With a sharp slash, blood gushed from Player 223's neck.
It turned out that Yun-Ho had been silently observing Player 223's movements. Seeing Jung-Hyuk in danger, he did not hesitate to stab Player 223 with a fork.
The floor was quickly covered in Player 223's blood.
While everyone else was still asleep, the doors and lights suddenly switched on.
The broadcast announced: "Player 223, eliminated."
A Masked Man entered, carrying a coffin-shaped box.
Everyone's eyes turned toward Jung-Hyuk, whose face was now drenched in blood.
Yun-Ho collapsed to the ground in fear.
Ji-Xian smirked faintly from afar.
Not long after, the lights grew brighter.
The broadcast announced: "The fourth game will begin shortly. All participants, please follow the instructions of the staff to move. I repeat, the fourth game will begin shortly. All participants, please follow the instructions of the staff to move."
On the way, Il-hoon said to Jung-Hyuk: "Wipe your face."
Jung-Hyuk wiped it with his clothes.
Soon, they arrived at another location.
The broadcast announced: "Welcome, participants, to the fourth game. This game will be played in pairs. Find someone to team up with. Once both sides agree, shake hands to become partners. I repeat, this game will be played in pairs. Find someone to team up with. Once both sides agree, shake hands to become partners. Starting now, you have ten minutes to form teams of two."
Jung-Hyuk looked at Yun-Ho, then at Il-hoon, unsure what to do.
At that moment, Player 13 walked over to So-Yeon and asked: "Can I be your partner? After all, we're both women."
So-Yeon looked at Jung-Hyuk.
Jung-Hyuk said: "Don't look at me. Decide for yourself."
Player 13 extended her hand. So-Yeon shook it.
Yun-Ho walked toward Jung-Hyuk, extending his hand: "Let's team up."
Jung-Hyuk glanced at Il-hoon. Il-hoon looked back at him, then shook hands with Player 40.
Jung-Hyuk shook Yun-Ho's hand.
On the other side, Ji-Xian shook hands with Player 94.
The broadcast sounded: "Pairing time is over. Participants, please move to the game venue with your partners."
Inside, they saw many small rooms.
Il-hoon said: "Don't tell me we're playing inside toilets?"
Player 40 replied: "You're really funny."
"Participants, please follow the staff into your designated rooms."
Yun-Ho asked, puzzled: "Why do we have to go into a room?"
Jung-Hyuk said: "No idea."
Then, they each entered a completely white room.
Inside, they found two chairs, one table, and a neatly stacked pile of blocks.
Once everyone was inside, the broadcast said: "This game is Block Drawing Fun. Each player will compete against their partner. The one who topples the blocks first will be eliminated. I repeat, this game is Block Drawing Fun. Each player will compete against their partner. The one who topples the blocks first will be eliminated. If no winner is decided, both will be eliminated."
They each turned to look at their partner.
At that moment, Ji-Xian muttered: "Fuck."
"Game time: 20 minutes. Begin."
After the broadcast ended, Il-hoon calmly sat down and said: "Let's agree on something first — don't let me win."
Player 40 silently nodded.
Yun-Ho looked at Jung-Hyuk: "Jung-Hyuk, I…"
Jung-Hyuk embraced him.
Ji-Xian said to Player 94: "Let's go."
Player 94's hands trembled as he drew the first block.
Ji-Xian followed, smoothly pulling one out as well.
Meanwhile, So-Yeon and Player 13 were already halfway through their stack.
Player 13 glared viciously at So-Yeon: "Do you know what Player 300 once told me? She said I was protected by God, that I won't die."
So-Yeon snapped: "Stupid bitch."
Il-hoon and Player 40 played steadily, each taking turns.
Jung-Hyuk said to Yun-Ho: "I don't want to see either of us die so soon."
Yun-Ho replied: "We still have time. Let's wait until the end."
Jung-Hyuk said: "Alright."
Ji-Xian said: "Your turn."
Player 94 pulled a block from the bottom left.
When he succeeded, he laughed: "Hahaha! Let's see how you play now. Only one block left at the very bottom."
So-Yeon carefully drew another piece: "Your turn."
Player 13 began pulling, but halfway through, the blocks collapsed. She froze in horror at what she had done.
A Masked Man raised his gun at her.
Player 13 pleaded: "No! No, no, no!"
Bang! Player 13 was dead.
The broadcast rang out:
"Player 13, eliminated."
Il-hoon pulled out another block and said: "Your turn."
Player 40 drew one successfully.
Il-hoon then asked: "Why did you come here?"
Player 40 hesitated before answering: "My company went bankrupt that day. I was devastated and fought with my wife when I got home. Out of anger, she drove off with our son to her mother's house. On the way… there was a car accident. By the time I reached the hospital, it was too late."
As he spoke, Player 40's eyes filled with tears.
Il-hoon asked: "So that's when you came here?"
Player 40 looked at him and said: "I met that man. He gave me a card. At the time, I thought… I had nowhere else to go. So I came here."
As he spoke, Il-hoon pulled another block.
On the other side, Yun-Ho asked Jung-Hyuk: "You haven't told me why you came here."
Jung-Hyuk replied: "I'm a failed writer. When I was young, I thought making money was easy. But growing up, I realized it's harder than climbing to the sky."
Ji-Xian, realizing he was about to lose, stood up and grabbed Player 94's sleeve.
Player 94 demanded: "What are you doing?"
Ji-Xian snarled: "You must have cheated!"
As Player 94 struggled to shake him off, Ji-Xian suddenly let go. Because of the force, Player 94 toppled the blocks.
Player 94 glared at Ji-Xian. Ji-Xian sneered: "Goodbye, bastard."
Player 94 shouted in fury as the Masked Man approached: "You son of a bitch!!!"
A gunshot rang out.
"Player 94, eliminated."
Player 40 stopped, looking at Il-hoon: "Player 201, you're still young. I don't want to see your life end here. I'm sorry."
As he spoke, his trembling hand knocked over the blocks.
Il-hoon grabbed his collar angrily: "What are you doing?! We agreed not to give up!"
Player 40 said: "I didn't let you win. My hand just shook." A tear slid down his face. "Live and make it out."
The Masked Man walked toward him.
Bang.
"Player 40, eliminated."
Jung-Hyuk said: "Thank you… for saving me last night."
Yun-Ho said: "I was scared too. But for you… I'm willing to do anything."
Jung-Hyuk checked the time — only 54 seconds left.
He said to Yun-Ho: "Let's… start."
Yun-Ho said: "You first."
Jung-Hyuk pulled a block: "Your turn."
Yun-Ho said softly: "I love you, Jung-Hyuk."
Then, he pushed the blocks over.
Jung-Hyuk stared in shock: "What are you doing?!"
Yun-Ho smiled: "When you get out… don't forget… your first time… was with me."
A tear slid from his eye.
With a beep, the game ended.
The Masked Man walked toward Yun-Ho. Jung-Hyuk tried to rush forward, but another Masked Man held him back.
Helpless, he cried out: "Yun-Ho! No! Yun-Ho!!!"
Bang.
"Player 409, eliminated."