I Became a Raid Boss

Let’s briefly talk about how to kill an orc….

Just because they’re classified as monsters, orcs are still living beings, so they can die if you hit their vital spots like the heart or brain.

There are various ways to kill an orc, such as excessive bleeding, shock death, electrocution, and burning.

However, the only method that a lousy swordsman like Joanie can use is pretty simple.

“Hwaah!”

By stabbing.

“Haah!”

Or slashing.

Despite my dislike for magicians, this is why magicians are welcomed everywhere they go. They can deal with various situations, and they have many means to attack compared to those who use melee weapons.

Like burning or, making the ground slippery to trip foes.

Of course, just because someone uses melee weapons doesn’t mean they can’t use properties.

Once they reach a level of proficiency in handling mana, they might not be able to use several properties, but they can still infuse weapons with attributes.

Or if they’re loaded, they can always buy weapons with attributes, but… either way, it’s still overwhelming for beginners in weapon handling.

There’s a reason magicians are expensive.

Given that those without talent can’t even step into the path of magic, their numbers are few, and when comparing beginner magicians to beginner swordsmen, magicians are overwhelmingly more useful.

So, why am I bringing this up suddenly, you ask?

‘Why on earth….’

Seeing Joanie desperately swinging her sword at an orc, I wrapped my head in my hands.

Orc skin is quite tough, making it not easy for melee weapons to handle, but that doesn’t mean that an expert swordsman should struggle.

With an expert’s mana and swordsmanship, cutting through an orc’s skin should be as easy as slicing a steak for breakfast.

Yet, observing Joanie fight, it’s a bit unfortunate to say, but I started to think that a beginner magician might be more helpful.

…Wait, why should I feel sorry?

The lousy one is Joanie, who has beginner-level skills.

“Just… die… already!”

Joanie screamed as she swung her sword, and it lodged itself into the orc’s neck.

“Yahh!”

It seemed to catch on the tough skin and bone, but it eventually burrowed in, completely splitting the orc’s neck.

Even though she was better than silver-grade mercenaries, it was still somewhat unsatisfactory.

“Grr!”

A mercenary, focused on the fight with an orc, finally screamed upon seeing another orc approaching him.

In a situation where he couldn’t block or dodge.

“Aaaah!”

Slash!

“Huh, huh…?”

“…Is it that difficult?”

Muttering as I neatly separated the orc’s head from its body while saving the mercenary.

With basic physical enhancement, things like this don’t even require infusing mana into the sword.

If someone has good physical abilities, they wouldn’t even need that.

Leaving the bewildered mercenary behind, I lightly stomped the ground.

“T-thank you….”

“I’m alive…!”

“Hhhuh….”

Each mercenary had different reactions when I saved them from danger.

After dealing with an orc that was swinging an axe at one of them, the survivor collapsed to the ground.

For his dignity, I pretended not to see the wet patch on his pants.

It’s only natural after crossing halfway through the River Styx.

“Hwaah!”

Thud!

While I was saving the other mercenaries, Joanie handled the last remaining orc.

Joanie rushed in quickly, piercing the orc’s neck.

Once the sound of blood bubbling ceased and Joanie confirmed the orc’s lifeless eyes, she recovered her sword from its neck.

“Ugh, gross….”

Disgusted, I approached Joanie as she wiped off the fat and blood from her sword.

“Joanie.”

“Oh, Kana. You’re back!”

“…Back?”

She hadn’t really gone anywhere.

I had been keeping an eye on Joanie while helping the mercenaries.

“How did I do? Pretty good, right?”

Wiggle wiggle.

Joanie pretended to swing her sword as she asked.

She seemed quite proud of how many orcs she had taken down all by herself.

Since Joanie had defeated the most orcs, objectively speaking, she was the MVP of this battle without a doubt.

Of course, I was excluded.

Adults shouldn’t butt in when kids are playing. Kids need to be left to have their fun.

Just help out a little when it gets too dangerous, like earlier.

“Sweet lies and bitter truths. Which one do you want?”

“….”

Joanie’s eyes rolled around.

Finally, she answered.

“Um, I’ll go with sweet lies, please….”

“You’ve improved a lot since before.”

That’s definitely true.

Saying “sweet lies” and making it true is a bit paradoxical.

“…It’s sweet!”

“But— Mm.”

“Wait! I didn’t ask for bitter truths!”

As I was about to point out the issue, Joanie instinctively covered her mouth.

This is the problem with kids these days.

They only want to hear nice things. No wonder they don’t improve.

“Uh….”

While I was looking displeased, someone approached us.

I already knew they were coming, but when I looked over, the surrounding mercenaries all bowed their heads in unison.

“Thank you for your help!”

“We survived thanks to you…!”

Hearing what was clearly a thank you, I nodded nonchalantly.

It wasn’t that I liked the mercenaries, so this reaction seemed just about right.

“Ha ha ha.”

Joanie smiled happily.

Even though I was the one who received thanks, Joanie was the one showing pleasure.

I thought about correcting the misunderstanding but found it bothersome, so I just let it be.

If I say something, it might come off as showing off.

“I didn’t expect to run into a herd of orcs in a place like this… Thanks to you two, we survived!”

Once the mercenaries left, now the merchants came over to express their gratitude.

While mercenaries are in the same position of doing a request, merchants can also show gratitude, but…

Weren’t they initially requesting this? Is it excessive to be this grateful?

Uh… I don’t know.

It was a bit too difficult for me since I hadn’t received thanks that often.

So instead of overthinking, I shifted my attention elsewhere.

To the orc bodies scattered around.

“…Are you hungry?”

“….”

If we’re getting into whether I want to eat or not, I’d say I do, but I’m not looking at them for the sake of wanting food right now.

What do I look like, someone who’s crazy for food, just thinking about it?

As I sulked silently, Joanie asked the merchant.

“What do you do with the loot or by-products?”

“Usually, we assess the value and then buy them from you. But for you, Apostle, I suppose there’s no need for that.”

“Huh? Why an Apostle?”

“Apostles have their own Void Space, so you don’t have to worry about carrying extra burden. We usually buy at a lower price….”

“Ah… But can you say that openly?”

“It’s common knowledge that the mercenaries agreed to this, so it’s fine. It’s a way to save the hassle of carrying everything. If you want, we can set aside some for you to carry, but it’s quite rare for people to do that. So, what would you like?”

“Um… Please handle it for me. Oh, but could you spare me a bit of the meat?”

“Most of the orc by-products are meat, so the price will drop a lot. Are you okay with that?”

“That’s fine. My sibling loves orc meat.”

“Ah….”

The merchant’s eyes turned to me.

“Then in regard to the buyout, how about we treat you to orc meat for dinner?”

“Ah, no… you really don’t have to do that…!”

“You don’t need to decline. After all, without you two, we wouldn’t have been able to handle so many orcs without any damage. Terribly embarrassed, but as a merchant, I can’t give much, so please let me repay you like this.”

“So I really don’t need any compensation!”

“Oh my, even with humility! Truly a model for an Apostle.”

“This is crazy.”

Joanie said with a voice full of emotion.

Regardless of that, I was lost in thought while staring at the orc bodies.

‘It’s not strange for orcs to gather in herds….’

They breed quickly, so even a single pair can multiply in no time.

However, it’s uncommon to see such a large group of orcs roaming around like this.

Typically, they leave a few to guard their territory and send just a few out.

It usually happens when they’re encroaching on human or other monsters’ territories.

“…Well, does it matter?”

Even if they were multiplying so much that they wanted to expand their territory, they’re all dead now anyway.

There might still be a few lingering in the area, but after wiping them out completely, they won’t be active for a while.

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

I’m not sure why, but Joanie, who had been deep in thought, reacted to my mumbling.

“Is something going on?”

“Nothing.”

Whatever the reason, it’s a joy to get free food.

Just like freshly caught pork is delicious, orcs taste freshest right after being caught.

I can’t expect a well-prepared meal like in the morning since we’re outdoors, but it can still be tasty in its own way.

It’s like the difference between camping and a restaurant.

Thinking that I might have to pay to buy meat, I swallowed my spit.

“See! You were just craving food!”

“…No, I wasn’t.”

I do want to eat, but I wasn’t pondering it because of hunger.

…Really.

---