Although Kai's 4 briefly gained the upper hand using Old Man 001's strategy, the strength difference between the two sides was enormous.
Team 2 quickly regained control, and Team 4's temporary advantage vanished. They were dragged, inch by inch, toward the edge of the deadly platform.
As Seong Gi-hun's feet scraped dangerously against the ledge, Kai loosened his right hand from the rope and reached into his pocket.
His fingers brushed the hilt of the dagger — Kang Sae-byeok's dagger. He pulled it halfway out, ready to act.
But just as he decided to cut the rope, Cho Sang-woo shouted:
"Everyone! Listen to me!"
Kai froze, slipping the dagger back into his pocket.
Even if Sang-woo can be unreliable, our fates are tied together, Kai thought. Maybe he's actually got a plan.
Truth be told, unless absolutely necessary, Kai didn't want to betray his teammates.
If they won, ten people from the opposing team would die — far better than sacrificing just two by cutting the rope. Winning meant greater profit. Why betray when victory could bring more?
Sang-woo's voice echoed through the arena.
"When I give the signal, everyone take three steps forward!"
Big Sister 212 screamed, "Forward? Are you insane?"
Kai's eyes widened.
"That's it! Why didn't I think of that?" he muttered. "If we all move forward at once, we can use inertia to make Team 2 lose balance. Even if they hear us, it's too late — they wouldn't dare let go. It's an open strategy they can't counter!"
For once, Kai cursed his own overthinking. He'd been obsessed with loopholes and tricks, never realizing victory could also come from pure clever teamwork.
He tightened his grip back on the rope.
Others still hesitated. Sang-woo had to explain, his voice rising over the chaos:
"We need to pull them down with us — that's how we win!"
212 shouted back, panicked. "Bullshit! We'll all die!"
"Do it or we're dead anyway!" Sang-woo yelled, desperate.
"One, two, three — move!"
The ten members of Team 4 stepped forward in unison.
The sudden motion shifted their center of gravity, and as Kai predicted, Team 2 stumbled. Their formation broke. Before they could recover, Team 4 pulled with everything they had.
The guillotine blade above clanged down, severing the rope. Team 2 screamed as their bodies plunged from the high platform into the void below.
Silence followed. Then the announcement:
"Team 2 is completely eliminated. Team 4 wins."
Panting, trembling, the ten survivors of Team 4 collapsed to the floor, barely able to breathe.
Inside the elevator returning to the dormitory, Gi-hun stared blankly at his hands, his face hollow.
Kai recognized that look. This fool again, he thought. Still drowning in guilt for killing people who would've killed him first.
In Kai's eyes, besides Kang Sae-byeok and Old Man 001, only Gi-hun still carried a shred of conscience — not that it would do him much good here.
Nearby, Pastor 244 knelt down and began to pray.
Player 240 scoffed. "Who are you praying to, huh? God? You think He saved you? The only reason you're breathing right now is because of that old man — and the guy who shouted the last command."
Kai smirked inwardly. She's not wrong. And yeah… this round really had nothing to do with me.
Now that the tension had eased, Kai noticed 240 more closely. She was actually quite pretty — something he hadn't realized before, with all the chaos and fear clouding his attention.
If I make it out alive, he thought, I'm getting her number. Twenty-five years of being single is enough.
When Team 4 returned to the dormitory, Deok-su's gaze toward them had changed. He clearly hadn't expected a weak team like theirs to survive the tug of war.
But Kai's mind was elsewhere.
Gi-hun had just suggested that everyone push their beds together for safety during the night.
Kai had no good reason to refuse, which meant he couldn't hide under a bed anymore. If Deok-su led another attack, Kai might not survive.
He quietly pulled Kang Sae-byeok aside.
"If Deok-su brings his people tonight," Kai said, "you have to convince them to protect me."
Kang Sae-byeok sneered. "Why should I? You didn't do anything in the last round. We'd have won without you."
Kai placed a hand on her head, voice calm but firm. "You lived because of me. Are you sure Sang-woo or the old man will save you next time? Every game gets deadlier. With me around, you'll make it through — I can think ahead, plan for the loopholes. Without me, how long do you think you'll last?"
Kang Sae-byeok didn't respond, her eyes flickering uncertainly.
Kai leaned closer. "I won't ever choose you as my opponent. Can you say the same for them? Think smart, Sae. You know which choice keeps you alive."
Finally, she sighed. "Fine. I'll try. But I don't know if they'll listen."
Kai brushed a bit of dust from her shoulder. "Then make them. Because if I die, you won't last long either."
She hesitated, then asked softly, "What was your plan in the last round — the one you said would've kept you and the ones behind you alive?"
Kai pulled the dagger from his pocket and showed it to her. "Simple. I'd cut the rope in front of me. Let the ones ahead fall. The rule said, 'Players remaining on the tower pass.' It never said only the winners."
Kang Sae-byeok stared at him, horrified. "Kai… are you even human?"
Before Kai could answer, Player 240 suddenly appeared, shouting, "Hey! Are you bullying her?"
Kai sighed, losing interest. He released Kang Sae-byeok's arm.
"Come on," 240 continued. "Gi-hun's calling a team meeting."
Kai reached out a hand toward Kang Sae-byeok, but before she could decide whether to take it, 240 grabbed her instead and walked away.
Kai's hand hung awkwardly in the air for a moment before he withdrew it, exhaling deeply. Then he followed the others back toward the group.