C  H  A  P  T  E  R    F  O  U  R :
" We're fucked "
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The room was quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was in disbelief snd shock. Some were crying, trying to find a way out. Others were just quiet and thinking about their actions. It's like everyone lost their spark.

"Sang-woo, Yi-Seo. Thanks." Gi-hun spoke up and looked at the two.

Sang-woo nodded, so did Yi-Seo.

Gi-hun then looked at player 199. "Thank you as well. You all saved my life."

"I'm glad you're alive." Player 199 replied.

Yi-Seo sighed, trying to calm down. She was still shaking from everything that happened right in front of her. She kept playing with her fingers until Sang-woo grabbed her hand, caressing it. She was taken back and surprised by his actions.

"What are you doing?" She asked, looking at him.

"I know this is scary but calm down. You're going to die faster by worrying."

Yi-Seo glared at him, "you suck at comforting people. But you're right."

Their little small interaction was interrupted when a loud buzz filled the room and the big doors opening. The lights turned back on, the guards came out. But this time they all had guns. All the players quick stood up.

"Congratulations for making it through the first game. Here are the results of the first game."

The number on the TV screen went from 456 to 201.

"Out of 456 players, 255 players have been eliminated. 201 players have completed the first game."

"Sir!" A woman cried out. "Forgive me. I'll play off my debts no matter what." She clasped her hands together. "I'll pay back at all costs. Please, sir." She pleaded. "I have... a child. I haven't even named my baby yet, so I couldn't register the baby's birth. Please let me leave."

This reaction made Yi-Seo more tense, reminding her on a case she once solved. She was used to people pleading like this in court , but in this case it was different. Sang-woo noticed her reaction and held her hand tighter.

"Sir, please forgive me." Another woman pleaded, getting on her knees, begging for her life.

A couple of more people started to do the same, hoping that the guards would give in.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding. We are not here to harm you or collect your debts. Let me remind you. We are presenting you with an opportunity."

"You call this an opportunity? You make us play children's game and then kill us. How is this an opportunity?"

"We may be in debt, but that doesn't mean we deserve to die."

"This is just a game." The guard responded.

"You killed all those people." Player 369 said. "And yet you call this a game?"

"They were simply eliminated for breaking the rules of the game."'

This made Yi-Seo scoff and shake her head.

"As long as you the follow the rules, you will safely exist this place with the promised prize money."

"Prize money or no prize money, I don't care." Player 066 paused, "Just please let me out."He begged.

"Clause one of the consent form: A player is not allowed to voluntarily quit the games."

"You really think you can get away with all of this? The police will barge in any minute, looking for the people reported missing."

"He's right! If you don't let us go, they'll locate us by tracking our phones and come find us. Then that will be it for you!"

"If only it were that easy." Yi-Seo said to the three men standing near her. "They most likely turned off all our phones."

Everyone starting speaking their minds, making indirect comments to the guards. Everyone went quiet when the square-masked guard triggered their gun. The other guards pointed their guns to the players direction.

Everyone screamed and quickly ducked.

"Clause two of the consent form: A player who refuses to play will be eliminated."

"Oh screw that." Yi-Seo muttered as she stood up. "Clause three of the consent form: The games may be terminated upon a majority vote." She spoke up, walking to the center of the room. "Isn't that correct?"

The guard stayed quiet before answering. "That is correct."'

"Then let us take a vote. If the majority wishes to quit, you have no other choice but to let us go."

"As you wish, we will take a vote on whether or not to terminate the games."

Everyone looked at Yi-Seo, thankful that she spoke up for them.

"But before we vote, we will reveal the prize amount from the first game."

The same piggy bank from earlier was shown. Money filling it up. Yi-Seo gasped, looking at it hungrily.

"The number of player eliminated in the first game, 255. Allocated prize money for each player. 100 million won. Therefore, a current total of 25.5 billion won has been accumulated into the piggy bank. If you quit the games now, the 25.5 billion won will be sent to the families of the eliminated players, 100 million won each."

This would definitely changed peoples opinions.

"However, all of you will return home empty-handed."

"Excuse me." The older lady from earlier spoke up, "If we make it through all six games, how much do we get?"

"There are 456 players, so the total is 45.6 billion won."

"But that means only one person will make it out alive." Yi-Seo whispered.

"We will begin the vote." The guard said

——

A podium was placed in the front of the room with two buttons. O and X; O meaning yes and X meaning no.

Voting started off with the last player. Gi-hun was the first vote. He voted to cease the game.

Then it was Yi-Seo's turn. She gulped while walking to the podium, wondering what the wise choice will be. She looked back, staring at the piggy bank.

She could out her entire family with 45.6 billion won. Her mom could be taken care of while her and her sister could live the way they always wanted to. She could help Hwa-young pay child support so she can get partial custody over her son. She could do a lot.

But is it worth all those bodies? She asked herself.

Yi-Seo looked back at the podium and sighed, making her decision and chose for the game to end.

The X's and O's were fighting on the screen as more players voted. Ceasing the game was winning just by one vote.

Yi-Seo and Gi-hun anxiously stood beside each other when it was Sang-woo's turn to vote.

"You think he'll say no?" Asked Gi-hun

Yi-Seo took a deep breath, "knowing how he is, he'll do anything to get money. He's determined."

Once Sang-woo got to the podium, he didn't hesitate on voting to continue the game.

Gi-hun looked at him in shock, while Yi-Seo observed him. Sang-woo looked at them but then turned around quickly; ashamed.

The voting was interrupted when a player spoke up, going against the people who were agreeing to continue the games. This argument went back in forth until a guard pointed their gun at a player, implying that the voting will not be discard.

After what felt forever, it was only down to one vote left. Both X's and O's at a tie.

"He won't remember what we're voting on." Gi-hun whispered

Yi-Seo faced him, "what do you mean he won't remember?" She asked worried.

"He has a brain tumor, he forgets things easily."

"We're fucked." Yi-Seo smacked her hand against her forehead.

"If you wish to continue, press O. If you wish to cease, press X."

Yi-Seo sighed in relief when the guard reminded player one what the voting was for.

Once he clicked on X, Gi-hun screamed in relief. So did other players.

"The majority has voted to terminate the games. And so, the games are now terminated."

"No. Let out the ones who want to leave, and let the remaining players continue." Player 322 yelled. "Half of us are already dead! You can't just stop here!"

"He's right! At least let us continue!"

"We also find it a pity to say goodbye so soon. But we will not completely shut this door of opportunity. If the majority of you wish the participate again, we will resume the games. Goodbye, then."

Authors note:
I do apologize in advance for slow updates, I've been trying to fix my sleeping schedule 😭