The Boss Wants to Die - Chapter 8

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The boss wants to die.
Chapter 8
“I’m not anxious about it.”
Akuto laughed, squinting his eyes shut.
“My only worry is you. You, who want to die. So let’s form a Party. That way you won’t be under as much suspicion of being a boss.”
Why would I do something that benefits Akuto?
I was about to scoff and mock him, but I changed my mind.
‘Then again, forming a Party might work in my favor.’
I carefully concealed the discontent rising to my face.
‘Once he’s reassured, opportunities will come my way. If I stick around him long enough, someday….’
I hid my true thoughts and nodded.
As the world’s apex predator, I knew well that you must crouch low before the hunt.
Happiness? A contract?
If you thought I’d follow meekly, think again.
‘I’ll never cling to you alone, Akuto.’
Just watch.
I’ll log out right in front of your eyes.
I smiled faintly.
[Akuto Hebgenia requests to form a Party. Do you accept?]
I nodded.
[You have formed a Party with Akuto Hebgenia.
― Party Leader: Akuto Hebgenia
― Party Member: Aksin Helod]
A party member who’s a boss monster—Aksin….
‘This game’s doomed, totally doomed.’
“What exactly is happening here….”
I clutched my throbbing head and dropped into a chair, and at that moment something flashed before my eyes.
Ding!
[The Party Leader has started the Quest “Defeat 10 Slimes!”]
[Defeat 10 Slimes!
A young man named James living in Beginner’s Village is having trouble because the slimes make the ground too slippery.
If you help James, you should be able to earn food sturdy enough to get through the day.
― Objective: Eliminate Green Slimes (0/10)
― Reward: Overly Simple Bacon Toast ×2
※ Food items carry various buffs and healing effects. Try using them actively in combat and crafting!]
I was so fascinated by this first Quest window that I barely glanced at it.
But reading the quest details, my patience snapped for the second time.
“Slimes? After you’ve already killed Aksin?”
“I’m Level 10, so—”
Akuto chuckled softly, noticing my sour expression.
“It’s something I picked up early on. To level up.”
I shook my head and tied my black hair back into a single knot.
Frustration pooled in my chest.
“How long are we going to waste on quests? You’ve got a Legendary weapon—why not just go to a hunting ground and slaughter monsters?”
“The Primordial Cudgel reverts its target to their primordial state, so it doesn’t work on natural creatures.”
“Wait, you’re telling me—”
“Right. Can’t kill monsters with it.”
I pressed my palm against my forehead hard enough to make a sound.
“What about evil-type monsters? Undead?”
“It’s not a holy weapon. It just reverts things to their primordial state.”
“So it’s an unattributed weapon?”
“That’s right.”
A weapon that used to belong to a deity, no less?
Shouldn’t that naturally make it holy-type?
Rubbing my temples in exasperation, a sudden brilliant idea struck me.
“Want me to kill them for you?”
But Akuto disappointed me again this time.
“Your Level is too high. If you do it, I won’t get any Experience Points. I have to be the one. But thank you for offering to help.”
Help, my foot!
I didn’t even propose this for his sake, yet there Akuto was, beaming like an idiot.
‘Damned.’
I thumped my chest and tilted my head back.
How am I supposed to wait around while Akuto grinds his levels?
I’d need to hit the high-level zones to find anyone worth testing myself against.
Level 10—that’s all he is.
The thought of dragging through beginner territory made me yawn before we’d even started.
‘So I just sit here and wait, is that it?’
Akuto noticed my sour expression and tilted his head, eyes bright as polished glass.
What’s he so pleased about?
Monsters—what’s there to find good in them?
“I’ll level up fast, I promise. Just bear with me a little longer.”
“Fat chance.”
“Let’s head out.”
[Akuto Hebgenia has requested continental travel to the Land of Beginning.
Will you leave the Demon Realm and travel to the Land of Beginning together?]
“Move.”
[Traveling to the Land of Beginning.]
‘A different continent, no less.’
My feelings were complicated.
‘I’ve heard there are monsters here completely unlike the undead that drag their organs around or the grotesque gargoyles back home.’
Bouncy rabbits, for instance—they hop like rubber balls and attack players.
Squirrels preparing for hibernation that throw walnuts as their combat move.
‘Might be worth seeing, at least.’
[Welcome to the Land of Beginning. Have a safe adventure!]
Whoosh—
The screen flashed brilliant white, then the grim ashen earth of the Demon Realm vanished, replaced by bright, verdant meadows.
Windmills scattered across the endless grassy plain, quaint cottages dotting the landscape.
It had the warmth of rural countryside.
Like a proper Demon Realm bumpkin, I took in the sights around me.
‘Charming little place.’
I recalled occasionally climbing to the highest levels of the Demon Castle.
I’d gone there to catch a glimpse of the small exorcist village in the distance.
It had seemed lovely then, but compared to this place with its sweet pastel hues, it looked barren and desolate.
What kind of life have I actually been living?
I felt a little melancholy.
“Slimes spawn to the right portal over there.”
I passed through a small marketplace, observing both NPCs and novice players.
Being a starter village, there were plenty of awkward newcomers browsing weapons.
“That costs *how* much?”
“Well, yes! It’s made from special metal. See here, if you look at this decoration…”
Some of them were getting swindled by the NPCs into buying expensive plate armor.
“Can NPCs get away with that? Fleecing players?”
Akuto shot the equipment merchant a sideways glance.
“NPCs don’t really like players. That kind of thing happens pretty often.”
“An NPC’s an NPC. What does it matter whether they like us or not?”
They’re just bundles of code, after all.
‘Same goes for me, I suppose.’
He probably thinks I’m nothing but artificial intelligence too.
The moment that thought crossed my mind, my eyes met Akuto’s.
He’d been staring at the NPC with an unreadable gaze, but now he turned that same penetrating look on me.
I raised an eyebrow as if to ask what he wanted, and he just shook his head and stepped through the portal.
‘What was that? Unsettling.’
[You have entered Evelyn’s Backhill Field.
Recommended Level: Lv 10 – Lv 20]
Pathetic low-level monsters bounced and scurried across the field.
I found a tree stump nearby and settled myself against it.
I’d expected as much, but seeing that recommended level made me sigh heavily.
“Want to look around the village if you’re bored?”
Akuto offered the suggestion in that gentle tone of his.
‘He speaks like he’s got sugar coated on his tongue.’
Or perhaps his courteous manner was simply ingrained in him.
Honestly, it was pleasant to hear.
My nerves, sharpened from taking nothing but attacks in this place, finally eased.
I answered with a slightly more relaxed face.
“It’s fine. The scenery’s nice too.”
I spoke while watching the plump rabbits bouncing about merrily.
“Thanks. I’m enjoying this much.”
Akuto offered me a Strawberry Milk with a straw already inserted.
I accepted the milk almost reflexively, and without hesitation, Akuto turned and walked away.
‘When did he even buy this…….’
I took a sip of the milk.
It was sweet enough to melt my tongue, yet refreshingly tart without becoming cloying.
‘This…….’
Slurp, slurp, slurp.
Without thinking, I drank eagerly through the straw.
‘This is delicious.’
My eyes narrowed with contentment.
I was guzzling down the Strawberry Milk when I suddenly felt embarrassed and glanced around.
Fortunately, no one was watching.
I turned my attention back to the milk.
Akuto had already taken up a crude Beginner’s Mace and was swinging it to beat down slimes.
‘He doesn’t look like a beginner at all.’
I thought this while holding the straw in my mouth.
‘There’s no wasted motion in his hunting form.’
He barely moved, yet struck vital points with uncanny precision—Critical Hits erupted one after another.
With such economical movement and maximum efficiency, he looked like a Veteran with at least five Alt Characters.
‘Just what is his real identity?’
While I tilted my head in thought, Akuto’s Level rose.
[Akuto Hebgenia has learned Slick Liquid.]
[Akuto Hebgenia’s Level has increased by 1.]
[Akuto Hebgenia’s Stats have increased. You have gained 2 Skill Points.]
“Levels jump up fast at low levels.”
Glug, glug, glug…….
I must have drunk too quickly.
It was already gone.
I tossed the empty carton into a nearby trash bin, my eyes lingering on it with reluctance.
‘I want to drink more…….’
There was nothing to be done about it.
I turned back regretfully, my head lowered, when a player quietly approached me.
From their attire, they were an archer.
“Excuse me. Do you happen to have a Party? Would you like to join me?”
Instead of answering, I looked up at them with an intense gaze.
The archer seemed startled by my piercing expression but quickly composed themselves.
There were many people wearing all sorts of appearances due to Polymorph, after all.
“You look like a mage, am I right?”
I was wearing the Black Robe that Akuto had gotten for me.
Aksin’s dress was far too flamboyant for that purpose.
‘Is Aksin a magic class user?’
They don’t engage in melee combat much, so they seem to be ranged, at least.
“I suppose so.”
I answered vaguely, but the archer paid no mind and spoke cheerfully.
“Then let’s party up! I’m an archer. How about it—two ranged users together?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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