Just like last year, Kai used his trademark trick during Red Light, Green Light—constantly moving while hiding behind other players to reduce his exposure, yet never lagging too far behind.
When the first player was eliminated with a clean headshot, the crowd instantly descended into chaos.
Screams erupted, and players began to sprint wildly in all directions.
Kai reacted instantly—he dropped flat onto the dirt. If he stayed standing, he risked being knocked down by the stampede and shot by accident.
But lying down had its own problems. In their panic, several players stepped directly on him, trampling his arms and back. Still, Kai gritted his teeth and didn't move an inch.
Stay still. Move, and you're dead.
Gunfire echoed again and again. Blood splattered across the ground as bodies dropped one after another.
When the chaos thinned and only a few players remained ahead, Kai quickly got up and sprinted forward.
As soon as the doll began to turn, he ducked behind another player to use him as cover.
Gradually, the remaining survivors realized what was happening. Fear turned into desperate resolve as they charged toward the finish line.
In the monitoring room, a newcomer wearing a gray mask observed the scene.
"Player 250," he said, his tone impressed. "Trampled by five or six people, yet he didn't twitch. That's a ruthless kind of patience."
Just as Kai was about to cross the red finish line, someone shoved him from behind. He stumbled forward, eyes widening as the doll's head began to turn back.
In that split second, Kai grabbed the hand of the man who pushed him and yanked him down with him.
The player behind them—number 301—lost his balance and fell directly on top of Kai.
When the doll's head completed its rotation, its sensors locked onto Player 301.
"Player 301, eliminated."
Bang!
Blood splashed across Kai's face as Player 301's head snapped back.
Kai froze for half a second, feeling the warm droplets drip down his cheek.
Then he muttered under his breath, "Lucky me… good thing the bullets don't have much penetration. Otherwise, we'd be skewered like candied fruit."
When the doll turned its back again, Kai shoved the corpse aside and sprinted across the finish line.
He collapsed just past the red line, panting heavily.
"This round is the most unpredictable one," he muttered. "There's barely any room to exploit the rules."
When the countdown ended, the last dozen players who hadn't reached the finish line were instantly riddled with bullets. The field went silent except for the dull thud of bodies hitting the ground.
Kai didn't even flinch. Compared to last year, he'd grown numb to the bloodshed.
Back in the dormitory, the scene was eerily familiar—the same sterile walls, the same uneasy silence, and then, as always, the same dialogue that unfolded among the survivors.
At first, the remaining players wept, pleaded, and questioned everything. But once the enormous prize fund appeared on the screen, their fear turned to greed.
Only this time, even fewer people survived the first round than last year.
Kai wasn't surprised. Last year, Oh Il-nam had demonstrated the rules early, saving a good number of players.
This year, without that advantage, the death toll skyrocketed.
He looked up at the giant screen on the wall:
179 Players Remaining
Total Prize: 27.7 Billion Won
Kai chuckled under his breath.
Then came the next familiar ritual—the voting session.
Just like before, voting was conducted in reverse order of player numbers.
When it was Kai's turn, he pressed the green button without hesitation. Stopping the Game was never an option.
If he quit now, he'd never be counted as someone who cleared all six rounds. And if that happened, neither the organizers nor the masked supervisors—the Deer Head and Ox Head—would let him walk away alive.
When the final vote appeared on screen, the result was split down the middle: 89 to 89.
Every eye turned toward Player 001, the last to vote.
This year, 001 wasn't an old man. He was a sharp-looking middle-aged man, around forty, calm and composed.
After a long pause, he finally pressed the button to continue the Game.
The crowd erupted.
Those who had voted to stop the Game exploded with fury—cursing and yelling at the players who chose to continue. But with the heavily armed guards standing watch, no one dared to actually act on their rage.
The ones who voted to continue shouted back, their own desperation fueling their defiance.
Kai just lay on his bunk, hands behind his head, quietly watching the chaos. To him, it was nothing more than a ridiculous show—like monkeys screeching in a cage.
Player 001 eventually approached him. "Player 250, why aren't you supporting your side?"
Kai didn't even sit up. "Is there a need? The result won't change whether they yell or not. Might as well save our energy for the next Game."
Player 001's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're too calm. Almost unnaturally calm… like someone who's done this before."
Kai tilted his head toward him. "What about you, 001? Why aren't you joining in the noise either?"
001 gave a faint smile. "Because it's meaningless."
Something about his tone set off a flicker of suspicion in Kai's mind.
"…Your voice sounds kind of familiar, doesn't it?"
001 shrugged casually. "Maybe I just have one of those voices."
Kai smirked. "Alright then. Player 001, want to team up? Going solo in this place doesn't end well."
001 raised a brow. "Why me?"
Kai smiled faintly. "Let's just say… I think you've got a unique aura about you."
001 chuckled. "Funny. I was about to say the same thing about you. Fine—I accept."
Of course, Kai didn't actually recognize his voice. Last year, every staff member—from the Front Man to the round-masked laborers—had used voice changers.
But last year's 001 had been someone from the organization's inner circle, so Kai decided to test this new 001 just in case.
He wasn't sure yet whether this year's Player 001 had ties to the organizers—but he kept his guard up.
Just as he was about to continue probing, a familiar voice called out from across the room.
"Kai? You're here too?"
Kai turned, stunned. "Coach Lee Eun-hui? What the hell are you doing here?"
It was indeed her—his free combat instructor from the past year, now wearing a blue tracksuit with the number 012.
Player 001 turned toward her. "Player 012, you know Player 250?"
Eun-hui nodded, equally confused. "That's what I was about to ask. You're rich, aren't you? Why are you here?"
Kai sighed. "It's… complicated. Let's just say I can't talk about it. What about you, Coach? Why join something this dangerous?"
Her face softened. "My father has leukemia. I borrowed a huge amount for treatment… and now the debt collectors won't stop coming."
Kai exhaled slowly. "Everyone here's got their own tragedy, huh? But since we've met again, Coach Lee, how about joining our team?"
Eun-hui looked between them, then extended her hand. "Alright. Let's help each other survive."
Player 001 placed his hand over hers.
Kai smiled faintly. "By the way, I still don't know your real name, 001."
The man hesitated briefly, then pointed to his number. "My name's Ling Yi—Wu Ling Yi. Easy to remember, right? Same as my number."
Kai's eyes gleamed for a moment. Hesitation before answering, huh? Interesting.
He grinned. "Mr. Ling Yi, looking forward to working together."
Inside, his mind was already turning.
He had to think before giving his name… Heh. I've got you pegged.
...
Author's Note
I've created a second Webnovel account under the name Shadow_demon_007A2.
So far, I've already posted 9 different fanfics, including works from:
High School DxD, Shin Chan, Dragon Ball, Marvel, Ben 10, Pokémon, and Versatile Mage, with more on the way.
If you enjoy my stories, please visit the new account, give your support, and add the novels to your library—it really helps a lot.
Thank you for reading and supporting my work!
— Shadow_demon_007