Surviving without God

Jump!

Tarsha deftly jumped, slipping outside through the window that faced the inner courtyard. Blanc and Parco, watching from around the corner of the alley, hurriedly waved their hands at her — but their faces immediately froze.

— Tarsha! Where’s Gunther?

— ...What?

At the moment Tarsha turned around in alarm, Gunther slid down the wall and landed right in front of her.

— Took a moment. Covered our tracks.

A tactical retreat. That was the ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) conclusion he had reached. He had hesitated between subduing Lieutenant Colonel Ridel Vain for interrogation or, at the very least, remaining hidden to observe... but reason firmly rejected both options.

This was the Upper City. One careless move would not only put their lives in mortal danger, it could also become a burden for the entire Night Raven. Even Seraz’s influence had limits.

— Let’s go.

They hurried toward their prearranged escape route. Right then Levain reported over the comms that he was returning to the rendezvous point.

— I’m here.

Levain had already arrived and was waiting for them. Despite the middle of winter, drops of sweat beaded thickly along his neck, glinting in the moonlight. He vigilantly scanned the surroundings and only exhaled in relief once he saw his comrades. Gunther did not miss that the boy’s face looked strangely tense.

— Everyone’s alive. What a relief.

— Levain. Did something happen?

— ...Something did. Maybe we should talk once we’re back?

Shhh—

Levain’s communication device kept blinking. It seemed he had intercepted the frequency of the Public Security Bureau: messages about incidents began crackling from the speaker through static.

Shhh—

[Inha Street, house 27, report of home intrusion, window breach confirmed and signs of theft. Nearest patrol units immediately provide support, over.]

[Inha Street, 27... what? Inha Street, 27? That’s Inspector’s residence...]

[I said provide support immediately!]

Soon the entire area would be flooded with Bureau forces. Their time in the Upper City was coming to an end.

.

.

.

Uuuuum—

The members of the Fourth Platoon were finally able to relax a little only when the lift began its slow descent. A strange sensation of weightlessness wrapped around their bodies, and with each level the bright night lights of the Middle City grew closer. Levain leaned his back against the wall and exhaled calmly.

— All right, maybe I’ll start.

— Yeah, go ahead.

— ...In one of the houses I searched, I found some very strange traces.

While Parco and Blanc tilted their heads in confusion, Gunther continued:

— Nasty slime everywhere... and traces like someone vomited?

Levain’s gaze darkened.

— You saw it too?

— Yes. In the last house... the house of Lieutenant Colonel Ridel Vain we found the same traces.

Gunther briefly explained to the others what they had seen. Confusion appeared on the faces of the platoon members.

— Some kind of ritual? An offering or something like that?

— I don’t know. There were no magic circles. No ritual vessels either. Besides, if such a ritual had been performed in the middle of a residential district, it would definitely have been exposed.

— M-maybe they’re secretly raising the mother of an evil god? I mean, a big shipment of contraband arrived recently.

— ...In an apartment building?

Tarsha snorted with laughter.

— I think even keeping a puppy in that house would be difficult.

Speculations multiplied, but no clear conclusion emerged. Parco lightly nudged Gunther, who was deep in thought, with his elbow.

— Gunther, you said something before we entered the last house.

— What exactly?

— That you found something in common between all the houses. What was it?

Gunther remembered the fact he had momentarily forgotten.

— ...Food.

At that unexpected answer, the gazes of all the platoon members turned to him.

— Food?

— Think again. There wasn’t any food in any of the houses.

He remembered completely empty pantries and dining tables covered in dust.

— Even if it’s a lonely workaholic who only lives along the route “home–work,” having absolutely no food in the house defies common sense.

— Hmm, maybe they like eating out? Was it the same in the last house?

— No, there wasn’t time to check. What about you, Levain? 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Levain shook his head as well.

— I didn’t even think to look that far.

Apparently deciding it wasn’t such an important clue, the platoon members didn’t dwell on it. They continued discussing, but still reached no conclusion.

Gunther felt the same. The strange sense of impending trouble that had arisen in those Bureau officials’ houses refused to leave him, but there were too few clues to dig deeper.

— Well, for now I’ll share the information we gathered with Seraz. Maybe she’ll notice something. She certainly has far more knowledge than we do.

After finishing his words, Levain quickly began tapping on the terminal keys. Under the complex mechanical sound, rows of characters ran across the screen. And at that very moment:

Tiling!

[You have successfully gathered clues about the defectors and delivered them to Seraz]

[Side scenario “Defectors?” cleared!]

[Level increased! / Lv. 57]

[Strength 47 → Strength 48]

The scenario ended.

“...What is this?”

Gunther’s eyes widened slightly. Had there really been something decisive among the few clues they had passed on? Even though nothing had been clarified, the scenario completion message had appeared.

Beep—

The corners of Levain’s lips slowly lifted as he checked the message.

— I think we shouldn’t be too disappointed.

— Oh?

— Even identifying people whose involvement in treason was suspicious is more than enough result for one night raid. The important thing is that Seraz seems satisfied.

— And what does she say?

Instead of answering, Levain showed Gunther the terminal screen.

[Excellent work. But next time let the handsome guy send the report, not the four-eyes.]

The moment Gunther let out a short chuckle, the message that seemed finished continued.

[Further investigation will be handled by us. If an opportunity for cooperation arises, I will share the relevant materials.]

[Good night.]

Only then did Gunther understand why a scenario completion message had appeared despite such vague results.

Tiling!

[Side scenario “Defectors?” is transforming into a linked scenario]

[Side scenario “The Reverse Side of the Incident” has emerged!]

[Displaying abbreviated description]

— You successfully gathered clues and delivered them to Seraz.

— However, the conditions are not met, so you cannot continue the scenario.

— Strengthen your bond with Seraz Bolton to approach the truth behind the strange incidents in the Upper City.

[Progress Condition]

— Reach affinity level with Seraz Bolton of 20 or higher to intervene in the investigation.

[Expected Reward]

— Inclusion of Seraz Bolton in the scenario.

— Hidden reward exclusive to the Upper City.

— Reduction of Luthien’s influence.

※ Condition must be fulfilled within 28 days.

Gunther swallowed.

“A linked scenario...”

In the game, linked scenarios always meant enormous scale. It meant that behind a single incident lurked a grand game. And the reward was equally significant.

“If Luthien is involved, this is something that must be unraveled.”

Gunther firmly decided to meet Seraz again soon. With her help he could uncover the nature of those “strange traces” they had encountered.

Clap—

Levain, who had been reading the message together with him, muttered:

— “If an opportunity for cooperation arises”... That means sit quietly and wait.

There was a hint of grumbling in his voice, but the tone wasn’t truly hostile. In the end, it was predictable. No one expected Night Raven to be casually invited into an operation of the Public Security Bureau.

“If not as a group, then as an individual... maybe.”

Gunther instinctively felt that this matter had to be approached not collectively, but individually... and extremely carefully. Levain seemed to think the same, as he nodded and added:

— For now let’s leave everything to Seraz and wait until she contacts us again. She’s capable, right? Let’s just be satisfied that we established connections in the Bureau.

Those were words marking the end of the mission. Levain looked over the platoon members and smiled.

— Everyone worked hard.

In the relaxed air, the tension finally faded from the fighters’ faces. As Levain had said, the result was significant for the organization. They had pushed a high-ranking Bureau official to begin investigating Luthien, and in the process even made her feel indebted to them. There was now a possibility of receiving more information in the future.

— Good, good.

Tarsha, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, lazily stretched.

— Then can I go sleep now? In the morning I’m supposed to go to the hot springs with my baby...

Cutting herself off mid-sentence, she cast a playful glance at Gunther.

— Want to come with us? Do you like public baths?

Tarsha’s silly joke. Thanks to it, the confusion in his head seemed to settle a little. Gunther couldn’t help but smile.

— Thanks, but no. I have my own tastes too.

Pshhh—

With singed hair, he trudged home.

.

.

.

[You brilliantly completed the mission while cooperating with platoon members]

— Reputation within “Night Raven” has increased!

— Affinity with all platoon members slightly increased!

— Received 30 Night Raven merit points. Current merits (432)

***

By the time he returned to the mansion, morning had already come. Although the sun had not yet risen, the kitchen light was on, and Eddie sat there looking utterly exhausted.

“What is this, déjà vu?”

Crunch—crunch—

He was chewing food with difficulty, but when he saw me he slightly raised his hand.

— Yo.

— Just got off work?

— No, a little earlier.

Even as his eyes nearly closed, he kept working with the fork. I remembered how earlier I had advised him to gain weight. Eddie was thin. No matter how much he strengthened his body with mana, increasing destructive power required basic body weight and muscle strength. The guy was diligently following the advice.

— ...What a guy.

— What’s that supposed to mean?

— Nothing. And Brody?

Eddie didn’t even have the strength to speak, so he pointed outside with his chin.

— Still in the office?

— Slept a little and just left again.

— Truly incredible endurance.

— Because of that the subordinates are dying. Anyway, she asked you to stop by the office when you’re free.

— Really?

Good news. It seemed the time for announcing the results had finally come.

[The King of Ninety-Nine Defeats hopes that you will finally obtain that development technique]

Perfect timing — I also had business with Brody. The moment I touched the item Nine had given me in my pocket, Eddie yawned widely and continued:

— Going right now?

I shook my head.

— I need at least a little sleep.

The night had been long. From training the gang’s subordinates to the raid in the Upper City — I hadn’t closed my eyes. No matter how good my endurance had become, I was already at the limit. Eddie nodded and added:

— Then before you go to Brody, stop by the temple.

— ...The temple? Why?

He suddenly looked embarrassed. At the moment I flinched at such an unexpected reaction...

— Left something there... uh, a gift. Say my name and pick it up.

— ......?

— I prepared it because I’m grateful to you for a lot of things, so don’t refuse.

Eddie, the tips of his ears turning red, finished the sentence while looking away.

— Hmph, it’s nothing special of course!

...Nice, but somehow unsettling. A strange feeling.