⭐️ ————— Mi-Ya anxiously waited in line for her food and water. She glanced around at everyone with pursed lips. The room had been divided into two.

Those who wanted to stay, and those who wanted to leave. Mi-Ya had moved over to the right side.

Mi-Ya had tried to look for Hyun-ju, but it was obvious the woman was hesitant to speak to Mi-Ya.

And Mi-Ya couldn't hate her for that. She understood. She'd wait until Hyun-ju wanted to speak.

But, she was alone now.

Mi-Ya then moved forwards and took her meal, thanking the guard as she stepped aside, waking towards her bed with the food in her hands.

But, Mi-Ya paused when she felt eyes on her, making her turn her head to the side to lock eyes with player 456.

She swallowed thickly, contemplating for a moment before hesitantly making her way towards player 456 with pursed lips.

The man immediately looked up as she moved to stand in front of him with an anxious look. "Sorry to interrupt, but you said you knew my sister, correct?" She politely smiled down at the man, who swallowed thickly and nodded his head.

"Correct." He nodded his head, making Mi-Ya glance down at him with an eager look. Before he could continue, a voice spoke from behind Mi-Ya.

"Sir, you said you've played these games." Mi-Ya turned around, moving to the side and leaned on one of the beds, looking at player 1. "I pressed the 'O' button because of you." The man admitted. "Honestly, I was scared. I wished to quit and leave." Mi-Ya pursed her lips at his words, leaning the side of her head against the bed pole. "But you made me think maybe I could play just one more game."

The people around him agreed, nodding their heads at player 1's words. Player 456 sighed as he lowered his head, making player 1 step forwards once more. "Sir. You know which game's next, don't you?"

The crowd moved closer, desperate to know what game would be next. Mi-Ya glanced down at player 456, tilting her head to the side. "The second game was Dalgona." Player 456 told them all, making Mi-Ya raise her brow.

"The honey comb?" Mi-Ya asked, making player 456 turn to her, nodding his head.

Mi-Ya raised her head as the bed she was leaning on moved, looking up at the man who leaned forwards, looking down at player 456. "The sugar candy with a shape you can carve out?" He asked.

"That is what honey comb is." Mi-Ya couldn't help but smile up at the man. She glanced at the number on his shirt. '388.' That was the man that had saved her.

Player 388 slowly nodded his head at her words, a sheepish smile on his lips. The pair then turned their attention back to player 456.

"That's right." Player 456 nodded his head at the two. "We had to choose one of four shapes and carve it out."

"Four shapes?" The man beside him raised his brow. "Which was the easiest one?"

"Triangle." Player 456 told them. Mi-Ya listened to every word, wanting to know so she could tell Hyun-ju what the next game would be and warn the woman.

"Which was the hardest one?" The man asked once more. It was obvious the pair knew each other before the games.

"Umbrella."

Mi-Ya breathed out, shaking her head at that. "Umbrella?" Player 1 repeated, having the same reaction as Mi-Ya. "Some people chose umbrella? Those unluckily bastards must have bitten the dust."

Mi-Ya glanced back down at player 456, noticing the look on his face. She pursed her lips at that. He must have picked umbrella.

"So that means we should all just pick triangle." Player 388 spoke up once more, continuing to eat his food. "Everyone could probably pass the round."

Player 100 started to hush him, making Mi-Ya pinch her brows as she stared at the older man. "If all 365 of us survive, the prize money won't go up at all." He said, making Mi-Ya narrow her eyes. "Then we'll have risked our lives again for nothing."

"You risked your own life by picking 'O'." She uttered to herself, lowering her head as she rolled her eyes.

She glanced back up at player 388 when she heard him snicker, making her lower her head once more with a grin.

"Listen. We should probably keep this information to ourselves." Player 100 suggested, making Mi-Ya glance at him once more.

Player 456 immediately shook his head, glaring at the older man. "We can't do that. I'm telling you this to save everyone's lives." He hissed. "If it's confirmed that the next game is Dalgona, I'm going to tell everyone what i know."

The older man scoffed as he turned around, shaking his head as he walked away from them, the crowd soon following.

Player 456 let out a heavy sigh as he glanced down at his food. Mi-Ya lifted her head off of the bed pole, glancing at player 1, who hands left yet.

"So which shape did you pick?" The man beside player 456 asked, raising his brow. Player 456 slowly turned his head to his friend.

And that look made Mi-Ya realise she was right. He had gotten umbrella. She sent him a sympathetic look at that.

"How did you pull through all six games?" Mi-Ya then asked, moving to sit on the step below player 456, turning to face him.

Player 456 glanced down at her with a look she didn't understand. "The group I had." He told her, making her nod her head with a sad smile.

"I'm sorry." She apologised, making player 456 shake his head at her words. "It must have been hard."

Player 456 nodded his head at that, pursing his lips as he stared down at her. He swallowed thickly before speaking up. "You should stick with us." Mi-Ya glanced back up at him as she opened her water. "So you survive the games."

Mi-Ya bit her inner cheek as she looked up at him. She didn't understand why he wanted to make sure she was safe and survived the games. Maybe it was because he knew Sae-Byeok. She didn't know how he knew her.

She nodded her head, sending him a small smile as she did so. "I would like that." Player 456 sighed at that, sending her a tight-lipped smile. She had no one else at the moment.

Before Mi-Ya could ask about her sister, player 1 spoke up. "May I ask you something?" Mi-Ya turned back around as she watched the man sit down. "Why did you come back to this place? You said you won and made it out. Then you must have received 45.6 billion." He then paused. "Did you spend it all?"

Player 456 pulled an offended look at that, looking away from player 1. "Did you bet on horses again?" His friend asked.

"That money doesn't belong to me." Player 456 immediately said, shaking his head with a hardened look on his face. "It's blood money for the people who died here."

Mi-Ya missed the glance he sent her as she stared to eat her food in silence. "The same goes for the money up there." He continued, pointing up at the piggy bank.

"You don't have to think of it that way." Player 1 shook his head, making Mi-Ya turn to look at him. "It's not like you killed those people, and saving that money won't bring them back to life."

Player 456 immediately rose his brow, turning to the man as he leaned forwards. "If you had pressed the 'X', everyone here would've made it out alive."

Player 1 paused for a moment, before nodding his head. "That's right. I was the last to press the 'O' button." Mi-Ya pursed her lips as she quietly listened. "But there were 182 more people who wanted to stay."

"And there were also 182 people who wanted to leave." Player 456 quickly replied, shaking his head in annoyance.

"Let's say I pressed 'X' and we all left. Would everyone have been happy?" Player 1 questioned with a tilted head. "Do you think if they ran into me later, they'd thank me for saving their lives and tell me they're happy now?"

Mi-Ya awkwardly glanced between the two, sharing a look with player 390. "All right." The man quickly interrupted. "There's no point in placing blame now. You know the saying, a widow understands a widower best." Mi-Ya raised her brow at his words. "Let's just focus on tomorrow's game, okay?" He looked between the two.

There was a silent pause between the group, making Mi-Ya lower her eyes to her food. "He has won all these games before. If we stick together, we'll have nothing to worry about." Player 390 continued.

"He's right, sirs."

Mi-Ya glanced up at the voice, watching as player 388 climbed off of his bed, moving to stand in front of Mi-Ya.

"We have to stick together. I'll be with you all the way." Player 388 nodded his head as he stared down at the four.

"Who are you?" Player 390 immediately asked, raising his brow.

"My good sir." Player 388 leaned off of the bed to stand in front of them all. "I'm Dae-Ho." He introduced himself. "Kang Dae-ho." He held out his hand for player 390 to shake.

Player 390 leaned back as he looked at Dae-ho, slowly nodding his head. "Oh, Mr. Dae-ho." He uttered, making Dae-ho nod his head. "Have we met?"

Dae-ho slowly pulled his hands away, nodding at player 456. "Earlier during the game, Mr. 456 where was like, 'freeze!'" He mimicked the action player 456 did. "And I became his fan." He grinned. "I'd like to get to know you, sirs." He then glanced down at Mi-Ya, who was continuing to eat her food. "And Miss." he added, making Mi-Ya glance up at him, offering him a smile. "Please give me the chance."

He continued to speak as player 390 stood up, making his way towards Dae-ho. "Hold on." He told him, moving to hold onto Dae-ho's arm and pull up his sleeve.

"Yes, sir?" Dae-ho frowned, watching player 390. Mi-Ya looked up at the pair, watching as player 390 revealed a tattoo on Dae-ho's arm.

"You were in the Marines?" Player 390 questioned, looking done at the tattoo on Dae-Ho's arm.

Dae-ho nodded his head, lowering his arm to his side. "Yes, why?"

"Class number?"

Mi-Ya glanced between the two, tilting her head to the side as Dae-ho let out a laugh. Then, player 390 revealed his Marine tattoo.

"Victory at all costs!" Mi-Ya jumped at the sudden yell, looking up at Dae-ho as he saluted. "I was in class 1140, sir!"

"At ease!" 390 saluted as well, lowering his hand to his side. "Dae-ho. I knew there was something about you." He hit Dae-Ho's arm, making him yell 'sir'. "Class 746 here. Let's make a good team."

"I won't let you down!" Dae-ho immediately said.

Mi-Ya couldn't help but watch the interaction with a smile, looking over her shoulder at player 456, who had an amused look on his face.

Mi-Ya's smile didn't falter as she looked up at the man, which caught his attention. "Since you know my name, what's yours?" She potently asked.

"Gi-hun."

Mi-Ya's smile faltered slightly, which made Gi-hun raise his brow. "You know my name?" He hesitantly asked.

Then, it clicked for Mi-Ya. No wonder he knew her sister. He was Sae-Byeok's friend that took Cheol out of the orphanage.

"You took my brother out of the orphanage." Mi-Ya uttered, making Gi-hun sit up slightly. "You actually do know my family." She shook her head as she turned her whole body to face him. "Why did you take my brother from the orphanage? And where is he? Is he okay?"

Gi-hun immediately nodded his head, not wanting to worry the girl about Cheol. "He is okay." He told her, making her let out a sigh of relief. "He's been looked after by someone I trust."

Mi-Ya nodded her head, but she was still confused. Why wasn't he with Sae-Byeok. "The orphanage told me that Sae-Byeok sent you. But why? Where did she go?" She questioned. "She would have told me if she was going somewhere."

Gi-hun swallowed thickly at her questions, not knowing how to tell her that her sister had died in the very games they were in. That would completely break her and throw her off the games.

He didn't want to risk that. But he didn't want to lie to her. But, to make sure she survived the games, he had to.

And he would immediately tell her when they get out of here.

"She left for a job." He quickly lied, making Mi-Ya raise her brow. "She told me to get in contact with you to tell you, for you to come back for Cheol." That wasn't a lie, it was the truth. "But, I couldn't find you anywhere."

Mi-Ya slowly nodded her head, her brows pinched together as she looked up at him. She didn't realise the look of interest player 1 sent her way as he listened to their conversation.

"But, why wouldn't she tell me? I haven't heard from her in three years." Mi-Ya softly asked, shaking her head in confusion.

Gi-hun shrugged his shoulders at that, not wanting to lie to her. But, he had to. "I don't know."

Mi-Ya sent him a sad smile, nodding her head as she looked down for a moment. "But, they're both okay and safe?"

Nodding his head, Gi-hun looked down at her with a reassuring look. "Yes." He told her, making her sigh once more. "Once we leave the games, I'll take you to your brother."

"Thank you." Mi-Ya immediately said, sending him another smile. "I appreciate what you've done for my family." She uttered, looking away from him as she glanced up at Dae-ho and player 390.

She missed the look Gi-hun sent her. The look of regret—shame. Only if she knew the things he did.

Mi-Ya continued to eat her food, quickly finishing it and placing it on the step beside her, taking a sip of her water.

Player 390 turned around to talk to Gi-hun, but Mi-Ya wasn't listening as she placed her water down. "So, what's your name, Miss?"

Mi-Ya glanced up, looking up at Dae-ho, who smiled down at her. She reciprocated his smile. "Mi-Ya." She introduced herself, outstretching her hand for him to shake.

Dae-ho glanced down she her outstretched hand and immediately shook it, his smile not faltering.

"Thanks again for saving me in that game." Mi-Ya said with a genuine look of gratefulness on her features. "I would have been dead if it wasn't for you." She added, pulling her hand back and placing it in her jacket.

But, Dae-ho shook his head, placing his hand at his side as he looked down at her. "No need to thank me, we're all in this together." He brushed it off, making Mi-Ya playfully roll her eyes.

Before Mi-Ya could speak once more, yells made her tilt her body to the side, looking lady Dae-ho as she watched player 333 tackle the purple haired man, who she learned to be Thanos, to the ground.

Then, player 124 jumped in, trying to help Thanos is the fight. The man held back player 333, letting Thanos get up.

A gasp left Mi-Ya's lips as Thanos threw a punch at player 333. And then another. And another. "I lost all that money because of you, fucker!" Thanos hissed, looking down at player 333 before kicking him.

Mi-Ya shook her head as the two boys practically jumped player 333. "It's good to be young." Dae-ho uttered to player 390 as they watched the fight. "They still have the energy to do that."

"He might really get hurt." Player 390 uttered, glancing at Dae-ho. "Someone should stop them."

"I know." Dae-ho uttered.

Mi-Ya looked up at the pair, noticing the look player 390 sent Dae-ho. And Dae-ho soon caught on, turning to him with wide eyes. "Me?"

Mi-Ya turned her attention to player 1, who stood up and walked past the pair, moving towards the fight.

"Boys, what are you doing in the middle of mealtime?" Player 1 moved towards Thanos and played 124. "No fights turning mealtime. There are elders present. Mind your manners."

Mi-Ya carefully stood up, stepping forwards to stand beside Dae-ho as she watched the interaction. "And two against one? Aren't you embarrassed?"

"You're lecturing me when you ended up in this shithole too?" Thanos turned to player 1, letting go of player 333. "Dude, stop running your mouth and take care of your own damn kids."

Mi-Ya pulled an awkward look, pursing her lips. "What did you just say?" Player 1 questioned, tilting his head to the side.

"I said save the lecture for your own damn kids."

Mi-Ya's eyes widened as she watched player 1 reach out to grab ahold of Thanos' neck with ease. Player 124 went to help his friend, only to be kicked in the leg, immediately falling to the floor.

Thanos went to attack player 1, but failed miserably as player 1 punched him in the stomach twice.

And with ease, player 1 grabbed a hold of Thanos' arm, twisting it and throwing him to the ground.

Thanos groaned in pain as he stayed on the floor. That's when player 1 moved to hover over him, leaning down to grab ahold of Thanos' neck once more.

Mi-Ya's mouth had dropped open as she watched the fight, completely baffled by it all. But, after a moment, player 1 let go of Thanos and stood back up.

Everyone started to clap for him, and Mi-Ya did too. She couldn't believe what she had just witnessed, but she was completely stunned.

"What is he?" Player 390 uttered as he clapped.

"Is he an ex-Marine too?" Dae-ho questioned, tilting his head to the side. The pair immediately covered up their tattoos at that, and continued to clap for player 1.

It was now time for sleep. The lights had been dimmed out completely and everyone had gotten into their beds.

Mi-Ya took the spare bed beneath Dae-ho's, so she could be closer to the rest of the group.

Mi-Ya couldn't find sleep, instead, she glanced down at the necklace in her hands, which she had taken off.

She sadly smiled at the picture inside the necklace. Her brother and sister. The two closest people she had in her life.

She hoped she'd survive the next game, so she could see them both once again. It had been years since she had. And she missed them both deeply.

She had to survive for them.

She had to.

——— madeleines notes

FINALLY SOME DAE-HO AND MI-YA INTERACTIONS YAAAAAAAA

I know some of you will be mad at Gi-hun for not telling her about Sae-Byeok. BUT IT MADE SENSE FOR IT TO GO LIKE THAT.

Because she wouldn't be able to focus on the games. She'd be devastated. And Gi-hun is trying to make sure she stays alive. Because he wouldn't be able to deal with her death on his hands as well as Sae-byeok's

So I hope you understand why I had him lie, BUT IT MAKES IT MORE ANGSTY.

I don't think he'll tell her In this season, but depending how season 3 goes, he'll tell her then.

But she will find out, I swear.

But no Mi-ya and hyun-ju interaction CRIES.

But, they will be back besties next chapter!! Don't worry!!! DONT WORRY!!

It was just for the plot.

But probs the last chapter today, or maybe not.

I was gonna write a chapter for another fic today so. Depends on how I feel LMAO.

But I love you all! Thanks for the votes and comments!

11th January 2025
3455 words