I Can Hear the Saint’s Inner Thoughts

74 – Men’s Friendship (3)

* * *

Graktaar was someone who would do anything for his family.

His younger sister and parents, who he cherished more than anything.

They were the only ones who had supported him, believed in him, and provided for him since he was a child, even though he possessed a strong body and mind.

To repay that kindness, Graktaar struggled to feed his family, even resorting to increasingly dangerous activities.

In the Demon World, where basic currency was dreams, blood, or lifespan, a normal life required a lot of effort.

‘…His skeletal structure is the same as a normal human male, and his muscles are developed enough to suggest he’s been working out.’

Graktaar deciphered Astal’s body structure from his movements. Warriors who wanted a more unorthodox fighting style would often modify their own bodies.

He’d learned how to use a blade butchering monster meat, and along with it, the basic locations of muscles and bones.

This was why, even when Graktar faced a monster he’d never seen before in the arena, he could figure out its weak points and how it moved with just a little observation.

“So all you do is disassemble magic circles and wrap them around your body…!”

Graktar’s eyes widened as he grabbed Astal with his massive hands. He was absolutely certain that he had the advantage in this kind of close combat.

Years ago, when his younger sister fell seriously ill, Graktar had entered an underground arena to fight other monsters to raise money for her treatment.

Just like Durahan’s arena, a place where pure strength ruled everything, he had no choice but to test all his power and skills.

Graktar had learned how to use his fists and feet there, and he’d learned how to subdue opponents much larger than himself.

Graktar, who survived to the end on a stage devoid of light, was recognized for his skill and invited to Durahan’s arena.

“Hgh…!”

Graktar immediately lifted Astal and showed off his monstrous strength by throwing him towards the hard ground. He wasn’t stupid enough to just take unfamiliar magic head-on.

He didn’t have his main weapon now, and all the throwing objects he’d prepared just in case were already gone. All that was left were his two arms and legs.

*Thwack*—!

Astal, who was covered head to toe in countless magic circles like threads, hit the ground with a dull thud. An impact that would’ve broken a normal person’s spine and killed them instantly.

But this was the Forsaken Hollow, where death was impossible. Even covered in blood and with broken bones, you had to fight. That was the rule here.

“…Get up! If you faint from an injury like this, you’ll lose immediately in a real battle!”

Knowing this, Graktar deliberately called out to Astal, trying to wake him up. If he didn’t get used to this kind of fighting, he was as good as dead right then and there.

Graktar had also been there when Durahan captured innocent people as hostages. He thought it was unfair to use vulnerable people as collateral to force the hero party’s mage to participate in the arena.

What if it had been his family who were taken hostage back then? The thought crept into his mind.

The Demon Realm was supposed to be a place where the principle of power reigned supreme, but seeing Durahan resort to such despicable tactics made him want to vomit.

“Don’t you have precious people too?! Haven’t you ever thought that even your life is not too much to give for them?!”

The reason Grakhtar took a liking to Astal was because he saw Astal immediately dismantle the bait and manipulation used by the Dullahan to lure him, and saw his will to participate in the arena.

He knew he would have done the same if his family was on the line.

“…Yeah, I think so too. Isn’t it obvious? We’re all alike, us guys who grind our bodies to fight.”

Hearing those words, Astal immediately rose from where he had fallen. Various magic circles were intertwined like tangled threads, obscuring his face, so it was impossible to know what expression he was making.

But he was definitely wearing the face of a warrior. The joy and exhilaration of battle poured out from his voice.

“That’s the kind of attitude I expect from a member of the hero party I acknowledge!”

Grakhtar looked at his opponent and laughed heartily. He didn’t even hold back the Orc’s characteristic “chee-ick” sound this time.

A clash of pure strength and skill. That alone was the reason both men’s hearts were racing.

Living in the Demon Realm, he’d heard plenty about the hero party’s infamous reputation. Legends said they slaughtered demons and monsters without question, bringing only death.

“…I learned something new. So you can throw someone like that.”

“Throwing isn’t limited to objects or weapons!”

But,

Astal, the man he saw with his own two eyes, was clearly different from the rumors. He was a reasonable person.

He asked a monster like himself if he ate people, and he sought help from beings that would normally kill each other for victory.

‘He’s excessively rational. Like someone who would do anything for victory…’

This point, too, was so similar to looking in a mirror that Grakhtar couldn’t help but raise the corners of his mouth.

He always thought that regular humans were weaklings who would beg for mercy or scream and run the moment they saw a monster or demon.

“You can do it too! If you enhance your strength with magic or increase your size, you can definitely gain an advantage in combat!”

Right now, the opponent in front of Grakhtar was radiating a strong aura that anyone would recognize as that of a warrior.

* * *

Wrapping the magic circle around my entire body like a skein of thread had several advantages.

First, unlike using only my hands and feet, it had the benefit of being able to block the opponent’s attacks as if wearing armor.

‘If I hadn’t done that just now, my spine would have been shattered…’

I swallowed hard, feeling a chill crawl up my spine.

Of course, because I was a Forsaken Hollow who could never truly die, I would have recovered with Victoria’s healing or a potion.

But if the same situation had unfolded in the arena actually hosted by the Dullahan, the opponent wouldn’t have given me a chance to recover and would have turned me into mincemeat.

If that had happened, I would have been judged defeated and met my death by being expelled from this territory.

‘He’s deliberately fighting like this to teach me how to fight in the arena.’

Every time I exchanged blows with Graktaar, I had the feeling of being taught something. It wasn’t like fighting each other to the death, but rather like a disciple and master exchanging what they knew.

He had actually revealed all the cards he had.

He was telling me from the start about the Barbarian’s characteristic frenzy, as well as how to throw weapons and opponents, and even how to engage in close combat.

“Grip your fist harder! Swing your arm with more force! Didn’t I tell you to weave your legs and exploit your opponent’s openings!”

Graktaar, saying I had a habit of using my right hand and foot too often, thrust his fist towards the vulnerable spots I frequently missed.

The magic circle was absorbing the impact for me, but there was no telling when it would be breached.

“…Thanks for the advice.”

As I said that, I changed the shape of the magic circle surrounding my body. My control was still immature, so I couldn’t imbue it with multiple magics at once.

‘As Graktaar advised, I’ll increase my size to create a difference in physical stature.’

For now, I decided to follow Graktaar’s words obediently. I felt that it was the greatest respect I could show him.

“That’s right! That’s how a mage should fight! Unlike those guys who run around relying only on weapons or their own strength, you have to use your head!”

Graktaar let out a hollow laugh as he watched me grow into a giant-like figure using the gigantification magic, Megamorph.

The second advantage I have is precisely this: I can maximize the effects of any magic I use.

* * *

* * *

Kwang, Kukung─! With a dull thud, I slammed my gigantic fist down on the ground where Gractar stood.

Even with such a crude attack, Gractar desperately held up his arms, blocking my fist. I really thought he had incredible strength.

“With this much, you could kill half the arena! But to face a Dullahan, you’ll need even stronger magic!”

Gractar spoke as if it wasn’t enough, and started tearing at the magic circle surrounding me with his bare hands.

“Yearn more! Want to survive more desperately! That’s the answer, I believe!”

Tududuk.

Soon, the magic circle tore, momentarily creating an opening, and Gractar smiled at me.

“Don’t worry! Even if I die! I’ll make sure you get out of here alive! Astal!”

Like someone who’d run into a close friend again on the street.