The Desperate Test

The atmosphere in the game building was electric with anticipation as the students gathered to hear the results of their week-long matches. The instructors stood before them, their faces a mix of pride and seriousness. It had been an intense week, and now it was time to reveal which teams had cut.

"Congratulations to all of you for your hard work and dedication this week," one of the instructors began, his voice carrying through the room. "The results are in, and it's time to announce the top three teams who will represent us moving forward."

The students held their breath, eyes locked on the instructors as they prepared to call out the names. There was little doubt about the top spot—Team 1 had dominated every match, securing a flawless record of nine wins. But the tension was palpable as everyone waited to hear who would take the second and third places.

Just as the instructor was about to announce the names, the doors to the game building swung open, and Director Hye-su walked in. Her presence commanded attention, and the room fell silent as she made her way to the front. The instructors stepped aside, acknowledging her authority.

"Good morning, everyone," Director Hye-su greeted, her tone warm yet authoritative. "I've been following your progress closely this week, and I must say, I'm impressed by the level of competition."

The students exchanged glances, wondering what her sudden appearance might mean. Director Hye-su continued.

"I've decided to do something a bit different for selecting the second and third teams."

She raised her hand, and a holographic projection appeared above her, displaying the current team rankings. As expected, Team 1 was at the top, with an impeccable record of nine wins. Team 2 and Team 3 followed closely, both with seven wins, one draw against each other, and one loss to Team 1. The remaining teams, from Team 4 to Team 7, were tied, each with the same number of wins, losses, and draws. Leaving Team 8 to Team 10 missing out.

"While the rankings are clear," Director Hye-su said. "We need to consider the potential of these teams moving forward. We don't want to leave any room for doubt or disputes about fairness. Therefore, I've decided that we'll hold one final match."

Murmurs spread through the crowd as she continued.

"In this match, Teams 2 and 3 will each possess a crown. Teams 4 through 7 will compete to take possession of these crowns. The match will last 15 minutes, and the team holding a crown when the timer ends will be our second and third picks."

The room buzzed with excitement and tension. This twist added a new level of unpredictability, and the stakes were higher than ever. Teams 2 and 3 knew they had to defend their positions fiercely, while Teams 4 through 7 saw this as their last chance to secure a spot among the top.

"Prepare yourselves," Director Hye-su said, her voice cutting through the noise. "This is your final test for the week. Show us what you're made of."

The students nodded, their determination renewed by the challenge. The instructors began to brief the teams on the rules of the upcoming match, and the building hummed with a new intensity. Everyone understood that this wasn't just another game—it was the defining moment of their journey so far.

As the teams made their way to their respective stations, the gravity of the situation settled in. Team 2 and Team 3, who had already proven themselves, now had to defend their positions under immense pressure. The other teams, driven by the chance to overturn the rankings, were equally determined to make their mark.

On a side note, you may wonder in a deeper sense as to why is this happening right? After all, Team 2 and Team 3 had already proven themselves through their victories. Why risk everything by giving the lower-ranked teams another chance? The answer lay in her understanding of human nature and the subtleties of competition.

Choosing Teams 2 and 3 outright would have been the safe choice. They had demonstrated their skill and teamwork, consistently winning against Teams 4 through 10. But Director Hye-su was not looking for just skill; she was searching for something deeper. She wanted to see what happened when the stakes were raised to their highest when the pressure was so intense that it threatened to crack even the most composed competitors.

Her decision was rooted in a fundamental belief: true champions emerge when they are pushed to their limits. It was easy to win when the odds were in your favour when the outcome seemed almost certain. But what happened when that certainty was stripped away? When the finish line was moved, and you were forced to dig deeper than ever before? That was when the true nature of a competitor was revealed.

By introducing this final match, she was setting the stage for desperation to fuel greatness. The teams that were tied—Teams 4 through 7—had everything to gain and nothing to lose. They would fight with a ferocity born from the knowledge that this was their last chance. In contrast, Teams 2 and 3 had the comfort of their previous victories, but would that comfort make them complacent? Would they buckle under the pressure, knowing that they now had to defend what they thought was already theirs?

This was more than just a game; it was a psychological test. Director Hye-su wanted to see if Teams 2 and 3 could handle the heat if they could prove that their place in the top three was not just the result of careful planning and strategy, but also of unwavering resolve and determination. Unlike Team 1, which had dominated every match with an almost clinical precision, Teams 2 and 3 had shown a different kind of strength—a strength that came from adapting and overcoming challenges as they arose.

But now, she was stripping away the safety net. The planning had been done, the strategies set in motion, and now it was time to see if they could stand firm when the ground beneath them shifted. The desperate teams—Teams 4 through 7—would come at them with everything they had. Director Hye-su wanted to know if Teams 2 and 3 could rise to the occasion, or if they would falter under the weight of expectation.

The director's gaze hardened as she looked at the holographic rankings. This was not just about finding the best teams; it was about identifying the students who could be moulded into champions, who could represent their university and their country on the global stage. This final match would reveal more than just the outcome of a game; it would expose the character and resilience of these young competitors.

The moment the announcement was made, the air in the game building became thick with anticipation and tension. The sudden shift in plans left the students reeling, struggling to process the reality of what was about to unfold. Team 2 and Team 3, who had thought their place in the top three was secure, now found themselves thrust back into the heat of competition. There was no time to dwell on the shock; the director had made her decision, and they had to be ready to prove themselves once more.

As the students dived into the NexaRealm, the virtual world wrapped around them, transporting them to a new battleground. The map, named "The Crucible," was pretty much like any they had fought on before. It was a vast, sprawling arena with dense forests, open fields, treacherous cliffs, and winding rivers. The terrain was designed to test their adaptability and strategy, offering both opportunities and dangers at every turn.

Team 2 and Team 3 found themselves spawned in the centre of the map, a deliberate choice to add to the pressure. The two teams were close enough to sense each other's presence but far enough apart to prevent immediate conflict. They knew that any movement could draw the attention of the other teams, who were positioned on the outskirts, ready to close in like predators circling their prey.

Teams 4 through 7 were spread out across the map, each team starting in one of the four cardinal directions—north, west, south, and east. This setup ensured that they would converge toward the centre, where the crown—the object of their desire—awaited. The director's intention was clear: force Team 2 and Team 3 to defend their positions while being relentlessly hunted by the desperate teams surrounding them.

The rules of the game were simple, yet brutal. There were two crowns given to Team 2 and Team 3 one each. The team that had possession of the crown when the 15-minute timer expired would be crowned the victors, thus picked as the remaining two team spots. If a team was wiped out, they were eliminated from the competition, and the crown would be up for grabs once more. The game emphasized survival, strategy, and most of all, the ability to withstand overwhelming pressure.

As the seconds ticked away, the reality of the situation settled into their minds. This was it—the ultimate test that would determine their fate. The lush greenery of the forest, the murky depths of the river, and the looming cliffs all seemed to pulse with a life of their own as if the very environment was challenging them to rise to the occasion.

The countdown reached its final moments, the tension mounting with each passing second. Their hearts pounded in unison, adrenaline flooding their veins as they readied themselves for the onslaught to come. The virtual sky overhead seemed to darken as if foreshadowing the battle that was about to unfold.

3… 2… 1…

The game began.