Deus Didymus: Sunder

Chapter Twenty-One

Y/n charged his opponent. The moment he got close, Dayeon guarded, but it wasn't a guard one would expect from an academy student. It was unrefined. Full of fear.

Carrying the momentum of his charge, Y/n slammed his fist into Dayeon's arms, sending her to the ground. Almost immediately, minor bruises formed at the point of impact. Cautiously, Y/n stepped back, keeping his distance.

"This isn't like him," Yujin breathed.

"What's up with the tactics today?" Minho questioned, "He could just finish her while she's down."

A few moments later, Dayeon stood on her feet, but the moment she did so, Y/n delivered a pair of hooks to her cheeks, sending her reeling back in pain. Tears formed in Dayeon's eyes, but she held them back as she didn't want to look weak. Not in front of her new classmates. Alas, Dayeon prepared herself.

This is no time to be afraid. You've fought people stronger than him. Just make use of your allele.

Dayeon waited for Y/n to approach her, patiently watching as he inches closer. The moment he stood within her reach, Dayeon thrusted her hand outward.

Before she could reach him, Y/n ducked underneath her arm, forcing an uppercut into her jaw. The sound of Dayeon's teeth clamping together sounded through the arena causing a few students to wince in second hand pain.

"He's using a new fighting style," Ms. Lee commented, "Is he testing it out?"

"It's extremely sloppy," Ms. Kang replied, "Where did he learn it from?"

On the other side of the spectator's floor, Mr. Park leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.

I didn't teach him how to box. Ms. Miyawaki didn't report that he was taught either.

Though inexperienced, Y/n continued to pummel Dayeon with punch after punch. With each punch, Y/n felt a small piece of his irritation leave his body. Once he felt relaxed enough, Y/n summoned a katana, swinging with all of his might to shatter the talisman.

When he came to from his relentless assault, Y/n gasped. In front of him, Dayeon fell to the floor. Bruises littered her face and her left eye turned black. The small pit coalescing in Y/n's stomach grew exponentially. He couldn't see them, but the silence said more than enough.

What have I done...

A tsunami of regret crashed into Y/n freezing him in his spot. Part of him wanted to approach the injured girl, but a thought in the back of his mind pestered him, preventing the boy from reaching out in worry.

When he blinked, Kami had already knelt next to Dayeon. From what he could see, Kami nearly finished tending to the girl as the green light from the small paper sheet on Dayeon's forehead grew faint.

Like a freight train ramming into him, Y/n felt his consciousness waver under the pressure of the magnitude presented before him. Similarly to his head, Y/n's legs felt incorporeal-as if his legs were replaced with thin straws. Unable to support himself any longer, Y/n fell to his knees.

I'm a monster...

Dayeon's face returned to its normal milk white color with a hint of pink, but the bruises remained in Y/n's eyes. From the stands, Yujin frowned. She felt relieved that Y/n didn't do anything drastic, but she couldn't shake the feeling of restlessness.

"He was definitely holding a grudge over Minju."

"He was? Why?"

"Those two are close, didn't you know?"

"Honestly, I probably would have done the same thing."

"He's been really brutal lately, hasn't he?"

"I don't think he's been that bad. Bruises and scratches aren't anything new after all."