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

Chapter 540: Battle with the Spirit Beasts (3)

The fight between Allen and the Spirit Beast that looked like a salamander with a tree continued.

'Gyeko!!'

(That sounded like a frog, that means it'll attack with its tongue next.)

Allen raised his arms into a defensive stance.

He was hundreds of meters away from the Spirit Beast, but the long tongue swung and reached him in an instant.

"Urgh!"

After the countless attacks, Allen's orichalcum armor was already in tatters.

"Hold on a second Master Allen."

"Don't worry about that. I don't need to heal this."

(I don't get any bonuses for having max health.)

Allen stopped Sophie, who had taken out medicine and was about to use it.

The Spirit Beasts' attacks were targeted at Sophie and Luck behind him.

If either of those two were hit by it, they would suffer lethal wounds. Their Great Spirits also would not be able to last very long.

As the Spirit Beast's tongue returned to its mouth, Allen rushed forward. He had realized that he could attack if he timed it correctly. Once he was close, he jumped up to attack the tree part.

"Spectral Explosive Attack!!"

'Gyeu?!'

Allen struck at the tree trunk with all his strength.

(It worked this time!)

His sword cut into the trunk, but was stopped halfway through, and the Spirit Beast began shaking its body to throw Allen off, so he had to jump back to where Sophie and Luck were.

The Spirit Beast continued shaking its body, even more than when it got rid of Allen.

"Damnit, just when we got 3 hits in."

Luck already knew what this signified. Large red fruits grew on the branches and fell into the Spirit Beast's mouth, which it swallowed and healed all the damage Allen had done.

"...Maybe it's really best if our spirits also help to fight…"

Sophie could not stand watching that any longer.

"No, it's good this way. We're just trying to buy time."

(Spectral Explosive Attack erases 10000 Mana, but the tree regenerates that if I don't attack enough.)

Spectral Explosive Attack used 1000 Mana, and got rid of 10000 Mana from the target.

It dealt plenty of damage for its Mana cost, and it was easy to use without getting hit in return, so it was Graham's Skill that Allen used the most.

But the Spirit Beast just healed all the damage with the red fruits that kept growing.

At first Allen targeted the fruits, but as they kept growing, he began attacking the tree itself.

(Now's the critical moment. Should I use Soul Saber? It's already been an hour though.)

There was one of Graham's Skills that Allen had not tried yet. [Soul Saber] used up all his Spiritual Power, giving it far more power than Spectral Explosive Attack.

So far he had focused on defending Sophe and Luck, but now he had a chance to use it.

Kuwatoro who was outside also communicated to him that the item he wanted would arrive soon, so trying it out would not be an excessive risk.

But then Merus and Cecile teleported in front of them.

'Sorry for the wait. Here's the Mirror of Truth.'

Merus had been fighting with the Spirit Beasts outside to be able to retrieve the Mirror of Truth.

Once he knew Cecile had it, he reunited with her and teleported back to the cave.

(Ponzu and Konzu won't come here then. Hm?)

Sophie noticed that only Merus and Cecile had returned, and Cecile looked nervous.

"Where's Formar!"

"I'm sorry, he jumped into the crater to get the mirror and I couldn't save him."

"Th-that's… No, it's alright, we got the mirror. Victory is at reach."

Sophie was shocked to hear Formar had died, but she suppressed those feelings knowing what took more priority in their situation.

(Formar died? Did I make a mistake somewhere then?)

Allen's mind was filled with guilt and shock, which made him wonder if there had been another option he neglected that could have saved Formar's life.

'Allen, you can reflect on that later. You should use the mirror now.'

Merus knew what Allen was thinking, so he brought him back to reality.

"Right… It's time to end this."

Shaking his head a bit, Allen turned to the Great Spirit God.

'...What's wrong?'

(Is he still planning something? Was this all a trap then?)

The Great Spirit God continued to watch calmly, unbothered by the Mirror of Truth's presence.

"Allen, quick, use the mirror!!"

Cecile shouted at Allen to use the mirror, for which Formar had given his life.

Tonies did not seem to have lied so far, so Allen pointed the mirror at the Spirit Beast.

Soon after the mirror began to glow.

'Gyeko?! Gyu! Gyu! Gyekokoko!!'

The Spirit Beast began to cough wildly as if it was choking on something. Eventually he spat out two spirits, which Sophie and Luck recognized so they ran up to them.

"Lord Rosen!"

"Fabre!"

The two slowly opened their eyes as Sophie and Luck picked them up.

'Where are we?'

"Are you alright, Lord Rosen?"

They were covered in slime so it was hard to see their appearance, so Sophie used a Heaven's Blessing.

Even though they had rescued Rosen and Fabre, the Spirit Beast still stood in front of them.

"Hey, this isn't what you said would happen! The Spirit Beast is still there! Did you lie to us Tonies?!!"

'Wha-?! I didn't lie to anybody!!'

'Heheh, good job finding the mirror. I guess now I have the power of two Spirit Gods.'

The Great Spirit God seemed pleased with what he had acquired. Rosen and Fabre had lost power, becoming Spirit Kings. Still, Allen did not lose hope just yet.

"That's alright. Are you alright Rosen? Please use Spirit King's Blessing."

All Allen wanted was the buff from Rosen's Spirit King's Blessing.

'Hahah. You're always as merciless as ever, Allen.'

He was just vomited by the Spirit Beast, but since Allen wanted him to work, Rosen quickly flew into the air. As he shook his hips, particles of light began to rain around them.

Everyone's stats there went up by 30%, and Allen could feel an onrush of power.

"Now we have the power to end the fight."

'Right, and we only need to strike once. I'll make an opening for you. Judgement Thunder!!'

Merus knew what Allen wanted to do, so he quickly rushed at the Spirit Beast.

The Spirit Beast threw its tongue in response, hitting Merus squarely in the stomach and sending him flying back. But his Extra Skill had already been activated.

Merus had used all his Mana in that attack, which shook the Spirit Beast and left it slightly paralyzed. That was Allen's cue to rush in.

But Merus was not the only one there who knew what to do, Luck also shouted in a loud voice.

"Spirit King's Barrier!!"

Fabre was also awake, so she used her Extra Skill to help Allen.

A black mist surrounded the Spirit Beast, slightly lowering its resistances.

"Let's go Graham!"

'Alright! Time to deal the final blow!!'

Allen raised his sword and signaled Graham to use one of his Skills, using all of Allen's Mana and Spiritual Power.

He jumped then, and just like before, aimed for the tree trunk.

As the Spirit Beast was paralyzed, it could not defend or evade.

"Soul Sabeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrr!!!"

His sword expanded in size tens of times over, smashing down through the Spirit Beast's tree part. Then it continued traveling down, digging itself into the salamander's back and letting out copious amounts of blood. The pressure made the salamander's legs give in and press flat on the ground, creating a crack on the floor.

"Master Allen, you've gotten so powerful…"

All his struggles earlier had vanished like they never happened.

"No, it's still alive. But at least the tree is gone so it can't heal anymore!"

(It was all thanks to the buff from the Spirit King's Blessing though.)

It had been a devastating blow, but the Spirit Beast was still breathing.

Realizing the situation was starting to turn against it, the Spirit Beast react differently.

'Gyeko…'

The salamander had always walked on four legs until now, but now it stood up on two feet.

"It's doing something, be careful everyone!!"

Allen told the rest to be careful.

The Spirit Beast slammed down onto the rocky ground, sending a powerful shockwave all around, and cracking the ground.

The cracks continued expanding, reaching the walls and ceiling of the dome-shaped cave.

'Gheko gheko!!'

The heavily injured Spirit Beast would not stop cackling, believing it won.

(Hm? Is it trying to…)

Allen tried to rush in, sword in hand, but he quickly lost his footing.

"Hey?! What's happening!! The entire mountain is shaking."

The Spirit Beast had made the enormous mountain shake with that attack.

Just as Allen understood what was happening, a glowing water began falling on the Spirit Beast.

"Th-that's Dew of Life!!"

The Spirit Beast opened its mouth to drink the Dew of Life that was trickling down from the crater on the peak, and all its wounds quickly started healing.

"Ew? What's happening?"

"It's changing shape again!!"

Luck stared in shock, and Allen answered. The Spirit Beast was transforming into a slimmer lizard. Its feet grew claws that were many meters long, and its face looked more intelligent, a lizard tongue poking out constantly.

'Kyurorororo!!'

The Spirit Beast's hind legs pushed it forward much faster than they had done so far.

It quickly closed the distance to Allen, swinging its claws down on him.

The attack was more powerful than any before it, and it buried Allen into the rocky floor.

"Master Allen!!"

"The fight isn't over yet! Everyone stay sharp!!"

(This is bad, it's too strong, I almost passed out from that. And I already used Soul Saber.)

He could still not Appraise the Spirit Beast, but it was clearly stronger than before.

This last transformation put them in a perilous situation, but he did his best to not let it show.

'Oh, you won't give up still? I guess that's why Elmea chose you to be the hero.'

The Great Spirit God expressed his actual emotions.

'...Merus…'

Lupto watched from a distance, and looked worried about her brother.

'It's time for you to despair, and understand that this world is hell. There's no hope in this world, and anything you do is for naught.'

The Great Spirit God muttered that in resignation, watching Allen's fight.