Codename-Anastasia - Chapter 53 - 4.7 Checkmate

Growing up in a place where the rule of the jungle is law, the simple yet cunning Shaar is thrown into the chaotic world of war and political turbulence. After a chance meeting with a mysterious young girl, his destiny is forever changed as he embarks on a journey, joining the Byzantine army and climbing its ranks. With his bizarre beauty standards, will he ever return the affection of the girls that will follow him? Will he ever learn about his real parents? What lies ahead of him is a journey of strange humor and adventure.

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

The crumbling Vienna System is unable to stop the rise of the Second Empire, as the Emperor's nephew is about to visit his faithful Paris.Protector of the Apennine, Honorary Chairman of the Rhine Federation, Close Ally of the Kingdom of Spain, French Empire Augustus Jerome Bonaparte:I will make France great again!--------------------(Reasonable historical deduction party, Paradox Interactive game players rejoice!)

The world I transmigrated into was a dark fantasy game universe, devoid of hope or dreams.Doesn’t feel like it at all, though.