In front of the thirteen remaining players stood thirteen mannequins, each wearing a numbered uniform from 1 to 13.
Broadcast: "Welcome, players, to the fifth game. Before the game begins, please select a number from 1 to 13 displayed on the mannequins in front of you. Repeat — please select a number from 1 to 13 displayed on the mannequins in front of you."
Kai immediately began analyzing the setup.
"Numbers from one to thirteen, and we have thirteen players left. It must represent the order of play for the next round," he muttered to himself. "But… will going first or last be the advantage this time?"
Meanwhile, inside the VIP viewing room, five masked elites sat comfortably, drinks in hand.
Each wore an ornate golden animal mask — Deer, Leopard, Lion, Eagle, and Ox — while a sixth chair remained empty, reserved for the absent Korean game organizer.
The Deer Mask VIP, wearing a tailored Chinese tunic suit, spoke first.
"Look at Player 250's face. He's already started analyzing again."
The Leopard Mask VIP chuckled. "Can't blame him. Player 250's been sharp in every round so far. Impressive for a human toy."
Just then, the Execution Team Leader, the man in black who oversaw the games, entered the room.
The Deer Mask VIP turned toward him sharply. "Hey! I specifically requested a Dragon Head mask. Why the hell am I wearing a deer?"
The Execution Team Leader bowed slightly. "My apologies, VIP Number Two. The dragon design from your country was too complex to finish in time. Since you decided to attend in person at the last minute, I could only prepare dragon horns. Because dragon and deer horns look similar, we adapted the rest of the mask to a deer. Please forgive the substitution — your drinks tonight are on me."
The Deer Mask VIP scoffed. "Do you think I care about your cheap drinks? Everyone else gets their proper masks, but not me? Are you discriminating against me?"
The Execution Team Leader kept his tone even. "Then what would you like to do about it?"
The Deer Mask VIP tapped his fingers on the table. "If Player 250 — even though he's Chinese-American, he still like my fellow countryman — wins first place, double my payout. Any objections?"
The others exchanged amused glances.
"Fine. It's a bet," said Lion Mask.
"It's a bet," echoed Eagle Mask.
"Same here," added Ox Mask.
"Count me in," said Bear Mask, who had been silent until now.
Bear Mask turned to Deer Mask. "By the way, how much did you bet on him?"
"Roughly five million U.S. dollars," Deer replied casually.
Ox Mask chuckled. "You really trust your compatriot, huh?"
"It's not about trust," Deer said. "I've watched his performance. He's not much of a fighter, but his mind? Sharp as a blade. Even if he weren't complete Chinese — hell, even if he were my own son — I wouldn't wager that much unless I believed in him."
Back in the hall, players were scrambling for the middle numbers.
Kai observed quietly, half amused. Typical.
If these numbers really did determine the order, then the middle ones were suicide. Either the first few or the last few had the advantage — never the ones in between.
Ji-yeong started forward to grab one, but Kai caught her wrist.
He shook his head silently, signaling her to wait.
Moments later, the inevitable announcement confirmed his theory.
Broadcast: "Please note: the number you select will determine your order of play for the next game. Choose carefully."
Kai exhaled slowly. "As expected. Now the only question is — earlier or later?"
He hesitated, considering every angle. If I go early, I'll be a test subject. If I go too late, those bastards behind me — Jang Deok-su, Sang-woo — could stab me in the back. I can't risk being in front of them.
He turned to Ji-yeong. "You take number 11. I'll take number 12."
He smiled faintly. "Always keep a card up your sleeve. Never the very last."
By the end of the selection, the key players had made their picks:
Jang Deok-su — No. 6
Han Mi-nyeo — No. 7
Kang Sae-byeok — No. 9
Cho Sang-woo — No. 10
Ji-yeong — No. 11
Kai (Player 250) — No. 12
Seong Gi-hun — No. 13
Interestingly, Gi-hun had originally reached for number 1, but Player 96 offered to swap. Soft-hearted as always, Gi-hun agreed.
The players soon arrived at the next game hall — a massive industrial space with harsh lighting. Before them stretched a two-lane glass bridge, suspended high above the void.
Even Kai was momentarily stunned.
A bridge of glass? What the hell is this supposed to be… fighting on glass panels until someone falls?
Broadcast: "Welcome to the fifth game — Stepping Stone Bridge.
The glass bridge ahead is constructed of two types of glass: tempered glass and ordinary glass.
Tempered glass can support the weight of up to two people. Ordinary glass will shatter under even one person's weight.
Participants must determine which panels are tempered and step on them. Successfully cross fifteen pairs of glass tiles to reach the opposite side and survive."
Player 96 turned to a Guard in a triangle mask, voice trembling. "So… these numbers—?"
Triangle Guard: "They represent the order you'll cross the bridge."
Player 96's eyes went wide with panic.
Broadcast: "Time limit: thirteen minutes. You must cross the bridge within thirteen minutes. Remove your shoes and proceed in order."
Kai let out a long breath. "Good thing I didn't pick an early number."
Inside the control room, Eagle Mask leaned forward. "How were the bridge length and time calculated?"
Execution Team Leader: "Two more glass panels than the number of players. One minute per player."
But Kai's mind was already in motion again. He didn't let the relief cloud his focus.
There's always a pattern. Always a loophole.
He began dissecting the rules piece by piece in his head.
"Two types of glass: tempered and ordinary."
"Tempered glass can hold two people."
"Ordinary glass breaks with one."
The rules say we have to step on the glass — not the metal frame. Trying that would be an automatic execution. So that's out.
But why make tempered glass strong enough for two people? One would've been enough. That means they expect two people to stand on it — maybe to encourage the ones behind to push the ones in front?
No… that's too simple.
He narrowed his eyes. Two people… two people… That's it.
A small grin crept across his face.
This round isn't about luck at all.
He'd already figured out a way — a strategy that could allow every player to cross safely.
But Kai didn't intend to share it.
Even if he did, no one would listen.
He smiled faintly to himself. "Let's see how far common sense gets me this time."
With calm confidence, Kai stepped forward — already certain that unless something went horribly wrong, he'd make it through this deadly bridge alive… and take the ones he chose with him.