Black-Hearted Landlord

Johan woke up to the chirping of birds, the fresh morning air filled with the smell of breakfast from the neighborhood homes. Johan found himself in the middle of the city square, lending a hand to old Mrs. Potts setting up her fruit stall. He lifted the heavy baskets of apples and oranges, setting them down carefully on the wooden stand. The sense of community around him was infectious, it was a stark contrast to the isolation he had been feeling.

As he spent time in the market, he began to overhear the hushed conversations of his neighbors. He found that the talk of the town invariably drifted towards the Card Masters. Tales of their heroic exploits, whispers about their secretive lives, and debates on their influence on the city echoed around him.

"Did you hear about the Card Master who lifted an entire building?" one of the shopkeepers gasped, his eyes wide with awe. Johan listened with rapt attention, soaking in the tale.

He also caught bits of information he hadn't come across in his research. Gossip about a Card Master's mysterious disappearance, rumors of a power struggle within their ranks, and debates about the true extent of their powers.

It wasn't much, but every bit of information helped. As Johan spent the day mingling with the community, he felt a new perspective forming on the Card Masters. The whispers and rumors he heard painted them as living, breathing individuals, not just distant figures of power. He went home that evening with a mind full of thoughts and the heartening feeling of being part of the community. The Card Masters no longer felt like distant, unreachable figures, but real people he could one day stand amongst.

...

With each day, Johan became more determined. He'd sip tea in local cafes, join the regulars in the bar, and even help out in the community kitchen. Each time, he'd gently steer conversations towards the Card Masters, listening with rapt attention to every tidbit and story shared. From the old librarian's hushed whispers about Card Masters saving Jurica City in the past, to the food stall owner's tale of a Card Master who could control fire with a flick of his fingers - Johan took them all in.

Every evening, the brothers would sit in their apartment, a holographic screen casting a soft glow in the dimly lit room. They'd pour over the information they had gathered, trying to weave together the myriad of stories into one cohesive understanding of the Card Masters.

"You know," his brother started one evening, "It's not just their powers that are amazing. It's also their will. Each Card Master overcomes so many hurdles to gain control over their cards. They're not just born powerful." Johan nodded, his mind pondering over his brother's words. It wasn't just about activating his card. It was about becoming someone who deserved to wield that power.

The late nights spent huddled together, analyzing, and discussing each story were precious. They had taken up the mantle of this investigation together, and it had only strengthened their bond. Each tale they discovered was a piece of a complex puzzle, and together, they were determined to solve it.

...

As the days turned into weeks, Johan found himself growing more determined. Each story he heard painted a clearer picture of the Card Masters - their struggles, their victories, their immense power. He found himself dreaming of becoming one, of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with these mythical figures. It wasn't about the glory or the power anymore. It was about the journey, the transformation.

One day, while helping at the local market, a minor crisis occurred. A stack of crates teetered dangerously overhead, about to collapse on a young girl. Without thinking, Johan tried to summon his card, hoping, praying that he could do something. "Shield," he muttered under his breath, sweat beading on his forehead. But nothing happened. The crates came crashing down, but at the last moment, a burly trader pulled the girl to safety.

The relief Johan felt was tinged with disappointment. His attempt had been a failure, but the experience solidified something within him. He couldn't stand by, feeling helpless, while others were in danger. He needed to become stronger, to master his card. He wasn't just doing it for fun's sake anymore He wasn't doing it for the people around him. It was now an obsession and he was driven!

That evening, as the neon lights of Jurica City painted the sky with their radiant hues, Johan found himself looking out over the cityscape. His brother came to stand next to him, a comforting presence by his side. "You're going to become a great Card Master," his brother said, breaking the silence. "I know it."

Johan looked at his brother, then back at the city. He felt a surge of determination, a blazing resolve that burned brighter than any neon light. "Yes," he replied, his voice filled with certainty. "I will."

With that, the stage was set. Johan was more resolute than ever. The journey to becoming a Card Master would not be easy. But he was ready to face whatever came his way. For himself, for his brother, for Jurica City. He was ready to begin his journey.

Just as the brothers were lost in their discussion, an abrupt knock on the door brought them back to reality. Johan opened the door to find their landlord standing outside, a look of expectancy on her face. Her appearance was unremarkable, except for the glint in her eyes that spoke volumes about her greed.

"Rent's due, boys," she said, her voice as cold as ice. She extended her hand impatiently, her fingers twitching as if to grab their money already.

Johan nodded and pulled out his Ion Network watch. A staple item for city dwellers, it was a symbol of connectivity, a lifeline to the world. Even the poorest in Jurica City owned one, thanks to the Central Government's mandate. It had become a part of their daily lives, used for calling, transactions, videos, accessing the internet, and much more.

He opened the transaction tab on his watch and began the process to transfer the hefty sum of fifty copper - an entire month's worth of earnings between him and Miles. As he confirmed the transaction, he couldn't help but feel a knot in his stomach. It was a stark reminder of their reality, a far cry from the grandeur of Card Masters.

The landlord's eyes drifted to the Ion Network on Johan's wrist, her expression turning even more smug as the transaction completed. "Pleasure doing business with you," she said, her voice oozing false sweetness. Without another word, she turned on her heel and left.

Once the door was closed, Johan turned to Miles, determination flashing in his eyes. "We need to make this work, Miles. For us, for a better life," he said, glancing back at the closed door. "Being a Card Master... it's not just about the power anymore. It's about the freedom it represents."

Miles nodded in understanding. Their resolve had been shaken, but it was far from broken. This was their reality, their fight. And they would face it together.