Is this really a Game?!

A new sense of urgency gripped the team. The Flame of Ascendance was now in the possession of another team, and they had to act quickly to intercept them before they could descend the mountain and claim victory.

"Silent Whisper," Reign muttered, recognizing the name of a formidable team they had encountered in a previous trial when they had to go through many battles in three days inside the arena.

They were strong, that was certain, but their most dangerous power was a skill they all shared and could use together to turn nearly invisible, even their mana signature and aura would be hidden when using it.

It was taxing however, as during a team battle they had against them, they had only used it in short bursts to disengage from battle when things became dangerous for them or to hide themselves for an instant before attacking them suddenly.

"We can't let them get away with the flame. Let's move!"

The Heaven's Hooligans surged forward, their exhaustion pushed aside by the adrenaline of the chase. The terrain grew more treacherous as they approached the summit, with jagged rocks and narrow ledges threatening to slow their progress. But their determination was unyielding, and they pressed on with all their strength.

As they neared the summit, they spotted Silent Whisper descending rapidly, their movements quick and efficient. The team had the flame, and they were making their way down the mountain with purpose.

Their main skill, the one they had actually used in order to get past multiple powerful monsters and teams without being noticed, was now useless as the flame was constantly burning and could not be hidden.

Because of the flame, their location was visible at all times to almost all teams, as well as monsters who seemed to be getting close to the team as well.

"There they are!" Shadow called out, pointing to the other team. "We need to cut them off before they reach the lower levels."

Reign nodded, his mind racing with strategies. "Greenie, Tank, Wolf, you're with me. We'll take the direct route and try to intercept them head-on. Shadow, Aelrinder, Mia, Beast, Laura, and Jin, use your abilities to flank them and cut off their escape routes."

The team split into two groups, each moving with precision and purpose. Reign's group took the most direct path, navigating the steep cliffs and treacherous terrain with remarkable speed. Shadow's group moved through the more concealed paths, using their agility and stealth to position themselves ahead of Silent Whisper.

As Silent Whisper continued their descent, they suddenly found themselves under attack. Mia's frost magic created a slick, icy barrier, forcing them to slow down. Beast's arrows rained down from above, each one aimed with deadly precision to disrupt their movements.

"We've got company!" Silent Whisper's leader, a tall, lean man named Orion, shouted to his team. "Stay together and keep moving! We can't let them stop us!"

Orion's team responded swiftly, their coordination impressive as they countered the attacks. But their progress was noticeably slowed, and it was clear that the Heaven's Hooligans were gaining ground.

Reign and his group charged forward, closing the distance rapidly. Wolf's greatsword gleamed with fiery energy, and Tank's shield was at the ready to absorb any incoming attacks. Greenie, with his brute strength, led the charge, his hammer smashing through any obstacles in their path.

"We're catching up!" Greenie roared, his voice echoing through the mountains. "Let's take them down!"

As they approached, Silent Whisper turned to face their pursuers, their expressions a mix of determination and frustration. Orion stepped forward, his eyes narrowed. "You won't take the flame from us without a fight!"

Reign met his gaze, his swords at the ready. "We won't back down either. This flame is ours Orion."

"Tch, it's you guys," Orion said before he suddenly glanced to the side, his expression changing as he quickly slashed at Wolf, who had jumped from the side and attacked him suddenly.

The two teams clashed with a fury that shook the mountain. Wolf's greatsword met Orion's blade in a shower of sparks, their strength evenly matched.

"Yo, it's been a while!" Wolf said with a wide smile as Orion strained and stared at Wolf while gritting his teeth.

Tank's shield absorbed the brunt of the enemy's attacks, allowing Greenie to smash through their defenses with his powerful hammer strikes.

Mia's frost magic and Laura's demonic energy blasts created a chaotic battlefield, the elements clashing and mingling as the two teams fought for supremacy. Beast's arrows found their marks with unerring accuracy, while Shadow and Aelrinder used their agility to strike from the shadows, disrupting Silent Whisper's formation.

Things would not stay like this long, however, as other teams and monsters arrived as well, turning the entire area into a chaotic battlefield.

The arrival of other teams and monsters transformed the already intense battle into utter chaos. Roars and clashes echoed through the mountain as everyone fought to claim the Flame of Ascendance. The air crackled with energy, and the ground trembled with the weight of the conflict.

Boulders fell down, small avalanches were even created, and some people lost their lives from that, not from other participants or monsters.

Reign's focus remained unwavering. "We need to keep Silent Whisper from getting any further down the mountain. If they make it to the lower levels, it will be almost impossible to catch them, they only need to send down one person with the flame after all."

Greenie, Wolf, and Tank maintained the front line, their formidable strength and resilience holding back Silent Whisper's relentless attacks. Greenie's hammer strikes sent shockwaves through the ground, disrupting their enemies' footing, while Wolf's fiery blade cleaved through their defenses.

Tank's shield absorbed and deflected incoming blows, protecting his teammates and creating openings for counterattacks.

Shadow and Aelrinder, with their agility and precision, weaved through the battlefield, striking at key targets and sowing confusion among the enemy ranks. Shadow's daggers flashed with deadly speed, finding weak points in armor and flesh, while Aelrinder's spear danced through the air, its sharp point piercing through defenses with ease.

Mia, Laura, and Beast provided crucial support from a distance. Mia's frost magic created barriers and obstacles, hindering enemy movements and forcing them into vulnerable positions. Laura's demonic energy blasts struck with devastating force, while Beast's arrows rained down with unerring accuracy, each shot aimed to disable and disrupt.

Jin, ever the strategist, coordinated their movements and called out crucial information. "Watch your left, Reign! Shadow, behind you! Mia, focus on that group trying to flank us!"

Reign moved with calculated precision, his dual swords a blur of light and darkness. He targeted Orion, the leader of Silent Whisper, knowing that taking him down would demoralize their opponents. Orion's blade clashed with Reign's swords, the two leaders locked in a deadly dance of steel and skill.

"You can't win, Orion," Reign said, his voice steady despite the intensity of the battle. "Give up the flame."

Orion's eyes flashed with determination. "Not a chance. We've fought too hard to just give up."

The clash intensified, each strike and parry sending sparks flying. The ground beneath them trembled as the battle raged on, the stakes higher than ever.

Suddenly, a monstrous roar echoed through the mountains, drawing the attention of both teams. A massive creature, resembling a dragon but covered in jagged, rocky scales, burst onto the battlefield. Its eyes glowed with malevolent energy, and its massive wings sent gusts of wind howling through the air.

"It's a mountain drake!" Beast shouted, his voice tinged with urgency. "Dammit, it's an Area Boss, we have to deal with it, or it'll kill us all!"

The drake's arrival added a new layer of chaos to the already tumultuous battle. It attacked indiscriminately, its powerful jaws snapping and claws raking through the combatants. Flames erupted from its mouth, scorching the ground and sending everyone scrambling to avoid the inferno.

Reign saw an opportunity in the chaos. "We can use this to our advantage. Focus on the drake and drive it towards Silent Whisper!"

The team shifted their focus, directing their attacks at the drake while using its presence to disrupt Silent Whisper's formation. Greenie, with his immense strength, charged at the drake, his hammer striking with bone-shattering force. Wolf's flames intensified, creating a barrier of fire that corralled the beast towards their enemies.

Silent Whisper, caught off guard by the sudden shift in focus, struggled to defend against both the drake and the relentless assault from the Heaven's Hooligans. Orion's frustration was evident as he tried to rally his team, but the combined pressure from the drake and their opponents was overwhelming.

Amid the chaos, Reign saw his chance. He locked eyes with Orion and charged, his swords gleaming with determination. Orion met him head-on, their blades clashing in a final, desperate struggle.

The drake's roar echoed through the mountains as it thrashed in fury, but the coordinated efforts of the Heaven's Hooligans slowly drove it towards Silent Whisper. The monstrous creature's rampage left a trail of destruction, and Silent Whisper found themselves caught between the drake's fury and the relentless assault from their rivals.