Demonic || Seventeen

Demonic 3

The following day dawned with a somber mood as the volunteers gathered, ready to depart for the training camp. Tearful goodbyes were exchanged between friends and family members. The weight of leaving behind everything familiar hung heavy in the air, but the volunteers carried a mix of determination and hope in their hearts. They knew that what lay ahead would test them in ways they couldn't yet imagine, but it was a path they had chosen.

Seokmin stood among the other volunteers, hugging his friends tightly. He held onto the memory of his family, promising himself once more that he would honor them with his actions. Soon, the moment came, and they boarded the convoy that would take them to the training camp, leaving behind the safety of the inner walls.

The journey felt long, the landscape outside a blur as they traveled further from the comforts of home. Seokmin kept glancing at his friends-Mingyu, Seungkwan, and Hansol-grateful that they were all together. It was easier to face the unknown with them by his side.

When they arrived at the training camp, the atmosphere immediately shifted. The camp was a sprawling facility, surrounded by high walls and filled with recruits in various stages of training. The air was thick with the sound of drills, the clashing of weapons, and orders being barked by commanding officers.

The volunteers were ushered into a large open space where they were instructed to stand in rows. Standing before them was Lieutenant Seungcheol, the soldier who had first called for volunteers. He was flanked by seven other figures-each of them looked seasoned and strong, exuding the authority of experience.

Lieutenant Seungcheol stepped forward, his sharp gaze sweeping across the group. "Before we begin, let's start with introductions. It's important you know who your leaders are, and what roles we each play."

He straightened, his presence commanding attention. "As most of you already know, I am Lieutenant Choi Seungcheol. I serve as the head lieutenant and First Captain here at the camp. You may call me Captain Choi." His voice was firm, but there was a calm confidence in the way he spoke.

The soldier beside him, with long, flowing hair and a cold expression, took a step forward next. His demeanor was almost intimidating. "Lieutenant Yoon Jeonghan," he said, his voice smooth yet commanding. "I am the Second Captain. You may call me Captain Yoon." His sharp eyes scanned the crowd, and Seokmin couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine. Captain Yoon's aura was undeniably cold, almost dangerous.

Next in line was a soldier with a warm, confident smile. He stepped forward with a bit more enthusiasm than the others. "Lieutenant Kwon Soonyoung," he introduced himself. "I'm the Third Captain. You can call me Captain Kwon." He grinned at the recruits, his energy lighter than Captain Yoon's. There was something reassuring in his demeanor, as though he would push them hard, but with a smile.

The fourth soldier stepped forward, and Seokmin's heart skipped a beat when he recognized the man. It was the one who had saved him on the ship during the chaos-the soldier who had stopped him from jumping overboard. His expression was kind but serious as he spoke. "I'm Lieutenant Jisoo, also known as Joshua. I'm the head medic here. You can call me Sergeant Hong." Seokmin felt a flicker of gratitude, remembering that moment clearly. Sergeant Hong had kept him alive that day, and now, seeing him again, Seokmin felt a renewed sense of respect.

Next, another lieutenant stepped forward, his face composed, but there was something about him that made him seem approachable despite his sharp features. "Lieutenant Lee Jihoon," he said in a quiet, serious tone. "You may call me Sergeant Lee." His aura, like Captain Yoon's, was somewhat cold, but there was a quiet strength in him that drew Seokmin's attention. He seemed like someone who would lead with precision and discipline.

The sixth soldier, towering with broad shoulders, exuded a sense of calm power. He had a strong, stoic presence that made him stand out. "Lieutenant Jeon Wonwoo," he introduced himself, his voice deep and steady. "You can call me Sergeant Jeon." His posture and build were imposing, and Seokmin imagined that Sergeant Jeon would be the type of leader who let his actions speak louder than his words.

After him came another lieutenant who looked far more friendly and approachable than the others. He waved with a light smile, his eyes shining with warmth. "Hello, recruits. I'm Lieutenant Wen Junhui," he said cheerfully. "You can call me Sergeant Wen." His tone was light and friendly, and Seokmin immediately felt that Sergeant Wen was the kind of leader who could boost morale, even in the darkest times.

Finally, the last lieutenant stepped forward, a young-looking man with a bright, almost youthful energy. He grinned at the crowd, clearly more enthusiastic than the others. "Oh, it's my turn! Hello, everyone, I'm Lieutenant Lee Chan," he announced, his voice full of excitement. "But you can just call me Sergeant Chan." There was a ripple of surprise among the recruits. He looked young-far younger than the rest of the captains and sergeants-and Seokmin couldn't help but wonder how someone so youthful had earned such a high rank.

Once the introductions were complete, Lieutenant Seungcheol-Captain Choi-stepped forward again, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the new recruits. "Each of these lieutenants and sergeants will play a vital role in your training. You will be divided into squads, and each squad will be assigned to one of us. We will train you in all aspects of combat, survival, and tactical warfare. You will be pushed to your limits, both physically and mentally. Make no mistake-this will not be easy. But if you give it your all, you will come out of this stronger and more capable than you ever imagined."

His words were measured, each one landing with a weight that made the recruits shift uneasily. Seokmin swallowed hard, realizing the seriousness of what lay ahead. They weren't just here to learn-they were here to be forged into something stronger.

"You'll also undergo specific training depending on your strengths," Captain Choi continued. "Whether it's combat, strategy, or medical skills, we'll find where you excel. We're not just building soldiers here-we're building a team. Each of you has something to offer, and it's our job to bring that out."

The other lieutenants stood silently behind him, their eyes fixed on the recruits. Seokmin could feel their presence like a pressure bearing down on them. This was going to be hard-perhaps the hardest thing he had ever done. But as he looked at his friends standing beside him, he knew they were ready for the challenge. This was the beginning of something much larger than themselves.

Captain Choi gave a final nod. "Get some rest tonight. Tomorrow, your training begins."