Disclaimer: I do not own Dynasty Warriors. Dynasty Warriors is owned by their respective owners.

A perfectly guided stream landed into a pool of warm water, filling the enormous bath even further. The public bathhouse was large enough for many visitors, yet none had entered since Brian's arrival. Maybe it was because there was someone watching the entrance, or it was just a strange hour for his people to bathe.

For whatever reason the bathhouse was abandoned, Brian decided not to wonder about it for too long. There were more interesting things to think about, such as the battle of that afternoon and the aftereffects of his actions. The increase in fame, which was clearly displayed on the menu. The new allies had gained, namely Zhang Jun, Yan Zhang, and Bo Zhang as well. He doubted if he could trust the former bandit leader, and he had given word to that uncertainty. If they wanted his trust, they had to earn it. Lastly, the battle itself.

Brian was eventually thinking about three things in particular during the battle; the smoothness of his movements, the blood flowing from his weapons as he cut down the bandits, and how he had to deal with that image for the rest of his conquest. One of his studies was medicine, thus it was not the blood that pained his thought. It was the fact people had died at his hands that kept nibbling on his conscience. Luckily for him, the menu and the names floating high above the health bars were enough to lessen that guilt.

Apart from the fame and the new allies, there were resources obtained in the battle as well. Resources the old man Go Jong needed to develop the town, and resources to strengthen his own weapon. Because although his one-handed sword was a lvl 2 weapon, it lacked the punch he needed. The spear Bo Zhang used was of similar strength, and it proved his equal as it pushed both his blocking skill as his hitpoints to a corner. Only by the power of his Musou, he had overcome the lack of his strength in that battle.

I need to get stronger. I am not sure what difficulty this world is in, but it is not Beginner mode. He thought as he checked some of the bruises he had received during the fight, as well as a superficial cut on his left arm.

Letting his body recover in the warmth of the water, his mind continued to stroll through the insane amount of information of the day. Strongholds that he needed to conquer; enemies he had to convert to allies; strengthen himself to stay alive, all while managing his land. What a bother... He thought as he tried to figure out what to do next. Advancing further up north was the wisest decision, yet it had a flaw.

The bandits were an unexpected twist in the story, and although Brian could act on it, the battles were probably not waiting for him to arrive. What would happen if word got out to the south, and Sun Quan would charge on his borders? Allies and materials were what he needed, although the question remained where he had to go for them. Perhaps he just needed to ride out of town, and an opportunity would represent itself.

A few more minutes passed by until he got out, got dressed, and returned to his home. Along the way, he encountered Go Jong and his daughter, who were examing the work that had to be done. ''Good evening, Milord.''

''Good evening. Are you still working at this hour?'' Brian asked confused.

''Just a bit of preparation, milord. How is the gathering of the clay going along?'' Jong Go asked.

''A bit troublesome to be fair. I am not sure where to search for the materials you requested,'' Brian confessed.

The old man smiled as he answered, ''If you don't mind my opinion, the best place to look for clay is at the river banks of the Yellow River to the north. There is plenty of clay there to restore one-eight of the town.''

''But father,'' The young woman started. ''That area belongs to the Zhu Brothers. There is no way we can get any without paying ourselves broke.''

''The Zhu brothers?'' Brian asked confused.

The old man nodded as he answered, ''Zhu Zhi and Zhu Tan. Since the fall of Luoyang, those two decided to monopolize the riverbanks, and these days they are trying to scam people by raising the prices tenfold.'' Now, this looks like a job for me.

''How far is it away from here?'' Brian asked curiously.

''Half a day on foot, milord,'' Gu Jong answered.

Brian nodded as he said, ''Thank you for that knowledge. I'll see what I can do tomorrow. Good night.''

''Good night, Milord.''

''Good night, Lord Brian!''

As Brian continued his stroll back to his home just outside of town, he already made a plan for the next day. There was no doubt the Zhu brothers were wrong if he had to believe Jong Go's words. Although he had no reason not to believe the old man, life had made him wary of other people's words. Only deeds could be trusted, especially in this world.

At least, I have a place to get some materials now. If only I could find some allies. It was as if something imaginable had heard him as his advisor approached him, looking very exciting despite the late hour and the tired-looking eyes. ''Lord Brian, glad you have returned. I have good news!''

''I can tell. What's going on?'' he asked as he continued in his stroll, his advisor automatically walking joining him on the way back.

''According to the rumors, there are officers in Enkuma who are not pleased with their lord's reign. After hearing about your heroic acts against the bandits near their town, they are willing to serve you if you can help them.'' How convenient.

Brian's expression did not change much as he ordered, ''Tell Mi Tong, Zhang Jun, Bo Zhang, and Yan Zhang to be ready tomorrow morning. Secondly, make sure there is a transport cart available and ready tomorrow afternoon. We'll need it.''

''What do you need to transport, sir?'' Delan asked confused.

''Clay.''

Battle of the Yellow River, Skirmish.

A small-scale battle, in which Materials can be easily gained.

Of course, it is going to be a battle. I haven't even talked to anyone yet, and they already want me off their ground. The hard way it is then. Brian thought as he rode forward on his trusted Mahogony, forward to the location the red dots were.

''Yan Zheng, Mi Tong, charge forward! We end this as quickly as possible!'' He commanded, activating both officer's command Mobilize.

''Yes sir!'' Yan Zheng replied as he charged forward with his men following his trail. ''Let's run them through, men!''

''Understood! We will capture the north base! Let's go, men!'' the head of the royal guard shouted as his men charged right behind him.

''What about us, Milord?'' the long-haired Zhang Jun asked as he waited for further orders.

Brian looked in thought momentarily, checking the map of the battlefield before he answered, ''We need to surround them to make sure they don't flee. Take a position on the west base and prepare to intercept them if they retreat.''With those words, he successfully activated the Secure Location command.

''Got it, sir!'' the young knight responded as he made his way to the west base.

Brian shifted his eyes to the remaining officer, but Bo Zhang spoke before Brian could give any order. ''Yeah, yeah, I'll take the East forest near the river banks. Surround them, right? Know that I am just doing this to get my freedom back,'' He snorted as he rode off. Although Secure Location was activated, Brian was certain it wasn't the proper way to activate it. At least he is cooperative. He ended that train of worries as he rode forward, alone.

The morning sun was hardly on the horizon, and the battle was already commencing. With small thoughts such as why his body wasn't feeling the fatigue despite the early morning on his mind, his body moved automatically to his desire to ride forward.

It was the way his subconscious-assistance worked. If he wanted to move forward, he just had to think about it. If he needed to be on the offensive, his body moved to his desires. His movements were his own, yet they were not. It was truly the pinnacle of strange. Perhaps, one day I can learn how to use these weapons on my own.

''Who are you?!'' A sudden voice shouted from the distance where a group of armed men was gathered. ''Who gave you permission to come on these lands?!'' One of them asked.

''I am Brian Miller, lord of these lands and I go where I desire. Who are you?'' Brian asked as he stepped off his horse, beginning to feel irritated he had to repeat his name so much.

He just noticed just in time the hidden gesture of the guy labeled as a supply captain as the man answered, ''That's not of your concern. This area belongs to master Zhu Zhi and master Zhu Tan. Leave or be sorry for trespassing this land.'' The men slowly began to surround him, making it obvious what they were going to do.

Sighing, Brian thought, Why do they never learn... as he drew his sword and responded, ''I just came here for a trade, but I guess that's off the table now. Now, can any of you provide me with a decent challenge!''

Three minutes later, the answer to that question was disappointing as Brian's kill count rose with another thirteen on the counter. With a whistle, his horse passed him, and with another miraculous swift move, he rode on it again on his way to the next location.

It was still strange to see that world as a game. Even if he knew it was not the real world, but some sort of Isekai-game with no clear clue what exactly, that kill count meant he had killed yet another group of people. Knowing how much lives the original war had taken, he knew what was in store for him. Still, he hoped he would not reach that kill count one day.

Reinforcements have appeared! Suddenly popped up on his screen as new red dots appeared just on his way towards the two enemy officers. Their voices were loud, and their weapons were quickly pulled out of their sheaths. However, they did stand not a chance as Brian rode through them, striking them down as rode past them. Another hit and run, and only the supply captain remained. ''Who... are...''

Those were his last words as the blade crossed his chest, and left a deep severe cut behind. Grabbing the bag of Clay left behind and adding it to his collection, Brian summoned his horse and rode further through the wilderness. There was only one task left to complete and that was the defeat of the two brothers.

Meanwhile, Mi Tong cleared the north base and continued his rampage towards the brothers. At the same time, Yan Zhang had taken care of another supply group and made his way towards the two brothers. A three-way pincer attack and Brian couldn't ask for a better way to execute it.

~20 minutes later.~

''You dare to attack us?! I'm going to have your head!'' Zhu Zhi spoke, his black long hair, and fitting beard dancing to the wind. His brother was in battle was the other officers, and was on the defensive more than he liked.

The halberd master jumped forward as he prepared a downward slash, but Brian was quicker. As a second nature, Brian's weapon-wielding arm slammed upwards into the downward stroke and redirected just beside him. Without hesitance, he stepped forward, grabbed the in-air Zhi Zhu by the head, and slammed him into the ground.

''Brother!'' Zhu Tan shouted as he blocked both officers' charge, pushed them away, and ran towards Brian, trying to save his brother. His pike launched forward, aimed for the young lord's back. But it never hit as Brian dodged the incoming pike, let it past him, and slammed the hilt of his sword on the side of Zhu Tan's head.

Both brothers lay on the ground, their bodies immobilized by the lack of consciousness. ''I claim this land as my own! Stand down and surrender, and I will be merciful.'' Brian declared, his followers raising their arms victoriously as the remaining enemies dropped their weapons and surrendered. Without wasting time, Brian ordered both officers who were present. ''Mi Tong, bring the prisoners back to the town. Yan Zhang, please tell Delan to sent the cart with a few guards as well. I will meet you in town when I am done here.'' He thought as he knew he had to relieve both his other officers of their duty.

It was that both a new message appeared in front of him. Battle started. Great battle. A standard battle, in which Allies can be easily gained. It seems Wei Ping has taken on the battlefield. Looking confused at the message he thought, Wasn't that the name of the lord of Enkuma. What's going on?

The OST changed to another familiar one as a new map appeared before him. Red dots, far and wide, appeared as well and showed that both his remaining officers were heavily attacked. Just as he wanted to react, a messenger came running, kneeled in front of him, and reported, ''My lord, we are under attack by lord Wei Ping. Master Bo Zhang is under heavy attack and can not hold for much longer!''

Brian wasted little time as he commanded, ''Yan Zheng, assist Zhang Jun at the west Base! I will assist the base to the east! Move!''

''Yes sir!'' the former bandit leader acknowledged as he rode off.

Switching his eyes to his remaining officer, he commanded, ''Keep the prisoners protected, and set a base up here. We'll end this battle quickly!''

''Yes, Milord!'' the head knight responded as he turned and began to give orders to his subordinates. Wasting no time, Brian whistled his horse, rose up and charged forward onto the next battle.

''The time is ripe. My strategy shall lay waste to the enemy!'' An enemy officer announced as another group of enemies charged in. Bo Zhang's men looked frightened, but the officer remained brave as he commanded, "None of you better try to escape! If you do, I'll hunt you down personally!"

A soldier with minimal armor charged at the former bandit leader, but Bo Zhang stopped the attack by an attack of his own. Another soldier charged from the side and scraped his side. Bo Zhang bit on his teeth, turned around and slashed the soldier down with a flued downward strike.

''Master Bo Zhang!'' One of his men shouted concerned.

''I am fine! These weaklings can't hurt me!'' He lied, slamming another soldier back as the wound on his side slowly began to bleed. We might not make it through this... I knew I shouldn't have joined that bastard...

Another soldier charged forward, his sword aimed to heavily injure Bo Zhang. However, before the assaulter could succeed his attack, he was launched to the side, and pinned to a tree by a generic spear.

Spectators looked in shock to where the spear should come from, and their eyes quickly settled on the figure of a teenage boy approaching them quickly on a brown horse. The unknown figure was well-armed, and although his armor was nothing compared to the likes of the strongest warriors of the land, it was better than theirs.

''Who are you?! The enemy strategist asked.

However, instead of an answer to him, the warrior looked over his shoulder and asked, ''Bo Zhang, are you alright?''

''I'm fine,'' The officer responded as he tried to conceal the pain from his wound, in vain.

''Treat that wound as quickly as possible. I don't want to lose you this quickly.'' the young man said before he focused on the front.

He was just a teenager, most probably sixteen years old. He wasn't that big; he wasn't that muscled; he didn't have a good weapon; and above all else, they had an advantage in numbers. With all those conditions to their advantage, why did Li Ru feel so worried?

''You're wide open!'' a soldier of his squad shouted as he charged it. However, with a simple sweep, the soldier was disarmed, and a warning strike later, he lay on his back on the ground, his eyes widely opened from shock as he stared at the officer in disbelief.

''Stand down, and I will spare your life. Continue, and be prepared to forfeit your lives.'' the new officer said without a slight moment of hesitation.

Shock turned to anger, and it was precisely that anger that was their downfall. ''Don't get cocky, you bastard! Kill him!'' One of Li Ru's men commanded as several soldiers charged forward. What happened next was beyond the strategist's understanding. If Li Ru wouldn't have been there himself, he would not have believed it.

With almost an unnatural calmness, the first charge was side-stepped and immediately countered by a quick deadly stab in the attacker's neck. A spearman stabbed forward but the spear was grabbed and stopped mid-charge. Another swordsman was about to strike the new opponent, but the black-haired teenager just pulled the spear in its track, resulting in the confused spearman being struck down by his own ally.

''You bas...!'' the swordsman wanted to shout, only for a clean-cut to strike him down instantly. Without wasting another second, he threw the spear into another soldier and waited calmly for the next opponent.

''Last warning. Stand down, or be cut down.'' The officer warned.

''Like hell we'll listen to you! Charge men! We'll kill this cocky bastard!'' another soldier shouted.

Suddenly, an ominous grin appeared on the boy's face as he responded, ''Suit yourself.'' and walked forward in a calm but threatening way.

Li Ru didn't how many of his men charged forward, but he already knew that moment it was all in vain. The blade of the unknown officer tore through charging soldiers like butter, and the officer's aura was one of a wild tiger finishing its prey.

Sidestep, cross-slash, lean back with a jab to the chest, followed by a twist to a kneeling position, cutting three men and dodging two blades in the process. Seven more men charged in, only to be launched back by an unknown force. As Li Ru looked closer, the soldiers who were launched back all had a perfectly straight deadly cut on their bodies. Who is he...?

''Kill him already! Use the arrows if necessary!'' another officer known as Di Fang commanded impatiently.

Before those arrows could be prepared, the officer had grabbed a half-unconscious soldier, held him in front of him, and charged forward. The poor man caught four arrows with his body before he was pushed forward on one of the archers. Without a second to waste, the target slashed through the wooden bows as if they were paper, and took the archers out before they could even inflict some sort of damage on him.

''You bloody bastard! Fine, I'll do this myself!'' Di Fang shouted as he stepped forward, two-handed battle-ax in the ready. ''See how you can dance around this!'' Di Fang shouted as he prepared for a brutal swing.

*Thud!* Turning around with the momentum of the swing, the enemy officer dodged the sharp edges of the ax, and with the momentum of his 360, he slammed his weapon's hilt onto Di Fang's nose. To completely break the overconfident officer, the young man followed his assault with a kick to the stomach.

Li Ru remained immobilized from shock as he thought, He turned the tables on us so quickly! We can't win this! Just as the young officer noticed Di Fang was no longer in a fighting condition, he set his eyes on the strategist and threateningly approached him. ''Stop, stop, stop! I am sorry, I didn't know you were this strong. Please, let me serve you!'' The strategist pleaded as he bowed to the ground.

''Drop your weapons and let yourself be captured. Do that, and I will consider your request after this battle. That's a lord's promise.'' He is a lord?! Who is...Oh...

''Do what he says! We lost this battle.'' the strategist commanded before letting himself be captured. However, before he was guided back to the main base, he asked the young man, ''Are you lord Brian Miller?''

''Yes. Yes, I am.'' Brian answered before he rode away onto the next battle.

''You are simply amazing in battle, Milord!'' Zhang Jun acknowledged with an amazed expression.

''Thank you for your assistance, my lord. I am not sure how long we could have held out against those soldiers,'' Yan Zhang said as he looked at the soldiers who were captured and taken away.

''Don't let your guard down. This battle is not yet over.'' Brian responded as he kept an eye on his personal map, and still noticed a group of red dots further up north. ''Zhang, bring the prisoners back to camp. When that is done, follow us. Yan, we are finishing this.''

''I'll follow you!'' The former bandit responded.

''Copy that, sir!''

Without further ado, he rode forward, followed by a group of loyal soldiers, and an officer who had begun to trust his lord. ''Lord Brian! What's the plan?''

''I'll attack them from the front. When they are distracted, surprise them from the rear!'' Brian answered, thus activating the Ambush skill.

''That's perfect! I'll move into position. Men, follow me!'' Yan Zhang ordered as he split up from Brian and quickly vanished into the forests. As Brian rode towards the location, keeping an eye on the blue dots in his main camp and to his side, he wondered what to do.

Li Ru had quickly surrendered and switched sides, but he doubted the others would be just as easy. Adding the previous battle with those two brothers, he wondered if his prison could handle that many new prisoners.

There was another thought on his mind. The count of soldiers killed had reset after the first battle, but that wasn't something good in Brian's eyes. It meant he had killed 133 soldiers in this battle alone, even despite him trying not to kill that many. Even worse, at one point in the battle, there was a moment he felt a moment of thrill. Although it quickly vanished, it was not something he had expected.

With mixed feelings of guilt and enjoyment, he arrived at the enemy camp. Stepping off his horse, he calmly walked forward, his eyes keeping their focus on the red dots before he noticed them in real life. Several soldiers, a few named officers in there as well, stood there, unbeknown what was in store for them.

He grabbed a spare spear from his back, leaned back, and threw it as hard as he could towards the leader, purposely missing his target by a hair. As Wei Ping's color began to fade from his face from a clear shock he could have died if that spear soar just inches closer to him, Brian appeared from behind the tree-line and greeted them as if nothing happened. ''Morning. Has anyone seen my spear? I lost it around here somewhere.'' He asked as innocently as possible.

Shocked eyes turned around in disbelief and quickly turned to anger. ''You bastard! Who do you think you are, attacking our lord?!'' One of the soldiers shouted.

''Brian Miller, the lord of these lands your so-called lord tried to capture,'' Brian answered calmly. ''Your front guard has already been defeated and is currently waiting for their fate in our base. I suggest you surrender while you still have a choice.''

One of the named officers, a bear of a man, stepped forward as he mockingly responded, ''Those are some tough words for a brat like you. Do you really think you can threaten us alone?'' He cackled.

Musou is ready, rage mode almost. Full health. Around eighty normal soldiers, and two enemy officers. Reinforcements in the back. Let's do this. He summed up in his mind as he grabbed his sword and asked with a confident grin, ''Think? I beat your whole front guard on my own. What is a lousy brute like you gotta do against me?''

''Kill you!'' Ding Mao answered furiously as charged with an upward slash from his two-handed sword. Too slow, Brian thought as his body already moved in automatically, too quickly for the large officer to keep up. A punch to the solum plexus momentarily immobilized the giant warrior, and a kick to his right knee and hilt to the face completely immobilized him as he shouted in pain. Ding Mao wanted to retaliate from the ground, only for Brian's sword to pierce him through his hand.

''Master Ding Mao!'' several soldiers shouted as they tried to help their officer by charging in recklessly. Perfect. Now, let the diversion begin.

A spearman's charge was redirected, before a backstab meant the end of him. A second swordsman was parried and immediately countered by a quick diagonal slash. A third soldier wasn't even given a chance to attack as he was immediately brought down. Eight more soldiers charged in, but in vain as Brian stood in preparation for a horizontal slash. A lighting quick slash, an unbearable wind pressure, and eight flying corpses later, Brian remained in his finishing stance and looked with a serious gaze to the remaining enemies.

As the soldiers looked in a strange mixer of fear and amazement at the young lord, the sound of cavalry could be heard in the distance. Some of the enemy soldiers looked behind, and their eyes stared in horror and the fastly approaching group of enemies. ''Charge!'' Yan Zhang commanded as he led the charge, and rode straight through the enemy's lines.

In just a matter of minutes, Wei Ping's army of soldiers crumbled into pieces, and before Wei Ping could escape, Brian had stopped him in his tracks. ''What's the matter? Your little plan to surprise attack us didn't pay off, so you are retreating now? That's just pathetic,'' Brian taunted.

''Don't think you have won!'' Wei Ping shouted as he charged. However, Brian easily saw through the amateurish charge, dodged it with ease, and swiftly karate-chomped the back of the lord's neck. The enemy leader let out one last sound of breathing before he fell unconscious to the ground.

Roars of celebration could be heard as the young lord entered Enkuma, as Brian's welcome was anything but cold. Without further ado, he quickly announced himself the lord of the town and promised to protect it with everything he had. His deeds already gave the people enough to have faith in.

Back in his own town, Brian increased both the population, as well as the size of the prison. With a quick check the prisoners were treated well, he continued to the other business in the village. The trade-route between the Yellow River, his own town, and Enkuma was set, and it meant Jong Go could start the project of his life.

For the first time since the start of the chaos, there was a sliver of hope for the people. But then terrible news spread throughout the town. A new threat emerged, and it was quickly approaching his borders. Sun Quan, the youngest tiger of Wu, was making his move.