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

Chapter 681: Shard of the Moon

allen looked at shea and zew, both seemingly content.

shea had overcome the trial, obtaining divine techniques, divine artifacts, and blessings, reflecting on her existence in the process. zew, on the other hand, renounced his rewards to pursue the title of beast king, both reaching a mutual understanding.

through the grimoire, luvanka had shared the month-long ordeal, including garm’s brutal trial pitting shea and zew against each other, with allen and the others. they had rushed in anger, but seeing the satisfied faces of shea and zew, it seemed all was resolved.

“allen, what now?”

cecile asked, already knowing the answer.

(if it ends well, that’s what matters. it’d be inappropriate to meddle in shea’s trial now. so, there’s only one thing to do.)

allen knew the trial garm had put shea through was unforgivable. however, shea had proven her resolve and overcome the trial. though prepared to fight garm, it was more important to respect his comrade’s wishes.

‘no matter who we are, i've made up my mind.’

shea’s defiant words to garm, as heard through luvanka’s memory, lingered in allen’s mind.

“beast god garm, thank you for the trial you gave shea. i believe there is still one reward left, the shard of the moon?”

before the trial, shea had confirmed with garm that the shard of the moon would be part of the rewards.

‘what’s with that look... i keep my promises. here you go.’

garm kicked the floor stone with divine power, reverting to his original form, including his tail.

*pop*

“eek!?”

cecile let out a startled cry as the floor stone disappeared in a circular area, causing everyone to fall.

(kuwatoro, help us land safely.)

‘understood.’

using kuwatoro’s special skill floating wings, they controlled their descent, falling to the temple’s depths along with garm.

after nearly ten minutes, they saw the bottom. the floor and walls shimmered, with a corridor leading from a hole in the wall.

‘this way.’

the hole, just a few meters wide, required them to unsummon luvanka and other large summons, following garm through the narrow passage.

(feels like when we got the shard of the sun.)

“next is nestiad. i can’t wait!”

the last item needed was the heart of the ghost nestiad.

“hmph. witness the power i’ve gained.”

shea cracked her knuckles encased in the divine artifact.

“i’ve also grown stronger thanks to isiris’s rewards! right, digragni?”

‘yeah, yeah! you want me to fight, don’t you!’

“heh, behold the power of this divine knight!”

with a challenging smile, shea faced merle and kurena, who crossed their arms, ready for a challenge. dungeon master digragni also vowed to join the fight against nestiad.

‘so noisy. i’ve given the rewards. you have no more business here, right?’

garm, seated before the god of law’s statue, looked up, his tiny frame contrasting with the grandeur around him.

“thank you for the trial, garm.”

“i too express my gratitude. thank you.”

zew and shea bowed respectfully.

‘hmph.’

garm didn’t turn to look, his mind elsewhere.

“alright! let’s defeat nestiad together!!”

“indeed!!”

‘if you’re leaving, fix the temple roof...’

*whoosh*

before garm could finish, allen activated the special skill [homing instinct], transporting everyone back.

‘they’ve left already... finally, peace returns to the temple.’

left alone with the statues, garm sighed softly.

thus, with all misunderstandings resolved and the trial completed, shea and her comrades, led by allen, moved towards their next adventure.