Surviving without God

— Then let’s begin.

Gunther slightly extended his arm and grabbed Mikhela by the tail. Her amber eyes darted around as if from dizziness.

— A-a strange man is touching my tail...!

It seemed that for the raccoon tribe, this was an extremely sensitive spot. But there was no helping it. The cold in her extremities was the worst.

The tail, which looked fluffy and warm, felt like frozen tuna to the touch. Without hesitation, Gunther raised his mana.

Heat, like a blazing fireball, blossomed in his palms and began to seep through the stiffened fur. Perhaps because the flame was still at the lowest stage, “Scarlet Flame,” there was no reaction for the first few seconds. Both Seraz and Mikhela watched him with worry in their eyes.

“Slowly...”

Gunther patiently waited for the heat to penetrate her body. This method had worked in the game as well. Even though the game had become reality and unpredictable situations kept appearing, the fundamental system had not collapsed.

Pshhh—!

As expected, steam soon began to rise.

[The Drug-Addicted Saint frowns as she peers into Mikhela’s frozen vessels]

[The King of Ninety-Nine Defeats concentrates and directs mana]

[The Ruler of the Oceans has realized who she is cooperating with!] 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

[With a delighted expression, she enhances the concentration]

In the game, this process had been a simple mini-game, but in reality, it was far more complex. Conceptual purification and physical restoration had to occur simultaneously.

Crack—!

The power of three gods intertwined. The fire of the Flame of Eternal Torment burned away the curse that had paralyzed Mikhela’s body, while the residual heat melted the ice in every corner of her organism.

“I need to focus.”

If the balance of power faltered even for a moment, the flames would instantly leave burns on her body. For Mikhela, who was already weakened, that would mean certain death. Feeling like a tightrope walker, Gunther focused every nerve on the flow of the flames. He even injected himself with stimulants from time to time, regulating the heat without the slightest fluctuation.

“.......”

Mikhela’s expression showed that the process was going smoothly. Like someone who had wandered in the cold for a long time and finally entered a sauna, her frozen body relaxed, and her lips parted slightly. It seemed her insides had warmed, as steam began to escape from her mouth. Only then did Seraz, who had been watching closely, let out a sigh of relief and lean against the wall.

— When will it be done?

— .......

— Got it. I won’t distract you.

Because extreme caution was required, progress was slow. The warmth circulated smoothly and in fine detail, from her tail to her limbs, and then to her torso.

— M-mm...

At some point, Mikhela began to doze off. Seraz as well. But Gunther’s concentration did not waver. He poured every last drop of his mana into Mikhela.

[Using the fire of the Flame of Eternal Torment, you have partially purified a high-level curse]

[Proficiency of Flame of Eternal Torment Level 2 increases rapidly]

[Proficiency of Art of the Pure Heart Level 3, supporting the process, also increases rapidly]

[The Ruler of the Oceans sends you peculiar mana]

[Mana 66 → 67]

When Gunther received these modest bonuses, the “Curse Removal” reached its final stage. They had started deep into the night, but outside, the soft morning sun was already shining brightly.

[Mana depleted, rest is recommended]

He lowered his exhausted body and sat directly on the floor. On the table, hastily used as an operating surface, Mikhela lay stretched out. After a while, she opened her eyes.

— Hya-a-am...

— You’re awake?

— Huh?

For a moment, she seemed unable to distinguish dream from reality. Her amber eyes blinked slowly. She probably hadn’t slept this deeply in a long time. Gunther raised his hand, dispersing the steam in the air, and continued:

— If you’ve come to your senses, check your condition.

— My condition...?

Only then did Mikhela’s gaze fall on her own body. She felt her fingertips, once frozen like ice, move gently, and warm blood flowing beneath her skin. Ever since she became the manager of the Labyrinth, she had constantly felt as if trapped in an icy prison. The warmth that came after so long made her breathing tremble.

— ...Oh?

Then the tips of her fluffy ears twitched and began to move.

— W-wait a second.

Gratitude, a sense of release, and the fear that this might be a dream all mixed together, making her expression indescribable. After taking several deep breaths, Mikhela realized something else: the agonizing cough was gone.

— Am I really... cured? Really?

She murmured it as if she couldn’t believe it. Gunther felt sorry, but he had to douse her with a cold splash of reality.

— You’re not fully cured. This is only a temporary measure. But for a while, you’ll be free from that damned cold. Full treatment will proceed step by step...

— Thank you!

Ding—!

[Side Scenario “Frozen Grotto” has been activated]

✔ First aid successfully administered.

[Relationship with “Mikhela Iska” has been unlocked!]

“...Already?”

A sudden notification that a relationship with this picky lady mayor had been unlocked. At the same moment, something warm tightly wrapped around his neck. A cozy scent, like that of old dolls, filled his nose.

“.......”

How to put it... it felt like wearing a raccoon collar. Except now it was warm, and the sound of a heart beating with joy was transmitted to Gunther, easing his fatigue a little.

— Maintain decorum, Madam Mayor. Come on!

Seraz hurried over, grabbed Mikhela by the scruff, and pulled her away from Gunther. Mikhela tried to catch her breath and suppress her excitement... but failed. Her shining amber eyes remained fixed on Gunther.

— How is such treatment even possible? I searched the entire continent, but there was no solution. I was already preparing to give up... no, I actually did give up. I even wrote my will.

This was all thanks to one of the three myth-rank techniques in the game — the Flame of Eternal Torment — and the gods who subdued the raging mana with transcendent control. But explaining all that would take too long, so Gunther answered evasively:

— I’m in a similar condition. Only in my case, I’m burning.

It wasn’t a lie. The shortened lifespan caused by the abnormal internal combustion status had appeared precisely because of the Flame of Eternal Torment.

— Because of that, I’ve done a lot of research.

However, those calmly spoken words instantly cooled the atmosphere in the room.

— ...What? So that’s how it is?

— Mr. Gunther...

— And how is it going? Are you treating yourself?

— If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll do everything I can.

Their voices mixed surprise and pity. °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° Seraz’s gaze lingered on him, and Mikhela nervously swished her tail back and forth, unsure what to do. Gunther, irritated by the funeral-like atmosphere, waved his hands.

— Enough. I’m handling it myself.

...It took some time before the pitiful looks disappeared.

In any case, Gunther felt lighter. It seemed he would reach the “Shadow Leader” route faster than expected. Not only had he gained tremendous benefits, he had also saved the “Box of Bonds” he had planned to use on Mikhela.

“What I’m looking forward to most is Karma.”

He had saved the mayor’s life—essentially twice. If the system counted even part of the catastrophe that would have followed her death... the reward would surely turn into a record amount of Karma.

[The Drug-Addicted Saint’s eyes sparkle]

“Yes. It’s your turn this time.”

He had taken everything he could. Gunther smirked and opened his mouth for the final stage.

— I assume you called me here because you have business with me.

— Ah, of course. The thing is...

— May I speak first? I believe we have the same matter.

— What?

Mikhela looked at him in confusion. But Seraz, who had already gone through a similar scenario, immediately made a strange expression. She looked at him as if thinking, “Is this idiot at it again?” Gunther, ignoring her, continued:

— I’m going to kill Albino.

His tone was light, as if he were making a minor work report. While horror and confusion passed through the women’s eyes, Gunther’s voice remained calm.

— To save the city, there’s no other way. Of course, the chances will only appear if the mayor and we join forces.

However, his gaze was not careless. Silence fell. Scenes from the past few months flashed through Gunther’s mind. The tragedies he had witnessed in the Border City. All the causes ultimately converged on one name.

Albino.

This was necessary. A preemptive strike to reduce the scale of the coming tragedy as much as possible. Gunther spoke again:

— Help me.

Mikhela remained silent for a long time. Then she slowly began to go through every possibility in her head. The resonance this decision would cause in the city, the reaction of the councilors... it would likely be fierce resistance. The chaos that would follow was obvious.

Mikhela had originally been a hardliner toward Luthien. Upon returning to the city, she herself had been preparing for a kind of “total war.” But for Mikhela, that “war” meant tightening restrictions so that Luthien could no longer run rampant, and gradually reducing their influence.

Killing Albino was on an entirely different level. It was an act that would instantly provoke the cult’s fury and inevitably trigger war.

“War, huh...”

But as soon as her thoughts reached that point... she realized something. It was a conclusion she had subconsciously wanted to avoid.

— I see...

The sparks of war had already ignited long ago. The enemy was already holding a sword at the city’s throat. If you didn’t strike first, you would simply be destroyed. You couldn’t turn away just because it was unpleasant or frightening.

So this was something that would have to be done eventually. And a strong premonition came over her: if there was ever a right moment, it was now. Mikhela opened her mouth.

— Gladly.

Determination lit up in her amber eyes.

— I will gladly help you, Gunther.

.

.

.

Ding—!

[Main Scenario Act 1, Chapter 5: “Before the Black Wave” has been activated]

You drew your sword first, before the treacherous schemes of Luthien could engulf the Border City. It was a decision even the fanatics had not expected. They could never have imagined that this city, sunk in routine, would dare to point its blade at them first. It is time to carve a deep scar into their arrogance.

***

Several days passed. A figure appeared before the main gates of “Eterno Cheongdam.” His already sturdy body had grown even more hardened after relentless training. The muscles visible beneath his clothes sat tightly, like armor forged for the battlefield.

Whoosh—

The man swung a two-handed hammer onto his shoulder and muttered in a low voice:

— So this is the den of the unit I’ll be serving in now.

A confident smile played on his lips. Comrades awaited him—those with whom he would share danger—and a commander to whom he could entrust his back. It was time to show what kind of rookie he was.

Rustle—

A recruit of Night Raven! The man who wished to become one stepped forward without hesitation.

Thud—!

Above the mansion, a single invisible red lantern swayed quietly.

As if welcoming back an old acquaintance.