𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍

chapter five

⤷𝐀𝐂𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒

"It would be a bad idea for you to participate in the games for the third time."

"Words of wisdom from someone who only have to search for the players." You retorted back though the man isn't offended in any way possible.

"It's a lot difficult to persuade people even though things will get easier when money is involve." He admitted, not really finding any reason to lie or find another way to escape the situation he's in.

"By the way. Keep an eye on some players, Joon-Ho told me that a man tried to report the games."

The salesman look at you in suspicion though it seems that you're telling the truth. If someone does knew about this, they would be killed instantly from their orders or else you will be the one who will get rid of them.

Either way they're gonna die.

"Re-entrance rate might be higher than he expected."

"That's very unlikely....." he trailed off.

Letting out a sigh of annoyance, you adjusted the blazer you were wearing, glancing at the watch around your wrist which reads, 11:25 pm. Anytime now, they'll be here.

"Shouldn't you be home now?"

Looking around the empty streets of the city, not a single soul can be seen in the middle of the night.

"That would be ungentlemanly for me to do, letting a young woman as yourself to wander around by herself, especially at nighttime."

"Do I need to remind you who am I?" You retorted back, "I appreciate that you wanted to accompany me but that won't be needed."

After that, another useless conversation between the two of you was held, mostly about what the games may be.

He wasn't allowed to reveal any sort of information despite not being under supervision of the staff, otherwise, his credibility will be stained.

You then realized that there are two colored paper in the game 'ddakji' that he would have with people. Red might symbolizes that they can be part of the 'staff' and blue implies that they are playing the games.

Though that doesn't mean anything since they have already sealed their fate the moment they called that number to enter the games once more.

"I'm wondering if I'll make it out alive."

"You've won for two years, what makes it different this time?"

"The competition." You answered, obviously worried on what awaits you behind those closed doors, what may happen if you kill those people like you did once before.

Your thoughts are full of what-ifs that will never go away unless this is over.

"Well, you aren't called a top-player for nothing."

Humming in response, the same white van stopped in front the two of you but only one had to go inside while the other doesn't have to.

"Besides, I'm sure that someone is more than worthy to have that prize and it's not me."

.
.
.

How the hell did you find yourself teaming up with Gi-Hun while Sang-Woo is literally gazing right straight to your soul as you pretended everything is just fine.

A team needed a leader and it is definitely not going to be you, and you made that clear the moment they 'recruited' you.

You then made your way to 067 and saw that the guy with a tattoo is trying to make her join her team but she stood her ground.

Seeing that they're not satisfied with her answer, you interjected, "Sorry fellas but this girl is with me."

Not waiting for their response, you gestured for her to follow you and 067 wanted to get out of the situation so she obliged.

"They're targeting you."

"I know."

"It would be better for you to have someone with you at all times since everyone had their little groups of their own."

067 stared at you for a moment and asked, "Why should I?"

"That's because you're a threat, if you're alone, you'll never know you're going to come after you at night."

The staff already gave out food rations which includes, rice, a sunny side up egg, some side dishes and a bottle of water.

The two of you sat together in silence and watch who should you be wary of next. It could be 101's team or maybe someone you had been underestimating this whole time.

"Did you use to have lunchboxes like this?" Gi-hun asked curiously as him and the old man have a conversation about it.

"Of course." 001 replied, "My wife was always busy every morning, preparing lunch boxes for me and my children."

Gi-hun took a bite out of the rice and his expression completely changed, "This rice is cold, geez. We could have warmed it up if we have a stove in the middle. Do you remember?"

You didn't hear the rest of their conversation as 067 asked you, "Do you know what we'll playing next?"

"Not really. Besides, we really need to wait for their set of rules to be announce."

"Does it differ every game?"

"Of course. Though the sleeping quarters is much more dangerous than the arena."

"Why is that."

"No rules are involve in this place."

Player 001 added, "I'm sure it'll be one of the games kids play back in the day."

"Yes. I think so too." Gi-Hun said in agreement on what the old man is saying, "But there are too many games. There are ddakji, dabanggu, hopscotch, biseokchigi, tag, don kaazu, freeze tag." He counted it with his fingers as he tried to remember what children's game might they be playing, "And for girls, Gonngi, Elastics and Cat's cradle."

"I don't think they'll include games strictly designed for girls." You said, joining their conversation after making sure that 067 is well on her own for now, "Equality exists in this place. More importantly, don't you think they're trying to eliminate players like a hundred at a time."

Gi-Hun looked at you in surprise, "That's right! The game 'Green Light Red Light' doesn't fit in any girl's or boy's game. It is a game where everyone can join and play."

"I don't know how to play those." 199 said dejectedly.

"Don't kids in your country play these games?"

Receiving no answer from him, Sang-Woo said, "Don't worry. Kid's game have simple rules. We'll help you if you don't know."

'Atleast he said we.....' you thought to yourself, sitting on the metal stairs whereas trying to deduce is Sang-Woo merely searching for people that he could benefit him later on.

"Thank you." 199 said to Sang-Woo, giving him a genuine smile.