Capturing the Wild Hidden Boss

Shivering. Kim A-rin's hand gripped my shoulder tight, trembling like a cafe doorbell.

Just like her reaction when she first met Hwaran.

"D-don't... move, sis... I'll, I'll... protect you..."

"...I'm just standing still."

Even for Kim A-rin, hidden bosses seemed like a terrifyingly scary existence.

Honestly, even I thought she looked pretty frightening.

This hidden boss we encountered had the perfect look of one—massive armor, enormous wings sprouting from her back, a purple aura enveloping the whole suit. Sharp horns jutted from the helmet too. If I were just some ordinary hunter, I might've excused myself on the spot from how overwhelmingly powerful she appeared.

No, since even S-rank Kim A-rin was this scared, she must be insanely strong for real.

"...It activates automatically too, huh."

But I wasn't just some ordinary hunter.

No matter what anyone said, I was soon-to-be S-rank—the kind that'd make America gasp and China (cut for brevity). My S-rank invincibility was still active, so there was no reason to be scared.

Favorability was already at 50. Arkiël just stood there quietly watching me and Kim A-rin. No sense of hostility at all.

Above all, to me, hidden bosses weren't something to fear—they were walking skillbooks.

S-rank guaranteed ones, at that. My new Manifestation skill had walked right up to me on its own legs. Why be scared?

Welcome, my shiny new Manifestation skill.

"Alright, let's check it out? Follow me, follow~."

Instead of shaking like Kim A-rin, I used my Data Scan skill to check Arkiël's info first. Wonder what skills she'd have this time.

"Boom chicka boom, boom chicka boom. Dalarilara~..."

I hoped for some direct attack skills this time. She's an ancient dragon, after all—something like a breath attack would be perfect.

"...Cherry blossoms?"

But this I didn't expect.

There was a Manifestation skill available, but it straight-up said acquisition impossible. A picture of rice cake—just out of reach.

No condition like "raise favorability to 50"—just flat-out impossible, nailed shut.

N-no, this isn't right. Blocking acquisition entirely? What the hell.

-Thud.

"M-my... my Manifestation skill...!"

"...Sis..."

I plopped down in utter disappointment, and Kim A-rin's anxious voice rang out. Her eyes seemed to scold me like, not the time for jokes.

Arkiël just stood silently, but Kim A-rin was still super wary of her. Like Arkiël might kill us both any second.

...Kim A-rin saw me befriend Hwaran last time—why the lack of faith? Whatever, no choice. I'd have to step up again.

"Um, Arkiël... ma'am?"

I looked up at Arkiël and cautiously spoke. Kim A-rin flinched in shock.

But for some reason...

"...!"

Arkiël flinched too. I was just gonna say we'd grab the dungeon core and leave—nothing big. I'd already sniffed out the core's location anyway.

"...Fenrion..."

"Uh... you know Fenrion?"

No Manifestation skill to gain anyway, so I had no business with Arkiël. I'd love a photo, but my side dishes would spoil. Store manager's dishes were worth more than a hidden boss pic. Photos later—wasted food? Irreplaceable.

I planned to snag the core ASAP and bail with Kim A-rin.

-Step.

"Why... are you here...? No, your current form... how... did this... happen..."

Like she recognized me, she approached slowly. The massive purple armor drew nearer.

Come to think of it, Hwaran mistook me too. Do hidden bosses have a thing for mix-ups?

"...! ...!! S-sis...!"

"It's... fine. Just stay put for now."

Kim A-rin freaked as Arkiël closed in, but I held her back. No point provoking. My invincibility was active anyway. Might as well hear what she wanted with me? Ignoring a hidden boss could backfire.

-Clank.

Arkiël reached the right in front of me and extended a hand—her right arm's armor peeled away and vanished. Just a pale white hand.

No attack vibe, so I just watched.

-Grab.

-Streeetch────.

"Eeeeek."

"...You've gotten... smaller...?"

Suddenly, she yanked my cheeks. Just like Hwaran. Not an attack—my S-rank invincibility didn't trigger.

But seriously. Why keep calling me Fenrion?

"Um, that. I'm not Fenrion. Seems like you're misunderstanding something..."

Seemed like a big mix-up, so I corrected it first. I'm Lee Ji-woo. This form's my skill transformation. If it's business with Fenrion, I'll relay later. That's what I meant to say.

"Ah."

But my mouth was slower than the Manifestation timer ending. Assimilation rate plummeted rapidly.

-Plop.

"Euuuh..."

Manifestation ended, strength drained from my body, exhaustion crashing in. Like after an all-nighter shift, watching dawn break—heavy all over.

At this point, Arkiël or whatever, I just wanted home and bed. But.

-Flash.

"...My side dishes...!"

Sleep later—fridge first. Non-negotiable. Thinking of those left-out dishes snapped me awake. Couldn't be the ultra-trash who wastes store manager's gifts untasted. I'd regret it forever.

"Um, Arkiël ma'am..."

I asked the still-staring Arkiël if we could leave now. Core hunting beat skill-less boss. But again, something off.

"Ah, aaah..."

Arkiël trembled, gazing at my post-Fenrion form. Her shakes made Kim A-rin cling tighter in fear. Kim A-rin's hands shook too.

...What're they doing, sandwiching me?

-Crackle, fizzzz.

"Forgive me... I should have... protected you until the end..."

"Uh... um, Arkiël ma'am?"

Thud. Suddenly kneeling before me, Arkiël mumbled nonsense. Helmet hid her face, but shuddering shoulders said she was crying.

No, what'd I even say? I didn't make her cry—she did it herself.

-Drip. -Crunch.

Arkiël's massive armor and body twisted grotesquely. I blinked in shock—Kim A-rin scooped me up and bolted far away.

Lightning flashed. Thunder from Kim A-rin and Arkiël's roars filled the air, chaos everywhere.

But I saw it in the end. Arkiël's true form.

"■■■■■■───────!"

"...Whoa."

Just insanely huge. No other words.

-Click.

"...Only got the foot."

Too big—photo failed. Gave up, pointed to the core I'd eyed earlier.

Arkiël seemed rampaging, so grab core and run. Some backstory, sure—but my dishes mattered more.

"There, on that rock!"

"────!"

Pointed far-off core—Kim A-rin charged on my back. Core recovered, back to gate in under 10 seconds.

Too fast—my eyes spun. Motion sickness incoming.

"...Urk..."

"H-hold on, sis. We're out soon...!"

Purple dungeon gate ahead. Core secured—gate'd close on exit.

Kim A-rin urgently dashed us through.

But then, more messages.

"Wha—uh..."

Like the answer was preset. Friendly caution too—wanted acceptance.

Bad vibes, but I nodded reflexively.

"A-accept!"

Lots popped up, but tumbling out the gate wiped them. Gate crumpled, poof—gone.

One thing left: Naked woman bowing to me.

-Shiver shiver...

"This sinner deserving death... right now..."

"Eek!"

Brown hair. Sharp horns. Slightly smaller wings. Slightly smaller build.

Armor shed, Arkiël droned about naked dog or whatever. Wanted to deny, but messages filled the air confirming she was Arkiël.

-Murmur murmur.

-Murmur murmur.

"Wh-what's that...?"

"Whoa, jackpot. Quick, snap pics."

Murmurs from afar—I knew instantly. Whatever happened, cover that nakedness first.

I knew this scene screamed 9 PM ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠news. Didn't want that exposure.

"K-Kim A-rin! Jacket off!"

"Wh-what?"

"Qu-quick!"

Covered Arkiël with Kim A-rin's jacket, hauled her up. Into some car, frantic scramble—suddenly home.

But more to do.

-Peek.

"All... dressed?"

"...Yes."

Tossed Kim A-rin's clothes her way—heard rustling donning. Opened door, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠entered bedroom.

Awkward Arkiël on my bed. Kim A-rin beside me, still wary. Hidden boss after all.

Anyway, time to ask what the heck happened.

Cautiously to clothed Arkiël: why the waterworks earlier?

"Wh-why'd you cry back there? I didn't say anything..."

"Wait, sis. Not that now—"

-Flinch.

"Silence, human. Dare interrupt whom...!"

"...What'd you say?"

"W-wait. Both stop. Halt."