Surviving without God

“Pha-ha-ha!”

Tarsha, who had frozen for a moment, burst into laughter.

“So what was that just now? A declaration that you intend to command us?”

She was not laughing because she found it funny. There was deliberate mockery in that sound — a way to show just how absurd she considered his words. A “Commander” class, really.

“Hm. I’m grateful you saved our lives, but... such bold ambitions are a little disorienting.”

Despite the provocative tone, Gunther remained composed. He was not easily shaken to begin with, and he had anticipated this exact reaction.

“You can laugh later. For now, we relocate. Follow me.”

...First and foremost, they did not have time for pointless arguments.

The crisis was not over. If they lingered in this area, being discovered by their pursuers would only be a matter of time. They needed a place where they could regroup safely.

[Gunther, a suitable location has been found. It is a point where residual energy and multiple node signals intersect. We should be able to hide from the enemy Runner’s sight for a while.]

Blanc tilted her head, confused.

“But... why is the rookie leading the way? And what is Levain doing?”

Levain gave a short wave of his hand.

“For now, we follow Gunther.”

His gaze lingered on the Operate Link hanging from Gunther’s ear.

“I don’t know whether he himself is a Runner... or if he has an exceptionally talented Runner partner, but he’s certainly a better guide than I am.”

“True. We can trust him. That guy’s packed with hidden talents,” Parco added, even as he was absorbing Tarsha’s and Blanc’s “injuries.”

Feeling a quiet reinforcement from their support, Gunther stepped forward.

“Then we move.”

The distance to the safe point indicated by Dimona was not short. Gunther walked without stopping. The fighters of the Fourth Platoon followed in silence, without complaint.

“......”

Gunther glanced back.

Comrades reunited after narrowly escaping death. Though they spoke little, concealed relief was visible in their bearing. The strength of the bond tying them together was obvious at a glance.

“...It doesn’t look so bad.”

A sense of belonging. Attachment to a group. In truth, such notions had never been close to Gunther. On Earth, he had only had his sister. After coming to this world, aside from Ryan, he had not grown close to anyone.

From now on, however, he would entrust his back to them — and protect theirs in return.

“...I’ll have to try.”

A full week remained until the Labyrinth reopened. To survive in this harsh region — and moreover to complete the mission — they would have to use every possible means. Gunther’s stern face turned forward again.

.

.

.

Regrouping did not take long. That was thanks to the rare medicinal concoctions pouring out of Parco’s bag.

[The Drug-Addicted Saint shows interest in Parco’s unique mixing method.]

[She cautiously proposes an exchange of knowledge in the future.]

[Alphonse of Red Street snickers and tells them to cut off the weed-scented chatter.]

It turned out that Parco, like “Spell Thief” Levain, possessed a hidden class that combined multiple specializations.

“Healer and alchemist — he picked only the best support branches.”

Thanks to that, the situation stabilized quickly. Parco absorbed the wounds and abnormal conditions of his allies, then healed himself with appropriate medicines. After repeating the process several times, Tarsha emerged from exhaustion and recovered some mana, and Blanc regained part of her physical strength.

Then something remarkable happened.

U-u-u-um—

The relic shield that had been lying on the floor rose into the air on its own and began circling. An autonomous defensive artifact, “Seren Gless.” It was Blanc’s personal equipment, and like Parco’s vehicle, it utilized Lost Technologies. When Gunther showed interest, Blanc seemed slightly excited.

“He-he, among the artifacts found in the Labyrinth, the hidden ‘Posa’ inside this one is one of the best... I mean, one of the best in my hands!”

“And how much Posa does it have?”

“Ten thousand!”

Magical tools and relics were not part of the base rank system of , but that level should at least qualify as legendary class.

“With something like that, it’s no wonder she can hold the vanguard alone.”

An artifact with 10,000 Posa. The moment Gunther lightly touched the mirror-like surface of the shield, Blanc shrieked:

“Kya-a-ak! F-f-fingerprints!”

It was then that the previously silent Levain spoke.

“Everyone roughly finished preparing?”

The noisy atmosphere instantly quieted. Respect for the “temporary leader” was palpable. Levain looked over the platoon and continued:

“It seems we have two options right now.”

Gunther focused again. What would follow was easy to predict.

“First, we somehow hold out for a week and escape on the day the Labyrinth opens.”

Tarsha raised her hand like a student and asked sarcastically:

“And if we don’t like that?”

“Alternatively, we descend to the underground third floor and seize the Holy Object.”

Before the answer had even been fully spoken, Gunther knew from their expressions what they would choose. It was unanimous.

“This is the extremely dangerous option.”

Even setting aside the swarming forces of Luthien, the Labyrinth’s danger increased exponentially with each floor descended. The number and strength of mechanical lifeforms exploded, and all manner of traps were added. Moreover, the Labyrinth was an area where city security barely reached. On the lower floors, large scavenger gangs hunting adventurers lurked everywhere. There was a reason exploration parties were formed with no fewer than ten people.

...However, the fighters of the Fourth Platoon did not seem troubled by such dangers. The same went for Tarsha and Blanc, who had just barely escaped death. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

“I-I think going back like this, just after getting beaten up, would be too embarrassiiing.”

“When all our sweethearts are together, there’s no need to tuck our tails and run like beaten dogs.”

Nodding, Levain looked at Gunther.

“Gunther, what about you? You can speak freely.”

“...I’m in favor as well.”

Tarsha whistled in surprise. Behind her mask, her pupils glinted like gold coins.

“O-ho, I’d like to hear the reason, Mr. Prospective Commander?”

“It’s simple. If we allow those Luthien bastards to achieve what they want because it’s dangerous, it will become a threat dozens of times greater in the future.”

That was the law of the world of . The ambitions of Luthien’s fanatics had to be cut down the moment they became visible. Especially in cases where such massive resources were being invested. Tarsha watched Gunther for a while, then smiled faintly.

“I like that answer.”

The rest of the platoon nodded in agreement. Leaning on her staff, Tarsha rose slowly.

“I don’t know which god this Holy Object belongs to... but we can’t let it fall into their filthy hands. Who knows what kind of disaster that would bring.”

Clap!

Levain clapped his hands to draw attention.

“Good. Then we continue the mission. First, without drawing Luthien’s attention, we search for an ‘Interfloor Portal.’”

An “Interfloor Portal” was a type of randomly generated transfer device within the Labyrinth that allowed movement to an adjacent floor. However, the probability of appearance was extremely low, becoming even rarer the deeper one descended. Moreover, there was a user limit — up to ten people. From here on, it would require serious effort.

“From this point, I’ll handle mapping. Gunther, conserve your strength. The lower we go, the higher the consumption of ‘Arcane resources.’”

Levain looked at him.

“Agreed? If you have other thoughts, speak freely.”

“Fully agreed. However...”

“However?”

“There’s something that needs clarification.”

Gunther turned to Tarsha.

“Tarsha. The reckless battle you got into — was it to save the swindler adventurers being oppressed by Luthien?”

Tarsha and Blanc both flinched.

“Well yeah~. They were torturing innocent adventurers to force them to reveal our location, so I fired a shot.”

“I thought so.”

A sense of justice. Gunther did not dislike such convictions. Under ordinary circumstances, he might have acted the same way. But in this particular operation, that inclination had to be restrained.

“In the future, I would like you to refrain from such impulsive actions. That is my opinion as a member of the platoon.”

Tarsha’s eyes narrowed instantly.

“Hm... So you’re suggesting I play dead and ignore Luthien scum trampling the weak in front of me?”

“We are in a situation where we must infiltrate the underground third floor with a small group. What if trying to save a few people causes the entire operation to collapse?”

Gunther presented a solid argument.

“As a result, the lives of hundreds... no, thousands could be endangered.”

A single mistake, and deaths would multiply. Debts and debuffs would stack rapidly. This was a world without a protagonist. If he failed as a substitute, it meant the end for all.

Tarsha, unaware of that, replied coolly:

“So basically one of those speeches about looking far ahead.”

“Yes.”

“And how far we should look — that’s for you to decide by your own strict measure?”

Parco intervened with an awkward smile.

“Come on, Tarsha. You understand what Gunther means. No need to snap.”

At the same time, he whispered quietly to Gunther:

“Sorry. Please try to understand her. Our previous leader’s policy was a bit... well, very idealistic. It suited the personalities here. Even if they understand you’re rationally correct, it won’t sit well with them.”

...It seemed he was referring to the commander who had died recently. Gunther had heard from Grand Crow that the man had brought an impossible operation to success — at the cost of his life.

“They said it happened only a year after his appointment.”

What kind of person left such a deep mark in such a short time on these Fourth Platoon lunatics? Even Blanc, who seemed gentle, was looking at him firmly.

“...That will require investigation.”

Tarsha slapped Gunther on the shoulder.

“Rookie, maybe you don’t suit our platoon? And that’s not hazing, it’s the truth.”

“Tarsha.”

“Alright, alright! Let’s move. If we’re going to save hundreds and thousands, we’d better hurry.”

...Gunther said nothing more. If he wanted to change their reactions and attitudes, he would have to show it through action, not words.

His weapon was undeniable.

Leadership capable of deriving optimal conclusions across countless possibilities. Rationality that measured risk in numbers rather than emotion to extract maximum gain.

Soon he would have a chance to demonstrate it. The Labyrinth was full of danger.

“......”

Would he truly wish to turn away from people in distress? No. But an operation was a public duty. It had to be conducted rationally.

“That means nothing like what happened in Act 1, Chapter 2 must occur again.”

He would approach each moment cautiously and methodically. Gunther firmly promised himself that as he walked.

...Yet it did not take long before that resolve twisted in the most unexpected way.

.

.

.

Ding!

[Affinity level with Tarsha Everlight increases sharply!]

[An unexpected side of your personality has captured her heart.]

[Affinity level with Blanc Ibel increases sharply!]

[Your decision reminded her of someone dear.]

“Gunther, Gunther! Come back!”

“Why are you suddenly doing this, it’s dangerous!”

Levain shouted desperately, Parco pacing in panic. Disbelief was clear in their voices. On the other hand, Tarsha and Blanc looked extremely exhilarated.

“Ha-ha, now that’s more like it!”

“I-I’m coming toooo!”

The worst part was that they started charging fiercely after him.

But he could not stop.

His body was burning.

“Damn it!”

Let it be repeated: this was not his will. Pure coincidence. Gunther cursed internally as he looked at the flashing message in the corner of his vision.

[Attack detected, expected to cause severe pain.]

[Sanity check in progress... Failure!]

[Masochism activates!]

[You instinctively charge toward pain... no, pleasure!]

[Pain mitigation coefficient +35%]

[Depending on accumulated pain index, positive combat correction is applied.]

Step-step-step—

At the sight of Gunther’s furious approach, the faces of the Luthien forces trampling a group of adventurers froze. Understandably so. The enemy they had been searching for so desperately was now running straight at them.

Some raised their swords in confusion.

Right before colliding with their vanguard, Gunther shouted one last crude curse.

“To hell with all this shiiiiiit—!”

However, what burst from his mouth was a ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ sound of an entirely different nature.

“...A-ah!”