Crystal Bond [Jikook] ✅

| Chapter - 36 |

The intensity in the water seemed to thicken as the duel wore on. With every passing minute, the stakes felt higher, the air—what little Jimin allowed himself with each practiced breath—felt sharper, laced with both exhaustion and defiance.

Taehyung's movements remained fluid and swift as he circled, searching for an opening. Despite his frustrations, his face was calm, his eyes locked onto Jimin with a deadly precision. Though he was clearly taken aback by Jimin's resilience, Taehyung's resolve had not wavered. In his mind, there was still no doubt that he would emerge victorious.

"You're pushing yourself beyond reason, human," Taehyung's voice echoed coldly through the water, his magic amplifying it to resonate directly in Jimin's mind. "It's noble. But foolish."

Jimin's breaths were coming in shorter, sharper pulls, each one bringing with it the weight of the ocean around him. But he met Taehyung's gaze unflinchingly. "If that's all you see," he said, forcing himself to sound steady despite the strain, "then you're underestimating me, Taehyung."

A shadow of frustration passed over Taehyung's face. "Underestimating you?" he repeated, his voice low, incredulous. "Jimin, you are a human. A mortal, diving into a realm meant for gods and demigods. What do you think you can accomplish here?"

Jimin straightened, feeling a fierce pride surge within him as he drew on every last reserve of willpower. "Everything that matters."

And with that, he struck.

Jimin had waited for this moment, holding his ground and conserving his energy. Now, as Taehyung closed in, he leaned into his final strategy, something he had thought of in the dead of night as he lay wide awake, considering every angle.

Just as Taehyung extended his hand to cast another pulse of magic, Jimin twisted his body, dodging the attack and positioning himself right within Taehyung's line of sight. In one swift, decisive movement, he pulled back his arm and drove his fist forward with all his strength, aiming not for brute damage, but for precision.

Jimin's fist connected with the hollow of Taehyung's torso, just beneath his armor—a pressure point. Taehyung gasped, his body reflexively folding inward at the impact. It was indeed a blow that would hurt him much, but it was enough to disrupt his flow of magic.

Taehyung staggered, his control over the water momentarily slipping. The waves around them churned erratically, losing their synchronized grace. Seeing his chance, Jimin pushed forward, using Taehyung's moment of vulnerability to press him back with a relentless series of attacks.

It was a grueling, unyielding dance—a test of wits, strength, and sheer endurance. Jimin's vision began to blur around the edges as his body fought for air, but he forced himself to focus, to keep pushing, knowing that he was so close to the end.

Taehyung's eyes, filled with a newfound respect, locked onto Jimin's, and in that moment, he realized he was not just fighting a man determined to win, but a man who would stop at nothing to be worthy of Jungkook.

But Taehyung wasn't finished yet.

With a snarl, he gathered his remaining energy and unleashed a wave of dark magic that surged toward Jimin like a tidal wave. The water around them thickened, the pressure doubling as Taehyung's power crashed forward, threatening to engulf him.

Jimin braced himself, but as the wave struck, he felt his body being pulled under, the force dragging him deeper into the depths of the ocean. His lungs burned, his vision dimming as he struggled to keep his bearings.

Just when it seemed as if the darkness would consume him, a new surge of energy filled his veins. He remembered Jungkook's words, the faith in his eyes, and the determination that had brought him here for his lover.