I Became a Raid Boss-Chapter 138: Final Farewell (5)

"Ka... na...?"

Daeun’s arms reflexively reached out, catching the weight that fell upon them.

It was light.

The limp girl’s face bore a serene expression, as though she might open her eyes at any moment.

Yet, the familiar warmth that always radiated from her was gone.

Daeun stared down at Kana for a long moment before silently pulling her into an embrace.

* * *

[Journey: No stream today]

Straight to the point.

[Comments]

"Ugh, here we go again.""‘Today’? LOL."

┗ "It’s ‘no stream today’ every day, huh?"

┗ "What’s the point of even streaming anymore?"

┗ "She’s probably raking in money; would you quit if you were her?"

"What’s the excuse this time?"

┗ "What do you think?"

┗ "She says it’s because of work."

┗ "You actually believe that? You're so naïve."

┗ "I didn’t say I believed it; just passing it along."

"Bet she’s busy with her new boyfriend."

┗ "Got a PDF saved—have fun with that."

┗ "Triggered much? LOL."

┗ "Does this guy actually think using a VPN makes him untraceable?"

[Nobody cares about Journey anymore]

Why are you even here ranting? Go talk about your queen in your own community, damn.

[Comments]

"Nah, we’re staying right here.""If you’re mad, you know what to do, lol."

┗ "Ah, screw you guys."

[Am I the only one who doesn’t get it?]

Why are people crying over an NPC’s death and taking days off because of it? Seriously, it’s just a game. These over-immersed nerds are something else. This is why gaming is an actual problem.

[Comments]

"Gaming problem? You sound like a boomer."

┗ "Am I wrong?"

┗ "Do you think you’re right?"

┗ "Stop deflecting. Make a proper argument."

┗ "Haha, now you're demanding logic after spewing trash. Typical."

"Such a ‘real gamer.’"

┗ "Calls me triggered while you’re clearly the one upset, lmao."

┗ "Sure, sure. Tell me more about your job and friends."

┗ "Oh wow, you’re really leaning into this, huh?"

[The real reason Journey isn’t streaming.txt]

If you’ve ever been moved by a game, book, or movie, you’ll get it.

When something you’re deeply immersed in ends, you’re left with this lingering emptiness. It feels like the journey is over, and you’re left behind.

That’s probably what Journey’s going through.

In Sillia Online, where NPCs are lifelike, losing a close connection is devastating. Imagine putting all that effort into bonding with someone only to have them taken away.

Honestly, if Journey quits Sillia Online over this, I wouldn’t blame her.

[Comments]

"True. So true.""Why did you have to bring up ‘never been in a relationship’? What was the point?"

┗ "Look, I didn’t ask for this life either!"

┗ "I’m sorry, okay!?"

[People who don’t get Journey]

They’re just emotionally stunted. The cash cow’s broken—of course she’s upset. Even I’d cry if I were her.

Daeun’s black eyes, devoid of any emotion, scanned through the comments under the post titled [No Stream Today].

Some comments were supportive, urging her to rest and take her time.

But far more were bitter, criticizing her for taking four days off without explanation.

‘...I don’t feel like doing anything.’

Not streaming. Not anything else.

She didn’t even feel like eating; most days, she forced herself to swallow a piece of bread only when the pain of hunger became unbearable.

"Maybe I should just quit."

Daeun understood the concept of death, but this was her first time losing someone so close. She didn’t know how to fill the void left behind by Kana’s absence.

All she could do was flounder in a sea of despair.

Her phone buzzed, vibrating softly.

Since Kana’s passing, those who knew Daeun’s situation had been checking in on her through calls and messages, offering words of comfort.

Some shared their experiences, trying to empathize.

This was probably one of those.

Daeun’s hand reached for her phone, hesitating midway.

‘Do I really need to read this?’

She knew they’d ask if she was okay, even though they must know she wasn’t.

The same repetitive words were beginning to tire her.

As she debated, her hand finally closed around the phone.

It had stopped vibrating, meaning it was a text or a message.

Without any particular expectations, Daeun unlocked the phone and opened the messenger app.

"...?"

Her eyes widened.

"...Demonins?"

Demonins—the company behind Sillia Online.

She reread the message header multiple times, but the word “Demonins” didn’t disappear.

‘It’s phishing.’

Realizing she wasn’t hallucinating, Daeun concluded it must be a scam.

New n𝙤vel chapters are published on freeweɓnøvel.com.

There was no way Demonins, infamous for their silence on minor issues, would send a personal message to a random streamer like her.

Normally, she would’ve dismissed it with a laugh.

But in her current mood, her patience was thin.

Her finger hovered over the report button—

"...?"

She froze.

The message mentioned leaving the same notice on her in-game account, just in case she didn’t believe it.

Despite assuming it was a scam, Daeun found herself trudging toward her capsule.

When she checked, just as the message said, the same notice was waiting in her game account inbox.

"It’s real...?"

After confirming the message had been sent from the official account, Daeun slowly read through it.

Unlike most scams, there were no links, no requests for a call, and no demands for a reply.

It was formal and concise: Demonins had a proposal and invited her to visit their headquarters if she was interested.

"Demonins... wants to propose something to me?"

The ever-distant, lofty Demonins?

Daeun’s face twisted into a scowl.

"Are they mocking me...?"

There was no way they didn’t know what had happened recently.

If they understood her circumstances, then contacting her now felt like a cruel joke.

"Hoo..."

Daeun bit her lip before sighing deeply.

"Am I overreacting...?"

Regardless of whether she accepted the proposal, simply being contacted by Demonins was enough to spark a wave of interest.

If she streamed to talk about it, the reaction would be explosive.

And besides, as someone who genuinely loved Sillia Online, there wasn’t much reason to refuse.

...At least, not if this had happened before she experienced such a loss.

"Alright. Let’s go."

After a moment of deliberation, Daeun made up her mind.

She would go.

Go and ask directly.

Stumble.

As Daeun prepared to head out, her body suddenly lost its balance and wavered.

After days of barely eating or resting, her condition was far from normal.

A glance at the mirror revealed a face streaked with dried tears, a sight that made her grimace.

"First... food. And then a shower."

A fleeting thought passed through her mind.

‘How did Demonins even get my number?’

She brushed it off quickly.

‘Probably from the personal information I provided when I signed up.’

Not wanting to dwell on it further, she dismissed the question and set about preparing to leave.

* * *

When Daeun arrived at Demonins headquarters, she hesitated for only a moment before stepping inside.

Though she’d showered and applied makeup to mask her exhaustion, her gaunt appearance was still evident.

Walking to what seemed like the reception or customer service counter, she was greeted by a cheerful employee.

"What brings you here today?"

"Um, I was told you had a proposal for me—"

"...A proposal?"

The staff member tilted their head as if hearing the word for the first time.

Daeun started to think it might have been a phishing attempt after all.

"May I have your name, please?"

"...Shin Daeun. My Sillia Online username is Journey."

"...Ah! Are you the streamer...?"

Daeun nodded silently.

"Please wait a moment. I’ll check right away!"

The employee typed fervently before letting out an affirming response.

"Ah, yes! Here it is. I apologize for the confusion—this is a first for us."

"It’s fine."

"You can take the elevator to the 10th floor."

"Thank you."

As Daeun stepped into the elevator, she murmured to herself.

‘10th floor... the CEO’s office?’

It felt strange to be directed straight to the CEO’s office.

But since her hand had already pressed the button and the elevator was moving, there was no turning back.

Crossing her arms, she waited as the elevator ascended, its soft chime signaling her arrival.

"Welcome."

The elevator doors opened to reveal a woman with long hair.

Her hair was an ordinary color, typical for a Korean, yet something about her seemed... different.

Before Daeun could dwell on the thought, a gentle hand reached out and grabbed hers.

"...Huh?"

"What are you doing? Come in."

The unfamiliar sensation of being led by a stranger caused Daeun’s brain to briefly freeze.

"Excuse me...! Who are you?"

The woman looked at Daeun as if she’d asked an obvious question.

"I’m the CEO. Who else would be in the CEO’s office?"

"The CEO...?"

Could someone who looked so young really be the CEO?

The woman, unbothered by Daeun’s confusion, briskly led her further into the office.

"...Wait, where are you taking me?!"

‘How is she this strong...?!’

Struggling to free herself, Daeun tried to pull away, but the woman’s grip was unyielding.

"You’ll see."

Her tone was dismissive, almost annoyed, as she continued to drag Daeun along.

Daeun, gripped by fear, momentarily forgot her despair.

Was she being taken somewhere to be imprisoned? To be experimented on?

Finally, they stopped in front of a door.

"We’re here."

Only then did the woman release her grip, leaving Daeun standing uneasily.

"Open it."

"...What is this place?"

"You’ll find out once you open it."

"No, I won’t."

Daeun’s suspicion reached its peak. She had no intention of simply complying.

Seeing her tense posture, the woman shrugged.

"I dragged you here because you were taking forever, not because I wanted to force you. If you really don’t want to, you can just leave."

"...Then—"

"But if you leave now, you’ll regret it."

"...Are you threatening me?"

‘Are you really going to let me leave unharmed?’

Despite her accusation, the woman shook her head.

"No, it’s not a threat. It’s advice."

"Not very convincing, coming from someone who dragged me here against my will."

"I told you, I didn’t want to wait forever while you camped in the elevator. You practically looked ready to set up a tent in there."

"...I wasn’t stalling that much."

The woman’s smirk said otherwise.

‘Regret, huh?’

Daeun scoffed internally.

She’d had her fill of regret these past few days. What more could she feel?

Yet...

Her feet moved forward.

"For the record, it’s not because of what you said."

Her instincts told her this door was important, though she wouldn’t admit it.

"Of course."

Ignoring the woman’s sly comment, Daeun grabbed the doorknob.

‘Nothing bad will happen, right?’

Taking a deep breath, she turned the knob and pulled.

The room inside was nothing like the sinister labs or cells she’d imagined. It was a simple office.

But that wasn’t what drew her attention.

"...Huh?"

There, in the middle of the room, was a bed.

A luxurious one at that, entirely out of place in such a setting.

On the bed, partially propped against the headboard, lay a girl.

Swish—

The girl’s eyes slowly opened.

"...You’re late."

A pair of drowsy, pink eyes met Daeun’s.