Two soldiers stepped forward and pushed open the massive double doors.
The Front Man — the Black Mask Captain — turned to Kai.
"The other VIPs haven't arrived yet. Our host wants to meet with you privately first."
Kai didn't respond. He walked inside on his own.
When he saw the frail, white-haired figure waiting by the window, he spoke immediately.
"Number 001," Kai said quietly. "So it really is you."
The old man turned around slowly, a faint smile curling his lips.
"It seems you've already guessed my identity."
Kai took a few steps forward, his eyes sharp.
"I'd suspected for a while that you weren't an ordinary player. But I didn't expect you to be the host of the Korean Game. So… can I know your real name now?"
The old man chuckled softly. "My name is Oh Il-nam."
Kai nodded. "Hello there, Oh Il-nam."
Il-nam's expression softened. "When did you start suspecting me?"
Kai took a seat on the couch nearby. "From the very first round — Red Light, Green Light. While everyone else was panicking and running for their lives, you were the only one genuinely playing.
That's when I started to get suspicious. But when you mentioned your brain tumor, I thought maybe you were just fearless because you knew you didn't have much time left."
He leaned forward slightly. "What really made me doubt you was after the second game. You were an old man, supposedly terminally ill, yet you managed to climb up to the top bunk unnoticed in the middle of a riot involving dozens of players.
Then, the moment you shouted, the Guards rushed in — as if on cue. Others might call that coincidence, but I don't believe in coincidences."
Kai sighed. "Later, when you soiled yourself, I thought I'd misjudged you. And when Player 456 — Seong Gi-hun — told me you'd died during the marble game, I dropped my suspicions completely. Guess I underestimated you."
Il-nam's laugh was light but genuine. "You're the most perceptive player I've ever seen — not just in this batch, but since I created the Game itself.
It's a pity you're not Korean. I've seen many players over the years, but none with your level of intelligence."
Kai casually poured himself a glass of red wine and took a slow sip.
"So, why did you want to meet me alone before the other VIPs show up?"
Il-nam's tone grew serious. "I want you to reconsider the offer Hwang In-ho made you last time."
Kai frowned slightly.
"Hwang In-ho? Oh— the Front Man." He smirked. "I already said no."
Il-nam didn't respond right away.
Instead, he picked up a remote control and switched on the large screen behind him.
The display flickered to life, revealing Kang Sae-byeok lying motionless in a hospital bed, her body covered in tubes.
Kai's expression darkened. "What's this supposed to mean?"
Il-nam clasped his hands together. "According to the rules, survivors of the six games are supposed to be dropped off on the streets immediately.
But we made an exception — we arranged treatment for you and the others because the VIPs and I value your potential."
He looked directly at Kai. "However, if you refuse our offer again, we'll have to return to standard protocol. You and Player 240 will survive, of course. But Player 067… if her ventilator is removed, she'll die instantly."
Kai gave a short laugh, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "And you think you can threaten me with her life? She's just a temporary teammate I met in the Game.
It's over now — I don't need her anymore. Besides, she already entrusted her brother to me. If you kill her, I can claim her share of the prize money, can't I?"
But Il-nam only smiled — a knowing, confident smile that deepened the wrinkles on his forehead.
"If you were truly that kind of man," he said calmly.
"you'd have accepted our offer even without threats. After all, we're offering five million U.S. dollars a year for three weeks of work — and a guaranteed ten-year contract. Tell me, where else would you find that?"
Kai's jaw tightened. This old bastard really gets people, he thought grimly.
Forcing himself to stay composed, he asked, "Do I have any other options? Something that lets me both save her and refuse your deal?"
Il-nam tilted his head. "What makes you think I'd give you other options?"
Kai met his gaze evenly. "Because if that were all you had to say, you wouldn't have asked to meet me alone."
Il-nam chuckled, impressed. "I'm really starting to like you. You're sharp. After consulting with the other VIPs, we decided to give you a third choice."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"
"Participate in next year's Game."
For the first time, Kai looked genuinely caught off guard. "You want me to compete again?"
"The VIPs are eager to see you in action once more," Il-nam said.
"A returning champion — a genius like you — would make next year's ratings skyrocket."
Kai leaned back, his tone skeptical. "If I win, does the prize money from next year's Game go to me as well?"
"Of course."
"And if I'm eliminated halfway through?"
Il-nam's eyes twinkled. "Then you're eliminated, naturally."
Kai's smile faded. "And when I'm gone, Kang Sae-byeok dies too, right?"
Il-nam nodded slowly. "That's right."
Kai's voice dropped. "So I have to win another six-round Game… You realize how insane that is? The odds of surviving among 456 people are microscopic. You're asking me to pull off another miracle!"
Il-nam didn't flinch. "No one's forcing you. You're free to decline. If you refuse, you'll leave with your prize money. Player 240 too. But you'll never see Player 067 again."
The room fell silent.
Kai's voice was low. "Can I have time to think?"
Il-nam turned toward the door. "You have three hours. The other VIPs are waiting to meet you. After three hours, give me your answer."
As Il-nam shuffled away, his steps slow and shaky, Kai watched him go.
For the first time, he was certain the old man hadn't lied about at least one thing — his failing health.
He turned his eyes back to the screen, staring at the unconscious Kang Sae-byeok. The guilt clawed at him.
She had saved his life more than once inside the Game. But the thought of surviving another six rounds terrified him.
Save her and risk my life… or walk away and live with the guilt forever…
Fear and guilt battled violently inside him, and Kai fell silent — trapped between both.