I Became a Raid Boss-Chapter 240: Wayfarer (1)

Of course, it wasn’t like it wasn’t awkward.

As I was contemplating whether I should at least wave my hand, Da-eun placed her hand gently on my head.

“If you speak that softly, it won’t be picked up by the microphone.”

“Really? I didn’t think I was speaking that quietly.”

I tilted my head slightly.

Wasn’t it just my usual voice?

"Well~ it’s true, but Kana doesn’t usually raise his voice when speaking, does he? It’s more quiet, or soft, should I say?"

"There’s no reason to speak loudly."

"Yeah. I think that’s one of Kana’s charms, so I wouldn’t tell you to change it."

"Then, why?"

Da-eun patted my head as she spoke.

“When we’re filming, it’s hard to pick up that kind of voice.”

"But Da-eun’s broadcasts usually pick it up just fine."

I remembered the chat that would always explode whenever I said something.

If they hadn’t been able to hear me, they wouldn’t have responded in the chat as they did.

"That was indoors, and the environment was perfectly set up. But now, we’re outside, right?"

If you set things up too finely, various background noises could mix in and drown out your voice.

Da-eun explained, and I nodded in understanding.

"I see."

After hearing that, I started noticing the difference in the equipment surrounding us compared to what was in Da-eun’s room. The size alone was different, so why hadn’t I noticed it before?

‘It’s because I didn’t care about it.’

As soon as I got out of the car, holding on to Da-eun’s hand, I was met with passionate stares from the people around us. I had no time to notice the equipment.

"So, this is what you need!"

Da-eun received something from the production crew and pointed it toward my collar.

As Da-eun’s skilled hands left, I noticed something new attached to my collar.

"What’s this?"

The fluffy object didn’t feel as soft as it looked.

I tapped it lightly, quickly losing interest.

"It’s a mic. With this, even if Kana speaks like usual, it should be audible."

"Really?"

"Of course! Have you ever seen me say anything nonsensical?"

"...On the contrary, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you speak sense."

"Ha!"

Laughter suddenly burst out from somewhere.

Turning toward the sound, I saw a man covering his mouth hurriedly.

"...?"

"It’s the sound engineer. Basically, he’s the one checking if there are any issues with the recorded sound. When we’re holding mics like this—"

Da-eun, having attached a mic to her own collar as well, lowered her voice.

"...Ah, I see. Can you hear me?"

The man made a circle with his fingers.

"See? Even small voices get picked up. So you can’t make any weird noises, okay?"

"That’s something I want to say to Da-eun."

"Ha!"

The sound engineer burst into laughter again.

I didn’t think I said anything funny.

How strange.

After that, nothing unusual happened.

Like in Da-eun’s broadcasts, I simply introduced myself and mentioned that I would be appearing on the broadcast with Da-eun.

I don’t know... it felt kind of surreal.

I didn’t realize how big the difference was without real-time reactions.

And even though we were facing each other, our conversation was actually meant for others to hear.

"Alright, then... fellow travelers."

Just like Da-eun was saying now.

Fellow travelers.

That was the term used to refer to the viewers of the program we were filming, ‘A Sip of Rest.’

Those wandering on the road, whose journey was not yet over.

But even such people need rest.

"The next rest stop we’re going to is..."

We didn’t call the destination a destination or a travel spot but a “rest stop” for a reason.

It was a place where those who had completed their journey would welcome those whose journey was still ongoing.

A place where they could rest for a moment and gather the strength to continue their journey.

What else would you call such a place but a "rest stop"?

‘...Right?’

It’s a bit of a hassle to change the term, but I can’t deny that it fits the program’s purpose.

"Kana?"

"...Huh?"

"Why are you thinking so deeply?"

"Well."

It wasn’t exactly a deep thought.

Shaking my head to clear my mind, I spoke up.

"This trip... because the rest stop is by the sea."

"Yeah."

"So, um, I was thinking about the past."

It wasn’t entirely a lie.

When I heard about the destination, the memory of something from the past came back.

"The past?"

"I’m talking about when we went to Loxia."

That was the first time I’d ever been on ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ a boat.

"When I heard we’d be sailing, it made me think of that time."

"Ah, I see..."

Da-eun understood what I meant and nodded.

"Yeah, that happened."

"Right."

"Back then, Kana seemed kind of desperate. I didn’t understand why at the time—"

"...Eh?"

Swoosh.

Da-eun suddenly pulled on my cheek.

...This wasn’t something I expected.

"I never imagined you were scheming such an audacious thing."

"Uehehe—"

"What are you saying? You’re not teasing me, are you?"

"-Beee?"

"Now, this really sounds like teasing."

Da-eun, with a suspicious look on her face, let go of my cheek.

I rubbed my sore cheek and spoke.

"In the end, it worked out, right?"

"Even so... You said you were doing some kind of dangerous ascension ritual, and then after it was over, you disappeared without a trace. When I finally found you, you were practically spilling out demonic energy."

"...Hmm."

"Do you know how worried I was?"

Certainly, from my perspective, everything was part of the plan.

But from Da-eun’s perspective, it must have been a huge shock.

"It was beyond my control."

That was the only thing I could say.

If I hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t have had the chance to face Da-eun like this.

"...I know. I know, but that doesn’t make the worry go away."

"Well, that’s true."

"You say it so nonchalantly, it’s kind of annoying."

"I figured you’d want me to acknowledge it, so I did. But more importantly, is it okay for us to be doing this?"

For two people here to be chatting privately while they were supposed to be working, it wasn’t the most ideal situation from an employer’s standpoint.

"Well..."

Da-eun’s gaze shifted elsewhere.

She looked at the man who had called her "PD."

Following her gaze, the PD nodded as if he had been waiting for this.

"It’s fine. It’s not bad for the cast to share a friendly conversation. Plus, I’m sure there are viewers who are curious about what you two are talking about. If it’s too much, we can just cut it in editing, so please feel free to relax. It’s better than being tense."

"So, he says."

"...I see?"

Da-eun chuckled.

"Surprised it’s so laid back, huh?"

"Was I surprised...? I don’t know if I was surprised, but it’s kind of unexpected. I heard filming sets are usually strict."

"Huh? Where did you hear that?"

"On the internet."

"Really? You know how to use the internet?"

The PD, who had been listening to our conversation, asked in a squeaky voice.

His tone made it sound like it was a huge surprise that I knew how to use the internet.

I gave him a stern look.

"..."

"Oh, no, I didn’t mean to disrespect Kana—"

The PD waved his hands frantically.

His hand gestures felt as awkward as his words.

"Well, you’re a special person, so I was just a little surprised... No, not surprised, I mean—"

"...I don’t really like being called ‘special.’"

"Ah! I’m sorry, I’m really sorry..."

The PD was now stammering and sweating profusely.

As I watched him in amusement, I felt a sense of satisfaction wash over me.

"You’re tormenting the PD, what are you doing?"

"I didn’t torment him."

"You know I wasn’t trying to do that. If you did it on purpose, it would be tormenting him."

"...Am I in the wrong?"

"Hahaha..."

Technically, I’m the victim here...

As I watched the PD bow to Da-eun, I couldn’t help but pout.

"Let’s do this. Kana is a good person, so we’ll let this slide. That okay?"

"That’s just groveling."

...Well, whatever.

"Alright."

It wasn’t such a big deal that I had to stay upset, so I nodded reluctantly.

The PD, now relieved, spoke in a voice full of reassurance, without stammering this time.

"You really spend a lot of time on the internet, don’t you?"

This time, it was Da-eun who answered.

"Ugh, don’t even get me started. Whenever I have a little free time, I just grab my phone and start looking."

"...Da-eun?"

"Is that how much you use it?"

"Yeah! I’ve used it so much I’m wondering if I should install a parental control app at this point."

"Ha! That’s a bit funny."

...Not funny at all.

Since I wasn’t pleased with the situation, my tone was naturally gruff.

"...It’s not like that."

"It totally is~."

"No, it’s not. Plus, Da-eun uses the internet more than I do."

"Well, that’s my job, after all."

"...That’s unfair."

She always gets away with stuff like this.

"So, what’s your excuse then?"

"Hehe... yeah? What’s your excuse for watching the internet so much?"

When Da-eun subtly asked, as if she’d been listening but pretending to be interested, I answered confidently.

"Home security."

"...What?"

"Home security."

"...Uh, okay. Well, Kana does take care of the house, so home security makes sense, but why would watching the internet be part of that?"

"They say that’s what home security guards do."

Was it just my imagination?

I felt Da-eun’s hand, which had been around my waist, stiffen suddenly.

"...I think I have an idea, but let me ask. Where did you hear that?"

"On the internet."

"..."

Da-eun, who had fallen silent after hearing my answer, turned her head.

"You saw, right?"

"...I get it now."

Updat𝓮d from frёewebnoѵēl.com.

The two exchanged some kind of unspoken signal.

Caught in between, I blinked, confused.

...Why?