Since O’Neil defeated Steve Job three years ago, his reputation as a genius had gradually spread throughout the community.

  Because the Barbaros Clan had always believed in the supremacy of strength, all clan members—young and old—were eager to learn more about O’Neil, who had managed to defeat Job, the most famous young warrior in the village after Astrid among the younger generation.

  O’Neil had often been absent-minded in the past and rarely participated in the children’s training or sparring. Those who did not know him were unaware of his past, while those who did simply regarded him as someone prone to daydreaming.

  But things were different now—he had defeated Steve Job.

  Although it was merely a battle between children and not something the adults truly respected, it was still enough to attract attention.

  ---

  Three days later, in the central square of the village—where the Barbaros Clan gathered in the northern border cave region—all members of the younger generation of the village and clan who were over five years old were summoned.

  Almost every member of the Barbaros Clan had fought dangerous beasts since childhood. This clan, which believed in the rule of the strong, had no sympathy for the weak.

  They believed in survival of the fittest and the supremacy of strength.

  Therefore, every few years, when enough children between the ages of five and fifteen reached the peak of the Apprentice Level, a special assembly would be held.

  There were two main roles in this assembly:

  1. A young member of the Barbaros Clan who had reached the peak of the Apprentice Level.

  2. A demonic beast at the Apprentice Level.

  That’s right.

  The purpose of this assembly was simple: send the new generation of the clan to face the demonic beasts captured by the strongest warriors of the clan—and fight them.

  Either kill the demonic beast and awaken the core supernatural power in the Divine Sea at the navel… or be killed by it.

  What were demonic beasts? They were terrifying creatures feared even by the adult soldiers of the Golden Empire.

  Yet the children of the Barbaros Clan had to face these terrifying creatures before reaching adulthood.

  Of course, if anyone dared to flee from such danger during this public gathering, the Barbaros Clan would not execute them.

  However, they would be expelled from the village, forced to live elsewhere forever, and forbidden from calling themselves members of the Barbaros Clan.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  In the eyes of the clan, such cowards did not deserve to share their name.

  That said, the elders of the Barbaros Clan were not foolish.

  They would not capture excessively powerful demonic beasts for their children to fight.

  That would not be training—it would be slaughter.

  All the demonic beasts captured for training purposes were at the Apprentice Level and had undergone special treatment to weaken their combat abilities.

  Their strength was reduced to a level sufficient to kill an unqualified youth, yet still within the capability of outstanding members to defeat.

  Thus, today’s assembly was a major event held only once every few years.

  The last one had taken place when Astrid was four years old—six years ago—even before O’Neil was born.

  In fact, Astrid’s strength at that time had already surpassed many children in the clan, but she had been too young to participate in the final trial.

  Because this was such a rare and significant event, almost all members of the Barbaros Clan had returned.

  Some had gone to the Golden Capital to sell materials harvested from demonic beasts. Others had ventured into the mountains to hunt and kill them. Some had trained in perilous lands.

  Others—such as the clan leader’s brother, who handled communication with the outside world—had returned to witness and participate in this great event.

  All boys and children who passed this trial would earn the respect of the entire clan. Those who failed but survived would be expelled.

  It must be said—the Barbaros Clan was extremely ruthless.

  What a mentally oppressive situation…

  O’Neil stood in the square alongside the other teenagers and children preparing to take part in the trial. Astrid, filled with fighting spirit, stood beside him.

  “To hell with this trial… to hell with it!”

  But there were always unexpected developments.

  O’Neil glanced at his mother and older sisters in this life, who watched him anxiously; at his father, who looked resolute; and then at Astrid.

  He hesitated for a moment before murmuring softly, “There are still people who need protection.”

  “O’Neil! What did you say?”

  At that moment, Astrid suddenly spoke.

  ---

  The square was large enough to hold thousands of people. It served as the gathering place of the clan, which specialized in hunting dangerous species.

  Whenever a mission was assigned or an announcement made, the entire clan and village gathered there.

  Naturally, all trials for eligible clan members were also held there.

  The square was noisy because Clan Leader Nick and the other experts had not yet appeared.

  It was the appointed time for the villagers to return and for the qualified Barbaros youth to assemble.

  “O’Neil, what are you saying?” Astrid had overheard his whisper with her sharp hearing.

  As a Barbaros who made her living hunting demonic beasts, Astrid possessed exceptional talent despite her young age.

  With such talent, it was only natural that she might become the future clan leader.

  “Nothing…” O’Neil replied calmly.

  Astrid looked at him with her icy blue eyes. “Really? You’re always so strange…”

  Although she had once declared to all the village children that O’Neil belonged to her, she had shown him no genuine affection. It had merely been a childish expression of possessiveness—the ownership of the strong.

  However, after O’Neil decisively defeated Steve Job, Astrid began to view him with renewed respect.

  In the past, O’Neil had been able to defeat Job mainly by outsmarting him with superior combat tactics. Astrid had believed she could handle two O’Neils like that.

  But now, with O’Neil’s powerful physique, revealed strength, and combat wisdom…

  “No one knows until they fight,” Astrid thought.

  Suddenly, the noisy square fell silent.

  O’Neil and Astrid looked up to see the crowd automatically parting.

  The Clan Leader of the Barbaros Clan entered the square with a group of the clan’s most prominent warriors, causing a stir.

  The arrival of the clan leader signaled that the trial—or rather, the battle—was about to begin.

  For the battle-loving Barbaros people, this was undoubtedly a spectacle worth watching.

  Even if it was merely a fight between children and weakened demonic beasts.

  Under the constant threat and pressure from the Golden Empire and the alien races farther north, the mentality of the Barbaros Clan could no longer be considered normal.

  When the clan leader and his entourage reached the center of the square, they finally stopped.

  Astrid’s father stood proudly, and the expressions of awe on the faces of the clan members reflected their respect for the strongest among them—just as their firm belief in the law of the jungle dictated.

  However, the patriarch noticed that two individuals did not show the expected reverence.

  One was his daughter, Astrid, known for her talent.

  The other surprised, angered, and somewhat pleased him at the same time—O’Neil, who had recently defeated Steve Job and trained under him.

  “Is it confidence? You still haven’t learned that ‘strength makes right!’”

  Nick Barutos, slightly displeased with O’Neil’s demeanor, shifted his gaze away.

  Despite his dissatisfaction, he said nothing.

  As long as O’Neil’s performance in today’s trial satisfied him, he would tolerate such behavior.

  Otherwise—even if O’Neil were the son of the clan’s foremost warrior—he would punish him.

  Because Ulric was only the strongest warrior, not the clan leader.

  “Very well! Now that everyone is here, the trial may begin…” Astrid’s father’s deep voice echoed across the square.

  He clapped his hands and called out behind him:

  “Bring out the first demonic beast! Let the trial officially begin!”

  With a loud rumble, the square erupted in cheers once more.

  The long-awaited trial of the new generation had officially begun.