Episode 9
The Three-Legged Crow
“Would you mind going to a dungeon today?”
That was the first thing Jang Chae-won said as soon as he arrived at work.
Cheonma, who had been mopping the floor, blinked. Jang Chae-won continued.
“We got a commission that needs feathers from a Samjok-o.”
“Samjok-o? What’s that?”
“Mmm. It’s a type of crow that lives in D- or F-grade dungeons. It’s called a ‘three-legged crow’ because, well, it’s got three black legs. Not a very dangerous monster, so it should be easy to catch.”
At that moment, the nanobot resting on the charging station inside the storage room suddenly lit up.
[Samjok-o detected.]
With a buzzing sound, the nanobot shot out from the charging station and rolled out of the shop.
[The Samjok-o is a danger level 50 monster. Normally docile, but when attacked, it uses claws coated with neurotoxin to strike back.]
After reciting a stream of facts about the creature, the nanobot looked up at Cheonma.
[Dungeon. Are we going to a dungeon?]
Jang Chae-won smiled faintly and lifted the small, white-eyed robot into his arms.
“Yeah. The client needs paint for a sacred site, so we’ll need to get some of those feathers. Think you can handle that?”
[Mission accepted.]
The machine’s voice somehow carried a hint of excitement.
[We’re finally going to a dungeon. Cheonma-nim has only been doing odd jobs every day and reading books alone in his room during his free time.]
“R–really?”
[Yes. He just locks himself away and reads strange books all day. Even if he’s an outsider from another world, it’s a bit much, don’t you think?]
Maybe because it had high-grade AI, the nanobot talked endlessly like a chatterbox.
And its slightly nasal, mechanical tone only made it sound more annoying.
“Well then, can you help us get three Samjok-o feathers?”
[Of course. Although Cheonma-nim is a lowly Grade 9 Awakener, if you follow my instructions, we’ll collect them safely.]
“Good. Then I’ll just stay here and finish up some paperwork—”
Jang Chae-won’s words trailed off mid-sentence.
Behind him, Cheonma stood radiating a fierce red aura, looking as though he might crush the nanobot underfoot at any moment.
“…Or maybe I’ll come along.”
Sighing, Jang Chae-won placed the nanobot on his shoulder.
“You probably aren’t used to operating it yet.”
“I’ll manage.”
Cheonma shook his head, grabbed the nanobot off Chae-won’s shoulder, and brought it close to his blazing eyes.
“I’ll go with this thing alone.”
When they opened the iron door at the back of the shop—the one leading to the dungeon zone—they were met by a pitch-black void.
Passing through this dark portal would instantly transport them to the dungeon area beyond the city’s protective shield.
“This is like the Shukchi technique of the immortals—bending space to shorten distance.”
Without hesitation, Cheonma stepped inside, holding the nanobot.
Splash.
A sensation like plunging into deep water filled him as his vision was swallowed by darkness.
After a deep breath and a few steps forward, a bright light returned—revealing the ruins of an old building.
[Cheonma-nim, we’ve arrived in the dungeon area.]
The nanobot’s voice sounded oddly emotional.
[After calibrating the dungeon navigation system, I’m finally entering one for the first time in ten days.]
Cheonma glanced at the machine perched on his shoulder and shook his head.
It speaks so much like a human… yet it’s said to have no soul. How strange.
According to Jang Chae-won, this round thing was a machine—a creation without a spirit.
So there was no point getting angry at something incapable of emotion.
“Listen carefully.”
Suppressing his irritation, Cheonma spoke flatly.
“From now on, you will not judge or insult my behavior. Understood?”
[Request denied.]
The nanobot’s voice was as carefree as ever.
[Evaluating the user’s behavior and ability is one of my core functions.]
“If you disobey me, I’ll crush you.”
[You’d destroy the very device that’s here to guide you safely through the dungeon? Jang Chae-won, your employer, would not be pleased.]
“There are plenty of monsters here. I could just say you were accidentally destroyed in battle.”
[Being destroyed by a monster is within operational parameters. I was designed for that scenario.]
The nanobot’s eyes glowed brighter.
[However, if you intentionally attempt to destroy me, I’ll have to report the incident to Jang Chae-won.]
“How would you do that?”
[My communication module is linked to his smartphone. While personal data is protected, deliberate acts of destruction must be reported.]
“Why report to him?”
[Because Jang Chae-won is my registered owner. You are only listed as a co-user.]
The shopkeeper is the owner?
Cheonma’s eyes narrowed.
“I heard he once sent what you call ‘spirit water.’ Does that mean he’s entered dungeons before?”
[Personal data from other users cannot be disclosed.]
“We share the same roof and meals. That makes us close enough, doesn’t it?”
[Sharing meals implies a familial bond. But Cheonma-nim, you’ve worked at the store for less than a month. I don’t think that qualifies as close.]
A soulless machine, huh?
Cheonma clenched his fist.
This thing wasn’t just insolent—it understood exactly who held authority.
“We’ll see about that.”
He smirked, looking down at the tiny machine.
Having mastered all forms of martial arts and killing techniques, crushing such a toy unnoticed would be trivial for him.
[Now then, please assign me a name before we proceed to locate the Samjok-o.]
“I won’t.”
[Without a registered name, I can’t complete co-user authorization. Please assign one.]
“I’ll call you… Rat.”
[Request denied. Please choose another.]
Cheonma glared at the machine.
In all his life, the only thing he had ever named was his beloved sword, Geukcheon (Heaven-Cleaver).
“Your name will be… Mumyeong (Nameless).”
[Name registered as ‘Mumyeong.’ Co-user authorization complete.]
With a cheerful beep, the nanobot—now Mumyeong—raised one of its little arms.
[Now then, as we begin the dungeon expedition, I’ll provide a brief overview of—]
“Don’t bother.”
[Command not recognized.]
Cheonma nudged the bot with his foot.
“No need for explanations. Just lead me to the Samjok-o.”
Uncharacteristically, Mumyeong didn’t argue this time.
[Understood. Skipping briefing. Displaying dungeon map.]
A transparent holographic map appeared at Cheonma’s eye level.
[The red zones mark areas where Samjok-o have been sighted. The closest is a C-grade dungeon—‘Amusement Park’—1 kilometer northwest. However, I recommend the F-grade ‘Haunted House’ 2 kilometers away—]
“Take me to the nearest one.”
[Cheonma-nim’s awakening level is Grade 9. Entering a D-grade dungeon alone is not permitted.]
Cheonma ignored the warning and strode northwest.
As he walked, Mumyeong rolled quickly beside him.
[Usually, users place me on their shoulder. It makes navigation easier.]
Cheonma didn’t respond, only walked faster.
Soon, a large, metallic building came into view. Mumyeong’s eyes flashed.
[That is the D-grade dungeon ‘Farm.’ Multiple low-tier monsters reside inside. Entry is restricted to Awakeners of Grade 7 or higher.]
“I see.”
Ignoring the warning, Cheonma stepped straight into the dark entrance.
With a mechanical whir, Mumyeong followed behind.
[Once inside, external communication is cut off. Please avoid reckless behavior—]
“Quiet.”
The interior was bronze-colored from floor to ceiling, emanating a sinister aura.
Grrr…
From deep within the shadows, dozens of yellow eyes began to glow.
Thud. Thud.
A pack of massive humanoid beasts emerged—wolves’ heads and claws on human bodies.
Ten of them in all.
[Retreat immediately.]
“What?”
[Blood Seekers. Danger level 25. They crave fresh blood and will pursue any bleeding target relentlessly.]
“And?”
[And?! Facing ten Blood Seekers alone at Grade 9 could result in severe injury!]
Mumyeong’s voice trembled slightly.
[Move slowly backward—quietly. They can smell blood, but their vision is poor—]
“Heh, heh, heh…”
[Cheonma-nim, please, this is serious. Just move—]
Cheonma burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! It’s been too long since I stretched my limbs!”
As his laughter echoed, the Blood Seekers roared and lunged.
Boom. Crack.
In moments, all ten were reduced to mangled heaps of flesh.
“What did you just say?”
[I have detected an error in your registered Awakening level. Adjusting to Grade 8.]
Cheonma didn’t respond—he simply walked deeper into the dungeon.
Countless monsters appeared, but he crushed them all with single, effortless blows—no martial techniques, no inner force, just raw strength.
Thud! Crash! Bang! Crack!
[Cheonma-nim, are you planning to exterminate every monster in the dungeon?]
“I merely destroy anything that blocks my path.”
At last, they reached the dungeon’s core.
A massive, crab-like creature with huge pincers loomed before them.
[That’s this dungeon’s final boss—Crab Feat.]
“It looks rather sturdy.”
The monster let out an eerie screech, its yellow eyes narrowing as it advanced.
[You should stop here. If you defeat the boss, the dungeon will collapse.]
“What do you mean?”
[Low-grade dungeons—C, D, and F—contain valuable materials. It’s an unspoken rule not to clear them completely.]
“Fist of the Demon Emperor—Soaring Dragon!”
Crack!
Cheonma’s strike shattered the creature instantly, greenish fluid splattering everywhere.
Rumble…
The entire dungeon began to quake violently.
[You’ve done it now.]
Mumyeong spoke in a resigned tone.
[Adjusting Cheonma-nim’s level to Grade 7. Dungeon collapse imminent. Once you exit, it will vanish.]
[Also, please learn to control your strength. The relic inside Crab Feat—‘Golden Jade Pill’—was destroyed.]
“What’s that?”
[A medicine effective for digestive disorders.]
“Relics are medicines?”
[It varies by dungeon.]
“What do you mean, varies?”
[Too long to explain before the dungeon closes.]
“Then don’t. I’m not curious.”
When Cheonma stepped outside, the dungeon entrance crumbled into the earth.
“How strange.”
He stroked his chin.
“If dungeons can be destroyed this easily, why do humans leave them alone?”
[Three reasons.]
Mumyeong rolled ahead, projecting a map.
[First, cleared dungeons reappear after some time. The interval is unpredictable.]
[Second, even top-tier teams risk death in S-grade dungeons. There’s no point clearing them all when they’ll just regenerate.]
“The third… must be resources.”
[Correct. Dungeons yield rare materials and relics unobtainable elsewhere. Economically speaking, the world has become richer since their appearance.]
Cheonma stopped walking.
The gods of the earth, monsters from other dimensions, yokai coexisting with humans, advanced science and knowledge…
This world was far more complex and chaotic than the martial realm he once ruled.
Even he, who had never feared the future, began to wonder—
Would I ever find a way back to Murim?
[We’ve arrived at the dungeon believed to house the Samjok-o.]
Mumyeong stopped in front of a ruined building.
[This is the F-grade dungeon, ‘Haunted House.’ Low-risk monsters reside here, and clearing it won’t make it disappear.]
Cheonma tilted his head.
Unlike before, there was no black portal in sight.
“How do we enter?”
[The building itself is the dungeon. The Samjok-o is said to nest on the rooftop.]
Nodding, Cheonma stepped inside.
Unlike other dungeons, which glowed faintly or had torches along the walls, this building was pitch-black.
A faint light then flared from Mumyeong’s body.
[I’ll illuminate the area—]
“No need. I can see through darkness just fine.”
As he spoke, a low moan drifted through the corridor.
“Hhhhhh…”
It was the wail of a tormented spirit—like a demon crying from the fires of hell.
Cheonma stopped halfway up the stairs and turned his gaze down the dark hall.
“What is that?”
Mumyeong shone a bright light toward the corridor.
There—dozens of gray, human-shaped figures were slowly walking toward them.
[Undead detected.]
