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"anything else i should know?" i ask quietly.

minsoo hesitates for a moment before replying. "just one thing. these people aren't your friends, jia. no matter how polite or charming they seem, remember that everyone in that room has blood on their hands. don't trust anyone."

i nod, clenching my fists in my lap. "noted."

i sit in silence for a moment, letting everything sink in. it's all disturbing, but the part that unsettles me the most is how normal minsoo makes it sound - like this is just another business trip, another deal to negotiate.

but something doesn't add up.

"who's in charge of the games?" i ask, my voice steady.

minsoo glances at me in the rearview mirror before returning his focus to the road. for the first time since we started this conversation, he hesitates.

"the front man," he finally says.

i frown. "and who the hell is that?"

he exhales, as if he was hoping i wouldn't ask. "the front man is the one who oversees the games. he ensures everything runs smoothly, handles discipline, and enforces the rules."

"so he's like a game master?" i ask, trying to piece it together.

minsoo lets out a dry chuckle. "that's one way to put it. but don't underestimate him. the front man isn't just some employee following orders. he has complete control over the players and the staff. if he wanted to, he could wipe out an entire room of people without hesitation."

"sounds charming," i mutter.

"he's efficient. ruthless. and most importantly, he's untouchable," minsoo continues. "the vip's respect him, but they also fear him. he doesn't answer to anyone except the higher-ups."

i raise an eyebrow. "not even the v.i.p.s?"

"not really," minsoo says. "they fund the games, but he runs them. and he doesn't tolerate disrespect. if you cross him, you'll regret it."

a man who has control over something as massive as the squid games but still operates from the shadows? i've met powerful men before, but this sounds different.

"have you met him?" i ask.

"once," minsoo says shortly. "and trust me, once was enough."

his voice is clipped, like he doesn't want to elaborate. interesting.

"so what's my relationship with him supposed to be?" i ask. "am i just supposed to...ignore him?"

"no," minsoo says, shaking his head. "you will have to interact with him, especially as your father's representative. but don't treat him like a servant, and definitely don't think you can charm or manipulate him like you do with business partners."

i smirk slightly. "you think i can't handle him?"

minsoo gives me a pointed look through the mirror. "i think he's not like the men you're used to dealing with. he's smarter. colder. he doesn't want anything from you, which makes him dangerous."

dangerous. that word again.

for some reason, instead of fear, i feel something else. something closer to intrigue.

"so what does he look like?" i ask casually.

minsoo scoffs. "you'll see soon enough."

i roll my eyes.

"we're here," minsoo announces as the car comes to a slow stop.

i glance out the window and see a private jet.

"you'll fly for about 1 hour. after that you have a few hours before the first game begins," minsoo says, cutting the engine. "you'll be given a room to settle in."

i nod, grabbing my bag before stepping out of the car.

the flight was quick and when i landed i was escorted to a room by a weird looking guard in a pink suit and a black mask with a triangle on it.

as soon as i'm alone in my room, i exhale, letting the tension slip off my shoulders for a moment. my body sinks into the chair by the window, and before i know it, exhaustion wins.

i close my eyes, telling myself it's just for a moment.

then i fall asleep.

and when i open them again, the room is already dark.

it's time.

i push myself up, shaking off the lingering excitement. no more time to hesitate. no more time to process what's about to happen.

i walk over to my bag, pulling out the outfit i'd carefully chosen for the occasion - an elegant black dress. commanding. powerful.

next, makeup. i put on bold red lipstick. a message, intentional.

don't underestimate me.

finally, i reach for the box sitting on the table. inside, the golden tiger mask stares back at me, glowing under the warm lights.

this is it.

i place it over my face, securing it into place.

the girl in the mirror is no longer just lee jia. she's a vip now.

and in a few minutes, i'll be stepping into the world that has existed in shadows my entire life.

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jia is officially stepping into the vip world, and let's be real - she's about to shake things up.

are we ready for jia vs. the front man?? cause i know i am.

don't forget to vote 🌟