Surviving without God

The moment he truly realized the scale of the changes came the instant he stepped onto the main road of the Lower City.

Gunther had not seen the tangled landscapes of Border City in a very long time. For all that time, he had not been among the magi-engineered lights and interwoven steel of this cyberpunk megacity, but out on the endless snowfields of the Kingdom of Valloren.

And yet, the city he had returned to after so long felt subtly different from the one he remembered.

Thump!

A passerby who accidentally bumped shoulders with him gave him a good-natured smile and politely bowed his head.

“Oh, excuse me. Have a good day.”

Though perhaps “good-natured human smile” was not quite the right way to put it.

“...Ah, yes, same to you.”

The passerby’s scales shimmered beneath the midday sun. The lizardman flicked out a long tongue, stopped at a nearby stall, grabbed several meat skewers of uncertain origin, and swallowed them whole with barely any chewing.

Gunther stood there in mute silence for a while, watching the scene.

“...A heteromorph?”

Border City had originally been human territory.

Even if the mayor was a raccoon-type beastkin, the city itself had in practice been filled with humans.

That had been proven by the fact that during all his months here, he had barely encountered any other races aside from Dimona.

Of course, the city’s customs had never been openly hostile toward heteromorphs.

“If anything, it was the heteromorphs themselves who tried to stay away from humans.”

The reason was the Cult of Healing, which had unleashed the plague in Nomadis, the land of the heteromorph races, and then sealed it off.

Because of xenophobia and fear, the heteromorphs had almost completely stopped venturing into the outside world.

In the original main story, progressing toward Badland usually made the hostility and distrust of those races one of the most difficult parts of the route.

But now everything was different.

Heteromorphs were everywhere.

Even now, on the other side of the street, several cat-type beastkin with swords at their waists strolled lazily along. The adventurer tags hanging from their necks jingled in rhythm with their steps.

Proof of perfect adaptation.

Gunther was certain.

“Looks like something changed in Badland too...”

That enormous incident involving the mass escape of the divine hierarchy candidates could not possibly have failed to create ripples among every cult.

Especially with Raymond as the central figure. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

The crack left behind by the betrayal of such a high-ranking priest of the Cult of Healing could very well have spread this far.

“...This is good.”

Mikhela and Dimona had already proven how strongly defined beastkin allies’ traits were.

In certain areas, they were far more sharply specialized than humans.

Gunther involuntarily recalled the named heteromorphs who, in the original, could not be recruited until after the Nomadis scenario was complete.

What if he brought them in now?

“This’ll help a lot with bringing Dominic back.”

At that moment, he clearly felt that Luthien’s influence across the continent had weakened.

“And it feels like... public safety in Border City has improved too.”

Surely that was the result of Mikhela and Seraz’s efforts, but the atmosphere of the city itself had become far gentler than before.

Even in the Lower City, the expressions of passersby were calm, and the streets were full of life.

Gunther felt a strange sense of pride and resumed heading toward the Sanctuary.

But the surprises were not over.

“......?”

He remembered exactly what the Sanctuary had looked like before.

A secret place hidden beneath an abandoned smelting plant under the strictest guard.

A shadow base that radiated inaccessibility.

“...What the hell?”

But the sight before Gunther’s eyes was entirely different.

The Sanctuary itself was still underground, but the surrounding district had been transformed beyond recognition.

The desolate image of the smelting plant had vanished without a trace.

In its place stood neatly restored buildings.

There were plenty of people around.

And just as Gunther stopped, trying to make sense of the situation—

“Oh, Moonless!”

Turning around, he saw a painfully familiar shark mask.

It was Sharin Vega.

As usual, she wore a lab coat splattered all over with unidentifiable compounds.

Her slender silhouette rocked with restless excitement.

“You came for experiments, right? Come on! I just prepared the perfect test as if I knew you’d come!!!”

Gunther reflexively shook his head.

“No, I’m here for something else.”

A disappointed click of the tongue came from beneath Sharin’s mask.

He carefully asked,

“Sharin, what are you doing here?”

“What do you mean what? Moonless personally set up this lab for me here. Did you forget?”

Suppressing the urge to ask, I did?!, Gunther kept silent, and Sharin chuckled as she shrugged.

“Anyway, today’s the first day of volunteer testing. There’ll be plenty to see!”

Gunther knew exactly what Sharin’s research involved: flesh modification and magi-engineered implantation.

It could rapidly raise physical performance, but it was extremely dangerous work.

“Volunteers for something like that?.. And Grand Crow allowed it. That means the research has made progress?”

While Gunther gathered his thoughts, Sharin waved and started off.

“I know you’re busy, but if you have time, drop by the Nest! Everyone’s waiting for you there. Even that old man Dramcrow. He grumbles all the time, but honestly, he asks about you every single day.”

And then—

Ding!

A notification sound rang out.

[New function unlocked]

[The “Change” you created has fundamentally altered the position of Night Raven]

[Donations and full support are pouring in from every corner of the continent]

[In addition, your recent destruction of the Cult of Abundance alongside your comrades has allowed Night Raven to make another major leap forward]

That meant the organization had gone beyond the limits of a secret society and had begun exerting influence openly.

[You may now check Night Raven’s development level]

[Current Night Raven development level: 4]

-Night Raven’s fame is spreading across the continent.

-The powerful and heroic alike are knocking at the organization’s doors.

-Cooperation routes and supply channels are expanding.

-The quality of mission rewards and operational support increases.

-Influence in key cities strengthens.

※ As the development level rises, new functions and effects will unlock sequentially.

Gunther’s eyes widened.

A satisfied smile slowly spread across his face.

Even when the scale of the scenario eventually expanded to the entire continent, the player’s foundation would still remain Night Raven.

And the fact that future battles would still be fought with Border City as the base would not change.

From that perspective, the organization’s growth was nothing but joyful news.

“...Feels like I’m getting the gifts I always wanted one after another.”

Feeling a rush of excitement, Gunther deliberately steadied his breathing.

There was no guarantee the changes were all for the better.

Right now, he needed to understand everything down to the smallest detail.

Rustle.

He stepped inside the Sanctuary.

As he walked toward Grand Crow’s office, his mind gradually regained its calm.

The euphoria gave way to the inevitable question.

“...Does he know?”

[Vanguard of the Dark Night calls you to visit his temple]

Despite the body change, Vanguard of the Dark Night still recognized Gunther as his contractor.

That was proof that the foundation of the contract was the soul.

More than that, the moment consciousness had returned to the hero, the Stigma had manifested on his body once more.

“Though only very faintly.”

The Stigma looked faded, like a ten-year-old tattoo.

The power did not activate, and the response was barely noticeable.

Even so, the connection was still there.

And what about the One-Eyed King?

The One-Eyed King, who had granted power to Raymond, might also have noticed that Gunther was an outsider from beyond time.

[The long-silent Ruler of the Oceans finally grasps the situation and speaks]

[Expressing amazement at the fact that you interfered with the past, she continues in a calm tone]

[She adds that Vanguard of the Dark Night may have noticed not because of divine rank, but because you are linked by Karma]

In front of Grand Crow’s door, Gunther’s raised hand froze.

“...That’s possible too.”

[She says that is what you should hope for]

“And the Seven Evil Gods? We aren’t linked by Karma, so how did they recognize me?”

[She replies that because Seren Mayra had been contracted to Raymond, her perception may have extended to you]

The messages continued.

[She states that the ability to interfere with the past and alter the present is something no one should ever know about]

[Furthermore, she asks whether you yourself know the exact source and limit of this power]

Every single word was true.

Other than the fact that the Tablet, the traits, and “???” were conditions for time travel, Gunther knew nothing.

Taking her advice to heart, he cleared his throat.

“Fourth Platoon Commander reporting.”

After a brief silence, an aged voice greeted him.

“Enter.”

***

“The man asked for only two things as his reward for what he did.”

With those words, Grand Crow began his story.

His eyelids, lined with layers of wrinkles, slowly opened and closed as though feeling through old memories.

“A mysterious man. To be raised in the Holy Capital, that breeding ground of fanaticism and brainwashing, and yet cast aside his life as easily as pulling up a weed—for freedom and justice.”

Gunther silently nodded, thinking of Raymond.

“The first condition he left... I upheld with all my strength.”

Gunther carefully asked,

“What was it?”

“To take good care of the children. To let them try whatever they wished. And to make sure they never again fell into Luthien’s hands.”

The request left behind by the real Raymond.

“As you can see for yourself, everything turned out according to his will.”

This concerned the events after the escape.

Gunther focused completely.

“Some left, choosing their own paths, while others remained in the organization and formed the Fifth Platoon. Their goal: to reclaim the divine power of Light.”

So the Fifth Platoon really was made up of the children from Audrey House.

Had Yuria stayed there?

And what about Jean, who had originally been destined to become the Hierarch of Abundance and clash with Moon Wolf and Cheonmae?

Countless questions rose in Gunther’s mind, but he did not interrupt Grand Crow.

The old man turned his gaze toward him.

“And now it is time to fulfill the final condition.”

“......”

“All events across the continent after the Audrey House incident, every movement of Night Raven... gather all of it into a single chronicle.”

Grand Crow searched the shelves and pulled out a document.

Gunther’s gaze froze on the cover, which bore no title.

It was noticeably worn, evidence that it had been handled often in recent times.

“And if one day the person seeking these records arrives... ask nothing and simply hand it over.”

Grand Crow let out a quiet laugh.

“To think that person would be you, Moonless, the hero of this frontier.”

Gunther looked at Grand Crow.

“...I’m not very fond of the word ‘fate,’ but right now I can’t help saying it. This really does feel like fate. The two of you are so alike.”

The old man slowly approached and placed the “Nameless Book” in front of Gunther.

“A promise is a promise, so I won’t ask questions. Read as much as you like. Just don’t forget to burn it when you’re done.”

He said nothing more.

He simply left the room in silence.

“......”

For a while, Gunther stared at the book in front of him.

Grand Crow had not realized he himself had been Raymond.

Apparently, the One-Eyed King had given him no hints.

Or perhaps the old man was only pretending not to know.

“So this is altered history.”

Taking a short, deep breath, Gunther began turning through the heavy book from the very first page.

.

.

.

The records laid everything out with ruthless clarity.

After the mass escape of the hierarchy candidates from Audrey House, a chain reaction spread across the entire continent.

The Theocracy had rushed to reclaim the divine power residing in the candidates’ bodies.

But the crack had already grown too large.

The new Hierarchs hurriedly brought in as replacements were so pitiful they could not even be compared to their predecessors.

A Hierarch was not something that could be made in a short time.

Innate talent.

Long adaptation to divinity.

Years of training and brainwashing to turn a person into a weapon.

The result of skipping all those steps was predictably miserable.

— Kingdom of Valloren: no signs of brainwashing detected.

— Kingdom of Nereus: under the Grand Admiral’s command, engaged in fierce battle against the Cult of Justice.

— Borders of Nomadis: reopened.

— Desert Empire: partisan forces organized, total resistance continues.

Because the overall level of the Hierarchs had dropped, the continent had been able to breathe more freely for a time.

Even in regions that in previous loops had fallen entirely under enemy control, resistance movements against the Theocracy «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» spread, and that tide quickly swept the world.

As Gunther turned the pages, he nodded slightly.

“It got better. Definitely.”

The situation had clearly improved compared to what it had been before the changes.

But—

“......”

In a sense, the storm caused by the butterfly’s wings had been fair.

Gunther realized belatedly that a significant portion of this thick book was devoted to just one person.

Hierarch of Light, Dominic.

The records of battles involving him were written in an extremely dry style: dates, locations, force composition, results.

Battle of Silverfield Plains.

Kingdom of Valloren army (1,200 men) — completely annihilated.

Allied reinforcements (800 men) — completely annihilated.

Seiran Mage Tower, twelve 3rd-rank mages — completely annihilated.

Night Raven expeditionary force (3rd Platoon) — completely annihilated.

No survivors.

Sweep of Kald Gorge.

During the destruction of Theocracy forces, the Hierarch of Light appeared from ambush.

Afterward, total collapse of the gorge.

Nomadis heteromorph allied army (500 men) — completely annihilated.

Night Raven expeditionary force (2nd Platoon) — completely annihilated.

Survivors: 1.

Hierarch of Light, solo breakthrough.

Frontline wiped clean before reinforcements could arrive.

Three northern defense nodes fell.

Two forward fortresses destroyed.

Approximately 900 garrison soldiers killed.

Total casualties, including militia and support forces, estimated above 1,300.

The frontline ceased to exist.

The end of every record was the same.

Rout. Total suppression. Resistance impossible.

Gunther slowly shifted his gaze.

This chronicle made it brutally clear that the Theocracy, dissatisfied with the hastily replaced Hierarchs, had ultimately poured all of its resources into a single person.

That was how the monster no one could replace had been born.

“...”

Strangely enough, the final record on Dominic cut off at the point of two years ago.

An abnormal magical energy eruption recorded in the Holy Capital, Agnor.

Radial propagation pattern confirmed from the city center.

Event classified as: “Incident caused by Hierarch of Light Dominic’s Overdose.”

Scale of damage impossible to assess.

Reliable count of dead and missing impossible.

Twelve Night Raven information-network agents classified as missing since the incident.

Immediately after the event, intervention by forces directly under the Pope was confirmed.

Dominic’s capture verified.

Subject was subsequently transferred to the Pendrox prison complex.

Presumed to be held there to this day.

External access and all further records—completely blocked.

“Overdose... so that’s what happened.”

Gunther let out a short breath, shaken by Dominic’s condition.

The thought of those horrific years Dominic must have endured sent his mind into turmoil.

And yet his head remained cold.

Between the lines of those listed phrases, as always, he began assembling his next steps.

Where to go.

What to tackle first.

He thought.

And then—

Ding!

[Act 2, Chapter 1: “Footsteps” begins]

[The altered world no longer follows a single current]

[Your next destination will determine the balance of power across the continent]

[Choose target region]