❝ i'm not afraid to do whatever
it takes to win. ❞ the brunette
stepped forward, determined.
❝ remember this, i never and
will never lose. ❞
❪ 𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐃 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 ❫
...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
SIXTEEN | WITHOUT CRIMSON-STAINED HANDS
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
EXCESSIVE SWEAT FELL from Soo-Jin's eyebrows as she was getting hot. She could feel the roughness of the rope beneath her palms. She was observing the group on the other platform. They still had a chance to win against them. They had a strategy, even a failsafe plan. They just needed to use them.
Soo-Jin chewed on her bottom lip and nodded, exhaling. Chang Soo-Jin, you are smart, talented, and determined. You are not fucking dying today.
She then felt the guards tighten the binds on her wrist, and that's when she noticed that the small padlock was slightly unhinged like it was broken. She crossed her eyebrows and was about to study it more closely when her teammates started putting the rope under their armpits. She did the same thing and when one of the watchers wave a flag, there was another one who fired a shot, signalling for the game to begin.
She kept her gaze fixed on the back of Gi-Hun's head. Soo-Jin knew she could depend on him and she always will, but she also knew him. While he was courageous, Gi-Hun had the tendency to get a mental block then suddenly freeze.
For the ten seconds, they bent their bodies backwards and tightened their grasp on the rope. Soo-Jin gathered all the strength she could muster in her body and almost let out a scream. Her muscles ached, and a burning sensation rose from her chest and ran across her whole body. The rope never slipped nor budged from their hold and Soo-Jin knew it was only a matter of time before the confidence of the other will falter.
"Now's our chance!"
And their rhythm began.
Soo-Jin grunted repeatedly as she pulled the rope with all her might, moving in sync with her groupmates. She could feel her heart booming against her chest and every part of her body was alert.
Team Five in front of them edged closer and the red cloth was moving towards them. But, just as she expected, the other group gathered back their strength and they gained their momentum. Soo-Jin could feel her footing slip despite almost bending herself downwards.
"We’re losing! Goddamn it! Do something!"
"The fucking momentum!" bellowed Soo-Jin, wincing as she felt the burn in her palm. Adrenaline was coursing through her veins and her breathing accelerated. "Momentum!"
"Get yourselves together and listen!" Finally, Sang-Woo spoke up. "Take three steps up when I give the signal!"
"Up? What now? But, that’s the edge!" exclaimed player 212, terrified since they were now almost near the edge.
