Hellmode ~A Hardcore Gamer Becomes Peerless in Another World with Retro Game Settings~

Zew, accompanied by the Ten Heroic Beasts, made the swift decision to assist Helmios in the trial of the God of Armaments Ophoria. Temi, who had been waiting with them, finally spoke up.

"Hmm, it seems both of you have grown significantly after overcoming the trial of the Beast God Garm."

"Hearing that makes all the effort we put into those life-threatening trials worthwhile."

Zew could not help but smile hearing Temi's words.

Temi nodded to herself, seemingly satisfied looking at Zew and Shea's faces.

(Their relationship has clearly improved a lot after completing their trial. The way he quickly decided to join the trial, it must be the mark of a true Beast King. I wonder just how severe Helmios’s trial is… I’ve heard that once you enter, there’s no way out until it's completed, so the details are unknown.)

Zew had instantly decided to participate in the God of Armaments' trial, reputedly one of the toughest.

"Is Zew really going to be alright?"

"Of course I will. To be honest, I think I’ll be more useful in Helmios’s trial than in the battle against Nestirad. Besides, I owe Helmios a debt, and it seems there’s no limit to the number of participants in the trial."

Though Zew had entered Extra Mode, he had lost his Divine Technique after completing the trial with Shea, and he no longer had it.

Nestirad was an overwhelming foe. Allen had tried fighting him with Merus multiple times, but he seemed to be even more powerful than a Higher God.

Even with buffs, Normal Mode stats would pale in comparison to those of someone in Extra Mode with Blessings.Simple orichalcum armor would be nothing compared to the defenses from a Blessing.

Allen understood that fighting alongside someone without Blessings would be ineffective, as they wouldn’t even serve as a proper shield in the battle against Nestirad. Zew also fully grasped this reality.

Even so, Zew would have joined the fight against Nestirad if Allen had asked for his help, but Allen couldn’t allow that. He knew it would only end in tragedy.

"So, we're not waiting for Helmios to finish his trial, correct?"

Sophie asked to be sure.

"No, we’ll handle what we can on our own. Meanwhile, Zew and his team will assist Helmios, making this a two-pronged strategy,"

Allen replied. They could not afford to waste time, and that was why Zew and his team were called in right after completing Garm's trial.

Allen was convinced that he was the only one who could defeat the Demon King. However, Helmios was the symbol of hope for many. If Helmios were to perish during a divine trial, it would shatter the spirits of those who had been fighting against the Demon King’s forces for decades.

"Indeed, the world expects much from the hero, but there's no telling when his trial will end. I think it's better to decide what to do if our attempt fails."

"I get it. Our party will challenge Nestirad alone, while everyone else will assist Helmios in his trial."

Sophie summed up what they had discussed.

"Then, I’ll head off to report the situation to His Majesty, the Beast King. I’m not cut out for more grueling battles."

"Wait, Temi! I’ll go with you to report…"

"No, Lepe! You’re coming with us!"

"Grhaaaah!?"

Lepe protested, but Hobah would drag him to the trial no matter what..

Temi decided to head to the Albahar Beast Kingdom in the human realm to report to Beast King Muza about the events that transpired during the trials of Zew and Shea.

"I appreciate it. Since I’ll remain here, I’ll report the outcome of the trials myself."

Shea added that.

At this point, the Dragon King Matildora and Haku, who were not among the designated participants, raised their voices.

‘Hmm? What am I supposed to do?’

‘Gyau! I want to stay with mama!!’

Matildora's deep voice echoed, and Haku expressed his eagerness to stay close to Kurena.

"Matil, please join Zew and the others in supporting Helmios. Haku, you’ll come with us, let’s smash Nestirad together!!"

*Boom!*

‘Gyauu!!’

Haku roared in excitement, shaking the solidly reinforced fortress with his energy.

"Hey, careful! You’re going to wreck the fortress Sophie worked so hard to build!"

"Haku! Stop that!!"

‘Kuuu…’

Haku whimpered when Kurena scolded him, immediately deflating like a scolded puppy.

‘Good grief… So, it’s off to the Divine Arena next? It seems I’ve become quite busy. I almost miss the days when I sat for thousands of years inside the temple, waiting for new challengers.’

The Dragon King, who had lived for ten thousand years, had spent a long era sitting idle in the temple, awaiting worthy challengers after the failure to conquer the Gates of Trials. Now, his life had become filled with constant action.

[Those challenging the God of Armaments Ophoria's trial]-Helmios and his party [Sacred]-Galara and his party [Stinger]-Zew and the Ten Heroic Beasts *without Temi-Dragon King Matildora

[Those challenging Nestirad]-Allen and his party [Abandoned Gamers]*Haku too*Except Peromus

With the next steps decided, Allen first led Zew, the Dragon King, and the others to the Divine Arena, where the God of Armaments resided. Once they were settled, Allen returned and took Cecile with him. From the fortress near the ghost swarm, they teleported to the research facility of the God of Magic Isiris.

While Shea updated Temi on the situation and took a well-deserved rest, Allen and Cecile made their way to deliver the newly acquired [Shard of the Moon] and [Tail of the Beast God Garm] to the God of Magic Isiris. These items, combined with the [Shard of the Sun] they already possessed, were crucial to obtaining the God of Magic's Blessing.

Additionally, they planned to exchange the Beast God Garm's tail for one of the God of Magic Isiris's [Divine Artifacts]. With only the heart of the Spirit Beast Nestirad left to collect, they had made significant progress in completing the God of Magic Isiris's quest. The culmination of these efforts would bring them one step closer to facing the ultimate challenges that awaited them.

[The God of Magic's wishlist]-Extra Mode: Heart of Nestirad-Divine Technique: Horn of the Dragon God Magra-Blessing: Shards of the Sun and Moon-Divine Artifact: Tail of the Beast God Garm

They teleported to the first floor the structure that looked like two pyramids joined at the base.The top pyramid was the Shrine of the God of Magic Isiris, and the lower one belonged to her husband, the God of Space and Time Desperado.

They got on the platform that would take them to the highest floor.

"Wow, it's a lot tidier here."

"Yeah, and thanks to that the divine realm and the heavenly kingdom are benefitting from Isiris' magic devices. Larappa's team really came through."

"That's the God of Magic Isiris for you. She might not care much, but you should be more respectful."

Cecile reminded him of his manners.

Isiris, who had been blamed for allowing the Demon King's army to breach the divine realm, had been forbidden from commanding angels as a punishment. Her vast research facility, once overflowing with magical devices, had been organized with the help of ten magic engineers from Larappa's squad. Most of the devices had been sent to Shandar and the marketplace of the God of Trading Marne, leaving the place much more orderly.

Before they ascended to the top level, Cecile felt the need to warn Allen. Although Isiris wasn’t particularly concerned with receiving worship or respect, her mood could still affect their dealings.

As they teleported to the uppermost floor using a magical device, they immediately saw a woman with disheveled hair and a dirty, frayed robe, standing with her back to them.

"Oh, God of Magic Isiris. We've completed the trial and..."

Allen was thankful that the cleanup made it easier to spot the God of Magic, and spoke while reaching for the magic device on his hip.

'Is-is that?! KIEEEEEEEEE!!'

Before Allen could finish his sentence, the God of Magic Isiris let out a piercing shriek, drowning out his words, and then charged at them with wild eyes in her disheveled state.

(Woah? Wait, Larappa stop her!)

Allen noticed Larappa behind the God of Magic, and looked her straight in the eye.

"Hey, hold on!"

Cecile instinctively moved into a defensive stance, but it was clear the God of Magic had no intention of stopping.

'I smell it! The tail of the Beast God Garm, and... the Shard of the Moon! Give them to me! Kehehehe!!'

Her bloodshot eyes gleamed with joy through the tangled strands of her hair.

"This is like a nightmare! Fine, here! The tail of the Beast God Garm!"

Allen shouted in desperation, pulling out the Beast God Garm's tail from his Grimoire, which Shea had entrusted to him. The God of Magic abruptly changed course, moving away from Cecile and heading toward Allen.

Allen waved the tail in the air, exaggerating his movements to ensure the God of Magic saw it clearly before tossing it above her head, almost as if he were throwing a stick for a dog, but the tail did not fly very far.

'Grrrr!!'

As the tail of the Beast God Garm traced a parabolic arc through the air, the God of Magic Isiris crouched briefly, then leapt up with her mouth wide open, baring sharp canine teeth. In one swift motion, she caught the tail between her jaws.

Not satisfied with just the tail, Isiris turned her attention back to Cecil, her body lowering into a predatory stance as if preparing to pounce. She closed the distance between them with a slow, calculated approach, resembling a carnivorous beast stalking its prey.

"Cecile, forget about handing it over peacefully!"

"Ugh, what is with this?!"

Cecil exclaimed in frustration. She pulled the Shard of the Moon from her magic bag and, with a powerful throw like a fastball from a pitcher, hurled it toward the God of Magic Isiris.

'Garrr!!'

Isiris growled as she caught the Shard of the Moon with both hands, cradling it like a mitt catching a ball.

"It seems she's calmed down now."

'Kurururu~'

Isiris purred with delight, clutching both the Beast God Garm's tail and the Shard of the Moon as she bounced around joyfully in front of them.

"God of Magic Isiris, let's proceed with the research. The Shard of the Moon is needed by the commandant, so let's start the analysis."

Larappa always referred to Allen as commandant.

(Oh? Is she going to return the Shards of the Sun and Moon after the analysis?)

The God of Magic Isiris had been conducting experiments to revive ancient magic, and she had requested these specific materials as part of that effort. However, the materials were also crucial for Allen, as they were tied to advancing his Summoner Skills, which required certain conditions to be met, including the retrieval of these Shards.

"Guru!"

Isiris agreed with a growl, indicating her readiness. She then moved toward a section of the research facility where a massive test tube stood. Inside, the previously acquired Shard of the Sun floated in a translucent suspension.

With a few nimble steps, Isiris climbed the ladder leading to the top of the human-sized test tube. She deftly removed the lid and dropped the Shard of the Moon inside.

The Shard of the Moon slowly sank through the transparent fluid toward the Shard of the Sun. As soon as they touched, the two Shards fused, blending together seamlessly into a single entity.

A bright flash illuminated the test tube, signaling that the two Shards had become one.

T/N - Hadn't have access to Pc on weekend. Will be updating the two chapters later today.