It turned out that Player 001 had lost control of his bladder, and a Guard was forcing him to participate in the next game.
Seong Gi-hun was desperately pleading with the Guard on 001's behalf.
Seeing 001's undignified state, Kai couldn't help but doubt his own judgment.
Could it be that I'm really just being overly suspicious? Is this old man truly just an ordinary, terminally ill elder?
When the players arrived in the corridor, they saw the bodies of Player 111 and four red-suited Guards hanging in the central hall.
Kai was shocked. "What the hell is going on?"
The broadcast began to play:
[What you are seeing now is the fate of those who, for their own benefit, violated the rules of this world and defiled its pure ideals.
In this world, all of you are equal beings—free from any discrimination and given the same opportunities.
We pledge that such unfortunate incidents will not happen again.
Furthermore, we sincerely apologize to all participants for this matter.]
As the blood dripped from the five bodies, the sound of droplets hitting the floor echoed in the silent hall. Kai took a sharp breath.
"These game organizers are fucking ruthless… even killing their own people."
Soon, the remaining 29 players were gathered in the large white room once again.
Broadcast:
[Welcome, everyone, to the fourth game. This game will be played in teams of two. Find someone you wish to play with. Upon mutual agreement, shake hands to become partners.]
The message repeated once more, and the players began to move.
As soon as Kai heard the first announcement, his brain went into overdrive.
The first game was Red Light, Green Light — testing reaction.
The second was Dalgona Candy — testing dexterity.
The third was Tug of War — testing strength.
So, the fourth game must be different again. Not a test of power. If that's the case, maybe this round's difficulty is the same for men and women… maybe women even have the advantage.
Without hesitation, Kai walked up to Ji-yeong and extended his hand.
"Ji-yeong, team up with me. I told you, I'll help you survive."
Ji-yeong didn't hesitate. She took his hand.
Meanwhile, other players began forming pairs of their own.
Cho Sang-woo quickly teamed up with Abdul Ali.
"Ali, partner with me. With my brains and your strength, we can handle anything."
Across the room, Player 212 — Han Mi-nyeo — was busy advertising herself.
One moment she claimed, "I'm stronger than most men here!"
Kai rolled his eyes. Yeah, sure. Among all the male players here, I'm probably the weakest fighter aside from 001 — and I could still take you down easily. Strong, my ass.
A moment later, she said, "I'm really smart! I've been convicted of fraud five times."
Kai almost laughed aloud. Five convictions means you got caught five times. That's not smart — that's fucking stupid.
Meanwhile, Seong Gi-hun was torn between choosing the math teacher or 001. In the end, his kindness won out — he chose 001.
Kai sighed internally. Player 456… his saint complex is acting up again.
Kang Sae-byeok paired up with the math teacher, Player 62, who Gi-hun didn't pick.
Finally, only Han Mi-nyeo was left standing alone. Everyone, including Kai, assumed that being left without a partner meant immediate elimination.
The rest of the players were guided to the designated area — a huge maze-like arena.
Broadcast:
[Now, each person will receive a bag.]
A Guard handed Kai and Ji-yeong their bags.
[Each bag contains ten marbles. Please confirm the number.]
Kai opened his pouch, counted, and felt a wave of relief wash over him.
"Marbles… I'm good at this one!"
He turned to Ji-yeong. "You know how to play marbles?"
Ji-yeong nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay. I used to play a lot."
Kai let out a long breath. "Perfect. Then we should be fine this round. Guess I made the right call teaming with you."
Meanwhile, Gi-hun asked 001 the same question.
"Old man, can you play marbles?"
001 smiled cheerfully. "Of course. When I was a child, I often played marbles near my house — I was a master."
Gi-hun laughed in relief. "That's great. I was worried it'd be another strength game."
"Then we should become gganbu," the old man said warmly.
"Huh?"
"Aren't you a marble master? You don't know gganbu?" 001 chuckled, "It means friends who share everything — marbles, cards… everything."
Gi-hun smiled. "Yeah… I had a gganbu back home too. My best friend."
The two hooked pinkies and sealed the promise.
Then the next announcement came — and everything changed.
Broadcast:
[In this game, you must use your own marbles to compete with your partner.
The person who wins all ten of their partner's marbles will survive.
Players are not allowed to use violence — violators will be eliminated.
Game time: thirty minutes. Game start.]
The room fell silent.
Almost every pair froze.
Kai turned to Ji-yeong, eyes wide with disbelief.
His earlier words echoed painfully in his head.
Ji-yeong, team up with me. I told you, I'll help you survive.
Reality hit him like a punch to the gut.
Ji-yeong looked at him calmly, "So… you're going to abandon me, aren't you?"
Kai couldn't answer. His silence said it all.
Ji-yeong gave a bitter smile. "I figured as much. I just didn't expect it to happen so soon."
Kai pressed a hand to his forehead, thinking hard. "Ji-yeong, wait. Let me think. There has to be a way for both of us to survive. There has to be."
He repeated the rules in his head, over and over.
"You must use your own marbles to compete with your partner.
The person who wins all ten of their partner's marbles wins.
No violence allowed. Game time: thirty minutes."
Compete with your partner… ten marbles… twenty total…
Ji-yeong shook her head. "Don't overthink it. Everyone has ten marbles. There's no loophole."
Kai's eyes burned with frustration. "No, there has to be something. There's always a way. With my intelligence, I'll find a way for both of us to make it out alive!"
Time passed. The other players had already started their games. Only Kai and Ji-yeong stood still.
Ji-yeong sighed softly. "Forget it, Kai. If we don't start soon, we'll both die when the timer runs out. Just… win my marbles and end it."
But at her final words, Kai froze — then his eyes widened.
"Wait… you said win ten marbles. The rule says the winner is the one who gets ten marbles… out of twenty total."
A spark of realization flashed in his eyes.
"Wait… I understand!"