The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master

The guard at the control post stared in horror at the path of destruction before him.

Blood splattered everywhere, filling the air with a thick, oppressive mist.

“What… what the hell?!”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

“This… this is cursed. artist If anyone finds out, I’m done for.”

The guard opened his mouth repeatedly but no sound came out. silence His dilated pupils struggled to process the scene before him. silence It took a moment for him to react, to grasp the magnitude of what he was witnessing.

The remains of beasts piled into a grotesque mountain that nearly blocked the tunnel entirely, stretching over fifty meters.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

His face, pale and clammy, reflected his unraveling nerves. atom He began gnawing at his fingernails, the trembling in his bones betraying his terror.

“I’m screwed.”

Something had gone horribly, catastrophically wrong. album He had thought those brats were just ordinary students.

His eyelids twitched, and the deep lines of worry on his face made him appear even older, his expression etched with dread.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

He had worked at the Buffalo Dungeon’s control post for a decade, and no one knew this place better than he did. avalanche He had been certain those students wouldn’t survive.

With his face contorted in disbelief, he gripped his head tightly, yanking out tufts of hair as he spiraled into despair.

The assurances he had given to the instructor now seemed utterly ridiculous. portal Every single buffalo, frenzied by the magic stone, lay dead—obliterated.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

Already plagued by hereditary hair loss, the stress now seemed determined to leave his forehead completely bare.

He owed twenty million won after losing his entire fortune at the Cheorwonland casino, and his creditors were relentless, threatening his life daily.

“Damn it!”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

She was a slender figure with dark hair and icy violet eyes that chilled him to the bone.

“If you do me a favor, I’ll clear all your debts.”

Then, that woman—calling herself an instructor from Joaquin Academy—had approached him with a proposal.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

She had also ordered him to use the magic stone to open a sealed stone door in the depths of the dungeon—something that had remained locked for as long as anyone could remember.

Instinctively, he knew that disobeying her could mean his death.

Her conditions had been bizarre: she gave him a magic stone and instructed him to drive the buffalo into a frenzy, then unleash them on a specific student, Kang Geom-Ma, the moment he entered the dungeon.

It was practically an assassination contract, but with his life already in shambles, he hadn’t seen any other way out. armor With the amount of money promised and the opportunity to keep the stone, which could fetch a fortune on the black market, he thought he could finally turn his life around.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

Smears of blood on the ground formed a trail leading toward the stone door, as if something—or someone—had been dragged there.

“…I can still fix this… heh.”

Despite the worry etched on his face, he forced a shaky, insincere grin, desperately trying to convince himself.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

Gripping his single-bladed axe, he staggered forward, his steps unsteady but fueled by a toxic blend of despair and malice, as he made his way toward the center of the dungeon.

Spitting into his hands, he slicked back his hair, though a few loose strands fell, soaked with cold sweat.

“Those damned brats… this time, I’ll finish them for good.”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

‘…Damn it.’

***

“Things seemed to be going too smoothly…”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

I had a bad feeling ever since noticing the suspicious look on the dungeon guard’s face before entering, but who could have predicted it would escalate to this? admire I’m no god, after all.

Being dragged into a hidden dungeon by the roaring stream of mana that engulfed us was more irritating than shocking.

From the start, why was the dungeon door—which, by all rules, should have been sealed—open as if it were waiting for us? adjust And why did it slam shut the moment we crossed the threshold?

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

‘That damned guard…’

The abnormal behavior of the buffalo, so unlike anything I’d experienced in the game, and the fact that this cursed hidden dungeon was accessible—it all pointed to him.

Even without concrete proof, I could piece it together.

But a sudden doubt gnawed at me.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

Players who didn’t consult guides often used it as an enhancement material, unaware it was the key to unlocking this secret dungeon.

Though a seven-star item—the second rarest tier out of seven—its description didn’t provide much information.

This special stone was obtainable only after defeating the final boss of the Gigant Dungeon, a pivotal moment marking the transition from the early to the mid-game in Miracle Blessing M.

The door to this hidden dungeon could only be opened with the “Gigant Mana Stone” a reward item that appeared midway through the game’s storyline.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

This blessing allowed the user to transfer one of their skills into a weapon or item. auction While it wasn’t inherently powerful as a standalone ability, its potential was immense.

And once players discovered its true purpose, they realized there were few opportunities to obtain it again.

The frustration was palpable. avalanche This dungeon granted a unique blessing: the “Transfer Blessing.”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

As usual, the game devs had ignored the complaints, a classic move from their playbook.

Miracle Blessing M had hidden a priceless resource in this dungeon, and players who had squandered the Gigant Mana Stone on enhancements couldn’t help but feel cheated.

Fortunately for me, I’d been so busy with work back then that the stone remained unused in my inventory, sparing me from disaster.

With this blessing, players could adapt Leon’s legendary sword, “Balmung,” to any situation, unleashing its true power.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Hah…”

While it was normal for cave-type dungeons to feel cold, this chill cut straight to the bone.

I exhaled sharply, vapor escaping my lips.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

The atmosphere was oppressive, not just figuratively—it was palpable.

Thankfully, none of them appeared seriously injured from being dragged here.

My skin prickled under the weight of a malevolent energy, like needles stabbing into my flesh.

I quickly scanned my surroundings and saw my teammates slowly getting to their feet, holding their heads as they struggled with nausea.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

‘We got lucky.’

After confirming that everyone was unscathed, I surveyed our surroundings.

We were inside a vast cavern with a dome-like structure that rose about thirty meters high.

Saki Ryozo’s uniform skirt had torn up to her thigh from scraping along the ground, leaving a slit that resembled a qipao dress. matrix Through the tear, her smooth, unblemished leg was visible—a small relief in the grim situation.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

A hulking figure sat slouched on a rock that served as a throne.

It was the hidden boss of the Buffalo Dungeon—a Rank A monster—the Minotaur.

The flickering light of torches lined the walls, casting eerie shadows. arctic At the center of the chamber, something massive loomed in the darkness.

Squinting, I activated the Blessing of the Sword God, and my night vision revealed its silhouette.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

However, its appearance was anything but friendly. athlete With the head of a buffalo and the body of a man, it wielded a massive double-headed axe like a cane.

Players in the community affectionately referred to it as “King Cow,” due to its resemblance to a friendly boss in another game.

As a hidden boss, the Minotaur was leagues above the usual field enemies.

Its physical strength was said to rival that of a demon, and though it didn’t use magic, its ferocity alone earned it a reputation equivalent to one.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

‘Facing all three at once would be suicide.’

Standing beside it like loyal sentinels were two smaller Minotaurs, known as the “Left and Right Advisors of the King.”

Though these Rank B monsters weren’t particularly dangerous on their own, their coordination made them a formidable pair.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

Beside me, Chloe, her detection ability undoubtedly picking up the overwhelming presence, tugged on my sleeve.

“…Geom-Ma, what is that?”

Even with my eyes closed, the aura they radiated seeped into the ground, forcing me to swallow hard.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

It looked impenetrable to any ordinary weapon, with a diagonal red mark etched across it—a Mark of 【???】

I glanced toward the stone door behind us.

I pressed a finger to my lips, signaling her to stay quiet. acquire She nodded silently.

Speedweapon and Saki hadn’t yet adjusted to the darkness, but sensing my tension, they stayed on guard without speaking.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

After some deliberation, I bit down on a sashimi knife—not as a weapon, but as a gag to endure the pain.

I’d already exhausted the Blessing of the Sword God during the fight with the buffalo. album Facing the Minotaur without it was unthinkable.

While its materials would be ideal for enhancing my weapons, I valued my life far more.

‘We need to get out of here quietly.’

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

Carefully, I drew the Murasame, which I had reserved for emergencies.

Slowly, it rose from its stone throne.

At that moment, a chilling sensation swept over me as I sensed something behind us.

The Minotaur’s ear twitched in our direction. wizard Its previously closed eyes began to open, glowing with a sharp, relentless light.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

Boom!

“Moooooo—!”

The Minotaur struck the ground with the base of its double-headed axe, and its subordinate monsters roared in response.

“What the hell?!”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

Now that my teammates could clearly see the Minotaur and its lackeys, their terror was palpable. artist Escaping without a fight was no longer an option.

Boom!

The Minotaur slammed the ground again, and the flickering torches brightened, illuminating the cavern in full.

Speedweapon, who had been holding his breath, flinched in alarm.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

This wasn’t like the exam, where I’d been unprepared for the Demon Siren.

‘Then…’

I clenched my teeth, steeling my resolve.

I had fought the Minotaur before. audit If I were at full strength, I might have been able to handle all three. album But without the blessing, my odds were slim.

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Meanwhile, the Minotaur lumbered toward us. action I remained calm and asked him pointedly.

Speedweapon, pale as a sheet, regained some composure upon seeing my determined gaze.

“SpeedWeapon, can you buff me to reduce pain?”

“Yeah… I can do that.”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Perfect. shadow During those two minutes, don’t let up—not even for a second. advance If you do, then…”

“Max, about two minutes.”

“How long can you maintain it?”

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“Got it… I trust you.”

Speedweapon eyes widened, but when I gave him a reassuring smile, he nodded, albeit nervously.

I dragged a finger across my neck.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Saki, Chloe, take care of the other two.”

I offered a smile before stepping toward the advancing Minotaur.

Saki nodded, her face tense, though her hands trembled slightly as she gripped her bow.

“Don’t worry too much.”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 40: Buffalo Dungeon (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Let’s handle this the same as before.”

Glancing back, I saw my teammates’ determined faces, each of them giving a firm nod.