**Chapter 4: The Whispering Walls**

The fluorescent lights above seemed to hum in sync with my racing heart as I scanned the crowd, searching for any sign of the mysterious player who had just revealed himself. Sae-byeok's eyes were fixed on me, her expression a mixture of curiosity and caution. "What did you see?" she asked, her voice low and urgent. I hesitated, unsure of how to explain the fleeting moment of connection I had shared with the other player. "Just someone who seemed... different," I said, trying to keep my voice down. Sae-byeok's gaze lingered on me, as if searching for any hidden meaning behind my words. Then, she nodded and turned her attention back to the screen, where the figure in the white suit was now announcing the rules of the next game. "...and the objective is simple," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "Each player must navigate the Maze of Reflections and reach the exit within the allotted time. But be warned, the maze is designed to test your sanity, and not everyone will make it out alive." The players around us stirred, their faces still blank and empty. But I knew that I had to be careful, to stay one step ahead of the game's controllers. I turned to Sae-byeok, my eyes locking onto hers. "We need to get out of here," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the din of the crowd. "We can't play by their rules." Sae-byeok's expression was grim, but she nodded in agreement. "I know a way," she said, her voice low and urgent. "Follow me." Without another word, she turned and pushed her way through the crowd, disappearing into the sea of players. I followed close behind, my heart racing with excitement and fear. As we walked, the corridors seemed to shift and twist around us, leading us deeper into the heart of the complex. The air grew thick with the scent of disinfectant and something else, something sweet and acrid. I could feel the walls closing in around us, the shadows cast by the flickering fluorescent lights seeming to move and twist like living things. Sae-byeok stopped suddenly, her hand on my arm. "Wait," she whispered, her eyes fixed on something ahead. I followed her gaze, and my heart sank. A group of players was gathered around a large metal door, their faces blank and their eyes empty. The door was adorned with a sign that read "Maze of Reflections" in bold, red letters. Sae-byeok's grip on my arm tightened. "This must be it," she whispered. "The entrance to the maze." I felt a shiver run down my spine as I gazed at the door. What horrors lay beyond it? And what secrets would we uncover as we navigated the twisting corridors of the maze? The players around us began to move forward, their movements mechanical and controlled. Sae-byeok and I exchanged a glance, our hearts racing in unison. We knew that we had to be careful, to stay one step ahead of the game's controllers. As we stepped forward, the metal door creaked open, revealing a dark and foreboding passageway. I felt a sense of trepidation, but I steeled myself and stepped forward, Sae-byeok by my side. The door creaked shut behind us, and we were plunged into darkness. The only sound was the creaking of the old complex's metal beams and the distant hum of machinery. I knew that we were on our own, that we had to rely on each other to survive. And then, I heard it. A faint whispering, echoing off the walls of the maze. It was a soft, raspy voice, speaking words that I couldn't quite make out. But I knew that I had to listen, to follow the voice and see where it would lead us. I turned to Sae-byeok, my eyes locking onto hers. "Do you hear that?" I whispered, my voice barely audible over the sound of my own heartbeat. Sae-byeok's expression was grim, but she nodded. "Let's go," she said, her voice low and urgent. Together, we stepped forward into the darkness, the whispering walls guiding us deeper into the heart of the maze.