I Became a Raid Boss

Demon Race.

Da-eun was aware that it was a race that didn’t exist on Earth, but to her, the Demon Race didn’t feel unfamiliar at all.

‘Well, it’s a staple race that always appears in fantasy novels, right?’

If they didn’t appear, it would actually be disappointing.

Although she had never seen them in reality, Da-eun’s inner familiarity had already reached max level long ago.

Even though she was a bit flustered when she heard Kana’s words—

‘…Well, I guess that can happen!’

Thinking about it, there were countless creative works depicting the Demon Race in a positive light.

So, it wasn’t particularly special that another one was added now, and Da-eun quickly steadied her heart.

However, there was one thing she wouldn’t compromise on.

“If Selin accompanies us, we can rest easy. Holy Power and Mana are opposites!”

What is the Demon Race’s weakness?

Isn’t it Holy Power?

The golden Holy Power bravely enduring the raging storm of Mana.

The image of a frail priestess fighting against powerful Mana stirred the romance buried deep within Da-eun.

If the “Priest” class in Silia Online wasn’t a job with nearly zero combat ability, she might have chosen it without hesitation.

For that reason—

Even though she was still scared of going to the long-heard hometown of the Demon Race, Raxia—

Thinking about heading there with the reliable tank and dealer, Kana, and healer Selin, Da-eun’s heart, which had come to a halt, began to race again.

‘It’s totally a hero party…!’

Kana denied it, but in Da-eun’s eyes, the small girl looked like a mighty hero.

‘…Huh.’

…Something seems a bit off?

Da-eun stopped her endless daydreaming and narrowed her brow.

If Kana is the dealer and Selin is the healer, then what’s my role…?

Of course, there’s no rule that a hero party can only have one dealer, but no matter how she thought about it, Da-eun couldn’t picture herself having an active role on the Mad Continent.

…Am I, perhaps, a pack mule?

Was I simply a regrettable and squalid obsession?

Kana, noticing Da-eun’s utterly useless thoughts, looked at her pitifully, but Da-eun remained oblivious.

The one who snapped Da-eun back to reality was Selin, asking her back in confusion.

“Huh? Opposite?”

Selin had the expression of someone who had never heard such a thing before.

Thanks to her voice, Da-eun, who had awakened from her own world, also fell into a state of confusion.

“Could it be not so?”

Inflicting double damage on magic attribute beings or purifying Mana-tainted land.

“…Things like that.”

“Those things definitely don’t exist.”

Boom!

Selin’s immediate response felt like lightning striking Da-eun’s head.

“My… romance….”

As Da-eun sagged and collapsed, she hugged Kana.

To heal her wounded heart.

Here we go again.

As always, a hint of emotion briefly passed over Kana’s expressionless face, but she didn’t resist Da-eun’s embrace.

Having recovered her peace of mind by holding Kana, Da-eun said.

“Then isn’t it meaningless to go together? Ah, I’m not doubting Selin’s abilities, but…”

“Hehe. I understand your worry.”

Selin gently placed her hand on her chest.

“But don’t let looks deceive you, I’m an Apprentice Saint of the Edel Church. I am confident in my skills, so you can rest assured.”

“…An Apprentice Saint?”

“Yes.”

“…What does that even mean?”

“…Huh?”

Looking at Selin, who brimmed with pride, it seemed like something impressive.

Although Da-eun didn’t know what an Apprentice Saint was, the fact that she carried the title of ‘Saint’ did add a sense of gravity….

Should she be amazed or take it lightly?

Da-eun was caught in a dilemma between the two paths.

While she was doing that, the now calm Selin kindly explained.

“An Apprentice Saint refers to nuns who undergo training to become Saints.”

“Oh? Isn’t a Saint chosen by the grace of the Edel Lord?”

“Hmm, interesting remark. A Saint is someone who can handle Edel’s grace more adeptly than others, so one could see it from that perspective?”

In other words, it meant it wasn’t so.

I see…

Then what do Saints do, how can one become one, and how many Apprentice Saints are there?

There were still many questions, but—

The little presence trapped in Da-eun’s arms couldn’t bear the stuffiness any longer and began wriggling.

Feeling that the time was limited through the small sensation in her embrace, Da-eun decided to give up on resolving all her curiosities.

There’s no need to ask everything right now.

Since they decided to travel together, there would be plenty of time to talk.

Instead, Da-eun asked the question that mattered most to her right now.

“Umm, I don’t mean to imply I don’t trust you, Selin, but could I ask one last question? Just one?”

“Of course. You can ask as many as you like.”

“I’m sorry if this is a rude question, but… an Apprentice Saint is essentially a lower rank than a Saint, right?”

“…That’s true?”

“I’ve heard that Raxia on the Mad Continent is a very dangerous place, so wouldn’t it be better to send a Saint there rather than an Apprentice Saint? O-of course, I’m glad to be going with you, Selin!”

No matter how much Da-eun didn’t intend to belittle Selin, her question was enough to sound rude.

Da-eun, knowing that, set the stage carefully as she asked but couldn’t hide her anxious heart.

The chat window filled with messages like ‘Habitual Rudeness’ or ‘Me’ and ‘Rax’ as she expected.

‘But I’m curious, okay?’

Why would they send someone of a lower rank when the strongest is available?

Or is it such a symbolic position that they can’t be sent to dangerous places?

“Ah! Was that what you were curious about?”

Fortunately, Selin answered cheerfully without a hint of annoyance.

“The position of Saint is currently vacant.”

So I, the most promising candidate, am going.

Selin’s voice was filled with pride as she said that.

*

The Demon Race originally did not exist on the Ardina Continent.

However, just because they didn’t exist on the ‘Ardina Continent’ doesn’t mean they don’t exist in the world of Silia.

Unlike the dimensional beings that suddenly appeared alongside Edel’s defeat, they had been living on a continent beyond the western sea for a long time.

In other words, the Demon Race means they are beings created by Edel.

Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Demon Race, Monsters… even down to various beasts and tiny flies.

Excluding dimensional beings, all living creatures in the Silia world were born through Edel’s hand.

Oh, and I should exclude myself too.

Anyway, it’s impossible that Edel’s Holy Power would have a negative impact on beings created by Edel.

Surely anything in excess isn’t good, so being exposed to it all day wouldn’t be wise, but it wouldn’t have the dramatic effects Da-eun imagined.

—That was how I felt after listening to Da-eun’s words.

And.

“Fool.”

“Ugh…”

That was a single word expressing my feelings.

Of course, Da-eun, being an outsider, might not know those circumstances.

But I didn’t care; I just found it amusing to tease her, and Da-eun staggered like someone struck by an arrow.

“I didn’t know…! I didn’t know that!”

That was the argument made by the defendant.

If it were as Da-eun thought, that Holy Power and Mana were opposing forces, the Sedeth Kingdom wouldn’t have acted as mediators during the Second Racial War.

The phrase “opposing Holy Power” means a force opposing Edel’s will.

“Holy Power is a force related to life.”

Not everything related to the rites of the Sacred was connected to life, of course.

“It can heal wounds and cure diseases, and it can also invigorate and strengthen the body.”

“Oh… so…”

Da-eun responded as if she had come to a realization from my words.

“So that’s why priests have a higher healing amount than other healers.”

Suddenly mumbling to Arkish, it seemed she was speaking to the viewers.

If I had known Arkish, I might’ve understood.

I don’t regret not having learned, but I felt the need to learn soon as I pretended not to hear her words that were anything but lonely.

It’s just not the time yet. Yeah.

“Do you remember what I said about Mana?”

“Didn’t you already know? …Did Kana tell you?”

From whatever she had heard, Da-eun’s expression shifted completely from what it was.

“Hem, ahem. What did Kana say?”

“…She asked if you remember what you said about Mana.”

“Yes. Of course I remember. You said it’s like poison to non-Demon beings, right? Isn’t that so?”

“That’s right.”

The streets were still lively as the festival was ongoing.

Wearing a hood, I wandered the bustling streets with Da-eun.

“Beings that come into contact with Mana grow weaker over time.”

The longer the contact with Mana lasts, and the thicker the concentration of Mana, the stronger and faster the effects manifest.

It’s okay if they have resistance to Mana, but not every living being is born with a strong body or can reach a high level.

“And, according to the words of beings that couldn’t resist the Mana that infested their bodies, there are two outcomes.”

They either die or turn into monsters.

The reason why there are particularly many monsters near where the Demon Race lives is not just a feeling.

That’s why Grasis had quite a headache as well.

Just a little further west, there’s land settled by the Demon Race, which meant monsters were also rampant around Grasis.

…Well, in truth, it was Grasis’s own doing.

If the Demon Race settled around Grasis, it was a given that monsters would start to overrun the area.

So all the factions on the Ardina Continent agreed to support monster extermination, but they blew it with devastating diplomacy.

Is it talent to kick away a great unification that transcends countries and races?

“Now you see why people think coexistence with the Demon Race is impossible?”

I suspect that rumors about the Demon Race handling monsters spread for this reason.

“Ugh, but why are you suddenly telling me this? It just made me more scared…”

Di-eun trembled at the thought of dying, or rather, appearing to die.

In the past, I might’ve thought she was worrying unnecessarily.

“…I think you were wondering why I chose to go with Selin.”

But not now.

Talking with Da-eun, I learned why she has a pathological fear of pain.

“As I said, Holy Power is related to life. So, her Holy Power can protect you from being affected by Mana.”

Edel should be strong enough to make a point of public correctness.

If Selin couldn’t use her powers, I wouldn’t be able to withstand it either.

If that happened, it would be better to—

“….”

…Hmm, that’s not it.

I quickly erased the thought that crossed my mind.

Thoughts may be free, but no matter what, this one went too far.

“I won’t let you die.”

“Kana…!”

At my words, Da-eun looked like she was about to burst into tears.

Then suddenly, as if a thought struck her, she stopped her sobbing.

“…So, does that mean you’ll start teaching swordsmanship more gently?”

“….”

“…Kana? Hey, Kana? Aren’t you listening to me?”

“….”

No. That’s not it.

She was the one who wanted to learn swordsmanship, right?

That meant teaching swordsmanship, not trying to kill her.

In fact, that kind of harsh teaching is necessary so she can defend herself when dangerous situations arise; so my words of not letting her die fit better with that.

Yeah, it must be like that.

I pretended not to hear Da-eun’s words and turned my head.

“…Waaaaah! I hate Kana!”

It’s essential that people who truly care for others can sometimes be hated.

It’s a heart-wrenching task, but it’s something that must be endured.

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