I Can Hear the Saint’s Inner Thoughts

16 – The Hollow Dragon, Chameleon Dragon (4)

* * *

‘Those two… they’re stronger than the heroes I faced earlier.’

The Hollow Dragon, the Chameleon Dragon, who had lived for eons by consuming human memories, couldn’t hide his amazement at the opponents before him.

‘Their offense and defense are perfect. Even seasoned veterans who’ve fought together for decades couldn’t do this kind of coordination….’

A saintess wielding a massive hammer, and a mage using dispel magic while exploiting weaknesses.

The team attack from the previous party members was already excellent, but the current situation felt of a different class.

“I’ve broken his right arm, Astal-nim.”

“You don’t need to tell me everything, it’s still an enemy that looks exactly like me.”

The Hollow Dragon was barely managing to block the two people’s attacks, but it had already broken its right arm and could only use magic on one side.

“…I really can’t tell if you guys actually hate each other.”

I was so dumbfounded, all I could do was let out a hollow laugh while staring at him. Even though he was facing a dragon, he wasn’t the least bit scared, acting like he could actually bring it down.

If this isn’t a match made in heaven, I don’t know what is. Neither of them hesitate, neither of them fears death.

Even a hero who’s crossed the line of life and death wouldn’t be able to ignore the Fear a dragon emits.

‘Some crazy humans who’ve already experienced the fear of death have crawled into the demon realm…’

The only saving grace is, recalling memories from a week ago, the owner of this body, Astal, didn’t see Victoria as anything more than a comrade.

If a couple like these were to fall in love and have a child, I’m convinced that it would truly be a threat to the Demon Lord.

‘Since this generation of heroes was stronger than the previous, the next generation will be even stronger than this generation’s party…’

This was a conclusion born not of intellect, but instinct. In Hiryong’s mind, humans only grew stronger with each generation.

‘…Before that happens, I have to kill them, no matter what.’

Hiryong, who had copied all of Astal’s abilities, pondered what could shake his opponent.

Dispel? Magic combination abilities? Those were dependent on individual skill, something he lacked.

Even though Hiryong had the ability to copy not just memories but even emotions.

“…A monster who survived by devouring his parents, a being with no worth, dares to try and kill me? Well, this is interesting.”

Hiryong mentioned the most horrific event in Astal’s memories. The trauma that caused him to barely breathe and attempt suicide on his birthday every year.

Astal’s parents and hometown were killed during a Four Heavenly Kings attack by the Demon Lord’s army on his birthday.

“You son of a b*tch…”

Astal’s body trembled violently upon hearing those words. More than anything, the fact that a dragon acting as a minion for demons would bring that up was disgusting.

“Wasn’t it your creed to never let someone die in front of you again? Didn’t expect you to fall for such a simple provocation.”

A momentary opening appeared in their continuous exchange, and Hiryong didn’t miss it, releasing a mist that obscured his opponent’s vision.

But,

“Victoria…! Straight ahead! Blast him!”

“Understood!”

Astal possessed eyes that could see the flow of the opponent’s mana and magic power, so he immediately instructed Victoria on where to attack.

Hiryong was already aware of this. Obscuring their vision even slightly was enough.

He now needed to use the most powerful magic that Astal Kaisaros, the human, could use.

‘It’s humiliating for a dragon to use human magic instead of dragon tongue magic or breath attacks, but…’

Dozens of magic circles overlapped in Hiryong’s hand, transforming from a circular plane into a three-dimensional sphere.

‘…If it’s his magic, it’s far superior to anything our dragons have.’

Hiryong, having lived for so many years, could confidently assert that this guy was stronger than any mage he’d ever faced.

Combining lower-level magic to create higher-level spells was something impossible to even attempt without special eyes that could see mana and innate talent.

“Magic that compresses mana endlessly, creating a burning star with mass and dropping it….”

It was like two suns had risen in the sky. The magic circles forming in Heo Ryong’s grasp grew in size and light, swallowing everything around them.

Even he, with a dragon heart, had to pour out almost all of his mana; a magic so powerful it threatened to engulf them in its shockwave.

“…Supernova.”

An attack as potent as a supernova explosion was descending towards Astal and the hero party.

* * *

“Heh, it’s absurd… How are you using a magic I thought was only theoretically possible?”

Watching the supernova fall, I couldn’t accept reality, letting out a hollow laugh. This was a magic I’d only ever tested on a tiny scale.

Actually making it star-sized? My mana was never enough. To layer over dozens of magic circles, I’d have to pour in my life and all the mana I’d ever accumulated.

“…Astal, wouldn’t it be wise to use a miracle?”

Victoria, her hand trembling slightly, looked at me, asking permission to use a miracle.

If a miracle could bring about the impossible, surely it could erase that supernova without a trace.

But,

“I told you time and again, you won’t need to use a miracle on this trip.”

My opponent wasn’t the current me, but the ‘me from exactly a week ago.’ Moreover, he lacked something – the presence of companions.

People can become incredibly strong when they have something to protect, so even a week could make a huge difference in the world of magic.

“…Enchanted Raindrops.”

I took advantage of the rain the enemy had conjured, imbuing each falling raindrop with a small magic circle.

Having to keep track of a cast without chanting and everything within my field of vision was troublesome, but…

‘The strongest magic I can imagine is magic that can protect everyone, at any time.’

Using this magic, I could take control of the entire area where it was raining and protect it. If I had enough mana, I could create a space where magic would infinitely rain down.

“…Ssssssshh.”

I took a deep breath, concentrating my mind. If I lost focus even a little, I’d leave another opening like before.

First, I cast body strengthening magic and defensive magic over my companions and Victoria, coating their bodies. My opponent, even if he had transformed into human form, was still a dragon.

He could tear us apart with a flick of his hand like killing insects, or scorch the entire area with a single breath.

“You really are insane, to be able to turn each falling raindrop into a magic circle with a human body.”

Heo Ryong was smiling even with blood streaming from a tear in his forehead. For him to say such a line while wearing my face made me want to die of embarrassment.

“You’re just lacking. You lizard-brain who thinks dragon-language magic is the best.”

As I said that, I cast various negative spells at him. Binding, vulnerability, poison, and disease magic, all to try and create openings.

“But, how are you going to stop the supernova? Surely, you know you can’t stop a falling supernova with a few measly raindrops?”

Huryong wasn’t wrong. You couldn’t dispel a spell that was already cast, and trying to create another supernova to collide with it was way beyond my mana capacity.

Using a defensive spell would mean someone would die or get hurt, and teleporting out in the Demon Realm, practically in the enemy’s heartland, would expose our position.

‘…Like small drops of water eroding a rock, I need a decisive move to stop that massive star.’

Thinking about how to remove the flowers blooming on Victoria’s body last night, I’d come up with something.

The conditions were perfect. I wasn’t alone anymore, I had companions, and with the rain falling, I could adapt my magic with a constant flow.

“It’s still an experimental spell, but…”

*Crack*

I gripped my chest hard, right in the center, and twisted. Forcing my mana core to overload, the thudding of my heart and the backwash of blood.

Blood streamed from my eyes, nose, and mouth, my body wracked with pain, but the thought of protecting my companions brought a smile to my lips.

“…I can’t protect them if I don’t do this.”

Mana core.

The core of every magic user. Only a madman like me would think of taking it out and forging it into a sword.

“…Are you trying to kill yourself? It’s like fighting with your heart on the line. You know you’ll either be a cripple unable to use magic or die if that thing gets destroyed.”

Huryong scowled, looking at the spell I had created, the sword I called CoreSword.

“No, more like killing you quickly and then putting this back where it belongs.”

I smirked at him. The supernova was almost upon us. I could see Kyle, Anima, and Tarion desperately trying to hold it back.

“Damn it, even the Holy Sword can’t stop this…”

“You truly live up to your reputation of being the strongest in our party. I never thought I’d be this terrified facing you as an enemy.”

“Don’t talk so casually! Tarion! We need to find a way to get rid of that thing!”

I looked back and forth between them and the falling supernova, gripping the handle in my hand tightly. I held my breath, minimizing the trembling before speaking.

“…Victoria, I’ll leave Huryong to you.”

“Understood. Please, try not to die.”

Victoria’s tone was flat, almost indifferent,

but her eyes were red and a little shiny, so it looked like she was wiping tears away at the sight of me bleeding.

“Yeah, of course.”

I nodded to her.

*Tap, tap*. Every time the rain droplets created by the magic circle struck the Core Sword, it glowed with a color matching the attribute of the spell.

Inspired by the fire-imbued Holy Sword Kyle wielded, the artificial Holy Sword I’d made resonated with the magic circles, trembling softly.

“…I’ll make them pay for ignoring the adage that you shouldn’t fight a Blue Magic Tower mage during a rainstorm.”

A small smile curved my lips as I recalled what I’d learned at the tower.

Since the mages of my same origin primarily used water and ice magic, I was bound to have the advantage in rainy conditions.

Because it was the core of magic itself, a Core Sword, capable of unleashing wildly variable sword aura depending on which magic circle was contacted, was swung once,

*shhhrk─!*

*KWAhhh─!*

A spectacle of the massive star before my eyes being cleaved opened up.