Squid Game x Reader

Two

I wasn't expecting to spend my Friday night being slapped in the face but, to be fair, I hadn't expected a lot of the events that occurred this evening. 

After many attempts to win at a game called ddakji, I finally earned my one hundred thousand won. 

The man let me pay for my losses through slaps to my face. I'm assuming he's some sort of sadist. But he was true to his word and gave me the money. So despite the stinging throb in my cheek, I now have a pocket full of cash and that's one step forward to paying back the money my brother owes.

Before parting ways with the man, he gave me some kind of business card and mentioned something about if I wanted to play a game with higher stakes. 

Whatever that means. 

It bothered me the way the man stared at me during the whole interaction. Like he knew something about me that I don't.

Half an hour later, I arrive at my station and begin the short walk home. 

As I walk the quiet streets, I flip the card through my fingers, eyeing it with conflict. There's a strange symbol on the front and on the back there's a number. 

A game with higher stakes. What does that mean? Instead of slaps, do I get kicked? 

The thought makes me chuckle, but it comes out airy. This day has been a stressful one. The soft sheets of my bed are calling out to me. I would like to hide beneath them and not face the world, but that's the child in me speaking. 

When I arrive home, I find Auntie Soo snoring on the couch, an empty bottle of Soju resting loosely in her hand. I put it in the bin, as well as the other empty bottles on the floor beside her, then pull a blanket over her. She may be a deadbeat drunk, but she took my brother and I in when we had no one. That means something.

Before going to my room, I check in on Dae-Hyung, who's sitting at his desk doing homework. He's a good kid, which is why this has all been such a shock to me. I never could've imagined him getting involved with a gang, not in my wildest dreams. 

"Hi, (Y/N)," he says, when he notices me standing at his door. His bruises have darkened. I clench my jaw, feeling an absolute rage for the people who would beat up such a beautiful boy. "How was your shift?" He appears tense, uneasy. I imagine he's still wracked with guilt.

"It was fine. Tiring," I say with honesty, walking over to him. I put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, then nod my head towards his homework. "Leave this work to the morning. Get some rest."

"That's okay. I've almost finished it." He tries to give me a smile, but winces from the split in his lip.

I let out a deep sigh. "You really are stupid. You know that, right?" 

"I know," he says, looking down.

"Okay." I hesitate, thoughts drifting back to the card in my pocket. "I think I've found a way I can pay back those thugs. But I'm not sure yet." 

Truth is, I have no idea what calling that number will lead me to. 

I don't know how much they'll pay me, or where I'll have to go, or how long I'll be gone for. But there's something about that man earlier. Somehow, I think he... knows about my situation. I'm not sure how that's possible, but it's too much of a coincidence that he approaches me with promises of money right when I need it most. 

And as suspicious as the whole thing is, I'm starting to believe it may be the only option I have. 

My brother looks back up at me with concern deep in his eyes. "It's nothing... dangerous, is it?" he asks, hesitant. 

"No," I say, though I'm not quite sure myself.

"Will you be safe?" 

I nod my head. "Yes. I'll be safe," I say. "But I'm not sure how long I'll be gone for. It could just be a day or two. Or it could be longer." 

From my pocket, I pull out the one hundred thousand won. "Have this and spend it wisely. Take care of your aunt. Make sure she drinks some water amidst all that booze."

Dae-Hyung gnaws at the inside of his cheek, evident worry written all over his face as he takes the money into his hands. I try to give him a reassuring smile. 

"I'll be okay. There's nothing to worry about," I say with a calm and collected tone, then press my lips to the top of his head. "Everything's going to work out."

-

I lay on my bed, staring at the business card. Though I've been tired all day, I'm now restless and sleep is the last thing on my mind. I'm hesitant, unsure, but finally pull out my phone. I take a deep breath, weighing everything up in my mind. 

Then with resolve, I start putting the numbers in. 

The line rings, once, twice, then there's a man's voice. I wonder if it's the man from the station, or someone else. He says, "Would you like to participate in the games?" 

The vagueness of his words does not settle the deep unease in my stomach. Trying to keep my tone even and steady, I reply, "Yes. I would."

"If you would like to participate, please state your name and birth date."

"(Y/N) (L/N)," I say, wincing at the wobble in my voice. "(Y/B/D) 1999."

"Thank you. A van will arrive on your street at midnight tomorrow. The password is 'Red light, green light'." 

I open my mouth to respond, but he's already hung up. So many questions shoot through my mind. He didn't tell me anything. He didn't say what games there will be or how he knows my address or where the van will take me. 

Everything about this feels wrong. Every part of my intuition is telling me not to go through with it. 

But how else will I get the money?

-

a/n: thanks for reading! :) please leave a vote if you enjoyed the chapter. i'm trying to decide who my character should become close with during the games. i'm thinking sang-woo, even though he's a piece of shit lol.