Surviving without God

10 minutes earlier.

The place Mihela had summoned him to turned out to be an unexpectedly ordinary residential district. Of course, the state of its security was anything but ordinary.

Gunther put on his mask and moved forward slowly. At first glance, the surroundings seemed empty, but his senses were already picking up the presence of many people. These were subtle signs he would never have noticed if not for the sharp leap in his recent development.

“Black Marauders.”

The mayor’s personal guard. Every one of them elite — no lower than the 4th hierarchy.

Rustle—

Seraz walked a few steps ahead, silently guiding the way, as if confirming his identity. Gunther followed, carefully scanning the surroundings. Even if this was the mayor’s invitation, lowering his guard completely was not an option.

[Serpent’s Nest Lv.2 activated]

[One shadow serpent emerges from the nest]

This was a new ability gained after the level-up of “Serpent’s Nest.” At Gunther’s signal, a translucent serpent, invisible to others, slipped forward and vanished inside. Before, he could only detect enemies within a five-meter radius, but now thorough reconnaissance was possible through the serpent.

“...Hm?”

Thanks to this, Gunther quickly realized the mayor wouldn’t be the only one waiting for him. Someone had just left her office and was approaching down the corridor ahead.

— Commissioner Seraz.

A tall, firm voice, metallic in tone. His clothes were so luxurious they hurt the eyes; the watch on his wrist alone could fetch a thousand gold.

— ...In service to the Union, Council Member Haren.

Seraz’s voice noticeably lowered. It was obvious she disliked this man.

“Haren...”

Gunther knew the name well too. Haren Light. Head of Corelight, one of the three largest corporations in the Border City. Ironically, he was the owner of the company responsible for the explosion on the site where Eterno Cheongdam now stood.

“The mayor called him here?”

He was also one of the three council members (out of seven) belonging to the anti-Luthien faction. However, that wasn’t due to ethics or conviction — only profit. Judging by his actions, he was a villain through and through. The only thing he didn’t do was sacrifice people outright; otherwise, he squeezed them dry no less than Luthien.

“Though... how many decent people are there among the councilors?”

Gunther noticed Haren staring at him intently as well.

— Hm... So this is him.

The face of a man on the border between middle age and old age looked corpse-like in the moonlight. Ash-gray skin, strangely sunken cheeks. A mechanical lens of his own production was embedded in his left eye; each time a green light blinked, it adjusted its focus, scanning Gunther. It didn’t feel like a human gaze, but like a precision measuring instrument.

— A Crow, huh...

Then came a dissatisfied remark.

— ...I thought sufficient feed had already been provided by now.

Gunther knew people like Haren well. The kind who stand atop a mountain of gold, viewing others only through numbers and efficiency. And judging by it, Gunther’s value in his eyes was low. Exactly as expected.

“...My existence annoys him.”

Whether they supported or opposed Luthien, none of the councilors wanted a full-scale war with the Theocracy. They simply wanted to keep draining power and wealth in a state of “stagnation.” The condition of ordinary citizens meant nothing to them.

— I’ll be going.

Throwing out a short remark, Haren turned and passed them. The sharp scent of expensive perfume faded with his footsteps. Gunther shrugged and glanced at Seraz.

— If I knew I’d be introduced to such distinguished gentlemen, I would’ve worn a tuxedo.

— ...I knew you wouldn’t falter.

Seraz smirked and pointed at one of the doors in the corridor.

— This way. Go in when you’re ready.

— I thought this would be a private meeting.

— Why would it be?

Well, whatever. Gunther took a short breath and stepped forward without hesitation. And at the moment he grabbed the iron door handle—

Ding!

[“◇” is closely observing your choice]

[“◆” is closely observing your choice]

Gunther’s expression didn’t change. “Right on time.”

Experience told him that the diamonds’ “attention” always meant a turning point. A sign that the mayor would present him with some kind of choice during this meeting.

“As much as you want.”

It didn’t matter what she offered. Because he would make the “offer” first. Gunther pulled the handle firmly.

And that’s how the current situation unfolded.

— I came to heal you.

— ...What?

***

Mihela let out a soft breath and glanced at Seraz standing behind Gunther.

— Seraz.

Seraz looked unusually flustered.

— That wasn’t me. Do you think I’ve gone insane enough to say something like that?

— ...Then how does this gentleman know?

— He... well, he’s someone who knows everything.

— Knows everything...?

Gunther silently watched the murmuring mayor. At first glance, Mihela seemed like a quiet and elegant lady. Long chestnut waves flowed softly down to her waist. Amber-brown eyes glowed with warmth.

“But...”

His gaze naturally shifted slightly upward. A pair of raccoon ears quietly protruding from the top of her head. Despite her almost entirely human appearance, her true blood still left its mark.

As expected. The true nature of the Labyrinth clan — raccoon shapeshifters. Originally, they were a race that lived in deep “burrows,” so their habits naturally projected onto the “Labyrinth.” The name “raccoon” simply lacked grandeur, so to the outside world they were known as a mysterious and incomprehensible other race.

“The fact she didn’t hide her ears at our first meeting... a sign of trust? Her affinity seems surprisingly high.”

Seraz must have spoken well of him. Gunther gave a short nod.

“Fortunately, a good start.”

The nature of raccoon shapeshifters resembled the animals themselves. Cautious and vigilant, yet extremely curious. And most importantly — attached to their “burrow,” their territory. That translated into coldness toward outsiders, but endless generosity toward those they accepted. If he fastened the first button of this relationship correctly, there would be no problems later.

Mihela gathered herself and spoke:

— I am grateful for your noble intention, but I know my condition better than anyone, as it has persisted for a long time. It is not something easily cured. And... please, do not speak of this elsewhere.

Gunther responded immediately:

— You needn’t worry about that... but hear me out a little longer.

Seraz frowned at such a bold statement. But Gunther focused only on Mihela. If he intended to retreat, he wouldn’t have started. He knew well that persuading someone in despair was ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ not as difficult as it seemed.

— This condition... no, calling it an illness would be incorrect.

He needed to precisely define the state and present the key to solving it. That would be enough.

— With every breath, cold circulates through your lungs and vessels, while sensation in your limbs gradually dulls. Yet the pain only intensifies. This is fundamentally different from ordinary hypothermia or chills — the defining trait is that the cold is generated from within your own body.

— What are you—

— Those are your symptoms. Am I wrong?

Gunther felt the air in the room shift. Mihela held her breath, and Seraz’s gaze, once wary, suddenly lit with hope.

[Three gods listen, captivated by your eloquence]

[The Ruler of the Oceans sighs, asking why you are becoming like Kalos]

— How do you...

— I repeat, this is not mere “illness.” Your circulation has stopped. Due to a divine curse, time inside you has frozen. You must undergo disentanglement as soon as possible to survive.

There was not a trace of falsehood in Gunther’s words. Mihela herself had explained the symptoms and causes in the game’s storyline.

A curse of an Outer God. Though diluted in her as a half-blood, it would never disappear on its own. However, Gunther knew one of the few ways to completely destroy this curse. ...Of course, someone clearly didn’t like that.

[The eyes of the “Ruler of Circulation and Closure” open in the darkness]

At the edge of his consciousness, a colossal gaze brushed against him. Something overwhelming, looking down at a human no greater than dust. Even with that fleeting interest, Gunther felt terrifying pressure. But this time, he did not fall to his knees.

This was not like his encounter with the One-Eyed King. Back then, in attempting a deal, he had been dragged directly into a god’s domain, mentally defiled, stripped of Karma. Now, no such causal chain formed. His hierarchy had risen, and thanks to the status “Godslayer,” his resistance to divine influence had increased. And most importantly...

[The King of Ninety-Nine Defeats steps before you]

[Alphonse of Red Street smiles as he draws the curtain]

[The Drug-Addicted Saint cheers them on from behind]

The restored King of Knights and Alphonse stood beside him.

[Resistance to mental corruption successful]

The colossal gaze enveloped him, then dissipated.

— Un... unbelievable... You just...

Gunther met Mihela’s stunned eyes. It seemed she had vaguely sensed what had just happened. Extreme disbelief froze across her face.

Fwoosh—

Then flames blossomed at the tips of Gunther’s fingers. The Flame of Eternal Torment, capable of burning tens of thousands of calamities. Not mere fire, but sacred flame that purified any dissonance in the world. Another reason he had been so desperate to obtain this technique in Act 1. Though it had not yet reached myth rank and full healing was impossible, it would be enough to suppress the symptoms and stabilize her condition.

— I will make the flow within your body move again.

He gathered as much mana as possible, and at the same time—

Clink—

[You offer 100 Karma to the Drug-Addicted Saint]

[You offer 100 Karma to the King of Ninety-Nine Defeats]

[You offer 100 Karma to the Ruler of the Oceans]

[Remaining Karma: 506]

Gunther prepared the offering.

The Drug-Addicted Saint, expert in the physiology of other races, would handle the design of the “procedure.” The King of Ninety-Nine Defeats would melt the frozen flow through precise control of flame. And finally, the Ruler of the Oceans would support them both with endless mana.

[The Drug-Addicted Saint jumps with joy at the sight of long-unseen Karma]

[Two deities look at their companion with mixed feelings as she rejoices over such a small amount]

Step—

Gunther slowly approached and stopped just one step away from Mihela. It seemed she understood he intended to begin the “treatment” right here and now.

— Wa... wait.

Her eyes blinked rapidly. But Mihela felt more than confusion. In her gaze flickered both hope for release from years of suffering, and fear that that hope would vanish like a mirage. Gunther waited for her to steady herself, then finished:

— Will you trust me?

— I...

— In return...

Their eyes met.

— If this succeeds, grant me one request.

— ...A request?

— Nothing special.

A plan to kill Albino, set to unfold next week. A request for assistance in that matter... just a small favor.

.

.

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Ding!

[A side scenario has emerged! Frozen Burrow]

[Summary]

The god of circulation and closure has imposed upon her, who rejected the mission of her clan, the punishment of a slow death by cold. A condemnation engraved deep within her blood. ...To truly resolve this problem, a long path will be required. Are you willing to walk that path together?

※ This side scenario will have a massive impact on the future political landscape of the Border City and the main storyline.

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[“◇” makes an uncertain expression] 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

[“◆” falls into deep thought]