The woman's knife sliced into Anya's skin. "You'll die after 30 seconds," she hissed.
Anya yanked out the blade, her eyes flashing with pain. "Hide now," she whispered urgently to Sangwon. "30 seconds left."
With only seconds to spare, Sangwon didn't have time to search for medical supplies. He clamped his hand over Anya's wound, applying pressure to stop the bleeding as they desperately sought a new hiding spot. Time was running out, and every moment counted.
Can you move?" he whispered. Anya nodded faintly, her face pale.
The countdown began: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6... Sangwon pulled Anya close, and they sprinted through the shadows, their breathing ragged. They ducked behind a door, slipping into the vast darkness of the huge dining hall.
Sangwon's hand remained firmly pressed over Anya's wound. "It hurts, I know," he whispered. "But I have to stop the bleeding."
"Time's running out," Gyeon Wo whispered, his eyes fixed on the ticking clock. "Look at that – time's still going. It must be the game duration, probably a fixed time, like an hour or something. We need to eliminate at least two teams to survive, and we can take out more if possible. But remember, we have to switch spots every 15 minutes."
Emma's gaze met Gyeon Wo's, a hint of playfulness in her eyes. "Why are you looking at me like that? Falling for my charm?" she teased, her voice barely above a whisper.
Gyeon Wo smiled briefly.
The mysterious voice echoed, "Team 4 is eliminated."
Emma's expression turned focused. "I think they're hiding there," she whispered. "Let's use our butterfly tattoo – thanks to your experiment, we know it can disable powers."
Gyeon Wo's eyes locked onto the target. "They're hiding there," he whispered, his voice low and deadly. "Let's activate Nightshade."
"What's the point of this useless butterfly other than a knife?" Team 28 taunted, their contempt palpable. "You're useless, just like all those pathetic teams and this wretched world. We'll slaughter as many as we can and be the ones to escape."
But Emma's voice cut through their arrogance like a blade. "This tattoo has disabled your powers, and we're the ones who'll take you down." With ruthless efficiency, Emma and Gyeon Wo closed in on Team 28.
The outcome was sealed. "Team 28 is eliminated," the voice declared.
Meanwhile, Sangwon and Anya were locked in a desperate hunt for their next target. "We need to keep moving," Sangwon urged, his grip on Anya's hand tightening to stem her bleeding. "I'll hold your hand tighter to stop the bleeding."
Anya's determination burned brighter. "I'm fine. Let's finish this."
As they crept forward, time ticking away, Anya spotted a potential target. "We've got about 10 minutes left," she whispered. "Let's see if we can find another team to eliminate. Should I use the butterfly?" Her eyes locked onto the target, but Team 13 was one step ahead, unleashing a mysterious tattoo that neither Sangwon nor Anya had seen before. The game had just taken a deadly turn.
Anya's desperation grew. "What's happening? The tattoo isn't working! Do they have another survival tattoo that we don't know about?"
The boy from Team 13 sneered, "Take her down; she's already bleeding out. We have only five minutes left." Sangwon and Anya exchanged a terrified glance, their minds racing for a solution.
Anya's determination surged. "Let go of my hand; I'll be fine. We have to take them down – it's our only chance." The girl from Team 13 lunged at Anya, but she swiftly countered with a brutal front kick, sending the girl crashing to the ground.
As the boy from Team 13 charged at Sangwon, blade in hand, Anya yanked Sangwon to safety, using her injured hand to shield him. The pain was agonizing, but she didn't flinch.
The ominous voice echoed, "Time's running out." Sangwon spotted a mysterious icon on the wall – a power weapon waiting to be claimed. "What's that?" he whispered, his eyes locked on the icon.
Anya's voice was barely audible. "It could be our only hope. Go grab it. I'll hold them off."
Sangwon sprinted toward the power weapon, his heart racing with urgency. "Ahh! Let my hand go!" Anya'sanguished scream pierced the air as the boy from Team 13 stood on her stabbed hand, his weight crushing her.
"Eliminate her first, then we'll get him," the girl's cold voice echoed, her words dripping with malice. But just as they were about to deliver the final blow, Sangwon activated his newly acquired power weapon tattoo. The room froze as the tattoo's power surged through the air, immobilizing Team 13 for a crucial minute.
With their opponents paralyzed, Sangwon and Anya struck with deadly precision, taking down Team 13 with ease.
"Team 13 is eliminated," the voice declared, its tone devoid of emotion.
The sound of ticking grew louder – Tick, tick, tick – as time continued to run out. "We're safe," Sangwon whispered to Anya, relief washing over him. "Let's get to the medical room – we need to stop your bleeding," he urged, his voice laced with concern.
The medical room creaked open with a faint click-clack, and Sangwon and Anya slipped inside, their footsteps silent on the floor. Anya's hand was still bleeding, and Sangwon quickly scanned the shelves for medical supplies.
"We should stay here," Anya whispered urgently. "We've completed our mission, and we're cleared. We don't need to move."
Sangwon's eyes narrowed. "We can't be sure it's safe. We need to be cautious."
Meanwhile, in another room, Wendy and Min-Hyuk were in a desperate standoff. The sound of gunfire echoed through the hallway
- Bang! Bang! -
and Wendy's voice trembled with fear.
"They're shooting! We have to act fast!" she cried.
Min-Hyuk's eyes locked onto hers, determination burning in his gaze. "Let's combine our tattoos - my sword and your gun. It might create something unique, something that can turn the tide."
Wendy's face was etched with doubt. "What if it doesn't work?"
Min-Hyuk's jaw clenched. "We have to try. We're running out of time, and they're closing in on us. We need to defend ourselves."
As they combined their tattoos, Wendy's eyes widened in awe.
"Ohhh! A red light zone is forming around them!" she exclaimed.
Min-Hyuk's face lit up with determination. "It worked! They can't cross this red line. Now let's take them out!" he shouted, knowing their time was running out.
One of the enemy team members let out a desperate cry: "I... I can't move!"
The air was filled with the sound of the countdown, and suddenly, a voice announced, "Team 5 is eliminated."
But their victory was short-lived. Hanjuk burst into the room, his eyes fixed on Wendy and Min-Hyuk with deadly intent. "Let's take them out too," he growled to Malsook.
Wendy's eyes blazed with fury.
"You think you're the only monster here?
I'll show you what monstrous really means!" she snarled, her voice dripping with venom. "What're you doing, you stupid head? You think only you can be monstrous? I'll be just as ruthless if I have to kill you – you monster!"
Just as Hanjuk was about to strike, the countdown timer hit zero.
"Beep! Beep!
Time's over!" a voice echoed through the room, halting Hanjuk's attack.
Hanjuk let out a frustrated sigh. "I couldn't kill you," he muttered, his eyes narrowing in disappointment.
The air was electric as Sangwon's words cut through the tension like a hot knife. "Time's over, we can go back now." Anya's gaze drifted off, lost in a sea of thought, her eyes clouded like a stormy sky.
Sangwon's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed in concern. "What's brewing in that mind of yours?"
Anya's response was hesitant, her voice barely above a whisper. "Nothing... just wondering what's lurking in those red zone rooms."
Sangwon's expression turned somber, his voice low and serious.
"You saw what happened to that girl on the path when Hanjuk pushed her. Those zones are forbidden for a reason – they're a death sentence."
Just then, the sound of raised voices exploded from the hallway, like a crack of thunder on a stormy night. Hanjuk and Malsook stood toe-to-toe, their argument erupting like a volcano. Malsook's eyes blazed with fury, her voice a fierce whisper.
"What's your problem, Hanjuk? Why did you slaughter those teenagers? We've already eliminated two teams – it was a senseless slaughter!"
Hanjuk's sneer grew more pronounced, his eyes glinting with malice. Malsook's voice trembled with rage. "I'd rather die than be your partner in crime and kill innocent people. You're a monster, Hanjuk – a ruthless killer. I don't know why I'm stuck in this hell with you; I must have done something terribly wrong."
Hanjuk's response was cold, his voice dripping with venom. "I'm a monster? I've been trying to go easy on you, but now it seems you're not as innocent as you seem."
The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unspoken threats and unresolved conflict. It was like a powder keg waiting to ignite.
"You're a psycho who preys on innocent girls, you stalker!" Malsook spat, her words dripping with venom. But before she could finish, Hanjuk's anger detonated, and he slapped her hard, trying to choke the life out of her. Anya shot into action like a bullet, rushing to Malsook's aid with lightning speed!
"What are you, are you even sane? You need to be locked up in a mental asylum!" Anya shouted, her voice like a thunderclap.
Hanjuk's face turned beet red with rage. "How dare you interrupt us? Who are you to think you can take us down?" he snarled, his eyes blazing like fire.
Just as Hanjuk shoved Anya, Sangwon swooped in, catching her and positioning himself in front of her, shielding her from harm. Hanjuk sneered, "Oh wow, look at that – we've got an idol trying to be a hero! You stupid celebrity, you're just like us here – a pawn in the game! I've heard people say you're all about beauty and got in because of your face card, now I see why."
Sangwon stood firmly in front of Anya. Anya thought to herself, "I may be a timid or introverted girl, but if I have to protect him, I'll do whatever it takes." With that thought, she gently took Sangwon's hand and came in front of him, her eyes flashing like fireworks. With a swift motion, she slapped Hanjuk hard, the sound echoing through the room like a sonic boom! The crowd gasped in shock, their jaws dropping like dominoes.
"You're way too far gone, saying stuff like that! Ever seen him shine or his talent light up the stage?" Anya blazed, her words like fiery sparks! "He's not some creepy stalker like you or a monster! Say one more bad thing about him, and I swear on everything, I'll make you regret it!" she growled, her voice like thunder. "You must be green with envy because of his face card! Before he dazzled as an idol, he was a star athlete, crushing it on the field – so don't even think about bringing up talent!"
Anya snapped, her voice sharp as a whip. "You stupid piece of garbage!" she hurled, her words like a dagger. "Whoa, she's on fire🔥!" Emma cheered, her eyes wide with awe.
"How dare you slap me, you sneaky vixen?" Hanjuk snarled, his face twisted in rage, lunging to slap her. But Sangwon was lightning-fast, grabbing Hanjuk's hand in a steel grip and shoving him back.
BEEP!
A piercing sound sliced through the air, making everyone jump! "Back to your rooms, NOW! No fighting, or you'll face the music!" a voice boomed, echoing like thunder.
"Your hand's bleeding," Wendy said, concern etched on her face. Anya just murmured, "Hmm..."
"Mrs. Han Daon, can you please dress her wound?" Sangwon asked, his voice laced with worry. "Let's take a look – maybe you didn't dress it properly, and that's why it's bleeding again," Mrs. Han Daon said, her voice soft but firm. "You can go back," Anya said to Sangwon, her voice gentle as a breeze.
Anya's eyes locked onto the forbidden red zones after Mrs. Han Daon patched up her wound.
"The zones on the path earlier showed desires, but these red zones are eerily dark. Something's off – there has to be more to it," Anya thought, her mind whirling with questions.