HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing (ヘルモード ～やり込み好きのゲーマーは廃設定の異世界で無双する～ はじまりの召喚士)

AGE 10

OCTOBER

I commend you on the past six months of recon, Zenof.

So, what is the status of the mines?

Unfortunately, during the long stretch of time they went unused,

the mines have become a nesting ground for monsters.

It doesn't end with the four mining sites.

The nearby villages that served as mithril refineries have also been taken over

by orcs and goblins.

I would like to get the closest mine up and running.

How long do you imagine that will take?

At least 3 years.

That long?!

I realize it won't be an easy job, but please get it done as quickly as you can.

Yessir.

He's being awfully impatient.

I mean, I get how important it is for the economy, but...

On another note, what has Viscount Carnel been doing?

He tried to push ahead with their mining operations and incurred the White Dragon's wrath.

Word is that all his miners were turned to ash in the blink of an eye.

There's no telling what he'll do now that his mines will have to shut down.

We must proceed with utmost caution.

Yessir.

So, the time has finally come, huh? The knights are going to wipe out all the monsters.

YOU HAVE DEFEATED 1 ORC.

YOU HAVE EARNED 15,000 EXP.

Well, I've made the most out of these last six months.

Once I turn twelve, I'm going to leave the Granvelles to become an adventurer.

I still have two years left.

I'll spend that time returning the favor by exterminating some monsters.

I won't let the knights hog all the EXP!

THE NOBLE'S DUTY

Sic 'em, Teddy!

Let the monsters respawn by leaving their spawn point intact.

Back when I was a gamer, that's the strategy I would've used

to farm EXP over and over in the same spot.

But this is a different story.

Cuz these assholes feed off humans!

Spidey!

These goblins will only kill more people unless I put a stop to them.

So it's time to wipe them off the map entirely!

Go! Teddy squadron!

There's no escape.

I've already blocked off the only exit.

They're dropping like flies. Time to throw a "ggez" in chat.

Here comes the big, bad Goblin King. But he's not intimidating anybody.

My team has defeated thousands of C-rank monsters at this point.

They're gonna steamroll him.

YOU HAVE EARNED 4,200 EXP.

YOU HAVE EARNED 4,200 EXP.

I racked up a total of 48,800 EXP from today's battle.

Sounds about right for a couple hundred goblins.

I'm going to wipe out the goblin boroughs scattered around here one by one, just like this.

And then, eventually,

the orc borough ruled by the Orc King!

MARCH OF THE NEW YEAR

Elder Brother!

Congratulations on graduating from the Academy!

I'm excited you'll be living with us again!

You're already ten this year, huh, Cecil?

What about it?

Say, Allen?

Yes?

It is just me, or is something wrong with Mihai?

I thought so, too. I've never seen him like this.

Now that I'm ten years old, the age restriction on my stats is gone.

That means I'm getting the full benefits of my level.

I made 30 copies of Spidey,

and 20 copies of Teddy.

SUMMONER

34

SUMMON (5), CREATE (5), FUSE (5)

ENHANCE (5), EXPANSION (4), STORAGE, SHARE,

DELETE, SWORD MASTERY (3), THROW (3)

SKILL LEVELS

5

5 EXP

5 EXP

5 EXP

SUMMONS AVAILABLE FOR CREATION:

DEFGH BEASTS: DEFGH BIRDS: DEFG GRASS: DEF

DE FISH: D

ALLEN

10

INSECTS D 30 COPIES BEASTS D 30 COPIES BIRDS GRASS

STONES FISH

This is me at my very best...

for right now, anyway.

Say, Allen?

Yes?

Will you duel me with no holds barred?

He didn't even need to ask.

I'm out to win this year! Maximum effort!

Thank you.

Begin!

I'm twice as fast as last year!

And I'm going straight for the win!

Why can't I land a hit? I should be faster than him!

Is he just reading all my moves?

Dammit! It's my Sword Mastery skill!

The level is too low!

He still hits like a truck!

Crap!

The duel is over!

I lost...

I couldn't throw him off balance, even with my superior speed.

Did I need a bigger agility boost?

No, he already overpowers me, so lowering my attack stat would just make things worse...

The Granvelle huntsman doesn't disappoint.

You had me sweating there.

Right. Thank you for the...

Mihai.

You've put in hard work at the Academy over the past three years.

It's clear from how skillful you've become.

Thank you, Father.

You're pretty tough, Allen!

Still no match for my brother, though.

Who are you to talk?

Oh, hey! You should have Mihai start giving you lessons now that he's back.

I would love to learn from him!

Oh, let me join in, too!

Cecil, Thomas.

I need to speak with you two.

What is it, Elder Brother?

I must leave to undertake the Noble's Duty.

I won't be coming home anytime soon.

Huh?

I'm sorry. I know this comes as a surprise.

Hold on. What kind of duty is it?

I'm afraid I can't say...

When do you have to leave?

Tomorrow.

Father?

But I was so excited to have you home again...

Don't fret. I'll be back in three years.

Three years?!

It takes that long?

Cecil...

Don't cry.

I see.

It's such a shame, Baron Granvelle. Two of your three kids got saddled with a talent.

I seem to recall your eldest son also had a talent, Viscount!

You know how it goes. We must fulfill the Noble's Duty.

The baron knew this would happen all along.

The Noble's Duty, huh?

Sounds ominous as hell.

I'll be waiting for you to come back, Elder Brother.

Thanks. See you later, Cecil.

You're the pride of our family, son.

Fulfill your duty and come back to us, okay?

Right.

Allen. Watch after Cecil for me.

Keep her safe, okay?

Huh? Uh, sure.

Farewell. I'm off to uphold the Granvelle name.

We'll miss you!

Don't forget about us!

Felt like he was trembling.

Was it just my imagination?

AGE 10

MAY OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR

I've subjugated every goblin borough in the area over the past six months.

And now I'm level 35.

ALLEN

The time is ripe.

SUMMON (5), CREATE (5), FUSE (5)

ENHANCE (5), EXPANSION (4), STORAGE, SHARE,

DELETE, SWORD MASTERY (3), THROW (3)

Ready up, team!

Let's wreck this orc borough!

Fillet's evasion boost is working wonders. My guys are kicking ass one-on-one.

Bron! Use Protect!

Man, Bron comes in real clutch.

I wonder if he's taking any damage? Not being able to see the current HP of my summons is a problem.

Although they can fight inexhaustibly,

they disappear without warning after taking too much damage.

Come on, Spidey! I need two more of you!

INSECT D

INSECT D

ENDURANCE +20, AGILITY +20

ENDURANCE +20, AGILITY +20

Lock down those archers!

Perfect. Time to press our attack!

Looks to be a hundred of 'em. No, more like two hundred.

Gimme all that delicious EXP!

Take 'em down!

Auxiliary team, get in there!

Hot damn! I'm practically swimming in EXP!