Demonic || Seventeen

Demonic 8

The sun was already high in the sky as Seokmin and the other recruits gathered in the training grounds, their muscles aching from the morning's intense session. Today was the first day Seokmin could finally walk without wincing, and he was determined to push through the pain. Beside him, Minghao stretched effortlessly, showing no signs of struggle. He was a natural, and it showed in the way he carried himself during training. Seokmin couldn't help but admire how composed he remained, even as the drills became more difficult.

Mingyu, standing on Seokmin's other side, gave a confident nod to both of them. "This kind of training's not too bad, right? Just hand-to-hand combat."

Seokmin smiled, feeling a bit better about his progress. "Yeah, it's manageable. At least we're not fighting Demonic today."

The three lieutenants overseeing the training-Seungcheol, Jihoon, and Wonwoo-walked among the recruits, correcting their stances and movements as they practiced basic fighting techniques. Seungcheol, ever the leader, barked out commands with precision, his eyes constantly scanning for mistakes. Wonwoo demonstrated a series of fluid motions, showing how to defend against different types of attacks. Jihoon, though smaller in stature, had a sharp eye for detail and ensured everyone's movements were on point.

"Remember!" Seungcheol's voice boomed across the training grounds. "Your stance is the foundation of everything. Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and keep your balance. If you're not steady, you're an easy target."

He walked over to Seokmin and lightly tapped his ankle with a wooden staff. "Spread your feet a little more, Seokmin. You need to stay grounded."

Seokmin adjusted his stance, nodding as he felt the difference. "Like this?"

"Perfect," Seungcheol said, giving a rare, approving smile.

Across the field, Wonwoo was demonstrating how to properly block an opponent's punch. His movements were precise and almost effortless as he sidestepped an invisible blow and brought his arm up in a smooth arc. "Always watch your opponent's shoulders," Wonwoo explained. "That's where the movement starts. If you can read their shoulders, you can anticipate their attacks."

He turned to Minghao, who was standing nearby, watching attentively. "Minghao, try it. Throw a punch at me."

Minghao hesitated for a second but then stepped forward, throwing a quick punch aimed at Wonwoo's shoulder. In a flash, Wonwoo sidestepped and brought his arm up, deflecting the punch with minimal effort.

"See?" Wonwoo said, nodding at Minghao's form. "You need to keep your eyes sharp, but your body relaxed. Fighting is about control, not brute force."

Jihoon, who had been observing the recruits from a slight distance, stepped forward to address everyone. His expression was serious, but there was a hint of anticipation in his voice. "Alright, recruits, listen up. You've been learning the basics, but there's more to fighting than just technique. You need to know how to react under pressure."

He paused, letting the words sink in before continuing. "After lunch, we're going to pair you up, and you'll fight each other in sparring matches. This isn't just about winning-this is about applying what you've learned. But before we get to that, I want you all to see how it's done properly."

The recruits straightened up, their attention fully focused on Jihoon now.

"We've got two of our finest lieutenants who are going to demonstrate a fight for you," Jihoon continued. "Captain Kwon and Sergeant Jeon. Watch them closely. Pay attention to their technique, their movements, how they read each other. This is how a real fight looks."

There was a ripple of excitement among the recruits. Seokmin could feel the anticipation building in the air. Kwon Soonyoung, with his playful yet sharp demeanor, was known for his agility and unpredictability in combat. On the other hand, Wonwoo, with his calm and calculating approach, was all about precision and strategy. Watching them fight would be like seeing two completely different styles clash.