(POV In-ho/Frontman)

When Gi-hun entered the room I could tell that my instructions had been followed: he looked tidy, had new clothes and seemed healthy – only his face was paler than before and in his eyes I could see the hatred burn. Ouch. I was prepared to him hating me, but this was hardcore. Gi-hun totally despised me; in his eyes I was his worst enemy. I knew that it was my fault, the logic consequences of what I had done to him, but seeing him hate me made my shattered heart ache even more.

"What do you want?", Gi-hun asked provocatively and for a moment I was speechless. I had expected him to be sad, desperate, wrecked, furious... but he was cold as ice.

"It was you who wanted to see me, wasn't it?", I answered and made some steps towards him until we were facing each other, him still a little taller than me. He didn't back away, he withstood the gaze behind my mask without showing any kind of fear. "You've grown pretty reckless, No 456", I continued. "Leading a revolt to stop the games... didn't you think it was a little too daring? And so many deaths that could've been avoided."

"Who are you?", Gi-hun hissed, "What makes you think you can just kill people to your amusement?" I tried to stay calm.

"I should remind you that it wasn't me who killed them. The players voted every time and chose to stay while others were killing each other in an inhumane way. And you have to excuse that my employees are advised to stop any kind of rebellion.", I explained.

"Then what about Jung-bae? We had already surrendered and yet you killed him with your own hands. Jung-bae and Y-", he faltered, he had trouble speaking the name, "Young-il." Grief appeared in his eyes, a kind of grief even overpowering his other emotions – the same grief I felt when I saw him like this.

"Player 390 and Player 001 were... inevitable collateral damage.", I said quietly and that was when Gi-hun lost it. Tears ran out of his eyes and he began to yell: "COLLATERAL DAMAGE?! They were PEOPLE! Why did you keep ME alive? To make me suffer? Are you happy now, that you killed my best friend and another one of the most important people of my life?" I instantly froze, my heart had skipped a beat. What did he just say? Did I dream or did he just confess that I was one of the most important people in his life? Heck this was much more serious than I had ever imagined. I swallowed, trying to focus.

"I didn't know that you and Player 001 shared such a... strong bond.", I finally said and hoped the he didn't notice the change in my voice.

"Even if we did, you'd understand nothing of such things, so what's it to you? Did you ever feel friendship or...love ever in your life? Guess not. You and I are nothing alike."

"You and I are EXACTLY alike, Seong Gi-hun!", I shouted, now in a rage. "And that's the only reason why you are alive for now while the others are dead. Not even 10 years ago I was exactly like you." I inhaled deeply, Gi-hun remained silent. "I was a player once. A player participating to save someone I loved, just like you. Just like you I won, but when I returned with 45,6 billion won, it was too late. She was dead." I paused and tried to examine the look on his face. "But it wasn't these games who killed her. It were the people out there who refused to save someone with no money. I refused to continue living in a world like this and just like you, Seong Gi-hun, I came back to the games. So don't you tell me that we're nothing alike."

Silence spread between us. I was wondering if I had maybe said too much when he suddenly demanded: "Take your mask off then. Why would you hide your face if we're as alike as you claim." I winced; I didn't expect that. "I can't trust you, No 456. I can see in your eyes that right now there's nothing but murder on your mind. But you should really think it through. Question yourself if it's really me, the enemy. Me or the others out there. Question yourself genuinely who is more cruel." I turned to leave when I heard his voice behind me: "It doesn't make a difference now. Even if just maybe you should be right, I can never forget what you did. You are no better than any of them."

I sighed and gave my guard a wink: "Escort No 456 to his room and show him how the vote has taken place."