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TWENTY FOUR | THE GAME
MUST GO ON

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THE THREE WOMEN returned to the large room after a couple of hours, exhausted and sweating from all the simple self-defense Soo-Jin taught them. To be honest, the demonstrations relieved her of the stress that had been accumulating the last few days. The woman didn't go back to her own bed, and instead stayed on another bed. She can't see her bunker bed without remembering Minjun. It was better that she avoided it for now until she could fully accept that the boy was gone for good.

Wherever you are, Minjun, I hope you're okay.

Two figures approached her as she fixed her bed and sighed when she saw it was Sang-Woo and Gi-Hun, their hands inserted in their pockets. Her ex and her bestfriend, of course, was going to check up on her.

"Soo-Jin..."

"I'm okay. I haven't fully recovered, but I'm getting there." immediately butted in Soo-Jin, sitting down. "How are you two?"

"Recovering like you." Gi-Hun gave her a small hopeful smile.

Soo-Jin reached out to him and placed her hand on his cheek, letting him feel her warm palm and comfort. Her bestfriend needed her now and she would be there to help him just like what he did to her when she was also in her tough times. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you both. I know you two are struggling too. I'm sorry."

Gi-Hun wet his lips and clasped his hands. "Ya, it's okay, Soo-Jin. It's just that... they -- "

The brunette hugged her bestfriend tightly and he finally collapsed once she fully wrapped her arms around him. Hot tears wet her shirt and Soo-Jin rubbed his back. "Shh," she soothed. "It's okay, Gi-Hun. It's okay."

"Before he died... he made me promise to take care of his family, even though we're not sure if I'll make it out of here."

"Gi-Hun," They broke apart. Sometimes, she forgot that Gi-Hun was too innocent about violence. He was like a child whose eyes had just opened to the truth about reality. Soo-Jin cupped his face, looking straight in his eyes. "We are going to make it out of here, okay? I'll do everything to make sure that happens. Do you understand that? Sang-Woo and I are going to make sure that happens. Isn't that right?" She turned to her former lover. "Right?"

He swept his dark eyes to her and for a moment, she sensed his hesitation, but then he nodded. She somehow knew why he was hesitant to agree. There was a possibility all of them or two of them will die, but Soo-Jin was determined to bring herself, Sang-Woo, Gi-Hun, and Sae-Byeok even Mi-Nyeo out.

"We are going to live... and we are going to finish this fucking games, for the people who gave up their lives for us." She emphasized. She will not let their deaths be in vain -- never.

The woman in the speakers announced that lights out will be in three minutes and with a loud sigh, she shut her eyes and grabbed both her ex and bestfriend's hands. "Ya, Gi-Hun, Sang-Woo, I need you to promise me something."

They both leant forward.

"But, if... they demand that there could only be one winner..." She swallowed. "I want one of us three -- or four," Soo-Jin turned to Sae-Byeok. "to win. Whoever between us three make it to the end and win will take care of each of our families, okay?"

"Soo-Jin..."

"No, Sang-Woo, please, I just want to make sure that Hana will be taken care of." She squezzed their hands. "I want you two to promise me you'll look after my sister... if ever anything happens to me. I'll do the same thing if I make it to the end."

"Soo-Jin..." voiced out Sang-Woo once again, alarmed by her tone. The brunette just wanted to make sure all will be taken care of in case any of them unexpectedly passes away because honestly, they didn't really know what was going to happen next. What if they will be forced to sacrifice another player again to reduce the player count and increase the prize pool?

Was Soo-Jin ready to die for her friends?

She didn't know.

Because to be honest, she doesn't want to die.

And she thinks that's the only thing that keeps her alive. Her desire not to die.

The white lights then switched off and the only light that remained was the golden light that illuminated the piggy bank. They really wanted to remind them of what they were here for: that money.

"There's nothing that is going to happen to us. We are going to make it and win."

Soo-Jin wanted him to clarify his statement more. Did he mean all of them or only the two of them? But, wasn't he the one who said that there wasn't any specified exact number of winners? Maybe, just like her, he was slowly realizing that there could only be one or by some miracle, two victors.

But, could she let her bestfriend die?

His mother was sick and his daughter, Ga-Yeong, was waiting for him. She closed her eyes. Hana was also waiting for her. Perhaps, her sister was already worried sick since she hasn't called for the past few days. She could imagine Hana standing by the hospital window, begging the heavens for her safety.

"I just want to make sure." She rose to her feet, and returned to her bed. Somehow, during their talk, she finally had the answer to the question she had been asking herself ever since she came back. "I'm ready to do once again whatever it takes to win because these game... these games are requiring me to do so."

"Even kill someone?"

Soo-Jin spun around to meet Gi-Hun's eyes and without even blinking and even hesitating, she replied, "Yes. If that's what it takes for us to win, then I will."

And with that, she sat down on her bed, and snatched the metal bar that was lying on the floor, ready to kill someone with it in defense. Staring at it, she nodded. She was sure in her decision, yes.

The achiever heard the pastor pray again to his God to protect him. She couldn't understand how he could still do that. Pray while murdering people. She sighed and instead let sleep take over her.

This time, instead of The Blue Danube playing on the speakers to alert them that the next game was starting, happy energetic music blasted from the speakers. Were they trying to amuse them before they die? It was as if the game managers or maybe the leader is excited to see who will be eliminated next.

If she survives these games, she will really go after the leader, who she assumed is the creator as well, and make him regret for having the idea about this.

The large doors slid open and in came several guards carrying a gift-box casket.

That only meant one thing.

Somebody died.

Who, exactly?

She immediately got up from her bed and checked on her friends even Sae-Byeok. The girl was like a younger sister to her and if anything were to happen to the first person she helped in this god-forsaken place, then she'd rain hell on all those who were responsible in this games.

Upon arriving, she saw Sae-Byeok's eyes were wide and her breathing was shallow. Soo-Jin finally inclined her head to see what shocked her and instantly wrapped her hands around the girl to shield her from the horrible sight.

Across the room, hanging on the raised platform, was player 069. He must've ended his life while they were all asleep. His blanket was wrapped around his neck, causing him to asphyxiate. His skin was blue and grayish, a clear indication that he was dead and that was because he lacked oxygen.

Soo-Jin couldn't help think if it was her fault. After all, she confronted him for what he said. Her brutal words might've been the cause why the player hanged himself in the middle of the night.

"It's okay, Sae-Byeok. It's okay." She pacified the quivering girl.

"I've never seen -- "

"It's okay, it's okay." hushed she, placing a gentle kiss on the girl's temple and head. "Don't look at it."

After the corpse was brought of their large room, the guards once again escorted them out. The Blue Danube played on the speakers and Soo-Jin had to momentarily close her eyes and control her emotions as she passed the colorful maze-like corridors. It reminded her once again of Minjun.

She was then brought back to the day he chose himself to die instead. His words and behavior were odd. It was as if he knew something they didn't. He always mentioned the word they. What did he mean by that?

Trust me, I'm not who you think I am.

This is what they want us to see.

Before she could even think further about it, they entered the all-white waiting room again, but this time, there were mannequins standing before them. Each of them were wearing pink vests with numbers in the middle.

"Welcome, players, to the fifth game." proclaimed the announcer. "Before we begin, please make your way down the steps and choose one of the mannequins that you see presented before you. Once you’ve chosen, take the corresponding vest." She instructed. "They are numbered 1 through 16. Let me repeat the instructions..."

Soo-Jin furrowed her eyebrows. She clenched her fist and shared a glance with Sang-Woo and Gi-Hun. Sae-Byeok, who was beside her clutched her hand, and the brunette nodded, a hopeful smile breaking through her lips. During their mini training session in the bathroom, she and Sae-Byeok conversed and bonded. She learnt about Sae-Byeok's life in North Korea and how she wanted to bring her mother out of that country. The young girl was planning to get her brother out of the orphanage and buy them a large house. She even stated that she wanted to visit Jeju Island. Soo-Jin chuckled at that and told her how she once wished to be married there.

Soo-Jin was also able to open up to the young girl about her former relationship with Sang-Woo and Sae-Byeok was nonplussed how she loved such a stoic man. She described that Sang-Woo was like a robot, that most of the time, he was emotionally constipated.

The woman watched as the other players dived for the middle numbers. "It was on the sixth day that God created the first man on Earth. And now, I will go back to that day God made us sinless and innocent." declared the player 240, the pastor.

"Okay. Lucky number seven, come on."

She sighed and shook her head.  "Animal instinct. When faced with danger, seek refuge in the herd." She mumbled. When the danger is bigger and unpredictable, being in herds seem more secure.

Still holding Sae-Byeok's hand, she was about to tap Mi-Nyeo's shoulder when she leapt forward and snatched the 11th vest, leaving them. They both shared a glance and nodded. They also shared many stories together as she taught her every defense and offense move she knew. She learnt more about Mi-Nyeo's past and how it shaped her into the person she is now. She could only hope whatever was in her mind right now would save her in this next game.

Soo-Jin brought Sae-Byeok with her and she gathered them together. "What do we do?" Gi-Hun whispered to her. "The remaining numbers are the ones in the first and last."

The start and the finish. Soo-Jin glanced at the remaining numbers. Those were two places especially in a life-or-death contest a player wouldn’t want to be in.

"Should we go last?" Sang-Woo captured her attention, narrowing his eyes at the last numbers. "It's safer for us. We have no idea what the game will be. It's best to go later rather than earlier."

The woman was conflicted. "There's going to be a timer like in the previous games. We might lack enough time to finish the task and that might result to our deaths."

If there was anything that Soo-Jin noticed, it was that there was always a timer. The only game that didn't have a time constraint was the tug-of-war because that was a team game, not individual or done by pair.

"Your attention, please." vocalized the announcer. "The numbers you see on the mannequins correspond to the order in which you will be playing. Please make your decision carefully."

Soo-Jin tilted her head to the side. The order that they were going to play in. That means there was indeed going to be a time limit. She flickered her gaze to the first number. She could actually go first to figure out what to do and save everyone else, but then it was too dangerous. She would never put herself in jeopardy especially for people she didn't know or not even familiar with.

"Let's get the last numbers." She finally decided and brought her companions to them, but at the last minute, Gi-Hun went for the number one. Soo-Jin blinked and was about to seize his wrist when he was approached by player 096.

"Excuse me." he shakily breathed out. "Could I be number one instead? As long as I can remember, I’ve been hiding behind people when I got scared. My life has been this thing that I’ve never really been able to truly control." confessed the man. "And I tried to act like I wasn’t afraid, but I was. And now, as always, I’m choosing my number last after everybody else here. I wanna get at least one last chance to claim ownership of my life. Sir, give this chance to me."

Soo-Jin didn't make a move first, but if ever her bestfriend would insist on getting the first number, she will drag him back with her. She didn't know why he decided to go for the first number when she already said to go last. They could make a plan if they are at the back.

A second later, Gi-Hun surrendered the number one vest to the pleading player and went over to her. "What the hell were you thinking, Gi-Hun?" scolded Soo-Jin despite her relief.

"I wanted to try be brave for you guys by going first."

She sighed and rubbed his arm. "Ya, Gi-Hun, you are brave, okay? You don't need to prove anything. Always prioritize yourself first. Now, come on, follow our lead."

Soo-Jin and Sang-Woo faced the numbers ahead of them. Thirteen and fourteen.

Her ex was about to take the thirteenth vest when she she grabbed his wrist. "No," She uttered. "I'll go with thirteen, you go behind me."

"No, it's safer for you to be behind me, Soo-Jin."

"Between you and me, I'm a better strategy maker. You know that."

The two locked eyes. They both were stubborn and will never let go once they had their minds set on something, they knew that. With a heavy sigh, he released the vest and went for the one that was in front of her. "Fine, but if anything goes wrong, let me lead."

"Yes."

She nodded and watched as Gi-Hun and Sae-Byeok went for sixteen and fifteen, respectively. In her opinion, it was better that her bestfriend was last. He will be able to watch them as they go first and copy their strategy. Filing themselves in a straight line, they were ushered into the next room, where she then noticed a suspended bridge lined with panels of glasses. She couldn't remember any children's game that was related to this so, what the hell were they going to play?

"Hello, players, let me welcome you all to the fifth game. The fifth game is Glass Stepping Stones." broadcasted the announcer. "The stepping stones before you are made from one of two types of glass, one will be tempered glass and the other will be normal glass. The tempered glass stepping stone as strong enough to hold the weight of two people. However, the normal glass will break even if just one person steps on it."

Soo-Jin hissed through her teeth. She was so relieved that she decided to listen to her ex's suggestion to go get the last numbers. The first and middle numbers already had a 50/50 chance of getting through, but they have a higher chance than that. "For this game, you will guess which one of next two tiles is the tile made of the stronger tempered glass, and only step on those across the eighteen pairs of tile. You may then cross over to the other side safely and pass this game."

"That means the numbers on us..." trailed off player 096 who had the number one vest.

The square masked staffer answered, "Are the order in which you will cross the bridge."

At this, Soo-Jin concluded that they had to do was wait for the others to get across so they'll know where to step on.

"But then, how do I tell which is the tempered one?"

No one answered him. It was a game of chance unless he could tell apart the tempered and normal glass, then good for him.

"For this game, you will have 16 minutes. Players must cross the bridge within those 16 minutes. And now, with that, let the game begin. Each player, take off your shoes, then go up to the tiles in order."

Soo-Jin observed as player 096 removed his shoes and hesitated between the panels. She had no idea what strategy she could play for this game. Unlike the previous ones, they could immediately conjure a plan. The woman pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.

"What are you doing?" urged those behind player 069. "We’re losing time!"

"Hurry up and go!"

"Just jump!

"Are you just gonna stand there?"

By thi, Deok-Su approached the first goer and threatened him. "Ya, take your step now or I’ll push your ass."

"I’ll go. I’ll go, okay? I’ll go. I’ll go right now."

"And please try to choose carefully, huh."

096, although trembling, made his first leap and fortunately landed on the tempered glass.
He breathed a sigh of relief and Soo-Jin could almost hear his sobbing.

"You did it!" The other players cheered for his correct choice. "You picked right."

"Oh! Yes, that’s it. Keep doing that one after the other."

"Come on. You got this."

"That’s it. Go on."

Glancing once again at them, he jumped to the other glass, but then it shattered and down he plunged to his death. He screamed and a loud crack and thud was heard. He was undoubtedly dead.

The woman gasped and turned around to Sang-Woo whose eyes was wide as well. They once again didn't say anything, but they both knew already.

They have now reached the point of no return.

The game must go on.

They must go on.

Even though there was a large chance she wasn't going to make it.

sign off gif made by the incredible cookieneon