Is this really a Game?!

The ground trembled and shifted, separating into numerous levitating platforms. The grand arena transformed into a complex and dynamic battleground, each platform varying in size and height, creating a labyrinthine network suspended in the air. Some platforms hovered low, while others soared high, connected by narrow bridges and winding paths.

The throne stood tall at the center, a mile-high monolith surrounded by swirling energy.

Ding!

[ True Final Elite Trial: Ascension of the Worthy ]

[ Objective: Reach the Ascendant's Throne and activate the Ascendant's Beacon. Success condition: Activate the Beacon and hold the Throne for five minutes. Failure condition: All members are incapacitated or unable to reach the throne. ]

[ Warning: The final trial is a free-for-all. Alliances and betrayals are expected. Only one team can claim victory. ]

Reign and his team exchanged determined glances. The stakes were higher than ever, and they knew that the final trial would test their limits like never before. The shifting platforms and the mile-high ascent to the throne would be an immense challenge, but they were prepared to face it together.

"Stay sharp," Reign said, his voice steady. "Let's move forward and face whatever comes our way."

The Heaven's Hooligans began their ascent, navigating the complex network of platforms with agility and precision. The platforms shifted and moved unpredictably, adding an element of danger to their climb. They had to watch their footing and time their movements perfectly to avoid falling into the abyss below.

The platforms didn't simply levitate, they were also moving around, and some would even start turning around, dropping whoever was there down to the abyss below.

One team got eliminated early on just like that, they were standing in the middle of a large platform and were looking around them, analyzing the movement of the other platforms and teams, trying to create a map in their mind and the best path to the throne, only for the platform they were standing on to suddenly start turning to the side.

Before they could jump off the platform, it had already turned 90 degrees to the side, making it impossible for them to grab onto anything to hold on, thus they all fell down to the abyss and were eliminated.

As Reign and the others progressed, they encountered their first obstacle—a team of fierce-looking warriors who had suddenly jumped on a platform right next to their own. The two teams faced off, their eyes locked in a silent challenge.

Even though both teams could continue forward, making their way toward the throne and the huge stairs that led to it, they didn't move a single inch.

They were competing against one another, which meant that sooner or later, they would fight in order to get to the throne and keep it, so instead of doing that later, why not do it now?

"You know, we have heard of you before, Heaven's Hooligans." The leader of the enemy team of 14 combatants said as he stared at Reign and the others with a wide smile.

"Yeah, I heard you defeated some teams we fought against in the past as well, it's quite exciting to hear such a thing, it means you might be worthy to even go against us, and die a good death." Another member of the enemy team said before licking the edge of his blade as he stared at them with bloodlust and excitement.

"Now, we can all go forward and run to the throne, but-"

"Enough, let's just get on with it," Reign said, his voice filled with determination. "Take them down!"

The moment Reign's words echoed around them, the team moved while the enemy team all smiled widely as they moved as well, charging at them with excitement.

"That's the spirit, kid!" The leader, who looked to be about 40, said with a wide smile as he suddenly disappeared from the spot and appeared right above Reign who was still standing behind Wolf and the others who had charged forward.

His large curved greatsword struck down, met by Reign's two swords that were crossed in order to block the attack.

'Heavy.' Reign thought as he blocked the attack that actually forced his arms to be pushed back thanks to the immense strength the enemy leader had.

"For one that uses two swords and seems to focus more on speed, your strength isn't half-bad!" The leader said as he stood some 3 meters in front of Reign.

Wolf and the others made contact with the rest of the enemy team, none of them even looking back to check up on Reign. They didn't have to.

They had absolute faith that no matter what enemy Reign faced, he would be able to defeat them, no matter who they were.

"Seems like you can see some of my stats, huh?" Reign asked as he smiled at the enemy leader while using his [ Inspect ] skill to check his status.

"Hmmm … seems like you can do the same, huh?" The leader suddenly asked with a wide smile as he stared at Reign who smiled back at him.

"I gotta say, your strength really is high."

The leader smirked, clearly pleased by Reign's acknowledgment of his strength. "You've got potential, kid. But let's see if you can back up that potential with action."

Reign's smile widened. "You'll find out soon enough."

Without another word, the two warriors clashed again. Reign's dual swords moved with fluid grace, lightning swirling around them as they met the enemy leader's powerful swings. The air crackled with the intensity of their battle, each strike sending shockwaves through the platform.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Heaven's Hooligans were locked in fierce combat with the enemy team. Despite being outnumbered, the Heaven's Hooligans fought with a coordinated precision that made them a formidable force. The enemy team, though strong, struggled to match their unity and strategy.

The enemy team had 4 combatants that were on the level of Wolf and the others. The man who had previously spoken to Reign and licked his blade, a woman who used a pair of claws on her hands, and two men who looked nearly identical and used two short axes and a curved sword respectively.
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But even with the four of them occupying Wolf, Shadow, Jin, and Mia, it was still not enough to give the rest of them enough advantage over the rest.

Reign and the enemy leader continued their intense duel, their movements a blur of speed and power. The enemy leader's curved greatsword swung with devastating force, but Reign's agility and dual swords allowed him to parry and counter with swift, precise strikes. The clash of their weapons echoed through the arena, a testament to their skill and determination.

"You've got some impressive moves," the enemy leader admitted, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "But let's see how you handle this!"

With a roar, the enemy leader unleashed a powerful shockwave from his greatsword, the force of the attack aimed directly at Reign. The ground beneath them trembled as the shockwave raced forward.

Reign reacted instantly, channeling his lightning into his legs and swords. He crossed the blades in front of him, creating a barrier of energy that absorbed the shockwave while he jumped to the side in order to dodge the blow.

The barrier absorbed only a part of the shockwave before collapsing, the immense power continuing forward, actually destroying a part of the platform they were standing on.

Reign didn't simply stop moving, however, and charged at the enemy leader right away.

As Reign closed the distance, he unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one infused with the power of light and darkness. The enemy leader struggled to keep up, his defense weakening under the relentless assault.

He was strong, but his speed wasn't a match for Reign, especially after the latter used his lightning to further boost his already immense speed.

Suddenly, the ground below the enemy leader trembled as Reign sensed danger. He quickly kicked the blade of the enemy and jumped away as a powerful shockwave suddenly appeared from below the leader.

The shockwave covered the area 20 meters around the leader and was blasted from the ground up, hitting Reign, causing him to choke for a moment as his internal organs were slightly damaged from the blow, and his body was sent some 6 meters up in the air.

The leader prepared his blade, ready to strike at Reign while the latter was airborne, only to suddenly widen his eyes as they met Reign's eyes, which were calm and had no fear or surprise in them.

Suddenly, he felt danger, but it was already too late.

His head suddenly felt as if it was splitting open. The invisible power he had covered his blade in dissipated as a minor shockwave escaped from it before he used his curved blade as a crotch in order to not fall down to his knees.

"As I said, your strength stat is truly high, but unfortunately, your stats aren't quite balanced."

'When faced against a soul-based attack, you can do nothing to stop it, hell, you barely managed to notice the danger before it hit you.' Reign said inwardly before lightning coiled around him, his eyes turning blue as he created a large spear of lightning that he threw at the leader.