Is this really a Game?!

"Wolf, Jin, Tank, Greenie, keep it busy and off-balance, Beast, Laura, Mia, Aelrinder, and I will target the core again."

"Let\'s move!"

Greenie and Tank charged at the golem once more, their powerful bodies clashing against the enhanced construct. The golem\'s movements were faster, its strikes more forceful, but Greenie and Tank held their ground, deflecting its blows and creating openings for their teammates.

Shadow moved like a shadow, his form barely visible as he darted around the golem, searching for any vulnerabilities. His daggers found purchase in the smallest of gaps, chipping away at the golem\'s defenses bit by bit.

Wolf and Jin unleashed a barrage of powerful attacks, their combined strength shaking the golem to its core. Wolf\'s greatsword cleaved through the air with deadly precision, while Jin\'s explosive fists delivered powerful blows that reverberated through the battlefield.

Mia, Beast, and Laura unleashed their spells and arrows with renewed intensity, each strike aimed at destabilizing the golem\'s core. Aelrinder, with his spear, targeted the fractures in the golem\'s armor, his strikes precise and calculated. Reign led the charge, his swords flashing as he aimed for the core, determined to bring down the golem once and for all.

Greenie and Tank were still in charge of defending against the golem\'s attacks, which was even more difficult as they were forced to use everything they had to withstand them.

The battle raged on, each member of the Heaven\'s Hooligans pushing themselves to their limits. The golem\'s enhanced abilities made it a formidable opponent, but the team fought with unwavering determination. They had faced countless challenges before, and they would not be defeated now.

"Focus on the core! We need to destabilize it completely!" Reign shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.

The team redoubled their efforts, their attacks becoming even more focused. They struck at the golem\'s chest with relentless precision, each hit widening the fractures and weakening the core\'s defenses.

The golem roared, its movements becoming more erratic as it struggled to maintain its balance. The team\'s combined efforts were taking their toll, and the golem\'s strength was beginning to wane.

"We\'re almost there!" Reign shouted. "Keep pushing!"

With a final, coordinated assault, the team unleashed a devastating barrage of attacks on the core. Reign\'s swords, Aelrinder\'s spear, and the combined force of Wolf, Jin, and Shadow\'s attacks struck the core simultaneously. Mia\'s frost magic, Laura\'s demonic spells, and Beast\'s arrows added to the assault, creating a maelstrom of energy that enveloped the golem.

They had all even used their marks near the end, truly going all out as they realized they were short on time and might not make it without using the marks.

With the help of the marks, however, they finally managed to take the golem down.

The core shattered with a blinding explosion of light and energy, the force of the blast sending the golem crumbling to the ground once more. The ground shook as the colossal creature fell, its power extinguished.

Ding!

[ Victory: The Gauntlet Completed ]

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

The announcement echoed through the arena, and the crowd erupted in a deafening cheer. Reign and his team lay on the ground, exhausted but victorious. They had overcome the formidable challenge of the Gauntlet, proving their strength and unity once again.

The elven woman appeared before them, her expression one of pride and admiration. "You have completed the first Elite Trial with remarkable skill and teamwork"

"You have proven yourselves worthy once again."

"Rest and recover, for the next trial will be even more challenging."

Reign and his team nodded, their resolve unwavering. They knew that the trials ahead would continue to push them to their limits, but they were ready to face whatever came next. Luckily for them, they were also notified that their marks and any transformation they used would be available for them right after the trial as well.

The Elite trials were different than other trials as they would immediately have their mana and stamina replenished in their accommodations.

The recovery pools there were filled with mana that would immediately be taken by the body, not to mention that the water inside was not normal water, it was a hot spring that nourished the body incredibly well, healing most injuries in mere minutes and making their stamina return quickly.

As they returned to their quarters, they celebrated their victory with a well-deserved feast. Laughter filled the air as they recounted the challenges they had faced and overcome.

The next morning, they gathered once again, their minds focused on the upcoming challenges. The elven woman appeared, leading them to the arena for the next Elite Trial.

Ding!

[ Second Elite Trial: The Battle Royale ]

[ Objective: Be the last team standing. Success condition: All other teams are defeated. Failure condition: Your team is eliminated. ]

The arena transformed into a vast battlefield, with multiple teams scattered across the terrain. The objective was clear: they had to defeat all other teams to emerge victorious.

Reign and his team quickly assessed the situation and formulated a plan. They moved with precision and coordination, targeting the nearest teams and engaging them in combat. The battlefield was chaotic, with spells and weapons clashing in a cacophony of sound.

Wolf, Greenie, and Tank took the frontline, their combined strength creating a formidable barrier against enemy attacks. Reign, Shadow, and Aelrinder moved with agility and precision, targeting key opponents and disrupting their formations. Mia, Laura, and provided ranged support, their spells and attacks creating chaos and confusion among the enemy teams.

The battle raged on, with teams falling one by one. The Heaven\'s Hooligans fought with unwavering determination, their movements synchronized and their attacks relentless. They faced powerful opponents and cunning strategies, but their unity and skill allowed them to prevail.

As the number of teams dwindled, the final confrontation approached. The remaining teams converged in the center of the battlefield, each determined to be the last one standing.

The Heaven\'s Hooligans faced off against a formidable team known for their strength and strategy. The battlefield was littered with the remnants of fallen teams, and the air was thick with tension.

Reign quickly assessed their opponents, his eyes narrowing as he formulated a plan. "We need to take them down methodically," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Wolf, Tank, and Greenie hold the frontline. Shadow, Aelrinder, and I will target their key members. Mia, Laura, and Beast, provide support and keep an eye out for any unexpected attacks."

The team nodded, their resolve unshaken. They moved into position, their movements synchronized and precise.

The battle began with a clash of steel and a flurry of spells. Wolf, Tank, and Greenie charged forward, their combined strength creating a formidable barrier against the enemy\'s frontline. The ground trembled under their powerful strikes, and the enemy team struggled to hold their ground.

Reign, Shadow, and Aelrinder moved with deadly precision, targeting the enemy\'s key members. Shadow\'s daggers found their mark, striking from the shadows and disrupting the enemy\'s coordination. Aelrinder\'s spear thrusts were precise and powerful, piercing through defenses and creating openings for Reign\'s dual swords to strike with lethal accuracy.

Mia, Laura, and Beast unleashed a barrage of spells and arrows, their attacks creating chaos and confusion among the enemy team. Mia\'s frost magic slowed their movements, while Laura\'s demonic energy blasts disoriented them. Beast\'s arrows struck with pinpoint accuracy, taking down enemies from a distance.

The enemy team had a total of 15 members, and none of them were weak. Nobody participating in the elite trials was weak.

Suddenly, as they were fighting, attacks rained down from the side as a third team suddenly appeared and attacked, aiming to take advantage of the chaos to heavily injure both teams.

Reign and the others quickly managed to defend against the attacks, suffering some light injuries while their opponent suffered a bit more.

No word was said, a single glance from Reign and the leader of the opposing team proved enough for them to come to a mutual understanding. They wouldn\'t continue fighting, instead, they would enter a temporary alliance and deal with the third team that dared attack them.

The third group, seeing as how their initial attack did little damage to both teams, was at first a bit confused, then a bit scared as they saw both groups stop fighting. They immediately knew they had messed up, that both groups were now angry at them and had made them their main target.

Now, they had to face the anger of two teams because of their mistake.