Surviving without God

Screeeech—

The magi-engineered carriage carrying Gunther and Ryan dropped them off exactly at the rendezvous point. They returned roughly ten hours later. It was already past midnight, nearing dawn. Ryan, letting out a wide yawn, asked:

— So the next meeting is on collection day...? In a week?

— Exactly.

— Well, I’ll be looking forward to it.

He said that, but his eyes were already half closed.

— Straight to the barracks?

— No. We’ll stop by Brody’s first.

— Huh? Why?

— There are a few loose ends.

— Mm, alright. To be honest, I felt a bit awkward leaving without saying goodbye.

Completely exhausted, they hurried toward the residential district. However, the return trip was far from smooth—

— Damn it, why is it so packed at this hour?

The crowds in both the main streets and alleyways were as dense as during a holiday in the city center. Merchants with goods laid out, wagons piled high with cargo, and countless passersby pushing and rushing about their business. Gunther noticed an unusually high number of fully equipped adventurers among them.

— ...Looks like today is “that” day.

— That day?

— The day the Labyrinth opens.

— Ahh. So that’s what this chaos is about.

Ryan nodded in understanding.

...The Labyrinth. In truth, when speaking of the Border City, it was impossible to avoid that word.

‘The city itself was born because of the Labyrinth.’

The Border City was a megapolis built directly above it.

To be precise, after the “Labyrinth Clan” established the site, valuable resources began pouring out—cores, mechanical components, artifacts. Adventurers, merchants, and engineers followed in their wake, gradually forming the city.

‘In short, these byproducts are essential for magi-engineering.’

Thanks to that, the Border City’s magi-engineering developed to astonishing heights, and the city’s scale swelled to absurd proportions. The Labyrinth was both its beginning and its heart, the source of all economic activity. And it opened only once a week. Naturally, on such days the Border City roared without rest.

— ...Still, this is ridiculous! — Ryan complained, forcing his way through the mass of bodies.

But their ordeal did not end there. Just as Gunther cut through a narrow alley to take a shortcut—

[Distorted Fate]

‘...?’

Whoosh—

Gunther reflexively dodged. A flowerpot narrowly missed his shoulder before shattering against the ground. And that was only the beginning. “Misfortune” continued to stalk him.

[Distorted Fate]

Frrr—

A flock of pigeons launched a simultaneous “bombardment” of droppings (Gunther evaded neatly; Ryan was not so lucky).

— Oh, I’m so sorry!

A restaurant worker carrying hot soup suddenly tripped and practically hurled the tray toward Gunther. ...The cherry on top was a signboard that flew from somewhere above and struck him squarely on the crown. The lettering read: “Special Offer of the Day: Labyrinth Opening Brunch!”

[Alphonse of Red Street rolls with laughter]

[Drug-Addicted Saint scolds him for immaturity]

[The King of Ninety-Nine Defeats snorts and pretends he has nothing to do with it]

Rubbing his throbbing head, Gunther clenched his teeth.

‘...So this is how you’re going to torment me.’

He understood perfectly what was happening. It would start with small inconveniences. Then the scale would grow. He could feel the unspoken pressure:

“Hurry up and repay your Karma debt.”

— What’s wrong with you today? It’s like you’re cursed, — Ryan muttered, his shoulder now “decorated” with pigeon droppings.

Gunther had no energy to respond. He simply quickened his pace. By the time the sun rose, they finally reached Brody’s house—

— Oh... hello?

In the garden, they encountered someone they absolutely had not expected to see.

.

.

.

— ...Roanna?

— Good morning.

The same tattooed girl with dark green hair they had rescued from the gang. Now, dressed in an outfit entirely unsuited to her—a gardener’s apron to her knees—she diligently worked in the garden. Pruning shears and a small shovel, both dirt-stained, rested in her hands. Her expression was serious.

— You’re... what exactly are you doing?

— Preparing for winter.

— ......?

Roanna glanced over the trees and continued:

— They need to prepare for the cold too. Clear the leaves, trim the branches, fertilize the soil, plant bulbs~. Mm, at least a couple more days of work.

Gunther tilted his head slightly. It seemed she had decided to stay at Brody’s estate. ...A flicker of concern passed through him, but he trusted Brody. It was hard to imagine anyone outmaneuvering such a calculating and pragmatic woman.

— Where’s Brody?

— Sis is inside, cooking.

— Cooking?

— Went out at dawn to buy ingredients. Said she’s making a restorative dish for that sick uncle.

At that moment, the front door swung open. Brody waved at them cheerfully. Likely from standing over the stove for so long, her cheeks were red as ripe persimmons.

— Oh, perfect timing! Everything’s ready, come in quickly.

Gunther and Ryan did not need to be told twice. The only thing in their stomachs since last night was a bottle of strong liquor. They desperately needed hot food and practically flew up the steps.

‘...Hm?’

Roanna, however, made no move to follow. She continued loosening the soil in the corner of the garden. Sensing his gaze, she looked up and smiled softly.

— I’m more used to eating alone. Enjoy your meal.

***

Brody’s culinary skill far exceeded expectations. The creamy chicken soup was rich with tender meat and finely chopped vegetables. Baked potatoes with salt and herbs accompanied it, along with fragrant sautéed spinach. And, of course, a fresh vegetable salad. Steam and delicate aromas rose from the plates, awakening a feral hunger.

— This is insane...

The moment Ryan took his first spoonful, his eyes widened and he attacked the meal with fork and spoon. Stuffing his mouth without lifting his head, he emptied plate after plate, muttering:

“...This is heaven.”

Gunther focused on eating as well. The deep flavor of hot broth and meat made him nod involuntarily in satisfaction. Though he missed kimchi, the food was excellent.

‘...She’d succeed if she opened a restaurant.’

With that thought, Gunther cleared his plate.

Brody watched them with satisfaction. When the meal ended, she spoke quietly:

— Well then, gentlemen. My foolish cousin has something to say to you.

Gunther and Ryan turned toward Eddie. In the bright light, his condition looked even worse—swollen eyes, split lips, dried blood. He had barely touched his food. Now he stood decisively.

— Thank you.

He bowed so low his head nearly touched the table.

— Until now, I’ve only shown you my worst sides. And still, thank you for coming to my aid. I owe you my life. Especially you, Gunther... This is the second time I owe you.

Of course, Gunther had saved Eddie only because of his deal with Brody. But that did not change the fact that he had done him a tremendous favor. What happened in that underground bunker went far beyond normal risk. Unintentionally, the deal had been extremely disadvantageous for Gunther.

— Owe me, huh... — Gunther looked at Eddie intently. — Planning to repay it?

Eddie answered immediately:

— Anything. Absolutely.

— Good. Then once you recover, you’ll start helping Brody with the Agency’s affairs.

— ...Huh?

— If any of your former subordinates are competent, bring them. I’ll cover expenses. And none of the idiots who hung around that gambling house.

Eddie stared at Gunther in confusion, then nodded. Obedience was natural to him.

— Understood... But how is working for Brody repaying you?

Gunther gave a faint smile.

— Because Brody is my business partner.

— ...Oh.

Brody’s eyes widened and sparkled. Her lips parted in surprise, then her face blossomed into a sincere smile. She looked as though she had just heard words she had long been waiting for.

— ...Partner?

— Yes. So it’s time for you to jump into our boat too.

Gunther had firmly decided to make use of the cousins. Not only because of their decent skills.

First, both had unlocked the “Affinity” stat. ...The ability to see the strength of relationships in numbers was a colossal advantage that outweighed any talent.

‘Besides, I like their character.’

Eddie, though blunt and rough, possessed undeniable loyalty and responsibility. Brody, despite being a calculating businesswoman, was the kind who bet on people at crucial moments. Both had proven themselves. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

— We’ll work well together, Eddie.

— ...I’ll give it everything I’ve got. I won’t disappoint you.

Eddie, his battered face strangely radiant, gripped Gunther’s hand firmly.

At the same time, a strange certainty bloomed in Eddie’s heart. The certainty that with this guy, anything would work out. Gunther was the type of man who inspired that kind of faith.

Just as Eddie swore loyalty, Ryan—having cleaned his plate completely—suddenly asked:

— By the way, Eddie, what was your original plan?

— ...I wanted to join a reconnaissance unit.

— Whoa... Bold. Exploring the Labyrinth, huh?

— Good money there. And I’d improve my skills.

Brody cut in with a sly grin. Only when teasing her cousin did a mischievousness appropriate to her age appear on her face.

— Of course! He kept whining that “if only I had power and talent, that lady wouldn’t have left” and that he’d “definitely make it in this damned city”!

— Brody! You little—

[The One Who Sends Letters That Never Return gazes into the distance with sorrow]

...Apparently he still hadn’t recovered from his breakup with Yor. Gunther watched with amusement as Eddie lunged at Brody in fury, but then a thought surfaced.

‘Speaking of which, I wonder how they’re doing.’

Kalian and Yor. Unfortunately, their later fates were never detailed in the game. But now that everything was real, they were undoubtedly somewhere out there, living and breathing.

‘If there’s a chance, I should look into it.’

Especially losing contact with Kalian was regrettable. His connections as a high-ranking support division member would be useful later. ...Particularly for Gunther, who was destined for a “problematic” platoon.

‘Perhaps he could help locate those two as well.’

Just as Gunther finished organizing his thoughts—

— Gunther.

Brody, her businesswoman expression restored, called him.

— If you have time, could we step aside for a moment?

— ......?

— I need to give you something.

.

.

.

— What is this?

Brody tilted her head in confusion.

— Hm, it was delivered in Gunther’s name, so I assumed you knew.

— ......

That was precisely the problem. I stared at the small package on the table. No sender listed. According to Brody, it had been left at her doorstep last night. My name was clearly written as the recipient.

— There’s a magical response. Feels like an artifact...

Brody muttered while scanning the envelope with a device resembling a metal detector.

— You’ve got everything.

— Ah, this? In my line of work, you make enemies. Radicals sometimes send unidentified explosive devices, so I had to get one of these.

— Hm.

— In any case, it’s not a bomb. The magical signature is gentle. And the purity... Wow, judging by the level, this must be insanely expensive. Who would send something like this through regular delivery?..

In that case, there was no reason to hesitate. I immediately opened it.

What lay inside—

— What is this?

From the package emerged a flat metallic device slightly larger than a palm. It resembled a radio, but crafted so elegantly it could never be mistaken for an ordinary transmitter. Included were a transparent earpiece and a thin transceiver meant to clip onto the collarbone. Simple at first glance, yet clearly a unified, perfectly calibrated piece of equipment.

Since the item did not appear in the game, no interface description surfaced. Fortunately, none was needed.

— Brody.

She stood beside me, mouth agape.

— Looks like you know what this is?

— T-this... No way... No, this shouldn’t even be here!

After muttering several confused phrases, she suddenly grabbed the device and handed it to me.

— F-for now, try putting it on.

I did as she asked. The earpiece fit so comfortably it felt fused with my skin, yet outside sounds remained clear. The collarbone transmitter was barely noticeable. Almost no sense of a foreign object. I couldn’t say for sure, but this was elite equipment. Like AirPods back on Earth. Funny—I’d never used wireless earbuds on Earth, yet here I was trying them in this world. The irony stirred strange emotions.

— ......

— C-can you say something?

Without hesitation, I said:

— ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ This is Gunther.

Pshhh—

For a brief moment, familiar electronic static sounded.

[Good to meet you, Gunther] — replied a distorted voice.