The dense forest gradually began to thin as Jin Tae Yun pressed forward.
Time passed in a rhythmic silence, broken only by the steady crunch of his boots against dried leaves and the distant, melodic calls of unfamiliar wildlife. Shafts of pale light filtered through the canopy as the shadows stretched longer, and Tae Yun finally slowed his pace.
He manifested the blue interface once more.
If there's civilization nearby, the map skill should have detected it by now.
"World Map," he commanded.
!!SHUSH!!
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SKILL ACTIVATION
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World Map
Status: ❌ Failed to Load
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Tae Yun's brow furrowed.
This was a first.
The World Map had never failed him—not in sealed zones, not in forgotten ruins, not even in the most treacherous uncharted dungeons of the game. He stared at the flickering error message, his expression calm but sharp.
The system doesn't recognize this world.
It wasn't merely unexplored.
It's unregistered.
A solution presented itself immediately.
Without hesitation, Tae Yun reached into the depths of his inventory and retrieved a shimmering, golden card etched with flowing runes.
--------------------------------
ITEM USED
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Skill Upgrade Card
Target Skill: World Map
---------------------------------
Upgrading…
Upgrade Complete.
---------------------------------
[SKILL UPDATED]
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Adaptive World Map
→ Compatible with unknown worlds
→ Detects terrain and settlements
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The moment he reactivated the skill, a vibrant three-dimensional projection unfolded across his vision.
Color flooded into the world.
Mountains, rivers, forests—terrain data filled in with terrifying speed. Then, far ahead, a blinking crimson marker pulsed steadily against the blue grid.
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SCAN RESULT
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Human Settlement Detected
Distance: 60 miles
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A faint, confident smile touched Tae Yun's lips.
"At least I have a destination."
Sixty Miles was a grueling distance to cover on foot, even for him.
He shifted his focus to the Mount section of his inventory.
As he scrolled through the list, immense presences brushed against his senses—colossal dragons, ancient spirit beasts, legendary mounts capable of flattening battlefields simply by moving.
"Too much."
"Summoning something like that in an unknown world would be an open invitation for disaster."
He bypassed the legends and stopped at a more discreet option.
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MOUNT SUMMONED
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Mutated War Horse
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→ Strength: ???
→ Speed: ???
→ Intelligence: High
→ Obedience: Absolute
------------------------------------
Mana-light gathered before him, swirling and condensing into a massive form.
A dark-brown stallion emerged from the glow.
It stood far larger than any natural horse—taller at the shoulders, broader through the chest. Its muscles were coiled like iron springs beneath its hide, every inch of its body built for brutal endurance and explosive speed.
What drew Tae Yun's attention most, however, were its eyes.
Calm. Sharp. Intelligent.
They scanned the forest with quiet intensity, as though the beast were assessing the terrain and identifying threats on its own.
It understands its role, Tae Yun noted.
As he stepped forward, the stallion lowered its head in a gesture of absolute submission.
Tae Yun mounted it in one fluid motion and settled into the saddle.
"Let's go."
The horse surged forward.
The world blurred into streaks of green and gray as trees flashed past. Despite the blistering speed and uneven forest floor, the ride remained remarkably stable—a testament to the creature's mutated physique.
Hours later, the forest finally began to open.
Ahead, beyond the thinning line of trees, a massive structure rose into view.
A town.
No—calling it a town felt insufficient.
What stood before him was closer to a fortified city.
Tall stone walls encircled the settlement, their surfaces worn yet sturdy, bearing the scars of age and countless conflicts. Along the top of the walls, figures moved at regular intervals—guards clad in armor, bows resting in their hands, eyes sharp and vigilant as they scanned the surroundings.
Tae Yun slowed the horse and stopped at the edge of the forest.
"So it wasn't just wilderness after all…"
From this distance alone, he could tell.
This was not his previous world.
Near the main entrance, a massive wooden gate reinforced with thick iron bands stood wide open. Six guards were stationed there, spears grounded firmly against the stone road. A long line of people stretched outward from the gate—merchants with loaded wagons, travelers leading horses, and common folk carrying sacks and bundles.
Their clothing confirmed his suspicions.
Simple fabrics. Layered robes. Leather boots. Armor forged from metal plates and hardened leather.
No machines. No vehicles. No signs of advanced technology.
Tae Yun's gaze sharpened.
"An old-world setting… medieval? No—something older."
He guided his stallion to the back of the line.
As he waited, he observed.
Coins changed hands at the gate. Some travelers were briefly questioned before being allowed through.
A pre-modern world.
Suddenly, a roar of anger shattered the steady hum of the line.
"I told you i won't pay the entry fees I'm from lin family"
A man near the front drew a broadsword in a flash of temper and lunged at a guard.
Metal clashed violently as a spear rose to intercept the blade.
Their movements were fast. Precise.
"They're trained. Highly trained."
Before the scuffle could escalate—
BOOM!!!
A figure plummeted from the top of the wall, landing with an earth-shaking thud.
The man straightened, drawing a straight sword. The blade began to glow with a faint, crystalline blue light.
One clean motion.
SLASH!!!
An invisible wave of pressure exploded outward. The troublemaker was hurled backward, collapsing unconscious before he could even understand what had happened.
Silence fell over the gate.
Tae Yun's eyes narrowed.
"That wasn't magic."
He had felt the energy clearly. It wasn't external mana.
It was internally channeled through the body itself.
His Status Window Suddenly Popped Up
----------------------------------------
!! Internal energy detected !!
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NEW CLASS ADDED
Martial Artist
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Tae Yun used his skill wise man's eyes
-----------------------------------------------
Name - ????
Internal energy detected- 20 Years
Second Rate Martial Artist
Level - ????
Skill - ????
------------------------------------------------
"Internal energy… Murim."
This was a world of martial artists.
And he had arrived here—
With the god-like power of a fantasy system.
Then he felt it.
A sharp, probing gaze locked onto him.
The man who had ended the fight was looking in his direction—his eyes lingering on the massive, unnatural horse, Tae Yun's unfamiliar noble attire, and finally, the dark hilt of the Thunder Katana at his waist.
Tae Yun rested his hand lightly on the blade.
"So I've already drawn attention."
The line began to move again.
And Tae Yun knew—
His quiet arrival was officially over.