Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

◯△□ AUTHOR’S NOTE! ◯△□

Players, welcome to the games!... Or should I say, Welcome back!

.

• DISCLAIMERS:

I do not claim any of the characters and places, especially the main plot of the story, written as all mine. The credits still belong to our Squid Game director/writer (Hwang Dong Hyuk).

This story is an alternative or a different story of the last season of Squid Game (It will begin at where the rebellion was already done.). Some of the scenes from the original story will still be encountered as it will take part in this alternative ending. And this does not intend at all to discredit and disrespect the original creator of Squid Game and the series itself. THIS IS ALL JUST FOR FUN!

My advanced apologies for the errors that might take place in the story. Perfection is not written in anyone’s vocabulary so please kindly bear with the author’s mistakes and poor narrations in some parts. But a little appreciation of the story will be very much thanked by the author. :)

• TRIGGER WARNINGS:

The story’s genre and themes are mainly thriller and violence. So expect to read and encounter a lot of sensitive scenes where heavy languages, violence, drugs, blood, and deaths are written. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!

And lastly, enjoy reading

and buckle up safely, players! :)

Chapter Text

The calm after the storm.

If there is something to describe the silence occurring at this moment across the tremendous space, it would be that phrase…

or could be not.

The stillness continued as the guard and soldiers had just left the room after giving them a warning and threat for the rebellion they aimed and put in action. It was almost deafening— that it seemed to be more frightening than hearing the noises of the guns and rifles that were barely faint from outside just a moment ago.

But the sounds were still echoing in everyone’s minds, along with the fear and pain of what they have gone through the past days screaming in their hearts. Not even a drop of pin was heard in the huge room, only the sound of breathing from the players which only they could hear to themselves.

.

And finally, a loud horn roared by the speakers blew away the silence. Circle Guards, in those infamous pink tracksuits and masks of hidden mystery, marched in. Watching their synchronized movements was something known. But doing it while carrying a human-sized box with a pink bow, or a coffin as for everyone’s knowledge, was something different and unexpected.

The circle guards placed it down right in the middle of the room before walking away right after, as if they just dropped off a mailbox. But everyone knows it’s far from that.

The coffin seemed to have a spotlight above for everyone’s eyes to be focused on it. It seemed to be inviting for them to walk closer to it out of curiosity despite the hovering fear. But no one dared to open it or even approach it completely, except for these four players— Player 120, Player 222, Player 149, and Player 007.

Though even the four didn’t have enough courage to check out what was inside the casket. But Player 120, Hyunju, seemed to have her hands be braver than her own mind that she slowly reached them down to open it without thinking twice. Her motions were careful, her hands almost trembling, and her mind clouding with thoughts as she carefully lifted up the cover.

But not even a second had passed when her slow movements changed as she quickly dropped the cover to the floor after seeing what was inside— rather, who was inside.

Gihun.

Murmurs and gasps immediately enveloped the crowded room, clearly no one had expected the sight they just witnessed.

Player 149, Geumja, who felt her breath almost get caught in her throat let out a loud gasp as she quickly leaned down. Her eyes showed complete shock and worry when she looked at Hyunju before speaking, her voice coming out almost shaky. “I-Is he dead?”

Hyunju was quick to place her fingers on Gihun’s pulse, her heart beating twice of its normal pace, as if she could give it to Gihun if he doesn’t really have one now. But thank the heavens, a relieved sigh escaped Hyunju’s lips when she felt a few beats against her fingertips. “He’s fine.”

Hyunju’s short phrase got a long and heavy synchronized exhale from Geumja, along with her son Player 007— Yongsik, and Player 222— Junhee, on her sides. And Yongsik, who just had his body frozen, had it snapped in a blink when Hyunju spoke again.

“Come on. Help me get him on one of the beds. Hurry.”

.

.

.

Light is dimmed, music is softened— only the sound of whiskey pouring in a glass was heard all over the room. By the sound of it, it seemed peaceful. But the atmosphere says otherwise, completely otherwise. Right, Hwang Inho?

The glow coming from the lights was soft, but the voices inside his head were loud and hard. Along with the slow and light rhythm of jazz whispered by the speakers, his thoughts and emotions were screaming inside him, boiling like a lava that was about to explode.

His mask was off with his eyes focused on the huge screen in front of his couch, he didn't even know what he was watching or what his eyes were focused on, his brain seemed to be empty but it’s clearly the opposite. Because if his mind was empty on something at this moment, it would be on good things. It started getting cloudy in his head, almost storming out when a sudden ring from the telephone erupted.

A hot and heavy breath escaped his nose as he placed down his glass on the small table next to his couch, before standing up, composing himself and letting his inner conflicts brush off and fall on the ground as he made his way to the telephone that was still ringing loudly.

“Sir.”, was what he immediately heard right after he picked up the call. The voice was old, old by age and old as something he has heard for a long time. Captain Park.

Inho didn’t give a response, letting his silence speak for the captain to continue his words. “The team decided to stop the search. They are almost giving up but I know that the detective is too determined to stop.”

“... Just don’t let them get here until the games finish.” Inho’s voice was cold, but his order was flaming hot and commanding. Captain Park nodded his head even though Inho couldn’t see him, before continuing, “And if they still insist?”

Another short pause. “Bring them here yourself after the last game.”

“Especially the detective.”

There was a moment of silence, Inho’s words hung in the air like a smoke of fire— a fire of his own insides— until it faded when Captain Park responded. “Copy, boss.”

Inho didn’t have to respond with anything more after that as he hung up the call with another moment of silence occurring. It made the storm inside him grow stronger, with the fire of his emotions igniting bigger. But these were all interrupted once again by a sudden shout.

“Why did you let me live!?”

His eyes immediately went to the screen due to the familiarity of the voice. And then there, he saw Gihun being held down by the pink soldiers on the floor. His feet seemed to have their own lives as he walked over back to his couch, his gaze not leaving the scene in front of him and his movements very slow.

“You won. So go ahead and kill me!”

Gihun’s voice got even louder, it echoed through the speakers and around the big headquarters. It was a loud cry— a thunderous plea of a man living in a storm of pain and regrets, who wants death to be the one to drain out the flooding agony in his heart. It looked and sounded nothing like Gihun.

And Inho… he would be lying if he said that his chest didn’t tighten at the sight.

His hand almost shook as he reached for the remote, his throat running dry and his breath getting ragged. His mind was yelling at him to look away and cover his ears, if that’s the way to erase Gihun from his thoughts, but he wasn’t strong enough to even move an inch. But in a blink, the screen was turned off.

A long and heavy sigh… the only thing that Inho’s body responded with.

It was a single movement, but it spoke multiples.

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.
.

“You will now vote to decide whether to continue in the games or not. You will vote according to your numbers in reverse order.”

The whole room was quiet and still, the red and blue light from the X and O symbols on the floor shone, as the square guard instructed the players who seemed to have their mouths zipped and feet glued onto the ground.

“Let us start with Player 456.” The words hung in the thin air alone, unanswered.

Gihun… poor Gihun had his mind flying away like it was completely separated from his body, with his wrist cuffed onto the metal of one of the bunk beds. He felt numb. Really. The cold metal against his skin was tight, but he can’t even seem to feel it at all.

But one thing’s for sure… he’s cuffed… and caged in his feelings and thoughts that even he can’t escape.

“Player 456, if you don’t give an answer on my count of three, your turn will be skipped and your vote won’t be considered as anything.” Gihun’s whole system seemed to be shut down, as if the guard’s words didn’t register into him nor even enter his ears at all.

“1…”

Nothing.

“2…”

Still nothing.

“...3.”

And… totally nothing.

“Player 456, the chance of your vote is now closed. You can no longer vote for this round. Let’s proceed with Player 448, please step forward.”

But Gihun doesn’t seem to care at all… or did he even hear it?

And then an unknown, more like an unfamiliar, woman stepped in and made her way to the buttons. Her steps were quick and smooth, but heavy on the inside, with her mind weighing it down.

“Choose O! We won’t hurt you, lady!”

She looked at the patch on her jacket, reaching up a hand and tracing the pattern faintly with her fingertips. She could barely hear the voices of the other players behind her as the whispers of her conflicted mind were louder. She voted X in the last round. But she’s too far to stop now, she thought.

“Press O now! Don’t be scared!”

Without thinking twice, her hand dropped on the O button. Her movement earned a cheer from the team of Xs. Because it wasn’t just a movement at all, it was a choice, a risk, an earn for the opposing team. But on the other hand, it was a loss of hope for the team of Os.

.

The voting continued. And as for everyone’s expectations, the X team won. Well, they’ve already won even before starting the voting, considering how many players from the O team got eliminated during the rebellion.

Hands were raised up in the air by the winning team in cheer for their victory, along with the slump of shoulders by the other.

“Ya, 456!” Then there was a sudden voice, which made Gihun finally raise up his head due to the familiarity and tone of the voice. It’s Player 100, Jeongdae.

“Aww, look at our little hero.” Player 353 shot mockingly, fueling the fire in Gihun’s eyes coming straight from his heart where anger was starting to build up, with pain and regrets aligning with it. Along with the said player and Player 203, Jeongdae walked over to Gihun, with a teasing smirk on his lips showing how he was enjoying the man’s misery. His crooked and old back leaning down until his hands were holding onto his knees, looking down at Gihun mockingly.

“You’re such a failure, you idiot.” Jeongdae’s words made the other two players beside him laugh. He paused for a moment, scoffing before adding, “But thanks to your hero-playing. We lost a lot of players from your team. And that made our O team win again.”

This made the three of them laugh louder, sounds that sent embarrassment and shame to Gihun. Well, the laughs themselves sound embarrassing and ridiculous, so annoying.

“Wonder why you’re the only one they brought back here.” Said by Player 203.

Player 353, who had his arms crossed with his foot tapping on the floor, acted like he was thinking about what his mate just said. And then, “Ah! Maybe because you’re one of them, those masked men!”

Jeongdae’s eyebrows raised in acknowledgement of those words, fixing his stance before letting out another laugh. “Oh, you must be right!” He laughed even harder after that.

He continued, “Then you must deserve to die too… don’t you think, Player 456?”

“After making all of us trust your ridiculous plan, after making your comrades trust you and leading them into risking their lives… don’t you think you deserve to risk yours too to pay theirs off?” He leaned down once again, getting closer to Gihun, laughing right at his miserable and flaming face.

“We’re right, aren’t we? You’re one of those evils you’re calling—”

His mockery was continued by pain. A loud groan. And Gihun didn’t even have to fire back the same mocking words to finish him. He kicked him. Right on the bird.

—which made Jeongdae fall on his knees and the two players exclaim in surprise at what Gihun just did. They quickly pulled him away by his arms when Gihun tried to kick him again out of anger. The chain clanked against the metal when he tried reaching for the old man, but obviously failed, his breath ragged and his teeth grinding against each other. Like a cuffed dog that has gone wild, to be brutally honest.

This caught everyone’s eyes— watching the scene with fear and judgement.

“This motherfucker has really lost his mind.” Jeongdae whispered breathlessly while being held by Player 353 and Player 203, and looking at Gihun who was still reaching for him with the pain of his kick still vibrating through his veins.

Their attention only drifted when the huge metallic door opened, with the guards and soldiers marching in, pushing carts which they know where their lunches are stored. Jeongdae looked back at Gihun one last time, threatening him with a glare and another inaudible curse before standing up with the two and making their way towards the other players who were already lining up for the food.

Gihun was once again left there, alone and cuffed. Not even daring to throw a glance at anything but the floor again. He hates how Jeong-dae’s words kept replaying in his mind over and over again. A part of him is angry at it, while another part is angry at himself and for how he is letting those words question himself.

Doesn’t he really deserve to pay off the risked and sacrificed lives with his own?

Because honestly,

he’d rather die than live and be spared with all these guilt and regrets.

“Sir?” He was at the peak of crying when a calm voice called him out, vanishing his thoughts away as he slowly looked up. “Here… at least eat some, don’t starve yourself.” Geumja, crouched down and held out a small paper plate of boiled potato to him, even taking the bottle of water from her son and also placed it down next to him on the floor.

Gihun didn’t utter a word. His eyes were just fixed on the food given to him by the old woman. His stomach twisted at the thought of swallowing down those foods when his throat is so full of emotions. He can’t. He just can’t.

“I-I’m sorry…” His eyes went up again at Hyunju’s soft voice after a moment of silence. It was a soft apology, but the thought behind it was painfully loud.

“...f-for not coming back with the magazines.” Both of their eyes went down in sorrow as Hyunju continued. Geumja looked at the two of them in pity and sympathy, her heart is just too old and soft for this.

“Why are you even saying sorry? It’s not your fault!” Yongsik interrupted, also crouching down in front of Gihun before continuing, “If it’s anyone’s fault and mistake… it’s Daeho’s.”

Gihun’s eyes went up again, his expression was still blank. But from how his gaze shifted, it showed that he wanted to hear more or find out if it is even true. Yongsik added, as if he heard what was in his mind, “It’s true.”

“Daeho came back here to get the magazines and we even helped him!.. But when he was about to come back to you, he stopped and stepped back. He was frightened!”

This made Gihun’s ears perked up, slowly looking at Daeho who was eating peacefully on his bed, just one bed away from where he was cuffed. The sight of Daeho who seemed to be eating so well after what just happened made the fire in Gihun’s weak eyes grow strong again. His brows started to furrow.

Geumja slapped her son’s knee to stop him from talking after noticing Gihun’s reaction. She spoke, “Aish! It’s not anyone here’s fault, okay? If someone did something bad and is really at fault for what we have lost, it’s only those masked men!”

And then she turned back to Gihun, “You go eat this, okay? And better get some sleep.”. Dragging away Yongsik after reminding him that and letting out another “aish” at her son’s no brake mouth, which just drove Gihun’s anger even higher.

He didn’t even bat an eye at the three as they walked away from his spot, too busy eyeing Daeho with his blazing eyes, as if he was shooting the man with them. And Daeho, he seemed to have his skin touched and burnt by the flaming gaze, his eyes meeting Gihun’s as he looked up from his food. It looks like he can read what was in the elder’s mind that his body automatically reacted, looking and turning away. But even though he was already facing him with his back, he could still feel the heat of his gaze against his skin even under the thick jacket.

It felt like a nightmare. Really. That he feels like he’ll still see Gihun’s glare at him even in his sleep.

And he wasn’t wrong at all.

Because Gihun is still glaring at him for real now that he’s deep in his slumber. Even in the silence of the whole room as everyone is already sound asleep, Gihun still has his whole system awake.

This Gihun indeed feels like a nightmare. You would think you’ll still see him by the time you wake up.

And, well…

That's what happened to Daeho. Because the loud music from the speaker which woke him up was followed by Gihun’s glare already screaming at him when he sat up on his bed, still rubbing off the sleepiness from his eyes. This made him almost jolt, like it was some kind of electricity that shocked him.

With a frightened and trembling body, Daeho tried looking away and slowly getting off his bed, making his way to the gathering players for the next game coming up. The elder didn’t remove his eyes from him even for a millisecond, not even noticing the guard who walked over to his spot and was uncuffing him.

His brain is so washed and clouded by anger and blame— a so different Gihun.

.

“Welcome to the third game!”

The familiar yet still terrifying sound coming from the Square Guard, the one called masked manager, echoed across the spacious black room. The words bounced off the walls and sent the vibration through the players’ bodies with fear and tension.

“You will be divided into two groups, Red and Blue teams, by this machine. The game will be explained and instructed after drawing your teams. Let us go according to your numbers in order.”

A second of silence.

“Player 007, step forward.” … Yongsik.

He looked down at his mother who had her arm clinging around his. The elder gulped down lightly and looked up at her son, caressing his arm gently with her thumb as he placed a hand on top of hers. “Let’s just hope that we’re on the same team.”

With that, Yongsik nodded at his mother’s words before slowly removing her hand and making his way to the front, where the big gumball machine filled with the said colors stood. Geumja had her hands clasped together while watching her son. She doesn’t mind what the game could be nor what those Red and Blue balls indicate. Because all that matters to her, as the loving and caring mother that she is, is to be in the same team as her son.

But then, “Sometimes…”, her eyes shifted from the front to where the voice came from, seeing the man who just suddenly teleported on her side, eyes flaming shot right at the front. It’s Gihun.

“Being in the same group doesn’t mean you’re gonna be comrades.” Gihun continued. You might think that he meant the marble game from the last season of games he participated in. Where the players were divided with two members in each team, thinking they were allies, but it turned out to be the opposite way.

But Gihun, he didn’t only have that in his mind.

His eyes moved away from the front to you-already-know-who. Daeho… and that glare of Gihun again. They seem to have a little chemistry. And well, not a good one.

The man who was in the same group as him but didn’t stand as a complete comrade. Gihun thought.

“Player 011, step forward.” And then a new instruction from the Square Guard rang in again to cut off the silence. Realizing that Yongsik’s turn was already done, Geumja quickly looked for him. A blue ball was what she saw in her son’s hand when their eyes met each other. She only gave the younger a small nod with a matching smile, as she waited for her turn.

The picking of teams went on. The sound of the switch turning with the balls rolling inside the machine, with the two colors indicating their some-what fortune and fate, it all happened smoothly. But not for the tension growing in the players’ systems though. The anxiety, the fear, the uneasiness— they weren’t something smooth at all.

“Player 120,” Red.

“Player 124,” Red.

“Player 125,” Blue.

“Player 149,”... Red.

She had to blink twice. Even thrice as if that would change the color of the ball she just got.

The realization hit Geumja like a strike of lightning— but it got her mind darkening instead. Her mouth uttered nothing but silence, but the thumps of her heart were louder than any thunder that hit her eardrums.

She looked from the ball she was holding up to her son, who already had his fearful eyes on her. She could only shake her head at him and chuckle nervously, responding with “It’s okay. W-We don't even know what the game is yet.” But those words didn’t even ease her own anxiety. Considering what Gihun just said earlier, it felt a little string of hope that things might turn in a different way from what she thinks.

Hopefully.

“Player 222,” Blue.

“Player 333,” Blue.

“Player 388,” Blue.

And,

“Player 456,”... Red… as well.

The silence that followed was so loud, so was the tension lying across the atmosphere. And just when the confusion and nervousness lying in every player’s mind was about to stand on its own and speak out, the silence was cut by the sharp and firm tone from the Square Guard again.

“The game you will be playing is Hide-and-seek.”

The announcement was like a string that tugged on the players’ mouths as the room got filled with whispers of questions right away. Clearly confused and wondering how in the hell would they Hide-and-seek here. They didn’t even have to speak out those questions when the masked manager continued his words.

“The Red team will be the taggers, while the Blue team will be the hiders.” The opposing teams immediately turned their eyes to each other after hearing those words… and then down at the black box being given to them by the Circle Guards. Which wasn’t given second thoughts, they opened it.

A key.

A knife.

“The Blue team must hide from the Red team and find the exit without being caught. However, just staying hidden from the taggers until the time is up can be an option as well. You are given a key to go through doors to escape from the taggers and find the exit. But once a door is unlocked, it cannot be relocked.”

“And us? How about us Red team? Do we just have to find the hiders?” A voice coming from the group of taggers interrupted. “What’s with these fancy knives then?”

“The Red team must find the hiders from the Blue team and kill them.”

The murmurs got louder and were added with gasps, mostly from the Blue team. They were already eyeing the rivals with fear growing in their gazes. This is clearly a bigger disadvantage for them.

Isn’t it?

“A tagger who fails to kill a hider from the opposing team within the given time will be eliminated. However, they are not allowed to attack each other.”

Or could be not.

“This is unfair! Shouldn’t you give us a shield or something to protect ourselves from the taggers?” Jeongdae’s loud complaint erupted.

“That’s right! All we have is a key!”, and was followed by another member of the Blue team who chimed in.

“We can’t just escape and run around unarmed!”, then another one.

“All you have to do is to hide, you idiots. That should be a piece of cake!” Well, of course, the Red team had to fight back and chime in as well. Because nobody is really at a bigger advantage nor disadvantage at all— both teams are just about to play another game… where their life is at stake again.

“Before the game starts, we will give you one last chance to change your fate. If any of you are not happy about their roles, you may switch with someone from the opposing team.”

The noises have now died down as the masked manager’s words hang in the air and faded into nowhere. The room started heating up even higher by the emotions that didn’t even have to be told in words. The silence was loud enough to speak for it.

Geumja turned her shaking eyes to her son, just like Junhee to Hyunju, and Daeho… to Gihun.

Some battles may be different by not having the people in the same group be allies, but some just stay the same as it is. Because you can be enemies with your comrades, but you can’t be comrades with your enemies… not at all times.

Keys and Knives— One to unlock another step of survival, and one to unlock death.