The masked men were distributing food, and everyone was lining up to receive their share.
Zi-Kai took his food and sat down next to Jung-Hyuk.
Jung-Hyuk said, "Their operation must have failed."
Zi-Kai asked, "So what do we do now?"
Jung-Hyuk replied, "We'll use another plan."
Zi-Kai asked, "What plan?"
On the other side, Soo-Mi walked to Player 18's bed and asked, "Why?"
Player 18 frowned, "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Soo-Mi said, "Why did you press the circle? How are you so sure you won't die in the next round?"
Player 18 snapped, "Get lost, get lost, I don't want to see you."
Soo-Mi nodded slightly, then turned and left.
At that moment, Player 56 and Player 1 approached Jung-Hyuk.
Player 56 asked, "Can I ask you a question?"
Jung-Hyuk nodded.
Player 56 asked, "How did you know from the very beginning that this game would involve killing people?"
Jung-Hyuk looked at him seriously. "Because I've participated in this game before."
Player 1 asked in shock, "Really?"
Jung-Hyuk nodded. "The person beside me has also participated."
Player 56 said, "If you both participated before, shouldn't you already be rich? Why come back?"
Zi-Kai said, "What do you think? Of course we came back to put an end to this game once and for all." He sighed, then continued, "Unfortunately, our teammates must have failed."
Player 1 asked, "Then do you know what the next game will be?"
Player 56 said, "Yeah, you should know, right?"
Jung-Hyuk said, "The next game is 'Three Bears.'"
Player 56 asked in confusion, "Three Bears? What's that?"
Just as Jung-Hyuk was about to explain, Zi-Kai said, "That wasn't my second game. It wasn't Three Bears."
Jung-Hyuk looked at him in surprise. "How could that be? Then what was it?"
Before Zi-Kai could answer, a conflict broke out in another corner of the dormitory.
One minute earlier:
Player 202 walked to Player 85's bed and mocked, "You're already so fat, and you're still eating, fat pig."
Player 85 shot back, "Mind your own business."
Then she made a gesture.
(It was the thumb and index finger pinched together, implying "tiny.")
Player 202 snapped, furious, and dumped food onto Player 85's face.
Player 85 shoved him hard.
She climbed down from her bed and pushed Player 202 to the ground.
Realizing he couldn't win, Player 202 yelled loudly, "Everyone look! This fat pig is bullying me!"
Player 85 said angrily, "You're the one who bullied me first! You called me a fat pig and smeared food all over my face!"
Player 202 sneered, "Am I wrong though?"
Just as Player 85 was about to charge at him again, Player 62 stepped in between them. "Alright, alright, let's just take a step back, okay?"
Player 85 reluctantly let him go.
Soo-Mi walked to Player 85 and whispered, "If that guy bullies you again, come find me. Us girls should stick together."
Player 85 smiled faintly. "Thank you."
Back with Jung-Hyuk, he pressed Zi-Kai again. "So what game did you play then?"
Zi-Kai said, "I don't remember, but it wasn't Three Bears."
Player 56 said, "Then the games must not be the same every time."
Player 1 asked, "So do you have any other plan? How do you end this game?"
Jung-Hyuk fell silent, staring at her.
Meanwhile, outside.
Ming-Yu asked Jun-Su, "So what now? We don't even know Jung-Hyuk's exact location."
Jun-Su replied, "I don't know either. I've already reported it to higher-ups. We wait."
Ming-Yu snapped, "Wait? How? Jung-Hyuk's life could be in danger any moment!"
Jun-Su said, "Then tell me what you propose."
Ming-Yu went silent.
Back in the dorm, Jung-Hyuk suddenly saw Yi-Hoon walking toward him. He exclaimed, "Yi-Hoon, is it really you?"
Yi-Hoon shouted at him, "It's all your fault! You killed me! This is all because of you!!!"
Jung-Hyuk suddenly woke up, realizing it had just been a dream.
That familiar music echoed around him.
Then the broadcast announced:
"Important announcement. The second game will begin shortly. All players, please follow the staff's instructions."
Player 56 told Jung-Hyuk, "Everyone needs to hang in there. No matter what the game is, we'll stick together."
Jung-Hyuk smiled faintly.
They followed the staff.
Soon, they arrived at the venue.
As they walked in, music began to play: We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
The room was decorated with a festive Christmas atmosphere.
Once everyone entered, the broadcast said:
"Welcome to the second round of the game. Before the game begins, each of you must choose one of the three numbers in front of you and stand by it."
Jung-Hyuk looked at the numbers: 50, 100, 150. He muttered, "It really is a different game."
The broadcast repeated:
"Please immediately choose a number and stand in front of it. Please immediately choose a number and stand in front of it."
Player 202 walked over.
Soo-Mi and Player 85 also went over.
Player 56 asked, "What should we do? Should we all go together?"
Jung-Hyuk shook his head. "It's not safe for us all to be together. In one of my games before, they forced teammates to compete against each other."
Player 1 said, "Then let's split up."
Jung-Hyuk nodded. "Alright."
Zi-Kai said, "I'll take 50."
Jung-Hyuk said, "That means one of us will overlap."
Player 1 said, "Then Player 56 and I will take 100."
Jung-Hyuk said, "Alright, then I'll take 150."
Player 56 agreed, "Okay, let's go. Once we know the rules, we can figure out a strategy."
They walked forward.
Soon after, the broadcast announced:
"Time for choosing is over. Now revealing the game content."
A door with the numbers opened.
"Each participant, please take one box corresponding to your chosen number. Each participant, please take one box."
Everyone picked up their box.
Soo-Mi, Player 202, and Player 85 had chosen number 100.
Player 18 had chosen 50.
"Now please open your boxes to confirm the contents."
Everyone looked inside their boxes.
"The second game is Puzzle. The number you chose is the number of puzzle pieces you must complete."
Jung-Hyuk stared at his box. "Damn it."
"Time limit: 30 minutes. Complete your puzzle within 30 minutes to pass. The game begins now."
Everyone sat on the ground and started piecing puzzles together. Jung-Hyuk's hands trembled as he picked up his pieces.
He told himself, "Start with the edges first."
Everyone was sweating nervously.
Soo-Mi had already finished her border and was connecting the inside. Player 85 followed closely behind.
The host sat in front of the monitors, sipping wine, watching Player 357.
After ten minutes, the first person finished.
Player 239 held up his completed puzzle to the masked man.
The broadcast announced, "Player 239, success."
More and more players succeeded.
Before long, Soo-Mi heard, "Player 18, success."
She glanced at Player 18.
"Player 109, success."
Jung-Hyuk turned to look at Zi-Kai.
Ten minutes remained.
Player 56 placed his last piece.
"Player 56, success."
Player 1 also finished.
"Player 202, success."
"Player 85, success."
Soo-Mi placed her final piece.
"Player 329, success."
Jung-Hyuk kept working, glancing at the clock. "5 minutes 30 seconds left."
He forced himself to move faster.
Meanwhile, the successful players queued to return to the dormitory.
On the way, Player 56 asked, "Player 357 won't be in trouble, right?"
Zi-Kai stayed silent.
30 seconds remained.
Jung-Hyuk looked at his puzzle. 10 pieces left.
He scrambled desperately.
10 seconds left. "10, 9, 8, 7…"
Two pieces left.
"3, 2, 1."
At the last second, Jung-Hyuk placed the final piece.
He held it up to the masked man.
The broadcast declared: "Player 357, success."
Tears of relief welled up in Jung-Hyuk's eyes.
The broadcast continued:
"The second game is over. Successful participants, please immediately leave the arena."
But Player 5 had failed. He tried to hide behind the Christmas tree.
The masked men raised their guns.
Player 5 begged, "Please, spare me, I'm begging you!"
One masked man aimed directly at him.
"Bang."