Is this really a Game?!

Reign and his team watched the approaching army from a concealed vantage point, their expressions serious but determined. They knew the psychological blow had been significant, but it wasn't enough to stop the Shadow Serpents. They needed to be ready for the real battle ahead.

Reign turned to his team. "Alright, this is it, we need to make sure everything is in place."

"Are the traps set?"

Mia nodded. "Yes, we've set up a series of traps along the main path they're taking, they won't see them until it's too late."

"Good," Reign said. "We need to hit them hard and fast."

"Shadow, Mia, Laura, and Greenie, you will be in charge of setting off the traps and creating chaos among their ranks, Wolf, Beast, Jin, and I will take on their leaders and any Tier VI combatants after the battle in front of the base reaches a certain point."

Amelia stepped forward, her resolve clear. "My people are ready, the leaders of the other factions are fully aware of the plan, some of them are quite upset that you will only make a move later, but they understand why you are doing so and will make sure none of their forces break through our defenses."

"Good, we need to do this if your factions are going to coexist in the same place later, the camaraderie your forces will build during this battle will be incredibly important later on."

"Let's move out," Reign ordered, his voice steady and calm. "We need to be in position before they reach the first line of traps."

The team dispersed, each member moving to their designated positions. The tension in the air was palpable as they waited for the enemy to approach. The traps were hidden well, and the enemy would not realize they were walking into an ambush until it was too late.

The minutes stretched on, feeling like hours as they listened to the distant sounds of the approaching army. Reign's eyes scanned the horizon, his senses heightened. He knew that the element of surprise was crucial. If they could disorient and demoralize the enemy, their chances of victory without suffering large casualties would rise significantly.

Finally, the first lines of the Shadow Serpents came into view. The army moved with a sense of purpose, their ranks disciplined despite the earlier shock. Reign's heart pounded in his chest as he watched them draw closer, but his mind was clear and focused.

"Wait for my signal," Reign whispered into the communication crystal he held. The team acknowledged, that their breathing was steady and controlled.

The enemy advanced, oblivious to the dangers lurking beneath their feet. As they reached the first set of traps, Reign gave the signal.

"Now!"

In an instant, the traps were triggered. Explosions rocked the ground, sending debris and dust into the air. Cries of alarm and pain echoed through the ranks of the Shadow Serpents as they were thrown into disarray. Some of the soldiers fell into concealed pits, while others were caught in snare traps that immobilized them.

Of course, for most of the soldiers, this was only enough to injure them, not kill them.

The traps were set up quickly last night and the main focus Lyle and the others had was to make them difficult to be noticed, which was why they didn't have enough time to make the traps deadlier.

The soldiers of the serpent panicked at first, but quickly gathered their wits and formed up again while helping out those who were injured, as well as those who had fallen down in the pits that were dug.

The chaos was a significant disruption, but the Shadow Serpents' discipline allowed them to regroup quickly. However, the traps had achieved their primary goal: disrupting their advance and sowing confusion.

Reign and the others merely glanced at the enemy before moving. They quickly moved closer to Amelia's base, waiting for the army to get closer so that they could set off the rest of the traps.

They were not planning on fighting the enemy, not yet at least.

Amelia and the other factions which were now in her base would have to face the serpent alone at first. Only after some time would Reign and the others join, attacking the army from the back and from the flanks, doing their best to reach their leaders.

Meanwhile, in the middle of the enemy army…

"Dammit, when were these traps placed?!" One of the leaders of the serpent yelled in anger and frustration as the others glanced at him.

"They probably managed to learn of our plan yesterday, they did manage to capture one of our guys, we should have been more careful, we should have thought of this possibility after seeing a Tier VI combatant tied to that pole."

The leaders exchanged worried glances, realizing the gravity of their oversight. They had underestimated their enemy's cunning and resourcefulness, and now they were paying the price. However, they knew they couldn't afford to dwell on their mistakes. They needed to adapt and press forward if they were to have any chance of success.

"We can't let these traps stop us," one of the leaders said, his voice determined. "We need to push through and reach their base before they have a chance to regroup."

The other leaders nodded in agreement, their expressions grim. They knew that time was of the essence, and they needed to maintain their momentum if they were to stand any chance against Amelia's fortified defenses.

"Form up! Push through the traps and advance on the enemy base!" the lead commander shouted, rallying his troops. "We will not be deterred by these cowardly tactics!"

With renewed determination, the Shadow Serpents' army pressed forward, their ranks tightening as they pushed through the chaos caused by the traps. They moved with purpose, their eyes fixed on the distant base where their enemies awaited them.

Meanwhile, inside the base, Amelia and the other faction leaders watched anxiously as the enemy army drew closer. They could hear the sounds of explosions and shouts in the distance, signaling that the traps had been sprung.

"We need to hold them off until Reign and his team can join the fray," Amelia said, her voice tight with tension. "Our defenses are strong, but we can't afford to underestimate them."

The other leaders nodded in agreement, their faces grim. They knew that they were facing a formidable enemy, but they were determined to protect their home at all costs.

Upon seeing the heavily fortified base, the enemy leaders all grimaced. They once again underestimated their enemy.

"That base did not look like that yesterday, we sent a scout to check on it." One of the leaders said as the others stared and nodded.

"That group, the mysterious faction that is hunting down our men, it has to be them that did this, the fortification and the traps." Another leader said as the others once again nodded.

"We can't turn around, not now, the morale of the entire faction will plummet if we do so." A third leader stated as they all clenched their hands into fists before one of them stepped forward.

"We go all out, right now, right away."

"Use the battle formation, form up!" The leader shouted, his voice reverberating through the entire army, causing the soldiers to all show a serious expression and move together.

They formed a weird formation before releasing their mana, causing it to shroud the entire army. Their mana then fused, forming a figure above them.

It was a bat.

The battle formation the army knew was one the vampires had given them, it was a battle formation similar to the ones Reign and the others had seen in the past when armies in worlds that had magic for a long time used when fighting.

The bat figure above the army was not just for show. It was a powerful magical formation that enhanced the soldiers' speed, strength, and endurance while connecting them all. Unlike the battle formations they had seen before, this one didn't create an avatar that would battle, instead, it merely increased the overall power of all the soldiers.

The Shadow Serpents' army surged forward with renewed vigor, their movements swift and coordinated.

Inside the base, Amelia and the other faction leaders watched as the enemy approached, their hearts pounding with anticipation. They knew that the real battle was about to begin, and they braced themselves for the onslaught.

As the enemy reached the first line of defense, the traps set by Reign and his team were triggered once again. Explosions and sudden pitfalls disrupted the enemy's advance, causing confusion and chaos among their ranks. However, the magical formation provided the soldiers with enhanced abilities, allowing them to push through the obstacles with relative ease.

Amelia's forces fought valiantly, using their superior knowledge of the terrain and the traps to their advantage. They attacked from atop the walls of their base, raining down spells and arrows on the enemy.

Meanwhile, Reign and his team observed the battle from a safe distance, waiting for the right moment to strike. They could see that the traps and defenses were slowing down the enemy, but they also knew that it wouldn't be enough.