Three Kingdoms: Reincarnated as Lü Bu with a system

Pain. It was the first thing he felt, sharp and unrelenting, tearing through his chest and limbs. His entire body screamed in protest, every breath a struggle against a crushing weight. Darkness surrounded him, but faint echoes of voices drifted into his awareness, frantic and desperate.

"He's still breathing! Lord Lü Bu is alive!"

The words hung in the air, sharp and commanding, stirring something in the fog of his mind. Slowly, agonizingly, he forced his eyes open, the blurred world above him coming into focus.

Soldiers surrounded him, their faces smeared with dirt and blood, their armor dented and charred. The stench of iron and ash filled his nostrils. His chest heaved as he tried to sit up, but the weight of his own body held him down. He felt immense, powerful—and yet utterly foreign.

Lü Bu?

The name sent a jolt through him. It was familiar, but wrong. His mind swam with confusion. His thoughts didn't align with his body, like a voice speaking out of sync with its echo. And then, cutting through the haze like a blade, a strange voice spoke.

"System activating... Initialization complete. Welcome, Host."

The voice was clear and mechanical, crisp against the chaos around him.

"System? What system?" he muttered, his voice barely audible, his throat parched.

"Host has successfully reincarnated into the body of Lü Bu, the Flying General of the late Han Dynasty. System functionality now online. Tutorial mode engaged."

Reincarnated. The word slammed into him, dragging him under a tide of memories. He wasn't Lü Bu. Just hours ago—or was it days?—he had been sitting in his cramped apartment, a bowl of instant noodles at his side, fingers tapping at the keyboard of his ancient laptop. He'd been engrossed in a Three Kingdoms strategy game, laughing at Lü Bu's infamy as a betrayer.

But now...

He looked down at himself. This body, massive and covered in hardened muscle, was nothing like his own. His hands—calloused and strong—gripped a weapon that was equally alien and awe-inspiring: a massive halberd, its blade gleaming even in the dim light.

"Host's confusion detected. Would you like to access the System's tutorial?"

Before he could respond, reality yanked him back.

"My lord, please! You must stand!"

The soldier who spoke grasped his arm, his face twisted in desperation. Behind the man, chaos reigned. Smoke billowed in the air, and the sound of clashing steel and dying screams filled his ears. Fires raged in the distance, casting the battlefield in an ominous orange glow.

Battlefield.

His breath caught. This wasn't some vivid dream or hallucination. This was real.

"Stand?" he echoed, his voice hoarse and raw, but he forced himself to his feet. His movements were sluggish at first, his limbs uncooperative. Then, like a beast awakening, his body surged with strength. He towered over the soldier, the ground beneath him trembling as he planted his feet firmly.

"Lord Lü Bu!" another soldier called, his voice frantic. "The enemy is regrouping! If we don't retreat now, we'll be overrun!"

Enemy. Retreat. The words buzzed in his head, but something deeper—something primal—rebelled against the idea of running. He was no coward. No... he was a warrior.

"System alert: Combat scenario detected. Beginner quest initiated: Prove your worth as Lü Bu. Objective: Defeat 50 enemies. Reward: Basic Skill Unlock - Sky Piercer Slash."

His grip tightened on the halberd. Fifty enemies? Was this some kind of sick joke? His mind screamed at him to protest, but the weight of the weapon in his hands, the fire in his veins—it all felt right. He wasn't just any man. He was Lü Bu.

The first wave of enemies crested the hill, a tide of armored soldiers shouting war cries. Spears gleamed in the firelight, their sharpened tips aimed directly at him.

Time seemed to slow. He could hear his heartbeat, steady and deafening, in his ears. His body moved on instinct, stepping forward into a low stance.

The halberd swung.

The force of the strike was like a thunderclap, scattering the front line in a spray of blood and shattered steel. He stared, wide-eyed, at the devastation he had wrought. His body moved again, and the halberd lashed out in a wide arc, cutting down men like wheat before the scythe.

"Combo initiated: Lü Bu's Momentum. Strength increased by 20% for 30 seconds."

A grin tugged at his lips. The system was real. This wasn't just some hallucination—it was power, raw and undeniable.

"Come on!" he bellowed, his voice ringing over the battlefield. "Is that all you've got?!"

The enemy hesitated, but only for a moment. Another wave surged forward, more cautious this time. He didn't wait for them to close the gap. Charging into their ranks, he became a whirlwind of destruction. The halberd moved with an unnatural speed and precision, each strike devastating.

Swords clashed against him, but his armor held. A spear thrust toward his chest, but he sidestepped effortlessly, the weapon grazing past him. With a single swing, he sent three men flying.

The battlefield blurred around him—his focus sharpened, his movements relentless. Men fell before him, screaming in terror or pain, their weapons clattering uselessly to the ground.

By the time the enemy's resolve shattered, his halberd dripped with blood, and bodies lay piled at his feet. He stood alone atop a small hill, his breath heavy, his muscles trembling with exertion.

"Quest complete. Reward unlocked: Sky Piercer Slash. Skill available for use."

He staggered slightly, leaning on his weapon as he surveyed the battlefield. Around him, his soldiers stared in awe, their faces pale and slack-jawed.

"Lord Lü Bu," one whispered, his voice trembling. "Truly, you are the mightiest warrior under heaven."

The words echoed in his ears, but his mind was elsewhere. His heart pounded, not just from the fight, but from the overwhelming realization of his situation. This wasn't just Lü Bu's body—it was his now. The system, the power, the legend... it was all his.

He tightened his grip on the halberd, his eyes narrowing. Lü Bu was infamous for his arrogance, betrayal, and ultimate downfall. But now, with the system at his side, he had a chance to rewrite that story.

"System," he muttered under his breath, his voice low but firm. "We need to talk."