𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐖'𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐑 | Jungwon

chapter 19

Chapter 19 : A Fiery Dispute
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As dust hung in the air, gradually sinking back into the ground, Suyin climbed back onto her feet. She planted her hands onto her knees, coughing up the total dryness in her throat. As if fire seared the inside of her arms and legs, Suyin's entire body ached terribly. Her face contorted into pain, a wrinkle forming between her brows.

However much suffering her body endured while fighting the creature, Suyin heaved her head. She finished with one last cough, raising her eyes to the group of boys in the distance. She gathered the last bits of her strength to meet the team–to meet Jungwon. Suyin needed to see Jungwon since he had saved her with his obsidian shield. Her feet were bags of heavy stone, dragging on the dirt ground. Her head hung low as she tried to catch her breath. She was close to calling Jungwon's name until someone else stole the moment.

"How could you let it get away!" A voice yelled, lifting Suyin's head. Jay pulled himself up and stormed over to Suyin, despite his exhausted state. He arrived at her front with tightly knitted brows. "Why didn't you hit it? Why did you let it get away?"

Suyin blinked her eyes open, leaning back. She dared to stare back at Jay. "I tried, didn't I?" She shot back.

"You had the chance to hit it," another cut in. Suyin turned her eyes over to Niki, who stepped in. "The beast was coming at you. All you had to do was aim straight."

Suyin tried to respond, "I was–"

"I always knew you'd hinder our team like this. How could you just stand there and do nothing when it was coming right at you!" Jay's eyes fumed with flames. "Now that monster is gone and could potentially harm more people!"

The thick air compressed Suyin's lungs, trapping her voice in a net. Her fists trembled at her sides, somehow gripping onto her composure. "I helped free you all from the beast's power and distracted it. What more are you asking from me alone?" she retorted.

"Do you realize what's going on? You still allowed it to escape," Jay scoffed, shaking his head.

"I didn't mean to–"

"Our job is to protect people, not direct them towards danger," Jay cut her off. "This is why people are afraid of you!"

His words punched Suyin in the guts. Her fists weakened, and she could only stare back at Jay.

"Jay," a stern voice called. Jungwon's voice somehow brought a pinch of reassurance to Suyin. Suyin peered over Jay's shoulders, gandering at Jungwon's hair. Jungwon's arms rested in a firm cross, and his face sat austerely. "That is enough."

"She had a chance to hit it, but she didn't," Jay reasoned.

"She was trying her best. Did you even watch her?" Jungwon noted.

"How is freezing up and falling to the ground trying your best?" Jay countered. "If she was trying, she would have at least gone after it. But no–she allowed the creature to get away. She should have fought back, but she didn't. She's almost as useless as– well, she is useless. She's the lowest of the low, a Shadow Wielder. She's a–"

"She's a what?" Jungwon warned, flattening his eyes into a slit. He gained a step closer to Jay. "Keep going. I dare you."

"Jungwon, don't you see what she's done? You can't just let her go that easily, especially because of what she is–"

"She's not a monster," Jungwon raised his voice.

"You don't understand–"

"Yes, I do!" Jungwon shouted, earning a slight shock from Jay. Jungwon barely raised his voice, known for his calm and collected composure, but his thunderous voice struck the whole team. "You don't see her falling to her knees after training, you don't see her gasping for air after pushing herself too far, you don't see her trying. And why? Because you're being spiteful and are refusing to give her a chance!"

Suyin's lips were left apart, hanging slightly. Jungwon's words overfilled her, leaving her speechless.

"She deserves to be criticized," Jay scoffed.

Jungwon thrust his index finger into Jay's chest. "This was her first time in real combat, so don't go blaming her, Jay. Don't yell about how weak she is when you slip into that same state too."

"Where is your respect?" Jay snapped.

"Gone now that you've disrespected her," Jungwon shot.

Before Jay could reply, Heeseung sliced the two apart with a burst of wind. "Enough is enough," the eldest ordered, earning all eyes. "Do you know what Master Wonchul would say about this? We are all responsible for it–not just one of us. We let the monster go. We could have done better."

Jungwon's eyes blazed while staring Jay down. He exhaled harshly through his nose, and he nodded his head in agreement. "Yes," he said.

Heeseung settled his attention on Jay as well, cocking his brows. Jay admitted defeat by unfolding his crossed arms and nodding to the elder.

Heeseung clapped his hands together in satisfaction. "We need to carry on and speak with the patrol about the beast to make sure it gets taken care of," Heeseung announced. "It couldn't have gone too far."

"You don't think..." Jake began, resting his fingers below his chin. "That monster is related to the queen's poisoning...do you?"

Sunoo gasped. "You're right. What if it is?"

"No one knows," Sunghoon cut in. "Anything strange we come across is bound to be a mystery since the poisoning itself is obscure."

"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure the patrol will figure it out. Right now, we need to head to Myoui Shiro," Heeseung said. Like how children listened to their mothers, the team followed Heeseung.

As the team began setting foot, Jay clicked his tongue while glaring at Suyin. "All I'm saying is quit hesitating. Quit taking your role for granted. The kingdom is counting on our team, so don't ruin it for us." Jay passed Suyin. "Do what you did again, and someone might actually die."

Suyin tightened her lips. Her eyes wandered to the ground, searching for a place of comfort. Her stomach was all tied up in a double knot, pulling tighter and tighter but never snapping.

"Don't listen to Jay," Jungwon said. Suyin lifted her head, taken away by Jungwon's gaze. "You...did good."

Suyin gave him a light nod. She spoke with her eyes, thanking him silently for his shield and defense. As Suyin stood there silently, she was conscious of how Jungwon darted his eyes around in thought. His hand hesitated at his side before giving up. He eventually allowed her to walk by his side until they reached their dragons.

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Jay needs to stfu💀💀

no but i actually love jaywon so much they're the cutest besties😭