The worm ignored Soverick and tried to reach its objective, but Soverick didn't let it go. He would drag it back and beat it up. He was like an ant fighting a snake, but it's the snake that is helpless against the ant. The one with the stronger fist wins in a discourse of violence not the one with the bigger fist.
He would grip the mouth of the worm and pull it back, before beating it again. If it tries to inhale, then Soverick will slam its mouth shut. The worm might be big, but Soverick is stronger and faster. All the worm could do is shriek helplessly as it suffered under Soverick's thundering fists. Too bad that its mind attack wasn't working on Soverick at all.
The two of them ravaged the canyon. It was Soverick that did most of the work but the significance of a partner, willing or unwilling, cannot be underestimated.
The delay enabled the army to prepare. The worm shrieked again as if crying for help. The soldiers of the army stumbled but they still carried out their orders. Spells began to fly like fireworks. They lit up the worm. They were like hot coal being scattered on wax. They burned into the worm but their effect was only surface-deep. The worm was too big, little amount of damage like that will need to accumulate before there can make a significant difference.
They had time and they had the numbers. The soldiers continued to rotate as they bombarded the worm with spells. The assault continued for half an hour. The beast resisted till the very end. It shrieked in defiance and it writhed against Soverick's oppressive might.
At first, the trashing created a lot of ruckus, the ground shook while the worm was still large. But its resistance waned as the minutes went by. It grew smaller and smaller. Then Soverick unleashed the fireball he had been prepping on the worm.
If the other spells were like hot coals on wax. His spell was like a flame thrower being turned on to wax. The worm shrieked and cried. It struggled and struggled, but it was all in vain. Soverick didn't need to end the worm. The army could have done it but he wanted to for the energy.
The energy of the worm finally broke down, signifying the death of the worm of the apocalypse. Its energy streamed into everyone that participated based on their contributions to its death. He checked to make sure that the beast was dead and that there isn't any more surprises.
Then he turned to his army and shouted. "We Are Victorious."
They cheered too.
His voice sounded in their ears again. "We Have Prevailed."
They cheered again.
"We are unstoppable."
Soverick sat down to rest while the soldiers were celebrating. He was actually making his 9th gate. A lot has happened since the time he destroyed the tactic of the angels to slow him down. He had gone far from possessing just one gate to making the 9th one.
He got a lot of energy due to the death of the worm. It was enough energy to break through and become a mana entity but he still opted for another gate. He felt he could take another one. So he decided to go big or go home.
"Come over." He called his generals to him when he was done.
2 out of 10 of them had died. That left 8 of them. They saluted him when they reached him. It is army protocol, a sign of respect to a superior officer. But they did it without being compelled. They did it from the bottom of their heart. They had seen and experienced what Soverick could do. He is an enigma to them. But more than that, he is an icon. A hero. A role model of strength. He is an Aberrant of refinement.
"The First stage has been cleared. The Middle stage is next. We have been informed that it is going to be a trial that can only be completed alone. So we go according to the plan. Whoever can break through and want to attempt the Middle stage should do it here. Those that have had enough can leave the dungeon and break through outside of it. The remaining can stay and farm the dungeon."
They have gotten more than a foothold in the dungeon. They have cleared the first stage. This means that they can continue to use the spawning of mindless angels as a source of energy for others to refine their vitality core. Not all the energy within the opponents they killed went into the killers. Most of it dispersed into the surroundings and into the dungeon. This stray energy will coalesce and spawn more mobs to kill.
They've been informed that the middle stage will be highly dangerous because of the presence of sentient opponents that are mana entities. They will be unlike the weak and mindless mobs that they faced in the first stage of the dungeon.
That's why only those that have broken through to become mana entities are allowed to attempt the second stage. Even then, they run the risk of death. What's worse is that their cause of death will remain unknown because it is a fight that only a single person can partake in. There will be no one by your side to assist.
"Are you joining the Middle stage, sir?" A general asked him.
"Yes. Any problem?" He asked calmly.
The general is probably concerned about Soverick since he is still a vitality core stage refiner.
So the general asked. "Are you going to break through too?"
Soverick answered calmly. "Do I have to tell you my business?"
His calm voice did not put the general at peace at all. It instead made him feel dread. It is a natural reaction that one will have when they have witnessed what Soverick is fully capable of. The general shook his head hurriedly and answered. "Not at all."
"Good."