The Interest in a New Crescent Moon

Time passed quickly, and half a year had gone by in the blink of an eye. During this time, Jun consumed a lot of meat to build more muscle and achieve the desired physique for combat.

Every day, whenever he wanted to think or his thoughts tormented him, he would swing his sword repeatedly, day after day.

He practiced on the ground, in water, and even in the wind, performing various attacks of the Black Moon Dance.

In these six months, he had over five hundred practice fights with the twins, who were delighted to assist him.

Throughout this time, he didn't ask about anyone else. There was no way he would seek attention when he was making such good progress in his training.

Yet, despite training with the mindset of facing numerous enemies during the Blood Ceremony, Jun felt strangely alone.

This place sometimes tormented him, as if he couldn't find much meaning in this life.

Why fight so much just to live?

Does he like life so much?

Despite all the logical answers he could find about life, the most honest one was that he still hadn't found a more enthusiastic way to dedicate his life.

Jun was a simple boy; he didn't desire a throne or an enviable title. What he wanted was to feel good about himself.

He hadn't found something that gave him that feeling he was searching for; he just hoped that after winning the ceremony—which he was determined to do—he would find that something that would add more excitement to his life.

"Are you done meditating?"

Jun, who was meditation under a waterfall, opened his eyes. His gaze was sharp and penetrating, befitting an Asura in every way.

"Lord Astaroth…" Upon realizing who was standing in front of him, Jun immediately stood up and gave the best bow he had practiced.

This obviously bore fruit, as Astaroth noticed the sincerity in this chosen one and said, "You can just call me by my title; nothing more."

"Understood." Jun nodded, still not raising his head, as according to his own interaction manual, looking Astaroth in the eyes would be seen as treating him as an equal, and he didn't want to make that mistake again.

Astaroth walked to the shadow of a massive tree and asked, "Do you understand the importance of being a Crescent Moon?"

"I don't understand." Jun couldn't lie, especially not in front of these people.

"What don't you understand?"

"Many things confuse me."

"Then be clearer, and I will resolve all your doubts." Astaroth had plenty of time.

Jun nodded and asked, "Why is this village called Asura? Many have nicknames that don't seem to make much sense with our names; does that have to do with the founding of this village?"

Astaroth smiled at such a good question that no one had ever asked and said, "The Haiyue Clan comes from a story of nine brothers, each learning from different masters. But what makes our ninth village special is that the brother who founded it was one who was adopted by that family."

"The records say that this great man was different; everything he created was not of this world, and everything he spoke of was a story never before told by anyone else."

Jun then understood one thing: the creator of the ninth village was someone who came from his world.

It wasn't surprising; the assassins' nicknames and the village's name told him much about this place.

"That's amazing…" Jun murmured, not wanting to let his tongue slip about numerous things he was thinking.

"Any doubts about the Blood Ceremony?" Astaroth gave Jun a significant look, who had raised his gaze.

"Why were we chosen?" Jun referred to the selected orphans from the test.

"You are a member of the Haiyue Clan; some descendant of the clan left you in the outside world, and we just retrieved you." There was no doubt in Astaroth's words; he was convinced it was this way.

Jun nodded slightly and remained silent.

"Everyone will attack you in the Blood Ceremony; you must keep that in mind from now on and prepare yourself." Astaroth knew that Jun would be attacked.

"Does the other selected one hate me?"

"He will try to kill you; he knows you are strong."

"What do I gain if I win?"

"To relieve me of my position after twenty years." Astaroth knew that after twenty years, Jun would take his place. If no one won, he would have to wait a long time for the next ceremony.

"Then I'll do what you asked." Jun had assumed he would be the winner.

Astaroth smiled slightly and handed Jun a completely black sword, along with a shorter knife with the same hilt.

"Is this my sword?" Jun thought it would take longer to receive it, but now that it was in his hands, he wouldn't complain.

"We'll have a fight once a month until the time of the ceremony arrives; my attention is on you. Don't disappoint me." Astaroth murmured these words, and the next moment, he vanished.

Jun, in turn, smiled widely as he swung his sword from side to side.

On the top of a mountain, Astaroth uncovered his face and murmured, "You can win this, my son, just as I did."

Vargo approached and asked, "How is my useless grandson doing?"

"I thought he was a defective product, but he will do; he will win the ceremony." Astaroth was completely sure of this.

"I don't have more than thirty years left; you should consider that."

"I keep that in mind."