The Red-Clad Guard hesitated, unsure how to respond to Kai's logic, so he sought direction from the Black Mask Captain.
Red-Clad Guard: "Captain, how should we handle this?"
Black Mask Captain: "He won. Shoot Player 218."
Upon receiving the order, the Guard raised his pistol and aimed it at Cho Sang-woo.
Panic filled Cho Sang-woo's face. He refused to accept defeat like this.
He had clearly been winning—how could he die just because some kid drew a squid pattern in blood? This was absurd!
He shouted desperately,
"The rule says a defender wins by pushing the attacker who entered the squid pattern out of it! I wasn't pushed out of his stupid blood drawing!"
Hearing that, the Guard paused and looked uncertain. His gaze turned to Kai.
Red-Clad Guard: "Player 250, please explain."
Kai said, "He just stepped on the area where I drew the squid pattern. Kang Sae-byeok, Player 67, and I pushed him out of that area. How does that not count as pushing him out of the squid pattern?"
Cho Sang-woo repalied, "Bullshit! When I was there, that pattern didn't even exist! You can't just draw it after the fact!"
The VIP room erupted in debate.
The Lion Mask VIP, who had bet over two million dollars on Cho Sang-woo, sided with him immediately.
The Deer Mask VIP, however, supported Kai.
Deer Mask: "The rules never said you couldn't push someone out first and then draw a new squid pattern afterward."
The Eagle Mask and Lion Mask remained neutral—they didn't want to lose money or offend the Deer Mask VIP, whose influence matched the Eagle's and outweighed the Lion's.
That left the deciding vote to the Bear Mask VIP.
Black Mask Captain: "VIP Number Three, what's your verdict? We'll go with the majority."
Bear Mask: "Hmm… this is tricky.
If I side with 218, I offend Number Two.
If I side with 250, I offend Number Four.
How about this—why don't you two discuss your prices?"
Deer Mask: "Number Three, are you seriously trying to extort us?"
Lion Mask: "I'll make it easy—one million dollars if you support me."
The Bear Mask swirled his wine glass and smirked, clearly enjoying the game more than the outcome.
Meanwhile, Cho Sang-woo was still arguing with the staff when a sudden, sharp pain tore through his chest.
He looked down, disbelieving, to find a dagger buried in him.
Ji-yeong stood behind him, trembling but alive, pulling the bloodied blade from his back.
Cho Sang-woo shocked, "How…? I took all your knives before turning my back! How could this happen?"
Kai smirked, "Sorry. That dagger was Kang Sae-byeok's—she brought it herself."
Cho Sang-woo said, "But… wasn't that dagger in your hand? I made sure you couldn't even stand!"
Kai gave him a crooked grin.
Flashback – The Night Before
After waking during the night, Kai noticed Ji-yeong dozing off while on watch. He gently shook her shoulder.
Kai: "Hey, wake up. I need to talk to you."
Ji-yeong: "What is it?"
Kai: "Take this."
He handed her Kang Sae-byeok's dagger.
Ji-yeong blinked, confused.
"What do you mean?"
Kai: "You're not in good shape—you're the weakest of us three. Keep this for your own safety."
Ji-yeong: "...Thank you."
Kai: "One more thing. Cho Sang-woo doesn't know I gave you this. If tomorrow Kang Sae-byeok and I can't beat him head-on, watch my eyes. If I wink, it's your signal to sneak attack him.
Don't overdo it—just hit him once, then pretend you're down for good. He'll let his guard down."
Back to the Present
Cho Sang-woo pointed at Kai, his voice trembling with fury.
Cho Sang-woo shocked, "You…!"
Kai smailed, "What, did you really think Ji-yeong fainted from one kick just because she was on her period?"
Cho Sang-woo collapsed to the ground, the life fading from his eyes.
Kai calmly said, "According to the third rule—if a player can no longer continue, the other side wins. He's dead. So there's nothing left to argue."
The VIP room fell silent.
Deer Mask: "So he was just distracting Player 218 the entire time?"
Bear Mask: "Damn it. I just lost a million dollars for nothing."
Lion Mask: "Fuck! Player 250 is too damn cunning. This man is a sly bastards!"
Deer Mask (coldly): "What did you just say, Number Four?"
The Lion Mask VIP froze, instantly backing down.
The Red-Clad Guard glanced up at the Black Mask Captain.
The Captain nodded once.
Black Mask Captain: "Player 218—eliminated."
"Congratulations to Player 67, Player 240, and Player 250 for winning this game's championship."
Kai exhaled heavily. It was finally over.
He could barely stand. If there were another round, he was sure he wouldn't survive.
Leaning against the Guard for support, Kai staggered toward Kang Sae-byeok, who still lay unconscious.
Kneeling beside her, he gently tapped her cheek.
Kai smirked, "Sae-byeok… you're still alive, right? It's over. We won."
She didn't respond.
Panic began to rise in his chest.
"Hey, Sae-byeok, don't do this. Don't scare me."
He checked—she was still breathing. There was a faint heartbeat.
Relieved, Kai turned to the Guard.
Kai said urgently, "Find doctors for the three of us—now. Otherwise, as the champion, I'll file a complaint against you."
The Guard contacted the Black Mask Captain once more.
Black Mask Captain: "Tell him we'll provide medical treatment. But once he recovers, the VIPs want to meet him. They're… very eager."
Red-Clad Guard: "Understood."