"Forward, forward!"
The radiance of the stellar sun shone upon the earth, pouring endless heat onto the arid desert, with wind hot enough to cook an egg sweeping through, stirring up countless grains of sand and dust.
The surface temperature had already exceeded 70°C!
Yet in such scorching heat, teams of young men and women in reserve military uniforms marched in unison, shouting slogans as they struggled forward.
Their faces were covered with salt crystals left behind by dried sweat, mixed with sand, looking quite filthy.
But not one dared to wipe it with their sleeves!
Because surrounding the formations were fully armed drill instructors wielding long whips.
Anyone who slacked off, lost their pace, or failed to keep up with the rhythm of the group would receive a lash.
The whips used by these drill instructors were custom-made, with a length that could extend over thirty meters, both thin and tough, accurate and fierce, striking with pain beyond endurance.
