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

The Beast God Garm gazed into the distance, not focusing on Zew.

“What are you saying? What’s this?”

*Boom*

With a thunderous roar, the enormous temple shook violently. The impact was strong enough to shift the carefully placed floor tiles, causing Zew to stagger.

It felt as if someone outside the temple was striking it with immense force.

‘Things are getting noisy outside. The barrier seems about to break. Let’s discuss your reward, shall we? Shea?’

*Boom*

The temple shook again, this time causing cracks in the ceiling, sending down a shower of dust and small stones.

“What? Shea?”

“I-I’m alive? How am I unharmed…?”

Where Garm's gaze had landed, there stood Shea, completely unscathed. The Divine Technique [The Beast] had already been deactivated, and Shea was examining herself, bewildered, ensuring there were no injuries.

‘Of course. The trial was completed. Any subsequent attacks are nullified.’

“Were we being tested again? No, what you wanted to know was an answer, wasn’t it?”

Shea observed the exchange between Zew and Garm, noting Garm’s perplexed expression.Through the trials, Shea had come to understand Garm’s swirling emotions; he seemed to be seeking some answer.

‘Reading a Beast God’s mind is a million years too early for you. It seems your comrades have come to rescue you. Perhaps I overdid it?’

At the moment Garm’s eyes, full of despair, closed, Dogora’s voice echoed through the temple.

“Full Blaze!!”

*Boom*

A powerful blow caused an even more intense tremor throughout the temple, and the ceiling at the corner of the hall where Shea and the others were collapsed dramatically.

“Dogora?!”

“Hey, you’re going too far ahead!!”

Dogora, with his potato-shaped face, entered riding on the Bird B summon. His expression was filled with rage, and Kagutsuchi glowed red, reflecting his emotions. Behind him, Kiel was shouting, seemingly unheard by Dogora.

“Shea, we’re here to help! Let’s go, Haku!!”

‘Gyaoo!!’

From behind Dogora, Kurena entered riding Haku, brandishing her glowing greatsword.

“Form up. Merus, prepare for the initial strike.”

‘Got it!!’

Allen, clad in black armor, gave instructions while riding a Bird B. Even at S-Rank, Merus’s responses were impeccable.

“Allen, is it okay to destroy the temple like this?!”

Cecile, riding with Allen, voiced her concern, while Sophie, riding with Formar, also spoke up.

“Cecile, it’s fine. We can’t forgive them for what they’ve done to our comrades.”

“Good grief.”

Formar sighed, staying out of the conversation as usual.

“This means I get to wield my Divine Artifact Calypso already! I’m fired up! Griff, move forward! We need to show our prowess so Rapsonile notices us!”

‘Grrr!?’

“What’s with the enthusiasm? Let Allen handle the negotiations first!”

Luck, riding behind Ignomas, advised him as he brandished the trident Divine Artifact Calypso. From the cracked ceiling, a large, furry beast descended.

*Boom*

“Luvanka. And everyone…”

Unable to fly, Luvanka descended with Graham. From the torn ceiling of the temple behind Allen, Tam-Tam, Kuwatoro, Makris, and Magra circled in the air, maintaining vigilance.

‘Shea. I’m back. I’ve shared the situation with Allen… you seem safe. Let’s resume the trial.’

Luvanka, swelling his chest, spoke confidently, having been summoned back by Allen and shared the memory of Shea’s plight, prompting Allen and the others to break through Garm’s barrier and enter the temple.

Shea couldn’t help but smile as she saw Dogora rushing over and Luvanka watching Garm warily.

“Hmph. It seems I didn’t make a mistake in my decision.”

“A decision? So, the trial is over…”

Dogora grasped the situation as he looked at Garm, who was massaging his burned backside.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

“Exactly. I didn’t make a mistake. It seems I worried you all, but the trial is over. May I collect the reward now?”

Satisfied that her comrades had broken into the Upper God’s temple to rescue her, Shea wanted to collect the reward to repay her comrades.

“You’re quite calm after all that. Well, if you’re okay with it, I won’t say anything.”

Dogora sheathed Kagutsuchi on his back as it cooled down.

Having been furious about the forced fight to the death between Zew and Shea, Allen and the others calmed down together with Dogora.

Shea, with her comrades behind her, approached Garm.

‘What’s this? Are you going to fight? Don’t underestimate the Beast God Garm. Come on, then!’

Garm, now back to his skeletal, withered form, shadow-boxed in warning.

“Just kidding. I’d like to receive my reward.”

‘You’re no fun… Well, first, here’s an Extra Large Blessing!!’

With a flick of his regrown tail, Garm sent divine power cascading over Shea, filling her with newfound strength.

‘Next, here’s a Divine Technique: [Beast God Infinite Burst Fist]. It activates after 100 combo hits.’

He flicked his tail again, sending another wave of divine energy, granting Shea the Divine Technique [Beast God Infinite Burst Fist].

‘Finally, hnnghhh!!’

Garm gathered unprecedented divine power in his hand, forming a knuckle guard that slowly floated into Shea’s hands.

“So Garm’s Divine Artifact is a knuckle guard…”

As she held out her hands, the knuckle guard settled into them, fitting perfectly, glowing white like her Beast God Shoes.

“Merus, appraise it.”

‘Got it. Appraisal!’

Using the Angel B summon's magnifying glass, Merus appraised the Divine Artifact and the Extra Large Blessing’s effects on Shea’s increased stats.

[Garm’s Rewards]-Extra Large Blessing: +30000 Attack, +30000 Agility, +50% Critical Chance, +50% Dodge Chance, all Skill cooldowns halved-Divine Technique: [Beast God Infinite Burst Fist] activates after 100 combo hits-Sacred Artifact: [Beast God Fist] +50000 Attack, +30000 Strength, +30000 Agility, counters

“Wow, you’ve gotten stronger. I’m happy for you, but also a bit jealous!”

Cecile, looking over Allen’s shoulder at the magic book, couldn’t help but voice her mixed feelings. She tried to suppress her emotions after hearing about Shea’s harrowing trial from Luvanka.

“It just means Shea worked hard.”

Allen, noticing her feelings, smiled wryly.

“I know.”

“Here’s Garm’s tail. Please give it to Isiris.”

Shea handed over the freshly severed tail from her magic bag to Cecile.

“Thank you, Shea! I can’t wait to see what kind of staff I’ll get!”

Cecile waved her current staff excitedly, dreaming about her new Divine Artifact.

“Save that conversation for later. Have I given all the rewards?”

“No, the Shard of the Moon is still…”

“Wait. I haven’t discussed my reward yet.”

Zew, who had been silent, spoke up.

“Huh?”

‘What are you talking about? I’ve already given everything to Shea.’

Shea was about to mention the Shard of the Moon, but Zew’s insistent demand for his reward puzzled both her and Garm.

Indeed, Zew had remained silent, letting Shea take the Divine Technique, Divine Artifact, and Blessing as if it was natural. Everyone thought Shea deserved all the rewards after defeating Zew and fighting alongside him against Garm.

“No, my wording was wrong. I also gained Divine Techniques from the challenges, and Shea hasn't received them. Please let her have all the rewards.”

Zew bowed deeply, asking to transfer both Divine Techniques to Shea.

‘You’re serious, huh? But life is harsh. The victor takes all. Here, Shea, take Zew’s divine techniques.’

With a flick of his tail, Garm transferred the Divine Techniques to Shea, who felt a warm sensation.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll use these Divine Techniques to fight the Demon King.”

Shea received the Divine Techniques [Tiger God Soft Destruction Palm] and [Bear God Shattering Strike].

‘Now, about the Shard…’

“Wait. I won’t become the Beast King this way.”

‘What’s this now?’

Garm was confused.

“I hereby renounce my claim to the throne of Albahar Beast Kingdom. I will be just ‘Shea’.”

“What!? Shea, what are you saying?”

Zew tried to stop her decision.

“I will use these Divine Techniques to defeat the Demon King. In the meantime, I leave Albahar Beast Kingdom to you.”

‘Hmph. If that’s your decision… Zew seems more likely to follow orders anyway. I’ll remove all royal titles from you, Shea.’

Though Zew looked like he wanted to object, Garm quickly removed Shea’s claim to the throne, leaving her feeling a strange sense of freedom.

“Good. I am just ‘Shea’ now. Everyone, let's get along.”

No longer bound by royal titles, Shea felt liberated, making a firm decision to stand on her own.

“Yup, you're Shea. We’re counting on you.”

Despite the short separation, Dogora felt the trials had been immense.

Shea extended her hand to Dogora, and he grasped it firmly, welcoming her back as a comrade.

Receiving the rewards from Garm, Shea relinquished her claim to the throne. Checking the Grimoire, Allen saw “Shea Von Albahar” changed to just “Shea,” her face reflecting contentment in her new identity.