Chapter 68: You Forced Me to Do This!

"Angel? Noah, what are you—"

Constantine gripped his gun, scanning the ceiling with sharp eyes, but there was nothing—just the eerie stillness of the room. His confusion was obvious, but even in his bewilderment, he had learned one thing: if Noah said something, it was usually true.

And sure enough, a second later, an ethereal glow spread across the room. A soft golden light shimmered in the air, accompanied by a faint, hauntingly beautiful hymn that seemed to echo from nowhere and everywhere at once.

Constantine's breath hitched. He'd been in this game long enough to recognize this kind of divine presence. This wasn't just some run-of-the-mill celestial interference—this was something big.

And then, the figure descended.

Radiating arrogance, bathed in golden brilliance, with an expression that screamed self-righteousness, the angel floated gracefully down.

Gabriel.

Constantine's lips twisted into a grimace. "Gabriel? Oh, come on!"

"Surprised?" Gabriel smirked, her voice dripping with condescension.

Constantine was about to retort, but he noticed something odd—Gabriel wasn't looking at him. She was staring directly at Noah, her gaze sharp, calculating.

It made sense. Angels had a special kind of dislike for magicians, and Gabriel was no exception.

"You've got to be kidding me," Constantine muttered. "You're really going through with this? Handing over Earth to Mammon? You do realize he's the literal son of the Devil, right?"

Gabriel tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "You don't need to understand, John. You mortals are too short-sighted. My only goal is to prepare humanity—to guide them toward enlightenment through suffering."

"Suffering?" Noah finally spoke, his voice carrying a dry amusement. "So, what? Your grand plan is to throw humanity into hell and hope they come out better for it?"

Gabriel's lips curled into an indulgent smile. "Humans have always been given preferential treatment. Unlike any other being in the universe, you are forgiven. No matter what sins you commit, as long as you repent, the Lord welcomes you back. No consequences. No accountability. And what has that kindness bred? Weakness. Decay."

Noah rolled his eyes. "Right, because nothing screams divine wisdom like 'Let's start the apocalypse for character development.'"

Gabriel's expression darkened. "You magicians… always arrogant. Always standing in defiance of the natural order."

"Natural order? Lady, if your Lord had an issue, He could take it up with us Himself," Noah shot back. "But I'm guessing He's too busy ghosting His followers, so He sent you instead."

Gabriel's jaw clenched. She didn't like that. Not one bit.

"You—"

Before she could finish, she moved.

In the blink of an eye, Gabriel closed the distance, her fist lashing out at Noah's chest with divine speed.

She was fast—ridiculously fast.

But Noah was faster.

Silver magic flared around him as shimmering barriers snapped into place, forming a layered defense just in time. Gabriel's punch connected with the shield, and a shockwave rattled the room.

Constantine stumbled back, shielding his face. "Bloody hell!"

Noah, however, remained calm.

"Not bad," he mused, tilting his head. "But I've dealt with worse."

Gabriel's expression flickered with irritation. She barely had time to react before Noah followed up—his wand flicked, and suddenly, she found herself weighed down by an unseen force.

"Heavy Obstacles," Noah said, almost lazily. "A simple spell, really. But effective."

Gabriel's movements slowed, her form struggling against the invisible pressure. Her eyes flickered with rage.

Meanwhile, in another dimension, the Ancient One observed with interest. She leaned back slightly, watching Noah's battle unfold.

"Not bad," she murmured to herself. "He's versatile. Not just an attacker, but a strategist."

Noah's magic wasn't just powerful—it was practical. He wasn't throwing random spells. He was controlling the battlefield, restricting Gabriel's movements, boxing her in.

And Gabriel? She was losing ground fast.

Ten minutes passed, and the archangel—one of Heaven's mightiest warriors—was getting played by a human magician.

She wasn't just annoyed anymore—she was furious.

Gabriel gritted her teeth, dodging another one of Noah's spells before realizing something.

She couldn't win this fight.

Not like this.

Noah wasn't just strong—he was prepared. Every time she adjusted her approach, he countered. The terrain was limiting her movement, and unlike most opponents, he wasn't making any reckless mistakes.

She was wasting time.

And time was something she couldn't afford to waste.

Her gaze flicked toward the pool, where Mammon's power pulsed ominously. She had to make a move—now.

"Damn it," she muttered under her breath.

Then, she looked back at Noah, her expression shifting.

"Alright, you forced me to do this!"

Noah's eyes narrowed.

Constantine tensed.

And then—

Gabriel made her move.

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