marixrose

[marixrose]

Maybe for Jingwoo you could do an angst story ( I’m alway here for angst ).

Another idea is maybe making a friends to lovers story where in the beginning Y/N (or reader) was with Jingwoo in the double dungeon and was the only one who stayed behind for him. So they both got beaten up pretty badly, if you want to make it more interesting maybe they both become players. But I was thinking when they land on the “alter” Y/N (or reader) proclaims their love for Jingwoo, and what he assumes to be his last words, says it back to them. But they wake up in the hospital and from there you can use your imagination :) just some ideas

Farewell.

Sung Jinwoo x Isekai!Reader. Angst, Open or maybe Sad Ending.

This finished earlier than I expect. And I think this is the longest oneshort I've ever write.

Sorry for the long waiting again. Hope you like this. I love you all 💗.

_________________________

[Hello, L/n Y/n] [Congratulations, you have been selected as the first person to experience our isekai system. You have received an invitation to the world of Solo Leveling Note: You cannot return to this world if you press Accept [Do you want to go?] [Accept   |  Decline]

One night, while you were sleeping, you suddenly dreamed that you entered a majestic and magnificent space, covered with blue stones whose names you did not know.

You found yourself standing on a large platform, before your eyes was a strange screen.

The air was thick with silence, the soft hum of energy surrounding you as you stood before the strangely glowing screen.

The invitation, still fresh in your mind, had come to you in a dream. An offer to leave this world for a new one, a world you were only familiar with through the pages of your favorite manhwa, Solo Leveling.

You accepted without hesitation. Of course, who would miss this opportunity. Then the world spin brings you into complete darkness before you even know what happened.

Opening your eyes reveals a totally unfamiliar setting.

__________________________

It was raining that day, you stood in the middle of the park, barefoot on the cold cement floor, your eyes still not used to the image of this world. The rain fell heavily, splashing cold drops of water on your face, and your body shivered from hunger, and confusion.

"Welcome, special player," the system's voice rang in your head for the third time, cold and emotionless, as if everything was a pre-determined program. "Congratulations on successfully entering the world of Solo Leveling, hope you will have fun here. I'll be your assistant, please call me when you need."

Your body shivered as you held yourself tightly while your clothes remained wet. Your forehead was covered in wet hair while your feet remained cold from the frozen state. The world around you remained blurred like a distant memory from your dream state.

You shivered slightly, hugging your drenched body with both hands. Your hair was sticking to you. "System...?" you muttered, your voice trembling.

"Yes, I am here," the system replied, its voice as flat as an emotionless recording. "You are a special player. Your privileges include: a unique skill system, an ability to grow beyond limits, and an undisclosed mission. Time to adapt to the new world: 72 hours."

This world was truly Solo Leveling. You told yourself, trying to calm yourself as cold drops of rain continued to fall on your face. Where were you? What point in the story? A cold wind blew past you, causing you to collapse. No suitable clothes, no food, no shelter. You groaned. 'Why did the system bring me here without giving me any identity!!?'

At that moment, footsteps rang out from afar. You turned around, reflexively.

A woman and a boy were walking through the park. He stopped when he saw you, his eyes wide with surprise. He pulled his mother's shirt and pointed at you.

You recognize the boy.

Sung Jinwoo.

...But he's so small. You realize you have transformed into a child of 8 or 10 years old during that moment.

Kyung-hye leads Jinwoo by the hand while she greets "Hello, who are you?" with a gentle smile. "Where are your parents? Why are you standing in the rain like this?"

You're still so shocked that you unconsciously shake your head. Kyung-hye thinks that means you don't have any relatives (although that's true at the moment.)

Jinwoo remains beside his mother while staring at you with his eyes. Jinwoo extends his hand to his mother as he asks her permission to bring you home. "Can she go home with us?"

The unexpected offer from her son made Kyung-hye turn her attention toward him. Heavy drops from the continuous rain kept falling onto the uneven pavement. You remained motionless like a forsaken kitten while your body trembled from the cold.

"...Do you want to help her?" Kyung-hye asked, gently, while brushing your wet hair aside to get a better look at your face.

Jinwoo nodded, his eyes unusually determined. "She's cold. We can't leave her here."

Your eyes met briefly before Kyung-hye returned a smile. "Yeah, you're right. I must not ignore this child." She lowered herself to the ground while extending her hand. "You want to visit my house today? At least to change and eat something?"

You looked at those gentle eyes, and then looked at Jinwoo. A genuine smile from the boy appeared so natural and kind that you automatically returned it.

You found comfort in a soft towel while sitting at the table with a hot bowl of porridge in your presence. Kyung-hye was worriedly stroking your hair, while Jinwoo sat across from you, eating while secretly watching you.

You tried to adapt to this small body, with shorter hair, more slender hands. The system in your head was still silent, not mentioning any mission or goal. Only a line of text appeared faintly.

[World positioning complete. Identity synchronization: complete. Temporary: living as a normal child.]

A new life had begun.

________________________________

Years passed...

You grew up next to Sung Jinwoo like it was the most natural habit in the world.

From the moment Jinwoo asked his mother to take you home, the two of you became an inseparable couple.

You and Jinwoo used to share the lunch box your mother made together, even though sometimes it was just a boiled egg or a few small pieces of ham. On days when you got bad grades, you two would sneak into the warehouse behind the school together, trembling and worried but still trying to smile to comfort each other. The times you both got punished for being naughty in class - drawing on the blackboard, imitating the teacher's voice, or secretly hiding candy in your desk - all became unforgettable memories.

You used to run away with Jinwoo from the big kids who bullied the weaker students. Jinwoo wasn't good at fighting, but he always pulled you ahead, panting but still turning back, asking softly, "Are you okay?"

And after all those times, Kyung-hye's mother would appear at the school gate, smiling gently when she saw the two of them, dirty and scruffy, still holding hands.

Time passed so peacefully that you almost forgot that this world would become chaotic in a few years.

Only your feelings for Jinwoo were always there. From the time you knew him through the pages of a comic book, until the time you actually met him.

Those feelings grew over the years.

You started off with a crush on a character before your feelings evolved into an innocent friendship. This connection required no special cause similar to the way sunlight illuminates mornings or cicadas fill summer air with their songs. Then gradually, you realized that your heart started to skip a beat every time Jinwoo smiled. A warm feeling rose when he held your hand as you crossed the street, even though he was grown up and no longer needed you.

You liked Jinwoo.

That love was not noisy, not dramatic. It crept in like the spring rains silently watering the fields of memories. But then, over time, that feeling also began to hurt you.

You still paid attention to the plot. You knew that Jinwoo would meet his destined person in the future. You were just a character added by accident. But you still couldn't help but like him.

Everyone knew you liked Jinwoo.

Even Jinah, his younger sister, when she grew up, used to look at you with both curiosity and certainty. One summer afternoon, when the three of them were peeling fruit in the living room, Jinah suddenly asked in a nonchalant voice.

"You like my oppa, right?"

You were stunned. Just for a second. But it was enough for your face to turn red. You smiled, changing the subject by shoving a piece of apple into Jinah's hand, saying, "Eat it, or the apple will turn brown."

Only Jinwoo didn't know.

He only sees you as a friend, a sister, nothing more, nothing less.

You don't blame him.

It's just that sometimes you wish Jinwoo would look back at you a little more. Not with the eyes of a close friend, but with a softer, deeper gaze, like you've always looked at him all these years.

______________________

And then the incident came like a flood, without warning, without mercy.

The peaceful world began to crack when the first dungeon gates appeared. Strange, violent creatures beyond imagination began to pour out of nowhere, spreading panic and destruction everywhere. Ordinary people were no longer strong enough to fight back. But then - along with the danger - people with supernatural powers also awakened one by one. They were called Hunters.

In that chaos, the Sung family could not escape the vortex of fate.

Sung Il-Hwan, the calm and responsible father, was one of the first to awaken the power of a hunter. With a rare ability, he joined the raiding team with the desire to protect humanity from the threats of the dungeon. But during a high-level raid, the gate slammed shut - and he never returned.

The name Sung Il-Hwan became a silent mark in the missing person records. No body, no clues. Only a void remained, deeply embedded in Jinwoo's heart and the whole family's.

The pain had not yet subsided when another disaster struck.

Mrs. Kyung-hye, Jinwoo's mother, could not adapt to the environment that was gradually being eroded by mana. Her normal human body could not withstand the waves of mana emitted by the hunters. One morning, she collapsed without warning. The doctor called it Eternal Slumber - a deep coma that current medicine could not explain or cure.

She was still there, lying motionless in the cold hospital room, as if she were sleeping a long, endless sleep.

And so, the Sung family - once warm and filled with laughter in the small house - now had only three people left.

Jinah, Jinwoo's little sister, tried to be strong every day, hiding her tears behind her strong eyes so as not to become a burden to her brother.

Jinwoo, awakened with only E-rank power, now has to shoulder the whole family, amidst the life-and-death battles and the loneliness that gnaws at his mind.

And you - who is by their side like a remaining piece of peace, a friend who accidentally gets caught up in the story of people who shoulder a fate beyond the ordinary.

So the story has officially begun.

At the same time, the Isekai System - which you once considered an echo from an old dream, a part of a distant memory after long days of living as a normal human - suddenly reappeared.

After many years of silence, it reappeared with a mission for you.

[System mission has been activated.] [Main mission: Support the protagonist until he achieves Shadow Power.] [Note: When you complete it, you can choose your own path, as long as it does not affect the story.]

It was just a simple command, but it was like a cold knife cutting through your heart. You stood there, looking at the message that appeared before your eyes, unable to do anything but accept it. Because you knew this was not a dream. And from now on, things would never be the same again.

The Double Dungeon event occurred. A seemingly normal raid turned into hell. Blood spilled, people fell. Lives were crushed without mercy. And in the middle of that boundary between life and death, Jinwoo opened his eyes to a System of his own. A System as powerful, mysterious, and cruel as his own fate.

He began to change. With each passing day, his body grew taller, stronger, his eyes sharper. Old wounds healed, pain disappeared.

But in the process, you also gradually realized that it was not only his body that changed - but the world around him was shifting.

The story began to roll.

Jinwoo was no longer the clumsy, gentle Jinwoo of the past. He was now the center of an approaching storm. Big names began to notice him. Fierce battles, life-or-death choices, and pre-arranged fate.

You knew - the time would come when he would meet Cha Hae-in. That girl, that gaze, that position in the script was predetermined from the beginning. Even though you've never met her, you know that no one can replace her in Jinwoo's destined role.

And you?

You're just a supporter. A good friend who always stands behind, takes care of every wound, takes care of every meal, wipes the blood off his hands without asking where he came from. An outsider, witnessing the love story forming from afar, in silence. And someone who secretly likes him.

But you have to close it. Lock it tightly. Because you understand the rules of the game. You're not allowed to love. You're not allowed to interfere with a pre-written storyline.

You're a variable. And variables never have a happy ending.

________________________________

He met her.

Cha Hae-in.

The girl with eyes like a calm lake, always reflecting calmness and kindness - a beauty so pure that it seemed like it could wash away all the ruins in the person's soul. An S-rank Hunter, but gentler than anyone you've ever known.

You stood there silently behind. When Jinwoo's eyes met hers, you saw light.

The light that had appeared in Jinwoo's eyes when he woke up after the Double Dungeon incident, realized that he was still alive, realized that he still had a chance to fix everything, realized that he could still see his family, see you. But now, that light was no longer directed towards you.

In that moment, the world seemed to stop.

You, a person who had gone through countless scenes in this story, suddenly understood. That it wasn't that you weren't good enough. It's just that you're not the one destined to be in this story.

You're an outsider. A sideline. A nameless shadow.

Time passed.

Jinwoo grew stronger, taller, colder. He became an icon. The one who holds the darkness. The one who breaks all limits. At the same time, your mission was completed, but you did not choose to leave, you still wanted to stay by Jinwoo's side a little longer.

And then Jinwoo successfully created the Holy Water of Life.

His mother - Kyung-hye - woke up.

You stood outside the hospital room's glass window. Inside, Jinwoo burst into tears. Those tears were unlike any you had ever seen on his face, not tears of loss, or hatred, or victory. But tears of life.

Jinwoo also became an S-rank hunter, successfully making a name for himself. He also quickly became powerful, then got the attention of the whole world, created his own guild.

You were the one who observed all of that process, observed his growth. Your heart warms, then quickly cools. That's when you realize.

The most important things in Jinwoo's life don't need you anymore.

Not because you're not important. It's because your role in the story has ended.

_______________

The first time he talked about her was after a meeting at the Association, when the two of you left the building together. The afternoon sunlight fell gently on your shoulders, and you - as usual - walked beside Jinwoo in silence.

Jinwoo suddenly spoke, his voice low, as if he was thinking about something far away. "She's different."

You turned around, frowning slightly. "Who?"

"Cha Hae-in."

You paused briefly before switching your voice to inquire "What exactly do you mean by difference?"

A relaxed smile appeared on Jinwoo's face as he shook his head while recalling something pleasant. "I don't typically trust hunches or gut feelings. But when I'm near her, the mana in my body is no longer chaotic. It's peaceful, as if - as if I can breathe."

You smiled. A smile so beautiful that even Jinwoo glanced at you. But you just looked forward, nodding, "It sounds like you found a place where your heart doesn't have to fight anymore."

Jinwoo didn't say anything. Maybe he thought you were misunderstanding.

As for you, you knew you were right.

Another time, after the two of them had just returned from a dungeon, it was raining lightly. The two of them took shelter under the awning of a small restaurant, their clothes still wet from the cold dew in the dungeon. Jinwoo wiped the raindrops from his forehead, then suddenly asked.

"Do you think someone who always fights and always kills is worthy of love?"

You were stunned, your heart filled with unease. "..Why do you ask?"

Jinwoo looked out at the rain, his eyes as deep as the night.

"Because I'm afraid. Hae-in once came to join Ahjin, she admitted that she liked me. I'm afraid that if Hae-in really liked me, she would suffer too much pain. I'm not an ordinary person. I live in blood and darkness. And she's too pure."

You were silent.

In that moment, you just wanted to hug Jinwoo, to tell him that you weren't afraid of his darkness, that you'd lived with him for so long and never found him hateful. But instead, you just smiled.

"If she chose you, then she have discovered qualities you never knew you possessed."

"So you think I'm worthy?"

You nodded slightly. "Yes. Very worthy."

Because otherwise, why would I have loved you for so many years?

________

Jinwoo released a deep sigh as both of you sat on a rooftop watching the Seoul skyline during a late evening.

"I often yearn to experience life as ordinary people do. No system, no monsters, no war. I could do something simple. Have someone waiting for me to come home. And if I'm lucky, maybe..."

He was silent. "...Maybe get married. Have a family."

You didn't reply.

You just clenched the hot cup of tea in your hand, your eyes silently looking down at the traffic below. Your heart silently broke once again - not because Jinwoo loved someone else, but because you realized you were never his choice in the first place.

Everything seemed to be going in the right direction.

Except for your heart.

"Do you think I'm suited to a normal life?" Jinwoo suddenly asked, his eyes following the clouds drifting by.

You looked up at him, smiling slightly. "Depends on your definition of 'normal'."

Jinwoo nodded slightly, then was silent for a long while.

Then, he turned to you, his gaze very gentle. As if he was thinking about something very beautiful, very gentle. "I was thinking about asking Hae-in out. You know, the government built a park at the gate where my father went missing. The only friend I could think of to join me at that place was her."

Your face showed a pleasant expression while your heart endured the pain of his words. 'What about me? Am I not your friend?'  You didn't say anything.

He smiled, a rare smile, not of victory or power. But a smile that came from the desire to live, the desire to be happy. "I want to take her there. Simple. Walk, eat ice cream, play games."

You looked at him.Time appeared frozen at that instant. His gentle voice carried through the room without being either too high or too low yet every word he spoke left a deep impression.

You remembered the day Jinwoo was still an E-rank, awkward, scared, and silent. The one who used to sit huddled in the corner of the hospital. Now he had become a strong person.

You had been with him all that way.

And it seemed like at this moment, you had made a decision for yourself.

____________

"Unnie, do you really have to go?"

Jinah looked at you with sad eyes. Kyung-hye standing next to you also looked at you with pity.

More than anyone, they were the ones who understood your feelings for Jinwoo the most. More than anyone, they knew how much you had sacrificed for Jinwoo. To make the decision to leave, you must have torn your heart to pieces.

With trembling voice Kyung-hye held your hand before she spoke. "I'm sorry I can't help you."

You smiled as you shook your head. "I don't need anything. I am satisfied by his happiness alone. He's found happiness in his life. I think it's time for me to let go and truly live for myself."

Jinah hugged you, unable to hold back her tears. "Unnie, you can stay...you still have us."

You bit your lip, gently touching your head to Jinah's forehead. You just smiled. Gently. Quietly. Then promise. "Someday, I'll come back to see everyone."

It's a lie, a lie only you know.

They don't stop you. Because they understand, there are things that can't be kept - no matter how much love.

You left before Jinwoo returned. No message. No goodbye.

The flight took off.

You sat by the window, your hand on the system screen.

[Request: Erase all your memories related to the Solo Leveling storyline.] [Sub-request: Completely erase memories of Y/n from the memory systems of all individuals who have ever come into contact with you.] [Do you want to confirm?] [Yes/No]

You looked out the plane window, taking in the land of Korea one last time, all your memories since the day you came to this world playing back like a movie. A tear fell down your cheek. You smiled. "Yes"

[Processing...] [Success. From now on, you will not remember anything about the plot. We will not appear again. Wish you a peaceful life.]

Then you fell asleep.

______________________

At the park which used to be a high-level dungeon now served as a lively promenade, where children played while sunlight bathed everything in golden light.

The stone path guided Jinwoo and Hae-in through the park while the wind made the trees' branches dance and let fresh leaves fall from the branches. HHae-in softly held Jinwoo's hand as wind blew through her golden hair.

A girl sprinted by as her mother followed behind her with a pleasant expression. That laughter - unintentionally - struck Jinwoo's ears, like a strange yet painfully familiar bell.

He paused.

His head turned slightly as his gaze focused on an empty area in front of him. A fresh breeze brought forth the fragrances of new grass and damp earth together with another distinct smell.  Something he couldn't name.

He automatically reached his right hand toward his chest.

There. His heart.

It was like something was quietly throbbing. Not clear, not intense, but persistent like a whisper in a dream. He frowned. It felt empty. Like a forgotten silence in a song he once knew.

"...What's wrong?" Hae-in approached him with soft words while squeezing his hand gently as she watched him with worry.

A friendly smile appeared on Jinwoo's face but his expression in his eyes remained blank. "I'm fine. Something important seems to be missing from my mind right now."

Hae-in tilted her head slightly, then smiled. "Then... when you remember, can you tell me?"

Jinwoo looked at her before gently squeezing her hand while smiling. He gave his word to share the information.

Jinwoo experienced a brief emotional twinge as he continued walking under the tree canopy.

There's something still missing. A name has been erased. A look, a laugh, a habit that was once so familiar, now only a pale image deep in his mind. And even though there are no more memories, his heart still carries a nameless emptiness.

No one can fill it. No one can replace it.

Farewell, Jinwoo, my love...

______________

Why oh why tell me why not me 😔

Why oh why we were mean to be...

[marixrose]

I was thinking of making a Solo Leveling Fanfiction where Y/N is also a player and is the Celestial Monarch (there isn’t one in the series but I figured we could add one more lol). And I thought it would be cool for there to be different looks for all the planets (in our solar system), and for her to also be able to use powers given from the sun and the moon. Like how cool does that sound.

Obviously love interest would be Sung Jinwoo but just an idea I wanted to throw out there. I might make more on this later when I finish up projects I’m working on now ☺️

[marixrose]

𝐉𝐢𝐧-𝐖𝐨𝐨 | 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 18 +

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 — Mirror sex, jealous/possessive Jinwoo, marking, obsession, soft-dark domination

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

It was just a conversation.

That’s all it was—one harmless comment from another Hunter at the Guild HQ.

But Jinwoo saw it. And that’s all it took.

Now I’m standing in front of the mirror, completely bare, with his hand wrapped firmly around my throat—not squeezing, just there. A silent warning. A constant reminder.

“You think I didn’t notice?” he says, voice low against my ear. “He looked at you like he wanted you.”

I can barely breathe. Not from his grip—but from the weight of his stare.

“He said I looked strong,” I managed to whisper. “That’s all.”

Jinwoo laughs, dark and humorless. “He was imagining you on your knees.”

His other hand trails down my body, slow, deliberate. I watch it in the mirror. Watch his fingers curve around my waist like a brand, see the way my skin flushes as his body presses behind mine—hot, heavy, hungry.

“You’re mine,” he breathes, lips ghosting over my shoulder. “And you’re going to say it while you watch me ruin you.”

His shadows rise like ribbons, cool against my legs, slipping up to bind my thighs apart just wide enough to make me ache. He makes sure I can see everything. My trembling body. His hand sliding down between my legs. His eyes—black and burning—locked on my reflection.

“You don’t let other men look at what’s mine.”

“Jinwoo—”

“Say it.”

“I’m yours,” I whisper, head falling back against his shoulder.

He hums in approval. His fingers start to move—slow circles, teasing, building heat like a storm. Every little gasp I make fuels him. He’s not even inside me yet, but I’m already shaking.

“Look at yourself,” he orders, voice like a growl. “Look at what you do to me.”

I do. And it’s devastating.

His cock is hard, thick, pressed against my lower back. His jaw is tight. His grip on me is possessive, primal. His shadows dance across my skin like he’s marking me with more than hands.

Then—without warning—he thrusts into me from behind.

I cry out, my palms hitting the mirror. The glass fogs from my breath. His pace is deep and sharp and relentless. He knows exactly how to angle his hips, how to make me fall apart while still forcing me to watch.

“You think anyone else can touch you like this?” he growls.

“No,” I gasp. “Only you.”

His hand slides down to my hip, gripping hard enough to bruise. He fucks me like he’s claiming me. Like he needs to remind me that I belong to him—mind, body, soul. His other hand lifts and wraps in my hair, forcing my gaze back up.

“Eyes on the mirror,” he pants. “Don’t look away.”

He reaches around to rub my clit again—fast, merciless—and I shatter. My legs tremble, my voice breaks, and he watches me fall apart with a quiet, satisfied groan.

But he’s not done.

Not until he’s left proof.

He pulls out just long enough to turn me around, lift me onto the dresser, and sink back into me hard enough to steal my breath. His lips find my throat—biting now, not just kissing—and I feel his teeth graze over my skin before they sink in.

“Mine,” he growls into my neck. “I want you marked where everyone can see it.”

I gasp as he thrusts harder, faster, deeper, the sting of his bite mixing with the overwhelming pleasure.

“You’re going to leave this room covered in me,” he promises, voice broken and wild. “They’ll all see it. No one else will even think about touching you.”

And I want that.

God help me, I want to be his. To be ruined by him. Marked, claimed, possessed.

When he finally comes, he growls my name like a curse—low and raw, hips jerking as he buries himself to the hilt, shadows curling tight around us both. He holds me there, panting against my skin, like he could fuse us together if he just stayed close enough.

And when it’s over… he doesn’t let me go.

He pulls me into his arms, presses a kiss to the bite on my neck, and whispers—

“No more talking to other men.”

I smile faintly, still breathless. “I don’t even see anyone else.”

His shadows curl around us like a cage.

“Good,” Jinwoo murmurs. “Because if you ever do… I’ll kill them.”

[marixrose]

𝐉𝐢𝐧-𝐖𝐨𝐨 | 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 — angst —> fluff

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

I could still feel his warmth in the sheets. Still smell him in the folds of my hoodie. But when I woke up, he was gone.

No note.

No call.

Just… gone.

The first day, I told myself he was on a mission. Maybe he didn’t want to wake me. Maybe it was something urgent—some dungeon or gate that needed him right away. He’d be back by nightfall, I thought. He always came back.

The second day, I found the ring he had given me—left on the dresser. My hands shook so badly, I almost dropped it. That was when the panic set in. The silence wasn’t just a coincidence.

He had left me.

No explanation. No goodbye. Just… left.

It didn’t make sense. We were okay. More than okay. He smiled around me. He let me touch his scars. He kissed me like I was something precious, like he wanted to stay.

So why did he go?

——————

The apartment was too quiet. Every second without him scraped raw against my chest. I tried to eat, to sleep, to distract myself—but everything reminded me of him. His mug in the sink. His coat is on the hook. His shadow still etched into the space beside me.

Tears welled up again, blurring the ceiling light as I lay on the couch, curled into a blanket that still smelled like him. My heart felt like it was caving in. Like he had ripped it from my chest and taken it with him.

“I don’t understand,” I whispered into the silence. “Why wasn’t I enough?”

The shadows in the corner shifted.

I blinked.

And then two forms emerged from the darkness—tall and familiar, their very presence making the air hum with power.

Beru—taller than I remembered, his gleaming insectoid armor oddly gentle in the soft light.

Igris, silent and noble as ever, his red eyes glowing faintly beneath his helmet.

I sat up, startled. “What… What are you doing here?”

Beru tilted his head, clicking thoughtfully. “Our queen is distressed.”

Igris stepped forward, kneeling silently before me. His sword was sheathed—a sign of peace. Of loyalty.

My lip trembled. “Did… Did he send you?”

Beru looked at me with a softness I didn’t think possible from something that could tear cities apart. “Our liege believes distance will protect you. That leaving will shield you from danger.”

“He left me,” I choked. “He didn’t even say goodbye.”

“Because he fears what he cannot control,” Igris spoke, his voice deep and echoing like the bottom of a well. “And he fears more than death the thought of you suffering because of him.”

“But doesn’t he know?” I whispered, “I’d rather suffer with him than live without him.”

Beru reached out—slowly, reverently—and placed a clawed hand over my heart. “He will realize soon enough…”

Igris nodded.

“…how much he needs his queen.”

——————

It was three days before the knock came.

No, not a knock. A bang. Desperate. Wild.

I rushed to the door, heart hammering—and when I opened it, there he was.

Jin-Woo.

Out of breath. Eyes rimmed red. His hands were shaking.

“Y/N—” His voice cracked as he said my name. “I—I was wrong.”

I didn’t move.

He stepped closer, swallowing hard, and I saw it—the storm behind his eyes. The fear. The guilt. And something else: heartbreak.

“I thought I could protect you by staying away,” he said, voice raw. “But every second without you felt like I was dying. And then… then Beru told me you were crying alone, and I just—” His words broke into a quiet sob. “I should never have left.”

My own tears fell freely now, and I didn’t care how broken I looked. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I was scared,” he whispered. “Of losing you. Of hurting you. But I forgot something important.”

“What?”

His hand cupped my cheek, thumb brushing away a tear.

“That you're my home. My light. My reason to fight.”

I collapsed into his arms. He held me so tightly I could barely breathe, but I didn’t want space. I didn’t want distance. I wanted him. All of him—wounds, shadows, burdens and all.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured into my hair. “I swear to you—I’ll never leave again. Not for any reason. I will protect you. Beside you. With you.”

“You promise?”

“I swear it,” he said, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes. “On my shadows. On my soul. On everything I am—I’ll never let you go again.”

And when he kissed me, it wasn’t desperate. It wasn’t rushed.

It was a vow.

And I believed him.

[marixrose]

𝐉𝐢𝐧-𝐖𝐨𝐨 | 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐌𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 — fluff

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

The knock on my door was barely audible—three soft raps, almost like a whisper against the wood.

I didn’t need to ask who it was. Only one person ever knocked like that, like he wasn’t sure he deserved to be here.

I opened it quickly, already spotting the familiar silhouette in the hallway. His black coat was torn at the shoulder, streaks of blood—some his, some not—lining the edges. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes…

They were tired. So, so tired.

“Jin-Woo,” I breathed, stepping aside to let him in. He walked in without a word, his boots heavy against the floor, leaving faint smudges of dried blood behind. I shut the door, locking it gently, then turned back to him.

“Bad gate?” I asked softly.

He nodded once. “S-Rank. Double dungeon.” His voice was low and rough, like he hadn’t spoken in hours.

And maybe he hadn’t.

I took a step closer, slowly—like approaching a wounded animal. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine.”

I gave him a look. “You’re bleeding.”

“It’s not deep.”

“That’s not the point, Jin-Woo.” I touched his sleeve, fingers brushing over the torn fabric. “Come sit down.”

He didn’t argue, which said a lot. I guided him to the couch, and he sank into it like every bone in his body weighed a hundred pounds. The second he relaxed, the façade cracked just a little—his jaw unclenched, his shoulders sagged.

“Take off the coat,” I said gently. “I’ll get the med kit.”

When I came back, he was sitting there with the coat beside him, black shirt clinging to his skin, torn at the collar. There was a gash along his upper arm—not deep, but angry-looking. A shadow creature hovered nearby, its glowing eyes watching me silently. I shot it a wary glance, but Jin-Woo waved his hand, and it disappeared into smoke.

“Didn’t mean to scare you,” he said, eyes following me as I knelt in front of him.

“You didn’t,” I said softly. “They just… look intense.”

He gave a faint, tired chuckle. “That’s one way to put it.”

I dabbed antiseptic on his arm. He didn’t flinch, didn’t wince—of course he didn’t. I might as well have been tending to a statue. But his gaze stayed locked on me the whole time.

“You don’t have to do this,” he murmured after a minute.

“I want to.”

“You’ve had a long day.”

“So have you.” I looked up at him. “But you still came here.”

His expression shifted—just a flicker. I caught it, though. That little crack in his armor.

“I don’t know where else to go after a raid like that,” he admitted. “It’s quiet here. Safe.”

I paused, heart stuttering.

Safe.

“You’re always welcome here,” I whispered. “No matter what.”

His eyes dropped to my hands, still wrapped around the gauze I was tying off on his arm.

“Your hands are shaking.”

“I get worried when you walk in looking like a horror movie extra,” I said, trying to make it light. “You could at least text.”

“I don’t think about it.”

“I know.” I looked at him for a long moment. “That’s what scares me, Jin-Woo. That you’re so used to walking through hell, you forget someone’s waiting for you to come back.”

The silence stretched, thick with words I wasn’t sure I should say.

Then he reached out—hesitantly—and brushed a thumb along my cheek. I leaned into it without thinking.

“You wait for me,” he said quietly, almost like a question.

“Always.”

He nodded once, slowly. Then: “Then I’ll try harder to come back in one piece.”

My heart clenched.

I stood and sat beside him, curling my legs under me. Without a word, he shifted, letting me lean into his side, his arm wrapping gently around my shoulders.

For a while, we just sat there. The city hummed outside the window, but inside, it was warm. Quiet. Safe.

“Next time,” I murmured, “I’m installing a GPS tracker in your coat.”

He chuckled, low and soft. “I’ll allow it.”

[marixrose]

𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐨 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

All one-shots are also available on my Wattpad @riatoleratesit

𝐉𝐢𝐧-𝐖𝐨𝐨 |

Yandere Headcannons + 2 part Oneshot [ smut, 18+ ]

You’re Taken, Remember?

Even Shadows Miss the Light

Let Me Take Care Of You

Reflections of Obsession [ smut, 18+ ]

[marixrose]

Can you do yandere jinwoo headcannons?

Yessss you don’t know how happy I am to have a request! It’s been a few years since someone’s requested something, I am so so happy!

𝐉𝐢𝐧-𝐖𝐨𝐨 𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬 + 𝐎𝐧𝐞-𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐭 [EXTRA!]

One-Shot pt2 is NSFW so 18+ ONLY

1. Silent but deadly obsession:

Jinwoo isn’t the loud, chaotic type of yandere. He’s quiet, methodical—his obsession with you builds slowly and dangerously, until you’re the only thing he thinks about. You’d never even know until it’s too late.

2. Shadows everywhere:

He always knows where you are. Always. There’s a shadow following you every second of the day, even if you can’t see it. If anyone gets too close to you, that shadow reports back to Jinwoo—and depending on who it is, that person might not be around much longer.

3. Cold to everyone else:

Jinwoo barely acknowledges other people anymore. You’re the only one who gets to see his softer side—his smirks, the way his gaze lingers, how his tone lowers just for you. Everyone else gets the cold, calculated Hunter. While you get the soft, loving, possessive side of him.

4. Manipulative protector:

He frames everything as “protecting you.” That friend you used to text late at night? “Too suspicious.” Your job that keeps you late? “Too dangerous.” He’ll find a way to get you fired, isolated, and fully dependent on him—and you’ll never be able to prove he did it.

5. Possessive touch:

He’s subtle with PDA—hand on your lower back when others are near, standing a little too close when you talk to someone else. His presence alone is a warning to anyone daring enough to look at you the wrong way.

6. You're his greatest weakness:

For all his power, Jinwoo’s terrified of losing you. If you ever tried to run, he’d search the entire world for you. He’d burn cities if he had to. He can’t let you go—not now, not ever.

But it is almost certain that he will catch you even before you try to run. He knows all and sees all so don’t even try to run away. If you do, there will be consequences.

7. Sweet in private, terrifying in public:

Behind closed doors, he’ll cradle you in his arms, whisper promises that sound like vows and threats all at once. But in public? No one dares touch what’s his. Not after what happened to the last guy who tried.

8. “If I can’t have you…”

It’s not said out loud, but the threat is always there. He doesn’t even need to say it. The possessiveness in his eyes, the way his shadows shift when you talk about leaving—it’s clear. You’re his. Forever.

𝐎𝐍𝐄-𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓!

𝐉𝐢𝐧-𝐖𝐨𝐨 | 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐆𝐨

Yandere!Sung Jinwoo x Reader | Y/N’s POV | Slightly NSFW / Obsessive, possessive, soft-dark vibes

I knew he’d find me.

The door clicks shut behind me. My breath is sharp in my lungs, the silence too still—like the moment before a predator pounces. I press my back to the wall, praying to a god I no longer believe in. And then… I feel it.

The shadows shift.

Creep across the floor. Curl around my ankle like a leash.

“You knew I’d find you.”

His voice. Low. Controlled. Drenched in that terrifying calm he wears like a second skin.

I can’t move. Can’t even look at him when he steps out of the dark, dressed in black like the reaper he is. I can feel the weight of his stare—hot and possessive—like hands on my skin.

“You said I was free,” I whisper, my voice barely holding steady.

“I lied.”

Of course he did.

He moves closer. I stay frozen. My legs would betray me if I tried anything now anyway. He’s always been gentle with me—dangerous, yes, but gentle—and that’s what scares me most. He doesn’t need to scream. He doesn't need to threaten.

He just needs to look at me like that.

“I didn’t hurt anyone,” I try again. It’s not a defense. It’s a plea.

“I know,” he murmurs, almost like he’s proud. “You’ve always been good for me.”

His hand lifts. Fingers trail down my cheek, soft, reverent. Like I’m precious. Like he owns me.

“You just forgot,” Jinwoo whispers, “who you belong to.”

My heart stops.

Then restarts under his thumb—now brushing lightly over my lips.

I should say something. I should scream or slap him or run.

But I don’t.

Because part of me missed him.

Because part of me wants this.

“Say it,” he breathes, stepping closer. His hand slides down to my throat—not tight, just enough to remind me he could. “Tell me who owns you.”

God help me.

“You,” I whisper. “You do.”

His eyes flash. Like that’s all he ever needed.

He kisses me then. Deep. Claiming. And I melt into it, my fingers curling into his shirt before I even think to stop myself. His shadows crawl up around me—wrapping, coiling, *binding*—and I don’t resist. How can I, when part of me was already his?

“You can run,” he says against my lips, his voice hoarse. “But I’ll always find you.”

He lifts me like I weigh nothing. Carries me toward the bed like he’s done it a thousand times. And I don’t fight him.

Not because I can’t.

But because I don’t want to.

Because no matter how far I run, some twisted, broken part of me will always want to be tangled up in his darkness.

And Jinwoo knows it.

Alright—this is where things get *intense*. You're in Y/N’s POV, wrapped in shadows, trapped under the man who says you belong to him. It’s possessive, slow-burn, and toeing the line between dark obsession and deep desire.

𝐉𝐢𝐧-𝐖𝐨𝐨 | 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐆𝐨 𝐏𝐓 2

Explicit content. Obsessive love. Soft but intense dom Jinwoo. Slight dubcon due to emotional manipulation/control.

His mouth never leaves mine as he lays me back on the bed—slow, deliberate, like he has all the time in the world. His hands explore like he’s relearning a body he’s memorized in dreams. Every brush of his fingers sends shivers through me.

I hate how much I feel like I’m sinking. Like I want to drown in him.

“I should punish you,” he murmurs against my throat, his lips dragging heat down my skin. “But I missed you too much.”

He pulls back just enough to look down at me—his eyes dark, burning, hungry.

“I waited,” he says, almost like he’s blaming me. “You were gone for four days. Do you know what that did to me?”

I try to look away, but his fingers grip my chin.

“No hiding,” Jinwoo says softly. “You ran. You knew what that meant.”

His hand trails down my neck, across my collarbone. My shirt disappears—literally—his shadows unraveling the fabric like smoke, leaving my skin bare under his gaze.

“You’re mine,” he breathes, his mouth brushing over my breast, tongue flicking slow circles around my nipple until I gasp. “Say it again.”

I arch into him, both from the heat and the command laced in his voice.

“I’m yours,” I whisper, and he groans like he’s finally home.

His mouth travels lower, kissing over my stomach, teeth grazing my hip. He drags my thighs apart slowly, reverently. Shadows curl around my wrists—not restraining, just reminding. He doesn’t need to chain me.

He knows I’m not going anywhere now.

His lips press against the inside of my thigh. “You don’t run from me again,” he says, voice low and lethal. “Or I’ll keep you locked away where no one can even look at you.”

And then he devours me.

His tongue is relentless, patient and punishing at once. Every flick, every swirl—he knows exactly what he’s doing. I’m gasping, moaning, trembling under him. The pleasure is overwhelming, hot and dizzying.

I come undone under his mouth, and when I cry out his name, he doesn’t stop.

He doesn’t stop until I’m shaking, until my thighs are twitching and my voice is hoarse.

Only then does he pull back—eyes full of obsession and pride.

“Good girl,” he whispers. “So sweet when you remember who you belong to.”

Then he’s kissing me again, deep and rough, and I taste myself on his lips. His clothes vanish in shadows, and I feel the heat of him against me—hard, ready, unrelenting.

And when he enters me, it’s not rushed. It’s not angry. It’s possessive. Every thrust is slow and deep, like he’s staking a claim. Like this is a warning to the universe.

She’s mine.

My fingers claw into his back, my name a whisper against his ear, and I feel him everywhere. His shadows curl tighter, holding me open, keeping me still while he drives into me again and again, making sure I feel it in my bones.

“I’ll never let you go,” Jinwoo groans against my neck. “Even if you beg.”

I believe him.

God, I believe him.

And when I come again, he follows—his name ragged in my ear, his teeth in my skin, his body pressed tight to mine like he could fuse us together.

When it’s over, he doesn’t let go.

He wraps himself around me, fingers in my hair, lips on my shoulder, voice a broken whisper.

“No more running.”

And I don’t answer.

Because I don’t know if I want to.

[marixrose]

𝐉𝐢𝐧-𝐖𝐨𝐨 | 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧, 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫?

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 — fluff + jealousy

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

It had been a miracle getting him out of his black combat coat and into something that didn’t scream “I command death.” But I did it—dark jeans, fitted navy sweater, and just a hint of a smile that said I’m not about to summon a shadow army… probably.

“See?” I teased, brushing a crumb off his sleeve. “You can look like a normal human.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Do I usually not?”

“You look like a whole final boss most days.”

That earned a smirk. “And you’re still brave enough to date me?”

“Someone has to keep you humble.”

We were walking down the street after lunch, warm coffees in hand, fingers laced together. The weather was perfect. No gates, no chaos. Just us. For once, it felt like we were living a normal life.

Until he let go of my hand to answer a phone call, stepping a few feet away. That was when it happened.

“Hey,” a voice said from my left.

I turned, and there he was—tall-ish, kind of smug, definitely not reading the situation right.

“You alone?” he asked, looking me up and down with a little too much confidence.

I blinked. “Uh, no—”

“You from around here?” he grinned. “I don’t normally do this, but you’re gorgeous. I’d regret it if I didn’t ask—can I get your number?”

I opened my mouth to decline politely, but before I could—

“She’s not available.”

The guy turned around, and I swear the temperature dropped five degrees. Jin-Woo had finished his call and was now standing just behind us, his expression unreadable—but his eyes? Oh, they were dark.

And not just in color.

The kind of dark that made grown Hunters nervous. The kind of dark that whispered I’ve seen death and become something worse.

The guy chuckled nervously. “Whoa, relax, man. Just saying hi—”

“She has a boyfriend,” Jin-Woo said, stepping forward and slipping an arm around my waist, tugging me gently toward him. “Me.”

The stranger looked between us. “Okay, cool, no need to get all—intense.”

Jin-Woo didn’t blink. “Walk. Away.”

The guy didn’t need to be told twice. He gave a half-hearted shrug and backed off, muttering something under his breath before disappearing into the crowd.

I turned to Jin-Woo, still tucked against his side. “That was a bit dramatic.”

“He was trying to flirt with you.”

“I was literally about to say I had a boyfriend.”

“But you didn’t say it fast enough.”

I laughed. “Were you jealous?”

He didn’t answer.

I nudged him with my shoulder. “You totally were.”

“He looked like the kind of guy who wears fake cologne and lies about his job,” Jin-Woo muttered.

“That’s not an answer.”

“I wasn’t jealous,” he said calmly. “I just didn’t like him looking at you like that.”

I smiled and reached up to press a kiss to his cheek. “You’re cute when you’re possessive.”

He glanced down at me, his expression softening just enough to melt a little of the frost. “You’re mine.”

I grinned. “Yeah, I am.”

“And next time,” he said with a small smirk, “I’m holding your hand the entire date.”

“Deal. But only if you promise not to summon Beru behind him next time.”

“…No promises.”

[marixrose]

It is so unhealthy the way I switch through obsession. I swear I find a new anime every week to hyper fixate on, plan on writing for it—then never do. Or I’ll write a little but lose motivation for it 😭 Like right now I have high hopes to keep up with Obey Me + Solo Leveling (Meanwhile on Wattpad I’m best known for my Squid Game works that I lost love for months ago.)

Still obsessed with Yandere works so please send my way !!!

[marixrose]

𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 — 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫

𝜗𝜚 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬!! | fluff, romance

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 • There's nowhere MC would rather be than in Belphegor’s arms, tucked away in the attic, where time seems to stand still.

────────୨ৎ────────

The attic was quiet, save for the rhythmic sound of Belphie’s breathing and the occasional creak of the old wooden floorboards. Dim candle light flickered across the walls, casting soft shadows that swayed with every tiny movement.

Nestled in his arms, I could feel the slow rise and fall of his chest against my back. His warmth wrapped around me like a comforting lullaby, and I sighed contently, nuzzling deeper into him.

“You’re comfy,” I murmured sleepily, tracing lazy patterns over the back of his hand.

Belphie hummed in agreement, his voice thick with drowsiness. “Mmm… of course, I am.” His arm tightened around my waist, pulling me closer. “You should just stay here forever.”

I smiled at his sleep-filled logic. “Tempting… but I’m not sure Lucifer would approve.”

Belphie groaned dramatically. “Lucifer ruins everything.”

I giggled, tilting my head up to look at him. His dark lashes fluttered against his cheeks, and even in his half-asleep state, he was effortlessly beautiful. The usual mischief in his violet eyes had softened into something gentler, something reserved just for me.

He reached up, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. His fingers lingered, tracing the curve of my cheek, his touch featherlight.

“You always find a way to make me feel at peace,” he murmured.

My heart stuttered. “Belphie…”

Before I could say more, he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. Then another, just below my temple. And then—so slowly, so carefully—it became a real kiss, his lips meeting mine in a way that stole my breath.

It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t desperate. It was the kind of kiss that made the world outside the attic disappear, that made time feel irrelevant.

When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against mine, a sleepy smile tugging at his lips. “You taste like stardust,” he murmured, barely audible.

I laughed quietly. “And what does that taste like?”

Belphie blinked drowsily. “Soft. Sweet. A dream I don’t wanna wake up from.”

My heart melted.

I pressed another quick kiss to his lips, making him hum in satisfaction. “Then don’t wake up,” I whispered. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He sighed happily, burying his face in the crook of my neck. “Good. ‘Cause I sleep better when you’re here.”

With that, he drifted off, his breathing evening out once more.

I stayed awake a little longer, just watching him, memorizing the way he held me like I was something precious.

Maybe Belphie was right.

Maybe I really could stay here forever.

[marixrose]

𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐨𝐦 — 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐫

𝜗𝜚 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬!! | fluff, romance

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 • After much convincing, Lucifer finally takes a break from his duties to go on a simple walk with MC through the Devildom. Along the way, he finds himself indulging in small gestures that reveal just how much she means to him.

────────୨ৎ────────

I stole a glance at Lucifer as we walked side by side through the softly lit streets of the Devildom. It wasn’t often that he allowed himself time away from his responsibilities, but after days of nagging—"encouraging," as I preferred to call it—I had finally managed to convince him to take a break.

And not just any break.

A date.

“You’re staring,” Lucifer said, his voice smooth and teasing, though he didn’t turn to look at me.

I grinned, swinging our joined hands slightly. “I was just thinking how nice it is to see you outside of the House of Lamentation without a stack of paperwork in your hands.”

Lucifer exhaled a quiet chuckle. “I will admit… it’s been a while since I’ve taken a proper walk through the Devildom like this.” He gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “I suppose I should thank you for insisting.”

“You definitely should,” I teased, earning a smirk from him.

The Devildom was stunning at night. The sky stretched above us in deep shades of violet and indigo, dotted with glowing orbs that hung like scattered stars. The streets were lined with lanterns, their eerie but mesmerizing blue flames casting soft shadows across the cobblestone. Demons bustled through the marketplace, their voices a mix of deep rumbles and light chatter.

I tugged at Lucifer’s hand excitedly. “Let’s look around for a bit!”

He raised an eyebrow but didn’t resist as I led him toward a small shop displaying intricate trinkets and delicate jewelry. I glanced at him, expecting some remark about how these things were unnecessary, but instead, I caught him staring at something inside the shop window.

It was a hairpin—silver with a small gemstone embedded in the center, shimmering in a way that reminded me of the Devildom’s night sky.

Lucifer’s fingers lingered against the glass for just a second before he turned to me.

“This would suit you,” he said simply.

My heart did a little flip.

I blinked up at him. “Oh? Are you saying I should get it?”

A slow smile curved his lips. “No.” He let go of my hand briefly, stepping inside the shop. A moment later, he returned, handing me a small black box. “I’m saying I’ll get it for you.”

My breath hitched. “Lucifer…”

“You can consider it a gift,” he said smoothly, watching my reaction with quiet amusement. “Or, if it pleases you, a keepsake to remind you of tonight.”

I opened the box carefully, running my fingers over the delicate silver pin. It was beautiful. And the fact that Lucifer—of all people—had chosen it specifically for me made it even more special.

I looked up at him, my chest warm with affection. “Thank you.”

He hummed in satisfaction, pleased with my response. Then, before I could react, he plucked the pin from my fingers and reached toward my hair.

“Allow me.”

I stood still, my cheeks burning as his gloved fingers gently brushed through my hair, sliding the pin into place just behind my ear. His touch was soft, almost reverent.

When he pulled back, he studied me for a moment, his gaze unreadable. Then—so softly I almost didn’t hear it—he murmured, “Perfect.”

I swallowed hard, my heart hammering.

Lucifer noticed my flustered expression and chuckled, taking my hand once more. “Shall we continue our walk?”

I nodded quickly, trying to will away the blush creeping up my neck.

As we strolled through the glowing streets of the Devildom, our hands entwined, I realized that Lucifer didn’t need grand gestures or extravagant words to show how much he cared.

Sometimes, it was in the way he humored my requests, in the way his fingers lingered against mine when he thought I wouldn’t notice.

And sometimes… it was in a simple silver hairpin, sparkling softly under the lantern light.

[marixrose]

𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐆𝐨 — 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧

𝜗𝜚 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬!! | angst

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 • After spending countless days together in the Devildom, MC is finally being summoned back to the human world. Mammon, the ever-prideful demon, is forced to confront the one thing he’s always feared—losing her.

─────────୨ৎ─────────

I wasn’t ready.

No matter how many times I told myself this day would come, no matter how much I tried to prepare for it… I wasn’t ready.

The suitcase in front of me felt heavier than it should. I knew it wasn’t because of the things inside—it was because of what it meant. Packing meant leaving. Leaving meant saying goodbye.

I didn’t want to say goodbye.

A presence loomed behind me, silent but unmistakable. I didn’t need to turn around to know he was there.

Mammon.

He hadn’t said much since I started packing. Just stood there, arms crossed, back pressed against the doorframe. Watching. Brooding.

Hurting.

“Tch. Ya don’t need all that junk, do ya?” His voice came out rougher than usual, forced and brittle.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to keep my voice steady. “Lucifer said I should bring whatever reminds me of my time here.”

Mammon scoffed. “What a load of crap. Like ya need some dumb trinkets to remember this place.”

I paused, glancing over my shoulder at him.

He wasn’t looking at me. His head was turned slightly to the side, eyes hidden beneath the messy strands of white hair that had always felt so soft between my fingers. His hands were shoved deep into his jacket pockets, shoulders tense.

I knew that posture.

It was the same one he had whenever he was trying to act like something didn’t bother him. Like he wasn’t affected.

But I could see through him now.

He was breaking.

“You’re right,” I murmured. “I don’t need anything to remind me.”

Because I already knew I would never forget.

Something in his expression flickered, but he didn’t say anything.

The silence was suffocating.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as my vision blurred. I tried to hold it in, tried to be strong, but the dam cracked before I could stop it.

A tear slipped down my cheek.

“Mammon,” I whispered.

His head snapped up. His eyes widened, and for the first time, the mask he had been holding onto shattered completely.

“Oi… why the hell are ya cryin’?” His voice cracked, and it hurt more than anything else.

I wiped at my face, but it was useless. The tears kept coming. “Because I don’t want to go.”

Mammon’s whole body tensed. His throat bobbed, and for a brief second, he looked almost hopeful.

But we both knew the truth.

It wasn’t up to me.

The exchange program was ending. The Devildom was letting me go.

I took a shaky step forward. “Mammon, I—”

I didn’t get to finish.

He moved first, closing the distance between us in an instant. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me flush against him.

My breath caught.

He was shaking.

I squeezed my eyes shut and clung to him, burying my face in his chest, memorizing the way he felt, the way he smelled—like leather and something faintly sweet, like the wind before a storm.

He held me so tightly it almost hurt, but I didn’t care. I never wanted him to let go.

“Damn it, MC,” he muttered against my hair. “This ain’t fair.”

“I know,” I whispered.

His grip tightened. “You’re my human.”

My chest ached at the raw, broken way he said it, like he was trying to carve the words into reality so the universe wouldn’t take me away.

I pulled back just enough to see his face. His golden eyes were glassy, his lips trembling.

I reached up, cradling his face between my hands, brushing away the tears he didn’t even realize had fallen.

“I’ll find a way back to you,” I promised.

He shook his head, laughing weakly, bitterly. “That’s a stupid promise, dumbass.”

I wanted to argue, wanted to tell him I meant it, but before I could, the air around us shifted.

A golden glow began to form beneath my feet.

My stomach dropped.

It was happening.

“Mammon—!”

Panic shot through his eyes as he lunged forward, grabbing my wrists. “No. Not yet. Not like this.”

My body started to flicker, fading in and out like a dying flame. I reached for him, but my hands passed right through his.

No. No, no, no—

“Mammon!” I screamed, fighting against the magic pulling me away.

He tried to grab me again, his fingers grasping at empty air. “MC—!”

And then—

I was gone.

The last thing I saw was Mammon falling to his knees, hands shaking, his mouth opening in a silent, shattered cry.

And the last thing I heard—

Was my own heart breaking.

[marixrose]

Since I haven't posted anything in a LONG time, I wanted to post the full Thanos (from Squid Game) fanfic I wrote for my wattpad.

If you like it feel free to check the other ones similar to it on my wattpad, my user is riatoleratesit.

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐄

𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐒’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

There was a time when I had everything. Money. Fame. Power. People worshiped me, hung onto my every word, trusted that I was a genius because I told them I was. And I believed it too—until I lost everything.

It started with a YouTuber. Lee Myeong-gi. His videos made it all sound so easy. Put your money in, wait for the rise, cash out big. He talked fast, like he was always one step ahead, flashing his wealth like a goddamn neon sign. And like an idiot, I followed.

At first, I won. The rush was unreal. I doubled, tripled my investment, and I got cocky. More money meant bigger bets, bigger risks. But then the crash came, fast and merciless. I didn’t just lose money—I lost my family’s money, the money I swore would take care of them. My parents cut me off, my friends vanished, and soon, the creditors were at my door. My name became a joke, whispered behind hands, ridiculed in the same online spaces where I was once praised.

Now, I sit on a near-empty subway, staring blankly at my reflection in the window. I look like hell—hollowed-out cheeks, dark circles, a man on the edge. The train slows, and a man in a sharp suit sits across from me, placing a briefcase on his lap. He smiles.

“Would you like to play a game?” he asks, pulling out two folded squares of paper—blue and red. “For every win, I’ll give you 10,000 won. If you lose, I get to slap you.”

I stare at him, then at the money he pulls from his jacket. It’s more than I’ve seen in months. I clench my fists, jaw tightening. What kind of scam is this?

But then again, what do I have to lose?

I picked up the red square.

The first slap is sharp, stinging my cheek, but I don’t care. I grit my teeth, try again. Another slap. Another. Then—finally—I win. The rush is addictive, almost like the old days, when I was on top of the world. I win again. And again. The man hands me the cash, and for the first time in forever, I feel a sliver of control.

Then he hands me a card. Plain, with a circle, triangle, and square. On the back, a phone number.

“If you’d like to play a bigger game,” he says smoothly, “call this number.”

I take it without hesitation.

Back in my dingy apartment, I sit on the floor, the card burning in my hand. My thoughts swirl, but one rises above the rest: Lee Myeong-gi did this to me. He ruined my life.

I pull out my phone, dial the number.

“Name and age to participate,” a voice states. Voice cold, yet collected. Almost sending shivers down my spine. I had no time for fear. 

A slow grin spreads across my face. This isn’t just about money anymore. This is a chance to claw my way back, to take control, to make them all regret ever doubting me.

“Choi Su-bong. Call me Thanos. Age 26.”

This time, I’ll be the one who wins.

I will fight my way back to the top. No matter what it takes. 

𝐘/𝐍’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

I watch as my mother sets a small bag at my feet, her lips pressed into a thin line. My father doesn’t even look at me. The house I grew up in—the only place I’ve ever known—no longer belongs to me.

“There just isn’t enough space,” my mother says, softer than before. “Your brother needs his own room. We can’t afford to take care of you too.”

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. I want to argue, to say that I could find a job, that I could make myself smaller, quieter. But deep down, I know it wouldn’t matter. I was always the extra piece, the one that didn’t fit.

So I leave.

I walk for hours, my body numb. When the sun sets, I find myself in the subway station, too tired to keep going. I sink onto a bench, hugging my knees to my chest. My stomach growls, but I ignore it. Maybe if I sleep, I’ll figure something out tomorrow.

“Excuse me, miss.”

I look up, startled. A man in a suit stands before me, holding a briefcase. His smile is warm but unreadable.

“Would you like to play a game?” he asks, holding out two squares of folded paper. One red, one blue. Ddakji. “For every win, I’ll give you 10,000 won.”

Money. Enough to buy food, maybe even a place to stay for the night. I hesitate, but then I nod.

My hand reached for the red square. The feeling felt oddly familiar even though I haven’t played this game in years.

The first slap is humiliating, but I push through. I win a round, then another. The man hands me crisp bills, and my hands shake as I clutch them. He slides a card toward me.

“If you’d like to play a bigger game,” he says, his voice calm, “call this number. You couldn’t win enough money to live comfortably for the rest of your life. Somewhere that isn’t this subway station.”

I stare at the simple card—circle, triangle, square. A number on the back. I don’t want to. I want to believe I can find another way, that this isn’t my only option.

But when the hunger pangs return, I know the truth.

I use the last of my coins to call from a pay phone. I couldn’t afford a phone, not without a job. I’m just a student who is in loads of student debt. The line clicks.

“Name and age to participate.”

I hesitate, my throat tight. My hands tremble as I grip the receiver. There’s no thrill in this for me. Just resignation. Just survival.

“Y/N L/N. Age 24.”

A sinking feeling settles in my stomach as the call ends. I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to play. But I have nowhere else to go.

When I finish the call I use the money I win to get myself something to eat. I had no idea where to go from there. 

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄 — 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬

𝐘/𝐍’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The first thing I notice is the cold. A dull, sterile chill that seeps through the fabric of my clothes, making my skin prickle. My eyes flutter open, and for a moment, I don’t recognize anything. Blinding fluorescent lights glare down at me, and the faint hum of ventilation buzzes in my ears. The last thing I remember is—

A party. A Halloween party. Laughter, music, the warmth of alcohol on my tongue. Then—nothing. Just a blank void where my memories should be.

My head throbs as I push myself up, blinking away the fog. I glance down at myself and freeze. I’m wearing something unfamiliar—an oversized teal jumpsuit zipped up to my neck. My hands tremble as I trace the fabric, my breath hitching when I see the number printed on my chest: 231.

What the hell is going on?

I whip my head around, taking in my surroundings. The room is massive, stretching endlessly with towering stacks of metal bunk beds. Rows upon rows of people in identical teal jumpsuits stir awake, groggy and confused. Murmurs ripple through the space, turning into frantic whispers, then outright panic. Some people sit up abruptly, clutching their heads. Others scramble off their bunks, eyes darting around the room like trapped animals.

A woman nearby lets out a shriek. “Where the hell am I?!”

The question hangs heavy in the air. No one has an answer.

I clutch my arms, my pulse racing. This isn’t a dream. This isn’t some weird party prank. This is real.

𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐒’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕  

By the time the screaming starts, I’m already awake.

I had woken up minutes ago, disoriented but alert, my instincts kicking in before my mind could catch up. I’ve been observing—taking in the endless rows of bunk beds, the bizarre geometric patterns on the walls, the eerie sterile lighting. It reminds me of an ant farm, the kind kids poke at with fascination. Only now, I’m the one inside the glass.

I sit up, rolling my shoulders. My body feels stiff, but I ignore it. The more pressing concern is where I am and why. The last thing I remember is making the call. Signing up for a game. But I don’t remember how I got here.

A commotion near the massive metal doors at the far end of the room makes me snap to attention. The crowd quiets—if only slightly—as the doors slide open with a low mechanical groan.

A group of figures step inside, dressed in pink jumpsuits and black masks.*m They move in sync, faceless and rigid. My gaze locks onto the one in the center, distinguishable by the square on his mask while the others bear triangles. The boss, I assume.

The square-masked man takes a step forward and speaks, his voice calm yet authoritative. “Welcome, players. You have all been brought here to participate in a series of games. Six games in total. The final winner will be rewarded with 45.6 billion won.”

A murmur spreads through the crowd. People exchange glances, confusion melting into cautious intrigue.

45.6 billion won.

My heart beats a little faster. That’s more money than I could ever dream of. More than enough to wipe out my debts and take back everything I lost. Six games. That’s all.

I smirk to myself. How hard could it be?

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐎 — 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭

𝐘/𝐍’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The guards standing in front of us gave me a very eerie feeling. A feeling I couldn’t put into words. The pit in my stomach grew as I heard their voices. They sound robotic, not human, and I didn’t like that one bit. 

I was questioning the legitimacy of their claim. 45.6 Billion won is not easy to come by, let alone just give away to players who win six games. 

My mind ran a thousand miles an hour trying to comprehend it all. We all look like prisoners, same outfits with numbers. It’s as if we are people to them, just a number and a face. 

My breath caught in my throat as the guard started to talk again. I engraved their silhouettes in my mind. Pink jumpsuits with black masks, all triangles expect the one in the middle. He wore a square. It made me think back to the card— triangle, square, circle. 

“You will all now sign a player contract, please form three lines and the guards will give you a pen to sign your name. If you wish to participate you must sign, failure to do so will get you eliminated.” I couldn’t see his face, but I could feel him staring into my soul. I didn’t like this at all. 

All the players silently took their places in one of the three lines, as did I. I stood in line behind a man with purple hair. I thought it was interesting, I wonder to myself the reason behind it. 

This aura felt off, like he was genuinely happy to be here. I could sense a hint of anger behind it all though. 

With nothing better to do with my time, I tap his shoulder. He turned around, with a face of disgust. Despite that I could see his handsome features, sharp jawline and pretty eyes. 

“I am sorry to disturb you sir, but I was wondering about your hair.” I say, trying not to look too eager to hear his reply. 

His face relaxed and clouds shadowed his eyes. I could still sense he didn't like me talking to him. I could also tell there was a deeper meaning behind the color. 

“I just felt like it, why? You don’t like it?” He said, giving me a smirk. Not in a playful way, more of a threatening way. 

“No! I think it looks very nice, I was just wondering what made you choose purple. Why not pink or red?” I say, trying to defend myself. I got myself in a sticky situation. The last thing I want to do is piss off the players I am going to be forced to compete against. 

Of course there is the option to not sign the contract and be “eliminated” whatever that may mean. But the situation I was in outside of these walls required me to try to win this money, even if I lose it is worth a shot. The money could be life changing--altering even-- if the money is real of course. 

I still had my doubts. 

We both moved up in line before he gave me a reply, “Stop asking questions you don’t want the answers to girl. I’ve only shared a few words with you and I can already tell that I don’t like you. So what do you say we go our separate ways and leave each other alone.”

Although I heard his words correctly, there was a part of me that highly doubted he would leave me alone. He seems like the type of person to hold a grudge, for a very, very long time. Even though I don’t think I did anything wrong, who knows what’s going through his head. 

“Can I at least get your name?” I ask, softly. I don’t want him to feel threatened by me, because he shouldn’t. This is all going way out of proportion. 

“The names Thanos,” He says, glancing back at the front of the line. I hear the people behind me start to whisper to each other. I hear them talking about him, I don’t hear them saying anything nice though.

The silence stretches on for a while until there are only a few more players in front of us to sign the contract. 

“Aren’t you going to ask for my name?” I ask him, breaking the silence he tried oh so hard to keep. 

“I don’t care what your name is.” His voice was cold, and this time I sensed more anger. He is really bad at hiding his emotions. 

“Well, it’s Y/N if you ever need it.” I respond, trying to ignore his comment. We’ve only been awake maybe thirty minutes and he is already choosing to hate people. He doesn’t even know me! Not like he cares anyways. 

“I’ll just call you sugar, because that's the only name I am going to remember you by. Your glittery pink makeup says enough about you.” He says before singing his contract.

I gently touch my face and feel the makeup I had on at the Halloween party, seems like whoever changed us into these clothes forgot to wipe it off--or they didn’t care. 

I was wearing a cute bunny outfit and did my makeup light pink because that is the only color I own. Damn them guards, now I am going to look like pinky pie from my little pony until I get access to some water to wipe this off.

When he is done signing his contract he walks away without a word, and I am too embarrassed about my makeup that I don’t even try to say anything back. 

It is now my turn to sign the contract, and all the feeling of embarrassment leaves my body and is replaced with a feeling I cannot describe. I feel fear and on edge as I read over the contract. 

We are not responsible for players who result in death, and will not offer support to families of said players. I read. 

If these games are harmless, why must they add this. Seemingly having no other choice, I pick up the pen and sign my name.

As I walk away from the line I can’t help the instant regret. 

𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐒’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

That girl in line was annoying, I can’t even remember her name. She asked about my hair, and I didn’t think she was worthy enough to know the answer. 

I heard the people start to talk about me from behind her when I told her my name, but it seems like she had no idea who I was. For once it was nice to not be mocked or see the face of disgust upon someone's face when I told them who I was.

One thing I know for sure is that she is weak, and if there comes a time where we need to get rid of the weaklings, I’m going to make sure to go after her. 

Her E/C eyes seemed way too bright for a place like this, and I am going to be the one to set that fire out.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 — 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮.

𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐒’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

Time goes by strangely here. What feels like 5 hours is really one, but I couldn’t tell you that truthfully because there aren’t any clocks in here either. No sense of time is overwhelming.

We finished signing our contracts, and all the players are now just standing in the middle of the dormitory. We’re all confused, and unprepared for what is to come next. 

The guards collect all the contracts and two leave the room. I assume they're bringing the contracts to their boss. 

I didn’t care to read over the contract, for all I know I signed my life over to a cult. The only thing in my mind is the money, that’s the only reason why I am here. Nothing else matters, and I am going to do anything and everything to win.

The guard with the square mask begins to speak again, his tone just as robotic as the other times he has spoken. “The first game will begin shortly, in the meantime prepare yourself and choose your allies wisely.” And all the guards proceeded to leave the room. 

The statement makes me feel unsettled, but nonetheless I take a look around the room. I scan over the faces of everyone my eyes land on. The variety of players is astonishing.

There are old and young men and women, a mix of all. This has to be some kind of elder abuse. Some look so old that it’s hardly believable that they can still walk. 

One player in particular catches my eye, 333. 

It’s him. 

Lee Myeong-gi. 

The man responsible for my life going to shit, and me having to live through this hell. The one who caused my downfall and for my name to become a laughing stock. 

I feel anger slowly but fully consume me. I start to make my way over to him. 

I push my way through the players to get to him, not caring about who is in my way. 

When I finally reach him, I only have one question on my tongue. 

“Do you know who I am?” I ask, voice rough. So much built up anger, it’s about to overflow. 

He turns to look at me, and the sight of his face makes me want to punch it. He gives me a confused look. 

“No? I’m sorry, should I?” The same voice I listened to for hours straight trying to get those wins. I hate it. 

I feel my face heat up, “The name’s Thanos. You screwed me over with your shitty Crypto plans.” 

His eyes show a sign of recognition and he takes a step back. “Hey man, I lost everything too. I wasn’t smart and It’s not my fault you decided to trust someone online.”

I take a step towards him, “I am not the only one you screwed over, there are hundreds, maybe thousands of people whose lives are now hell because of you.”

His face shows a hint of fear, and I can’t help but feel pleased with that. He shutters back as I step closer to him, the anger must be very evident. 

I hated this man with my entire being, he’s a good for nothing son who ruined everyone’s lives. 

“It’s just YouTube, I never asked for everyone to be a part of what I was doing. You had your own free will. Don’t pin the way your life turned out on me.” His words push me over the edge and I punch him. 

The crowd around us gasps and backs away, all except one person. The girl from earlier. I don’t bother to look at her too long before throwing another punch. 

I hit him again and again. All the anger, the pain, the frustration all being received through these punches. I can’t hold myself back, and if someone doesn’t stop me I am going to kill him. 

I feel a hand on my shoulder, and I pause. I look down at Myeong-gi, his face covered in blood. He must have a broken nose at least, and a couple of bruises. 

I turn my head to see the one who made me stop, and it’s her again. Her face looks confused, angry even, but overall understanding. 

“I think you taught him his lesson, why don’t you stop now?” Sugar says to me. 

Her words make me more angry for some reason. Why is some person I literally just met trying to give me sympathy and save a stranger's life? 

“Shut up, and go away you pest.” I say pushing her back. 

She fell to the ground hard, and the crowd grew angry. I didn’t mean to push her so hard. 

“Hey man! Why did you need to hurt that girl? She did nothing wrong!” 

“Dude! That’s totally not cool.”

“Leave the young lady out of this!”

A few younger women came to help her off the ground, players 222 and 380. 

I didn’t bother defending myself, what’s the point if I am going to end up losing anyways. 

I got off of Myeong-gi and made my way over to one of the beds. 

I played down ignoring the pestering of the players who came up to me. They nah me for what I did, but I didn’t give the satisfaction of a response back. 

After a while they went away to do their own things, and to leave me alone. 

I felt a strange feeling in my chest, a feeling I hadn’t known for a long time. Guilt. 

I really didn’t mean to hurt her, I would never hurt a woman. If anything my mom taught me stuck with me, it was that. 

Now I have to deal with feeling guilty and trying to find a way to make it up to her. 

“The first game begins in 5 minutes.” 

I push all my thoughts aside and focus on my goal. The money. 

There’s no time for feelings, because when those are involved someone is bound to get hurt. 

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 — 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞

𝐘/𝐍’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The pain in my chest went away when I heard the robotic overcome voice announced when the first game would be starting. I felt sore in the areas that I hit when I fell, my butt was going to bruise for sure. 

It was a sacrifice I was willing to make for that man’s life. We haven’t even been in here a whole day and that Thanos guy was already trying to kill people. I don’t know the history he has with that guy, player 333, but was it really worth his life?

The guards entered the room again, leading us into a room that was too colorful for a place like this. Bright pink, yellow, and blues plagued my vision as we lined up. 

“You all have to individually get your photos taken.” The square guard said. 

One by one the players went up and took their photos. Some smiled, some kept a straight face. 

When I glanced over near Thanos he had a group of people surrounding him. It was as if he was famous, was I missing something here? 

When it came my turn to take my photo, I chose not to smile. I almost died from embarrassment seeing the reflection of my still very clear pink makeup from the Halloween party still plastered on my face. 

I tried to wipe it off with my hands, but failed. It’s my fault for choosing to wear waterproof makeup. 

When all the players finished taking their photos we followed the guards up the stairs in a single file line. When we finally reached where we were supposed to go, massive metal doors groaned as they slid open, revealing a vast outdoor field bathed in an eerie golden glow. 

The walls stretched high, painted to look like a blue sky with fluffy clouds—almost childlike, almost inviting, but I knew better than to trust appearances. A distant tune played on a loop, cheerful yet unsettling, as hundreds of players stepped forward hesitantly, clad in identical teal tracksuits.

I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering in my ears. Red Light, Green Light. The name alone sent a cold chill through me. This was a game for children—why did it feel like life or death?

The enormous doll at the other end of the field turned its head with a mechanical whir, and a voice rang out:

"Mugunghwa kkoci pieot seumnida."

The moment "Green Light" was called, players surged forward. I ran too, my breath short and quick, feet pounding against the dirt. Then—

"Red Light."

I froze mid-step. A sharp gasp filled the air, followed by a sickening thud. I turned my head slightly and saw a man sprawled on the ground.

Then came the scream.

The red stain spread across his chest like spilled ink, his body completely still. Someone else moved—another bang, another body crumpled. The air grew thick with terror.

The players exploded into chaos. Someone shoved past me, desperate to get ahead. Another tripped and fell, taking down two others. I struggled to keep my balance, my muscles locked tight with fear.

I caught sight of Thanos standing a few feet ahead. Unlike the others, he wasn’t panicking. He was watching. Calculating. But when his gaze landed on Player 333, something in his expression twisted into pure hatred.

Why? What was it about that guy that made Thanos seethe with so much rage?

"Green Light." 

The game resumed. I forced myself forward, dodging past players who had lost all composure. Someone grabbed my arm, yanking me back as they stumbled. I barely managed to wrench free before the next "Red Light" locked us in place again.

I wanted to scream, to run, to wake up from this nightmare, but there was no waking up. There was only surviving.

𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐒’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

I stood motionless, barely breathing. The game was cruel—brilliant, but cruel. Panic was a weapon just as deadly as the gunfire. The weak ones were falling apart, making mistakes, getting eliminated one after another.

I smirked. Idiots.

I was already thinking ahead, assessing who would make it and who wouldn’t. That’s when I spotted Player 333. My hands curled into fists.

Him.

He hadn’t noticed me yet, but I had my eyes locked on him. If I survived this, I’d make sure he didn’t.

"Mugunghwa kkoci pieot seumnida."

The players inched forward. I noticed Y/N struggling, her movements hesitant, afraid. She glanced at me, eyes filled with questions I had no interest in answering. I didn’t like her. Something about her irritated me—maybe it was her persistence, her need to understand things that didn’t concern her.

"Green Light."

I surged forward, every step calculated, controlled. The timer was running down, and the finish line was still too far. The weak ones wouldn’t make it. That was just reality.

As we neared the final stretch, I heard Y/N's sharp intake of breath. Someone had grabbed her again, using her as a shield. The look on her face was pure panic, but I didn’t care.

"Red Light."

More gunshots. More bodies. More chaos.

I was going to win this game. No matter what.

The final stretch was in sight. The doll's head turned again, scanning for movement. I focused ahead, ignoring the panicked sobs and pleas around me. With each passing round, fewer players remained standing.

"Green Light."

I pushed forward, my legs burning from the effort. Y/N was just behind me, her breaths ragged but determined. Despite my irritation with her, I had to admit—she wasn’t as weak as I thought. She wasn’t like the others who fell apart at the first sign of danger.

"Red Light."

I halted just inches from the finish line. The gunfire behind me was deafening. Y/N was still standing, her wide eyes locked on mine. For a split second, I thought she wouldn’t make it.

"Green Light."

She lunged forward just as I stepped over the white line. The moment her foot touched safety, the game ended.

Silence.

Then, the remaining players—those who had survived—let out shaky breaths, their faces pale, their bodies trembling. The massive doors leading back inside creaked open. The nightmare wasn’t over.

It had only just begun.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 — 𝐗 𝐨𝐫 𝐎

𝐘/𝐍’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

This is a slaughterhouse. They made us come here thinking we had a chance of getting out of our shitty lives just to come here and live through worse. They’re killing us like it is nothing. 

As the remaining players entered the dormitory we all walked in silence. Some went to their beds. Other ls gathered in small groups to talk about what happened. 

Me? I sat at the counter of the room not having time to be grateful I made it out. I managed to win right when the timer hit zero. Who knows how many close calls I have left. I could very well die in the next game. 

My eyes scanned over the players, it wasn’t hard to spot him with his purple hair, Thanos. He was sitting on the stairs talking with player 124. From the looks of it they are going to be very good friends. 

I didn’t understand the deal with the guy, and his hatred for player 333. I know it really isn’t any of my business but I have this dire need to know. To understand really. I have this feeling that maybe it would explain his behavior, and coldness towards those around him. 

That’s what bothers me, why is he cold to everyone — but player 124? What does he have that the rest of the people here don’t. 

My breath catches in my throat as I hear the familiar sound of the big metal doors opening. I don’t move an inch and watch the pink guards waltz into the room. 

Many players take a step back, others hide behind the beds as if that will protect them from the bullets. They’re all scared, so am I. I can only see one person who looks happy to see them. Thanos. 

From where I’m sitting I can still see the bright glimmer in his eyes as his gaze focuses on the guards. I notice the soft smirk plastered across his face as well. I almost feel sick. 

What happiness and joy could he possibly feel when all of those players died in that game. A game. People lost their lives because they lost a children’s game. 

“Congratulations players on completing the first game. Here are the number of remaining players,” the guard pauses, and all our focus goes to the big screen above the guards. The number that was once 456 quickly goes down to 356. 

100. 100 lives taken out there in cold blood. What about their families, friends, children? I couldn’t stand to think about it. 

“100 players were eliminated in the last game.” The guard finishes. 

Before he can say anything else one of the older players gets on her knees and begs.

“Please sir! Can you let us leave? I didn’t know what I was signing up for. I’d rather suffer in my debt than die!” Player 149 pleas.

Other players follow suit and get on their knees and beg. Soon enough it seems like more than half the players are on their knees, but I didn’t see a point in trying. 

If they were cold enough to take all those lives, what makes them empathic enough to let the rest of us go alive?

“As stated in the contract, after every game there will be a vote. Players can choose if they wish to stay or leave. Before we vote, I would like to focus your attention on the piggy bank above you.” The guard says while hitting a button. 

What looks to be a glass piggy bank emerges from the title in the ceiling, and it slowly lowers itself. 

“100 players eliminated which means 1 billion won is in the prize pool.” As he said the words, chunks of money started falling into the piggy bank. I couldn’t believe my eyes. So the money was very much real, and it was just out of reach. 

As I still sit in the corner I pull my knees closer to my chest, I didn’t like this. 

“Now, we will begin the vote. If you wish to leave the prize money will be split evenly among the remaining players. Which means everyone will go home with 2,808,988 million won.” The guard explained. As he said this another guard opened the big metal doors and entered with a machine. From the looks of it, it had two buttons. 

“If you wish to leave, hit X. If you wish to stay, hit O. Players will vote in descending order, starting with player 456.” The guard finished off. 

I get up from the corner and join the rest of the group. If we’re going in descending order that means my vote will be before Thanos. 

As I join the players standing near the back of the room I watch as player 456 goes up to take his vote. As if wasting no time we all hear a buzz, indicating hit hit X. 

Players begin to go up and vote as their number is called, and buzzes begin to fill our ears. The numbers were quickly becoming more pronounced as X had 30 and O had 45. 

It was as if the odds were against us and greed had overtaken us. I wanted to leave, when It’s my turn to take my vote I will hit the X. 

It was almost my turn when I heard player 340 be called. I take a breath and look around. 

Thanks somehow found his way next to me, and player 124 glued to his side. 

“Hey sugar, see you made it through the first game.” His voice filled me with a feeling I hadn’t felt for a long time. Anger. 

“You would know since I was running right behind you.” I say coldly. All my respect and kindness for the man flew out the window a long time ago. Except there aren’t any windows in this room. 

“Hey now, no need to act all mean.” He says, tacking a pout.

“You’re a monster” I whisper yells at him, “you had a nasty grin on your face when all those people died. You had bright eyes as you saw the guards who murder all those people. Only a monster would find joy out of that.”

His face slowly turned cold, “Monster? I’m only trying to survive. I came here for one thing, and one thing only—the money. And I will get it no matter how many dead bodies I need to walk over. You think kindness is going to save you? Think again sugar.”

His words ignited something in me, and I wanted nothing more than to slap some sense into him. 

I heard my player number be called just in time, and I made my way up. I hit the X, but it was as if my vote did not matter the O’s were way ahead. 

I take my place on the X’s side and wait to hear we lose. There was no hope in a place like this. 

A girl next to me looks calm and collected, and I read her player number—380. 

I give her a gentle smile, “Hi, my names Y/N. What’s yours?” 

She looks at me, eyes softening “Se-Mi.”

“That’s a pretty name,” I replied kindly. Maybe if I did have any hope, maybe I could make some friends.  

We make small talk as the remaining players cast their votes. 

We both sighed in defeat as the O’s won. I saw this coming but the disappointment still hit just as hard. 

“Well this sucks, we have to stay and play another game. Who’s to say we survive the next one?” Se-Mi says. 

“Couldn’t agree more.” I say, “Want to chat some more? We can distract ourselves at least.” 

She gives me a nod and we make our way over to some stairs by the beds. On the opposite side of the room Thanos sits with his new friend 124, glaring daggers at me. 

I can’t help but feel uneasy. 

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐗 — 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝

𝐘/𝐍'𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

Everyone seems to calm down as a few hours passes by. Most of us have started making friends or trying to socialize. We all subconsciously stuck to people within our vote. The O’s stayed on one side and only interacted with people who also voted O. Same goes for those who voted X. 

None of us knew what lay ahead, and none of us were prepared. There was one player, however, that was trying to convince everyone he had played these games before.

He had a small group of people around him, and he told them the games he had previously played. Se-Mi and I sat closely, listening but not saying a word. We both looked at each other when he said something completely crazy, and I’m not sure if either of us believed him. 

It was the only thing we had to go on though, so listening to what he had to say couldn’t hurt. 

He said the next game was going to be Honeycomb. There would be four doors in which they had a circle, triangle, star, and umbrella in them. 

He said the umbrella was the hardest and the triangle was the easiest. Players from the O side must have overheard because some of the older ones came over to talk with him. They said they could get through the games if he told them what game was next, and since he survived he could help us all get out of here alive too. 

He got angry, “The games are set up in a way that only one person gets to make it out.”

His words seemed so real that it made the hair on my arms stand up. At this rate if the O’s keep winning there will not be any of us left. Only one makes it out. 

Se-Mi clears her throat to get my attention, “Don’t overthink things you can’t control. Focus on the goal, us getting out of here. Don’t bother trying to figure out things we couldn’t understand. We don’t know what’s ahead, and I get it—it’s scary not being in control. Just stay focused and keep a level mind. With that you already have the advantage over everyone here.”

I smile and thank her for her words. She helped me get back to the world and I’m grateful. Who knows what whirlpool I would have gotten myself into in my own mind. 

The big doors open again, and this time the guards come with food. My stomach growls and I just remember we haven’t eaten since we’ve been here. 

I don’t know why, but I didn’t think they would be nice enough to feed us after the show they gave us out there. But nonetheless I am happy to be able to get some food in my system. 

Me and Se-Mi get up from our spot and join the others in the lines forming. When we reach the front the food they give us almost makes me lose all my appetite. 

It’s one egg and the tiniest bit of rice. After what we went through this is what they thought we were worth. 

I sigh, and bring my place to where me and Se-Mi once were. But it looks like someone else had other plans because in our spot sat Thanos and Player 124. 

Se-Mi was behind me and I could sense her anger, “We were here first, move.”

Thanos smirked, “And what makes you think we’ll do that?” 

I gave him a dirty look, “You’re on the wrong side. This side is for X’s only. And look!” I point to his jacket that has the bright blue circle patch, “You are an O. So beat it.” 

Thanks bites his tongue and gets up, but before we can react player 124 and Thanos throw their food on us. 

I gasp and take a step back, I wince a little at the hot eggs. I place my plate down on a nearby bed and wipe the remaining food off of me, Se-Mi does the same. 

“Karma will come for you two.” Se-Mi says, angrily. Her aura would have anyone in their right mind running for the hills. 

“Yeah? We’ll see about that!” Player 124 said giggling manically. Something seemed off about these two.

When it hits me my eyes go wide, “Are you two high right now?!” I was shocked. How did they manage to have any substances in a place like this? 

Se-Mi goes wide eyed too, giving me a questioning look. She closes her eyes and sighs. “I can see you are both not in your right minds now, so you’re forgiven. Don’t mess with the wrong people here.”

I didn’t forgive them, they had it out for me since the start. But I guess then being high means they didn’t have the balls to do this sober. 

They giggle to each other, “Yo! Let’s team up for the next game!” 

I give a look of disbelief, “Team up with the people who just threw this dinner on us?” 

Se-Mi places her hand on my shoulder to call me down, “We’ll think about it.” 

They walk away and me and Se-Mi take our rightful spots on the stairs. 

I open my food and smile, food at last. I take a bite and another and soon enough my portions are gone in a flash. I didn’t realize how hungry I was. 

Se-Mi was halfway through hers when she said, “Those two really are something else. It would be nice to have a team to help us if we ever get in trouble.” 

I laugh, “We’d be the ones helping them. They're nothing but trouble, they just need disposable people.” 

Se-Mi thinks for a second and nods her head, “Yeah I guess you’re right. Everyone is here for themselves in the end.” 

Why did things have to be like this? If only my parents let me stay I wouldn’t be here.  

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 - 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐭?

𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐒'𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

When the alarm went off to wake everyone up, I could not recall anything that had happened after the first game. I remember taking a pill from my necklace, which I am surprised they hadn’t taken. After that everything’s blank. 

I groan and push myself up right in bed, I take a look around and everyone is doing the same thing. None of us want to play another game with our lives out on the line. But it has to be done, for that money. 

That’s all my eyes are set on, I don’t have time for distractions. 

I snap out of my thoughts as the big metal doors open, for what I hope to be the last time. They really are getting annoying. 

The guards walk in with their guns, all high and mighty, and say “The next game is starting, follow us.” 

Do we have any choice? 

We all get out of our beds, although I’m sure most of us would like to get a few more minutes of shut eye. Sugar most of all, her hair looks like a mess, but at least she whipped off that horrible pink makeup she had on. 

I wonder what she was wearing it for. Stop it. I shouldn’t even care. 

We all walked and as if fate was bringing us together again sugar as in front of me. Despite being in that disgusting musty room, she actually smells pretty good. She smells of flowers and honey, something I wouldn’t expect from a girl like her. 

Each step felt like a bus hitting me, I was a little sore from all the stairs from yesterday. I haven’t been able to workout as much as I should have been. The depressive episodes got so bad to the point where I didn’t even leave my bed for days at a time, besides to use the restroom. 

Player 124, Nam-gyu, was right behind me. He annoys me a little, but he seems like someone I can trust. He is able to make me laugh and forget about all my fears about this place. 

He also likes getting high with me, which is nice. Being high alone is never any fun. 

And after what felt like a decade we finally reached the room where the guards were leading us. The room smelt like it just rained. I noticed two track circles in the colors of the rainbow side by side. 

It seems like Player 456 was lying, as far as I could tell I don’t see shaped doors anywhere. 

All the players gathered in the room and waited for instructions, everyone was on edge. 

Before Nam-gyu could say anything to me I opened my cross necklace and popped a pill into my mouth. 

A wicked grin instantly took over my face. I had no Idea what was ahead of us all, all I knew was that I was getting out of here alive. 

The voice over the speakers almost made me jump, “Make teams of five for this next game.” 

Me and Nam-gyu looked at each other and smirked, just needed three more. Both of us looked around the room as all the players rushed to get into their groups. 

My eyes scan the crowd and land on someone, Sugar. She is standing next to her friend from yesterday—last night. 

Oh. 

I remember it now. 

My chest tightens with embarrassment as I recall what I did to them last night.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. 

Yet a part of me didn’t feel guilty at all. And a side of me wanted to make things worse. 

“Want to make a bet?” I ask Nam-gyu, smirking. 

He meets my eyes, the same evil smirk on his face, “What are you thinking?” 

“Let’s have Sugar and her friend join our group, and let’s see who can make Sugar fall first.” The idea was brilliant, and would give me a game to play to distract me from my own issues. I know I said no distractions, but I was here to have fun. 

“I like what you’re thinking man! But wait, what if we fall for her?” He asked, looking towards her dumbfounded. 

His words made me realize how little he uses his brain, but how he could be right. The last thing I need is to go falling for some girl in this slaughterhouse. 

“Nevermind that, it won’t happen. You won’t fall for a weak, annoying, and plain girl like her.” I say, brushing off his worries. 

I glanced at the clock, and we had three minutes to make our team. 

“Okay, the bet is on man!” He finalized the deal. 

And things were about to get interesting. 

𝐘/𝐍’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

Se-Mi and I look around desperately looking for a team to join. The more we look the less hopeful we get. It seems like everyone already has a team besides us.

Just as I was about to give up all hope and just expect my fate, Thanos and his friend walked over to us. 

“Join our team.” Thanos says with a smirk. This can't be good. 

Se-Mi’s face showed her anger, “Not after what you did to us yesterday.”

Thanos’s face changes for a split second, to something I’ve never seen before, guilt. 

“We didn’t mean anything by it, let us make it up to you by helping you win this game.” He tells us. 

I glance at the clock and feel the sinking feeling in my stomach, one minute left. 

I give Se-Mi a look and a shrug, and she looks defeated. “Fine, but you two have to find the fifth person. If there is any more aggression towards us, say good-bye to your chances of survival.” I tell them. 

Thanos and his friend smile, they nod and run off to find the fifth person for our group. 

I didn’t have a good feeling about this at all, but we didn’t have any other options. All the players were already standing in their groups of five, this was our last chance. 

Just as the timer ran out, they brought someone for our group. Player 125, he looked small and scared of the air, but he’ll have to do it. 

“Time is now up, we will not explain the next game.” 

I suck in a breath and hold it, unprepared for what comes next.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 - 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞

𝐘/𝐍’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The team and I took our spot on the ground in the middle of one of the rainbow circles. The guards were explaining the game to us. 

“You will all be tied at your feet, so you will all have to work together as a team to complete this game.” All the players started to look at each other. Some looked nervous, others smiled and tried to ease the fears in their team. 

“There will be five games that one person in your group will have to play. The games are ddajki, flying stone, gonggi, spinning top, and jegi. Failure to complete these games before the timer runs out will result in elimination.” 

We all knew the true meaning behind the word elimination by now. This game was made to eliminate bigger groups of players at once. I can only imagine the drop in the number of players after this game. 

The groups started looking at each other and planning who would play what game. 

“I can play gonggi. It’s what I am best at and something I am familiar with.” I say to them. Se-Mi nods and says, “I can do spinning top, I used to play it a lot as a child and never missed.”

“I can play flying stone and Nam-gyu here can play ddajki.” Thanos also speaks for his friend. Which left jegi to player 125, which he didn’t complain about. He was silent throughout our entire interaction. 

“What’s your name,” I asked him. 

He turned to look at me, eyes wide, “My name’s Min-su, and yours?”

I gave him a gentle smile, “My names Y/N and my friend here, her name Se-Mi.” He smiled back at us and nodded.

Now all that was left to do was wait for our turn. 

Game after game we watched players fail and die, or finish and live. The more time that passed, the more nervous I got. 

Eventually it was our turn to play and we all walked up to the starting line. Thanos was to my left while Se-Mi was to my right due to the order of the games. I was in the middle of everyone meaning that my game was third. 

I was hoping Thano’s and Nam-gyu were good at the games they picked. The guards buckled our feet together and it made me nervous. I really hope our team is good at coordination. 

Thanos turned to me and smirked, “How does it feel being so close to me, we're basically tied together now sugar.”

I gave him a nasty look, “I would rather be anywhere else right now, you make me sick.”

His face instantly dropped as the guards told us “Go.”

We all focused and started moving together as one.

“One! Two! One! Two! One! Two!” We all chanted.

We reached the area for the first game and Nam-gyu picked up the blue square. He places the red one on the ground. He raised his arm back and slammed the blue square down instantly flipping the red square over. 

We all cheered and started moving again. 

“One! Two! One! Two! One! Two!”

Thano’s looked hopeful in himself as he picked up the rock for the next game. He took a deep breath and focused on his target. He swung his arm a few times before throwing the rock. The stone fell over and we all cheered again, but this time I got nervous--it’s my turn now.

“One! Two! One! Two! One! Two!”

When we reached the gonggi game we all crouched down. I took a breath and calmed my mind, this is no time to panic. I have done this all before, this is not something that is new to me. Memories flooded my mind from my childhood, playing this game with my friends. What I would give to go back.

I picked up the pieces and threw them up for them to fall. With swift motions and flicks of my wrist I easily flow through the game. It was like breathing air to me. The team cheered for me as I landed the five pieces easily on the backside of my hand. For the first time since I’ve been here I felt proud of myself.

The team got up to their feet and we started moving again, “One! Two! One! Two! One! Two!”

Se-Mi looked a little nervous as she picked up the top, but at light lighting speed she wrapped the string around it perfectly. She took a breath and let go of the top and within a few seconds it started to spin. 

Cheers erupted from the teams watching us, and my eyes wandered to the clock. We still had one minute left. Our fate was all on Min-su, and I could tell he was extremely nervous. 

“One! Two! One! Two! One! Two!”

Min-su picked up the jegi and started kicking it. 

“One!” 

He kicked again.

“Two!”

He kicked again.

“Three!”

And this time when he tried to kick again he missed. The players around us groaned and Thanos started to get angry. 

“Hurry and pick it up! We don’t have much time!” He yelled at Min-su.

“Don’t yell at him!” I shouted back, “You got this Min-su just breathe.”

He nodded and picked up the jegi again. He started kicking. 

“One!”

“Two!”

“Three!”

“Four!”

“Five!”

“Six! YEAHHHHH!”

The teams around us cheered for us as we started to move towards the finish line. We had twenty seconds left on the clock. 

“One! Two! One! Two! One! Two!”

As soon as we all walked over the finish line we heard the time run out. I look over to the other team on the other rainbow circle and see them still stuck on the last game. 

I looked away as I heard them begin to beg for their lives but they only got met with a bullet.

I sighed as the guards took the chains off of our legs and we started to walk towards the exit. 

Walking back should feel good, I lived. So why did I still feel guilty for all of those who died back there?

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄 - 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬?

𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐒’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

I walked back to the dorm with the others, the high was starting to fade away. Y/N looked distracted, as if her mind was somewhere else. 

I made it my own personal goal to stay beside her, either to destroy her or help her, I didn’t know which. 

When we all made it to the room we sat down together, Y/N and her friend even sat with us. I didn’t know this Min-su before the game, but I can already tell he will be very helpful. Even if it wasn’t in my plan to help him, he would be a useful tool for me. 

“That was a nerve racking game, wasn’t it?” Se-Mi spoke to us, it seems like the misunderstanding from yesterday wasn’t on her mind anymore. Y’N was quiet and looked off into space, she wasn’t going to participate in our conversation. 

“I agree, it definitely wasn’t the game that the old man told everyone about yesterday. He has to be lying about playing these games before.” Nam-gyu spoke with her. 

I got up from my seat and took another one next to Y/N while the other three talked about the last game.

“What’s going on with you?” I asked her, snapping her out of whatever world she was just in. 

“Why do you care?” She snaps at me. 

I shrug, “Maybe I am just trying to befriend you, and you’re making it very hard to.”

She looks angry, “Oh really? Now you want to be friends? That’s what I have been trying to do from the beginning but you have been shutting me down. And I’m making it hard? Ever since we started talking you have made it your mission to make my time here hell, an even bigger one than it already is.”

Her words were true, and I didn’t have a response back to that. It was true, I haven’t been nice to her at all and I thought she was weak and wouldn’t make it to the end game by any means. Even if my intentions haven’t changed, I still don’t want to have an enemy on my back. It would be the best game plan for me to befriend her, win this bet, and use her to help me throughout the next few games. 

“You’re right, but I’m having a change of heart. We could really help each other out during these next few games and if we win we get the cash.” I finally said something back to her. 

I knew she knew I didn’t have the purest intentions but she would also benefit from this alliance.

She takes a moment to think before saying, “Fine. We can be friends. Just don’t try anything or else you’re going to regret it, Thanos.”

Hearing my name from her mouth started something inside me, something I was afraid, something I couldn’t let happen. 

I hold my hand out to her, “Shake on it?”

She gives me a suspicious look and then slowly shakes my hand. 

As soon as our hands parted, the sound of metal doors creaking open filled the room. The guards marched in, their movements mechanical as they pushed carts stacked with trays of food. If you could even call it that.  

"Meal time," one of them announced, his voice muffled behind the black mask.  

I stood up, shoving my hands into my pockets as the players scrambled to grab their share. The food was just as pathetic as before—plain rice, a few wilted vegetables, and a small carton of milk. Not exactly the feast you'd expect for people risking their lives, but I wasn’t complaining. I’ve had worse.  

Y/N grabbed a tray and sat back down with Min-su. I followed, sitting next to her. She didn't look at me, just poked at the rice with her spoon, barely eating.  

"You better eat," I told her. "The next game won't go easy on you if you're weak."  

She sighed but took a small bite, chewing slowly. "I know," she muttered.  

The others in our area talked in hushed voices about the last game, the way it played out, and the fact that the numbers were already dwindling. Then Nam-gyu brought up the thing we were all waiting for.  

"They’re gonna do the vote soon," he said, keeping his voice low. "After two games, they have to let us decide if we want to keep playing or leave."  

Se-Mi scoffed. "As if leaving is an option. If they were going to let us go that easy, they wouldn’t have killed so many people already."  

I said nothing, but I agreed. The vote would happen, sure, but I had a feeling the majority would choose to stay. The prize money hanging over our heads was too tempting.  

Y/N finally looked up at me. "What are you gonna vote?"  

I smirked. "What do you think?"  

She didn’t respond, but I could tell she already knew the answer.  

I wasn’t leaving. Not until I got what I came for.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐄𝐍 - 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬

𝐘/𝐍’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The intercom crackled to life, and the voice that haunted all of our nightmares echoed through the dorm.  

“All players, prepare for the vote. This time, you don’t have to stand in groups on their side of the dorm. Just walk up once called, and return where you want.”

Silence blanketed the room. The only sounds were the shuffling of players adjusting their positions and the occasional nervous whisper.  

We all knew this was coming. 

Guards entered, lining up against the walls, their faceless masks turned toward us like vultures waiting for their prey to drop. At the far end of the room, a large screen flickered to life, displaying the two same options:  

O - Stay 

X - Leave

It was so simple. Just one button. One choice to determine whether we continued playing this twisted game or walked away.

I sat cross-legged on the floor, my back against Se-mi’s. She hadn’t said a word since the announcement, and neither had I. There was nothing to say.  

We were all trapped in our own thoughts, weighing survival against fear.  

“Player 124,” a guard called.  

Nam-gyu.  

I glanced up as he stood. He walked toward the booth like he already knew what he was going to do. His broad shoulders were relaxed, his head high, like he wasn’t afraid of anything.  

When he reached the console, he barely hesitated before pressing O. Stay. 

I exhaled. I shouldn’t have been surprised. Nam-gyu was Thanos’s best friend. If Thanos was staying, so was he.  

He turned around, walking towards the ground of O’s, his expression unreadable.  

“Player 125.”  

Min-su.  

He was trembling as he stepped forward. I already knew what he was going to pick. The moment the buttons lit up, he slammed his palm against X. Leave.  

I clenched my jaw. I don’t blame him. But leaving didn’t guarantee safety. It just meant he’d go back to the same miserable life he came from—only now, he’d have nightmares to go with it.  

The next few players were called. Some chose to stay, some chose to leave. But then—  

“Player 231.”  

My heart nearly stopped.  

I could feel everyone’s eyes on me as I slowly pushed myself to my feet.  

I walked toward the booth, my legs feeling heavier with every step.  

The blue button for O stared back at me. The red button for X felt like it was calling my name.  

I already knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to leave.

I raised my hand over the red button—  

"Leaving doesn’t guarantee safety," a voice murmured.  

My breath hitched.  

I didn’t have to turn to know who it was.  

Thanos.  

He was close. Not too close, but enough that his words felt like they were meant only for me.  

"You leave now, you walk away with little to nothing," he continued, his voice low, calculated. "But if you stay, you have me. You have a way to win."  

I swallowed hard, gripping the edge of the booth. “Why do you care?”  

He exhaled a quiet laugh. “Because it’d be a waste if you left now.”  

I hated him.  

I hated how calm he was. I hated that he spoke like he already knew what I was going to do. I hated that, deep down, I knew he was right.  

Thanos wasn’t a good person. He wasn’t my friend. But he was smart.

And in a game like this, smart people survived.  

I squeezed my eyes shut, took a deep breath—  

And pressed O. Stay. 

The screen above me flashed:  

Player 231 - Stay.

I turned to walk away, but Thanos was still watching me, the corners of his lips tugging into something dangerously close to satisfaction.  

I didn’t know if I had just made a deal with the devil.  

But one thing was certain—there was no turning back now.  

I returned to my spot next to Se-mi, my hands curled into fists. She didn’t look at me, but her voice was sharp when she spoke.  

“Are you serious?” she whispered.  

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Se-mi—”  

“You were going to leave. You told me we were leaving.”  

I turned to face her, but her eyes were locked on the ground. She wasn’t just upset—she was hurt.

Before I could say anything else, the guards called her name.  

“Player 380.”  

She stood up, hesitating for only a second before walking toward the booth.  

I watched as she stared at the buttons.  

She raised her hand—hovered over **X. Leave—but then she clenched her fist and pressed O. Stay.

My stomach twisted.  

When she returned, she didn’t look at me. She just sat down and let out a slow breath.  

“Why?” I asked.  

She shook her head. “I don’t know.”  

But I knew.  

She wasn’t going to leave me behind.  

Even though I had made my choice alone, she had followed.  

For the first time since stepping into this hell, I realized something.  

I wasn’t fighting just for myself anymore.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐘/𝐍’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The stairs stretched before us like a path to nowhere.  

I had climbed these steps before, but they felt different now. Maybe it was the silence—not the eerie, expectant quiet before a game, but something heavier, thicker.

The kind of silence that came after making choices you couldn’t take back.  

I gripped the railing, my knuckles white. Se-mi walked a step behind me, her gaze burning into the back of my skull. She still hadn’t said much since the vote, but she didn’t have to.  

I could feel the weight of her disappointment with every step.  

I shouldn’t care. I had made my choice. I had chosen to stay.

But the way she hesitated before following me up the stairs—like she was considering if I was even worth following anymore—made something cold settle in my stomach.  

Ahead, Thanos climbed without hesitation, Nam-gyu right behind him. As if this was just another day for them.

I hated that I was walking the same path as them.  

“You did the right thing,” Thanos murmured.  

I stiffened. “Don’t.”  

“Don’t what?”  

“Act like you know me.”  

His lips quirked, but there was something unreadable in his eyes. “I don’t have to know you. I just know survival.”  

I scoffed, gripping the railing tighter. “And you think I’ll survive because I stayed?”  

“I think you’ll survive because you made the right alliance.”  

I stopped walking. “I didn’t—”  

“You did,” he interrupted smoothly, turning just enough to meet my glare head-on. “Maybe not intentionally. But it doesn’t matter.”  

I exhaled sharply through my nose, stepping past him to keep climbing.  

“Why does it matter to you anyway?” I muttered.  

He didn’t answer right away.  

Then—so quiet I almost didn’t hear it—  

“Because it would’ve been a waste if you left.”  

I didn’t know why, but something about the way he said it made my chest tighten.  

It wasn’t a compliment. **It wasn’t kindness.**  

It was something else.  

We reached the top of the stairs, stepping into an open, white-walled room with a massive metal contraption in the center.  

A carousel.  

My stomach twisted. This was the next game.  

A guard stepped forward, voice echoing through the space.  

“Welcome to *Mingle.”  

I stepped onto the platform, my heartbeat thudding against my ribs.  

The metal beneath my feet was smooth, cold. Around me, players shifted uneasily as the intercom crackled to life.  

“The game will proceed in multiple rounds. When the carousel stops, a number will be called. You must form groups of that exact size. Failure to do so will result in elimination.”  

Someone inhaled sharply.  

I swallowed hard. This was worse than anything I had imagined.  

Because this wasn’t about strength. This was about trust.

And trust was something none of us had anymore.  

The carousel began to spin.  

Slow at first, then faster. My breath caught as the room blurred, colors blending together. The only thing I could focus on was the sound of my own heartbeat.  

Then—  

It stopped. 

A mechanical voice rang out.  

“First Round: Groups of Five.”

For a split second, no one moved.  

Then chaos.  

Players scrambled, grabbing at each other, pulling into groups. I turned instinctively, scanning the crowd—  

“Here.”  

A hand wrapped around my wrist.  

I startled, whipping around—only to see Thanos.  

He pulled me into a group already forming—Nam-gyu, Se-mi, Min-su, and himself.  

A set of colorful doors along the walls suddenly clicked open.  

Min-su shoved me toward one, and before I could react, we were pushed inside. The door slammed shut behind us with a loud *clank*, sealing us in.  

I spun around. There was no handle, no way to open it.  

We were trapped.  

For a moment, nothing happened. Then—  

Beep.  

A distant, muffled noise rang out.  

It was barely audible from inside the room, but I knew what it meant.  

Someone had been eliminated.  

Se-mi flinched, pressing a hand to her mouth. I clenched my fists. They were killing the ones who didn’t form a group, and we couldn’t even see it. Well we could if we looked through the tiny peep hole in the door, but I’m sure none of us wanted to witness that.

I wasn’t sure if that was mercy or cruelty.  

After what felt like an eternity, the door unlocked with a loud click.  

We stepped out onto the platform again. The number of players had already thinned. 

I exhaled shakily.  

The carousel began to move again.  

Round Two.

This time, when it stopped, the voice declared, “Groups of Three.”

I turned to Thanos, but someone shoved between us. Nam-gyu grabbed his shoulder, pulling him into a different group before I could react.  

Min-su reached for me—but someone else yanked him away.  

I was left standing alone.  

My pulse skyrocketed.  

The doors clicked open again. I had no one to enter with. 

The countdown had already begun.  

10… 9… 8…

I scrambled backward, looking for an opening—anyone who would take me—  

5… 4… 3… 

No, no, no— 

A hand shot out.  

I barely had time to react before I was yanked backward, stumbling into a solid chest.  

The doors slammed shut.  

I gasped for breath, my pulse racing. I turned—  

Thanos. 

He was still gripping my arm, his jaw clenched.  

I exhaled shakily. “You didn’t have to do that.”  

His fingers twitched against my skin.  

“I know.”  

For a moment, we just stared at each other.  

Then the door unlocked.  

We stepped back onto the carousel, but something between us had shifted.  

Three more rounds passed, and every time I ended up in a room with Thanos. Se-mi, no matter how hard I tried to be paired with her, someone took her away, leaving me in the dust. 

Everything slowed.  

“Groups of Two” the voice rang out.

My pulse thundered in my ears as I looked around, searching—Se-mi. 

I found her across the platform, eyes meeting mine instantly.  

My breath caught.  

We had to be together. We had to. 

I moved toward her—  

But so did someone else.  

Someone stronger.  

Before I could even process it, I was shoved back, another player taking my place at her side.  

I stumbled, blinking rapidly.  

The numbers were dwindling. Everyone was pairing off. 

I turned sharply, searching for anyone—anyone I could trust.  

But before I could take a step—  

A hand grabbed mine.  

Firm. Unwavering.  

I looked up.  

Thanos.  

His grip was steady, his expression unreadable. He didn’t ask. He just chose me. 

I hesitated.  I looked around and saw Nam-gyu and Min-su going into a room.

Se-mi was already locked in with someone else. There was no other choice.  

Slowly, I curled my fingers around his.  

The timer ran out.  

We had survived.  

But something told me this was just the beginning. 

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄 - 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐩

𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐒’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The game was over, but the tension in my chest hadn't eased.  

I could still feel the weight of Y/N’s hand in mine, even though she had let go the moment the round ended.  

She hadn't looked at me since.  

I wasn’t sure why that bothered me. It shouldn’t. 

I had done what I had to do—what I always did. Survival wasn’t about kindness or emotions. It was about instincts. About knowing who to hold onto and when to let go.

And yet…  

Something about this felt different.  

We were back in the main hall now, surrounded by exhausted players, all of us still catching our breath. Some were talking in hushed voices, others sat in stunned silence. Too many were missing.

The ones who had been eliminated weren’t coming back.  

And no one dared to say their names.  

I hate to say it didn’t bother me as much as it did the others. I was here for one thing, and one thing only. The money. 

If people didn't die the prize money wouldn’t increase, and that's why I came for, what all of us came for.

I leaned back against the cold metal wall, exhaling slowly. My body was sore from the game, but my mind wouldn’t settle. I could feel Y/N’s presence even before she stepped closer.

"Why did you do that?"  

Her voice was quiet but sharp.  

I sighed, running a hand through my hair before looking at her. “Do what?”  

She scoffed. “Don’t play dumb.”  

I met her eyes. There was something raw there. Something I hadn’t seen before. 

"You could’ve picked anyone,” she said, crossing her arms. “So why me?”  

I didn't answer right away.  

I wasn't even sure I had an answer.  

Only then do I remember the bet I had with Nam-gyu.

But to be honest, I had seen the panic in her eyes when she was left standing alone. I had felt something in my gut twist when I realized she wouldn’t make it in time.  

And before I even knew what I was doing—I had reached for her.

I could have left her. I could have looked the other way.  

But I didn’t.  

And that scared me more than anything.  

I smirked, defaulting to the one thing that always kept people at arm’s length. “You looked pathetic. Figured I’d do you a favor.”  

Y/N’s expression didn’t change. “Try again.”  

I sighed, looking away.  

I hated this. I hated how she could see right through me.  

It was like she knew more about me than people who have known me my entire life. 

She stepped closer, her voice softer now. "Who hurt you?"  

The words hit harder than I expected.  

I let out a bitter laugh. “You want a list?”  

She didn’t react. She just waited. Like she wasn’t afraid of whatever truth I had buried.

For the first time, I felt something crack.  

Maybe it was exhaustion. Maybe it was the way Y/N had looked at me on that carousel, like she wasn’t sure if she could trust me, but she had taken my hand anyway.  

Or maybe I was just tired—tired of holding onto something that didn’t exist anymore.  

So I told her.  

“I was a singer.”  

Her eyebrows lifted slightly, but she didn’t interrupt.  

“I had everything. Money. Fame. People who swore they cared about me.” I paused, swallowing hard. “Then I gambled it away. All of it.”  

A sharp exhale. “Crypto?”  

I laughed humorlessly. “Yeah.”  

I didn’t have to say the name. She already knew.

Myeong-gi. Player 333. The one who had dragged me into it. Who had promised everything—more wealth, more power, more control.  

And like a damn fool, I had believed him.  

By the time I realized it was a scam, it was too late.  

I lost everything. 

And the people who had surrounded me, the ones who called themselves my friends? Gone.  

One by one, they left. They looked at me like I was dirt beneath their shoes.  

The same people who had once cheered for me, begged for my attention, called me their favorite—they had watched me fall and turned away.

Y/N was quiet for a long time.  

Then she spoke, so soft I barely heard her.  

“I know what that’s like.”  

I glanced at her, expecting pity.  

But there was none.  

Just something hollow in her eyes.  

“My family kicked me out,” she admitted. “I had nothing saved. No money. Nowhere to go.” Her fingers curled into fists. “And you’re right. People leave. No one cares once you’re not useful to them.”  

A heavy silence settled between us.  

We weren’t the same. Not exactly.  

But we had both lost everything.  

And for the first time, I realized—maybe we weren’t as different as I thought.

Y/N exhaled, studying me carefully.  

"You’re not as heartless as you pretend to be."  

I tensed.  

She had no idea how wrong she was.  

But I didn’t correct her.  

I just looked at her, really looked at her.  

Maybe… maybe I didn’t have to do this alone.  

Maybe neither of us did. 

I have to cut this deal off. 

It was time I stopped hurting people, especially people who didn’t deserve it. 

People like Y/N.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 - 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐞

𝐘/𝐍’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

I sat on the cold floor beside Se-Mi, my back pressed against the frame of one of the metal beds. My body ached from the game, muscles stiff from the constant scrambling and fear. The spinning, the running, the desperation—I could still feel the phantom sensation of the carousel beneath my feet, the panic of almost being left behind.  

And then there was Thanos.  

I hadn’t even realized my hands were shaking until Se-Mi nudged me.  

"You good?" she asked, her voice softer than usual.  

I let out a breath. "Yeah."  

Se-Mi gave me a look. "Liar."  

I huffed a small laugh, but I didn't argue. She knew me too well by now. The dorm buzzed with low murmurs, other players whispering about the game, the upcoming vote, or their own plans to survive. Somewhere across the room, Nam-gyu and Thanos were talking in hushed voices. I didn't have to look to know that Thanos could probably feel my gaze on him.  

Se-Mi stretched her legs out in front of her, arms crossed as she leaned her head back against the frame. "So," she started, her tone too casual to be innocent. "What’s the deal with you and Thanos?"  

I nearly choked. "What?"  

She smirked. "Oh, don’t play dumb. You two were glued together that entire game."  

“That wasn’t—” I shook my head. “He saved me. That’s it.”  

"And why do you think he did that?"  

I hesitated.  

Because he needs me for the next game. Because I’m useful. Because if I die, it ruins whatever bet he has going on.  

Those were the things I should have said.  

But instead, all I could think about was the look on his face when he grabbed my arm at the last second, yanking me into his group. The way he had muttered “I know” when I told him he didn’t have to save me.  

The way his hand had lingered on mine for a second longer than necessary.  

I swallowed. "I don't know," I finally said. "But I'm not going to waste my time trying to figure him out."  

Se-Mi hummed, unconvinced, but she didn’t push further. "Well, for what it’s worth," she said after a moment, "I think he’s starting to care."  

I scoffed. "Thanos? Care about someone other than himself?"  

She grinned. "Stranger things have happened."  

Before I could respond, the sound of metal screeching against the floor cut through the air. The guards were wheeling in carts, trays clattering as dinner was served.  

I exhaled, relieved for the distraction. "Come on," I said, pushing myself up. "Let's eat before the food gets worse."  

Se-Mi chuckled, following me toward the line. But even as I grabbed my tray, even as I sat down to eat, my mind remained stuck on the one thing I shouldn’t have been thinking about.  

Thanos.

𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐒’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The air in the dorm felt heavy, like the weight of the last game hadn’t left my shoulders. People whispered in hushed voices, heads down, avoiding eye contact. The sound of forks scraping against cheap metal trays filled the silence, but no one was really eating.  

Nam-gyu sat across from me, slouched, legs stretched out like he didn’t have a care in the world. But I could see it in his eyes. He was thinking. Calculating.  

“That game was brutal,” he finally muttered, tapping his fingers against the table. “I didn’t think they’d go that far.”  

I didn’t respond right away. My thoughts were still stuck on her. Y/N. The way her hand had felt when I grabbed her. The way her eyes widened in shock before softening into something unreadable.  

I should’ve let her go.  

Should’ve let her fend for herself.  

But I didn’t.  

“I saw what you did,” Nam-gyu continued, his tone sharper now. “Didn’t think you’d break our little rule so soon.”  

I tensed. “What the hell are you talking about?”  

He smirked, shaking his head. “Come on, Thanos. We both know you didn’t pull her into your group for strategy. That was you playing hero.”  

I scoffed. “Don’t be stupid. I saved her because I need her. She’s useful.”  

Nam-gyu laughed under his breath. “Right. Useful.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “You think I don’t see it? The way you look at her now? It’s different. You’re getting attached.”  

I clenched my jaw. “I don’t get attached.”  

“Sure.” His smirk didn’t waver. “Just like you didn’t hesitate to pull her into your group. Just like you don’t watch her every time she walks into a room.” He tilted his head. “Face it, man. You’re slipping.”  

I slammed my fist against the stairs, making our trays rattle. “Drop it.”  

Nam-gyu barely flinched. “Or what?”  

I breathed hard through my nose. I knew this game he was playing. He wanted me to lose control, to admit something I wasn’t ready to say out loud.  

But I wasn’t stupid.  

So I leaned back, giving him a slow, cold smile. “You’re jealous.”  

That wiped the smirk right off his face.  

I saw the way his fingers twitched slightly, the way his eyes darkened just enough to tell me I hit a nerve.  

“You think I give a damn about her?” he said, his voice quieter now, more dangerous. “She’s nothing but a distraction. And if you’re dumb enough to let that distraction ruin everything we built, then maybe you don’t deserve to win this game.”  

Something in my chest tightened.  

Nam-gyu and I had been through everything together. We had each other’s backs when no one else did. And now, for the first time, I could feel that bond cracking.  

“You don’t get to decide what I deserve,” I said lowly.  

Nam-gyu let out a short laugh, shaking his head like I was pathetic.  

“You’ve already lost, Thanos,” he muttered, “And you don’t even realize it.”  

"Looks like you’re getting soft," he said, tilting his head, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Didn’t take you for the type to actually care."  

I exhaled sharply through my nose. "Drop it."  

But Nam-gyu only chuckled. "Come on, let’s be honest. You saving her like that today? Pulling her into your group at the last second?" He clicked his tongue. "That wasn’t strategy, man. That was you catching feelings." His smirk widened. "Admit it. She’s getting to you."  

I clenched my jaw. He wasn’t wrong, and that pissed me off even more.  

I had been telling myself over and over that this was all part of the game. That keeping Y/N close was just another move to ensure my survival. But when I had seen her alone, scrambling for a group, something inside me had snapped.  

I hadn’t thought. I hadn’t hesitated.  

I had just acted.  

Because it wasn’t about the game anymore.  

And that scared the hell out of me.  

"The bet’s off," I said suddenly, my voice firm.  

Nam-gyu blinked. "What?"  

"You heard me," I said, my hands clenching into fists. "I’m not doing this anymore."  

He scoffed. "You can’t just back out now."  

"Yes, I can." I stood up, stepping closer, my blood pounding in my ears. "Because there was never a bet in the first place!" The words tore out of me, louder than I intended. My chest heaved. "I love Y/N, and she lights this fire inside of me that I didn’t know I had. There isn’t a bet anymore."  

For the first time, Nam-gyu’s smirk faltered.  

But then, slowly, his lips curled again. "Looks like you fell for her first," he muttered. "Which means I win."  

I frowned. "This wasn’t a game—"  

"She can’t take you away from me." His voice was eerily calm. "I’ll handle her soon."  

A cold chill ran down my spine. My fists tightened at my sides. "What do you mean by that?"  

Nam-gyu’s smirk returned.  

"You’ll see."  

I stared at him, my pulse roaring in my ears.  

I had known Nam-gyu for a long time, and I had never once been afraid of him.  

But right now, I was afraid for Y/N.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 - 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬

𝐘/𝐍’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The lights went out.  

I knew what was coming before it even started.  

A shift in the air, a collective inhale across the room, the sound of bodies tensing. Then—chaos.  

Screams echoed as players lunged at each other. Shadows moved like ghosts between the bunks, forks flashing, fists connecting with sickening cracks. Someone tackled another person to the ground, their skull slamming against the concrete with a dull thud.

I ducked as a fork flew past my head. My breath came in short bursts, heart hammering against my ribs. Not again.

The games had been bad, but this was worse.  

More desperate.  

More lethal.  

I barely had time to react before someone grabbed my wrist, yanking me backward into the shadows. I twisted, ready to fight, but Se-Mi’s voice hissed in my ear, “Stay close!”  

I clung to her as we moved, weaving through the chaos, stepping over the fallen. My foot nearly slipped in something warm and wet—blood.  

“Where’s Thanos?” I asked, breathless.  

Se-Mi shook her head. “No idea. But we need to—”  

A hand snatched my arm.  

Not Se-Mi’s.  

A stronger grip, rough and unrelenting.  

I barely had time to gasp before I was slammed against a bunk post, the impact knocking the wind out of me.  

My vision spun as I looked up—straight into Nam-gyu’s cold, emotionless stare.  

“You,” he said, his voice quiet, almost amused. “You’re such a thorn in my side.”  

I struggled, but his grip was like steel. “What the hell are you doing?”  

Nam-gyu smirked, tilting his head. “Getting rid of a problem.”  

And then I saw the glint of metal in his hand.  

A fork. 

𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐒’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

I was already fighting my way across the room when I saw her.  

Nam-gyu had Y/N pinned against the bunk, a fork pressed to her throat.  

Something inside me snapped.  

I didn’t think—I just moved.  

Bodies slammed into me as I shoved through the chaos. My shoulder caught someone in the ribs, sending them sprawling. A fist glanced off my jaw, but I barely registered the pain.  

Nam-gyu whispered something to Y/N, but I didn’t hear it.  

I only saw red.  

The fork lifted—  

I crashed into him like a train.  

We hit the ground hard. The fork skittered across the floor, and I scrambled for it, but Nam-gyu was faster. He rolled to his feet, eyes wild, grip tightening around the hilt.  

“You really think you can protect her?” he spat.  

I wiped blood from my mouth. “Try me.”  

Then he lunged.  

𝐘/𝐍’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

I barely had time to process what was happening before Thanos and Nam-gyu were locked in a brutal fight.  

The fork slashed through the darkness, fists connected with flesh. They moved like animals—desperate, savage. Blood dripped from a cut on Thanos’s cheek, but he didn’t flinch. He fought like a man with nothing left to lose.  

Nam-gyu snarled, swinging the fork. Thanos ducked, grabbing his wrist, twisting hard until the weapon clattered to the ground.  

Then Thanos grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the bunk.  

The fight should’ve ended there.  

But Nam-gyu’s hand shot out, grabbing a broken piece of metal from the floor—  

Thanos didn’t hesitate.  

His hand moved faster.  

A flash of steel. A sickening crack.

Nam-gyu gasped. He was stabbed in the neck.

Blood poured between his fingers as he staggered back, eyes wide with something between shock and fury. He opened his mouth, but no words came.  

Then, he collapsed.  

𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐒’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

I stood over Nam-gyu’s body, chest heaving.  

His blood was on my hands.  

Literally.  

Y/N was staring at me, her expression unreadable.  

I turned to her, throat tight. “I—”  

A loud alarm blared through the room, cutting me off. The guards had arrived.  

I grabbed Y/N’s hand, pulling her with me. “We need to go.”  

She hesitated, glancing at Nam-gyu’s lifeless body one last time. Then, without a word, she followed me into the shadows.  

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 - 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧

𝐘/𝐍’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The brawl was finally over. The chaos had died down, the screaming reduced to muffled sobs and ragged breathing. The bodies were being dragged away, leaving behind only bloodstains and the weight of what had just happened. The air was thick with the metallic scent of death, but I couldn’t focus on that.  

Not when Thanos was standing in front of me, hands still stained with Nam-gyu’s blood.  

We had retreated into the shadows, away from the others, but there was no escaping what had happened. I hugged my arms to my chest, trying to steady my breath.  

“Was it just survival?” My voice barely rose above a whisper. “Or was it personal?”  

Thanos stiffened. His jaw clenched, his fingers twitching like he wasn’t sure whether to defend himself or admit the truth. “Does it matter?”  

I stepped closer, forcing him to meet my eyes. “It matters to me.”  

His throat bobbed as he swallowed. He looked down at his bloodied hands, then back at me. “It was both.” His voice was hoarse, like he had swallowed nails. “I knew he was dangerous. I knew he was going to hurt you. But when he talked about you like that—like you were just a game to win—I saw red.”  

I exhaled shakily. “So it wasn’t just about survival.”  

“No.” He hesitated, then took a step closer. “It was about you.”  

My heart pounded against my ribs.  

“I don’t want to play this game without you, Y/N,” he admitted. His voice was raw, stripped of all the bravado and indifference he usually carried. “I don’t care about the money. I don’t care about winning. I just—” He let out a sharp breath, shaking his head. “You make me feel like I have something to lose again. And that terrifies me.”  

A lump formed in my throat. I wanted to say something, anything—but what could I say? That I felt it too? That I had been so focused on surviving I hadn’t realized I had found something worth surviving for?  

Could we even afford to have emotions in a place like this?  

I opened my mouth, but before I could speak, the intercom crackled to life.  

“All remaining players, report to the main hall. The next game will begin shortly.”  

Just like that, our stolen moment shattered.  

Thanos let out a bitter laugh. “Of course.”  

I exhaled, forcing myself to push everything down, to lock it away. There would be time to process this—if we survived.  

Without another word, we stepped out of the shadows and into whatever nightmare awaited us next.  

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 - 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐛𝐲𝐞

𝐘/𝐍’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The guards led us into a new arena—one smaller, more intimate, yet suffocating in its cruelty. The walls were high, trapping us in a circle of cold, unforgiving concrete. There was no audience. No distractions. Just the remaining players, their faces twisted in exhaustion and fear, waiting to hear their fate.  

The intercom crackled.  

“This is your final challenge.”  

The screen above flickered, revealing the game: one-on-one battles until only one remains.  

My stomach twisted into knots.  

I had hoped—prayed—that there would be a way out, a loophole. But there was none. The rules were simple. Win, or die.  

Thanos and I fought through the first few rounds, our bodies pushed to the breaking point. We fought with everything we had—not against each other, but against the others, side by side, like we always had. 

Se-mi was with us, and so was Min-us, but an old man—player 100 came and attacked all four of us and only me and Thanos managed to escape. 

“Oh my god,” the words got caught in my throat as I held Se-mi, warm tears dripping down my face. She was a great friend, I wish I could have protected her more. 

But then the final round came.  

And it was just us.  

The realization hit like a bullet to the chest.  

We were the last two.  

The intercom spoke again, its voice hollow, mechanical. “Only one can win.”  

Thanos clenched his fists, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. “No.” His voice was sharp, filled with defiance. “I won’t do it.”  

I swallowed hard. “Thanos…”  

“There has to be another way.” His eyes darted around the arena, searching for an escape that didn’t exist. “We’ll refuse. We’ll—”  

“They won’t let us.” My voice was softer now.  

His breathing turned erratic. “Then I’ll do it.” He took a step closer, his hands trembling. “I’ll lose. You can win, Y/N. You can get out of here.”  

Tears burned at my eyes. “No.”  

“No?” His voice cracked. “Why not?”  

“Because you deserve to live.”  

His expression shattered.  

I stepped forward, closing the distance between us. “I see it now, Thanos. You think you’re just some monster, some heartless fighter, but you’re not. You care. You always have. And I can’t let you throw that away.”  

His hands gripped my shoulders, desperate, pleading. “Please.”  

I reached up, cupping his face in my hands, my thumbs brushing against the dried blood on his skin. “You have a chance to start over. To live for something more than this. Take it.”  

Tears slipped down his cheeks. “I can’t do this without you.”  

“You can,” I whispered. “And you will.”  

I kissed him softly and before he could react, before he could stop me, I made my move.  

A sharp gasp left his lips as I twisted the knife from his grasp—fast, clean, inevitable. And then, I turned it against myself.  

Pain exploded through my stomach, but I barely felt it.  

Thanos caught me before I hit the ground. His arms wrapped around me, shaking, pulling me close as if he could keep me here, as if his sheer will alone could stop what was happening.  

“No.” His voice broke apart, raw and filled with agony. “No, no, no.”  

I smiled weakly, my vision already starting to blur. “See?” My fingers clutched the front of his shirt. “You’re holding me like I matter.”  

“You do matter.” His whole body trembled. “You always mattered.”  

I let out a small breath. “Then live like it.”  

A choked sob tore from his throat.  

The world around me faded, the sounds of the arena growing distant. 

And then he fell to his knees.  

His scream shattered through the silence, a raw, broken sound of grief.  

But I was already slipping away.  

And in Thanos’s arms, I wasn’t afraid.  

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 - 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐧

𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐒’𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕

Everything around me felt distant, like I was underwater. The arena, the guards, the blinding overhead lights—it all blurred together into something meaningless. The only thing that felt real was the weight in my arms.  

Y/N wasn’t moving.  

She wasn’t breathing.  

And no matter how hard I held onto her, I couldn’t pull her back.  

I lean my head down, tears fresh on my face, and I kiss her head gently. 

“Congratulations, Player 230.”  

The voice over the intercom was cold, detached. The finality of it sent a shiver down my spine.  

“You are the winner of the Squid Game.”  

Winner.  

The word meant nothing.  

The guards moved in, prying Y/N from my grasp. My arms refused to let go at first, but they were stronger, ripping her away like she was just another nameless body.  

I tried to reach for her again. “Wait—”  

A sharp strike to my ribs knocked the breath from my lungs. I hit the ground hard, my vision swimming as the guards hauled Y/N’s lifeless form out of sight.  

And then she was gone.  

My chest caved in.  

That was the last thing I remember before darkness swallowed me whole.  

𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚  

When I woke up, I was in the back of a car, my clothes changed, my wounds hastily bandaged. The rain outside blurred against the tinted windows, and for a moment, I didn’t know where I was.  

Then I saw the case.  

The briefcase sat beside me, untouched.  

I reached for it slowly, my fingers fumbling against the cold metal latch. The moment it clicked open, my breath caught in my throat.  

A golden card. 

Blood money.  

The only reason this money was in my hands was because Y/N wasn’t here to take it. Because she had made sure it would be me left standing instead of her.  

I slammed the case shut, my hands trembling.  

I thought winning would mean something. I thought it would fix everything. But all I felt was empty.  

  𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚

Days passed in a blur. I didn’t know how I got home. I didn’t remember stepping through the door or collapsing onto the couch. The world outside kept moving, but I couldn’t.  

The nightmares started almost immediately.  

Y/N’s face. Her voice. The way she smiled at me even as she slipped away.  

“You have a chance to start over. Take it.”  

I barely slept. Barely ate. The money stayed where I left it, untouched.  

More than once, I thought about walking away from it all. Disappearing. Maybe I’d go somewhere far, somewhere quiet, where I wouldn’t have to think about what I’d done.  

But every time I got close, I heard her voice again.  

“Live for the both of us.”  

The words came back like a ghost, wrapping around my ribs until I couldn’t breathe.  

She had given her life for mine.  

And if I threw it away, it would mean nothing.  

So I forced myself to get up. To move.  

To live.  

For her.  

𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑

Grief never really fades. It just settles into the spaces between your ribs, a quiet ache you learn to live with.  

Some days, I wake up expecting to hear her voice. Other days, I forget what it sounds like, and that terrifies me more than anything.  

I don’t know how I survived this long.  

Maybe it was because of her.  

I stand in front of a gravestone that doesn’t have her name on it. There’s no grave for Y/N, no marker to prove she ever existed in the world outside of that nightmare. But I come here anyway—to an empty spot under a tree in a quiet cemetery.  

It’s the only place I can talk to her.  

“I’m still here,” I murmur, placing a single flower against the stone. “I don’t know if I deserve to be, but I am.”  

The past year had been a blur of trying and failing. I thought about running. Thought about drinking the memories away. But in the end, I always heard her voice in the back of my mind, steady and certain.  

Live for the both of us.

So I did.  

I used the money—not for myself, but for something she would’ve wanted. I made sure it went to the people who needed it most. I paid off debts for families who had lost people in the game, sent anonymous donations, built something real out of the blood money in my hands.  

It didn’t erase the pain. It didn’t bring her back.  

But it was something.  

I exhale slowly, staring down at the nameless gravestone. “I wish you were here.”  

The wind picks up, rustling the leaves around me. It almost sounds like her laughter, soft and fleeting.  

Maybe, in some way, she is.  

I close my eyes.  

And for the first time in a long time, I let myself believe that moving forward doesn’t mean leaving her behind.  

It just means carrying her with me.  

[marixrose]

Please go support my friend! She’s a great writer and deserves some hype!! 🤍

★ Hey wsp ★

★ no header or whatever, just wanted to say hi, it’s been almost 2 years since i last posted and a lot of things changed, probably will post more on my book. if yo me and you see this hi !! reach out !! happy to talk !! ★

cya soon 🫡🫡

[marixrose]

May i request for a oneshot Yandere or/and Vampire! Bloody painter(helen otis) x fem!reader? Idk if you write for the creepypasta fandom, nsfw or no🙇‍♀️

★ I hope that head cannons are okay! I do not know enough about this creepypasta to write a whole fanfic, but I like to give the people what they want! I did a little research before writing this to make it as accurate as possible. I apologize if some information is not correct or it’s not to your standards.

PAIRING: Yandere Vampire! Bloody Painter x Fem!reader

★ !Warning! 18+ content, yandere behavior, blood, stalking, imprisonment, serial killer, sexual content (mentioned)

Yandere Vampire! Bloody Painter who stalks pretty reader while she sleeps. She looks so peaceful, so prefect, just for him. She looks so cute! Of course he has to take a few photos, maybe more than a few. He adds them to his growing collection on his wall.

Yandere Vampire! Bloody Painter who almost cannot contain himself, the scent of your blood is so overwhelming. How much longer can he go on like this without taking a sip?

Yandere Vampire! Bloody Painter who grows impatient waiting for the right moment to snatch you up. He’s been waiting for far too long, he just wants his precious all to himself.

Yandere Vampire! Bloody Painter takes you while you’re sleeping to him own home. He’s can’t risk you running away so he chains you to the wall. He forces himself not to bite you, devouring you. He just wants to taste you so badly.

Yandere Vampire! Bloody Painter who tries to calm you down when you wake up frantically. He’s proudly shows off his artwork, shocked when you don’t feel the same.

❝I love you Y/N! This is for the best. You are mine. You can’t leave me!❞

Yandere Vampire! Bloody Painter who can’t take it anymore, he craves you. He sinks his fangs into the nap of your neck. He doesn’t know when to stop, you just taste so good. He ignores your screams and you trying to fight back. He always gets what he wants in the end anyways.

Yandere Vampire! Bloody Painter who punishes you for trying to escape. He’s tightens the chains on you and leaves you alone in the room for days. No food or water. Maybe then you’ll learn your lesson.

❝It didn’t have to come to this darling, if only you’d listen.❞

Yandere Vampire! Bloody Painter who craves you, wants you, needs you. He can’t wait for you to accept him. You’re his now. There is no escape. He unties you from your prison and takes you to his room.

Yandere Vampire! Bloody Painter who can’t help but talk about his future he already planed out for the two of you. You both will be married and you will have a family. He can’t wait to teach them to be great artists just like him.

Yandere Vampire! Bloody Painter who can’t help but cuddle with you all night. He doesn’t want you to leave his side—ever. It will never happen. Yet, as you lay next to him he can’t help but crave more of you.

❝Darling, please. I need you, I want you so badly. Just the tip, I promise.❞

His voice made shivers go down your spine. You agree, seemly having no other choice. He was never one to be good at keeping his promises.

[marixrose]

Hello everyone! I know it’s been a WHILE since I posted content on here (almost a whole year). I had a LOT going on, but I am back now. What I am currently working on is a Fanfic on Wattpad about the Squid Game character In-ho (player 001). I am almost done wrapping that book up and then I will continue to write content on here.

If you are interested in the book, my Wattpad is riatoleratesit. The book is called “Taking Back What’s Mine” and has over 100k views.

I look forward to posting content on here again, just please be patient! Love you all!!

[marixrose]

I have this blood compelling need to write a Yandere Vampire x F!reader oneshot. 😭