─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
wait, how do i play?
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Not all of the teams had made it. But the majority had. The mini-games had went on for what felt like forever—some succeeding whilst some were carried off in the black coffins. Mei's emotions had been all over the place as she watched, feeling like she was trapped in the inside of a tornado. Despite watching those that lost, she still had hope that they could complete the mini-games. After all, she'd witnessed one of the weakest teams make it through along with many others.

Finally, it came down to two teams. Mei and player 456's. It had felt odd, walking to the starting line in silence after the nonstop cheering that had been going on. But the winning teams had been cleared out, leaving the two teams alone with nothing but each other and the guards on duty.

Mei's team stood in a line. It was Mei first, then Ji-ho, Ha-rin, 025 and then 099. Their legs had been bound together with chains, sealed by padlocks, allowing only their arms to be free. Mei had put her hair into a ponytail ahead of time, though a few strands had fallen loose, tickling at her face as she stared down at her feet.

         "We've got this, alright?" Ji-ho reassured his quiet team.

          099 scoffed, "Damn straight we do. I'm not fucking dying here." He insisted with a firm nod of his head, making everyone else nod in agreement.

          "Hey guys!" A voice called out, making each of their heads perk up. Mei looked opposite them to the other team. "We'll see you again when we all pass the finish line! Victory!" Player 390 yelled over encouragingly, sticking his hands in the air with a clap.

          "See you guys there!" Ji-ho called back with a smile.

         Mei stared ahead at the other team, her eyes momentarily locking onto Young-il's. He raised his head, putting his fist in the air whilst offering her a smile. Mei returned it, though it hardly met her eyes—feeling far too anxious to give a genuine smile.

          Mei's team all linked arms, seconds before the gunshot went off, initiating the beginning of the game. Everyone began moving, somehow moving in perfect sync as they marched towards the first game, chanting 'one, two' as they went to keep themselves in sync.

         The moment they reached the first guard, Mei suddenly regretted choosing Ddakji—not because she particularly thought she would fail, but because if she did fail, then she would be the first one to mess up. There was a lot of pressure on her to succeed so that they could move onto the next game.

         The team stopped as the guard allowed her to choose her colour. Mei chose blue, just like she had when playing against the salesman guy, hoping it would bring good karma, "Don't fuck this up, 111." 099 hummed from beside her, a bead of sweat trickling down the side of his face from nerves.

        Mei casted him a glance, a glare on her face before adjusting herself. Ji-ho moved as far back away from her as he possibly could whilst chained, trying to give her room, "You've got this, Mei," He promised her. "Remember, you won first try against that salesmen guy—not a lot of people managed that. We all believe in you." He went on, his voice and words bringing her comfort.

         The guard dropped the other Ddakji piece onto the floor as she gripped her piece tightly between her fingers. She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath before slowly raising her hand into the air, her fingers shakily clutching the Ddakji.

          Please don't let it miss, she thought to herself.

           Not giving herself the chance to hesitate further, she thrusted her hand downwards, tossing the Ddakji piece down to the floor. She watched, feeling as if the world was suddenly moving in slow motion as her Ddakji bounced off of the other one, making it flip up into the air. When it landed onto the floor, it had landed the other way up.

          "Yes!" She exclaimed, fist pumping the air as the guard beside them gestured that they had passed, putting their arms into an 'O' shape, making everyone cheer in relief.

          "Well done!" Ji-ho praised, giving her shoulder a rub before linking his arm back through hers.

          They began making their way towards the next game, keeping themselves moving in perfect sync, never once tripping or faltering like other teams had. They reached the next game as 099 rolled up his sleeves, heaving out a deep breath, "Just take your time man, no rush." 025 assured him, nodding his head.

099 took the stone, breathing out shakily as he tried to get a good angle, imagining where exactly he'd throw the stone. Mei held her breath when he finally threw it.

It missed.

No one moved for a second or said anything, staring in disbelief before Ji-ho spoke up, "It's alright! We'll just go get it! Let's go!" He urged, linking his arms back through Mei's, making the rest of the team move in unison alongside him. When they made it to the stone, 099 crouched down and picked up up. "Alright, move back!" Ji-ho exclaimed, making each of them begin to take step backwards until they were back over the white line.

Noticeably more anxious, 099 took his time lining up his shot, his hands shaking. Mei watched him nervously before glancing at the timer. Four minutes. He couldn't afford to miss again.

"Come on," Ha-rin drawled out with a groan as she threw her head back, making everyone turn to look at her. She let out a small laugh. "Weren't you just talking shit to Mei about how you didn't believe she made it in one shot against that Ddakji guy? You really gonna let her stand you up like that? That's kinda embarrassing, dude." She sang, swaying on her feet, staring up at the ceiling absentmindedly.

Mei looked at her as she lowered her head, giving her a small and barely noticeable smile. When Mei looked back to 099, she could see that his face had hardened with determination—it seemed that Ha-rin's plan to taunt his ego was working.

He pushed his sleeves back further before throwing the stone without a second thought. Each of them erupted into cheers the moment the stones collided, knocking each other over into the sand.

Not wasting any time, they began trudging towards the third game, their chant leaving their lips naturally. When they stopped, all eyes turned to Ha-rin as she scooped up the Gongi into her hands. They all crouched down along with her as the guard put the small table onto the floor.

"She's got this, right?" 025 asked hopefully.

Mei leaned around Ji-ho, "Shh. Let her concentrate." She ordered, making a silence fall over the group.

Ha-rin rose her head, looking up at the guard in front of them, "Wait, how do I play?" She asked, making dread wash over the entire team. Just as the guard was about to explain, she let out a laugh. "I'm just joking—I know how to play."

I'm going to strangle her, Mei thought to herself.

Everyone's previous anxiety began to fade the moment Ha-rin spilled out the Gongi onto the table and began playing. Her hands moved quickly, never once dropping any of them. Mei's lips parted, her body calming ever so slightly when she realised that Ha-rin was an expert at the game.

Seconds passed before Ha-rin was balancing all of the Gongi on the back of her hand, suspense hanging in the air. She glanced up at the guard, holding his gaze before she flipped the Gongi, catching them in her hand with ease without even looking.

She tilted her head, smiling to herself as the guard made an 'O' with his hands—but she'd already known she'd passed, "Well done, Ha-rin!" Ji-ho praised, giving her shoulder a rub as he and Mei helped pull her up to her feet, each of them linking arms once again.

As they marched to the next game, Mei glanced at the timer. They had a full three minutes left, meaning they had been flying through the other games. When they reached Spinning Top, Ji-ho didn't waste a second to start wrapping the string around the top as everyone waited in anticipation.

"You've got this." Mei reassured him, giving his back a rub before moving herself further to the side, giving him more arm room.

Ji-ho breathed in deeply, closing his eyes as he held onto the top, the string wrapped around his fingers. With his eyes closed, he flicked his wrist, releasing the top. Mei held her breath as she watched it fly down towards the floor, spinning through the air. When it hit the floor, it bounced before landing once again—spinning in endless circles.

"Fuck yeah!" 099 cried out, fist pumping the air. "Almost there guys!" He exclaimed as they began making their way towards the fifth and final game, their bodies rattling with nerves and excitement.

025 took the Jegi from the guard before giving a shove on 099, "Step back. I need more leg room." He ordered, sweat dripping from his chin.

099 did as he was told, pushing himself further into Ha-rin who let out a groan of displeasure. Mei looked around Ji-ho, watching as 025 breathed in and out, trying to steady his nerves. And then he threw the Jegi up into the air. Mei watched, her eyes wide and lips parted as he kicked it once, then twice, then three times. When he hit it on the fourth time, the Jegi went flying higher in the air, almost out of reach.

025 lunged for it, taking them all down with him. Mei's body fell forward, her hands stopping her fall as she slipped to her knees. Everyone tumbled over each other as 025's leg kicked out, his other leg sliding out from behind him. Mei watched in horror as he tried his best to hit the Jegi whilst it flew through the air, spinning in circles. Just when she thought he was going to miss, his foot brushed against the tassels before it fell to the floor.

"Yes!" He screamed, crumbling to the ground, his eyes pooled with tears.

Mei spun her head around, glancing at the clock. They had a full minute left. As everyone got to their feet, she glanced over to 456's team to see how they were doing. They were still on Spinning Top—with Young-il being the one to play the game. By the looks of it, it seemed as though he wasn't doing too well.

Mei allowed Ji-ho to pull her to her feet as she watched. Young-il was yelling at himself, his face turning red, looking distraught. She swallowed hard as she watched him smack himself before 456 was grabbing onto him, telling him to pull himself together. Mei couldn't watch anymore, far too anxious as she was dragged towards the finish line.

When they crossed, they all collapsed to the floor, each of them breathing heavily. Mei sat on her behind, staring down at the red ribbon on the floor—the proof that they had somehow made it in time, being the fastest team yet. She found herself looking up when 456's team was suddenly cheering, all jumping up and down as Young-il finally completed the task.

The guards came over to release them from their shackles as they all watched the last team. Once Mei was free, she immediately got to her feet, "You've got this!" She called over to them, cupping her mouth with her hands. Each of their heads snapped towards her as they stood at the final game. "Don't look at the clock! You've got plenty of time!" She reassured, giving them a firm nod. She wasn't quite sure what compelled her to call out to them but perhaps, it was how supportive everyone else had been to each other. As the last team standing, she felt like they needed it.

456 gave her a nod before snatching the Jegi from the guard. Without any hesitation, he threw it up into the air. Mei watched on, her breath caught in her throat as he kicked it four times—but much like 025 had, his fourth kick had been a little too strong, sending the Jegi flying forward.

Thinking quickly, Young-il threw himself forward, dragging 456's leg along with his as he kicked out. Mei inhaled shakily, watching as both of their feet hit the Jegi as they tumbled to the floor. A moment passed, everyone waiting for the verdict before the guard put his hands up into an 'O'.

Everyone was by Mei's side, cheering them on as they quickly got to their feet and began racing towards the finish line, "Come on! You've got this!" Ji-ho exclaimed, jumping on his feet, fist pumping the air as the last team marched as quickly as they could towards the line.

Mei's eyes widened, thinking for a moment that they weren't going to make it. But then, with nothing but pure luck, their bodies collided with the finish line on the last second. Collectively, everyone lost their shit—whooping into the air and hugging one another, relieved that both of the final teams had made it to the end.

Ji-ho rushed over to them, scooping each of them up into hugs. Mei followed his suit. It didn't matter that none of them truly knew each other—they had been the last times and had been completely alone with their challenges, unlike the other teams who'd had crowds to cheer them on. But even with the odds stacked against them, they had both made it out alive.

Mei was giving the only girl on their team a hug, patting at her back when she paused for a second. She slowly pulled back, looking at the smaller woman, "Wait, are you..." she trailed off, looking down at the girls stomach—which only proved her theory. Even beneath her jacket that was a little too big for her, Mei could still see the outline of her swollen and rounded stomach.

The woman stared up at her before slowly nodding. Mei hissed through her teeth, "Well shit," She mumbled before putting her hand on the woman's shoulder. "Are you alright, though? That had to have been really stressful for you and for the—"

"I'm alright," The woman spoke over her. When she noticed the concern stay on Mei's face, she reached out, taking ahold of Mei's sleeve. "I swear. I'm okay." She insisted once more, making Mei slowly nod her head before backing up, allowing the guards to undo the restraints on the last teams legs.

They were walking back to the dormitory when a hand landed on Mei's shoulder. Turning, she realised it was 456, "Good job out there, kid." He said, giving her the smallest of smiles.

Mei offered one back, "It was all Ji-ho," She told him, looking ahead to where her new friend was walking with his jacket tied around his waist. "He really held us together out there." She said, the faintest of smiles on her lips.

"I don't know," 456 responded, making her look back at him. "You really helped me get my head in the game for Jegi—I was a paranoid wreck until you called out to us. I think you were a better help to your team than you think." He insisted, giving a nod of his head.

"It was nothing, sir," She said with a shrug. "I just wanted us all to make it out of there—and I'm glad we did. Hopefully now we can all go home."

456 watched her before giving a firm nod, "Hopefully."

( authors note )

      having to write in another 2 characters jusr for this game drove me crazy, i could not care less about them😭 (this is me confirming they won't be having massive parts to the plot!).

      hope y'all enjoyed the double update!!

       — taylor x