More Aftermath

"That's convenient, they've left food behind the door."

All the boys started running towards the food, but at that moment, Cheng and those who followed him as their leader stepped forward to stop the chaos.

"What are you doing?"

"Bringing order. They look like mindless beasts that would ruin everything if they rush to those plates of food right now." Cheng looked at all the boys; none of them had the skills to stand in his way in the Haiyue Clan's trial. At least now, he would show his father how valuable he was by winning this trial and becoming a Crescent Moon.

When Jun returned, he discovered that the food had appeared. He didn't expect the food to be distributed fairly among everyone, but he was pleased to see that the rations were equal this time. However, he wasn't naive enough to think that everyone would be willing to divide the food equally.

This trial was designed to create discord and dominance, teaching them to lead and be subjugated.

Although "leading" and "being subjugated" are concepts that may seem opposite, they are often interrelated in various social and professional dynamics. Leading involves guiding, directing, and making decisions, while being subjugated generally suggests being under the authority or control of someone else.

People love to be subjugated; many make little effort to think and make decisions as long as their primary concerns, food, security, and protection are assured.

But while this type of leadership can achieve short-term results in terms of obedience, it often has negative long-term effects on the morale, creativity, and satisfaction of group members.

"It's just a matter of time." Jun stepped forward in front of everyone to take the food he needed to meet his needs.

Everyone looked at him strangely. This was the boy who had distanced himself from everyone and who hadn't been seen until now, what was he supposed to be doing?

Now, everyone had friends, companions who had made a vow to protect each other from those who might try to harm them, but Jun was completely alone. So many didn't understand where he got the courage to walk in front of everyone.

"What are you doing?" Cheng was annoyed by Jun's arrogant attitude at this moment.

"I'm just taking my food, what belongs to me." Jun smiled slightly, hoping these boys weren't as idiotic as in some of the stories he had read.

If they were smart and didn't kiss up to that boy named Cheng, no one would have any problems taking their food.

But obviously, that wouldn't happen. Jun felt someone approaching, and when a hand was about to be placed on him, he turned around and grabbed the boy by the neck with such force that for a few brief moments, the boy stopped breathing.

"Anyone who tries to intervene to stop me from taking my food should keep in mind that they will suffer the consequences." Jun's eyes were kind, calm, as if he wasn't about to kill someone.

"Argh!" The boy named Liang groaned as he tried to free himself from the hand that squeezed tighter and tighter.

The pain consumed him, but Jun's hand firmly gripped his neck, preventing any movement.

Jun knew it—he understood that if he didn't cause a big enough commotion, he wouldn't pass the next few days in peace. That's why he pulled out his improvised knife made from a broken plate, looked at the boy who glared at him with rage, and stabbed him in the eye.

The scene was so terrifying that many of the boys watching closed their eyes, unable to continue witnessing this act of aggression.

Over the past few months, all the boys had lived in isolation, overwhelmed by the poison of despair, but they were still children, not yet ready to kill.

They instinctively formed a group, seeking comfort in the company of others, but Jun was different. He was the only one who survived the harshest conditions of this trial, willing to do anything to survive, even if it meant eliminating other rivals. And so, the result was a knife plunged into Liang's eye.

"I told you not to get in my way. I'm like a hot pressure bomb; if you try to touch me, I'll explode." Jun began whispering nonsense to Liang, who didn't understand—it was obvious his way of speaking wasn't from this era.

Liang, on the other hand, struggled with all his strength to free himself from the hand that held him captive, but it was useless, Jun didn't relent.

While most of the boys waited anxiously for the iron door to open, Jun had spent his time training his body, strengthening every fiber of his being.

The difference between him and the other boys, who were barely growing, was vast.

"Let him go if you don't want real trouble." Cheng, unlike the common boys, looked at Jun with firmness; these acts hadn't intimidated him, they were normal things he had seen before entering this trial.

Quickly, the other boys began to surround him, all wanting to save Liang from Jun's clutches.

At that moment, Jun pushed the knife blade deeper into Liang's eye.

"Arghhhh!!!" The agonizing scream that erupted from his mouth echoed around, creating a terrifying atmosphere.

The boys, who were about to attack, froze in their tracks, paralyzed by horror. Jun's behavior was beyond their comprehension; they never imagined that someone their own age could be so ruthless.

For all of them, who numbered in the dozens, Jun seemed like a small chicken in a slaughterhouse that they could crush as long as they attacked together.

But now, seeing all that blood, none of them dared to intervene. The fear of becoming his next victim paralyzed them.

Then, Cheng, who saw everything slipping out of his control, furrowed his brows, stepped forward to Jun, and said, "You need to let him go before you kill him."

"Why should I?" Jun asked, with a coldness that chilled ordinary people's blood.

"I think he and the others have understood your point after what you've done," Cheng replied without any fear.

"And what about the food?" Jun asked, his eyes fixed on the other boys, who watched him with a mix of terror and respect.

"No one will touch your portion," Cheng said, looking at the boys behind him and warned, "Unless you want to make things more complicated, I can show you the result."

Jun approached Cheng and whispered, "Don't act all high and mighty. I'm also from the Haiyue clan, much better than you or the other privileged ones."

"What are you talking about?" Cheng showed surprise in his eyes.

"The ones from your section have been privileged, didn't you notice?" Jun smiled mockingly, releasing Liang's neck at the same time.

"Argh!" Liang fell to the ground, covering his eye wound with one hand and clutching his throat with the other. He glared at Jun with hatred. "You, bastard..."

"What? Do you want me to do the same to your other eye? If you want to go blind, go ahead." Jun was even more surprised, he didn't think Cheng was from the Haiyue clan. This had changed everything.

Jun shook his head; they seemed like those brainless enemies that appeared in the novels he used to read. Desperation had caused many mood swings in him, so he took his share of the food in front of everyone else.

Cheng said nothing more, he was overwhelmed was Jun from the clan too? He knew about the sections, but he never thought Jun had survived one with more capabilities than the one he was in.

"Are you going to let him talk to you like that?" asked one of Cheng's friends.

"We won't mess with him for now."

Jun headed to the roof of a nearby building, the best place to watch the surroundings. He knew that after what he had done to Liang, all the boys in the underground cavity would become hostile towards him. He needed to be in the highest position to control any movement against him, especially during meal time.

The food Jun held was a type of ball made of hard, salty rice, prepared a long time ago. But Jun chewed it silently, without complaint, while from his elevated position, he observed the surrounding landscape in more detail.

"This is a trial, a trial to filter out the useful boys, and the clan, I suppose, will have a say in what I do." Jun thought, knowing that to survive in this age, he needed to be as cruel as possible.

The problems would never end; they would repeat over and over again, and many boys would continue to die in the process.

He might have thought about cooperating with the other boys to fight back, but Jun didn't believe things would be that simple. His intention was to survive, even if it meant facing everyone.

The other groups would clash among themselves for dominance over the remaining food; the strongest would eat more food, while the others would get the leftovers.

Jun continued watching the people from the shadows.

The food was delivered once a day, always at the same time. Each group fought fiercely to secure a little more food, as it was directly related to their survival.

As time passed, the antagonism among the boys intensified, and the leaders of each group became more prominent.

Cheng secured the most food for his group, although he ate more to always stay in good shape.

The next largest group was led by Dang, a quiet but effective leader. Although he barely spoke, his leadership was evident in his actions. The boys who followed him admired him for his care and attention.

On the other hand, the group led by Lin was the most cheerful and noisy, reflecting the extroverted personality of its leader. However, Liang, who initially had many followers, had lost much of his influence after losing an eye to Jun.

Resentment towards Jun consumed him, but Jun paid him little attention.

Meanwhile, Jun continued to take his share of food and disappear, avoiding any direct confrontation