The third game was about to begin, the tension palpable in the unsettling facility, the sound of players talking about the game filling the air.

The triangle guards lead you to the game room, walking down and up the child-like stairs, their machine guns hanging on their hips.

As the metallic door opened, you scanned the room before you. It was a large, circular room, similar to a circus tent. The floor was reflective and red, creating a mirror-like effect. The roof was high and striped. Around the perimeter of the room, there were colorful doors, each one painted. Above the doors, there were decorative lights and red ribbons. At the center of the room, there was a big rotating platform that reminded you of a carousel, featuring three white horses.

You glanced over your shoulder, the numbers of players remaining above the door: 255.

The familiar female voice spoke from the speakers. “The game you will be playing is Mingle. Let me repeat. The game you eill be playing is Mingle.”

Thanos jumped and cheered as if he forgot it was a deadly game, the drugs influencing his actions. “Hey, we’ll be mingling together! Doesn’t that sound like so much fun?” Nam-gyu laughed excitedly.

“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. We formed groups by hugging,” Jung-bae explained, a flicker of recognition passing over his face. “Yeah. Instead of hugging, we go to those rooms,” Dae-ho added.

“I know this game!” Geum-ja exclaimed. “How should we play this? Is there a strategy?” Her son, Yong-sik, questioned.

You could hear the various groups make plans, and you were all alone.

“Let the game begin,” The platform started to spin, the nursery rhyme from the speakers adding dread to the atmosphere.

Which group will you choose?