**Chapter 1: The Darkness of the Games**

Lee Myung-gi is the stem of many people’s debts. Ever since he’s gotten to the games, Jun-hee’s been letting him know that consistently. But she doesn’t go to the extreme lengths that Nam-gyu and Thanos do. No—they do more than just tell him. The six-legged pentathlon had just ended that same day. The dorm lights were shut off, and the ominous glow of the Piggy Bank loomed overhead—blood money flashing inside. The air was thick with tension as players tried to rest after the grueling game. Lee Myung-gi stood in the bathroom, stepping away from the urinal and heading over towards the sink. His eyes caught his reflection in the mirror, the X patch adjacent from his Player ID was the first thing to catch his attention. Did he want to leave? In reality, no he didn’t. But with Jun-hee here, pregnant, he has no say in the matter. It’s only right that he gets her out of dodge—or at least try to. The vote didn’t exactly go their way earlier. The faucet water ran hot as Myung-gi washed his hands. His mind drifted between several things. The next game that he’s technically being forced to play, Jun-hee’s current status, and if there’s really a way out of this place. Probably not, but he’ll try. And as long as Jun-hee’s alive, that’s enough reason. The faucet water cut off, steam from the heat rising into the air before vanishing. The YouTuber wiped his hands across the sides of his tracksuit pants, drying off his palms as he approached the bathroom door. However, right before he could make it out, the door opened. And coming inside was Choi Su-bong, and Nam-gyu. ‘Dammit.’ Thought Myung-gi. He knew where this was going. The beating he received just yesterday was already bad enough—he doesn’t have time for this shit anymore! “Well, well…” Nam-gyu was the first to open his mouth, his expression unreadable. He just stared at Myung-gi. “…MG Coin. What a fucking surprise.” His voice was laced with malice, and Myung-gi could tell he was itching for a fight. Myung-gi stopped in his tracks, backpedaling just a bit. It’s the dead of night, 001 isn’t there to save his ass again. And the guards? As if they even care. The darkness of the bathroom seemed to close in around him, making him feel trapped. “What’re you doing up so late, MG Coin?” Grumbled Thanos, tilting his head in a crazed manner, eyes damn near bulging out of his head. “Huh? Thinking about how you scammed me out of all my damn money?!“ Thanos’ voice was a mixture of anger and desperation, and Myung-gi knew he was on edge. This again. It’s always about this with Thanos. Money, money, money. Scam, scam, scam. It’s all he ever talks about, it’s pathetic. Myung-gi closed his hand, balling a fist. “How many times do I have to tell you? The price of the coin increased, but nobody sold at the right time.” He tried to keep his tone calm, but he could feel the tension building up inside him. Thanos took a step forward, Nam-gyu beside him. “Does that fix anything, MG Coin? Hm? No. I’m still in debt because of you—I was gonna kill myself because of you.” Thanos growled, low, enraged. Myung-gi could see the pain and desperation in his eyes, and it made him realize that these people were not just mindless pawns in the game, but complex individuals with their own stories and motivations. Thanos threw a punch, and Myung-gi tried to defend himself, but it was too late. The punch connected with his ribs, and he yelped in pain. Nam-gyu joined in, and soon Myung-gi was on the floor, taking blow after blow. He tried to crawl away, but Thanos was relentless. Young-il was doing the night watch for his “team” at the moment. Gihun insisted that they always have one member awake to alert the others in case of danger. Young-il had taken over so Gihun would sleep, and he was getting bored. Every player in here was asleep except him, if you could even call him a player considering the fact that he’s the organizer of these games, although the others don’t know that. As if on cue, as a gift to cure his boredom, one of his guards walks into the room making a swift line towards Young-il. Young-il had instructed the guards to not make his presence in the games known, so whatever this guard needed must’ve been important to potentially blow their cover if anybody woke up. “Sir we need your assistance in the bathroom,” the guard whispered in a distorted voice. The bathroom, that was a strange place for the guards to need assistance. Young-il nodded, stood up and followed his employee to the bathroom. The guard stopped beside the bathroom door, and Young-il entered the bathroom to find that there was only one occupant inside, player 333. Player 333 was a motionless bloody lump on the floor. He was fully nude, and his body was covered in bruised, blood, and semen. It was a disgusting sight. Young-il could tell that this young player got raped, even an idiot would be able to tell you that. Young-il had only recognized the man without his number id because he had saved him from getting beaten earlier that same day, so it was clear to Young-il who had attacked him, player 230 and 124. Myung-gi soon woke up, and his new found awakness was presented to the other with a physical full body flinch. Young-il now seeing that Myung-gi had awaken was going to more away and potentially give the man privacy but those plans quickly fell through. Myung-gi instantly recognized player 001 as his former savior before this incident, and he moved one of his shakey hands and set it on Young-il’s leg. “P-please don’t leave me alone, I-I-I don’t want it to h-ha-happen again,” Myung-gi sobbed out, his voice was as broken as his body was, he was pathetic and he knew it, but he didn’t care after the abuse he suffered. Young-il looked down at the boy, and felt an emotion he hadn’t felt in a long time the need to protect, the need to worship, and the need to cradle this weak pathetic charming man. He gently took Myung-gi’s hand in his, trying to comfort him. As Young-il looked at Myung-gi, he realized that this was more than just a game. This was a chance for him to make things right, to protect those who were vulnerable and helpless. And he knew that he would do everything in his power to keep Myung-gi safe. But for now, he just sat there, holding Myung-gi’s hand, and trying to process the emotions that were swirling inside him. The darkness of the bathroom seemed to fade away, replaced by a sense of purpose and determination. Young-il knew that he had to act, to protect Myung-gi and to make sure that he was safe. And as he looked at Myung-gi, he knew that he would do whatever it took to keep him safe, no matter the cost. The game was far from over, and Young-il was just getting started.