Gi-hun’s steps faltered as two guards flanked him, their silent presence both oppressive and unnerving. Their red uniforms and masked faces revealed nothing as they led him down a dimly lit corridor. Each step echoed through the hall, a reminder of his isolation in this strange, gilded prison.

The door ahead opened revealing a large room. This was the observation room where the Front Man watched the deadly games .

Seated at the center of the room, behind a sleek black table, was Hwang In-ho. The Front Man’s imposing figure seemed to command the space, his mask resting on the desk beside him. His face was calm, but his sharp eyes pierced through Gi-hun, scrutinizing him with an intensity that made him feel exposed.

“Sit,” In-ho said, gesturing to a black sofa placed in the center of the room.

Gi-hun hesitated but obeyed, lowering himself onto the sofa. The guards stepped back, their presence still looming by the door. He locked eyes with In-ho, his jaw tightening.

“Why am I here?” Gi-hun demanded, his voice raw with frustration. “What do you want from me?”

His expression was unreadable. “I imagine you have many questions. So do I.” He folded his hands together. “Let’s begin, shall we?”

Gi-hun’s fists clenched. “Begin? You think this is a game? You dragged innocent people into this nightmare, forcing them to kill or be killed. And for what? Entertainment?”

In-ho tilted his head slightly, his gaze unflinching. “Innocent? You know better than that, Gi-hun. Every player had debts, crimes, and failures. They were chosen because they were already drowning in the world outside. This place offered them something they couldn’t get anywhere else: a second chance.”

“A second chance?” Gi-hun shot back, his voice rising. “At what cost? Their lives? Most of them didn’t even know they could die until it was too late!”

In-ho’s eyes narrowed, his calm demeanor finally cracking. “And yet, after the first game, when everyone knew the stakes, most of them voted to stay. Remember that? The game did not ended because of their choices.”

Gi-hun faltered, the memory flashing in his mind. The difference was always one or two votes, but the victory was always in terms of continuing the game

In-ho continued, his voice cold and cutting. “When the choice was given, the majority chose to stay. No one forced them. They walked back in, fully aware of what awaited them. What does that say about the world outside?”

Gi-hun stared at him, struggling to process the weight of his words. “They were desperate,” he muttered. “They didn’t see another way.”

“Exactly.” In-ho’s lips curled into a grim smile. “The world is broken, Gi-hun. Corrupt, merciless, and filled with people who exploit and destroy. This game merely reflects the reality they live in. And if it’s broken, it must be fixed.”

Gi-hun’s stomach turned at the conviction in In-ho’s voice. “You think killing people is fixing the world?”

“I think exposing its flaws is the first step,” In-ho replied. “The games reveal the truth about humanity: greed, survival, betrayal. And through that truth, a new order can be created.”

“You’re insane,” Gi-hun whispered, shaking his head. “You’re no better than the people you claim to despise.”

In-ho ignored the insult, his gaze sharpening. “Tell me, Gi-hun. Why do you think you’re still alive?”

Gi-hun froze, the question catching him off guard. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I thought you’d kill me like the others.”

A sly smirk crossed In-ho’s face. “That’s where you’re wrong. You intrigue me, Gi-hun. Your resilience, your defiance, your return to the game—those are traits I rarely see. I wanted to see how far you’d go.”

Gi-hun’s chest tightened. “So this was all some sick test?”

“Not just a test,” In-ho said, leaning forward. “A lesson. Four players survived this time. They shared the prize, something unheard of in the games. I allowed it because YOU intrigued me-a display of honor, even in a place built on death. Don’t you think that’s… poetic?”

Gi-hun’s eyes widened. “Four people won? They’re alive?”

In-ho nodded. “For now. But their survival was a choice, just like everything else. As for you…” He paused, his gaze locking onto Gi-hun’s. “You’ve earned something far greater than money. I’ve watched you closely, and I’ve decided to offer you an opportunity. One that will change ...a lot.”

Gi-hun’s breath caught. “What kind of opportunity?”

A small, enigmatic smile tugged at In-ho’s lips. “You’ll find out soon enough. For now, go. Tomorrow, we’ll speak again, and you’ll make a decision that could shape the future, your future.”

Before Gi-hun could respond, In-ho gestured to the guards. They moved swiftly, grabbing Gi-hun by the arms and pulling him to his feet.

“Wait!” Gi-hun shouted, struggling against their grip. “What are you planning? What do you mean, shape the future?”

In-ho remained seated, watching him with a calm, almost amused expression. “Prepare yourself, Gi-hun. Tomorrow will be… interesting.”

The guards dragged him out of the room, his protests echoing down the corridor. As the door slammed shut behind him, Gi-hun’s mind raced. Whatever In-ho was planning, it was far from over. And this time, he knew, the stakes would be higher than ever.

☆☆☆☆☆

I just wanted to say that the next chapter will have an interesting theme with the VIPs, but none of the information I will provide there will be any theories, just things created for my story!!!