[5]
"Jin, you've played chess before, right...?" "Yeah, but I'm afraid I'm rusty now..." They sat down in the chairs provided then jumped back as two human-like figures appeared across from them. "Win and you can leave, lose and you'll be killed off." "This place loves death..."

Jinho moved the knight to b5 full of confidence. The human-like figure moved their rook and captured their piece with ease. "Wooseok, I...I'm so sorry. I was so sure..." "It's fine. Keep a cool head so we can get out of this." Jinho gagged and quickly turned his head.

Jinho captured a few pieces himself then worried since the figure had the advantage with more pieces. "Jin, calm down." He took a deep breath as Wooseok tried to calm him down. "We can do this." "We should think carefully about our next steps."

Jinho moved his room and successfully captured a piece. Soon they were at an even amount of pieces left. "Do you want to win?" They looked at the figures with confusion. "This is a trick question isn't it?" "Do you?" Jinho looked at Wooseok briefly before being disgusted again.

"Let's just keep playing. I don't trust them, Jin." Jinho nodded in agreement and made his moves. After being neck and neck, Jinho finally got to say aloud, "Checkmate." The figures let out blood curling screams then combusted. "Ugh, it's all over me..."

[4]
"Hongseok!" Hyojong tried pulling the black checker piece off. "Don't worry about me, keep playing." "How can I not worry when you're sandwiched between!" "We're so close to winning, so just keep going!" Hyojong looked at the two pieces in front of him then at the board.

Hyojong sighed heavily then went back to his piece. He successfully jumped two pieces then watched as the piece flipped over and revealed the crown mark. The game continued on and Hyojong would often look back at where he left Hongseok.

He finally jumped the last piece then immediately ran over to check on Hongseok. "Hongseok, are you okay? Please say you're not hurt. Can I even continue on without you?" He waited for a response but received none. "Hongseok!?" He was able to easily lift the piece off.

He shook Hongseok in hopes he only passed out from lack of air. He felt for a pulse then was relieved that there was one, but it was slow and faint. "Don't die on me..." He heard a creak then saw a door had appeared on their far right. "I guess I'll have to carry you..."

[2]
"Don't touch me! Focus on the board!" Shinwon frowned as Yanan was suffering because of his mistakes. Neither of them knew chess well and the place wasn't playing fair either. "Yanan, is it too late to switch places?" "I think it's long since been too late."

"You can switch places, but at a price." They looked at the figures that seemed to be staring them down. "What is the price?" They pointed towards their pieces then suddenly half of them disappeared. "That is your price." Shinwon looked at Yanan with sad eyes.

"Don't you dare think of switching. We're in a good place!" "But Yanan...I cant bear to see you hurt." Yanan blinked rapidly then searched Shinwon's face. "Shinwon...your heart is big and kind, but please, don't switch. We can win like this."

"I don't think so. I'm more worried about you that it's hard to concentrate. It's harming your nice features." Yanan covered his face in embarrassment. "Now's not the time for flirting!" "It's true though." Shinwon rubbed his neck then faced the figures. "What is your decision?"

Shinwon sighed then turned towards the figures. "We're not switching." He felt Yanan hold his hand then give it a squeeze. "I have faith in you. I know you can win." They gave each other warm smiles and Shinwon felt a bit more confident.

"Checkmate." Yanan covered his ears then noticed the figures were acting weird. Despite pain running through his body due to his wounds, he pulled Shinwon from his seat and had him duck behind the table with him. Just then they had something explode and a substance get everywhere

"Did we win?" "I think so..." Yanan poked his head over the edge then saw the door on the other side. "Let's go." "Wait, your wounds." Yanan watched as Shinwon tore his clothes and started to cover his wounds. "T-Thanks..." "Don't mention it."

Yanan looked away as Shinwon gave him a smile. He hated that he was starting to like his smile. "Does it hurt?" "No." "And there. All good." Shinwon helped him up then leaned him against him. "You've been so good to me yet we're strangers."

"I think we're way past that now." They laughed as they walked towards the door. "When we get out alive, let's meet up and become better friends?" "I'm cool with that."