Work Text:
Welcome to 'Midnight Circus'. Do you give us permission to access your data?
"Seung, is this safe?"
"Of course. I did try it before. Hundred percent. It is so much fun!"
"It doesn't look like a game though."
"Duh, it's realism. It's a trend. Like Genshin Impact and all. How would you know, you don't like games."
"Yeah, I don't like this thing here too. Too risky. What if they steal our bank accounts?"
"We are broke high school students. What will they get from us? Quit being so paranoid. Promise. We'll do only one round."
"Why do you want us to play so bad, Seungmin?"
"I'm bored. Come on."
Accept | Reject
Thanks for joining 'Midnight Circus'. Please select the number of players from below:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
Thanks for your input. Please choose your preferred location from below:
Treehouse | Abandoned Park | Warehouse | Ancient Townhouse | Asylum | Dungeon
"What do you say, Sung?"
"Choose whatever you want, I don't really care."
"Don't tell me you are scared hahaha. Pussy."
"Shut the fuck up! "
"Awww, baby is really scared. Do you want me to drop you home, Sungie? I don't know if you will be able to walk 10 minutes alone hehe."
"Choose the Warehouse. I'll show you how scared I am."
"Are you sure? Don't want you crying on my bed later. I especially cleaned it today because you were coming."
"Yeah? Happy to know you have manners. The dirtbag your room is on bad days. Ugh, don't remind me. I'll need a sanitizer."
"Hey! At least I'm better than Minho."
"Everyone is better than Minho, Seungmin."
"You are right. Cool. Fine."
"Dramatic ass. Start playing before I change my mind."
"Okay!"
Thanks for your input. Please choose your preferred location from below:
Treehouse | Abandoned Park | Warehouse | Ancient Townhouse | Asylum | Dungeon
Thanks for your input. Please choose your weapon of choice
Player 1
ShotGun | Knife | Chain | Hammer | Flamethrower
Player 2
ShotGun | Knife | Chain | Hammer | Flamethrower
"I choose the chain! It's unconventional and cool. All the other times I played with guns."
"Choose whatever for me too."
"Okay, flamethrower!"
Player 2
ShotGun | Knife | Chain | Hammer | Flamethrower
Thanks for your input. Please choose your Avatars:
Player 1
[1] [2] [3]
Player 2
[1] [2] [3]
"They allow up to 10 players and have only 3 avatars?"
"Yep, this game works like the chain of trust. So, eliminate your doppelganger to remain alive. Easy."
"How is that even fun?"
"Look, it's not going to be just players inside. It's a circus. So too many unexpected guests sorta. You have to keep eliminating to reach the jeweled closet. It's worth 500 points!"
"Only 500 points? What happens next?"
"I don't know. I couldn't crack that stage."
"This is ridiculous. You don't know?"
"This is a relatively new game, Jisung! Only one month old, I guess. I got it before the entire class. But I still have to explore it!"
"Why did you call me here then? You know I'm shit at games."
"I...I just wanted to play with you. You don't...you don't hang out with me anymore. You have new friends and - ugh, this is ridiculous."
"You too have new friends, Seungmin. What are you talking about? Just because we grew up as neighbors and best friends, doesn't mean we have to be attached by the hip all the time. I do meet you at lunch. I mean, most of the time. See, I never stop you from speaking to me in front of Hyunjin. You choose not to. You are my friend. They are my friends. What the heck is wrong with you?"
"I don't like sharing…"
"Sharing what? I don't belong to you. Don't be stupid."
"Okay, okay. Sorry. Let's play this game."
"I don't know what you are trying to do...but okay."
Thanks for your input. Please choose your Avatars:
Player 1
[1] [ 2 ] [3]
Player 2
[1] [2] [ 3 ]
"Wear your 3D glasses. It's going to start now."
"Okay."
Stage One
Buckle up, players! The 'Midnight Circus' is going to open soon. Before we begin, we have some questions for the players. This is to obtain the entry to the exclusive show. You can have your avatars choose the answers for you.
1.What is your favorite color?
Player 1 chooses Red
Player 2 chooses Purple
- What is your biggest fear?
Player 1 chooses Abandonment
Player 2 chooses Clowns
- How important is winning for you?
Player 1 chooses Very Important
Player 2 chooses Moderately Important
- What do you want to achieve the most in this life?
Player 1 chooses Money
Player 2 chooses Love
- Pick a choice
Player 1 chooses 15
Player 2 chooses 25
Congratulations players, You have now unlocked the gatepasses! Have fun exploring the circus. We will meet you soon!
---------------
"This is so much fun!"
"See, I told you! We are only one step away from getting the Jewel box. Gotta keep going."
"Yeah…..Also, Seungmin.."
"Hmm.?"
"I missed you too."
"Haha, I knew it!"
"Shut up!"
------------------
"Hey, where are you going?"
"We need to explore it!"
"No, Seungmin. Don't. We got the crown. Let's continue later."
"Naaa. It was so difficult getting here. I need to win this. Are you coming?"
"I guess…"
"Sweet! You are the best!"
"The things I do for you…"
"Hahahaha. Love you, mwaaaah!"
-----------------
"Seungmin.. Minnie? Where are you?"
-----------------
Red room.
Vibrant. Alive.
Alone.
You won, Kim Seungmin! Here you get the money. 20 million won in cash. Your last wish is fulfilled.
A bed made out of money. Piles on piles of fresh cash.
Wrapped in chains. Tight. Suffocating.
15 minutes. The clock starts now.
"JISUNG!"
----------------
"Ha ha ha ha! Mad clown comes your way! Do you like my purple costume? It was made just for you, Han Jisung! Look how precious you are for us, ha ha ha."
"Don't come any closer…….."
"I have to, Sweetie. Don't you want to speak to Lee Minho one last time? The one you love, but who will never love you back. Poor guy. He won't even know what happened to his friends."
"What do you mean? Where is Seungmin?"
"Who? There's no one here. Just you and I, and ah, Lee Minho! How are you doing? Your friend wants to speak to you. Be quick. You only have 25 seconds."
"Hello."
"MINHO, HELP US!"
"Jisung? Where are you?....What do you mean?"
"WE ARE STUCK MIN! PLEASE HELP! WE ARE AT -"
Click.
"Awwww. I told you. Only 25 seconds. It's your time to go now. Goodbye, my friend."
Clasp. Gasp. Flames. Burn.
---------------
Jiggler Jiggler.
Tiger comes running.
Hey, hey. Watch out for the Ring.
Fire. Mist. Fog.
Walking Sticks. Humans.
Jiggler Jiggler.
Clown reigns the crowd.
Happy. Happy.
Bright. Brilliant. Boasting.
Take the rope and pull the Pope.
Jiggler Jiggler.
Meet them up. Eat them up.
Leave no bones intact.
Time in. Time out.
Hurry up, more in line.
Jiggler Jiggler.
Don't you love the glow?
Madmen screeching. Furries walking.
Into the fire. There you go.
Smell of fresh flesh.
Jiggler Jiggler.
You got souls to feed on.
Are you happy?
Are you full?
Happy. Happy.
Welcome to Midnight Circus.
Here only the best survive.
Best in the line.
Ran by the best and the only.
Ring Master Hwang Hyunjin.