Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Mirror of a Warrior
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Gragtar was the kind of being who would do anything for his family.
His parents and his sister, whom he loved more than anything in the world.
From a young age, despite his body and mind being stronger than others, it was his family alone who had supported him, believed in him, and sustained him.
To repay that devotion, Gragtar struggled desperately, taking on increasingly dangerous work just to put food on the table for them.
In the Demon Realm, where the basic currency was dreams, blood, or lifespan, a great deal of effort was required just to live an ordinary life.
'...His skeletal structure is that of an average human male, and his muscles are quite developed—clearly someone who has trained hard.'
Gragtar read Astal's body structure from his movements. There were often warriors who would modify their own bodies if they wanted a more unorthodox fighting style.
Working as a butcher for monster meat, he had learned how to wield a blade and, in the process, had also come to understand the basic positions of muscles and bones.
This was why, even if Gragtar encountered a monster in the arena for the first time, a little observation was enough for him to figure out its weak points and how it moved.
"Is that all you've got... just unraveling a magic circle and wrapping it around yourself?!"
Gragtar's eyes flashed wide as he seized Astal with his massive hands. In a brawl like this, he believed without a doubt that he held the advantage.
Years ago, when his sister had fallen gravely ill, Gragtar had entered an underground fighting pit to battle other monsters to raise the money for her treatment.
Just like in Durahan's arena, it was a place where pure strength ruled everything, forcing him to test all his power and techniques.
There, Gragtar learned how to use his fists and feet, and how to subdue opponents who differed from him in size.
Having survived to the very end on that pitch-black stage, his skill was recognized, leading to his invitation to Durahan's arena.
"Huff...!"
Gragtar immediately lifted Astal up and, with monstrous strength, hurled him far toward the hard ground. He was no fool to simply stand there and take an unfamiliar magic head-on.
Right now, he had no main weapon, and all the throwing objects he'd prepared just in case had already been expended. All that remained were his own two arms and legs.
Crash—!
Astal, wrapped in countless magic circles like tangled thread all over his body, hit the ground with a dull thud. For an ordinary person, it would have been an impact severe enough to snap the spine and kill them instantly.
But this was the Perseiquen Hollow, where one absolutely could not die. Even covered in blood with broken bones, one had to keep fighting—that was the rule of this place.
"...Get up! If you faint from an injury like this, you'll be defeated immediately in a real battle!"
Knowing this, Gragtar deliberately called out to Astal, trying to rouse him. If one didn't get used to combat like this, one's life was as good as forfeit right then and there.
Gragtar had also been present when Durahan took innocent humans hostage. He, too, thought it was unjust to use powerless people as collateral to force the mage of the Hero's party to participate in the arena.
What if, instead of those humans, it had been his own family taken hostage? That hypothetical had crossed his mind.
Even though the Demon Realm was a place governed by the principle of power, seeing Durahan resort to such underhanded tactics made him feel sick to his stomach.
"You have people precious to you too, don't you! Haven't you ever thought that for their sake, even your own life wouldn't be too great a price!"
The reason Gragtar had thought well of Astal was because he had seen him shatter Durahan's attempts to lure and manipulate him with bait, showing the will to participate in the arena.
If he himself were in the exact same situation with his family on the line, he surely would have done the same.
"...Yeah, I think so too. Isn't that only natural? Guys like us who fight by grinding our bodies down are all pretty much the same."
Hearing that, Astal immediately rose from where he had fallen and spoke. The various magic circles were tangled like yarn, obscuring his face, so it was impossible to see his expression.
But he was surely wearing the expression of a warrior. The thrill and exhilaration granted by battle saturated his voice.
"That's more like it! That's how a member of the Hero's party I recognize should be!"
Gragtar looked at his opponent and laughed heartily. This time, he didn't hold back the ogre's characteristic *chwik* of a laugh.
A clash of pure strength and technique. That alone was what set the hearts of these two men racing.
Living in the Demon Realm, he had heard all about the infamous reputation of the Hero's party. They were beings said to bring death, cutting down demons and monsters without question or mercy.
"...I learned something there. So it's possible to throw an opponent like that too."
"Throwing isn't limited to just objects or weapons!"
However,
The man named Astal, whom he had seen with his own eyes, was clearly different from the rumors—a surprisingly reasonable individual.
Asking a monster like him if he practiced cannibalism, seeking help from beings locked in a kill-or-be-killed relationship for the sake of victory...
'He was excessively rational. Like someone who would do anything for victory...'
This point, too, was so similar it was like looking in a mirror, forcing a smile onto Gragtar's lips whether he wanted it or not.
He had always thought humans were weaklings who, upon seeing a monster or demon, would immediately beg for their lives or scream and flee in panic.
"You could do it too! If you use magic to enhance your strength or increase your size, it should be entirely possible to gain the upper hand in a fight!"
The opponent before Gragtar's eyes now was radiating an aura of strength worthy of being recognized as a warrior by anyone.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Unraveling a magic circle like a skein and wrapping it around one's entire body had several advantages.
First of all, unlike using just hands and feet, it allowed one to block an opponent's attacks as if wearing armor.
'If it weren't for this just now, my spine would have been broken...'
I swallowed hard, feeling a chill creeping up my spine.
Of course, since this was the Perseiquen Hollow where one absolutely couldn't die, I would have recovered with Victoria's healing or a potion.
But if the same situation had unfolded in the actual arena hosted by Durahan, my opponent wouldn't have given me the leisure to recover and would have pulverized me.
That would have resulted in a defeat, leading to expulsion from this territory and, consequently, death.
'So he deliberately fought like this to teach me the ways of arena combat.'
With every exchange with Gragtar, I felt like I was receiving instruction. It wasn't a fight to kill or be killed, but more like a student and teacher exchanging what they knew.
In fact, he had revealed all the cards he held.
From the Barbarian's signature Frenzy, to his methods of throwing weapons or opponents, and even his close-quarters combat style—he had shown them all from the start.
"Clench your fist tighter! Throw your arm out with more force! I told you to mix in your legs and target the opponent's openings!"
Gragtar said I had a habit of favoring my right hand and right foot, and he jabbed his fist toward the blind spot I often missed.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Impact absorbed by Magic Circle Armor. Integrity: 87% The impact was being absorbed by the magic circles, but there was no telling when they might be breached.
"...Thanks for the advice."
As I said that, I altered the nature of the magic circles surrounding my body. My control was still immature, so I couldn't contain multiple types of magic at once yet.
'As Gragtar advised, I'll increase my size to create a difference in weight class.'
For now, I decided to obediently follow Gragtar's words. It felt like the greatest respect I could show him.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Megamorph Size & Strength significantly increased. Duration: 3 minutes.
"Yes! This is how a mage should fight! Unlike those who just rely on weapons or their own strength and run wild, you have to use your head!"
Watching me grow to a giant-like form using the enlargement magic, Megamorph, Gragtar let out a dry laugh.
The second advantage was precisely this—the ability to maximize the effect of even the same magic.
With a dull, thunderous sound—Boom, Kwoong—!—I brought my giant fist down on the ground where Gragtar stood.
Even against such a brute-force attack, Gragtar strained with all his might, using both arms to stop my fist. His raw strength was truly incredible.
"With this, you could kill half the fighters in the arena! But to face Durahan, you'll need even more powerful magic!"
Gragtar said it still wasn't enough as he tried to tear apart the magic circles enveloping my body with his bare hands.
"Crave it more! Desire survival more desperately! That's the answer I believe in!"
Thud-thud-thud.
Soon after, the magic circles were torn, creating a momentary opening. Gragtar looked at me and smiled.
"Don't worry! Even if I die... I'll make sure you survive! Astal!"
As if he had just run into a truly close friend on the street.