Is this really a Game?!

As the brilliant light enveloped the nine regions, the demonic strongholds underwent a profound transformation. The once dark, malevolent structures began to change. They seemed to purify and take on an otherworldly luminescence. The demonic symbols and paintings on the walls faded away, replaced by intricate patterns of light.

Liara, Reign, Basred, and the others watched in awe as the change unfolded. It was a testament to the power of the artifact and their determination to liberate their world from the clutches of the demons. 

Enormous walls suddenly rose from the ground, separating the 9 regions from the demonic regions around them, trapping any demons who were still present inside. The captured regions now had protective barriers woven from the world's own energy, effectively cutting them off from demonic influences.

Any demon that found themselves inside the regions felt their powers draining as their connection with demonic energy was suddenly cut off. Each one was weakened, and the longer they stayed here, the weaker they would get, making it much easier for humans to hunt them down.

The core in the stronghold, which had once been a source of darkness and malevolence, was now a conduit for the world's natural energy. It pulsed with a harmonious, radiant glow, symbolizing the balance they had restored.

Basred couldn't help but smile as he looked around at the transformed stronghold. "We've done it. These regions are now safe, we've finally done it, we have managed to fight back against the demons, after all this time."

Liara nodded, her face filled with satisfaction. "It's a significant victory. With the walls and the barrier that shields the regions from above, the regions will be safe, and more Tier V humans can exist in the world."

With their current success, the future seemed bright, but everybody knew there was a lot to be done. While they had managed to secure nine regions, there were countless more still under the influence of the demonic strongholds. The demons' attempts to drain the world's energy and extend their dominion had to be stopped.

They knew that the next phase of their mission wouldn't be any easier. The demons would likely become more organized and strategic in their efforts to defend their remaining strongholds. Liara, Basred, and their allies needed to stay vigilant and adapt to new challenges.

Suddenly, just as they were talking, Reign's eyes widened as he stared at Liara, or to be more specific, he was staring above her.

The monolith had suddenly appeared above Liara, and in an instant, bright light was expelled from the monolith, showering Liara in it.

Reign and Basred were about to act before they both stopped as they realized just what was going on.

"The artifact can actually do such a thing?!" Basred shouted in surprise as Reign stared at Liara who was suddenly undergoing her Tier V evolution with the help of the artifact.

"Well, it is an artifact made by a Saint, even though this is definitely not a function the demoness has made on purpose, such an artifact is incredibly powerful, helping a person out during an evolution and basically removing any challenge isn't anything special to it I guess."

"Yeah, not to mention that we don't have challenges when one reaches the peak of Tier IV, the only way they can evolve is if one of the leaders dies, upon which the Will itself immediately helps them evolve, or if they go to another planet to get a challenge from the system there and then evolve," Basred said with a sigh before looking at Reign.

"Siggurd's second-in-command has already evolved, he felt his death the moment it happened, and the Will immediately used its powers to help him evolve."

"This is just how it is here."

"I see, and what about the other peak Tier IVs, will they evolve right away now, after we have taken the regions?"

"Yes, but they need to come here first, the Will won't force them to evolve in their own regions, but with how many we have taken back, we might even be able to construct teleporters again, which will help us out immensely as we won't be forced to walk to and fro regions anymore."

"That truly does seem good." Reign said with a nod as the two of them were walking away from Liara. She was undergoing an evolution, and if they stood too close, the mana that was being drawn might hurt them.

They waited for a total of 6 hours for Liara to evolve, and during that time, the monolith had actually gotten out of her body before actually placing her inside of it. 

After Liara finished her evolution, she was still inside the monolith for a couple of minutes before she got out. 

"How do you feel?" Reign asked Liara who smiled at him.

"Better than ever honestly, the monolith helped me, kept me calm and steady during the evolution, it even placed me inside of it to make sure my body wouldn't have any problems and to shield me from the outside world after the evolution, the lack of clothes really makes it annoying to be honest," Liara said as Reign smirked at her.

"Good, I think we can go inside the vortex tonight, with you being a Tier V being that now has control over the artifact, I believe that the souls inside the vortex won't be able to do a thing to you, or me." 

"Alright," Liara said with a nod as Reign nodded back before they walked away, leaving Basred to stare at the region, thinking of what exactly should be done.

"Oh, sir Basred, I have now gained control over this region, and from what I can see, we can finally build teleporters, but for now, they are limited to the 19 regions we have under control, we still won't be able to summon mercenaries from other worlds and the like."

"With your artifact with us, we hopefully won't have to rely on outside help anymore, the faster you start creating an army of beings that are loyal to you, the better," Basred said as Liara nodded her head before walking away with Reign.

Reign and Liara went to a secluded spot before sitting down and staring at one another. They were now ready to go inside the vortex and talk to the souls again.

With them erasing the spirit of the artifact and gaining full control of it, the souls, as well as the vortex, could no longer do a thing to Liara. The vortex could also no longer move as it was not only partially fused with Liara's soul, but it was also being anchored down by the artifact as well.

Reign and Liara used the souls of two demons and placed a fragment of their own souls inside before going into the vortex.

'If Shadow was here, he could probably enter the vortex without any issues thanks to his mark, I wonder if he could actually control it with the mark too?' Reign suddenly thought as he and Liara entered inside.

If his thoughts were correct and Shadow proved to be able to control the vortex, then didn't that mean that in the future, he could actually get his help and take over the vortex, either using it to destroy the souls or perhaps even call Hades who seemed to still be searching for it?

Upon entering the vortex, both Reign and Liara lost contact with the soul fragments they had sent inside, but they waited for a bit as Reign had a feeling that the souls already knew they were coming.

A couple of seconds later, they both felt the fragments again as the gray smudge had enveloped them and was bringing them over to where the souls were located. After some time, they made it to where the souls were and entered the area of light.

All the souls were staring at them, and they didn't seem friendly at all. The larger souls were all present as well, and they stared at the two with hostility.

"What do you want?" The one that spoke with Reign asked him in a low voice as Reign chuckled.

"Hey, what's up with all this negativity, you guys tried to pull one on us, and I just managed to do the same to you, no need to be so hostile."

"You have stolen the artifact of our master, and yet you dare speak such things?!" Another soul spoke with anger as it stared at Reign and Liara who were standing at the periphery of the area.

"Stolen?"

"No, I don't think that's the correct way of saying it, we simply took control of it, as we were intended to, after all, Liara has the fragments of your master inside of her, and I have a couple of them in my consciousness too, we are her successors, that's just how it is."

"The artifact was waiting for someone like us to come and take it, and we did just what we were supposed to."

"How can you call that stealing?"