Seong Gi-hun's group was assigned as Team 4, sitting quietly behind the pole marked with their number.
Meanwhile, Deok-su's team was drawn as Team 1.
A Square-masked Guard stood between two boxes placed in front, with a Circle-masked Guard stationed behind each one.
"Now, we'll draw the team for the upper-left tower," the Square Guard announced.
The Circle Guard on the left reached into the box and drew a numbered ball.
"Team 1."
Deok-su's team rose to their feet.
"Next, we'll draw the team for the upper-right tower."
The Circle Guard on the right pulled out another ball.
"Team 6."
Seeing that they wouldn't be facing Deok-su's team full of musclebound men, Seong Gi-hun and Cho Sang-woo both let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Kai, however, remained calm. He had already thought of a way to survive even if they lost. Winning, of course, would be the best outcome—but he was prepared for either.
Kang Sae-byeok, noticing Kai's unshaken composure, also relaxed. She didn't know what plan he had in mind, but she believed him when he said he could keep her alive.
Player 240, on the other hand, sat expressionless, her eyes empty—almost as if she'd already accepted death.
Kai kept his eyes on Player 001. Ever since the dormitory brawl, he'd had the nagging feeling that the old man was hiding something.
His face never changed, his reactions always measured—it didn't sit right with Kai. The calmer the old man appeared, the more suspicious he seemed.
Before long, Deok-su's Team 1 and Team 6 had finished their match. It didn't even last three minutes. Team 6 was dragged off the platform entirely.
The guillotine above came down with a harsh metallic clang, slicing the rope, sending all ten players plummeting to their deaths.
A few survivors twitched feebly before being sealed into coffins and carried away by the Guards.
"Team 6 is completely eliminated. Team 1 wins," the Square Guard declared coldly.
That word — completely — stuck in Kai's mind, further confirming his theory.
The next draw began.
Team 4 versus Team 2.
Big Sister 212 cursed under her breath. "Shit… they're all men."
As both teams entered the two elevators on either side, Player 001 suddenly spoke.
"Don't be too discouraged. Tug of war isn't just about strength."
Player 196 scoffed. "Then what's it about, your mouth?"
Kai ignored the exchange. Whether they won or lost, he had no plans to die here. His hand brushed against the dagger hidden in his pocket — Kang Sae-byeok's dagger.
Player 196 kept jeering. "You can barely stand, old man. Save your breath."
Seong Gi-hun intervened. "Let's at least hear him out."
The old man smiled faintly. "Tug of war is a game of teamwork and rhythm. When I was young, I played it often — and rarely lost."
He continued, his tone steady and almost nostalgic.
"The person in front is crucial. They face the enemy directly and set the morale for the whole team. If that person looks weak or hopeless, the outcome's already decided."
Kai immediately seized the chance. "In that case, with my build, I shouldn't stand in front."
Inside, Kai was practically singing with relief.
Thank you, old man. Thank you. Everyone heard it — weak people shouldn't be in front. That's official now. I'm off the hook.
Now, if things went south later and he had to betray his teammates, he could claim it was just coincidence that he wasn't first. No one would suspect him of planning it.
"I'll take the front," said Seong Gi-hun confidently. "I'm the most optimistic here."
"The last person should be someone steady," said 001.
"I'll do it," volunteered Ali (199).
"Now, the stance," 001 continued. "Hold the rope in the middle, stand with your feet staggered — one forward, one back. Keep the rope under your armpit and pull using your whole body."
He paused before the final point.
"The first ten seconds after the signal — just hold your ground. Lean back, push your hips forward, and tilt your head until you can see the person behind you. If you can endure those ten seconds, the other side will panic. Once they lose rhythm, you attack."
Following the old man's directions, the team took their positions:
Gi-hun at the front, Sang-woo second, Kai third, Kang Sae-byeok fifth, Player 240 sixth, 001 eighth, Big Sister 212 ninth, and Ali anchoring the end.
Kai arranged it intentionally. In this round, he couldn't afford to betray too many at once. Initially, he'd planned to cut off only Sang-woo, his biggest threat. But with Gi-hun standing in front too, his plan would have to adjust.
If they started losing, Kai would draw Kang Sae-byeok's dagger and slice through the rope between his section and the front half — sending Gi-hun and Sang-woo plummeting. The rule said:
"Tug of war on the tower above. The team that makes the opponent fall wins. Players remaining on the tower pass."
It didn't say only the winning team would pass — just that anyone who remained on the tower would survive.
And when the Guard announced earlier that Team 6 was completely eliminated, Kai caught the hidden implication: if a losing team wasn't "completely" eliminated, some could survive.
That's it. My "Just Severance Method" will work.
As the gunshot echoed through the air, the match began.
The ten men of Team 2 pulled hard, their muscles straining.
Team 4 followed the old man's strategy, leaning back, bodies rigid, unmoving.
"What the hell? Why aren't they budging?" Team 2's front man yelled in confusion.
Ten seconds passed.
Then Seong Gi-hun shouted, "Pull!"
And Team 4 began their desperate counterattack.