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

Ten days passed since Megadeth changed Kurena's Talent to Dragoon.

Kurena had spent those days fighting Iron Golems to raise her Level, which had been reset to 1.

[Name] Kurena

[Age] 16

[Talent] Dragoon

[Blessings] Arbiter God (Medium)

[Level] 89

[Strength] 5947 + 600 (True Dragon Claw) + 12000 (True Heroism)

[Mana] 2940 + 600 + 12000

[Attack] 6387 + 1200 + 12000

[Endurance] 5064 + 600 + 1200

[Agility] 5187 + 1200 + 12000

[Intelligence] 3017 + 600 + 6000

[Luck] 3853 + 600 + 12000

[Skills] Dragoon (3), True Dragon Riding (3), True Dragon Sword (3), True Dragon Claw (1), True Killing Slash (6), True Phoenix Blast (6), True Healing Sword (6), True Supreme Sword (6), True Heroism (2), Limit Break (4), Energy Dash (Limited) (3), Swordsmanship (7)

[Experience] 30'000'000'000 / 500'000'000'000

-Skill Levels

[Dragoon] 3

[True Dragon Riding] 3

[True Dragon Sword] 3

[True Killing Slash] 6

[True Phoenix Blast] 6

[True Healing Sword] 6

[True Supreme Sword] 6

[Limit Break] 4

[Energy Dash (Limited)] 3

-Skill Experience

[True Dragon Riding] 2000 / 10000

[True Dragon Sword] 8000 / 10000

[True Killing Slash] 800'000 / 10'000'000

[True Phoenix Blast] 1200'000 / 10'000'000

[True Healing Sword] 3000'000 / 10'000'000

[True Supreme Sword] 3500'000 / 10'000'000

[Limit Break] 3000'000 / 10'000'000

[Energy Dash (Limited)] 200'000 / 1000'000

Megadeth claimed the Gatekeeper was not particularly strong, but it was hard to trust him, so Kurena had gotten quite strong. Allen knew Megadeth was planning something.

Ideally he wanted to max out Kurena's Level first, but that would take half a year.

His goal was still to reach the Divine Realm and make his party stronger.

While they did that, the Demon King's Army could attack at any moment, so he believed 10 days was the ideal time for Kurena to train.

He also had to think of the Talent Points needed for the new Talent Change Dungeon.

Going through there required an adventurer to have maxed their Level, which took a long time.

The Demon King's Army was a constant threat too.

That was why Allen had not wanted Kurena to become a Dragoon at first.

Kurena had inherited her Sword Emperor Skills when she became a Dragoon.

Thanks to that, she had quite an assortment of Skills now, but Sword Emperor was gone from her Skill List, so she could no longer Level Up that Talent.

Only the Skills she had when the Talent Change happened remained.

Some Skills also relied on her Talent Level, so True Heroism was stuck at Level 2.

Her new Talent's Skills revolved around riding a dragon. They worked best while riding a dragon, and included middle range attacks so she did not have to jump off her dragon.

[Skills added from the Dragoon Talent]

-Dragoon (3): Her Talent Level

-True Dragon Riding (3): A 15% boost to Agility for the dragon and rider

-True Dragon Sword (3): Slashing attack with medium range

-True Dragon Claw (1): Raised stats, obtained at Talent Level 3

Allen's group returned to the Gate of Claw, and Megadeth was waiting for them there.

'Hey, it's been a while.'

"We're finally back. We'll challenge the Gatekeeper."

Megadeth looked happy to hear that.

'I see, let's begin soon then. As I already mentioned, only Haku and Kurena can go through.'

Megadeth repeated that just in case, and the dragon drawing on the doors vanished.

Rumble rumble rumble

The ground began trembling, the ground around the gate cracking as it opened.

Through it a different location was visible, that was the boss arena.

The dragon from the painting glared at the party from inside.

"I'm going then!!"

'Garr!!'

Kurena crossed the gate in a good mood, with Haku following behind her.

"Wait, try standing there for a bit."

Allen noticed the fight did not start instantly.

"Hm? What is it, Allen?"

"Let's give it a try!!"

Shouting that, Allen tried to run into the gate as well. It was wide open, but there was something like a glass pane that stopped him from getting inside. There was a protective barrier.

The dragon inside would not do anything until Kurena and Haku got closer, so Allen tried various things.

But it seemed like only Kurena and Haku could get in. Allen then decided to try supporting them, even if he could not get inside. The other party members also could not go inside.

He called Kurena back, and she passed like there was nothing there. But he could not cast any supportive spells on her while she was inside. Any buffs also vanished when she crossed in.

(Hmm, I guess there really is no way to help her.)

Megadeth had told him that was the case, but he wanted to be sure.

'This is a bit amusing. The dragonkin from 3000 years ago did not try any of that.'

Megadeth was shocked. He had never seen anyone try that before.

"Also, how many Riders can fight the Gatekeeper at a time?"

Allen asked even more conditions about the fight with the Gatekeeper.

'Only one pair can fight at a time.'

"Huh? So it's not a fight to the death then?"

Allen noticed Megadeth had specifically said 'at a time'. He had not though second times could happen there.

'Oh, it is. Though the Gatekeeper has the final say on when to end.'

Basically it seemed like there were multiple Gatekeepers that evaluated the challengers.

Allen had asked everything he needed, so he let Kurena and Haku go fight the Gatekeeper.

'Oh, you're ready now?'

"Yeah! Sorry for the wait!!"

'I'm the Light Dragon Elgia. There's no living being that can dodge my breath, get ready!'

The dragon's voice was loud and could be heard across the barrier.

"It's been a while since we fought a monster with a special name."

"Yeah, that's true. Do you think they can win?"

Allen and Cecile spoke to each other. The gate was large enough for everyone to watch.

"From its size I'd say that's an A Rank monster."

Allen judged Haku and Kurena would be able to defeat the dragon, according to its size.

'Wait…wait…you're challenging me at such a young age? I can wait, you may leave if you want.'

The Gatekeeper noticed Haku's size behind Kurena and was quite baffled.

"Wait?"

'Yes. You look like you were born yesterday… I've been a Gatekeeper for time immemorial, but this is the first time such a young dragon came to challenge me.'

Elgia was kind enough to let them go, so Haku could grow up properly.

"Huh. But Haku is strong so we'll be okay!!"

'And your Rider is a foolish person, your future looks bleak.'

"Garrr!! Don't insult Mama!!"

Haku bared his fangs from behind Kurena, angry that Elgia had insulted Kurena.

'I see. I guess nothing I say will have an effect, so I'll have to teach you with force.'

Elgia stood up, feeling like nothing else would work.

Something started welling up in Elgia's throat, he was about to use a breath attack.

Kurena noticed that, so she raised her sword while sitting atop Haku's head.

"No you won't! Supreme Sword!!"

A streak of light shot out from her blade and she swung it all down.

'Ghagh?! Th-that can't be!! What a powerful attack!!'

That was Kurena's strongest attack, enough to fling away Elgia's large body.

Elgia did not stand up again.

Poof

Kurena and Haku watched carefully, but then the barrier stopping the rest vanished.

'I had a hunch that an Unbound Dragoon would be strong enough.'

They had won, which allowed the Helpers to enter that arena as well.

They all rushed up to Kurena's side.

"Did Elgia die?"

'Hm? Nah, Elgia will get back up in a bit.'

She was worried about Elgia, who had tried to be considerate of Haku.

"Does this mean we can move to the next level then?"

'Yes, that's correct. Head to the first gate you found now, that's the Gate of Fang.'

They would have to go to the ruins they had found when they first arrived to the village.

'Hrnghh, I guess I lost. That's a good Rider.'

Elgia slowly stood up, fully aware that Kurena and Haku had won.

(Hmm what's going to happen now? It doesn't seem like Elgia forgot the fight like Gordino does.)

It even seemed like Elgia remembered Kurena's attack.

Usually bosses from dungeons would forget every fight, but maybe Kurena's attack had not been lethal.

While Allen thought of that, Elgia turned to look at Luck's head with puzzled eyes.

'You're Fabre. Are you back to challenge-'

Elgia seemed to know Fabre from long ago.

'Elgia, shut up.'

'Huh?! Ah, I'm really sorry!!'

Megadeth silenced Elgia.

"Hm? Fabre challenged this trial before then?"

Allen wondered when that had happened. Everyone turned to look at Fabre.

'I guess the cat's out of the bag. Fabre is actually helping me out.'

Megadeth said in frustration.

"Helping? What is she doing?"

'That I can't say. Managing the gates is a lot of work, and she's under a pact, so I doubt she can say anything.'

Fabre was also involved with the trials, but they could not reveal in what way.

"Is that true Fabre?"

Luck picked her up from his head, holding her in front of him to ask.

'Yes, Luck. But I can't talk about it. You'll have to decide if you want to continue challenging the gates on your own. From here on…'

Fabre almost let something slip, so she shook her head and went silent.

'Even if you're the dark elf prince she can't tell you. She's under an oath to the God of Space and Time Desperado.'

Megadeth warned Fabre to not give Luck special treatment.

"An oath with the God of Space and Time?"

'Yes, Fabre is here under special conditions. She has to be quiet or the trials won't be fair.'

Fabre had to follow her oath with Desperado no matter what.

"Keeping the trials fair?"

'Yes, that's very important.'

Megadeth did not want to answer more questions relating to that matter.

(Hmm, so that's why Fabre has been so quiet this entire time.)

Allen had already noticed Fabre had been acting strange, and it seemed she had challenged the trial before. Megadeth had mentioned the last time a challenger came was 3000 years ago, and Fabre had existed for 8000 years, so she had likely been there.

'...I'm really sorry for that. Here's the proof you've passed the Gate of Claw. Take it.'

After apologizing for being careless with his words, Elgia gave them the symbol of their victory.

A magic circle began glowing on the ground and a dragon's claw the size of a fist appeared there. After that Elgia went to his usual duties.

"So this is the proof of claw!"

Kurena firmly grasped it.

'Anyway, moving along, Kurena and Haku will also get a new power. That's the agreement of the trial.'

"Oh?"

'Au?'

As Megadeth said that, Kurena and Haku's bodies began to glow.