The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master

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

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.

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

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I stepped off the bus and stretched.

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.

‘We got here early.’

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

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

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. shadow 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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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.

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

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

Without a word, we followed the yandere girl.

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I smiled slightly.

“Are you here to sell knives or what?”

“Better to be prepared.”

SpeedWeapon said jokingly.

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

“It shows.”

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.”

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

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

“I would’ve preferred yokan…” [1]

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 37: Buffalo Dungeon (1) published by TrungTu Reads.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 37: Buffalo Dungeon (1) published by TrungTu Reads.

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

I narrowed my eyes with a sense of sharp intuition.

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

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

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The murmuring of Murasame thrummed in sync with my heartbeat.

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.

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

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

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***

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

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

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

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SpeedWeapon nodded.

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

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

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

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Still, it was hard to trust the sleepy expression in her eyes, even as we were deep inside the dungeon. abandon 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.

“Let’s stick to the plan. antique They’re manageable if we follow through as discussed. audit Saki, Chloe, it’s your turn. acid 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. amateur 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.

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

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

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!”

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

Rumble-rumble!

A deafening sound of hooves echoed through the dungeon.

Bip↗ Ri-Lu↘ Luc↘

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

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

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

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SpeedWeapon raised his voice.

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

“Girls, take care of those beasts!”

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Chloe clicked her tongue and reached for her katana.

“Mmmuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!”

The buffalo began accelerating, skillfully dodging incoming projectiles.

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. action However, the other four remained unscathed.

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

“…Fine.”

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

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

Reluctantly, Chloe retreated and positioned herself behind Saki.

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

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Her light-blue hair fanned out like a halo.

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

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

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

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“Mmmuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!”

Piyung!

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

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

One buffalo let out a pained bellow and stumbled, losing its balance. arena 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. amateur I watched her silently, and when she noticed my gaze, she quickly stuffed the rest of the sweet into her mouth.

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

Without hesitation, I drew my blade.

“Saki!”

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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.

Swish!

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

“Are you okay?”

Thud!

Blood began to pool slowly along the pristine cut.

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She tried to nod but hiccuped instead.

“Hic!”

Saki’s wide eyes met mine.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 37: Buffalo Dungeon (1) published by TrungTu Reads.

“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.

***

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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. acid In the end, these creatures were nothing more than materials for enhancing my weapon.

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

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

Ssak-sak.

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I nodded silently, not pausing my task.

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

“This is to repay the favor.”

“Thanks for what you did earlier.”

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

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

“…”

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

‘How can they like this so much?’

T/N: