SQUID GAME [TWICE VERSION]

45.6 Billion Won

The guards began piling the lifeless bodies, setting them ablaze in a gruesome pyre.

The survivors gathered back in the lobby, each of them exhausted from the brutal game, their bodies and minds burdened by the horrors they’d just endured.

“Thank you for saving me, Tzuyu.” Sana spoke softly, avoiding eye contact as her cheeks tinged with embarrassment.

“You don’t need to thank me.” Tzuyu replied, her expression stoic, unreadable.

Sana’s lips curved into a slight smile. “Still, I’m grateful.”

Tzuyu’s eyes met hers briefly. “Instead of thanking me, reflect on your actions. Be more careful in the next games.” Sana’s smile faded, replaced with a small pout.

“Yes, I will.” Sana mumbled in response, glancing down in thought.

Moments later, the main doors swung open, and a line of guards entered, their ominous presence making the players instinctively step back. The fear was palpable; many feared they might be executed right then and there.

“All of you survived the first game. Congratulations.” announced a booming voice from one of the guards.

The attention shifted as a large screen flickered on overhead, casting a cold, unfeeling light across the room. The remaining players watched in horrified silence as numbers began to scroll, revealing the toll of the first game.

“Out of 456 players, 255 were eliminated. Only 201 players completed the game.”

A hush fell over the group. Many of the survivors were still processing the harsh reality – more than half of their fellow players were gone. Then, a man suddenly stepped forward.

“Sir! Please, let me leave. I only joined because my friends wanted me to. My mother is waiting for me back in Japan.” Player 064 pleaded, her eyes glistening with desperation.

Another woman dropped to her knees, her voice breaking. “I’ll pay my debts some other way. Just please, let me go.”

One by one, others joined in, their pleas and cries filling the room.

“I want to end this nightmare!”

“Please, I just want to go home!”

The head guard raised his hand, silencing the chaos. “We’re not here to harm you. We’re here to offer you a chance.”

“A chance?” one player sneered,
“You call this madness a chance? You’re killing us while forcing us to play children’s games!”

The complaints grew louder, frustration and disbelief rippling through the players like a wave.

“Enough!” the guard’s voice sliced through the noise,
“This is a game. Those who failed simply didn’t follow the rules. Stick to them, and you’ll leave this place safely – with the prize we promised.”

“Prize?” a voice echoed bitterly,
“I don’t need your filthy money. I just want to go home!”

The guard’s expression hardened. “Rule number one: a player is not allowed to stop playing.”

A murmur of horror ran through the crowd, followed by tense silence as he continued.

“Rule number two: players who refuse to play will be eliminated.”

A woman, Player 001 – stood up, her voice unwavering. “If there’s a rule one and two, there must be a rule number three. Isn’t that right?”

A tense pause followed.

“Correct.” the guard replied with a nod.

“Then, we demand a vote. If the majority chooses to end the game, you must let us go.” her words were met with murmurs of agreement, hope flickering in the players’ eyes.

The guard, unflinching, replied. “Very well. We’ll proceed with a vote to determine the game’s termination.”

Relief swept through the players. But before anyone could relax, the guard held up a remote. The ceiling above them opened, and a giant piggy bank descended, filled with cash that cascaded down in an unending stream. The players’ eyes widened as they took in the sight, some awe-struck, others horrified.

“From the first game, 255 players were eliminated, each contributing one hundred million won to the pool. The current prize stands at 25.5 billion won. If you decide to end the game, the families of those eliminated will receive their portion, but all remaining players will return empty-handed.”

A player spoke up, voice filled with desperation. “And if we complete all six games? How much will we get?”

The guard answered without hesitation. “The total prize is 45.6 billion won.”

The guards rolled out voting stations, each equipped with two buttons.

“Before you, there are two buttons. Press the green button with an ‘O’ if you wish to continue playing. Press the red button with an ‘X’ if you want to stop. Once you’ve voted, step across the white line. We’ll begin with Player 456.”

One by one, players cast their votes, shifting nervously between fear and greed. Some were resolute in their choice to leave, tapping the red button without hesitation, while others were tempted by the promise of a fortune.

“Player 064.” the guard called, and Momo hesitantly stepped forward, pressing the red button with a look of determination.

More players filed in, the vote count swinging back and forth between red and green. Some argued passionately, voices echoing through the room.

“Are you all insane? Do you really want this insanity to continue?” one man cried, shaking his head.

“What’s waiting for us outside?” another voice countered,
“At least here, we have a chance – out there, there’s nothing for me.”

The guards quickly intervened when tensions boiled over, pointing their guns, silencing any further outbursts.

“We will not tolerate any disruption to this democratic process. Let us continue with the voting.” the guard said firmly, resetting order.

Player 025, Tzuyu, pressed the red button, choosing not to risk another game.

Number 024, Mina, chose red as well.

Number 012, Sana, pressed green.

Red led by just one vote, with only two players remaining.

Player 009, Nayeon, pressed red, widening the gap.

“Although red has already won, one player remains. Player 001, please cast your vote.” the guard announced.

Player 001, Jeongyeon, approached the front and, after a moment’s hesitation, pressed the green button.

Cheers erupted among the players. At last, they were free to leave this terrifying place.