Is this really a Game?!

"Humans?" The colossal figure asked as it leaned its head on the left hand which was right next to it.

"In my shadow realm?"

"How did such frail beings manage to come here, to infiltrate my fortress?" The shadow asked, but it waited for no answer.

"Malaky, Lioasn, Mafgad, your reports, now!" The entire chamber shook from the shout of the shadow, but there was no response, even the shadow looked around, seemingly thinking something. Suddenly, the large figure seemingly understood something as its head straightened up before it swiped with one hand, causing the wall to its right to ripple before turning invisible, allowing them all to see what was outside.

"I see, I am no longer in my realm, the fortress has been moved."

"But how I didn't even notice it, the system wouldn't do something like this without notifying me." The shadow started talking to itself, completely ignoring Reign and the others.

"Boy, do not attack or even show the slightest hostility if you wish to survive." Aethion suddenly spoke, his voice slightly shaking.

'You know him?'

"No, but from his figure, as well as the aura he is possessing, I can somewhat guess what this thing is."

"A shadow lord, a being of the abyss, a member of a race that left the abyss and created their own realm, the shadow realm, is located in one layer of the universe, but I have no idea which layer."

"The weaker lords live there, while the stronger ones go back to the abyss, back to their own territory there."

"They're usually not very hostile, but one should never try to tempt them, not to mention that the being in front of you is not of the leveling realm, I can bet anything that it's a Transcendent being at the very least."

Reign's eyes constricted as he gulped, the others, being connected to Reign's consciousness and able to hear the conversation between the two, all showed similar expressions as they glanced at the colossal shadow on the throne that was still talking to itself.

A Transcendent, one that is seemingly not weakened at all here.

But how was that even possible, all Transcendents should be weakened severely on Earth, right now, even Eldar and the others were only Tier IV.

"No, it wasn't him, he doesn't have the ability, it couldn't be her either, he wouldn't bother doing this to me either, just who has done this?" The figure asked before it finally glanced at Reign and the others.

"Ah, I have almost forgotten about you little ones."

"You broke into my fortress, slaughtered hundreds of the little wraiths that were here, and even dared enter this place without being allowed to do so."

"Killing you without destroying your souls or taking them and torturing them for centuries could be considered as mercy, but alas, those marks of yours make it obvious that I won't fare much better if I dare do such a thing." The shadow said as it glanced at the marks that had manifested themselves in order to keep them safe.

"Tch, those marked by gods truly are annoying, still, that doesn't mean I can't do anything to you."

"We didn't know what this place was, we merely thought it was a new base of some monsters, we will leave right away and never come back, I promise that." Reign said as he bowed his head to the shadow and shook its own.

"No, no, no, this doesn't work like that."

"You will have to pass my test, if you are successful, I will forgive you and even give you a reward, but if you fail it, then you will lose one limb, and trust me, you won't be able to get the limb back without a God helping you, so do your best not to fail." The colossal shadow said with a smile appearing on its shadowy face.

Since the entire figure of the being was pure shadows, the smile was just a white crescent opening on its face, which made them all gulp in fear.

"Now, let me see, you, step forward for the test, you shall be the first." The shadow said as it pointed at Wolf who took a deep breath before walking forward.

As Wolf approached the colossal shadow, the oppressive aura emanating from it intensified. The air felt thick with tension, and the whispers in the chamber grew hushed as if the entire fortress held its breath in anticipation.

The shadowy figure extended a hand, and a dark mist coalesced, forming a shape that resembled a coiling serpent. The serpent hovered in the air before Wolf, its eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light.

"Your test, little one, is to navigate the Abyssal Serpent. Fail, and you lose a limb," the shadow intoned, its voice echoing through the chamber.

Wolf eyed the serpent warily, his instincts telling him that this was no ordinary creature. He took a step forward, and the serpent reacted, its body undulating in a mesmerizing dance. The challenge was clear—navigate through the serpent without being consumed by its shadows.

As Wolf cautiously moved, the serpent mirrored his steps, always coiling and swirling in an attempt to ensnare him. The other members of the Tier V team watched in silence, their anxiety palpable. They knew that the consequences of failure were severe.

The serpent's movements grew more erratic, testing Wolf's agility and reflexes. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he skillfully avoided the shadowy coils. The fortress seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the outcome of this otherworldly trial.

Elijah, Reign, Greenie, and Beast watched with a mix of fear and determination. They could sense that this test was not just a physical challenge but a trial of the soul. The Abyssal Serpent seemed to probe Wolf's essence, seeking any weakness or hesitation.

Minutes passed like hours, and the tension in the chamber reached a fever pitch. Wolf, guided by a combination of instinct and sheer willpower, successfully navigated the intricate dance with the Abyssal Serpent. As he reached the end, the serpent dissipated into shadows, and the fortress seemed to exhale.

The colossal figure nodded approvingly. "Impressive, little one. You've passed the test."

A sense of relief washed over the Tier V team, but they knew that the ordeal was far from over. The shadowy figure turned its attention to the next member of the team.

"You, step forward," the shadow commanded. Elijah took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever otherworldly challenge awaited him.

As Elijah approached, the shadows gathered again, this time forming a spectral figure that mirrored his own. The doppelganger moved in perfect synchrony with Elijah, mimicking his every gesture. It was an eerie sight as if Elijah's very essence had been cloned in shadow.

"Your test, young one, is to confront your inner self. Face the shadows of your soul," the shadow intoned.

Elijah squared his shoulders, his eyes locked with the shadowy doppelganger. The chamber fell silent as the two figures, one flesh and blood and the other made of shadows, confronted each other.

The doppelganger mirrored Elijah's movements, but there was a subtle difference. It seemed to embody the grief and anger that fueled Elijah's every action. The confrontation became a dance of emotions, a struggle between the living and the shadow of the past.

As Elijah grappled with his shadow self, the other members of the team could feel the emotional intensity in the chamber. The fortress itself seemed to resonate with Elijah's internal conflict, casting flickering shadows that danced on the walls.

Reign, Greenie, and Beast exchanged glances, their concern evident. They knew that this test delved into the very core of Elijah's being, and the outcome would not only determine his survival but also shape the path ahead.

Because of what had happened during the first expedition, Elijah had been emotionally weakened, and he had definitely suffered a lot, thus this battle was very hard for him.

Elijah's face contorted with the effort of facing his inner demons. The doppelganger's movements became more erratic, mirroring the turmoil within Elijah's soul. It was a battle not just of physical prowess but of emotional resilience.

Finally, with a surge of determination, Elijah confronted the shadows within. The doppelganger dissipated, and the emotional tempest in the chamber subsided. The shadowy figure nodded once again.

"You have faced your inner self and emerged victorious. You have passed," it declared.

The tests then resumed, and each member of the team was able to pass. Each test was different, sometimes forcing them to solve a puzzle, sometimes it was to fight against other beings …

No test was the same, however, and they were all difficult, causing them all to go all out in order to pass it.

The shadow seemed quite content with what they had done, and it did nothing to them. They had all passed, except for the last person who was only now going to undergo the test.

Reign.

"Are you ready, you are the last one." The shadow asked as Reign nodded before his surroundings changed.