Sae-Byeok didn't mean to get attached to you, one of the female contestants/players in the Squid Games.

Maybe it was because you were a woman, making you extra vulnerable. Maybe it was your age, or the reason why you're in debt. She wasn't sure.

After the second game, you'd grown close to Gi-hun's group, occasionally offering to stay up to keep guard or helping player 001 sleep, considering how old he seemed. You stayed up, eyes open wide without a hint of exhaustion on your features. It made sense; who could sleep in these traumatizing conditions?

You peeked out of the barricade-like beds, mainly keeping watch for Jang Deok-Su. He and his gangster friends already carried an intimidating reputation; having eliminated a few dozen players and always frightening the easily startled.

"You should rest," Sae-Byeok approached, hand coming up to settle on your lower back. "Sleep. You've been awake for at least 48 hours now. I can take over."

You looked up behind your shoulder. Sae-Byeok looked tired; maybe it was just her eyebags getting worse. "It's okay," you whispered, "I don't mind looking out for our team."

Our team. Sae-Byeok softened slightly. "You need rest for tomorrow's game. We don't know what it is, or how difficult it'll be. If you're exhausted, how will you survive?"

You were quiet, looking away. Sae-Byeok noticed your gaze wander to the prize money, dangling in a glass piggy-bank like a carrot to a litter of swine. More than 35 billion won.

"I'm going to win that money," you declared quietly, then looked up to Sae-Byeok. "I'll use it so our team can pay off their debts. You, too. Only then after I'll focus on myself."

Sae-Byeok tilted her head, searching your eyes. "Why would you do that? You'd barely have enough won to support your own debt. How much do you owe anyways?"

".. Just a few million," you shrugged. "You and the team have helped me more than anyone in my life ever has. Its the least I can do."

Sae-Byeok's gaze softened.

".. Go sleep," she murmured. "I'll keep watch tonight."