Hellmode ~A Hardcore Gamer Becomes Peerless in Another World with Retro Game Settings~
chapter-453

Allen first learned about Digragni in the Academy.

Merle had told him about Digragni when he asked who the deity of Baukis was.

Digragni was like the forefather of all magic devices, and master of dungeons.

As Allen went through the various dungeons, he also learned about the S Rank Dungeon.

Defeating the boss on the last floor would bring an invitation to challenge Digragni.

There was also a reward for defeating Digragni, so Allen decided he would eventually fight him.

But Merus had told him Digragni was a powerful foe, so he waited until he was strong enough.

Digragni and the Spirit God Rosen had been born at the same time 5000 years ago, and received a Divine Vessel from Elmea at the same time. They did not get along though.

Allen knew this was not a game. He could end up in fights he was not fully prepared for.

So he had to get everything ready as much as he could while he was safe.

Allen answered to Digragni saying he wanted to fight.

'Do you really mean itttt?!!'

Whooooom

Digragni had asked every time they defeated Gordino, but every time Allen had said he would fight another time, so lately Digragni had started to sound a bit tired of asking.

Allen saw an adamantite body shining in the large boss room.

It was 100 meters long, and resembled Merle's golem. That was Digragni, the model for all golems, and just like Merle's Tam-Tam, there was a crystal in Digragni's chest.

"Yes, I mean it. I can ask for anything I want as reward, right?"

'If you win, of course! Let's do it!!'

Digragni had appeared in mid-air and fell heavily, charging at Allen right away.

(Hm?! He's already charging at us. I need to get a long range weapon ready.)

Allen focused on fighting Digragni, who had appeared hundreds of meters away and was dashing towards Allen with such strength that the ground cracked under him.

Gordino had just been defeated, so everyone was buffed, and summons were present.

The rear guard was mounted on Bird B summons, letting them move while providing support.

Allen studied Digragni, checking if he could fly or attack from range.

He also used his more than 10000 Intelligence to make sure all his allies were in good shape.

All of them had been fighting powerful foes after defeating the A Rank Dungeon's last boss.

Razel, Gordino, Gushara, the Evil God's tail, and many others, so they knew how to react.

They all focused on Digragni, who was flinging his 100 meter long body at them.

The last time Allen saw him he was only 10 meters long, so he felt this was a little unfair.

"The main fight is about to start, look sharp everyone! Ignomas, you go to the front!! Dogora and Kurena too!!"

"Okay!! Uryahhhh!!"

Kurena ran forward. The Arbiter God was not there, but Kurena's Extra Skill [Limit Break] was still usable as a regular Skill. It had a one hour cooldown and its Skill Level was 4.

[Limit Break's effects]:

-Skill Level 1: All stats +3000, 1% Strength regeneration per second

-Skill Level 2: All stats +6000, 1% Strength regeneration per second

-Skill Level 3: All stats +9000, 1% Strength regeneration per second

-Skill Level 4: All stats +12000, 1% Strength regeneration per second

That was a lot of progress for one month. All of that was added on top of other buffs, making Kurena in Extra Mode far more powerful. She was very close to reaching Skill Level 5 too.

"Huh?!"

Kurena's greatsword hit Digragni's fist, but she was flung back from the impact.

A large merman stepped forth into the fight.

"Leave this to me, Allen! I'm Ignomas, the most powerful spearman!!"

It was Ignomas, the latest addition to Allen's party.

(He's a bit too riled up. Though he was like that even when fighting Iron Golems.)

Ignomas liked to fight, and he did not seem to feel any fear in standing in front of Digragni.

Allen had already seen he was not easily intimidated when fighting atop the crystal flower.

Fighting the Demon Great Generals had been hard, but he had never gotten afraid.

Prostia's palace had a large treasure, which contained an orichalcum trident and armor.

Allen had asked Rapsonile for them, and given them to Ignomas to wear.

Ignomas headed out, ahead of Kurena, Dogora, and Shea.

'It doesn't matter which one of you comes! It's all the same to me!!'

"Ghah?!"

Digragni easily kicked Ignomas like a soccer ball. He flew back far past Kurena and the rest.

"The vanguard is cracking, return immediately. Start singing again, Rosalina!!"

Allen shouted at him to return, giving orders from his usual position.

"Already doing that, Allen!!"

Allen had told everyone in the party to refer to each other casually, and that included Ignomas.

Buffs could sometimes be short, so Allen told Rosalina to renew them.

Ignomas' body was covered in blood after being kicked by a foot larger than him, but his vigor was not shaken.

"Damnit!!"

He had been born a peasant, then took over Prostia's throne, and then Allen sent him to jail.

Allen wanted more supports, so he quickly enlisted the help of Rosalina.

But he still debated on letting Ignomas be a general like Lud, or letting him join the party.

Allen preferred the idea of having him as general and lead the newly enlisted mermen soldiers.

Ignomas had plenty of experience leading soldiers, and Allen had watched him act in Prostia.

But Ignomas' response was "I'll perform much better in your party! Working for Allen's Army won't be enough for me to marry Rapsonile!!"

He seemed determined, so Allen did not argue. He found someone else to lead the mermen from Prostia, and let Ignomas into his party.

Ignomas was ambitious, so he was more suited to the Abandoned Gamers party.

Allen also had high dreams and expectations, and he wanted ambitious people in his party.

Dogora was also determined to be a hero for example. Kiel tried to argue that he did not have any ambitions in particular, but Allen pretended not to hear that.

(Thanks to the Strength and Endurance buffs he did not die right away, good thing our vanguard is more numerous now.)

Allen's party had 12 members now, except for Peromus who was not a fighter.

This world was not a game, so there were no weird restrictions like only being able to fight with four people at the same time. As many people could participate in fights as they wanted.

Everyone had their own Talents and abilities, but the backline was especially weak.

The frontliners had members like Shea who needed to get very close to the enemy to attack.

Merle's golem could serve as a tank, but when fighting human sized enemies it was best used for long range attacks. That was her role when fighting Lycaoron and atop the crystal flower.

[Abandoned Gamers party's composition]:

-Frontline: Kurena, Dogora, Shea (sporadic attacks), Ignomas

-Middle guard: Allen, Formar (almost rear guard)

-Rear guard: Cecile, Kiel, Sophie, Luck, Rosalina

-Special: Merle (Tank and rear guard)

Before Kurena and Dogora were the only frontliners. But now they even had Ignomas there.

Allen could also use the Stone C summon's Special Skill [Sacrifice] to defend the rear guard.

But his range was limited, and repeated hits like Kyubel's on Bek could still end with losses.

If the vanguard was broken and the enemy reached the rear guard, things could get ugly.

So Allen had Ignomas standing with his tall frame in the front.

He was not in Extra Mode, and since his Talent already had 4 Stars he could not increase his stats any further with a Talent Change, making him the perfect punching bag.

Though a Demon Great General would be too powerful, so he needed good equipment.

His current equipment favored offense over defense.

Knowing he would not die here though, he returned to the frontlines no matter how many times he was kicked back.

(Ignomas is following the plan. He's clearly a seasoned knight. The Arbiter God didn't come though, I'll have to push her by decreasing her food even more then.)

Ignomas always kept an eye on the rear guard.

The imperial guard he was once part of also had magicians, so he knew how they attacked.

This was a pretty important fight, but the Arbiter God Pharnemes was not present.

Allen wanted to bring her there, but no matter how much Kurena called her she would not leave the stable. She still seemed a bit depressed, but Allen had told the stable keeper to decrease the food she got.

Digragni kept charging with such force that the vanguard was constantly knocked back.

Allen was slowly pulling back, constantly bringing the vanguard back together.

"Stooooooooooooppp!!"

'Woah!! I see you're putting the magic board I gave you to good use!!'

Merle changed the stone slabs to Attack ones, and started pushing back on Digragni.

A single stone slab added 5000 Attack, and with ten her total Attack reached 80000.

"Good, he can't move!"

Cecile sighed in relief, seeing she did not have to keep retreating from Digragni's attacks.

(This is the turning point. Wait, he's pushing us back again. 80000 Attack wasn't enough? He's supposed to be just like a Demon Great General though…)

The two golems had stood still for a moment, but Merle's was slowly being pushed back now.

Merus had said Digragni was as strong as a Demon Great General.

The Demon Great Generals they fought above the crystal flower had also been strong.

Allen looked at Merus, complaining that this was not how he described it.

'I guess Digragni has also gotten stronger over the years.'

"What?"

According to Merus' quick explanations mid-fight, Digragni had a Divine Vessel, and around two hundred million dwarf worshippers.

The war with the Demon King had also gotten more severe, so adventurers in dungeons worshiping him had also become more numerous.

(I thought we were strong enough to fight him, but he's become stronger too then.)

Allen was thinking of moving onto his next plan.

'Alright, let's keep the fight going! Round Burst!!'

Digragni's arm transformed into a hammer, which he struck on the ground blowing Merle and Tam-Tam away.

A powerful shockwave spread out from the impact.

"Woah?!"

Kurena was pushed back, feeling the powerful wind. Not just her, but Dogora, Shea, and Ignomas were also blown back.

"Wha-?! I guess he used all his power for that. Sophie, restrain Digragni's movements!"

"Alright!!"

Sophie manifested wind spirits, which created ropes of wind to restrain Digragni.

When she used all her mana with that, she was able to even keep the last floor's boss Gordino still.

Pouring her mana into the wind spirits, she tried to stop Digragni from attacking again.

The wind ropes quickly surrounded all of Digragni's body.

'Teleportation!'

Digragni's body vanished in an instant.

It reappeared near Allen, in the middle guard.

"Everyone defend yourselves!!"

'Round Burst!!'

Digragni attacked once again, standing in the middle of the party.

Everyone, including the rear guard, would be blown back by it.