Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Barbarian's Pride
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Ogre Barbarian Grraktar originally had a tendency to look down on the human race. Compared to other mighty species, they were beings with small stature and weak physical strength.
Having survived by fighting numerous strong opponents in Dullahan's arena, he knew better than anyone that what ultimately mattered most in combat was not individual effort, but innate talent.
The accurate judgment derived from combat experience, an individual's combat sense, and the differences between races were not things that could be bridged by effort alone.
However,
'Look at this. He doesn't even flinch upon seeing me?'
Grraktar could immediately sense something strange.
Because he lived his life with a constant killing intent, due to beings who tried to assassinate or threaten him even in normal times for the sake of arena victory.
Normally, just coming near this area would cause those with weak nerves to foam at the mouth and faint, or be so terrified they'd wet their pants.
Yet, this blue-haired mage before his eyes showed no reaction whatsoever.
How could anyone be like that?
"If you have a problem with it, why don't you try fighting me yourself and then talk?"
Moreover, he was even showing the composure to provoke his opponent by touching a warrior's pride. He knew how to make the flow of the battlefield advantageous to himself.
Because in war, justification is also of utmost importance. Deliberately grating on an opponent's nerves to provoke a fight is a common, traditional tactic.
"Haha! Quite a bold human, aren't you? You know I'm a warrior active in the arena, yet you still challenge me to a spar?"
Ogre Barbarian Grraktar deliberately laughed off the conversation once, while slowly examining his opponent's fists.
He had already noticed from the developed shape and size of the muscles on Astal's body that he was a fist-fighter who primarily used his fists.
Originally, the first thing to do in combat is reconnaissance. One must identify the opponent's weaknesses and strengths in advance like this to avoid being caught off guard later.
'He mainly uses his fists... Judging by the amount of magical power I sense, he seems to be at least a Sage-rank mage. So, is he from the Black Tower?'
While ogres are generally stereotyped as having low intelligence or being stupid, Grraktar chose a method of using his head to the maximum to survive.
Defeat due to ignorance is the most painful of all.
If you know the cause of failure, you can compensate by doing better next time, but if you don't even know that, there's no way to grow.
"My name is Grraktar. A warrior of the glorious Abyssus."
Grraktar slid his hand towards Astal, deliberately offering a handshake as if to test their strength.
"Monster God Abyssus. God of chaos and destruction. The tattoos on your body are his too... I thought everyone participating in the arena had to cheer for Dullahan. Seems I was wrong?"
Astal didn't immediately grab that hand. Like Grraktar, he was carefully observing his opponent, conducting his own reconnaissance.
Moreover, from Astal's perspective, the name Abyssus was not something he could hear lightly. Unlike the gods believed in by humans or other friendly races on the continent, it was something revered in the demon realm.
'But in the murals of the forbidden archive, even those evil gods were fighting against a being like a shard of glass...'
Astal stroked his chin with his hand, organizing his thoughts.
Demon God Selena and Monster God Abyssus.
Originally, beings classified as evil gods, he had often seen succubi in the demon realm mimicking clergy to run churches and offer people's flesh and blood to idols.
"Yeah, Lord Dullahan doesn't interfere with the warriors fighting in the arena at all, except for the fights themselves."
Grraktar let out a hearty laugh at Astal's words, revealing his ogre-like fangs. As he said, the arena had an atmosphere where any action was tolerated as long as the warrior was strong.
For Astal, who normally detested monsters and demons, there was something he needed to confirm with Grraktar, just in case.
"Do you enjoy cannibalism too?"
That was asking if he had a hobby of brutally killing and consuming humans. Since demons had different values and thoughts from humans, it was necessary to figure out where they were twisted beforehand.
"...Is that really necessary? It's pointless in a fight. I'd rather eat a ton of monster meat. More protein, you know."
Grraktar snorted dismissively at Astal's question.
Even though the god he believed in was one that caused destruction and chaos according to instinct, surviving in the arena required a refined method.
"So, what's your name? It's not very polite to keep refusing a handshake. My arm's starting to ache, you know."
"...Astal Caisaros."
At Grraktar's pointed remark, Astal also revealed his name and took his hand to shake. Normally, by this point in the conversation, one could notice any oddities.
As a courtesy, he released the Perception Hindrance Magic, and his distinctive face and attire began to be visible to others as well.
"Aha, so you're a member of that famous Hero's party."
Grraktar curled the corner of his mouth with a smirk, not seeming very surprised.
*Crunch.*
At the same time, Grraktar tried to seize the initiative first by using his grip strength on the hand Astal had taken, squeezing it hard enough to make the veins on his green skin visibly bulge.
"I am a bit of a celebrity, yes."
In response, Astal also used a silent-cast Strength Enhancement Magic to not fall behind. It might seem childish, but in the world of men, there were unwritten rules that couldn't be put into words.
Because there was also the nominal reason that if you lost in such a simple test of spirit, you wouldn't get what you truly wanted from each other.
It was a fight where you couldn't back down an inch.
"...Was Belamora of the Four Heavenly Kings strong? Word's been spreading all over the demon realm."
"He gave us a bit of trouble. Actually, I faced death a few times."
At Astal's honest remark, Grraktar felt that at least he wasn't a human who lied. Normally, when a weaker person sees someone stronger than themselves, they try to belittle them by boasting.
In that regard, Grraktar found Astal more and more likable. Honestly evaluating an opponent in a life-or-death battle was also important.
"Those muscles are peculiar. I thought human mages usually supported their comrades from the backlines. Do you handle the front line too?"
"Correct. In the end, to survive in the demon realm, you have to use every method available."
"Impressive."
Grraktar nodded at Astal's words. Because he too had spared no means or methods to survive in Dullahan's domain.
When he was weak and powerless, he barely scraped by begging on the streets, and he even researched what efficiently ended combat while killing opponents in the arena.
The reason he ended up living by using his head as much as possible, breaking away from the derogatory nickname of "muscle-brained" often given to dull and stupid ogres, was precisely this.
"...So, why me of all people? We might end up as enemies if we both enter the arena. Don't you think I might analyze you and spread information about you?"
Only after somewhat testing their strength did Grraktar scratch his shiny bald head and speak.
He knew the Hero party's mage was participating in the arena, but asking a potential competitor for a practice fight was foolish.
In fact, even Grraktar himself was hiding some new techniques or countermeasures he'd prepared for unforeseen situations, as he was also participating in the arena.
Was there really a need to take the risk and expose your weaknesses or fighting style?
"I'm confident I can win even if the information gets out."
"...What?"
"To be honest, I'm also curious to see how effective a new magic I've created will be. I looked around the arena... and I don't think anyone else would even be able to react to it."
Astal tapped his temple with his finger as he continued. Originally, what matters in magic isn't its power or scale, but the person using it.
Even the same water attribute magic can be used to extinguish fires or drown people to death, depending on the user.
"What kind of amazing magic is it?"
"It's a magic where I unravel a magic circle and wrap it around my fist like thread to fight."
Grraktar felt the fanatical passion burning in Astal's eyes. While mages were originally said to be a bit mad somewhere, he intuitively sensed this one was on a different level.
"From ancient times, many mages have tried that, but I've heard not a single one ever succeeded."
"So, are you going to fight or not?"
"It's a truly harebrained idea, but..."
Astal asked Grraktar deliberately, even though he knew the answer to the question. Because warriors who refused such a fight were extremely rare.
"...Still, I should pay you back for buying the drinks."
Grraktar wore a faint smile on his lips as he picked up his battle axe from the table.
"Let's fight right now."