How far would you go for a chance at a new life?
In the future, a simulation game is developed: Maverick. A survival game played in teams, where the rich of society take advantage of those desperate enough to enter the sim. Min Soren is more than de...
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"You ready for this?" Sunwoo asks and I nod.
He lifts me up gently and I wrap my legs around his waist.
"Changmin's best plan ever," he says.
"Shh," I say, leaning forward and pressing my lips against his. Sunwoo grins and backs me up against the side of their home base.
A rock hits the back of my head and I let out a small, "Ah"
Sunwoo freezes and smirks, holding back a laugh.
"If you laugh I'll kill you." I whisper in his ear.
He grins and kisses me again. He says loudly, "Now that it's just us TWO left on our team, we can finally be together,"
"I know right," I project my voice.
I begin to grasp his soft wavy hair when one of the players from the remaining team comes out of their cave.
"Oh no," Sunwoo gasps fakely.
"They're out here!" Player 40 calls to his teammates. Two more players come out and Sunwoo gently drops me back on my feet as they drag us inside.
We pretend to look shocked as they tie us back to back with a thick rope. At first I don't feel nervous about being back here, but then Player 48 steps into the light and the panic sets in.
I swallow, and the stomach dropping feeling comes back as he steps closer to Sunwoo and I. Sunwoo feels around for my hand and intertwines our fingers.
It's not going to happen again, because this time I'm not alone, and we have a plan.
"Aw. That's so cute." 48 says when he sees us. The other five players around him circle around us.
"Isn't it?" Sunwoo smiles at him. "I bet it's painful for you to see because no shit face like you could ever get a girlfriend."
"Hah... well after we win, I think I'll be able to get anything in the world that I want. So I don't want to hear it from a lowly 8th factioner." he responds.
"What was that?" I ask.
"Oh? She talks? I don't remember her talking, oh right because you were unconscious while we were together." 48 grins.
Sunwoo makes a struggle against the ropes and 48 just laughs at him. I nudge Sunwoo's shoulder to let him know that's not part of the plan.
"No, what was that you said before?" I ask.
"Hm? About us winning?"
"Yeah, you said we." I say.
"And?"
"And I'm assuming you're the leader of your group right? You're team 4." I ask.
"Yes. Are girls always so cryptic? Just spit it out." 48 groans.
"Yeah?" I look at all the other players surrounding us. "And what team are you all registered under hm? I know based on the tablet that he's the only remaining team 4 player." I ask. "Because the rules state that only those surviving members of the winning team receive money. You realize he's using you right? You're not getting any profit from helping him take us down." I look each of the other players in their eyes. They all stare at me in the same way.
They respond with silence. And 48's grin fades.
"Woomin... is that really true?" another player asks.
"O-of course it's not true. Do you really think a chick like her knows the rules?" he answers.
"Oh I'm sure I know them better than you. I've only been preparing for this sim my entire life, and I'm sure a guy like you can't even read." I say.
"So." Sunwoo adds. "You all can continue to help this coward and get nothing, or you can leave right now. Maybe you'll get your dignity back sometime."
"Unbelievable," One of the players scowls at 48. "You said we could all split the cost evenly."
They begin walking out and 48's fist clenches. "You guys wouldn't have even made it this far without me."
"Maybe not," A player says. "maybe we would've made it farther with our own teams."
"What's the point anymore," Another player unclips his own collar.
two more do the same and Sunwoo watch in satisfaction as the dominating team dissolves itself.
"You slut." 48 sticks his face in front of mine. "I had it all planned out."
"Oh I'm a slut for knowing the rules and calling you out? Real creative." I roll my eyes.
48 steps forward, his defeated look melting into a mischievous grin.
My confidence fades as I realize I'm still the one tied up and he still has the power.
He reaches out and grabs my neck to bring me closer to his face.
I close my eyes in fear but Sunwoo pushes both of us out of the way and suddenly I can breathe again.
"Fucking jerk," Sunwoo clenches his jaw as we both struggle to stand up.
Sunwoo rolls over so that I'm on top of him and he slips me a small knife.
Just as I'm cutting the rope that ties us together, we hear multiple thuds and groans from outside.
Not long after, Changmin stands in the entrance carrying the shield and 3 medal collars in his hand.
"You're officially alone." Changmin says. "And by the way, I think you're a sucky team leader."
"Tch," 48 says. He pauses before attempting to run away but Changmin shoves him back.
Sunwoo and I finally free ourselves and the ropes fall to the ground.
"Would you like to do the honors?" Sunwoo asks. The two boys step back and I bring out the same dagger that Juyeon used to use.
"Look... I'm sorry," 48 says and backs away slowly.
"You're sorry?" I ask. "If you're sorry, then get down on your knees and apologize."
He does as I say and looks up at me. "You-you're evil. You wiped out my whole team, as a leader that hurts."
"Oh I'm sure," I roll my eyes. "Considering you were just using them all to get you to the finale. And we didn't strip you of your teammates, your own ego did."
He scoffs and reaches to his belt for a last shot at getting his knife but I step on his hand with my heavy boots.
"Look at me." I tilt his chin up with the point of my blade. "My only regret is that you'll still be alive after this since it's just a sim. I guess you got lucky."
For once, 48 is silent. I slice the blade to cut off his metal collar, and before blood can even start seeping down, he disappears.
With satisfaction, I turn around to face my teammates, but they're nowhere to be found.
"Sunwoo?" I call out. "Changmin?"
I slowly walk out of the base and I look both ways.
I hear a rustling noise and I begin walking to my left, when my foot hits something hard. I look down with furrowed eyebrows. Nestled in the dirt under some leaves lays a metal collar.
