The players were led into an expansive arena, its cold, metallic floor divided into an enormous black-and-white grid. Overhead, a spotlight illuminated the board, casting long, menacing shadows. In the center of the room stood a towering digital display, showcasing the words:

Fifth Game: Human Chess

The loudspeaker crackled to life.

“Welcome to the fifth game. You are now pieces in a game of chess. The rules are simple: each of you will take your designated positions. Follow your team captain’s orders. When a piece is captured, it is eliminated. Victory will be determined when the opposing king is checkmated. Survive, if you can.”

A murmur spread through the group as the masked guards began dividing the remaining players into two teams: black and white. Each team consisted of 16 players, reflecting the standard chess setup. Gi-hun found himself assigned to the white team, his chest tightening as he realized his role: a pawn.

☆☆☆☆☆

The Setup

The players were herded into their respective positions on the board, their designated roles dictated by the guards. The tension was palpable as the human chess pieces stood stiffly, their faces pale under the harsh lights.

Gi-hun looked around at his team. Most were strangers, their faces a mix of fear and determination. However, one face stood out: Player 120, a young woman who had shown remarkable cunning and resourcefulness in the earlier games. She had been chosen as the team captain and, consequently, the king.

As the opposing black team took their positions, Gi-hun noticed that their captain-also the king-was a man with a cold, calculating gaze. The guards stepped back, and the game began with the eerie clink of a timer.

☆☆☆☆☆

The Game Begins

The white team made the first move, as per chess rules. The players moved awkwardly, their bodies stiff with fear. Gi-hun, being a pawn, was among the first to advance.

"Pawn to E4," commanded Player 120, her voice steady but strained. Gi-hun stepped forward, his heart pounding. Every move was a gamble.

The black team countered with a bishop cutting across the board. Gi-hun watched as the piece moved with deadly precision, capturing one of their pawns. The player screamed as a guard stepped forward, dragging them off the board. The sound of a gunshot echoed moments later.

The reality of the game sank in. Every captured piece meant death.

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Sacrifices

As the game progressed, the white team made steady advances, but at a devastating cost. Every strategic gain came with the loss of another player.

Gi-hun narrowly escaped death multiple times. Once, when a black knight charged toward him, he was saved only because the white queen intervened, sacrificing herself to protect the team.

“Stay sharp!” Player 120 shouted, her eyes darting across the board. Her quick thinking and sharp commands kept the team alive longer than anyone expected, but even she couldn’t prevent the mounting losses.

Gi-hun watched helplessly as his teammates were eliminated one by one. Each scream echoed in his mind, their faces burned into his memory.

☆☆☆☆☆

The Endgame

By the time the game reached its climax, only a handful of players remained on each side. Gi-hun, still a pawn, stood frozen as the black team advanced their queen—a ruthless player who had taken down several pieces already.

"Pawn to D8," Player 120 called out suddenly. Gi-hun hesitated, realizing what she was doing.

“If you reach the end of the board,” she whispered urgently, “you’ll be promoted. You can save us.”

With trembling legs, Gi-hun moved forward. The black queen noticed his advance and immediately targeted him. Gi-hun’s heart pounded as the queen closed in, but before she could reach him, a white rook intercepted, sacrificing himself to buy Gi-hun time.

Reaching the final square, Gi-hun was transformed into a queen. The weight of his new role pressed heavily on him, but he knew he couldn’t falter now.