Chapter Text
001 and 456
The private lounge was adorned with warm lighting, fine crystal glasses, and silver cutlery. At the hexagonal table, the five VIPs and the Frontman shared high-end liquors and numbers with more zeros than any mortal could imagine, numbers meant to bet on their favorite players.
—I came exclusively for two players,— the soft voice of the only female VIP drew the attention of her companions, silencing them. —One of them is player 456.
—The one who won and came back?— asked the bald VIP, raising his glass. —I don’t know if he’s incredibly brave or incredibly stupid for returning.
—I have very high expectations for that player,— said another VIP, setting aside his silverware. —Though player 120 promises victory. He’s my favorite.
—Player 120 is a woman, darling,— corrected the female VIP in the red dress as she elegantly cut her steak. —She has great potential, but my other favorite is player 001. I’m here just for 001 and 456.
A chuckle was heard beside her. She turned toward her long-haired companion, who was trying to contain his laughter.
In-ho rolled his eyes upon hearing the number of his false identity. Thanks to the black mask, the damned VIPs couldn’t see the expressions he made every time they opened their mouths.
—Madam, I’m sorry to inform you that player 001 has been eliminated,— the deep voice of the Frontman drew the group’s attention. —Player 456 started a revolt after the special game. Several members of the “X” group were eliminated, including player 001.
Crash!
A glass fell to the floor and shattered.
The VIPs flinched at the sound of glass breaking in that cold room. The glass that the lady in the red dress had been holding was now nothing but shards, and the liquid had left a stain on the carpet.
One of the servants, assigned solely to attend the VIPs, immediately stepped in to clean up the mess made by the outraged lady. Within seconds, the area looked as if nothing had happened.
—Looks like you didn’t like that news, sweetheart,— mocked another VIP as he cut into his meat. —Though I won’t deny, I also had high hopes for player 001.
—Impossible!!— the red-dressed VIP shook her head, staring directly at the Frontman. —I don’t care about the money I spent, but I left an important event just to watch player 001 and 456 interact. Seeing them through a screen is not the same!!
—Excuse me?— the Frontman’s voice faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. —I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do about that.
—Why such a fuss over that player, dear?— asked the long-haired VIP beside her. —Did you like him? I won’t deny, he was quite handsome.
—Handsome, manly, incredible, utterly charming. Did you see the video of player 001 fighting two other players?— the servant filled her new glass with champagne, and she took a sip. —What a man!!! But what I loved most was the way he looked at 456, as if he was going to kiss him breathless at any moment.
—How ironic. 001 and 456: the first and the last player,— said the bald VIP, drawing the attention of the others. —The beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega.
—Wow!! So are we talking about the Greek alphabet now, or about the Omegaverse?
Laughter echoed through the room.
But In-ho remained frozen at the words of the VIP woman, processing what he had just heard.
He wouldn’t deny that he had always kept a close eye on Gi-hun, watching every movement, every emotion, delighting in the small traces of warmth that Gi-hun gave off.
Gi-hun.
He had longed so deeply to say that name… and he had made it come true.
Those days had filled him with vitality, but at the same time, they shattered every wall he had built around his cold heart.
Now, In-ho longed to be by Gi-hun’s side in that cursed hell, rather than faking civility among these wealthy monsters.
—I remember that after the first vote, player 001 immediately formed a group and went to ask 456 about the second game,— said the long-haired VIP, wiping his lips with a napkin to hide his smirk. —From that moment on, he never left 456’s side.
—Oh, 001 had already chosen his prey!— exclaimed another VIP, raising his glass and downing the liquor. —It was obvious he’d stick by his side, he had already marked 456. I know that predator’s look. In the second game, there was way too much touching between them. I almost had a heart attack when I saw his top not spinning!
In-ho took a deep breath, clenching his fists tightly, holding back any emotion in response to the repugnant words of these people.
He just had to endure a few more minutes.
Then, he could retreat to his room, with a glass of whiskey in hand, and gaze at the screen—at Seong Gi-hun’s beautiful face.
How he missed him.
It had been so painful to place his most precious treasure in that coffin with the pink ribbon.
But player 001 was brought back into the conversation once again.
—Did you all really think 001 didn’t know how to play with a top?— spoke the quietest VIP, drawing everyone’s attention. —He slowed down his team on purpose.
—And what makes you say that?
—Every time player 001 threw the top and failed, he used his right hand,— the VIP gestured with his own right hand, and a wide grin curved on his lips. —But when he used his left hand, he did it correctly. He made that last group more interesting.
Exclamations burst from the adults, filling the elegant space.
In-ho listened in silence as they spoke freely, without shame, about his false identity.
Those people reminded him of every moment when Young-il had interacted with Gi-hun: the conversation at night, the hugs after their first victory, how Young-il had sacrificed himself during the mingle game so the other four in his group could be saved, the reunion… and the stupid joke about the baby who was also “another player.”
—It’s a shame I won’t get to see that interaction anymore,— murmured the VIP in the crimson suit, tracing the rim of her glass with one manicured finger. —I wanted to see those two have rough sex.
—I’m sorry, madam,— the Frontman responded sharply, —but that kind of spectacle doesn’t exist among the players here.
No.
They’re going to talk about sex now.
Why do they always have to talk about sex?
—If you wanted to see two men having wild sex, you should’ve gone to the games they host in Europe,— commented the VIP in the gold mask. —There, nothing’s off-limits. Everything’s possible.
—That’s just bland sex,— scoffed the woman, crossing her arms. —Like watching porn. That’s not what I want. Players 001 and 456 had incredible chemistry, seductive, erotic, fascinating. It truly breaks my heart knowing my favorite couple will never come to be.
Her dramatically theatrical tone made the other VIPs laugh.
Of course.
They laughed without a care in the world, unbothered by the deaths of hundreds, untouched by the suffering of the players sacrificed for their pleasure.
—So what will you do now, darling?— asked the oldest VIP. —Your favorite’s been eliminated, and the odds of a new “457” emerging are zero.
The woman’s long, slender fingers caressed her cheek lightly, as if she were plotting some twisted idea inside her rotten mind.
A mischievous smile crept onto her crimson lips.
—Frontman,— the woman’s voice was soft, like velvet. —What do you think of player 456?
—He’s very stubborn,— came the Frontman’s sharp reply.
A scoff echoed through the elegant lounge.
—I think I didn’t express myself clearly,— complained the only female VIP. —Do you find player 456 attractive? He has such a small waist and a beautiful ass. His hands are so delicate… they could do wonders.
In-ho bit down on his lower lip.
He couldn’t deny her words. Every one of them was true.
—What are you trying to suggest, darling?— asked another VIP with curiosity.
—It would be interesting to see player 456 handcuffed to a bedpost, on his knees in front of the Frontman. 456 would start caressing the Frontman’s crotch… —she offered the man in the black mask a sinister smile— then the Frontman would pull 456’s hair to make him look up, so he could see the lust and passion in his eyes.
The atmosphere grew dense, almost suffocating from the intensity of such a sensual image.
The male VIPs swallowed hard, loosening their shirt collars in discomfort.
In-ho felt exposed.
He wanted to leave that place before they noticed just how much those words had affected him.
—Then they undress… and the Frontman slips his fingers up his—
—Honey, erotic narration really doesn’t suit you,— the female VIP tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. —That sounded vulgar.
—Let me try!— shouted the quietest VIP, raising his hand and taking a deep breath—The Frontman starts thrusting hard into player 456, biting every inch of his skin, kissing every corner of his body, leaving marks on that soft, delicate flesh… until he reaches his prostate…
Applause broke out after the impromptu narration.
Each fantasy spoken aloud grew more intense, more erotic than the last.
The flushed faces of the guests might’ve been due to the alcohol… or the subject matter.
In-ho looked at them with disgust.
In his mind, he wanted to destroy them—rip them apart—for defiling the obsession he had with Seong Gi-hun.
The urge to dismember them, one by one, for speaking so perversely about his beloved stubborn hero burned in his veins.
Though he, too, was included in their depravity.
And none of them cared that he was right there, listening in silence.
—This is getting interesting,— whispered the long-haired VIP as he turned toward the Frontman—Would you consider putting on a show with player 456 to satisfy us?
An idea echoed in the leader’s mind.
—If player 456 wins again… perhaps you’ll all be in for a pleasant surprise.
Oh yes, what a surprise the VIPs were in for this edition.
They hadn’t the slightest clue.
With that promise, the conversation came to an end.
The red-dressed VIP walked away with elegance, escorted by a pair of pink-suited guards. The sound of her heels echoed through the somber halls like a melody, sharp and haunting, until she reached the room that had been assigned to her in this macabre place.
She turned on the television.
On the screen appeared player 456, handcuffed to the metal beam between the beds in the dormitory.
Just like she had described in her fantasy with the Frontman.
A fantasy, nearly fulfilled.
—Incredible!!! As expected from the Frontman! Always exceeding expectations!
The red-dressed VIP began clapping, delighting in the sorrowful expression carved into player 456’s face.