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

Chapter 578: The God of Magic Isiris

After Allen's group opened a path through the papers, they found a woman sitting at a desk, scribbling on paper while mumbling incoherently.

"Wait, is that…"

"It doesn't look like she noticed us yet. Let's try getting closer."

Allen changed his cards to enhance his Intelligence and observed her movements.

She had not noticed them yet.

"Okay. Huh, there's a lot of stuff scattered here."

Allen went ahead, then Cecile, Sophie, and the dwarves followed.

Kiel and Dogora also watched her movements carefully.

(These look like some sort of materials. Are these hides? I guess she's experimenting with this.)

Other than paper, there was also animal hides, tree branches, and various ores.

They covered the floor, so there was hardly any space to move.

'Heheh, this way a larger area will be affected…'

The group got 1 or 2 meters away from her, but she still did not react to them.

Her hair was purple, just like the God of Space and Time Desperado.

But unlike his straight hair, hers was very frizzy and curled, covering her face.

She wore robes like most magicians, but the hems were tattered and frayed.

(She looks straight out of a horror movie, but she's the God of Magic. She has to be.)

Everyone looked at Allen, waiting for him to take care of things.

"Excuse me…"

(Hello hello.)

'Ahh!!'

Her eyes snapped open behind all the hair.

"Huh?!"

'This will make the casting time too long and it won't work! Goddamnittttttttttt!!'

She began stabbing her desk with a pen until the pen broke.

"I'm really sorry, we just want to talk for a bit."

The God of Magic picked up a spare pen and began scribbling again.

'That's it. If I do this the casting time will be shorter, but then…! Wait! It worked! Keheheh!! It worked it worked it worked!'

She began cackling crazily as she stood up and began going in circles holding onto her papers.

(Somehow she reminds me of Okiyo. Or I guess they made Okiyo after her.)

Allen could hardly keep up with Isiris' mood swings, but he could not keep silent.

"Hey! I'm Allen!!"

Allen shouted with all his might, his shout blowing away all the materials and papers around.

Then Isiris finally stopped dancing and turned to look at Allen.

'...How long have you been there?'

"We just arrived earlier. It's a pleasure to meet you, God of Magic Isiris."

'Who are you?'

"I'm Allen. Thank you very much for allowing us into your Temple and-"

'I see, got it. I'm busy.'

She quickly went back to her research. Soon she was mumbling to herself again while drawing magic circles, completely ignoring Allen's group.

Allen shook his head and opened his Grimoire.

Then Cecile stepped forward, annoyed by how easily Allen gave up.

"Allen, I'll talk to her! Excuse me, God of Magic Isiris. Could you listen to me? I need to get into Extra Mode!!"

'Heeheehee, now I do this, and that…'

"Excuse me!!"

Isiris was too engrossed in her research to listen to Cecile.

"Wait, Cecile. I think I know this type of character, I'll talk to her."

"Huh? But…"

"With characters that won't pay attention, you just give them what they want, just watch. We've come to become your assistants!!"

'Assistants?'

Her eyes were still focused on the paper, but her pen stopped moving as she listened to Allen.

"Yes. Seeing how there's no angels here, I'm sure it's slowing down your research. That's why we're here, to help with your research."

Allen made sure to emphasize the word research.

'So you'll do anything I ask?'

She finally put the paper away and turned to look at Allen.

"Of course. The dwarves you created will make sure to aid with your experiments."

Saying that, he pointed at Larappa and her dwarves, saying she could use them as she wished.

"Wha-?!"

(I'll bet Kakuyoin's soul.)

Larappa reacted loudly to being pointed at so suddenly.

"It must be hard to conduct research in a crowded place like this. And I doubt you get much time for shopping."

'I see, and I'm sure the God of Creation will allow the use of dwarves! They aren't angels!!'

Isiris' eyes seemed to snap onto Larappa.

(So the matter of having no angels was a punishment from Elmea. Well, at least I can use it to my favor.)

"Wait, Commandant, why are you throwing me in this?"

"Larappa, this is an unprecedented opportunity. You've gained the incredible chance of witnessing the God of Magic Isiris' work personally. This is something only you can do."

"I-I see. So I'll be her assistant. I'll become the God of Magic's right hand!!"

"That's precisely it. You'll help her accomplish even more than she could alone before."

(It's slightly annoying that I have to let go of Larappa, but she might become more powerful by being here. Now I just have to find a way to get Cecile into Extra Mode.)

Cecile sighed watching Allen manipulate Larappa into this.

"Everyone! I've become the God of Magic's assistant! We need order if we want to conduct proper research, clean this place immediately!!"

"Way to go, boss! We'll continue supporting you in this new endeavor. Time to clean up!"

All the dwarves happily followed Larappa's orders, cleaning up the room.

'Now, if that's all you may-'

Allen was not being considered an assistant, so he was about to be kicked out.

(Is Isiris really this antisocial? I guess she doesn't like talking too much.)

"There's more we can do for you. We could use this Faith Card and buy materials from the God of Trading Marne's market."

'Okay, bring me some of Aqua's holy water then.'

(What's that? Did they sell it in the market? But at least this means Cecile's quest for Extra Mode had turned into a fetch quest.)

Allen knelt in front of Isiris, concealing the menacing grin he had.

There were all types of quests, like completing dungeons or defeating someone, but fetch quests were the easiest, involving going somewhere and picking something up.

Allen preferred quests like that, as long as they gave a good reward.

"Understood. But we spent a lot of effort defeating ghosts to obtain the points on this Faith Card, so I don't believe it'd be fair for you to take them for free. We don't want the God of Creation getting upset."

The God of Creation Elmea wanted all exchanges with Gods to be fair trades.

'That's a good point. So you want something in return?'

"I'll be handing over a large amount of points, so could you get Cecile into Extra Mode?"

"So you were planning on using the points for this all the way back in the market…"

Allen had obtained a Faith Card from the market before hunting Demigod Rank ghosts.

'That won't be enough in exchange for making her my Unbound.'

Unbound was the term people in this world used for those in Extra Mode.

"Huh? The points aren't enough?"

'No, I could give you potions, accessories, or magic devices, but that's it.'

Faith Points were not a good thing to exchange for getting someone to Extra Mode.

"I see. Then what about potions to recover Spiritual Power? Or a ring that regenerates it."

Things were not working out too well, and she did not seem too interested in negotiating, but Allen still tried to obtain something.

'If you want Spiritual Power this is what I have.'

She scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to Allen.

[Trade rates for Faith Points with the God of Magic]

-1000000: Potion for full Spiritual Power recovery (Single target)

-100000000: Potion for full Spiritual Power recovery (Entire party)

-1000000000: Spiritual Power consumption reduction ring (10% reduced costs)

-5000000000: Spiritual Power regeneration ring (1% each second)

-10000000000: Spiritual Power consumption reduction and regeneration ring (5% regeneration per second, 50% reduced costs)

"Do the Spiritual Power regeneration rings only work in the divine realm?"

Allen checked his Faith Card, it said "~32000000000 Points."

He had gained 2000000000 from 2 Demigod Rank ghosts he had defeated.

'Of course.'

(I guess this is what she deems fair. I just need to defeat two more ghosts and I'll get the ring. I can do that in an instant in the Earth Labyrinth. Now I just need better equipment and I'll be a happy camper.)

"Alright, we'll obtain all the materials you need for her to enter Extra Mode then."

Allen tried to establish fetch quests as the method to get there.

But he still needed something to do to accomplish that.

So he suggested obtaining materials for her research, whether in the market or not.

'Personally I'm not really looking to have an Unbound. It'll just interrupt my research.'

Finally she was more direct and expressed her distaste for getting someone to Extra Mode.

"Could you make an exception? I'll get you anything you need for your experiments."

'Anything?'

"Yes, anything you need."

"Allen!!"

Cecile could not stand seeing Allen beg like that any longer, but before she could tell him to stop, Isiris took a step forward.

'Ahh! There's something I've wanted for a long time!! It'll greatly help my research!!'

She raised her hands up and shouted with joy, her sudden outburst shocking everyone.

"I'll get it for you then. As long as you get Cecile into Extra Mode in exchange."

'I'll do that.'

"Alright, what is it you want?"

Everyone listened attentively to know what Isiris wanted.

'I want a heart.'

"Huh? Whose?"

(A heart? I have a really bad feeling about this, but it can't be…can it?)

Allen struggled to understand for a bit, but after raising his Intelligence he came to a conclusion.

'What was the name…the thing in the country with all the divine people.'

"Huh? Do you mean that ghost?"

Cecile's face contorted with fear.

'Yes! That's it, a ghost! Now I remember! I want Nestiad's heart!!'

"Huh?"

Allen had heard her, but his head struggled to comprehend.

'There's a ghost called Nestiad in Shandar. I need it for my research, so get me that heart.'

She even gave them the location, but Allen already knew that.

"Wha-?! Huh? Th-that's clearly impossible!!"

Cecile shouted in anger, unable to contain her emotions. Allen had returned half dead the last time he tried fighting Nestiad. Even after completing the Spirit Paradise's trial, defeating Nestiad was impossible for them.

(I see, I thought Nestiad was just a regular boss, but I guess this is how you're supposed to defeat him.)

Allen slowly raised his face, sure he had seen through everything, and replied with conviction.

"Understood. I'll take the quest of obtaining Nestiad's heart so Cecile can enter Extra Mode."

"Huh? Wh-why…wait, why are you doing that…"

Cecile could hardly form any words from all the shock.

The most difficult fetch quest was about to start.

"