I Became a Raid Boss-Chapter 104: Departure (4)

"Hmm..."

Leaning halfway over the railing, I looked out over the sea. The heads floating on the water, now a darker shade than before, caught my gaze. As I watched, Daeun gently wrapped her arm around my waist.

"Careful. You might fall if you're not paying attention."

"Yeah."

Even if I did fall, I wouldn't get hurt, but there was no need to respond coldly to someone who cared enough to worry. After all, it wasn’t like we were strangers.

Anyway...

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Looking out at the sea, which was closer to "black" than "blue," and the long strands of hair floating like seaweed, there was an eerie feeling in the air. I could understand why Daeun made that comment.

"They really are ugly."

"Gasp... that's harsh...."

"Harsh?"

"It means that what you said was too harsh."

"...Was it too much?"

"Of course! Even if they’re monsters, calling them ugly so bluntly might hurt their feelings. It’s true, but still..."

"I think that would hurt even more."

Wasn’t Daeun the one who called them ugly first? I glanced back at her with that thought in mind, and she averted her eyes, realizing her own slip-up.

In reality, there are plenty of monsters more hideous than sirens. And even more if you count the demon beasts and dimension creatures.

The reason sirens look so grotesque despite knowing all that is probably because they resemble humans. Seeing something that clumsily mimics humanity brings a strange sense of discomfort.

I feel like there’s a term for that, but I can’t remember it.

Losing interest as I watched their distorted, scaly faces, I pulled myself back onto the boat, shaking off Daeun’s lingering grip on my waist as well. I ignored her disappointed expression.

"Though their voices may be enchanting, with faces like that, anyone drawn in by their singing would probably run away in terror."

"Didn’t you just tell me not to be harsh?"

"Well... it’s the truth. I wouldn’t want to get close to them either."

"Hmm, true."

It was funny how she switched from lecturing me to making judgmental comments, but I agreed with her. Seeing their fish-like teeth and sharp fins, anyone entranced by their song would snap out of it the moment they saw those features.

"The siren’s song is imbued with mana that captivates people... Those affected forget themselves and blindly follow the sound."

"Oh? But we’re fine, aren’t we?"

"We’re supposed to be."

I pointed at the ring glittering on Daeun’s finger.

"Do you know how much that magical item cost? If it couldn’t even block a siren’s attack, we’d be heading back to Valtora right now."

And I’d have Brondin by the collar, smashing him into the ground. But thankfully, it was holding up against the miasma just fine, so that wasn't necessary.

"Kana, did you already know about sirens?"

"Yes, but this is my first time seeing one in person."

Sirens are sea monsters, so it was only natural that they’d have little connection to someone like me who lived on land.

"Yeah, Kana’s closer to the ground than most people."

"...I’ll ask before I hit you—what does that mean?"

"...Are you really going to hit me?"

Despite her silly antics, Daeun was actually quite pretty. Seeing such a beauty kneeling with a pitiful look in her eyes as she glanced up at me with a coy expression... I shook my head at her.

Daeun sighed in relief.

"I won’t hit you, but I’ll throw you into the sea."

"...What?"

Forget the cuteness act. Since she seemed to be talking nonsense under the influence of the siren’s song, wouldn’t it be right to send her to the sirens?

Following up on my words, Daeun peeked over the side of the boat. The sirens continued circling the boat, as if waiting for her.

One of them locked eyes with Daeun.

"..."

...

Sirens are monsters hostile to humans, so it’s not unusual for them to look at us with animosity.

Splash!

"Eek?!"

Despite that, one of the sirens seemed particularly hostile toward Daeun, flailing its arms in a threatening manner. Daeun jerked back like a startled turtle, her body tipping dangerously over the railing—only to be caught by my hand as she was about to topple over.

"Kyaaah! Kana’s trying to kill me!"

"Your friends are waiting. Go on."

"I’m sorry! I was wrong! Please spare me!"

"Huh. I thought you liked the sea more than the land?"

I thought you preferred the sea, given how you teased me about being grounded on land. So why are you so reluctant?

Half teasing and half serious, I released Daeun, who sighed in relief. The sirens, apparently disappointed by the lack of prey, reluctantly withdrew their arms from the water.

...Why were they waiting so expectantly?

Did they seriously think I’d toss Daeun overboard?

The world’s gone mad.

"Will you just leave quietly, or do I need to...?"

Shing.

As soon as I flashed my sword, the sirens dispersed rapidly.

Watching them scatter in perfect unison like ants, Daeun murmured admiringly.

"Wow, that’s real charisma...."

Having been ready to swing my sword if they didn’t leave, I awkwardly sheathed it.

...Seeing them flee like that made me look like a villain, even though I hadn’t actually done anything.

It was nice not to have to exert myself, but something about it left me feeling oddly unsatisfied, so I absentmindedly fiddled with my sword.

They hadn’t gone out of range yet. Maybe I should...?

"Kana, you’re not thinking of doing something bad, are you?"

"No."

I denied it immediately, but Daeun didn’t seem convinced.

...Why doesn’t she believe me?

Feeling a rare pang of frustration, I pouted.

"They’re monsters harmful to humans, so taking them down isn’t bad; it’s actually good."

"Well... that’s true, but... if you said you’d let them go and then attacked, it’d be unfair. It goes against the spirit of fair play...."

"Fair play? This isn’t a sparring match."

"No... I don’t mean fighting fair. It’s just that it would feel... wrong."

"It’s funny to feel guilty over something like that. And I never said I’d let them go."

I hadn’t promised not to attack if they left peacefully, after all.

"...Is that so?"

Daeun tilted her head, half doubtful, but seemed to accept my reasoning.

"That’s... oddly convincing."

"Of course. Unlike some people, I don’t spout nonsense."

"That’s my Kana! ...Wait, who’s ‘some people’ supposed to be?"

"Atisha, I have a question."

"Excuse me? Kana? Why are you ignoring me?"

"Yes... what is it...?"

"Hello? Can you hear me, Kana...? Ka—oh!"

"Hey, enough already."

Getting on my nerves, I pushed Daeun away and continued my conversation with Atisha.

"Did sirens normally live in this area?"

"I wouldn’t know... I never had a reason to come this far. Unless you want to hear about when I first came here...?"

"When was that?"

"Probably over ten years ago...."

"Then never mind."

They say that even mountains change in ten years. Sirens aren’t exactly ancient, powerful creatures like dragons, so it’s unlikely they would stay in one place for that long.

So hearing about the time Atisha first came to the Ardina continent wouldn’t be particularly useful.

"But why are you asking about it all of a sudden?"

Sirens in a sea with so much miasma that it could turn fish into demon beasts...

"It’s just a bit curious."

Isn’t it strange for them to live here? No fishermen would work in such an area, and given the miasma, there would be fewer sea monsters around, so food must be scarce. Why stay here instead of moving north or south?

Even at the risk of miasma contamination.

Atisha shrugged, answering indifferently.

"Maybe they were just passing through...."

"Hmm, that’s possible."

I suppose that’s a valid point. Assuming the sirens had settled here after seeing them just once might indeed be an overreaction.

I’ve been through so many things lately; maybe I’m just getting too sensitive.

"...Phew! I think it’s good to be cautious! There’s nothing wrong with being prepared!"

Standing on her tiptoes to reach my hand, Daeun brushed it off and spoke.

"...True."

"Eh? That’s all you have to say? After I went out of my way to side with you...."

"I didn’t ask you to side with me."

"Hey! Give me back my effort!"

"...Was that even worth the effort?"

"Of course! Siding with someone is like putting your reputation on the line. You should be careful with what you say! If you’re careless, it’ll come back to bite you someday!"

"Huh."

I doubted that a few words held that much weight. Listening to her nonsense, I realized ignoring her might be best, but a good idea popped into my head. Drooping my gaze, I looked at her with feigned sadness.

"...So you won’t be on my side anymore?"

"...Ack! A sneak attack! You cunning little... that’s so unfair!"

Looking up at her, Daeun clutched her chest and collapsed theatrically. Nonsense-spewing monster, defeated.

Standing triumphantly over her “fallen” form, I nodded in satisfaction.

"You're quite the pair..."

Atisha’s disapproving gaze was an added bonus.