As the echo of the disqualifications faded into a tense silence, Zekke once again held the room's attention. "Now, let's proceed to the first assessment," he began, his tone steady. "You will be required to cross the Anzeri Desert."
A murmur swept across the room. The Anzeri Desert, known for its vast, arid expanse and scorching heat, was a daunting challenge for any adventurer.
"You will each be given a limited supply of water," Zekke continued. "Your task is to cross the desert, which spans fifty miles from the East to West. The first twenty-five who reach the designated end point will move on to the next phase."
Zekke's words hung in the air. The room filled with a variety of reactions, ranging from shocked gasps to resolute nods. Some faces blanched, others hardened, all reflecting the enormity of the challenge that lay before them.
Johan, however, was silent. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. 'A desert... How am I going to cross it with just a limited supply of water? Fifty miles... That's a marathon, and then some.' The enormity of the task was sinking in, but there was no fear in Johan's eyes, just determination. 'It's not an insurmountable task. It's a test of endurance, resourcefulness... survival.'
A calm voice interrupted his thoughts, Zekke's voice, "Remember, this is not just a test of physical strength, but also of mental fortitude, strategy, and adaptability. This is the world of Card Masters. Get used to it."
Johan clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. 'A test of mental fortitude, strategy, and adaptability... I've trained for this. I can do this.' Despite the challenge that lay ahead, a fierce resolve kindled in his heart. 'I will make it to the top twenty-five.' He looked at Zekke and nodded.
"And oh," Zekke added as an afterthought, "did I mention there are various monsters in the desert? You might want to watch out for them." The casualness in his voice did nothing to mask the sudden surge of fear that ran through the room.
An audible gasp spread through the participants. 'Monsters? That's a whole new level of difficulty. I've got to stay vigilant...' Johan's mind raced. He had to figure out a plan not only to navigate through the harsh desert conditions but also to deal with the unpredictability of monsters.
"You have the rest of the day to prepare," Zekke continued. "We leave at first light tomorrow. Make sure you're ready. Dismissed."
As the crowd dispersed, a new wave of nervous chatter filled the room. Johan, however, didn't join in. His mind was already miles ahead, sorting through strategies and plans.
Back in his lodging, Johan began his preparations. He mapped out potential paths across the desert, factoring in possible monster encounters. 'This won't be easy,' he admitted to himself, his fingers drumming against the worn-out map spread out in front of him. 'I have to prepare for the worst, hope for the best.'
He spent hours studying about desert survival, learning how to conserve water, identifying edible plants, understanding how to navigate using the sun and stars. He even squeezed in a little time to research the common desert monsters and their weaknesses.
The ticking clock echoed ominously in the background, a harsh reminder of the limited time he had. 'Okay, Johan. You've done your homework. You've got your strategies. It's time to mentally prepare yourself.' He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He visualized the hot desert sun, the shifting sands, the looming monsters, and himself, persevering through it all.
As the sun set, Johan finally allowed himself to relax. His body was tired, but his mind was alert, ready. 'Tomorrow is the big day,' he thought to himself, 'I'll face whatever comes my way. For Miles, for me... I will succeed.'
As the first light of dawn spilled over the horizon, Johan and the other participants gathered around Zekke at the edge of the expansive desert. Zekke looked at each one, his gaze serious but encouraging. "Remember," he said, "this is not just a test of your strength, but also your wit, your resilience, your courage."
With a final nod from Zekke, the participants stepped forward, their feet sinking into the warm, grainy sand. A mix of fear, anticipation, and determination hung heavily in the air. Each participant was alone now, pitted against the ruthless desert and its creatures.
As Johan looked out over the rolling dunes stretching out as far as the eye could see, he could feel the weight of the challenge ahead. 'This is it,' he thought to himself, 'The test has begun. The desert, the heat, the monsters... it's all part of the journey. A journey that I need to conquer.'
Despite the anxiety coiling in his stomach, Johan's resolve didn't waver. He flexed his fingers around his water skin, felt the comforting weight of his survival gear, and steeled his gaze towards the unforgiving expanse ahead.
'I can do this,' he affirmed in his mind, 'I have to do this. For Miles, for myself. No matter what happens, no matter what I face, I will get through this. I will become a Card Master!'
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, painting the desert in an unforgiving light, participants began to cluster together. An air of tension hung heavily around them as they whispered strategies and shared wary glances.
Among the whispers and soft conversations, Johan remained a solitary figure. A few steps ahead, he could see a small group of participants gathered in a huddle, discussing possible survival tactics and optimal routes through the desert. From another corner, he could hear the murmurs of a different group, strategizing on how to combat potential desert monsters.
Johan felt a tap on his shoulder, pulling him from his thoughts. He turned around to see a trio of participants, their faces set in determined grimaces. "Hey, we're teaming up," one of them said, his tone more of a demand than a suggestion. "It's safer, more brains to work with. Want in?"
'Another team,' Johan thought, 'that's the third one.' Out loud, he said, "Thanks for the offer, but I'll be going solo."
The three of them exchanged glances. "You sure about that?" another member asked, disbelief etched on his face. "This isn't a stroll in the park. It's a deadly desert."
"I'm aware," Johan responded evenly, meeting their skeptical gazes with unwavering determination.
The third member of the group scoffed. "Think you're better than us, do you? Some lone wolf? You're just complacent and ignorant of the dangers out here."
Johan's gaze didn't falter. 'They're afraid, that's all,' he thought. Aloud, he said, "That's not it. I've just always preferred working alone. Thanks again for the offer."