C H A P T E R T W E N T Y - F I V E :
"Be my partner."
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A loud blaring alarm echoed through the room, the light was fully on— blinding all the players. Guards quickly ran into the room, removing all the metallic items that were blocking players.

Yi-Seo sat up quickly, her heart rate beating fast. She opened eyes slowly, adjusting to the brightness of the room. She looked around, seeing everyone with a nervous look on their face. She looked at the old man, starring at the wall but breathing fast. He had a horrid look on his face.

"Sir are you okay?" She asked, but he didn't respond. "Sir?" She shook him, but there was no reaction.

"All players, please line up immediately in the center." The robotic voice said. "Let me repeat. All players, please line up immediately in the center."

One of the guards came into the groups base, pointing their gun to all the players.

"Move it." They demanded.

The players did as they were told. As they were walking, another guard stayed behind, pointing his gun at the old man.

"Get up." The guard ordered. "Get up."

This made Yi-Seo and Gi-hun stay behind, observing the guard and the old man. The old man closed his eyes, pulling his cover more up.

"He's very sick right now." Gi-hun spoke up. Another guard pointed their gun at him, Yi-Seo gasped. Gi-hun lifted his hands in the air, still speaking.

The guard lost their patience and uncovered the man. Revealing his pants all wet. Gi-hun and Yi-Seo looked at the old man worried. The old man trembled, not making eye contact with anyone. But then later, he looked at them, crying.

"Let us at least help him up." Yi-Seo looked at the guard.

The guards dropped their weapon, allowing for them to help out the old man. Yi-Seo and Gi-hun both went on opposite sides, slowly but surely lifting up the old man.

"Hey, it's okay." Yi-Seo reassured him as they walked towards the middle.

The old man looked down, embarrassed of the situation.

As they lined up, the guards began checking all the players and around the perimeter. Yi-Seo sighed and looked down, seeing the old man's pants wet. She turned her head, looking at him.

Yi-Seo unzipped her jacket and took it off.

"Sir." She tapped on his shoulder, he turned around. "Here." She smiled.

She kneeled down, tying her jacket around his waist. The old man looked at her, in awe.

"Thank you." He whispered.

"It looks good on you." She complemented.

Classical music began to player from the speakers. All the players looked up.

"The fourth game will begin momentarily. All players, follow the staff's instructions and proceed to the game hall." The robot repeated herself one more time.

The players follow the guards into the room. Yi-Seo took a deep breath, feeling anxious for the next game. She bit the inside of her cheek, looking around the memorizing maze.

Yi-Seo's breath hitched as she looked up at the ceiling. Seeing four guards and one of the players hung up.

"You are witnessing the fates of those who broke the rules of this world for their own benefit. And furthermore tainted the pure ideology of this world." The guard spoke up.

"Here you are all equal, with equal opportunity and no discrimination. We promise to prevent such misfortunes from happening again. We truly apologize for tragedy."The guard concluded.

—-

    The players stepped into the stark white room once again, the silence pressing down on them like an unbearable weight. Yi-Seo's pulse pounded in her ears as she scanned the empty space—no clues, no hints, nothing to grasp onto. The unknown gnawed at her, twisting her stomach into knots. Was this the moment she wouldn't make it out?

Every second felt like a cruel trick, stretching unbearably as she braced herself for whatever nightmare awaited. Last time they were in here, the game was ruthless than ever.

"Welcome to your fourth game." The robot said. "This game will be played in teams of two. Fine someone you wish to play the game with. With mutual consent, shake hands and you will become partners."

Everyone took deep breaths and looked around. Yi-Seo stuffed her hands in her pocket, feeling the stare of someone familiar.

"Please form teams of two with tin ten minutes." The robot concluded.

Yi-Seo and other players sat at the white steps. She liked around, seeing if she could find someone she doesn't know to be her partner. In front of her, she saw Mi-nyeo trying to sweeten up Gi-hun and convince him to be her partner.

Gi-hun stepped back uncomfortably. He looked around, not paying attention to what she was saying. Once Mi-nyeo saw he wasn't giving in, she quickly turned to Sang-woo.

"If you play with me, I'll do anything you tell me." She quietly said, making eye contact with him.

Sang-woo sighed and looked up, looking at her for one second.

"You'll be shocked to find out what I can do for you." She said teasingly and smirked.

Yi-Seo cleared her throat and tilted her head, observing Mi-nyeo's next moves. Sang-woo looked down at her disturbed by her comments.

"Please?" Mi-nyeo leaned in but Sang-woo stepped back. Mi-nyeo's face changed as she noticed that two people already rejected her.

Sang-woo cleared his throat and then walked over to where Yi-Seo was sitting and sat down beside her. This caused Mi-nyeo to scoff. Yi-Seo starred at her and smiled.

"I know you all want to team up with me. You're just hesitating!" Mi-nyeo said the group around her. "Why? Can't decide? Should I decide for you all?" She pointed her fingers.

"Stop embarrassing yourself." Yi-Seo interrupted her. "You causing a scene won't get anyone to player with you or even like you."

"I'm sick of you!" Mi-nyeo yelled. "Maybe if-"

"Just be honest. You don't want to team up with a woman or an old man." Yi-Seo cut her off and stood up. "But you trying to seduce someone just makes you look even more pathetic." Walking closer to her.

Mi-nyeo's face twisted in irritation as she crossed her arms. "Oh, look at you, all high and mighty," she sneered. "Acting like you're better than me. News flash, sweetheart—you're just as desperate as the rest of us."

Yi-Seo scoffed, stepping closer. "Desperate? At least I have standards. You're throwing yourself at anyone with a pulse."

Mi-nyeo let out a mocking laugh, flipping her hair. "Oh, please. Like you're one to talk about standards. Weren't you that big-shot attorney who got humiliated in the news? What was it again?" She tapped her chin, feigning deep thought before gasping dramatically. "Oh, right! You lost a case for some rich family, got kicked to the curb, and now you're in here with the rest of us nobodies."

Yi-Seo's jaw clenched, her nails digging into her palms. A few players nearby exchanged glances, sensing the rising tension. Sang-woo shifted slightly, his expression unreadable.

"I bet it stings, huh?" Mi-nyeo continued, her smirk widening. "Going from the courtroom to fighting for scraps? Maybe you should've used that 'brilliant' legal mind of yours to stay out of here."

Yi-Seo's eyes darkened, her temper reaching its breaking point. "You really don't know when to shut up."

Mi-nyeo took a step closer, squaring her shoulders. "What are you gonna do, huh? Argue me to death? Oh wait—you can't even win an argument, just like you couldn't win that case."

That was it. Yi-Seo lunged, shoving Mi-nyeo backward. Gasps erupted around them as Mi-nyeo stumbled but quickly regained her footing, eyes blazing with fury. "Oh, you wanna fight?" she hissed, rolling up her sleeves. "Let's go, lawyer lady. Let's see if you can win this battle."

Yi-Seo didn't back down, her fists tightening at her sides. "Trust me, you don't want to test me right now."

Mi-nyeo grinned wickedly. "Oh, I do."

Before they could throw a punch, the robots voice boomed over the speakers. "Players, please choose your partners now."

Both women froze, their heavy breathing filling the space between them. Yi-Seo took a step back, shooting Mi-nyeo one last glare before turning away.

Mi-nyeo clicked her tongue, dusting off her shirt. "Tch. Guess I'll let you off this time," she muttered, but her smug grin said otherwise.

The game hadn't even begun, but the fight was far from over.

Yi-Seo exhaled sharply, still seething as she clenched and unclenched her fists. Mi-nyeo's words echoed in her head, stirring up memories she had buried deep. The shame, the anger, the helplessness—everything she worked so hard to suppress came rushing back.

Before she could storm off, a hand gently grabbed her wrist. She turned, ready to snap, but paused when she saw Sang-woo.

"Come on," he murmured, guiding her back to the steps. He didn't wait for her response, just led her to sit down beside him. "Breathe."

Yi-Seo scoffed but didn't pull away. "Don't tell me what to do."

Sang-woo leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "You're letting her get to you."

"She brought up things that aren't her business," Yi-Seo muttered, her nails still digging into her palms.

Sang-woo nodded, looking ahead at the other players scrambling to form pairs. "She likes provoking people. You gave her exactly what she wanted."

Yi-Seo let out a bitter laugh. "I don't care what she wants."

"Then why let her words affect you?" Sang-woo turned to her, his gaze steady.

Yi-Seo pressed her lips together, hating how he could always read her so easily. The last thing she wanted was to admit that Mi-nyeo had struck a nerve. But Sang-woo didn't push further—he just sat there, his presence oddly grounding.

A heavy silence settled between them as the players paired up one by one. Time was running out. Yi-Seo watched, her pulse still unsteady, before finally breaking the silence. "Have you found a partner yet?"

Sang-woo inhaled deeply, his fingers lacing together. "No."

She raised a brow. "You rejected Mi-nyeo, but I figured you had someone else in mind."

"I do."

Something about his tone made her stiffen. The way he said it—deliberate, certain. She slowly turned to face him, her breath catching in her throat.

Sang-woo met her gaze, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he spoke.

"Be my partner."

The words hung in the air like a challenge. They weren't just about the game. Yi-Seo could feel the weight behind them—the history, the unresolved tension, the six years of silence that separated them.

She opened her mouth, then hesitated. Her heart pounded, her mind racing.

Sang-woo didn't look away. "Yi-Seo."

The way he said her name—soft yet firm—made her chest tighten.

She exhaled slowly. "Sang-woo... are you sure?"

His jaw tightened for a split second before he nodded. "Yes."

More players had partnered up, the numbers dwindling. Time was slipping away.

Yi-Seo searched his eyes, looking for hesitation, doubt—anything. But all she found was certainty.

She swallowed hard. This wasn't just a decision about survival. It was about trust.

And trust, after everything, was the hardest thing to give.

words from the author :
OH OH OH OH OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH