The air inside the gym seemed thicker now, heavier. The faint sounds of other matches blurred into background noise as Jin stood across from Namjoon, his body tense, fists clenched. Namjoon mirrored his stance, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, a hint of uncertainty that didn't go unnoticed by Jin.
Jin's mind raced, replaying the man's warning over and over again. He's trouble. He'll destroy your team. Those words sank into his chest like sharp claws, tightening his resolve to see what kind of person Namjoon really was. The man across from him, the one smiling and quietly trying to fit in, could just as easily be the one who'd rip everything apart if Jin wasn't careful.The instructor's whistle blew, signaling the start of the match.
They circled each other cautiously, Namjoon's eyes flicking downward, his stance less aggressive than Jin's. He didn't want to fight. But Jin wasn't willing to let this end in another stalemate like his previous matches.
Namjoon threw a tentative punch, which Jin easily deflected. The ease with which he blocked it only added to his mounting frustration. Jin's thoughts spiraled, feeding the growing knot of anger in his chest. Why did Namjoon hold back? Was it guilt? Was the warning true?Jin retaliated, swinging harder than he intended, his fist narrowly missing Namjoon's jaw as the younger man stepped back just in time. Namjoon's brows furrowed in confusion, but he didn't counter, still on the defensive.
"Fight back," Jin spat, his voice harsh, laced with a bite he hadn't meant to show. The words came out before he could stop them, his frustration now boiling over. His fists tightened, and he lunged forward, driving Namjoon toward the edge of the ring.
Namjoon tried to sidestep, but Jin was relentless. He slammed Namjoon back with a calculated punch to the chest, harder than was necessary for sparring. Namjoon winced, stumbling slightly but still didn't throw a counter. Instead, he put his hands up, backing away, eyes wide with confusion, maybe fear.
"Come on," Jin growled through clenched teeth. "Show me what you're hiding."
For a moment, Namjoon just stared at him, wide-eyed and unsure. His breaths came in shallow, controlled gasps, and he still hadn't raised his fists in full defense. It was clear he didn't want to escalate this. Jin's gaze bore into him, searching for something, anything, that would confirm the man's words.
But then something shifted. A flicker of something darker passed over Namjoon's face, his expression hardening. His eyes narrowed, and the meekness that had been there moments before faded away. Maybe it was the pressure, the mounting tension, or the sting of Jin's words, but whatever it was, Namjoon finally snapped.
Without warning, Namjoon stepped forward and aimed a punch straight at Jin's midsection, fast and hard. Jin doubled over from the unexpected force. It wasn't just a defensive strike—it was desperate, driven by something deeper. A brief flash of panic crossed Namjoon's face, as if he hadn't meant to hit that hard, but the damage was done.
Jin staggered, breathless, anger flaring in his chest. He shot up, eyes blazing, and went straight for Namjoon, his attacks no longer controlled. His punches flew harder, faster. Namjoon managed to dodge some, but not all, each blow wearing him down.
Namjoon tried to push Jin away, hands fumbling in an attempt to create distance, but his movements were rushed, messy. He stumbled back toward the ropes, the tight space between them adding to the rising tension.
And then it happened. In a moment of panic, feeling cornered by Jin's relentless aggression, Namjoon's expression shifted. He lunged forward—not in defense, but with a desperate, almost primal instinct. He swung his arm wide, aiming not just to block but to hit, his fist connecting with Jin's face in a clean strike.
The impact echoed, the room falling into a stunned silence. Jin staggered back and fell on his butt, shock washing over his features, his hand instinctively flying to his face as he tried to process what just happened. Blood trickled from his nose, a stark contrast against his pale skin.Namjoon's eyes widened in horror as he realized what he'd done. This wasn't just a sparring match anymore; he had crossed a line that couldn't be uncrossed. "Jin! I—" His voice trembled, panic rising in his chest as he took a step toward Jin, hands raised in a placating gesture.But Jin wasn't backing down. His anger surged, boiling over like a tidal wave. Fueled by a mix of disbelief and pain, he charged at Namjoon, shoving him hard with both hands. Namjoon stumbled, caught off guard by the force. Jin's eyes blazed with fury, each breath coming in sharp gasps.
"You think this is a joke?" Jin shouted, the raw emotion in his voice cutting through the tension in the air. "You just hit me! Hard! Do you even care what that could've done?"
The realization settled like lead in Namjoon's stomach. "I didn't mean to—I'm sorry! I—"But the words fell flat, and Jin shook his head, backing away, his chest heaving. He glanced at their teammates, a mix of concern and shock on their faces. "You think this is just a game?" he spat, voice trembling with a mixture of rage and hurt. "You don't know anything about being part of a team!"
Before Namjoon could respond, Hoseok and Taehyung rushed to Jin's side, their expressions a mix of alarm and confusion. "Hyung, are you okay?" Hoseok asked, gently inspecting Jin's face.Jin swiped a hand across his mouth, smearing the blood. "I'm fine," he muttered, though the fury simmering within him belied his words. He could feel the tension in the air, the weight of their teammates' eyes on them.
"Jin, I didn't—" Namjoon's voice broke, desperate and trembling, but Jin cut him off with a glare that could freeze fire.
"Just what? Trying to prove a point? Trying to show me you're tough?" Jin's voice dripped with contempt, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
"Enough," the instructor's voice cut through the tension like a knife. "This isn't how we train. You both know the rules about control. Sparring isn't about brute fighting; it's about honing your skills, not showing off."
Namjoon turned to Jin again but the latter just shook his head.
"Stay away from me," he said, the quiet intensity of his voice shaking with barely restrained emotion. He turned away from Namjoon, feeling the anger bubble inside him, a storm ready to break free.
Namjoon stood frozen, the weight of his actions crashing down on him. He had crossed a line he never intended to, and the consequences were already looming, dark and heavy.
********
Hey guys!!
An early update because I will be busy tomorrow and may not be able to update.
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Phantom Legion
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