Reunion in Seoul

Sae Byeok's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief as she stood outside the small street food stall, her short hair a stark contrast to the feminine features that Sang Woo had never noticed before. He had assumed she was a man, a product of her tough exterior and the circumstances they had found themselves in during the Squid Game. But now, as he looked at her, he saw a young woman, no more than 18 years old, with a determined glint in her eye. Sang Woo's jaw dropped as he took a step back, his mind reeling with the revelation. He had been so caught up in his own exhaustion and unease that he hadn't even considered the possibility that Sae Byeok might be a woman. "Sae Byeok?" he stammered, trying to process this new information. Sae Byeok nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I've been looking for you, Sang Woo," she said, her voice still low and even, but with a hint of sweetness that Sang Woo found disarming. As they stood there, the sounds of the city swirling around them, Sang Woo couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. He had assumed she was a man, and now he was faced with the reality of his own biases. He was 30, and she was just a teenager, barely 18. "Let's talk," Sae Byeok said, her voice firm, and Sang Woo nodded, still trying to wrap his head around this new information. They walked to a nearby alley, the neon lights of the city giving way to a more subdued atmosphere. The air was thick with the smell of exhaust fumes and greasy food. As they stopped in the shadows, Sae Byeok turned to Sang Woo, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "I have a proposition for you, Sang Woo. One that requires your... particular set of skills." Sang Woo raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. What could Sae Byeok possibly want from him? And what kind of proposition could be worth the risk of getting entangled with this enigmatic and sometimes deadly young woman? "I've been in touch with some people," Sae Byeok said, her voice low and conspiratorial. "People who are interested in taking down the people who created the Squid Game. They're looking for someone with your skills, Sang Woo." Sang Woo's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the implications. He had thought he was done with that world, but Sae Byeok's presence here, now, made him wonder if he was really free. "What do you want from me?" he asked, his voice cautious. Sae Byeok smiled, her eyes glinting with a hint of determination. "I want you to help me take them down, Sang Woo. Together, we can make a difference." Sang Woo hesitated, unsure of what to make of Sae Byeok's proposal. He had thought he was done with the games, but a part of him still wanted to see justice served. And as he looked at Sae Byeok, he saw a determination and a fire that he couldn't ignore.