Hellmode ~A Hardcore Gamer Becomes Peerless in Another World with Retro Game Settings~-Chapter 653: The God of Earth Gaia

"394th place? Out of how many participants?"

'Out of 394. There haven't been any groups coming here in years, but you're in last place.'

(I see, the time limit is the only hard part after all.)

True RTA runs could only start after the bosses had been defeated, after which the records could be broken.

If they tried again, they would surely save more time.

Allen's group was in the last place of everyone who tried going through the Earth Labyrinth that existed for more than 1000000 years, though he still felt like the less than 400 entries in the leaderboard were too few in that timeframe.

"Allen, what are you talking about now?"

Cecile started feeling concerned when Allen began asking about the leaderboard.

"I mean, wanting to see the leaderboard after finishing is the normal thing to do. So are there other leaderboards?"

Allen wanted to learn more about the divine realm.

In his past life, the items he obtained would be turned into points and tallied up into a separate leaderboard, and he always wanted to get a high number of points.

'Of course. The names of the top 10 challengers who went through the Earth Labyrinth alone are also recorded.'

(Those who went through alone?)

"Ohhh!!"

"Huh? Why do you sound so excited!"

Cecile shouted seeing how seriously Allen was taking that.

The sculpture's eyes lit up, and then its mouth transformed into a large stone board.

Then letters appeared on the board.

Since the room was so dark, Allen took out an illumination magic device to see.

[Top 10 Earth Labyrinth solo runs]

-1st: 03:12:49 - God of War Luminea

-2nd: 03:55:32 - Beast God Garm

-3rd: 06:11:43 - God of Armaments Ophoria

-4th: 10:12:14 - God of Swords Sestavinus

-5th: 12:34:18 - God of Wind Vess

-6th: 14:45:16 - Great Spirit God Easley

-7th: 14:58:51 - God of Wind Ninlil

-8th: 18:45:33 - Beast God Giran

-9th: 19:20:50 - God of Space and Time Desperado

-10th: 23:32:41 - God of Harvest Mormor

"So the God of War only needed around 3 hours to get through."

"You're right."

Sophie also joined them, looking a bit more relaxed now.

"Hm? There's 2 wind gods, it's Vess again."

"You mean the God of Wind Vess. Wasn't that one of the Gods we saw serving the God of Light Amante before, why would they be here?"

Cecile quickly corrected Allen's manners, but no one had a reply for their question.

Maybe there were more Ancient Gods still alive in the divine realm.

(That lazy Ninlil also got through. I guess he's really fast as a God of Wind.)

The God of Wind Ninlil had left a bad impression on Allen.

Then Allen looked at the sculpture again and moved to the main topic.

"So, I'd like to get my reward…"

'A reward, yes. You'll be receiving that from the God of Earth Gaia directly. I believe he'll rotate the Earth Labyrinth in preparation for his arrival, so please remain calm.'

*Rumble rumble*

"Huh? Eh? Hey?!"

The Earth Labyrinth was the God of Earth Gaia's Temple, and was a cube with each side measuring 1000 kilometers.

It began to rotate, and the opening far in the distance began to light up.

Allen's group had entered the Earth Labyrinth 24 hours ago, and the sunlight had entered the dungeon through the top opening, and they were currently on the opposite side in the lowest floor.

By turning 180 degrees, the lowest floor became the top one.

The centrifugal force from that felt weird, but the dungeon stopped rotating when they could feel the sun above them.

(I guess that means it's done rotating. They said he'll appear when we're done with the dungeon, so he should be almost here.)

Then the Earth Labyrinth's floor began to bulge up, forming a humanoid shape that looked like a man past his 50s. Then the earth transformed into flesh and skin, which had a healthy tan on.

There was no hair on his head, and he appeared like a slightly aging man in his 50s.

His body was muscular, and he was only wearing a small bikini like a bodybuilder.

'I see you worked hard to get here, I almost didn't think you'd make it… I'm the God of Earth Gaia.'

(He actually came out of the floor. Was he watching from the entire time then?)

"Hey, Allen!"

"Oh, I'm sorry. We're honored to be in your presence."

Allen wanted to get the reward, so he quickly began talking more respectfully.

In response to Cecile's callout, everyone knelt in front of the God of Earth Gaia.

Allen's mind had been thinking of too many things at the same time, so he had to apologize for the delayed reaction.

'I never expected for humans to be able to get through. Though halfway through I felt like you had it'

"Not at all. This was a truly grueling trial compared to the others we've been through."

'I built this place as a training ground for Angels and Gods, so I can't believe that a group of humans got through it before the newest generation could.'

"You flatter us too much."

(I see, so it's a similar place to the Divine Arena. It all makes sense now.)

It seemed like the Angels and Gods of the divine realm also had ways to Level Up.

The Divine Arena existed so they could enhance their weapon Skills.

The Earth Labyrinth allowed them to gain Levels, and learn to work as a team.

[Rewards from the God of Earth Gaia's Trial]

-Reaching floor 20: Enter Extra Mode

-Reaching floor 40: Obtain a Divine Technique

-Reaching floor 60: Obtain Earth's Blessing

-Reaching floor 80: Obtain the Divine Artifact [Earth Hammer]

-Reaching floor 99: A wish from God of Earth Gaia

"Could this mean that we'll get a bonus reward for being the first humans to get through…"

'Are you serious?! Who would do that! The only way I'll allow that is if you want to split the reward into two with half the value!!'

The God of Earth Gaia's eyes lit up and a vein bulged up on his bald head as he shouted angrily..

"My apologies…"

Allen was not very pleased, since he liked to negotiate, but Gaia seemed to be a God with a personality that did not like to negotiate.

Meanwhile Cecile and the rest began to tremble as they did not want to enrage a God.

'So what is it you want?'

"Well, in that case I'd like to request for you to enhance Merle's golem…"

(I'm sure the God of Earth should be able to enhance his armor or something.)

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

Everyone looked confused by that reply.

Merle was the first one to reject Allen's words though.

"I mean, during the fight with Magra you struggled a lot. And things might get even trickier in the future, and buffs don't work on Tam-Tam…"

Allen had noticed Tam-Tam's lack of power, so he wanted to use the reward to make him more powerful, as buffs would not make him stronger.

He would have asked for a sword too if he had managed to negotiate a second reward.

(I also have a more powerful Merus now anyway.)

Allen still had plenty of ways to get stronger through his summons.

"That doesn't matter! Everyone worked hard so you could get a stronger sword!!"

"Yeah!"

"That's what we agreed on!"

"What's gotten into you, Allen?"

Allen realized that his thoughts had been completely different from those of everyone else.

After Merle's shout, Cecile, Sophie, and even Shea joined in.

"I see…"

Allen began to rethink what to ask for the reward.

It seemed like his friends had all been working so hard to get to the 99th floor to get Allen a better weapon which would not break.

Allen appreciated their concern, but he felt like he had to take a firm stance as the leader.

The God of Earth Gaia's reward would have the biggest effect as a weapon or armor.

But Allen was in the center of the formation, so he would not benefit the most.

Just as he thought that, Cecile interrupted him.

"But since Graham became a summon you've been in the frontline all the time?"

"Yes, you're a frontliner now, Master Allen. You can't use a sword that breaks there."

Allen's party quickly determined his current role.

"...Okay, but just in case, Merle, try calling Digragni."

"Hm? Okay. Digragni, are you there?"

Merle spoke into the Magic Cube floating in front of her.

'What?' 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝘯𝘰𝓿𝑒𝓁.𝒸ℴ𝑚

"Digragni, sorry for interrupting your work helping with the God of Magic's research facility. But there's something I'd like to discuss with you…"

'Keep it short.'

Allen felt like Digragni had not changed since they first met, and did not enjoy lengthy conversations.

"I was wondering if Merle will receive a Blessing soon? And do you have any plans to give her a Divine Artifact?"

'Huh? I've already given her the Magic Cube and gave a part of my soul to Tam-Tam though?'

"Yes, those were the rewards for defeating you, but I feel like enough time has passed since then for Merle to deserve a Blessing too…"

All other Gods had given them various rewards, like Divine Artifacts, Divine Techniques, Blessings, and so on.

'Arghh, sure whatever you want. Just take this then.'

Merle's Magic Cube let out lights like lasers, which created a list written in divine script in front of Allen.

[Dungeon Master Digragni's additional rewards (Faith Points)]

-1000000000 Points: Blessing (Medium)

-10000000000 Points: Blessing (Large)

-50000000000 Points: Blessing (Extra Large)

-100000000000 Points: Blessing (Largest)

-50000000000 Points: Divine Technique [Super Divine Combination]

-50000000000 Points: Divine Artifact [Dungeon Buster]

"S-Super Divine Combination?! Wooooooo!! That sounds so cooollll!!"

Merle shouted while shaking her hands.

(Hmhm, I guess he's really busy so he came up with a simple trial. Though I'm not sure asking for Faith Points alone counts as a trial.)

He was asking for quite a lot of Points, though they would probably just go to Isiris.

"I guess I'll have to start using the Faith Points we get from now on to strengthen Merle instead of increasing my Spiritual Power. We'll also be going through the Earth Labyrinth a few more times, and we're hunting a lot of Demigod Rank ghosts in the Paradise of Primordial Beasts…"

This was a more valuable investment than trying to get more Spiritual Power Regeneration Rings and Bracelets.

"Alright, so the reward will be a weapon for Allen then?"

Merle spoke before Allen could complete his thoughts.

"Yes, thank you everyone. I'll take the reward from the Earth Labyrinth."

Everyone sighed in relief hearing Allen.

"