The Beginning of the Third Test

A new dawn rose on the competition grounds, bringing with it an air of electrifying anticipation. The contestants were gathered in a large open area, their eyes fixed on a single figure standing atop a raised platform. This figure was none other than the infamous instructor, Gue Xiu, known for his chilling demeanor and demanding standards.

Gue Xiu, his appearance akin to a sword fairy straight from a Xian Xia tale, stood tall, his eyes glinting like polished ice. His long hair cascaded down his back, silver as moonlight and his robe, as pristine as a snowy landscape, billowed gently in the morning breeze. A heavy sword was strapped to his back, the hilt visible over his shoulder, its icy aura complementing his personality.

"Welcome, contestants, to the third test," he announced, his voice carrying a cold authority that demanded absolute attention. 'Here comes the thunderbolt,' Johan thought, bracing himself for the reveal.

"The third test will be an individual combat test," Gue Xiu continued, his gaze sweeping over the contestants, "Each of you will be pitted against a series of high-level monsters within a specially constructed arena. Your goal is to survive and defeat as many monsters as you can. Each defeated monster will earn you points."

His words echoed in the silent field, triggering a ripple of murmurs and gasps amongst the contestants. 'Seems like this test will be a real monster bash,' Johan mused, mentally gearing up for the imminent challenge. The stakes were high, the competition fierce, and the monsters, without a doubt, would be deadly. But the thought only excited him further. 'Let the games begin!'

"The danger of this test cannot be overstated," Gue Xiu's voice sliced through the stunned silence, each word falling like an icicle into the hearts of the contestants. "In all previous competitions, this test has seen the highest casualty rate."

His frank words sent a chill through the crowd, faces paling and hearts hammering. The reality of the impending danger crashed upon them like a wave, drowning the field in a heavy silence. 'It's like we've just been invited to our own potential funerals,' Johan quipped inwardly, yet his humor did nothing to ease the dread gripping him.

All around him, he could see the same fear mirrored in the faces of his fellow contestants, their prior excitement quashed by the sobering reveal. The ripple of murmurs had transformed into a sea of silence, each contestant lost in their thoughts, each heart weighing the risk against the rewards.

'And here I was thinking this was just a game,' Johan's thoughts were sardonic, yet his face remained impassive, his eyes narrowing slightly. He was no stranger to danger, and he had faced deadly situations before. But this... this was a different beast altogether.

Yet, instead of fear, he felt a strange surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins. A spark of determination ignited in his eyes, chasing away the momentary dread. 'Well, it's not like I was planning on a peaceful retirement anyway,' he mused, a grim smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

The fear was real. The danger was real. But so was his resolve. This test was not just a challenge. It was an opportunity, a chance to prove his mettle, to showcase his skills, and to rise above the rest.

"Let the third test... commence," Gue Xiu's final words resonated across the field, etching the beginning of their toughest challenge yet. And Johan, steeling his nerves, stepped forth, his heart steady and his spirit unyielding. It was time to face the monsters.

'Okay, Johan, think. You've got monsters and a deck of cards,' Johan mused in his mind, his eyes narrowing as he began to strategize. He ran through the list of monsters he had faced before, trying to predict what sort of abominations this new test could throw at him.

'Lava beasts... forest serpents... what's next, flying sharks?' he chuckled darkly... He inspected his ghoul card through his system, his fingers brushing over the familiar figures. His Ghoul, his most reliable ally, would play a pivotal role. But he also had to consider the other summons, deciding how to use them effectively.

'No use in fretting over the unknown,' he told himself. His plan had to be flexible, adaptable to the rapidly changing circumstances of the battlefield. 'It's all about quick thinking, just like before. Only this time, it's not just about survival... it's about winning.'

The contestants around him were lost in their own worlds, each grappling with their thoughts, their fears, their strategies. The countdown was underway, a metaphorical sword hanging over their heads, slicing seconds away with relentless precision.

As the field emptied, the anticipation hung heavy in the air, an invisible shroud enveloping the space. The instructors watched on, their faces devoid of emotion, their eyes holding the knowledge of the harsh reality the contestants were about to face.

"One hour remaining," Gue Xiu's voice echoed across the now deserted field. The words held an ominous note, a chilling reminder of the impending test.

And as the last of the contestants disappeared, Johan stood alone, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The air was heavy with anticipation, and the stakes had never been higher. But he was ready. He would face the monsters, he would survive, and he would emerge victorious.

Among the murmurs of the crowd, fear and uncertainty were prevalent. Hushed whispers of hesitation and dread filled the air, the grim reality of the death toll from the previous tests making many contestants question their decision to continue. Some clutched their cards close, their eyes revealing their internal struggle between fear and ambition.

The allure of becoming a Card Master was a potent call, however. The power, prestige, and the promise of a better life were enough to keep most contestants rooted to their path, no matter how dangerous. But there was no hiding the fact that the next test had them trembling.

Gue Xiu, his expression as calm and cold as ever, watched the sea of contestants from his vantage point. He was aware of their fear, their hesitations, and while he sympathized with them, he also knew that this was a crucial part of the assessment.

'It's a test of their resolve as much as it is of their abilities,' Gue Xiu mused in his mind. As the architect of the third test, he knew exactly what they would be up against. The thought of Tier 8 monsters being released into the arena was enough to make even his stomach churn.

'I wish I could tell them what they're up against... But then, would it help or only drive more of them away?' he pondered. The instructor's gaze moved over the contestants, finally resting on Johan.

The young man stood alone, his face a mask of determination. Seeing him there, amidst all the fear and uncertainty, Gue Xiu felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps, just perhaps, there was a contender here who could face the beasts of the third test and survive.

Yet, even with that small ray of hope, the reality was inescapable. The third test was coming, and it was going to be a bloodbath.