Dragon's Blood

Chapter IV.

Jungkook was prepared.

Well, as prepared as he could be given the current situation, he was in. The last thing he expected was for the final trial to be this. Clutching the hilt of the sword extended in front of him, his eyes narrowed ahead of him at the person standing before him. If you could call it a person. It had some human – like features but the rest of it was just as unworldly as the idea of dragons to him at least. A low growl from the creature in front of him made Jungkook tense. The glowing red eyes of the creature narrowed as it let out something a keen to an amused chuckle at him.

"What's the matter puny human? If you are that afraid, just lay down your sword and become my lunch already!" The creature, known as an Ogre, to most, sneered at him and Jungkook felt a sense of resentment.

Puny? Jungkook would like nothing more than to shove those words down its throat, but he had to be smart about this. After all, this Ogre was the only obstacle standing between him and the end of these tests. Fixing his stance, Jungkook spun the sword a little to loosen up his arm. He then raised his other hand out towards the Ogre and made a motion for him to come at him. The Ogre's smile immediately dropped as he let out a much louder snarl this time.

"I'LL TEAR THE FLESH FROM YOUR BONES!" The Ogre shouted in anger as he swung the oversized, misshapen club in his hand around before launching himself forward with surprising speed for his size.

The club came down and Jungkook made a quick dodge to the side, spinning on his heel as he took the opening as a chance to strike. Bringing the sword down and slashing at the Ogre's exposed back down the middle as they separated. The Ogre stumbled forward as it let out a pained noise and spun around as it tried to touch at the throbbing slash now oozing blood. Eyes slightly wide in shock as Jungkook let out a sigh to slow his breathing and calm his racing heart. He could do this! It was then that Jungkook to notice of their surroundings. His eyes widened at the sight of all the bodies, the remains of the other recruits, scattered about as the pack of Ogres fed on their remains. When had this happened? Jungkook took a step back and he felt his foot brush against something, turning his head to see the remains of his Dwarven friend. Jungkook didn't have time to dwell as he heard the wet footsteps of the Ogre, and he whipped his head forward just as the club came down towards him from above. Shit! Jungkook barely managed to jump back out of the way before everything went dark.

"AH!" Jungkook gasped out as he startled awake, eyes wide and filled with fear and confusion as he stared forward.

Hearing the chirping of birds outside, Jungkook blinked, glancing to the side as his labored breathing calmed a little. 'Where...?' Jungkook thought as he tried to sit up but winced as he felt extreme pain in his stomach and he looked down to see his naked upper body was bandaged, spots of red on the bandages as he went to touch it but the throbbing pain stopped him. Jungkook looked around the unfamiliar room. It was nicely decorated, not a room he ever expected to be in. Looking at the nightstand he saw a pitcher of water. Despite the pain, he forced himself up into a seated position, resting against the headboard as he reached for it with a shaky hand. Jungkook couldn't help but gulp it down, his throat was so dry. Once it was empty, he let out a gasp of relief before he set it down and wiped his mouth and chin with the back of his hand as he looked to the slightly open window. Jungkook was about to move when he heard a knock on the door that startled him. Quickly turning his head towards it, he waited, a knock came again.

"C – Come in!" Jungkook croaked out.

The doorknob turned and the door opened slowly to reveal none other than General Jung Hoseok. Jungkook straightened, well as much as he could in his current state, but Hoseok raised his hand to stop him.