I Became a Raid Boss-Chapter 103: Departure (3)

How Should We Handle the Caught Fish?

After a brief discussion, we decided to hand the fish over to Atisha.

Although it looked like an ordinary fish with black scales, the miasma emanating from its corpse suggested it was more than just a common fish; it was a demon beast.

Given the level of miasma, it seemed like it wouldn't harm us if we ate it. But despite our initial regret about not being able to eat it, Daeun firmly opposed the idea.

"We, the apostles, have a cultural practice of eating raw, finely sliced fish without any cooking, like grilling. What do you think? Want to give it a try, Atisha?"

Atisha seemed doubtful as she listened to Daeun's suggestion.

"Raw fish...? I can't really picture it...."

"Do you think it might have poison?"

"Well, we'd only know if we tried...."

"Uh... wouldn’t it be too late by then?"

"Just a little should be fine...?"

"That doesn’t sound reassuring at all."

The two leaned their heads together in discussion. What started as a talk about eating the fish as sashimi gradually veered into a debate over whether it was poisonous. Watching them exchange casual banter stirred a strange sense of nostalgia within me.

I remember times like that, too—when we'd argue over whether or not we could eat demon beast meat.

"Captain."

"Oh, Kana. What's up?"

"This."

"Huh? The demon beast we caught earlier? Why are you suddenly bringing it here?"

"Don't you think we could eat it?"

"Hmm... Considering your level, it should be fine. Alright, it’s been a while; let’s try some demon beast meat."

"Yay!"

"...Captain. Dinner’s ready, so instead of picking up strange things, come quickly. And Captain."

"Uh, yes?"

"When the vice-captain tries to eat something strange, aren’t you supposed to stop them? How can you, the supposed protector, not only fail to stop but actually encourage them? What if it’s poisonous...."

"Hey, unless it’s something like the 'World Tree’s Lament,' Kana and I wouldn’t be affected by ordinary poison."

"...Captain, did you forget that the vice-captain is still young? Children are physically weaker than adults. I might not care what happens to you, but if you let the vice-captain get poisoned, it would be a disaster, a complete disaster!"

"I... I see.... W-Wait, what do you mean you don't care what happens to me?"

"Besides, what if eating random things becomes a habit? Do you want the vice-captain to end up picking up things off the ground and eating them, only for people to point and gossip?"

"...That wouldn’t do! Kana, sorry, but no demon beast roast!"

"...Want a smack, both of you?"

I recalled the memory of my father fumbling nervously before an angry Aaron.

Even though the situation was somewhat different, it was close enough. That was the first thing that came to mind, but there had been other similar experiences. For instance, times when we’d run out of food due to extended journeys, with no place to restock, or when ingredients got contaminated by miasma during battles with demon beasts. Each time, it would lead to a lively debate.

It seems that when a group reaches a certain level, able to withstand light miasma, such discussions inevitably come up.

"Is it okay?"

"Yeah... better than I thought. Chewy, and quite savory..."

"Uh, I didn’t ask about the taste; I meant if it’s safe to eat."

"Ugh, cough..."

"Hey, don’t start acting all dramatic now."

"Isn’t this what you wanted?"

"Of course not."

While I was lost in nostalgia, their conversation had progressed significantly. Atisha was tasting pieces of carefully sliced sashimi, giving her impressions one by one, while Selene provided support with her sacred power nearby. It was amusing, using someone like Selene—a candidate for saintess, no less—to assist in eating demon beast meat. Edel's followers would probably be horrified if they saw this.

I walked over, contemplating the absurdity of it all.

Munch.

“Ah...!”

“Munch, munch—”

“K-Kana! You can’t eat things like that! It’s... it’s gross!”

"...Gross?"

Atisha's expression shifted dramatically as she was suddenly labeled a "gross eater."

“Oh...! That’s not what I meant! I was worried that demon beast meat might be dangerous for Kana since she’s not a demon!”

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Daeun stammered, quickly backtracking on her words.

Gulp.

Ignoring her flustered apologies, I swallowed the piece of sashimi I was chewing. Eating raw sea creatures wasn’t customary in Silia, though raw meat dishes existed. For me, this was the first time tasting sashimi in this life. Even if I’d eaten it in my previous life, I had no recollection of its flavor or texture, so it might as well have been my first time.

Regardless, it wasn’t bad at all. The slight fishy taste balanced with a pleasant savoriness and a chewy texture created a rather enjoyable flavor. When I picked up another piece, Daeun watched me with fascination.

"Tasty?"

"It’s edible."

"Really? That’s surprising.... Most people are put off at first."

Having tasted worse on Earth, I supposed that helped, though I couldn’t exactly tell her that.

"Maybe it's because I’ve eaten things even worse."

"Worse?"

"Bread from a dumpster, half-rotten meat, things like that."

"...Tell me honestly; are you saying this to make me feel guilty? You’ve been doing that a lot lately, you know...?"

Well, I couldn’t exactly deny it. Still, rather than respond, I just took another piece of sashimi.

Sigh. "Go ahead, eat as much as you want. It’s nice seeing you enjoy your food."

She gently patted my head, and there was a hint of pity in her tone, suggesting my words had made an impression on her. Objectively speaking, I had been through hard times. But Daeun was under one misconception.

"Half-rotten meat was a treasure back then."

Kids in the back alleys could hardly even see meat, and finding it, even if half-rotten, was like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"Alright, alright. Just eat as much as you want...."

If anything seems off, just say so. Daeun continued to pat my head softly, muttering, "Seems you’ve had a tough life...."

Slide.

Atisha pushed a few pieces of sashimi towards me, and I accepted her silent offer. If I recalled correctly, sashimi was typically dipped in sauce, though that was out of the question here.

Selene, who had been watching over us with her sacred power, also joined the meal, and Daeun, after some hesitation, followed suit. However, still wary, she cut her already small piece into even smaller bites. She clicked her tongue with a sigh.

"Finishing up with a soup made from the leftovers is the best way to enjoy this...."

"Soup?"

"Yes. You can boil the head and bones together to make a delicious broth."

"Hmm..."

Atisha didn't seem particularly interested. Understandable; even I found the explanation unappetizing.

After finishing our meal and receiving a final blessing from Selene just in case, we cleared the area. Despite all four of us eating, there was still plenty left due to the fish's size.

"What should we do with the leftovers?"

"Since it's raw, we could toss it back into the sea... or use it as bait."

"But what if the fish that eat it turn into demon beasts?"

"Do you think there are even any regular fish around here...?"

"Oh, right."

With that, we neatly disposed of the remaining sashimi, and Daeun, having lost interest in fishing, returned her rod to its place, wrapping up this little episode.

After the meal, as if on cue, everyone dispersed to do their own things. Daeun leaned on the railing, staring blankly at the sea, while Selene stood beside her, eyes closed, enjoying the breeze. Atisha was the only one still actively working, piloting the boat.

That left me without much to do, so I settled into a reclining chair, feeling drowsy after the meal.

The warm sun, the cool breeze—though mixed with faint miasma, it was an ideal setting for a nap. Letting my mind drift as I relaxed, my eyelids grew heavier.

La...

"...?"

Just as I was about to let my eyes close completely, a faint tune carried by the wind reached my ears. It wasn’t a song with lyrics, just a soft humming.

Was Daeun singing a lullaby? I lifted my drowsy eyelids to check.

But to my surprise, Daeun wasn’t the one humming.

"What’s that sound?"

Daeun, clearly perplexed, looked around for the source. Selene beside her was equally puzzled.

If it wasn't Daeun or Selene, that left only Atisha, but I quickly dismissed that thought. It didn’t sound like her. Atisha's voice was too low for this high-pitched hum.

Just then, Atisha approached us and nonchalantly remarked,

"It’s a siren...."

"A siren?"

"Yes. A monster that lures its prey with song, drawing them in to claim their lives. Seems they’ve nested nearby...."

As she finished speaking, a faint mist began to clear, revealing ghostly figures drifting around our boat.

Daeun, unable to hide her tension, tilted her head.

"...Ugly, aren’t they?"

"..."

La...

It seemed the siren's humming had paused, perhaps taken aback. Or maybe it was just my imagination.