Is this really a Game?!

Chapter 1102 Defending the Throne

"Right," Reign replied, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the throne ahead. "We can't let our guard down for even a second. Once we reach the throne, we're going to be the main target for everyone else."

The team pressed on, their steps measured but determined as they neared the throne. The swirling vortex of energy above the throne continued to pulse with power, a reminder of the immense challenge that still lay before them. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and each member of the Heaven's Hooligans knew that the hardest part of the trial was yet to come.

As they reached the final few steps, the throne itself came into full view. It was a massive, ornate seat, carved from a material that seemed to shimmer with every color of the spectrum. The energy radiating from it was palpable, and suddenly, something appeared right in front of Reign and the others.

The Flame of Ascendance.

The goal of the previous trial was not just the goal, but the prerequisite for this trial. Without the flame, no team would be able to activate the throne and gain control over it.

In fact, every single team present in the trial had cleared the previous one, just like Reign and the others.

Reign stepped forward, and the Flame held aloft. The team gathered around him, forming a tight circle as they prepared for the final act of the trial.

"Here we go," Reign said, his voice steady but filled with anticipation. "Once I place the Flame on the throne, everything is going to change. Be ready."

The team nodded, their eyes sharp and focused. They were prepared for whatever came next.

Reign approached the throne, the Flame of Ascendance glowing brighter with each step. As he reached the throne, he placed the Flame on the seat, and for a moment, there was silence. The entire arena seemed to hold its breath, waiting for what was to come.

Suddenly, the Flame merged with the throne, creating a brilliant beacon of light that shot up into the swirling vortex above. The energy from the throne surged outward, enveloping the Heaven's Hooligans in a radiant glow. The power was immense, almost overwhelming, but they stood firm, their resolve unyielding.

Ding!

[ Victory Condition Activated: The Heaven's Hooligans have claimed the Ascendant's Throne ]

[ Final Objective: Hold the Throne for five minutes ]

[ Warning: All remaining teams will now converge on the throne. Prepare for the final battle. ]

As the system notifications appeared, the energy surrounding the throne began to shift. The golems that had been guarding the ascent vanished, and the swirling energy above the throne calmed, revealing a clear sky. But the respite was short-lived.

The moment the golems disappeared, the ground around the throne trembled, and the platforms leading to the throne began to move, forming new paths that connected the throne to the rest of the arena. The other teams, who had been biding their time, immediately sprang into action, racing up the newly formed paths toward the throne.

"They're coming!" Wolf shouted, his greatsword igniting with chaotic flames. "Get ready!"

The Heaven's Hooligans quickly formed a defensive perimeter around the throne. Each member took up a position, their weapons, and abilities at the ready. They knew that the next five minutes would be the longest and hardest of the entire trial.

They were already tired from fighting the teams previously, as well as the challenges of the throne, but that didn't matter.

They were done holding back.

The next five minutes were the most important five minutes they would have, and thus, they all activated their marks, as well as any hidden cards they had.

Only Reign still held back, not transforming as his transformation wouldn't last 5 minutes at all. He was keeping it for the end, for the final minute of the trial.

The atmosphere around the throne was charged with tension as the Heaven's Hooligans braced themselves for the oncoming assault. The final trial had reached its climax, and they were now the primary target for every remaining team in the arena.

The paths leading up to the throne were swarming with combatants, all converging with one goal in mind—dethroning the Heaven's Hooligans and claiming the Ascendant's Throne for themselves.

The team stood their ground, each member fully aware of the immense challenge that lay before them. They had faced overwhelming odds before, but this was different. This time, they were not only fighting to survive but to protect the throne at all costs. The weight of the trial's final objective bore down on them, but their resolve was unshakable.

Wolf took up a position at the forefront of the defense, his greatsword blazing with purple flames, scales appearing on his body as his mark changed him. Two small horns could barely be seen protruding out of his forehead, and his aura was immense as he held nothing back.

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The energy surrounding him crackled with power as he prepared to meet the first wave of attackers. The enemy teams charged up the paths, their weapons drawn and spells at the ready, determined to overwhelm the defenders.

The first of the attackers reached the throne's platform, a group of heavily armored warriors intent on breaking through Wolf's defense. They charged at him with a battle cry, their weapons aimed to strike him down. But Wolf was ready. With a powerful swing of his greatsword, he unleashed a wave of purple flames that collided with the oncoming warriors, sending them reeling backward.

The impact of the attack was devastating. The Everlasting flames burned through their armor, and the sheer force of the blow knocked several of them off the platform, sending them plummeting into the abyss below. Those who remained standing found themselves face to face with a ferocious adversary, and they quickly realized that breaking through Wolf's defense would be no easy task.

Previously, they all had the same thought.

He was just one man, and no matter how powerful or talented he may be, these were the elite trials, and this was the very end of those trials. Every single team here had gone through a lot to reach the end, every single combatant was battle-tested, strong, and talented.

And yet, when standing in front of Wolf and feeling the heat of his flames, they all realized that their thoughts were not correct.

But they didn't have much time to think at all.

Shadow placed his hands on the ground, summoning his darkness, and spreading it around the throne and the entire team in order to hide them from sight.

The darkness started spreading even further when Reign did the same, the two of them creating a sort of barrier of darkness that allowed no person to glimpse inside of it. Only their own team could see through the darkness, nobody else.

Tank and Greenie quickly positioned themselves at the other paths where the enemies were coming, waiting for them to get closer so they could greet them.

Jin's hand was on the floor, his mana being channeled, his explosions ready to be activated.

Laura was ready to heal them, Beast held his bow while his 3 tamed beasts were around him, all of them controlling their powers and making their bodies smaller in order to stay near them, while Mia was using her frost to change the paths that led to the throne, slowly freezing them by placing a thin, but durable layer of ice on top so that the enemies would slip and have bad footing.

As the Heaven's Hooligans prepared for the onslaught, the atmosphere around the throne became electric with tension. The dark barrier created by Reign and Shadow enveloped the platform, shrouding the team in an impenetrable veil of shadow. The other teams, now unable to see their targets, hesitated for a brief moment, but their determination drove them forward.

They knew that they had no choice but to attack if they wanted any chance of seizing the throne.

Wolf stood at the front, his eyes glowing with a fierce intensity as the first group of attackers reached the edge of the dark barrier. The warriors, clad in heavy armor and wielding large weapons, attempted to press forward despite the ominous darkness that seemed to swallow their very presence.

The leader of the group, a massive figure wielding a battle axe, took a step into the darkness, the other members of his team following closely behind. Their movements were cautious, their eyes straining to see through the veil of shadows that concealed the Heaven's Hooligans.

Without warning, Wolf's flaming greatsword slashed through the darkness, cutting through the lead warrior's defenses with devastating force. The Everlasting flames wrapped around the warrior, burning through his armor and leaving scorch marks on his strong body. With a swift, powerful strike, Wolf sent the warrior crashing to the ground, his armor glowing red-hot from the flames.

The rest of the attacking team, seeing their leader be sent crashing down, faltered, and Shadow quickly made use of it by appearing behind them, attacking them mercilessly.