I Made a Contract with a Devil, but the Price is Strange

Step, step—

The surroundings grew darker with each step down the stairs. Looking up, I could see the sun high in the sky. It was so bright outside, yet so dark in here.

‘This feels eerie.’

I frowned as I moved my legs.

Gulp-

I continued walking along the circular stairs.

At some point, the intervals between steps grew shorter, and a gentle downward slope appeared before me. The path gradually widened, and at some point, it became a vast cave.

『1F』

A helpful system message appeared before my eyes. This was the first time this had happened. Probably because I’d entered the labyrinth, the core of the game.

‘So this is the format.’

Various adventurers were positioned in the corridor. If they had anything in common, it was that each was guarding a hole.

“Hey. What are you looking at? Get lost if you don’t want to die.”

One mercenary growled as I stood still and looked. I turned my gaze away and continued walking.

“They’re coming out!”

A shout came while I was passing by the mercenaries guarding their positions. Turning my head in that direction, I saw a green-skinned monster crawling out of a hole.

‘A goblin.’

Though they were famous as fodder monsters in fantasy worlds, in the world I lived in, they would probably be the monsters that killed humans the most. They were numerous, and their strength wasn’t that weak either.

“Keruluk—!”

An unpleasant cry. As the creature poked its head out of the hole, a nearby mercenary struck it with a weapon.

Crack!

The goblin’s head was smashed without even a trace of resistance. The mercenary removed the corpse with a smirk. His movements were very skillful, as if he’d done this countless times.

The goblins that followed were killed one by one, and eventually, no more monsters came out.

“Wow. Five of them right from the start. Is today my lucky day? How many did you get over there?”

“Ah, fuck. Only two. This sucks. At this rate, I won’t be able to drink, let alone gamble today.”

“Kid, have some patience and wait. It’s only happened once so far.”

Just listening to the conversation, it felt like I was hearing old men talking while fishing. Old men who liked alcohol and gambling a little, no, a lot.

‘So that’s why they rushed to get here.’

These were probably monster spawn points. In the game, monsters just suddenly appeared, but here, it seemed they followed this rule.

‘Interesting.’

It was fascinating how the game system was implemented in such a plausible way.

I continued past them and descended deeper into the labyrinth. Until I reached the end of the first floor, I couldn’t find any empty holes.

『2F』

I thought the situation might be better once I went down to the second floor, but nothing really changed. There were a few more holes, but that was about the only difference.

‘Looks like I can’t dream of hunting here either.’

I sighed deeply and continued walking down the corridor.

『3F』

As soon as I descended, I immediately realized that the situation was completely different from the upper floors. Unlike the bright first and second floors, the third floor was dark.

The absence of people was good. I could finally hunt. But now that it was like this, I felt a bit uneasy.

Structurally, there wasn’t much difference compared to the second floor. If anything, there were more holes, which should mean better income, so why weren’t people using this place?

Something felt off, but for now, I decided to try hunting.

“Flame.”

Fwoosh—

A small flame appeared before my eyes. The surroundings brightened instantly. The light stretched out, revealing a goblin.

“Keruluk!”

It bared its teeth and rushed at me. It was about the size of a child. Its speed was quite fast, and it was holding a rusty dagger.

I controlled the flame and sent it toward the goblin. I could see it was startled when the flame suddenly blocked its path.

Sizzle—

The flame followed as it tried to dodge to the side. The flame burned its skin. It groaned and rolled on the ground.

Fwoosh!

The fire spread to the tattered clothes the goblin was wearing. As its entire body started to burn, it just kept screaming. Eventually, even its vocal cords burned, and after twitching for a bit, it met its death.

“Oh…”

The corpse disappeared, turning to ashes. Rummaging through the ashes with my hands, I found a small magic stone the size of a fingernail.

Magic stones. The biggest reward one could get from the labyrinth and the main reason adventurers descended into it.

I was worried that the flame might burn even the magic stone, but fortunately, that didn’t happen.

“Kerururuk—!”

A cry from nearby. When I sent the flame in the direction of the sound, another goblin appeared.

“Keruk!”

As soon as its position was revealed, it charged without hesitation. The goblin was faster than I could move the flame.

I drew the sword I had brought. I could probably win by fighting directly, but I decided to experiment first.

“Burn.”

I looked directly at the goblin and said the word. My target was its eyes. I smiled as I felt something leaving my body.

Fwoosh!

“Keeeek—!”

As expected, the goblin’s eyes burst into flames. Before long, the eyeballs themselves melted and ran down its face.

Stab—!

I stepped on the goblin’s abdomen as it rolled on the ground, then stabbed its heart with my sword. The convulsive movements stopped instantly. I took out my dagger and searched the goblin’s body for a magic stone.

‘Is this really okay?’

In the past, I had to risk my life even to fight one goblin. But now? I won just by summoning and sending a flame.

Using flames to hunt goblins was easier than breaking a child’s wrist. It felt almost too easy.

What made the flame particularly excellent was its deterrent effect. Any living thing would inevitably be afraid of fire right in front of it.

Moreover, burning pain was one of the most excruciating pains humans could feel. It would be very effective not just on goblins but on humans as well.

“Kerururuk!”

Cries from both sides. I quickly moved the flame. As soon as they were revealed, the goblins inevitably charged.

‘So simple.’

I sent the flame to one and immediately turned around. As expected, I knew the goblin behind would charge as well.

“Burn.”

As the distance between me and the goblin narrowed to arm’s length, I spoke immediately. Its eyes burned, causing it to lose its posture.

Slash—!

I swung my sword and cleanly cut off its head. When I turned forward again, the other goblin was gone. Only ashes remained.

‘As expected.’

Just sending the flame to the target had a pursuit effect. I didn’t necessarily need to control it directly.

But it would probably be less efficient than doing it myself. Still, this was good enough. At least I could handle two at once.

‘This is good.’

The demonstration of the flame was complete. Now all I had to do was slaughter goblins.

Fwoosh—!

I boldly roamed the third floor, hunting goblins. It was truly a situation that could be described as “click hunting.”

“Are we really allowed to be here?”

“It’s fine, idiot. Do you think we’d be able to secure a spot on the third floor if not for this situation?”

A voice I heard while exploring the third floor. When I approached the source of the conversation, I saw a light. They were probably miners.

I placed a flame on a wooden stick. This was because it would cost magic power to summon it again. Disguising it as a torch, I approached them.

“Move along.”

The two miners fell silent when I appeared. Their eyes were wary. The way they fidgeted with their weapons made it seem like they might attack at any moment.

“I have a question. May I ask?”

“…What is it?”

“Is the third floor normally empty of people, or was it populated but empty for some reason?”

At my question, the posture of the two people relaxed a bit. One man smiled and scratched the back of his head.

“What’s this? You’re a newbie?”

“Ah, I was tense for nothing.”

“So, will you answer my question?”

“Well, it’s not particularly difficult. It’s already a widely spread rumor among those who hunt goblins.”

After saying that, he held out his hand to me.

“One magic stone. Give me one, and I’ll answer.”

“Didn’t you just say the rumor is widely spread?”

“But you don’t know it. That’s why I should charge for the information. It might even save your life.”

“Forget it.”

I clicked my tongue and turned away. I could have given one magic stone. But I just didn’t want to.

“Are you sure you don’t want to hear it? You’ll regret it.”

I ignored the voice from behind. Regret what? Just from their conversation and behavior, I could roughly guess what the situation was.

The third floor was probably dangerous right now. I didn’t know the exact reason, but it was likely related to goblins.

‘I think I heard something before entering the labyrinth….’

I hadn’t paid attention because I was busy looking around, so I couldn’t remember well.

‘Should I go back?’

I had obtained quite a lot of loot, and the demonstration of the flame was complete. Above all, I was curious about the price.

I had used the ability I received today quite extensively, so what would Egun demand from me? I hoped it wouldn’t be something outrageous.

I walked around the third floor and found the stairs leading to the second floor.

Aaaargh—!

Just as I was about to step onto the stairs, a scream rang out. It wasn’t far away. I guessed it was probably the adventurers I had met earlier.

They said the information might save a life, yet they died. I wasn’t sure if I should call them foolish or admirable.

‘Idiots.’

With a sneer, I climbed the stairs.

“After calculation, it’s 2 silver.”

I sold all the magic stones I had obtained from the labyrinth. The income was 2 silver. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t particularly good either.

Of course, that was if I had moved around directly. This much just by sending flames? I was actually very satisfied.

“You’re back early?”

The server who was carrying food at the inn spoke to me. Was it because I came right at lunchtime? The place was packed with people.

“I just went briefly today. Starting tomorrow, I’ll go in earnest.”

“I see.”

She said that and moved again. I also ordered food, ate, and then washed myself clean with warm water.

“Phew.”

I went up to my room and locked the door. Then I sat on the bed. I had made all the preparations, but how exactly was I supposed to pay the price?

『Are you ready to pay the price?』

Just then, a message appeared before my eyes. It seemed the system had responded to my thoughts. Whenever text appeared like this, I was reminded that this world was a game.

“Yes.”

Woooong—!

The black space undulated. A portal as red as blood appeared before my eyes. Just like before, a red leg emerged. Even seeing it again, it was an amazing thigh.

『Romon. My contractor.』

“Yes, Lady Egun.”

She fully revealed herself. I bowed my head.

『Are you ready to pay the price?』

“I am ready.”

『Good. Then I shall take my payment.』

I flinched at the voice echoing in my head. Fear crept in. What would she take?

Swish-

A red hand came down and grabbed my chin. It was Egun’s. She moved her hand and lifted my head.

“What—”

—Chu♡

Then suddenly, she kissed my lips.