Hell Mode: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing Episode 9: The Murdergalsh

The Granvelle family sits down to breakfast, a picture of calm morning routine. This peace shatters when Rickell, a young butler, bursts in with news: a Marder Galsch approaches the town. Zeloff, the family patriarch, immediately takes charge, dispatching orders to the Adventurers' Guild and for citizen evacuation. The threat is serious; the Knight Order's main force is away.

To everyone's surprise, young Allen steps forward, offering to join the defense. His older brother, Mihai, tries to dismiss him, reminding Allen of his attendant status. But Allen, with a quiet confidence, reveals his true position as the head steward of the Granvelle household, leaving Mihai stunned. Allen's determination is clear.

Panic grips the town as citizens flee, but it is too late for some. The Marder Galsch, a B-rank monster, has already breached the gates. A father pleads for his family, still trapped inside. Allen, seeing the monster's menace, makes a split-second decision. He must act to protect the innocent.

Allen confronts the Marder Galsch, a massive blue creature with a terrifying grin. He provocatively calls it a 'doggy,' deliberately drawing its attention away from the hiding mother and child. With a flash of his magic book, Allen becomes bait, leading the enraged monster out of the city gates. The knight and father at the gate scream in horror, realizing his dangerous gambit.

Now outside the town, Allen leads the Marder Galsch on a relentless chase through a snowy forest. His magic power is depleted, making direct combat impossible. He tries to use his summoned butterflies for a sleeping spell, but the monster shrugs off the magic with a defiant roar. Allen's frustration grows; this beast is far more resilient than anticipated.

The chase turns into a grueling three-day, three-night marathon. Allen, exhausted and famished, struggles through the dark forest, gasping for breath. The Marder Galsch, equally persistent, continues its pursuit. Finally, Allen loses it, collapsing against a tree, relieved but also annoyed that his debuffs failed. He succeeded in luring it far from the town, but at a high personal cost.

Three days later, a weary Allen returns to the town, where a relieved knight embraces him. He wakes in bed, greeted by Mihai and Grandpa Butler, who chide him for worrying them. Later, Allen reports to Zeloff, humble about his inability to defeat the monster but proud of diverting it. Zeloff, grateful for the minimal casualties, rewards Allen with 20 gold coins, an unexpected windfall that makes Allen's eyes sparkle.

With his new wealth, Allen procures a Mythril sword, which slices effortlessly through monsters, making his monster-hunting more efficient. He successfully extracts a green gem from a defeated scorpion-like creature, confirming his collection skills. But today's real objective is 'verification', he thinks, setting the stage for his scientific approach to magic. Allen’s resourcefulness is on full display.

Allen begins experiments with his summoned hawks, testing their ability to 'know' what's in a bag. He deduces that summoned beasts can update and synchronize information upon creation, and this knowledge is passed on even if they die. This means his creatures are constantly evolving. As long as he is a summoner, his beasts will grow beyond limits, he concludes with a smug grin.

Back at the mansion, a nine-year-old Allen spars with Mihai on the lawn, watched by their family. Despite Allen's significant level-up, Mihai easily disarms him, showcasing her own formidable growth. Mihai praises Allen, though with a hint of teasing. His older brother, Cecil, further pricks his pride, demanding more sword practice, causing Allen to inwardly scream in exasperation. The family dynamic remains intact, despite their differing power levels.

Tea time is abruptly interrupted by news: 'Hakuryu has moved!' Allen is shocked; this A-rank monster, worth 1000 gold, had been dormant for a century. Zeloff is elated, seeing an opportunity for Mythril mining and wealth for their domain. Mihai, eager to help, is denied due to the dangers of high-ranking monsters in the mountains. This leaves Allen with a serious expression and a new resolve: he won't lose out on valuable experience points.

Away from town, Allen, well-rested and with full magic, dedicates himself to 'verification.' He proudly notes his increased summon, synthesis, and expansion levels, but focuses on his newly acquired 'Share' skill. Summoning a hawk, his left eye glows red, and he suddenly sees through the hawk's perspective. He can see both his own view and the hawk's, control its movements, and even use its 'hawk eye' special ability. He is ecstatic with this remote control, calling it 'super awesome!'

Allen, delighted by his new power, attempts to share with more creatures. He summons three more hawks and a saber-toothed tiger, 'Tama.' With each successful share, his control expands. However, upon attempting to share with the sixth creature, a searing headache forces him to deactivate the skill. He deduces the limit is 5 creatures, tied to his 'Intellect' stat, with 200 Intellect points per shared creature. This discovery allows him to efficiently utilize his unique abilities.

As night falls over the Granvelle mansion, a series of serene vignettes show the family and their retainers resting. Mihai sleeps peacefully with her butterfly, Zeloff looks pensive in his study, and Grandpa Butler dozes at his desk. Knights keep vigilant watch. Allen, too, sleeps soundly, his magic book glowing softly beside him, a silent testament to his tireless pursuit of strength. The quiet moments underscore the constant undercurrent of their duties and ambitions.

The episode concludes with an ending theme, showing young Allen and Mihai in tranquil, joyful scenes, often alongside Allen's growing collection of summoned creatures. These peaceful images offer a contrast to the episode's action and hints of future challenges. Following a prolonged blank screen, the preview for the next episode begins, teasing upcoming adventures and conflicts. The quiet moments suggest a bond, and the next episode's promise keeps the audience invested.