I Became a Raid Boss

“Hmm~”

Da-eun was nodding her head to the rhythm of the music coming from the speakers. She mentioned it was a song from a drama’s OST or something.

Having neither heard the song nor watched the drama, I couldn’t offer much more than a simple “Oh, I see,” but I could understand why Da-eun was so into it. Even to someone like me who knew nothing about it, the song was lively and fun. Not that I would start bobbing my head or tapping my fingers along like the person next to me.

‘Isn’t she going to bump her head at this rate?’

As Da-eun’s movements grew more intense, I couldn’t help but speak up.

“Is it safe to move around like that? Isn’t it dangerous?”

“I have the auto-drive feature on, so it’s fine!”

Then she added, “Back in the day, even with auto-drive, you had to keep your hands on the wheel. But now, technology has improved so much that you don’t even need to sit in the driver’s seat. It’s perfectly legal!”

“Really…?”

“There are still situations that require manual control, like emergencies or when you need to get somewhere fast.”

“Hmm.”

“Anyway, this feature’s safety has already been proven. Since it was implemented, traffic accidents have dropped dramatically. If it wasn’t safe, the government wouldn’t have approved it, right?”

“If it’s that safe, shouldn’t accidents not happen at all?”

“Oh, come on, that’s too much to expect. If someone crashes into you like a maniac from behind, it’s hard to avoid that. Even a person couldn’t dodge that. So, just relax and enjoy.”

“I was never really worried…”

She gave a small smirk.

Judging by that smug look, she probably thought it was cute that I was acting unafraid when I was supposedly scared moments ago. But really, I wasn’t scared in the slightest. What reason did I have to be afraid?

“Even if there’s an accident, I won’t get hurt. Do you think I learned mana just for show?”

Of course, the severity of the accident would matter, but if I got hurt in a minor car crash, even Edel’s snake would laugh at me from the afterlife.

Besides, I didn’t buy this car with my own money, so I don’t need to worry about that, either. People who have nothing to lose have nothing to fear.

Da-eun’s eyes widened as she took in my words.

“…So that means…”

She sounded shaken as if something had hit her.

“You weren’t scared—you were worried about me…?”

“…Huh?”

Her words were so unexpected that I tilted my head again.

Oblivious to my confusion, Da-eun continued, feigning a teary voice.

“So, you mean you’re fine, but you were worried I might get hurt in an accident. Right?”

“…Not at all.”

Sniff “Kana, you’re so kind-hearted it’s bringing me to tears…”

“I told you, it’s not like that.”

Da-eun raised a hand to wipe her eyes, which were dry as ever.

She clearly had no intention of listening to my actual words. I couldn’t even begin to guess what logic brought her to that conclusion, so I gave up trying to understand her.

“As long as you’re happy, Da-eun.”

Everyone’s free to think what they want.

And it’s always the warm sunlight, not the icy northern winds, that makes a traveler shed their coat.

Seeing Da-eun smile foolishly to herself, my gaze softened.

“…That look hurts.”

I was definitely giving her a warm, sunlit look, yet Da-eun, who had been lost in her own fantasy, suddenly fell back to cold reality.

How strange.

As Da-eun’s over-the-top excitement died down, the music in the car changed to a more soothing tune, as if it could read our mood. As I blankly stared at the passing scenery outside, Da-eun, who had been silent for a while, suddenly spoke up.

“Hey, Kana.”

“Yeah?”

“That thing called mana… could I use it too?”

“…Mana? You mean this?”

“Yeah! That!”

I let a little mana spark up at my fingertip, and Da-eun eagerly nodded.

“Why the interest in mana?”

“It’s cool! And it seems really useful… Like you said earlier, even if there’s an accident, you wouldn’t get hurt.”

“Yeah, it is useful.”

If nothing else, being able to protect yourself alone makes it a very appealing skill.

Although, reaching that level would take a fair amount of time.

As Da-eun looked at me with hopeful eyes, I nodded slowly.

This world, Earth, originally didn’t have mana, but ever since Silia became linked to it, mana has started emerging here. People just haven’t realized it yet.

“With effort, you might be able to use it.”

“Really?! Then could you teach me?!”

“Teaching isn’t the hard part, but are you sure you can manage it? You couldn’t even grasp it back in Silia.”

“…Oh.”

Of course, your real body wasn’t in Silia, so it might be different this time… but considering that you had system assistance back then, it might not be that different.

It would definitely be challenging.

“Still want to try learning?”

When I gave her a look that said as much, Da-eun hesitated for a long while before finally nodding with a determined expression.

“If it’s okay with you, I’d like to learn!”

“Sure. Got it.”

“Really?! You promise?”

“I said yes. Even if you end up crying and want to quit, I won’t go easy on you.”

“…That’s kind of scary.”

Since it’s not difficult for me, there’s no reason to refuse.

…Although, who knows what might happen in the future.

‘I hope nothing bad happens, though.’

It’s just a wish; I can’t guarantee that what I’m worried about won’t come true.

Gathering my thoughts, I looked at Da-eun, who was now gazing at me with a mix of fear and anticipation.

“We’re starting as soon as we arrive.”

“C-couldn’t we wait until we get back home…?”

“Nope.”

“Aww…”

Da-eun pouted.

***

Screech.

After hours on the road, the car finally came to a stop.

Just as Da-eun had said, the auto-drive feature had safely taken us to our destination.

“Gah…! Ahh, it feels so good to be out.”

As soon as we arrived, Da-eun threw open the car door and stretched her arms high. Judging by her refreshed expression, being cooped up in the car must have been pretty uncomfortable.

“Mm…”

I felt the same, so I stretched as soon as I got out of the car.

It was fast and convenient, but it left me feeling a bit restless. Still, it was much better than a carriage.

Suddenly—

“Wha?!”

While I was lost in thought and stretching my arms, a peculiar sensation touched my hand, raised toward the sky.

Startled, I tried to pull my hand back.

“Ahaha! Gotcha! Sorry~”

“…What are you doing?”

Realizing it was Da-eun’s hand holding mine, I frowned slightly.

“If you’re going to stretch, do it properly! Reach up on your tiptoes like this! That’s how you grow taller.”

“I’m not stretching to grow taller, just loosening up.”

So that’s it—another jab about my height. Does she even realize that the more she jokes about this, the more trouble it’s going to bring her later on?

‘She must not realize it.’

Looking at her, I briefly wondered if maybe she secretly enjoyed the idea of future pain, though, surprisingly, Da-eun was not the type to enjoy suffering. I watched her with a sympathetic look as she cluelessly invited trouble upon herself, then twisted my hand free from hers.

As if celebrating my newfound freedom, a cool breeze brushed past my cheek.

“The air is so refreshing, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, it really is.”

The air in Seoul could never be described as pleasant—it always felt smoky and stifling, like breathing through a haze of Magi. But here, far from the city and halfway up a mountain, the air that filled my lungs was remarkably fresh.

“I love being able to take in fresh air like this. It’s such a sharp reminder that we’re somewhere different, away from the usual. I’m sure others would just say, ‘Air is air, stop being so dramatic,’ but still.”

“…”

“Kana? Why are you so quiet? Is something wrong?”

“…What could possibly be wrong? Not at all.”

It’s definitely not because Da-eun’s words hit too close to home.

…I mean it, really. I wasn’t thinking anything that bad. I was just wondering if you could really feel it that deeply, so I paused to take in the air myself.

I quickly changed the subject.

“Is that part of why you like traveling so much, Da-eun?”

“Hmm… one of the reasons, yeah. Like I said before, I spent so much time in the hospital when I was younger that I just wanted to get out and see places.”

Then, as she spoke, Da-eun gave a slight smile.

“Plus, experiencing new cultures and ways of life helps me realize my life isn’t the only one out there. Things I thought didn’t matter start to look different too. I guess you could say my perspective broadens. It just opens my mind up, and I love that feeling.”

When Da-eun finished, a short silence fell between us.

I thought back to her excitement each time we arrived in a new city. Did she feel that same way when traveling through Silia?

As I mulled it over, I shook my head slightly.

“I don’t really get it.”

In Sedeth, Baltora, or any other towns we visited… I could tell they were different from where I was from, but I never felt my perspective expanding like Da-eun described.

“It’s like when someone with a heavy burden doesn’t have the luxury to take in the scenery. You were probably too burdened at the time, Kana.”

“That’s probably it.”

“Yeah. I’m sure that’s it.”

Da-eun squatted in front of me, bringing our eyes slightly out of alignment. She must have noticed it too because she awkwardly straightened up.

“So, my dream is to one day go traveling with you, Kana. I want to show you everything I’ve seen, heard, and felt. …Though, right now, it might be a bit difficult.”

Because Kana has something she needs to do first, right?

“But once things settle down, want to go on a trip together? Ah, maybe that sounded too much like a flag…”

Da-eun extended her pinky finger toward me with a slightly bashful smile.

‘Honestly…’

I raised an eyebrow and let out a soft smile. Every time she says something nice, she has to spoil the moment.

But this time, instead of giving her a hard time, I raised my own pinky finger.

“Yeah, let’s do it.”

Our pinkies intertwined, and before long, we both started chuckling softly.

“It’s a promise now. Even if you later change your mind or try to back out, I won’t let you.”

“Hmph.”

Da-eun threw back my words from earlier, right back at me.

“If you’re offering to pay, why would I refuse?”

“Y-you bratty little Kana! Did you really have to say that in such a touching moment? Does ruining the mood make you happy?!”

Who’s the one to talk?

—

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