Chapter 21: Perfect Coordination Finally Upgrades

The Mind Flayer’s abilities were vividly portrayed in the second season: it could easily pull people into the Upside Down, provided it had already planted its seed within them. The narrative didn’t make it clear why Will was dragged into the Upside Down, but throughout the three seasons, it became evident that the Mind Flayer was orchestrating everything from behind the scenes. In other words, the so-called “big boss” of the first season was merely the Mind Flayer’s top enforcer; the true mastermind had always been it.

At this moment, the location in the Upside Down was still the first-floor lobby of the Hawkins Laboratory, but outside in the courtyard, a colossal creature towered above all—a monstrous thing with six jointed limbs, immense as trees, looming over the grounds.

Dr. Brenner spun around in terror and fled. But at the stairwell behind him, a pack of demodogs burst forth—over a dozen—swarming him, knocking him to the ground, and tearing at him in a frenzy.

Lin Xiao swallowed hard with fear. No matter how bold he was, faced with such mortal peril, his legs still trembled uncontrollably. The Mind Flayer’s methods were insidious, its strength overwhelming; if translated into game levels, it far surpassed level 3 or 5, easily at level 10—a shadow monster no one at his current power could hope to confront. Perhaps only by reaching level 10 and becoming a full-fledged exorcist would he be able to challenge it; for now, he was little more than meat on the chopping block.

“No, even if I’m destined for slaughter, I refuse to go down without a fight.”

The demodogs tore Brenner apart and began to circle, closing in from all directions. Chief Hopper and Barbara were pale with fear. Lin Xiao, setting aside any attempt to hide his abilities, reached into his inventory and drew the Star Destroyer Axe, activating its enchanted effect.

Boom!

A surge of flames erupted, transforming the axe into a blazing weapon, waves of heat rolling off it.

Chief Hopper and Barbara stared at Lin Xiao in astonishment. To pull out such a strangely shaped axe and ignite it with fire—surely no ordinary person could do such a thing.

The situation was critical, and neither had time for questions. The demodogs closed in, their flower-like heads opening wide as they howled, the meaning unclear.

Suddenly, a storm swept in. Will, who was strapped to Hopper’s back, was snatched up by the tempest and flung into the courtyard.

Chief Hopper made to rush out and rescue Will, but two demodogs blocked his path, watching him with predatory eyes, their heads swaying menacingly.

In the courtyard, the Mind Flayer extended a massive limb, forming a spinning vortex that enveloped Will. Countless streams of pitch-black energy surged toward him, burrowing into his nose, mouth, eyes, and ears.

Barbara shrieked in terror. Chief Hopper’s face darkened. To play his role well, Lin Xiao could only raise the axe and charge forward. Three demodogs blocked his path; with a swing, he killed one instantly.

The remaining two attacked from either side, knocking him to the ground. The axe slipped from his grasp, and the flames extinguished immediately. In a desperate moment, Lin Xiao grabbed the forelegs of one demodog, preventing it from biting him, while the other seized its chance, opening its flower-like maw to strike.

Thankfully, Chief Hopper rushed over and kicked the beast away, saving him from certain death.

Seeing this, the remaining demodogs lunged wildly at them, and it seemed they would soon be torn apart. Yet, as the demodogs leaped upon them, it was as if invisible hands plucked them from the air, hurling them aside. They landed all around, howling in pain.

Lin Xiao turned to look—the four familiar figures running up from the stairwell were the main cast: Eleven, Mike, Dustin, and Lucas.

Blood streamed from beneath Eleven’s nose; she had clearly just used her powers to drive off the demodogs.

With reinforcements arriving, Lin Xiao’s spirits soared. He rolled over, pinning the demodog beneath him, and gripped its neck tightly to prevent it from biting him.

Barbara hurried over, picked up the Star Destroyer Axe, and handed it to him. Lin Xiao swung the axe and killed the demodog, his source power rising to seventeen.

“Will!”

The three friends saw Will and shouted, preparing to rush to his rescue. Lin Xiao and Chief Hopper quickly stood up and blocked their way.

Will was trapped in the storm, black energy ceaselessly pouring into his seven orifices. Lin Xiao’s expression grew grim—this was a Mind Flayer projection, a means of controlling its host and invading the real world.

Lin Xiao exchanged a glance with Chief Hopper. Just as they were about to step forward and rescue Will, the demodogs that Eleven had thrown aside regrouped and surrounded them again, relentless and unafraid, blocking their rescue attempt.

Lin Xiao reignited the axe and swung it, attempting to drive the demodogs back.

But these beasts knew no fear of death, refusing to retreat and blocking his every move.

“I’ll hold them—quick, kill them!” Eleven’s voice called from behind. The demodogs froze in place, unable to move—her telekinetic powers at work.

Lin Xiao rejoiced inwardly, but maintained a calm facade. He charged forward, axe in hand, and in rapid succession slew thirteen demodogs, clearing the area.

The notifications sounded endlessly, one after another, his source power surging to forty-three.

Mike and the others stared in awe. Will’s brother was terrifying—one swing, one kill, never hesitating, never blinking. Wasn’t it exhausting not to blink for so long?

With the demodogs annihilated, Eleven released her hold, so drained that blood poured from her nose, her face pale as paper, unsteady on her feet. It was clear she would not be able to use her powers again for some time.

Barbara hurried over to support her, preventing her from collapsing.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have gathered twenty points of source power, meeting the upgrade requirement. Would you like to upgrade?]

“Upgrade immediately.”

The notification had sounded several times during the slaughter, but he’d been too busy to respond. Now, with the demodogs finished, he finally had a moment to do so.

Twenty points of source power were deducted. A powerful surge of heat flooded his body, magical energy soaring within. Lin Xiao almost cried out from the overwhelming sensation.

It was exhilarating!

The rush from this supernatural surge of power was at least ten times stronger than any physical pleasure. The feeling of growing strength, of increasing power, was utterly addictive.

His entire body—cells, tissues, organs—were being strengthened by extraordinary energy, becoming tougher and more powerful. Even his height seemed to increase imperceptibly.

This process was more than just increased strength; it felt as if his very existence was evolving, becoming ever less human, heading toward an unbelievable realm—perhaps even comparable to gods.

The upgrade was soon complete. Amidst the chaos, Lin Xiao opened the system interface once more. The upgrade awarded two SP points, enough to unlock two new skills.

He glanced at the Mind Flayer, which was still corrupting Will, and decisively unlocked two potentially useful skills—one basic skill for all clerics and one for male clerics:

[Purification: Level 1 basic skill. Removes abnormal conditions from all allies within a certain range, including but not limited to curses, venom, bleeding, etc. Each use consumes twenty points of magic. Range: within five meters.]

[Demon’s Hand: Level 1 basic skill. Summons a demonic hand that inflicts damage on all enemies it touches. Each use consumes thirty points of magic. Current damage: one hundred points per use. Range: within ten meters.]