When Kai returned, he found most of the players staring intently at him.
Especially Jang Deok-su, Player 101 — his eyes looked like he wanted to devour Kai whole.
Standing nearby, Kang Sae-byeok asked quietly, "Kai, aren't you afraid?"
Kai shrugged. "I already expected this. What's the use of being afraid? It won't change anything. The reason that the Execution Team Leader called me over in front of everyone was to set up a fallback in case I refused him. If I did, I'd have to join the last two games — and every player would target me there."
Kang Sae-byeok frowned. "So, what exactly did he want you to agree to?"
Kai smirked. "That's a secret."
Ji-yeong crossed her arms. "Aren't you afraid they'll just kill you before the next game starts?"
Kai shook his head. "No. The organization won't allow that."
"Why not?" Kang Sae-byeok pressed.
"There are two reasons," Kai explained. "First, there are only fourteen players left. That's too few. If people keep dying outside the games, there's a real chance no one clears all six rounds — and the organization won't let that happen.
"Second, the Front Man just said the VIPs are satisfied with my performance. That means they want to see more of me in the games, not dead before the next one starts. I'd bet anything we'll hear an announcement soon saying no player violence is allowed before the fifth game begins."
No sooner had Kai finished speaking than a familiar mechanical voice echoed through the dormitory.
"Attention: No violent behavior is permitted between players before the fifth game begins. Violators will be eliminated. Repeat — no violent behavior is permitted between players before the fifth game begins. Violators will be eliminated."
Ji-yeong's jaw dropped. "Holy shit, are you a prophet? Do you secretly have superpowers?"
Kai grinned. "Just common sense."
Kang Sae-byeok shook her head. "That's insane."
Jang Deok-su cursed under his breath. Seong Gi-hun sat clutching his blanket, while Cho Sang-woo lowered his head, his face unreadable.
Only Han Mi-nyeo, having heard the announcement, rolled over and went back to sleep without a care.
Kai reached out a hand toward Kang Sae-byeok. "Sae-byeok, let's stick together for the next round."
But Kang Sae-byeok didn't take his hand.
"No need," she said coolly. "I've already teamed up with Player 456."
Kai's smile faded. "Promise me, stick with me — I can guarantee you'll survive. Can Player 456 say the same?"
Kang Sae-byeok pursed her lips but didn't answer.
Ji-yeong muttered under her breath, "Why are all the people you try to recruit women?"
Kai shrugged. "Simple. If I pick men and they betray me, I can't beat them."
Kang Sae-byeok shot back, "And if you pick women, it's easier for you to betray us, right?"
"At least I've helped you live longer," Kai said evenly. "Without me, would you even have made it this far?"
Kang Sae-byeok glared at him. "I survived the first, second, and fourth rounds on my own. The tug-of-war win in the third round had nothing to do with you. You should save your bullshit for fooling little Ji-yeong."
Kai sighed. "So, that's it? You've decided you're not coming back to my side?"
"Yes," she said flatly. "Your twisted logic scares me."
Kai let out a quiet breath and didn't say another word.
That night, half-asleep, Kai was jolted awake by a sudden announcement.
"Player 69, eliminated."
He shot up, instinctively pulling his dagger.
"What the hell? Didn't they say no violence between players? What's going on?"
Then he saw it — Player 69 had used his own clothes to hang himself.
After hearing Sang-woo and Gi-hun whisper about it, Kai understood.
Player 69 had eliminated his own wife in the previous Marbles game. Seeing others still alive had shattered him completely.
As the Red-Clad Guards carried the body away, Kai stared blankly at the counter — 13 players remaining, and the prize pool ticking up to ₩44.3 billion, built on death after death.
He lay back down, expressionless. But before he could fall asleep again, he noticed something odd.
Ji-yeong's bed was empty.
For a moment, Kai's pulse quickened — then he forced himself to calm down.
She probably just went to the restroom. There hadn't been any elimination sound. He pulled the blanket over his head. Don't overthink. Save your energy.
Ji-yeong was indeed in the restroom — but her face was pale and her hands trembled.
She looked down at the crimson stains on her thighs. The floor was covered in wads of bloody tissue paper.
"Fuck… seriously? Why now?" she muttered. "And there aren't even any pads in this damn place. What the hell am I supposed to do?"
With no choice, she tried to manage with toilet paper, wincing at every movement.
The next morning, Kai saw her sitting weakly on the edge of her bed, face white as paper.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked.
"I'm fine," Ji-yeong murmured.
"Fine? You look like a vampire from a Western movie," Kai said, frowning.
She clutched her stomach. "I…"
"Let me guess," Kai said. "You're on your period, right?"
Then he turned to Kang Sae-byeok. "Sae-byeok, did you bring any sanitary pads?"
Kang Sae-byeok stared at him like he'd lost it. "Are you insane? Who brings pads to a fucking death game?"
Kai sighed and supported Ji-yeong. "Can you still walk?"
"I can… but I shouldn't do anything too physical," she said weakly.
Kai groaned in frustration. "I finally find a reliable teammate, and this happens? God, are you screwing with me?"
Jang Deok-su sneered. "Take her along anyway, Player 250. Maybe the next game's about who bleeds more."
Kai ignored him. He ripped open his blanket, pulled out a wad of cotton stuffing, and handed it to Ji-yeong. "Use this for now."
Ji-yeong nodded gratefully and stuffed it into her pants.
Seeing this, Kang Sae-byeok silently tore open her own blanket and passed Ji-yeong another handful of cotton.
Kai nodded. "Thanks."
"I'm helping her, not you," Kang Sae-byeok said coldly.
Kai smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Let's just hope the next game doesn't involve running or jumping."
Moments later, the speakers crackled.
"The fifth game will begin shortly. All participants, please follow the Guards' instructions."
The remaining thirteen players moved once again through the twisting staircases and sterile white corridors — until they stepped into the next massive chamber.
And what awaited them left everyone completely stunned.