Lucky Number 444

A Glass Cannon

The total number of losses in the game of Marbles had accumulated more prize money in the piggybank. What came as more shock was seeing the crazy woman still alive. It didn't make sense, but apparently being the last one to not be able to participate in the game granted her amnesty from dying like everyone else. 

For now, at least. 

Shortly after everybody had assembled in their dormitory, they all sat wherever they chose, most of whom sat on their beds in silence to mourn for their losses. Supper was brought and those who had passed the Marbles game. Avocado and a bottle of water. 

Player 69 was in heavy loss for having to lose his wife, especially to the fact that there were indeed others who had just lost loved ones, one of whom being Sae-Byeok. Fortunately, she still had a friend to make her less miserable. That person being Ji-Yeong. 

But Player 69 couldn't hold out for long. It was the next morning when the other players discovered that he had passed during the night and hung himself. Worker goons were summoned to remove the body by putting it in a coffin before the contestants were to make off to the next game. 

It mattered not whether the contestants were in teams or not. All that mattered was the order they were to go in by picking vests that would determine how the next game would proceed. Sae-Byeok was feeling much colder and much more alone, despite having a friend with her. 

The remaining members of Player 456's group were wise but wary to pick the back numbers as a result of everybody else going further near the front. After spending a few minutes picking what vest to pick, the players finally came to find that they were going to be playing Glass Stepping Stones, a glass bridge with two different sorts of glass to jump onto. 

The challenge began with fifteen minutes as those near the front were the most afraid to go. One by one, players advanced along the glass bridge with what would be their doom. The suspense was nerve-wracking to say the least. Eventually, those at the back had to proceed. 

The closer to the end they got, the less time they had remaining. 

Sae-Byeok saw swift justice come to her former boss who gave her much grief in the past. And now that he was finally defeated by his former lover, there were little worries left other than the games. She needed the money. She had to win. 

For (Y/n)... 

There was only one issue. With only five contestants left, the front being a glass maker, analysing the glass made it the group's only hope of living through it. But of course, the Front Man was not going to allow it to happen under the watch of the VIP's who'd come to witness the games. 

When the lights were adjusted, it became much more difficult for the glass manufacturer to tell the difference. Therefore, he had no way of telling which glass was tainted or not. Fortunately, Player 456 had a marble he could allow the front man to determine the sound. 

Only a minute remained. 

Player 218 however, had to make the radical decision to push the glassmaker to his death. As a result, the remaining three made it across just before the glass ended up exploding. Shards flew everywhere, cutting the few remaining contestants as they dove to the ground when Sae-Byeok found somebody fall on top of her. 

"Are you guys alright?" Player 456 asked. 

"Ji-Yeong?" Sae-Beok murmured, shaking her friend's body. "Ji-Yeong. Ji-Yeong! Ji-Yeong, this isn't funny. Wake up!" 

She didn't care about the scratches on her face, rather the wellbeing of her friend. With no immediate response, Sae-Byeok gasped when she rolled her friend over. A shard of glass stuck out of Ji-Yeong's throat where blood coated her entire neck as well as Sae-Byeok's shirt. 

Sae-Byeok sat on her bottom and fought back the urge to cry before Player 456 extended his hand out to her. She took it hesitantly before they made their way back to their dormitories. The other two argued with one another. 

All the while, Sae-Byeok simply huddled on what she believed was her bed and listened to the two argue over the mess they were in which was the games. A buzz sound went off before the doors to the room were opened and three men entered the room. 

Two workers and a man with a square on his mask entered the room and acknowledged the contestants who'd reach the finals. 

"Players, we sincerely congratulate and commend you all for successfully making it through the first five games. The three of you are now the finalists and as such, we have prepared a special gift for each of you. Before we reveal the gift, please take a moment to change into the outfits we have brought." 

The three were gifted tuxedos to wear while the room was organised for a dinner. The tables were shaped as a triangle where they were treated with luxury. Classical music suited the mood as all three dined once they were allowed to do so. Sae-Byeok didn't feel like eating. Not after losing the two most important people in her life. 

But she ate regardless, knowing she needed to. The other two, however, ate more sloppily than she did. At the conclusion of their meals, the three sat awkwardly, staring at one another while the workers tidied up around them, leaving only a knife behind. They all took ahold of it hesitantly, knowing what was to come.