Zi-Kai looked at himself in the mirror and silently put on the mask.
That night, Jun-Su was having dinner with Ming-Yu when the phone beside them rang.
Jun-Su picked it up: "Hello, what is it?"
After listening for a moment, his expression turned serious as he looked at Ming-Yu.
Ming-Yu asked, "What's wrong?"
Jun-Su hung up and said to Ming-Yu: "Get in the car."
Then he rushed out.
Ming-Yu put a few bills on the table and followed him into the car.
The scene shifted—Jun-Su arrived at the police headquarters.
Breathing heavily, Jun-Su asked, "You found it, where is it?"
The captain picked up a map: "Look here, in a very remote location."
Jun-Su said: "Let's head out right now."
The captain replied: "But we can't go with you."
Ming-Yu asked: "Why not?"
The captain explained: "We've prepared boats, weapons, and supplies. The two of you will go. If anything really happens, use the walkie-talkie to contact me. I'll immediately send reinforcements."
Jun-Su looked at the captain, doubtful, but then walked out.
The scene shifted again. While people in the dormitory were still confused, the lights turned on and the main door opened.
The masked man dragged the unconscious Jung-Hyuk back to his bed.
The number on the screen dropped to 100, and the prize money rose to 35.6 billion won.
People stared blankly at what had just happened.
Player 239 looked at Player 62 and asked: "What's going on?"
Player 62 said: "No idea."
The masked man at the door announced: "From now on, anyone who disobeys game orders will be considered eliminated."
Meanwhile, Jun-Su and Ming-Yu were on a boat heading toward the location.
Ming-Yu walked over and said: "The supplies and food they gave us are more than enough."
Jun-Su replied: "Get some rest first. I'll wake you when we arrive."
Ming-Yu nodded and went to rest.
Jun-Su looked out at the rising sun.
Back in the dormitory, the lights turned on again.
The broadcast sounded: "Important announcement: the fourth game will begin shortly. Please follow the staff's instructions."
Jung-Hyuk slowly opened his eyes, still dazed.
Yong-Jun asked him: "Are you okay?"
Seeing him, Jung-Hyuk recoiled in fear.
His voice trembled as he whispered: "Don't come near me... don't come near me. I... don't trust anyone."
Yong-Jun and Soo-Mi looked at him with concern.
Meanwhile, Player 62 said: "Ah, I really want to wash this greasy face of mine."
Player 202 replied: "Why are you acting like a girl?"
Player 62 shot back: "Don't talk to me, your breath stinks."
Then they walked toward the masked man.
Elsewhere, Player 99 approached Players 68, 78, and 370: "Good morning."
Player 370 replied: "Good morning, my three darlings."
Player 99 gave him a look of disgust, while Player 68 smiled faintly.
Player 78 said: "Time to play the game."
Player 18 walked up to Soo-Mi: "See? These friends of yours aren't good people."
Yong-Jun immediately punched him: "You son of a b***h!"
Player 18 snarled: "You dare hit me?"
Yong-Jun shouted back: "Why wouldn't I, you bastard?"
Player 18 was about to hit him back when the masked man pointed a gun: "Follow the staff's instructions."
Player 18 glared at Yong-Jun.
Soon, they arrived at a place shimmering in icy blue.
Player 62 looked at Player 18 and said: "So beautiful here. What's your name again? Park... Park something?"
Player 18 said: "Park Zhen-Yan."
Player 62 then asked Players 239 and 202: "What about you two?"
Player 239 replied: "Why do you need to know?"
Player 62 said: "To build trust between us. Next round, let's cooperate and win the prize together."
Player 202 said: "Just call me Da-qiang."
Player 239 said: "I'm Oh Yoo-Chun."
Zhen-Yan asked Player 62: "What about you? I forgot."
Player 62 said: "Just call me Bei-bei. That's what my parents always called me."
Yoo-Chun chuckled softly: "Bei-bei..."
The broadcast announced: "Welcome to the fourth game. This round will be played in two teams. Before the game begins, please draw a ball from the capsule machine to determine your team."
Before long, Yoo-Chun turned the capsule machine and got a red ball.
Da-qiang turned—red ball.
Bei-bei turned—blue ball.
Player 370 turned—red ball.
Player 78 turned—blue ball.
Zhen-Yan turned—blue ball.
Player 68 turned—blue ball.
Yong-Jun turned—blue ball.
Soo-Mi turned—red ball.
Player 99 turned—red ball.
Finally, Jung-Hyuk turned—blue ball.
The masked man announced: "The upcoming game is Ice and Water. The blue team represents Water. You must survive in the game area for 30 minutes without being caught by the red team."
Player 453 (Red Team) asked: "What about us?"
The masked man replied: "The red team represents Ice. You must catch members of the blue team and kill them within 30 minutes in order to clear the game."
At once, the crowd erupted in shock.
Player 221 asked: "Kill them?"
The masked man answered: "Correct. Red team must hunt and kill the blue team. If you fail to kill anyone, you will be eliminated."
Yong-Jun glanced at Soo-Mi.
Player 131 (Blue Team) shouted in horror: "What... how is that even possible?"
The masked man then presented a gift to the blue team.
Yong-Jun opened a box and pulled out a bracelet: "What is this for?"
The masked man said: "To help you communicate."
At that moment, Player 370 asked: "Do you think we can kill them with our bare hands?"
The masked man said: "We understand your concern. That's why the red team also has a gift."
He handed out boxes to the red team.
Yoo-Chun opened his, revealing an ice-blue dagger. He glanced at the blue team: "Oh, such a beautiful blade."
The masked man continued: "This dagger may be used to attack blue team members. But red team members are forbidden from attacking each other. Before the game begins, you still have one last chance to change your fate. If you are unhappy with your current team, you may swap with someone else by exchanging vests and items—if both agree. After the game begins, removing or swapping vests is strictly forbidden. Choose wisely."
Yong-Jun walked over to Soo-Mi: "Let's switch. I know you don't dare to kill."
Soo-Mi looked at him.
Yong-Jun continued: "I'll take your place. As soon as the game starts, you stay with Jung-Hyuk. After I kill some people, I'll come find you."
Soo-Mi hesitated but eventually exchanged her vest and items with him.
Yoo-Chun, Da-qiang, Bei-bei, and Zhen-Yan stood together.
Bei-bei asked: "So what now?"
Yoo-Chun said casually: "Don't worry. You two cooperate with each other—I won't kill you. Da-qiang and I will eliminate others. The more we kill, the more prize money we get."
Players 68 and 99 sat together.
Player 68 said: "Switch with me."
Player 99 trembled: "I can't... how could you kill someone?"
Player 68 shouted: "And do you think you can? Huh? Back when you were bullied as a kid, you never fought back. Now you expect yourself to kill? Just hide. Once I finish killing, I'll come find you."
Player 99 clung to Player 68.
Nearby, Player 78 bit his nails nervously.
Player 370 crouched beside him: "Don't let me find you, little darling."
Then he turned and walked away.
Player 78 muttered under his breath: "F***er!"
Yong-Jun walked to Jung-Hyuk. Jung-Hyuk flinched back.
Yong-Jun said: "I don't know what you went through back there, but I just want to tell you—pull yourself together. Remember why you're here."
He grabbed Jung-Hyuk's hand: "Protect Soo-Mi. Once I'm done killing, I'll come back for you both."
As Jung-Hyuk listened, he saw him as Yun-Ho. Softly, he whispered: "Yun-Ho..."
Yong-Jun shook him: "Did you hear me?"
Jung-Hyuk snapped out of it and nodded.
Before long, the broadcast sounded: "The game will begin shortly. Blue team (50 players), prepare to enter the game field. Repeat: the game will begin shortly..."
The host watched Jung-Hyuk from the headquarters.
Soo-Mi looked at Yong-Jun. He gave her a nod.
Yong-Jun turned away, watching the broken Jung-Hyuk walk forward.
Player 99 glanced at Player 68. Player 68 raised his hand, signaling encouragement.
Soon, they arrived at a huge school building (constructed on the island).
At that moment, Player 131 shouted: "We should split up—this way we won't all get wiped out at once."
The others nodded and scattered.
Soo-Mi tugged Jung-Hyuk's sleeve: "Come on."
The broadcast announced: "Red team (50 players), now enter. The game begins."
The blue team, including Jung-Hyuk, began to flee inside the school.
The red team, including Yoo-Chun, charged inside.