Surviving without God

The mask imitating a wolf’s muzzle stared intently at Gunther. ...For a moment, Gunther even wondered whether he was still dreaming.

[The One Who Opened the Bloody Night yawns, as if bored]

Blood-red pupils. Hair the same shade. In her gloved hand, as always, she held a black umbrella. Her appearance was ominous, steeped in gloom... yet what left her lips was a polite apology.

—I apologize for arriving so late without notice. I was just assigned an urgent mission, and I realized there would be no other opportunity to meet with you, Gunther.

Gunther glanced at the half-read book resting on her lap.

—...Were you waiting for me to wake up?

The mask of Moon Wolf tilted ever so slightly.

—I did not wait long.

—Next time, just wake me. Does time matter when meeting a platoon leader?

After a brief silence, the gaze behind the mask softened faintly.

—I am not a leader, merely acting in that capacity... but I will remember this courteous reception.

Her voice sounded languid and slow, yet it spread gently through the air, brushing against his ears and driving away the last remnants of sleep. Gunther was fully awake now.

—So what matter brings you to me in such haste...?

At that very moment, his gaze wavered.

“Wait. She said she was just assigned a mission. Don’t tell me it’s that one?”

For the first time in a long while, events were unfolding according to the original storyline. In the game’s canon, Moon Wolf received an order around this time and left the city. By then, she had recovered enough from her severe injuries to move again.

“And there, she encounters the event that overturns her fate.”

Gunther’s expression shifted as he ran through the plot in his mind.

“What happens if I tell her about it right now?”

A deliberate distortion of the narrative. As impossibly complex calculations of consequences began spinning through his head, Moon Wolf spoke, cutting off his thoughts.

—There is somewhere we need to go together.

—Somewhere...?

—It’s not far. If you don’t mind, I will guide you.

Tiling!

A notification surfaced.

[Side Story Scenario has occurred!]

[Warm Support]

“This is...”

A smile instantly touched Gunther’s lips. He knew this event as well. It was guaranteed to occur shortly after the successful completion of one’s first assignment within the organization. But something felt off.

“Usually, someone one rank higher escorts you... Why did the platoon leader come personally?”

...Gunther tilted his head in confusion but rose nonetheless. Regardless, this event granted an enormous stat boost. There was no reason to refuse.

—This way.

Moon Wolf beckoned him toward the window frame where she was perched. Apparently, she had no intention of using the door.

“Is she going to use it?”

Ts-ts-ts-ts...

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than black smoke began to pour from beneath her feet. Ink-like mist swirled in a vortex before solidifying into the shape of a cloud.

Thud.

Under the soles of his boots, the cloud felt surprisingly firm.

—...Impressive.

—What is?

—Most people hesitate at least once before stepping on it.

Gunther merely shrugged. He knew the nature of this cloud—it was “Black Cloud,” a legendary-class item belonging to Moon Wolf. A first-rate mode of transportation capable not only of high-speed flight but complete concealment of presence.

“And it’s an ego-item that chooses its owner. She usually only allows those she’s close to board. This is strange.”

In any case, later—after clearing a specific scenario—she would leave this mysterious cloud to the player as a gift. It was one of the most valuable rewards obtainable within the organization.

—We’ll arrive in twenty minutes.

Vwoosh—!

Black Cloud cut through the night sky. Above the city at night, where lights intertwined like a glowing river, shadows of enormous Upper City structures occasionally swept across them. Soon even that vanished—waves of light and shadow fell far behind in an instant. Gunther had never flown in an airplane, but he imagined the sensation must be similar. He watched the majestic sight in fascination when Moon Wolf spoke first.

—I am somewhat pleased.

—Hm?

—I was just reading the report sent by Night Owl... Levain. You adapted very well to the Fourth Platoon. Even better than I expected.

—...Nothing special.

—It is special.

She continued matter-of-factly.

—Not everyone can lead veterans who have lost their footing and are wandering without direction, and successfully complete a high-difficulty mission.

—......

—Kalian’s words were not false. You certainly possess a strength that moves people.

In all his vast experience with the game, this was the first time he had heard such explicit praise from Moon Wolf this early in the story. It was gratifying—and slightly awkward. Gunther scratched the back of his head and averted his gaze slightly.

—Honestly, they weren’t that hard to handle. They all... turned out to be decent people.

At that, Moon Wolf regarded him with an unreadable expression.

—You say exactly the same thing as the previous commander.

...Again, talk of that man. Since she had brought it up herself, the timing was perfect. Gunther asked at once:

—...Were you close with the fallen commander?

—Yes. He was my colleague, one class below me. For a short time, we fought in the same platoon.

After a brief pause, she added:

—...Every time we met, he spoke only of the Fourth Platoon. Thanks to him, I knew all its members by name long before meeting them.

Gunther’s curiosity deepened.

—From what the platoon members say, he was highly capable. During what operation did he die?

—That is top-level classified information. If you officially become platoon commander... you will learn in time.

A polite refusal—and at the same time, a clear hint of future promotion. But showing too much eagerness or pressing further would be a mistake.

Moon Wolf still maintained formal, respectful speech. ...Which meant their affinity had not yet reached a certain threshold.

“With those she favors, she drops formalities entirely.”

Her demeanor toward those she considers close becomes far softer and friendlier. That subtle shift in temperature... players found it adorable.

“But you only see that mid-scenario.”

I cast a fleeting glance at the icon at the edge of my vision. The “Casket of Bonds,” obtained as a reward for clearing Chapter 3, faintly shimmered. If I used it, I could shatter Moon Wolf’s barrier... but unfortunately, I had another purpose in mind for it.

—We’ve arrived.

Whummm...

Black Cloud began its gentle descent.

Below stretched a landscape utterly at odds with this city rooted in magi-engineering. Gunther silently observed ancient fortress walls and gray towers emerging beneath the moonlight.

“...Feels like the setting just switched to medieval fantasy.”

Unlike the city’s radiant center, there wasn’t a single streetlamp here. Only cold moonlight illuminated the ruins.

Whummm...

The cloud settled before an abandoned watchtower. Moon Wolf’s languid voice sounded.

—Before Border City expanded to its current scale... these structures were built to monitor external invasions and guard the surroundings.

Over time, as the city’s defense system was replaced by various magi-engineered instruments, these old stone towers and walls became obsolete. They were not demolished—retained as “reserve bases” in case of unforeseen emergencies—but...

—They were forgotten. It has been a restricted zone for several years now. People no longer come here.

And here, beneath the ruins, Night Raven had built its nest.

Tiling!

[New Region Discovered!]

[Region: Nest]

For form’s sake, Gunther asked:

—Where are we...? Why did you bring me here?

Moon Wolf answered calmly, leading him toward the tower.

—Beneath this tower lies a space called “Nest.”

—Nest?

—It serves as a support base and trading post for organization members. Masters selected by the organization are permanently stationed there to produce supplies. Most goods are provided free of charge, though some require °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° merit points.

Gunther nodded knowingly. At his overly composed reaction, the eyes behind the wolf mask narrowed slightly.

—...It feels as though you have been here before.

If only she knew. In truth, the moment he realized the destination was “Nest,” his heart had begun racing.

[Night Raven Merit Points: 811]

Nest housed many top-tier items. Gunther anticipated an indulgent shopping spree with his accumulated points and hurried his steps.

—This way.

They stopped before a massive door leading underground. Once the camouflage dissolved, an intricate magi-engineered mechanism was revealed.

Pii—

Moon Wolf paused to activate it. The system scanned Gunther and registered his name. Without accompaniment from someone authorized, one could not even approach this device.

—My role as your guide ends here.

She truly seemed pressed for time—she had no intention of entering, planning to depart immediately. Gunther nodded, but she had one more matter.

—Inside, you will find a blacksmith named Dramcrow.

I know. One of the two characters you must interact with upon your first visit to Nest. I was already planning to entrust him with repairing Ladenbach’s Tenacity. The blade was riddled with chips after cleaving through hardened mechanical constructs—and even harder paladins of the Cult of Abundance.

“She probably wants me to stop by him,” Gunther thought, but after a pause, Moon Wolf added something unexpected.

—He has something I left there for you. Take it. Unmooned, it will suit you well.

—Ah... thank you.

—Until next time.

She did not explain what it was. She simply turned and stepped onto Black Cloud. Was it the tone she used—like someone gifting something precious? For a moment, Gunther hesitated, staring at her back.

—......?

When he came to his senses, he realized he had already grasped the edge of her sleeve. The red eyes behind the mask regarded him with faint confusion.

—Do you have further questions?

Impulsively, Gunther opened his mouth.

—...About this mission.

Moon Wolf tilted her head inquisitively.