**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. 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.” 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. “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?!" 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.” It was the usual defense. The same one he used before. The same one that Thanos disregarded with those strung out eyes. 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 tell where this was heading. Nobody can help him now. His eyes did widen at Thanos’ suicide confession, though. He’s a drugged out prick that’s only worried about money, of course he’d be suicidal. “And I’m sorry to hear that…” Myung-gi’s tone softened, only a little. “…but I gave a fair warning in all of my videos so that I wouldn’t be held accountable for—!" A sickening thud crashed into his ribs. He yelped, his body defensively curling. “You don’t want to be held accountable?” Nam-gyu asked, pulling his fist back, delivering another strike to Myung-gi across the cheek, sending the opposition to the floor. Myung-gi’s head rang and his vision became a blur. That hurt, bad. He groaned, pushing himself away with his hands, but he felt a strong hand pull him by the collar. It was Thanos. “You don’t get to leave this game.” Thanos said, his hand pulling at the X patch across Myung-gi’s chest, spit flying from his mouth. “Not until the prize money is enough to pay me back. I want what I’m owed—and extra. Every last piece you make? It’s mine.” Myung-gi shook his head, shoving Thanos away from him from his seated position on the floor. “I need the money too!” Bad idea. Thanos stumbled. It didn’t take long for him to correct himself. Nam-gyu immediately defended his newfound buddy with a heavy kick straight to Myung-gi’s chest, knocking the wind out of him. Myung-gi couldn’t even yell. It came out as a weak whimper—a cough. Thanos, infuriated, got on top of Myung-gi, throwing heavy blows directly at his face. The smaller man didn’t even have time to put a guard up, or think to defend himself. The punches landed, each one. And all of them did a fair amount of damage. Blood spilled from Myung-gi’s nose, a gash was now formed on his forehead, his cheek swelled up. 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 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. “What’s wrong,” Young-il asked with a raised brow. “One of the players is unconscious in the bathroom, he’s still alive but he has serious injury’s,” the guard whispered. 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. Young-il sighed and walked to Myung-gi’s side, then he crouched down to inspect some of the bruising on his chest. Myunggi soon woke up, and his new found awakness was presented to the other with a physical full body flinch. Young-il now seeing that Myunggi had awaken was going to more away and potentially give the man privacy but those plans quickly fell through. Myunggi instantly recognized player 001 as his former savior before this incident, and he moved one of his shakey hands and set it on the others leg. “P-please don’t leave me alone, I-I-I don’t want it to h-ha-happen again,” Myunggi 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 patheticlly charming man. Young-il took a deep breath and tried to comfort Myung-gi. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m here. You’re safe now,” Young-il said softly, trying to reassure Myung-gi. Myung-gi looked up at Young-il, and for a moment, their eyes locked. Myung-gi’s eyes were filled with tears, and Young-il could see the fear and vulnerability in them. Young-il’s expression softened, and he gently placed a hand on Myung-gi’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I won’t leave you. I’ll make sure you’re safe,” Young-il said, trying to keep his voice calm and soothing. As Young-il spoke, he could feel a sense of responsibility wash over him. He had to make sure Myung-gi was safe, and that he didn't suffer anymore. Young-il glanced at the guard who had accompanied him to the bathroom. “Take care of his injuries,” Young-il instructed the guard. “And make sure he's comfortable. I'll take care of the rest." The guard nodded and began to tend to Myung-gi's wounds. Young-il stood up, his eyes never leaving Myung-gi's face. "I'll make sure those who hurt you pay for what they've done," Young-il said, his voice low and menacing. Myung-gi's eyes widened, and he looked up at Young-il with a mix of fear and gratitude. Young-il's expression hardened, and he turned to leave the bathroom. But before he left, he turned back to Myung-gi and said, "You're not alone anymore. I'm here for you." And with that, Young-il left the bathroom, leaving Myung-gi to wonder if he had just found a savior, or a new source of danger.