I Became a Raid Boss

Chapter 36

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Joanie spoke in a rather serious tone.

“Even if it’s orc meat, when you think about it, it’s not much different from pork, right? It’s not like it’s insects or tasteless, so there’s no real reason not to eat it. Don’t you think?”

—It’s too late to argue now…

—You’ve got quite the tongue^^

—So, were you planning to log out and run away?

“I-I didn’t! I didn’t do it, right? That’s all that matters, so why are you picking at that?”

If you log out in a non-safe zone, your character stays right where they are.

Perhaps as a courtesy from Demoninus, there were many safe zones even outside the cities, and players could even create their own if needed.

Because of that, players didn’t feel too inconvenienced even if they spent several days away from the city, as long as there weren’t any NPCs around.

Safe zones outside the cities had no NPCs, and creating one was only possible if there were no NPCs present.

Players speculated about why Demoninus chose such a cumbersome system.

The most widely accepted theory was that it was to enhance realism.

Since it’s a game, they couldn’t completely abandon convenience, but allowing players to log out anywhere would ruin the realism.

So, the theory was that Demoninus designed the system to balance convenience and realism while ensuring players didn’t feel disconnected from the NPCs.

‘Only Demoninus knows the real answer.’

Even when asked directly, Demoninus remained silent, so despite the theory’s popularity on the internet, it never moved beyond speculation.

This, combined with the game’s time dilation system, led to escort quests being dubbed ‘the realm of the unemployed’ or ‘the privilege of the jobless,’ which made sense.

In short, Joanie hadn’t escaped logging out last night to avoid eating orc meat—she simply couldn’t log out.

‘Streamers need to be shameless sometimes.’

With a sly grin, huh?

When Joanie first started streaming, she was all about being honest, but now, after gaining experience, she could handle situations like this.

But viewers had grown experienced from watching streams too.

—Not that she didn’t log out, she couldn’t.

—Classic Joanie dodging escape! Thumbs up!

—Didn’t anyone teach you that you’ll pay with your hands if you get caught lying?

“…By the way, even if I use nap mode and keep watch whenever I can, I still get tired.”

Joanie, feeling exposed, quickly changed the subject.

—Haha, you’re caught!

—Yeah, nothing beats lying in a bed. For sure.

—But I’ve heard expensive capsules are comfier than beds.

—Expensive capsule vs expensive bed?

—Bed all the way.

—But beds don’t have gaming functions…

“Oh, right. I tried a really expensive capsule once, and I instantly got why people use them. The features are one thing, but the comfort is on another level.”

—Isn’t the one you use already pretty expensive?

—It’s definitely overkill for regular folks.

—My capsule disconnects randomly…

—You should upgrade at that point.

“I thought the same thing, but is this what they call post-experience regret? Once you experience it, the downsides become painfully clear. Honestly, I almost gave in to the urge to buy it.”

—”I’m jealous you even have the money to splurge if you feel like it…”

—”If you don’t mind, could you at least buy me an ice cream?”

“Of course, I couldn’t pay it off in one go. Maybe with a 48-month installment plan? Ice cream? Hey, you can buy that much yourself!”

—”48 months? LOL.”

—”That’s a voluntary slave contract right there.”

‘But it was good.’

Joanie smacked her lips.

Not all expensive items are worth their price, but the capsule she experienced was quality she could understand for the cost.

Back then, Silia Online hadn’t been released yet, so she barely managed to resist the overwhelming temptation and conquer her impulse.

‘Now, it might not be such a bad idea…’

Now that Silia Online had launched, the time spent in the capsule had increased significantly compared to back then.

Joanie, swaying with the movements of the carriage,

“Come on, you did! It’s okay to laugh. Why are you lying about it?”

If anyone should be saying that, it’s me.

It’s okay to laugh; why make such a big deal out of it?

I looked at Joanie, who was squealing and holding hands with Catherine, with a pitying gaze.

Sighing, I finally said, “Alright. Let’s go.”

“Oh, really?!”

Joanie’s voice shot up in surprise.

‘Why was she so surprised when she was the one who asked to go in the first place?’

“I thought you’d keep rejecting it… Seems like Canaria really likes flowers. Could it be that her indifferent reaction was just because she was embarrassed? Saying she’s not a child and all… Isn’t she just too cute? …Kill me?! Uggghh?!”

“If you don’t like it, then forget it.”

“Not at all! Ah, I blurted it out because I was so excited… Ahem… No, I love it! So, it’s a promise, right? We’re going to see them together?”

“Yes.”

If it looks good, I’ll pick up some seedlings or seeds on the way back and show them to Garid.

I’m sure Garid would love them.

“Oh, we’re almost there.”

The atmosphere in the merchant guild became restless.

Unlike yesterday, there didn’t seem to be any urgency, so it didn’t appear that monsters had attacked like before.

Joanie, noticing this, opened the curtains and peeked outside.

“Oh, I can see it!”

Her voice was filled with excitement.

Joanie, who had been craning her neck to look outside, sat back in her seat with an embarrassed expression when she heard Catherine chuckling.

“Seems like you’re really looking forward to this.”

“Haha… I just love traveling… Sorry, I got a little too excited, didn’t I?”

“No need to apologize. It’s nice to see you so excited.”

I began preparing to get off the carriage.

Though preparation was really just pulling my cape tighter and checking my belongings.

As the carriage gradually slowed and the loud sound of the wheels faded, the characteristic bustling yet tranquil atmosphere of a small village filled the space.

When I peeked outside through the parted curtains, the sight of a picturesque village, like something out of a painting, caught my eye.

A young boy, whose eyes I met by chance, was filled with curiosity and anticipation.

For sure, the visit of a merchant guild to a small village like this must be a special event for a child like him.

Although I’d visited villages similar to this one before, I’d never seen such an expression on anyone’s face.

I never traveled alone; I always moved with the knights, and the knights visiting a village meant that the village’s guards or the lord’s soldiers couldn’t handle a situation on their own.

So, the faces that greeted us then weren’t filled with curiosity or excitement like that, but with anxiety, fear, and despair.

As I nodded back at the boy who was waving with a bright smile, I thought to myself.

I’m sorry, Garid…

‘…But, this isn’t so bad.’