Is this really a Game?!

The party approached the mysterious pyramid with caution, their eyes scanning its surface for any signs of danger. The air around the structure seemed to hum with ancient magic, creating an atmosphere that sent shivers down their spines.

As they ventured closer, intricate carvings on the pyramid's surface became more apparent. Mia, with her keen interest in ancient artifacts, stepped forward to examine the symbols. Her eyes narrowed in concentration as she traced the patterns with her fingers.

"These symbols... they seem to depict a story or a ritual. I can't decipher the language, but there's a certain energy emanating from them. It feels like a blend of elemental forces," Mia explained, her voice hushed.

Beast, always attuned to magical energies, nodded in agreement. "I can sense it too. It's like the pyramid is a repository of magic, like a reservoir."

Reign glanced at the others, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Well, we're not here for a history lesson, but if this pyramid holds power, it's definitely worth exploring, let's head in."

The party cautiously entered the pyramid, finding a large entrance that led into its depths. The interior was dimly lit by an otherworldly glow, revealing a series of corridors and chambers adorned with more enigmatic symbols.

As they delved deeper, they encountered various traps and puzzles that seemed designed to test their abilities. The party worked together to overcome each obstacle, using their unique skills to navigate the intricate passages. The pyramid seemed to react to their presence, its magic responding to their every move.

After overcoming several challenges, they reached a vast chamber at the pyramid's heart. In the center, an ethereal pedestal held a radiant crystal pulsating with magical energy.

Tank, with his shield at the ready, cautiously approached the crystal. "This must be the source of the pyramid's power. But touching it without caution might not be the best idea."

Reign nodded in agreement. "Beast, any insights on what this crystal is all about?"

Beast closed his eyes, focusing on the magical aura surrounding the crystal. "It's a reservoir of elemental energy, similar to the essence we obtained from the Sand Serpent. But this is on a different level."

"But, isn't this way too easy, I mean, we reached this place without any major issues." Shadow said as Wolf nodded his head.

"If this truly is a challenge unique to this area, then there is definitely more that awaits."

"There's no other entrance, the entire place is completely sealed and other than the crystal, there's nothing that can be found here." Reign said as he looked around the place.

"So, do we try getting close to the crystal?" Laura asked as Reign sighed.

"Well, we can all expect that something will happen once we get close or touch the crystal, so be careful."

As the party cautiously approached the radiant crystal at the heart of the pyramid, a sudden surge of energy emanated from the artifact. The air crackled with magic, and the symbols on the walls began to glow with an ethereal light.

Reign held up his hand, signaling the party to halt. "Something's happening. Be on guard, everyone."

The crystal's glow intensified, casting an otherworldly radiance across the chamber. A low hum filled the air, and the symbols on the walls seemed to come to life, floating in the air like ethereal wisps.

Laura, always observant of what was going on, observed the unfolding events with a mix of fascination and caution. "It's like the pyramid is activating in response to our presence. But why?"

Beast, deep in concentration, muttered to himself. "The energy is resonating with our elemental abilities. It's like the crystal is attuned to the essences we carry."

Tank, still holding his shield, took a defensive stance. "Should we proceed or retreat? This feels like uncharted territory."

Reign, his eyes fixed on the pulsating crystal, made a decision. "Let's proceed. We came here for a challenge, and it seems the pyramid has chosen us. Be ready for anything."

As the party continued toward the crystal, the symbols in the air began to form intricate patterns, creating a mesmerizing dance of light. The hum in the air grew louder, and the energy around them intensified.

Suddenly, the symbols converged, forming a portal-like structure in front of the crystal. A surge of energy emanated from the portal, creating a mesmerizing display of colors and shapes.

Reign squinted, his instincts telling him that this was no ordinary portal. "Hold your ground, everyone. This might be a gateway to something unexpected."

Without warning, the portal pulsed with energy, and a figure emerged—a spectral being clad in shimmering robes. The being's eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and its presence exuded a sense of ancient wisdom.

"Hmmm … this place, SI240."

"Density of mana, above the expected number, remaining players … hmmm, not bad, but not that good either."

"Average level, as expected, the top ranking … well above the average."

"You seem to be the fifth group to come across one of the Torkans that have been placed, the first one in your region, as well as the surrounding ones." The specter said as he glanced at Reign and the others before looking around.

"You have shown enough promise to be given a chance, if you pass the trials, you can become honorary members of the Elypsion Organization, one of the rare neutral organizations of the universe."

"Now, before you ask anything, apologies, this is my first time here, I need to briefly check whether the players from this planet are allowed to join or not, our Torkans are randomly placed throughout the universe, so we never know whether those that activate it are from a faction that we have promised not to make people away from or not."

"Hmmmm … the planet is under the territory of the Alliance, that means everything is fine."

"Hmmm … a third party has put a claim that has already been accepted."

The specter suddenly froze as he stared down. Reign and the others could swear that they saw him gulp nervously before looking at them.

"Apologies, but it seems we cannot accept you in our ranks."

"The trials will still be open, and you can definitely gain some benefits if you go through them, as can anyone else from this planet, but I'm afraid only those from regions that area a bit further away are eligible to join us."

Reign and the others simply stared at the specter as they had no idea what the hell he was talking about.

The Elypsion Organization, what the hell was that?

They knew of the Alliance, but they still barely knew anything of it. Until they manage to produce one Transcendent and formally join it, they won't be given any information about it.

As for the third party, they had even less of an idea about that, well, all except for Reign who already had his suspicion. To be more exact, he was almost certain that the third party in question was Raziel.

He came from Earth, there was no way he would simply let others do as they wished on Earth. 

"So, what are the trials about?" Shadow asked as the specter nodded at him.

"The trials are all created in order to test –"

"A moment please." The specter suddenly stopped before going to the portal and stepping through it. Reign and the others glanced at one another before the specter walked out of the portal and stood before them again.

"The trials will not be available here at all unfortunately, but the Torkan will stay here, and you can reach the underground area through it, that is what the organization has decided to do in order to 'reimburse' those that actually managed to get here."

"The underground area is not something we have created, it has been here before, it was just not as accessible."

"Now, thanks to the Torkan, which will stay here for a prolonged period of time, you can easily enter the underground, I wish you fun with your exploration!" The specter said before walking through the portal that closed.

The crystal suddenly cracked before breaking into pieces, the symbols that made the portal danced through the air with the pieces of the crystal before they formed a kind of vortex that was spinning and spinning.

As the vortex spun, Reign and the others stared in shock as the pedestal, as well as everything that was about 6 meters around it, started being destroyed as a large hole was being dug by the vortex.

Everything below the vortex was getting destroyed, and soon, even Reign and the others couldn't hear the sound of destruction nor sense the mana fluctuations that came from the vortex as it went deeper and deeper into the ground.

After about a minute, Reign and the others decided to step forward and glance down at the hole, only to see nothing but a bottomless chasm. As they glanced down, they suddenly heard something from below and they quickly took multiple steps back before a bright light exploded from beneath.