I Became a Raid Boss-Chapter 198: It was a business trip, not a vacation (2)

Of course, both Edel and the administrators have the power to drive out intruders who break into the house.

However, the reason they don’t take action themselves is to prepare for potential situations.

If the dimensional beings’ goal is to divert their attention elsewhere,

Then this event is just a decoy operation, and if the group is fully prepared and waiting, moving recklessly would be a huge mistake.

The person in charge must be weighed down with responsibility.

If you act impulsively over small matters, you might not be able to respond properly when something truly important happens.

"There’s a saying that you shouldn’t use a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken. Every situation has the right person for the job."

"You don’t even know if it’s a small matter or not."

"Well, then it’s unfortunate."

"..."

What...?

Is this really something the person who was just talking about responsibility can say?

"...It was a joke. Don’t you think calling it 'talking nonsense' is a bit too harsh?"

"Yeah. It's not too harsh."

Who was the one talking about using a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken?

"No, that was just a metaphor... Actually, I didn’t say it without reason. Like I said earlier, it wouldn’t be easy to pull something like this off without any warning."

"So?"

"They probably couldn’t have used up all their power. There must be a weakness somewhere. Maybe they’re strong against external attacks but weak to internal ones."

"In the end, it’s just a guess."

"I’m not the one in the field, so there’s not much I can do."

"Mm."

That was a remarkably honest acknowledgment, so I didn’t even think about criticizing it.

There’s no point in criticizing when it doesn’t change what I need to do.

In situations like this, I don’t want to focus on unproductive things either.

"The boundary of the dimension you’re in is a large circle centered around Jeju Island. And this shape usually indicates that the force has been spreading from a central point."

Because the power spread evenly from one point, it formed a round shape.

"You can think of it like a roof on a pillar. If there’s only one pillar and you put the roof on crookedly, it’s obviously going to collapse, right? If the force isn’t evenly distributed, there’s definitely going to be a weak spot, and that’s something the intruders would want."

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"Mm."

"Actually, when I looked from the outside, there wasn’t a particularly weak spot. Even though the range is pretty wide."

"So, what’s the conclusion?"

"Head to the center of the dimension."

Edel answered directly to my straightforward question.

"Once you go there, you’ll find something. Whether it’s the person who separated the dimension or the object they used."

"So, if I remove that, everything will go back to normal?"

"Probably."

"Isn’t that still uncertain?"

"But isn’t it a pretty reasonable guess?"

"...Well, this much is reasonable."

For someone in the field, it would be better if the information were certain.

But well, what else can we do?

"Because the higher-ups are incompetent, there’s nothing we can do."

"Hey, if you’re going to say that, at least don’t say it when I can hear it."

"When Da-eun badmouths someone behind their back, she’s told it’s wrong. If you’re going to complain, just say it to their face."

"Mm, mm. Kana is so smart and quick to learn."

"Geez. You guys are really getting along."

Da-eun proudly said, nodding, as Edel’s voice followed with disbelief.

"Anything else I should know?"

"No. The rest, you’ll figure out yourself. After all, you’re the sword I chose."

"Trying to cover up incompetence like that won’t work."

"...You’re really something. Sigh... Anyway, hurry up and get to work."

"Without even paying me, you’re rushing me? I was going to go anyway... Ah."

As I kneeled and stood up, I realized something and let out a small exclamation.

"Didn’t bring my sword."

"...What? How could you not bring it?!"

"I knew something like this would happen."

If I had been carrying my sword around, it would’ve been more of a problem.

It’s a weapon, and I can’t exactly bring it on a plane.

"What if I just went to Silla and picked up any sword?"

After hearing our conversation, Yuki offered her opinion.

Before I could shake my head, Edel answered first.

"That’s not a good idea. Even though it’s a lower dimension, where you guys are right now falls under the intruder’s control. If you do something like that, things could get worse."

"Hmm, I see. So what should we do? We can’t fight with bare hands."

"You said you didn’t bring a sword, but you didn’t say we’re fighting with bare hands."

It’ll be a bit taxing, but since Edel will handle the aftermath, there’s no need to hold back.

"If you go outside, we won’t be able to talk like this."

"Got it."

"Then, good luck."

With that, the call ended.

I was about to put the phone in my pocket but then decided to leave it on the table instead.

It’s better not to carry it, just in case it gets damaged.

"Are you going?"

"Yeah."

I responded nonchalantly to Da-eun, who looked at me with concern.

"I think Da-eun’s right."

"Huh?"

"The Murphy’s Law."

It’s quite a coincidence, isn’t it?

We hadn’t expected anything to happen, but as soon as we came to relax, something went wrong.

"I’ll finish up quickly, so you stay here and rest."

"I’ve already rested plenty... I’m getting so bored, I might just die from it."

"I’ll go with you."

Yuki raised her hand enthusiastically.

Of course, I wouldn’t take her with me.

Given her current state, she wouldn’t be able to help and probably wouldn’t even make it through the rain.

By the way, this wasn’t out of concern.

Taking her would be meaningless and, if anything, a hindrance.

Shaking my head, I saw Yuki pouting slightly but obediently sitting back down.

"Wait a second..."

Just as Yuki sat down, Da-eun suddenly jumped up and rushed over.

She rummaged through her bag and, as if she found what she was looking for, raised her arm high.

The item she held sparkled yellow under the light.

"Here, wear this!"

"What’s this?"

"Raincoat! If you get wet, it’s going to be uncomfortable. You won’t be able to fight while holding an umbrella, right?"

When did she prepare something like this?

I stared at Da-eun with wonder, and she puffed her chest out proudly.

"When it comes to being prepared, I’m the one, Shin Da-eun!"

"...What?"

I wonder if this little raincoat can handle this downpour.

Yeah, definitely not.

But even thinking that, I accepted the raincoat from Da-eun.

"Thanks."

"...No need to thank me!"

Her smile was so wide that it was clear she was overjoyed.

"This is pretty expensive, so don’t break it. Don’t get hurt and come back, okay?"

"I wasn’t planning on getting hurt, even without you saying that."

"At times like this, just say 'okay'."

"Okay."

Even though I doubted its usefulness, I could feel the care behind the raincoat.

I quietly slipped it on.

Then I said.

"...I take back my thanks."

"What?!"

That was expected.

It was my mistake to think the things Da-eun prepared would be ordinary.

I might not have thought about it, but now that I saw it, there was no mistaking the theme.

The sleeves of the raincoat had something resembling feathers attached, and the hood had something pointy, probably meant to resemble a bird's beak.

To top it off, there was even a chick drawing on the pocket of the raincoat.

At this point, there was no way I could not know what the inspiration was for this raincoat.

"Why on earth did you give me this?"

"Well, it’s the only raincoat I have that fits you."

"Couldn’t you have just brought a normal raincoat?"

"..."

Out of all the raincoats, was this really the only one that fits me?

Choosing to ignore all the other options and getting this one, her intentions were pretty transparent.

Da-eun bit her lip and remained silent.

She’s playful, but she’s also quite sincere.

She’s always worried about me when we go to Silla, so there’s no way she’s lying about this raincoat being the only one that fits.

Still, thinking about fighting in this outfit feels... what should I say...

...It’s a very different feeling.

"Sigh..."

I sighed and walked toward the shoe rack to get ready to leave.

"Are you going to wear it?"

"I already put it on. It’s too much of a hassle to take it off now."

"Hehe. Thanks."

"...For what?"

"Never mind!"

I turned my head away from Da-eun, who was laughing like a fool.

"Do you know where the center of Jeju is?"

"Why the center? ...Ah."

Da-eun, who had been listening to the conversation, quickly grasped my intentions.

Edel said that the boundary of the separated dimension centered around Jeju Island.

And something that is maintaining the separated dimension will be at the center.

So, it was clear that I had to go to the very heart of Jeju.

"I’m not sure if it’s exactly at the coordinates, but I know the general area."

"If it’s that, just tell me what you know."

"If it’s something like that, I don’t need to tell you. It’s somewhere you already know."

"Somewhere I know?"

"Yeah."

Da-eun nodded.

"Yesterday... or was it the day before? I lost track of the days since it’s been so dark... Anyway, the mountain we climbed."

"Hallasan."

"Yeah. That’s the center."

"...Tsk."

As soon as I heard Da-eun’s words, I couldn’t help but click my tongue and frown.

...I don’t like this.

I’m not sure why.

But right now, it’s clear that I’m feeling uncomfortable.

I thought hard about why, but after a while, I gave up and decided to let the discomfort slide for now.

"No need to worry about being spotted."

There’s no way there are crazy people out hiking in this weather.

...At least, I thought so.

"Pe-people?! Here...!"

"Help...! There’s someone here!"

"..."

What is this...

I stared blankly at the distant figures waving their hands.

Then, unable to hide my thoughts, I voiced my feelings.

"...This is ridiculous."

They’re here.

Those crazy people.