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

'Ahhh…all of mermen…'

Basque's attack with the Cursed Sword Onuba was powerful enough to end Makris' life.

Even as he vanished in bubbles of light, Makris continued thinking of mermen.

'Heheh. Everything is going according to plan. There's no future for you.'

Defeating Makris was an indispensable step to trap his soul in the Sacred Beast Stone.

Basque was well aware of that, and had been looking for an opening to take down Makris all the time he fought Allen and Dogora.

Kyubel was already certain of his victory and could not stop grinning under his mask.

(There's still 5 Demon Generals over there. But a lot of S Rank monsters remain. I wonder how long Royal Guard is going to last now.)

Allen checked the state of the fight between Allen's Army, the Hero's Army, and the Demon King's Army.

There were around 70000 A Rank monsters left, as well as some Demon Generals and S Rank monsters.

Now that Makris was gone, the fight was getting worse.

It was hard to know how much longer the effect of Makris' [Royal Guard] would last.

"We can't last much longer like this! Allen, what should we do?!"

Shea was still fighting Bildiga as she turned to look at Allen and asked in desperation.

With Makris gone, Basque's attention focused on Dogora, which made her emotional.

The hits were too strong for Dogora, so he kept trying to block using Kagutsuchi.

(I really have to make a choice now. We'll just crumble at this rate.)

Allen was the party leader of Abandoned Gamers, and the Commandant of Allen's Army.

He had the responsibility of leading everyone.

Option 1: Continue fighting with their current lineup

Option 2: Retreat momentarily, and pull back Allen's Army and the Hero's Army

Option 3: Call Merus and the others and fight with them here

Option 1 entailed continuing to resist the attack there until the fight on the north ended, and then bring Merus and the other main members to help here.

Though that could cost the lives of some of those currently fighting the Demon Great Generals.

Option 2 would sacrifice the 2 million mermen in Patlanta.

Option 3 meant bringing the rest of Allen's party and picking out the Demon Great Generals.

But that would lead to the power of Allen's Army decreasing, and causing casualties there.

The enemy was too strong, Allen had to decide who to sacrifice now.

He continued pondering what the most optimal solution was.

As Allen thought of the best option, a magic circle appeared where the Demon Great Generals appeared earlier.

'Ramonhamon, you're late. Bring the sacrifice and Sacred Beast Stone-'

Kyubel was certain of his victory, so he instantly asked Ramonhamon for the items.

Someone had arrived, but when Kyubel turned around, he saw it was not Ramonhamon.

It was a human, who did not fit in Patlanta, looking quite roughened up.

"Alleeeeeen!!"

The magic circle vanished as Peromus appeared there, his clothes tattered and his body covered in blood.

He shouted as he took out the Sacred Beast Stone from his bag, wanting to give it to Allen.

'Isn't that the-?! Basque, get him!!'

'Huh? What do you mean Kyubel?'

While Basque turned around, Kyubel stammered.

Peromus ran towards Allen.

Somehow there was a human not transformed into a merman there.

There was a bracelet with Aqua's blessing in Prostia.

Kyubel recalled Bek having one.

Bek was connected to Ignomas through Sinorom.

But something else left Kyubel shocked.

He felt the human holding the Sacred Beast Stone looked familiar.

He had caught a similar looking merman in the warehouse yesterday, and Sinorom took him.

Kyubel finally understood what Allen meant when he said both mirrored each other's strategy.

Just like Kyubel, Allen had his friends all over Prostia.

One of them, who was not a fighter, had been posing as an official of the palace.

"Ohh, so that's the thing the demons were looking for. You really came here in the nick of time."

Peromus realized the Sacred Beast Stone started glowing more as he ran.

The bubbles of light left from Makris' body were gathering in it.

'Forget about the plan. Just get the Sacred Beast Stone from him!!'

Kyubel shouted as Basque, ordering him to retrieve the Sacred Beast Stone.

(This is the first time I see him act so desperate.)

'Oh uh, sure. Got it.'

Basque did not know what the Sacred Beast Stone was, but he finally understood the order.

He flung Dogora away and darted towards Peromus, so fast that Peromus appeared slow in comparison.

Peromus saw Basque approaching quickly, and he instantly knew what was about to happen.

Basque would take the Sacred Beast Stone, which made him realize the determination of the person who allowed Peromus to get there.

It was time for Peromus to do the same.

"Allen, take it!!"

As Basque got closer, Peromus threw the Sacred Beast Stone with all his might.

The glowing Sacred Beast Stone flew towards Allen.

'Die already you little shit!!'

Even though Peromus had thrown it, Basque still headed in for the attack.

(Protect him Tekka! Use [Self-Sacrifice]!!)

"Ghah?!"

As Basque jumped ready to kick, a Stone C summon used its Awakened Skill at the last possible instant.

Basque's strength made the summon crumble, turning to bubbles of light.

As Peromus flew back from the hit, the Sacred Beast Stone got closer to Allen.

"Are you okay?!"

Allen reached out to catch it, but his eyes followed Peromus.

Peromus landed a long distance away, but he staggered back on his feet, so somehow he had survived the hit.

(That was way too close. I guess I should be thankful Basque just kicked him.)

Thankfully Basque was a transformed Demon Great General, so he underestimated Peromus.

If he had used the Cursed Sword Onuba instead, Peromus might not have survived.

Kiel used his healing magic, and Peromus went to stand behind Allen.

'Tsk, he survived.'

Basque sounded annoyed that he failed to kill Peromus.

Bump

(Huh? Did I call the Grimoire?)

Allen felt like something odd happened.

The Grimoire opened in front of him, the item Peromus just threw at him listed in his Inventory.

'The Sacred Beast Stone has been stored.'

The log on the Grimoire's cover showed a new entry too.

Another entry followed.

'The Sacred Beast Stone is under analysis. Also, there's a message from the Goddess of Water Aqua. Please check the Grimoire's messages section.'

(What's that analysis? And I guess that round thing is called Sacred Beast Stone. It absorbed Makris' soul, so that must be why it gets that name.)

It was also the reason Kyubel was so desperate ever since Peromus appeared.

The Grimoire's pages began turning on their own.

[Dear Allen:

Thank you for your usual support.

Sorry for being so sudden, but it'll take some time for the Sacred Beast Stone you obtained to be analyzed.

I know it might be troublesome for you, but I hope you can be patient.

I understand this is a very difficult time for you too.

I've shared some of my divine power with Freya, so please use that and cleanse the world of those who dare sully the divine realm. Yours truly, Goddess of Water Aqua And all the staff in the Divine Realm.]

(Hmm, it's been a while since I've gotten such a cryptic letter. What is happening? I wish they would be a bit more specific. Or maybe they just don't have enough time for that.)

Bildiga and Basque still posed a threat.

But at least now Allen knew that the item Peromus brought was called a Sacred Beast Stone.

He had a lot of things he wanted to think through, but other things took priority now.

"Dogora, Lady Freya, the Goddess of Water Aqua said she'll share some of her divine power."

'Hm? That Aqua said that? Are you certain? She once refused to lend me her spot at the Descent Festival! Wait, I can feel so much power!!'

(Hm? Is it me or does it sound like there's a grudge between them?)

The Holy Land had a festival where various Gods would appear in front of the people.

Freya seemed to resent that Aqua and Gaia were always chosen, and never her.

"What was that? Ohh, I feel stronger!!"

Dogora also noticed the change.

He did not understand what sharing divine power meant, but he could feel the Divine Artifact Kagutsuchi shining more brightly and getting stronger.

Freya's Blessing also became [Large], enhancing Dogora's stats.

(So the Blessing became [Large] thanks to Aqua.)

-Smallest Blessing: Fire Absorption

-Very Small Blessing: Fire Absorption, All stats + 1000

-Small Blessing: Fire Absorption, All stats + 3000, Skill Damage +10%

-Medium Blessing: Fire Absorption, All stats + 5000, Skill Damage +30%, True Skills Cooldown Reduction by 30%

-Large Blessing: Fire Absorption, All stats + 10000, Skill Damage +50%, True Skills Cooldown Reduction by 80%, Skill [Explosive Attack (Limited)] unlocked

"Explosive Attack!!"

Dogora's battleaxe shone hot red as he charged at Basque.

'Woohoo! You're finally stepping it up!!'

The new Skill [Explosive Attack] was blocked by Basque's Cursed Sword.

Basque and Dogora's fight had seemed hopeless before, but with the help of Aqua it seemed barely doable.

'What are you doing? Hurry and retrieve the Sacred Beast Stone!!'

(Kyubel's character is starting to crumble. Was it really that important for him?)

Even through the mask it was clear that Kyubel was distressed and had lost his playful attitude.

'I know, I know.'

"I won't let you!"

Dogora stepped between Allen and Basque.

Their objectives had changed, now the priority was to keep the Sacred Beast Stone safe.

While Basque and Bildiga got closer, another magic ring appeared.

'M-my apologies, Master Kyubel. The Sacred Beast Stone was taken from me!!'

Sinorom appeared with the eyeball monster, trying to explain the situation to Kyubel.

'I can see that. Do you really think this is the time to mumble excuses, hmm? And you Ramonhamon, I hope you won't mess up this time.'

As Kyubel spoke, yet another magic circle appeared.

It was Ramonhamon transformed.

Bek was drained of strength, gripped by the neck in their arms.

Bek had given everything he had, but that was not enough to defeat Ramonhamon.

"Wha-?! Bek!!"

Shea instantly recognized who that was.

She tried to get closer, but Bildiga stood in her way.

"...Sh-Shea? Run away, you can't beat him."

Bek's Extra Skill's effect had already vanished from his body.

Somehow he managed to react to Shea's voice.

Even with his fading consciousness, he was still worried for her.

He could not even move his own body.

Ramonhamon dragged him and threw him next to the altar.

'So the sacrifice is here. Basque, bring me your Cursed Sword.'

'Hm? What is it now, wait wait-'

Basque was getting annoyed, being given confusing orders constantly.

Kyubel held his palm towards Basque, and the Cursed Sword Onuba flew towards him as if attracted by a powerful magnet.

Basque wanted to complain saying it was his sword, but the blade was already in Kyubel's hands.

There was little he could do without the Cursed Sword, so Basque maintained his distance from Dogora.

"Wha-?! N-no, STOPPPPPPPPPP!!"

'We'll complete the plan. All to fulfill my wish! I'll give everything for that!!'

While Shea screamed, Kyubel lowered the Cursed sword onto Bek's body.

Allen quickly activated the Rock C summon's Awakened Skill [Self-Sacrifice].

But that was not enough, Kyubel continued to apply more pressure onto the blade.

The Rock C summon vanished into bubbles of light, and the black blade pierced through the orichalcum armor effortlessly, stabbing Bek's heart.