The Square-masked supervisor stepped forward and said calmly.
"I sincerely offer my highest congratulations and respect to everyone who successfully passed the first five games."
He gestured toward the red-clad Guards beside him.
"We have prepared a special gift for all the final contestants. Before the gift is revealed, please change into the clothes we've provided."
Each Guard handed over a large gift box.
Kai opened his and found a neatly folded suit inside. But his was different from the others.
While Ji-yeong, Cho Sang-woo, and Kang Sae-byeok received black suits with white shirts, Kai's jacket was a striking purple.
Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Why is my suit different from theirs?"
The Square replied,
"The Front Man said you performed the best in all five games. Purple is the exclusive color for first place.
The VIPs and the Organization's leaders hope to see you wear it proudly… and become the champion."
Kai smiled faintly but said nothing more.
Soon, the four were led into a large dining hall with a square table piled high with exquisite dishes — steak, lobster, fruit, and fine wine.
"Eat as you please," the Red-Clad Guard announced before stepping aside.
While the others immediately started eating, Kai's expression turned grim.
He wasn't happy. He understood what this meant.
Letting players feast before the final game only implied one thing —
the last round would involve physical combat.
And that was Kai's weakest field.
Still, he began to eat heartily.
"If I go in hungry, I'll be at an even bigger disadvantage," he thought grimly, cutting into the steak.
When the meal ended, the Guards came in to clear the dishes.
Strangely, they left only the steak knives on the table.
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"So that's it… They want to thin the herd before the final round."
He turned to the two women.
"Listen, the three of us will take turns keeping watch tonight. No matter what happens, we cannot let Cho Sang-woo kill anyone before the next game."
Kang Sae-byeok frowned.
"Are you that sure I'll help you?"
"Yes," Kai said without hesitation. "I'm almost certain the sixth round will be about physical strength.
If one of us dies now, the remaining two won't stand a chance against Sang-woo. For your own survival, you'll help me."
Ji-yeong, pale and weak from her period, whispered, "Actually… we have a better idea."
"Let's hear it," Kai said.
"Before the sixth round starts," she said softly, "we kill him first."
Kai immediately shook his head.
"No. If Sang-woo dies before the round begins and the final game is a deathmatch, then one of us will still have to die to win. I don't want that. I don't want to kill either of you."
He glanced at them, "Of course… whether you want to kill me is another story."
Kang Sae-byeok thought for a moment, then sighed.
"You're right. Fine. I'll take the first watch."
Sometime later, Kai was shaken awake.
He blinked, saw Kang Sae-byeok hovering above him, and exhaled.
"What's wrong? Shift change already?"
She shook her head.
"No. It's Cho Sang-woo. He's asleep."
Kai turned his gaze to the corner. Sure enough, Sang-woo sat slumped against the wall, knife in hand, eyes closed.
"So? He's sleeping. Why wake me up?" Kai muttered.
"You said before it's dangerous if he's armed. Should we sneak over and take the knife while he's asleep? That'd be safer."
Kai shook his head instantly.
"No. Sang-woo's a snake. He knows we've allied. Do you really think he'd fall asleep peacefully now? I'm betting he's faking it—waiting for someone dumb enough to get close."
Kang Sae-byeok hesitated, realizing that, knowing Sang-woo, it wasn't impossible.
"Just stay put," Kai said firmly. "If you go near him, you'll die. I'm going back to sleep."
What Kai didn't know was that Sang-woo was actually asleep.
He had simply calculated better.
Even though Kai, Kang Sae-byeok, and Ji-yeong had formed a three-way alliance, he knew they wouldn't dare kill him before the game.
The risk was too high. If the final round was a one-on-one game, one of them would still have to die anyway.
While the trio had to take turns on watch — each getting barely six hours of rest —
Sang-woo could sleep for nine or ten.
And in a test of endurance, that advantage could mean everything.
Kai had chosen the second watch to take care of the girls.
He was tired, groggy, and irritable, but it made sense.
Ji-yeong was too weak, and Kang Sae-byeok still didn't trust him fully.
Taking the worst shift was a gesture of goodwill.
He yawned, hand covering his mouth, while keeping his eyes fixed on the sleeping Sang-woo.
Three hours later, he gently nudged Ji-yeong awake to take over.
The long night passed without incident.
The next morning, the door hissed open.
A Square-masked supervisor entered, followed by four Triangle Guards carrying rifles.
"Congratulations, players. It's time for the sixth and final game."
They led the four survivors down a bright corridor to a massive double door.
"Number 67, Number 218, Number 240, and Number 250 — welcome to the final round."
The Square continued,
"Before the game begins, we will flip a coin to determine attackers and defenders.Please choose either Triangle or Square. Players who choose the same shape will be considered a team."
Kai raised his hand.
"Square."
Kang Sae-byeok: "Square."
Ji-yeong: "Square."
Cho Sang-woo: "Triangle."
The Square tossed the coin high into the air. It clinked as it landed —
Triangle face up.
"Number 218," the Square said, turning to Sang-woo, "Please choose whether to attack or defend."
Without hesitation, Sang-woo said coldly,
"Attack."
"Understood. Number 218 is the attacker. Numbers 67, 240, and 250 are the defenders."
The massive doors ahead creaked open.
Sunlight poured into the room, flooding the four players' faces with gold.
The final game was about to begin.