Jun-ho was in the room with the VIPs now. Y/n was patrolling the hallways with Jun-ho's square mask to avoid any rising suspicions.

Jun-ho glanced at the large screen that focused on all the players. He attempted to raise his concealed phone towards the screen.

The players had chosen their order at this point and the woman on the PA had begun her announcement.

"Hello, players, let me welcome you all to the fifth game.

The fifth game is Glass Stepping Stones. The stepping stones before you are made from one of two types of glass, one will be tempered glass and the other will be normal glass. The tempered glass stepping stone as strong enough to hold the weight of two people.However, the normal glass will break even if just one person steps on it. For this game, you will guess which one of the next two tiles is the tile made of the stronger tempered glass, and only step on those across the 18 pairs of tile. You may then cross over to the other side safely and pass this game."

The large VIP by Jun-ho was grumbling. It seemed that he had bet a considerable amount on the very first player to cross the bridge.

"Scumbag" muttered the VIP and drowned his glass of alcohol. He looked around the room before his eyes landed on Jun-ho. He picked up one fat finger and beckoned the police officer. "Bring me another scotch."

Jun-ho served him to the best of his ability without letting his phone slip out from under his forearm.

"I don't want to have to keep calling you back" said the VIP with authority. "Sit down here"

Jun-ho tried to look for any excuse. "I must serve the other guests, sir" he replied swiftly.

"I'm gonna keep this one next to me. Any objections?" asked the VIP loudly.

"Not at all"

"As you please."

"He's all yours."

Jun-ho tried his best not to sigh with defeat as he sat down. This man was revolting. His breath stank as he peered further into Jun-ho's face. Jun-ho forced his face not to grimace.

Jun-ho could vaguely hear the woman on the PA announcing more directions. His focus was unfortunately more on where the VIP's hands wanted to travel. Jun-ho could tell that the first player had started his journey across.

The VIPs around him were cheering him as if it were merely another game. They clearly felt no remorse when the man dropped to his death.

"Well that's it for 96. What a shame" came one VIP's voice. The VIP closest to Jun-ho placed an arm on the officer's thigh. Jun-ho had to physically restrain himself from shrugging the man off of him.

"Hmm, you've already found some more fun" chuckled another VIP glancing at Jun-ho.

"What pretty eyes you have" whispered the VIP closest to Jun-ho.

Jun-ho wanted to do so many things. He wanted to pull his face far away from this old man. He wanted to run out of this room and find his Y/n. But most of all he wanted to take a shower and wash this man's filth off of himself.

The VIP kept moving closer and making suggestive movement as more and more players died. When number 6 died, the VIP had the courage to demand something outrageous of Jun-ho.

"Take that mask off. I want to see your face."

Jun-ho took a deep breath. His mind was running through all the possible scenarios. After a few second he knew what he had to do. It would take all of his limited acting skills.

"We can't show our face in here" replied Jun-ho softly.

"You're all mine" added the VIP in a strange voice.

"But after you leave, they'll kill me.'

The VIP laughed. "If you don't do what I say, I will kill you before I leave."

Jun-ho threw up inwardly but continued nevertheless. He placed his palm on the VIP's rough hand. "Please. Take me somewhere where we can be alone."

The VIP considered the offer for a moment. Then he stood up and clasped Jun-ho's hand tightly in his own.

"You're leaving at the most exciting moment?" asked one of the masked VIPs.

"Hey, you all have fun. I'm going off for a different kind of fun" replied the VIP who was now gripping Jun-ho's hand uncomfortably tight.

"Bon appétit!"

....

Jun-ho was mostly dragged through the halls after this old man. He was clearly desperate. Jun-ho's eyes scanned every inch of the hallway for Y/n and found her right outside the door that the VIP dragged him through.

The VIP made Jun-ho kneel on the ground as he removed his clothing in one hasty movement. Jun-ho wanted to screw his eyes shut and look away, but unfortunately he did not have that kind of fortune.

The man's fingers were now on Jun-ho's jawline and he eased the mask off of Jun-ho's face.

"That's not the kind of face you should keep behind a mask"

Jun-ho kept his face in a cold stare. The VIP was breathing heavily.

"If you can satisfy me in five minutes, I'll change your life" and he pushed Jun-ho's face between his legs.

Oh, Jun-ho did plan to change this man's life.

He placed his gloved hands where the man wanted him to and with one painful grip the VIP was shrieking for mercy.

"Satisfied?" asked Jun-ho a glint in his dark eyes. The VIP was shuddering for breath and Jun-ho pulled off his mask easily.

Jun-ho pointed his gun between the man's eyebrows.

"If you can satisfy me in five minutes, I might let you live," added Jun-ho standing up to his full height and towering over the whimpering man.

"Tell me everything you know about the game"

The old man was quick to spit out everything. From the years of torturous games to the trillions of won spent on winners, Jun-ho knew everything he needed to at the moment.

Once the information was received, Jun-ho placed a sharp blow to the VIP's head knocking him cold for at least another hour. Jun-ho quickly placed the black mask over his face, grabbed guard 30's hands and took off in a fast paced walk down the hall.

Y/n didn't question him until they reached the room with the oxygen masks.

"Did you get everything? Are you alright?" she asked searching his unmasked face for any signs of injury.

"We've got to get out of here. We've only got a few minutes before they realize that I've escaped. Take an oxygen mask. We are going for a swim."

Y/n seemed to be considering something. Her eyes were focused on the masks as Jun-ho moved to pick one up.

"What if we only took one?" she asked gesturing towards the oxygen tanks.

"Y/n–"

"Hear me out. If we take two they know for sure that both of us have left. We don't even know if they know that there's two of us! If we only take one there's a greater chance that one of us can lay low and maybe even have time to call the authorities. We can share the mask. Say we take two. They will search for both of us. If they catch we're as good as dead. This is the end, Jun. We are talking life and death with certainty."

Jun-ho could not argue. He grabbed an oxygen mask and grabbed Y/n around the waist and they jumped into the depths of the ocean.

.....

The radio beeped as a masked guard reported to the Front Man. "The VIP has collapsed."

"Is he alive?" asked the Front Man in his deep voice.

"He's fine."

"And the intruders?"

"We're searching for them now."

The radio clicked off. The Front Man hesitated then turned on his heel and began his pursuit after the intruders.

The Front Man reached the oxygen mask room as the guards surrounded him.

"One of the dive packs is gone" one of them reported.

"I suspect one of the intruders took it. Start tracking it and get the boat ready. Keep an eye out for guards 030 and 029. One of them is still here."

....

The ocean breathed, her surface rising and falling with rhythmic ease. The waves became her pulse that day, the echo of the souls she kept in her cradle.

Y/n gasped for breath as her hands fumbled to take the oxygen mask from Jun-ho's offering hands. Her hair was stuck to her face and her body was becoming increasingly tired under the ocean's cold tides. The couple could make out a shore in the horizon. Maybe just maybe they had a chance. A chance to live. A chance to bring the truth to the golden rays of justice. 

{1447}