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━━𝒜 piercing white light flickered on, illuminating the dormitory with a harsh glow. Groans and murmurs rippled through the room as the remaining players stirred from restless sleep, blinking against the sudden brightness. The stench of sweat and fear lingered in the air, a grim reminder of how many had already fallen.

Mira's heart pounded as she instinctively turned to her right, eyes darting toward Namra, relief washing over her when she found the younger girl still there. Her dark hair was a tangled mess, her face pale from exhaustion.

Before anyone could fully register what was happening, the cold, robotic voice echoed through the PA system.

"The third game will begin momentarily. All players, please get out of bed and get ready. The third game will begin momentarily.

Let me repeat.

All players, please get out of bed and get ready."

Mira groaned, running a hand through her disheveled brown hair before zipping up her pullover. With sluggish hands, she tied her hair into a messy ponytail, her fingers trembling slightly. She had lost count of how many sleepless nights she had endured since the games began.

"Come on," she murmured, taking Namra's cold hand in hers. The younger girl squeezed back, her grip tight.

As the masked guards led the players down the dimly lit corridor, Mira felt a shiver crawl down her spine. The air was thick with tension, an unspoken dread hanging over everyone like a storm cloud about to break.

A few steps ahead, Mira locked eyes with someone she hadn't expected to see-Lee Myunggi.

His sharp gaze held hers for a brief moment, cold and unreadable, before she was the first to look away. A bitter feeling coiled in her chest, but there was no time to dwell on it.

After what felt like an eternity, they arrived.

The room was vast and eerily empty except for a single carousel at its center. The paint on the wooden horses was faded, chipped away in places, and the eerie silence only made the setting more unsettling.

Then, the mechanical voice returned.

"Welcome to your third game.

The game you will be playing is Mingle.

Let me repeat.

The game you will be playing is Mingle."

Mira barely had time to process the words before Namra's grip tightened painfully on her hand.

"It's okay," Mira whispered, forcing a small smile despite the unease gnawing at her gut. "We'll make it through. Just stay by my side, okay?"

Namra nodded hesitantly, her dark eyes flickering with uncertainty.

Before they could exchange another word, the voice continued.

"All players, please step onto the center platform.

When the game starts, the platform will begin to rotate, and you will hear a number.

You must form groups of that size, go into the rooms, and close the door within 30 seconds."

Muffled whispers spread like wildfire among the players. Some exchanged nervous glances, while others swallowed hard, mentally preparing themselves for what was to come.

A familiar voice called out to them.

"Mira, Namra, we're going to be close to you guys, so if there would be four players, we can go together," Yuro said, approaching with Junseo at his side.

Mira exhaled in relief. "Thank you."

The four of them stepped onto the platform together, standing as close as possible.

Then, the game began.

A hauntingly childish tune filled the air, sending a chill down Mira's spine.

"Round and round Let's go around in circles and dance We will clap our hands and sing La-la-la-la, let's have fun dancing..."

The carousel creaked, the wooden horses bobbing eerily as the platform beneath them began to spin.

The music came to an abrupt halt.

A loud clunk sounded beneath their feet.

"Ten players."

Junseo's eyes widened. "We're four-we need six more. Hurry!"

Panic set in. Players scrambled, frantically pulling at each other, dragging bodies into rooms as the countdown flashed red on the walls.

Mira barely had time to react before Junseo yanked six players into a room, slamming the door shut just as the timer hit zero.

Then came the gunshots.

Mira flinched at the sound, her stomach lurching as she squeezed her eyes shut. The screams were brief-cut off mid-breath.

The voice returned, cold and mechanical.

"The following players have been eliminated:

Player 013, Player 043, Player 049, Player 054, Player 060, Player 068..."

Namra whimpered beside her, burying her face into Mira's sleeve.

The masked guards stepped forward, dragging limp bodies out of the rooms, their lifeless expressions burned into Mira's mind.

The survivors were herded back onto the platform.

The carousel started again.

"Ring-a, ring-a, ring-a Ring-a, ring-a-ring..."

The song felt wrong, disturbingly cheerful against the horror unfolding.

The music stopped.

A mechanical clunk echoed.

"Four players."

"Yes! Let's go!" Junseo urged, taking the lead as the four of them dashed toward a room.

But before they could step inside, chaos erupted.

Hands grabbed Junseo, yanking him back with brutal force.

"JUNSEO!" Yuro screamed, reaching out, but it was too late.

The mob dragged Junseo away, the door slamming shut just as Yuro, Mira, and Namra were shoved into theirs.

Gunshots rang out.

Yuro fell to his knees, fists clenching as his whole body trembled.

"No... Junseo..." his voice cracked, grief drowning his words.

Mira swallowed hard, kneeling beside him. She placed a hand on his head, her own vision blurry with tears.

"It's okay..." she whispered, stroking his hair, though the words felt hollow. Nothing was okay.

Across the room, Myunggi stood with arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

Mira's gaze darkened. She wanted to scream, to hit something-someone.

The game continued.

One by one, players were whittled down.

Mira's heart pounded as the final announcement echoed.

"Attention, players. The final round will now begin."

The platform spun violently, disorienting everyone.

The world blurred around Mira.

Then-silence.

"Two players."

Mira reached for Namra-

-but Myunggi grabbed her first.

His grip was ironclad as he yanked her toward a room, shoving the door shut behind them.

She spun on him, rage flaring.

"Are you fucking serious right now?!"

Mira slammed her fists against the door, eyes wide with fear. "Namra-Yuro-"

"Stop with the bullshit," Myunggi snapped. "I saved you. Twice."

Mira froze.

Her chest heaved as she turned to face him, her expression hard.

"You're an asshole, Lee Myunggi," she spat, voice trembling. "I wish you would die."

The slap came fast-sharp.

Mira's breath hitched. Her cheek stung, but the real pain was in Myunggi's face-the regret in his eyes.

"Oh my God... Mira, I-I'm so sorry-"

Mira stared at him, mascara smudged from silent tears.

"It's okay," she whispered. "I finally saw the real you."

The PA system crackled.

"The final round is now over."

Mira shoved past him, bursting out of the room.

Her heart leaped when she spotted Namra and Yuro.

"You guys are alive!" she choked out, pulling them into a tight embrace.

They had survived.

But at what cost?