Demonic || Seventeen

Demonic 9

As the recruits dispersed for lunch, the energy in the air was palpable. Seokmin could feel his own excitement bubbling beneath the surface after watching the incredible fight between Sergeant Kwon and Sergeant Jeon. It wasn't just about physical prowess-it was about reading your opponent, adapting, and staying calm under pressure. He knew that if he wanted to survive the rigorous training ahead, he'd have to embody those same principles.

After lunch, the recruits gathered back on the training field. The sun was still high, beating down on them, but no one seemed to mind. The excitement from the earlier demonstration hadn't worn off, and now it was time to test their own abilities.

Jihoon, standing in the center of the field again, called for the recruits' attention. "Alright, listen up! You'll each be paired with another recruit. This isn't just about winning-this is about applying what you learned this morning. Keep your focus, stay disciplined, and don't get reckless."

Seokmin was paired with a recruit he didn't know well, a tall, lanky boy who seemed more nervous than aggressive. The two exchanged a respectful nod before taking their stances. Nearby, Seungkwan and Hansol were also paired with other recruits, and Seokmin could already hear Seungkwan offering loud words of encouragement, which earned a chuckle from Hansol.

As Seokmin sparred with his partner, he tried to remember what he had seen earlier-the calm control of Wonwoo and the quick adaptability of Soonyoung. His movements were slower and less precise, but he was trying his best to keep a steady stance, block his partner's attacks, and throw a few punches of his own.

But across the field, something else was happening. Mingyu and Minghao had been paired together, and what had started as a simple spar quickly escalated. The two of them were equally skilled, and the sparring match that unfolded between them was anything but ordinary.

At first, it seemed like a normal bout. Mingyu threw a few quick punches, and Minghao deflected them effortlessly, moving with the same grace and precision he'd shown earlier. But as the match continued, their movements became sharper, faster, more intense. Each time one attacked, the other countered with equal skill, and soon, the recruits nearby couldn't help but stop and watch.

Seokmin, noticing the growing crowd around Mingyu and Minghao, paused in his own sparring to glance over. What he saw stunned him.

Mingyu and Minghao moved as if they were dancing-a perfect combination of speed, strength, and strategy. Mingyu, with his tall and muscular frame, fought with raw power, each punch and kick carrying weight behind it. But Minghao, though smaller, was impossibly fast. He ducked and weaved around Mingyu's attacks with an ease that left the recruits in awe. It was as if the two had been training together for years, knowing each other's next move before it even happened.

Jihoon, who had been overseeing the sparring matches, noticed the growing tension between the two and stepped closer to observe. Seungcheol and Wonwoo joined him, their eyes fixed on the match. It wasn't long before the entire group of recruits had gathered around to watch, captivated by the intense sparring session.

Minghao dodged a powerful punch from Mingyu, spinning on his heel and delivering a quick strike to Mingyu's side. Mingyu grunted but didn't back down, retaliating with a heavy kick aimed at Minghao's legs. But Minghao jumped, twisting his body mid-air and landing gracefully, immediately launching a counterattack.

The crowd murmured in awe. This wasn't just a spar anymore-it was a real fight, one that mirrored the level of intensity and skill they had witnessed between the lieutenants earlier that day.

"Look at them go," Seokmin whispered to Hansol, who had also stopped his sparring to watch. "It's like watching Kwon and Jeon all over again."

Hansol nodded, his eyes wide with admiration. "Yeah, but Mingyu's got so much power, and Minghao's just too fast. I can't believe how intense this is."