Preparation for the Second Test

As the dust of the desert began to settle, Johan found himself retreating into the solitude of his own thoughts, evaluating his gains from the ruthless ordeal. The clamoring crowd of survivors and the rattle of instructors' guidance faded into white noise. He was still alive, still standing, despite everything.

'My life was on the line every second of that test,' he pondered, recalling the numerous encounters with the desert monsters. Each one had been a deadly dance on the edge of oblivion - a clash of brute force, wits, and sheer determination. 'But I've come out stronger... smarter.'

He clenched his fist, feeling the coarse grains of sand still lodged in the lines of his palm. 'I've faced the monstrous inhabitants of this desert, and I've navigated through the threats of this treacherous environment. All while keeping my summoned creatures alive... and maintaining my sanity amidst the chaos.' The memories replayed in his mind, a montage of his survival against the odds.

'I've survived... but at what cost?' He thought about the lives lost, the faces that would never emerge from the desert sands. They were a grim testament to the high stakes of this brutal world. 'I've gained combat experience and enhanced my strategizing abilities. But was it worth it?'

His gaze drifted to his summoning card, nestled securely within his grasp. 'Yes,' he decided after a moment. 'Survival requires sacrifice. And to survive in this world... to become a Card Master... I'll do what it takes.'

Surveying the array of monster materials spread out in front of him, Johan couldn't help but marvel at the sheer variety. There were shimmering scales, gnarled claws, pulsating organs, and a host of other grotesque body parts. 'Who would have thought these monstrous leftovers could hold such value?' he wondered.

'These can be turned into weapons, brewed into potions... some are even as good as currency.' He held up a serrated claw, the sunlight glinting off its sharp edges. 'The claw of a desert hyena, hardened by the sands. Sharp enough to tear through steel. A potent ingredient for a weapon or a trophy to trade.'

His eyes then drifted to a dull, pulsating organ. 'And this... the heart of a sandworm. Highly prized for its regenerative properties. Perfect for a healing potion.' He sighed, setting it down with a grimace. 'If only I knew more about alchemy.'

He rummaged through his consciousness, finally closing around his most prized possessions - the monster fragments. '91 in total,' he counted, a smirk playing on his lips. 'Each one a small step towards a greater power.'

He studied one of the fragments closely. 'These fragments... they're more than just remnants. They hold the essence of the creatures they once were. If I'm lucky enough, I might be able to obtain creation card and create a monster for the first time!"

Johan leaned back, allowing himself a moment of satisfaction. The trials had taken their toll, but the rewards were worth the pain. 'This is just the beginning,' he thought, a steely resolve hardening in his gaze. 'I'll gather more, grow stronger. No matter the cost, no matter the means... I'll rise to the top.'

Johan's mind wandered to his energy accumulation. He had managed to fill six bars of energy required for his promotion to Tier 9 before the end of the first test. 'It's not enough, but it's a start,' he thought, his fingers absently tracing the thin lines of energy glowing within his consciousness. 'Three more bars... That's all I need.'

The prospect of attaining the rank of a Tier 9 Card Master was tantalizing. It was a status symbol, a beacon of power and prestige that commanded respect. More importantly, it would grant him access to stronger monster cards and he increase the numbers of monster card that he can summon, bolstering his arsenal in the battle for survival. 'I've come a long way, but there's still much to do.'

His thoughts shifted to his wealth accumulation. He'd gathered a significant amount of monster materials, each more valuable than the last. 'The heart of a sandworm alone could fetch a high price,' he mused, eyeing the pulsating organ with renewed interest. 'And the scales... they're as valuable as gold in certain markets.'

He could almost feel the weight of the coins in his pocket. 'This... This is my ticket to a secure financial position. It's insurance, a safety net. Money can't guarantee survival, but it can definitely make the journey easier.'

Johan couldn't help but look back at the journey he had traversed, from a naive aspirant to a somewhat mature survivor. 'It's incredible,' he thought, 'how a single experience can change you so much.' He marveled at his transformation, but he also recognized that it was born out of necessity, out of survival. 'In a world where you either adapt or die, there's no room for weakness.'

As he sifted through the harvested materials, Johan contemplated his next move. 'I could use the monster scales to improve my armor, enhance my protection,' he thought, fingers tracing the rough texture of a sandworm scale. 'Or maybe, I could barter some materials for a potent healing potion. It might come in handy during the next test.' His mind buzzed with possibilities, each thought carefully weighed against the benefits and risks.

Then, there was the matter of his skills. 'Combat experience is invaluable, but honing my skills could give me an edge,' he mused. 'Strength, agility, tactical thinking... I need to be better, faster, smarter.' The challenge was daunting, but Johan was undeterred. He was ready to pour in every ounce of effort required to become a Card Master.

Preparation for the second test loomed large in Johan's mind. He knew his resources formed a solid foundation, but he was well aware that it would take more than just materials to pass the test. 'I need to strategize, plan every move, anticipate every possible scenario.' He knew that the next test would be tougher, more ruthless. 'I need to be ready. I will be ready.'