Chapter 37: Buffalo Dungeon (1)

After a two-hour journey on the Joaquin Academy’s limousine bus, we arrived at Cheorwon in Gangwon Province, where the Buffalo Dungeon is located.

The distance wasn’t far enough to justify using a dimensional space portal, which isn’t permitted for personal matters anyway.

Even if it were allowed, our team would probably have declined, especially SpeedWeapon, who suffers terribly from motion sickness.

I stepped off the bus and stretched.

One by one, the other team members began to gather their things and disembark in an orderly line.

‘We got here early.’

Though the bus was comfortable and the trip felt short, it was surprising that traveling from Seoul to this remote area of Gangwon only took two hours.

Perhaps that’s because Cheorwon, in this world, is a popular destination among heroes.

At some point, farming dungeons began to pop up here nonstop. While the reason remains uncertain, according to mythology classes, magical beasts sought refuge in this region to avoid the sanctuaries during the mythical era, long before humanity existed.

Once known as a “beast’s nest,” today it’s a famous farming hotspot, with dungeons that, while not especially difficult, yield good rewards.

Many high-ranking heroes visit this area, so the roads are well-maintained, and among the buildings, you can spot a few towers that seem out of place in the rural surroundings.

I stretched my neck and observed my team. Chloe had her katana strapped to her back and was fiddling with a small crossbow in her hands.

I’d thought she only mastered close-combat weapons, but it seems that, as an assassin, she’s skilled with all kinds of weapons. I shifted my gaze to Saki Ryozo, who was carrying a large weapon wrapped in cloth over her left shoulder.

Her slightly distant expression made her seem as nonchalant as ever.

When I stared at Saki Ryozo’s weapon for a moment, Chloe puffed out her cheeks with a slightly irritated look and strode forward with purpose.

“It’s always me who has to go first, so I’ll do it again!”

I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. Just a month ago, she was a shy and timid girl, and now here she was, confidently taking the lead.

Without a word, we followed the yandere girl.

“Geom-Ma, what’s in your backpack making all that noise?”

SpeedWeapon asked, glancing at my backpack, which clinked with every step I took.

I opened the bag without saying anything and showed him the contents: a handsaw and several sashimi knives I’d bought with the million won I swindled from the blacksmith.

“Are you here to sell knives or what?”

SpeedWeapon said jokingly.

I smiled slightly.

“Better to be prepared.”

“…You sound like an old man. Well, I’m sure you have your reasons.”

I turned my head toward Saki Ryozo, who had paused to catch her breath, and as our eyes met, she spoke up.

“I’m tired.”

“It shows.”

“I think something sweet would give me some energy…” she said. Sighing, I handed her a handful of candies I kept in my front pocket.

“I would’ve preferred yokan…” [1]

“What do I look like to you, your snack supplier? You should have brought your own.”

“But I want to save mine for later hehe.”

She replied with a grin. I bit my tongue and moved on while she, somewhat resigned, popped a candy into her mouth, her eyes brightening as she tasted it.

After about ten minutes of walking, we reached the dungeon entrance.

Two sturdy employees greeted us at the checkpoint, which looked like a toll booth on a highway.

One of them, with tanned skin, glanced at our uniforms and instructed us in a gruff voice.

“You’re from Joaquin Academy. Please write your names in the visitor’s log.”

Starting with Chloe, the team members signed their names in the registry. The employee glanced sideways at each name as it was written. When it was my turn, I wrote the three characters of my name.

I could clearly see a slight, almost imperceptible tremor in his eyes.

I looked him straight in the eyes, catching his expression immediately.

I narrowed my eyes with a sense of sharp intuition.

Meanwhile, the other team members who had already entered the dungeon’s entryway were waving at me to hurry up.

I broke eye contact and walked toward the entrance. After a few steps, I turned my head halfway.

Through the narrow gap of the dungeon’s entry gate, which was slowly closing, the employee stood tall, watching me out of the corner of his eye.

Trying to ease the intense discomfort, I clutched my jacket tighter.

I hugged my jacket, feeling the weight of the weapon against my chest.

The murmuring of Murasame thrummed in sync with my heartbeat.

***

The interior of the dungeon wasn’t like the typical dark cave; instead, it was prepared almost like a tourist attraction.

The high ceilings and cool atmosphere made the place feel more comfortable than the outside.

The only source of light came from the torches mounted on the walls, casting flickering shadows that added a somber tone, befitting a dungeon.

The walls were covered with scribbles and graffiti, bearing messages like “So-and-so was here” or “Cheolsu ♥ Yeonghee.”

We walked for a few minutes until Chloe, leading the group, stopped and bent down, placing her ear near the ground.

“I sense about five beasts approaching from 200 meters away,” she whispered.

SpeedWeapon nodded.

“Let’s stick to the plan. They’re manageable if we follow through as discussed. Saki, Chloe, it’s your turn. I’ll provide buffs for support.”

SpeedWeapon pounded his chest confidently, and Saki, taking a candy out of her mouth, unwrapped the cloth covering her weapon. The sight left me momentarily stunned.

Her red bow, Jeokgong Baeksi, was an S-grade weapon adorned with golden filigree along the string—something so extraordinary that even someone like me, with no deep knowledge of archery, could recognize its value.

Still, it was hard to trust the sleepy expression in her eyes, even as we were deep inside the dungeon. Perhaps this relaxed attitude was a sign of her confidence… but as a member of the party, I had no choice but to rely on her.

Saki Ryozo pulled the string of her bow a few times, her expression apathetic, as if signaling she was ready, and then stopped.

“Oh, wait a moment!”

She reached into her skirt and pulled out another piece of candy, unwrapping it. Whatever confidence she had instilled vanished instantly.

She finished the candy and gestured to SpeedWeapon, who began playing his flute. This time, the melody was even more off-key than usual.

Bip↗ Ri-Lu↘ Luc↘

Chloe, already used to the dissonance, barely reacted. She let out a deep breath and focused.

Rumble-rumble!

A deafening sound of hooves echoed through the dungeon.

“They’re 100 meters away!” Chloe shouted.

An instant later, five buffalo charged out of the shadows.

While resembling oxen, these creatures were twice as large, with antler-like branching horns reminiscent of a deer’s.

The lead buffalo, its eyes glowing red, let out a guttural bellow and charged straight at us.

SpeedWeapon raised his voice.

“Girls, take care of those beasts!”

Chloe leapt forward and fired a bolt from her crossbow, which embedded itself in the left eye of one of the buffalo, causing it to crash into the wall. However, the other four remained unscathed.

“Mmmuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!”

The buffalo began accelerating, skillfully dodging incoming projectiles.

Chloe clicked her tongue and reached for her katana.

“I’ll try slowing them down in close combat.”

“Don’t get too close, Chloe,” SpeedWeapon cautioned while playing his flute.

“…Fine.”

Reluctantly, Chloe retreated and positioned herself behind Saki.

I opened my backpack and retrieved a few sashimi knives, ready to throw.

Glancing at my teammates, I noticed SpeedWeapon still playing his flute while Saki, now taking deep breaths, appeared entirely focused. Four arrows were notched on her bowstring, perfectly aligned.

Gone was the carefree girl always asking for yokan. With absolute concentration, she closed one eye and aimed. After a few moments, a faint smile crossed her lips, and she murmured.

“This one’s going straight to their foreheads.”

As Saki’s fingers moved, a cool breeze swept through the air.

Her light-blue hair fanned out like a halo.

Piyung!

All at once, four arrows left her bow, each finding its mark between the eyes of a charging beast.

“Mmmuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!”

One buffalo let out a pained bellow and stumbled, losing its balance. The rest of the formation collapsed, their hooves skidding across the ground as if twisted under their own weight.

“Huff.”

Saki wiped the sweat from her forehead and popped another yokan into her mouth. I watched her silently, and when she noticed my gaze, she quickly stuffed the rest of the sweet into her mouth.

I was about to comment when, out of nowhere, one of the buffalo, clearly wounded but still alive, stood up and charged toward Saki.

“Saki!”

Saki appeared startled, as if she hadn’t anticipated the attack, and hastily tried to nock another arrow. The buffalo lunged forward, aiming its massive horns at her.

Without hesitation, I drew my blade.

Swish!

The beast came to an abrupt halt.

A thin red line appeared on its forehead, right between its eyes, and soon its body split cleanly into two halves.

Thud!

Blood began to pool slowly along the pristine cut.

I wiped the blade of my sashimi knife and turned to Saki Ryozo.

“Are you okay?”

Saki’s wide eyes met mine.

“Hic!”

She tried to nod but hiccuped instead.

“Hic!”

***

Once we confirmed that the demon beasts showed no signs of getting back up, the team took a short break to quench their thirst and recover.

I approached the fallen buffalo.

Except for the one I had split in half, the other four lay motionless, their heavy breathing causing their nostrils to flare.

Their eyes were beginning to glaze over, turning a ghostly gray, and their long lashes blinked weakly, as if trying to convey something.

‘…’

I didn’t feel anything in particular. In the end, these creatures were nothing more than materials for enhancing my weapon.

With a cold expression, I pulled out the saw I’d brought with me. After all, our purpose for coming here was to harvest parts from the demon beasts.

Ssak-sak.

With a few precise cuts, the buffalo horns came off easily, as if slicing through tofu.

As I worked, Saki cautiously approached and crouched beside me. After a moment of silence, she spoke softly.

“Thanks for what you did earlier.”

I nodded silently, not pausing my task.

“This is to repay the favor.”

To my surprise, Saki handed me a yokan. As I took it, she gave me a faint, awkward smile before walking away.

“…”

I took a bite of the yokan. Its sweetness melted on my tongue, almost overwhelming.

‘How can they like this so much?’

T/N:

1: Yokan is a Japanese sweet made from red bean paste (anko), agar, and sugar, typically presented in a gelatinous block form.