I Became a Raid Boss

There’s a system called channels in Silia Online.

Even though Silia Online values freedom, if too many players gather, the game becomes unplayable.

To solve this, a channel system was created, allowing players to enjoy the game more comfortably.

If you think of the world as a room, it’s like creating another identical room to separate it.

The channels created typically do not affect each other.

Just because monsters in one channel are defeated doesn’t mean monsters in another channel vanish, and vice versa.

However, during special incidents… like alteration events, the rules of non-interference break, affecting other channels.

For example, if Joanie’s current location, Blum Village, is destroyed by ogres, that outcome will reflect in other channels and eventually the world.

In other words, events happening in one channel become official history, hence it’s called alteration (改變).

While the exact conditions for an alteration event are unknown, players speculate they might be related to NPCs.

Upon investigation, it was found that the alteration events players experienced were directly or indirectly connected to NPCs.

However, just because NPCs are involved doesn’t guarantee an event occurs, so it remains speculation.

Though these rare events aren’t impossible to witness during one’s gaming life, they are still uncommon enough that Joanie had only heard of them but never experienced one herself.

The problem is, when an alteration event occurs, only those present at the time can participate.

Evidence of this came from viewers attempting to join Joanie’s channel but being blocked.

“This is not a small matter since it concerns the village’s survival, but why now…”

After a moment of despair, Joanie calmly assessed the village’s combat strength.

About twenty guards protecting the village, eight mercenaries hired by the guild, and eleven players including herself.

While there could be more people capable of wielding weapons, this was roughly their combat strength.

In fact, assuming that was generous, the actual combat power was likely lower.

The guards of a small village wouldn’t be much help against ogres.

“And the mercenaries won’t be of great help either.”

They might inflict minor wounds or distract, but they wouldn’t deal serious damage or land a decisive blow.

In the end, she could only rely on players like herself.

After quickly analyzing the situation, Joanie asked the players.

“What are your levels? Oh, and please tell me your classes.”

“I’m a magician, level 45.”

“I’m level 35! I’m a cleric!”

“I’m a level 40 barrier master.”

“I’m….”

The players began introducing themselves at Joanie’s request.

As she silently listened to them, her face grew darker.

‘…This isn’t enough.’

Though she tried not to show it, Joanie could tell that their combined strength wouldn’t be enough to face the ogre group.

Three or four might be manageable.

But beyond that, they wouldn’t just be unable to defeat them; they wouldn’t even be able to endure the fight.

Hmm…

This looks tough.

Their levels are too lowㅠㅠ

Too many healers.

Wait, how is a low-level person planning to help there? Just being a hindrance; what a pain…

“Watch your mouth, you know?”

It was true that their strength was lacking more than she hoped for, but complaining about the people who rushed to help her was something a decent person, before being a streamer, shouldn’t do.

Thus, Joanie dealt with a few suspicious viewers.

After finishing the purge, she turned her gaze back to the players.

“…Shall we come up with a strategy? Does anyone have a good idea?”

“…”

“…”

“Um…”

An awkward silence hung in the air.

For some reason, Joanie felt this awkward atmosphere was strangely familiar.

Can’t breathe…

Ugh, I’m feeling suffocated too;

Is this a group project?

“…That’s it!”

Yeah, I felt that way a lot in college.

But knowing why it was familiar didn’t change the situation.

The NPCs observing the players also seemed to instinctively feel the situation was bad and gradually lowered their voices.

‘If only I knew how many were coming…’

She asked the hunter who first spotted the ogres, but he said he didn’t know the exact number either.

As soon as he confirmed they were ogres, he panicked and fled, having no time to count.

“Uh… Joanie?”

“Yes?”

“Can’t we just ask Kana for help?”

The cleric raised his hand and cautiously asked.

“I don’t know about us, but I feel like Joanie could get her to listen….”

“…”

Joanie hesitated.

Would Kana really help her?

More importantly…

‘…I didn’t want to ask Kana for help.’

But there were too many stakes to be stubborn.

Principles versus reality. As Joanie oscillated between them, a young man who had gone out to scout burst into the village shouting.

“Th-they’re coming…!”

“…!”

“How many? How many?!”

“Are they coming this way? How far are they now?”

“There are ten of them…! They were far away, but they should be near the flower field by now!”

“T-ten?!”

Everyone listening was shocked by the unexpectedly high number.

Joanie was one of them.

If three or four would be hard to face, then ten was unimaginable.

“…This is impossible.”

Joanie muttered unconsciously.

She couldn’t see any way to resolve the situation.

“W-we should run now!”

“It’s not too late! Quickly load up!”

“Joanie!”

“…”

Joanie’s internal scale tipped heavily toward reality.

Feeling overwhelmed and miserable, she hung her head.

“Kana… I need your strength. Can you help me?”

…

Kana?

Kana remained silent.

She neither reluctantly accepted nor outright refused.

“…Kana?”

Joanie, puzzled by the complete lack of reaction, slowly raised her head.

The little bird’s eyes weren’t on her.

They were facing outside the village, and beyond that.

As Joanie followed Kana’s gaze, she absentmindedly murmured.

“…the mountain?”

*

Joanie seemed to be mumbling something.

But I didn’t have time to concern myself with that.

‘It felt odd from the start.’

The signs had been there since the ogre group appeared.

They seemed too healthy to be venturing out just because their numbers had increased.

Thinking back, it seemed their purpose was to evacuate.

A journey to find a new home, fleeing from an enemy too strong to face.

And surely, the ogres heading toward this village had the same objective.

“…”

I sensed a presence coming from the mountain.

Since they were fleeing before, perhaps they instinctively sensed danger.

To be able to detect the arrival of dimensional beings. At this rate, who knows what Kana could do?

“Kana?”

Joanie called my name again.

What did she say…?

Right, she asked for help.

“Get out of the way.”

She probably wanted me to kill the invading ogres.

Without knowing there’s something behind them that can’t be treated lightly.

If I just stay put in the mountain, it wouldn’t be a problem, but unfortunately, it seemed the dimensional beings appearing on the mountain had no intention of doing so.

Perhaps as I sensed them, they sensed me too.

Seeing that they were approaching me.

If you want to die, then so be it.

“I’ll put you down.”

“Uh, huh? Oh! Thanks!”

I gave Joanie a blank stare as she bowed her head awkwardly.

…That wasn’t directed at you.

No need to correct the misunderstanding.

‘There’s no time for that.’

Swish…

I drew my sword.

“…What? Are you really going to fight?”

“What are you waiting for?! Hurry and calm her down!”

“Asking a child to fight….”

So noisy.

They were chattering around me; I ignored it since I wouldn’t understand it anyway.

“Oh.”

Right.

I paused my movements, gathering strength in my legs before charging forward.

“This, hold this for me.”

I didn’t want to witness it getting torn like last time.

Besides, this battle seemed like it might get rough.

Having tossed the cape to Joanie without waiting for her answer, I dashed off.

Pah!

Surrounding objects stretched long.

People, buildings, walls, fields, paths.

Ogres.

“Let’s start with one.”

Rather than saying I was running, it was more like being launched at high speed, lightly leaping and swinging my sword.

The sword passed through the ogre’s neck without any resistance.

Next was a beast munching on what looked like meat; it seemed starving, so I shoved the sword down its throat.

No resistance there either.

Being a master at this level, I shouldn’t struggle against ogres.

If that were the case, my body would’ve been rolling around on some battlefield.

Or I might have been captured by the empire, fawning over some wealthy noble.

…Eww. That thought made me feel sick.

“…It’s your fault.”

You made me think of something disgusting.

That crime deserves a hundred deaths.

I severed the ogre’s neck with a sword lightly wrapped in mana.

Once I killed the first four, the surrounding scenery that had been distorted finally returned to normal.

Fwoosh.

Boom!

The neckless ogres collapsed late, shaking the ground as they fell.

Crimson blood gushed out in fountains from the severed ends.

“…Kwak?!”

“Yep. Kwak.”

As far as I know, ogres aren’t known for their strong camaraderie.

Still, even if they can seek revenge upon seeing a comrade die, those who were so oblivious couldn’t handle the sudden fall of their fellow.

Since a comrade who was just fine moments ago dropped dead suddenly, that would be shocking.

I answered the ogre’s question kindly while hunting down the remaining ones.

One at a time, simply but effectively.

It took less than a few dozen seconds to bring down all ten ogres.

Even if they snapped back to fight, they wouldn’t stand a chance; losing their comrades had clearly rattled them, as they didn’t even think to arm themselves.

Killing those who’d lost their heads was like eating cake.

Having shaken off the blood lightly, I turned my body around.

So, then…

“Hey. Are you here to see me?”

Nice to meet you.

I waved at the glimmering light in the darkness.

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