Surviving without God

— What? What should I give you?!

Levain, having half-lost his composure, hurried the frozen Gunther.

— Gunther, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but now isn’t the time! We have to leave immediately!

The situation was critical; every second counted. Yet Gunther stood motionless, simply holding his hand out to him.

— Levain! Let’s just go! He’ll catch up to us himself!

Even the always good-natured Parco couldn’t take it—his face twisted with strain. Despite that, Gunther remained unruffled.

— Levain, trust me.

— .......

If this were the usual Levain, he would have, without listening to Gunther, mercilessly turned and run. But right now, a strange premonition bound his movements.

[Object “Levain Bernecker” has been designated a target for partial co-regression]

He didn’t know it himself, but it happened because Gunther made him inherit the ties from the previous life. The sense of solidarity that had formed in battles where they entrusted each other with their lives remained in him like an afterimage. Maybe that was why? Levain was extremely flustered and irritated, but still carried out Gunther’s demand.

— ...To hell with you—do what you’re planning, just hurry.

Gunther immediately rummaged through the “magic pouch” that had been handed to him and pulled out what he needed. Parco’s and Levain’s eyes narrowed at the same time.

— ...A signal flare?

— Why do you... No, something else matters more: how did you even know it was in there?

Gunther didn’t answer. From the bundle of flares, he chose the red one. Yesterday’s drinking.

“Even if curses from evil gods rain down on our heads, we’ll come to each other’s rescue. That’s the kind of team you’ve joined.”

Levain had definitely said that. And it hadn’t been bragging. Because that calculating, cold man, the instant he saw that red flare, had thrown himself into the mouth of death without asking questions. ...In that case, what would Tarsha and Blanc do?

“They’ll definitely respond.”

A red flare is normally fired only when there’s a threat of total annihilation. They themselves must be in desperate straits, but they would never ignore that signal. This wasn’t baseless reasoning.

“There were bodies of ordinary adventurers in that clearing.”

The unforeseen clash had most likely happened because Tarsha and Blanc tried to save them and got pinned down in battle. Those two, it seemed, were the type to throw calculations aside and charge straight into fire and water.

“They’ll try to break through no matter what.”

The conclusion was simple. The moment another red flare exploded in the sky, Tarsha and Blanc would do everything to break through to here. And even if it was only for an instant, the attempt would succeed.

“The enemy isn’t expecting a trick at all... there are enough chances.”

Prey they’d been lazily playing with suddenly hurls itself out of the encirclement with all its might, like a mad thing. Even a brief breakthrough was enough. If they got even a little distance away from that clearing...

“Restructuring will be waiting for them.”

Gunther reconstructed the scene of Restructuring in his mind. The ground heaves up, the ceiling collapses, and the entire surrounding space becomes a completely different place. No matter how skilled the pursuer is, they can’t keep chasing under those conditions. Once Restructuring ends, the positions of the 4th Platoon members and the «Table Companions» will be scattered at random.

“Then we’ll find the 4th Platoon first and regroup.”

He understood. It was a rough plan, relying heavily on luck. But it was the best he could come up with. Gunther clenched his teeth and fired the signal flare into the air.

Bang—!

A scarlet flash bloomed in the Labyrinth sky, like a flower.

.

.

.

And from invisible distance, an answer came.

— Hah... those brats... hah... they can’t do anything without us big sisters.

— T-Tarsha, you’re going to do something stupid again!!!!

— Yep!

***

After the flare was launched, events unfolded the same way as in the previous life. The trio ran with everything they had. Gunther, scanning the surroundings, said:

— Restructuring will start soon.

— ...What?

— Don’t ask how I know.

Levain and Parco looked at him, dumbfounded. But Gunther’s “prophecy” wasn’t heard only by them.

Psh-sh—

Operate Link emitted an incoming-call signal.

[...Gunther, Restructuring is an irregular phenomenon of the Labyrinth. It cannot be predicted by any indicators.]

— It’s intuition.

[......]

— Assume Restructuring will happen, and prepare for mapping.

[Gunther, the Arcane Runner’s capabilities are not unlimited. Spending resources on forecasting Restructuring right now is wasteful.]

— I’m asking you. In a sense, it’s connected to fulfilling your “request.” 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The reply came after a short silence.

[...Understood.]

Everyone kept throwing suspicious looks at Gunther. It really seemed like they were seriously afraid he’d gone insane under the pressure.

...However, it didn’t take long before Gunther’s absurd words became reality.

[...Fate is distorting.]

Skree-e-e-e-e-etch—!

Before Parco and Levain could even process what was happening, Gunther shouted at the top of his lungs:

— Grab onto something!

Sky and earth swapped places, and their ears clogged from the roar. In that chaos, Gunther merely nodded with certainty.

That’s right. If there are no special variables, what happened once will inevitably happen again. That was exactly why the bad-luck factor from the previous life could be used as a key in this one.

— Everyone, get ready! The moment Restructuring quiets down—we run!

The Labyrinth’s Restructuring isn’t just random displacement. Space is designed based on certain “concepts” for each floor. The first basement floor had several variations, and this time the theme of the surroundings became a “ruined transport base.” Seeing the Labyrinth landscape completely change within minutes, Levain stuttered for once:

— R-run? Where? The map isn’t even compiled yet!

But instead of explaining, Gunther gave an order:

— Information on Tarsha and Blanc. Fast!

Levain, though stunned, answered clearly and quickly:

— ...Tarsha is a lightning mage, Blanc is a warrior with a “reliquary shield.”

That question was meant for Dimona. He provided the information so she could locate the targets faster.

[...Beginning target search. Recommend moving toward the estimated position. Marking route.]

Gunther ran first, without waiting for Parco and Levain. Since he’d already demonstrated unknown abilities, they would definitely follow him. They weren’t stupid enough not to understand that.

Tap-tap—

Sure enough, the sound of footsteps immediately rang out behind him. ...And not only that.

[Your extraordinary command makes your allies feel a mysterious attraction and trust.]

[Profession experience has increased significantly!]

[Affinity level with “Levain Bernecker” is increasing.]

[Affinity level with “Parco Draven” is increasing.]

[The one flying ahead of the wind tilts its head to the side, watching how you act, as if you’ve suddenly become a prophet.]

Fortunately, the Restructuring theme was a “transport base.” All kinds of vehicles and platforms were scattered everywhere. Under Dimona’s guidance, the trio moved quickly, finding useful objects and paths at every step.

A high-speed cargo lift. Tram tracks. Transport platforms. Conveyor belts.

“Need to hurry.”

The enemies weren’t incompetent at all. Dimona had already warned that the enemy side also had a capable Arcane Runner. That was also evident from how, in the previous life, they instantly formed an encirclement and rushed the clearing despite Restructuring. Besides, the “Elder” had an ability extremely useful for searching. If they got unlucky, they’d reach Tarsha and Blanc first.

“Then the deaths will have to repeat.”

Or maybe those two never managed to escape the clearing and were already dead.

...With that anxiety in his chest, how much longer did they have to wander through the labyrinth of tangled cables, heaps of rusty scrap metal, and steel panels?

[Gunther.]

Gunther stopped.

[Target detected.]

***

An abandoned alleyway.

— W-well, looks like this is the limit.

Tarsha swayed, leaning on Blanc. The mask hiding her face was half-shattered, and through the crack you could see long light hair, golden eyes, and noticeably pale skin.

— Khah-khah, oh, I can’t move anymore.

The aftermath of the great spell used to break through the encirclement was heavy. Her already exhausted body had gone on strike. Magical backlash caused paralysis. Tarsha helplessly pressed her head into Blanc’s shoulder.

— How are the guys doing?.. No more flares?

Blanc answered with forced cheer, though drops of scarlet blood were seeping from beneath her mask as well.

— Parco and Levain will manage. They’re way smarter than us idiots.

— Eh, I’d like to see our cuties’ faces at least once before I die.

Blanc shuddered.

— U-ugh, if you have the strength for that gloomy talk, you’d better look around!

— O-ho-ho, fine. Let’s look... Where should my little one and I pick a cozy spot for our grave?

— Tarsha!

Tarsha snorted with laughter. But it wasn’t a joke. The end was near. Restructuring had bought them a little more time, but that too was running out.

— Without the commander, we really are good for nothing. Ah, how I miss him!

Blanc puffed out her cheeks.

— I-it’s not fair to bring up the leader right now.

— Now is exactly the time.

Tarsha smirked and ruffled Blanc’s white hair. Savoring sadness by remembering the dead wasn’t her style. That was why she’d tried not to say his name until the very end. But now, perhaps, she could.

— I’m sorry, Blanc.

— ...For what? Even if it hadn’t been you, Tarsha, I would’ve done the same.

— Yeah, probably.

Tap-tap—

Footsteps sounded very close. Not Parco, not Levain. Someone else. Tarsha, bracing on the wall, # Nоvеlight # raised her staff.

— I think I’ll take at least one with me.

Blanc blocked her.

— T-ten! We have to take ten!

And at the moment they were preparing for their last fight, the owner of the footsteps appeared from around the corner.

Crackle—

A weak spark flared at the tip of Tarsha’s staff.

— Whew... Stop.

— ...What?

— Tarsha and Blanc... right?

— ......??

They hadn’t even recovered from the shock of a stranger saying their names, when...

Tap-tap—

This time, the presence was familiar. Both girls’ eyes widened.

— Tarsha! Blanc!

— You little bastards! Alive!

— ......???

It was Parco and Levain. Instead of joy, there was total confusion. Tarsha tilted her head.

— What is this? Am I dreaming?

They remembered where the flare had exploded. The distance was enormous, and Restructuring happened on the way... How could they get here so fast?

— Can you walk?

The stranger in the strange mask spoke again. Suspecting something, Tarsha narrowed her eyes.

— Hold on... so that means this guy is our rookie?

Levain and Parco nodded at the same time. Trading glances, Levain took on the role of speaker.

— There’s no time, I’ll introduce him briefly. This is Gunther, recently assigned to the 4th Platoon. His class...

But the master of words suddenly stalled. At first, he’d meant to introduce him as a close-combat fighter using a sword. But after what Gunther had demonstrated over the last half hour, those words felt out of place.

The unconventional thinking with the signal flare. The speed with which he crossed Restructuring as if it didn’t exist. Decisions made as though he already knew the future.

How the hell was he supposed to introduce him?

— Why’d you go quiet?

— Well, you see...

In the moment Levain fumbled for words, Gunther helped Tarsha to her feet and said:

— I’ll introduce myself. My class is—

The gazes of everyone present, as if by agreement, locked onto Gunther. For some reason, the 4th Platoon members already had a vague sense of what the next words would be.

— Commander. I am Commander.