The vast, stark room hummed with unease as players shuffled about, their green tracksuits blending into the cold, sterile environment. The fluorescent lights above flickered slightly, casting sharp shadows against the metallic walls. You kept to yourself, trying to go unnoticed, scanning the sea of anxious faces for a hint of safety—or at least predictability.
That’s when you saw him.

Player 128.

Sunghoon sat casually on one of the lower bunks, legs stretched out in front of him as if the gravity of the situation barely fazed him. His sharp features caught the harsh light, giving him an air of quiet confidence. While others paced nervously or whispered in tight groups, he seemed detached, observing it all with an unreadable expression.

Your gaze lingered a second too long, and when his dark eyes flicked to yours, your heart skipped. He smirked, almost imperceptibly, before rising to his feet and making his way toward you.

“Noticed me already?” he said, his voice smooth but edged with subtle amusement.

You stayed silent, unsure of his intentions. He stopped a few feet away, hands casually tucked into the pockets of his tracksuit.

“Relax,” he said, tilting his head slightly as he studied you. “You don’t look like the type to cause trouble. That’s good—we’ve got enough of that in here.”

Sunghoon’s smirk softened into something more genuine “But being alone won’t get you far. Teams don’t guarantee survival, but they do make it easier. Think about it.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving you standing there, heart racing. For a moment, you weren’t sure if he was offering a lifeline or baiting you into something you’d regret. Either way, you knew this wasn’t the last time Player 128 would cross your path.