Then Soverick continued to send out orders. The soldiers dispersed. Some relaxed while others returned to the main plain. Some of them chose to venture into the middle stage. They did it for various reasons.
A lot of them are in awe of Soverick, that is true, they also crave that strength. They crave the opportunity to prove themselves or acquire the means to have the strength needed to prove themselves. If they can pass the middle stage and reach the Final stage. They will have the opportunity to prove themselves by defeating the boss. If they succeed in that too, then they will be renowned throughout the plane for years to come.
It is a lot of ifs. They might just die in the next stage and become nameless in their failure. But if there is a small chance, they will go for it. They fear Soverick, he has shown them strength, he has shown them the consequences of failure, he even went further to break their pride. They will stay clear of Soverick. But they will attack the middle stage because they don't fear it. There is also a very alluring reward in the middle stage. It is enough for these people to risk their lives.
So they broke through and disappeared in a flash of light. They had been transported to the middle stage. They won't be able to leave the dungeon until it is broken. It became a common sight to watch people disappear. But then everyone's attention was drawn when Soverick chose to approach the door. That could only mean he is trying to enter the middle stage without breaking through.
Soverick might have contributed greatly to the success of the expedition but there is someone with a much greater contribution than him. The son of legends and the information he provided are far more instrumental to their success. It is with the information provided that they were able to plan for the dungeon.
It is because of the information that they knew what lay waiting at the other end of the portal into the dungeon. Without that information, they would have continued to send people to their deaths Without knowing why. But they knew why. They also had an estimate of the number of soldiers waiting for them and the layout of the dungeon. They knew that the door to the middle stage is a trap.
The gods planned and they also planned for the failure of their plans. The door to the middle stage isn't needed to reach the middle stage. You just need to become a mana entity and be whisked away to it. They knew that, that's why no one broke through until they defeated the first stage. If they didn't know that, some of them would have decided to become mana entities in order to help them defeat the multitudes of enemies in the first stage. They would have been very wrong.
Even if they defeat the first stage and they all decided to use the door, then they would have been massacred in the middle stage because they didn't know that their enemies will be mana entities and they will be fighting alone. But they know, that's why they chose to send only mana entities.
So why will Soverick choose to go to the middle stage as a vitality core refiner? They didn't need to think about it too much for them to know the answer. They were a little worried but they had faith in their commander. No one scoffed at him or was derisive of his decision. Instead, they chose to encourage him.
"Soverick!" "Soverick!" "Soverick!"
They hailed their army commander as he went forward. It might seem inconceivable or conceited for a vitality core stage refiner to attempt the Middle stage with any hope of success but they had seen what he can do. If any vitality core stage refiner could do it, it has to be him. He might not return but he has earned glory. His name will not be easily forgotten. He has also earned their respect. So they gave him a soldier's salute as he went towards the unknown, braving unknown dangers for the plane, for glory, and for himself. Soverick touched the gigantic door and vanished.
Within The Final Level Of The Divine Dungeon. After The Death Of The Worm Monster.
The celestial gods were sitting listlessly in their seats. What they saw shocked them. More than that, it terrified them of the very possible future if things continued to happen like this. They had kept their eyes on Soverick since he entered the dungeon.
He was remarkable and pivotal in the battle. The entire effort of the attackers revolved around him. He was like the core of the army, their greatest strength, and pillar of assurance. Removing him would have crippled the attackers. It was easy to come to that understanding but actually carrying it out was impossible.
They watched him throw opponents about like rag dolls like they weighed nothing. They saw him stomp through the defenders like an unstoppable giant. He may be small but the footprints he left behind would have fooled anyone into thinking he is a giant. The ground cracked, splintered, was crushed, and cratered in his wake. The ones he was fighting didn't fare better than the ground. He acted for all intent and purpose like a giant among men.
They saw all that and made the decision to pull their last resources together to create the right opponent for him. After all, what is best to hold back a giant if not another giant? It was a gamble aimed at Soverick. If Soverick was gotten rid of or forced to break through then they will be able to decimate his army in his absence or at least deal considerable damage to them.
The defenders will be able to bounce back after that as more angels spawn. Things will start looking good for the gods again once Soverick has been removed from play.