The masked men were distributing food, and everyone was lining up to receive it.
Jaekai sat beside Junghyuk with his food.
Junghyuk said, "Their operation must have failed."
Jaekai asked, "Then what do we do now?"
Junghyuk replied, "We use the other plan."
Jaekai asked, "What plan?"
Meanwhile, Sumi walked over to bed 18.
"Why?" she asked.
18 said, "What are you trying to say?"
Sumi said, "Why did you press the circle? How can you be sure you won't die in the next round?"
18 replied, "Get lost, I don't want to see you."
Sumi nodded, then turned and walked away.
At that moment, 56 and 1 walked up to Junghyuk.
56 asked, "Can I ask you something?"
Junghyuk nodded.
56 asked, "Why did you know from the start that this game would kill people?"
Junghyuk looked at him seriously. "I've participated in this game before."
1 asked, "Really?"
Junghyuk nodded. "He's been in it too," nodding to Jaekai.
56 said, "If you've played before, shouldn't you have a ton of money already? Why come back?"
Jaekai said, "What do you think? Of course we came back to end this game once and for all." He sighed. "Unfortunately, our team seems to have failed."
1 asked, "Then do you know what the next game is?"
56 added, "Yeah, yeah, you guys should know, right?"
Junghyuk said, "The next game is Three Bears."
56 frowned, "Three Bears? What's that?"
Just as Junghyuk was about to answer, Jaekai interrupted, "That wasn't the second game in my run."
Junghyuk looked at him, "How's that possible? Then what was yours?"
Before Jaekai could answer, conflict broke out on the other side of the dorm.
One minute earlier—
202 approached 85's bed. "Still eating even though you're that fat? Disgusting pig."
85 replied, "Mind your own damn business."
Then she made a hand gesture.
(A thumb and index finger pressed together in a "tiny" gesture.)
202 snapped and flung his food in her face.
85 shoved him hard.
She jumped down from her bed and pushed 202 to the ground.
Seeing he couldn't fight back, 202 yelled, "Everyone look! This fat cow is attacking people!"
85 said, "You're the one who insulted me and threw food all over my face!"
202 said, "Did I say anything that wasn't true?"
Just as 85 was about to lunge again, 62 stepped between them. "Alright, alright, both of you, let's take a step back."
85 finally let it go.
Sumi walked up beside 85 and said, "If that guy bullies you again, come find me. Us girls should stick together."
85 smiled. "Thanks."
Back to Junghyuk, who asked Jaekai again, "So what was your game then?"
Jaekai replied, "I don't remember exactly, but it wasn't Three Bears."
56 said, "So I guess it's not the same every time."
1 asked, "Do you guys have any other plans? Like how to end this game?"
Junghyuk looked at her.
Meanwhile, outside, Myungwoo asked Junsoo, "What now? We don't even know Junghyuk's exact location."
Junsoo said, "I don't know either. I've already reported to the higher-ups. We wait."
Myungwoo said, "Wait? For what? Junghyuk could die any minute in there."
Junsoo said, "Then tell me your plan."
Myungwoo fell silent.
Suddenly, Junghyuk saw someone walking toward him—Ikhun.
Junghyuk was shocked. "Ikhun… Is that really you?"
Ikhun walked up and screamed, "It's all your fault! You got me killed! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!!!!"
Junghyuk woke up suddenly—it was just a dream.
Familiar music started playing.
Then a broadcast voice announced, "Important announcement: the second game will begin shortly. Please follow the staff instructions."
56 said to Junghyuk, "Let's all do our best. Whatever the game is, let's work together."
Junghyuk smiled faintly.
They followed the staff.
After a short walk, they arrived at the game arena.
As soon as they stepped in, Christmas music began playing: We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
The whole place was decorated with a holiday theme.
When everyone had entered, the broadcast said, "Welcome to the second game. Before the game starts, please choose one of the three numbers ahead and stand in front of it."
Junghyuk looked at the numbers: "50, 100, 150." He said, "It really is a different game."
The broadcast continued, "Please immediately choose a number and stand in front of it."
202 walked forward.
Sumi and 85 followed.
56 asked, "What should we do? Should we all go together?"
Junghyuk said, "Not safe. One time, the game made us compete against our own teammates."
1 said, "Then let's split up."
Junghyuk said, "Alright."
Jaekai said, "I'll choose 50."
Junghyuk said, "One of us will have to double up."
1 said, "Then 56 and I will take 100."
Junghyuk said, "Alright, then I'll take 150."
56 said, "Okay, let's go. Once we know what the game is, we'll figure it out."
They moved to their spots.
Soon after, the broadcast said, "Time's up. Now announcing the game details."
The doors above each number opened.
The broadcast said, "Each participant, please take one of the boxes in front of you."
Everyone took a box corresponding to their number.
Sumi, 202, and 85 had chosen 100.
18 had chosen 50.
"Now please open your boxes and check the contents."
Everyone looked inside.
"The second game is a puzzle challenge. The number you chose is the number of pieces you must complete."
Junghyuk looked inside and muttered, "I'm screwed."
"You have 30 minutes. Complete the puzzle within the time limit to pass. The game starts now."
Everyone sat on the floor and began.
Junghyuk's hands trembled as he picked up his pieces.
He said to himself, "Start with the edges."
Everyone was sweating nervously.
Sumi had already completed the edges and was moving inward. 85 was close behind.
Meanwhile, the host watched player 357 on the screen.
Ten minutes passed. The first person finished.
239 held up his completed puzzle to a masked guard.
The broadcast announced, "Player 239, success."
More and more people succeeded.
Eventually, Sumi heard, "Player 18, success."
She looked over at 18.
"Player 109, success."
Junghyuk looked at Jaekai.
Ten minutes left.
Player 56 finished his last piece.
"Player 56, success."
1 also finished.
"Player 202, success."
"Player 85, success."
Sumi placed her final piece.
"Player 329, success."
Junghyuk kept working. He glanced at the timer—"5 minutes 30 seconds."
He forced himself to go faster.
Those who finished returned to the dorms in a line.
On the way, 56 asked, "You think 357 will be okay?"
Jaekai said nothing.
Thirty seconds left.
Junghyuk looked at his puzzle. Ten pieces to go.
He frantically picked up the pace.
Ten seconds—"10, 9, 8, 7…"
Two pieces left.
"3, 2, 1…"
Just as the countdown ended, Junghyuk placed the final piece.
He held it up to the masked man.
"Player 357, success."
Junghyuk burst into tears of relief.
The broadcast continued, "The second game is over. Successful players, please exit the game arena immediately."
Player 5 hadn't finished. He hid behind the Christmas tree.
A masked man approached and executed those who failed.
As Junghyuk's group walked back to the dorms, they heard the gunshot and all ducked.
Then a square-masked guard approached Player 5.
Player 5 begged, "Please, spare me, I'm begging you…"
The masked man raised his gun and aimed.
BANG.