Is this really a Game?!

Reign looked around at his team, each member standing tall despite their exhaustion and injuries. They had faced grueling battles over the past three days, each fight testing their limits and pushing them to their breaking points. But they had endured, and their determination had carried them through.

Ding!

[ Final Victory: Heaven's Hooligans ]

[ You have completed the second regular trial. Congratulations! ]

The announcement echoed through the arena, and the crowd erupted in a thunderous cheer. The elven woman appeared before them, her expression one of pride and admiration.

"You have proven yourselves worthy once again," she said, her voice carrying a hint of warmth. "You have faced immense challenges and emerged victorious."

"The next trial awaits, but for now, you have deserved rest."

Reign and his team exchanged relieved smiles, the weight of their accomplishments sinking in. They followed the elven woman back to their quarters, where a feast awaited them. The table was laden with a variety of delicious dishes, and the team eagerly dug in, their spirits lifted by the victory.

"Um, ma'am?" Reign suddenly called the elven woman who was about to leave.

"Yes?"

"Do you by any chance know how many trials we will have to face?"

The elven woman smiled at Reign before shaking her head.

"That I do not know, but I do know this, and am allowed to tell you." The woman suddenly turned a bit serious as she stared at them.

"In order to complete your challenge, the regular trials are not enough, you will need to face, and go through the elite trials later on in order to complete the challenge and evolve."

The words of the elven woman resonated in the minds of Reign and his team. The regular trials had been grueling, pushing them to quite a bit, but the thought of elite trials added a new layer of anticipation and difficulty. They knew that the trials ahead would be even more challenging, but they already expected that.

"You will have to go through a couple of more regular trials, only then will you be given the elite ones, good luck." The elven woman said before bowing and leaving them alone.

The team spent the rest of the evening celebrating their victory, enjoying the feast and each other's company. Laughter and camaraderie filled the air, temporarily easing the weight of the challenges that lay ahead. They knew that the upcoming elite trials would push them even further, but for now, they allowed themselves to savor their hard-earned success.

As the night wore on, Reign gathered his team together for a final discussion before they rested. "We've come a long way, and we've faced some tough challenges," he said, his voice filled with pride. "But we can't let our guard down."

"The elite trials, whatever they are, will be even tougher, and we'll need to be at our best."

The team agreed, and their determination renewed.

…

Ten days later.

"Hooligans, Hooligans, Hooligans!"

The entire arena was shaking from the crowd that was chanting fervently, their voices strong and overbearing, their faces showing the exhilaration and adrenaline that was pumping through their bodies.

Reign and his team stood at the center of the arena, basking in the adulation of the crowd. The past ten days had been a whirlwind of intense battles and rigorous trials, but they had emerged victorious in each one, solidifying their reputation as formidable contenders.

The Heaven's Hooligans had faced a variety of challenges during the remaining regular trials. They navigated intricate mazes filled with deadly traps, fought powerful enemy teams, and completed difficult puzzles that tested their intellect and problem-solving skills. Each trial had pushed them to their limits, but their unity and unwavering determination had seen them through.

Ding!

[ The Fourth and Final Regular Trial: Complete. ]

[ The Heaven's Hooligans have successfully completed all regular trials. ]

[ You are now eligible to enter the Elite Trials. ]

The announcement echoed through the arena, and the crowd's cheers grew even louder. The elven woman appeared before them once again, her expression one of pride and respect.

"Congratulations," she said, her voice carrying over the noise of the crowd. "You have completed all the regular trials and have proven yourselves worthy. Now, you are ready to face the Elite Trials. These trials will test you in ways you cannot imagine. Prepare yourselves, for the challenges ahead will be unlike anything you have faced before."

Reign and his team nodded, their expressions determined and resolute. They knew that the Elite Trials would be their greatest challenge yet, but they were ready to face whatever lay ahead.

The elven woman led them back to their quarters, where they found another feast awaiting them. They ate heartily, replenishing their strength and spirits. The air was filled with a mixture of excitement and anticipation as they discussed the trials ahead.

As night fell, the team rested, each member taking the time to mentally and physically prepare for the Elite Trials. They knew that their skills and teamwork would be tested in ways they had never experienced before, but they were confident in their abilities and their bond as a team.

The next morning, they were once again led to the arena by the elven woman. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as they stood in the center of the arena, waiting for the first Elite Trial to begin.

Ding!

[ First Elite Trial: The Gauntlet ]

[ Objective: Survive the Gauntlet and reach the end. Success condition: All team members must reach the end. Failure condition: Any team member is incapacitated before reaching the end. ]

The arena transformed before their eyes, shifting and changing into a massive, intricate maze filled with deadly traps, powerful monsters, and challenging puzzles. The Gauntlet was designed to test their endurance, strength, and teamwork to the utmost.

"Anybody else feel some déjà vu?" Shadow asked as the others nodded their heads.

Reign looked at his team, their faces reflecting the same determination and resolve he felt. "Alright, everyone. Stay sharp, watch each other's backs, and let's get through this together."

The team nodded, their expressions fierce and focused. They knew that the Gauntlet would be a grueling test, but they were ready to face it head-on.

They entered the Gauntlet, their movements swift and coordinated. The first section was filled with deadly traps—spikes, swinging blades, and hidden pitfalls. Shadow led the way, his keen senses and agility allowing him to detect and disable the traps. The rest of the team followed closely, their movements synchronized and cautious.

As they moved deeper into the Gauntlet, they encountered powerful monsters that guarded the path. Wolf, Greenie, and Tank took the frontline, their combined strength and resilience holding off the monsters while Beast and Laura provided ranged support. Reign and Aelrinder moved with precision, targeting the monsters' weak points and coordinating their attacks with the rest of the team.

The monsters were relentless, but the Heaven's Hooligans fought with unwavering determination. Each member played their part flawlessly, their synergy evident in every move. Shadow's agility and quick thinking allowed him to slip past the monsters' defenses, while Wolf's brute strength and Tank's unyielding defense kept the frontline secure.

Mia's and Laura's spells created a barrage of magical attacks, weakening the monsters and giving their teammates openings to strike.

As they progressed, the challenges grew more intense. The traps became more intricate, the monsters more powerful, and the puzzles more complex. Despite the escalating difficulty, the team remained focused, relying on their skills and each other to push forward.

They reached a section where the path split into multiple routes, each guarded by different challenges. Reign called for a brief halt to strategize. "We need to divide and conquer. We'll split into pairs. Shadow and I will take the left path, Wolf and Tank the center, Mia, Beast, and Laura the right, and Jin, Aelrinder and Greenie will hold the rear and support where needed."

The team agreed, quickly forming their pairs and heading down their assigned paths. Shadow and Reign moved swiftly through the left path, which was lined with deadly traps. Shadow's expertise in detecting and disarming traps was crucial, and Reign's agility allowed them to navigate the treacherous route with minimal damage.

Wolf and Tank faced a series of powerful monsters in the center path. Their combined strength and coordination allowed them to take down the beasts one by one, their movements synchronized and efficient. They used their raw power to break through the monsters' defenses, clearing the path ahead.

Mia, Beast, and Laura encountered complex puzzles on the right path. Mia's keen intellect and Laura's magical prowess proved invaluable as they deciphered the puzzles and used their magic to manipulate the environment. They worked together seamlessly, each puzzle bringing them closer to the end of their path.

Aelrinder and Greenie moved between the paths, providing support where needed. Aelrinder's tactical mind and Greenie's brute strength allowed them to assist their teammates effectively, whether it was disarming traps, fighting monsters, or solving puzzles.

After navigating their respective challenges, the team reunited at the end of the split paths, facing a massive chamber guarded by a colossal golem. The golem, made of stone and metal, radiated an aura of immense power. It was clear that this was the final guardian of the Gauntlet.

Ding!

[ Final Challenge of the Gauntlet: Defeat the Colossal Golem ]

[ Objective: Defeat the Colossal Golem to complete the Gauntlet. Success condition: The golem is defeated. Failure condition: The golem remains undefeated within the time limit. ]

[ Time limit: 30 minutes ]

"Just like the labyrinth, huh?"