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"What do you mean, 'not as they seem'?" he asks, staring at her intently. She pauses and sighs deeply. She wasn't a snitch, that much was clear. Even if she did tell, she wasn't worried about those so-called tough guards hurting her. She was better than them in ways they couldn't even begin to imagine.
"When they sold organs before, they're doing it again. And that new placeholder for you is a part of it. They asked me to help," she says, looking him straight in the eyes. He doesn't say anything for a moment, processing the gravity of her words. His expression hardens as he looks back at her.
"And is the player helping with the surgeries?" he asks, his voice low and measured. She shakes her head slowly.
"No, I don't think so, at least. I'm pretty sure they have a real doctor working with them from what I saw. I don't know why they asked me to help when I'm so close with you. They probably read my file. I have medical experience," she says, her voice tinged with frustration. She sighs again, recalling how she had gained her medical experience. Sang Woo had helped her learn the basics, teaching her everything he knew in those long, grueling nights.
She remembered the first time she had stitched a wound, her hands trembling but steadying under Sang Woo's calm guidance. The countless hours spent learning how to handle medical instruments, understanding human anatomy, and performing emergency procedures had made her proficient. "I'll take care of it. Don't worry," he says, sighing deeply. "You should have told me sooner." He gestures toward the door, and they begin to walk out. As they step back into the player room, the speaker crackles to life, announcing the elimination of several players. Their group instantly looks over at the pair, eyes wide with a mix of fear and curiosity.
She watches as they let out a collective breath before their gazes shift upward to the enormous piggy bank hanging over the room. The two walk over, their footsteps echoing in the tense silence. She moves towards the group, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of trouble.
The door behind her creaks open, revealing players marked with Os and Xs, their clothes drenched in blood. The sight doesn't faze her; she's seen worse.
"I'm glad you're okay. We were getting worried," Jung Bae says, patting their back with a relieved smile. The warmth of his touch is a stark contrast to the chaos that surrounds them. She offers a weak smile in return, but her mind is elsewhere.
Suddenly, Nam Gyu's voice cuts through the noise, sharp and urgent. "Yo! Yo, O gang, listen up!" he yells, his voice echoing off the walls. "In the bathroom, the Xs started attacking us out of nowhere! We were just standing there! They killed my friend too!" His voice trembles with a mix of anger and fear, his words tumbling out in a frantic rush.
She watches him, her face dropping as her eyes frantically search the room for the purple-haired boy. Her heart pounds in her chest, a sinking feeling settling in her stomach. She lets out a sigh, biting her tongue to keep from crying out. The arguing continues in the background, a cacophony of voices blending into a chaotic symphony of fear and confusion.
Her thoughts drift to Thanos. She certainly didn't think he was going to win, but she had hoped he would at least make it past his dumb friend. The image of his confident smirk flashes in her mind, and she feels a pang of regret.
She remains seated on the edge of the bed, her gaze distant and unfocused as the Os gather at the front of the room. Her mind is elsewhere, lost in a whirlwind of memories and emotions. The noise around her fades into the background, a distant hum that barely registers.
Dae Ho approaches her quietly, his presence a comforting anchor in the chaos. He gently pats her arm, his touch warm and reassuring. "That guy was a dick, but... he was your ex, so I know you might be a bit upset," he says, his voice soft and understanding. He looks at her with concern, offering a small, reassuring nod.
She tries to muster a smile, her lips curling up slightly in a weak attempt. It's not much, but it's all she can manage. She nods back at Dae Ho, appreciating his effort to comfort her. He understands that, despite everything, there's a complicated mix of emotions tied to her ex.
Dae Ho gently pulls her over to their group of players, who are sitting in a circle on the floor. She follows him, feeling a bit like she's moving through a fog. The group is a mix of familiar faces, all sharing the same sense of unease and tension.
"Once the lights go out the ones who wanna stay are going to try to come for us," he says, his tone grave. Gi Hun continues, "Killing us would mean they win the next vote and add more to each of their shares."
Yong Sik, his face confused, breaks the silence. "So what do we do now?" he asks, his voice trembling slightly. The question hangs in the air, heavy with the weight of their predicament.
Young Ill, however, seems resolute. "We have to attack first," he says, his voice steady and determined. Gi Hun turns to him, his eyes wide with disbelief. She watches his face, seeing the conflict and concern etched into his features.
"It's our only chance," Young Ill insists, his voice rising with urgency. "Those guys are gonna assume we're waiting till the next vote. We should hit them first since they won't expect it." His words ignite a spark of agreement among some of the others, nodding their heads as they murmur in assent. The tension in the room thickens, a palpable sense of impending action.
But Gi Hun isn't convinced his voice firm as he addresses the group. "We'd be playing right into their hands if we did," he argues, his eyes scanning the faces around him.
Jung Bae's voice cuts through the tension, a mix of confusion and curiosity. "Who's them?" he asks, his brow furrowed.
Gi Hun's eyes narrow with determination as he responds, "The ones who built this place. The ones who created this game and watch us play." His words hang heavily in the air, the gravity of their situation sinking in. "If we're gonna try and dig in or anyone, we should be going after them instead."
Dae Ho, ever the realist, raises a practical concern. "Sure, but where are they?" he asks, his voice tinged with skepticism.
Gi Hun looks up, his gaze piercing through the darkness. "Up there," he says, his voice filled with a mix of hope and determination. Everyone follows his gaze, their eyes searching the ceiling, except for her and Young Ill, who exchange a knowing glance.
"They keep everything here running in their control room," Gi Hun continues, his voice growing more confident. "There's a man in the black mask who's controlling this. If we can get to him, we can end this."
Young Ill, ever the skeptic, challenges Gi Hun's plan. "How are you going to end this?" he asks, his voice laced with doubt. "After all, they have guns," he adds, referring to the heavily armed guards.
Gi Hun's eyes blaze with resolve. "We will just take theirs," he says, his voice steady and unwavering. The room falls silent as everyone processes his words, the enormity of the task ahead dawning on them.
"We will be outnumbered. There is too big of a chance," Young Ill says, his voice filled with concern and resignation. The room falls silent as his words sink in, the reality of their desperate situation hitting everyone hard.
Hyun Ju, her eyes wide, speaks up. "Do we stand a chance?" she asks, her voice filled with nerves. All eyes turn to Gi Hun, who lets out a heavy sigh before responding.
"I have a plan," Gi Hun says, his voice steady but tinged with uncertainty. "We wait for the right moment to begin. That will give us an opening. Once the lights go off, we have to get under the beds as quietly as we can. We can't afford to get caught by the other side. We know they will be out for blood. We don't make any moves until the fighting is over."
She stares at Gi Hun, her mind racing to comprehend his plan. It seems risky and fraught with potential pitfalls. Jung Bae, sensing hesitation, speaks up. "Hold on, but if we do that, the rest of the Xs don't stand a chance. They will be outnumbered," he says, his voice filled with concern for their comrades.
Gi Hun nods solemnly. "I know," he admits, his eyes reflecting the weight of his decision. "But if we don't keep our heads down tonight, and if some of us get injured, our whole plan will be ruined."
She glances over at Young Ill, who is processing Gi Hun's words with a furrowed brow. "So what you're saying is sacrifice a few for the greater good?" he asks, his voice laced with skepticism and a hint of accusation.
Gi Hun nods slightly, his face a mask of resolve. "Yes," he replies, his voice unwavering. "It's a harsh reality, but it's the only way we have a chance of succeeding."
She stares at Gi Hun, her mind reeling. Maybe he wasn't as innocent as he claimed to be. The plan is cold and calculated, a stark contrast to the man she thought she knew.
Later that night, they slipped under the beds as planned. She found herself next to Young Ill, their bodies pressed close together in the confined space. The room was eerily silent, save for the occasional creak of the bed frames as they settled into their hiding spots. The anticipation was almost unbearable, each second stretching into an eternity.
As soon as the fighting started, the lights began to flash, casting erratic shadows across the room. The strobe effect made her head pound, each burst of light like a hammer to her skull. She remained quiet and calm, her breathing shallow and controlled. Beside her, Young Ill mirrored her composure, his eyes fixed on the chaos unfolding around them.
She glanced at Young Ill, her eyes filled with unspoken questions. Was this really the best plan? How was he going to pull this off? He met her gaze, his expression resolute. His look conveyed a silent reassurance, a promise that he knew what he was doing.
The lights continued to flash, creating a disorienting and surreal atmosphere. The room was a battlefield, filled with the sounds of screams, shouts, and the sickening thud of bodies hitting the floor. She watched as a girl stumbled and fell right beside her, a fork embedded in her chest. Blood pooled around the girl's lifeless body, the metallic scent mingling with the stench of fear and sweat.
She blinked a couple of times. But there was no reaction, no surge of emotion. This place had broken her, numbed her to the violence and death that surrounded them. She felt a strange detachment, as if she were watching a scene from a movie rather than living it.
Soon, the lights flickered back on, illuminating the room in harsh brightness. The guards stormed inside, their heavy boots thudding against the cold, hard floor. She was surprised that Young Ill was actually going through with this audacious plan. But she didn't question him; there was no time for doubt now.
As the lights fully came on and the guards began firing their weapons, she squeezed her eyes shut, trusting in the plan. She could feel Young Ill doing the same beside her. The guards moved systematically around the room, their eyes scanning every corner, every shadow. She knew this tactic all too well. It was a trick she had seen countless times before, but never had any of the players in all her years here attempted something so bold, so reckless.
Gi Hun was smart, but also incredibly naive. His intelligence was matched only by his foolishness. This plan seemed doomed from the start, and she couldn't help but think it wouldn't work. Yet, here they were, caught in the middle of it, with no choice but to see it through.
A guard crouched down beside her, his gloved hand reaching out to move her hair away from her neck. He was scanning for a nonexistent mark, a ruse she had helped create. As soon as his fingers brushed her skin, she opened her eyes and sprang into action.
With a swift, practiced motion, she grabbed the guard's throat, her fingers digging into his flesh. She could hear his gasp under the mask it only fueled her more. Young Ill was on him in an instant, leaping onto his back and twisting his neck with a sickening crack. The guard's body went limp, collapsing to the floor.
She quickly passed Young Ill the guard's gun, even though she knew she was probably a better shot than he was. But this was his plan, and she trusted him to lead. They had to move quickly now, before the other guards realized what was happening.
She didn't really want to be a part of the plan. If in the hallway, what if she accidentally got shot by one of the guards? It could happen since they all sucked at their jobs. She moved to stand by the players in the center, feeling the tension in the air. As she stood next to Jun Hee, she glanced at her, who gave her a reassuring nod. Jun Hee's eyes then shifted to Gi Hun, who was at the front, trying to organize the chaos.
More players from X began to join Gi Hun, creating a sense of unity and strength among them. Her eyes met Young Ill's, who was standing a few feet away. His intense gaze locked onto hers, urging her to step forward and help. She hesitated for a moment, but then took a deep breath and stepped forward, feeling the weight of responsibility on her shoulders.
As she moved closer, she noticed Dae Ho standing nearby with a gun pointed at a guard on the floor. The guard, identifiable by his square mask, looked both terrified and defeated. It was almost absurd how incompetent the guards were if they managed to get captured so quickly. She couldn't help but think about how poorly trained they must be.
Hyun Ju looked at her as she stepped forward with her. "Don't be scared... If you know how to use a gun, it would help us all..." she said, looking at her with a mixture of concern and determination. Doona nodded slightly. "It would be nice to be with another girl," she added, stepping up beside her. Hyun Ju smiled warmly.
Gi Hun noticed his sister stepping up and looked confused. "Why are you up here? You need to stay safe. You don't know how to use a gun," he said, his voice filled with worry. Hyun Ju handed her a gun hesitantly, her eyes searching Doona's for assurance. "You're not the only one who has changed," she said, setting the gun to load. "I had... some things happen. Some people after me because of my debt. I had to learn how to shoot," she explained, weaving a simple lie. Gi Hun, ever so gullible, didn't question her further. He looked at her for a moment, concern etched on his face.
"Just be safe," he said, handing her another clip of ammo. Doona nodded, feeling the weight of the gun in her hands. He looked at her giving her a look or we will talk later. He didn't still know why she was here or at all she guessed he had guessed anything that wasn't right. She turned her attention to the guard on the floor, who was starting to take off their mask.
As the guard takes off his mask, Jung Bae exclaims, "Jeez, you're just a kid! Do your mom and dad know what you're doing here?" The guard, momentarily taken aback, stares at them. His eyes dart nervously between Jung Bae and Doona, who stands beside him. She looks into the guards eyes as he makes eye contact with her recognizing her.