Surviving without God

Pshhh—

The connection came alive.

[Midnight, this is support group “Jackal”]

“Jackal”—that callsign was familiar to me. The same senior member of the support group who had handled the cleanup after we dealt with the “Perfumer.” In the original storyline this character never appeared... But judging from the voice alone, he sounded like a tired, life-worn but experienced man in early middle age. Yet even he could not hide his excitement today. His slightly trembling voice broke through the static of the connection.

[We have confirmed the complete destruction of Bellamor Mansion and the death of Kate Bellamor. This achievement will remain forever in the operational records of Night Raven. Excellent work.]

The reason became clear a moment later.

[Kate Bellamor had long been tracking and eliminating agents of our intelligence department in Upper City. Thanks to this development, the operation of our intelligence network will become far easier. You have saved the lives of many of our personnel.]

— ...Glad it proved useful.

[The calculation of merit points will take some time. We’ll process everything, so you won’t be disappointed. And now—good night.]

With those words the connection ended. However, Jackal was not the only one seeking Gunther.

[The Ruler of the Oceans asks why you are not responding and urges you]

[The Ruler of the Oceans gropes through empty space]

[A torrent of water crashes down from above]

Gunther looked at the chain of persistent messages. He had already thought about what exactly to say to the Ruler of the Oceans, but this was not the right moment.

Hummm—hummm—

The elevator began descending with a mechanical rumble resembling the sound of a subway train. As the shining lights of the night Middle City rapidly approached, an awkward silence mixed with deep exhaustion hung inside the cabin. Gunther glanced at his companions.

The first was Giles, who had just regained consciousness. After receiving a blow to the back of the head from Gunther and surviving the “violent flight” inside the cramped trunk, he now sat hunched over with a completely absent expression. It seemed he did not even care where exactly they were taking him. It would probably take time before he recovered his strength.

But in truth, this escape was necessary for him as well. Remaining in Upper City would only mean endless suffering under the pressure of the Theocracy and the Public Security Bureau. Within the Bellamor clan, power had been completely monopolized by Kate, and the other vassals and servants were nothing more than cogs in her machine. If they had stayed, eventually all the blame would have been dumped on them and they would have quietly disappeared. Or the collapsing mansion might have crushed them even earlier.

“...For now I’ll have to keep an eye on him. I have questions for him.”

Meanwhile Dimona seemed completely exhausted; she leaned her head against the window. Yet, like a wild animal, her eyes constantly watched the other members of the squad. She missed neither a single expression nor a single movement.

It was a familiar gaze. Observation and reconnaissance. Those were exactly the looks Gunther had initially received from Dimona. ...Of course, now everything was completely different.

After escaping the mansion, Dimona repeatedly fixed her gaze on Gunther. Sometimes it lasted up to thirty seconds—a very intense stare. There was clumsy but obvious trust in it. It seemed she herself was not accustomed to such feelings, so whenever their eyes met she immediately looked away... but it was a welcome change. After all, from this moment on Dimona would be working fully with us.

Gunther remembered part of the reward from his “personal scenario.”

[Affinity with “Dimona Ryen” increases sharply]

Affinity: 50 / 100

[“Dimona Ryen” intends to declare her intention to join Night Raven]

[She is preparing “a certain gift” for you. Look forward to it!]

I don’t know what this “certain gift” is, but Dimona joining Night Raven seemed almost guaranteed. After all, if an Arcane Runner of Dimona’s level expresses the desire to join, Grand Crow would never refuse. Dimona possessed abilities worthy of becoming a “wing,” and the fact that she held obvious hostility toward the Luthien Theocracy had already been proven.

“By the way... the experiment subject from Pendrox...”

Gunther unconsciously looked at Dimona. What horrors had she endured there? She had barely escaped and still seemed to be searching for someone left behind inside...

Thinking about it, Gunther suddenly realized he knew almost nothing about the personal affairs of his squad members—not just Dimona. It was a genuine discovery for him. Of course, he was not the type of person to pry into others’ hearts. But now that rather ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) strong bonds had formed between them... it felt like he should know why they fought against the Theocracy.

...Of course, with everyone barely able to stand from exhaustion, this was not the best moment.

— Are you returning to the hideout?

Levain replied, barely opening his eyes.

— Yeah, we’ll have to. And you—going to your “partner’s” mansion?

Gunther shook his head.

— No. I’m going somewhere else.

In fact, over the past few days he had been preparing not only for the assault on Bellamor Mansion.

Moving.

After discussing it with Brody, it had been decided to change residence. At those words, the exhausted squad members suddenly showed curiosity and sat up slightly.

— ...Moving? Where? Did you check everything properly?

— It’s in Lower City, but... the timing worked out perfectly.

Gunther looked at each of them in turn and continued:

— I have something to talk with you about regarding that.

— Huh? Moving—with us?

The squad members gathered closer. In the silence that followed, Gunther hesitated, unsure how to begin, then simply blurted it out.

— I’m setting up a “safe house” in Lower City... something like a nest and a secret shelter. I focused on security and comfort—it should be ready soon.

— A safe house? In Lower City? Which sector?

When Gunther named the place, their expressions froze instantly.

— You mean the district where “that” happened?

A zone where people could not live. But Gunther, as an “old player,” knew a way to “cleanse” that place and had already put it into practice. It was the perfect refuge—one even the Theocracy would have difficulty locating.

— I spent all my merit points. With help from the Nest—specifically Dramcrow, Sharin Vega, and others—we’re turning it into a livable place. I’ll invest the merit points from this operation there as well.

Brody was also contributing her own funds to help arrange the house. The place was turning out so well that even she—who had been somewhat discouraged by the idea of returning to Lower City—was excited. Saying all this, Gunther felt slightly embarrassed, but since he had started, he decided to finish.

— The building is fairly large and spacious.

— ......?

— If you come take a look and like it... I think we could live there together.

He had not even finished speaking before Blanc jumped up. As befitted a tank, she felt no pain even after hitting her head on the elevator ceiling and shouted:

— I—I agree! I love it already! You’ll let me choose my room, right? I can have it all to myself?

— Kid, that hurts my feelings.

— I—I don’t know! Finally a move! My own room!

While Gunther blinked in shock at the reaction, Levain added:

— We’re... not exactly rich anyway. So I’m in. There’s nothing wrong with living together. I’ll cover my living expenses somehow.

Parco nodded next.

— If you say it’s spacious, then that’s the best option. If Master Dramcrow worked on it, the place must be reliable.

Tarsha spoke last.

— And if I end up living with a girl I don’t like, you won’t mind?~

— ......

— Just kidding.

The strands of Parco’s hair, who muttered that it didn’t sound like a joke, were slightly singed.

The idea was simple. If the squad members lived in one place, they could protect each other. Brody, Roanna, Eddie, and soon Ryan when he returned... Besides, a shared place to rest would only strengthen their bonds.

“...Didn’t expect such a positive reaction.”

What kind of conditions had they been living in until now? Looking at the lively faces of his comrades—who looked as if they had been told they were moving from a shack into an apartment—Gunther felt a strange sense of pride. Tarsha chuckled and nudged him with her elbow.

— Oh my, Gunther, were you worried we’d say no? You spent your precious merit points just so you could live with us. Call us as soon as it’s ready, okay? And tell us if you need help.

— And promise me the best room! I’ll decorate your room beautifully too, Gunther.

— It would be nice to have a training hall as well...

— ...Maybe think about paying rent first?

— W-we’ll pay it back later.

— I’ll work as a free maid instead of rent.

— Shut up, Parco.

The squad members kept chattering as the elevator doors closed, and Gunther found himself smiling repeatedly. Every time Gunther’s gaze drifted toward Upper City, they began making even more noise. I was grateful to them.

.

.

.

— Your comrades seem to like you very much, Gunther.

Dimona, strangely enough, had not left. She simply stood behind me, silently watching. I was momentarily confused by the sudden closeness, but soon realized the reason. She had been hunted and kidnapped. It would have been strange if she had a place to go.

— It’s not very comfortable yet, but it will do for a couple of days.

— Any place will suit me.

Of course we also brought Giles along, who was still not in his right mind. I had too many questions for him, and if left unattended he would probably have jumped from the roof of the neighboring building.

***

The “nest” was still in disarray, but thanks to persistent work the basic facilities had been arranged. Brody and Roanna were not there—apparently out on business—but Eddie, sweating in the training hall, greeted us.

— Oh, you’re back? And who’s this with you?

In moments like this I appreciated his indifference. Being a man devoted solely to Yor, he reacted calmly to Dimona’s appearance and merely nodded upon seeing the grief-stricken Giles. After entrusting Giles to him with a brief explanation—

— Hm, dangerous type.

He promised to keep a close watch on him. I knew his sense of responsibility well. With peace of mind I headed to my room.

— You can take any of the empty rooms in this corridor. They’re unused.

— Yes.

Before entering her room, Dimona paused for a moment and fixed her large golden eyes on me.

— May the light of the moon be with you. Good night.

...An elven greeting straight out of fantasy in the middle of an arcane-punk city. I once again realized how tangled the setting of was and waved lightly.

— Good night to you too.

Then I washed in warm water, lay down on the bed, and began checking the accumulated messages. The first thing that caught my eye was the notification that Alphonse’s status had been partially restored.

[Alphonse of Red Street, having received sufficient Karma, partially restores his existence]

The same thing had happened when I transferred Karma to the King of Ninety-Nine Defeats. The seals were gradually loosening. I would have to determine how much more I was now “capable” of, but there were more pressing matters.

[The Ruler of the Oceans calls your name as if spitting blood]

“Yeah... I see.”

[The Ruler of the Oceans stares at you with bloodshot eyes]

I made a preemptive move before she could send anything even more terrifying.

“How much Karma is needed to manifest an avatar like at the auction?”

A short pause. Silence, as if she were evaluating my intentions. Then the reply arrived.

[The Ruler of the Oceans shows two fingers]

Twenty. Quite expensive for a simple manifestation. But I didn’t want her learning news about her old comrade while trapped in such discomfort. It was a matter of respect.

Ding—

[Transferring “20” Karma to the Ruler of the Oceans]

At that same instant.

Plop—

Water vapor gathered in the air, droplets appearing. As if drawn to one another, they merged together, forming a softly glowing wave, and then the silhouette of a person emerged.

A flash of light. Before me appeared a woman with flowing blue hair. The cold aura she once had was gone, and her gaze, filled with anger and agitation, pierced straight through me.

— You must have many questions.

— Of course. You deliberately ignored me. To ask me such a question and then retreat into the shadows... it turns out you possess a far crueler temperament than I thought.

I exhaled shortly and spoke calmly.

— I will answer honestly everything I can answer right now. Ask whatever you want. But in return—

— ...

— Yes. I will answer your questions as well.

She was as sharp as ever. The Ruler of the Oceans continued without the slightest hesitation:

— You.

Yet despite her resolute appearance, the tips of her fingers trembled slightly. Like someone desperately waiting for an answer while at the same time fearing it.

— How did you form a contract with “Kalos”? He... he disappeared already, didn’t he?

Kalos must be Alphonse’s true name. Indeed, among the old gods it had long been believed that he had vanished.

...It was time to reveal this secret.

[Alphonse of Red Street lets out a quiet sigh]

[The King of Ninety-Nine Defeats silently closes his eyes]

[The Drug-Addicted Saint folds her hands in prayer]

I opened my mouth.

— I’ll tell everything from the very beginning.