Episode 37 Buffalo Dungeon (1)
After a two-hour limousine bus ride for the Joaquin Academy cadets, we arrived in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, where the Buffalo Dungeon is located.
It was a distance that I would have liked to have reached in one breath through the subspace gate, but I couldn’t use the gate for personal reasons.
Even if it had been available, the crew would have been against it, especially since the speed weapon caused severe motion sickness.
After getting off the bus, I stretched. Following that, the party members also started to get off one by one, each packing their bags.
‘You arrived early.’
Even taking into account the fact that the bus was comfortable and the ride was smooth, so it felt short, I thought it would only take about two hours from Seoul to this place located at the edge of Gangwon-do.
That’s understandable, Cheorwon, which is considered a remote area in Gangwon-do on Earth, was famous among the heroes of this world.
Farming dungeons have sprouted up here one after another since one day.
The origin is unclear, but from what I heard in mythology class, it is said that it started when demons fled the sanctuary and made a nest here in the mythical era before humans became monkeys.
So it is said that in the past it was also called Magul. But in modern times, it has become a famous place for farming.
There were many dungeons with good cost-effectiveness, with difficulty levels that weren’t too high and good rewards.
As it was a place often visited by high-ranking heroes, the asphalt was neatly paved, and a few tall buildings that did not seem to fit the village were visible.
I stretched my neck here and there, then turned my head to look at the party members. Chloe had the katana hanging on her back. And she was wielding a small crossbow in both hands. I thought she was only good at melee weapons, but since she’s an assassin, she doesn’t seem to care about her weapon type.
I turned my gaze to Saki Ryozo. She was about the same height as me, and she had a rolled-up weapon on her left shoulder. Looking at her blankly opened eyes, I thought she was really consistent.
As I briefly looked at Saki Ryozo’s armor, Chloe puffed out her cheeks with a sullen expression. Then, she said that they had a long way to go and took the lead with a brisk gait.
“I’m always the vanguard, so I’ll stand in front!”
I burst into a small laughter at the sight. Just a month ago, she was a timid and small girl, but now she was confidently leading the way.
We followed the yandere girl without saying a word.
“Geumma, why do you have so much luggage?”
The weapon walking next to me dropped my backpack.
I guess he was bothered by the clanking sound of the backpack slung over his shoulders every time he walked. I opened the bag without saying anything and showed him the contents.
Inside the bag, there was a single saw and a bundle of knives. Daiso sashimi bought for 10 million won by a blacksmith.
“…Are you here to sell knives?”
Weapon asked in a tone that was slightly joking. I laughed quietly.
“Ubiquitous.”
“… You sound just like an old man. But since you prepared it, you must have a reason.”
I turned my head to the side and saw Saki Ryozo holding her knees and catching her breath for a moment. She met my eyes and then suddenly opened her mouth.
“I’m having a hard time.”
“It looks like that.”
“I think I’ll get some strength if I eat something sweet… … .”
He let out a deep sigh and handed her a handful of candy he had wrapped in a paper bag from the front pocket.
“… The candy is a bit like that. Do you have any rice cake?”
“You left it with me? I bet you brought it with you too.”
“I’ll save that for later, heh.”
It’s a bit odd. I clicked my tongue and started walking away.
Then, Saki Ryozo lowers his eyebrows like a puppy’s tail and has no choice but to put the candy in his mouth. Whenever he says no, his eyes sparkle as if he likes it.
After walking along the path while talking for about ten minutes, we soon arrived at the entrance to the dungeon.
At the checkpoint, which was like a highway toll gate, two sturdy officers were standing. The tanned officer glanced at our uniforms and spoke quietly.
“You are from Joaquin Academy. Please write your names on the guestbook here.”
Starting with Chloe, the party members wrote their names on the list. The staff checked their names with a sidelong glance. The last moment was when I wrote down my three-character name.
The employee’s pupils were clearly visible shaking slightly but definitely.
I looked straight into the employee’s eyes. He quickly adjusted his gaze and expression.
My eyes narrowed in discomfort. Meanwhile, the group members who had entered the dungeon entrance first waved their hands at me, telling me to hurry up and come.
I tried to avert my gaze and walked towards the entrance. After walking a few steps, I turned my head back halfway.
Through the crack of the dungeon entrance door that was gradually closing, an employee peeked his head out and glanced at me from the corner of his eye. I tried to suppress the sense of discomfort that was creeping up on me and hugged my outer garment.
A feeling of warmth in the bosom of your heart.
Murasame’s sword sounded faintly along with the beating of her heart.
* * *
The inside of the dungeon was well-designed like a tourist attraction, breaking the stereotype that it would look like a cave.
The high ceilings, the spacious common areas, and the crisp air that seemed to wash away the early summer heat as if the air conditioner was on. In terms of the environment alone, it felt more comfortable than outside the dungeon.
However, since it was a dungeon that students often visited, childish graffiti like ‘So-and-so came and went’ and ‘Cheol-soo♥Young-hee’ were written like wall posters.
However, since it was a dungeon after all, instead of fluorescent lights, there were torches hanging in a row on the walls, creating a rather creepy atmosphere.
After walking like that for a few minutes, Chloe, who was in the lead, stopped in her tracks. She put her ear close to the ground and muttered quietly.
“Three, no, five demons are coming towards us from 200 meters away!”
Chloe, sensing the presence, lifted her ear from the floor and opened her mouth. Weapon nodded.
“Let’s just do as planned. Then they’re not dangerous. Saki and Chloe, I’ll leave it to you. I’ll make sure you don’t feel bad about putting in the buffs.”
Weapon pounded his chest cheerfully. Saki rolled the candy in her mouth and took off the cloth of the armor she was wearing on her shoulder. My two eyes opened wide.
S-class armed red bow and white arrow.
A magnificent red bow with gold leaf on the strings like a belt. Even I, who was illiterate in archery, thought it was extraordinary.
However, it was difficult to trust the sleepy look in his eyes even after entering the dungeon. It must be proof that he was relaxed… … But since he was a party member, I had no choice but to trust him.
Saki Ryozo pulls the bowstring a few times with a languid expression as if he is ready, then stops.
“Oh, wait a minute!”
As she said that, she took out a piece of rice cake from her skirt pocket and opened the wrapper. As I looked at it, the faith that had formed just a few seconds ago disappeared.
She took a big bite and gave Weapon an okay sign. At the same time, Weapon put the recorder around his neck to his lips and started blowing loudly.
Beep↗ri-ryu↘ryu↘
The off beats are so loud they hit your ears. Your tongue sticks out at the performance skills that are worse than before.
Saki Ryozo didn’t seem to mind, as if she was used to it. Then she took a deep, calm breath.
Doo doo doo doo doo!
The sound of bloody hooves coming from the dark curtain. The loud noise shook the wide space.
“Buffalo herd, 100 meters ahead!”
Chloe shouted loudly. Immediately after, five buffalo rushed toward us through the blackout curtain with a loud thud.
Its appearance was almost similar to that of a cow, but it was twice as large, and its temples had antlers with branches like those of a deer.
It showed a speed that did not match its size, with its eyes shining red. Indeed, it was a demon of a much higher rank than those little fish. Speed Weapon, which had finished buffing, shouted at Saki and Chloe.
“Kick out the buffalo calves!”
With those words, Chloe grabbed the crossbow in both hands, jumped up, and fired at the buffalo.
Pok! Pok! Pok!
“Mu …
One buffalo, disoriented by an arrow in its left eye, crashed into the wall next to it. However, the other four were unharmed. Chloe’s expression was not entirely satisfactory, as she was not yet used to the crossbow.
The buffaloes, meanwhile, charged at a fast pace.
Chloe, jumping high, continued to shoot her crossbow, but the buffalo shook their horns and knocked away the flying arrows.
Chloe clicked her tongue briefly and grabbed the hilt of the katana slung on her back.
“I’ll slow down those guys in front.”
“Chloe, don’t get near those guys!”
Then Weapon, who was playing the recorder, stopped her.
“But… … .”
Chloe looked at the group of demons charging at her fiercely.
I could feel the aura of the devil. I had to stop the buffaloes before they got close. Otherwise, I would be impaled on their horns or trampled to death by their hooves.
Chloe’s face showed a look of regret. But she bit her lip and stepped back behind Saki Ryozo.
‘… I guess I’ll have to step forward if necessary.’
I opened my backpack and took out a few sashimi sticks. Since I have limited weapons at my disposal, I plan to use the sashimi sticks as throwing weapons.
I turned my head and looked at Weapon and Saki.
Weapon was absorbed in his own performance, and Saki Ryozo was catching his breath.
Her eyes were unwavering, and in her right hand four arrows were loaded sequentially from top to bottom on the bowstring.
The appearance of that reckless boy who would fall asleep at any moment and whine for rice cakes at any moment was now completely gone from his face.
She took a deep breath, closed her right eye, and slowly pulled back the bowstring.
Kiriric.
The red-colored lips of the Red Bow White Shi were stuck to the center of the lips. The left eye, which was slightly raised, was fixed on the target. Saki Ryozo remained still in that position for several seconds.
She pulled the protest up to her chest and smiled faintly with her pursed lips. A strange light flashed in Saki’s eyes.
“Put it between your eyebrows.”
As Saki’s fingers snapped, a cool breeze blew.
Her sky blue hair spreads out like a fan.
Pee-pee!
At the same time, four arrows left her right hand and struck the demon’s eyes straight between his.
“Mu …
One buffalo wailed and lost his balance, and then the line broke apart and the rest of the buffalo began to slide on the ground as if their feet had become tangled.
‘Range carry.’
They say that a skilled long-range attacker can’t be stopped, so this deserved applause.
“phew.”
Saki wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve. I, with a bewildered expression, reached out my hand and tried to raise my thumb, but ended up not doing so. She couldn’t stand it any longer and munched on the yanggaeng with a sullen face.
Let’s look at it for a moment. As if not wanting to lose it, Saki shoves the yokan into her mouth. I was so dumbfounded that I tried to say something, but then shook my head.
In fact, she killed five buffaloes by herself, so I wasn’t in a position to say anything.
A buffalo that was thought to have fallen suddenly reared up and charged at Saki Ryozo.
“Saki―!”
As if he was going to take her with him on his way to the afterlife.
Saki made a surprised expression as if she had not expected it and quickly tried to shoot an arrow, but the buffalo charged forward while bucking roughly.
Just as the buffalo, with an arrow stuck between its eyes, approached Saki and struck him with its horns, I took off my sword sheath.
Sigh!
The cow-shaped demon stopped running for a moment. Then, a red line was drawn vertically between the eyebrows and then split into two on its own.
thud!
Blood oozes out like juice from the clean cut surface. I wiped the blood off the sashimi and turned my gaze towards Saki Ryozo.
“Are you okay?”
Saki opened her eyes wide and looked at me.
“Hiccup!”
She tried to nod, but hiccupped without realizing it.
“Hiccup!”
* * *
The party members, who had confirmed that there were no signs of the demons rising, took a break and stretched their necks. I walked towards the fallen buffaloes.
The four buffaloes, except one that was split in half, are lying limply with their nostrils flaring. Their eyes are turning gray-white. They blink their long eyelashes as if trying to say something.
‘… … .’
There wasn’t any particular excitement. They were just materials to strengthen my weapons anyway.
I looked down at them with a cold gaze and took out the saw I had kept. The purpose of coming here was to gather the materials of the demon.
Swish-saw.
In two cuts of the saw, the buffalo’s horns were cut off like tofu.
After I had been sawing for a while, Saki came up to me and crouched down next to me. Then, all of a sudden, she started talking to me in a low voice.
“Thank you for earlier.”
I nodded and continued sawing silently.
“This is a thank you.”
Saki suddenly held out a piece of yokan. When I absentmindedly accepted it, she gave me a strange smile and started walking.
“… … .”
I took a bite of the Yanggaeng. It was so sweet that it melted my tongue.
Why are you eating this kind of thing?
