Surviving without God

Deals always attract onlookers. You can amuse yourself at someone else’s misfortune, and at the same time spy on the preferences and whims of the deities. There was simply no reason not to stare.

— Hey, look, a Rank 0 is trading!

— Where? That guy in the wolf mask?

— Let’s go see.

People swarmed toward Gunther’s counter and—

— What is this junk?

They were disappointed at once, fully convinced that “collection” was about to follow. The items laid out on the counter looked like one hundred percent trash.

— What is that... an insect corpse? Why is this spider so huge?

— Did he seriously put out a skull? Is this guy out of his mind?

— For fuck’s sake, there are even stones in there.

— Maybe they’ve got mana inside?

— Like hell they do. You can’t feel anything from them.

What’s more, Gunther had laid out three items at once. A triple deal. People were no longer looking at him with anxiety, but with outright contempt.

— He’s way too greedy for freebies.

— Well, we were all like that once.

— Ha, you won’t get anywhere here on luck alone... Tch, you’ve gotta analyze things!

Some sneered maliciously:

— After the gods get an eyeful of this penny trash, they’ll value my stuff much more generously, right?

— Obviously. As soon as they collect the debt from this idiot, we go in.

Gunther himself, however, remained calm right up until the moment the Servant began inspecting the goods.

[...Are you certain that this is what you are offering?]

By a twist of fate, the one standing behind the counter was the very same Servant who had met him at the entrance. Gunther nodded.

[...Please wait]

The face beneath the robe was hidden, but the displeasure was palpable. It seemed the Servant had already written Gunther off as a client who wouldn’t bring in any “revenue.”

U-u-u-u-u-um—

The moment the Servant waved a hand, the items slowly rose into the air and passed through the veil on the ceiling. Immediately after that, a dull radiance spilled down from the upper tier where the gods were seated.

[......]

The Servant froze, awaiting a ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) response. Everyone else held their breath as well, watching the situation unfold. ...Of course, Gunther, who could see the status windows, knew the result even before the Servant opened its mouth.

[“Fang of the Rotten Marsh” shows great interest in your offered “Stuffed Phillidra Spider.” The Phillidra Spider was its favorite prey before it attained divinity and ascended]

[“Mad Demolitionist” smiles while looking at your offered “Shard of the Ruins of Kalus.” These are the remnants of the place where he carried out a self-detonation together with his enemy before his ascension]

[“Exile of the Frozen Lands” sinks into memories while looking at your offered “Skull of a Loyal Vassal.” These are the remains of a servant who faithfully served him before he became a god]

“Fang of the Rotten Marsh.” “Mad Demolitionist.” “Exile of the Frozen Lands.” It was expected that their epithets sounded either pathetic or malevolent—these were deities that ruled the lower levels. But right now, they were enough. More than enough to exchange the scrap he had gathered piece by piece for the items needed for the “entrance exam.”

F-uuu—

At last, the Servant descended from the void and stood before him. And then spoke in a surprisingly gentle voice:

[“Fang of the Rotten Marsh” offers “Shard of a Corroded Core” as an exchange]

[“Mad Demolitionist” offers “Special Sticky Bomb” as an exchange]

[“Exile of the Frozen Lands” offers “Frost Wraith Robe” as an exchange]

A brief silence. The Servant added, becoming noticeably more talkative:

[Congratulations! It has been a long time since I last saw a visitor complete three successful deals in a row. You have astonishing intuition!! So then, do you accept the exchange?]

— Of course, pal.

[......]

At that very moment—

Tzz-tzz-tzz—

From an unreachable height that could hardly even be called a ceiling, light poured down, shimmering like stars. Soon, the clusters of light began to materialize in midair. The outlines of items emerged from within them.

U-ung—

The first was a fragment of a sphere, glowing with a sticky green light. It had a black, viscous surface from which faint poisonous fumes emanated.

U-ung—

Next came the second item. A rectangular bomb. At the center of the metal-bound device, an ominous red light pulsed.

U-u-um—

Finally, a snow-white robe emerged through the light. Even without approaching it, one could feel an icy chill.

[The Drug-Addicted Saint peers intently at the core shard]

Only then did Gunther grin in satisfaction.

“Just as I thought, it’s exactly these.”

The crowd around him began to buzz with a delay.

— This... can’t be! Those are real exchange items? There’s even a core?!

— Holy shit, just look at the quality of that robe.

— No, seriously, he traded that trash for artifacts like these?!

Yes. If it had been a single deal, one might have understood it. Beginners get lucky. But to close three deals in a row... no one had expected that result.

— Who the hell is he anyway...?

— A contractor? But there’s no Stigma.

— If he were a contractor, he wouldn’t have Rank 0.

Disbelieving stares.

[The notoriety of “Wolf Mask” increases slightly]

Gunther didn’t give a damn about the whispers; the first thing he did was scoop up the items.

[Item acquired! Shard of a Corroded Core (Rare)]

[Item acquired! Sticky Bomb (Rare)]

[Item acquired! Frost Wraith Cloak (Rare)]

All of it was necessary for Chapter 2 of Act 1 — the “Entrance Exam.” By the time he stuffed everything into his backpack, the Servant approached him.

[Visitor]

It stood there, bowing respectfully.

[The deities are extremely pleased with the exchange. I am very glad to have assisted in such a memorable deal]

— Of course, pal.

[...You were guided by Attendant No. 28, Rakies. I will eagerly await your next visit]

Ting!

Rakies snapped his fingers, and the number on the badge on Gunther’s chest changed to “2.” The ornament itself became slightly more ornate. Next time, he would be able to go up to the second floor.

— ...Rank 2?

The people watching him gasped again. Reaching Rank 2 on the very first deal. Even for regulars of the shop, this was an exceedingly rare occurrence. Most of them were still stuck at Rank 0.

“Time to head out.”

Gunther made for the exit of the shop. Messages began to pour in one after another:

[“Marching in the Grave” stares intently at you]

[“Seated on the Shattered Throne” reaches out a hand toward you]

[“Stellar Ally” watches you...]

A motley assortment of gods showed interest in him.

“......”

A reasonable question suddenly arose. If he let them know that he had Karma... what kind of reaction would follow?

“I’ll have to test that sometime.”

He needed samples. Did other gods truly crave Karma as well? What was its value depending on parameters? Did its effectiveness change for different deities? There were many things worth finding out. Right now, he was pouring Karma into three gods, but someday he would need the power of others as well.

It was simply curiosity—to see the reactions and rewards. Who knew? He might gain new clues about Karma or about Return.

“When I get a chance to meet a higher-ranked deity... it’ll be worth thinking about.”

Actually, a candidate had already been chosen. Soon, he would meet a powerful deity that unquestionably belonged to the forces of light.

“Well then.”

Gunther took a deep breath as he stepped into the portal.

“Time to move on to Chapter 2 of Act 1.”

After finishing a few minor preparations, he headed toward the meeting place. Into the very cesspit of the Border City. The “examiner” was waiting for him in the Lower City.

***

[Entry into the Lower City permitted]

The lifeless metal face of the guide golem emitted a click.

[Notice: in this sector, maintenance of law and order is not guaranteed, protection by city authorities is limited. Various crimes frequently occur here: robbery, violence...]

— I got it, just call the lift.

[Understood]

Clang—

The lift arrived with the harsh sound of taut chains. The moment he stepped inside, a foul stench assaulted his nose. Oil and metal, filth and the stink of blood. If Ryan were here, he would definitely mutter something like:

— God, it stinks worse than my underwear that I haven’t washed for a month.

...I wonder what he’s doing right now. A friend he hadn’t been separated from for almost two years. His absence was felt more keenly than expected. Especially now, as Gunther was heading into a dangerous place.

Boom—

The lift descended rapidly into the Lower City. Through the cells of the iron mesh, the scenery gradually came into view: narrow, damp alleys, dim lights among decrepit buildings.

[Alphonse of Red Street feels nostalgic]

“Me too.”

[Alphonse of Red Street tilts his head in confusion]

On the map attached to the job documents, the meeting place was marked in red ink. Stepping off the lift, I headed there.

Pickpockets and beggars. Victims of robberies. Gangs pointing knives at one another. Even residents of the Upper City who had come down in search of “special” entertainment. Passing several such groups, I reached the vicinity of the meeting place.

Oh right, something unexpected happened along the way.

— Look at this dark world. Is there any order here? Does justice exist? No. But when the true God descends... everything will fall into place.

A priest in white robes, holding bread and holy scripture, was ranting fervently. At his feet, on their knees, the residents of the Lower City mumbled incoherent prayers.

“...Luthien.”

The Lower City was their primary gathering ground for “offerings.” Those I was meant to save today were surely among these deluded souls.

“......”

At some point, our gazes met. The priest, about thirty years old, smiled faintly and raised his hand.

— My brother, are you interested in true salvation?

— Not in the slightest.

Just the mention of Luthien made me shudder. So I was interested in other things. For example, leveling. And the fact that preachers were some of the most famous experience bags around.

Swish—

[Level Up! / Lv. 38]

[Endurance 28 -> 29]

With a single blow, I sent the preacher’s head flying as he stood there with a stupid expression on his face. He was trash that led people to the slaughter. There was no need to show mercy. The experience bar had just been filled, so the level rose instantly.

— O-o-o-o!

— A-a-a-a-a!

The residents, who had been potential victims, scattered with screams. Even as they ran, they didn’t forget to grab the bags of bread. In my ears, the guide golem’s warning rang out again:

[In this sector, maintenance of law and order is not guaranteed, protection by city authorities...]

Yes, that rule applied to them just the same. I stepped over the priest’s corpse and entered an alley. At the moment I found myself in front of the entrance to some dilapidated building—

Ding!

[You have entered a new stage: Act 1, Chapter 2 — Entrance Exam]

[Depending on your choices and actions, story branches and rewards will change]

[Tip: Try to please the examiner’s tastes!]

The long-awaited message appeared. ...Along with the examiner.

Tap—

A silhouette suddenly emerged from the shadow at the building’s entrance and stood before me.

— A pleasure to meet you, Gunther.

The face was hidden behind a mask (by irony, the same kind of wolf mask), but it was impossible not to recognize him.

Moon Wolf. One of the main characters of . The strongest in this world, who had reached the 6th hierarchy. And concurrently—the examiner of this trial.

— Let’s begin the operation briefing.

[“He Who Opened the Bloody Night” looks at you]

Thud—

The umbrella in Moon Wolf’s hand struck the floor with a dull sound.