Surviving without God

The X-shaped scar on the man’s forehead stood out clearly under the dim light of the Labyrinth. It was an identifying mark impossible to mistake.

“...It’s him.”

The very cadre member who had participated in cultivating the Mother of the Evil God. A man presumably connected to the “Three Gods” associates.

And now he was here — a corpse with a massive hole in his chest.

The wound, apparently inflicted by divine magic, was so grotesque it left no hope of survival. Gunther withdrew his hand from the scarred body and muttered involuntarily:

“What was he even doing here...”

He had assumed the man had gone to ground. Instead, he found him cold and dead in the Labyrinth.

It was sudden — and highly suspicious.

The adventurer leader added:

“You knew him? He hurriedly attached himself to our expedition team last night. We took him in because his skills weren’t bad, but just now in battle he...”

That made it even stranger. Joined in a hurry?

“You don’t know why?”

“...He was too tight-lipped. Didn’t even give his name.”

What reason could drive a gang cadre to enter the Labyrinth so urgently?

“...Could it be?”

Weighing possibilities, Gunther spoke again.

“For now, I’ll take his personal belongings.”

“You don’t need my permission. I have no desire to claim ownership.”

Gunther immediately began searching the body.

He found several notable items.

A pair of unusually shaped daggers. A silver coin engraved with the number “9.” And black shoulder guards.

— ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ Simplified item hints —

[Item obtained! “Death Cry” (Rare)]

– Increased attack speed, bleeding application chance, and critical strike rate.

[Item obtained! “Black Needle Pauldrons” (Rare)]

– Agility +2, Poison Resistance +5, Stealth effect enhancement.

Two rare items.

For an ordinary gang cadre, his equipment was surprisingly decent. The suspicious silver coin came as a bonus.

“These will need separate examination later.”

Gunther took everything.

The adventurer leader continued:

“In any case, we’ll be going... If you ever find Jake at the ‘Blue Bird’ in the future, I’ll repay you properly. Good luck.”

He gathered the remaining companions and left the vacant platform. Likely he had judged that continuing the expedition with half their combat strength gone would be madness. They would probably search for a “safe zone,” endure the remaining time, and withdraw.

Parco, who had been silent until now, asked cautiously:

“Do you need time to pay respects?”

“No,” Gunther shook his head. “We weren’t on those terms. If anything, the opposite.”

Tarsha yawned and pointed at the Interfloor Portal.

“Then shall we? No telling when it’ll disappear.”

If they delayed and it vanished, they would have to spend hours searching again.

They needed to reach the underground third floor as quickly as possible, where the relic was presumed to be. They could reassess plans or resupply after reaching the second floor.

The Fourth Platoon hurried toward the portal.

U-u-u-um—

The blue portal swallowed them.

[You are entering the 2nd underground floor of the Labyrinth]

[Many secrets await you]

.

.

.

There was a line once spoken by an NPC in the game about the Labyrinth:

“The deeper you descend, the more you realize this space was not designed by humans.”

Back when it was just a game, he had ignored those words. But pushing through the second floor, Gunther gradually understood they were no exaggeration.

“They’re coming!”

Cling—

From an unimaginable height above, the faint sound of shattering glass echoed.

Whoooosh—

Then came the chilling whistle of air being torn apart. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Levain, wearing his enchanted glasses, shouted:

“Thirteen units!”

All members of the Fourth Platoon looked up at once.

Mechanical hounds surrendered themselves to gravity, plummeting straight toward them. Red eyes carved streaks through the misty atmosphere. Mechanical killing intent — the desire to annihilate them even at the cost of their own destruction — prickled against the skin.

“Blanc!”

“Got it!”

The Fourth Platoon’s response was swift and precise.

U-u-u-um—

Blanc’s “Seren Gless” rose with a short mechanical hum. The autonomous defensive shield spread overhead like an umbrella, deflecting the hail of falling mechanical hounds—

“Move, Gunther!”

Levain’s magic firearm spewed flame toward the hounds left helpless after smashing into the shield.

Those not intercepted were left to Gunther.

Tak—tak!

He leapt into the air, using the floating “Seren Gless” as a foothold to launch himself even higher.

“Gya! My shield!”

With the effect of the “Black Needle Pauldrons,” his Agility had reached 44. Add the movement bonuses from the Stigma “Wind That Leads the Charge” and “Core of the Firmament.”

Bang—

Moving through the air as if gravity had forgotten him, Gunther twisted and cleaved through the torsos of all remaining enemies.

[Warning: Durability of “Ladenbach Protection” decreasing]

Crunch—

Watching mechanical fragments rain down, Tarsha dispelled the spell she had been preparing.

“Ah, how convenient.”

They were gradually synchronizing.

Yet despite the smoothness of the battle, fatigue slowly accumulated on the platoon members’ faces. The combat itself was not difficult, but the pressure of enemies falling endlessly from above was not easily shaken off.

Levain spoke:

“...This is why I hate the second floor.”

Each floor of the Labyrinth had its own theme.

The first underground floor was based on a “Transport Base,” its space gradually shifting due to Reconstruction.

But the second floor was entirely different.

Tarsha shrugged.

“Sometimes when I stand here, I feel like I’m dreaming.”

The theme of this place was skyscrapers.

Metal and glass high-rises intertwined, blocking out the sky. Neon lights flickered across outer walls, reflecting dim ambient light and electronic panels, turning everything into a neon jungle.

It was beautiful and majestic — and yet every corner radiated unease and danger.

[The King of Ninety-Nine Defeats grumbles that this terrain is perfect for ambushes and snipers]

Moreover, the space was so vast that in several hours since entering, they had encountered no one.

“Even Seoul doesn’t compare.”

Did Times Square in New York, which he had only seen in videos, feel like this? He was both awed and oppressed.

Yet to Parco and Levain, he appeared perfectly calm.

“I noticed earlier, but Gunther, you’re really steady.”

“Hm?”

“How can a rookie on his first Labyrinth run be this composed? Levain and I had our jaws on the floor on day one.”

Levain frowned slightly.

“Not that much.”

“Oh yes, that much. Remember? When the first Reconstruction happened, you froze up and nearly pissed yourself.”

“....”

It was understandable.

Even Gunther, accustomed to modern landscapes, sometimes had his breath taken by these steel-gray jungles. It was hard to imagine what those accustomed to horses and swords must feel upon confronting the Labyrinth.

But Levain’s feelings seemed to run deeper.

“All this... the Labyrinth Clan, the Creators of the Labyrinth... don’t you ever want to meet them?”

Levain’s usually serious face was unusually animated.

Blanc, walking ahead, grimaced.

“N-no thanks. Those monsters whose origin and essence no one understands. Generations have passed, and no one’s really seen them.”

“...Arrogant types. They won’t even show their faces if a king visits.”

“I-I’m not even sure they exist.”

Levain shrugged.

“Of course they do. Mayor Mihela is their half-blood.”

“Hey, t-the mayor at least looks human. And that mayor’s been missing lately too...”

Listening, Gunther fell briefly into thought.

The Labyrinth Clan.

The creators of the Labyrinth and founders of this city.

In ancient times, they had contracted with a tremendously powerful Outer God and paid a price almost unimaginable — all to create the Labyrinth.

In the game, if one followed a certain route, this secret could be uncovered and dealings could begin with them, but—

“It wasn’t a recommended route.”

That the Labyrinth Clan was hostile to Luthien was certainly a plus. However, once players encountered the true nature of the “price” they had paid, most retreated.

They realized these were not allies — but entities to avoid.

“Let’s rest here a bit.”

The spot Levain chose was a naturally concealed area among skyscrapers formed by collapsed structures. Debris overhead interlocked like a net, making it hard to observe from above and ideal for defending against falling mechanical entities.

Not a full “safe zone,” but sufficient.

“Fi-finally!”

“I was waiting for you to say that.”

“Agreed. Time to get this cursed armor off.”

Tarsha and Blanc were exhausted from nonstop combat and forced marching. Parco was worn down from healing wounds and status effects. Levain was not much better.

[Gunther, I will also find an Interfloor Portal and descend to the 2nd floor]

It was a message from Dimona, still on the first floor. She explained that when changing floors, an Arcane Runner’s capabilities became restricted. In particular, hacking and interference costs increased exponentially. Thus, since entering the second floor, Levain had fully taken over mapping duties.

He was an excellent Arcane Runner — but combining it with combat had pushed him close to exhaustion.

If they pressed on now, maintaining combat effectiveness would be impossible.

“I agree.”

Gunther stopped.

Shh—

Once everyone agreed, Levain pulled out camp equipment from his magic bag. His preparedness was impressive. It seemed to contain everything.

“We’ll rest about three hours. Tarsha, Blanc. You two sleep.”

Tarsha yawned widely instead of answering and waved her staff. Her eyes behind the mask were half-closed.

“Uuugh, just need to set the decoys and I’m out.”

Decoys. Magical devices that mimicked biosignals to distract mechanical entities and trigger alarms in case of danger — essential for Labyrinth exploration. If scattered around, they prevented surprise attacks.

Setting them required circling the area, making it tedious work.

Gunther stepped forward.

“Rest. I’ll go alone.”

Tarsha giggled.

“Oh? Really? It’s such boring work.”

She had already removed her mask and gear and was climbing into her sleeping bag. In the end, only her face remained visible.

“Hee-hee, counting on you, rookie~.”

Soon her breathing grew steady.

They likely had not rested properly for days while pushing from the third underground floor.

It was right that the least fatigued one should work.

Gunther gathered the decoys and stepped out of the shelter.

Levain and Parco, beginning to prepare food, waved.

“Gunther, no enemy signals within 300 meters. Still, be careful.”

“Hurry back. We’ll make something good!”

Blanc peeked out from behind and mouthed silently:

“Good luck.”

“......”

Gunther looked at them silently — and gave a small wave in return.