Chapter 390: Rage!
Coop completed another mistjump, sweeping through the world of mists to skip right up to the next level. Before his presence was noticed beyond the edge of the platform, he was already scanning for a golem near the center of the fused hexagonal platforms, all of their previous triumphs fueling his decisiveness. The target for his opening combo wouldn’t have any chance to prepare itself.
As they successfully conquered an individual section on each level, he was growing increasingly confident in their chances. Though it had been a while since the demons added a new variant to the mix, they had already found their way past ten different types of imp, hound, and golem, along with one kind of true demon. The lack of new variables meant they were picking up speed as they grew accustomed to the challenges, despite fighting higher quantities of monsters on each level. It was more or less exactly what he was hoping for. He was almost capable of clearing entire platforms himself in the time it took for them both to defeat just three weaker demons.
A Boxing Golem provided the necessary anchor point for his Depth Charge ability, becoming a ticking time bomb before being covered by a pile of hounds and imps as Sunken Grasp took effect. The golem’s chest exploded with abyssal energy that wiped out the weaker foes in a single blast. Coop smashed the fallen Boxing Golem one last time to finish it off, standing within the area of the explosion, knowing his own mana wouldn’t harm him.
The corporeal existence of the golem was extinguished in a shower of volcanic gravel as the dramatic splash receded and Coop turned his attention to a nearby Hellscreamer, recovering its balance on the edge of the danger zone. He rushed forward, emerging from the fading abyssal energies, and sent the massive hound flying with a homerun swing before it blasted him with superheated mana. His weapon caught the hound in the temple as he slid through the debris, trailing mists the whole way.
The monstrous body flew over a pair of lumbering golems before landing on top of a surviving Hellhound that was in the process of howling and igniting, ragdolling them both, but defeating neither. Coop rushed into the crowd, using the momentum granted by his devastating opening attacks to crush the armor of the nearest standing golem, then vaulting off its fallen form, over its partner, toward the next row with his weapon held high over his head to finish off the hounds.
Coop swapped to his ethereal greatsword, instacasting Retribution to switch weapon types as he crashed through the lines of enemies. Lyriel joined the fight when he was already neck deep in the melee.
A new demon variant had appeared on this level, flanked by two Horned Demons. The extra opponent wielded a blackened axe that smoldered with subtle flames. It was a head taller than its companions, even including their horns, its physical prominence enough to make it clear it was a powerful enemy. Coop saw the trio of Demons as the most threatening of the bunch and quickly worked his way into their vicinity.
He landed with a massive swing that cleared the area so that he could stomp forward, grinding his teeth as his heart hammered in his chest and his blood boiled. His mana was growing turbulent as he deliberately embraced his escalating battlelust. The Lucid Dream caught up with his intention as he defeated yet another hound, his mastery of the Path of Aloneness growing with every fight. This time, he was demonstrating the Principle of Rage as he sought to start a frenzy on the demonic supervisors.
Each time they climbed a level, the number of enemies remaining after Depth Charge exploded was growing higher and higher, leaving more for himself and his weapon. With the additional Demons, he felt like he couldn’t hold himself back, even if the standard of weaker enemies grew more comfortable. His progression wasn’t tied to the flashing lights of a level any longer, but instead in the execution of his skills. He was excited by the prospect of having plenty of room to grow and the tower was providing the opportunities to demonstrate his maturing proficiency.
The hefty greatsword’s slightly curved blade practically melted the stone golems that were in his way, easily sliced the hounds who sought to impede his progress, and when the edge threatened the rightmost Horned Demon, it wasn’t only Coop that was thrown backwards for once. The demon’s claw recoiled with the force of the clash while sparks showered the demon itself. The monster closed its mouth, erasing the amused expression as it was suddenly faced with a mightier opponent than anticipated. Rage was already empowering him.