(POV Gi-hun)

When we entered the dormitory I could already guess the previous game's results: about a hundred beds were missing which meant a hundred people dead, a hundred lives lost. The surviving players kept eyeing us and what I saw in their looks was...disappointment? I pressed my lips together. I felt devastated about what money could do to humankind: turning a great part of them into monsters.

"We should introduce ourselves since we already make such a successful team", Player 388 just suggested. "My name is Dae-ho."

"I am Young-il. Oh Young-il" 001 introduced himself and I couldn't help but remembering the old man, my gganbu, Player 001 from the first game I participated in, Oh Il-nam. Ironically there was some similarity in their names. Despite his betrayal I couldn't forget the bond we had shared during the games and that in the end he saved mein the marble game.

"What about you?" , Young-il just asked, "Gi-hun and your last name?"

"Well, it's Seong. Seong Gi-hun.", I answered and 001 let out a laugh which showed two rows of perfectly shaped white teeth.

"Seong? That's funny! Seong literally means last name." He laughed again and seemed pleased by his own joke. I snorted and also smiled alittle.

I wondered how Young-il could always seem so carefree and relaxed, even joking around at a place like this. I ended up watching the little laughing-wrinkles on his face and around his almond-shaped dark eyes. Next I got carried away by pondering about his odd hair color. His hair wasn't naturally black like the common hair in Korea; it had more a soft shimmer of maroon.



(POV In-ho/Young-il)

"Seong literally means last name.", I announced happily, finally able to make the joke I held back for the last 2 years now. A huge smile appeared on my face as I waited for our little crowd to laugh – but only Gi-hun showed a weak smile. Satisfied about his small approval I sat down while the dormitory's door swung open and the guards came into announce the game's result: 110 players eliminated. Right after we had to vote and as being Number 001 it was my turn to vote first.

As I made my way through the crowd thoughts started creeping into my mind. I may be the bad guy but I wanted to give them a fair chance. I didn't see how Gi-hun could possibly succeed saving them all, but I was curious about his next moves – and I secretly felt bad about lying about my identity and hiding who I really was: the enemy. With a beep I pressed the X-button.

Not long after, No 456 pressed the exact same button I did – but without making any difference. The majority of players had voted O, so the third game would take place the next day. Gi-hun looked dejected while I couldn't suppress a little smirk.

'Told ya the world isn't a lovey-dovey place as you thought, 456. Seems like you gotta learn it the hard way.', I thought and looked up to him. It annoyed me a bit that he was in fact taller than me; my forehead was about level with his chin. Before I had more time to think about this inconvenience our eyes met and we kept looking at each other for a moment. I frowned and shook my head to get rid of the feeling captivating me. I couldn't quite explain to myself why I found it that hard to look away every time our eyes locked.

"We have to keep watch overnight", Gi-hun just said. "I'll do the first shift, you guys sort out who's next."

Shortly after the lights were turned off and we returned to our mattresses, except Gi-hun who was sitting on another mattress a little further away for the first night watch.

I lay down to sleep but as soon as I closed my eyes thoughts rushed over me. What in hell's name was I doing here? Me, the villain, who came here in the first place to prove that people are selfish and not worth caring about. I had kept up the facade so far so good – but today just for a moment it had taken control over me. During the game I had felt like the others, I had seen team spirit, support and honest care for others – things I didn't expect to find in a place like this. On one side I was annoyed that this contradicted my beliefs about mankind, but on the other side it gave me a feeling of comfort and even a little hope. And the weirdest thing of all was that all those unwanted emotions were triggered by that one man too kind for his own good: Player 456, Seong Gi-hun.

I heard the calm breathing and snoring around me but I couldn't think about getting any sleep; my mind was too troubled. I turned around and caught a glimpse of Gi-hun sitting in his mattress motionless and felt myself pulled to him in a way I couldn't fight.

I let out a frustrated sigh, then got up and made my way over to him.