Surviving without God

I knew they would bring a skilled Runner with them even before we entered the Labyrinth. All thanks to Dimona, who warned me in advance.

[Gunther, I inadvertently overheard their conversation]

[I'll say it right away. Luthien is sending not only the “Table Companions.” There is a high probability that reinforcements will accompany them]

“...Reinforcements?”

Dimona’s calm voice continued:

[Luthien has been systematically cultivating Arcane Runners for years in order to swallow the Border City. And now they’ve raised them to a level where they’re ready for real combat]

[If this is an important operation involving the “Table Companions,” one of them will definitely be in the unit]

[...Inside the Labyrinth, that is a far more dangerous enemy than any “Table Companion”]

I wanted to ask how she knew such classified information, but...

“.......”

I held back. At that moment, I realized that she had never asked me such questions either. All this time, she had maintained exactly the distance she wished. But something had changed.

[I have a request]

Contrary to expectations, she was the first to break that distance. I was very glad, but trying not to show it, I asked:

“...A request?”

[When you meet that Runner, deliver a message to him. I will tell you what exactly when the time comes]

[In return, I will do everything in my power to assist you in the next mission]

...Dimona kept her promise brilliantly. Now it was my turn to fulfill her request.

.

.

. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

— One minute until we reach the target point.

Levain ran at full speed, replaying Gunther’s briefing in his mind.

“Our chance is at the very beginning. They rushed in so fast they likely don’t have many portal creation devices.”

“So at most twenty to thirty people will immediately ascend to the second basement floor. And they will most likely spread out to sweep the area. The rest won’t arrive for at least several hours.”

“We’ll use that moment to eliminate the Arcane Runner.”

The plan was brief, yet flawlessly precise.

“Arcane Runners usually operate alone or in small groups.”

This wasn’t about half-trained amateurs like himself, who had mastered a few tricks, but true Runners. Tapping into access points along the route, hacking closed networks, placing repeaters in the right locations... To perform such preparatory work quickly and flexibly, they had to operate alone or in minimal numbers.

However, solo sorties were fraught with risk, so they loaded themselves with all kinds of protective devices and security protocols. Because of that, catching a hidden Arcane Runner was an extremely difficult task, but...

“What kind of monster do you have as a partner, Gunther?”

Dimona’s abilities far exceeded what Levain—or the enemy Runner—could even imagine. Distracting attention with exquisitely crafted false signals, she concealed the approach ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) of the 4th Platoon until the very last moment and completely neutralized even the densest defenses. She left the enemy not a single second to call for help. Considering that the enemy Runner was a master of a level that made Levain falter, her hacking skills seemed outright unreal. Levain cast a sidelong glance at Gunther running beside him.

“...An astonishing guy.”

Not only had he instantly bonded with the ever-dissatisfied and picky members of the platoon, he was also commanding an Arcane Runner—about whom urban legends circulated—like a servant. And he behaved as if accomplishing great feats were perfectly ordinary.

“Without realizing it, I’m beginning to rely on him.”

...The ideal commander in Levain’s eyes was not merely someone with outstanding personal ability. It was a breadth of spirit that compelled talented comrades to cooperate at full strength. It was strategic vision that allowed their potential to unfold to the maximum.

That was the true power of a commander. Catching his breath briefly, Levain admitted inwardly:

“Gunther, you’re handling these most complex matters just days after being transferred into the platoon.”

At that moment, Gunther looked back at him and the others.

— Five seconds until target point entry. Move!

The enemy Runner’s hideout lay beneath the overpass of a pedestrian bridge connecting skyscrapers. Among scraps of wire and piles of construction debris. There, the final key to this mission was concealed.

Step-step—

Watching Gunther’s back as he dashed forward without hesitation, Levain felt a strange surge of exhilaration. A fervent feeling that if this outstanding man was carving the path, he wanted to follow him to the very end. Holding up his slipping glasses, Levain laughed cheerfully.

***

Naturally, the first one before the enemy Runner was Blanc. The last line of defense—a heavily armed drone—unleashed a rain of magical bullets at her, but Blanc, as befitted a dodge-tank with overwhelming Agility, smoothly slipped from their trajectories.

— You...!

Closing the distance in an instant, she seized the Arcane Runner, who was about to say something, and slammed him into the ground in a blink.

Bam!

A calculated shift of center of gravity, a grappling technique, and mastery of hand-to-hand combat—the Runner was instantly neutralized. No matter how skilled he was, hacking anything while blood ran down his head was impossible....

— Hah, hah....

Pinning the struggling enemy to the ground and trying to catch her breath, Blanc lifted her gaze. At that moment, she saw Gunther approaching.

— Gunther, look, I—

She wanted to speak cheerfully, but immediately stopped. Her face beneath the mask flushed.

“What’s wrong with me? Did I just... want the rookie to praise me?!”

If she were to justify it, it was inertia. One of the driving forces that had allowed Blanc to endure the harshest missions had been the praise of her former commander.

“Blanc, excellent work!”

“You can do it when you want to!”

“You’re reliable. You have no idea how much I count on you.”

Height, face, character, age—everything was different... yet this new recruit strangely stirred nostalgia within her. So it was an irresistible force.

“U-ugh, but I have to maintain the dignity of a senior...!”

Whether Gunther knew of Blanc’s inner turmoil or not, his gaze was fixed solely on the Runner sprawled on the ground. From the impact, the hood had fallen away, revealing his face. Pale gray skin, long ears... Beneath trembling eyelids, yellow eyes showed—he was beginning to regain consciousness.

“...A dark elf, then.”

Ironically, he was an elf like Dimona, but there was one decisive detail. Dark elves were one of the few races close to the Luthien Theocracy and were themselves objects of suspicion and wariness. Moreover, something was strange. Elves were a race that did not age. Yet this dark elf’s skin was etched with deep wrinkles and pigmentation spots.

— Khh-a-a... You...

Beeeeep—

The Operate Link vibrated. Precisely at the moment the enemy regained consciousness.

[Gunther, convey my words. It will not take long]

Gunther approached the fallen Runner and repeated Dimona’s words exactly as they sounded in his ear:

— ...Do you know of Pendrox’s 19th Shadow?

.

.

.

After a short conversation, the enemy Runner was finished by Dimona. Somehow, he suddenly went limp, like a machine unplugged from its power source.

[...I have hacked this man’s terminal. For a while, Luthien’s forces will be deceived by false signals and move away from you]

[With the enemy Runner neutralized, you are safe until opening day]

[So, Gunther, leave this place with everyone]

“.......”

Gunther looked at the fallen Runner and slowly nodded. Honestly, there were many questions. Pendrox... He had never expected to hear that name from Dimona.

However, he was the type who could distinguish between matters worth interfering in and those that were not... and this was clearly the latter. Therefore, the only permissible question was this:

“...Did it go smoothly?”

After a brief pause, a voice slightly brighter answered:

[Thanks to you]

That was enough. Gunther did not ask further.

Tiliing!

[Affinity with “Dimona Ryen” increases]

[She may visit you soon. Await the meeting]

Only one thing remained. To head to a safe location together with the 4th Platoon. Gunther turned to the fighters and smiled broadly.

— Let’s go.

They left the area where the Runner’s hideout had been. And, as Dimona had promised, for the next six days nothing threatened them. Thus, the opening day of the Labyrinth arrived once more.

***

Ahh.

The moment he stepped beyond the Labyrinth’s boundary, Gunther could say with certainty: the status windows popping up one after another shone brighter than the blinding sun itself. Rewards that seemed to wash away all endured hardship found him.

Tiliing!

[Main Scenario, Act 1, Chapter 4 — Into the Labyrinth]

[Personal Scenario — Headache of the Executive Division]

[You have brilliantly completed both scenarios simultaneously!]

As a mere rookie, you united the chaotic 4th Platoon and proved your leadership qualities, surpassing your predecessor. Because of this, you miraculously succeeded in a high-difficulty mission whose chance of success had been zero due to numerous variables. Your code-name vow spreads throughout the organization, and now the platoon’s fighters stand beneath your banner without hesitation. ...The organization’s enemies have also taken notice of you.

[MVP — Gunther Sirhe, Dimona Ryen]

[Calculating completion rank...]

[※ Due to results exceeding expectations, additional reward adjustments are in progress. Calculation may take some time]

[“Levain Bernecker”] joins your scenario as an ally.

[“Parco Draven”] joins your scenario as an ally.

[“Blanc Ibel”] joins your scenario as an ally.

[“Tarsha Everlight”] joins your scenario as an ally.

※ Affinity level unlocked for all!

Parco: 35 / 100

Levain: 45 / 100

Tarsha: 35 / 100

Blanc: 30 / 100

[Further increases in Affinity with key allies will unlock exclusive scenarios and special rewards!]

[Grand Crow’s interest has greatly increased]

[Cheonmae, Moon Wolf, and the Gluttonous Serpent are watching you]

[Your reputation within the organization has sharply risen]

[Authority level within the organization increased]

[Exclusive reward for the Commander class granted! Platoon Management System unlocked]

[Commander effects enhanced]

[A large amount of Night Raven merit points obtained]

— Merit points can be used in the “Nest,” the organization’s supply point.

[Level Up! x4 / Lv. 56]

[Proficiency in multiple skills has significantly increased. Would you like to review?]

[Strength 45 → 47]

[Constitution 38 → 40]

[Constitution has exceeded 40. Sustained combat survivability has greatly increased. Recovery speed from fatigue and injuries has improved. Resistance to various conditions such as poison, bleeding, and stun has strengthened]

...And the protagonist always appears at the very end. Karma. Usually, calculation occurs after death, but scenario completion rewards are calculated in life as well. Gunther almost prayed as he read the messages.

[We weigh the traces you left within the Labyrinth. Without realizing it, you have overturned many fates]

[Karma + 1911]

[Current Karma: 85]

[Accumulated Karma: 2150]

[The misfortune that tormented you recedes]

[The dark inclination toward masochism vanishes from your soul]

And....

[Deep within your scalp, hair follicles begin to pulse rhythmically]

At last, everything had returned to its rightful place.

Tiliing!

Except for one thing.

[A personal scenario has arisen! Old Is Always Better]

[Unknown gazes are felt]