As the four remaining players stepped into the arena, the Square-masked announcer raised a clipboard and began reading in a solemn voice.
"Here are the rules for the final game — Squid Game."
"First, the attacker enters the Squid Game pattern, breaks through the defenders, and wins by stepping on the head of the Squid Game shape."
"Second, a defender wins by pushing an attacker who has entered the pattern out of the shape."
"Third, if either side enters a state where they can no longer continue the game, the remaining party wins."
Cho Sang-woo frowned.
"What does 'a state where they can no longer continue the game' mean?"
The Square replied flatly,
"It means the participant is deceased. Now… the game begins."
Cho Sang-woo slowly backed toward the tail of the squid pattern, while Kai, Kang Sae-byeok, and Ji-yeong stood near the head.
Kai glanced at his side.
Ji-yeong was still pale and weak from her period — effectively unable to fight. That left only him and Kang Sae-byeok.
Could the two of them possibly defeat Cho Sang-woo?
That question lingered in his mind as Sang-woo suddenly began hopping forward — on one leg.
Kai blinked.
"Why the hell is he coming at us hopping like that?"
Ji-yeong weakly explained,
"According to the rules, the attacker can only move on one leg until they cross the waist of the Squid Game pattern."
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's take him out now!"
He and Kang Sae-byeok charged forward, trying to shove Sang-woo out before he crossed the waistline.
Ji-yeong stayed behind to guard the head.
But Sang-woo was ready.
He whipped out a steak knife from his pocket and slashed wildly.
Kai was a half second too slow—a sharp sting cut across his cheek.
Warm blood trickled down his face. But he didn't flinch.
There was no room for fear now.
He lunged again, grabbing Sang-woo's knife hand and wrestling with him.
Kang Sae-byeok wrapped her arms around Sang-woo's waist, trying to shove him backward with her full weight.
For a brief moment, it looked like they might succeed.
Then Sang-woo roared and smashed his left fist into Kai's face, sending him sprawling to the ground.
He turned his knife toward Kang Sae-byeok.
She dodged, but not fast enough — deep slashes opened along her arm and side.
Panting, Sang-woo finally stepped across the waist of the Squid pattern.
Kai struggled to his feet, dizzy but furious.
He charged again, swinging the knife with all his strength — only to be kicked flat onto the ground once more.
Kang Sae-byeok attacked next, desperate and wild. The two clashed, stumbling across the sand, knives flashing.
Sang-woo's superior strength soon overwhelmed her.
He pinned her down, raising the blade to finish it.
Kai, barely conscious, lunged forward and grabbed Sang-woo's wrist — only to be slammed back by a brutal headbutt that left his vision swimming.
Sang-woo sneered, wrenching free.
But in that split second, Kang Sae-byeok seized her chance.
She thrust her knife upward — stabbing Sang-woo in the stomach.
He staggered, eyes wide, blood pouring out.
Snarling, he rained punches onto Kang Sae-byeok's face, each blow heavier than the last, his other hand still clutching the knife.
Kang Sae-byeok used both hands to hold off his stabbing arm, but her strength was fading.
Her face was a bloody mess.
Just when it seemed over, Ji-yeong — trembling but determined — grabbed a knife and ran toward them.
Seeing her coming, Sang-woo struck Kang Sae-byeok even harder, smashing her face until she went limp.
Then, before he could plunge his knife down, Ji-yeong's blade sank into his shoulder.
He roared, kicking her away.
Now all three defenders were broken and bleeding on the ground.
Sang-woo's own body was a map of wounds, but he was the only one still standing.
He looked at their helpless bodies and scoffed.
"Pathetic."
Dragging his injured leg, he turned and began walking toward the head of the Squid pattern.
Victory — and ₩45.6 billion — were almost his.
The Red-Clad Referee placed a hand on his pistol, ready to execute the fallen players as soon as the winner was confirmed.
Kai, still half-conscious, watched through blurred vision. His entire body screamed in pain.
"Is this… really the end?"
He could barely move, but his mind refused to stop working.
"Think… rules… there must be a loophole."
He repeated the rules silently.
"First, the attacker wins by stepping on the head of the Squid Game pattern."
"Second, the defender wins by pushing the attacker out of the pattern."
"Third, if either side dies, the other wins."
"Damn it, there's no weakness in that wording!" His breathing grew ragged, "He's almost there… unless…"
His eyes widened.
"Unless the Squid Game pattern itself can change."
The thought hit him like lightning.
"A defender wins by pushing an attacker who has entered the Squid Game pattern out of the pattern."
He smirked faintly through the blood on his face, "It doesn't say which pattern."
He dipped his finger into the blood pooling around him, grabbed a fallen knife, and began drawing a new Squid pattern in the dirt beside him — in his own blood.
In the VIP viewing room, the animal-masked spectators murmured among themselves.
Bear Head: "Looks like Number 218's victory is already sealed."
Lion Head: "Number Two, seems you've lost your bet."
Eagle Head: "Indeed. The final game is pure brute strength."
Deer Head: "Excellent. I bet on 218 myself."
But then, the Deer Head VIP frowned.
"Until the very last second… are you sure Number 250 has lost?"
The others turned to him in confusion.
"What are you talking about?" the Bear Head asked.
The Deer Head pointed at the screen.
"Look closely. What's Number 250 doing?"
They all turned their eyes to the monitors — and froze.
Bear Head: "He's… drawing something in the sand? With his knife?"
Eagle Head: "What the hell is he doing that for?"
The Deer Head's tone was electric with excitement.
"He's found something. I don't know what yet — but he's not the type to act without a plan."
The other four VIPs scoffed.
"At this point? What trick could possibly save him?"
Down below, Cho Sang-woo finally reached the head of the squid.
He raised one foot, about to step on it —when Kai suddenly shouted hoarsely.
"Wait! The game is over! The defenders win!"
Everyone froze.
Even the Referee turned, stunned.
"What did you say?"
Kai's voice trembled but carried across the arena.
"There's a rule that says defenders win by pushing the attacker out of the Squid Game pattern, right?"
The Referee frowned.
"Yes, but you didn't push Number 218 out of the pattern."
Kai grinned weakly.
"Who said that?"
He dragged himself aside, revealing what he had drawn behind him —a new, smaller Squid Game pattern, sketched entirely in blood.
"The rules never said which Squid Game pattern counts, did they?"
"This one here is also a Squid Game pattern."
"And he's clearly stepped out of it."
The arena fell dead silent.
In the VIP room, the Deer Head's hand slipped — his wine glass shattered on the floor, shards cutting the Eagle Head beside him.
"Shit!" the Eagle Head hissed, clutching his arm.
The Deer Head burst into wild laughter.
"Hahaha! Brilliant! Number 250 — you absolute genius!"
Kai lay there, bleeding and smiling faintly, as the sirens blared overhead.