Gabriel, Marbas, Behemoth, and Just Seong Hyeon — Let's Go

For a moment, he had forgotten that Baek Sejin was on the other team.

Perhaps it was the sheer impact of Baek Sejin’s sudden appearance at the cave entrance that had made him forget.

He thought back to what had happened earlier.

Kim Gabyul had suddenly led them deep into a cave hidden away in a secluded spot. Deep inside the cave was a fairly large chamber, and right in the middle of that space stood a massive stalagmite. For some reason, the stalagmite had reacted to Kim Gabyul’s mana, beginning to vibrate, and soon the entire mountain had shaken as if in an earthquake.

Was it even a stalagmite to begin with?

Looking back now, it didn’t seem like one at all. Its shape had resembled the horn of some enormous living creature. So had it been a creature’s horn, then?

There was no point dwelling on such thoughts now. They would be descending the mountain soon, and before long they would return to the academy.

“What about Go Sang-hyeok, then?”

“Unfortunately, it seems we’ll have to let him slip away.”

“Is that so? What a real shame.”

Moon Seyeon, who had arrived late, headed back into the cave. About ten minutes passed as they waited quietly for the two of them. Then Kim Gabyul, who had been waiting alongside him, spoke up.

“I’m getting uneasy. Behemoth’s presence has grown stronger. I need to go check it out myself.”

With that, she rose from her seat and entered the cave as well.

“Wait! What are you planning to do in there?”

“Then come along if you want.”

And so he found himself heading back into the cave with her.

I had repeatedly warned them not to cause any trouble, but would things really go according to my wishes…?

Yet it seemed one of those who had already entered the cave had already caused some.

It seemed I would have to go into the cave myself after all. I walked at a brisk pace.

Yes, sending those two alone had been my mistake. The regret of having sent two black mages to the place where Behemoth resided was overwhelming. This blunder would probably rank among the top three mistakes of my life. To send Baek Sejin—already so difficult to predict and control—off by himself… It was a mistake I would never have made under normal circumstances.

Had the stress gotten to me that badly? Well, we had been fighting since yesterday, so it wasn’t entirely strange. Especially yesterday, when I had squeezed my mana nearly dry to keep the battle going. And then, at the very end of the fight, that black magic of Baek Sejin’s…

It was the first time I had ever experienced black magic of such a high level. The sheer sense of powerlessness had drained my mental strength more than anything else. I had even wondered whether I could have survived that spell even at full strength. And of course, I was grateful that the one who had cast it was not my enemy.

Yesterday we had only been temporary opponents for the sake of a game, and that was why Baek Sejin had held back when casting. Had we truly been enemies, he would have shown no mercy and unleashed the spell at full power. Fortunately, Marbas preferred contractors whose natures were the complete opposite of their appearances, so I could rest easy. Baek Sejin looked for all the world like an executive of some evil organization or a wicked black mage, which meant his inner nature was likely kind—that much could be inferred.

Moon Seyeon’s monsters were another major drain on my mental energy. Her tastes were so bizarre I had to wonder if she was even the same gender as other women. With a face that pretty, why did she like things like that…? I still didn’t know her personality, but she was probably far from ordinary.

And so, having gone deep into the cave, I overheard something strange.

“Deal.” No matter the ability, it was a word no one could overlook—and for a divine mage, even less so. Especially when Behemoth was the one saying it to Baek Sejin.

“A deal? What is that supposed to mean?”

The moment I cut in, both of them were clearly flustered. Moon Seyeon hesitated and took a step back, while Baek Sejin wore a troubled smile.

I could feel it too. Until yesterday, black mana had been present, but no transcendent being’s aura. Today was different. The moment I saw her, I understood. Baek Sejin might be one thing, but she had caused a major incident.

…Baek Sejin. What had this man been doing instead of stopping it? I even felt a twinge of betrayal.

“……Moon Seyeon. You contracted with Behemoth. And Baek Sejin—I told you not to cause trouble, yet you just stood there watching someone make a contract with a demon? And what’s this about a deal? You’re going to explain this situation properly.”

“W-well, Miss Gabyul. About that…”

“It’s already been an hour. Get out here now.”

I didn’t actually know whether an hour had passed or not.

“Yes, ma’am.”

At least Baek Sejin could take a hint.

Gabriel, Marbas, Behemoth.

The contractors of three transcendent beings and one ordinary human had gathered in one place to talk. One angel and two demons—and Behemoth even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had a history of bad blood with Gabriel. Four people, yet six participants in the conversation: a peculiar situation. Yet none of the four felt any sense of dissonance about it. After all, was it really strange for a contractor to be with their transcendent being?

Lee Ye-rin contacted us through the artifact, sounding impatient.

What? So an hour hadn’t passed yet?

“Haha, unfortunately it’s proving rather difficult. Have you managed to catch yours?”

Hwang Ju-hyeon answered with a laugh from beyond Lee Ye-rin’s microphone. The two of them must have been quite close—or else Hwang Ju-hyeon had simply spoken at an enormous volume.

“She says an hour hasn’t passed yet.”

I looked steadily at Kim Gabyul, who had told us to hurry out of the cave only to come into the cavern herself and listen to my excuses. Her face flushed lightly as she gave a small, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠awkward cough.

“It’s almost over, so it counts as over. So… last night, by pure chance—pure chance—you discovered this cave?”

Kim Gabyul clumsily changed the subject. I wasn’t sure how “almost over” became “over,” but I let it slide for now.

“To be precise, it was early this morning rather than last night… haha, please don’t look at me like that. Yes, one could say it was roughly the same.”

I continued while looking at Moon Seyeon and Kim Gabyul, both of whom were staring blankly at me.

“I was resting at the lodging when Marbas mentioned sensing a familiar aura somewhere on this mountain.”

I sold Marbas out for the excuse. I couldn’t exactly say, “Honestly, I know the original story, you’re all just characters in a novel, I’m a transmigrator, Seong Hyeon is a reincarnator, and Kim Gabyul gets seriously injured by a mysterious assailant at the academy.”

“Bonds between parent generations are passed down to their children—the same holds true for demons and their contractors, does it not? So Marbas and I came to this cave to pay our respects to someone he knows.”

Kim Gabyul nodded slightly at my explanation. Mixing a little falsehood into the truth was the best way to keep it from showing. She would never suspect I was a transmigrator.

“And what about the deal?”

Kim Gabyul asked after listening to my explanation. I hesitated for a moment. Should I tell the whole truth? Or gloss over it and move on? Part of me wanted to tell Kim Gabyul everything, but if the world worked according to my wishes, how wonderful that would be.

“If that’s all it was, then…”

Thankfully, Behemoth stepped in and smoothed things over for me. Even Kim Gabyul, who had looked ready to dig out every last secret, had no choice but to back down when a transcendent being personally glossed over the matter.

Instead, Gabriel asked Behemoth directly.

“I have a question.”

Seong Hyeon, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, raised his hand.

“Of course. What is it?”

“Isn’t contracting with a demon a good thing? Behemoth is a famous demon, right?”

“Well… it would certainly be a good thing for me, but for a divine mage like Miss Gabyul, it might not be so favorable.”

Seong Hyeon looked at Kim Gabyul beside him and let out a soft “Ah” of realization.

“We’re heading down, so don’t worry.”

Even after an hour had passed without us descending the mountain, Lee Ye-rin had grown worried enough to contact us through the artifact. Moon Seyeon brushed it off with a rough lie, then switched off the microphone and spoke to us.

“Let’s get out of here quickly.”

When we emerged from the cave, bright light enveloped us. I closed my eyes for a moment against the glare. Being naturally narrow-eyed, it probably didn’t show much.

As we came down the mountain, both Team 1 and Team 2 were gathered at the entrance. Hwang Ju-hyeon was sitting on the ground.

“Why are you coming with Gabyul?”

“We got lost.”

Lee Ye-rin eyed me suspiciously for arriving with Kim Gabyul, but at Gabyul’s nonchalant response she soon looked away. Considering Seong Hyeon had come along as well, being the only one she was wary of was a bit hurtful, perhaps.