Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The last thing Nam-gyu remembered was he got picked up by a mysterious car and some kind of gas filled the car.

He realized his clothes had changed into a green tracksuit. It has the number ‘124’ patch on it. Then he sees hundreds of people who wear the same clothes as him. He walks to the sea of people.

Some pink soldiers or guards, he honestly doesn’t know about them, are welcoming them as players to play the games. They explain that they have six days to play six games. The winner will get the prize. He heard someone ask about them being kidnapped only for playing the games and how could they trust them? But he couldn’t see the person clearly because that person is in the back

Then the guard shows them the recordings of them playing ddakji and they get slapped by that ddakji man if they fail. He hopes they don’t show him getting slapped. He’s not good at playing that game. He didn’t even count how many times he got slapped.

“Player 333, Lee Myung-gi. Age 30, former owner of the YouTube channel, MG Coin. Promoted dalmatian, a new cryptocurrency, leading his subscribers to lose a combined 15.2 billion won. He then shut down his channel and disappeared. Currently wanted for fraud and violating multiple communication and investment laws. Total debt : 1.8 billion won.”

‘That fucking asshole who scammed me is here?! He’s gotta pay for it!’

“196, Kang Mi-na, Total debt : 45 million.

120, Cho Hyun-ju, Total debt : 330 million”

‘Cho Hyun-ju? The name sounds similar. Why do I feel like I know that name?” Nam-gyu thought. Probably they just have similar names.

But Nam-gyu can’t shake this weird feeling. The fact is his older brother also has similar name, Cho Hyun-joon. And he still isn’t home. And her face looks familiar to him somehow.

“230, Choi Su-bong, 1.19 billion.”

Wait! Nam-gyu knows that person. It’s Thanos! He often went to the club he works at. Nam-gyu gave free drinks and other stuff to Thanos. He can see that purple-haired man was like a few inches in front of him. 

“198, Jang Do-yeong, 1.4 billion.

226, Kim Yeong-sam, 1.9 billion.

444, Kim Nam-du, 2.02 billion.

343, Sim Jae-seok, 2.89 billion.

006, Park Mi-hwa, 3.1 billion.

283, Lee Eun-ju, 4.02 billion.

100, Im Jeong-dae, total debt : 10 billion.”

‘How the the fuck that old man has so much debt?! Let alone 10 billion!” Nam-gyu thought.

Everyone is looking at the Player 100. 

“What are you looking at?” Player 100 shouts angrily.

“Think it’s easy to get loans that large? They don’t give out ten billion to just anyone! You have to work to the big leagues for that!”

The guards shows them a piggy bank. All prize money is going to be stored in that place.

Another player asks how much money they get if they win. The guards answered they will get 45.6 billion won if they win the games. That’s when an old lady went through the players and found out that her son (at least that’s what Nam-gyu thought) is also one of the players. Nam-gyu finds the bickering scene between the mother and her son is funny. 

Makes him wonder, how’s his mother doing now? It’s been a long time since the last time he contacted his parents.

The guards then give them some contracts to be signed by players.

“If you wish to participate in the games, then please sign the player consent form. If you do not wish to participate, then please let us know at this time. We will provide further opportunities to leave the games, should you change your mind.”

Nam-gyu is still curious about that woman, Player 120. He will ask her later. But first, he will deal with that scammer, MG Coin. He and Thanos walked to him as soon as he signed the contract.

“MG Coin? The Amazing Myung-gi? That you?” Nam-gyu asked.

“And you are?” Myung-gi asked back.

“You don’t know me, but I sure know you, G. MG Coin. I was subscribed to your channel. I lost hundreds of millions because of your shit advice.” Thanos said.

“So do I.” Nam-gyu joined.

“I think you’ve got the wrong guy.” Myung-gi wants to walk off but he’s stopped by Thanos.

“I used to watch your videos every day, you know? Now my dreams are full of your ugly fucking face.”

Thanos put his arm over Nam-gyu’s shoulder.

“Your name’s Nam-su?”

“Gyu. Nam-gyu. Promoter at Pentagon Club.”

“Oh, right, yeah.”

‘This guy has a goldfish memory! It’s not like my name is hard to pronounce! How can he always get my name wrong?’

“Anyways, thanks to you, Nam-gyu and I really bonded with each other. Through our shared trauma.”

“Didn’t those fuckers who made that shit-coin go to the Philippines with all the cash they took? What are you doing here? Did they ditch you too?” 

“And what exactly do you want?” Myung-gi asked.

Suddenly Thanos grabbed Myung-gi by his mane. Then he wants to beat up Myung-gi.

But before the fights got heated, Nam-gyu tried to separate them both.

“Whoa, chill, hyung. Time out, time out, time out! Take it easy! Think about your album.”

“Too many people. You don’t wanna end up on the news.” Nam-gyu tried to calm Thanos down.

After that, he walked away from Myung-gi with Thanos.

Then, Nam-gyu feels someone tapping on his shoulder. He looked at that person.

He gasped. Lucky, Thanos isn’t close to him for now.

“Are you Nam-gyu?”

It was Player 120, Cho Hyun-ju.

“Yes, I am. Wait! How do you know my name?” He asked.

“Can we talk in private?” Hyun-ju asked.

He looked around. Thanos didn’t even notice he wasn’t with Nam-gyu.

“...Sure.”

⚝⚝⚝

Hyun-ju woke up with her clothes changed into her tracksuit. The number ‘120’ was patched on her clothes.

She got up from her bunk. The guards explained that they have six days to play six games. The winner will get the prize if they play all six games. 

“Excuse me.” She tried to ask the guards. 

Everyone looked at her. Many of them looked at her weirdly. She’s already got used to their stares and judgement over her being a transwoman.

“If we’re just playing games here, then why you’d basically kidnap us? How can we trust you now?” Hyun-ju asked. It doesn’t make sense to her with the idea of them being kidnapped only for playing the games.

“My apologies. Please understand it was a necessary step taken to maintain the strict confidentiality of these games.”

Many players asked many questions. The purple-haired player complained about his limited shoes (That’s what Hyun-ju heard).

The guards showed them recordings of them playing ddakji with the man in the suit. She’s one of the players that showed on the screen.

The guard explained the prize money will be stored in that piggy bank. They gave them some contracts to be signed by them.

After she signed the contracts, she saw the commotion between that purple-haired man, Player 230, with Player 333. And there is someone else too, Player 124. He was with Player 230.

‘He looks familiar.’

She caught the conversation between them both, “Your name’s Nam-su?” “Gyu. Nam-gyu.”

She looks surprised, ‘Nam-gyu? What is he doing here?’

Nam-gyu, her brother who she hasn’t seen in 10 years. The last time she saw him was when he was still a teenage boy. No wonder he looks familiar. Even with his jellyfish haircut, she can still recognize him.

Hyun-Ju saw Nam-gyu walk away from Player 333. That Player 230 isn’t close to Nam-gyu. This is her chance to talk to him.

She tapped his shoulder. He turned his head on her. He gasped in surprise.

“Are you Nam-gyu?” Hyun-ju asked

“Yes, I am. Wait! How do you know my name?” He asked.

Yep, that’s him. She can recognize his voice.

“Can we talk in private? I need to talk to you.” Hyun-ju asked.

He looked around. ‘Maybe he doesn’t want his friend to know?’

“...Sure.”

She dragged him to a spot in the corner.

“Nam-gyu, do you still remember me? Hyun-joon?” 

She cringed at her dead name.

“Hyun-joon? As in Cho Hyun-joon?”

She nodded.

“But isn’t your name Cho Hyun-ju?”

The connection finally hits him and his curiosity.

“Wait! hold on hold on! Cho Hyun-joon is my brother’s name and if your name is Cho Hyun-ju, that means…”

He gasped, “It’s you! It is you. I knew your face looked peculiarly familiar when your face was shown on screen.”

“Yes, Nam-gyu. It’s me. It’s been a while, little brother.”

“Yeah. It’s been 10 years. So Cho Hyun-ju. Is that your new name?” Nam-gyu asked.

“Yes, that’s my new name. I’m living as a woman now, Nam-gyu. I should’ve told this to you sooner.”

Nam-gyu frowned. He feels disappointed, but not at her. Rather, he feels disappointed at his parents,  “But how come I never know that you’re a woman now? They never told me about you become a woman.” 

Nam-gyu feels betrayed by his parents.

“When I told them that I want to live as a woman, you weren’t at home. And I guess they didn’t tell you that because they don’t want you to know. They…disapprove of me. Father cut all of my contacts and mother cried a lot.”

She looked down. She will face the fact Nam-gyu will hate her, just like their parents. At least she already told him the truth.

“It’s okay if you will hate me for this, Nam-gyu. I know it’s very wrong of me to not tell you this sooner. I should try to find a way to tell you this. I just want to let you know that I’m still alive. After this talk, we can be separated again and never meet each other again after getting out of this place. Just like 10 years ago.”

But before she walked off, he grabbed her arm.

“I don’t hate you for that, Hyun-ju. I mean, I’ve seen few people like you in my work place. I just feel upset because our parents never told me about you come out as a woman. If they tell me the truth, I will try to find you. I don’t care what they’ll say. All I know is that I can meet you again after 10 years being alone.”

‘Please, don’t leave me alone again.’ 

Hyun-ju looked at him shockingly. 

“You…don’t hate me?”

“Of course not! Why would I hate you? It’s your choice, noona. Wait, since you’re my sister now, is it okay I call you noona now?”

“Well if you want, yes.” She smiled. Nam-gyu smiled back.

Hyun-ju looked at him. Her brother is a grown up man now. She didn’t remember that his hair is that long. With long hair, he looks just like their mother. Well, he got his eyes from their mother though. 

“10 years ago, you were still a teenage boy. Now, well you’re still the same Nam-gyu to me.”

Nam-gyu blushed, “You’re so cheesy, noona.”

Hyun-ju laughed.

Just when Nam-gyu opened his mouth, he heard Thanos calling for him.

“YO NAM-SU! WHERE ARE YOU, MAN?”

‘I swear to god! That fucking bastard Thanos. Can’t he just try to remember my name?!’ He sighed annoyingly.

Hyun-ju looked at the purple-haired player, “Is that your friend?”

“Yes. I swear he’s fucking loud. I should go, noona. I’ll… talk to you again after the first game.” Nam-gyu said then walked away.

“I’ll see you again, brother.”

⚝⚝⚝

The guards lead them to some kind of photo shoot room. Nam-gyu is behind Thanos. Player 256, Gyeong-su, reveals that he’s the biggest Thanos fan. He wants to take a photo with him. And so do Thaons’s fans! Turns out, many Thanos’s fans join the game. Nam-gyu calms everyone down and tells them to take it easy. 

But when they try to take a photo with Thanos, the guard stops them. They said only one person takes a picture at a time. Taking photos together apparently is prohibited. They feel disappointed. But they obey the rules anyway.

⚝⚝⚝

After the players take photos of them, the guards lead them to the game arena which is located upstairs. Thanos runs past Nam-gyu. He remembers Thanos wanted to take a photo with that girl, Player 196. Thanos still wants to go to that girl.

“Attention, players. Welcome to the first game. After you enter the arena, please stand near the entrances and await further instructions. Once again,  all players please stand near the entrances and await further instructions.”

They reach the arena. Nam-gyu sees Thanos flirting with the girl. He decides to walk away from him and see if he can find Hyun-ju. He squints his eyes (curse his bad eyesight!), trying to find the number 120.

There she is! She’s a few inches in front of him. 

He taps her shoulder. She turned to him.

“Oh hello again, Nam-gyu. I thought you said you’ll see me again after this. Where’s your friend?”

“He’s over there, trying to flirt with the girl he found.”

He honestly wants to meet Hyun-ju again. “This might sound awkward but, can…I be with you? Just for this time?” 

“Of course you can, Nam-gyu. I’m only by myself anyway.”

Then he sees a giant girl doll. 

“What is that?” He asked.

Hyun-ju shrugged, “I don’t know.”

The giant doors shut down.

“Welcome to the first game. You will be playing Red Light, Green Light.”

“‘Red Light, Green Light’? The same game we played when we’re kids right, Hyun-ju?” Nam-gyu asked.

“Yes.” Hyun-ju answered.

‘They really kidnapped us only for playing kid games?’

Somehow, she kind of has strange feelings.

“Players who cross the finish line within the five-minute time limit without being eliminated will win this game.”

‘Eliminated?’ Hyun-ju thought.

A player shouts to everyone that if they move after “red light,” they’re going to be shot. He said they’re gonna shoot them and there’s guns in the walls.

All players laugh at him. 

“Is he crazy or something?” Nam-gyu muttered.

“No matter what, do not panic! You can’t afford to! Remember everything I told you! Stay as still as you can! Don’t try and run away!”

“With that, let the game begin.”

“Green light, red light.”

“Freeze!” That crazy player shouted.

And so the game goes on. Until…

A gunshot sound was heard. And it was loud.

“Player 196, eliminated.”

‘Serve her right!’ Nam-gyu was glad that girl is dead now. But now he can feel his body shaking due to that gunshot sound.

Many players are trying to escape the place. But they got shot. Hyun-ju grabbed his hand, preventing him from running away. He can feel her hand shaking too. 

After a few minutes, the shooting stopped for now.

“I will repeat the rules again. You are allowed to move forward when it says, “Green light.” When it says “Red light,” you must stop. If your movement is detected afterwards, you will be eliminated.” 

“Green light, red light.”

All the remaining players aren’t moving. Only two players are moving to the front of them. 

“If you don’t cross the line in time, they’ll still kill you! Look at the doll’s eyes! They’re cameras that scan the field for motion! But it’s not able to detect you if you’re behind something!” Player 456 shouted. He’s in front of them now.

He advises everyone to get behind someone taller. And make a line like conga line.

“Time’s running out! Go at the next green light!” He shouted again.

“Green light, 

Everyone is making the lines now. The shorter one gets behind the taller one.

“Get behind me, Nam-gyu.” Hyun-ju said while grabbing his hand.

“If you feel scared, just get close to me.” Hyun-ju whispered to him

He nodded shakily.

“Red light.”

Everyone is already making conga lines. Just like what Player 456 said.

Nam-gyu keeps grabbing Hyun-ju’s jacket during the ‘Red light’ part. He’s trying to stop his shaking.

“N-Noona?” He said shakily.

“Green light,”

“Shhh…it’s okay. Just get close to me.”

“Red light.”

⚝⚝⚝

The game continues. They both finally reach the finish line. They catch their breaths. It was so tiring.

Then Hyun-ju sees Player 456 trying to save the injured player. She looks at the timer. It’s less than 30 seconds.

‘He can’t do it on his own. I gotta help.’

“I’ll be right back.” She muttered to Nam-gyu. She runs back to the field to help Player 456.

“Hey hey! What are you doing, Hyun-ju?!” Nam-gyu said anxiously. He looks at the timer. It’s 00:25.

‘Noona, please. I don’t want to lose you again.’ Nam-gyu fidgeting with his sleeve. A habit when he feels anxious.

Nam-gyu sees Hyun-ju and that crazy Player 456, make it to the finish line a second before time is up. He sighed in relief. 

Then,

“BANG!”

A loud gunshot was heard. The player who Player 456 and Hyun-ju rescued, was killed.

“Player 444, eliminated.”

Nam-gyu can see his sister is shaken up now. He can’t blame her. A player got shot right in front of her.

The roof is closing. The first game is over.

Hyun-ju walks towards Nam-gyu. Her face is a little bit bloody. The blood also stained her clothes a bit. Her hair is a bit messy.

She takes him to a spot where there’s not many people.

“Are you okay, Hyun-ju?” Nam-gyu asked.

“Yes, I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

Hyun-ju grabs both of his hands, “Nam-gyu, look at me.”

Nam-gyu looks up at her. His eyes are a bit watery. Either because he was scared of the game or he was scared Hyun-ju won’t survive when she tried to save Player 444. Probably both.

“I’ll protect you from now on. I’ll try to survive for you. I promise we will never be separated anymore. Can you do the same too?”

Nam-gyu nodded, “...Yes.”

Hyun-ju smiled, “Come on. We should get back now.” 

⚝⚝⚝

Nam-gyu sees Thanos is already in the dorm. He looks at Hyun-ju.

“I should go now, noona. I’ll see you later.” Nam-gyu said.

Hyun-ju nodded, “Okay. I’ll see you later too.”

They are separated in two different ways now. 

Nam-gyu sits beside Thanos. He notices Thanos looks scared. There’s some blood stains on his face.

“You okay, Hyung?” Nam-gyu asked.

“Don’t worry. I’m okay.” Thanos answered in English.

The giant metal door opens, revealing a few guards. Most of the players look scared. They think the guards will kill them.

“You have successfully made it through the first game. Congratulations to you all. Now, if I may have your attention, I will announce the results so far.”

The guard announces the number of players.

“Out of 456 players, 91 players have been eliminated. Which means 365 players have completed the first game. Once again, congratulations to all of you for making it through the first game.”

Some players are begging the guards to not kill them and let them go. 

“Consent form clause three! If the majority of players agree to stop playing, the games will be terminated. Isn’t that correct?” Player 456 said.

“That is correct.” 

“Then we’ll do that. We’ll put it to a vote.”

‘Wait!, there will be a vote?’

“If that’s what you’d like. During these games, we will always respect your right to freedom of choice.”

They feel relieved. They can go home.

Nam-gyu isn’t sure he can go home empty handed. The loan sharks will surely beat him up if he gets out of here now. But he’s also scared from the first game. Though he will never admit it if he's scared.

“But before we vote, we will reveal how much prize money has accumulated after the first game.”

The money is put in the piggy bank now. The guard said 9.1 billion won has accumulated so far. If they decide to stop playing and quit the games now, the remaining 365 players will split the 9.1 billion amongst themselves. That means they’ll leave the place with only 24.9 million.

‘They can’t be serious? Only 24 million?’

“Are you serious? Man, come on, we like almost died. 24 million, that’s all? Are you fucking kidding me?” Nam-gyu muttered.

There is no way Nam-gyu can leave this place now. The shared money barely covers his debt

⚝⚝⚝

It’s voting time. The voting in reverse order of their number. Some players vote to continue, some players vote to leave. The first game was already scared out of him. He’s not sure if he wants to continue to play. But the shared money isn’t enough for covering his debt. Let alone Thanos’s debt! 

That fucking bastard MG Coin voted O. ‘He better be! He owed me and Thanos.’

Thanos also voted O and so did Gyeong-su.

Then that crazy man, Player 456, is trying to persuade them to leave this deadly game. It causes arguments between two sides. Player 456 shouts at them that he’s played these games before.

‘Wait! So he’s the winner? If he’s already won, why would he play the games again?’

A guard stops him before he goes further. The voting continues. More players vote to continue the games. 

Nam-gyu’s already made up his mind. He’ll vote O. He won’t leave this place with only 24 million.

“Player 124.”

He walks to the buttons. He pressed the blue button and he walked to the O side.

Hyun-ju’s number is called. He can barely see her. Then a high pitch beep sound was heard. She votes to continue.He understands her choice, knowing the shared money also barely covers her debt.

All players had been voted. 182 for X, 182 for O. 

Except for Player 001.

“And finally, Player 001”

Everyone looks at Player 001

“Now everybody say “O!”” Thanos shouts.

The X side does the same like O does. 

The silence fills the room. Then,

Player 001 pressed the O button. All players from the O side are cheering! While players from X side sigh disappointedly as they know they can’t leave this place.

The game will continue.

⚝⚝⚝