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Translator: uly
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Three-Legged Crow (1)
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"Want to head to a dungeon today?"
It was the first thing Jang Chaewon said when she arrived at work.
The Heavenly Demon, who had been mopping the floor, blinked in surprise, and she repeated herself.
"I need some Three-Legged Crow feathers. Got a Divine Request for it."
"Three-Legged Crow? What's that?"
"Well, it's a crow that lives in D- or F-Grade Dungeons. It has three black legs, hence the name. Not a particularly dangerous monster, so it should be easy to catch."
At that moment, the nanobot perched on its charging station in the storage room snapped its eyes open.
[Three-Legged Crow.]
With a whirring sound, it rolled out of the charging station and straight out of the store.
[The Three-Legged Crow is a monster with a threat level of 50. It's generally docile, but when attacked, it strikes with neurotoxic claws.]
After rattling off facts about the Three-Legged Crow, the nanobot looked up at the Heavenly Demon.
[Dungeon. Are we going to a dungeon?]
Jang Chaewon smiled and scooped up the nanobot, its white eyes gleaming.
"Yeah. It's a sacred spot we need to visit, so we have to get those feathers. Think you can handle it?"
[Mission accepted.]
The nanobot's mechanical voice somehow sounded thrilled.
[Finally, a dungeon trip. You've just been doing odd jobs every day, Lord Heavenly Demon, and staring at books in your room whenever you have free time.]
"Is that so?"
[Yes. Holed up in your room, flipping through weird books for no reason. Even if you're a foreigner from another world, it's really too much.]
Thanks to its high-performance AI, the nanobot kept chattering on like a gossip.
And with its nasal, childish voice, it came off as even more obnoxious.
"Right. Anyway, can you help get us three Three-Legged Crow feathers?"
[Of course. Lord Heavenly Demon may be the most pathetic 9th Grade Awakener, but if you follow my instructions, we can get them safely.]
"Fine. Then I'll work on those backed-up estimates in the meantime..."
Jang Chaewon trailed off mid-smile.
The Heavenly Demon was radiating red aura from behind her, looking ready to stomp the nanobot flat.
"...but I'll come along anyway."
She sighed and placed the nanobot on her shoulder.
"You're probably not used to nanobots yet."
"I'm fine."
The Heavenly Demon shook his head and snatched the nanobot from her shoulder. He thrust his blazing eyes right up to it.
"You two go by yourselves."
He opened the iron door to the dungeon zone behind the store, revealing an endless void of blackness.
Passing through this darkness shrouded door teleported you instantly to the dungeon zone beyond the shield on the city's outskirts.
"It's like the immortals folding the earth to shorten distances with their Shrinking Earth Technique."
Gripping the nanobot, the Heavenly Demon stepped inside without hesitation.
Splash.
It felt like plunging into deep water, his vision swallowed by pitch black.
After taking a deep breath and stepping forward a few paces, bright light flooded in, revealing the ruins of dilapidated buildings.
[Lord Heavenly Demon. We've arrived in the dungeon zone.]
The nanobot spoke in a voice full of emotion.
[After syncing the dungeon guide system, it's been ten days since we've finally entered a dungeon.]
The Heavenly Demon glanced at the nanobot on his shoulder and shook his head.
'It talks like a person, but no soul? Fascinating.'
According to Jang Chaewon, this round thing was a machine—made without a soul.
Which meant there was no point getting angry at an object whose emotions were programmed by humans.
"Listen up."
Suppressing his rising fury, the Heavenly Demon spoke flatly.
"From now on, no overstepping by judging this Lord's attitude or badmouthing me. Got it?"
[Impossible.]
The nanobot replied in a completely carefree tone.
[Evaluating your actions and abilities for the user is one of my missions.]
"If you won't obey this Lord's words, I'll smash you."
[Destroy me, who's guiding and helping you explore the dungeon? Jang Chaewon, your employer, wouldn't stand for it.]
"There are plenty of monsters here. I can say you got wrecked in an accident fighting one."
The nanobot's voice didn't waver.
[Getting destroyed by monsters is fine. I was made expecting that in dungeons.]
The white light from the nanobot's eyes intensified.
[But if you, the user, try to destroy me on purpose, I'll have no choice but to report it all to Jang Chaewon.]
"How?"
[My comms module is linked to Jang Chaewon's phone. Privacy protection means other users' memories aren't shared, but in this case, I'd have to report your destructive intent.]
"Why report to the store owner?"
The nanobot brazenly replied to the Heavenly Demon's question.
[I'm registered under Jang Chaewon as owner. You're just a co-user.]
'The store owner registered it?'
The Heavenly Demon's eyes flashed.
"I heard she sent some Spirit Tree thing. Does she come to dungeons often?"
[Privacy protection prevents me from disclosing other users' info.]
"The store owner and this Lord share rice from the same pot. It's fine to tell me that much."
[Sharing rice means being as close as family. But you're a store employee from another world who's been here less than a month. Doesn't seem like you're close enough for personal info.]
'No soul in a machine? This thing?'
The Heavenly Demon clenched his fist.
Now he saw—this nanobot wasn't just sly; it knew exactly who held the knife.
"Is that so?"
The Heavenly Demon sneered down at the nanobot sassing back.
He had mastered every demonic martial art, grand spell, and survival technique. He was confident he could crush this puny machine anytime without a trace.
[I'll guide you to the Three-Legged Crows now. Lord Heavenly Demon, please set my name.]
"No."
[Without registering a name, I can't add you as a co-user. Please set a name.]
"Rat."
[Rejected. Please choose another name.]
The Heavenly Demon glared at the nanobot, fist still clenched.
In decades roaming the martial world, he'd named only his beloved sword, Subduing Heaven.
"Your name is..."
After a moment's thought, the Heavenly Demon spat coldly.
"Nameless."
[Nameless registered. Added Lord Heavenly Demon as co-user.]
With a ding, the nanobot stood before his feet and raised an arm.
[Now then, before we explore, Nameless will give a brief dungeon overview. First, a dungeon is...]
"No need."
[I don't understand.]
The Heavenly Demon nudged Nameless's body with his foot.
"No explanations. Take me straight to the Three-Legged Crow."
Nameless would usually argue, but this time it complied.
[Understood. Skipping dungeon info and starting guidance.]
Ding. Its eyes flashed, projecting a transparent holographic map at the Heavenly Demon's eye level.
[The red-marked areas are known Three-Legged Crow dungeons in this zone. Closest is the C-Grade 'Amusement Park' 1km northwest, but for you, Lord Heavenly Demon, the F-Grade 'Haunted House' 2km away...]
"Nearest one."
[Your awakening level is 9th Grade, and you're a total newbie. Soloing a D-Grade is impossible.]
Staring at the map, the Heavenly Demon wordlessly headed northwest.
Nameless rolled after him hastily.
[Guide nanobots usually ride the user's shoulder. Better sightlines and easier guidance.]
The Heavenly Demon walked faster without responding.
When a massive metal-clad building loomed ahead, white light flickered from Nameless's eyes.
[That's the D-Grade 'Farm' Dungeon with various low-tier monsters. Avoid unless 7th Grade or higher.]
"I see."
Ignoring Nameless's warning, the Heavenly Demon strode into the pitch-black entrance.
Whirr. Nameless followed.
[Lord Heavenly Demon. Inside dungeons, external comms are cut off. No calling for help, so avoid risky moves.]
"Quiet."
The dungeon interior, covered floor-to-ceiling in bronze metal, reeked of eerie qi.
Grrrrowl.
From the distant darkness, dozens of yellow eyes gleamed.
Thud. Thud.
With low vibrations, hulking shapes emerged. Man-sized but wolf-headed and limbed—ten of them.
Ding.
[Retreat.]
"What?"
[Blood Seekers. Threat level 25. Crave fresh blood. Extremely sensitive to its scent; they'll track bleeding prey relentlessly.]
"So?"
[So? Ten Blood Seekers against a solo 9th Grade—you'll get badly hurt.]
After a pause, Nameless added.
[Back away slowly, no footsteps. They smell blood great but have poor eyesight.]
"Heh heh heh."
[Lord Heavenly Demon. This is life-or-death. Listen and back up slowly...]
The Heavenly Demon burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Time to loosen up."
His laughter drew the Blood Seekers charging, fangs bared.
Thud. Thud.
Dull impacts sent the dozen Blood Seekers flying as bloody pulp.
"What was that again?"
[Detected error in Lord Heavenly Demon's awakening grade.]
After a long silence, Nameless spoke in flat mechanical tones.
[Adjusting Lord Heavenly Demon's awakening grade to 8th.]
The Heavenly Demon marched deeper silently.
Countless high-threat monsters swarmed, but he dispatched them with casual strikes—no martial forms needed.
Boom! Splatt! Splat! Crack.
[Lord Heavenly Demon.]
As he pulverized every monster, Nameless spoke.
[Planning to wipe out all monsters in the dungeon?]
"Anything blocking this Lord gets destroyed."
At the core, a massive crab-like monster lunged with its claws.
[This dungeon's final boss: Crab Feet.]
"Looks tough."
Grroowl.
Spotting him, Crab Feet shrieked grotesquely, extending long yellowish eyes as it approached slowly.
[Lord Heavenly Demon. We must turn back. You've cleared all monsters; beating the boss collapses the dungeon.]
"What?"
[C, D, F-Grade Dungeons have low threats and relic-dropping monsters. Unspoken rule: newbies don't clear low-grades to farm mats and relics...]
"Demon Subduing Seven Forms, Soaring Wind Dragon Fist!"
Crack.
Leaping, his strike shattered Crab Feet, spraying green fluid everywhere.
Wooom.
It fell, and ominous vibrations shook the dungeon violently.
[You've done it.]
Nameless sounded resigned.
[Adjusting Lord Heavenly Demon's awakening grade to 7th.]
[Dungeon collapse initiated. Exit, clearer, and it vanishes.]
[Please control your power. Relic 'Golden Jade Pill' inside Crab Feet was destroyed.]
"Golden Jade Pill?"
[Special cure for digestive issues.]
"Relics are mostly meds?"
The Heavenly Demon smirked; Nameless replied.
[Varies by dungeon type.]
"Types?"
[Too long for a collapsing dungeon.]
"Then don't. Not curious."
Exiting, the massive entrance rumbled into the ground.
"Strange."
Stroking his chin, the Heavenly Demon mused.
"If dungeons vanish this easily, why leave them be?"
[Three reasons.]
Nameless rolled ahead, map screen up.
[First: Clears don't make them gone forever. They respawn irregularly after time.]
[Second: Even 1st Grade teams take losses clearing S-Grades. No need to force clears on immortals.]
"Third: Resources."
[Yes. Dungeons yield rare mats and relics unavailable here. Economically, the world prospered post-dungeons.]
Pausing mid-stride under Nameless's guidance, the Heavenly Demon pondered.
Earth Gods treading soil, otherworldly beasts in dungeons, yokai coexisting with humans. Advanced knowledge systems...
This world dwarfed the martial realm in complexity and peril.
Even he, who'd never worried about the future, felt uncertain.
[Arrived at suspected Three-Legged Crow dungeon.]
Nameless halted before ruined building.
[This is F-Grade 'Haunted House' Dungeon. Low-threat monsters even 9th Grades can clear. Clearing doesn't collapse it.]
The Heavenly Demon tilted his head before the ruin. No black entrance like before.
"Where's the way in?"
[The whole building is the dungeon. Three-Legged Crows nest on the roof.]
Nodding, he entered the decrepit structure slowly.
Unlike lit dungeons with ceiling glows or torches, this was pitch black.
Ding.
Nameless emitted soft light, illuminating around like a lantern.
"No need. This Lord sees clearly in darkness."
Shaking his head, the Heavenly Demon heard a low groan nearby.
Huuuuh.
Like a demon wailing in Ghost Realm hellfire.
Ascending creaky stairs, he froze, staring into the dark hall.
"Something."
Nameless blasted light down the hall.
Dozens of gray shadows shuffled toward them slowly.
[Undead.]