Surviving without God

Immediately after waking up, Gunther checked the completion rank — and fell silent for a moment.

EX.

An exceptional rank appeared in the message window — one he had never seen, not even in the original game.

Yesterday’s confusion and lingering fatigue were blown away in an instant.

“I clearly remember SSS being the limit.”

In truth, SSS already meant a perfect clear. Zero damage taken. Fastest completion time. All additional conditions fulfilled. One had to meet those brutal standards — but the rewards were beyond imagination.

High-tier items that normally appeared only in the late game could drop unexpectedly. Hidden skills could be granted. Sometimes a secret boss would appear, or previously locked scenarios would unlock.

“And this is higher than SSS?”

Gunther’s eyes trembled faintly with anticipation.

He could roughly guess the reason. It wasn’t a no-death clear, but the death counter stood at only one. He had achieved the objective and saved all the victims. And on top of that — this must also be the result of the “luck” bestowed upon him by the witch.

...In that case.

Would the reward be just as “exceptional”?

With a trembling heart, Gunther checked the next message—

[Clear Reward: Random Trait Box, Karma 500]

“...A Trait Box?”

He froze instantly. He barely even registered the 500 Karma. Under normal circumstances he would have jumped for joy at that number — but the other reward was far too unexpected.

“They’re going to grant me a trait?”

It was hard to believe. Naturally, no such “Trait Box” had ever existed in the game.

“...I had completely given up on that part.”

A trait was something directly tied to a character’s fate. That was why it formed the primary barrier separating background characters from protagonists and major supporting figures. Ryan’s trait, “Blood of the Giant,” was the perfect example. If one of his distant ancestors hadn’t belonged to the Giant Lineage, he would never have obtained it. The developers weren’t insane enough to let players artificially customize something that important.

Wings of the Azure Sky. Heart of the Ocean. Body of Divine Arts. And so on.

All protagonist traits were innate. Of course, there were traits that could be acquired later — but the process was so absurdly difficult that even he, a devoted grinder, wouldn’t have dared attempt it right now.

...And now he could receive one “at random”? Any trait at all?

Gunther tried to calm his rapidly pounding heart.

— Hoo... steady.

Too early to celebrate. This was random. Damn random. In gacha systems like this, low ranks usually dropped again and again. The odds of getting complete trash were much higher. Masochist. Hero Syndrome. Debauchee. The developers had created plenty of traits purely to mock players.

Gunther made his decision immediately.

[King of Ninety-Nine Defeats asks what you intend to do]

“What do you think.”

He had something he could use in situations like this.

[Item: Box of Chaos]

Description: A box saturated with the energy of “Chaos.” Upon opening, it grants a randomly ranked item (from Common to Primordial). The reward cannot be predicted: sometimes it brings a smile, sometimes irritation, and sometimes trembling excitement. Test your luck!

The Box of Chaos — obtained as a reward for clearing Act 1, Chapter 1.

“I’ll open this first.”

[Three gods tilt their heads and ask why]

“Ever heard of a sacrifice?”

Exactly. A so-called “sacrifice.” The act of sharpening or opening low-grade items first to absorb bad luck before using something truly important. For example, blowing up a few worn-out +14 belts before attempting to upgrade a legendary sword to +15.

Every RPG gamer in South Korea did this.

[Drug-Addicted Saint claps her hands, saying this will be fun]

[King of Ninety-Nine Defeats clicks his tongue, asking what the point is if events are independent]

“Quiet.”

Gunther’s future depended on this. Was it not worth grasping even at a straw?

“Open!”

Without hesitation, he broke the “sacrifice.”

Creak—

A bluish-black box materialized before him and opened with a grinding sound. A dull, disappointing noise followed.

Pff—!

[Item acquired! Spoon of the Hyrn Royal Family]

— Rank: Common

Once guarded the dining table of the royal family...

“Excellent!”

The worse the trash in the sacrifice, the better.

He opened the next box immediately.

Pff—!

[Item acquired! Whip for Nightly Pleasures]

— Rank: Magic

With this item, your authority in the bedroom will...

“Good... more trash!”

[...Alphonse of Red Street mutters that it might not be entirely trash]

Gunther threw aside the spoon and whip in his hands and stared at the final box.

“Open!”

But at that very moment—

Kiiiiiiing—!

“...?”

Gunther’s pupils trembled slightly.

A sky-blue radiance seeped from the crack in the box — the unmistakable glow of something blessed.

“...Ah.”

.

.

.

Murphy’s Law.

It had definitely crossed dimensions and followed him here. Otherwise, why would a success he hadn’t seen in a thousand hours of full clears trigger now — during sacrificial box openings...?

“......”

Gunther stared at the small transparent glass vial in his hand with a very strange expression.

[Blood of a Benevolent God (Diluted)]

“Isn’t this a bit too luxurious for an ordinary person?”

Rank: Epic

Type: Consumable (Single-use)

Description: A sacred liquid shimmering with golden light. The blood of a god who long ago cared for humanity. Possesses a sweet and captivating aroma.

Effect: Charm +10, Luck +10. Causes others to feel slight reverence and trust toward you.

[Alphonse of Red Street asks what happens in cases like this]

“Events are independent, remember?”

[...]

Gulp—

Gunther drained the Blood of a Benevolent God in one swallow. The refreshing sweetness spread through his body.

This was better. It was a pity that Strength, Agility, or Endurance hadn’t increased — but Luck had risen by a full 10 points. That would definitely help with the draw.

With hopeful eyes, he stared at the next status window.

[Charm has reached 60]

[People are more willing to open their hearts to you. The probability of gaining advantages in persuasion and negotiation greatly increases. Chance of unexpected allies increases.]

[Luck has reached 30]

[Fate smiles distinctly upon you. Hidden dangers fade, and unexpected opportunities seek you out.]

It didn’t matter anymore.

Please — just let it be a combat trait.

Gunther shouted:

“Open the Trait Box!”

***

[Drug-Addicted Saint frantically avoids your gaze]

[Alphonse of Red Street steps back, trying to hide]

[King of Ninety-Nine Defeats quietly turns away]

“That’s enough.”

[Drug-Addicted Saint cries out in apology]

[Alphonse of Red Street drops to his knees]

[King of Ninety-Nine Defeats turns his back and coughs dryly]

This had been going on ever since he checked the trait. Even the normally composed King of Ninety-Nine Defeats was acting strangely.

Gunther stopped trying to calm the gods and let out a heavy sigh.

Their reaction was understandable.

“Status window.”

[Drug-Addicted Saint flinches]

“...Enough.”

[Drug-Addicted Saint giggles]

The trait that had emerged from the box was something even he had never imagined seeing.

He summoned its description again before his eyes.

[Godslayer]

Rank: Mythical (Growing)

One who holds the power to kill divine beings. Damage received from all divine beings and their followers is reduced, while damage dealt to them increases. This power grows stronger with each deity slain. A trait meant for “The One Who Kills Gods.”

— Damage dealt to divine beings and their followers +50%

— Resistance to divine power +25

※ For each divine being killed: damage dealt +5%, resistance +1 (no maximum limit).

※ Active skill acquired: Deicide. Once per day, forcibly nullifies one “Divine Power”: divine energy, might, blessing, or curse. However, if the target’s rank far exceeds the caster’s, a weakening effect is applied instead of destruction. When the skill hits nearby divine beings, the status “Intimidation” may be inflicted.

※ Additional effects locked. They will not activate until conditions are met. (Unlock requirements: increase hierarchy and eliminate numerous divine beings)

Godslayer.

In a single word — it was the perfect trait for opposing Luthien.

Against the Seven Evil Gods and their followers, his combat power would grow geometrically. For someone who had entered a punitive force and was forced to fight all manner of evil gods, this was rain in a drought.

Moreover, the “Growing” status guaranteed that he would become stronger over time. Comparing it to ordinary combat stat bonuses would be an insult.

But his heart pounded for a different reason.

“This is... the protagonist’s trait.”

Godslayer was a trait only the protagonist could possess. It was his “unique attribute,” chosen during character creation.

“...There were three options: Godslayer, Instigator, or Signaler.”

A one-of-a-kind trait.

Something not even the most exceptional supporting heroes possessed.

Power befitting the sole opponent of Luthien. Power to dictate terms in a world overflowing with mighty deities.

And out of thousands of traits — this one had fallen into his hands.

“And it even comes with the active skill already unlocked.”

Of course he was glad. In a situation where he had to overcome the main scenario in place of the protagonist, receiving one of the most necessary abilities could only be welcome.

But...

As the excitement slowly faded...

He couldn’t shake the strange chill running down his spine.

“Is this really just coincidence?”

The moment he confirmed the trait, he had rushed out of the inn and headed for the witch’s tent. But both the witch and the tent had vanished without a trace.

At that moment he became certain: to unravel the many mysteries surrounding him, he had to discover who she truly was.

“The only lead is that brother and sister who gave me the sphere...”

The children he had saved from the smuggler’s warehouse. Under Night Raven’s guidance, they were supposed to begin new lives.

— Gunther.

But now, before officially joining the organization, he had no reliable way to find them.

— Hey, Gunther!

He would have to track them down when the opportunity arose.

— Hey, idiot!

“...What are you yelling for?”

“What do you mean? You call someone over and then stand there silent.”

“You could’ve guessed I was thinking and left me alone. Why are you whining like a child?”

“Look at this guy! He only gets cheeky with me!”

“We’re friends.”

“...Heh, hmph!”

The stupid bickering with Ryan pulled him back to reality.

They had finished breakfast and left early. Time to deal with the backlog of tasks.

“I need to focus.”

Too many mysterious things had happened in too short a time. Everything had aligned too perfectly to dismiss as coincidence... Yet he couldn’t explain any of it.

More and more, he realized that his knowledge of this world was merely the tip of the iceberg. It would be a lie to say anxiety wasn’t creeping in.

But regardless — the scenario moves forward.

And so must he.

“So where are we going? What are we doing?”

Ryan’s eyes shone with enthusiasm. He must have grown tired of training alone and was glad they were acting together today.

“Did we get a good job?”

Gunther tossed him a mask he had bought earlier.

“Put it on and follow me.”

“Hey, hey! Where are we rushing off to?!”

Thud—

Ryan’s protests faded behind him. With a single stride across the alley, Gunther stopped before a secluded building.

After taking a breath—

“Anyone home?!”

Bam—!

He kicked the door in with all his strength.

Beyond the shattered entrance came the sounds of a recently concluded service. The smell of incense. Candle smoke. Mumbled prayers and hymns.

He strode inside without hesitation.

“Hey, who are you?!”

“You! Stop right there!”

Startled believers began shouting and pointing.

He ignored them.

His gaze locked onto the enormous donation box standing in the center near the altar.

A brief silence.

The priest on the platform seemed to sense something and shouted:

“Seize... seize him!”

There was no reason to hesitate.

Gunther slipped easily past grasping hands and seized the handle of the donation box.

Heavier than expected.

Boom—!

Swinging it, he shattered the nose of the priest blocking his path, then—

“Catch!”

He hurled it backward.

“You madman!”

A partner was a partner. Though Ryan howled in shock, he rushed forward and caught it in time.

At that moment, a message appeared at the corner of his vision.

[Influence of the Luthien Theocracy in Border City: 10139]

There were many incomprehensible things in this world.

But what needed to be done was clear.

Turn this graph blue — the one that was rising madly day by day.

When that process was complete, all current questions would eventually find their answers.

Gunther drew a breath and shouted:

“Move!”

Behind him came the priest’s furious scream:

“Be cursed, heretics! The wrath of Luthien will fall upon you!”