Chapter Text
Frenzy [phrenēsis]: Violent exaltation and disturbance of the mind.
After the voting concluded and everyone was given food, Gi-hun sat beside Jung-bae, who was trying to convince him to eat while talking about the game.
-I don’t know your situation, but this amount won’t even cover the interest -Jung-bae said, referring to the divided prize money.
Gi-hun, with a touch of sadness in his voice, replied:
-Jung-bae… the last time I was here, someone said the same thing. He’s dead now.
The comment left Jung-bae speechless, but before he could respond, an unfamiliar voice cut into the conversation.
-Then help us.
It was In-ho, who had approached the two. Though his main reason was to keep Gi-hun from getting too close to Jung-bae, he also knew this was the perfect moment to start forming a strong bond with Gi-hun.
Gi-hun looked at him for a moment, saying nothing. In-ho, seeing that he had Gi-hun’s attention, continued speaking:
-You said you’ve played before. I decided to stay for you.
His words, while partly true, concealed his true intentions. In-ho was there for Gi-hun, to protect him and to claim him, but of course, he couldn’t confess that directly.
Other players nearby, overhearing the conversation, began murmuring amongst themselves, some saying they had also decided to stay because of Gi-hun. However, when Gi-hun promised to reveal details if the next game was confirmed, the players slowly dispersed. In the end, only Gi-hun, Jung-bae, and In-ho remained.
Suddenly, a young man approached them.
“What you did was amazing,” he said to Gi-hun enthusiastically, referring to how he had tried to guide others during the red-light, green-light game. He introduced himself as Dae-ho, mentioning that he had been in the navy, to which Jung-bae revealed he had also served. This sparked a brief conversation between the two, leaving Gi-hun lost in thought about the games.
The moment was interrupted by the sound of a loud punch, drawing everyone’s attention. A purple-haired boy was hitting another player, demanding the return of money he claimed to have lost because of him. In-ho, seeing the scene, stepped in to break up the fight, but things quickly escalated.
-Stay out of it! Go take care of your kids instead -Dhouted the purple-haired boy, shoving In-ho.
Those words were enough to provoke and enrage In-ho, who, losing control momentarily, struck the boy and his companion, leaving them on the ground. The crowd watched, wondering if In-ho would finish him off, but he stopped himself, standing up when he realized everyone was watching. Instead of criticism, the other players began clapping, applauding him for putting an end to the fight and putting the purple-haired boy in his place.
In-ho, trying to regain his composure, dusted off his hands and glanced sideways at Gi-hun. Noticing that Gi-hun was watching him, he felt a mix of pride and exhilaration. Though he had lost control for a moment, he couldn’t help but feel satisfied for having impressed Gi-hun.
Later, as the few remaining hours before sleep passed, Gi-hun found himself lost in thought. He wondered how to end it all, how to escape the games and save everyone. So deep in his thoughts, he didn’t notice that someone was watching him from afar. An intense gaze followed him, drawing closer and closer.
Suddenly, In-ho appeared before him, snapping him out of his thoughts. Gi-hun looked at him, trying to decipher what he wanted from his expression.
-Tell me, how did you win last time? -In-ho asked, his voice calm yet direct.
Gi-hun, though slightly surprised by the question, began recounting his experiences in the games and the deaths he had witnessed firsthand. However, In-ho wasn’t actually listening to a word he said; he already knew every detail. The only thing holding his attention was Gi-hun’s voice. The more he heard it, the more addictive it became.
As Gi-hun spoke, In-ho studied his every expression carefully. He observed how Gi-hun’s eyes reflected exhaustion, sadness, and determination. He wanted to memorize every gesture, every emotion, as if they belonged to him alone. But it wasn’t enough. In-ho wanted more. He wanted every emotion Gi-hun felt—whether joy, pain, despair, or hatred—to be directed solely at him.
In his mind, his obsession with Gi-hun grew darker. He imagined what it would be like to break him emotionally, to strip him bare of all defenses, to dominate him until he couldn’t think of anyone else but him. In-ho wanted to own him entirely, as if he were the most precious possession.
Despite everything, he knew he had to control himself. Any accidental touch or fleeting moment could unravel the facade he’d built. If he lost control now, he could ruin everything. Yet, the desire to have Gi-hun under his control was almost unbearable, a growing fire that consumed him.
In-ho gave a faint smile, nodding as though he were listening to Gi-hun, but his mind was focused elsewhere. He was already planning his next steps to get closer to him, ensuring that Gi-hun wouldn’t be able to escape.
As their “conversation” continued, a guard’s voice announced that it was time to sleep. Slowly, the players began settling into their beds. Gi-hun, In-ho, Jung-bae, and Dae-ho decided to stay together, forming a small group with their beds close to one another. In-ho, making sure no one else took the spot, arranged to be right beside Gi-hun.
When silence finally fell over the room and most players drifted into sleep, In-ho remained awake. His eyes stayed fixed on Gi-hun, studying him as though he were a newly discovered masterpiece. Every breath, every subtle movement captivated him entirely. To In-ho, Gi-hun was the only person in the room, the very center of his universe.
In-ho longed to touch him, to feel his skin beneath his fingers, to leave a mark that would warn everyone else to stay away. He wanted Gi-hun to know that he belonged to him, even if he wasn’t aware of it yet. However, he restrained himself. He knew it was a dangerous game and that any wrong move could destroy everything. Still, holding back was a torture he endured for the sake of his obsession.
As he watched, his mind filled with dark and obsessive thoughts. How could he make Gi-hun see him? How could he ensure that Gi-hun never left his side? These thoughts burned like an uncontrollable fire within him.
Even so, In-ho didn’t look away. He remained motionless, watching Gi-hun sleep, as if by simply observing him, he could claim him.