SOFT SPOT, player 380

4.

The massive screen above them that displayed 456 was now reducing, a digital trill playing as it did so. "Out of 456 players, 91 players have been eliminated," the square guard announced. "Three hundred sixty-five players have completed the first game." The screen displayed that there were 365 players remaining. "Congratulations again for making it through the first game."

The old woman from earlier, who had whacked her son upside the head, stumbled forward, tugging her son along, her voice pleading and desperate as she spoke, "Sir! Please don't kill us!" She got on her knees, bowing over and over, shaking her clasped hands pleadingly. "Please don't kill us, I beg you!" She was in tears, gesturing to her son. "As for my son's debt, I will do whatever it takes to pay you back! Please forgive us."

She grabbed her son, tugging him down, "Don't just stand there. Beg for his forgiveness."

"I'm sorry," her son cried. "Please forgive me! I promise I'll pay it back."

The square guard looked confused, "There... seems to be a misunderstanding."

A bunch of the other players moved forward, also on their hands and knees begging for the pink guards to not kill them. Hyejin kinda just sat there, wondering what it had been like in Gihun's games. Saebyeok never begged, and neither would she.

"We are not trying to harm you." The square guard managed over all the begging, weeping, pleading and everything in between. "We are presenting you with an opportunity."

"Clause three of the consent form!"

Everyone turned at the sound of Gihun's voice. He had stood up and was walking forward, "'The games may be terminated upon a majority vote.' Correct?"

The square guard nodded, "That is correct."

"Then let us take a vote right now," Gihun demanded. 

"Of course," the square guard said, like a waiter taking someone's order. "We respect your right to freedom of choice."

A bunch of players sighed in relief.

"But first," the square guard said. "let me announce the prize amount that's been accumulated." Hyejin's brow furrowed as the guard raised his little remote and pressed a button to show the piggy bank again. Hyejin winced.

Semi's voice was in her ear, "You okay?"

"They're going to show the prize money to tempt people into staying," Hyejin whispered back as the trill began and stacks of cash fell into the piggy bank. And suddenly, the players that had cowered within the bunks came crawling out of the dark at the sight of the cash, and Hyejin was reminded of how desperation turned people into animals.

She'd know.

The bottom part of the piggy bank was basically full of cash. "The number of players eliminated in the first game is 91. Therefore, a total of 9.1 billion won has been accumulated," the square guard explained. "If you quit the games now, the 365 of you can equally divide the 9.1 billion won and leave with your share."

"How much is that?" Player 100 asked gruffly.

"Each person's share would be 24,931,500 won," the square guard answered, and the prize and prize per person amounts were also displayed on the massive screen.

"Fuck, we almost died and they're giving us 24 million?" someone murmured in the crowd. "That's fucking bullshit."

Hyejin glanced at Semi, whose expression was neutral. 

"But you said 45.6 billion!"

"The rule is that a hundred million won will be accumulated for each eliminated player," the square explained. "If you choose to play the next game and more players get eliminated, the prize amount will increase accordingly."