Mountain Bandit Stronghold Assault (3)
“Weapons dropping from the sky... What an intriguing skill.”
“Don't worry about it. More importantly, I think this suits you best.”
I picked a weapon from the piled-up heap of gear and handed it to Dian Wei.
◈ Martial Prowess Bonus: +7
◈ Durability: 300/300
◈ Special Effect: Wielding one halberd per hand doubles the Martial Prowess bonus.
◈ Description: Weapon obtained by Aklai, the fierce Yin general, after slaying Yeo Muoe, the strongest warrior of the Dongyi tribes and uncle to Jiang Taigong. Each halberd weighs a staggering 80 jin (18kg).
They were a pair of short-handled halberds, easy to grip one in each hand.
“Le Jin. Hand this to Dian Wei.”
Le Jin grunted as he lifted the twin iron halberds and shoved them through the gap in the prison bars.
“Dual halberds?”
“Yeah.”
“Captain, these look like they weigh over 80 jin each. How's she supposed to swing them with both hands?”
Le Jin snorted and shook his head. Dian Wei rose to her feet, let out a sharp hah!, and snapped the ropes binding her in one go.
Le Jin's eyes went wide in shock. Ignoring him, Dian Wei impassively hefted the iron halberds, one in each hand, testing their weight before swinging them in smooth, fluid arcs.
“Good workout.”
The grotesque sight of those 160-jin lumps of metal dancing freely in her hands like kids splashing in water left Le Jin doubting his own eyes, his jaw dropping slack.
“I-Is that really human strength...?”
“You'll have plenty to think about tonight, Le Jin.”
“Pardon...?”
It stung a bit that my first SSR-rank weapon wasn't for me, but whatever.
Dian Wei's Favorability has reached 60!
Acquired 150 Yuanbao.
If it meant securing Dian Wei, Cao Cao's army's one-man army, this was a small price to pay.
“You there. Step back.”
“What?”
“Le Jin, move aside.”
Le Jin nodded and retreated. Moments later, Dian Wei roared, channeling her energy, and smashed the thick wooden prison bars with her twin halberds.
KABOOM!!!
That single blow pulverized the arm-thick bars like twigs. The impact was so immense it snuffed out the torch Le Jin held, plunging us into pitch blackness broken only by moonlight filtering through the gaps.
Dian Wei's lips curved high in the silvery glow.
“Lee An, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I like this weapon a lot. Will you give it to me?”
“Of course. In return, you help us assault the stronghold.”
“That's a given. So, grant me another favor.”
I pondered her words.
What should I ask for?
SSR weapons weren't all that valuable in the long run. In gacha games, resources and gear piled up over time, eventually clogging your inventory. But in the early game, when everything was scarce? Totally different story. We couldn't even dream of combining for higher tiers yet.
Wait... that reminds me!
Speaking of combinations, I recalled the synergies between generals in Misam 8. Like placing Liu Bei gear with Guan Yu for +3 Martial and Leadership.
Dian Wei had synergies too. +5 Martial next to Cao Cao, +2 with He Ze. With the twin halberds by Cao Cao's side, her Martial would hit 114—matching Lu Bu, the strongest in the story, with no rivals otherwise. Perfect for protecting Cao Cao.
“Then... join Cao Cao's army.”
“...Huh?”
“Become my lord's bodyguard and protect her.”
“...That's it?”
I nodded. What was most vital in Cao Cao's army? Cao Cao herself. Without her, it was red bean-less buns or blood sausage-less soup.
A Cao Cao-less Cao team? Horrifying just to imagine.
Dian Wei's Favorability has increased slightly.
Dian Wei's Favorability has reached 80!
Acquired 50 Yuanbao.
Eh? Favorability up again here?
“Rare chivalry in these chaotic times. Truly beautiful.”
Dian Wei nodded, gripping the halberds.
“Very well. I'll join Cao Cao's army and guard the Governor as you wish.”
Her sharp gaze pierced me.
“And you too, as a bonus.”
“...Bonus?”
Dian Wei smiled faintly. Then—
“What was that... you bitch?!”
“Intruders in the prison... wait, allies? Hehehehe.”
“You idiots! Snap out of it! That woman who tried to rat us out to the boss is loose! Alert!”
Probably the boom from the bars. Heishan bandits rushed in with torches and weapons. Four at first, then dozens flooding the prison.
“C-Captain! What do we do? At least dozens!”
“Don't panic. This works out better. No need to hunt them down.”
Le Jin drew his ring-pommel sword in a fluster, but I stayed calm, eyeing the stumbling, blackout-drunk bandits.
Then—
“Leave it to me.”
Dian Wei charged the Heishan bandits in a flash.
KABOOM!!!
Her swing cratered the ground with a thunderous roar, pulverizing the front-line bandits and scattering them. Their weapons twisted into scrap; the sickening crunch of bone and flesh was brutal even for hardened ears.
Finally, having soloed dozens, Dian Wei flicked the blood from her halberds.
1. Kill enemies. 45/50
3. Raise achievements. 4600/5000
Dian Wei nearly maxed my weekly quest in seconds.
At this rate, I'll hit 5000 by the time we descend.
“Lee An, follow me. I know where the bandits are gathered.”
I nodded without hesitation, drawing my Qinggang Sword.
“Le Jin, torch up. Follow Dian Wei.”
“Yes, Captain!”
Then—
“Milord! We can fight too.”
“I can't fight, but... we know where the grain and weapon stores are!”
The prisoners, having witnessed Dian Wei's might, spoke up boldly. I smiled, plotting how to use them.
Feint east, strike west. From the Thirty-Six Stratagems—the same ones that include "run like hell."
“Le Jin, now. Set it ablaze.”
Le Jin and the prisoners hurled torches into the grain store. The wooden structure blazed spectacularly, filling the air with toasty scents.
“Fire!”
“Grain store's burning!”
“What the fuck... who did this?!”
As the bandits panicked, we reached the weapon store and armed up.
“Le Jin, now.”
“Yes!”
Le Jin blew hard on his whistle. Time for our farmer trio outside to draw eyes.
“What's that sound?!”
“Enemy raid...?!”
“Grab weapons—wait, the weapon store's on fire too?!”
Non-combatants grabbed usable gear and hid in the woods. Me, Le Jin, and Dian Wei melted into the shadows, picking off bandits one by one.
Then—
A green message popped up. This wasn't an ordinary bandit—R-rank.
“Which rat bastard is this?!”
A mountain of a man slung a sharpened sword over his shoulder, bellowing.
Named monster?
I lightly gripped my Qinggang Sword at my waist and approached slowly.
“You? The one causing this mess?”
Those were Suho's last words.
SLASH!
He crumpled without lasting a single exchange.
“Deputy chieeeef!!!”
“Deputy chief's down!! Run!!”
The bandits scattered in chaos. I dashed after, cutting them all down with my Qinggang Sword.
SLASH!
The alarm rang as I felled the last fleeing bandit.
Faction Quest Completed!
Office Quest Completed!
Visit Cao Cao for your reward.
Xi Zhicai's quest auto-completed, and the achievements pushed my office quest over the line too.
“Captain...!!”
As I sheathed my Qinggang Sword and checked the faction quest reward—SR Weapon Box—from my inventory, Le Jin ran up from afar.
“I've killed all the nearby bandits! More importantly, you took down their leader in a blink. From the looks, he was Suho, the boss here.”
I already knew from the system, so I just nodded.
“Impressive strength, unlike your looks, Lee An.”
Dian Wei approached, shaking off her halberds now that the fight was done.
“Seems sorted here. What's the plan now?”
“Plan...”
I glanced around. Every wooden building blazed unchecked. Quest complete meant Xi Zhicai's mission was done.
“Nothing more here. At dawn, we head down to Dongmuyang camp. Dian Wei, you're with us.”
“I keep my word. I'll join Cao Cao's army as promised.”
Dian Wei nodded.
“But first, I have words for you.”
“What?”
She set her twin halberds down and stretched.
“I saw you behead their leader in one stroke.”
Her piercing gaze chilled me; I could guess what was coming.
“A single blow relying purely on raw power, no technique.”
Dian Wei took a stance with her halberds, facing me.
“Before enlisting, I want to test your true strength.”
Her eyes burned with fighting spirit as she licked her lips in a grin.
“Spar with me. To make it fun, let's bet.”
“What bet?”
“Loser becomes little sibling. Deal?”
Pretending to think, I waited for the quest.
“......Hmm.”
Didn't this always trigger a quest in clichés?
“Sure, why not. I'm curious too.”
Truth be told, rewards or not, who in the Three Kingdoms could resist a duel?
“I don't even know my full strength yet.”