Is this really a Game?!

Ding!

[ The group challenge will soon commence, when the players are ready, please head through the gate and enter the preparatory arena that was set up for you. ]

"All 9 of us are doing the same challenge, well, this is a first for sure." Reign stated with a smirk on his face as the others all nodded their heads.

Almost all of their previous evolution challenges had been individual, at least those that sent them to a different place, this was the first time that all of them, even Jin and Aelrinder, and even Greenie, had to take together.

"But really, who would have thought that even you would have to go through the challenge, I thought you would continue evolving the same way as before." Reign told Greenie who shrugged his shoulders.

"The system told me it was a special occasion and that even I had to participate, I do not know if that will happen later as well."

'Probably because of the Power Realm, the system has concluded that he needs to prove himself a bit as well, even though he doesn't need to thanks to his bloodline.'

'The same goes for you, as a Nephilim, you have no bottlenecks that you will face, in all honesty, the challenges are not even needed for you, and yet, you had to go through every single one so far.'

'If the system deems it a must, then it will be done, that is just how it goes.'

Aethion spoke, his words echoing in the heads of Reign and the others as they sighed and nodded.

They glanced forward, steeling themselves for the battles ahead. The large gate loomed before them, its iron bars etched with ancient runes that glowed faintly in the dim light. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, the air heavy with the promise of combat.

Reign took a deep breath and pushed the gate open. The creaking of the iron echoed in the silence, a prelude to the challenges they were about to face. Beyond the gate, a massive arena unfolded before them, surrounded by towering walls and filled with an ominous silence.

They stepped into the arena, their footsteps echoing on the stone floor. The ground was stained with the remnants of past battles, a grim reminder of the trials that had taken place here. The arena was circular, with high walls that offered no escape. At the center stood a large platform, elevated and surrounded by tiered seating that formed a perfect view of the battleground.

They couldn't, however, see anybody there.

Ding!

[ Arena challenge initiated. Prepare for the first wave of enemies. ]

Reign and his team took their positions, forming a tight circle with their backs to each other. They had fought countless battles together, each member knowing their role and trusting their comrades implicitly. The tension was palpable as they waited for the first wave to arrive.

The ground trembled, and the air grew thick with anticipation. From the shadows at the edges of the arena, creatures began to emerge. The first wave consisted of a horde of monstrous beasts, their eyes glowing with malevolent intent. They ranged from hulking brutes to agile predators, each one radiating power and menace.

"Here they come," Reign said, gripping his sword tightly. "Stay together and watch each other's backs."

The beasts charged forward with a roar, their sheer numbers threatening to overwhelm the team. Reign moved first, his sword a blur as he met the oncoming tide with precision strikes. Wolf and Tank stood beside him, their weapons cutting through the beasts with deadly efficiency. Shadow and Mia darted around the edges, picking off stragglers and keeping the flanks secure.

The battle was fierce and relentless. The beasts fought with primal ferocity, but the team held their ground, their training and coordination allowing them to cut through the horde. The arena echoed with the sounds of combat—swords clashing, spells crackling, and the roars of defeated monsters.

As the last beast fell, the team took a moment to catch their breath. Their respite was short-lived, however, as the ground trembled once more.

Ding!

[ First wave defeated. Prepare for the second wave. ]

The walls of the arena shimmered, and new portals opened, unleashing a fresh wave of enemies. This time, they faced humanoid warriors—each one armed and armored, their eyes burning with a cold, calculating intelligence. These were not mindless beasts but trained fighters, each one a formidable opponent.

Another difference this time was also the fact that there were now figures present in the center of the arena, on top of the large platform with seats on it. The figures of whoever was there were obscured by shadows, however, making it impossible for one to see who exactly was present.

"Stay sharp," Reign called out. "These ones will be tougher."

The humanoid warriors advanced with disciplined precision, their formations tight and their attacks coordinated. Reign and his team met them head-on, their skills and tactics put to the test. The arena was a whirlwind of motion as swords clashed and spells flew.

Wolf and Greenie formed the frontline, their heavy weapons breaking through the enemy's defenses. Beast and Laura provided ranged support, their arrows, and spells striking with deadly accuracy. Shadow and Mia weaved through the battle, their agility, and stealth allowing them to strike where the enemy least expected.

Reign was moving around the battlefield thanks to his immense speed and was picking off the enemies whenever he could while Tank stood straight and blocked any long-range attacks that were thrown their way while attacking with his axe from time to time.

Jin used his fists to blast enemies away and create explosions while Aelrinder was using his spear to stab through enemies that got a bit too close.

The fight was brutal and exhausting. The humanoid warriors fought with a level of skill and strategy that forced the team to adapt and push themselves to their limits. But despite the relentless assault, Reign and his team held their ground, their determination unyielding.

As the last of the humanoid warriors fell, the team stood panting, their bodies aching from the exertion. They had fought hard, but they knew the challenge was far from over.

Ding!

[ Second wave defeated. Prepare for the final wave. ]

Ding!

[ The players have to defeat the enemy without resorting to the usage of marks or transforming. ]

The ground shook violently, and the air grew thick with a sense of impending doom. From the largest portal yet emerged a towering figure, its presence radiating an overwhelming aura of power. It was a titan—a massive, armored behemoth wielding a colossal weapon that crackled with arcane energy.

Reign's heart pounded in his chest as he faced the titan. "This is it," he said, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at the edges of his mind. "Give it everything you've got."

The titan roared, its voice a deafening cacophony that shook the very walls of the arena. It charged forward, its massive strides causing the ground to quake. Reign and his team braced themselves, ready to face their most formidable opponent yet.

The battle against the Titan was unlike anything they had experienced before. Its sheer size and strength were overwhelming, each swing of its weapon creating shockwaves that threatened to topple them. Reign and Tank took the brunt of their attacks, their weapons clashing with the titan's colossal blade.

Wolf and Beast struck at its legs, their attacks aimed at weakening its foundation. Mia and Laura launched powerful spells, their magic searing through the titan's armor. Shadow darted around the battlefield, his daggers finding gaps in the titan's defenses and exploiting them.

The fight was grueling, the team pushed to their absolute limits. The titan's power was immense, and it seemed to shrug off their attacks as if they were nothing. But Reign and his team fought with a determination born of their countless battles together. They knew each other's strengths and weaknesses, their coordination and trust allowing them to function as a single, unstoppable unit.

Slowly, they began to wear the titan down. Cracks appeared in its armor, and its movements grew more sluggish. But the titan fought back with a ferocity born of desperation, its attacks growing even more powerful and erratic.

Reign saw an opening—a brief moment where the titan's guard was down. He signaled to his team, and they launched a coordinated assault. Tank and Wolf struck simultaneously, their weapons breaking through the titan's defenses. Beast and Laura unleashed a barrage of arrows and spells, their attacks finding their mark.

Shadow and Mia struck from the shadows, their daggers and swords piercing the titan's vulnerable joints. Reign charged forward, his sword blazing with energy as he delivered the final, decisive blow. The titan roared in agony, its massive form collapsing to the ground with a thunderous crash.

The arena fell silent, the echoes of the battle fading away. Reign and his team stood victorious, their bodies battered and bruised but their spirits unbroken. They had faced the ultimate challenge and emerged triumphant.

Ding!

[ Final wave defeated. ] Chapter Stay:

[ The team has managed to finish the preparatory challenge and has received the right to enter the true arena and accept the evolution challenge. ]

"Huh?"