Chapter 223: The Awakened Kean
Chapter 223: The Awakened Kean
After conversing for a while with Benjamin and General Howard's aide, Jeremy decided it was time to return to his residence. He felt that other matters no longer held significant relevance to him.
As he departed, Jeremy walked alongside Ritchie.
Bonnie also wished to leave with Jeremy, but her father, Benjamin, immediately called her to a halt.
"During this recent period, it would be best if you refrained from accompanying Jeremy." Benjamin stated directly after stopping Bonnie.
Upon hearing this, disappointment spread across Bonnie's face.
"Father, your demand contradicts the agreement we made. You once promised me that you would not prevent me from following Jeremy. Did you not believe that Jeremy could ensure my safety?"
In response to Bonnie's inquiry, Benjamin spoke plainly.
"I did have faith in Jeremy's abilities. However, the version of the apocalypse game has been updated. The difficulty of the apocalypse game has significantly increased, and I am now unable to ascertain whether Jeremy can guarantee your safety in this new situation.
Therefore, until he demonstrates sufficient strength, you must remain by my side. Only in this way can I ensure your safety."
When Benjamin delivered these words, his tone was extremely serious.
This made it clear that Benjamin would not entertain any notion of compromise.
Although Bonnie felt quite helpless, she understood that her father was acting in her best interest.
"Even though you are very upset, I still have several important things to say to you." Benjamin observed, noticing his daughter's dismal mood.
"While I hold Jeremy's abilities in high regard, I have also gathered information regarding him. Jeremy has very close ties with two other women.
Has he not mentioned this to you? If he did, do you truly have no objections to it?"
Benjamin's sudden mention of Emma and Claire left Bonnie feeling a bit flustered.
Bonnie had indeed been aware of the close relationship Jeremy shared with Emma and Claire for some time.
However, she felt she could accept Jeremy maintaining such close connections with the other two women. Yet, she absolutely dared not voice her thoughts.
For if she were to express her feelings, Benjamin would undoubtedly erupt in anger.
"I do not understand what you are talking about, Father. I am not aware of this information, nor do I wish to know it."
After saying this, Bonnie quickly left on her own.
Benjamin watched his daughter's retreating figure and couldn't help but let out a sigh.
At that moment, Howard's aide, standing beside Benjamin, remarked, "You truly are a dutiful father. However, it seems your daughter does not appreciate it."
"Whether she appreciates it or not, I must fulfill my responsibilities as a father." Benjamin replied with unwavering resolve.
After uttering these words, Benjamin turned to face Howard's aide.
"When will Howard arrive in Moonlight City? I have very important matters I wish to discuss with him."
"The nearest helicopter will arrive in about an hour. If you are in a great hurry, I can inform the General to have his helicopter land directly at the municipal government building."
Benjamin nodded. "Let us proceed as you suggested! I must meet him as soon as possible!"
After saying this, Benjamin made his way back to the municipal government building in Moonlight City.
Meanwhile, Howard's helicopter arrived at the municipal government building in Moonlight City.
Howard and Benjamin met in Benjamin's office.
"The situation is indeed dire, the federal leadership has descended into a state of panic. We will not be receiving federal assistance in the near future, and we must rely solely on our own strength to ensure the safety of Moonlight City."
Upon entering Benjamin's office, Howard immediately conveyed the information from the emergency meeting of the federal leadership.
Upon hearing Howard's news, Benjamin's expression darkened considerably.
In truth, he had already been aware of this information, as his elder brother was the director of the intelligence agency.
"I have two pieces of news to share with you: one is good news, and the other is bad news." Benjamin said to Howard, hesitating slightly.
Howard looked at Benjamin seriously.
He found Benjamin's demeanor to be quite peculiar at that moment.
"You are not someone who usually hesitates, just tell me what the news is directly. I can handle both good and bad news."
Howard replied, demonstrating the emotional stability expected of a general.
Benjamin nodded.
"The good news is that Jeremy's operation has gone exceptionally well. He successfully extracted the soldiers from the military base safely. Your men are currently in the stadium near the city center.
Until the new military base is completed, you will have to use the stadium as a temporary military base. Although the facilities at the stadium are rather basic, it is the best location I can provide."
Howard also agreed that this was indeed good news.
"So what is the bad news? Is it that there are simply too many instances and monsters in Moonlight City?"
Benjamin shook his head.
"The bad news is that the Black Dragon Squad in Moonlight City is about to be redeployed back to the capital. We can no longer expect assistance from the Black Dragon Squad moving forward."
As soon as Benjamin delivered this shocking news, Howard exclaimed in surprise, "Why? The Marshal had previously informed me that the Black Dragon Squad would remain in Moonlight City.
If the Black Dragon Squad is not here to assist us in our defense, our pressure will become overwhelmingly great. The military headquarters must send us additional reinforcements!"
Howard's anger was something Benjamin fully anticipated.
"The Black Dragon Squad will indeed be redeployed, and the military headquarters will not send us any reinforcements. The situation over in the capital is also quite dire. The Black Dragon Squad must return to the capital to ensure the safety of the surrounding area first."
Benjamin stated plainly, providing the rationale for the Black Dragon Squad's departure from Moonlight City.
Upon hearing this explanation, Howard's expression shifted from fury to resignation.
"It seems we cannot prevent this from happening. We can only hope that Jeremy recovers his strength quickly. I hope Jeremy's abilities have significantly improved by now."
Howard remarked in a tone tinged with disappointment.
Benjamin remained silent, yet inwardly, he concurred with Howard's sentiments.
While one of the reasons for the Black Dragon Squad's withdrawal was indeed as Benjamin articulated, it was not the most critical one.
The primary reason was that the Lannisters had successfully leveraged their extensive network of connections to facilitate the Black Dragon Squad's return. After all, the squad's captain, Ella, was Kean's fiancée.
The return of the Black Dragon Squad would bolster the Lannisters' influence in the capital region.
The Lannisters' motivations for this maneuver were entirely attributable to Kean having completed his awakening ceremony.
While Jeremy was engaged in the rescue of the soldiers from the military base in Moonlight City, Kean, with the assistance of The Person in the Mirror, had entered the realm of the class change goddess, Janna.
Although the class change goddess, Janna, sought to thwart Kean's awakening ceremony.
However, with the assistance of The Person in the Mirror and the planners of the apocalypse game, Kean successfully completed his awakening ceremony without a hitch.
Moreover, during this process, The Son of the Sun managed to utilize his own powers to bestow upon Kean an even rarer talent.
Upon the completion of his awakening ceremony, Kean directly acquired the talent of a deity's emissary.
While the talent of a deity's emissary may not be the rarest of abilities, its combat potential is not significantly inferior compared to the most elusive talents.
The talent of a deity's emissary enables Kean to harness the powers of the planners of the apocalypse game.
As long as he has the planners' permission, Kean can wield the corresponding powers without necessitating their direct presence in the real world.
After obtaining the talent of a deity's emissary, Kean felt an overwhelming sense of joy.
This was because it signified that if he could reach an agreement with the planners of the apocalypse game, he would possess the powers of a deity in the real world.
"I truly hope to inform Jeremy that I have acquired an awakening talent that is on par with his own!" Kean exclaimed to The Person in the Mirror and The Son of the Sun after completing his awakening ceremony.
The Son of the Sun shook his head and said, "You should refrain from being overly ostentatious at this moment. Your primary focus now should be on stabilizing your own condition. Although the awakening ceremony has been completed, you do not yet have full command over the powers that come with your awakened talent.
If you engage in combat immediately after the awakening ceremony, there is a significant risk that the very talent you have acquired could backfire on you. This caution is something that even the class change goddess, Janna, is unaware of."
The Son of the Sun's words left Kean somewhat taken aback.
He had not anticipated that the class change goddess, Janna, was not privy to all the precautions related to awakening.
The Person in the Mirror perceived Kean's confusion and explained, "While the class change goddess, Janna, is indeed responsible for class changes and awakenings, her authority is also constrained by the planners of the apocalypse game. There are certain crucial pieces of information that remain beyond her knowledge."