Commander Darius Kane paused, his icy blue eyes narrowing as a random boy near the back of the group raised his hand. The boy, with an anxious but determined expression, stepped forward. "Commander, are there any other zones on this planet apart from the ones you mentioned?"
A wave of murmurs rippled through the gathered candidates. It was a question many of them hadn't considered but were now eager to hear answered.
Darius's lips curled into a thin, humorless smile. "Ah, so someone's curious," he said, his voice laced with a mix of amusement and warning. He took a step forward, his imposing presence silencing the crowd. "Indeed, there is one other zone—a place so dangerous it is not officially part of the trial. We call it the Black Zone."
The mention of the Black Zone sent a ripple of unease through the candidates. Ray's attention sharpened, his curiosity piqued.
Darius continued, his tone now grave. "The Black Zone is a death trap. Unlike the Green, Yellow, and Red Zones, which are populated by F- to E-plus rank monsters, the Black Zone is home to D-minus rank monsters. These creatures are faster, stronger, and far deadlier than anything you will face in the trial. The Union has deemed this area off-limits for candidates because survival there is nearly impossible."
The holographic map behind Darius shifted, zooming in to highlight an ominous patch of black at the center of PX-739. The Black Zone was a stark void surrounded by jagged mountains and swirling storms, its borders glowing faintly as if warning intruders to stay away.
"If you value your lives, you will steer clear of that area," Darius said, his gaze sweeping over the candidates. "Entering the Black Zone without authorization is not only suicidal but will also result in immediate disqualification. The Union will not send a rescue team for anyone foolish enough to wander in."
Ray's mind raced as he studied the map. The Black Zone was unlike anything he'd seen. His instinctual urge to challenge the unknown flared, but he kept his thoughts to himself for the moment.
The boy who had asked the question swallowed hard and nodded, retreating back into the crowd. Darius's expression softened slightly as he straightened, addressing the group once more. "Your focus should be on the designated trial zones. Use your heads and push your limits, but don't let arrogance lead you to ruin."
Darius's voice carried a finality that suggested no further questions would be entertained. "Now, candidates, proceed to your assigned ships. You'll be dropped into your designated Green Zones to begin the trial. From there, it's up to you whether to remain in the safer zones or move into more dangerous areas for greater rewards. Remember, this is not just a test of strength but of judgment and survival."
As the candidates moved toward the waiting spaceships, Ray lingered near the back, his thoughts lingering on the Black Zone. The allure of the forbidden area gnawed at him, sparking a reckless determination. He turned to Lyra, who noticed the gleam in his eyes.
"You're not seriously thinking about it, are you?" she asked, her voice low but firm.
Ray smirked. "Who, me? I'm just curious, that's all."
Lyra sighed, shaking her head. "Just don't do anything stupid."
The two of them joined the line for their assigned ship. The spacecraft was sleek and metallic, with angular designs that screamed efficiency. As Ray and Lyra entered, they noticed that the interior was divided into sections, each group of candidates seated in separate compartments. The hum of the engines grew louder as the ship prepared for takeoff.
Ray leaned back in his seat, the weight of what lay ahead settling over him. The trial was about to begin, and he knew one thing for certain—this was just the start of the challenges to come.