When Caleb joined the formation, he saw more closely the appearance of the monster. Aside from its sharp, wild, black fur... It was releasing dark mist on its body that was putting pressure on anyone who nears it.
Not only that, just as Caleb thought, the monster's face would only look ugly. It has two bloodshot pupils and a black sclera. It had a ten-inch tongue dripping with saliva that was continuously flowing through the ground.
'What a disgusting monster.'
Caleb couldn't help but swallow at the fearsome visage of the Apokalip up close. He felt like he was suddenly in the Alien vs. Predator movie. However, he knew that he would have to fight such a lot of monsters in the future. He needs to get used to their visuals.
'Well, at least it looks like those horrors from Western movies rather than those from Japanese.' Caleb let out a chuckle as he tried to comfort himself a little.
He further observed the ongoing battle. He knew that he couldn't just charge ahead or he would risk messing up the formation and rhythm of the battle. Fighting with a team requires teamwork. It was like a big equation where every member had a tacit understanding. Caleb was aware that he didn't know how to cooperate with them yet since it would be the first time he would fight beside them with all seriousness.
What he needed to do was to observe... Study how they fight, and find the right opportunity to join the battle without disrupting the battle formation. As of now, all things are going according to plan.
Their captain and Jin were the ones on the front lines to bear the brunt of the monster's frenzied attack. In gaming terms, they are the tank and the fighter at the same time as they try to dodge most of its attacks and endure what they cannot dodge using their Tekai's. After all, no one is more qualified than them to engage and pull its aggro. Once they failed their role, all hell would break loose since no one could stop the Apokalip attack besides the two of them.
As he thought of this, Caleb saw Fushigiro perform a backflip to dodge the Abomination's human-sized claw by a hair's breadth. The claws were sharp enough that they had gone deep, five inches to the ground, and left a terrifying depression... As if it had wounded the Earth itself.
Fushigiro managed to quickly readjust himself and stopped the momentum of his movement to make a quick change of direction, dodging another fist in the Apokalip. However, that's not the end, because a black tail, like a spear, was heading at his chest.
As if to prove its power. Jin's finger managed to dig deeper and puncture the tough skin of the monster and directly crushed the flesh beneath it. Albeit with resistance. Then it stopped, unable to go deeper into the bones.
The Apokalip let out an enraged cry and slapped Jin, who used Tesai with uncanny timing. Even then, he flew two meters away. Out of the battle formation.
Of course, the other members didn't stand stupidly. They sprang to their feet and hacked their weapons into the monster.
Athena engaged her lats and upper back to give the Apokalips a forceful thrust on its thigh. However, the tip of the spear broke upon contact. In the end, the monster tried to kick Athena, but her body moved out of the way as the foot of the monster was only one inch away. She was like a fluttering leaf.
It was the principle of the feathery body. To make all the muscles soft enough to achieve weightlessness. A good technique to avoid the hit of any punches and blunt attacks. The kinetic energy of the attack would only push the user out of the attack like a fluttering leaf.
Of course, it has its weaknesses. It couldn't do the same against sharp attacks. Just like how some skilled swordsman could split a swaying leaf with their sword. Although difficult feat to achieve.
Miles and Dunn, on the other hand, made their way to the sides of the monster, where its ribs were exposed. Then use their weapons, hoping to break some bones and injure the monster. Yet just like before, the attacks were futile against the Apokalip's terrifying, monstrous defense.
"How are we supposed to fight this!?" Dunn gritted his teeth.
On the other hand, Caleb had already sneaked behind the Apokalip and he saw Fushigiro dodging the monster's harsh claws left and right with his Deku Step.
Caleb let the rest of his taboo energy flow through the blade of his Odachi, planning to hit the monster's exposed nape.