**Chapter 1: Rebirth**

The memories of the Games still lingered in the air, like the faint scent of blood and sweat. It had been months since the rebellion, months since the players had banded together to take down the Front Man and the sinister forces behind the Games. Jia, the winner of the 2021 Games, sat quietly in her hospital bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling as she tried to piece together the fragments of her past. Young-il, now known as In-ho, had become a close friend after the Games. She had confided in him, sharing her experiences and the trauma she had endured. But little did she know, their bond was about to be tested. The door to her room creaked open, and a gentle voice whispered, "Jia, can I come in?" It was a doctor, accompanied by a nurse. They exchanged worried glances before the doctor continued, "We've been running some tests, and... we need to talk to you about your condition." Jia's gaze drifted towards them, her expression a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "What condition?" The nurse hesitated before speaking, "You're... you're pregnant, Jia." The words hung in the air like a challenge, and Jia's eyes widened in shock. She felt as though she had been punched in the gut, her mind reeling with questions. How? When? And, most of all, why? The memories of the rebellion flooded back, and Jia's thoughts turned to 456, her ally in the fight against the Games. They had planned to infiltrate the game, to save the people and put an end to the twisted entertainment. But In-ho... In-ho had betrayed her. Or so she thought. The pain in her leg, a dull ache that had been nagging her since the Games, resurfaced, and Jia's eyes dropped to her bandaged thigh. She remembered the sound of gunfire, the feeling of being shot, and the chaos that followed. The doctor's voice brought her back to the present, "We're going to run some more tests, make sure everything is okay. But for now, we need you to rest." Jia's mind was a jumble of emotions, her thoughts racing with questions and fears. She felt lost, alone, and adrift. The doctor's words were a distant hum, as she struggled to come to terms with her new reality. In-ho walked into the room, a bouquet of flowers in hand, a gentle smile on his face. "Jia, I've been worried sick about you. How are you feeling?" Their eyes met, and for a moment, Jia felt a spark of warmth, a sense of comfort. But it was quickly extinguished by the turmoil brewing inside her. She didn't know what to believe, what to think. All she knew was that her world had been turned upside down, and she was left to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. The flowers In-ho held seemed like a cruel joke, a reminder of the bond they had shared, and the trust she had placed in him. Jia's gaze dropped, and she whispered, "I need some time, In-ho. Just... time."