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

The God of Space and Time, Desperado, offered to provide his own temple for Cecile's magic training. The temple, a massive diamond-shaped structure resembling two light blue pyramids joined at their bases, had its upper portion serving as the research facility of the God of Magic Isiris. Although they had never ventured into the lower part, it was said to belong to Desperado.

(This... this is amazing!)

Allen felt a thrill at the God of Space and Time's proposal.

"That would be a great help! Are you sure it's okay?"

Allen thanked him before Cecile could.

'Oh, not at all. It’s rare for Isiris to be so absorbed in something. I want her to focus on her research. Now then, I’ll go ahead and teleport the two of you.'

(Teleport? Just like that?)

As Allen was pondering the words of the God of Time, the three of them were instantly teleported from Isiris’s research facility.

They found themselves in a vast, boundless space where there was no clear sense of up or down.

In midair, strange wormholes were floating around, and cube-shaped objects hovered in the air.

"Allen!?"

"Oh, we’re floating!"

Though Allen could normally float in the air thanks to the blessings of his summons, he didn’t feel any drain on his Mana this time. Whether through Blessings, Special Skills, or Skills, floating in the air without paying a price, whether in Mana or Spiritual Power, was unheard of.

Typically, one would need a vast amount of Mana to float, move a massive golem, or travel at high speed.

The absence of any Mana consumption was likely due to the power of the God of Space and Time Desperado, who stood beside them.

It was said that this God had erected barriers between the human realm, the divine realm, and the dark realm, preventing free entry from the human realm into the divine realm.

(Is this place responsible for maintaining the barrier between the divine realm and the rest of the worlds?)

Allen, who had been teleported to this unfamiliar place, began to contemplate the power and role of the God of Space and Time.

'There is the entrance to my temple, the [Time-Space Barrier].'

God of Space and Time pointed to a floating stone slab, about 50 meters across, suspended in midair, while talking in a polite voice.

He gently moved Allen and Cecile onto the stone floor below.

Just two meters above their line of sight, several cube-shaped objects were floating in the air.

"It kind of feels like the entrance to a dungeon."

"Yeah, that makes sense, considering he’s responsible for the dungeon’s teleportation system."

The dungeons were managed by the Dungeon Master Digragni, who was said to have been created by the God of Magic Isiris. It was believed that the God of Space and Time Desperado, Isiris’s husband, provided the power for the dungeons’ teleportation and spatial management.

'These teleportation devices lead to various spaces, please select a space that is compatible with ancient magic for your training.'

The floating cube-shaped objects apparently served as portals to different spaces.

"I see. So, what kind of tasks can we complete at the teleportation destinations to earn rewards?"

Allen suddenly adopted a mischievous expression.

'Eh?'

"Huh?"

Both the God of Space and Time and Cecile were momentarily confused by what he was asking.

'I apologize, but the only thing I’m offering is this area'

"My apologies. Perhaps the information didn’t reach you, but I’ve already pulled your Divine Compass from the lottery…"

"You mean Kiel did."

(Gngh…)

Cecile made sure that Kiel's achievements were not belittled.

'...It can't be helped. However, please prioritize refining Isiris's reward.'

"What do you mean by that?"

'When a God bestows Blessings or Divine Artifacts, it means we are taking on a risk.'

(I see, even the staff used to stir a test tube, if destroyed, would affect the God of Magic.)

Allen recalled the God of Fire Freya, who had her Divine Artifact stolen.Due to the Demon King's army's invasion of the divine realm, the God of Fire Freya had her Divine Artifact taken.As a result, within three years, the God of Fire was driven to the brink of losing her power and turning to stone. 𝙍𝙖ℕΟBËⱾ

Divine Artifacts were necessary for a God to exist as a God.There was no way to transfer them to humans without any risks.

"That's why the God of Magic wasn't so enthusiastic about it."

"That's right. If the Divine Artifact is destroyed, or if the person Blessed by the God commits such atrocities that they lose the people's faith, it would reflect back on the God who granted the Blessing."

"Allen, I see."

There was a reason why Gods imposed appropriate trials.They seemed to be screening those who would challenge and discerning their true nature.

'It’s not that severe, but if you can assure that Isiris's Divine Techniques will be mastered, I will permit you to take on my trial concurrently.'

Mastering the Divine Techniques and Divine Techniques bestowed by the God of Magic Isiris appeared to be the condition for taking on the trial of the God of Space and Time.

(Space and Time, that means parallel worlds, huh? I wonder if he foresaw this outcome, which is why he didn’t object much.)

As Allen looked at the divine realm of the God of Space and Time, which appeared as if several worlds overlapped, a trivial thought crossed his mind.

"The negotiations went so smoothly that it took the fun out of it."

"Maybe it's because people know there's no benefit in trying to haggle with you."

(How rude!)

Allen nostalgically recalled the time he negotiated with the God of Space and Time to increase the number of slots for entering the divine realm after conquering the Gates of Trials that lie between the human realm and the divine realm.

'Ahem... Now, I will inform you of the conditions for the challenge. My trial is simple. You just need to reach me at the lowest level.'

"Oh! I feel like we can do this!! Uh, let's go with the Hawk and Tsubamen combination."

Allen immediately began thinking of the slot necessary for a Bird E summon. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

'Ahem! Only Cecile will take on this challenge. Allen, you are not to proceed any further from here.'

The God of Space and Time cleared his throat more forcefully.

(Really? Is it like this again? Do I really have to just turn back then?)

"I see. That sounds like a tough trial."

At the Gates of Trials, Kurena and Haku were the only ones allowed to fight the gatekeeper.Allen thought that perhaps the God of Space and Time had a preference for narrowing down the challengers.

'First, focus on mastering Isiris's Divine Techniques. Then, the day will come when you can conquer my temple. Here is the reward for conquering my temple.'

[Trial and Rewards of Desperado, the God of Time and Space]-1st Floor: Divine Technique [Spatial Magic]-2nd Floor: Divine Technique [Temporal Magic]-3rd Floor: Blessing of the God of Space and Time-4th Floor: Divine Artifact of the God of Space and Time

(Amazing. If Cecile can master both the rewards from the God of Magic and the Divine Techniques of the God of Space and Time, she might become the strongest mage.)

"Wonderful! I will become the ultimate magician!!"

Cecile, showing not even a trace of noble dignity, raised her fist high and declared boldly.

"Alright, Cecile. I'll come back after getting the heart of Nestirad, so be careful."

"Got it. You too, Allen."

Cecile had her own battle to fight, just as Allen and the others had theirs.Cecile raised her fist courageously and directed it toward him.Allen met her fist with his own, then turned on his heel to face the God of Space and Time.

'Now, Allen, please speak to that teleportation system. It will take you outside the temple.'

With the discussion settled, the God of Time and Space instructed Allen to leave the divine realm.Leaving Cecile in the God of Time and Space's domain, Allen teleported to a fortress set up near the ghost swarm in Shandar.

Allen had started in the Paradise of Primal Beasts, where Shea's trial had ended, before going to discuss their next steps at the fortress, then took Zew and the others to the Divine Arena where Helmios was, and then went to meet the God of Magic and the God of Space and Time.

It had been a densely packed day, and the sun was about to set on the western edge of the Shandar.

"Welcome back, Master Allen. It took you longer than I expected."

Sophie stood alone outside the building within the fortress, waiting for him.

"Yeah, Cecile safely received her reward from the God of Magic, and now she can also take on the trial of the God of Space and Time."

Feeling a bit guilty for making her wait, Allen quickly approached her.

"Oh my, that's quite a challenge. Shall we all go and help?"

"No need, according to the God of Space and Time, they'll treat it like training and completing the trial at the same time if possible."

"I see..."

Sophie seemed uneasy, recalling how she had needed the help of her companions to overcome the trial with the Great Spirit God.

(There were those like Ignomas who overcame two trials without any help... and Rosalina too, for that matter.)

While help would be given without hesitation if needed, that was not needed this time.

"Let's eat and rest to prepare for the battle against Nestirad tomorrow."

Allen spoke, urging them to get ready for the next day.

"Yes. The preparations should be completed soon. Please come this way, Master Allen."

Sophie led Allen to a spacious dining hall where the soldiers were able to eat. It seemed they had reserved it just for Allen and his group tonight.

"Oh, you're late.""Allen, you're here!"

Dogora, who had a hearty appetite, and Luck had both waited without starting their meal.Allen quickly took his seat, not wanting to keep them waiting any longer.

Sophie offered a prayer of thanks for the day's meal.Luck, following his parents' teachings, joined her in the prayer.Dogora, despite being an apostle of the God of Fire, did not offer thanks as he devoured a piece of well-cooked meat.Shea, trying to get Dogora to eat vegetables, scolded him for that.Rosalina, more interested in drink than food, sipped on fine wine to quench her thirst.

Everyone enjoyed the meal in their own way.

(No fear at all as we prepare for tomorrow, huh? Wait, where's Kurena?)

Allen noticed that Kurena, who had the strongest appetite of them all, was missing from the group.

"Huh, Abigayle, Kurena isn't here. Is she sleeping?"

Allen realized that Kurena was absent during their mealtime.

"N-no, that shouldn’t be the case..."

Abigayle, the dragonkin warden, didn’t know where Kurena was.But just then, Kurena's loud voice could be heard from outside the window.

"Come on, Haku! Here's some delicious meat. Eat up~"

'Gyau!! Mommy, it's delicious!!'

"Good, good!"

Apparently, Kurena was feeding Haku to keep him from feeling lonely.

"...Still, despite the fact that tomorrow is the battle against Nestirad, everyone seems so calm."

"Remaining calm is the key to fighting in the best possible condition."

Allen answered Abigayle's comment with a grin.