Player 001

I got up today with a smile because it's the last day of games and we're going back to the city, to the ordinary everyday life that I love. I couldn't sleep anymore and I woke up at 6 am. I rolled over to face my fiancé, who was sleeping peacefully. A few black strands of his hair fell on his calm, sleeping face. I straightened his hair, pulling it back, at which the man frowned and wiped his face, destroying my work. I laughed silently, at which he woke up yawning straight at me.

-Good morning- I said and the boy smiled and rubbed his eyes.

-Good morning, how do you feel that in the evening you will see a already hanging city?

-I've never missed it as much as I do now, except when I moved from New York to Seoul. The same feeling, I said, and the boy kissed me on the forehead.

-I'm glad you were here. It would be hard without you," he said, grabbing my hand.

-I'm also glad that I saw what you really do, but I don't support it anyway.

-I know, but keep it to yourself, okay?

"Of course I won't let you go to jail," I promised and kissed him on the lips. It was a lazy morning. The last game was supposed to take place in the afternoon, when it was supposed to start raining, so that it would be more difficult for the last players. So far, I've packed us into suitcases, replied to comments and watched all the downloaded videos until 5 p.m. was the time of the last game. Player 218 killed player 067 at night, I felt sorry for her. She was dying after the glass bridge, because shards of glass had penetrated her body, and there he only finished her off.

-Ready for the last Front woman game?

-Of course, let's go, I want to be in Seoul already- I replied and put on my mask. After yesterday, my coat was only suitable for throwing away, so In-ho gave me his black one, and the only difference between us was the masks. We walked down the corridor where at the very end the VIPs were waiting for us. It turned out that the one Vip who disappeared with my fiancé's brother died, or more precisely, was shot by Joon-ho. I didn't mention that he was saved by a fisherman because my subconscious told me that he was there on purpose on the order of the guy in black.

-Good morning, are you ready for the finale?- asked the Front man when we were already with the men in golden masks.

"Of course we can't wait," replied one of them, who had a deer mask. He was the only one who suited me in terms of behavior, because the rest are boors and simpletons. We all went to a room that was new to me, which had a window to the view from the first game. At the bottom there were some lines drawn and there were players 456 and 218. Yesterday I made a bet with In-ho who would win, I gave it to Veronica's cousin and he to his ex-friend, who turned out to be one big cheater.

-Honey, what's this game?- I asked, leaning over to my beloved.

-It's a squid. Player 456 has to get to this circle, and 218 is defending him with something like a bricklayer, the European one," he replied and moved closer to me, embracing my body with one hand, which I did the same. Maybe he was a monster in some part, because he killed people and more allowed others to kill them, but for me and for everyone around us. He had something against people poorer than us. Something must have changed, after he came back in 2015 from this game, I knew that something had changed, but I didn't know what, and now I know the answer. This game changed his views on money.

Gi-hun won. My joy was endless. Not only did my best friend's cousin win, but I also won a bet with my future husband and I'm going back to Seoul in a moment. Can the day be more beautiful? We walked with my beloved Vipy to the helicopter where they shook hands goodbye. The man with the deer max complimented me, which In-ho didn't like, but he didn't say anything and this time I was on his side. You never know who is hiding under the mask. We returned to our apartment tired but happy to be back.

"Don't put your mask down when you get it," he said, sitting down on a bar stool.

-What? Why?

-We'll be in the same car with player 456 and we'll talk to him. You will be able to do it too, but don't mention anything that you know his distant family or that we are good?

-Sure, no problem- I replied hugging the man.

***

It was 8 p.m. when we were already in the city driving Gi-hun. It wasn't Seoul and the city was not far from the capital, but I didn't remember the name. The winner had a black scarf on his eyes so that he would not see us and his hands and legs were tied. I, on the other hand, sat with In-ho with our backs to the driver. My fiancé was pouring champagne into his glass, and I just leaned my head on his shoulder out of fatigue, looking at my friend's family.

-Congratulations, Mr. Sang. You survived the whole game and won 45.6 billion won," replied my fiancé, starting a conversation with the winner, who was terrified and confused.

-Who are you?- he asked, but my fiancé brushed off his question and asked his own.

-I'm curious about one thing. How did you do it? Watching the rest of the 455 players die doesn't have to be easy for you when you have a substitute for a good heart.

"Calm down, he's traumatized," he said, hitting him lightly on the knee.

-And who are you?- he asked hoping that I would answer, but I couldn't. And I really wanted to.

"My wife," replied my fiancé. I didn't understand why he didn't use the word fiancée, but immediately wife

"Congratulations on winning," I said, to break the silence.

-And what is there to congratulate? Not guilty people died because of you!

-Put on your mask, honey, our friend needs to fall asleep- said In-ho and I obediently obeyed, putting on my pink mask for the last time. At least that's what I thought at the time. Gi-hun fell asleep through the soporific air, and the soldiers threw him out into a street and drove me and my beloved to our apartment in Seoul.

-Everywhere is good, but home is the best- I said, hanging the black coat that In-ho lent me.

-I agree, honey- replied my fiancé, they kiss me on the cheek. I went to the living room to look out the beautiful city from the window, but someone was already standing by the window with a glass of whiskey.

-Aaaaaand who are you?! No matter In-ho, call the police!- I shouted and immediately a boy appeared next to me, who was not as concerned as I was - Call!

-I won't call because I know him very well. Bev meet my dad. Dad is Beverly, my future wife, who will give birth to your grandson," he said, and the older man turned to face us.

-No, it's not possible. You died in a game of marbles!- I shouted when I saw the same old man who played as player 001.

-That's right, but I'm the host and they couldn't kill me- he replied and came closer, looking at me. He was a little shorter than me, but fully elegant.

-Dad, Bev, sit down. We'll explain everything to you," said In-ho and I sat down on the white couch full of shock. My cat appeared next to me and sat on my lap to stroke him, which I did, but still full in shock- What do you want to know?

"Preferably everything," I said weakly.

"Dear Beverly, I'm glad to finally meet you. In-ho told me a lot about you. We were supposed to meet after a game of marbles, but the arrival of the VIPs and Joon-ho interrupted us, and then I felt unwell, so I asked my son to officiate the last 2 games with you, so that you could know why we were doing this. We know you don't support it, but for the love of my son, you won't turn us in to the police, right?

"No," I said quietly, staring blankly at the glass table in front of me.

-I am extremely happy. I'm the host. I invented the whole game and I am the highest in the hierarchy. Then there are the VIPs and you along with In-ho.

-Why are you doing this? Innocent people die because of you!

-Maybe so, but remember that these are people with huge debts that they will not pay off and their days are numbered.

-Okay, but I still don't understand. Why so many people. These guards, front man, VIPs and you are responsible for the deaths of 455 people a year!

"I mentioned it earlier," said the old man, and I didn't have the strength to talk to him or anyone else at all. I had to go

-I'm sorry, but I have to lie down, I feel bad. It was nice to meet you, I said, and went to the bedroom without waiting for the men's response. This day started wonderfully, but it ended depressingly, and it doesn't help me that tomorrow morning In-ho's friend is supposed to be in the apartment, and I don't even know if he's getting into these hellish games and helping them, or if he's just a rich man.