DUAL

//25

Jungkook rose from his seat after finishing his food and grabbed his outfit and headed to the door, putting his foot one by one into his boots. The gemstone on his ring hadn't yet glowed. He had a couple hours left for the training session.

"Where are you heading off to this early?" his grandfather spoke behind him.

"To the Cultivation Sector."

"I still have enough supply of Grimroot," the old man stated. The sound of chair screeching against the floor traveled to his ears. The old man had gotten up from his seat. "It is still early. Let's spar for a few rounds."

Sparring with his grandfather would help him a whole lot in preparing himself for any attack that would certainly come for him in just a matter of time. Yet, only on the seventh day of the week that the certain herb that he needed would be available.

"Maybe another time, Grandpa," he said.

The elder let silence hang in the air. Only his footsteps could be heard as he approached Jungkook. "You are slacking off," he finally said when he stood just right behind Jungkook.

"I am not," Jungkook replied curtly. His sharp ears caught the faintest sound of his grandfather inhaling air, about to say something in return to him, but Jungkook made sure he took the chance. "I will not be getting Grimroot for you. I need all the herbs you used to treat my wounds last time."

"You are healed."

Jungkook's jaw hardened. He didn't want to reveal his suspicion, the intuition he had of what was about to happen to him soon. But this was his grandfather. The person who had raised him since he was little. The person who had tried to provide him everything he needed. The person who had been there for him through thick and thin. The only family member he had left. He deserved to know.

"Kim Hanbin," he said with a struggle, feeling all the areas of where he had been injured before pricked with thorns though they were previously healed. "He will be back, Grandpa. Soon."

The tension between him and the older man grew thicker. As he drew his breath in, it was with an involuntary quiver. Jungkook turned his head slightly and said over his shoulder.

"If I survive his attacks this time," he let out a dry chuckle, the smile didn't reach his eyes, "I apologize in advance, Grandpa. Seems that you will have to take care of me again."

His grandfather's voice was a mix of anger and warning. A hint of gloom was also present. "Jungkook."

"I will get as many herbs as I can today." He began to step away from the house. "It will save you a lot of your time."

*

A faint voice from afar caught Jimin's ears as he walked through the woods in the lush forest. His eyes narrowed, steps slowed, careful not to make obvious sound that would attract the owner of the voice.

"Leaves that live..."

Jimin's eyes widened in alarm, heartbeat picked up. Someone was trying to enter Taehyung's haven using the spell the latter invented to open the gate made of large trees. Without thinking much of a plan, Jimin dashed, desperate to get out of the obstacles around him to stop the intruder but halted as soon as he saw who it was.

Jungkook was groaning, pulling his red hair as he chanted the spell wrongly, repeated while stammering. The Newcomer cursed, and suddenly he stopped moving, frozen in his spot. Without turning, bright flames formed in his tightly clenched fist and speedily, he sent the fireball toward where Jimin was.