The Phantom's Gambit - Chapter 60: The dark one walks amongst us

This legend tells the tale of the protagonist, Kuroki summoned to protect the demon king from the hero.

Kuroki, unbeknownst to him, suddenly came to another world. He was summoned by the demon king, Modes. The territory which the demon king overrules was in the midst of being destroyed because of the hero. He had no choice but to bow before Kuroki.

“Please save us, Savior Dono!”

Kuroki nodded, deciding to save the demon king due to an unexpected turn of event.

In this world, orphans or just anyone without any hope for this world can apply to become a “walking target”. Their sole purpose is to be a practicing dummy for the students of the sect who train to become “Demon Hunters”. These students need “walking targets” to test their training on living, walking beings of flesh and blood.
In exchange, they will be provided with food & shelter.
Their existence value is lower than a slave, but if they manage to survive a few years they can receive a life long pension.

Xiao Han is such a “walking target”. One time he witnessed a powerful Demon Hunter disposing a demon. When the demon died, a fragment of the demon that managed to escape entered Xiao Han’s heart. No one saw that, and even Xiao Han himself only felt some discomfort for an instant.

But that thing in his heart soon gave Xiao Han visions, and the first one is of a cultivation method which allows Xiao Han to absorb damage to enhance his body. A perfect cultivation method for a “walking target”.

- Description from Novelupdates

Jin-Ho Kang was just another B-rank Hunter—one of countless warriors struggling to rise in a world dominated by monsters and guild politics. When an A-rank dungeon scouting mission goes horribly wrong, he and his team are slaughtered. He should have died.But instead of death, he awakens in an abyss beyond mortal comprehension. A voice older than time itself speaks to him, a decree is made, and the truth is revealed—he is no longer human. He has inherited a power that was never meant to be his.The world forgot him.But he has returned.As a Sovereign.As the Monarch of Shadows.And as the boundaries between life and death begin to blur, the world will soon realize…The true King has awakened.

“Ding! Soulbinding has been successfully completed; you will now head to the Heaven Awaken World.” After hearing this, Zhao Fu’s vision darkened as he fell to the ground.