From all sides Jinjing's upgraded party rushed in to attack Bojing all at once.
*Ting
*Ting
*Ting
" Seriously, no matter what attacks these guys throw why are they almost always easy to parry. I mean it is laughable the number of times we have countered you all today.
" Wha- How are you able to keep up! " ( Jinjing )
" … It is quite simple… ! " ( Daiyu )
[System: Party Speed Buff Has Been Applied… Party Strength Buff Has Been Applied… Good Job My Children]
" See, now you're going to face us all… and we are going to mop the floor with you! " ( Bojing )
Pushing forward the group began to force them back. With each parry and block they began gaining ground. Each attempt at harming Bojing's group was ultimately thwarted by him. His impenetrable defences clear for all to see, however there was still one small kink in their plan, and Gaia was fast to bring it to light.
" Hahahaha, how cute, but alas I've grown bored of this conflict and as such I will now bring it to a close. " ( Gaia )
Suddenly both Jinjing and Bojing's group froze, unable to make a single movement.
" No! Don't do it Gaia! " ( Numen )
Numen desperately called out, but it was swiftly responded with a sarcastic cackle. A bright flash resonated from Jinjing and his goons, as well as Daiyu, Bo, Ciao-xing Chen , Wang and Yang. In that instant their limbs began to change, forming a contorted mess. Visible to Bojing the tears streaming down their still faces, until their morphed feature hid the sight.
" No, Stop it! " ( Bojing )
Once again Bojing was helpless, all he could do was sit and watch. Standing before him the monsters still frozen peered down at him. Taking a step forward he felt sick to his stomach.
" Bo… Ji…Ng…help…us- " ( Daiyu )
Reaching forward a dark beam engulfed them teleporting them in an instant.
" Hahaha, now we can- " ( Jinjing )
Before he could finish the dark light engulfed him , teleporting him as well. Bojing now engulfed in his rage begins screaming out.
" Where are they! Bring them back now! " ( Bojing )
A light cackle now begins to spread throughout the room.
" Dear child, what makes you think I will do that. " ( Gaia )
" Why did you do this! " ( Bojing )
" Isn't it obvious, it is simply your punishment for getting in my way. But don't fret, they are still alive, at least for now. " ( Gaia )
To these words Bojing instantly replied with haste.
" What have you done with them? " ( Bojing )
" Hahaha, I've turned them into monsters, and have transported them into random boss rooms, where they will be slayed by players when they are fought. " ( Gaia )
Collapsing to his knees Bojing slammed his hands down unto the ground. Yet again he was powerless. As always, he was powerless. The intense guilt and torment engulfing him.
" Well, I've loved this chat but I'm going to head off now. Enjoy your last remaining millennia in this retched place. " ( Gaia )
" GAIA!!!!!!. " ( Bojing )
Tilting his head, he saw the doors beginning to close. Why was he so useless? Why didn't he protect them? As these thoughts drenched his mind the door inched closer and closer to closing. It was in the final moment of the doors closure that he heard it.
" Bojing, lift your head up! " ( Wang )
The chill beginning to fade only to be replaced with a new strength could be found.
" No, this isn't my time to give in, to give up. " ( Bojing )
Raising his hand Bojing conjured a shield between the closing doors gap just as it sealed once more. As the light began to go dim once again it was a signal of failure, but he still hadn't given up. See in the dungeon there was an unwritten law. A boss could only exit when all other life vanished within its wall, and Gaia had done just that.
Dashing for the door Bojing forced his arms out, slowly opening the sealed door crack by crack. Gripping the shield on the door with his hands, he put all his force into it. Finally with a small enough crack he flicked his arms out by his side fully opening it. As this happened only one thing was on his mind and only one thing left his lips.
" I promise. I will save you, and nothing will get in my way! " ( Bojing )
Walking through the empty halls Bojing finally made it to the dungeon entrance. Cracking a smile Bojing slowly began to laugh. It may have been him finally breaking, losing his mind, or it may have just been his way of dealing with his guilt. Placing one hand onto the dungeon door the runes slowly but surely began to activate, cracking open.
Bojing under his immense stress and pain felt light headed and plummeted through the crack, only to be caught by someone waiting on the other side. In his last moments before blacking out he saw the rushing onset of layers dashing to his side, and then it all went dark.
…
Slowly waking up the mass of players began proclaiming his awakening. The loud yet silent gazes flocking unto his cold, still body.
" Bojing's up! " ( ??? )
Slowly he helped Bojing sit up on the cold stone steps. He was still at the dungeon entrance. Looking over at him Bojing recognised him as one of the guards from the dungeon entrance, the other guard hovering close by visibly concerned for the boys current condition.
" Bojing, can you hear me? " ( Guard )
Nodding slightly the intense pain was almost unbearable to withstand, however it wasn't clear what had caused this injure. Perhaps it was the physical trauma of what had just occurred or maybe it was the mental psychosis produced from his guilt. Either way it hurt none the less. Noticing the pain the guard leans in closer to Bojing's face.
" Whoa, are you hurt? How bad is it? Where does it hurt! " ( Guard )
" Argh, it is nothing. Probably just fatigue. " ( Bojing )
Standing up Bojing begins to walk down the steps through the crowd. Their looks of disbelief piercing him.
" Wait Bojing, where are you going? " ( Bojing )
Without a moments hesitation he quickly answered back.
" Home, I need some rest. " ( Bojing )
Continuing to walk the crowds concerned looks continued. They probably were in disbelief that he was still alive and were curious to find out what happened inside the dungeon. Dashing infront of Bojings path the guards blocked his way.
" Hold up, we need to know… what happened in there? " ( Guard )
Thinking to himself he didn't know what to tell them. Tat he was left for dead. That he was a monster. That he had a unique power. That monsters aren't evil. That Gaia is in the wrong. That they are now gone without a trace. Standing there for a moment only silence could be heard until.
" ( Just repeat after me .) " ( Numen )
In shock Bojing couldn't believe it. He was sure Numen was no longer with him like the rest of his art due to the long period of silence.
" ( Your still here? ) " ( Bojing )
" ( Yes, now repeat as I say, or you may find yourself in trouble. ) " ( Bojing )
Beginning to talk Bojing copied what Numen said word for word. In the breakdown he mentioned to say that the boss was the reason he was sucked back in, that he was left to survive with the boss monster for this time, that when the other party finally came to rescue him, they met their demise to the boss only to kill him at the same time, allowing Bojing to escape as the sole survivor.
With every word, every breathe they listened in with awe feeling sorry for both him and feeling a deep sense of loss for the players. Little did they know they were still alive however Bojing and Numen both new they couldn't tell them. In the crowd all were believing his story, all except for one man watching on in contempt.
His deep-seated gaze noticed by them both. After telling his story Bojing headed off from the grounds and proceeded towards his home. Passing the wealthy area of town, he eventually found himself in a rundown area, an area he calls home. See Bojing wasn't wealthy and in fact he was far from it. This explained his lack of gear when raiding and further prejudice towards his weak nature by those of higher standing. In this world status and power meant everything.
Settling down on his bed all he could do was lay there. The guilt was still present. All his life he never once thought he wasn't good enough until late. Was it because he gained the power to protect his friends and failed to do so, or was it something else? Questioning this further wouldn't help or solve anything and as such Bojing knew he should stop. Although there was still one question he could ask.
" Hey Numen, are you still here. " ( Bojing )
A notification sound dinged in his ear alerting him to Numen's continued presence.
" Of course, I am, where else would I be! " ( Numen )
" Yeah, I guess you're right. So, what do I do now? " ( Bojing )
After a long pause Numen began to speak his mind.
" To be honest there is not really much you can do. " ( Numen )
Chuckling to himself Bojing knew this to be the case, I mean how could he not. Although stronger he still had no way of knowing where his companions were, I mean the chat function was severed when they were taken away.
" Yeah, your right, it will be impossible for us to find them. " ( Bojing )
" Yeah, you are at least half right, you won't be able to find them, however for me, that's a different story. " ( Numen )
Shooting up Bojing instantly knew what Numen was saying. Of course, he couldn't do anything, but Numen is different, he is the system after all.
" So your telling me you as the system have a way of finding them. " ( Bojing )
" Yes, although it may take some time, however I do have some good news, they won't be in any discovered dungeons as the slots are all taken, however they are most likely to be found in hidden locations that Gaia will force to awaken. " ( Numen )
Suddenly the ground around him began to shudder and shake. Items began flying off the shelves onto the floor.
" An earthquake! " ( Bojing )
Chuckling to himself Numen knew exactly what was happening.
" Not really, actually speaking of the devil that is one now. " ( Numen )
Reaching for his remote he switches the tv on to find an emergency report.
" Please stay calm, a new dungeon is surfacing in Shanghai. I repeat there is nothing to worry about. " ( News Reporter )
" I guess there is no time to rest, it is time to check it out. " ( Bojing )
Chapter 9 End