Is this really a Game?!

"Dammit, form up, we have to quickly form a defensive perimeter!" Reign shouted as he scrambled to get off the ground, as did the others, some nearly falling down the mountain because of the explosion.

The Heaven's Hooligans formed a defensive perimeter quickly as they stared at the enemy teams who were charging at them, their weapons ready. The other teams, sensing their last chance to claim the flame, launched a fierce attack, their movements frantic and desperate.

Reign, standing at the center of the formation, held the Flame of Ascendance tightly. His dual swords shimmered with light and darkness, ready to strike at any who dared approach. He knew that the final moments of this battle would be the most crucial. They had to hold their ground and protect the flame until they could secure their victory.

The enemy forces pressed in from all sides, desperate to reach the flame. The air was filled with the clash of steel, the roar of spells, and the cries of the wounded. Despite the overwhelming odds, the Heaven's Hooligans fought with unwavering resolve.

"Push them back!" Reign shouted. "We can't let them break through!"

Reign left the flame alone as he also joined the battle, his lightning erupting around him as his swords shone a black and white light respectively. He joined in the fray and fought just like the rest as if they were all possessed.

No combatant that reached the elite trials was an easy opponent, but even then, Reign and the others were a notch above them when their marks were active, their power so immense that it was difficult to believe they were in the same realm as the rest of them.

The mountain shook, the snow from the top falling and boulders being dislodged from their location before falling down, tumbling down the mountain, some of them hitting monsters, some hitting other boulders and smaller rocks, while some even fell right where the battle between the Heaven's Hooligans and the enemy teams was taking place.

The Heaven's Hooligans moved with the agility and precision born of countless battles, evading falling boulders and snow while maintaining their fierce defense against the enemy teams. The rocky terrain turned treacherous with each passing second, but they pushed forward, their combined strength an unstoppable force.

Greenie, Wolf, and Tank stood as an immovable wall at the front, their strength holding the line against the relentless assault, allowing the others to attack with full force.

The enemy teams were going all out as well, they were fighting with everything they had, but against Reign and the others, that was simply not enough. Their attacks lacked coordination, and their skills and powerful abilities would sometimes collide with one another, some of them even hitting the other teams by mistake, or sometimes because that was their target.

The ground was covered in corpses of monsters and players alike, and the air was thick with the sounds of battle and the smell of blood.

The more the battle continued, however, the worse the situation became. It wasn't because of the enemy players, they were strong, but getting weaker, it was the monsters that were turning to be a real threat.

There were more and more of them appearing, the flame, as well as the smell of blood drawing them in.

"Reign, you have to go down the mountain, we'll keep these bastards occupied here!" Wolf suddenly shouted at Reign, his expression showing just how resolute he was.

"Wolf is correct, only one member needs to get down with the flame, it's best if it is you, even if you get attacked along the way, you'll be able to escape the battle or defeat the enemy quickly, you're the best choice!" Jin added as he stared at Reign who had a conflicted expression on his face.

He knew that they were right, that staying here and fighting was only going to decrease their chances of winning. They had no idea how many monsters were present in total, but from how many kept appearing, there seemed to be a lot more of them compared to the total number of players.

Even if Wolf and the others died here, death was not true in the trials, which meant that he didn't need to worry too much about them, and yet, the mere thought of leaving them alone to go down the mountain and complete the trial made him … angry.

He wanted them all to get down together, he didn't want any of them to die, even if they wouldn't truly die as dying still sucked, and he didn't wish for any of them to experience it.

For a moment, he even thought about using his transformation, but quickly shook his head and nodded at them.

He knew they were right and that this was the best course of action for the current situation, that going down by himself was without a doubt the best way for them to win this trial quickly.

Reign discharged all of his lightning around him, shocking many enemies before quickly zooming past them and his teammates and reaching the flame. Once again, Reign took it before quickly running down the mountain, no longer being careful when going down as he was alone.

The enemies were only able to see a bolt of black and white lightning going down the mountain as Reign was that fast. They all quickly realized what was happening and started attacking Wolf and the others in a frenzy.

Some of their combatants split off from the large group and tried going to the side in order to pursue Reign, only to be stopped by Shadow or Beast. They were not going to let them follow Reign, no matter what happened.

As Reign sped down the mountain, his senses were heightened, his mind focused entirely on reaching the base before anyone could catch up. The Flame of Ascendance pulsed in his grasp, its ethereal light guiding his way. He could hear the faint sounds of battle behind him, the clash of steel, and the roars of monsters echoing in the distance.

He didn't look back. He trusted his team to hold the line and give him the time he needed to secure their victory. The treacherous terrain demanded his full attention, each step carefully calculated to avoid any missteps that could send him tumbling to his doom.

Reign's lightning-fast movements left a trail of energy in his wake, the black and white lightning crackling around him as he descended. He leaped over jagged rocks, slid down steep slopes, and navigated narrow ledges with precision. The mountain seemed to stretch endlessly before him, but he knew he was getting closer to the base with each passing second.

Suddenly, a massive shadow loomed over him. Reign glanced up to see a gigantic winged beast, a wyvern, diving toward him with its claws outstretched. Its eyes glowed with a predatory hunger, drawn by the power of the flame.

Reign's grip tightened on his swords as he prepared to confront the new threat. He couldn't afford to let the wyvern slow him down. With a burst of speed, he dodged to the side just as the wyvern's claws crashed into the ground where he had been standing.

The wyvern let out a deafening roar, its wings beating furiously as it turned to pursue him. Reign's mind raced, calculating his next move. He couldn't waste time in a prolonged battle, but he also couldn't let the beast catch him.

In a swift motion, Reign channeled his lightning into his swords, the blades crackling with energy. He darted toward the wyvern, his movements a blur. The wyvern lunged, its jaws snapping shut, but Reign was too quick. He leaped into the air, his swords slashing through the beast's wings with precision.

The wyvern screeched in pain, its flight faltering as it crashed to the ground. Reign landed gracefully, his swords still crackling with lightning. Without wasting a moment, he surged forward, leaving the injured beast behind as he continued his descent.

The base of the mountain was finally in sight, a sense of urgency propelling him forward. The Flame of Ascendance glowed brighter, its light guiding him through the final stretch. Reign's heart pounded in his chest as he pushed himself to the limit, his legs burning with the effort.

He reached the base just as the first rays of dawn began to break over the horizon. The air was filled with a sense of victory, the weight of their journey lifting from his shoulders. Reign slowed to a stop, his breath coming in heavy gasps as he looked around.

The area was eerily quiet, the sounds of battle far behind him. Reign's grip on the flame tightened as he took a moment to catch his breath. He knew that this was the culmination of their efforts, the moment they had been fighting for.

Suddenly, a familiar voice broke the silence. "Reign, you made it."

Reign turned to see the elven woman who had guided them through the trials standing before him. Her expression was one of pride and admiration.

"You and your team have proven yourselves worthy," she said, her voice carrying a tone of respect. "The Flame of Ascendance is yours."

Ding!

[ Victory: The Flame of Ascendance Retrieved ]

[ The Heaven's Hooligans have successfully completed the fourth Elite Trial. Congratulations! ]