Far from the cramped chambers where players fought for their lives, another kind of battle played out—one fought with words, drinks, and quiet arrogance.
In the dimly lit observation room of the GAC headquarters, several high-backed chairs faced a massive wall of screens, each one streaming a different chamber from The Game of the Masterminds. The air smelled faintly of expensive cigars and cheap beer.
One of the head administrators leaned back in his seat, a half-empty bottle in hand. He took a long sip before speaking, his voice casual, almost bored.
"The games are going perfectly, sir. No problems so far. And I have to admit—watching these players kill each other for all sorts of personal reasons? That's entertainment."
He chuckled to himself, his eyes glued to a monitor showing a close-up of a trembling player in mid-breakdown.
"For a first round, this Speechlock is already one of my favorites," he continued. "If you ask me… this could make it into the top three best games we've ever run."
The GAC leader, seated beside him, gave a small grunt of approval, swirling the liquid in his glass.
"The fact is, despite being the first game, it has potential. It's sharp. Cruel. Unpredictable. Everything our audience loves."
From the far side of the table, a colder voice cut in.Kimaru Jong Han, President of Korea, didn't look at the screens when he spoke. He was focused on the faint reflection of his own face in the glass.
"Well, that's your opinion," he said flatly. "But I don't think it's that good."
The room went silent for a beat, tension thick in the air. The only sound was the faint hum of the monitors.
Finally, the owner of the game, seated at the head of the table, leaned forward. His smile was calm, but his eyes carried the weight of someone who never truly lost an argument.
"Still," he said softly, "it's good."
And that, in this room, was the final word. At least it will be the last word in the room you are going to know about for the Volume 1