The sun was still hanging high in the sky when Zekke called for everyone's attention. Johan turned to look at him, squinting against the harsh sunlight. The murmurs of conversation ceased, replaced by an anticipatory silence.
Zekke's gaze swept over them, landing briefly on Johan before moving on. "Last year," he began, his voice slicing through the desert heat, "out of the 200 candidates who started this test, only 70 made it out. 130 didn't."
Johan felt a chill run down his spine despite the sweltering heat. Around him, he heard the collective intake of breath. 'That's more than half,' he thought, 'More than half didn't make it...'
Zekke continued, "It's not a walk in the park. This desert... it's dangerous, deadly even. Some of you may not make it."
Johan could see the shock and fear on the faces around him. Some even looked like they were reconsidering their decision to participate. He, too, felt a twinge of apprehension, but he quickly squashed it down.
'This is what I signed up for,' he thought to himself, 'This is the risk I chose to take.'
Despite the grim statistics, Johan's determination didn't waver. If anything, it only strengthened. 'I will be part of the survivors,' he thought fiercely, 'I will survive, for me, for Miles. I have to.' His hands curled into fists, knuckles white with determination.
Zekke's voice sliced through the heavy silence that had fallen over the desert once again. "In your hands, you'll find a red button. This is your lifeline, your ticket out of here." He held up his own red button, a bright spot of color against the vast expanse of sand. "Press it if you can't go on anymore. You'll be transported back to the city, safe and sound."
'Quitting... an easy way out,' Johan thought, looking at the red button in his hand. It felt strangely heavy.
"But remember," Zekke continued, his voice turning stern, "Once you press this button, you're out of the assessment. And you can't take it again for another three years."
Johan felt a surge of determination. 'Three years... That's too long. I can't afford to wait that long.'
Around him, participants were murmuring amongst themselves, weighing the risks and rewards. He could see the fear and doubt in their eyes. But all he felt was a burning resolve.
As the time for the start of the assessment drew nearer, the participants began their final preparations. Some huddled together, whispering strategies, others sat alone, their faces masks of concentration. Johan found himself a quiet spot, his mind buzzing with plans and possibilities.
'Need to conserve water, pace myself... can't afford to engage with any monsters unless absolutely necessary,' He thought, mentally preparing himself for the grueling trek ahead.
His heart was pounding in his chest. But it wasn't just fear. It was excitement, anticipation. The desert stretched before him, its vastness echoing the enormity of his task.
As Johan settled down on the sandy dune, the first inklings of doubt started to creep into his mind. 'What the hell did I get myself into?' He looked at the red button in his hand. 'One press and I could be back in Jurica City. Safe.'
But his mind wandered back to the humble home he shared with Miles. The laughter, the shared dreams... and the shared struggles. 'We don't have the luxury to just get by anymore. Miles deserves better.'
His mind then played back Zekke's shocking announcement about last year's mortality rate. 'Can I survive this?' His gaze moved towards the vast desert, then down to his own muscular arms. 'Strength... That's what I have. That's what I've always relied on.'
'Strength isn't just about muscle and might,' He thought, 'It's about resolve. It's about facing your fears and taking the steps, no matter how hard, to secure a better future. That's why I'm here. For us, for Miles.'
A small smile played on his lips as he thought of his brother. The way his eyes sparkled when he talked about the Card Masters. 'He's got dreams too... and I'll be damned if I let him down.'
Johan tightened his grip on the red button, his knuckles turning white. He stared at it, his gaze firm. 'This isn't a lifeline. It's a challenge. A challenge I intend to overcome. I'm not going back without the title of Card Master.'
As the sun began to dip, casting long shadows over the dunes, Johan stood up. The vast desert spread before him felt less daunting now. His heart was filled with resolve, not fear.
'Another three years... I can't... I won't wait,' He thought, stowing the red button in his pocket. 'There's no room for failure. Not for me. Not anymore.' And with that, he steeled himself for the journey ahead, the first step in a trial that would change his life forever.
The previous chatter and nervous laughs dying in an instant. Johan could practically taste the fear hanging in the air. 'So, this is it. The first test...and it's a survival challenge in a deadly desert... Nice.'
His gaze wandered around the desert, watching the reactions of the other competitors. Some huddled together, heads close, whispering strategy or offering comforting words. 'Teams...a wise move. The strength of a group might make a difference out there.' But he knew that wasn't for him.
'Still, I chose to be a lone wolf, didn't I?' His eyes lingered on a couple of solitary figures, others like him who chose to face the challenge alone. 'And there are others like me. Brave or foolhardy?'
He saw them stand up one by one, taking their leave to prepare for the formidable journey that awaited them. 'There they go... Stepping out to face their destiny. My turn soon.'
His heart pounded in his chest as he wrestled with his swirling thoughts. 'It's not just about getting through the desert. There are monsters, scarcity of water... the red button.' His fingers instinctively brushed against the device in his pocket. 'My ticket out. But that would mean waiting three more years...'