Surviving without God

Oooooooh-

“Absorption of Sound and Echo” spread widely through the air, swallowing every sound nearby. The Youngest, rubbing the stigma that had begun to burn, rose to her feet.

— Everything is ready. No matter how much he screams, ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) not a single sound will leak outside.

— Good. Let’s go.

In the Lower City such precautions would have been excessive, but here in the Middle City they were mandatory. The Eldest and the Youngest slowly advanced across the snow-covered open ground. After taking several steps, the Youngest suddenly let out a sigh full of irritation.

— ...What if this target turns out to be another empty shell?

For several days now they had been tracking the “Society of Forgotten Books” and the “Night Raven,” relying on materials provided by the diocesan head, Albino. Yet, contrary to expectations, the catch had been unimpressive.

— Just some detective agency owner. I’m not even sure he’ll be useful.

— Either way, it’s worth checking.

— Probably just another fool who got bored and decided to dig through ancient legends.

Thirty years had passed since the “Society of Forgotten Books” had been uprooted from the Border City. Yet the Luthien Theocracy continued to maintain its intelligence network in order to identify everyone involved. They used everything: bait, spies, every kind of trap imaginable.

But no matter how hard they tried, the net usually caught nothing more than scholars, historians, or idle people leafing through old chronicles out of boredom. They were captured, tortured, turned inside out — but, of course, it was all useless.

“This won’t do...”

Albino’s swarm of insects would not leave her mind. That old monster would not hesitate to feed them to the Mother if the opportunity arose. Even before they had undergone the baptism ritual, he had already been an elder of the cult. Rumor had it that although he usually behaved gently, if angered, not even an archbishop could calm him.

The Youngest trembled with fear and drew a sharp breath. Ninth target. Hoping that this time they might finally learn something, she slowly approached the building ahead.

— ......?

Rustle-

Across the lot, someone moved through the snow as if lying in wait.

“Who is that?”

The afternoon sun shone brightly, reflecting off the snow and distorting their vision. The Eldest and the Youngest froze, staring at the unexpected visitor.

...Ahem. The Eldest’s nose twitched like a pig’s.

— Brother?

— ...It’s him.

He muttered it in a tone filled with disbelief. There was even a trace of joy in his voice. The Youngest could hardly believe her ears.

— What? What are you talking about?

— The one from the Labyrinth. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

The Eldest’s sense of smell never failed. When the Youngest reflexively drew her spike-like dagger, the stranger’s footsteps stopped.

...Rustle.

Under the falling snow the gazes of the three met for a moment. The Youngest quickly scanned the enemy from head to toe.

“Right... it’s definitely him. No doubt!”

She would never forget that silhouette, even in nightmares. The heretic who had humiliated them so thoroughly in the Labyrinth. His aura had clearly changed, but that black, expressionless mask was exactly the same — enough to make her knees tremble. The Eldest tilted his head slightly.

— But... why is he alone?

Once again, the Eldest’s sense of smell was unique. Its range was two hundred meters. He could smell everything within sight. And in such a deserted place the accuracy became terrifying. Even now he could clearly smell the coffee being brewed inside the building by that very woman — their target. He had already detected the scent of oil and metal from the magical mechanisms hidden everywhere.

...Which was exactly why he could not believe it.

— Did he really come alone?

Even if his aura had grown stronger than it had been in the Labyrinth, it changed nothing. There was no way he could defeat both of them at once. Yet in the heretic’s blue eyes burned a resolve that contained not a single drop of fear.

— That’s enough. It won’t take long.

...Such arrogance. The Eldest lowered into a stance and glanced at the Youngest.

— He has many tricks. Stay alert.

They had fought side by side so many times that words were unnecessary.

Rustle-

The Youngest moved first. They had been cornered. There was no more time for games.

“I’ll tear him apart at full strength.”

Without hesitation she connected to her stigma. The reddish mark on her ankle slowly heated, emitting a pale glow. If she could see a status window like Gunther, it would say:

[‘King of Burrows’ grants you the power of concealment]

A massive rat, born and raised beneath the roots of Jean Daet, slowly rose behind her.

Cracks in the earth, holes in ruins. Blind spots no one ever looks into. True to its nature, the “King of Burrows” pushed its contractor into the “gap.” This was a skill far superior to “Absorption of Sound and Echo.”

Whoosh-

In an instant the Youngest vanished as if she had evaporated.

— A-a-a-a-argh!

At the same moment the Eldest roared and charged at Gunther. His form also changed rapidly. Translucent slime covered his entire body. Long tusks burst from his swollen snout and cheeks. The image of a savage boar wrapped around him.

[‘Shepherd of the Flesh Marsh’ roared!]

Their calculation was simple. The Eldest would absorb all the damage with his incredible defense and endurance, drawing attention, while the Youngest, hiding her presence, would deliver the fatal blow. While a monstrous creature the size of a barn rampaged before one’s eyes, impossible to kill, a hidden assassin would wait for the right moment. It was a combination that could confuse even the most experienced warrior.

— ......

Gunther seemed stunned. He did not even move. At the moment when the Youngest and the Eldest anticipated victory, Gunther’s lips moved.

“3.”

The distance closed rapidly. The Eldest rushed head-on while the Youngest moved through invisible gaps.

“2.”

The Eldest exaggeratedly raised his butcher’s cleaver. Probably to attract attention.

“1.”

[Skill “Serpent’s Nest” Level 1 activates]

Clink-!

At that moment the mana threads Gunther had prepared in advance activated.

Click-

One by one the mechanisms hidden in the snow awakened. First the mount of a heavy crossbow sprang up, launching thick steel bolts in every direction.

Swoooosh-

Then the mana turrets fired.

Rat-tat-tat-tat-!

After that, the net cannon activated.

Whoosh-!

The Eldest narrowed his eyes as he saw the attacks flying toward him.

“Yes, this is preparation worthy of the name.”

But it was nothing truly threatening. He could simply brush it aside and endure it. Meanwhile the Youngest would slit Gunther’s throat. Calling upon divine power, he prepared to face the barrage head-on.

“......?”

But why?

The launcher bolts, the turret bursts, even the steel net flying through the air — all of it passed by him without leaving a single scratch. Confusion appeared on the Eldest’s face.

“Could it be...!”

A smile appeared on Gunther’s lips.

“How many times do you think I’ve seen this coordinated attack pattern?”

From the beginning his target had not been the Eldest.

[‘Alphonse of Red Street’ sneers, asking since when rats believed they could escape a snake]

The presence of the Youngest, who believed she was safe while moving into Gunther’s blind spot, had been read from start to finish. Directing the magical mechanisms to a single point had not been difficult.

— ...How?

The Youngest, who had been about to enter Gunther’s blind spot, gritted her teeth and sharply changed trajectory. For an assassin, area attacks were not ideal.

Just like in the previous life. Those without memory always act the same.

Boom-!

The Eldest immediately changed direction and rushed toward the Youngest. He himself could laugh at such an attack, but for the Youngest, with her low defense, it was lethal.

— Brother!

— Don’t show yourself!

Turning around, the Eldest shielded the Youngest with his body.

Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-

Thick slime-covered skin absorbed the entire barrage. He did not even need to swing his cleaver. The hide was slightly torn, but the wound did nothing to stop the fight.

Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-

While enduring the storm of attacks, the Eldest assessed the situation.

“We lost momentum because of the unnecessary maneuvers.”

Through the rising snow and dust, Gunther charged at them with a two-handed sword. The Eldest’s gaze locked onto the Two-Handed Sword of Despair.

“He changed weapons?”

In the Labyrinth he had used an ordinary longsword, but now it was different. A massive weapon of tremendous size. A sword taller than a man swung toward them. An ordinary opponent would panic, but not the Eldest.

“Even better.”

Crack-

The slime on the Eldest’s skin thickened further. “Shepherd of the Flesh Marsh” reinforced his shell. With such an enormous sword, the blade structurally could not be sharp. Because of its dull edge it functioned half as a crushing weapon. And that was the most convenient attack type for him. After all, during the war with the Kingdom Alliance he had blocked ballistae with his bare hands.

“I’ll endure it, then counterattack with the Youngest.”

Whoosh-

Watching the Two-Handed Sword of Despair fly straight toward his upper body, the Eldest was certain of victory.

— Come!

The magical barrage could not last forever. Soon the Youngest would be free. Then it would be their turn. ...Without fail.

.

.

.

Fwoooosh.

The Eldest’s confidence crumbled to ashes in scarlet flame.

“...What is this?”

The Eldest stared stupidly at the blazing sword. As if the sunset itself had leapt onto it, a blood-red flame surged along the blade.

Fwoooosh-

The intense heat instantly melted the snow-covered ground around them, and steam exploded upward.

— You...!

His vision clouded white. The last thing he saw was the enemy catching the sword mid-attack and altering its trajectory. It was an unbelievable feint, but the Eyes of the Tyrant made it possible. The Eldest reflexively swung his butcher’s cleaver toward the clouds of steam.

Even exerting his full strength, he realized it.

This was a strike that could not be blocked.

Hissssss-

First came the heat, as if his insides were boiling. A sweeping blow struck flat across his pelvis.

— A-a-a-a-argh!

The slime evaporated, flesh tearing apart as if exploding. The Eldest released a horrific scream.

— Hah—ugh—khh—

He believed he had grown used to pain, but the sensation of his body burning from the inside was something entirely different. Even as his regeneration desperately tried to fuse the flesh back together, the sword’s flames continued to burn him.

Sssss-

Nevertheless, he seized the burning two-handed sword with both hands.

— Youngest, now!

It was a mortal wound, but not immediately fatal. If the one wielding that insane flaming sword had been a master on their level, he would already be dead. But fortunately Gunther lacked the strength to split him in half.

“Still... we can still win.”

The Youngest reacted instantly. Having endured countless battles, she understood that this was her chance. The opponent had made a powerful thrust and lost balance, while the Eldest still held the sword.

“I must kill him in a single strike!”

Who knew what other strange techniques he might possess. Therefore the target was only one — the heart. It seemed he was wearing armor, but that did not matter. She drew power from her stigma again.

Zzzzz-

The “King of Burrows” granted her next attack the power of the gap. Like a rat gnawing through a crack, the dagger’s tip gained the ability to bypass layers of defense. A strike that ignored protection, capable of rendering even mana-infused armor useless.

Moreover, at this distance the enemy had no chance to evade.

Whoosh-

Gathering all her strength at the tip of the dagger, she prepared the killing thrust.

Tap-

But Gunther, instead of dodging or counterattacking, suddenly released the sword.

— !?

Then he silently pointed a finger at her. A completely inappropriate gesture, unrelated to either defense or evasion. Looking into the Youngest’s trembling eyes, Gunther snapped his finger.

— Bang!

BANG-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-A-A-A-NG-!

The roar of a magical sniper rifle tore through the silence of the open field.