Surviving without God

The road from the temple to Brody’s office. Gunther, deep in thought, touched the “Eddie’s gift” worn beneath his outer clothes.

[Item acquired! Steel Myocardium (Rare)]

— Would you like to display the item’s brief description?

[Steel Myocardium]

Armor created by one whose heart was always pierced by pain, in order to protect his eternally suffering heart.

— With a certain probability reduces critical damage to the heart area.

— Increases resistance to conditions related to bleeding.

Even a cursory glance at the thin metal plates, overlapping like scales and fitted tightly together, was enough to recognize the highest quality of the armor.

“Critical damage reduction and bleeding resistance — excellent options.”

Moreover, the armor was so thin and light that it did not show under ordinary clothing and did not restrict movement at all. Gunther especially liked that it was an underlayer armor, meaning it would not conflict with the main armor Dramcrow was supposed to finish any day now.

The only problem was that this was not just equipment, but a “relic.”

“...A relic... given to me?”

A relic was an artifact symbolizing the very essence of a deity, one of the most precious treasures in its possession. Gods of the Official rank or higher could own several such items, but lower “trash-tier” gods had at most two or three. Moreover, manifesting such a thing in the material world required an enormous price. That meant the gift had cost Eddie and “The One Who Sends Unreturnable Love Letters” considerable effort and expense.

“So that’s what Love Letters was trying to shove into my hands yesterday.”

Gunther unfolded the small note tucked inside the armor again.

[I don’t really need it because of my skills... I hope you like it.]

He had not expected much, but the gift turned out to be surprisingly useful.

“No wonder I treated him well.”

It was a strange feeling: the rewards from allies now seemed far more meaningful than back when this had been just a game. The closer he became with them, the more tangible their support and help felt. Dimona had helped him immensely, and Brody was currently exhausting herself for his sake. The world was certainly hardcore, but with comrades like these it became a little easier to breathe.

— I won’t ask the price, bring the best tea for restoring energy.

— He-he, right away, we’ll prepare everything.

Leaving the tea shop with an expensive packaged tea, Gunther took a lunch box prepared by Roanna in his other hand. He was now heading to Brody to deliver her lunch. It had been Eddie’s request.

— She’s probably sitting there hungry and working. If you bring food, she’ll be happy.

— O-ho... Trying to play the role of the caring cousin?

— Pf. Th-that’s not for her sake at all...

— Enough. I’m going to throw up.

— ...Aren’t you a bit too harsh with me?

It was around four in the afternoon. Winter — the sun was already beginning to lean toward the horizon. Lunch time had long passed, but Gunther was certain Brody still hadn’t eaten. He quickened his pace.

Step-step...

Brody’s office was located on the outskirts, far from the city center. She preferred spacious areas where she could install security systems and defensive artifacts without restriction. The location was not the most profitable, but it didn’t matter — regular clients found their way to her anyway.

...But today was different.

Under the sign “Brody’s Office” hung a small plaque.

[Closed]

Apparently Brody had decided to dedicate the entire day to his request. Judging by the absence of any signs of life in the corridor, she had dismissed all the employees as well. Gunther was once again touched by the dedication the brother and sister showed.

“Maybe I should give her a bonus.”

Brody dreamed of expanding her business and entering the Upper City. The image of Seraz involuntarily surfaced in his mind. If he became a little closer with her, he could introduce them.

“She’ll be delighted.”

Imagining her radiant face, Gunther smiled unconsciously. He gently pushed the office door open.

Thud-thud—

Something rolled across the floor and touched his foot. Round and heavy.

“.......”

It was Brody’s head.

.

.

.

15 minutes earlier.

Silence filled the spacious office, broken only by the scratching of a pen across paper and Brody’s occasional yawn. After a series of sleepless nights fatigue came in waves, but her heart felt light. The work was progressing well. Brody looked proudly at the papers spread across the table. These were the materials for Gunther’s report.

“...The information came together faster than I expected.”

She had managed to find leads for every one of his requests. At first the task had seemed impossible, but by throwing the entire office’s resources into it she achieved results. Because of this they had to abandon other orders, and the income had dropped, but Brody didn’t care. She was sure it would repay itself many times over in the future.

“In Border City you have to bet on people.”

That was her creed. The only problem was her origin from the Lower City. All the connections she had gained growing up were limited to gangs and petty thief addicts. Even after she settled in the Middle City the situation didn’t change — she was surrounded by people either talentless or devoid of principles.

Perhaps that was why Gunther’s appearance had become a real salvation for her.

“This was the best investment of my life.”

He shone not only because of his abilities. The attitude of others toward him spoke louder. Ryan, ready to give his life for him, and even her capricious cousin, who was clearly fascinated by Gunther. All that faith in him came from his rough but sincere humanity, which contrasted so sharply with his dazzling appearance. In this city such qualities had almost gone extinct.

She still vividly remembered the night when Gunther brought the blood-soaked Eddie in a carriage. In that cramped space filled with the smell of blood, she met his gaze — and perhaps would never forget that look. A man who carries responsibility for the task he takes on to the very end. At that moment he stopped being just a client for her and became a potential partner. The certainty that together with him she could reach the Upper City firmly settled in her heart.

— When will he come...

Humming quietly, Brody reached for a small mirror. Appearing neat in front of a partner was basic courtesy for a businessperson.

“.......”

However the smile disappeared from her face as quickly as it appeared.

Behind the back of the chair. Right behind her. In the mirror she clearly saw two silhouettes. One was unnaturally massive, the other thin and skeletal.

But their eyes were identical. The sclera, completely filled with blackness like ink, resembled the eyes of reptiles. In their pupils floated a cold cruelty she had never seen even in the filthiest alleys of her childhood.

They did not move even after being discovered. They simply watched, like predators observing prey.

“.......”

Swallowing, Brody realized several things. Resistance was useless against those who had silently passed through all her security systems and protective artifacts. And people with eyes like that would never leave her alive.

“I’m going to die.”

Perhaps that was why she didn’t jump from her chair but instinctively reached for the documents on the desk. It was the most valuable thing in the office — the bundle of information Gunther was desperately searching for. At that moment she was not driven by loyalty or emotion, but by the instincts of a merchant, by loss minimization and a single rule: “A client’s information must not be given to the enemy.” If they came for it, then the documents must remain with her until the very end.

“Or I’ll destroy them.”

But Brody’s wish was not destined to come true.

Swish...

First cold pierced her wrist. Then sensation vanished. With a quiet “thud” her hand fell to the floor. It still clutched the documents.

Drip... drip...

A crimson bubble swelled at the smooth cut, and blood poured out in a stream. Brody clenched her teeth, suppressing the scream threatening to escape. Pride became her final barrier.

— A-ah, ugh...

A sharp female voice sounded.

— Look at her. Why are the girls in this city so prickly?

Boom... boom...

The giant moved. Irritated, he lifted the stack of papers together with Brody’s severed hand.

— Blood stained it.

— Whatever, we can sort through it.

— ...I don’t understand anything.

It wasn’t about the blood. The sheets contained only dense rows of numbers whose meaning was unclear. A cipher. The giant tilted his head and threw the papers in front of Brody.

— Hmm, what does this mean?

— .......

— Answer and I’ll kill you quickly.

Since it had come to this, Brody didn’t delay her reply.

— ...It’s... there.

— What? Can’t hear you.

— I said it’s there.

— What “there”? Answer properly!

Brody spat loudly on the floor.

— There’s a magic diet pill... to get rid of your disgusting belly.

Smack!

A bruise bloomed on her neat face, a thin line of blood running down. While Brody coughed and spat blood, the elder pulled something from inside his coat.

“......!”

Brody froze. Inside a glass tube wriggled a horrifying insect. Its mouth opened in layers like flower petals, and inside rows of teeth rotated like a meat grinder. Brody was certain this creature had not been created by nature.

— Do you know what this is?

— .......

— Of course you don’t.

The elder stretched his thick lips into a smile.

— Silence. Meaningless. Once it devours you, your memory will be expelled from its stomach in the form we need.

— .......

— Before that, say everything you know. Society of Forgotten Books... what connection do you have with Night Raven?

Brody only squeezed her eyes shut tightly, wishing it would all end quickly. Meanwhile the younger one rummaged through the desk and drawers, examining the papers.

— ...What the?

— What is it?

— Wait a moment...

The younger one’s face darkened. The contents of the papers were laughably trivial.

A report about surveillance of an unfaithful fiancé. A request for a Labyrinth tour. Requests to recover lost accounting books and adventurer contracts.

A list of matters infinitely far from secret societies. There were notes about the Society of Forgotten Books, but only superficial information known to anyone.

— Hmm... encryption?

— Doesn’t matter. We have a way to decrypt it.

— We’re really going to waste the worm? Seems like a waste on her. There’s still time.

Brody had lost too much blood; her consciousness began fading. But at that moment a strange premonition made her open her eyes slightly.

— Wait. I think someone is coming.

The voices of the two suddenly became sharp.

— It’s him.

— That one?

— Him! The heretic in the black mask from the Labyrinth!

The elder’s nostrils trembled. He smelled the familiar scent. Here, in the open space, he could clearly identify it. The same aroma that had come from the insolent Night Raven member who had outplayed them in the Labyrinth /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ was now carried on the wind.

— ...Definitely him.

Barely breathing, the elder whispered to the younger:

— Activate “Sound and Echo Absorption.”

— Already at maximum. All sounds and signs of life in the area are devoured. He’ll never know we’re here.

— Excellent. The moment he enters...

Listening to their conversation, Brody gathered the last bit of air in her lungs. She knew too well that at this hour only one person could come to the closed office. Suppressing all fear and hesitation, she screamed:

— Don’t come in!!!

The sharp, piercing scream could have been heard even a hundred meters away. But the younger remained completely calm.

— Haa... what should we do with her?

The elder made a quick decision.

— The thief who stole the staff has come himself. We must capture him alive. We’ll use the worm on him.

— Understood~.

A thin cold line sliced through the air. Feeling the world spin around her, Brody instinctively felt something with her fingers and clenched it tightly.

“Ah...”

And that was the end.