Volume II: The World of Qing – The Board of War and Geniuses
Chapter 12: The Man Who Fell from the Sky
Ryoma's transition this time was not smooth. It wasn't a calm white light… it was a plunge. Cold air whipped against his face. Screams. The metallic tang of blood. The deafening clash of steel on steel.
He opened his eyes to find himself in a human hell—a true battlefield.
Thousands of soldiers screaming. Spears piercing flesh. Horses falling. Commanders shouting orders. There was no magic here. Only raw, brutal human warfare.
Ryoma (Internal Calm): "This is a different world… here, power isn't individual. Here, power is… the Army."
[System Alert: World II – Qing]
[Danger Level: Very High]
[Corruption Type: Strategic / Political]
[Note: Direct use of overwhelming force will result in mission failure.]
Ryoma: "As I expected… I can't solve this with a single strike."
Suddenly, a spear whistled toward him. Before it could connect—his body moved instinctively. A perfect sidestep.
[Skill Activated: Void Steps – Level 1]
He flickered for a brief second, appearing behind the soldier. One strike to the neck. The soldier collapsed unconscious.
Ryoma: "My body is adapting… good."
Chapter 13: The Mad General
A thunderous voice broke his focus: "You there!!"
Ryoma looked up. A massive man atop a coal-black horse. Eyes sharp as flint. A body etched with scars. His laugh was terrifying.
The General: "Are you the Strategist sent by the Heavens?!"
Ryoma: "The Heavens?"
The General dismounted, circling Ryoma, inspecting him like a predator.
The General: "The body of a warrior… but not a soldier. Your steps are trained… but not military. Your eyes… they are the eyes of someone who has stared down Death itself." He grinned. "I like it."
Ryoma: "And who are you?"
The General: "My name is Bai Ron. General of the Qing Army… and the biggest nightmare for its enemies."
Ryoma: "A strange name."
Bai Ron: "And you are stranger. A man appears out of nowhere, in the middle of a slaughter, without fear or confusion… either you are a fool, or a genius."
He paused, his smile widening. "I hope you are a genius."
Chapter 14: The First Lesson of War
Bai Ron led Ryoma to a hill overlooking the carnage. "Look."
Bai Ron: "What do you see?"
Ryoma: "Chaos."
Bai Ron Smiled: "Wrong." He pointed. "There."
Ryoma focused. He noticed it—a specific pattern. A unit retreating intentionally. Another flanking.
Ryoma: "An ambush?"
Bai Ron: "Finally." He laughed. "A weak army uses force. A smart army uses brains. Our enemy is baiting us."
Ryoma: "To where?"
Bai Ron: "To a beautiful death."
Chapter 15: The Test of the Mind
Bai Ron: "Alright, Heavenly Strategist." He tossed him a wooden board with a map etched on it. "If you were in my place… what would you do?"
Ryoma sat. He stared. Minutes passed as the slaughter continued below. Bai Ron began to grow bored.
Then—
Ryoma: "I would lose."
Bai Ron Laughed: "Finally, an honest man!"
Ryoma: "But…" He took a stick, drawing sharp lines. "I won't lose here." He pointed to the rear of the army. "I will lose there."
Bai Ron stopped laughing.
Ryoma: "The enemy focuses on the confrontation. So, I will ignore it. Send 300 riders here. Strike the supplies. Burn the food. Kill the messengers. An army without food dies in three days… without me losing 10,000 men."
Silence. Then Bai Ron exploded into laughter. "Hahaha!!! Finally! Finally, I've found someone who thinks like me!"