Surviving without God

I removed the mask and pushed back the hood of my robe. About three seconds passed. Our gazes crossed in silence.

Dozens of questions spun through my head, along with the obsessive thought that we had to hurry. Anxiety for Ryan, who had been beaten until he looked like a slab of raw meat. ...But before all of that, against all reason, laughter burst out of me.

— You look like absolute shit.

The moment I let out a quiet laugh, he, his swollen face glistening, began choking on laughter too.

— Kh-kh, pff—hi-hi.

Laughing only made Ryan’s face look even more miserable.

— ...You’re still laughing in that state?

— Kh-hi-hi. Ku-eh. Kha-a-a.

It looked like he was about to suffocate on the gag, so I quickly untied him. Ryan broke into violent coughing, then suddenly wrapped his bruised arms around me. I felt indescribable joy and relief pouring out of him.

[King of Ninety-Nine Defeats is satisfied with your steadfast friendship]

[Drug-Addicted Saint wipes away tears, moved by the emotional reunion]

— Ha-ha, this is insane... Gunther! Never thought I’d see your shameless mug again. How the hell did you even know I was here?

— A job. And why are you rotting here?

— Well... that’s...

Ryan faltered, eyes darting, then muttered something vague.

— Well... you could say I decided to dust off some courage I’d been storing.

— What the hell are you talking about?

— Hell if I know, man. I’m already regretting it.

...Stored courage. Suddenly, words he’d spoken in the previous life surfaced in my memory:

“I’ve got old scores to settle. With those bastards from the Theocracy.”

There was no time to ask for details. I helped Ryan to his feet and looked deeper into the corridor. The warehouse basement wasn’t just a food storage area—it was also a dungeon for “sacrifices.” In other words, soldiers would be coming down soon to collect the prisoners. We had to move.

— So what’s the plan?

Ryan was already picking up weapons and armor from the corpses. I shook my head and pointed at the ventilation shaft.

— Forget it. Get out of here.

— Whoa, you want me to crawl into that narrow hole? You wanna watch those bastards shove knives up my ass?

— ......

Fair point. For a giant like Ryan, the vent was obviously too tight. But dragging him along in his current condition would be signing both our death warrants.

— Hey, I know what you’re thinking, but there’s no need.

— Then what are you suggesting?

— I’ll move on my own. You do what you have to do.

Ryan grinned and swung a sword as if testing its balance.

— You trust your brother, right?

— ......

...Well, if it’s Ryan, even like this he can handle a couple of ordinary thugs. Letting him move independently might be better than hauling him around.

“A diversion operation... something like that.”

Decision made. Taking the opportunity, I removed the Frost Wraith Cloak and held it out to him.

[Frost Wraith Cloak]

“Disappear like a ghost, return like frost.”

Rank: Rare

Type: Cloak (Equipment)

Description: A mysterious mantle imbued with the aura of a frost wraith. Found in the remote forest of “Badland.”

Effects: Frost Stealth: grants limited invisibility; detection chance depends on the enemy’s perception ability.

(※ Stealth enhancement effect applies in low temperatures.)

Aura of Rime: wearer absorbs a certain level of cold-element damage and gains resistance to frostbite status effects.

The cloak was made of semi-transparent fabric with a faint bluish glow. Ryan’s jaw dropped at the sight of such an extraordinary item.

— Holy shit.

— ...It’s a robe with stealth magic inlaid. It eats mana like crazy, so use it wisely.

— Thanks, seriously... but what about you?

I smirked.

— You think that’s all I’ve got?

— Oh, mother of—! Finally, I’ve got a successful friend.

— By the way, it’s a loan.

— Yes, commander!

Leaving the busy idiot pulling on the cloak behind me, I stood before the exit of the storage room. A grim prison corridor stretched out ahead.

Ding!

[“Ryan Parker” has rejoined the party]

[This party member feels strong attachment and trust toward the party leader]

[Party Leader Authority manifests]

[“Ryan Parker”’s attributes will be slightly adjusted during battle]

[Your attributes are also enhanced in response to your ally’s trust]

This was the “Party Leader” authority, unlocked as an “easter egg.”

“Oho.”

Back then I’d been too fixated on the Karma reward to notice, but now I see—it’s far more useful than I thought. A mutual enhancement system based on allies’ trust.

“It’ll be useful after joining the organization too.”

I could move forward with a much calmer heart.

— See you when it’s over.

But Ryan suddenly grabbed my arm.

— Ah, wait. Forgot to mention something.

— What?

— I think one of the guys locked up with me is a mage. If you save him, he might come in handy.

...What?

— A mage? You’re sure?

— He had mana-blocking shackles on his ankles. Pretty sure.

My heart sank.

— Where is he now?

— They just took him upstairs. Heard something about bringing him to some VIP... They took a few others from the cells too.

He added that trying to interfere with that was what got him beaten.

— ......

— What’s wrong?

He raised an eyebrow, sensing something off. I had no time to explain. Mages aren’t supposed to appear in Act 1, Chapter 2. If one does, it’s only in one case.

“Could it be now...”

Is the insanely low-probability event triggering?

***

On the rooftop, where she stood alone, silence reigned. Moon Wolf leaned against the railing, staring down at the warehouse. She only parted her lips after a sharp burst of static crackled in the receiver at her ear.

— Vice Commander, how’s the trial going?

Moon Wolf replied immediately.

— I don’t know.

— ...What do you mean, “I don’t know”? Aren’t you with the candidate?

— No.

— Huh? Where’d he go?

— Jumped into the warehouse on his own.

A faint smirk accompanied the answer. A snicker came through the receiver.

— Another hardheaded one. Why are they always like this in our unit?

Moon Wolf fixed her gaze on the warehouse again. About ten minutes had passed since Gunther stormed inside. Yet it was still quiet. The “life force” her senses detected was still there.

He’s alive. ...For now.

— Well, anyway, he’ll pass easily, right? They say he’s ridiculously strong.

— ...Not sure.

— Huh?

Gunther had felled a paladin with a single strike and pierced Jedriel’s concealment. The upper ranks of the organization considered him extraordinary. But Moon Wolf’s impression, having seen him in person, was entirely different.

“Weak.”

Even the aura around him was meager. As if he had never contracted with any god—there wasn’t even a residual trace of divinity. At best, the level of an ordinary member. It was a mystery how he’d received a “special rank” evaluation.

“...Was it deception? Or just luck?”

Strange. Jedriel aside, Kalian wasn’t someone easily fooled. If Kalian weren’t in hiding, she would have questioned him personally.

“Either way, their judgment that he’s strong is mistaken.”

But even more incomprehensible was the boldness Gunther had shown. What was he relying on, charging into a warehouse swarming with enemies without hesitation? At his level, let alone rescuing victims, he’d need a miracle just to get out alive.

A mercenary who had wandered the world should know how to assess a situation. And yet he’d rushed inside.

“Maybe he has a trump card...”

She stared at the warehouse again. Everything about Gunther was shrouded in fog.

Moon Wolf had met people like him before. They always stood at a crossroads. Either they ended as empty braggarts, or they performed miracles that defied all expectations. Nine times out of ten, it was the former. But occasionally, someone chose the latter path.

Pii—

Another signal cut in.

— What are your instructions?

Members stationed nearby, waiting in case Gunther failed and required immediate intervention. After a brief silence, Moon Wolf made her decision.

— Do not move until I give the signal.

...It was irrational. Her eyes, sharpened at the 6th hierarchy, were precise. Gunther appeared far weaker than expected, utterly unprepared for this mission.

— Understood. Also relaying guidance from “Grand Crow”: under no circumstances are you to intervene personally—

— I know. I have no intention of moving in this condition either.

— Thank you.

And yet, strangely, Moon Wolf wanted to believe in the confidence hidden behind Gunther’s calm gaze. In those eyes that seemed determined to overcome the impossible.

“If this decision is wrong...”

Then Gunther would die. Nothing to be done about it.

Thud-thud. Thud-thud.

Moon Wolf closed her eyes and focused on the sound of Gunther’s heart echoing from within the warehouse.

***

A mage captured. The moment I heard Ryan’s words, one in-game event surfaced.

The so-called “Random Partner Encounter.” During the rescue of those captured by Luthien as sacrifices, there was a low chance of encountering recruitable NPCs.

The notable part was the variety of professions. Not only fighters, but production specialists—and in extremely rare cases, partners with hidden professions. Since you saved them from death, affinity usually skyrocketed. Players considered it a jackpot event.

...But it had one decisive flaw.

“If you fail to stop the partner from being sacrificed, the difficulty skyrockets.”

So I had to hurry. Ryan clearly said the victims were taken to the “VIP” room. VIP here meant either a paladin or a priest...

“If it’s a rescue event, then a priest.”

I had no desire to fight an enemy who would grow even stronger. And even less desire to watch people who could be saved turn into offerings and die.

Sss—

So I moved with all my limbs. ...Hanging from the ceiling.

[Special Ability: “Lizard’s Wall Walk” active. Remaining time: 158 seconds]

This was the result of consuming a refined Nezzi shard (inner core) obtained from the Gods’ Shop just before leaving the basement.

[Special Ability: “Lizard’s Wall Walk” unlocked]

[Use of unique alchemy method (forbidden mixing technique) resulted in extreme purification effect]

[Mana 5 → 7]

[Poison Resistance increased by 5]

[Warning: Nezzi energy remains in the body. Meridians and internal organs have reached saturation. A stabilization period of 14 days is required before the next Nezzi intake]

In , Nezzi isn’t a mere supplement. It’s a powerful catalyst that reconstructs the body through mysterious mutation. In this case, I gained the ability to generate strong adhesion in my palms, allowing movement along vertical surfaces, walls, and ceilings. Mana and poison resistance were bonuses. One of the reasons I’d entered the warehouse so confidently.

“This place is where this ability truly shines.”

High ceilings. Stacked cargo. Dim lighting and twisted shadows.

I reached the priest’s room undetected. Fortunately, the warehouse layout wasn’t too different from the game.

“...Somewhere around here.”

I looked down at two members lingering beneath me.

— Fuck’s sake! How much longer do we have to wait? I’m dying for sleep.

— Ten minutes, they said. Hey, saw /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ the goods this time? Pretty decent.

I held my breath.

— That elf? Silver hair?

— Bullseye. Heh-heh. Maybe we “mess up” once for fun?

— Idiot, keep dreaming. She was just taken to the VIP room.

— What? Ah, shit... Who’s that fat bastard who always grabs the best stuff while the boss doesn’t even squeak?

— Shh, bite your tongue. They hear you, you’ll end up processed as “goods.”

— Fuck, but that fatty’s whatever. The other lord? Real pervert. Seen the condition they carry the goods out in? Only picks the young ones...

I couldn’t listen anymore. Apparently, the gods felt the same.

[King of Ninety-Nine Defeats frowns at the vulgar conversation]

[Drug-Addicted Saint searches for a vial of acid] 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

[Alphonse of Red Street pretends to gag]

Those words became their last.

[Special Ability “Lizard’s Wall Walk” has ended]

— Ugh!

Dropping straight from the ceiling, I snapped the left thug’s neck. As I silently lowered the limp body, the second kept walking, unaware. Thanks to the enhancement, my movements were swift and smooth.

— ...Huh?

By the time he turned, the dagger was already under his ribs. Clamping a hand over his blood-foamed mouth, I shoved him between crates.

“Have to hurry.”

I ran. The priest’s room was close. Apparently he’d sent everyone away. I stopped before the door.

[“Serpent’s Nest” (Lv. 1) activated]

Instantly, my perception expanded. The serpentine sense probed beyond the door.

A hidden chamber heavy with stale air. Flickering altar candles. A massive, corpulent priest. Victims bound, frozen in terror. Sticky fingers slowly tightening around a dagger.

“Now.”

I took a deep breath and raised my hand.

Knock. Knock.

The door trembled heavily under the sound.