The sky above the arena was painted in an eerie shade of red, the sun setting behind the massive, looming walls that trapped them inside this nightmare. The air smelled of sweat, blood, and desperation. Kyung-jun and Minji stood among the last few contestants, their numbered green tracksuits stained with dirt and dried blood.

They had made it this far.

But at what cost?

Minji clung to Kyung-jun’s sleeve, her fingers trembling slightly. "I can't do this anymore," she whispered, her voice so soft that only he could hear. "We've seen too much... lost too many..."

Kyung-jun swallowed hard, his grip tightening around her wrist protectively. He had tried to shield her from the worst of it, but this game was merciless. It didn’t matter how strong you were, how much you wanted to survive—this place took everything from you.

He wasn’t supposed to be here. She wasn’t supposed to be here.

Minji had been dragged into this nightmare because of debts her late father had left behind. Kyung-jun had come looking for her after she disappeared, only to be thrown into the same death trap. He would have gladly taken her place, suffered in her stead, but the games didn’t care for love or sacrifice.

They had survived Red Light, Green Light, dodged the bullets of failure.
They had survived the Honeycomb Game, where Minji's delicate hands had saved them both.

They had survived the Tug-of-War, where Kyung-jun had nearly lost his footing.
And they had survived the Glass Bridge, barely making it across with their lives.

Now, only one game remained. The Squid Game.

The masked guards stood in a line, their guns at the ready, watching the last few players like vultures circling a dying animal.

Kyung-jun pulled Minji close, his forehead pressing against hers. "Listen to me, Minji," he whispered, his voice shaking with urgency. "No matter what happens, you have to win. You understand?"

Her eyes widened in panic, her hands clutching his jacket desperately. "No—no, we’ll win together! We made it this far together, Kyung-jun, don’t say that—"

"We both know how this ends," he cut her off, his voice rough with barely restrained emotion. "The game won’t let both of us leave."

Minji shook her head violently, fresh tears slipping down her cheeks. "Then we don’t leave. Not without each other."

Kyung-jun exhaled shakily. He wanted to promise her that they would both walk out of here alive. That they would return to their normal lives, laughing and cooking in their tiny apartment, raising their baby together. But promises meant nothing here.

A masked guard stepped forward, announcing the final game.

Kyung-jun let out a hollow chuckle. "Squid Game, huh? We used to play this as kids."

Minji sniffled, rubbing her eyes like a child. "This isn't a game anymore."

"No," Kyung-jun murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "It's war."

---

The Final Game

The rain had started to fall, mixing with the blood-soaked dirt beneath them. Kyung-jun stood at the starting line, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. Across from him stood the last remaining contestant—Minji.

His Minji.

The Front Man’s voice echoed through the speakers. "Only one winner may leave. Begin."

Minji hesitated, staring at him with wide, broken eyes. "Kyung-jun..."

"Come at me," he ordered, his voice void of its usual warmth. "Fight me, Minji. If you don’t, they'll kill us both."

She shook her head, stepping back. "No... I can't do this."

Kyung-jun rushed forward and grabbed her shoulders, shaking her slightly. "You have to. You have to survive. For our baby. For us."

She let out a choked sob. "Not without you!"

He closed his eyes briefly, before pulling her into his arms one last time. "Then I'm making this choice for you."

Before she could react, Kyung-jun spun her around, his arms tightening in a crushing grip. With all his remaining strength, he slammed her onto the ground, pinning her beneath him.

Minji gasped in shock, struggling beneath him, but he was stronger. He always had been.

"Kyung-jun! No—please!" she screamed, thrashing against him, but he wouldn’t let go.

Tears spilled from his eyes, dripping onto her face as he whispered brokenly, "I love you, Minji."

Then, in one swift motion, he rolled off her and landed outside the boundary line.

A single gunshot rang out.

Minji’s scream tore through the silence, her body lurching forward as Kyung-jun collapsed to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.

The world became a blur of sound. The Front Man announcing her victory. The guards stepping forward. The rain drumming against the pavement.

Minji crawled to him, her hands pressing desperately against his wound. "No—no, you idiot, why did you do that?! We could have—"

"Shhh," Kyung-jun murmured weakly, a small, tired smile on his lips. His hand reached up, fingers brushing against her cheek. "You're safe now… that’s all that matters."

Minji sobbed uncontrollably, shaking her head. "I don't want to be safe without you!"

His breathing was getting slower, his grip weaker. "Take care of our baby, Minji… tell them… I loved her , my beautiful little angel."

"No! Don't say goodbye! Stay with me!"

But Kyung-jun only gave her one last look—one filled with love, regret, and a silent apology.

Then, his hand slipped from her cheek.

And his eyes closed for the last time.

Minji’s wails echoed through the arena as the guards approached, lifting her to her feet, escorting her away. She didn't fight them. She didn't care anymore. The world had already ended the moment Kyung-jun took that bullet for her.

She had won the Squid Game.

But she had lost everything else.

—
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