I Realized It Was An Academy Game After 10 Years – Chapter 131

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“We’re going down to the third level.”

After a sufficient rest, we prepared ourselves and stepped onto the stairs leading down to the third level. The dimly lit staircase was similar to the one leading to the second level, but we descended with confidence.

Most dungeons had a separate boss room on the third level.

“The third level…”

“I wonder what kind of monster the dungeon boss is…”

“We’ve seen two-headed dogs… Maybe a Cerberus?”

“No way. If it is, we’re turning back immediately. That would be a huge loss.”

I ignored the chatter behind me and continued down the stairs, spotting a faint light at the bottom.

The end of the staircase.

“This is the third level. Be on your guard.”

My words silenced the group. The air suddenly felt heavy. I had told them to be on their guard, but not to the point of suffocation.

No, this was perfect for these greenhorns.

We emerged from the silent passage and arrived at the third level. The layout was simple.

A boss room with a closed door, sparse vegetation and trees scattered near the walls. What kind of boss awaited us inside?

We stood in front of the boss room door and briefly discussed our strategy.

“Maybe another beast-type monster?”

“Couldn’t it be something completely different? The boss of the Woodrock Dungeon was a werewolf, even though the dungeon was full of lizardmen.”

“That’s right. I remember learning about that in Dungeon Studies. Sometimes, the boss doesn’t match the overall theme of the dungeon.”

“But those cases are less than ten percent, so it’s unlikely to happen this time.”

“Ten percent…”

A small percentage, but still a possibility. In the game, the monsters and the boss usually followed a consistent theme.

What was different this time?

Was it because the game and reality were intertwined?

It wasn’t good news.

It meant that my knowledge from the game might not be entirely accurate. Making a wrong move based on faulty information could be fatal…

I needed to gather more information.

“Listen up. I’ll explain the key points to keep in mind before we enter the boss room.”

Their only boss battle experience was from the final exam dungeon, so it was necessary to go over the basics. I thought about how to explain it and began.

“First, no matter what the boss does, don’t panic and calmly assess the situation.”

Losing your composure was the most dangerous thing you could do.

A boss monster wasn’t a stray dog, it wouldn’t let you off easy if you showed any weakness. Reacting calmly to its attacks was essential.

“Second, never break formation. If the formation collapses, even elite soldiers can die like ordinary ones.”

The same applied to dungeon exploration.

There was a reason for having tanks, damage dealers, and supporters.

While it couldn’t be perfectly replicated in reality, it was still a valid strategy in this world, where roles were clearly defined.

Dungeon explorers always prioritized a balanced party composition.

“Lastly… don’t hesitate to follow my orders. Hesitation can get your teammates killed. Understood?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Yes!”

Everyone nodded seriously.

They had done well so far, so I hoped they would continue to do so.

I was still a little uneasy, though.

Theory and practice were two different things. But it shouldn’t be as bad as the rift boss.

…It couldn’t actually be a Cerberus, right?

That was a mid-game boss.

“Let’s go in.”

I placed my hands on either side of the door and slowly pushed. With a scraping sound, the door began to open.

I peeked inside through the gap.

“…Shit.”

It was a Cerberus.

The sleeping Cerberus was visible in the distance. Fortunately, it seemed to be alone in the vast boss room.

I removed my hands from the door and quietly retreated with the group.

“Anyone who knows anything about Cerberus, raise your hand.”

…What? They all knew?

Then there was no need to explain…

“Shuri, tell me about the Cerberus’s characteristics.”

“Uh, it’s a three-headed beast-type monster! And it’s almost as intelligent as a human… It’s famous for using a different breath attack from each head.”

“Pass. Viola, what are the attributes of the Cerberus’s breath attacks?”

“The order varies depending on the individual, but I know it uses fire, ice, and lightning breath attacks, one from each head. But Mister… can we even beat this thing…?”

“Well, that depends on you. Lewis, what are the Cerberus’s weaknesses?”

“The Cerberus relies on powerful melee attacks and breath attacks. However, its three heads can sometimes lead to conflicting decisions, making it easier to deal with. As a canine, it’s also sensitive to smell.”

“Correct. Sif, how do you usually defeat a Cerberus?”

“Uh, the standard method is to numb its sense of smell, use a shield to block its breath attacks, and then take out each head one by one.”

Sif was right.

A Cerberus could only be killed by severing all three heads, so securing a way to block its breath attacks was crucial.

The Cerberus’s first attack was always a breath attack.

The breath attacks, fired at roughly twenty-second intervals, had to be either blocked or dodged. But dodging wasn’t an option.

It would be nearly impossible for Shuri, a mage, and Viola, an alchemist, to dodge.

Blocking was also impossible.

“…But we have no way to block the Cerberus’s attacks.”

“R-Right? Then what do we do?”

“Well…”

It wasn’t as troublesome as a hydra or a baby bear, but it was still a formidable opponent.

A direct confrontation would result in heavy casualties, so I had no intention of fighting the Cerberus fair and square.

According to the game, it was huge, fast, and incredibly annoying.

Only a knight skilled in Aura manipulation could take it on directly.

So, it was time to devise a strategy to cheese the Cerberus.

“…I’ll tell you how to easily defeat the Cerberus. Follow my instructions. Understood?”

“Defeat the Cerberus?”

“Yes.”

“Is that even possible?”

“I’ll explain how. Come over here and listen carefully.”

Creak—

At the sound of the opening door, the three-headed Cerberus slowly stretched and woke from its slumber.

Blinking its six eyes, it spotted the four approaching enemies and licked its chops, rising to its feet. The prey were clearly nervous.

The Cerberus grinned, amused by their audacity.

Fire, ice, lightning.

Three different breath attacks began to coalesce in the air.

‘C-Can I do this?’

Shuri gathered all her remaining mana. Johann’s orders were to counter or block the Cerberus’s first breath attack.

She chanted, preparing the strongest spell she could muster, her eyes fixed on the growing spheres of energy.

She chose Flame Blaster, a third-tier spell.

A concentrated beam of fire that reduced its target to ashes, it was the most powerful third-tier offensive spell.

It was nothing compared to the Cerberus’s breath attacks, but it was still a force to be reckoned with.

That’s why the Cerberus’s left head was focused on her.

“Damn, that’s huge…”

Viola cursed under her breath and pulled out all her remaining reagents.

Explosive reagents, incendiary reagents, and the box Johann had given her.

‘I can do this!’

Encouraging herself, the alchemist with the steel arm dashed towards the Cerberus. It seemed reckless.

These reagents wouldn’t do much damage to the Cerberus.

But her objective wasn’t to inflict damage. It was to disrupt the breath attack before it was fired. She suppressed her fear and charged alongside Lewis.

She needed to get within ten meters to hit the Cerberus with her reagents.

30 meters.

Lewis channeled as much Aura as he could into his sword.

A blue glow enveloped the blade, intensifying until it shimmered brightly.

A true Aura blade.

His target was the Cerberus’s legs.

He charged forward, aiming to wound the Cerberus’s legs. But the Cerberus wasn’t going to stand still. Its right head grinned menacingly and raised its paw.

Like swatting a fly.

20 meters.

Sif stood next to Shuri, ready to drag her to safety if things went south.

Their escape route was the pit Johann had created, a simple plan, but Shuri wouldn’t have the energy to escape on her own.

10 meters.

Viola’s reagents and Lewis’s Aura blade flew through the air. The box, too heavy, fell short, landing about five meters away.

But their combined attack had momentarily distracted the Cerberus. Viola, sensing danger, immediately dodged to the side.

Lewis, on the other hand, charged between the Cerberus’s legs, aiming for its jaw.

But the Cerberus’s head was too high. Lewis only managed to inflict a scratch. The Cerberus, as if to crush the insolent human, quickly lowered its body.

Lewis, sweating profusely, barely managed to escape from under the Cerberus and swung his sword at its flank.

Another scratch.

Lewis’s Aura blade couldn’t inflict significant damage on the Cerberus.

‘Damn it!’

This wasn’t enough to distract it.

But Lewis’s attack had bought them some time, delaying the breath attack by about five seconds.

Five seconds was a short time, but it was enough.

Shuri’s spell was ready.

“Flame… Blaster!”

Shuri’s Flame Blaster, completed just in the nick of time, hurtled towards the Cerberus’s head.

A devastating beam of fire against a three-headed breath attack.

The victor was clear.

At least, that’s what the Cerberus thought.

And then,

The Cerberus realized its mistake.

“…Crafting.”

The ground beneath the Cerberus tilted sharply. The breath attacks, thrown off balance, shot upwards, shattering the ceiling.

Caught off guard, the Cerberus tumbled into the pit.

“!@&!$(#!(*$!!”

“Shut up, mutt.”

Eye to eye.

That was the last thing the Cerberus’s middle head saw.

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