Chapter Text
Jiyeong was a fairly simple person. She had no desires nor goals in life. She never really had a childhood either. Maybe that's why she was here. Surrounded by around 500 other people if she had to guess. All here for the promise of an unbelievable amount of money that would fix their miserable lives.
Of course, Jiyeong knew that something was clearly suspicious about this whole thing. Being knocked out, changed, and being in some unknown bunker with a bunch of other people isn't a regular thing you see. This couldn't be a regular company willing to help all these people with their debts, even to jiyeong that sounds ridiculous.
However, she didn't get to think anymore about the situation because of the yelling coming from the middle of the room. She had to squint from where she was seated on her mattress to see, a bulky man with a lot of arm tattoos holding a pretty girl by her shirt. The girl was tall and had short hair. Jiyeong was curious and decided to hop down her bunk towards the center.
By the time she finished pushing through all the people ( curse her height) and reached her destination at the front, another man had also been added to the mix.
"Where's my money?!" The man half shouted half demanded from the girl. Who answered by glaring back at the man. Now that jiyeong was closer, she noticed other things about the girl.
Like the freckles that spread along her face and the glare she gave that never seemed to falter. Before the man could yell at her again, the same tattooed man him threw off to reclaim his original position in threatening the girl. saying something about her 'running away'.
However, she couldn't help but find it amusing that 5 minutes in, and this girl already had 2 people ready to beat her into the ground. Before that could become a reality, though, the big doors at the front of the room swinged open, revealing guards with different shapes on their face.
The pink people (?) Starting talking about the system of this place, how they were going to play 6 games and boring shit like that. Jiyeong didn't really care what she was doing she just wanted an escape.
However, when they played some sort of clip of all the players getting slapped across the face for some simple pocket money, she couldn't help but laugh.
Saebyeok glared at the short girl behind her. They were currently in a long line to sign something related to this place related to these games, some contract she assumed. She didn't know, and she didn't care, However, this annoying ass girl has been bugging her since she got into line. Rambling about God knows what. Saebyeok had to try to ignore her, but the girl kept going. When she turned around to finally acknowledge the smaller girl, she had some stupid grin on her face.
"Whats your name?" Saebyeok let out a sigh. She didn't come here for small talk. " Why do you need to know?" The girls' grin only grew. "So I know what to call you!"
"Then don't call me," and she simply turned back around, facing the triangle faced person ready to sign her way in.
However, it seemed like the girl wasn't giving up.
Not long after saebyeok put her pen down, she heard a number, her number."Oi 67!!!" Saebyeok sighed. This girl was going to be a headache on its own, fuck whatever this place was going to put her through. "You know I couldn't help but notice your lip is still a little bloody from your little incident earlier, so I got you these!"
She smiled and handed saebyeok some tissue that she assumed came from from the bathroom. "I don't need it go away" the girl kept her smile " You're kind of a prick, aren't you?" Saebyeok sighed, annoyed, but she decided to keep her mouth shut.
"what do you want from me" she didn't see a reason to beat around the bush any longer, and something similar to dread pools in her stomach when the girl's smile turns into a grin.
"Let's team up, we don't know what we are getting into it could be useful" Saebyeok furrowed her eyebrows. Was that it? "No, I have no reason to, and neither do you, plus how do I know I can even trust you?" The grin finally left the girls stupid(ly pretty) face as she tilted her head to the side. Thinking. She hummed "I guess you can't, but I can promise you one thing" she looked at saebyeok straight in the eyes.
"I'll help you win, and I will do anything to make sure you do."
" so, what did you come here for?" 240 asked her cheek resting on the palm of her hand. The first game would be starting soon and the girl took is upon herself to make conversation with saebyeok before it started. the said girl had no interest in talking with her, though she'd never tell anyone she liked listening to the girl talk.
"Just because I agreed on this alliance doesn't mean I'm going to share anything about myself with you. This is strictly for the benefit of winning the games. So you and your personal questions can fuck off"
The girl huffed, blowing away the hair that ended up in front of her face. a bored expression taking over her features. "fine." her hand now resting on her chin. "what about a name? still haven't told me that yet. Are you scared I'm going to steal your identity or something?
Before the tall girl could answer, the doors opened again. "Please follow me to the first game." Saebyeok turned to face the girl "lets go."
They were led to an area where they got their pictures taken. After that, the square and triangle faced men led them up a bunch of stairs to a place outside. Well, at least it looked like they were outside. In front of them was a big doll-girl thing? Whatever it was, it was creepy, but before jiyeong could comment on it, a voice rang through the speakers, and the gates closed shut.
"For the first game, you will be playing red light green light." The doll slowly moved to face the tree in front of it. "You are allowed to move forward when 'it' says green light, stop when 'it' says red light." Jiyeong could immediately hear muttering from the other players. "Red light green light?"That's it?" "Dude, this is going to be so easy!"This is a simple children's game!!" she wasn't stupid. Of course, there's more to it. Nothing in life is that easy. She learned that a long time ago. "If your movement is detected afterward, you will be eliminated. with that, let the games begin."
As soon as it began, Jiyeong saw two boys rush forward. one of them who ended up losing their balance. jiyeong thought he was stupid, losing the game not even 10 seconds in. "player 324 eliminated," and then, an all to familiar bang rang through jiyeong's ears, and the boy dropped to the floor. at first, everyone was confused but kept going once the doll turned around again. Then again. Bang, blood, and then chaos. everyone's fight or flight instinct had been activated, adrenaline pumping through their veins. Before Jiyeong could even react, there was a grip holding onto the nape of her sweater. The firm grip kept her in place when people shoved and pushed through to get to the exit. it kept her from moving.
Saebyeok would never understand why people would think to run away in a game that clearly states to be still. It doesn't matter though, because they were running and they were pushing people in the progress, causing not only their own deaths but those around them as well. Saebyeok planted her feet on the ground and gripped the back of the shirt of the shorter girl beside her. she would kill herself before she let these people push her to her death because they decided not to think. She kept herself and the girl beside her firmly in place, making sure the stampede of people didn't slightly nudge them and get them both shot and killed. As the instructions started to play again, she glanced at the girl beside her. She had the same bored look on her face. Saebyeok didn't like it. She didn't like how she couldn't read this girl. Her expressions were never genuine, but there were no signs of bad intentions either. It was always just blank.
"green light" no one moved scared they would get a bullet through the head if they did, but no someone else was moving..number 1, and he did it with a smile on his face too, like he didn't just witness hundreds of people die."red light...green light" people slowly started moving forward again, including saebyeok, who did not want to see what would happen to her once the timer ended. she looked back to see 240 and had also moved forward. Good, she did not want to continue babysitting. She had another thing in mind.
Jiyeong's mind was buzzing, but she kept going, listening to those who died around her. Rushing forward to try and get to the other side before her 2 minutes of time were over. she saw 67 out of the corner of her eye grip the same bulky mans hair and push him to the ground. She didn't focus on it long, though, because she had to get moving. She had to, but did she want to?
The timer went down with every beat of jiyeong's heart. She didn't know why, though. She wasn't scared of death. No, quite the opposite, she wanted it. Isn't that why she came here in the first place? hoping that something, someone could kill her off. It's an easy way out. she scoffed she was going to die anyway, and she already knew she was going to hell anyway. That's not what she was worried about. So why? She looked over to the people who crossed the line, looking at each of their sweaty, scared faces. She wasn't that far from the line if she moved a few steps the next time that stupid doll turned around, she would make it. She didn't want to make it, though, that is until she locked eyes with a person behind the line. Just close enough to hear what she said.
" You can't help me win if you're dead, stupid." Jiyeong huffed a laugh, of course. That's why.
Jiyeong watched as two other men dove behind the line the last second, throwing themselves to the ground to get to safety. She had to admit she admired that foreigners dedication to save the man, especially since he had been quite literally two seconds away from death.
"Aye, you two made it in a nick of time, huh? that was quite satisfying to watch. " she gave them a thumbs up. One of the men 456 she read off the shirt tag glared at her.
"Are you serious?! we barely escaped death. We saw people die! and you're here acting like this was some fun competition?!" She tilted her head ""what do you want me to do? Get on my knees and cry to God?- Okay, here is this better?" she folds her hands together, putting a knee on the ground, but before she could get the other one down, she was yanked back up on her feet. "stop fucking around we're leaving" 67 mutters to them. Jiyeong ignores the mans mumble of 'you're crazy' following the tall girl.
She never lets her have some fun.
Saebyeok watched as the girl followed her back to the room like a lost puppy. She wanted to ask why. Why she stood still the last 45 seconds of the game so close to victory, wasting her time. Why she had this look of defeat on her face. Saebyeok couldn't help but pity her. Shes not stupid she knows that look. The look when one feels hopeless. The look someone has when they think about death. Of course its familiar to her shes thought about it countless times, sure, but it has never been serious. She never acted on those thoughts,not like she did. She gave a quick glance to the girl. Saebyeok knew perhaps if she didn't say anything, number 240 would not exist anymore, and if she was being honest that thought scared her.
She just met this girl, why did she care so much. She was disgusted with herself, she didn't want to get attached to anyone, and definitely not in a place like this where death was all around her. However it seems she didn't have much of a choice. So saebyeok set a new goal for herself. She will win these games, and she will win them with number 240.
Jiyeong sulked as she sat in the corner of the dark room. The atmosphere was dark as people were replaying the past 20 minutes. Some were crying and some were just staring off into space. They all felt the same regret, the regret of coming to this place. Jiyeong cant feel the same tho, she still finds this place 20x better than prison or the dirty streets. at least this place had a nice bed! The main doors opened and the pink people came flooding through the doors again. She watched as people started backing up further into the bunk beds. She didn't see the point though the guns that they had could easily shoot that far.
" you have all made it through the first game, congratulations." the square masked man announced. "I will now announce the results of the first game... out of 456 players 201 survived and 255 were eliminated."
An older (?) women steps forward begging to be let go promising she would pay off her debts and mumbling something about her unnamed child. Her begging however seemed the give everyone else the bravery to do the same. Soon pretty much all the players were on their knees, begging to be freed. She wanted to laugh. Were these the same cocky people from a little over 20 minutes ago?
The begging continued and the pink man explained how this was merely a game,nothing to do with their debts. That seemed to anger everyone even more though. She didn't like the sounds that came next, yelling a lot of it, it didn't last long though before they were silenced. By a gunshot.
"consent form clause 2, any player who refuses to play will be eliminated. then a man with glasses piped up "consent form clause 3, if the majority agrees to stop playing, the games are about to end. Or am i wrong?" Jiyeong sighed this man couldn't be serious.
It turns out, he was serious. The square man had agreed. However before the voting began a piggy bank came out and started filling up with money, one hundred million per player, 46 billion total. Jiyeong watched as some faces went from fear to greed. God, she hated the human species. After the money had finished the guard explained how the voting would work if you wish to keep playing press O and if you wished to stop press X. Jiyeong knew what she was going to pick, but shes was more interested in seeing how many people would change their answer.
It was close but they ended up getting sent back. How annoying, if jiyeong knew she was going to be thrown back onto the streets she would have sat herself in the middle of the field for another 45 seconds and let the bullet fly through her skull. She sighed not much she could do now anyway. She listened to the guard bid them farewell, saying something along the lines about if majority comes back the games will continue. She grinned, i guess its not over after all. She knew for a fact that at least 90% of these people would returning. Once they realize they have nothing to lose of course, they're hopeless selfish humans, they will be back for the money, Jiyeong had no doubts about that.
Jiyeong did not appreciate that she was (rudely) thrown onto the side of the streets in just her bra and underwear. She also didn't appreciate the heavy bag that fell on top of her as well as the blindfold and rope that kept her in place. It seems she wasn't the only one here, though. "HELP! HELP,HELP, HELLO? HELP OVER HERE I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING!!"
Jiyeong banged her head against the pavement. someone kill her please, or this man she couldn't see, she's not picky.
"Will you shut up?!" she knew that voice. she hears the man groan and a bit of rustling. "Who are you?"
Jiyeong guesses she got the blind fold off, but it still seems neither of them noticed her here.
"You're the pickpocket, the thief!" he exclaimed."You plan on laying there all night? C'mon untie me moron." More rustling, and Jiyeong assumes she gets free. "Hey untie me now!- What are you - oh okay. Get dressed first. it's cold. I'm freezing, too."
Jiyeong is cold too, freezing actually, but she kinda wants to know how long she can lay here until one of them notices her.
"Oh, that hurts - HEY, hey, stop it, it's my turn now. WAIT! WAIT! what are you doing? you gotta untie me!"
67 sighed. "Yeah, why is that?" she could hear him struggle "cause i helped you!"67 scoffs
"Aren't you a little old to be this clueless? I help untie you, and you're just going to hassle me for your cash again."
Were they blind or was Jiyeong that far away from them? they didn't sound that far. Actually, this man was basically yelling in her ear. "Of course i'm going to hassle you!"
67 turns to leave.
"Okay, fine! forget the money, okay, untie me I beg you!' Jiyeong hears them argue a little more before she can finally hears footsteps towards her direction and then stop. the man groans, "What are you looking at? Hurry up and untie me!"
But eventually, he follows her line of sight too and lets out a scream. Oh! they may have finally noticed her.
She sighs and shivers. "Are you done?" Jiyeong asks.
She hears footsteps come even closer, and the man shouts something about wanting to be untied first. Jiyeong attempts to sit up, and a hand against her bare back assists her. Which feels nice against her cold body. Not long after, she feels the ropes around her wrists loosen and two hands behind her head untying the blindfold, careful as to not pull any hair. When she gains her vision back, she has to blink a few times to adjust. Then she quickly unties her legs while the taller girl finally sets the man free. While she searches for her clothes in the black duffel bag, she hears the man hop around and yells at the girl for his lost money. She finds him pathetic, to be honest, begging someone half you age for simple pocket change.
She finds her jeans and her sweater and quickly put them on. She pats her pockets, finding her phone and a bit of change, enough to get food and one night at a hotel room for sure. She pouts, does she have to give it away? she looks up at the man trying to fight the tall girl in his underwear, still trying to get cash out of her. Jiyeong sighs.
"Hey! mister underpants, " She walks forward and shoves the money in his hand." Will this make up for your loss?"
He looks confused but nods.
" Great, keep it. Now stop swinging your dick around and put your damn clothes on. You have no reason to bug her now that you got your precious won back, got it?" She walks off. Where was she going? She had no idea maybe the comfiest alley way she could find.