I Became a Raid Boss

We calmed Da-eun, who was whining, and left behind the unexpected encounter, embarking on our journey toward the central area.

As usual, we dealt with the monsters that attacked us, explored the homes where the Demonic Race had lived, walked along the path, and when night fell, we lit a campfire and prepared for camp.

And so, two days passed.

We finally arrived at what appeared to be our destination.

“Hmm.”

I scratched my cheek as I looked at the black barrier that blocked our way.

It resembled the sacred barrier that once protected the Sedeth Kingdom, as well as the one Celine had cast, but the flickering black color gave off a peculiar sense of unease when gazing upon it.

…This could be a bit troublesome.

“Do you think we can break through it?”

It’s just that I don’t really want to do so.

The purpose of a barrier is to separate the inside from the outside, right?

So, if a barrier is set up, it means there was a reason to keep the inside and outside apart, and breaking a hole through it could undermine that reason, potentially causing trouble.

For example, what if a monster too strong for us to handle escapes…?

Well, I think the chances of that are extremely low, but still, since this is the heart of the Demonic Race, I’d rather avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.

When I explained this, Da-eun gave me a curious look.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s just… It’s surprising that you’re thinking such considerate thoughts, Kana… Ouch!”

…Anyway.

If the Magi here is this dense, destroying it entirely is impossible. Even if I create a hole just big enough for three people to pass through, it’ll probably repair itself quickly.

It’s better to avoid unnecessary risks.

But still…

Glance.

My gaze brushed over Da-eun, who was clutching her shin and grimacing.

Da-eun didn’t look well.

If she heard me, she’d probably say, “It’s because you kicked me, Kana!”

But even before I kicked her, her complexion hadn’t been great.

When she first set foot in Laxia, she was doing okay, but as the Magi around us thickened, her face grew increasingly ashen, and now it looked completely pallid.

Well, she’s held on for a long time.

Da-eun is at the Expert level.

Even I, who am far more advanced, find the Magi of Laxia burdensome, so Da-eun must feel it even more.

The fact that she’s endured this long is impressive, if not excessive, for an Expert.

It’s probably thanks to the magical tools she has, but it seems even those have reached their limit.

“Celine, could you cast the sacred barrier on Joanie?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“W-Wait, there’s no need for that….”

“You’re sweating like crazy, so don’t act like there’s no need.”

“…Haha, you caught me? But you said we should save our strength since we don’t know what might happen. It doesn’t hurt that much… I think I can still manage, so it should be fine, right? If it gets too bad, I’ll let you know….”

“Don’t be foolish.”

I cut off Da-eun’s muttered excuses with a firm tone.

“I told Celine to conserve her strength for situations like this.”

What did you think I had her save her strength for in the first place?

And while it might not hurt as much thanks to Edel’s blessing, that doesn’t mean you’re perfectly fine.

Do you think I’d just nod and accept it if you say that while showing obvious signs that you’re not okay?

“…Haha.”

“It’s a hassle, but I’ll leave it to you.”

“Leave it to me. This is my role, after all.”

As Celine’s divine power enveloped her, Da-eun’s complexion visibly relaxed.

“Phew… The DOT damage is gone. I thought I’d have to drink a potion, but I’m relieved. What? You think I’m trying to save potion money for profit? That’s ridiculous! No way I’d do that.”

If she was going to sigh in relief, why insist on not receiving the blessing?

I shook my head at Da-eun’s puzzling behavior and turned my attention back to the barrier.

Unlike the barricades set up in the villages of the Demonic Race that fled to the Ardina Continent, this barrier showed no signs of an entrance.

“No choice, then.”

Muttering softly, I drew my sword.

Da-eun, who had been watching my actions, spoke with a perplexed tone.

“…Didn’t you say earlier that you wouldn’t break through? I’m pretty sure you mentioned wanting to avoid any misunderstandings.”

“Yeah, I did.”

“Then why did you draw your sword? Wait, are you planning to cut me down with it…?!”

“You must be feeling better if you’re joking around like that.”

Come to think of it, I had felt like something was missing yesterday and today, probably because Da-eun hadn’t been babbling as much as usual.

She hadn’t been clinging to me as much, either.

If I said that out loud, she’d probably make some annoying comment like, ‘Our Kana, were you lonely because your big sister wasn’t hugging you? Come here, hug all you want,’ so I kept those thoughts to myself.

“If I don’t break the barrier, it should still react if I make a move it can’t ignore.”

If explosions go off in the yard, can you really pretend you didn’t hear them?

I poured mana into the sword in my hand.

Woooooong—!

The sword, filled to the brim with mana, vibrated violently, letting out a shrill howl.

It only held together because it was crafted by a skilled blacksmith—if it had been a poorly made sword, it would’ve shattered into iron dust long ago.

This wasn’t a technique that cared about the sword’s durability.

There wasn’t a hint of finesse; it was just brute-forcing mana into the blade.

Creak.

But I guess this sword has reached its limit, too.

It was a faint sound that could have been lost in the wind, but my sharpened hearing caught it.

It was the cry of a sword pushed to its breaking point.

If I pushed more mana into it now, it would shatter with a final scream.

I already had enough mana gathered to cause a commotion, so there was no reason to waste it and lose a useful weapon. I stopped pouring in mana.

What I held was a massive, pink-colored sword that could be called a greatsword.

I gripped the sword, which had lost its original color and shape, and swung it toward the sky.

A pink Sword Beam soared through the air.

There was no obstacle to block the Sword Beam, no enemy to cut through.

Crrraack—!

Even I, along with Da-eun and Celine, who were watching, instinctively covered our ears.

The Sword Beam shot out straight, creating a harsh noise.

It was a sound more fitting for ‘grinding down’ or ‘shattering’ rather than ‘cutting.’

And soon, I could see with my own eyes what my Sword Beam had struck.

“I didn’t expect this result.”

In the wake of the Sword Beam.

The clear blue sky shone through where the Sword Beam had passed.

I looked at the surreal sight of the blue sky peeking through the dark Magi with curiosity.

Right, there was the Magi.

What my Sword Beam had cut through was the Magi that had shrouded the sky.

If I had used less mana, the beam would have been swallowed by the Magi, but thanks to the reckless power I had poured in, my Sword Beam sliced through the dense Magi and reached the high sky.

‘I only intended to create a simple shockwave.’

The grating noise that tore through our ears and the refreshing, open view weren’t part of my plan.

Originally, my intention was simply to gather a large amount of mana.

If I amassed enough mana to shake the surroundings, anyone with decent skills would inevitably notice.

I shot the Sword Beam toward the sky to further signal our presence, not to show off my power or—

“You… split the sky….”

…Or to say something as cringeworthy as Da-eun just did.

Still, seeing the blue sky for the first time in days isn’t a bad feeling.

Even if it won’t last long.

“Consider it my gift.”

I think that’s enough of a housewarming present.

I asked nonchalantly, turning halfway around. By now, several members of the Demonic Race had gathered behind me. “So, how do you like it?”

Clank!

And just like that, I found myself behind iron bars… In other words, I was imprisoned.

“…Huh?”

…Why? More importantly, didn’t something like this happen not too long ago?

***

Fortunately, I regained my freedom not long after. It was thanks to my testimony that I didn’t harm the barrier and only called out to the Demonic Race inside, as well as Celine’s divine power, which had a 100% success rate in persuasion.

Honestly, the latter seemed more important than the former, but I think I deserve some credit too, right?

“As a leader, I had to do what was necessary, so I will not apologize.”

The woman who released me from the cell spoke. The man I had seen a few days earlier had seemed young, but the woman before me now looked even younger. In terms of human age, she would be in her early twenties. She was a beauty with a gentle downward curve to her eyes.

“Why is everyone so well-endowed….”

Poke.

I nudged Da-eun, who made a strange comment with envy-filled eyes as she looked at the woman. Why would she envy something that’s just a lump of fat? And it’s not like I’m saying this out of insecurity. I never wanted something like that in the first place. Besides, having something like that would only get in the way when swinging a sword.

“Leader? Are you the chieftain of the Demonic Race?”

“…Your speech is a bit short, isn’t it?”

“It’s a habit.”

“Bad habits should be corrected, don’t you think? While it’s not easy to break a habit ingrained in you, it’s not impossible if you put in the effort. So, you should try to change, starting now.”

“I never said it was a bad habit. And I used informal speech with Edel too. Do you think you’re higher than Edel? If so, I’ll use formal speech.”

“…The busy Edel wouldn’t waste time chatting with a mere girl like you. If you think you can deceive me with such an absurd lie—”

“What Kana says is true.”

“….”

If it had been a lie, a nun of Edel’s church would have been the first to rise in anger. But instead of showing anger, Celine defended me, which left the woman speechless. She alternated between looking at me and Celine with distrustful and conflicted eyes before sitting back down in her chair.

“…The end times must be near.”

Her reaction sparked a sudden impulse in me. What would she do if I told her Edel’s true nature? Would she deny it, saying that Edel could never be like that, or would she accept it? I was curious, but my plan was thwarted by Celine, who immediately noticed my intention and stopped me.

“Please don’t make things difficult.”

“I haven’t even said anything yet.”

I was just being a little petty because she imprisoned me. Come to think of it, she seems strangely familiar. I tapped the hilt of my sword, lost in thought, then snapped my fingers.

“You, what’s your relation to Artisha?”

“…Do you know Artisha?”

“She’s the one who brought us here, so of course I know her.”

“I see… Is that child doing well?”

“Not sure. I didn’t get a good look, but she seemed to be getting by.”

The woman’s eyes glimmered with a longing expression, as if reminiscing about something.

“So, what’s your answer to my question?”

“She is my daughter.”

“Oh, I thought so.”

It was a predictable answer, so it didn’t surprise me much. Judging by Da-eun’s wide-eyed expression, though, she seemed to think differently.

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