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

Chapter 603: Giran's 1st trial (2)

Sophie's Divine Technique [Spirit God's Blessing] made Shea's body glow with a golden color.

Then Shea activated her Skill [Full Beast Mode], transforming into a 4 legged tiger, before leaning down to dash towards Giran.

"Let's do it!"

'I've been waiting all this time, do your best.'

As soon as he replied, Shea began running across the white platform.

(I wonder if the platform is made with Divine Power too, it's not breaking at all. It looks like stone, but it isn't stone.)

The white platform Giran called his Sanctuary seemed to be made of a special material.

Even when Shea ran on it in Full Beast Mode, her legs would not crack the platform.

There were around 200 meters between Shea and Giran, which she closed in the blink of an eye and lunged at Giran, but he dodged at the last moment.

"He dodged…"

'You're finally starting to move quickly, hm?'

(So 130000 Agility is only moving quickly for him?)

Sophie could barely let the words out, but Giran also noticed the change in Shea's speed.

After Giran dodged, Shea kicked off the protrusion on the platform, redirecting her speed.

"Grr!!"

Shea leaped towards Giran, having already expected he would dodge the first attempt.

Giran was still recovering from dodging earlier, and he saw Shea become gradually bigger as she closed in on his stomach.

Shea was just mere centimeters away from Giran when she felt like he sighed, and vanished.

"Grr?! How?!"

Somehow Giran had dodged Shea's attack, even though he had not regained his balance yet.

On top of that, Shea was seeing multiple figures of Giran, which made her shout angrily.

"Hey, what's going on? Lord Giran multiplied."

Even Cecile was shocked by that change.

Giran had turned into 5, all with the same size and appearance.

All of them stood near the edges of Giran's Sanctuary, in front of the protuberances, with regular intervals between them. They all looked at Shea with an entertained look.

'Oh, my bad. I got a bit carried away.'

Giran realized he was going too far for a mere test.

(So he's just showing off now. But did he actually split into 5? I'm guessing 4 are fake since this is a test of Agility though.)

Allen tried to figure out what was going on after Giran used that Skill.

At least it seemed like Giran would not move out of the small arena, but he had felt the necessity to use a Skill to aid himself, and also felt it was necessary to show a portion of his power.

But it was hard to believe he would increase the chances of being caught by splitting into 5.

Only 1 had to be the real target, while the other 4 were just decoys.

"Grr…"

Shea bared her teeth, her Skill [Full Beast Mode] still active. Giran's taunt was working.

'What's wrong? You're giving up already? I'll stay here waiting for as many years or decades as you want though.'

Seeing Shea groaning, Giran taunted her even more. It was almost like he was saying it would take her many decades to get anywhere near beating him.

(Hmhm, I see. Many years, huh. I can't let that go.)

That gave Allen an idea to get through this snag.

"Excuse me, if I may while the trial is going on…"

Allen went right to the border of the Sanctuary before speaking to Giran.

'Allen? What is it? I hope you aren't trying to back out of the trial, or suggest I go easier on her, are you?'

Giran continuing mentioning just how easy the trial was, only to irk Shea even more.

"I'd never suggest such a thing. I'm actually delighted to see what a wonderful trial you chose for us, and the reward we can expect from it."

'Oh? So you think this is still too easy for Shea?'

Giran sounded confused, as he had just shown them a portion of his power.

But Allen's face was still full of confidence, which alarmed Giran slightly.

"I didn't say that. There's just something I'd like to verify, if you'll excuse that I'm interrupting the trial."

Giran turned around to fully face Allen. The trial was still ongoing, but he was doing that to show off his confidence against Shea even more.

(So he's still trying to get Shea to give up. I guess he wants her to be strong mentally and physically.)

'So tell me, Allen. What is it you want to verify?'

"I believe you mentioned you'd give her 2 trials, right?"

Giran had mentioned he would give Shea a Divine Technique and Divine Artifact.

'Of course. That's what I said.'

"Are the Divine Technique and Divine Artifact you promised only going to be granted once both trials are complete, or will she get a reward as soon as she completes one?"

'Huh? Well, to be honest I hadn't thought about that yet. But hmm, I believe it's only fair to give her a reward each time a trial is complete. But why do you ask this?'

"Shea seems to be struggling with her trial. Could you give her the second trial as well?"

"Wha-?! Hey, Allen! What are you saying now! Look how hard Shea is trying already!"

Cecile could not contain herself from raising her voice at Allen.

She felt like Allen was asking Giran to make the trials impossible for Shea.

Seeing Shea's efforts belittled like that made her mad.

"Cecile, didn't you hear me? This trial is too hard for Shea, but she has to overcome both."

If Shea obtained the Divine Technique from the second trial, then she could gain the power she needed to overcome the first.

(It's always good to figure out the most efficient path through multiple quests after all.)

'That's such nonsense… Or not, maybe this is what they said, someone incredibly annoying who always tries to worm his way out…'

"Lord Giran, did you say something?"

'Sorry, it's nothing. Either way, what makes you think the second trial will be any easier?'

"That's not what I meant, I'd just like to know what both trials are, so I know which to give more priority."

'Oh, I see. Alright then, I'll tell you what the second trial entails then.'

"Ohh! Thank you so much!! I promise that the people of Albahar will also start revering you once we're done with the trials."

Allen told Giran they would build a bronze statue to pray to him.

"What are you saying without consulting anyone…"

Shea was still in Full Beast Mode, and was confused about the conversation.

(Hey, don't get distracted. You should be trying to sneak up on him by now.)

Allen tried to signal Shea to strike Giran, but she shook her head in confusion.

'I could just retract the trials if you joke about such matters… Also, I have no plans of overthrowing Lord Garm as the deity of Albahar, so don't think your shameless adulation will make the trials any easier.'

"I'm really sorry, I didn't say it in that way. I merely wanted to communicate my gratitude. Anyway, about the trials…"

(I guess I should've noticed he does everything for Garm.)

Giran had already attacked Luvanka to defend Garm's honor before.

'Well, as you wish. I'll give Shea a second trial. The Mythical Bird Rame is actually not too far from here, but is struggling to become a Divine Bird.'

"Ohh, that sounds like a problem."

Giran looked troubled, and Allen tried to mimic that.

'The trial is rather simple. Help the Mythical Bird become a Divine Bird.'

"Wha-?! Why though! That has nothing to do with Shea!!"

'Umm, Cecile, was it? Did you just say that towards me?

"N-no, I didn't say anything."

Cecile quickly went silent, faced by Giran's severe face.

"That sounds like such an important task. Is it really something we humans can do?"

'I'm jealous of the group of excellent allies Shea has. I'd suggest you go talk with the Mythical Bird Rame about it first, and don't forget the favor of being lenient with Luvanka's attitude.'

Giran had no intention of changing the trials.

[Trial 1] Score 1 hit on Giran

[Trial 2] Turn the Mythical Bird Rame into a Divine Bird (new!)

'My apologies, Allen. It might be my fault that the trials became so harsh.'

There was a chance that Giran would no longer go after Luvanka, but made the trials harder in exchange.

'The trials won't change. Score a hit on me and Shea gets my Divine Artifact. And when the Mythical Bird rame becomes a Divine Bird I'll grant her a Divine Technique.'

There would be no room for negotiations now.

(That's tricky. Not to mention that it seems like only Elmea can choose who becomes a god.)

"I understand. This might be a hard trial, so we'll start by talking with the Mythical Bird."

'Sounds good. And there you have it, Shea, maybe it's better if you focus on that other trial first.'

"Yes, Lord Giran. I'll come back to challenge you again later. Allen, let's go talk to the Mythical Bird."

Shea began walking away to go with Allen.

"Wait, what are you talking about, Shea? You'll stay here and continue trying to get over the trial."

'Allen? What are you saying now?'

"I mean, Shea can stay here dealing with the first trial, while we go talk to the Mythical Bird Rame."

'Again, what are you saying? Dealing with the Mythical Bird is Shea's trial, not yours.'

Giran and everyone else looked at Allen with confusion.

"