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"You lay a hand on her, and I'll make sure you regret it."
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The group were chatting and wondering what the next game could be. Yi-Seo and the old man continued their conversation; talking about what they would do with the money if they won it.

"My mom and I always planned to go to Jeju Island," sai Yi-Seo. "I went there once for a trip with one of my exes and I showed my mom photos, she loved it. I told her that I we will live there once she fully recovered."

"Seems like you had everything planned out," smiled the old man. "Where's your mother now?"

Yi-Seo hesitated before speaking, "she's in the hospital. Well, last time I saw her. I think she's out now with my sister."

Yi-Seo's and the Old man's conversation was interrupted when player 198 spoke up.

"Excuse me. Those people.." she pointed to the group with player 101. "They took the food twice. I saw them."

"Damn it, this is fucking annoying. You've never seen a person eat before?" Player 101. Player 271 went over to where he was standing

"Who do you think you are? Why are you stealing other people's food?"

"Oh, this is yours? What's your name? Is your name written on this?." He mocked which made the rest of the group laugh, "I don't see it."

He drank the bottle but player 271 tried snatching it out his hand

"Give it back. It's mine. Give it back to me!" He knocked out the bottle, glass shattered everywhere on the ground.

"You son of a bitch." Player 101 murmured and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. "You fucking broke the bottle!" He threw a punch which made Player 271 fall onto the ground.

"How come a scrawny fucker like you is so obsessed with food?" He kicked his stomach. "Hey, I'm trying to say that we need to share." He continuously kicked him. "Is that so hard?"

Yi-Seo's hands curled into fists as she watched Player 101 ruthlessly beat Player 271. Her blood boiled as the man delivered another brutal kick to the fallen player's stomach, his sneering laughter echoing in the room. The other players either looked away or pretended not to see, unwilling to interfere.

"That's enough," Yi-Seo's sharp voice cut through the commotion as she stepped forward.

Player 101 paused mid-kick, his gaze shifting to her. He scoffed, his lips curling into a smirk. "And who the hell are you?"

"I said, that's enough." Yi-Seo's voice was unwavering, her eyes locked onto his. "Fighting over food?" She laughed. "Literally so childish."

His smirk faltered, replaced by a dark scowl.
The other members of his group murmured, some laughing, others watching to see how things would unfold.

"You've got a big mouth, lady," Player 101 sneered, stepping toward her. His expression darkened further when she didn't back away.
"You think you can talk to me like that and get away with it?"

"Try me," Yi-Seo shot back.

Something in her tone-her defiance-seemed to set him off. His face twisted with anger, and in an instant, he lunged at her.

Before he could get close, a figure moved between them.

Sang-woo.

He was on his feet in a flash, his tall frame blocking Yi-Seo completely. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes-dark and cold—staring into Player 101 with quiet, lethal intensity.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Sang-woo's voice was low, controlled, but there was an unmistakable edge of warning in it.

Player 101 paused, sizing him up. "Oh? And what are you gonna do about it?"

Sang-woo tilted his head slightly, his gaze never wavering. "You lay a hand on her, and I'll make sure you regret it."

The room fell into tense silence. A few players shifted uncomfortably, sensing the sudden shift in the air. Even Player 101's group hesitated, waiting to see how their leader would respond.

Player 101 chuckled, but it was forced. "Tch.
Look at this. Playing hero now, huh?" He glanced at Yi-Seo behind Sang-woo and smirked. "She your woman or something?"

Sang-woo's jaw tightened. "That's none of your business."

The warning was clear.

Player 101 scoffed but didn't move forward again. He wasn't stupid-he could see it in Sang-woo's eyes. He knew that if he pushed any further, there wouldn't just be words exchanged.

"Tch. Whatever." He spat on the ground near Player 271's feet before turning away. "This ain't worth it."

As he walked back to his group, the tension in the room slowly eased. Some players let out relieved breaths, while others exchanged quiet murmurs.

Yi-Seo, however, remained still. Gi-hun eventually stood beside her, making sure she was fine.

Sang-woo finally turned to her, his sharp gaze scanning her face. "Are you okay?"

She exhaled, annoyed. "I'm fine."

His eyes lingered on her for a moment longer before he turned, looking down at Player 271, unconscious.

"Excuse me. Hey, wake ...," Sang-woo checked his pulse. He turned his head, looking at Gi-hun and Yi-Seo. "He's dead."

Everyone in the room gasped. Gi-hun kneeled, looking at the players dead body. "Hey!" He yelled. "A man's dead," he breathed. "Can't you hear me?" He went walking towards the guards which caused Sang-woo to quickly stand up.

"He's dead." Gi-hun pointed to the body. "A person just died. That bastard just killed him. He just killed someone!" He yelled even louder, looking for a camera. "Can't you hear me? A man just died!"

Yi-Seo sighed, shaking her head.

"This isn't right! We shouldn't be killing each other like this!"

Gi-hun's sentence made Yi-Seo automatically start thinking. This is all apart of the games— the glass bottles could easily kill someone. Serving small amounts of food can cause people to go crazy.

"Tonight is going to be a bloody massacre." Yi-Seo whispered to herself.

-

There were thirty minutes left until the lights went out. Thirty minutes until this place will end up like a war. The group sat around in a circle, figuring out a game plan.

"We can't fall asleep tonight." Started Sang-woo. "Anything can after the lights go out. Those guys are definitely up to no good." He looked at players 101 group. "If anyone gets attacked, we have to stick together and fight. Come over to our side if anything happens." Sang-woo tapped Ali's shoulder.

Yi-Seo bit her lip anxiously and looked at the old man, seeing he was falling asleep.

"Sir?" Gi-hun tapped his arm. "Sir?"

The old man slowly opened his eyes, turning his face towards Gi-hun.

"You can't go to sleep even after the lights go out, okay?"

"Why not?"

"Things will be a little dangerous tonight. Keep your eye open. We'll come here if anything happens."

"Okay. All right." The old man nodded.

"Don't worry, you're in great hands with these guys." Yi-Seo added and smiled at the old man. She then looked at player 67, all alone. Yi-Seo then spoke to Gi-hun, "What about her?"

She signaled to player 67, Gi-hun looked over at her. "Should we tell her to join us?"

"Of course. She's all by herself, she'll be safer if she's with others."

Gi-nodded and got up. "I'll go ask her."

"Wait. I'll go with you, my bed is near hers either way."

Gi-hun nodded and Yi-Seo got up. "You're closer to her which is good. She can go to you quicker."

"Yi-Seo." Sang-woo said firmly. Both Gi-hun and Yi-Seo turned around.

"I'll go talk to her." Gi-hun whispered. "Sang-woo is mad, cheer him up a bit." He joked and walked off.

Yi-Seo rolled her eyes and took a deep breath before replying. "Yes?"

"Will you be fine tonight?"

"Yes."

"Wouldn't it be safer if you stayed around us?" Sang-woo hinted.

Yi-Seo arched a brow, "I'll be fine Sang-woo, don't worry about me."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'll come over here if I need something." She walked off before he could say something else.