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Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

It’s a novel written by Luo Guanzhong that is based on Chinese history from around 1800 years ago.

It starts with the decline of the Han Dynasty, the unifying dynasty of China after the Jin Dynasty.

To summarize, it’s basically about all kinds of heroes like Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Cao Cao, Zhuge Liang, Zhao Yun, and so on, all popping up and having chaotic battles.

Eventually, the three kingdoms of Wei, Shu, and Wu are established, and the name Romance of the Three Kingdoms comes from the wars fought between them.

In the game based on this Three Kingdoms lore, my character Kong Songchan was active before the kingdoms of Wei, Shu, and Wu were formed.

He was a classic average Joe who just sat on his butt against Yuan Shao, who was Cao Cao’s rival, and then committed suicide.

Still, he had a bit of clout since he kept the northern tribes in check.

But…

In 195, when all the warlords began to rise, there was one major problem for playing as Kong Songchan.

“Ugh, he’s outta here.”

– Yuan Shao is too strong.

– No, just leave Kong Songchan alone; it won’t help to go there anyway.

“How can I focus on the fight when my back is unguarded? The enemy is Yuan Shao!”

And Yuan Shao he is.

He’s the one who has devoured the best land of Hebei like a pig and is the strongest among current powers.

With abundant supplies, a large number of soldiers, and outstanding generals like An Liang, Wen Chou, and Zhang He, plus brilliant strategists, he is undeniably the top force here.

Not to mention, there’s the villainous Kong Song, who is eyeing my back, making it an utter nightmare.

– Focus on diplomacy.

– You expect Zhao Yun to handle this alone?

Of course, at this point, Kong Songchan has Zhao Yun, the best character in the Three Kingdoms game, but… he has a shortage of soldiers, making him basically useless.

“Zhao Yun can’t take on An Liang and Wen Chou two-on-one.”

– Oh, but Zhao Yun can do it, right? LOL

– Just send Dong Zhuo and Zhang Ye, it’ll be fine.

– You too; you can take on Kong Songchan; his performance is okay!

“Then who will stop Yuan Shao, Zhang He, and Guo Ran? They bring 20,000 soldiers each.”

No matter how much I try, it’s not just the number of soldiers but the overall quality of generals is way higher on their side.

In Three Kingdoms, it’s all about generals fighting, and with An Liang, Wen Chou, Zhang He, and other top-tier generals on Yuan Shao’s side, attacking is a no-go.

– Just don’t do it, dude.

– Be like Cao Cao instead.

– Can’t you just be Yuan Shao?

“This kind of game is only fun for weak factions.”

But being too weak isn’t good either. In that regard, Kong Songchan is just right.

It’s tough in the early game, but if I can somehow survive with Zhao Yun leading and flip the tables, I can quickly seize the fertile lands of Hebei and rise to power.

– Only good players can pull this off.

– You’re awful at it right now.

– Can we just have you play as Liu Bei instead?

“Liu Bei isn’t easy either, you know?”

Liu Bei is the character that comes to mind as the protagonist in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but reality doesn’t make it that simple.

No matter the era, there are strong enemies everywhere.

Plus, having enemies all around makes it exhausting from a player’s perspective.

I’d rather fight one strong enemy like Kong Songchan; that way, I only have to focus on defense.

“Just watch. The northern hero, Kong Songchan, will conquer Hebei and march into the central plains.”

I just need to defeat Yuan Shao.

Once I beat Yuan Shao, I can conquer the fertile lands of Hebei along with its talents, and I’ll be able to crush all, be it Cao Cao, Lu Bu, Sun Quan, or Liu Bei, and dominate the world.

– Yeah, just defend for now, and it’ll be doable.

– But for us viewers, it’s a nightmare.

– Can we just play League of Legends instead?

– I’m so bored right now…

Well, from a viewer’s perspective, it might be dull, but that’ll only make them tougher as spectators.

“And whoever wins in the central plains will march into Hebei, right? At that time, I’ll open up a two-front war and take down Yuan Shao.”

In the central plains, Lu Bu, Cao Cao, and Liu Bei are pummeling each other.

Yuan Shao is also continually sending troops over to poke at them.

Eventually, won’t one of them dominate the central plains and come to hunt down Yuan Shao?

Just have to hold on and organize my troops.

But first, to be comfortable…

“I’ve gotta take over Dong Yong first.”

I need to deal with the ever-watching Kong Song first.

Why’s he always trying to backstab when we share the same surname?

– No, no, no!

– Just leave him alone!

– That land is terrible anyway;

– It’s too far away!

The viewers are trying to stop me, but what do they know about the Three Kingdoms?

You always have to eliminate threats from behind.

Didn’t Zhuge Liang conquer Nanman before heading north?

[Thank you for your 1,000 won donation!]

What about sending troops there; who will hold off Yuan Shao?

“Huh? Zhao Yun can handle it, right?”

– That’s… actually possible.

– If it’s Zhao Yun, he can manage.

– But if Zhao Yun holds the defense, who’s leading the conquest?

“I’ll take the lead.”

Kong Songchan is also a self-made genius in the north thanks to his skills and marriage.

I just need a few of my Kong brothers and my Dong Zhuo to tag along.

Feeling confident, I led my troops toward Dong Yong…

“Oh, what’s this?”

Just as I set off, soldiers and generals burst out from Yuan Shao’s fortress.

– Hurry back!

– We’re in deep trouble! LOL

– This is bad.

“A bit more time and it’ll be fine!”

No matter how much I conquer this place, without a home base, there’s no future, so I hurriedly prepared to withdraw my troops…

Did I look too hasty?

Soldiers from Kong Song’s fortress came rushing out, trapping my ankles.

“Uh, this won’t do.”

– Sigh…

– LOL!

– Damn, I’m doomed.

– Let’s just play League of Legends now?

“No, Zhao Yun is going to hold them off. He’s like Miro in the Celestial Realm, right? He can take on a hundred by himself.”

– ???

– What?

– Miro?

Anyway, Zhao Yun will handle it.

He’ll stop the enemy like he’s using a hell rock.

“See? He’s blocking them.”

– Oh LOL!

– Wow, that’s totally OP!

– He’s blocking them all by himself!

In the end, Zhao Yun lived up to the hype.

He bought us time against Yuan Shao’s overwhelming numbers.

Taking advantage of the delay, I shook off Kong Song and returned to the castle, but…

– So how do we hold now?

– Those enemy numbers are still massive!

Having already lost so many troops, and with Zhao Yun taking damage alone, we were ultimately defeated without much effort.

It truly was a boredom fest.

– Damn it.

– Just quit with the Three Kingdoms already.

– You’re seriously terrible at this! LOL.

“Okay, fine.”

I had no arguments left to keep going, so I concluded my Three Kingdoms playthrough.

“By the way…”

I glanced at the chat.

Hmm, is it about time to switch things up?

Just two days ago, the chat would explode with spam about red pills and nonsense every hundred messages, but now, that’s cleared out.

I originally intended to stream the Three Kingdoms for a few more days, but it looks like I can wrap it up early.

“Game’s done, so shall we delve into the year-end live and some behind-the-scenes stories of the music video?”

– ???

– Wait, what?

– For real??

Seemingly stunned, the chat was blowing up with surprise…

“Don’t like it?”

Will they hate it?

No, they might actually prefer it!

It would feel like a reward for sitting through my Three Kingdoms suffering.

– No, no, no!

– I like it!

– Do it!

– Please!

“All right, then, if you have any questions, I’ll try to answer them as much as I can.”

Something I had to do eventually.

Better to tackle it now while I’m being grilled like meat.

Just like when Yuan Shao unexpectedly attacked while I had left my castle.

“Ask your curiosities. I’ll be doing it quickly.”

I should tie up loose ends before any trolls flood in.

What about the viewers who were unable to catch today’s live stream?

Well… they should check it out on YouTube.

It’s wrong for fake Miro fans who don’t watch when I’m playing the Three Kingdoms!

– How do I get the track??

– What’s the relationship between Slim Gold and you?

– Are you guys close?

– What’s featuring?

– Can you tell me about the music video process?

Naturally, most questions were about the calm lake.

As for the year-end live, the other members already cleared up any curiosity, so that’s no surprise.

“Ah, as for the track and the featuring process…”

It’s time to touch on a crucial point.

Some might not know, but the majority of the people in this room already do.

That I’m friends with Hyeon-su.

But, that’s Kim Soo-hyun, right?

I’m the VTuber Miro, described in the contract as a little horned trickster.

“Fortunately, Slim Gold said he’s a big fan of Miro’s broadcasts.”

So, Miro doesn’t know Hyeon-su.

Am I just being stubborn? You bet!

But I can’t just go around saying I’m close with Hyeon-su, ha ha ha!

– ???

– Huh?

– For real?

– Did that guy actually say that?

“So, that’s why the songs will be mega chaotic now.”

So, Hyeon-su.

I’m gonna promote you a bit.

You watch my broadcast, right? Not sure if you’re a fan, but still.

And the viewers? Even though they’re spamming in chat like this, they probably won’t believe it.

This is, in a way, a form of declaration for future entrances.

It expresses if I’ll acknowledge the red pills or not.

It’s to provide a guideline on how viewers should treat me in the future.

“Ah, also, there have been some rumors spreading about me lately.”

And here I’m going to go a step further.

Pāzhú zhī shì (破竹之势).

This idiom was coined during the last days of the Wu kingdom in the Three Kingdoms, depicting an unstoppable force like splitting bamboo.

It needs to end with that kind of momentum.

I pulled up YouTube and navigated to some highlights from my variety show.

“There’s a rumor that I’m this person just because I wore that hat… please don’t misunderstand that the beautiful guest and I are the same person.”

– ????

– Wait,

– No way.

– Are you serious? LOL!

I’m going in full force.

Honestly, even if I say this, no one will believe me.

But ideology is key.

By saying this now, I can justify taking action against anyone who brings up red pills in the future.

But what if they keep trolling me?

The answer lies in the past.

Back in the era when China was split into three factions, that’s when.

 

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