C H A M P I O N O F D E A T H

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       EACH PLAYER WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MAIN HALL, WHERE THEY WERE SPLIT INTO THREE DIFFERENT LINES TO BE INSPECTED BY THE GUARDS. This was a given, considering how last time the lights went out the players killed and fought each other, plus carried dangerous weapons that the guards were trying to find if someone had one.

      Sae-bom had her hands tucked into her jacket's pocket, still hiding away her bruised knuckles from view. She stood in front of Soo-min, who was behind her with Sae-byeok, and the rest of their team was scattered in different lines.

       Out from the corner of her eye, she watched players get inspected closely by the guards. A grimace formed over her mouth, the stench of blood still trapped inside the room, and from her clothes she wore. She really wanted a change of fit.

    Soo-min straightened up his shoulders as two guards were nearing them, and his dark stares bores into the front of their masks, almost like a warning of sorts. He continued this, up until they turned away and looked over Sae-bom next.

       She clenched her fists inside her jacket, fiddling with the material inside as she swallows the lump in her throat. She hated the feeling of the guards stares on her, like they were watching her more, paying attention to her more closely than the other players.

    She just hoped the one who brushed up against her arm was Jun-ho in disguise. The young woman was worried about him and what he has found while being inside the building, but it's not like she could find him when every guard wore a mask to find their faces. She just dearly hoped he at least found a lead to where her beloved was.

      Once the guard was past her and her sister, she released a small breath of air in relief. She heard Player 01 and Gi-hun behind her, heart clenching seeing him helping the old man cover up his accident with his jacket wrapped around his waist.

      Sae-bom glanced back from the two with a small smile, meeting Soo-min's eyes who sent one back, but they both faded when classical music began to play through the speakers. It could only mean one thing -- the next game was about to start.

    "Attention. The fourth game is about to begin." The woman over the PA was heard next, her high pitched voice speaking over the loud music from the speakers, "Please follow the staff's instructions and swiftly make your way towards the game hall."

       A heavy sigh left her parted lips, and she walked up beside Soo-min, bumping her shoulder with his, "You comin' or what?" She asked him, seeing the guard opening up the blue door and waited for everyone to move towards it, "C'mon."

      She grabbed her sister's arm, making her tug along with them and Soo-min shakes his head with a small chuckle, jogging a bit to catch up with the siblings. They all follow in a line like the rest of the players, and enter inside the maze of colourful stairs again.

    However, a sudden yelp escaped Sae-bom when Soo-min came to a stop and her forehead bumped into his back. She released her sister who was with Gi-hun behind them, and she opened her mouth to question what happened, but Soo-min spoke first.

      "Don't look up, please don't look up--" His low voice came out in an urgent whisper, confusing the woman even more as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder to shield her away from the sight, "You don't want to see what's up there, please believe me Sae-bom."

      She didn't understand what was wrong, but she could smell the strong stench of death and blood coming from somewhere in the room, reminding her of her old working days. All she did was nod against his shoulder, and glance back over it to coax Sae-byeok to her, protecting her from the view also.

      Gasps were heard all around from the players, and it made her stomach churn, even more so when they started walking up. The smell of blood got even worse as they did so, and she pulled her sister closer to her side, and felt Soo-min embrace her even tighter also.

      The guards noticed this commotion, and heard the command from the one in charge. They waited till Sae-bom and her small group was away from the sight, and began to only talk then, "Players, what you witness before you is what remains of those who broke the rules for their own benefit. They tainted the pure and fair ideology everything here has been built upon. Each and every one of you is considered and equal within the walls of this facility. You must be guaranteed the same opportunities without being disadvantaged or facing any kind of discrimination. We truly apologise for allowing such an unacceptable incident to occur."

      Once that announcement was over, the guards began to move and so did the rest of the players, who all felt more on edge than ever before. The guards led them into the same room as the game before, and the classical music was back causing Sae-bom to groan annoyed hearing it.

      "Could they seriously play something different? We aren't at a fancy dance or anything." She grumbled with a scowl, walking beside Soo-min and her sister was back with Player 240 behind them, "I'm gonna get sick of hearing this when I get out of here."

      Soo-min laughed amused, grabbing her forearm to help her down the final step, "It isn't that bad, but I do get what you mean." He answered lightly, eyes landing on their group forming near the back, "You won't have to hear it much longer, come on."

      She just grumbled some more, letting him pull her over to where their team was. She perked up a bit seeing Sae-byeok giving her a soft smile, and went to side hug her sister for a second, just before the woman over the PA was back.

      "Players, welcome to the fourth game. For this game, you will be playing teams of two." A she said that, Sae-bom felt her stomach twist with a horrible feeling, and gripped onto her sister's arm tighter, "Please look around and find someone you wish to play with. When two people agree to play together, shake hands to show you have become partners."

      Instantly the players went into chaos, and started to talk loudly amongst each other. It didn't help either that there was a timer ticking on the wall, which had Sae-bom sharing a serious look with Sang-woo and Gi-hun, wondering how they all were going to make it out alive without the team together.

      Mi-nyeo also started to embarrass herself by asking the male members of the group to team up, and Sae-bom just sighed tiredly watching this happen from her spot beside Soo-min. She glanced away from the annoying woman, and saw her sister with Player 240, and it brought a small smile onto her face.

    Sae-byeok was hopefully getting more comfortable around other people than herself, and Sae-bom couldn't be more happier witnessing it. She also hoped those two girls teamed up for whatever game next, so that left her and Soo-min together as a pair. She just prayed she was making the right choice.

     Mi-nyeo continued to pester the male players of the team, up until Sae-bom was at her wits end with her yapping.

      She pushed forward away from Soo-min, who paled in the face and she walked up to the older woman, "Yah, enough! Stop embarrassing yourself like this." She fumed, face in a scowl, "That won't get you anywhere nor will it get you someone to play with. If you want a partner, be honest about it."

      Player 214's mouth went into a straight line automatically, biting back her smirk at how cool Sae-bom was scolding her. She just lowered her head in defeat, satisfying the Kang woman who turned around and walked back to chuckling Soo-min.

      "Anyways, we all need to pick someone to play with and fast. So, please, stop all the nonsense and pick so we all can make it through the next around." Sae-bom acted like the leader again for the group, her dark eyes scanning everyone and she gained some head nods back, while the others (the two new male members) grumbled.

      She watched the group all split up, and form teams of two. Ali and Sang-woo shook hands first, making her worry for Gi-hun, but she had a feeling he would pick the old man regardless. Her sister and Player 240 were a team, easing her relief instantly and sent a wave back to Sae-byeok when she did it first.

      The Kang woman kept scanning the room full of players that were forming teams, missing how the guards were also keeping an eye on her and who she would pick for the next game. This was a given, since... someone had specifically told them to do so.

      The room buzzed with tension as players scrambled to form pairs, their hands clasping in rushed agreements. Sae-bom stood still amidst the movement, her gaze flickering toward her sister again, still watching with quiet relief as she secured a partner. That was all that mattered.

     She barely thought of herself in that moment, her own fate felt secondary. A flicker of concern crossed her mind for the old man on her team, but she had no doubt that Gi-hun, with his ever-kind nature, would pair with him.

      Lost in thought, she didn't notice Soo-min calling her name until warm hands suddenly cupped her face, squeezing her cheeks together.

    "What—?!" Her words came out muffled as her lips puckered involuntarily.

      Soo-min chuckled, his eyes alight with amusement, "There you are. Thought I lost you for a second."

     Sae-bom scowled—or at least tried to, but her squished cheeks made it look more like a pout. Heat crept up her face as he smoothed back a few stray strands of hair from her forehead, his touch light but teasing.

   "You weren't even listening to me," He accused playfully, dropping one of his hands, but kept the other cradled to her cheek.

     She grumbled words under her breath, swatting his hands away, "Maybe you weren't loud enough."

     He rolled his eyes but smiled fondly, "This reminds me of last game," He mused, his hold on her removed as he stood beside her now, "Right before we formed our team."

      She nodded, the memory flashing in her mind—but this time was different. Their team had been split apart. The rules had changed. Now, they could only have one partner.

     Soo-min hummed, tipping his head down toward her, a smirk tugging at his lips, "Then how about we team up? That way, I can protect you if something goes wrong."

      Sae-bom scoffed, flicking her long hair over her shoulder, "Please. More like me protecting you."

     His grin widened, fringe falling over his forehead that she noticed had small tints of brown in his locks, "Oh? Is that so?"

      She lifted her chin, her expression unwavering, but after a beat, a lopsided smile tugged at her lips. Without another word, she extended her hand toward him.

      Soo-min glanced at her outstretched palm before his own hand, larger and warmer, wrapped around hers. He shook it gently, sealing the agreement between them just as the timer above them blared, signaling the next phase of the game.

     "The time for finding a partner is now over." The woman over the PA was hardly heard from the commotion coming from Player 212, who was indeed without a partner for the next game, and was shouting at each pair who passed her.

     Sae-bom felt bad for the woman, but she had to remember it was either her or the people she cared about. And she wouldn't sacrifice the chances of them leaving these games alive, no matter how much she did want to help the poor woman.

      Soo-min kept a strong grip on her arm, knowing what she was thinking and lead her into the next room, where it looked like a fake town of sorts, but smaller and made from scrap. The more she looked at the area, the more she felt it was familiar to her in a way.

     Everyone tried to ignore the screams and wails coming from behind the closed doors, where they knew Mi-nyeo was getting dragged away by the guards. It was a tense silence in the other room, where all the guards were lined up in front of the players, watching them all closely.

      Sae-bom found the worried eyes of her sister in the crowd, and tried her best to send her a reassuring smile, but it came out as a crooked one. Yet it seemed to do the trick, as Sae-byeok was less tenser now when she turned back around.

      "Attention. All players, please follow the staff to your designated positions for the game." The PA announced to the nervous crowd of players, and it made the guards move to each pair, showing them which guard they would have to follow for the next around.

      She swallowed the lump in her throat, watching her friends get pulled away by the guards and hoped most of them survived this round. She held onto Soo-min's arm tightly, the only thing that grounded her in that moment as her sister was taken away next.

      Sae-byeok sent her sister one last comforting smile, before Sae-bom couldn't see her sister's figure anymore. She didn't have time to stress, as there was a guard standing in front of her and nodded at them both to follow him.

      "She will be alright, don't worry." Soo-min whispered gently seeing how worried that woman was, and laced his fingers through hers next, making her eyes go wide in surprise, "We will get through this also, I promise Sae-bom."

      The woman would normally tug her hand back if a male other then her beloved held it, but for some reason she felt comfortable around Soo-min... a bit too comfortable which both worried her and made her feel somewhat safe in the horror they were going through.

      The duo followed behind the guard, walking through the pathways in the fake village, that still seemed so familiar to her. She noticed clothes hanging up around the walls on lines, and that some of the walls colours were blue, which was her favourite colour.

      She tried not to think about it, but from what she seen so far from the guards, it couldn't be a coincidence. Either that, or she was going insane, which wouldn't shock her at all.

      The guard leading them suddenly stopped and turned around sharply. The two also came to a stop, giving Sae-bom the chance to glance around. It looked like they were the furthest from every player and that they were directly near the camera hanging from the roof also, making her scowl a bit.

      Soo-min slowly released her hand he was holding, but still kept a protecting hold on her as the guard glanced at the contact, and then back to their faces, not saying anything. That was until the PA was back.

      "Players, please take one bag each from the staff member before you." The guard in front of them raised his hands, and in them was exactly two bags that held something in them, "There should be a set of ten marbles in each bag. Please check to confirm the number."

      The duo shared a look between each other, before reaching out to grab the bags from the guard. Together, they lifted the bag upside down and in their palms spilled out marbles, all ten of them being there in each palm.

     "I don't like this Soo-min," She mumbled anxiously, lifting her to glance up at the male, who sent her a confused frown, "and when I say this, I'm normally always right. I have a bad feeling about this next game."

      He also felt it like she did but for her sake to not worry, he tried to smile down at her reassuringly, "It's alright, whatever happens I will be here with you." He tells her softly, a charming smirk forming next, "Nothing could while I'm here honestly."

      She scoffed at his cocky behavior, and grinned at him amused, her top teeth appearing from how wide it was. But it disappeared when she felt the heavy stare of the camera on them, followed by the woman over the PA talking, ruining the mood between them.

      "In this game, using your set of ten marbles, you will play the game of your choice with your partner." The more the PA announced, the more Sae-bom felt her heart sink in dread hearing what was said, "The player who manages to take all ten marbles from their partner wins. You will have 30 minutes for this game."

      She felt like screaming. She felt like crying. She felt like grabbing the gun and shooting every guard watching over them. This game was beyond unfair, and the people who created it knew that. It was just a game to them, but a matter of life or death for the players.

      Clenching her fists around the bag, she ignored how her fingers were hurting and glanced up at Soo-min with a watery gaze. Her eyes went wide seeing him still smiling, like nothing that was just said effected him or changed how he felt.

      "Soo-min," Her voice was weak, nothing like she's heard herself speak before after quitting stoping old jobs, "Did you hear what the next game is? How are you still smiling right now?"

      He hummed lowly in the back of his throat, and looked away from the guard watching them intently, "I did hear, don't worry. I'm just choosing not to let the news effect me." He told her coolly, and grabbed her spare hand with his, "I know the outcome of this so here, take it."

      She felt like she was going to be sick as he handed her his bag of marbles. She acted quicker then him, and shoved his hand back with an incredulously expression, "No! Don't give that to me," She began to exclaim at him, voice breaking, "You can't give up that easily! What about your plans to get out of here?! Your family, your friends still waiting for you outside? You made me a promise, Soo-min!"

      Even with her yelling, Soo-min remained still, his face unreadable. Then, he let out a quiet breath and stepped forward, gently cupping her cheek in his free hand. His thumb brushed over the delicate skin just beneath her eye, the touch sending a shiver down her spine.

   Her breathing hitched at the sudden gentle touch, her beloved's face flashing in her mind before it disappeared and her protests died in her throat.

     His voice was raspy when he finally spoke, "I promised to get you and your sister out. Not myself, too." His lips curved into a soft, almost sad smile, "By giving you the marbles, I'm keeping my promise."

     Tears burned at the edges of her vision, blurring his face. The sight of them made his brows furrow in guilt, and he instinctively reached to wipe them away with his thumb.

     "Don't cry," He murmured, voice sounding shaky from the emotions he kept hidden, "These games don't deserve your precious tears. And neither do I."

      Sae-bom shook her head furiously, refusing to accept it. "No. We'll figure something out," She said desperately, "We'll get out together, with my sister. She has to win, and you—" Her voice broke, "You have to make it too." She squeezed her eyes shut, praying that her sister was still alive, that she was winning her own game somewhere across the facility.

     But all Soo-min did was watch her, silent and steady, as if he had already decided there was no other way. He exhaled, his grip on her face loosening. Before he could say anything, Sae-bom's gaze snapped to the nearest surveillance camera.

     A sudden wave of rage ignited in her chest.

      Without thinking, she wrenched herself free from Soo-min's touch and stormed past the guards, who, to her surprise, didn't immediately stop her.

     She marched straight to the camera, stepping directly in line with its lens, lifting her face so the glowing red eye could see every bit of the fury burning inside her.

     "I know you're watching," She said, her voice loud, unwavering, "I know you can hear me and see me right now."

      The camera whirred, its lens adjusting—zooming in on her face, almost like it was studying her.

      Sae-bom glared up at it, refusing to look away, "I refuse to play this unfair game just for your amusement," She spat fiercely, "Sitting comfortably in your hidden room while we fight for our lives. You think this is entertainment?"

       Silence.

       Her voice only grew stronger.

       "The players here aren't just pawns you can move around or push to their deaths," Her hands curled into trembling fists, voice rising into a yell, "We're human. Every single one of us has a reason for being here, and you—" She took a step closer, finger pointed at the camera, "—you're treating us like animals."

      Her jaw clenched, "And these games? They are wrong." She gritted out and took a shaky breath, "And I know I'm here too. But not for the same reason as everyone else."

      She exhaled sharply, her chest rising and falling with rage. Her anger faded a bit, remembering why she was in the games, who she was there to find, but still she shot one last glare at the camera.

      Before Sae-bom could say anything else, she felt the presence of someone behind her. She turned just in time to see Soo-min staring at her, impressed.

     The moment was short-lived.

       The sound of approaching footsteps sent a chill down her spine.

      Two guards emerged from around the corner. Their voices were muffled by the masks covering their faces, but their words sent her pulse skyrocketing.

      " Kang Sae-bom." One of them spoke, his masked head nudging towards her direction, guns not aimed at either of them yet, "You need to come with us."

      Her shoulders stiffened up, and scowled at both guards in front of them, "No," She snapped instantly, fingers reaching up to grasp her sister's necklace for support.

      Soo-min stepped in front of her protectively, arm raised out across her and his dark eyes stared at the guard warningly, "She's not going anywhere. Back off. We have a game to play, right--?"

     However, his attempt to save her was not successful. A sharp, brutal strike to his stomach sent him to his knees, gasping for air desperately.

     "Soo-min!" Sae-bom screamed in fright, lunging toward him, but gloved hands grabbed her arms, yanking her backward before she could towards the opening doors they just left.

     She fought. Fought with every ounce of strength she had. She thrashed around in their rough grips, the bag of marbles long forgotten as she tried to hit and kick the guards, "Let me go!"

     Soo-min struggled against the guards, punching some away trying to reach for her, but another blow sent him sprawling to the floor.

     From his position on the floor, with his arms bent back against his back and face squished into the dirt ground, his wide eyes met hers.

     For the first time since they met, she saw fear in them. Not for him, but fear for what would happen to her.

     The last thing she heard was his voice calling her name before the door slammed shut, cutting them off from each other.

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❪ ✏️ ❫ 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙳𝚂 : 4017
─►☆ AUTHOR'S NOTE :
long awaited update and i missed writing for sae-bom so much ugh shes my fav oc ever ive made so far and i love her so very much.... so much that im about to put her through so much angst it's not even funny but we ball LMAOA 😭

get excited everyone because im sure you all know or well can tell who and where the guards are taking sae-bom to and all im gonna say is
that next chap is gonna be a roller coaster of emotions 💔

anywaysss you all know the drill, vote,
comment, ect (if you want) mwah <33