Finally Meeting the Heroes (8)
Yeah. To be honest, Xiahou Dun was thrilled. Sure, she was following Cao Cao around as a bandit in the suburbs, but deep down, she harbored ambitions. She didn't want to just be some street thug forever—she dreamed of becoming a famous general who could command the world. Her younger sister, Xiahou Yuan, felt the same way. They'd hinted at their aspirations to Cao Cao, but he'd just brushed it off with a laugh. Then time passed, and the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out. Cao Cao immediately poured his fortune into raising soldiers. That marked the birth of the Cao army. From there, they marched on in a string of victories, successfully pushing the Yellow Turbans all the way to Ji Province. They'd fought several battles and racked up an impressive record of unbroken wins, but Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan harbored quiet anxieties. The Yellow Turbans they'd faced were all small fry, and since their feats were somewhat modest, it felt like all the credit was going to Cao Cao's superior, Huangfu Song. Without taking down some notable Yellow Turban generals or big shots, they'd just fade into obscurity. Knowing this, Xiahou Dun had been itching for a chance to make her mark. Her sister Xiahou Yuan had reached what people called a "hype state"—a portmanteau of Xiahou and hype. Xiahou Dun had a tendency to get overly eager.
Then they ran into what seemed like a tougher Yellow Turban: Kim. But... he was with the volunteer army. She'd tried to brush it off, but she ended up completely overpowered by some crazy woman who was fiercely protective of this Kim guy.
'No way... She split the spear shaft in one strike...'
It wasn't some crude wooden spear—it was reinforced with iron, yet it snapped clean off. The guy was a monster.
"Uh, s-sorry about that..."
Xiahou Dun quickly apologized to Kim alongside Xiahou Yuan. But the situation wasn't great.
"Hey!! We're in the middle of a fight here!! Save the apologies for later!!"
The entire volunteer army, Kim included, formed ranks with weapons at the ready, as if this was routine.
'Thought they were just rabble... but they've got some real skill.'
Xiahou Dun eyed Liu Bei's volunteer army. They didn't look like mere conscripts—their morale was sky-high.
"Don't just stand there gawking!!"
At that moment, Kim stepped forward and sliced the throat of a Yellow Turban behind Xiahou Dun.
"Hell yeah!!!"
No point overthinking it. They'd apologize properly after the fight. With that in mind, Xiahou Dun grabbed her spear in her undergarments.
'Sis... maybe put some clothes on first.'
Xiahou Yuan's timid protest came from behind, but she ignored it.
------
The tide of battle shifted dramatically with the arrival of reinforcements.
KABOOOM!!
A cavalry unit in crimson charged through, piercing the scattered Yellow Turban ranks in a single thrust. The Dong Zhuo forces were too busy chasing the routed enemy, leaving the Yellow Turbans spread thin. The cavalry exploited that gap with full momentum.
"Gaaargh!!"
"Keurgh!!"
The surprise assault swept through the Yellow Turbans. Already dispersed, their lines grew even more fragmented, and our volunteer army followed in their wake.
"Everyone!! Charge!!!"
Liu Bei led from the front, carving a path through the grunts with his sword.
Claaang!!Ching!!
Having faced so many Yellow Turbans, Liu Bei's men had real experience—they hacked through the enemy like maniacs, opening the way.
"Hngh!!! Dong Zhuo got held up by these losers?! Huh?!"
Zhang Fei laughed as he smashed a man's skull with his Zhangba Snake Spear.
"Yaaargh!!"
But the one radiating sheer killing intent was Guan Yu. Eyes blazing with fury, she swung her Green Dragon Crescent Blade, turning foes into chunks.
I did what I could too.
Claaaang!!!
I sliced down the Yellow Turbans I could handle, grinding out proficiency. Even if the plan was to escape with Liu Bei's army, since I'd been "kidnapped" into it, I figured I'd level up a bit before bailing.
"Retreat!!!"
"Fall back!!!"
Bwooooong!!
As the Yellow Turban flagbearer blew the horn, their ranks scattered in chaos.
"Uhaaaahat!! After them!!"
Forgetting their recent panic, Dong Zhuo's forces spurred their horses into pursuit. In a cold steel melee, the first to break loses. The fleeing Yellow Turbans were slaughtered unilaterally.
But the front-runners ignored their comrades and bolted. Human nature. Self-preservation comes first. They even sacrificed the rear to cover their escape.
"Tch... Meat shields do have their value, huh."
Liu Bei clicked his tongue, eyeing the leaders. No catching them like this. That's when—
Bwooooong!!
A horn blared from another direction.
Rumble rumble!!
A herd of warhorses thundered toward us. Their colors marked them as imperial troops, though slightly different from ours. The standout was a musclebound man in a helmet adorned with red horns.
Flutter!!
A tiger-patterned cape billowed behind his hulking frame.
"Haat!!!!"
The rider leaped high from his horse like an acrobat, diving into the enemy ranks weapon-first. We all stared in stunned silence at the madness.
SPLAT!!
A perfect knee drop landed—pro wrestling style. He crushed a Yellow Turban's head on impact with his knee.
The man scanned his surroundings, then spun with sword in hand.
Whump whump whump!!
Uppercut windmill technique. That's right—a double lariat. Half died to the blade, half to the brutal rotation and flying fists like cannonballs. He was a human weapon.
"As expected of Father!!!"
A man following behind, his spitting image, beamed with pride.
"Who dares claim this sword of General Sun!!!"
The man bellowed, sword raised.
'Sun Jian...!'
I'd suspected from the red helmet, and sure enough. Up close, he was just like his game model, if a bit exaggerated.
Sun Jian's arrival meant Zhu Jun's imperial army had reached the Guangzong area too. Facing Huangfu Song's Cao Cao forces, the unaffiliated Liu Bei army, and Zhu Jun's Sun Jian contingent, the Yellow Turbans had no choice but to crumble. The Battle of Guangzong was a total victory.
-------
Once the dust settled.
"Sorry..."
"We're sorry...."
Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan came to apologize to me privately. Amid the bustle of soldiers grabbing loot, they'd slipped into our camp.
I figured at least they knew how to apologize... but I spotted another reason.
Guan Yu loomed behind me like a bodyguard, glaring murderously with her Green Dragon Blade planted beside her.
"No harm done. It was chaos out there. Water under the bridge. Haha."
I played it friendly. Sparring with them had bumped my sword proficiency to around 24. Good enough trade for forgiveness. Sucked up that XP nicely.
"Dun. Didn't I tell you that's a bad habit? Rushing into decisions never ends well."
Then a slightly flirtatious voice chimed in from behind. Thin for a man, but oddly pleasant, drawing the ear.
A man in red armor, sword at his side, approached with a smile, glancing at me, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei... and Liu Bei in the back.
"Ah. The kid's got some real talent in painting. Quite the match."
He muttered something cryptic, then cupped his fists at me.
"Hero Kim. A pleasure. My officers caused you trouble."
He bowed politely.
'This guy's Cao Cao.'
Spot-on from the game model that got rave reviews. Bold yet sly, sharp features that screamed extraordinary.
'Big difference from Liu Bei.'
Liu Bei had that honest, sturdy uncle vibe. Cao Cao was something else.
"Not at all. We sorted it amicably."
Sensing Cao Cao's gaze, a chill ran down my spine.
"Heh. Impressive martial prowess and a generous heart. My sisters Dun and Yuan hold their own anywhere, yet you overwhelmed them. Even this Mengde is impressed."
Cao Cao eyed me appraisingly. I got the vibe.
'Cao Cao... talent hound.'
Especially now, while building his power base. After the rebellion, he'd recruit advisors and generals galore. Old bandit buddies like Xiahou, Xun Yu, Xun You—they all joined around here. Cao Cao's philosophy: Hire first, test later. Weed out the duds on the job. Game mechanics reflected it.
'Easier to get hired than with Liu Bei.'
Liu Bei was picky; no fit, no dice. Cao Cao? Pitch yourself, you're in. Fail to prove it, though, and you're out—fired for some BS or stuck in dead-end gigs till you ragequit the game.
Seemed he saw potential in me and wanted to recruit.
'But Cao Cao's a mixed bag.'
Meritocracy at best, heartless at worst. Once your value showed, you'd be expendable.
'Ye Baeksa treatment... or your wife gets Cai-ified.'
Cao Cao's scumbag rep didn't help. In a game, I'd snort, "Good original implementation." But in reality? Not so hot. Join his army, and random events could steal your wife. If you're a favorite subordinate, maybe safe—but mid-tier? Screwed. Not married yet, but if it happened later... despair.
Even Ye Baeksa or the Guandu supply officer anecdotes got recreated. Cao Cao ditched low-loyalty underlings first—suicide missions or framed as traitors. Execution ended your run. No save-scum here.
"Mengde... You wouldn't be Lord Cao Mengde, the Northern Inspector who smashed the Ganling bandits? Your valor's famous across the land."
As Cao Cao's intense stare bored in, Liu Bei slid in like an assist. Obvious third-wheel move, but his harmless smile disarmed naturally.
"Ah... Mere trifle."
Cao Cao eyed Liu Bei with interest, chuckling softly.
"If I may... Are you Lord Liu Xuande?"
He stared straight at Liu Bei.
"Ah... Yes. Liu Bei, of the Han imperial clan. A mere villager who couldn't stand by in these troubled times, so I raised a militia."
Liu Bei smiled and introduced himself.
"Ah. Your fame precedes you around Ji Province. Haha."
Cao Cao's smile shifted—he extended a hand.
"Fellow doers of good. Shall we shake on it?"
Cao Cao grinned at Liu Bei.
Squeeze.
Liu Bei gripped firmly without hesitation.
'Ooh... the Three Bonds arc!!'
I couldn't help but watch with sparkling eyes. The ultimate arch-nemesis duo of the Three Kingdoms met here. Neither knew yet—they'd become hated foes later.
"Hehe. Dear. What's got your eyes all wide like that?"
Bu Yong-hwa giggled, poking me teasingly. Wait, when did she sneak up? I told her to stay safe.
"Kim. Looks like you're thrilled I saved your skin."
Guan Yu cleared her throat, smirking at me.
"If it weren't for me, what would you have done? Comrades belong together in crisis—not popping out only when it's safe."
She emphasized me again. Geez, milking it much? And subtly shading Bu Yong-hwa? Nah, probably imagination.
"'Pops out when safe'? Talking about me?"
Bu Yong-hwa bristled a bit.
"Yeah. Pretty much?"
Guan Yu shrugged nonchalantly.
Bu Yong-hwa and Guan Yu glared, growling at each other.
Their staredown made my heart shrink. In a way, fiercer than Liu Bei vs. Cao Cao. I cleared my mind, observing quietly. Stay still, and they'd make up eventually. Whatever.