Pum! Pum! Pum!

Jun engaged in direct combat with three men dressed in black robes, without an ounce of fear. He knew this was his chance to prove he wasn't weak, to show these people his talent.

That's why he threw himself into battle, facing three figures who ignored the other children and focused solely on Jun, who, for the record, wasn't suffering.

Cheng lifted his head, watching Jun fight hand-to-hand. Jun's martial arts were impressive, using a style never seen before, and he was clearly winning.

Jun wasn't extraordinary by any means, but the moment he started fighting, memories of a martial art using elbows and kicks flooded his mind.

It felt like a surge of information, giving Jun the impression that perhaps in a past life he had known martial arts. He wasn't foolish enough to not take advantage of this edge he had over the others.

That's why he moved quickly toward the figure in front of him, using his inner strength to withstand the heavy blows that were causing him many injuries.

Jun didn't plan on defeating everyone. His goal was to reach the figure leading the group, knowing that one solid hit might stop the fight altogether.

He wanted to challenge the man who, at first glance, seemed invincible.

"Well, I like this. Come at me." The masked man accepted Jun's challenge, standing still without making a move.

All the children who had been beaten stayed put, watching the fight in awe, unable to make sense of what they were witnessing.

Crack!

Jun broke one of the masked men's hands, but despite their visible injuries, they didn't back down.

With swift steps, Jun darted through the group of enemies, charging toward the motionless masked man. But before he could strike, something heavy slammed into his stomach, sending him flying backward.

"Hoo…" Jun stumbled before fully feeling the impact, reducing the blow's force just enough to stay in the fight.

Still, at that moment, a deep voice echoed from above: "That's enough. We've seen more than enough to determine that you're our most perfect creation in over a thousand years."

Jun glanced at the speaker and lowered his head, showing no further desire to fight.

The other children who had been beaten stood up, their eyes fixed on the man who resembled a giant bear in size.

"I am Astaroth. Of course, that's not my real name, just my title," said the massive figure, his gaze fixed on Jun, who didn't dare resist any further.

"You've all been selected by the Haiyue Clan to earn a new life. You are not here to be tortured, but to win your freedom."

Astaroth walked toward the frightened children and continued, "Each of you, without exception, was a slave before you came here. You were human trash worth no more than a coin. Had we not bought you, you would be nothing but larvae, humans living under others' control until death."

"Since we purchased you, you belong to us. If you want to be free, you'll have to pay what you're worth and pass all the trials to cease being slaves."

Jun hid his satisfied smile, realizing that his deduction had been correct. They were being trained to become assassins, but less than half of them were worth anything.

The word slave no longer existed in Jun's original world, but here, it was all too common.

Living as a slave in these times meant certain death, if they didn't die serving a man with a bit of money, they'd die in war.

Jun understood that the only way to survive here was to be strong. He realized that if he played his cards right, he could meet a different kind of fate, one dictated by power.

It all came down to strength. In the end, that's what being the best in this trial meant.

"The Haiyue Clan offers you the chance to forge your own path in life once again. Of course, you'll need to follow our rules and adapt to us if you wish to avoid death."

After saying this, Astaroth snapped his fingers, and from the shadows, expert assassins emerged from all corners, knocking out all the children.

"Take them to their designated cabins according to their skills."