#the front man
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001x456 · 3 days ago
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In-ho takes things a little too literal 😭
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littlepeach-world · 3 days ago
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How about headcanons frontman x player! reader, reader notices that the staff has started to treat her more gently than other players, which worries her. And then she'll lose and fall into the hands of the frontman
Frontman falling for Player!Reader HC
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Pairing: Frontman/Hwang In-Ho x Player!Reader
Warnings: Obsessive!Inho, Abduction, Power Imbalance, Psychological Distress, Possessive!Inho, Moral Dilemmas.
Word count: 730
Notes: Thank you sm for the request. I've never written a headcanon before, so I’m sorry if this sucks lol 🧡
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In-ho is taken aback the moment he sees you on the screen during Red Light, Green Light. Your beauty captivates him, but it's your graceful, swift movements that leave him mesmerized. His eyes are glued to you, unable to look away even if he tries. He feels an inexplicable pull towards you, as if you walked right out of a dream, leaving him both in awe and confusion.
Your selflessness stands out in the brutal world of the games. You help other players, ensure their well-being, and stand up for them. Each act of kindness only deepens In-ho’s infatuation, pulling him further under your spell.
In-ho wrestles with his feelings, knowing that they are a dangerous weakness. He tries to push them away, but his heart continually pulls him back to you. The internal struggle intensifies with each passing day.
As he monitors the games, In-ho finds himself rooting for you, an overwhelming worry for your safety gnawing at him. He battles with his internal beliefs about the fairness of the game, restraining himself from running in to save you.
One night, In-ho dreams of you. It's a vivid and haunting vision where you radiate an almost ethereal glow, your presence so strong that he wakes up in a cold sweat. The dream leaves a lasting imprint, making it impossible for him to get you out of his mind.
After the dream, In-ho finds himself consumed by thoughts of you 24/7. His mind fixates on your every move, your expressions, and your interactions with other players. This intense focus evolves into an obsession, as he feels a desperate need to know about your every whereabouts.
He begins to monitor you more closely, watching the screens for any sign of you. Every action you take is noted, analyzed, and etched into his memory. The surveillance intended for cold, efficient observation becomes a means for him to feel connected to you.
The deeper his obsession grows, the more he fights with himself. Rationally, he understands the perilous nature of such feelings in the context of the game. But emotionally, he can't help but be drawn to you, driven by a powerful urge to protect you at all costs.
Despite his internal conflict, In-ho subtly influences the guards’ treatment of you. He ensures you receive extra food, additional blankets, and vitamins. He goes as far as arranging for you to be the last player in one of the games, making it easier for him to protect you.
You begin to feel singled out due to the preferential treatment, which only heightens your anxiety. Other players notice the difference, growing suspicious and further distressing you. The isolation within the group becomes palpable.
During the marble game, you choose to forfeit, accepting your fate to save your childhood friend. You close your eyes, ready to accept what’s to come, a mixture of peace and fear settling in.
You hear a gunshot but feel no pain. Opening your eyes, you see a bullet shell on the floor. Shock overtakes you as a hand covers your mouth, pulling you away. 
Being pulled away during the marble game, you slip into unconsciousness. When you wake up, you find yourself lying in a luxurious black and gold room.
The door opens and a figure dressed in black clothing and wearing a black mask steps in. 
Without a word, the figure removes his mask, revealing a very handsome man. He steps closer and introduces himself, “Hwang In-ho.” 
In-ho calmly explains, “I saved you from the game. And I will continue to save you for as long as it takes.” His voice carries a tone of unwavering determination, leaving no room for doubt about his intentions.
As he speaks, you notice the look on his face—a potent mix of possessiveness, darkness, and passion. The possessiveness in his gaze is palpable, as if he’s silently declaring that you belong to him. The intensity in his eyes makes you shiver. You’re caught between a sense of uncertainty—wondering what his true intentions are—and a curiosity that pulls you in, unable to look away.
The depth of his emotions raises an unsettling question in your mind: What does ‘as long as it takes’ truly mean? The combination of his unwavering commitment and the darkness in his gaze suggests a level of obsession you cannot yet fully comprehend.
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itsnesss · 3 days ago
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hi! can I request a hwang in-ho x pregnant wife!reader? I think it would be really cute, but feel free to turn it down if you’re uncomfortable! Thank you! <3
𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 | hwang in-ho (the frontman) × fem!reader
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summary | you, pregnant and married to in-ho, share a quiet, loving moment with him as you both feel the baby move
warnings | pregnant!reader, fluff, romance, mild emotional themes
word count | 1.9 k
author's note | it would help me a lot if you liked, commented and reposted so that more people read what I write and don't forget to follow me, thanks ᡣ𐭩
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In bed, you and him share a well-deserved rest after so many emotions. The sound of his calm breathing lulls you, like a whisper that connects you to him even more deeply.
You slowly open your eyes. It’s one of those nights when you wake up for no apparent reason, as if something called you. At first, you can't identify it, but when you glance to your side and see Hwang In-ho, your husband, sleeping soundly, you understand. There is nothing to fear at this moment, nothing that could break the peace surrounding you.
The pregnancy has made you more sensitive than usual, and though sometimes you feel the fatigue overwhelming you, being here, in his arms, with your baby growing inside you, makes everything else fade away.
You gaze at In-ho with a mixture of admiration and love. His face, serene and relaxed in sleep, reflects a calmness that has always given you security. The man who once was part of the dark operation of Squid Game is now the man who takes care of you, the one who has given you the life you always dreamed of.
You move carefully, trying not to wake him. Your belly, already big and round, constantly reminds you of what’s coming, of what you’ve already done: giving life to a new person who will grow alongside you, sharing the same values of love, loyalty, and peace you’ve found with him.
In-ho, sensing the movement, slowly wakes up. His expression, still sleepy, turns to concern as he sees you sitting on the bed.
"Is something wrong?" he asks, his voice rough from sleep.
"No, I just... couldn’t sleep," you reply softly, offering a small smile.
He sits up, studying you with that protective intensity he’s always had. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the middle of the night; he always worries about you, about how you feel. Since the moment you told him you were expecting a baby, he hasn’t stopped showing you his support.
"Is the baby okay?" he asks, his voice now filled with care and concern.
You nod, placing your hand gently on your belly.
"Yes, everything is perfect. It's just... sometimes it’s hard to rest."
He moves closer, placing his hand over yours, which rests on your belly, and looks at you with those eyes that always seem to shine more when he’s looking at you.
"I understand. This pregnancy has tested you, but you're not alone. I’m here, remember? I’ll always be by your side."
A wave of gratitude and love floods you as you hear his words. You know they aren’t just empty promises; he’s proven it in every little gesture, in every action. In-ho has been the pillar that has supported your life, not only in the happy moments but also in the darkest ones. And now, with the baby on the way, his support is more important than ever.
You lean closer to him, resting your head on his shoulder. He embraces you tightly, as if he wants to make sure nothing can harm you, that nothing can take you out of this safe place.
"I love you," you whisper, closing your eyes as you enjoy his warmth.
In-ho breathes deeply, as though by inhaling your scent, he draws strength from it. At first, he doesn’t respond, but then his voice, soft and filled with affection, breaks the silence.
"I love you too, more than words can express. Not just for what you do for me, but for everything you are."
His words are like a caress to your soul. Since you married him, your life has changed in ways you never imagined. What started as a love full of uncertainty is now the foundation of your world. He’s shown you an unconditional love, a love that transcends the past and everything both of you have gone through before finding each other.
Suddenly, a small movement inside you makes you smile. It’s the baby, reminding you that there’s a new life growing inside you, that soon it will be part of this great love you share with In-ho. You feel that he notices it too, as he looks down at your belly.
"Did you feel that?" he asks, a spark of excitement shining in his eyes.
"Yes, it just moved," you say, your voice full of tenderness, and you can’t help but stroke your belly as if doing so will transmit all the love you feel.
In-ho places his hand over yours, feeling the tiny kick of his child for the first time. He smiles with a mix of disbelief and happiness. You know the idea of being a father fills him with a deep love that he never expected.
"It’s incredible... I can’t wait to hold him in my arms," he says, his voice filled with emotion, more sincere than you ever imagined.
You smile and hug him tighter. Words aren’t needed at this moment. The connection between the two of you is deeper than any conversation. Everything you’ve been through, everything you’ve endured, now makes sense. Because the future ahead is brighter than you ever imagined.
You stay in silence for a moment, enjoying the embrace, the quiet intimacy. Time passes without you even realizing it, until the first rays of sunlight begin to filter through the window. In-ho kisses your forehead before getting up slowly, making sure not to wake you completely.
"I’m going to make breakfast," he says in a soft voice, smiling.
You stretch, feeling a bit tired but happy. The idea that he’s there for you, doing little things to make you feel good, makes you smile.
"Don’t worry, I can wait," you softly reply, settling back into the bed.
But he looks at you, his eyes filled with a tenderness he rarely shows in public, and walks over to you again, planting a kiss on your forehead.
"I promise you won’t go hungry," he says with a playful smile.
You laugh softly and watch him leave the room, his steps firm and assured. You know that In-ho will always be the man who makes you feel safe, who will never stop fighting for you, for the baby, for your family. The future with him is everything you ever wanted.
You sit there in silence, thinking about all that is to come. In-ho’s love has changed you in ways you never expected. Not only has he given you a new life, but he’s shown you a love that will always be there, even on the darkest days.
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luxerians · 18 hours ago
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The Last Mask (19)
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Hwang In-ho/Oh Young-il/Player 001 x Reader
Chapter 19 - Heart
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Story Masterlist
NEXT : Chapter 20
PREV : Chapter 18.1
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[Hwang In-ho’s Flashback…]
In-ho could tell how friendly, kind, and unassuming you were. He had only known you for days, but through careful observation, he had begun to understand the kind of person you were. Your interactions with others painted a clear picture.
When another player glanced at you and you noticed, you would look back and smile. That simple gesture often left the other person flustered or smiling in return. It was effortless, the way you made people feel at ease.
Whenever you spoke with Jun-hee, your hand would often drift toward her hair, brushing through it with a tender touch. When she asked why, or if something was wrong with her hair, you would simply laugh and say you liked messing with people’s hair. It was a harmless joke, but Jun-hee knew better. You weren’t messing with her hair. You were combing it gently, absentmindedly offering comfort through the smallest gestures. And she let you because she understood. It was just your way of showing care.
It wasn’t just with Jun-hee. You had a way of making everyone feel seen. If someone was nervous, you reassured them. If one was isolated in the group, you included them. If someone preferred silence, you stayed silent. Your kindness wasn’t just in words; it was in your actions, the way you instinctively reached out, making those around you feel safe.
But In-ho wondered. Would that kindness persist when your life is at risk? He wanted to see you in such a situation.
Would you still be as caring toward others if it meant putting yourself in danger? If players turned on one another to reduce the numbers, if it became a fight for survival, would you cling to your kindness? Or would you prove what In-ho already knew about humanity? That when it came down to it, people were selfish, greedy, and willing to sacrifice anyone to save themselves? The only real difference was how well one could hide that truth.
On another note, your friendliness made others naturally gravitate toward you. You were like home – warm and welcoming. Helpful. People sought you out, drawn to the ease with which you carried yourself. So it didn’t surprise In-ho to see other players striking up conversations with you, especially those who had questionable intentions.
That evening, you excused yourself to go to the bathroom, even asking Jun-hee if she wanted to go too. But Jun-hee smiled and declined, leaving you to go alone to the female’s restroom.
And, as always, In-ho watched.
Fifteen minutes had passed, and In-ho grew concerned. Amidst Jung-bae’s recounting of his past antics, In-ho found himself glancing around, wondering what was taking you so long to return.
Then again, he reminded himself – you were a woman. Men usually went to the restroom, handled their business, washed their hands, and left. Women, on the other hand, often took longer. He had learned this from years of living with his late wife, recognizing the small habits and routines that differed.
Still, an uneasy feeling settled in his chest. He forced himself to focus back on the conversation between Jung-bae and Dae-ho, while Gi-hun, seated nearby, sat silently with his gaze down, glowering.
After staring at him quietly, In-ho then tilted his head back up. And his entire face fell.
Near the entrance of the female restroom, he saw you and you weren’t alone. Three men surrounded you. Their stances seemed imposing as if they were cornering you without touching you.
His heartbeat spiked. He zeroed in on your expression.
You looked anxious. Your posture screamed discomfort, your hands tense at your sides. You wanted to step away, to put space between yourself and them but every time you shifted, they followed, subtly blocking your path.
In-ho had seen enough.
He pushed himself up from his seat and strode toward them. Adrenaline already coursed through his veins. He braced himself, ready to subdue these three boys if needed to, just as he had when he put a certain purple-haired punk and his lizard-faced lackey in their place.
As In-ho closed the distance, he caught the tail end of the conversation between you and the three boys.
“Just a quick chat with us. You’ve been hanging out with those uncles all day. Switch it up for a bit,” one of them said, and In-ho immediately pegged him as the ringleader.
His friend chimed in, “Yeah, come on. We’re not asking for much. Just a little time to get to know you better.”
“Exactly. It’s not like we’re asking you to stay forever. Just stop by. We’ve got a good spot over there,” the third one added.
The smile on your face was tight, forced. “I appreciate the offer, but really, I need to get back. Maybe another time.”
“Why not now?” the ringleader pressed.
That was when In-ho finally spoke, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. “She said no.”
The group’s attention snapped to him, frozen under his presence. His voice was sharp and final. His dark glare bore into the ringleader.
Fear flashed across the ringleader’s face but he covered it up quickly, forcing a casual front. “Oh, hey. We just want to have a chat with her. It’s okay, right?”
In-ho didn’t slow his pace. He closed the remaining gap, stepping between you and the ringleader intentionally. You ended up behind him, entirely shielded by his body. His gaze never wavered from the ringleader – player 299.
“You’re pressuring her. That’s not how conversations work,” he said, voice even but carrying an edge.
Silence settled between the group. The ringleader’s friends exchanged uneasy glances. A moment ago, they had been bold, confident, enjoying cornering you. Now, they looked like hyenas caught in the presence of a lion. Ready to bolt the second he moved.
The ringleader stared at In-ho, his expression flickering between defiance and calculation. He wanted to fight back, to act as if he wasn’t intimidated. But he knew better. Everyone in this room had seen what In-ho was capable of. The way he handled the purple-haired rapper and his lackey had been a clear message.
Forcing a smile, the ringleader raised his hands mockingly. “Alright, alright. I get it. I apologize. I didn’t realize I was being forceful.”
He tried to peek around In-ho’s shoulder, calling your name. That ticked something inside him.
“Sorry about that,” the ringleader added as if he expected his words to smooth over the situation.
In-ho’s glare hardened, silencing him into submission. His blood boiled at the audacity of these boys, thinking they could corner and coerce you. There was no respect from boys nowadays. They were like dogs, preying on any girl who smiled at them out of mere politeness.
Without a word, In-ho turned to you. His expression softened instinctively. “Let’s go.”
He led you back toward your group. You followed quietly, and though you hadn’t said anything, he could feel the tension in you. You had noticed how rigid he was, how his shoulders remained tense even as he walked.
Just before reaching the others, he suddenly stopped and turned. His hand came up, gently grasping your forearm. You looked up at him, the dormitory noise fading into the background as your eyes met.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice quieter now.
You nodded. “Yes. Thank you.”
But he didn’t let go. There was something else gnawing at him.
“How does he know your name?” he asked. His voice carried a slight edge.
“He asked during the voting earlier,” you replied simply. “We were in the crowd, and he came over and introduced himself.”
Your answer was clear, direct. No hesitation. No nonsense. He appreciated that.
But those boys had approached you before? Right behind his back? Literally?
In-ho scoffed inwardly, his expression betraying nothing. Who do they think they are, asking for your name? He thought. Immature, desperate, like perverted dogs pressuring a girl simply because she was kind to them. They didn’t deserve you.
You deserved someone who could lead and guide you. Someone mature, someone who wouldn’t take advantage of your kindness. A man who could take care of everything so you wouldn’t have to think twice about anything. You deserved stability, protection, and ease – things those boys could never offer.
His gaze lingered on yours longer than intended, and for the first time, he truly took in your features. Your eyes – so striking, so expressive – held him in place, and he found himself appreciating them in a way he hadn’t before.
Then his gaze drifted downward.
Your lips. Soft, plump, even with the dry cracks from dehydration in this place. A thought flickered through his mind before he caught himself. His jaw tensed and he quickly averted his gaze, shifting to your left eye before ultimately lowering his eyes altogether.
“If those boys bother you again, tell me,” he said.
You didn’t answer immediately, and the silence made him glance at you again. Your expression was unreadable at first but then he saw it. You were stunned. As though you hadn’t expected him to say that. It’s as if his words had landed somewhere deep inside you.
But then something changed.
You withdrew. Not just in expression, but in movement. You stepped back, putting space between you both. Then, your tone was polite but firm when you spoke, “Thanks, but don’t worry. I can take care of myself.”
He said nothing.
For the first time in a long time, In-ho felt thrown off balance. He had seen hesitation before, seen people second-guess their words or actions. But this was different. This was retreat.
It was as if you no longer wanted to be associated with him.
And that realization stung in a way he hadn’t expected.
Could it be that you were acting this way because of Gi-hun? Because you knew he had a wife?
Had Gi-hun really ruined everything?
Without waiting for a response, you walked away and rejoined the group. You sat next to Jun-hee, keeping your focus on the others, pretending not to look in his direction. But In-ho wasn’t fooled. He saw it. And he sat there, staring at you in stunned silence.
The next few hours were awkward between you both. Jung-bae and Dae-ho kept the conversations lively, jumping from topic to topic, and you always joined in. At one point, In-ho interjected, responding to something you said, hoping you would acknowledge him.
Imagine his surprise when you merely gave him a polite, forced smile before turning to someone else and changing the subject entirely. No one else noticed, but he did.
He knew right away. You were distancing yourself from him. For your own sake, for his, and for his late wife’s. That had to be it.
In-ho clenched his jaw, suppressing the frustration brewing inside him. He wanted to tell you the truth – that his wife had passed years ago.  But the two of you needed privacy so he could tell you that. He wanted to tell you that after his wife and baby’s death, he trapped himself in isolation. He wanted to tell you that your presence had been the first real thing to pull him out of it. That, if anything, he just wanted to exist near you for as long as he could… until your true nature reveals itself, and your elimination inevitably follows.
Because at this point he still believed that.
He still thought that, at your core, you were no different from anyone else. That your kindness, your warmth, was just a mask – just like his. He wanted to wait and see. To prove himself right.
But how could he bask in your presence if you are already slipping away?
***
“We need to take turns keeping watch after lights-out. I’ll take the first watch. The rest of you should decide the order,” Gi-hun said as he adjusted the mattress beneath a bed.
Dae-ho pointed out, “Other than that, we have to figure out who’s sleeping where.”
After he, Jun-hee, and Jung-bae claimed their spots, In-ho turned to you. He noticed the way you were contemplating your choice, eyes scanning the available spaces.
With a soft voice, measured and polite, he asked, “Which spot do you want to take?”
You glanced around before finally pointing. “I’ll take the middle floor.”
In-ho followed your gaze, noting the empty mattresses on either side of your chosen spot. If he took either one, it would place him close to you – perhaps too close. He wondered if that would make you uncomfortable. But you had already made your decision.
“I’ll sleep under the bed on your left,” he said. “That means Gi-hun will take the one on your right.”
Dae-ho nodded. “Now we just have to decide the order for keeping watch.”
“I’ll take the second watch, after Gi-hun,” Jung-bae volunteered.
“Third watch here,” Dae-ho raised his hand.
As In-ho stepped closer to collect the extra pillows and blanket from your arms, you spoke up unexpectedly, “Can I keep watch too?”
He didn’t have to look up to know that everyone in the group was staring at you in surprise. As he took the pillows and blanket from your hands, causing the brief brush of your fingers against his, you helped handing them to him gently. Then you added, “How about the last watch? I can wake up early.”
Dae-ho was the first to respond. “Ladies don’t have to. You and Jun-hee should take a full rest.”
“Yeah, no need for you to worry about keeping watch,” Jung-bae added. “We’ve got this.”
You hesitated. In-ho, on the other hand, quietly placed the pillows and blanket onto your plain mattress.
“But it’s fine if I take the last watch,” you said, lowering your gaze. “I want to freshen up before the next game anyway.”
An idea formed in In-ho’s mind. Before anyone else could refute your offer, he straightened up and spoke, “Okay, you take the last watch.”
Everyone turned to him in confusion. In-ho glanced at the others briefly before settling his gaze on you.
“I’ll take the fourth watch, after Dae-ho,” he continued. “Then it’s your turn. But I’ll keep watch with you. It’s not safe for you to do it alone.”
The group accepted his suggestion and went back to adjusting their mattresses. In-ho caught the flicker of conflict on your face before he turned to his own mattress. He knew you wanted to distance yourself from him. And yet, here he was, making sure he still had moments with you. He could tell you were conflicted. But you didn’t reject him outright, and that was enough.
That night, sleep didn’t come to him immediately. He lay still, eyes closed, waiting for exhaustion to pull him under. But then, he heard Jun-hee get up from her mattress, quietly asking Gi-hun for permission to go to the bathroom. A moment later, you got up to accompany her.
Many minutes passed before the two of you returned with Player 149 in tow. After tucking the flushed-face Jun-hee in, you and Gi-hun bid Player 149 good night, and she left.
In-ho assumed you would go back to your mattress. But instead, you sat down next to Gi-hun on the floor and asked him about his previous game.
In-ho became fully alert. Any trace of drowsiness vanished. Now, he was intrigued. You and Gi-hun had barely spoken before, and yet here you were, finally engaging in a private conversation.
He wondered what kind of discussion you would have. Would Gi-hun tell you about his past experiences? Would he reveal his reason for returning? Would he reveal his plan to you? Worse, would he mention his suspicions about him?
Nonetheless, it was better to let them talk.
At first, Gi-hun didn’t respond. The silence stretched, and In-ho watched as you hesitated, disappointment flickering across your face. He almost thought that was the end of it.
But then, to his mild astonishment, Gi-hun spoke.
He told you about his previous time in these games, about the friendships he formed, the games he played, and the brutal reality of being pitted against his late best friend in the final round.
“This place turns everyone into something they’re not,” Gi-hun said. “It doesn’t matter how strong your friendship is. The games are designed to break it.”
Still clinging to that, player 456? In-ho mused darkly.
It wasn’t the games that changed people. The games merely revealed what was already there. Stripped away the pretense. Put lives on the line and exposed the rot beneath. This place didn’t break people. It forced them to confront their own selfishness.
The conversation shifted to the additional rule – the ability for players to vote after every game.
You were surprised, of course. The last time Gi-hun was here, that option hadn’t existed.
“And I have a feeling why the overseer of this game made that change,” Gi-hun said.
“Why?” you asked, curiosity lacing your voice.
“He wanted to prove to me that it’s not the games’ fault that players die,” Gi-hun murmured. “It’s the players themselves. They’re the ones who choose to stay in this game, no matter how much they earn or how high the stakes get.”
A slow smirk almost curled onto In-ho’s lips. Exactly. So, he noticed. But does he realize how wrong he is and his naïve idealism?
“Who is… the overseer of this game?” you asked, your voice barely above a whisper, but even in the hushed silence of the dormitory, In-ho heard it clearly.
Gi-hun replied, “The one who controls this game. I’m sure the guards call him Captain.”
In-ho’s entire face fell. His body stiffened. How does he know that?
Only insiders or the guards knew about that title. Had he overheard some careless guard mention it? If so, those guards had been reckless.
But then the realization struck him.
Jun-ho. Of course.
The evening before the first game, after Gi-hun eliminated the recruiter, went to the club and entered his limousine, there had been other cars trailing behind. But In-ho had been three steps ahead. His pink guards had sniped the tires of those vehicles, eliminating pursuit. The guards then relayed the intel to him afterward, even the appearance of those pursuers.
One of the stalkers was his brother – Jun-ho. The guard took a picture of him so clearly because he got out of his useless car and stood there. He must be listening to the conversation in the limousine through the recorder Gi-hun had brought with him.
Not only that.
His guard – who was the one responsible for transporting new players through the private ferry – had also informed him about Jun-ho’s persistent attempts to locate the island. The guard had been unable to return to duty because Jun-ho kept looking for him for help finding the island. In-ho then ordered him to take some time off, to ensure Jun-ho never got any closer. String him along until he gives up.
So, Gi-hun and Jun-ho were working together to find the island and apprehend me.
In-ho’s expression darkened. Jun-ho must have told Gi-hun a lot, but not everything.
He didn’t tell him who the Front Man really is.
Jun-ho, his younger half-brother, had withheld the most crucial piece of information. If he had shown Gi-hun a picture or even mentioned his name, Gi-hun would have reacted the moment he saw him. He would have screamed, raged, done something.
But he hadn’t.
For now, his identity was still safe.
“Gi-hun, how do you know so much?” you asked him.
“I came back here for a reason,” Gi-hun replied. “I will do whatever it takes to prove to this ‘Captain’… that the world has changed.”
You tilted your head slightly. “Have you met this Captain?”
“Not directly,” he admitted. “But he sees us like horses. Trash, he said. We are just mere trash to him.”
In-ho remained silent. Humanity, when pushed to the corner, revealed its ugliest side. He had seen it in the players, in the VIPs, in everyone who had stepped into this place thinking they could win their way out. The rot had always been there. This game merely stripped away the illusion.
Then Gi-hun’s posture eased. His voice softened as he told you that you reminded him of someone – a friend he had made in this place named Ali. In-ho knew exactly who he was talking about. A foreigner, rare among the players.
“He must have been a kind guy,” you said gently. There was warmth in your tone. In-ho could hear your smile even without looking.
“One of the kindest I’ve ever met,” Gi-hun admitted. “He trusted too easily, though.”
“Is that why I reminded you of him? Because I trust too easily?”
“No,” Gi-hun said. “It’s because you’re all smiles and helpful, even in this dark place. He didn’t make it. But he showed me that even in the darkest times, there’s room for kindness.”
Silence settled between you two, heavy yet not uncomfortable. In-ho opened his eyes and glanced over.
You and Gi-hun were smiling at each other. Warm, understanding smiles. Like something between you had clicked into place, like you had grown closer in a matter of minutes.
Something dark twisted inside In-ho.
***
Finally, it was your turn to keep watch. In-ho gently woke you up, but the moment your eyes opened, he noticed how red they were. Guilt settled deep in his chest. He hated waking you when you clearly needed rest.
Yet even when he offered to take over your shift, you refused. You forced yourself to stay awake, even as exhaustion weighed heavily on you, your eyes still half-lidded with fatigue.
He told you to wash your face, to at least wake yourself up properly. Again, you refused. You explained how difficult it had been for you and Jun-hee to convince the guard to let you use the restroom earlier, and you didn’t want to deal with that again.
But In-ho needed you fully awake before he initiated the conversation he had planned.
So he led you to the door leading to the restroom. Once the two of you stood before it, In-ho knocked. No response. He knocked again, and finally, a soldier appeared behind the circular window.
In-ho met the soldier’s masked gaze without hesitation. “She needs to use the restroom. Let her in.”
The words came out too commanding, too firm – dangerously out of place for someone who was supposed to be just another player.
The soldier stared at him in silence before sliding the window shut. Glancing at you, In-ho caught the flicker of confusion on your face.
A few seconds later, the door opened. The same soldier stood there, now flanked by two more guards.
In-ho turned to you. “Go. I’ll keep watch for you.”
You stepped inside. As you moved past the guards, In-ho’s gaze darkened, turning toward them.
His voice was low, firm, instinctual. “Guard her.”
Your head snapped back toward him, startled. In-ho realized – again – how naturally the order had left his mouth. Years of command couldn’t be erased overnight. Whenever he interacted with his guards, that part of him always surfaced.
And he had let it slip again.
In-ho watched as the guards positioned themselves, one in front and one behind, guiding you toward the female’s restroom. His gaze lingered on the soldier left guarding the door, noting the way he stiffened and instinctively lowered his head in his presence. Satisfied, In-ho finally turned away as the door shut behind him.
It didn’t take long for you to return. Without hesitation, you sat beside him on the floor.
“If I’d known the guards wouldn’t deny you bathroom access earlier, I would have woken you up,” you muttered. “When Jun-hee, the mother, Hyun-ju, and I went earlier, the guards denied us entry. Twice.”
In-ho remained silent, watching you as you spoke, simply taking in your presence. There was something grounding about you, something he had no business feeling in a place like this.
“The mother had to yell, ‘What did I do in my previous life?’ to finally make them let us in,” you added.
A chuckle escaped his lips. Light, genuine. He hadn’t expected that. He realized how human he felt whenever he spoke with you. For brief moments, you made him forget what he was – who he was. The way you told stories, the way you joked, it made him feel something he hadn't allowed himself in a long time.
“At least it worked in the end,” he mused, glancing at you with an ease he rarely allowed himself. “But if you or the others ever need to go at times like this, wake me up. I’ll handle it.”
Once silence settled between you two, In-ho finally took the chance to speak about what had been weighing on his mind – his wife. His late wife.
He told you nearly everything. How her condition worsened, how she had been pregnant, how he had borrowed as much money as he could to try to save her. How, after her death, he had felt nothing but anger – at the world, at himself. How he felt suicidal. And how, in the end, he returned to the ‘program’, the only place where he last had a purpose in life.
You piece everything together fairly quick, which made it easier to tell you what no one else knew.
“I was a winner of this game in the year 2015,” he admitted.
Your expression shifted, but you remained silent, waiting.
“I didn't tell Gi-hun. I never told anyone this. I don’t want to be seen as the winner or a hero. All I want is to do these games and… find the slightest bit of purpose in life,” he said.
He swallowed, trying to suppress the tightness in his throat, the emotions clawing their way up.
“I’m sorry for what you’ve gone through,” you murmured softly.
He glanced at you then, feeling the moisture in his eyes begin to dry. “Don’t be. It’s not your fault. Life has a way of… pushing you into corners you didn’t even know existed.”
“Still,” you said, your gaze filled with something raw, something that made his chest tighten, “what you’ve endured… it’s more than anyone should bear.”
“And yet,” he said, exhaling, “in these games, I found something.”
Your wide eyes locked onto his, innocent, questioning. And in that moment, he realized just how intensely he had been staring at you.
Why were you so special?
He had come into these games to spy on Gi-hun, to uncover whatever plan he had been hatching. That was his mission. That was his focus. And yet, somehow, somewhere along the way, that focus had shifted.
It wasn’t just Gi-hun anymore.
It was you.
He wanted to know you. To figure you out. Were you truly as kind as you seemed or was it all just a mask, like everyone else? Was there a point where your goodness would crack, revealing the same selfishness that resided in all human beings?
Is your compassion truly genuine, the kind that you would stop and help a homeless man on a freezing night?
Would you prove him wrong, the way Gi-hun had proven Oh Il-nam wrong? That kindness still existed, that someone would stop to help a homeless man in the cold, even when Il-nam refused to believe it till his last breath? Would In-ho finally witness real change through you?
Would you be the exception to the rule, the one thing that made him believe in something again?
“A purpose,” he finally said, his voice steady, resolved. Yes, he has a purpose now.
You waited, holding your breath.
“I thought it was impossible,” he admitted. “That after everything I’ve been through, after losing my wife, I’d never feel it again. But now…”
Now, he had found something.
Or rather, someone.
“I’ve found something worth protecting in this world,” he finished, his gaze locked onto yours.
“Young-il, if you…” you hesitated, your voice barely above a whisper. “If you mean what I think you mean, you’d have to tell me. I can’t just assume.”
In-ho shifted closer, closing the space between you. “I want to take care of you… not just as a friend, but as something more.”
And as those words left his lips, he knew, deep down, why he had said them.
Because you made him feel human again. Because in your presence, the suffocating emptiness he had lived with for years loosened, even if just slightly. Because for the first time in a long time, he wanted something – someone – for himself, not just for survival, not just for the sake of proving a point, but because he needed you.
And he hoped to God you wouldn't turn out to be as trashy as everyone else. If so, there was no hope for him in humanity anymore.
“I know that this place is hell,” he resumed, staring at you unwaveringly. “It’s not the kind of place anyone should be finding hope. But you… you’ve brought hope. Hope that the world has given me a gift.”
That after so much suffering and isolation, you were the reward. He wondered if his wife knew how miserable he was – if she had somehow sent him an angel to remind him what it was like to feel something real again.
“Young-il…” you softly called him, too in disbelief to say anything else.
“I’m not asking for anything you’re not ready to give. But let me protect you. Not because we’re stuck in this place, but because… I care about you.”
The words felt foreign even as they left his lips. Caring wasn’t something he had allowed himself in years. Not since he buried his wife. Not since he lost himself to this place.
But you were different.
You made him feel human again, something he had sworn he would never allow. You carried warmth where there should have been nothing but cold indifference. You made him want to believe – just for a second – that there was still something worth saving in this world.
Yet, he couldn’t be naive. He wouldn’t be.
Because despite everything, he still wanted to see your true nature.
Was your kindness genuine or was it simply another mask? Would you still be the same when the desperation set in, when the games pushed you to your limits? Or would you prove him right? That, in the end, everyone was just as selfish as the rest?
So he would stay. He would protect you, care for you – but not just because he needed you. Because he wanted to know.
Because if you turned out to be different, if you were truly as good as you seemed… maybe, just maybe, he could believe again.
***
[The next morning…]
Maybe this was what you felt when you had the urge to brush Jun-hee’s hair. Because when In-ho saw a strand of your hair clinging to your cheek, he felt the same pull.
As the two of you walked toward the center of the dormitory to prepare for the next game, he stepped closer, gently tucking the stray strand behind your ear with his left hand.
You were caught off guard. Your shy smile was unexpected, but he responded with a small one of his own. Neither of you spoke as you followed the rest of the group into the center.
You had been right. No wonder you often combed Jun-hee’s hair. It felt good. Affectionate. Natural.
Then, the next game – Mingle – began.
For the first round, your group and Player 120’s teamed up, moving into a room together. As the eliminations started, In-ho didn’t watch the players being taken down. He watched you.
He saw the way your expression fell, the way your body tensed as the shots rang out. You still cared. You still flinched at the loss of strangers.
Was it real? Would it last?
Suddenly, Gi-hun stepped beside you, resting a hand on your shoulder. “You okay?”
In-ho’s gaze snapped to him instantly, taking in the concern in his voice. Something dark stirred inside him. Did Gi-hun really think a single conversation between the two of you gave him that right? That privilege?
The rest of the group spoke words of encouragement, but In-ho tuned them out. His focus was on Gi-hun’s hand. It lingered too long.
Unnecessary. Intrusive. Unwelcome.
“We can manage this as long as we stay calm and stay together,” player 120 said.
“That’s right,” In-ho agreed, stepping to your other side. His arm came around your shoulders, his hand bumping against Gi-hun’s.
Gi-hun hesitated, then slowly withdrew his hand.
In-ho ignored him. Instead, he gave you a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. We’ll prioritize the ladies first.”
All of you left the room once the door was unlocked. In-ho kept to your side as you followed the others toward the platform. That’s when he noticed someone walking a little too close to you.
He glanced over. It was the ringleader of the boys who had cornered you last evening. His gaze was sharp, filled with something between resentment and challenge. His grudge wasn’t just against you – it was against In-ho too.
A flicker of irritation passed through him. He glanced at your face, immediately noticing the concern tightening your features. Feeling that urge again, he wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you slightly closer. You looked up at him, eyes wide in astonishment.
“Ignore them,” he murmured.
You nodded, letting him guide you forward, his arm never loosening. But as he walked, he cast one final glance at the ringleader and his lackeys – a silent, menacing glare that told them everything they needed to know.
When the second round began, your hand instinctively reached for his sleeve again. Just like you had during the first round. It was unconscious, a small act of seeking balance, but it stirred something in him nonetheless. You were like a lost kitten clinging to him for steadiness.
And he found it… endearing.
This time, however, fate pulled him away. He and Gi-hun separated themselves from you and the rest. In-ho remained silent, but he watched Gi-hun closely. Observed the way he moved, the way he placed himself at risk for the others. He was just like you – kind, selfless, frustratingly so.
But In-ho didn’t say a word. He simply watched.
Once the guards finished cleaning up the arena, except for the blood, he and Gi-hun reunited with the others. He expected relief especially from you, but what he didn’t expect was the warmth and happiness from everybody else.
You, Jung-bae, Dae-ho, Jun-hee – all of you welcomed him back with genuine joy. Jung-bae even pulled him into a hug, laughing out of sheer relief. For the first time in years, something in In-ho’s chest loosened.
He felt at ease. He felt at home.
He didn’t miss the way you hesitated, how your hands twitched slightly as if itching to embrace him too but you held back. And that was fine. He knew you valued dignity, that you considered others’ comfort before your own. It was just another thing he had grown to admire about you.
Feeling lighter than he had in a long time, he made a lighthearted joke about how their group of six could actually count as seven if they included Jun-hee’s baby. It caught everyone off guard, laughter spilling from the group. Jung-bae, always quick to add on, cracked another joke, prompting Dae-ho to double over in laughter.
Yeah, it feels nice, In-ho thought.
For the first time in years, he let himself enjoy it.
All of you in the group survived the third round. But the aftermath revealed something far uglier. The mother and son duo had been separated during the round. And from what In-ho gathered after speaking with the mother, the son had willingly left her behind in the arena.
Ah, there it is, In-ho mused darkly. The hidden depravity of humanity.
The son had held his mother’s hand like a devoted child all this time, clinging to her as though she was his entire world. And yet, when the time came, he let her go without a second thought. No hesitation. No regret.
And still, when he returned to her afterward, she forgave him.
In-ho, Gi-hun, and you watched in silence. He could tell you had noticed it too. The way your expression wavered, the way your eyes followed the son with quiet realization. And Gi-hun, he frowned.
The teams merged and the next round came. They all survived. But one of player 120’s acquaintances didn’t make it.
The group had grown larger now. Player 333, 246 named Gyeong-seok, and 380 called Se-mi had all joined, forming a solid unit. They all stayed together for what would soon be the final round.
As the carousel spun with its haunting melody, Jung-bae turned to Gi-hun. “What do you think the number will be for the final round?”
Before Gi-hun could answer, In-ho spoke instead. “Two.”
The moment the word left his lips, he could feel the shift. The entire group turned their eyes toward him, questioning.
Jung-bae tilted his head. “Why?”
“There are 129 people left, and 50 rooms,” In-ho explained. “So there won’t be enough rooms for everyone. Only for 100 people. The rest will be eliminated.”
“If it’s two, then…” you paused, eyes flickering to your friends. Then, urgency laced your voice. “Quick. Pair up. Pair up.”
The others reacted instantly, moving to secure a partner. In-ho remained still, watching.
He had broken his own rule.
Fairness and equality were what he upheld in this place. The games were meant to be unbiased. But this? This was an advantage – an unfair one. He had told them the final round’s required number before it was revealed, giving them a chance to prepare while the others remained clueless.
And yet, he had done it anyway.
Because now, his loyalty to the rules had wavered. He had spent so long enforcing fairness, but now he had something more valuable than rules – something he wanted to protect.
Or rather, someone.
He could call it logic, tell himself it was strategy. But the truth was, it was you.
And for the first time in years, fairness no longer mattered to him as much as you did.
And though he wouldn't say it out loud, he had grown unexpectedly attached to the whole group.
Meanwhile, In-ho felt a gentle tug on his left sleeve. He didn’t need to look to know it was you. Even as you faced forward, focused on the rooms ahead, your fingers curled around the fabric of his jacket.
His gaze flickered down to your hand.
For a moment, he simply observed and felt the warmth of your grasp, the quiet way you sought him out without words. Then, with a slow movement, he reached over with his right hand, gently prying your fingers from his sleeve.
A flicker of confusion crossed your face, though you didn’t speak. He could feel it, the way you hesitated, wondering what he was doing.
Then, without a word, his left hand reached for yours. And instead of letting go, he intertwined his fingers with yours, clasping your hand in a firm, steady hold.
His grip wasn’t possessive, but protective. He didn’t need to say anything. He just held on. And that was enough.
Suddenly, the platform lurched to a stop, and the music cut off abruptly. Then, just as quickly, the blaring fast-paced tune resumed, flashing red and purple lights bathing the room in chaos. The announcer’s voice rang through the madness: “Two.”
Without hesitation, In-ho tightened his hold around your hand and pulled you forward, weaving through the frantic players. But before you could reach safety, something ripped you away from him.
Your hand slipped from his grasp.
In-ho barely had time to react before two men barreled into him, their shoulders slamming against his chest. The force sent him crashing to the ground. The impact jarred him, but his focus was singular.
You.
“Young-il!” your panicked scream cut through the chaos, and his blood ran cold.
His head snapped toward you just in time to see the stupid boys' ringleader's smug face as he yanked you back. The bastard had his arms locked around your waist, dragging you toward a different room. Your furious thrashing made it difficult, but the ringleader held firm.
Rage ignited in In-ho’s chest. His vision sharpened, his body tensed.
That fucker had made the worst mistake of his life.
But before he could get up from the floor, the ringleader's friends were on him, shoving him back down with force. They ganged up on him, pressing their weight against his shoulders, knocking him flat. They definitely underestimated him, seeing only an older man – one they thought would be easy to overpower.
The ringleader's friends then scrambled off him and bolted toward their leader. In-ho wasted no time. He pushed himself off the ground with force, his body surging forward the moment he regained his footing.
His sharp gaze locked onto them just as they reached the ringleader, who was struggling to drag you toward an unoccupied room. They grabbed at your arms and legs, forcing you through the doorway. In-ho's pulse pounded in his ears. With every ounce of speed he could muster, he sprinted toward them.
The ringleader's friends were about to leave to find another room. But before they could fully escape, In-ho appeared. He caught up to the nearest one and grabbed him by the hair and slammed his head against the wall just outside. A sickening crack thundered. The force of the impact sent the man crumpling to the ground, unmoving. 
In-ho barely spared him a glance.
His focus was already shifting. He stepped into the doorway, his gaze locking onto the second lackey. Without hesitation, he delivered a devastating punch to the man’s face. A sharp crunch followed as the impact shattered his nose. The lackey dropped instantly, groaning in pain as blood gushed between his fingers.
“Shit!” the ringleader hissed, tightening his grip around you like a shield.
In-ho’s eyes darkened as he took in the scene. Your arms trapped, your body pressed against the boy's unwillingly. He could see it in your posture, in the way your body tensed, the way your breath quickened. Fear. Frustration.
This fucker was holding you like a prize.
That was enough to make something snap inside him.
“Let her go,” In-ho commanded, his voice cold, his tone brooking no argument.
“Fuck no!” the ringleader spat, his tone laced with desperation. “If you want her alive, then go and find another room!”
In-ho didn’t move. He assessed. He calculated. The room was small, the timer ticking down in the background. One wrong move, and that boy might try to use you as leverage.
The ringleader's voice wavered as he shouted again, “So what will it be?!”
Before In-ho could act, you did.
Quick, decisive, brutal. Your right hand shot downward, seizing the boy's precious part in a vice grip. His agonized scream ripped through the air as his body curled inward. He released you instantly, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
You stumbled free, gasping, stepping away. But before the bastard could recover, before he could even think about retaliating, In-ho lunged.
His fist connected with the boy's jaw, sending him reeling back. In-ho didn’t let up. Another punch, this one to his ribs. A third to his temple. Each hit was calculated, controlled. No wasted movement. Just cold precision fueled by rage.
“Quick!” In-ho heard you shout. “Shove him out!”
In-ho didn’t listen. He had no intention of shoving the scum anywhere. Instead, he locked his arms around the man’s neck from behind, maneuvering him into a chokehold. As he crouched low, the boy's struggling body bent under his control, submission inevitable.
You froze, wide-eyed, watching him. Watching the way he moved without hesitation. Without mercy.
The timer ticked down, each second tightening the tension in the room. Through the chaos, In-ho caught your gaze from behind the ringleader's head. Your eyes met his, and in that moment, he knew you saw it – his quiet fury, the focused, unrelenting force behind his actions.
One second left.
With a sharp, calculated shift of his arms, a sickening crack echoed through the room. The bastard's head twisted unnaturally to the side.
The long, piercing beep signaled the end of the round.
The boy's lifeless body slumped to the floor. In-ho released his grip, letting his hands fall limply onto the dead man’s chest. His breath came heavy, his hair damp against his forehead, but his eyes remained locked on you. Unblinking. Unreadable.
The silence in the room stretched, suffocating.
You tore your gaze away first, unable to hold his stare. Your eyes dropped to the floor, your body trembling. He noticed every detail – the way your arms shook, the way your breath hitched. He wondered what exactly had unsettled you the most.
Was it because of him and what he did? The side of him you had just seen? Unfiltered, merciless, the part of himself he had long since accepted. Did the way he executed the ringleader shake you?
Did you finally realize? That you're seeing him for what he truly was?
And if you did, would you ever be able to see him any other way?
In-ho saw it. Your trembling form, the way you refused to meet his gaze. He exhaled slowly, standing from where he had crouched over the fucker’s lifeless body. He turned toward you, his shadow stretching across the floor.
He watched you, assessing. And finally, he spoke your name.
You flinched slightly at the sound but you still didn’t look up. He took a slow step forward, then another, stopping just in front of you. Crouching down, he brought himself to your level, close enough that you could feel his presence.
“Look at me.”
When you didn’t, his hand hovered for a moment before resting gently on your trembling arm.
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he murmured. “But I wasn’t going to let him…”
He trailed off, his jaw tightening. He turned his head slightly as if forcing himself to shake off the thought of what had almost happened to you. Of what that bastard had tried to do.
Slowly, hesitantly, you lifted your gaze to meet his.
Your eyes, still clouded with emotion, searched his. But what did you see? The cold, ruthless man who had executed someone without hesitation? Or the man who had laughed with you whenever you made him feel a genuine human connection?
A shaky whimper escaped you, your voice barely holding steady. “You didn’t have to kill him. You could have just shoved him out of the room.”
In-ho held your gaze, his expression unreadable. Then, he nodded slightly as if acknowledging your words. He was not agreeing, not refuting. Without a word, he stepped closer. And before you could react, his arms encircled you, pulling you into a firm embrace.
His grip was unwavering, his warmth a stark contrast to the cold efficiency with which he had ended a life just moments ago.
He had killed to protect you.
In-ho rested his chin gently atop your head, feeling the way your face pressed against the crook of his neck. Your warmth against him, the quiet rise and fall of your breath, lulled him and his heartbeat.
“If I shoved him out,” he murmured, “he would’ve died anyway. The guards would have shot him. At least this way… it was on my terms. Not theirs.”
His words vibrated softly against your cheek, but he could feel your body tense in response. He exhaled slowly, lowering his voice even further.
“Let me protect you in this hell,” he continued. “I’m doing this because I care about you.”
And it was the truth. He didn’t say things like this lightly. He had spent years closing himself off, but here, now, you had become the one thing he didn’t want to lose. The one thing that he wanted to keep watch over.
He could tell his words hit you deeply. He could feel it in the way your breathing changed, in the way you hesitated. Your arms hung limply at your sides as if you were uncertain, overwhelmed by everything – fear, relief, the weight of what had just happened.
Sensing that hesitation, he loosened his hold, just slightly. His hand moved, fingers tilting your chin upward so your wide, startled eyes met his. Then, without a word, he leaned in, brushing his lips softly against yours. It was brief. Just two fleeting seconds of contact. But the moment he pulled back, your stunned expression rooted him in place.
“Sorry,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “I thought I was going to lose you. So now, I’m not going to waste any more time.”
Before you could find the words to respond, he moved again.
This time, he didn’t hold back. His arms pulled you in, his grip firm, his lips capturing yours with a desperate certainty. Again and again, his kisses deepened, each one more urgent than the last. His hand slid up, fingers threading through your hair, tilting your head just enough to give him more access.
In-ho felt the way your body tensed at first, the hesitation before your arms slowly wrapped around his back. Your fingers curled into the fabric of his jacket, gripping onto him like he was your only tether to safety.
Even as he kissed you deeply, he felt you tense up. He could feel in the way your breath hitched, in the way your body pressed into his but your mind remained elsewhere. He knew what was creeping into your thoughts, the doubt gnawing at the edges of this moment.
You had witnessed it firsthand. The ruthlessness in his movements, the precision with which he had ended someone's life. No hesitation. No remorse. You must be thinking if this was how he had survived his 2015 game. Cold, calculating, unsympathetic.
Did you finally realize what he had always known? That there were parts of him that could never be understood, never be softened. He could sense that doubt clinging to you like a shadow.
And In-ho? He wasn’t sure whether to reassure you… or let you see the truth.
***
The square guard stepped forward and announced, “Congratulations to all of you for making it through the third game. Now, here are the results of the third game.”
After a series of announcements, the TV screen finally displayed the numbers. 100 players remaining. The accumulated prize money had reached 35.6 billion won. If distributed equally, each player would walk away with 356 million won.
In-ho didn’t need to glance at you to know you were stunned by the figure. He could already sense it in the way your breath hitched and in the subtle widening of your eyes. That amount was enough to change your life and to erase the burdens you carried.
Your group, along with the other players, gathered toward the back of the dormitory as the square guard finished his announcement. The voting counters were being set up now, the process feeling eerily familiar.
Standing amidst the crowd, lost in thought, you didn’t seem to notice when he spoke.
“I’m glad.”
His voice was steady, calm, but there was something deeper beneath it. When you turned to him, he let a small smile tug at his lips. “At this amount, you can pay all of your debts.”
The way your face lit up made something tighten in his chest.
“Yeah,” you breathed, a grin spreading across your face. “Now I want nothing more than to go back home. My little sister must be worried.”
His gaze lingered on you.
“What are you going to do with the remaining millions?” he asked, his curiosity sincere.
You looked away briefly but the smile on your lips remained. “I’d use it to give my family a fresh start. My parents have endured so much. They’ve sacrificed everything for us. I’m going to give it all to them.”
Turning back to him, your warm smile deepened. “They deserve it.”
In-ho held your gaze for a moment, studying the quiet certainty in your eyes. The weight of your words settled in him, something unspoken twisting in his chest.
A rare kind of person, he thought.
His small smile grew as he murmured, “It’s rare to see someone who thinks so selflessly, even in a place like this.”
And for the first time in a long time, he almost wished he could believe in goodness again.
That’s when you looked up at him, your voice soft, laced with hesitation. “Young-il, if we manage to get a majority of X votes and we get to leave… will we still keep in touch?”
In-ho felt something shift.
You weren’t just thinking about escaping. You were thinking about after. About something beyond these walls.
His lips curled into a subtle smile as he held your gaze, letting the silence stretch between you both. He could see the uncertainty in your eyes, the flicker of hope you tried to keep hidden.
“Of course,” he finally said, smiling slightly. “Once we win the majority vote, give me your phone number and address. I’ll contact you.”
The way your face lit up sent something unexpected coursing through him. It was warmth, unguarded and genuine, something he wasn’t used to receiving.
He was taken aback too. You had seen what he was capable of. The way he had ended a life. The way he had done it without hesitation, without flinching.
That should have terrified you. It should have made you run.
But instead, you smiled at him so trustingly. So openly.
***
In the end, the voting resulted in a tie. The manager announced that another vote would take place tomorrow, giving the players time to reconsider their decisions.
As the players dispersed, In-ho walked alongside you, heading back to the usual corner where your group gathered. He was lost in thought when your voice suddenly pulled him back.
“Why were you taking so long to vote X?” you asked, exasperation laced in your tone. “You nearly gave me a heart attack.”
A chuckle escaped him. He had expected you to be curious, but he wasn’t prepared for the dramatic follow-up.
“If you’d voted O, I would’ve screamed and died on the spot,” you added, frowning in exaggerated dismay. “That would’ve been my way out of this game.”
That made him laugh. A genuine laugh that he hadn’t let out in years.
There it was again. That feeling. You made him feel human.
You reminded him of something he had buried a long time ago – the warmth of companionship, the simple joy of lighthearted conversation. In a place filled with desperation and greed, you were the anomaly.
Glancing at you, he took in the small pout on your face and shook his head. Without thinking, his left hand lifted, fingers threading gently through your hair as he brushed the back of your head.
“Sorry,” In-ho said, the smile lingering on his lips. “I was just thinking about something else.”
“What were you thinking about?” you asked immediately.
As the two of you slowed your pace, nearing the familiar corner where your group usually gathered, his gaze shifted around the room. He wasn’t just glancing. He was observing. Taking in every surviving player, their body language, their unspoken intentions.
His smile faded slightly as he finally spoke. “I was wondering why so many people still insist on staying. They already have a share of 356 million. It’s enough to start over, right? I don’t know their reasons, but… it says a lot about this world.”
He could feel your silent stare, the way his words settled in your mind, forcing you to confront the same questions.
“It’s frustrating,” he murmured, his voice quieter. “If everyone got one billion, would they finally vote to leave? Or would they insist on staying here?”
He let the question hang in the air before bringing his gaze back to you, his expression solemn. “If everyone knew about Jun-hee and her pregnancy, would that change their minds? Would they vote X for her sake? Or would they judge her for being here?”
He saw the weight of his words settle onto your shoulders. Your face told him everything. Concern, uncertainty, a flicker of realization.
���This place exposes who you really are,” he said, his tone edged with quiet certainty. “People can’t hide forever when they’re pushed to their limits. Even those who think they’re good, moral people… they find out just how far they’re willing to go when it’s their life on the line.”
He had seen it before. Over and over again. In these games, morality was a fragile thing, easily shattered when desperation took hold.
Then, without much thought, his hand moved. The back of his fingers brushed lightly against your head, his touch barely there before his fingers wove softly through your hair.
It was an unconscious gesture, something he shouldn’t have allowed himself. But he did.
And when you turned your gaze to him, he was already watching you, a small smile playing at his lips.
“This place also shows who can hold onto kindness, even when everything around them turns to chaos,” he said.
The words lingered between you. He saw the way they resonated, the way warmth flickered in your eyes despite the shadows that threatened to consume everything. Then, you smiled back at him.
“That’s you, though.”
In-ho’s gaze lingered on you, his faint smile faltering before disappearing altogether. He stared, unmoving, as your words settled in.
Your smile remained genuine, unwavering like a candle burning steady against the wind.
“You’re kind, too,” you continued, voice steady. “You stay calm when everyone else is panicking, and you’re always the first to tell us to stay grounded. When player 333 was being bullied, you stepped in...”
You lifted your hands, a playful attempt to mimic his movements from that moment. “You were like a police officer in this place. Fair and protective.”
His chest tightened. He hadn’t expected that. He never told you this, but a long time ago, he had been exactly that – a police officer. He had devoted his youth to it, believing in the job, in the duty, in the justice it was meant to uphold. Until he tried to save his wife by borrowing money. And just like that, it had all been taken from him. Fired. Cast aside. The devastation of that moment had never truly left him.
So when you said that, it was like striking a match inside him. Something buried deep, something he had locked away for years, flared to life. He had spent so long convincing himself that his past was dead, that the man who once swore to protect and serve had been erased the day he was cast out. And yet, here you were, seeing him for something he hadn’t believed he could be anymore. Fair. Protective. Good.
The words cracked through his defenses like a fault line splitting open, and for the first time in years, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to put them back together.
His eyes remained locked onto you, searching, waiting for uncertainty or manipulation. An ulterior motive. But it never came. The silence between you stretched. You tilted your head slightly, puzzled by his lack of response, but your expression never wavered.
Finally, he exhaled.
A small, almost reluctant smile returned to his lips. His gaze flickered between your left and right eye, then briefly to your lips before dropping to the floor. A quiet chuckle escaped him as he lifted a hand, pressing it lightly against your back. A simple gesture, guiding you forward.
“You’re too kind for this world, really,” he murmured, mostly to himself.
In-ho believed that kindness was a weakness in this world. That it was something people pretended to have until survival demanded otherwise. But you… somehow, you kept proving him wrong. You saw something in him that he had long buried, something he wasn’t sure he even wanted to believe in again. And yet, with every word you spoke, every genuine smile you gave, you chipped away at the armor and mask he had built around himself. He wasn’t sure if that terrified him or if, for the first time in a long while, it made him feel something close to hope.
***
[Back to present…]
“It appears a player is giving birth.”
Your breath caught. Your fingers froze over the console. Your eyes widened.
Jun-hee is giving birth.
A sharp, instinctual panic shot through you, locking your body in place as the reality of the words hit. Out of all the possible situations, this was something you hadn’t prepared for.
Your hands trembled as you hastily shifted your attention back to the live feed. The X zone was in a state of a growing chaos, players moving frantically. Your heart pounded as you scanned for Jun-hee, hoping that this was some kind of misunderstanding.
But it wasn’t.
Amidst the disorder, you spotted her. Jun-hee was lying on one of the bunk beds, her body curled inward, arms cradling her swollen belly protectively. Her face was twisted in agony, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead. The players surrounding her were panicked. Beneath her, a darkened wet patch stained the mattress. Her water had broken.
Dread coiled in your stomach. This wasn’t just dangerous. It was life-threatening. She needed medical attention. Proper care. But there were no doctors here, no sterile rooms or trained professionals. Just frightened, helpless players who had no idea what to do. But there is Yong-sik's mother.
But would the guards step in? Would they allow an emergency intervention? Or would they simply force Jun-hee to get up and continue with the game?
Then, as if sensing your internal turmoil, he spoke in his deep, distorted voice. “Manager 007 and 009.”
Your breath hitched. Slowly, you turned your head, meeting the dark gaze of the Front Man’s mask staring back at you.
“Handle this.”
His words were simple. Clear. And they sent a wave of cold understanding through you. In-ho was giving you permission to intervene. Whatever you wanted to do, he gave you a green light.
Yet, he assigned another manager to accompany you. Was this his way of ensuring you followed 009’s lead? A silent instruction to observe rather than act? Or to be careful? You couldn’t be sure, but questioning it wouldn’t change the fact that you had a chance to intervene.
You nodded stiffly and pushed yourself up from the seat, forcing steady steps away from the monitor. Manager 009 followed suit. Without a word, the two of you made your way to the door.
As you rushed alongside 009 toward the dormitory, your mind raced. How would you approach this without drawing too much attention? In-ho had warned you not to act rashly. He couldn’t always cover for you. And he was right. If you did something impulsive, it wouldn’t just be you facing the consequences. Your friends would suffer too. You had to be careful.
When you arrived, you immediately noticed the pink guards stationed at the entrance. Most were soldiers, standing rigidly, while a single manager, presumably in charge of player supervision, stood in the center. Their posture was indifferent as if they were merely overseeing another routine occurrence.
Your eyes darted toward the X zone. A frantic cluster of players surrounded a single bed. Your heart pounded harder. Even from where you stood, you could make out Gi-hun and the others standing protectively around the bed, their faces grim with worry.
“Everyone, please make space!” Yong-sik’s mother’s voice rang out. Though her tone was firm, there was an undeniable panic beneath it. “Give her space!”
Dae-ho, Jung-bae, Hyun-ju, Yong-sik, and Gi-hun worked to push back the other players, creating a small perimeter around Jun-hee’s bed. Meanwhile, Myung-gi knelt beside her, gripping her hand tightly, his expression stricken with worry and helplessness.
Your gaze shifted toward the O players, who remained seated in their designated area, watching the commotion with detached amusement. None of them moved to help. It was clear they didn’t see this as their problem.
Manager 009 strode forward toward the supervising manager, and you followed closely behind. Despite your measured pace, your eyes kept darting towards your friends. Every part of you wanted to run to Jun-hee’s side, to help in any way you could. But you had to keep your composure. If you slipped up now, it wouldn’t just be you who paid the price.
009 stopped before the supervising manager and addressed them. “Manager 003, what’s the situation?”
Manager 003 barely glanced at the chaos unfolding behind them as they responded blandly as if discussing the weather, “Breakfast distribution will begin shortly. The situation does not affect the schedule.”
You felt something in your chest tighten. A player was in labor, and they still intended to carry on as if nothing was happening?
But you bit your tongue. Now wasn’t the time to react. Now was the time to think carefully about your next move.
Circle guards – known as workers – filed into the dormitory, swiftly setting up two tables at the front of the center. The sight made your stomach sink. That meant players would have to queue in two lines to get their breakfast as if nothing extraordinary was happening. It’s as if Jun-hee wasn’t in labor right now.
Then, manager 003’s voice rang out in the dormitory, monotonous and devoid of emotion. “Players, queue up for your breakfast before the next game begins.”
The players shifted their attention onto him. A stunned silence spread through the dormitory. Some exchanged hesitant glances while others openly gawked at the manager in shock. The sheer detachment in the announcement was like a slap to the face.
Yong-sik’s mother was the first to react. She bolted from Jun-hee’s side and rushed to the center, placing herself in front of the guards. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her face contorted with disbelief and horror.
“Are you serious?” she demanded, her voice shaking. “Are you really going to continue with the game right now? Someone is in labor! She needs medical attention, she needs rest! Could you at least delay the game for her?!”
Manager 003 remained still, unaffected by the raw emotion in her voice. He simply stated, “The next game will begin as usual.”
Silence. Then, anger flared in the mother’s eyes. Her lips trembled, fists clenched by her sides as her fury erupted.
“How could you?” she screamed. “Are you even human?! She cannot play the games right after giving birth! She’s in pain! She’s suffering!”
Yong-sik rushed to his mother’s side, attempting to calm her down, when a voice boomed across the dormitory.
“And who are you to demand that?!”
All eyes snapped to player 100, who had shot up from his seat and was now striding toward the center of the room. His finger jabbed aggressively at the mother as he sneered. “Who do you think you are, demanding special treatment? You think she deserves more time than the rest of us? That’s unfair! We’re all fighting for our lives here, not waiting around for some sob story to play out!”
He scoffed, spreading his arms out. “What next? Should we all get pillows and blankets for her? Maybe some tea and biscuits? Grow up! This is a competition! If she’s too weak to continue, then tough luck!”
The mother’s expression twisted in fury. “How can you say that? She’s having a baby! She could die!”
Player 100 let out a mocking laugh. “So what? People die every day here! And if she’s not strong enough, then that’s her problem, not ours!”
The argument grew heated as more players joined in. Player 226 stepped forward, backing player 100. “He’s right! Why should we wait around just because she decided to bring a kid into this mess? That’s not our problem. The game goes on.”
Dae-ho stepped in. “What the hell is wrong with you people? She’s a human being! A baby is about to be born, and all you care about is the game?”
Jung-bae added, his voice carrying through the dormitory, “This isn’t about fairness anymore. It’s about decency. Are you seriously suggesting we just let her suffer without any help?”
Player 100 rolled his eyes. “Decency? In this place? You’re more naive than I thought.”
Just then, Myung-gi rose to his feet from Jun-hee’s side, his face dark with fury. He stormed toward player 100, standing toe-to-toe with him. “You keep running your mouth like that, and I’ll shut it for you.”
Before player 100 could respond, a familiar chuckle rang through the room. Player 124 – the late Thanos’ friend – stepped forward, his grin wide and unsettling. His eyes gleamed with amusement as he swayed slightly as if high on something.
“Now, now,” he drawled, his voice laced with mockery. “Why so worked up for a girl you just met, MG Coin?”
He tilted his head exaggeratedly, eyes narrowing. “Could it be that you’re not just her boyfriend? Could it be… you’re the father of the baby?”
Silence fell upon the dormitory like a heavy weight. Myung-gi stiffened, his jaw clenching. All eyes locked onto him, even the mother looked at him with wide, stunned eyes. You stood frozen, unable to process the sudden turn of events.
Player 124 let out a high-pitched cackle. “Oh, man, this is rich! I was just guessing, but that face says it all! Look at him! Speechless! Guilty as charged!”
He shook his head in exaggerated disbelief, then sneered, “So, what’s the plan, MG Coin? You going to win the games and take care of your baby? Or will you ask your baby to invest in bitcoin too?”
The words dripped with venom, laced with a cruel taunt meant to push Myung-gi over the edge. And from the look in Myung-gi’s eyes, it was working.
Myung-gi hissed at him through gritted teeth, “Shut your mouth, you punk!”
Player 124 smirked, tilting his head mockingly. “Or what?”
Before Myung-gi could respond, a piercing cry cut through the tension. Jun-hee’s whimpers turned into full sobs, her body writhing on the mattress. Her hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into the sheets. Tears streamed down her face as she gasped for breath.
The mother snapped out of her anger and rushed back to Jun-hee’s side, her hands immediately moving to soothe her.
“Shh, shh, I’m here, sweetheart. Just breathe. Just like that,” she murmured, brushing damp strands of hair from Jun-hee’s forehead.
Myung-gi, who had been frozen in place just moments before, followed suit. He ran and dropped to his knees beside the bed, gripping Jun-hee’s trembling hand tightly in both of his. His face was stricken with worry, but he did not hesitate to hold her through the pain, whispering quiet reassurances.
The tension that had crackled moments ago slowly fizzled as most of the X players shifted their focus back to Jun-hee. The argument, the accusations – all of it faded to the background.
Manager 003, unaffected by the emotional shift, repeated his command in the same robotic tone, “Players, queue up for your breakfast before the next game begins.”
A few moments passed in eerie silence before some of the O players began moving, forming two orderly lines in front of the tables that had been set up. They grabbed their boiled eggs and cartons of milk, exchanging smug glances amongst themselves as they returned to their beds. Their indifference to Jun-hee’s struggle was infuriating, but unsurprising.
The X players, however, hesitated. Many lingered by Jun-hee’s side, reluctant to leave her while she was in such distress. Some, like Gi-hun, Jung-bae, and Dae-ho, stood still, glaring at the guards as if silently pleading for them to allow Jun-hee some reprieve. But even as hesitation thickened the air, the reality of hunger eventually overpowered their hesitation. Some X players reluctantly stepped forward, collecting their meager meals.
Despite their own needs, a few of them didn’t take a single bite of their breakfast. Instead, one by one, they quietly placed their eggs and milk beside Jun-hee’s makeshift bed. It was a small, silent act of solidarity.
From where you stood, your eyes followed Gi-hun, Jung-bae, Dae-ho, Hyun-ju, and Yong-sik as they hurriedly grabbed extra mattresses, setting them up around Jun-hee’s bed. They built a makeshift privacy barrier, shielding her from any prying eyes. Inside that small fort, only Jun-hee, the mother, and Myung-gi remained.
You stood at a distance, hidden behind your mask, watching the scene unfold. You longed to be there. To kneel beside Jun-hee, to hold her hand, to help the mother in any way you could. But you weren’t just another player anymore. You were disguised as a manager, an enforcer of the system that was forcing her to give birth in these cruel conditions.
A lump formed in your throat as you clenched your fists. What could you possibly do now?
The control room was surely watching. The masked officer. The Front Man. All of them. Any wrong move could put you – and worse, your friends – at risk.
And yet, the sight of Jun-hee’s suffering made your chest ache with helplessness.
You swallowed hard, forcing yourself to remain still. You had to be careful. You had to be smart. But deep down, you knew one thing for certain:
You would help her in any way possible.
You turned to manager 003 and manager 009, carefully measuring your words. “To ensure the game proceeds smoothly without unnecessary interruptions, I will gather a kit and the necessary medical equipment for player 222. This way, the game can proceed without delay.”
Both managers turned to face you. A tense silence hung in the air between the three of you as the other players minded their own business. Manager 003’s mask tilted slightly, an indication that they were processing your words before responding.
“That is unnecessary,” manager 003 said finally, their voice void of any emotion.
You kept your posture composed. “This matter must be handled efficiently.”
Manager 009 shifted slightly. “Our assistance is unnecessary. Players who cannot continue will be eliminated. That is the way the game works.”
Manager 003 added, “Our role is to ensure the game runs as instructed, not to interfere with the process.”
You straightened your shoulders. “If she doesn’t get at least some medical attention, she may not be able to participate in the next game at all. Then what? Another revolt will occur by the Xs? Do we simply let the situation fester until it becomes a much bigger issue? The longer we delay, the more likely it is that players will begin resisting.”
Another pause. Manager 009 exhaled audibly, almost as if irritated by the conversation. “We will handle it if that happens.”
You pressed on. “The VIPs are expecting an entertaining experience, are they not?”
You saw the subtle shift in manager 003’s posture. “They will not want unnecessary delays. The longer this goes unresolved, the longer they have to wait for the next game. And we all know they do not like to wait.”
The air between you three grew heavier. You knew you had struck the right nerve. Anything concerning the VIPs was taken seriously. Manager 003 turned slightly, as if reconsidering.
“I am simply proposing an efficient way to ensure that everything proceeds as planned,” you let the words settle before adding, “After all, we wouldn’t want them to grow impatient.”
Another long silence. Finally, manager 003 gave a slow nod. “Fine.”
Without waiting for further objections, you turned swiftly and began making your way out of the dormitory.
You returned to the dormitory carrying clean towels, a scissor, medical gloves, a few bottles of water, and some antiseptic wipes. These were the best supplies you could gather under the circumstances. You strode toward the X zone, heading straight for Jun-hee’s bed where the makeshift fort had been built to provide her with privacy.
Gi-hun, Jung-bae, Dae-ho, Hyun-ju, and Yong-sik immediately rose to their feet as you approached. Their eyes flickered with alarm, but that concern quickly shifted to the bundle of supplies in your arms. Suspicion lingered in their gazes as they took in the sight of the materials.
You stopped in front of Gi-hun and met his cautious stare through the black mesh of your manager’s mask. Your voice, distorted by the built-in modifier, came out. “Use these. For the delivery. Afterward, give them back to any guards.”
Gi-hun hesitated, his expression unreadable. But his eyes were locked on your mask. Meanwhile, Dae-ho swallowed hard, visibly torn between skepticism and the urgent need to help Jun-hee. Hyun-ju took a step forward, her gaze locked onto you as she assessed the situation.
Jung-bae finally broke the silence. “Why are you helping us?”
You remained silent, simply extending the supplies toward him. You made it clear that they were meant for Jun-hee without the need for further explanation.
For a moment, no one moved. Then, the mother – who had remained by Jun-hee’s side, tending to her as best as she could – peeked out from the fort. Her face was lined with exhaustion and concern, but when she saw the items in your hands, relief flickered across her features.
“Give them here,” she said urgently. “Now. Jun-hee is already two fingers wide.”
Gi-hun finally reached out and took the supplies from you. His fingers curled tightly around the bundle, and his expression softened just a fraction. He stared at you for a moment as if appreciative, though he still seemed wary towards you.
Without another word, the group turned back toward Jun-hee, who let out a strained cry from behind the barricade of mattresses. The mother immediately got to work and the others hurried to assist them as best as they could.
You stepped back, watching as they disappeared into the fort. You wanted to do more, to be there and ensure that Jun-hee was okay. But you had done what you could – at least for now. All you could do was wait and hope that the birth would be as smooth as possible given the dire circumstances.
An hour had passed, the air in the dormitory thick with tension. Jun-hee’s cries of pain filled the space, muffled by the makeshift fort Gi-hun and others had built around her. Every now and then, a sharp intake of breath, a whispered encouragement, or the mother’s firm instructions broke through the nervous silence. The players, particularly the Xs, had kept their distance, watching with apprehension.
Then, the moment everyone had dreaded arrived.
Manager 003’s distorted voice rang through the dormitory. “Players, queue up for the next game.”
The command hung in the air like a death sentence. Heads snapped toward the guards standing by the main doors. The workers had already begun dismantling the tables and clearing away the remnants of breakfast. Your friends stiffened in their places, their expressions a mix of disbelief and outrage.
Yong-sik’s mother was the first to react. She stood from Jun-hee’s side, stepping towards the center and pleaded with a trembling voice, “Please, she’s in the middle of labor! First pregnancies take hours. Can you give her more time? She can’t even stand, let alone play!”
Manager 003, completely unphased, simply repeated, “Players, queue up for the next game.”
Gi-hun and the rest of his friends bristled, gaping at the manager in disbelief. The mother clenched her fists, her lips trembling in fury. “Are you even human? How can you stand there and act like this isn’t happening? This girl is giving birth! You can’t even find it in yourselves to have a shred of decency?”
The guards did not react. They stood still. It didn’t matter how much reasoning or pleading was thrown their way. The game had to continue, no exceptions.
You stood beside manager 009 and 003, watching everything unfold, but inside, your mind was racing. There had to be a way to delay the game longer. More time, just a little more time.
You turned your gaze upward, scanning the walls until you found what you were looking for – a CCTV camera mounted in the far corner of the dormitory.
You exhaled sharply. If anyone could halt this, it was In-ho.
Your heart pounded in your chest as you kept your eyes locked on the camera, hoping – praying – that the Front Man was watching. That he would see the reality of the situation. That he would step in.
That he would grant Jun-hee mercy.
Manager 003 repeated his command in the same flat tone. “Players, queue up for the next game.”
The O players obeyed this time, moving into their lines without hesitation. Meanwhile, the X players hesitated. They glanced between Jun-hee and the guards, unsure whether to follow orders or stand their ground.
The mother rushed back to Jun-hee upon hearing her frightened cries. Gi-hun stood tensely nearby, scanning the room. His sharp gaze moved from guard to guard as if searching for a way out of this situation.
Then, manager 003’s voice echoed again. “Rule number two of the player consent form: A player who refuses to play will be eliminated.”
A wave of unease spread through the X players. Their hesitation turned to fear. Some exchanged anxious glances before stepping forward to join the queue. Slowly, more and more of them followed, unwilling to test the rule.
Twenty minutes crawled by. The lines grew, but a small group remained in place. Jun-hee, lying on the bed in the fort of mattresses, was surrounded by the mother, Yong-sik, Gi-hun, Jung-bae, Dae-ho, Myung-gi, Hyun-ju, and Se-mi. None of them moved to join the queue.
You watched in realization. This wasn’t just hesitation. They were refusing. They were resisting.
From the line, player 100 sneered. His voice rang through the dormitory as he yelled at the guards, “Hey! That’s against the rules! What are you waiting for? Shoot them!”
Murmurs spread through the players. Some shifted uncomfortably, others nodded in agreement, eager to see the rules enforced.
The guards remained still, waiting for orders. Your pulse quickened as you glanced at the CCTV in the corner. The Front Man was watching. Would he allow this? Would he show mercy for Jun-hee?
A heavy silence filled the dormitory until manager 003’s distorted voice rang out again. “All players must queue up immediately. Failure to comply will violate the second rule of the player consent form. Any refusal to participate will result in elimination.”
Despite the warning, Gi-hun and the others refused to move from Jun-hee's bedside. The mother stood outside the makeshift fort, staring at manager 003 with desperation and disbelief. The tension in the air was unbearable. Players who had already lined up glanced over – some with pity, others with fear, and a few with complete indifference, while the rest held their breath, waiting for what would happen next.
Your pulse quickened. This wasn’t just defiance; it was a desperate plea for basic humanity in a place devoid of it. You clenched your fists, struggling to steady your breathing behind your mask. Was this really how it would end? Would they execute them right here and now?
And what could you do without exposing yourself? Damn it, you needed 011 now more than ever.
A full minute passed, yet Gi-hun’s group remained unmoving. Manager 003 didn’t hesitate. “As per the rules, refusal to participate in the game will result in immediate elimination.”
They turned to the triangle guards. Five soldiers stepped forward, MP5s in hand. Their boots thudded against the floor as they marched toward Jun-hee’s bed.
Your heart pounded. You saw it in Gi-hun’s face – the clenched jaw, the tensed muscles – ready to fight. The others mirrored his stance. Dae-ho was already trembling very obviously, but he still positioned himself in front of the fort. Jung-bae stood firm beside Gi-hun, and Hyun-ju moved to stand in front of the mother and Yong-sik, also prepared to fight back. Myung-gi pressed his back against the fort, watching the approaching guards with a glower. Se-mi, meanwhile, remained motionless with her hands tucked into her jacket pockets, her stance unreadable as she stood beside Myung-gi.
You couldn't just stand by. They were about to be executed for doing what was right – for protecting someone in the most vulnerable moment of her life. A searing anger clawed at your chest, hotter than fear, stronger than reason. If it meant standing beside them, if it meant dying alongside them for something pure in this hellish place, then so be it. You refused to let their kindness be repaid with bullets. Not while you still drew breath.
Determined, you stepped forward, falling into stride behind the triangle guards. Your boots echoed against the cold floor. Then, before the soldiers could reach the fort, your radio crackled to life. Not just yours – manager 003, 009, and the soldiers' radios came alive as well.
“All guards, stand down.”
The voice was deep, firm, and unmistakable. The Front Man.
The room froze. The guards halted mid-step, their weapons still raised but unmoving. Your breath caught as you stopped on the spot. You stared at your radio in disbelief. This was it. The intervention you had been praying for.
The silence stretched, thick with tension. You heard a shuffle of fabric behind you and looked over. It was manager 003. They hesitated for a brief moment before lifting their radio to their mouth, likely to confirm the Front Man’s command.
Before they could utter a word, the Front Man’s voice rang again but this time through the managers' radios only. “The game will be delayed until the baby is delivered.”
Silence followed.
The triangle guards in the X zone turned and faced manager 003, waiting for further instructions. With a slow, almost mechanical motion, manager 003 lowered their radio, then addressed the players in an even tone. “All players, the next game will begin after the child is delivered. Please wait until then.”
The collective sigh of relief from the X players was audible. The mother clasped her hands together, murmuring words of gratitude. Myung-gi visibly relaxed, his hands no longer clenched into fists, and Gi-hun, though still tense, exhaled heavily, his shoulders sagging slightly. He then stared at the CCTV, probably feeling too astonished that the management allowed this. Jung-bae and Dae-ho exchanged subtle glances, their hands trembling just a little less than before.
But the relief was short-lived.
A loud, infuriated scoff echoed across the room.
“This is bullshit!” player 100’s voice cut through the brief moment of peace like a blade. “Why is it delayed?! What makes her so damn special?! Why does she get to hold up the entire game for herself?!”
Murmurs rippled through the O players and you could see a few of them nodding in agreement. Player 226 stepped forward, a sneer tugging at his lips. “Yeah. The hell’s with this special treatment! If she can’t play, then she should be eliminated like anyone else who refuses.”
Player 100 jabbed a finger toward the X zone, his fury directed at Jun-hee’s fort. “This is favoritism! The second rule is clear! Any player who refuses to play is eliminated! So what, we’re just throwing out the rules now? What’s next, giving out comfy beds and hot meals for anyone who whines enough?!”
Your hands clenched into fists at your sides. You wanted nothing more than to shut him up but you had to maintain your role. You turned your gaze to manager 003, who merely stood in place, their face unreadable behind their mask.
“I said it before, and I’ll say it again,” player 100 continued, his voice rising. “You guards always say the rules are absolute, so why the sudden change? Why does she get special treatment?”
Player 124, the late Thanos’ friend, chuckled darkly, shaking his head as he muttered, “Man, I’d kill to have that kind of privilege.”
Jung-bae had had enough.
“She’s literally giving birth, you sick fuck!” he snapped. “What do you want her to do? Push the baby out and run straight into the next game?!”
Player 226 scoffed. “Hey. Rules are rules.”
Dae-ho, shaking in anger, finally stepped up. “You keep running your mouth like you know everything, but have you ever even seen someone in labor?! It takes more than ten hours!”
“You think that matters?!” player 100 fired back. “The moment she signed that consent form, she knew what she was getting into!”
Manager 003 suddenly spoke up. “Enough.”
Their tone was firm, commanding. “The order is absolute. The next game will begin once the baby is delivered. Please wait until then. Any further objections will be considered an act of defiance against the game’s authority.”
The room fell into silence once more. Player 100 bit his tongue, clearly seething, but he didn’t argue further. Instead, he stomped back to his place in the queue, muttering curses under his breath. The other O players exchanged glances but followed his lead, keeping their thoughts to themselves.
You kept your head high, ensuring your mask remained as impassive as ever. But inside, your chest burned with fury. The audacity of these players, acting as though Jun-hee’s suffering was an inconvenience to their greed. It made you sick.
Jun-hee’s cries suddenly pierced the silence again, bringing everyone’s attention back to her. The tension in the air remained thick, but the focus had shifted. The mother and Myung-gi rushed back into the fort, while Gi-hun and the rest of the O players reluctantly settled down, their frustration simmering beneath the surface.
The game was delayed, for now. It may be temporary, but it was very much needed for Jun-hee. You glanced up at the CCTV. Beneath your mask, your eyes locked onto it, hoping to convey something unspoken to the Front Man – to In-ho.
Gratitude. A silent thank you.
He had told you he upheld fairness and equality in this place. Yet, for Jun-hee, he had bent his own rules. With the VIPs watching, that was no small act. Maybe he felt conflicted about it, maybe he was already calculating the consequences. But no matter his reasons, he had done this. He had given Jun-hee a chance.
And for that, you were grateful. Because it meant that deep inside him, he was barely any different to Oh Young-il. He still have a heart.
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NEXT : Chapter 20
PREV : Chapter 18.1
Story Masterlist
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Please feel free to leave comments and feedback about my story, the characters, the "you", and practically anything! I love reading your comments, especially long ones! It motivates me a lot! What do you think about In-ho's very long, long P.O.V? I took a lot of care writing those parts because they finally revealed bits of why he was attracted to you. So what's your feedback about it? He cared but he was still very skeptical about your kindness and morality and how far you would go. Well, he will find out soon enough. You all know what scene I'm referring to, right? Then, Jun-hee's labor scene. What do you think about all of the characters who were involved in that scene? Did I write them right? Are they OOC? Does it feel realistic? Nam-gyu and Myung-gi are arguing again in that scene. And what do you think about In-ho suddenly issuing an order to delay the game? Why did he do that? Was it because of you? Or was it because of something else? I really want to know your reaction on this! Anyway, thank you very much for giving my story a chance. I love reading and re-reading all of your comments!
Anyway, plagiarism is incredibly frustrating, especially after I had countless all-nighters spent writing and refining ideas. So it’s disheartening when readers told me that they see someone lift entire scripts/dialogues that I wrote (and not even in the Squid Game series) and romantic concepts from my story into theirs. If my work inspires you, the least you can do is give proper credit. That’s all it takes to keep things fair. Respect me as a writer, and respect the readers who deserve diverse styles and fresh perspectives, especially in Hwang In-ho fanfics. Readers, if you see any stories that do this, please alert me and leave a comment for them.
Leave a comment on the masterlist post to be added to the taglist.
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yellowwwcrayon · 2 days ago
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I hope S3 gives a glimpse of what Inho and Junho were like when they were young. As much as I like the Gihun Inho protagonist/antagonist relationship, Junho is still the most important piece (aside from his dead wife) and would likely have the biggest impact on Inho in S3. It would be interesting to see how the three of them interact.
(He's probably a very stoic/serious older brother and father figure to Junho, but part of me wishes it was really soft and sweet 😭 Junho is baby.)
Wait, what if LBH actually hinted the ending? Would it be like how Darth Vader died? Him redeeming himself after his brother gets him to see the Light or whatever (sorry, I'm not good at Star Wars).
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sanshinexx · 18 hours ago
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Play the game, you know you can't quit until it's won Soldier on, only you can do what must be done You know in some way you're a lot like me You're just a prisoner and you're tryin' to break free I can see a new horizon underneath the blazing sky
[St. Elmos Fire (Man in Motion), John Parr]
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lieutenantbatshit · 3 days ago
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CHAPTER 09 - once you go in, there's no turning back (hwang in ho x reader)
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>> MASTERLIST
previous chapter | next chapter
----
You cupped your hands under the cold stream, letting the water pool on your palms as you brought it up to your face. The coolness sipped into your skin, a brief moment of relief as the tension in your temples eased. Droplets ran down your cheeks as it traced on to your jawline. You looked at yourself in the mirror as you dried yourself up, seeing Jun-hee behind, much to your surprise.
"Jesus, you scared me," your breath hitched as you rubbed the water away from your face using your shirt.
Jun-hee chuckled as you motioned to the side, awaiting her turn as she bowed to you. She moved forward to the sink to check herself in the mirror, then splashed some water on her face. Your skin felt refreshed, though you wished you had your skincare products with you to make you even feel better.
You went behind Jun-hee as both of you walked out of the bathroom, making your way towards the labyrinth of stairs down to the dormitory. You noticed Gi-hun, Jung-bae, Dae-ho, and In-ho already packing the beds, but the mattresses were being placed beneath the bedframes.
"Lights out in ten minutes," the voice said on the speakers. "Please prepare for bedtime."
"Pass it to me," you heard Gi-hun say as you walked near them, seeing them arranging the mattresses like a fort. The mattresses seemed clean, but its dust plumed into the air much to your sneeze as Jung-bae swatted his hand away from the dust.
"Bless you," Jung-bae said to you as you wiped your nose/ You sniffed, feeling the dust still lurking somewhere in your nostrils, only for you to sneeze again.
"God," you complained, turning away from the mattresses. "Please, excuse me."
"Excused," In-ho muttered. His voice was almost low but still audible for you, yeet you chose to ignore it.
"Is this really necessary? I don't like sleeping under there," Jung-bae complained, looking at the mattress being put under the bed with disgust.
"Once the lights go out, somebody might attack us," Gi-hun explained, his eyes fixed on the mattress he was arranging.
"What? Who?" Dae-ho asked, placing a mattress in front as a blockage, while Jun-hee held out the blankets.
"The prize money still goes up if we kill each other," Gi-hun said, his voice dark. "It's part of the game they designed."
"Seems like it," you said, nodding to Gi-hun in agreement. "This wasn't about the games anymore. They clearly want to see us fight up there. Some sort of a test for humanity, something like that."
In-ho scoffed from behind. "I think you're overreacting here. Even if that were true, people wouldn't do that."
As you were about to retort, Gi-hun turned away and faced In-ho, his expression dark but fearful. "In the previous games, dozens of people killed each other at night," Gi-hun pointed to the ground, his words pronounced every detail. "Right here." He sighed deeply as he continued. "You have no idea how people can change in this place."
In-ho looked away, sighing in defeat as he gave a small nod. "All right. I guess I didn't know what I was talking about. I'm sorry."
You raised an eyebrow, sensing his words with no hint of sincerity, as if it was perfectly memorized. Like it was an automatic response. You went back to your senses and listened more to Gi-hun, whose back was turned on In-ho. "Once it's lights out, we need to take turns keeping watch. I'll take the first watch. You should decide the order for the rest."
"I'll take after Gi-hun," Jung-bae raised his hand, then he looked at you and Jun-hee. "Both of you should get a good night's sleep for the rest of the night. It would also be better if you sleep at the bottom for your safety."
"I can handle myself," you assured, waving your hand as if to dismiss the idea. You turned to Jun-hee and gave her a small smile. "You can sleep for the rest of the night, Jun-hee."
Jun-hee nodded as she made her way to the mattress, seemingly wanting to sleep. She needed a lot of rest for her to get ready for the next games, hopefully to make it out in the end.
"I'll take watch after brother Jung-bae," Dae-ho said, giving a salute to Jung-bae, to which he returned. The two marines exchanged handshakes.
"That leaves me then," In-ho said, then he looked at you. "You can take watch after me."
You nodded and proceeded to get your blanket and pillow along with Jun-hee's, deciding to sleep beside her at night to accommodate her needs. You weren't knowledgeable on how to care for a pregnant woman, but you should at least try. You felt a sense of protectiveness for her, tucking her in.
You positioned yourself on the bed, placing a blanket over you. The lights dimmed as the piggy bank's light illuminated around the area. You could feel your eyelids drooping, growing heavier with every passing second. The world around you blurred, the edges of reality softening as your body sank deeper into the mattress. You could feel every muscle in your body ached with fatigue. No matter how hard you tried to stay alert, your body had already decided - there was no fighting it anymore.
----
Sleep had barely settled into your bones before something stirred you awake. Your eyes cracked open sluggishly, your mind swimming through the heavy fog of exhaustion. The world around was still wrapped in darkness, the dim lighting from the piggy bank overhead casting eerie shadows along the bunk beds. Your limbs felt weighted and slow to respond, and cold air stung against your exposed skin, making you shiver.
You slid out of the mattress, careful not to wake Jun-hee up. You rubbed your eyes as you blinked, sluggishly adjusting to reality.
And then, you saw In-ho.
He sat a few feet away, his back straight, his gaze fixed somewhere beyond the sleeping bodies. He barely moved, barely even blinked, his silhouette rigid against the dim glow of the room. The sharp angles of his face were softened by darkness, but there was something unnerving about how still he was.
You moved slowly and quietly as you approached him, only for him not to react much. He didn't even flinch, didn't turn his head, but you knew he was aware of you.
You hesitated before lowering yourself onto the floor beside him, mirroring his posture - leaning back against the bunk, legs stretched out, knees barely grazing. The silence between you was thick, but not suffocating. Not yet, anyway.
"You can sleep," you spoke up as his eyes flicked towards you. "It's my turn to watch."
"The lights will open in a few hours. It's no use to sleep now," In-ho replied as he returned his eyes to the shadows ahead.
You nodded, letting the quiet settle again. You closed your eyes a bit as you could still feel a bit of sense of grogginess, but fixed yourself up when you felt dozing off again.
The room was steeped in silence, save for the occasional rustle of bodies shifting in sleep. The longer you sat there, the more the exhaustion sank into your bones, making your mind wander to places it shouldn't. Your fingers absently traced the fabric of your pants as your thoughts had already slipped somewhere else. Before you could stop it, the memory surfaced - your father.
The same silence. The same kind that used to stretch between you and him, late at night, when you'd wake up and find him sitting alone in the living room, a bottle of beer long gone cold in front of him. He would watch a movie while drinking, enjoying the rest of his night with a cigarette on hand.
You would watch the same movie to help you go back to sleep as he would gesture toward the chair across from him. And you'd sit, just like this, neither of you speaking, both of you staring at the TV in front of you. It was something unspoken, but shared.
You weren't sure why you thought of him now. Maybe it was the stillness. The weight of unspoken things hanging in the air. Or maybe it was In-ho himself - the way he sat there, unreadable, distant in a way that felt too familiar.
The thought made your chest tighten, your throat constricting around something you weren't ready to name.
"Appa used to sit like this," you murmured before you could stop yourself.
You felt In-ho shift beside you - just barely, just enough that you knew he had heard. He didn't turn to face you, didn't press for more, but he was listening.
Your fingers curled slightly against your knee as you exhaled. You didn't mead to say it, but now the words were out, lingering between you both, impossible to take back.
"He'd just sit there at night while watching a movie, thinking about things he never talked about."
In-ho didn't speak, but his breathing was steady, his presence solid beside you. The moment stretched, heavy with something neither of you had the energy to unpack.
"He passed away recently," you swallowed, feeling an ache on your chest. In-ho's faze flickered toward you, seeing his eyes with shock and... worry. "Hemorrhagic stroke. I was getting ready for work when eomma called me and said that they rushed him to the hospital. He suddenly felt dizzy and passed out in the ambulance. The doctors said he was in critical condition," you felt tears forming in your eyes as your voice cracked. "I rushed to the emergency room that day. The doctors said they couldn't do a surgery on him anymore. There was no brain activity anymore and his body was only relying to the machine. We went home and waited for more news. It took a while for us to decide but then..."
Your voice cracked, and before you knew it, the tears came - hot, unstoppable, burning their way down your cheeks. You bit down on your lip as if that would keep the sob from escaping, but it only made your shoulders shake harder, your breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps.
"When we were on the way back to the hospital, the doctors tried to revive him twice. As if he was waiting for us. When we arrived, we decided to take the medicines off and let him pass naturally. And just like that, in just a few hours, he was gone."
It wasn't just the fact that he was gone. The fact that life had ripped him away from you, without warning, without time to prepare. That there had been so many things left unsaid, so many moments you thought you'd have, but never would.
You pressed the heels of your palms against your eyes, trying to smother the sobs, trying to control yourself, but it was useless. You weren't just crying - you were breaking, unraveling right in front of him.
In-ho was still silent. But he hadn't left.
His fingers twitched slightly against his knee, like he had considered doing something - but in the end, he stayed still.
You sucked in a breath, swallowing back another sob. "I don't even know why I'm telling you this," you whispered, your voice raw, shaking.
For a moment, you thought he wouldn't respond. But then, softly, he said, "Because he mattered."
You blinked, fresh tears slipping down your cheeks.
In-ho exhaled, tilting his head slightly, his gaze fixed on the floor. "People like that... they don't really leave us. They just... stop being where we can reach them."
Something about the way he said it made your breath catch. It sounded too familiar, too knowing, like he was speaking from experience.
You wiped your tears away with your sleeve, trying to steady yourself, but the weight in your chest didn't disappear. It wouldn't, not for a long time.
In-ho didn't offer anything else. No empty reassurances. No forced words of sympathy.
But he stayed. And somehow, that was enough.
You could feel his gaze on you, heavy and assessing, but he didn't speak. You turned your face away as if hiding it would somehow take away the humiliation of breaking in front of him.
In-ho's fingers ghosted over your wrist before retreating, hesitant, like even the smallest act of comfort was something foreign to him.
You sniffled, forcing a shaky breath. "You don't have to pretend to care."
In-ho exhaled through his nose, something like amusement, something like frustration. "I'm not pretending."
You turned to him, expecting coldness, indifference. But instead, you found something else. His gaze was unreadable, but there was something softer, something hesitant in the way his lips parted like he wanted to say more but wouldn't.
And then, you felt his lips against yours. It was brief, deliberate. Not desperate, not hurried - but real.
His lips were warm against yours, and for the first time in what felt like forever, you didn't feel cold. His grip on you tightened as he pulled you closer, surrendering to the moment.
But then, the light came on. The bright, harsh, unforgiving light illuminating the room.
You barely had time to register the words before In-ho pulled away, the warmth between you vanishing as quickly as it had come. His expression was unreadable again, as if the moment had never happened.
"The third game will begin momentarily. All players, please get out of bed and get ready."
----
The moment the heavy doors slid open, a stark sterile brightness spilled into the corridor, making you squint against the sudden change. The space beyond was massive, eerily open, the kind of emptiness that felt designed to make you feel small.
In the center of the room stood a series of platforms and narrow walkways, forming an intricate maze-like pattern, interconnected in ways that felt delibrate, calculated. At first glance, there seemed to be no immediate danger - no spikes, no pits, no obvious traps.
"Welcome to your third game. The game you will be playing is Mingle."
You looked around as you saw the doors around the place, each with different colors. If this was Mingle, then you would be grouping yourselves, pairing up, and choosing sides. This game could be to form alliances, or something worse - something to force you into connections you wouldn't want.
"All players, please step onto the center platform. When the game starts, the platform will begin to rotate and you will hear a number. You must form groups of that size, go into the rooms, and close the door within 30 seconds."
"Oh, this game? We used to play something similar on school trips," Jung-bae spoke up. "We formed groups by hugging."
"Yeah, instead of hugging, we go into those rooms," Dae-ho pointed at the doors.
In-ho, Y/N, Gi-hun, Jung-bae, Dae-ho, Jun-hee.
"If the number is six, we can stay together," you said, earning a nod from each of your group. "We can be divided by three and two. So that wouldn't be a problem."
"If it's two, you and me pair up," In-ho stated with no hesitation. Before you could react, he leaned in and wrapped his hand around yours steadily and certain.
Your breath hitched, but you didn't pull away. The words sent a sharp jolt through your chest - not from fear, not from surprise, but from the way he didn't phrase it as a question. He wasn't asking. He was deciding.
His grip was firm, not forceful, but final. Like he had already made the choice for you - like he wouldn't let you end up with anyone else.
Your eyes flicked up just in time to catch the others watching. Gi-hun, Jung-bae, Dae-ho, even Jun-hee noticed. The way In-ho held your hand. The way he had spoken so casualy, so sure as if it was obvious. The way you didn't pull away.
Gi-hun's expression tightened, his brows furrowing just slightly, as if he was trying to understand what he had just seen. You could feel the weight of their silent questions. But In-ho didn't look at them, as if he didn't care. He didn't acknowledge their glances. He just kept his grip on your hand, his thumb resting lightly against your skin.
Gi-hun seemed to shake away his thoughts, focusing on the game ahead instead. "If the number is bigger than six, we'll get the additional people we need."
"Yeah, we have Geum-ja, Hyun-ju, Yong-sik, and Young-mi. These rooms look like it could only fit up to ten people," you replied, earning a nod from Gi-hun.
"No matter what happens, don't panic. Let's stay calm," In-ho said, his hand still not pulling away from yours. "We'll all make it out together here."
One by one, your hands with the others pressed against each other, stacking in a firm, unspoken pact. The weight of each palm settled atop the next, fingers brushing, gripping, grounding. The warmth of skin against skin was a quiet promise - whatever happened next, you were all in this together.
"Victory at all costs!"
"Let the game begin."
The first bell-like chime rang out. The platform moved with the players on it. The gasps echoed from the room as you heard the song, "Round and Round" play on the background.
Dunggeulge dunggeulge Dunggeulge dunggeulge Binggeulbinggeul doragamyeo chumeul chupsida
Beside you, In-ho stood perfectly still, his gaze fixed ahead, his posture unreadable. You glanced down to find his hand was still holding yours, fingers curled loosely but solidly around yours. You hadn't let go, neither of you had.
Sonppyeogeul chimyeonseo Noraereul bureumyeo La-la-la-la, jeulgeoupge chumchuja
You tightened your grip to In-ho as you could feel your insides shaking, terrified of what was next. You could already anticipate the chaos it would entail once the music stops, trying to force your way into those doors.
Ring-a-ring-a, ring-a, ring-a-ring-a, ring Ring-a-ring-a, ring-a, ring-a-ring-a, ring Sone soneul japgo modu da hamkke Jeulgeoupge ttwieo bopsida
Your stomach tightened upon hearing the music stop. Then, the numbers flashed across the screen. The platform clunked, almost sending you to the ground but failed, thanks to In-ho's grip on you.
"Ten."
You barely had time to think as you watched the players around you scramble, hands reaching out to others as they searched for a sense of safety in numbers. Your heart raced. You knew you had to act fast. In this game, alliances would form and be broken in a split second. There was no in between.
In-ho was beside you, his grip on your hand stayed. The pressure was mounting with each passing second. You could see the other players eyeing each other, trying to gauge who would be an asset and who might be a liability.
Without hesitation, you grabbed Jun-hee, Gi-hun, Jung-bae, and Dae-ho as you grouped yourselves together with In-ho. Gi-hun approached Hyun-ju, seeing they were four which was perfect for a group of ten.
"There's no time, Gi-hun," In-ho said as he gripped your hand tighter and ran to a door, the group following you. The green door opened and revealed the green walls around you, panting as you entered.
The timer beeped as the latch clicked, indicating the door has been locked. You peeked through the hole and saw that there were still players outside, sparing for their lives as the guards aimed their guns at them, gunshots echoing through the room.
You froze, seeing the bodies drop to the ground. You felt someone grab you from the side, burying your head over their chest. You sensed it was In-ho as his breath was shallow against your ear as he whispered something you couldn't quite make out, something low and protective.
There was only the sound of bodies hitting the floor, and the quiet safety of being pressed into him, as if you were tucked away from the madness. And in the midst of the chaos, his chest was the only thing you could hold onto, the only thing that could remind you that there was still something human, something warm, in a world that was falling apart.
"The following players have been eliminated: Players 013, 043, 049, 054, 060..."
As the doors unlocked, only the blood remained around the floor. The bodies were no longer there, enough for you to think whether seeing the lives taken away were just a dream. In the span of moments, the tension in the air shifted from uncertainty to something else entirely - a realization that the number didn't just matter for the game; they mattered for your survival.
----
At this point, you weren't sure anymore how you were able to survive the next rounds. It's as if you were just breathing and passing the time, only this time, your life was at stake. At first, it had been difficult to watch. The gunshots, the screams - it had shaken something deep inside you. But now, it was just another sound in the background of this twisted game. A signal that the rules had already been set - only the storng survive.
You had long stopped reacting, long stopped feeling the sting of it. It was as if you had slipped into a place where you could no longer be touched, where nothing mattered but survival.
"There are 126 people left and there are 50 rooms. So there won't be enough rooms for everyone, only for 100 people," you told your group as you scanned the room. "The rest will be killed."
Gi-hun seemed to look at you in horror, as if shocked to hear about your casualty on talking about killing. You kept your gaze in front of you much to his horror. But In-ho, he was more amused.
The platform rumbled, indicating that it was time to pair up.
"Two."
In-ho instinctively grabbed your hand as both of you ran to find empty rooms. The others around were still floundering, unsure of their next move. Your senses were full now, numbed by the constant violence, as if something deep inside you had already switched off. You had seen too much, felt too much, and the pain and fear had begun to fade away, replaced by something darker, colder.
This wasn't about survival anymore. This was about the true unraveling of human nature, something you were finally starting to understand.
As the players slowly paired up, you saw another playing trying to make his way toward a room, a look of uncertainty in his eyes. He was too close to that room that should've belonged to you and In-ho.
In-ho didn't hesitate. Without a warning, he stepped forward and grabbed the man by the collar, dragging him out of the room as he tried to make his way inside.
"What the hell? Let go of me!" Player 285 screamed as In-ho held him back.
"Get in!" In-ho ordered you and rushed inside, only to see another player already inside.
In-ho followed after he threw Player 285 out of the way, seeing Player 343 there.
"Get out," In-ho commanded, his voice deep and low.
"We were here first," Player 343 retorted.
You stepped forward as your hands came into a fist. Player 343's eyes widened in confusion. You didn't give him the chance to fight.
Player 343 was looking at you, their gaze cautious. It wasn't a look of fear - not yet. But it would be soon. He shifted in front of you nervously, eyes daring between you and In-ho, but he didn't know.
He didn't know what you were becoming.
In-ho was just there, just a few steps behind you. It wasn't like he was holding you back, but there was an unspoken understanding between you. He sensed it, didn't he? The change. The shift that was slowly creeping over you, turning your survival instincts into something much darker.
You were no longer just fighting to survive - you were becoming the predator. And Player 343? He was nothing but a prey now.
You didn't hesitate. His neck snapped easily under your fingers, the crack of bones loud in the stillness, his body crumpling at your feet. His body dropped to the ground, lifeless, in a heap of twisted limbs. The silence between you and In-ho felt deafening.
As you turned to look at In-ho, you felt his eyes on you - steady and unblinkingg. He wasn't surprised. He wasn't even acknowledging you. But you could feel the quiet recognition he had of what you were becoming.
"I never taught you how to kill someone for a game," In-ho said, his voice low, his gaze briefly flickering to the body at your feet before he stepped closer.
You blinked, the words settling into the space between you, but you didn't answer. Instead, you felt his fingers gently press against your skin, just above your pulse. His touch was strangely familiar, like it had always been there, like you hadn't notiveed how much you craved it until now.
In-ho cupped your face, his thumb tracing your jawline as if committing the feeling of you to memory. And in that moment, everything else - the game, the players, the chaos - faded away. There was only the quiet intensity between you.
He leaned in, his lips just a whisper away from yours, and for the first time in what felt like forever, you felt something real.
"Do you still have my ring?" He asked, his breath warm against your lips.
His words stung as you stood there with him, realizing that he had remembered it all along. You knew that you were no longer afraid of who you had become.
Without thinking, you closed the space between you, your lips crashing into his with a force that sent shockwaves through your body. It was intense, desperate - a kiss that was as much about claiming as it was about understanding.
His body was pushed against the wall as his hands were on your back now, pulling you closer, his touch burning through the fabric of your clothes as if he was marking you as his own. His lips were demanding, like he couldn't get enough, as if he had been waiting for this moment just as much as you had.
The kiss deepened, a quiet growl of frustration escaping him as you matched his urgency, your hands threading through his hair, pulling him closer still.
In-ho pulled back just enough to breathe, his forehead resting against yours. He was panting, just like you, as if the kiss had taken all the air from both of you. "You're learning fast from all the game."
The moment between you lingered, a ting of happiness on your chest yet the realization of who you had become felt heavy. The realization of the game not just killing the players, but how it could change them. And for the first time, you understood. The brutality, the death, the constant tension - they weren't just part of the game. They were a mirror, reflecting the truth about human nature.
When pushed far enough, we all become what we fear the most.
You had become the villain as the game progressed. It wasn't about power, it was because you had finally accepted the truth. In a world like this, the ones who survive aren't the ones who cling to their humanity - they're the ones who shed it and embrace the darkness inside.
You were already too far gone to turn back.
"Let's finish this together," you whispered, your words a promise, and you knew deep down, that you were both already lost in the game. "No more lies?"
In-ho nodded, cupping your face with his hand, and gave you the softest smile you haven't seen for years. "No more lies."
----
A/N: And so, we're back! The past few days have been hectic. I added a little update of my dad's condition to this chapter as a way of updating you guys on what happened. But yeah, I hope y'all enjoy the rest of the chapter as we progress Y/N and In-ho's relationship in the fic. Feel free to leave out your thoughts here, and I'll gladly interact with each and everyone of you. 🫶
Don't forget to leave a comment in this post to be tagged on the next chapter! ✨
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>> MASTERLIST
TAGS: @machipyun @love-leez @enzosluvr @amber-content @kandierteveilchen @butterfly-lover@1nterstellarcha0s @squidgame-lover001 @risingwithtriples @fries11 @follows-the-life-ahead @goingmerry69 (p.s. if i forget to tag you, please let me know)
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damn-stark · 1 day ago
Note
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New chapter out tomorrow!!
let me know if you wanna be tagged before I post around 3pm PST
Junho and reader break in the squid game island? Both are cops or something plsss😭❤️
Chapter 1 Together, we can take it to the end of the line
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Chapter 1 of Sinnerwoman
Hwang Jun-ho x fem!reader
A/N- I hope you all like it :)
Warning- ANGST!! FLUFF!! Weapons, blood, and talks of death! Spoilers for the show!
Pairing- Hwang Jun-ho x fem!reader
Episode- 1x05 - 1x08
(Let me know if you want to be tagged)
——
Day 1:
You- Jun-ho, where are you?
No response to the text you sent and two phone calls were declined.
Day 2:
You- Are you okay? Let me know or tell me if you don’t want to talk…
Yet again, no response to the morning text. When you get to work you expect him to be there, but he doesn’t come. Not for lunch and not toward the end of the shift.
“Detective!” Someone tries to catch your attention and you have half the mind to pretend you don’t hear and leave for the day since you assume what’s coming, but it would be disrespectful and would only worsen the matter.
“Chief,” you redirect nonchalantly and turn on your heels to see him walk up to you and search around you before his gaze finds yours.
“Where’s Hwang?” He asks the dreaded question, making you stiffen and internally groan before you respond dryly.
“I don’t know, Sir.”
The man’s eyebrows immediately furrow before he quips. “What do you mean you don’t know? He’s your boyfriend, you’re supposed to know.”
You fist your hands and shrug stiffly before you retort in the same nonchalance. “Well, I don’t know. Sorry.”
The captain looks at you up and down with a hint of judgment and amusement and you can imagine—no you know he must think Jun-ho must be doing something malicious behind your back and you’re oblivious, but he doesn’t know Jun-ho like you do, he wouldn’t cheat on you…right?
He wouldn’t keep secrets, would he?
Then again do you even have the right to be upset even if he does have secrets considering the ones you keep from him?
The answer to that is an immediate no, but finding out he's seeing someone else behind your back is different, and…he…wouldn’t do that, would he?
You return home and text him again.
You- At least let me know if you’re not going to work.
Jun-ho is usually a quick texter, he never leaves you on received for too long when he’s out of work, and if he is busy doing something else he lets you know, but this time he hasn’t. He doesn’t call nor does he pick up when you try to call him once before bed, so rather than falling asleep and hoping to get an answer from him in the morning, you’re left on your bed staring at the ceiling and overthinking.
Every thought is worse than the other and with every bad thought you crack more and more until you can’t take it a moment longer and finally break. You do the one thing you said you wouldn’t do and…check his location. That’s when you find out that he’s not even close to the city or abroad just like you imagined, he’s on an Island…
Shit.
——
*THE NEXT DAY*
The Island was much harder to navigate to than you thought, but finally, after sailing for far longer than you’re comfortable with on nothing but the endless sea and its creepy deep, and dark waters, you make it to the Island. However, instead of driving right through the entrance and boldly announcing your presence, you sail to a more obscure part of the Island.
Did you count on having so many rocks surrounding the Island? No, but you do find an opening that seems to fit your boat.
Yet rather than sailing right through, you stop the motor right by the opening and intend to dive in the water to swim through the opening to avoid having someone hear your boat, but when you walk to the edge of the boat and look at the water, you remember how deep and vast it is.
There’s a possibility that you could just sink, and if you sink, you drown and die. The sea is so vast. It’s so terrifying. How are people not scared of it? You were so focused on getting to the Island that you were able to not think about your fear of the sea, but now you’re stopped in place, looking through the surface, seeing the dark depths of the open water, and feel like starting the motor and sailing all the way back to the mainland where you’ll be safe, but…Jun-ho is here and he doesn’t answer your texts or your calls. If he’s not dead yet, he might need your help, so you draw out a few deep breaths and take a moment to convince yourself to push your fear aside before you dive into the water.
When you’re in the water you start to breathe heavily and feel your heart race, but you shove that fear to the depths of your mind for now and start swimming so the worst doesn’t happen. However, the opening leads to a long corridor dimly lit by lamps on the walls, so the shadows turn to menacing threats that threaten to trap you and drag you down the depths of the sea.
That is until you finally find firm ground on a dock occupied by other small boats. “Finally,” you say between pants as you climb on a far corner of the dock, and then sit on your knees to drop your head in your hands and catch your breath so you can calm your racing heart and be wary of what you have to do in this place. You’d be no use to yourself or Jun-ho if you’re still shaken up by the dark waters.
After you manage to collect yourself, you only prioritize one goal. You don’t think about the fact that you’ll have to retrace your steps over the water and sail back to the mainland. You make Jun-ho your priority and become intensely determined.
However, if only finding Jun-ho could be as simple as walking through a door and finding him. You have your phone and you could still track his phone, but when you take your phone out of the plastic bag you kept it safe in, you fail to get service which results in you not being able to track Jun-ho anymore. And it’s not like you have wi-fi either so you’re left with no choice but to be careful and search this vast place as if with your eyes closed.
Thankfully, you don’t run into anyone when you exit the docks, you’re just greeted by yet another long hall lit by more lamps strung up on the stone walls. Spread down the hall there’s different turns that lead elsewhere, potential places that could lead to Jun-ho. Which one do you take?
Shit. Shit. Shit…
You look at all your options and debate for a while. When you make a strategic choice you take a step forward, but, at that moment, the sound of a gunshot echoes, and you know it would be a crazy risk checking if it’s who you’re looking for, but if you don’t risk it and check, then you could possibly lose the chance of finding him and you’d be left searching and searching for someone who might not be on the Island on anymore, besides, you’ll just take a quick peek. That won’t hurt…hopefully…then again even if it did hurt, it would be worth it for him. Thus, you quickly navigate through the labyrinth that is this cave until you reach a door you assume leads to where the gunshot came from.
After you make sure no one else is approaching, you then make sure not to be loud when you open the door, nor do you throw it open. You open the door just wide enough so you can peek out through a gap with one eye.
Alas, you’re met with a grey stone wall, so you push the door open just wide enough so you sneak through. When you make it to the end of the wall, you press yourself against the stone and peek out, that’s when you find him, the man you’re looking for in a pink jumpsuit, standing over a gap of illuminated water. No one else seems to be around him, so you slowly walk out.
Jun-ho doesn’t notice you right away so you call out to him. “Jun-ho.”
Said man spins around swiftly and the first thing he does is point the gun at you.
You don’t move in response or say anything. You stay where you are and let him see you. You let him figure out on his own that yes, it is you. You’re intertwined in the shadows of the cave. You’re not a trick his mind played on him, it’s you in the flesh looking at him like he’s salvation itself.
“Jun-ho,” you muse and he responds by muttering your name before he takes a few steps forward and stops.
You stay under the shadows of the room and study him carefully to make sure he’s unharmed, to reassure yourself that he’s there, before your very eyes, and breathing.
He's alive, and you’re relieved, but how long will he remain yours if you stay here?
Thus you bring an end to the moment and stride over to him to grab his wrist right away. “Come on, we have to go. I saw armed pink people guarding an entrance. We have to leave before we’re caught.”
He remains silent, but he doesn’t budge, he lets his wrist slip from your grasp, making you turn swiftly to look at him with panic. “Jun-ho, we have to leave.”
Said man blinks as he gathers his thoughts before he finally interjects with something other than your name. “What are you doing here? How did you find me?”
You walk back to him. “My phone,” you breathe out and hold his gaze, noticing how intensely he studies you with concern and confusion—“I tracked your phone here after you disappeared. I thought you were,” you pause and drop your head to let out a deep breath before you share the worries that plagued your mind when he was gone. “…With someone else so I checked your location.”
He scoffs and you look back at him.
“That’s when I saw you were here and—”
“And you came to catch me?” He continues for you with amusement breaking through his conflict and playing on his lips. “That’s…very much like you. I wouldn’t have gotten away with it even if I did try.”
You scoff now and he drops his head to let out a chuckle before he faces you with a serious face. “But I wouldn’t have done it. You know that.”
You avert your gaze out of shame and shrug. “Well I was being ignored so I thought the worst, but now aren’t you glad I’m here? Whatever this place is?” You quip and glance at the body floating in bloody water before meeting his dark eyes and returning to your panicked state.“Now we have to leave. I have a boat just outside. We have to swim to it, but we’ll make it.”
You grab his hand, but once again he refuses to move.
“No. I can’t. I have to find my brother and this place has the answers,” he explains, making you look at him with disbelief.
“Your brother?” You probe, making him nod.
“That’s not all, this place is manipulating people by dangling money in front of their faces only to kill them in different games.”
Your lips part and you gasp in horror at his revelation.
“I have to get evidence to stop it as well as find my brother…or…at least what may have happened to him because…I think he’s here or…he was. I’m not sure but I have to know.”
You shake your head. You know that he loves his brother and misses him dearly. He’s been searching for him and any answers as to what led him to disappear, but you can’t put your lives at risk for an answer. Not when you have a way out without getting killed.
“I’m sorry Jun-ho, but now that you told me what you know, we can’t put our lives at more risk!” You argue with panic. “We have to go.”
“And throw away the chance at finding my brother?” He snaps, making you blink repeatedly in disbelief before you counter with little patience.
“And didn’t you hear me? I saw armed guards. How long until they find us?! We have an opening and we have to take it.”
He steps back and shakes his head. “No, go if you want now that you know I’m okay, or stay and help me now that you’re here, but I’m not leaving. Not without answers.”
You challenge his gaze and nod stiffly in comprehension. “Is that how it’s going to be? After I risked my life coming after you?” You remark and he lifts his chin slightly in defense.
“I already told you what this all means to me. As grateful as I am that you came even if it was for your own jealous reasons, I won’t throw away my chances at finding answers.”
You let out a deep sigh and turn away to compose yourself before you lose all your patience.
“I know how hard this must have been with your fear of the sea,” he adds in a softer tone. “But you know what my brother means to me. And these people…it’s horrible. Everything about this place is horrible. I can’t leave without evidence to use to bring it down.”
You swallow thickly and then clench your jaw as you let out a deep breath through your nose.
“We might not have this chance to leave again,” you point out.
Jun-ho walks around you to face you with concern. “Don't stay if you don’t want to, go while you have the chance.”
You slowly meet his gaze with a look that softens the moment you meet his eyes. “And leave you all alone to get all the credit?” You murmur, making him scoff with a faint grin tugging on the corner of his lips.
“Plus I’m deep in it now. Whose going watch your back if not me?” You tease, making him finally laugh breathlessly before he looks into your eyes and drops his grin to step closer and cup your cheek with a smile filled with admiration.
“Thank you for coming after me even if you didn’t know what you were going to face,” he says softly.
You cup his hand and take your turn to look at him with awe that's also mixed with worry.
“Come, just above those ladders is a room that can give me the answers I’m looking for,” he shares and then steps away to point at the ladders at the far end of the room with his eyes.
Now you do hesitate while he leads the way, but you also can’t leave without him so you follow him to the ladders and climb them all the way to the top until you reach a hatch blocking your path.
“Do you have something to pick the lock?” He asks as he peers back at you.
“No,” you immediately let him down. “I’m sorry.”
He shakes his head. “It’s okay,” he says and then reaches into his pocket to pull out a revolver—“it’s going to be loud. Be ready.”
You hum and watch him shoot the hatch to pop open the lock.
“What is it?” You ask since you can’t see what Jun-ho can as he slowly opens the hatch door.
“The hatch opens to a cabinet. We’re inside the leader's room. I don’t think anyone’s here,” he shares, but even if there was someone the gunshot would have been a dead give away and you would have been caught, so luckily there isn’t anyone nearby.
“Let me check first and then you can climb up,” he lets you know over his shoulder before he climbs up one step to push open the cabinet doors and then climb into the room.
Once he's inside he does as he says and checks the room first, when he knows the ghost is clear, you hear his footsteps return before he pops over, letting you see him again. “Come on.” He waves you over, letting you climb up the rest of the ladder to get into the bland and depressing room yourself.
“Did you bring a gun?” Jun-ho asks and you look at him like he’s told you a joke before you remark.
“What do you think? No. I thought you were here hooking up with someone else, why would I bring a gun?”
He huffs. “I was just asking. Stick behind me then. Don’t wander off.”
You roll your eyes. “Wouldn’t dare to.”
He points his head to a door that looks exactly the same as the other doors in the depressing room, only, this door leads to a small room with a desk and a simple full-size bed. Thankfully, you don’t run into anyone, but the moment that you do walk in the room a siren begins to wail which could mean a variety of things, but you fear it might be about you and Jun-ho.
“We need to hurry,” you warn him, but he doesn’t stop being careless to hurry. He checks every corner with his gun, when he’s assured that the room is clear he opens a different door and immediately points his gun at the hall just like you were trained to. When a threat doesn’t pop out to become an inconvenience, he walks inside and you follow after him into the dark and menacing hall that leads to yet another dark room. Yet this one, unlike the others, isn't dimly lit, it’s covered in darkness and stays that way until Jun-ho’s small flashlight illuminates what he's looking at.
“What exactly are you looking for?” You ask just above a whisper just in case anyone is nearby to hear you.
“Just anything that can lead to my brother, In-ho,” he says over his shoulder and then watches every step you take as you make your way to his side now.
“Did you bring your phone?” He asks as he comes to a stop and turns to point the flashlight on you.
“Yeah,” you grumble and shield your eyes before you look down to pull your phone out and use your flashlight. “That’s the only thing I can use down here though. I have no service,” you complain and lift your eyes, making him lower the flashlight from your eyes.
“Me neither, but we don't have to worry about that until later. For now, let’s hurry and look for an answer.”
You nod in comprehension and intend to walk down the room to begin searching the shelves at the end of the room and let him cover the entrance, but he lingers where he is to look at you with emotions you can’t identify. “What?” You probe with concern.
He blinks out of his stupor and lets out a deep breath before he mutters, “be careful.”
You snicker. “I’ll yell if I need help.”
The corner of his lips twitch up before he holds your gaze for a second longer and then lets you both break away to cover different parts of the room.
“There’s so many records,” you point out as you run your flashlight over multiple different book spines that are mostly all pretty thick.
“Let’s find…this year's first,” he says in response. “And then switch from there.”
You keep running your light over the books as you walk across the shelf until you spot a binder that’s labeled with this year. “Jun-ho,” you call out and pull out the thick binder.
Your boyfriend doesn’t hesitate for a second before he strides to where you are and looks at what you found.
“It’s a binder for this year,” you share before you crouch to put the binder down. Jun-ho mirrors you, letting you open the binder and come across a profile of a player they call 001, but since that’s not his brother he finds no interest in it so you flip from page to page, making sure to look at every name printed by each picture in the corner.
“Who are these people?” You ask and steal a glance at him with a narrowed gaze that holds the hints of a darkness within—“They have the people’s medical records,” you add, noting his impatience and worry and feeling your heart ache at that.
“I don’t know.” He shakes his head.
You let the page go and look back, pointing your flashlight at the shelves behind you containing more stuff that could be useful. “I’ll check over here, you keep flipping through this.”
He doesn’t say anything, he just nods, letting you slip away to rummage through different shelves in hopes of finding something useful, but it’s all pointless. That is until a black box with a pink bow catches your eye.
It could be another pointless search, or it can hold an answer or a hint, so you pull the shelf out to grab the box and open it, finding a list of names next to different years.
Yet for the first few rows, all the names mean nothing until you reach the year 2015 and catch the name of Jun-ho’s brother, Hwang In-ho.
“Jun-ho!” You whisper shout and turn hastily to fall on your knees beside him and quickly hand him the list. When he sees what you point out his eyes widen and he then snaps his head up before he sloppily shoves himself to his feet and runs over to a shelf down the room.
You carefully follow him and catch him holding a binder of the year that his brother's name was listed next to. This time though he’s not so slow when he’s flipping through the pages, he takes a lot of pages to reach the number his brother was and there, as marked, is his brother's profile.
“In-ho,” he whispers and you study the page before you drift your eyes to watch Jun-ho instead.
“At least we know he won this…place,” you try to bring him some comfort. “We can leave now.”
Jun-ho looks through the gaps left between the shelf and the books and deadpans, “no,” before he leaves you there in that aisle and returns to where he left the list of names.
“What do you mean no?” You remark and peek out of the aisle, catching him pull out his phone. “You have your answers and we can probably still leave without getting caught.”
Jun-ho’s phone clicks and as you approach him from behind you see him take a picture of the list of players and then his brother's profile, but he doesn’t stop there, he darts around the room and grabs different folders and a couple of cassettes.
“What are you doing?” You query as you remain towering over him, basking his crouched figure in your shadow as he takes more pictures.
“We need more evidence,” he mutters as if it isn’t obvious. “I don’t have enough. After we get more we can leave.”
You scoff and turn your head away out of frustration, contemplating just forcing him out of here. It’d be a struggle but it would be worth it to get him out of here alive.
You also contemplate other choices, but ultimately you go along with what he wants because leaving him behind is not an option.
“Fine, but—” before you can finish talking suddenly a phone rings, cutting you off and making you freeze in place. Jun-ho on the other hand abandons what he was doing and slowly sneaks out of the room, leaving you no other choice but to follow him back to the main room and toward the land phone.
You know he wouldn’t be stupid enough to answer it, but it seems like he debates whether to do it or not as he just stares at the ringing phone. You almost have to ask if he would dare to do something so reckless, but then a ding breaks through the sound of the ringing phone, causing your heart to jolt before you snap your head from side to side to find a room to sneak into.
As it seems like you found your escape as if connected to your thoughts, Jun-ho rushes to you as quietly as possible to grab your hand and yank you with him to the same room you thought of escaping to. When you’re inside he does the unnecessary after he presses himself on the wall by the door; he proceeds to press you against his chest with his hand over your mouth. Then again, even with his gun in hand, you find comfort in the feeling of his heart racing against your back and his warm body pressed against you the most as the stressful moment unfolds.
“<Front Man speaking,” you hear a deep and obviously disguised voice answer the phone in English rather than Korean. “Yes. A minor disturbance has taken place. But it’s been addressed. No need to worry. We will make sure that no trace of it remains by the time the VIPs arrive>.”
Your heart skips a beat and you grip onto Jun-ho’s arm as you understand what the Front Man is saying.
“<Yes, sir,” the Front Man continues. “The game will begin on time, in line with the schedule>,” he finishes before you hear them hang up the phone and leave right away.
You expect him to come back, so you wait, but once you both know that there’s no one in the room anymore, Jun-ho lets you go and leads the way out, making sure that the ghost is really clear before he lets you follow him to the phone.
“Maybe we can finally reach the police with this phone,” you suggest, and a hopeful glint glimmers in his eyes.
“Yeah, good idea,” he praises you before he reaches over and grabs the phone to dial the number.
Yet…his effort is fruitless because he tries and gets no ring. He tries a different number but also gets nothing, ending with him sighing in defeat and returning the phone to its place.
“Damn,” you hiss and watch him with the same unaffected look that doesn’t carry any hint of true horror or deep concern. You are worried, but more so for his own safety, and the little fear you do hold is for the same reason. Anyone else would be horrified and constantly looking over their shoulder, but you don’t hold the weight of those emotions. You hold almost a knowing look as if this place is not actually strange. A darkness.
“We should, uh, go back to the record room to put the things back and then see where to go from there,” you share your idea as you raise your hand to cup his shoulder and give it a gentle squeeze before you return to the record room.
“You understood what the Front Man said right?” He asks once you're both in the record room since he knows you’re fluent in English too.
“Yeah, did you?”
He hums. “We have to stay until the VIPs arrive,” he shares the inevitable plan you already expected. “We have to know who they are.”
“Or at least try,” you argue to try and remind him to stay grounded and not get carried away with answers he might not get. “If this place is as horrible as you say, I doubt that they would show their faces. And without photos of their faces, we’d risk our lives for nothing.”
“They might not show their faces, that's right, but we have to try something to get answers. Even if it means being bolder in the attempt.”
You put the papers back in their respective folders and then as you get up to put the folders away, he gets up to return the binders to their shelf, leaving no room to add anything on the matter. Thus a silence befalls the dimly lit room that would make it feel alone if it hadn’t been for the soft shuffling noise he’s making.
“Jun-ho,” you call out as you don’t hear anyone coming, leaving you a perfect moment to speak up.
“Hm?”
You push the folders back in place and let your fingers linger on the back before you begin to walk away. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming here?”
“Because I didn’t really plan on coming. I was looking into more clues on my brother's disappearance and found a connection with a player here at the same time so I followed him in hopes to find answers,” he explains nonchalantly, but that still doesn’t assure you of anything.
“Okay, so that explains why you were gone for an entire day before you disappeared, but…why not let me know?” You ask as you come to a stop at the end of the aisle. “I could have helped you, or even just kept you company. Or I could have just known where you were.”
Jun-ho’s footsteps start to depart from the aisle he is at and stop in the middle of the room, making you slowly walk away from the aisle but remain in the cover of darkness as you turn your flashlight off.
“I’m capable too, you know?” You remind him.
“I know,” he says back without a moment of hesitation, letting you know that he believes in what he said.
“I graduated in the same class as you at the academy. I have the same training, and I’m even a decorated detective,” you press with a slight quiver.
“I know,” he insists, but even if those words escape his mouth, you remain lost as to why he chose not to tell you a thing.
“Then?” You remark and at last step into his light where he finally sees your vulnerability in your eyes brimming with tears and your face contorted with frustration.
Vulnerability is something you don’t often show. When he met you you were cold; was it because you were in a male-populated career? Or was it the way you were raised? He didn’t know but it took you a while to even be his friend.
“I,” he says and pauses, luring you closer to him to meet eye to eye and not have the darkness be in the way—“I didn’t want to put your life at risk,” he reveals, making you blink in surprise.
“I didn’t know what I was getting into,” he adds, making your face soften and your breath hitch. “And I didn’t want to risk your life for something that could have turned out to be pointless. I don’t like to see you get hurt and if something had happened to you, or if something happens to you because of me, I…don’t think I could ever in my life forgive myself.”
Your face contorts with disbelief while in your stomach you feel a fluttering sensation as all the butterflies dance with utter awe at the sound of his confession.
“I…love you,” he reveals three words that hurt your chest, but also bring a deep bliss that makes it easy to get drunk off of.
“I’m happy you said it,” you redirect as you grab his arm. “Because I love you too, Jun-ho. I have not had many people in my life, but now I have you. And you’re someone I cherish and love beyond measure.”
His lips form into a smile as he proceeds to cup your cheek. Now you don’t have the luxury of time or of being careless, so you lean in for a short but passionate kiss that you linger in to savor the taste of his lips. A little taste of pure bliss and love in a sinister place.
“So,” you interject when you pull away. “What now?”
Jun-ho sighs. “With the Front Man gone, they’ll be busy with a game, so we wait until the VIP’s come. That’s all we can do. We can’t disguise ourselves as the Pink guards, they would have already seen the body in the water, so they’ll be even more suspicious now.”
You sigh deeply and step back. “Well…I can wait. I suppose. What other choice do we have?” You groan before you remember what else you have to put away and walk back to where you had gathered everything to grab the black box and hand it to Jun-ho.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t find more on your brother,” you share your pity. “But is it enough for now?”
Jun-ho looks at the box containing the fact that his brother was one of the previous winners and hesitates before he nods softly.
“Good,” you say for his own benefit and then give him a peck on the cheek while he walks over to put the box away.
“You should get some rest. It’s going to take a while,” he offers, but you turn and quickly protest.
“No. I’m not tired. You should rest. How long has it been since you’ve slept? I can keep watch.”
Jun-ho turns without pushing into the shelf and walks back to you. “I’ve slept enough. You came all this way. You must be tired. It’s okay, I don’t mind keeping watch.”
You put your hands on your hips and shake your head. “No, we take turns then. You sleep the first half and I’ll do the second. This is me putting my foot down.”
Jun-ho scoffs and drops his head as he admits defeat. “Fine, come on then let’s stay in the aisle with the lights off.”
You giggle and make your way to an aisle. “If I didn’t know better I’d say you are trying to seduce me.”
He lets out a chuckle and you can’t help but smile at the small yet heartwarming gesture. “You don’t know better.”
As you take a seat on the floor the last thing he sees is you beaming at him before he turns the light off and takes a seat next to you.
“I can sing you a lullaby,” you tease him as you lean toward him.
“Pft,” he snorts and then he can’t help but laugh. “I’m not your dog.”
You giggle. “Aww, he enjoys them though. He looks forward to it.”
“It’s weird,” he mumbles as he takes something out of his pocket and then presses the cold object on your lap, letting you identify what it is—“for just in case.”
You place your hand on the gun to feel its cold surface before you place it beside you. “Well, hopefully, you won’t sleep through any trouble. I won’t be able to carry you out.”
He huffs. “I’ll be right here if anything does happen.”
You smile softly and then press your lips on the top of his head and let your lips linger there as he lets his body relax and his head fall on your shoulder.
Silence follows to accompany you after that and his snores don’t fill it because you know he’s not in a deep sleep, and how can anyone be comfortable enough to find deep sleep in this place? So you’re sitting in the silence, keeping an ear open for any potential danger while also wondering if you still want to keep this deeply buried secret still buried. Especially after Jun-ho said he loved you.
You trust Jun-ho, and he’s already here, but can you really confess such a deep-kept secret and put his life at even more risk? For so long you have tried to distance yourself from the secret. You turned your back on it and pretended it didn’t exist until you found out that the man you love was here putting his life at risk, so it begs the question, should you tell him and…risk losing him?
If you tell him will he turn his back on you and make your nightmare a reality? He told you he loved you so he deserves to not be lied to about something so significant, but…can you really be so selfless?
You don’t know, and you can’t figure out the answer to the question when he wakes up, so you shelve it and close your eyes.
It is hard to find sleep, but eventually, it comes to you and you drift off. It’s not a long sleep, you’re rudely woken up by the sound of the phone ringing again, but the sleep was enough to recharge some of that energy you had lost, which, that in itself is important.
“Get behind me,” Jun-ho demands as he grabs your arm and helps you up without actually letting you try on your own. He then proceeds to pull you behind him so he can point his gun through the bookshelf's gaps.
The phone rings again and in the short silence the elevator dings before another ring echoes and footsteps click on the ground. The phone rings two more times before there’s finally an answer in English. “<Front Man speaking,” you understand the monotone voice say before he pauses for a brief second and then continues again. “I’m happy to hear you enjoy the game. Yes, the host is currently waiting for the VIP’s to arrive.>”
A silence proceeds to fall and a couple of seconds later the sound of clicking shoes recedes, almost relieving you of the stress tightening your chest. Albeit before either Jun-ho or you can feel relief, the monotone voice booms in Korean.
“Are you in here right now?” He directs in Korean to either you or Jun-ho. You assume it’s Jun-ho, but you aren’t certain. “You’re good, but you made one mistake. I always put the receiver down the other way.”
Jun-ho peers over his shoulder to look at you with a shameful look, causing you to pass him a look of reassurance before you press your hands on his back for comfort.
“The bullet you shot was a Smith and Wesson M60 revolver, standard issue for Korean police. What’s a cop doing here…without a partner?”
You curl your fingers, grabbing the pink material of Jun-ho’s pink suit.
“Or so you want us to believe? We saw a boat arrive with a woman in it…” He pauses
Your breath hitches as your heart skips a beat.
“Your partner? I’ll tell you what?” He adds. “We’ll play a game. I’ll let her wander around to try and find you. If I catch her you can watch her die.”
Jun-ho’s breath shudders and his gloves crinkle as he tightens his grip around his gun.
“If you find her, you can come out and ask me questions. I am sure you have many,” he adds and then pauses as he finally sounds above you, making you hold Jun-ho tighter.
“I don’t know how you got in, but you can't leave this place without my permission,” the Front Man continues and gets closer, opening the door that leads to the record room and marching down. When he opens the final door that welcomes him in the same room, he’s quick to turn on the light, causing you to place your hand over your mouth and clench your jaw as your nerves rise sky high.
You wish for him to leave with every step he takes, but he walks past you. He then turns around and only gets closer to spotting you, and even if Jun-ho raises his gun higher, what would stop the Front Man from finding you?
The Front Man is the overseer for a reason, a defenseless woman and one man with one gun won’t scare him.
Nevertheless, as if by divine intervention the radio beeps, stopping the Front Man in his tracks before he can turn your way.
“We found a body,” a man comes through the radio.
“Where is it?”
“The Northern coast of the Island,” the other man responds, making the Front Man put his radio away and whisk off, leaving you and your boyfriend to remain hidden. Yet it’s only after a few minutes pass that you let go of your boyfriend, letting him move from his spot to face you without turning on his flashlight as if fearing the Front Man would appear if he did.
“We need to find somewhere else to hide. We won’t get lucky here again,” he says between heavy breaths.
You nod stiffly and slowly lower your head, letting him know you’re bothered. “What?” He probes.
“We don’t have much time left,” you point out as if he doesn’t know that fact clearly—“Whatever you have planned you need to do it now,” you press and face him with a pointed gaze.
“I know,” he mutters and puts his gun away before he sighs and averts his gaze, letting you know he’s holding something back.
“What?”
He unclenches his jaw and slowly meets your gaze through the darkness. “I’m going alone, and I’m not listening to any protest. You heard him. If he finds you…” he pauses and lets out a shaky breath, making you grab his hands to try and assure him that there’s nothing to worry about.
“He won’t. Especially not when I’m with you.”
Jun-ho pulls his hands away from your hold and grows firm. “No, I won’t put your life at any more risk because of me.”
“Jun—”
“I said no,” he cuts you off roughly. “You’ll stay in the cabinet until I’m done.”
You raise your chin and challenge him just as fiercely, but he doesn’t budge, ending in his victory.
“Fine,” you grumble and push yourself to your given height to storm off. Before you can reach the door you turn on your heels and bump into his chest. “But if you don’t make it back two hours after you leave I’ll go find you.”
He clenches his jaw and huffs but compromises for your own sake. “Fine.”
You hum with contentment before you turn again and leave the record room to now hide with Jun-ho in the cabinet and wait again, finding yourself lulling to sleep in that wait.
However, this time you just close your eyes because a light burning sensation on part of your face wakes you up, and when you try to follow where the sensation starts from, you catch Jun-ho with his dark eyes set on you.
He sees that you catch him staring, but he doesn’t look away, making you smile giddly.
Before you can comment on the matter though, the elevator dings and a pair of footsteps walks out before the presence lingers until he sets off as another ding rings out and multiple footsteps now echo, making the monotone voice speak.
“<Greetings,” the Front Man speaks in English. “I hope your long trip here has not been too difficult. I am the Front Man, who operates and oversees all matters here. It’s a true honor to welcome you>.”
“<Where is the host?>” A guest speaks and you now imagine that the VIP’s are here.
“<Unfortunately, some urgent business has prevented him from attending.>” The Front Man gives an excuse that triggers more questions.
“<Seriously?>” Someone else asks. “<I find it hard to believe the host would miss a night like tonight.>”
“<He asked me to apologize on his behalf,” The Front Man offers the guests.
“<Did some problem happen here?>” A man with a deep gravelly voice and accent asks.
“<Not at all. It’s just a personal matter of the host.>”
You clench your jaw and your gaze hardens. A detail Jun-ho misses as he’s attentive to the Front Man going on.
“<The remaining games will be held as scheduled.” He breathes out and then goes on. “I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.>”
“<Well, I hope not,” a different man interjects in a different accent you can pinpoint. “Listen, I’m willing to give anybody some slack. That’s not a problem.” He chuckles. “I just have to say that I’m a difficult man to please. I hope you won’t disappoint me.>”
Oh, brother.
“<Shall we?>” The Front Man says, leaving the comment as is and bringing his guests toward the cabinet you’re hiding in, but ultimately passing you to go through a hidden door and leave elsewhere. Thankfully.
After a few minutes Jun-ho shifts to open the cabinet and climb out. You quickly follow after him to grab his hand and turn him around toward you so you can smash your lips on his. And since he didn’t expect the kiss he’s caught off guard, but he doesn’t slack, he grabs your jaw and pulls you closer, tempting to open the gates to your burning desire, but since you’re in such a dangerous environment the desire doesn’t burst open those gates, so even if you’re hesitant you’re able to pull back without trouble.
“Be careful,” you whisper against his lips.
He lifts his head to press a kiss on your forehead and let his lips linger on the sweat-covered surface. “I will. Promise. You be careful too.”
“Three hours.”
Jun-ho chuckles, making you feel chills as his breath washes over your flesh. “You’ve given me more time? I’m surprised.”
You smile softly. “I trust you, but I’m still looking out for you….until the end of the line partner.”
He smiles sweetly against your forehead. “Until then,” he whispers before he cups your jaw and presses another kiss on your forehead, and then leaves you waiting with your heart in your stomach in a place that makes you feel as if you’re stranded in the middle of the ocean with nothing but endless dark waters to taunt you.
——
*LATER*
It’s starting to feel stuffy in the cabinet and you can feel your hunger creeping in as you’re not plagued by a thousand other thoughts. Moreover, the time you gave Jun-ho is starting to come to an end, but you forbid yourself from overthinking. He’s smart. He’ll make it back. He will…
You lean your head back to rest it against the side as you wait and wait until you hear the sound of doors sliding open and footsteps that make a hasty and hard beat.
You don’t shift an inch so as to not alert the wrong person of your presence, even if it means you can’t see who it is.
You have to sit with your breath held until the person reaches the cabinet and crouches down to open the doors, revealing themselves to be your boyfriend Jun-ho.
“Jun-ho,” you breathe out with relief.
“I’m back,” he reassures you quickly before he waves you to him. “Now climb out so I can open the hatch.”
You hum and let him help you out so he can open the hatch, and then urge you to go back to climb down first, which you do without protest.
When your feet hit the concrete ground you turn and take a couple of steps away to give Jun-ho space to land, but right away you’re slammed with fear as you see the dark water and realize what awaits you in order to leave the cave.
“Jun-ho,” you let out a shaky whisper and when you hear his feet hit the ground, but not respond you peer back and notice his eyes fixated above for a lingering moment before he turns away and hastily rushes to you to grab you by the hand and pull you with him.
“He was right above us,” he shares quickly which you barely catch, but manage to anyway. “He knows we’re going to use the scuba gear to make our escape. We need to hurry.”
He then stops you where the benches are and swipes scuba equipment off the bench to start putting it on you without as much as thinking.
“Jun-ho,” you call out, but it goes to deaf ears because he continues to help you, causing you to glance at the water and see a malicious darkness taunt you. “Jun-ho,” you whisper again as you keep your eyes on the water, but again he doesn’t listen.
“Jun-ho!” You exclaim and he snaps out of his stupor to look at you with concern—“let me,” you don’t express your fear to let him focus on his own gear, which he does, but your fear only heightens and it's something Jun-ho doesn’t need to notice. After he snapped out of his stupor he remembered.
“We have flashlights to light our way, and I’ll be right in front of you.”
You swallow back nervously and nod hesitantly before you wrap your phone in a plastic bag and shove it into a secure pocket. The time comes to dive in the water, but all you see is death looming in the deep water.
“You’ll be okay,” Jun-ho assures you one more time before he puts his mouthpiece in and dives into the water. You grab your mouthpiece and stare at the water, watching the malicious water grow darker and deeper than it actually is. Yet you know time is critical and there’s no other choice so you insert your mouthpiece and dive into the cold water. After that, Jun-ho doesn’t hesitate to sink in and you have no other choice but to follow him. And as comforting as his presence is, your fear doesn’t cease to exist.
The malicious darkness slowly closes in on you the more you swim in the never-ending underwater tunnel, while the bottom, even though it is visible, is an abyss that threatens to drag you to a point of no return. There’s so many times when you want to stop and just ball up and close your eyes to not look at what you’re surrounded by, but you know that if you do so you’re doomed so you keep swimming, feeling the fear gripping at your throat until finally you see the break of light and resurface. You're not out of the water, nor are you close to land, but you can take a deep breath of fresh air and grasp the fact that you aren’t going to drown in the eerie depths.
“We need to get in touch with the police and the Coast Guard. Or at least I have to send what I got on my phone,” Jun-ho says with his mouthpiece out of his mouth and his eyes set on the island you just escaped. “I’m sorry we have to dive back in and swim back.”
You shake your head. “It's the only place we can probably get some service so…it’s okay,” you assure him. “Let’s get going before they find us.”
Jun-ho glances over at you and nods before you reinsert your mouthpiece and dive back into the water. The swim to shore is shorter this time and not as dark. You're not surrounded by an underground tunnel, but the fear is still as high, and your anxiety is skyrocketing as you sense that the Front Man and his pink goons are close due to their lack of presence so far and the fact that you’re out in the open heading right back where you left from.
At least when you finally make it to shore you’re able to let go of some of the emotional weight that fear burdens you with while also shedding the physical weight of the scuba gear. If only you were lucky enough to have service in your phones, but alas, neither Jun-ho nor you have any service, pushing you to climb the rocky hill set before you in hopes of getting enough service on high ground.
Once you’re close to reaching the top though, the sound of a gunshot brings you to an immediate halt, and when you look back to follow the noise another gunshot follows and you’re welcomed to the sight of pink guards trying to climb the rocky hill, and the Front Man.
“Shit,” you mumble between pants and then get pulled down by Jun-ho as he hides you in the shrubbery to pull out his phone and call your Chief now that he has a bar of service. And as the line rings you keep your eyes on the bright pink guards coming your way.
When the Chief finally answers the phone you continue to be on the lookout.
“It’s me, Chief,” Jun-ho says between pants.
As expected the Chief descends into madness, but Jun-ho pushes to be heard. “Can you hear me all right, sir? Just hold on, I’ll explain it later.”
The pink guards disappear past your eyesight, meaning that even if they’re not above you, they’re finding their way.
“Look,” Jun-ho keeps ignoring the question. “We’re somewhere southwest of the mainland.”
“What?” You hear the chief's query before he asks if you’re with Jun-ho since you’ve been missing too, but Jun-ho keeps pressing on.
“Can you try to locate my signal? Put a whole team together for this.”
The Chief once again questions Jun-ho while you see the Front Man following the Pink Guards trail.
“You gotta get a whole squad. The police, coast guard, everyone!” Jun-ho insists, giving a second for the Chief to respond before he continues. “Let me send over a couple of things, okay, and take a look.”
The Front Man also proceeds to disappear into the wilderness, making your heart begin to pound.
“I’ll call you again soon,” Jun-ho says and ends the call but proceeds to try and send the Chief evidence he managed to obtain.
“Are you done? I can’t see them, we have to go,” you hurry Jun-ho up and he follows up with a hum so you grab his hand and pull him with you so you can now put space between you and the people after you.
Once you make it to the top of the hill, Jun-ho lets your hand go and brings you to a stop. “Wait, wait, wait!”
You stop against a tree and look back, seeing him checking his phone and pressing on his screen with obvious panic, but you can’t do anything about it so you look out and that’s when you catch the Pink Guards not far from where you are.
“Jun-ho,” you call out and grab his shoulder to gain his attention so he can see what you do, and it’s at that moment that the Pink Guards come to a brief stop and manage to spot you and Jun-ho.
“They’re over there!” A guard points out to you, making Jun-ho and you break into a sprint to leave where you are.
After a while of running and when you’re within a forest, the guards get closer. You can see them and hear their commotion, but Jun-ho and you are fueled with a dire need to escape with your lives so you manage to pick up your speed, but soon thereafter, you’re forced to a stop as you come across a cliff that leads to the water. There’s no more path, just water below the cliff.
“We…we have to,” you stammer. “We have to jump!”
You look over at Jun-ho and just as you meet his dark eyes, he pushes you into some thick shrubbery just beside you that keeps you hidden. He then kicks something in the water that makes a big splash as the Pink Guards catch up and announce their presence with a gunshot to the air before you can jump out and push you and Jun-ho into the water.
“Police,” Jun-ho exclaims his identity. “Put down your weapons, you got that?!”
You move to be able to peek through the branches and leaves as the pink guards shuffle to find their position in front of Jun-ho.
“We already know everything about you all,” Jun-ho shares as you see him show off his phone. “The Coast Guard will be here soon.”
“I don’t know,” a different but familiar voice interjects in the distance. “Have the Korean police ever been quick to act?” He asks and you drift your attention to the voice and see the Front Man approaching Jun-ho menacingly. “And besides, you barely get any signal around here. I don’t know what you tried to send, but I doubt it went through.”
It’s a form of intimidation, but Jun-ho doesn’t falter. “Come and turn yourself in. You’ll get a plea bargain with that.”
“If you drop your gun right now and hand over the phone, I might let you and the woman live,” The Front Man mocks Jun-ho as he keeps moving toward him, making Jun-ho react.
“Stop right there!”
“The gun of yours holds five bullets,” The Front Man reveals that he knows Jun-ho’s predicament. “But for the police regulations, one chamber must remain empty and one must be filled with a blank. That leaves three live rounds. You already used one to kill a man, and another one to break the lock. Which means that there’s only one left in your gun.”
You clench your jaw with fear and use every muscle in your body not to expose yourself and just tackle Jun-ho
in the water because you know that if you do you'd be killed before you hit the water.
“One bullet is more than enough to kill you,” Jun-ho spats and cocks his gun, but the Front Man keeps moving forward.
“Give up,” he urges Jun-ho.
“I warned you,” Jun-ho snaps. “Take another step and—”
Before he can finish his warning he does as he said and shoots the Front Man in the shoulder, making you hold your breath as you expect the worst.
Alas, you catch the Front Man signal his men not to retaliate, so you’re able to breathe while keeping your attention on every single movement made by both men.
“This is over,” the Front Man groans. “Now come with me.”
Jun-ho steps back closer to the ledge, and the Front Man gets closer while he proceeds to urge Jun-ho to give up—“Do as I say. Or you die.”
“Who the hell…” Jun-ho trails off as he lowers his gun. “Are you?” He finishes asking, and miraculously in response the Front Man reaches for his mask to take it off and reveal his face, giving meaning to why he’s been merciful to Jun-ho and not killed him yet. The Front Man is…In-ho, Jun-ho’s older brother…
No…
“In-ho,” Jun-ho whispers in disbelief as he watches with wide-eyed shock.
“Let's go,” the Front Man tells Jun-ho one more time—“make it easy. For you and your partner,” he says with a softness in his voice whilst he extends his hand to offer it to Jun-ho.
Alas, without surprise Jun-ho declines with a shake of his head, making the Front Man lower his hand to instead grab his gun now. You see that without a fault and intend to come out of hiding, but Jun-ho knows you well. He looks your way and as if pretending to speak to his brother he mutters “no,” to you before glancing back at his brother. “Brother…In-ho, why?”
The Front Man hits the trigger and the bullet pierces Jun-ho’s shoulder, making him stumble back, while your eyes go wide and you immediately cover your mouth to not cry out in response. You do want to run out but either way, before you can even attempt to snap out of your shock, Jun-ho loses balance and falls back.
You want to cry out for him, but with your hands over your mouth, all you can do is contort your face with distress as tears crawl down your cheeks.
Meanwhile, the Front Man approaches the ledge and watches his brother hit the water. After a few lingering seconds he puts his mask over his face, masking any and every emotion he could have, and then turns around. Before he can walk back to his goons, his masked face tilts your way, and his masked eyes find you.
He looks right at you, there’s no mistaking it. You meet eye to eye and he then walks away without exposing you. It’s only once they’ve put some distance between you that you come out of hiding and without so much as hesitating, you jump off the cliff, feeling gravity drag you down with all its force before you hit the water.
Now you would give yourself time to collect yourself after making a big jump, but when you resurface you don’t care about anything, but Jun-ho.
“Jun-ho?!” You cry out and look around desperately. When you find his unconscious body resurfacing you swim toward him, feeling a twinge of agony hit your heart as you fear the worst, but you also know you can’t be certain and that you don’t want this living nightmare to become a reality, so when you reach him you quickly wrap your arms around his body and press your ear against his chest.
Now it takes a while to hear a thing, your own heart is thumping in your ears, but you’re insistent and refuse to accept that he may be dead so you hold your breath and search.
After a second of waiting you finally catch the sound of his beating heart and break down into a sob as you hug his body against you with relief, stealing a moment from time to press a kiss on his forehead before you find a sliver of solace in his beating heart as you press your forehead against his, right there, in the eerie sea.
.
.
.
.
.
A/N- To be continued in a series??? Would you all like that??
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Squid Game Incorrect Quotes 〇△□
Front Man (Hwang In-ho): [holding Gi-hun at gunpoint] You must be losing it, Player 456. I could beat you with one hand.
Seong Gi-hun: Isn't that how you like to beat yourself?
Front Man: …
Seong Gi-hun: …Okay, if those are my last words, I can definitely do better.
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bread-crum206 · 1 day ago
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A Game of Hearts
Chapter thirty-three: What He Left Behind
Summary: Y/N’s father is a VIP for the games, he makes a deal with the Frontman that if he marries his only daughter that he will continue to sponsor the games. However, Y/N is not fond of this decision as she loathes the games and in turn, loathes the Frontman as well. Will she grow to love him? Will he let his walls down?
previous | 33 | next
Series Masterlist
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The office was quiet, save for the soft ticking of the antique clock on the far wall. You had been sitting on the couch for what felt like hours, waiting for In-ho to return. The leather beneath you had long since warmed to your body, but no matter how you shifted, you couldn’t get comfortable.
He was taking too long.
You sighed, rubbing your hands over your face before letting them fall into your lap. This had been a mistake. You weren’t sure what you had expected—maybe for him to walk in, see you waiting for him, and actually talk.
But that wasn’t who he was.
You glanced toward his desk, its dark wood polished to perfection. Everything about it, from the neatly stacked papers to the carefully placed books, was perfectly arranged—controlled.
You thought about what the Square Guard had told you.
“If you really want to know him, stop looking for him here.”
But the thing was, you weren’t looking for the Front Man. You were looking for In-ho. The man beneath the mask. The man you weren’t sure even existed anymore.
Before you could talk yourself out of it, you stood.
Your fingers hesitated over the desk before you reached for the first drawer. It slid open with ease, revealing neatly organized documents. You skimmed over them, quickly realizing they were related to the games—reports, lists, schedules. Nothing personal.
The second drawer was more interesting. A pack of cigarettes, a lighter with an intricate engraving, an old wristwatch with a cracked leather strap. Your fingers brushed over the watch, feeling the worn edges. It looked well-used, kept, even if it no longer worked.
Then, you reached the third drawer.
It stuck at first, but with a gentle pull, it slid open.
And there, nestled beneath a stack of old papers, were photographs.
Your breath hitched as you picked up the first one.
In-ho.
But not the man you knew now.
This version of him was younger, his expression softer, lacking the hardened, unreadable mask he wore now. And beside him—
A woman.
She was smiling, her eyes bright with happiness as she leaned into him. He wasn’t smiling in the traditional sense, but there was something in the way he looked at her, something alive.
Your fingers trembled as you set it aside and reached for the next.
More photos. The same woman, sometimes alone, sometimes in candid moments with In-ho. Then—
An ultrasound.
Your stomach twisted.
The date. The details. The name scrawled in the corner.
She had been pregnant.
Your heartbeat pounded in your ears. There was no sign of them here—no photographs displayed, no belongings, no trace of their existence. Which could only mean one thing.
They were gone.
You swallowed against the lump forming in your throat, setting the ultrasound aside as you reached for the next set of photos.
These were different.
In-ho stood beside another man, their resemblance undeniable. The younger one—his brother, you realized—was smiling, his eyes bright with mischief. In-ho, even then, looked more serious, but his posture was relaxed.
Jun-ho.
You had never heard In-ho mention him, but the way he kept these photos—hidden yet carefully preserved—told you everything you needed to know.
He had loved them.
His wife. His unborn child. His brother.
And now, they were all gone.
Your hands shook as you carefully placed the photos back in the drawer. Your mind spun, trying to piece together the fragments of a past he had never spoken about.
No wonder he kept people at a distance.
No wonder he buried himself in the mask of the Front Man.
Because the last time he let people in…
He lost everything.
The door handle clicked.
You spun around, heart pounding, as the door creaked open.
In-ho stepped inside, his movements slow, deliberate. His mask obscured his face, but you could feel his eyes on you, his gaze flickering between you and the desk.
His posture was stiff. Controlled.
But beneath it—
You had seen something crack.
And you weren’t sure if he would ever forgive you for it.
———————
Here’s chapter 33! Idk how long I want to keep this going… the hate I’ve been getting is crazy, never really expected that lol
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infinilee · 3 days ago
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001x456 · 23 hours ago
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ngl before season 2 premiered, I had absolutely no idea we'd be getting the gi-hun x in-ho ship, as in I thought their dynamics would be like in the first season where in-ho stayed the front man the entire time and his only interactions with gi-hun would be when they were hurting or trying to kill each other and that there would be no homoerotic tension between them. like I did not expect in-ho to join the game and I did not expect him to have this chemistry with gi-hun at all. I remember my first time watching these scenes and thinking the whole thing was a fever dream but here we are and here I am being obsessed and in love with them :')
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bebx · 3 days ago
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Unpopular Squid Game opinion (or not), I wish they didn't kill off the Recruiter. I would have loved to see him and In-ho in a scene together where they matched each other's freak.
Anyway, NSFW but I wrote a fic about Recruiter x Front Man because why not (although they don't actually match each other's freak in this fic, because the Recruiter kind of outfreaks him by a mile here and I turn it into In-ho whump, oops)
Summary:
For the Soldiers, the Masked Officer, the VIPs and the Players, Hwang In-ho is the Front Man. For the Recruiter, he's still Player 132.
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lissasinclair · 12 hours ago
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Hwang In-ho and his hand movements :3
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sleepingkittiesworld · 1 day ago
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spoilers if u haven’t read the latest chapter
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this is how bros gonna pull up to the valentine’s day date excited as hell as if he didn’t imprison his bf
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angelseraphines · 6 hours ago
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i want to write for the masked officer from the second season of squid game but they gave us literally nothing to work with 💔 whatever i still wanna write for him so lmk if you wanna see a fanfiction with him!!
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