C H A M P I O N O F D E A T H

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         THE NEXT DAY ARRIVED QUICKER THAN SAE-BOM ANTICIPATED, AND WITH IT, THE GRIM REALITY OF THE PLAN SHE AND JUN-HO HAD CRAFTED. It was simple in theory but dangerous in execution: she would enter the games as a player, hoping to find her sister Sae-byeok and Jun-ho's brother, In-ho.

       Jun-ho would infiltrate as well, though in what capacity—player or guard—she wasn't sure yet. Regardless, she took comfort knowing she wouldn't be entirely alone in the deadly trap they were willingly walking into.

         The night was cold, the wind biting through the streets. Sae-bom was grateful for the warm clothes she'd chosen: cargo pants, a white tank top under a black jacket that had once belonged to her sister, and sturdy black boots.

        Her sister's necklace rested under her shirt, the cool metal brushing against her skin, a quiet reminder of who she was fighting for.

         She was thankful it wasn't raining like the night before; otherwise, she might've lost her resolve entirely. Rainy nights were meant for curling up in bed, not marching toward the unknown.

         She followed the location scrawled on the back of the card she'd been given, clutching the phone the salesman had left her. Though she'd kept the phone close, it had remained silent, its eerie quiet only adding to her sense of unease.

         She couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Every shadowed alley she passed seemed alive with unseen eyes. Goosebumps prickled her skin, but she shook the thoughts away as Jun-ho's voice crackled through the earpiece he'd given her.

      "Are you there yet?" He asked softly, and she picked up the sound of other cars around him, telling her that he was currently driving.

         Sae-bom glanced up at the building she was approaching, the same apartment complex where they'd recently uncovered a connection to In-ho. She let out a dry laugh at the irony of standing here again.

       "Yeah, I'm here," She muttered tiredly. Her steps slowed as she reached the entrance.

        Jun-ho's voice cut through the silence again, "I'm on my way. I'll hang back so the vehicle picking you up doesn't notice me following."

        She nodded instinctively, though he couldn't see her, and reached into her pocket to fiddle with her sister's necklace, "I hope this isn't all for nothing," She whispered into the earpiece, "If Sae-byeok and In-ho aren't in these games..." Her voice faltered, the weight of her anxiety threatening to spill over.

        There was a pause on the other end, long enough to make her panic, but Jun-ho's calm tone eventually returned, "We've followed the trail this far. If there's even a chance they're involved, we have to see it through."

        He was right. She bit her bottom lip, nodding to herself. She'd rather risk everything than live with the regret of giving up. She found solace in his conviction. Her resolve hardened, though doubt lingered at the edges.

        The flash of headlights snapped her out of her thoughts. She squinted against the brightness, turning to see a sleek limousine approaching down the eerily quiet street. Her breath hitched in confusion. Why send something so extravagant?

        Pressing a finger to her earpiece, she muttered, "I think the vehicle's here. I'll have to drop the connection now."

       "Be careful, Sae-bom." Jun-ho said firmly, his tone leaving no rooms for arguments, something that both brothers shared when talking, "I'll find a way to you soon."

         She flashed a grin toward the shadows where she knew he was lurking, then removed the earpiece and dropped it onto the grass for him to retrieve later. The limousine pulled to the curb and came to a slow stop where she stood.

        The dark-tinted passenger window rolled down, revealing two figures in bright pink jumpsuits and masks adorned with stark white shapes. Sae-bom instinctively clutched her sister's necklace for grounding, her skin crawling under the masked gaze fixed on her.

       One of them spoke, the one closet to the window, their voice distorted, and she instantly picked up how it sounded male, "Kang Sae-bom?"

        She nodded her head slowly, her mouth dry and the figure tilted his head, distorted tone now wavering for a second, "Please enter the vehicle. We're running late."

        Sae-bom couldn't help herself. "Oh, the big scary games are off schedule? What a tragedy," She quipped sarcastically. Her comment earned no reaction, which she knew would happen.

       The guard's lack of reaction wiped the smirk off her face. His voice, even more distorted, added, "You weren't planned for these games. Consider yourself..... an exception."

Her face twisted in confusion, wondering what he meant, but the door slid open electronically, and she hesitated, every instinct screaming at her to turn and run. With a deep breath, she stepped inside.

         The warm air inside the limo was a stark contrast to the chilly night. White leather seats curved along the walls, a small fridge stocked with drinks glowed invitingly, and a strange piggy bank stuffed with cash sat in the center. That caught her attention the most.

         Sae-bom's unease deepened as the door slammed shut behind her, the sudden motion making her stumble onto one of the seats in a heap.

         She glared toward the driver's partition, and flicked her long locks out of her face, "Ya! A little warning next time?" She snapped, but there was no reply.

         The girl expected someone else to be in the limo with her, but there was no one but her, nor where there any seat belts making her face go pale, and dig her fingers into the couch. She really thought that maybe this was a one time thing for her, and not many people get picked up in this fancy vehicle.

        As the vehicle began to move, her attention shifted to the air vents. A faint hissing sound caught her ear, and a strange smell filled the cabin.

         Her eyes widened in alarm, "What the hell...?" She muttered, panic rising. She scrambled to her feet, banging on the divider, "Hey! What's going on?"

        Sae-bom's movements grew sluggish, her eyelids heavy, as her eyelashes fluttered against her pale cheeks. She reached for her sister's necklace, clutching it desperately as her body gave out.

        She slumped against the seat, her vision blurring. The last thing she saw through blurry eyes was a shadowy figure leaning over her, and gloved hands catching her head before it hit the floor softly.

      The weight of the necklace slipped from her grasp before darkness claimed her enterinly.

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         WHEN SHE WOKE UP, SAE-BOM'S EYELASHES FLUTTERED AGAINST HER CHEEKS, A BRIGHT LIGHT POURED THROUGH THE ROOM SHE WAS IN, FOLLOWED BY CLASSICAL MUSIC FROM THE SPEAKERS. A heavy groan escaped the girl, feeling like she was hit with a bus from how badly her head was pounding. She didn't even register that someone was shaking her shoulders, and calling her name. 

         She remained laying down, her fingers digging into the soft sheet that was placed over half of her body and felt the surprisingly comfortable pillow and matters under her body.

        Her eyes were squinting, trying to adjust to the light bothering her vision and nap, and she heard more voices from around her that she ignored to.

     Sae-bom's vision was starting to come back, and she blinked frantically to help herself adjust. The first thing she noticed was the new clothing on her, it seeming to be ten times bigger on her then her normal clothes.

        Her face grimaced realising someone changed her out of her old clothes, and shook away the disgusted shivers she felt. However, she suddenly remembered her sister's necklace and shot up out of the bed, not realising someone was leaning over her.

        Her forehead collided with a familiar male's, and they both yelped at the sudden smack, both clutching their now hurting heads. Annoyance flashed in Sae-bom's eyes, and she went to exclaim at the person, but stopped seeing who it was.

        "Gi-hun?" She exclaimed with wide eyes, still rubbing her palm over the red mark on her creased forehead, as she realised he was the person trying to wake her up and leaning over her figure, "Wha- what are you doing here?!"

         The male, who grumbled at the head collision they had stared at her with an equally shocked expression, "Me?! What are you doing here?" He asked in a splutter, taking his hand off his head to grab her forearm, "I- I thought you were looking for your sister and--"

        She slapped a hand over his mouth, feeling stares on her back as she glanced around at all the other players around them, before turning to Gi-hun, "That's what I'm doing," She whispered lowly, taking the hand off his mouth, "that's why I'm here right now, to find them both... hopefully."

         He watched her still confused, as she was frantically patting over her tracksuit, trying to find something that she wore before coming into the games.

        Her shoulders slumped in relief when her fingers brushed the familiar cool metal around her neck, thanking whoever let her keep it when she lost everything else.

        "You're not here for the money, then?" He questioned curiously, his tall figure blocking the noisy people who wanted to watch them, "You've seen the screen up on the wall, haven't you?"

        Sae-bom gave him a strange stare, realising that there was indeed a cash prize, and gazed up to where he was talking about. The number of players was currently at 189 and the prize cash..... made jaw drop seeing the amount already gained.

         "..... I didn't believe there was an actual prize." She gaped out, turning back to Gi-hun who shakes his head and she shuffled to the edge of the bed she was sat in, "I only thought about entering to find the missing people from my life. I'm not really here for that, Gi-hun. That's just a bonus honestly."

          He frowned worriedly as he knew that she didn't understand the stakes now that she placed upon herself. Well, he didn't either but he already played one of these games, and it didn't end well at all. But she was his friend, someone whom he adored, so he would protect and help her no matter what.

        "I wish you thought this out properly, Sae-bom." He lightly scolded, gaining an eye roll from the young adult and for him to huff, "But I see you made up your mind. I'll help you find your sister, and friend, don't worry. First, come meet some familiar and new faces."

        She didn't have time to protest, as her main goal in that moment was to find Sae-byeok in the large crowd of people, but Gi-hun helped her down from the bed and held onto her wrist, gently guiding her.

        With her head down, she saw nothing but the white polished floor underneath her white shoes, which made her face scrunch up again not liking the feel of them. Her eye did catch the number of her shirt though, it reading 450.

         Gi-hun was her only eyes in that moment, her trusting him to guide her through the crowd's and bed frames to wherever he was taking her.

        She appreciated it, as she felt uncomfortable feeling intense stares on the back of her head, and didn't react to whoever it was. She just didn't notice the camera located on the walls, nor how it was directed at her figure.

         "Sae-bom? Gi-hun?"

        Another familiar male's voice spoke her name, that deep tone she knew anywhere from the amount of times she's seen him with Gi-hun when she visited them both.

       The duo came to a stop near another bed, where Sae-bom spotted an old man, player 001, who seemed to greet her with a soft smile, making her heart warm at the friendly gesture. She turned away from him, and gave Sang-woo a crooked smile, top teeth flashing.

       "Long time no see, Sang-woo." Her tone dropped to a bitter one, eyes holding a certain vicious glint in them that made Gi-hun nervous knowing those two had somewhat bad blood between them.

        Sang-woo just stared back with the same look, but his face was softer then hers, and nodded at his friends in front of him in greeting, "So you're both here. Didn't think I'd see you though, Sae."

        The ravenette's eye twitched hearing him call her by the nickname her sister gave her, but calmed down feeling Gi-hun squeeze her shoulder gently, and took over the conversation for her instead.

        He clicks his tongue and sighs, as the classical music around them seemed to get louder, "Neither did I." He awkwardly chuckles, and his eyebrows raise up at Sang-woo, "And you? Your mom, did you see her?"

        Sae-bom instantly could tell that Sang-woo didn't go see his mother, and she sent him daggers for that. She both understood and envied him.

       She understood because he didn't want to see his mother after what he had done and became, as he probably was afraid his mother would be ashamed of him. And she envied him because of the fact he still had a mother to love and get care from.

       "Hey, good sirs!" A unfamiliar, but cheery voice called out from behind Sang-woo, knocking the girl out of her inner thoughts and saw a dark skinned male jogging up to them, a wide smile on his face.

        Ali, player 199 came up to the circle they made, and his friendly gaze landed on Sae-bom, eyes widening, "Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am I didn't see you there!" He apologised for his lack of greeting her, and bowed a bit.

        Sae-bom laughed it off with a fond smirk, already getting the vibe that this male had a softer heart than the rest inside the room, "No worries, don't sweat it." She assured him, knowing that the taller figures around her hide her.

        He beamed up at her, and nodded his head in gratitude, "I'm happy to see you both," He then directed his next words to the three standing up before him, "I hope we make it."

         Gi-hun chuckled softly, along with Sae-bom who smiled lightly at the male who reminded her of a puppy. Ali glanced to the quiet Sang-woo, and spoke his thanks next, "Thanks for the bus far, sir. It meant so much to me."

         Sae-bom raised her brows in surprise, and turned to Sang-woo as she clapped her hand against his back rapidly, "Wow! You gave him a bus far?" She gasped dramatically, "Never did I expect that from you, Mister Woo."

         He deadpanned, and then rolled his eyes as he pushed her hand off, "Because he said that he'd walk Yeouido to Ansan." He explained and gave her a pointed stare, "Don't call me that either. I've told you already many times."

         She just shrugged her shoulders causally, as Gi-hun bumped his into her softly and chuckled, "We're like a bunch of soldiers at training camp, huh?" He commented, looking at his two friends beside him amused.

       "A training camp is what?" The question flew out of Ali's mouth in confusion, wondering what his new companions were talking about.

         All three of them turned to stare at Ali in sync, Sae-bom being stuck in the middle between them as Gi-hun answers in a cheery way, "You know, it's like...." He trailed off, trying to find the right words, "the army, shooting guns."

         The confused male made a small understanding noise, and brightened up with a smile across his mouth, "Oh! Soldiers all training together?" He repeated, gaining a head nod of agreement from Gi-hun.

        "Wait a minute," Gi-hun suddenly got serious, and raised his hand to motion to the three around him, "Since we're on the subject now, you should join me. We should just form our own team, don't you think? Sae-bom, we can add your sister also when we find her in here."

        She gripped the necklace under her shirt hearing that, but sent her friend a thankful smile, reminding her why she was stuck in these games in the first place. First find her sister, and then see if In-ho was a player too.

        "You're right." Sang-woo agreed for once, and licked his dry bottom lip as he speaks to the trio, "Who knows what game they'll have us play next. It wouldn't hurt to be in a group so we're ready for anything."

        Gi-hun wrapped his forearm around Sae-bom's, and pulled her to his side making her yelp, as his other hand motions to Ali, "Hey, you should join up with us! I mean, we already know he's crazy strong. You saw it. He lifted me up with one hand like it was nothing at all."

        "You mean.... that you... I can join you?" Ali looked like a kid getting a gift on Christmas, from how his expression drastically lit up but he also couldn't believe they wanted him on their team.

        Sae-bom smiled widely, loving how precious this male was and motioned with her fingers, "Of course, who wouldn't want you on their team!" She exclaimed making him flush shyly, "You'll be the new recruit, kind sir."

        "Oh, man. Thank you, ma'am!" Ali was quick to bow his head frantically, and then thanked the other two males, causing Gi-hun to chuckle softly.

         Sang-woo, of course had to ruin the happy moment and cut in to correct Ali, "Please just drop the 'sir', will you?" His tone was halfhearted, but his smile was strained, and Sae-bom rolled her eyes at his attitude. Typical.

          "Excuse me?"

        Hearing the elder man's voice, the four turned their heads to see player 001 sitting in his bed, most likely having heard their conversation, "If you don't mind, can I join up with all of you?"

        Sae-bom knew Gi-hun would agree to the grandpa joining their team, which she didn't protest but she knew Sang-woo and his selfish thinking sometimes would feel the opposite. But she stayed quiet, letting the others deal with it.

         "Yeah, of course." Gi-hun nodded his head rapidly, and flashed a grin as he spoke to player 001, ignoring the look he got from Sang-woo, "And you can be the old major who's been in the army his entire life."

        This made the raven haired girl laugh softly to herself, as player 001 bowed his head smiling widely, "Thanks so much." He says, joining in on the laughter with Gi-hun and her.

        "Yeah. Quite a team we got going here." Gi-hun was more cheerier then ever, and rubbed his palms together with a slight clap, smiling down at Sae-bom, "Damn! Let's do this.

       Now that their team was made, plus they needed one more or maybe two, but Sae-bom already knew one spot was for her sister, if she was even inside the building. She wanted to flee off from Gi-hun, but he told her that he would help, and she was also stopped by the PA system suddenly turning on.

         "Attention. Your mealtime begins now." The woman's high pitched voice spoke through the speakers, it echoing around the massive room, and all the players listened to the instructions, "All players, please form a line in the centre of the room."

        Why is everything against me trying to find them... Sae-bom sulked in her thoughts, a grumble leaving her that made Gi-hun chuckle seeing her expression, and leads her with the others towards the growing lines.

         As they went into the slowly moving lines of crowed people, she felt the same stare on the back of her head again, and this time, she felt the urge to turn around.

         Her dark eyes scanned the crowd around her, wanting to spot the familiar head of her sister or best friend, but all she could see was how everyone basically looked the same with the tracksuits on. Not many people had the jackets off either, so that didn't help her. They al blended together.

        But, her gaze did land on the camera hidden away on the wall, the small red laser on the lense catching her attention automatically. She narrowed her eyes on it, before turning around when it was her turn to get some food from the pink guards.

        The square guard picked up a small yellow container, she not noticing the small pink mark on the side of it until she was handed it, and she thanked the guard with a crooked grin.

        Sae-bom hummed to herself looking at the mark, wondering why it was there as she didn't notice it on anyone else's. Maybe she was overthinking it, like she usual does. But it didn't matter, she just wanted the food.

        Sitting back where the rest of her group was, she found her place next to Gi-hun and Ali. She tucked her hair behind her ear, and flipped over the lid where the food was held.

         She gaped in surprise seeing it. She didn't know how or why, but there was one small mochi ball, not the ice-cream version though, tucked in the side of the container, in it's own separate space. Almost like it was hidden for her only to see.

         Her heart clenched painfully, it reminding her of who she was missing from her life, but wondered why one was placed in only her food. It made her stomach drop anxiously, realising not many people knew about her love for the treat.

        On edge from that small event, she kept her head down to eat it first and instantly hummed to herself at the incredible taste they always left in her mouth. She was thankful for it, but also weirded out that she only got one.

        What a way to show favouritism, she thought to herself stuffing her face of the cooked food, and rice, making her stomach less hungry and satisfied now.

        She took a large gulp of water from the bottle she was also given, as she listened to Gi-hun rant about the rice not being piping hot, and she did agree with his words, but was happy either way.

          "Remember doing that?" Gi-hun spoke to both Sang-woo, and Sae-bom, who perked up after finishing her food, "The little briquette stove we had in our elementary school classroom? We'd stick our lunch boxes on it. It'd get burning hot on us too, and I remember many times where Sae-bom was rushing to get water because of how it burnt us when the rice would get all scorched."

        Sae-bom snickered with a hand covering her mouth, and nodded her head in agreement. She was in the lower level in school when they went to the same one, until she moved, but she does remember all those times pretty well. Especially when she acted like the older one between the two. 

        "Gi-hun." Sang-woo called, and gained a humming sound from the said male who looked at him curiously, "Let's try to stay on subject. How about putting your mind to what game could be next?"

        His puppy eyed expression dropped, and Sae-bom clenched her jaw at the way Sang-woo ruined her best friend's fun, "Ya! No one can figure that out." She scolded and slapped him on the back, "Let Gi-hun talk all he wants, we'll figure it out when the time comes."

        Sang-woo just grunted with an eye roll, as Sae-bom made a weird face back at the male, while Gi-hun smiled at the young woman, thankful for her support. She was probably the only one who wouldn't take Sang-woo's bullshit ways.

        While the others talked about what the next game would be, Sae-bom was trapped in her thoughts again, and fiddled with her sister's necklace. She dearly hoped Jun-ho had made it inside the games or at least the building they were in, so she wouldn't be alone in the mission.

         She also prayed Sae-byeok was one the players, along with In-ho, but her hope for the latter was wavering. She wouldn't give up, not until she actually was given a chance to properly look, which she hasn't gotten yet.

        Sae-bom just didn't know how close In-ho actually was to her, nor who he was inside those games or what power he had over them.

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❪ ✏️ ❫ 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙳𝚂 : 4132
─►☆ AUTHOR'S NOTE :
longer chapter this update because i want to get this fic moving and onto s2 asap since that's when in-ho actually makes his appearance instead of hidden behind a mask or in sae-bom's flashbacks. oh and the camera's ofc LMFAOA 😭

also please, i know sae-bom could of looked for her sister straight away by i gotta build it up for one last chapter until next update which will hopefully be them reuniting until the games or someone else gets in their way from seeing each other, so don't attack me 👎😔

anywaysss you all know the drill, vote,
comment, ect mwah <33