I'm Just a Tenth-Captain

Having finished reminiscing about the gacha pull with Cao Cao, I sat on the edge of my camp bed, staring blankly at her puffed-up cheeks.

Of course, that 100% sulky look is totally my fault, right...?

And why wouldn't it be? I'd gone out of my way to give her a high position to keep her as my closest aide, only for her to reject it outright. I'd screwed up the formalities, shown my utter lack of manners, and even brazenly asked to have her trusted retainer—Dian Wei—by my side. From Cao Cao's perspective, it was enough to make her grab the back of her neck and faint.

I plastered on an innocent smile and opened my mouth with exaggerated enthusiasm.

"Ah! Did you come to pick up Dian Wei? As expected of my lord—such a brilliant idea! My sworn sister Dian Wei only truly shines when she's by your side!"

I had no choice but to keep up the act of being the world's most clueless idiot, oblivious down to my bones.

"It'd look a bit off to ask for your sworn sister in front of everyone, so you snuck into my tent at night like this to make the request! Haha!"

I deliberately raised my voice pitch, playing the role of a rude oaf who'd eaten manners for breakfast.

No matter how much Cao Cao valued talent above all else with her "唯才是擧" policy, she wouldn't want a guy this oblivious and disrespectful as her inner circle favorite.

And there was only one reason I was going this far.

The official position quest that rewarded gacha currency.

1,000 Yuanbao from Tenth-Captain to Company Commander. 1,500 more from Company Commander to Battalion Commander. If I'd accepted the Military Strategist role right there in front of everyone, I'd have lost at least 2,500 currency flying away.

To steadily claim quest rewards and climb the ranks step by step, I need to stay as far out of Cao Cao's spotlight as possible.

"Lee An."

"Yes, my lord."

"As promised, I've submitted a memorial to the court recommending you. If it's accepted, you'll become a Gentleman Official with a stipend of 300 shi and serve at court."

Cao Cao continued in a bored tone.

"But the current court is in the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hands of traitors and little more than a hollow shell. They won't accept provincial recommendations, and I have zero intention of handing over talent I've secured to the Chang'an court."

"Me, a talent...? That's too generous a compliment."

"Lee An."

She kept calling my name repeatedly.

"I have plenty of individuals with exceptional personal martial prowess. The same goes for brilliant strategists who can manage the realm and devise tactics."

She fixed me with a serious gaze, then slowly rose from the camp bed and strode toward me.

"But pure talents like you? There are few."

A dizzying orchid scent wafted from between the folds of her silk robes, creating a razor-thin tension where our breaths nearly mingled.

"Not scheming for personal gain like the famed families of Yingchuan or the powerful clans of Dong Commandery, stubbornly insisting on a lowly Tenth-Captain post even after earning merits."

"M-my lord, the distance... "

"You've barely joined the army, yet you've already grasped all the factional dynamics and sworn unwavering loyalty solely to me."

Wait, she's totally misunderstood...?

I only refused it to get the quest rewards...!

"Jaon. In my eyes, you're already more than capable of commanding a personal guard unit. I can't guess why you're so set on starting from Tenth-Captain and climbing slowly, but..."

She reached out a hand toward me, hesitated for a moment, then withdrew it.

Probably remembering that embarrassing incident from last time.

By the way, does maxing favorability to 100 make their bodies that sensitive to touch? I was flustered enough, but how mortified must she have been as the main victim?

"A-anyway! If you're dead set on starting from the bottom, then... I'll be waiting."

She let out a small fake cough and clasped her hands behind her back. Maybe it was a bit embarrassing to look me straight in the eye—she turned her head slightly aside.

The tent lantern cast a soft glow on her silver hair, and between the strands, her earlobe stood out noticeably redder than before.

"That's all I came to say. Don't breathe a word of my visit here to anyone! See you at morning assembly tomorrow!"

"Wait, my lord!"

"Hm?"

She turned back.

"About Dian Wei... I really think she should guard you after all..."

"...Jaon."

"Yes!"

"How many times do I have to say it's unnecessary before you get it? Hm?"

"......"

—Whoosh!

Cao Cao spun on her heel, clearly furious, and bolted out of the tent.

All that remained in the tent was the thick orchid fragrance she'd left behind, swirling chaotically in the air.

"She's gone...?"

I scratched my head, staring at the flapping tent flap.

Cautiously, I poked my head out and checked left and right. Nothing but the fading sound of Cao Cao's footsteps and the steady tread of patrolling guards at regular intervals.

"Phew, no one else coming now, right?"

I sighed in relief and securely tied the tent flap with rope.

No more interruptions. Time for the most important ritual.

With utmost reverence, I knelt down, clasped my hands together, and pulled the 'Wei Kingdom Premium Gacha Ticket' from my inventory.

—Ding!

A chime rang out, and a golden ticket fluttered down from midair. Just looking at it made me feel full.

Normally, the SSR general drop rate in gacha is about 1.4%. The odds skyrocket after around 70 pulls, theoretically guaranteeing one after an average of 80. With luck, you might snag two or three.

"But this ticket guarantees an SSR the moment you use it. A Wei Kingdom one, no less!"

Right now, my subordinates were just Le Jin, Dian Wei, and the three peasant soldiers. Even combined, their Intellect didn't break 100—a hopeless situation.

That's why I desperately needed a tactician to handle our brains this pull, or a high-Politics advisor to smooth out logistics from the rear.

"Please...! Xun Yu! Guo Jia! Cheng Yu! Even Jia Xu would be fine...! Give me a brain to carry my thick-headed crew...!"

I clasped my hands in fervent prayer, took a deep breath, and firmly pressed the [Use] button.

—Fwaaah!!!

It wasn't some flashy game-like golden jewel, but an intense golden light filled the tent, so bright I couldn't open my eyes.

Soon, accompanied by a light like the sun compressed into a ball, dreamlike golden particles scattered, slowly forming a human silhouette.

"Ooooh...!"

Who could it be? I clutched my pounding heart and swallowed hard.

Through the gradually clearing golden mist, long silk robes trailing to the floor came into view, topped by a graceful, refined figure.

That thing in her hand looks like a fan... gotta be a strategist. Nice!!!

Reality's colors gradually overlaid the silhouette, shaping it into a person.

"Where is this? I was clearly locked in Chang'an's prison... Am I dreaming...?"

A dreamlike woman's voice tickled my ears.

Xun You? That Xun You, one of Cao Cao's top three strategists?!

Jackpot. Xun Yu's niece, Xun You—the undisputed Tier 1 advisor for Wei in Three Kingdoms 8, indistinguishable from the best. She was called a human rights character even before Cao Cao the Dong Commandery Governor.

"Where... is this...?"

Xun You scanned her surroundings with sleepy, half-lidded eyes.

When her gaze met mine, her eyes widened in surprise. She hastily adjusted her disheveled collar, growing wary.

"Who are you...? Did you bring me here?"

She covered the glimpse of porcelain skin between her collar with one hand, gripping her fan tightly and glaring at me with sharp eyes.

That was when it happened.

—Ding!

"Yes! Yes! Of course!"

I didn't care about spending the currency. The odds of landing a human rights character were like winning the lottery.

What kind of daylight robbery system is this...? You give generous currency, then charge a separate contract fee on top of the ticket? Where's that even fair?!

Guess there was a reason it was so generous. Anyway, emptying my entire fortune for the contract fee stung, but my finger was already instinctively lunging for the [Accept] button.

—Tap.

"Eek?!"

"...Huh?"

I'd definitely pressed the button, but my index finger hadn't hit Accept.

It had landed right on the spot where Xun You clutched her collar—precisely poking the soft skin just below her exposed collarbone with a firm press.

"......"

"......"

Silence crashed in instantly. Xun You's sleepy half-lidded eyes bulged rounder than I'd ever seen, darting between my finger and my face.

This wasn't the time to savor the soft, warm sensation at my fingertip. I yanked my hand back and opened my mouth.

"Uh, so... this is the contract..."

—Ding!

In that split-second timing, the system window chimed cheerfully and flashed.

"Urgh...! My, my head...!"

Xun You curled up, clutching her head and staggering. At the same time, faint golden particles seeped into her head. She collapsed to the floor, and I hurriedly caught her.

A moment later.

"Haa..."

Xun You let out a languid sigh and slowly opened her eyes.

"Please let go ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠now..."

"Ah, yes!"

She slipped out of my arms on her own power. The sharp, wary glare from moments ago had settled into an eerily calm, gentle gaze.

"It was you..."

"...?"

"The mysterious hero who broke through Chang'an's tight security and rescued me from the prison bed—Jaon."

She knows my name? Must be that causality thing...

In her mind, I was apparently the one who'd saved her from prison.

"I owe you my life, Lord Jaon. From ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠your attire, you seem to be a soldier in Cao Cao's army."

"That's right."

I nodded awkwardly, and Xun You covered her mouth with her jade silk sleeve, smiling softly.

"I'm already yours to serve as lord. No need to be so formal with me, hehe."

She lightly fluttered her fan and continued.

"To breach Dong Zhuo's tight surveillance net and extract me from prison demands both martial skill and intellect. A man worthy to be my lord should rightfully hold a general's post commanding tens of thousands."

"Ahaha... general, huh."

How many steps from here to general? I'm a Tenth-Captain now... uh... no idea.

"The future hegemon hid his ambitions for three years, biding his time. True heroes crouch and wait for their moment. Don't be disappointed or ashamed if your current post falls short of expectations."

Xun You struck a pose, brimming with confidence.

"You are the hero recognized by me. Gongda here will take responsibility and lead you to the highest peaks."

Yeah, with all the currency I invested in you, that's a given.

I nodded, painting a rosy future in my mind—when Xun You tilted her head cutely and asked.

"Well then, Lord, allow me to ask: What position do you hold in Cao Cao's army? Surely a Colonel or Chief Commanding thousands?"

"...Huh?"

"Hehe, Military Strategist, then. That's fine. Perfect for raising an elite force."

"Uh... well."

"What's wrong? Don't tell me... even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠lower?"

I nodded.

"Then Battalion Commander leading a personal guard? Or perhaps... a Hundred-Man Captain?"

I shook my head and spoke.

"Tenth-Captain..."

"...?"

"Tenth-Captain."

"......Pardon?"