Solo Max-Level Newbie - Chapter 390: Lü Bu Fengxian (1)

All of the labyrinth’s traps and guardians had been defeated.

News of this quickly reached Lü Bu, the lord of the labyrinth.

“…They’re faster than I thought.”

Displayed on a glowing orb was footage of Jinhyuk in battle.

Although the footage was limited due to Lü Bu’s boss-level status in the martial world, it was enough to gauge the intruder’s abilities.

“This footage was captured just as they entered the labyrinth, correct?”

Sherry, an intermediate administrator standing nearby, spoke up.

“Yes. It was recorded exactly six days ago. We should prepare based on this level.”

“Hehe. How is it? Does it look like you’ll be able to enjoy yourself?”

“Well, they do seem like skilled fighters. And that one with him isn’t new to the sword either.”

That two people had entered the labyrinth alone made some sense.

But that was all.

As sharp as they appeared, Lü Bu had fought many stronger opponents.

Compared to the heroes and divine beings he had faced since arriving in the Tower—including his comrades, the Five Tiger Generals—they hardly set his heart racing.

With a disinterested expression, Lü Bu leaned back into his tiger-skin chair.

“What’s their current location?”

“The scouts report that they’re close by.”

“Hm. They’ll soon reach the entrance.”

“Yes, and given their abilities, I believe they’ll be stopped at the entrance. The ones guarding it now are…”

The lieutenant bowed his head.

Meanwhile, Sherry’s smile grew wider.

“It seems the Labyrinth Lord is underestimating these intruders. Why do you think I made the effort to come here myself?”

“It seems you underestimate my lieutenants guarding the entrance to Xiaopei Fortress.”

Song Lian and Wei Yue.

These two fearsome generals under Lü Bu’s command were known for their ferocity and strength. With them stationed there, no enemy could possibly…

*Boom!*

“Gaaah!”

“Gurk!”

With a deafening crash, the gates of Xiaopei Fortress exploded.

Through the smoke emerged Chun Yoosung, wielding a long sword, and Jinhyuk, twirling a dagger.

“How…?”

Lü Bu’s expression twisted in shock.

Meanwhile, the smirk on Sherry’s face only deepened.

“This is why I told you not to hold back.”

＊＊＊

“Whew, that’s some grand welcome. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“They were decent gatekeepers. I think they introduced themselves, but what were their names again?”

“I don’t know. Something like Sheng Long and Wei Yan, maybe…”

Jinhyuk and Chun Yoosung exchanged casual remarks as they entered the labyrinth.

This place was Xiaopei Fortress, situated at the end of the labyrinth.

Fittingly, the entrance alone made it hard to breathe, as it symbolized Lü Bu’s betrayal and his rise.

“The two generals… defeated…”

“Protect General Lü Bu!”

“Don’t let them breach the defensive line!”

Soldiers clad in red armor surrounded the two intruders with spears and shields in an instant.

At that moment—

“Enough.”

Lü Bu raised a hand.

As if by magic, the soldiers halted their attack.

“Before we begin, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

“Go ahead. As long as it’s not too personal, I don’t mind answering.”

“How did you defeat them? Was it an ambush? Or perhaps one of those strange abilities you outsiders possess?”

Song Lian and Wei Yue were skilled enough to make even high-ranking boss monsters wary.

Their combined formation was notorious, feared even on the upper floors.

The fact that these two had been defeated so swiftly was incomprehensible, given the battle skills Jinhyuk had shown at the labyrinth’s entrance.

If they hadn’t used some underhanded trick…

“A lot has happened since we entered. We trained a bit, you could say.”

“Are you asking me to believe you’ve grown this strong in just a few days?”

A few days…

Since he didn’t know about the time spent in the virtual space, he naturally assumed as much.

“A few days is more than enough time for change. Besides, I don’t know what you saw, but we haven’t shown our full abilities since entering the labyrinth.”

“Spewing excuses like that… Is it because you’re ashamed of using such cowardly tricks?”

That brain made of pure muscle was truly impressive in its ability to twist things.

“Yoosung, he’s been bad-mouthing us non-stop. Are you just going to sit there and take it?”

“He’s probably only talking about you.”

Chun Yoosung cut in bluntly.

“But honestly, I’d like to test myself against warriors who dominated an era.”

*Crackle!*

Green waves rose along Ryuhwa’s blade.

With a new sword and newly learned techniques.

He was eager to see how far he could go beyond the mid-levels.

“If any of you want to die first, step forward. Unlike the guy next to me, I don’t believe in holding back, so be prepared.”

Seeing Chun Yoosung’s confidence, Lü Bu raised an eyebrow.

“Is there no one among us who would cut down this arrogant fool?”

“Sir! I, Hua Xiong, will finish him with a single strike.”

“No, leave it to me, Zhang Liao.”

“Zhang Fei is here as well.”

One by one, Lü Bu’s famous lieutenants, each a formidable warrior in their own right, stepped forward.

These were the fierce generals who had gathered under Lü Bu’s command after he became the Labyrinth Lord.

*Indeed, seeing these figures together isn’t something you see every day.*

Any Romance of the Three Kingdoms enthusiast would find their heart racing in this situation.

At least, if these legendary warriors weren’t pointing their weapons at them.

*Looks like I’ll need to help him out a bit. No matter how strong he’s gotten, taking on those three alone would be impossible.*

Now then.

Out of the three, let’s see…

*…Alright.*

Jinhyuk moved swiftly to block the path of a hulking general.

“…!?”

Hua Xiong, holding a massive spear, glared at him.

“You and I can play together. Isn’t it embarrassing to go three against one?”

“There’s no need to rush your death. General Lü Bu himself will take you on soon enough. Just wait your turn and die.”

“Oh, I know that, but I need a warm-up before the main event.”

“A warm-up… against me?”

Hua Xiong, who had been about to walk past him, froze in his tracks.

Veins bulged on his forehead.

He was so angry that his hands trembled as he gripped his spear.

“You’re the perfect benchmark for measuring strength. I’ll finish you before my tea cools, so relax and come at me. Oh, wait… maybe that beard’s covering your ears? Guess I’ll make the first move, then.”

Jinhyuk taunted, wiggling his finger.

“I’ll kill you, you cocky little brat!”

The taunt worked perfectly.

Hua Xiong changed direction, charging straight for Jinhyuk.

*Woosh!*

The heavy force of his strike whipped through the air.

His speed was terrifying for someone of his size.

The spear left an afterimage as it surged forward like a torrent.

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

But Jinhyuk dodged every attack by the slimmest of margins.

It was as if he was saying he could predict each move with ease.

“Argh! Dodging here and there like a rat…! Are you running away because you lack the strength to face me head-on?”

Hm…

He still didn’t get it.

“I’m not dodging because I’m weak.”

No sooner had he spoken than a fierce aura erupted from Jinhyuk’s body.

“If I end this too soon, our Sword Saint friend will get all sulky again.”

But seeing that Chun Yoosung was holding his own, effortlessly fending off two opponents with his left-handed sword technique, there was no need to worry.

There was no longer any reason to hold back.

Jinhyuk unleashed his mana.

*Kooom!*

*Heavenly Demon Divine Art.*

Its power was beyond imagination.

Under ordinary circumstances, sustaining this ability without the Crown of Tyranny would have been nearly impossible.

However, thanks to the Heavenly Demon’s teachings, he had learned to use the techniques of the *Heavenly Demon Divine Art* efficiently.

The result was…

*Falling Flower.*

A single petal descending from the sky.

“Guh!?”

Hua Xiong raised his spear to defend.

But ordinary reinforcement was nowhere near enough to block this attack.

*Crack!*

As if a mountain had collapsed, the space shattered, bending Hua Xiong’s spear as if it were a twig.

Unable to withstand the impact, Hua Xiong’s body was flung back, crashing into the ground.

＊＊＊

A heavy silence settled over the interior of Xiaopei Fortress.

The strongest spear that had always brought victory to Lü Bu’s forces had been shattered in a single blow, leaving everyone in shock.

“So it wasn’t a coincidence that Song Lian and Wei Yue lost…”

Lü Bu was the most stunned of all.

He’d thought of Jinhyuk as several levels below him. But that assumption had been utterly overturned.

And Chun Yoosung, facing Zhang Liao and Zhang Fei, displayed far greater skill than expected.

“…So this is what you meant when you said they were dangerous?”

“Yes. They’ve repeatedly proven troublesome for the Tower’s administrators. But… this is beyond even my expectations.”

Even Sherry, who had come to deliver a warning, couldn’t hide her unease.

She had been confident in her assessment of Jinhyuk’s threat level.

But somehow, over the past few days, he had become even more monstrous.

“Fine. It seems playtime is over.”

Lü Bu rose from his seat.

“All units, prepare for a revolving assault to drain their stamina.”

No matter how powerful the enemy, an endless wave of soldiers would wear them down.

Now, he would demonstrate why this labyrinth had been deemed impregnable.

*Thud! Thud! Thud!*

At Lü Bu’s command, heavily armored soldiers poured in, fully encased in iron.

*Iron Barricade Troops.*

A heavily armed infantry unit, renowned for their ability to dismantle any defensive formation.

Each unit was composed of five soldiers working as a single, cohesive unit, ensuring both swift response and maximum efficiency.

“Do not underestimate them. They defeated General Hua Xiong!”

“Attack!”

Through the gaps in their shields, spears thrust forward.

It wasn’t a fatal assault but rather aimed to immobilize by targeting their arms, thighs, and ankles, reducing their mobility.

However—

“So, this is what happens when Lü Bu becomes the Labyrinth Lord—cautious and resorting to such petty tactics. I expected a more daring fight.”

Jinhyuk didn’t evade the attacks.

There was no need.

*Kooooom!*

The *Heavenly Demon Divine Art* was unleashed.

“Kyaaah!”

“Aaagh!”

The blood-red storm swept through, rendering their formation useless.

The soldiers’ iron armor shattered, and their spears and shields crumpled like toys.

An overwhelming display of strength.

Jinhyuk swung the sword, Balmung, horizontally.

*Slash!*

The remaining soldiers at the rear were taken down with a single strike.

“G-General…”

“P-please spare us…”

“Monster… he’s a monster!”

The terrified soldiers stumbled backward.

No one dared stand against such a catastrophe.

Drawing their swords would be folly, not bravery.

“Stop hiding and come out. Or all your men will end up like this.”

Jinhyuk beckoned with a flick of his fingers, aimed at the farthest end of the fortress.