Is this really a Game?!

Reign offered a polite nod in response to Alvia's greeting. "The pleasure is mine, your assistance is greatly appreciated in our mission to reclaim the regions."

Alvia released Liara from the embrace and regarded Reign with a thoughtful expression. "I've heard tales of your exploits from Basred and Liara. It seems you've made quite an impact in a short time."

Reign smiled modestly. "We're all working together to achieve a common goal. Every contribution counts."

Basred stepped forward, taking charge of the situation. "Alvia, we appreciate your support. Our target is the demon stronghold in the next region, controlled by the Ethereon demons, as you already know, their leader is still there, Reign will deal with him, however, so we can focus on taking down the stronghold."

Alvia's eyes gleamed with determination. "I'm with you all the way. We've been fighting these demons for far too long. It's time to end their reign."

With their forces now bolstered by Alvia and her warriors, the combined group made their way toward the Ethereon demon stronghold. The journey took them through diverse landscapes, ranging from dense forests to rocky cliffs, as they traversed the demon-controlled region.

As they approached their destination, Basred took the opportunity to brief Alvia on the situation. "We have already taken the stronghold next to my region, we have found a way to stop the core from working without destroying it or calling the Will to help us, the Ethereon demons, however, have unique abilities, and their leader is rumored to be a formidable adversary."

Alvia nodded in understanding. "That's correct, I have fought against those bastards many times in the past, together with the rest of my men, their ability to manipulate souls, as well as their ethereal bodies that allow them to resist many attacks are more than just annoying.

Reign spoke up, "Liara has the artifact, with that, she will be able to damage the souls of the demons, and with the guardians present, as well as you, Basred, and Laura, we have a total of 10 Tier V beings, not including me."

"With such numbers, we shouldn't face any problems with destroying the stronghold."

Alvia and the others nodded their heads, clearly excited about what was to come.

With their preparations complete, they arrived at the outskirts of the Ethereon demon stronghold. The stronghold itself was perched atop a towering plateau, surrounded by jagged cliffs and a network of treacherous pathways. The natural defenses of the location made it a challenging target.

Reign surveyed the terrain, his eyes focused on the stronghold above. "Everybody ready?"

Everyone present nodded their heads as Reign suddenly smirked before launching himself forward, the others followed immediately.

Reign arrived in front of the stronghold quickly, and underneath the shocked gazes of the Ethereon demons who were manning the walls, he came right in front of the wall before smirking at them.

His fist, which had already been clenched for some time, extended forward calmly before gently hitting the wall.

[ Compact Punch, 100% ]

Suddenly, the sound of a sonic boom reverberated through the area as cracks appeared on the outer wall of the stronghold. Parts of the wall started falling down as a powerful shockwave sent dust flying around Reign, shrouding his figure, as well as the figures of Alvia and the others.

With the outer wall breached, Reign quickly went forward and entered the stronghold before staring at the hundreds of Ethereon demons that stared at him with confusion and shock.

"A human."

"Not one of the 10, why is he here?"

"A weakling dared come here, how did he destroy the wall?"

"It doesn't matter, kill him!" 

The demons all charged forward before Reign smiled and unleashed his aura.

A terrifying aura spread out from Reign, shrouding most of the stronghold and causing the demons to stop moving as they stared at Reign with horror.

It wasn't because the aura of a Tier V being was coming from him, with so many demons present, even if there were 2 or 3 Tier V beings, they wouldn't be afraid of them as their powers gave them an advantage over most beings.

The stronghold further empowered them, and with their leader present, they knew that without 5 or more Tier V beings charging at them, they were safe from harm.

But what they felt from Reign was something other than his aura, it was the power of souls.

They felt as if their very souls were begging them to run away, frozen in place. 

A suction force suddenly appeared, causing the demons to panic as they felt their souls being drawn over to Reign who was now akin to a nightmare in their eyes.

"Who dares?!" 

An equally powerful aura was suddenly unleashed from the center of the stronghold before a figure charged over. The demons visibly relaxed before even sneering at Reign.

Even if he could manipulate souls, he was facing Ethereon demons, they could all manipulate souls as well, and their leader was present.

It didn't take long for the leader to appear in front of Reign and stare down at him. He could sense the powerful aura of a Tier V emanating from Reign, as well as the power of souls, which made him confused.

As one of the demon leaders, he knew full well that humanity could not have more than 10 Tier V beings, and he knew all 10 of them.

The person in front of him was not one of the 10, he was a person that the leader had never seen before.

'Did one of their leaders die?' The demon thought as he stared at Reign.

'It's possible, with those two present in the region, they might have managed to ambush the humans who were also searching for the artifact and kill one of their leaders, thus opening a spot for one Tier IV to evolve, is this a new one?'

'Why would he come here, even if he is confident of his own strength, he should know that in the stronghold, I and the rest of my men are all empowered, he cannot win.'

"So you're the leader, huh?" Reign asked as he smirked at the demon.

"It's good you came over here, you saved me some time, I don't have to spend time dealing with these weaklings before getting to you."

"Start the attack, the idiot arrived right away!" Reign shouted, which confused the leader before a look of horror was plastered on his face.

Ten powerful auras swept over the stronghold as Basred and the others arrived. Coupled with Reign, the leader was shocked to find there were 11 Tier V beings present, and there was another aura, one belonging to a Tier IV being, that was emanating danger as well.

'Only two of them are the leaders I know of, who are the rest?!'

'Mercenaries from other worlds, but how, the world has no power to summon more!'

Before the leader was able to think more, Reign suddenly moved. His figure was shrouded in lightning as he arrived at the leader's left before punching him with full force.

The leader quickly blocked the attack but was sent flying over the outer wall of the stronghold.

'He wants to get me away from the stronghold and weaken me!' The leader thought as a dangerous smile appeared on his face.

'It won't be that easy, human!'

Suddenly, a barrier appeared around the outer wall that stopped the leader's flight, allowing him to stand on the wall.

"Who the hell are you, and what-"

He wasn't able to finish his question before his eyes widened as Reign summoned an army of 170 souls to attack him. After evolving, Reign's limit went from commanding an army of 100 souls to an army of 220.

With Aethion helping him, he was able to command 170 souls without much trouble. He could also move while commanding them and fight normally.

The Leader summoned his own army, one numbering 180 souls, which was his maximum. He couldn't move or do anything else when commanding them, but he was certain the human couldn't move either as he was an Ethereon demon, his command over souls was above a human's.

To command an army of 170 souls was already a great achievement that placed Reign above most of his own realm, but unfortunately for the demon, he greatly underestimated Reign.

His eyes slightly widened as the two armies clashed before Reign's figure appeared in front of him with a smile on his face.

He once again punched the leader, but this time, it was a combined skill.

[ Compacted Lightning Punch ]

A punch that was compacted greatly before further being boosted by lightning was launched. The immense speed of the attack, as well as the immense power it had behind it, didn't only strike the demon leader, but it caused the outer barrier to actually crack.

The leader was shocked, his mind stopped for an instant before he quickly regained consciousness.

He had to remove some souls from the army, otherwise, he would be dead without being able to do a thing!

Before he was able to do so, however, a second punch arrived, breaking some of his bones and injuring his soul while breaking the barrier behind him and causing the leader to be sent out of the stronghold.