instances started to descend upon various regions of Moonlight City.
Accompanying these instances were formidable monsters, each possessing levels exceeding 60.
Witnessing this scene, Ritchie and Bonnie were rendered speechless, their shock palpable.
They both understood that once these instances and monsters touched down, the situation in Moonlight City would undoubtedly deteriorate drastically.
"What in the world is happening? Why are there suddenly so many instances and monsters appearing? Has there been a mutation in the apocalypse game?"
Bonnie murmured to herself as she gazed at the instances and monsters cascading from the sky.
Ritchie did not respond to Bonnie's inquiry, for he was too stunned by the unfolding events to utter a single word.
At that moment, the entrance to The Misty Garden instance began to shimmer with a brilliant blue light.
An ethereal portal materialized out of thin air, and Jeremy stepped forth from this mystical gateway.
The appearance of Jeremy filled both Ritchie and Bonnie with immense joy.
Bonnie immediately embraced Jeremy, her voice laced with urgency as she asked, "Why did you take so long to come out? I thought you might have encountered danger within the instance! I was even planning to enter the instance to rescue you!"
With a hint of exasperation, Jeremy gently ruffled Bonnie's hair.
"My strength is considerable, I would not face significant peril within the awakening instance. Your concerns are rather unwarranted."
As Jeremy spoke, he surveyed the surrounding situation.
He quickly deduced that Ritchie and Bonnie had engaged in combat prior to his arrival.
This was evident from the traces left by Bonnie's frost spell upon the ground, and the fact that Ritchie was still lurking in the shadows, yet to reveal himself.
"Fortunately, you returned just in time, had you been even slightly later, we might have perished together." Ritchie remarked as he emerged from the shadows, his tone tinged with mild dissatisfaction.
Jeremy could surmise the reasons behind the conflict between Ritchie and Bonnie.
Thus, he merely nodded toward Ritchie and stated, "You truly are my good friend, I knew you would ensure that no one could breach the awakening instance."
As Jeremy conversed with Ritchie, Bonnie's emotions finally began to settle.
She recognized that the events which had just transpired were largely her fault.
Therefore, Bonnie refrained from clashing with Ritchie, instead, she gazed at the instances and monsters plummeting from the sky and directed her question to Jeremy.
"Do you have any insight into these instances and monsters appearing in the sky? I see that their levels are exceedingly high. You should promptly take the awakening gemstone and complete your awakening.
Only after you have completed your awakening will you gain the ability to combat these monsters. Furthermore, we can only eliminate these creatures by acting alongside you."
Jeremy nodded in agreement.
"The reason these instances and monsters have emerged is that I have already completed my awakening. I now possess a brand-new awakening talent: The King of Time and Space."
Jeremy's declaration left both Ritchie and Bonnie utterly astonished.
"You completed your awakening so quickly? Was the awakening meant to occur within the awakening instance?" Ritchie asked, his disbelief evident.
Jeremy smiled and shook his head, recounting the experiences he had encountered in the realm of the class change goddess, Janna.
Upon grasping the details of Jeremy's experiences, both Ritchie and Bonnie felt their spirits dampen slightly.
"Are you saying that the planners of the apocalypse game directly targeted you? And that two of them launched an attack against you simultaneously?"
Ritchie inquired, a tremor of unease evident in his voice as he addressed Jeremy.
Jeremy nodded affirmatively. "The planners of the apocalypse game have begun to regard me as one of their greatest threats. Therefore, if you choose to accompany me moving forward, you will inevitably encounter even greater dangers.
To ensure your safety, it would be wiser for you to operate independently. Even if you act alone, I will still offer you assistance. Should I acquire any equipment more suited to your needs, I will gladly provide it to you."
No sooner had Jeremy finished speaking than Bonnie firmly declared,
"I will absolutely not leave your side. After you saved me, I have made my resolution. No matter what dangers we face, I will remain by your side! Moreover, I do not believe the planners of the apocalypse game are invincible.
As long as we work together, neither the planners of the apocalypse game nor the Lannisters hiding in the capital can possibly defeat us!"
Upon hearing Bonnie's passionate declaration, Ritchie straightforwardly added,
"As your good friend, how could I abandon you in the face of such grave danger? I will certainly stay and fight alongside you against the apocalypse game planners! After all, without me, you stand no chance against any formidable adversary!"
While Ritchie's words carried a hint of self-aggrandizement, Jeremy could discern the sincerity behind them.
"Then let us strive together in this increasingly perilous reality! Our immediate objective must be to swiftly eliminate the instances and monsters posing the greatest threats!"