Finally, the Week Everyone Feared Had Arrived.
The sun had barely risen above the horizon, casting long golden rays over the dew-kissed training ground, when the summons was called. A horn blared sharply across the camp, louder and longer than usual, followed by the unmistakable voice of Soonyoung yelling, “Training grounds. Now!”
Recruits scrambled from the food tents, groggy and tense. They all knew what day it was. The one everyone had been talking about, The Survival Week. The trial where they’d be thrown into the forest, forced to complete a list of challenges while remaining unseen by any captain or lieutenant who would be actively hunting them down.
A test of skill, strategy, and survival.
It was the one trial most feared, and the one every successful recruit in history remembered for the rest of their life.
The training ground was already alive with the hum of anticipation by the time Seokmin and his friends arrived. Minghao, Mingyu, Hansol, and Seungkwan flanked him as they weaved through the crowd of other recruits, all looking equally tense and underprepared, despite the weeks of training behind them.
Up front stood the full line of captains and lieutenants, a row of strength and experience that towered in presence even without a word spoken.
Jeonghan stood with arms behind his back and his expression unreadable.
Joshua was beside him, nodding occasionally to Chan, who stood next to two large crates filled with gear.
Soonyoung stood at the center, hands on his hips, a grin on his face that was far too gleeful for anyone’s comfort.
And then there was Junhui, calm and composed, standing just beside a large scroll.
When the last of the recruits arrived and stood in formation, Soonyoung stepped forward. His voice boomed loud across the grounds.
“Alright, you little earthworms. The time has come.”
A low murmur rippled through the group. Soonyoung smirked, clearly enjoying the suspense.
“You all know what this week is. For those who forgot in your sleep, let me remind you again. For the next five days, you will be stationed deep inside the Aldermont Forest. You will complete a series of tasks, survive off the land or the rations we give you, and most importantly, you’ll avoid capture from us.” He gestured behind him at the row of officers. “We’ll be in there with you. Hunting. Watching. Testing.”
Some recruits visibly gulped.
Junhui stepped forward next, unrolling the scroll he held.
“You’ll be given a sealed mission envelope before you enter. Inside will be your tasks, coded, scattered, and unique to each team. Some are about gathering. Some are problem-solving. Some will test your morals. And each task has a point value.”
“Whoever gets the highest score without getting caught wins.” Soonyoung added, tapping his boot against the ground. “And if you’re caught...”
“You’re disqualified.” Junhui finished smoothly. “No exceptions. You’ll be escorted back to the camp and your team will have to continue without you.”
A heavy silence settled over the recruits.
“Now the good news.” Joshua called out with a faint smile. “You’ll be allowed to choose your own teams. Five people per group. Choose wisely. Trust and compatibility will be the key to success.”
Seokmin looked to his left and smiled. Minghao, Mingyu, Hansol, and Seungkwan were already looking at each other too.
“Team of five...” Seungkwan whispered, relief in his voice. “We’re already set.”
Chan stepped up next, opening the crates with a dull creak.
“Come forward by group when your names are called. You’ll be handed a survival pack, each has enough food and water for two days. After that, you’ll need to start sourcing your own. Tools, rope, a compass, a knife, basic herbs, a flint stone, everything’s inside. Use it wisely.”
Joshua added, “There’s also a band around each of your wrists. It glows if you’re caught, injured, or violate the rules. Cheating or leaving the designated forest boundaries will result in automatic disqualification.”
“Any questions?” Junhui asked, scanning the crowd.
No one raised a hand.
“Good.” Soonyoung grinned. “Let’s see who survives.”
As groups began forming and stepping forward to retrieve their packs, Seokmin’s team stood in a tight circle.
“Okay.” Minghao said calmly. “No matter what our tasks are, the first thing we need to do is find shelter. Secure a place to hide and plan.”
“And food.” Seungkwan added. “I’m not about to go hungry just because this guy thinks raw mushrooms are edible.” He said pointing at Hansol who was beside him.
“They are edible.” Hansol muttered. “Just not the colorful ones.”
Mingyu laughed, slinging his arm around Seokmin’s shoulders. “Think you can handle the forest, Seok?”
Seokmin gave him a nervous but determined smile. “I think I’ll survive.”
They were called shortly after.
Joshua handed them their sealed mission scroll and pack with a nod, then looked at Seokmin for a moment longer, his voice dropping to something only they could hear.
“Stay together. Don’t underestimate the forest.”
Seokmin nodded, heart pounding in his chest.
Jeonghan added quietly while passing by him, “And remember what we taught you.”
With that, they were dismissed.
One by one, the teams disappeared into the looming shadows of Aldermont Forest, their figures swallowed up by trees and mist.
The real test had begun.
And none of them knew just how far it would push them.
YOU ARE READING
Demonic || Seventeen
ActionIt is set in a world where humanity is forced to live in cities surrounded by three enormous walls that protect them from demons and monsters that killed people referred to as Demonic; the story follows Lee Seokmin and friends, who vows to extermina...
