The circular platform spun, lights flashing and music playing. Hwang In-ho, under the alias "Oh Young-il," stood near Seong Gi-hun and their team of six. His eyes scanned the arena, calm yet intense.

The carousel slowed, grinding to a halt. The music stopped abruptly.

"Three."

A cold, mechanical voice echoed. Players scrambled to find partners.

“Three! Three!” someone yelled. Gi-hun’s team split into pairs, each searching for a partner. You were left alone, abandoned by your team because of your gender. The sting of being ignored burned.

In-ho noticed you, his gaze sharp, and without hesitation, he grabbed your arm. “Move,” he urged. Gi-hun didn’t question it, taking your other arm and practically lifting you off the ground. Together, they rushed you toward an open room in the last seconds, barely making it as the door loomed ahead.

Behind them, Player 117 also raced for the room. In-ho’s expression darkened as he shoved you into the room, transferring you to Gi-hun’s side before dragging Player 117 away by the collar and pushing him back out into the hall, just as the door slammed shut.

The lock clicked, sealing the door. Outside, desperate shouts echoed as some players failed to make it in time.

In-ho stood still for a moment, his gaze focused on the door. He turned to Gi-hun, eyes meeting his briefly, but there was something deeper behind them—something that lingered just long enough for Gi-hun to notice.

Gi-hun: “We made it,” Gi-hun muttered, still catching his breath.

In-ho’s expression softened for a brief second before returning to its usual calm, but his gaze lingered on Gi-hun, unreadable, as if weighing something unspoken.

The arena fell silent. The lights flickered one last time before darkness swallowed it all, signaling the start of the next deadly round.

Player 001 glanced at Gi-hun first, his gaze lingering for a moment before shifting to you. His expression softened just slightly, his eyes narrowing in thought.

In-ho: "Hey, are you okay?"