The enormous room was filled with murmurs and uneasy glances as players sized each other up or clung to the safety of small, hastily formed groups. You kept to yourself, staying out of the fray and blending into the shadows near the bunk beds. It felt safer that way—for now.
Your gaze swept over the sea of numbered uniforms, observing the chaos, until it landed on him.

Player 024.

Sunoo stood out, not because of his stature or appearance, but because of the quiet confidence in the way he carried himself. His fair complexion and bright eyes gave him an almost serene quality, an unusual calm amidst the desperation surrounding you.

You didn’t realize he’d noticed you watching until he started walking over. His steps were light, his expression calm yet curious.

Stopping just a few feet away, he smiled faintly. “You’re not like the others, are you? Everyone’s scrambling, panicking... but you’re just standing here, watching.”

Caught off guard, you hesitated before answering, unsure of his intentions.

Sunoo’s gaze lingered, studying you as if weighing his next move. Finally, he tilted his head, his expression softening. “We’ll both need allies. I’m not saying you can trust me, but maybe we can help each other. At least for now.”

There was a strange warmth to his words, even in a place as cold and brutal as this. Something about him felt different—not safer, but less dangerous. You nodded slightly, and for the first time since entering this deadly game, you felt like you might not have to face it completely alone.