"𝐌𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐰𝐚 𝐊𝐤𝐨𝐜𝐢 𝐏𝐢𝐞𝐨𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢𝐝𝐚"

As the men in pink suits entered the room, a palpable shift occurred—conversations stilled for a moment, replaced by a growing wave of hushed whispers.

"Why are they wearing pink suits? And why are we in green?" a girl murmured to the man beside her, her voice tinged with unease.

"What's happening?" another voice whispered from nearby, barely audible over the low hum of speculative murmurs spreading through the crowd.

Joo Yeon, however, wasn't paying attention to the words around her. Her eyes were fixed on the figures now commanding the room's attention. Their masks obscured their faces entirely, lending an even more ominous air to their appearance.

The men with circle-marked masks moved fluidly, forming a perimeter as if to ensure control. Their synchronized movements left a path open for someone else—a man with a square-marked mask, stepping forward with an aura of authority.

Looks like he's the boss, Joo Yeon thought, her chest tightening.

He took a few steps forward before starting to speak. "I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to you all. Everyone here will participate in six different games over six days. Those who win all six games will receive a handsome cash prize."

Cash prize. Now that's interesting. Joo Yeon's mind latched onto the words, her curiosity overriding her growing apprehension. That's what I want to hear more about.

But the room wasn't so easily pacified.

"And why should we believe that?" someone shouted, cutting through the tense silence. All eyes turned toward the source of the voice—a man standing defiantly near the back. "Y-You took all our stuff, drugged us, and brought us here to this... this warehouse. And now you're saying you'll pay us to play a few games? You really expect us to believe that?"

A ripple of murmurs swept through the room as heads nodded in agreement. The man's words had clearly struck a chord.

Even Joo Yeon couldn't deny he had a point. Still, the promise of a cash prize lingered in her mind, tempting her curiosity despite her misgivings. But what kind of games were they talking about? Her thoughts were disturbed when the square-masked guy spoke up.

"We reluctantly took all of those measures to maintain confidentiality as we brought you here. We'll return everything once the games are over," he said his tone leaving for no more argument.

"You all... you all have masks. Why are you wearing those things?" a woman asked stepping forward. Her green suit bore the number 212.

The masked manager spoke again addressing her question. "We do not disclose the faces and personal information of our staff to any of the participants. It's a measure we take to ensure fair games and confidentiality. Please understand."

A murmur rippled through the group, though many remained unconvinced.

"Well, I don't believe you one bit. You got that?" the same man from earlier- 218- spoke up again. "You tricked us. We were kidnapped."

For a brief moment, his eyes met Joo Yeon's. There was a flicker of something there. She couldn't quite place it. Feeling her chest tighten, Joo Yeon quickly averted her gaze.

The square-masked man paused briefly, his head tilting slightly as if weighing his next words. His calm demeanor didn't falter, even as the tension in the room grew heavier.

"Player 218, Cho Sang-woo," the square-masked said pressing a button on the remote and the screen immediately changed from the number of players to a video of that man getting slapped in the face.

"Age, 46 years. Former team leader of Team Two at Joy Investments. Siphoned money off from his clients' balances, then invested it in derivatives and futures options and failed. Current loss, 650 million won," the square-masked man said but he didn't stop there. He continued.

"107, Kim Mi-ok, 540 million in debt. 118, Oh Yeong-uk, 1.02 billion in debt. 322, Jung Min-tae, 880 million in debt."

A hush fell over the room. No one dared speak. Joo Yeon glanced around, seeing the shocked looks on the faces of the players. Her gaze flicked back to Player 218. She saw his jaw tighten, anger or shame—or maybe both—flickering in his eyes.

"Every person standing here in this room is living on the brink of financial ruin. You all have debts that you can't pay off. When we first went to see each of you, not a single one of you trusted us. But as you all know, we played a game, and as we promised, gave you money when you won. And suddenly, everyone here trusted us. You called and volunteered to participate in this game of your own free will. So this is it," the square-masked man said and Joo Yeon felt scared. What has she gotten herself into?

"I'll give you one last chance to choose. Will you go back to living your old and depressing lives getting chased by your creditors? Or will you act and seize this last opportunity we're offering here?" he further said and everyone fell into hushed conversations.

"What do you think?" Ji-yeon asked poking Joo Yeon in the ribs.

"Well... they know everything about us. And I think we should take this chance. Not like we have anything to lose even if we go out or whatever," Joo Yeon said to which Ji-yeong nodded her head in agreement.

"Hey! Which games are we playing here?" a player asked raising his hand up.

"In order to play fair, we cannot disclose any information about the games ahead of time," the square-masked person answered.

"Alright so at least answer this question. If we win, just how much do we get?" Joo Yeon asked raising her hand up and she could feel everyone staring at her but her expression didn't falter. She kept her straight face on.

Before answering, the square-masked man pressed another button on his remote. Suddenly, a door opened in the ceiling, and a massive piggy bank descended from above. Joo Yeon gasped, her eyes widening. What the heck?

She glanced around the room, noticing the same stunned expressions on everyone's faces. The large piggy bank hung there, suspended in mid-air, a symbol of something ominous and strange.

"Your price money will be accumulated in there after every game. We will disclose the amount to everyone after the first game is over. If you do not wish to participate, then please let us know at this time," the square-masked guy said. The silence that followed was thick with tension. No one spoke up. Instead, they moved toward the designated area in three lines, each person reluctantly making their way forward to sign the player consent form.

Joo Yeon stood behind Ji-yeong and from the corner of her eye, she saw that thug who almost killed that girl skipping the line and going forward to sign the player consent form. She couldn't shake the feeling that something dark was looming in this place, and it wasn't just the games they were about to play.

As Ji-yeong signed the form, Joo Yeon hesitated for a moment, her fingers brushing the pen but unsure whether to make her mark. Her eyes scanned the consent form and she didn't feel anything strange at all.

PLAYER CONSENT FORM
------------------------------------------------------
CLAUSE 1: A PLAYER IS NOT ALLOWED TO STOP PLAYING

CLAUSE 2: A PLAYER WHO REFUSES TO PLAY WILL BE ELIMINATED

CLAUSE 3: GAMES MAY BE TERMINATED IF THE MAJORITY AGREES

SIGNATURE:
------------------------------------------------------

After a brief pause, she exhaled sharply and scribbled her name, feeling a chill run through her as her pen left the paper.

As soon as Joo Yeon signed the form, a woman's voice crackled through the speakers.

"Attention, all players. The first game is about to begin. Please follow the staff's instructions. Please make your way toward the game hall."

A wave of nervous whispers rippled through the crowd, with players exchanging wary glances. Slowly, and with visible reluctance, they began shuffling toward the indicated direction. Joo Yeon followed, her senses heightened. She strained her ears, catching snippets of excited chatter from a group nearby.

"Idiots," she muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes. How could anyone find this situation exciting?

Before going into the game hall they had to check in first. When Joo Yeon's turn came, a soft but unnerving voice on the PA system instructed her, "Please look into the camera and smile."

She complied, forcing a slow, deliberate smile. The flash of the camera illuminated her face, and in that brief moment, she caught her reflection in the polished glass. Her heart sank. She looked like a wreck—dark circles under her eyes, her hair slightly disheveled.

"Great. Just perfect," she muttered bitterly as she moved on.

The hallway was strangely colorful, the pastel walls contrasting sharply with the grim atmosphere. Cameras were mounted everywhere, their mechanical eyes unblinking. Joo Yeon couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, every move scrutinized.

A pair of grand doors at the end of the hallway swung open with a loud creak, releasing an intense flood of light. The sudden brightness made Joo Yeon wince, shielding her eyes with her hand.

Before she could fully adjust to the glare, someone shoved her from behind. She stumbled, her body pitching forward.

"Hey—!" she started to snap but stopped short when a firm hand caught her arm and steadied her before she hit the ground.

"You okay?" a deep voice asked.

She looked up, startled, and found herself face-to-face with Player 218. His expression was calm, though his grip on her arm was steady and strong.

"I'm fine," she muttered, pulling her arm back quickly.

"Watch your step," he said simply before moving ahead, leaving her to process what had just happened.

Joo Yeon shook her head and followed the rest of the players into the brightly lit game hall, her unease growing with every step.

Just as they entered the woman on PA instructed them, "Attention, all players. After you enter the game hall please stand behind the white line drawn on the field and await further instructions."

The announcement was repeated again. Everyone was engaged in hushed conversations and Joo Yeon looked around trying to find Ji-yeong but she was met with unknown people. But as she turned her head to the other side she spotted something strange.

In the other corner of the hall stood a gigantic doll with two pink-suited guys. Joo Yeon squinted her eyes trying to figure out what game they were going to play, but she was blank. Nothing came into her mind. Her thoughts were interrupted when the gates they had used to enter closed with a loud clanking sound.

The woman on the PA system spoke again. "Here is the first game. You will be playing Red Light, Green Light. You are allowed to move forward when "it" shouts out, "Green Light," stop when "it" shouts, "Red Light." If your movement is detected afterward, you will be eliminated."

And with that said the doll turned the other way around towards the wall and used her hand to close her eyes. What the hell did just happen and what does it mean by eliminated? Isn't this a kid game I used to play with my so-called friends?

Again the instructions were repeated and Joo Yeon couldn't even hear what she said again due to murmuring of the players which annoyed her a lot. But she did hear the last part.

"Those players who cross the finish line without being eliminated within the five-minute playtime will pass this round. With that, let the game begin."

An eerie silence enveloped the hall as the doll's mechanical voice declared, "Green Light."

The players hesitated before taking cautious steps forward, testing the waters. Two boys, however, broke into a full sprint, their movements reckless. One of them, a blonde, was in the lead.

"Red Light."

The doll spun around abruptly. Everyone froze.

But the blonde boy's foot slipped slightly, a movement too small to matter in a normal world but fatal in this one.

A deafening gunshot rang out, reverberating through the hall.

"Player 324. Eliminated," the PA announced coldly.

The blonde boy's lifeless body collapsed onto the floor, a pool of crimson quickly spreading around him. The doll turned back to the wall.

"Green Light."

Joo Yeon stepped forward cautiously, her legs trembling. Her attention shifted momentarily to the blonde's friend, who was visibly shaking.

"Red Light."

The doll spun around again. Joo Yeon held her breath, her body rigid.

The boy, paralyzed with fear, flinched. A second gunshot pierced the air, followed by a woman's scream, raw and filled with despair.

Chaos erupted.

Players began to panic, darting toward the exit in a futile attempt to escape. A hail of bullets tore through the crowd. Screams mixed with the thunderous sound of gunfire. Bodies dropped one after another, their lives snuffed out mercilessly.

Joo Yeon felt her chest tighten as panic clawed at her, but she forced herself to remain still.

I don't want to die. I can't die.

The doll turned back to the wall once more, the room now eerily quieter save for the faint hum of the PA system.

"I will now repeat the rules. You are allowed to move forward when "it" shouts out, "Green Light" stop when "it" shouts, "Red Light." If your movement is detected afterward, you will be eliminated."

The instructions were repeated again and Joo Yeon heard another gunshot.

"Player 100. Eliminated. With that, let the game resume," the woman on PA said and the doll turned back to the wall.

"Green light."

Joo Yeon advanced cautiously, her eyes darting to the timer overhead. Three minutes remained. Her chest tightened with urgency.

"Red Light."

She froze instantly, her breaths shallow.

The doll spun back, scanning the field for movement. Then, it turned away once more.

"Green Light."

Joo Yeon began moving again, her steps quicker but deliberate. Her gaze flicked to the chaos ahead just in time to see Player 067 shove Player 101 to the ground. Haha, good for him.

When the doll called "Red Light" again, everyone froze, except for a woman who hesitated a moment too long. A gunshot rang out, her body crumpling lifelessly to the ground.

Joo Yeon, now shielded behind a tall man, felt a flicker of hope—until it was snuffed out in an instant. The man lost his balance and slipped slightly.

A gunshot exploded. Blood sprayed across Joo Yeon's face, warm and thick. She inhaled sharply, her shaky breath catching in her throat. She couldn't scream. Couldn't move.

I'm so toasted, she thought, forcing herself to suppress the rising panic.

The doll spun back to the wall.

"Green Light."

Adrenaline surged through Joo Yeon's veins. She bolted forward, her eyes fixed on the finish line ahead. The doll called "Red Light" once more, but Joo Yeon had already frozen. She was close now, the line just steps away.

"Green Light."

Without hesitation, Joo Yeon ran as fast as she could. The finish line was within reach, and just as the doll began to turn back, her foot crossed over. She collapsed onto her knees, gasping for breath.

Turning around, she scanned the field, her heart pounding. Her eyes found Ji-yeong. She was still out there, her face pale with determination. Nearby, Player 456 clung to life, his tracksuit held tightly by another player who seemed barely able to hold on.

Joo Yeon's gaze flicked back to the timer: one minute remained.

Another gunshot.

More players dropped, their bodies lifeless on the field.

As the seconds ticked down, Ji-yeong made a desperate push, sprinting with everything she had. Joo Yeon's heart soared as she saw her friend cross the line, narrowly escaping.

Player 456 also managed to stagger across with help, collapsing onto the ground.

The timer hit zero.

A deafening series of gunshots rang out, marking the end of the game. The players who hadn't crossed the finish line were eliminated in an instant.

Joo Yeon felt Ji-yeong's arms wrap around her, and she clung tightly to her friend, the weight of relief crushing them both. But even as she hugged Ji-yeong, a gnawing thought took root in her mind.

What have I really gotten myself into?

------------------------------------------------------

𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞 & 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭!

𝐆𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧!!!!