Countries of the World - Squid Game | Season 2, Chapter 5 - FINALE

PROFILES FOR EACH CHARACTER

Remaining Players: 10

Before we continue with the story, we will announce the results of the fan vote.

"Hello, players. Welcome to the results of the viewer vote. As you know, this is televised. The viewers at home got to vote on who should stay and who should go. They can choose up to (1) contestant who should be eliminated."

"I will read the votes aloud, one by one."

"I hope you get voted out." 136|Indiana scoffed in 015|FreeStater's direction. "You're truly a menace."

"Do you think before you speak? Is your mouth connected to your brain?" 129|Deathslayer asked, nonplussed.

"Guilty." 015|FreeStater laughed.

"Don't be so sensitive." 155|Astana approached them. "He only did what he was instructed to do."

"True, but he definitely leaned into that Murderer role." 136|Indiana retorted.

"Because it's exhilarating having that level of control." 015|FreeStater cracked his knuckles.

"At least you can admit you enjoyed murdering others." 003|ItzIngenious sneered.

"You would've enjoyed it too if it was you instead o' me." 015|FreeStater shot back.

"You've... got a point." 003|ItzIngenious backed off.

"The first vote is for... 034|South Korea."

"082|Oman."

"082|Oman."

"100|Spain."

100|Spain shook his head in disapproval.

"124|Kuwait."

"124|Kuwait."

"124|Kuwait."

"124|Kuwait."

"034|South Korea."

"100|Spain."

"124|Kuwait."

"124|Kuwait."

"100|Spain."

"034|South Korea."

"100|Spain."

"100|Spain."

"100|Spain."

"124|Kuwait."

"That is 2 votes for 082|Oman, 3 votes for 034|South Korea, 6 votes for 100|Spain, and 7 votes for 124|Kuwait."

"Wait, what? Where al-am takings me-"

124|Kuwait looked around at her peers with engorged eyes as six guards seized her and dragged her through the metal doors behind the stage.

When the doors closed, everyone heard a gunshot.

"Player: 124|Kuwait, eliminated. 9 players remain." 

"I can't believe I made it this far..." 129|Deathslayer began to pace anxiously.

"I'm ecstatic. I really think that I have a chance to win." 003|ItzIngenious cracked his knuckles readily.

"Well that ain't possible." 015|Freestater sniggered.

"And why's that?" 155|Astana asked.

"Because I'm gonna win." The four of them laughed heartily.

"Attention, players. Your next challenge will begin momentarily."

"Have they ever given us an actual sufficient break between challenges besides the federally required 8 hours of sleep?" 155|Astana grumbled.

"Of course not, us being well-rested isn't profitable." 129|Deathslayer rolled his eyes.

"Is fine. We will doings fine even if we not gettings many sleep." 082|Oman smiled.

"Our next challenge is... Musical Chairs."

"A jubilant game turned into a death match. Wonderful." 086|ColinShadow laughed sarcastically.

"That does seem to be a recurring theme..." 003|ItzIngenious lamented darkly.

Suddenly, the voice over the PA crackled to life once more.

"Attention, players. The game of Musical Chairs will begin shortly. Please follow the guards into the gaming hall."

"I'm starting to really hate this game." 003|ItzIngenious had to speed-walk to keep up with the tenacious guards.

"Starting to?" 129|Deathslayer asked incredulously.

The players were led through a dimly lit corridor punctuated by the echo of distant music. They moved in single file, the sound of their footsteps muted against the cold floor.

086|ColinShadow glanced nervously at 034|South Korea. "I'm so nervous."

034|South Korea shrugged. “Na am not know what we are goings to do, but we am havings be ready.”

129|Deathslayer focused straight ahead, determined to mask their fear, while 003|ItzIngenious fidgeted with their hands,. 00|Spain shifted uncomfortably, stealing glances at the guards.

The guards maintained a strict posture, their featureless masks reflecting the dim lights. Occasionally, a guard issued a sharp gesture, prompting the players to hurry.

The corridor opened into a larger room, and the music swelled as opposed to the preceding silence. Bright lights illuminated the space, revealing a circle of mismatched wooden chairs set with precise spacing.

As they stepped into the gaming area, the music softened, and the guards positioned themselves at the entrance, watching intently.

"Attention, players. Musical Chairs is about to begin."

"Oh, no." 003|ItzIngenious pined over the otherwise empty room.

"Eight chairs have been arranged in a circle. When the music commences, you will walk around the chairs. When the music pauses, you must find a seat. There will always be one chair less than the number of players."

"The player left without a chair will be executed. This process will repeat until there are 3 players remaining. 6 players will be eliminated in this game."

"Wow. so two-thirds of us won't make it past Musical Chairs?" 015|FreeStater steeled his resolve in preparation.

Without any preparation, the familiar children's song played.

[ 🎶 Dunggeulge dunggeulge 🎶]

"Not this song again." 003|ItzIngenious quickly began walking in long strides to keep up with the music.

[ 🎶 Dunggeulge dunggeulge 🎶]

136|Indiana was walking the fastest, eager to be the first to claim a seat.

[ 🎶 Binggeulbinggeul doragamyeo chumeul chupsida 🎶]

129|Deathslayer and 155|Astana tried to walk as slowly as possible in an effort to always be near a seat.

[ 🎶 Sonppyeogeul chimyeonseo, noraereul bureumyeo 🎶]

082|Oman was terrified of being caught between seats. She knew she lacked the strength or agility to fight for the chairs.

[ 🎶 La-la-la-la, jeulgeoupge chumchuja 🎶]

034|South Korea was daydreaming, skipping along happily to one of his favorite childhood songs.

[ 🎶 Ring-a-ring-a, ring-a, ring-a-ring-a, r- 🎶]

The music stopped, and it was a mad dash to get a seat.

034|South Korea was first to get into a chair. He threw himself into the seat closest to him, and watched havoc unfold.

129|Deathslayer practically body-slammed 155|Astana to stop her from getting the chair closest to her. 129|Deathslayer was the next to find his seat. 155|Astana was also able to capture a chair despite being winded from her tussle with 129|Deathslayer.

As the quickest, 136|Indiana had no problem evading notice and getting the seat furthest away from the action. Only four seats remained.

082|Oman held onto her chair for dear life and managed to just barely sit on it to prevent it from being yanked from under her.

100|Spain, eyes wide with panic, spotted an empty chair and dashed forward, colliding with 015|FreeStater, who had also seen the opportunity. “Watch it!” 015|FreeStater snapped, pushing 100|Spain back. The two struggled, hands grasping at jumpsuits, trying to gain the upper hand.

Meanwhile, 086|ColinShadow had barely made it to a chair when 003|ItzIngenious barreled past, knocking him off balance. “No way! That’s mine!” 086|ColinShadow yelled, but 003|ItzIngenious was already settling into the seat, a triumphant grin on his face. There were only two available seats remaining.

015|FreeStater and 100|Spain were locked in a fierce struggle near the remaining chairs. “Let go!” 015|FreeStater cried, pulling at 100|Spain's arm.

With a swift motion, 015|FreeStater broke free and dove for the second-to-last chair.

"There's one left!" 086|ColinShadow raced for the last seat, 100|Spain hot on his tail. As 086|ColinShadow dove for the chair, 100|Spain tackled him out of the air.

"OH!" 003|ItzIngenious gawked at the sight.

086|ColinShadow was immobilized, and 100|Spain captured the last seat.

"Player 086|ColinShadow, eliminated. 8 players remain." 

"ANIIIIII!" 034|South Korea screamed in horror as 086|ColinShadow was transformed into a pallid, bloody mass on the floor. He had no time to dwell on it.

The guards shifted their positions, and one stepped forward to remove a chair. The chair scraped against the floor with a sharp and jarring squeal. As it was placed aside, the remaining players exchanged nervous glances.

Suddenly, the music started once more, a cacophony that filled the room and set the players in motion.

[ 🎶 Dunggeulge dunggeulge 🎶]

They again began to walk in a slow circle.

[ 🎶 Dunggeulge dunggeulge 🎶]

129|Deathslayer kept his eyes on 155|Astana, who was inching closer to the remaining chairs.

[ 🎶 Binggeulbinggeul doragamyeo chumeul chupsida 🎶]

015|FreeStater whispered quietly to himself, glancing back at the guards, who stood watch with unwavering intensity.

[ 🎶 Sonppyeogeul chimyeonseo, noraereul bureumyeo 🎶]

034|South Korea tried to stay focused, though his emotions clouded his judgment.

[ 🎶 La-la-la-la, jeulgeoupge chumchu- 🎶]

In an instant, chaos erupted. 034|South Korea darted toward an empty chair, but 136|Indiana was hot on their heels desperately. 136|Indiana shouted in aggravation, shoving 034|South Korea aside. The two collided.

Meanwhile, 003|ItzIngenious and 129|Deathslayer were wrestling near another chair.

“Get off me!” 003|ItzIngenious yelled, grappling with 129|Deathslayer. 155|Astana had spotted an opportunity and seized it, slipping past the scuffle to settle into the chair that had just been freed.

015|FreeStater glanced around, panic rising as he realized he was too far from any chair.

082|Oman, who was closer to the remaining chairs, took advantage of the chaos, pushing 100|Spain aside with a hard shove. 082|Oman yelled loudly in excitement, claiming the chair for herself.

034|South Korea clambered from the ground, scrambling to get back on his feet.

003|ItzIngenious managed to break free from 129|Deathslayer’s grasp, lunging for a chair just as 100|Spain was about to claim it.

By now, 003|ItzIngenious had claimed that chair, and 136|Indiana and 100|Spain had also found seats. Only 129|Deathslayer, 015|FreeStater, and 034|South Korea remained.

129|Deathslayer dove headfirst for one of the last two chairs, landing on it and almost breaking it. He sat in it swiftly, leaving only one chair behind.

015|FreeStater was about to sit in the last chair, but 034|South Korea picked the chair up, and 015|FreeStater landed on the ground with a thud.

"Ow!" 015|FreeStater landed on his tailbone.

034|South Korea proudly claimed the last chair.

"Player 015|FreeStater, eliminated. 7 players remain." 

"Damn." 003|ItzIngenious grimaced from his chair as the guards put 015|FreeStater out of his misery.

"Finally." 136|Indiana laughed.

"That's really weird." 155|Astana remarked coldly.

The guards remained still, when suddenly one of them stepped forward. The guard approached the remaining chairs. He reached down and grasped one of the chairs, pulling it away with a swift motion. The scraping sound echoed on the linoleum floor, leaving only six chairs for the seven players.

003|ItzIngenious broke the silence.“This is it. One of us is going to be out.”

“Don’t think I’ll make it easy for you,” 136|Indiana shot back, standing impassively.

[ 🎶 Dunggeulge dunggeulge 🎶]

The seven of them began pacing the menacing chairs once again.

[ 🎶 Dunggeulge dunggeulge 🎶]

"Am hate this juego." 100|Spain whined.

[ 🎶 Binggeulbinggeul doragamyeo chumeul chupsida 🎶]

"Am love this song. Na am sad is be use for such evil." 034|South Korea sighed.

[ 🎶 Sonppyeogeul chimyeonseo, noraereul bureumyeo 🎶]

"I'm the fastest, I'm the best... I can do this..." 136|Indiana assured himself.

[ 🎶 La-la-la-la, jeulgeoupge chumchuja 🎶]

"I'm so nervous..." 003|ItzIngenious was visibly trembling as he walked.

[ 🎶 Ring-a-ring-a- 🎶]

The music paused, and chaos ensued once again. 155|Astana and 136|Indiana pounced on the chairs nearest to them, desperate to advance to the next round.

082|Oman circled the perimeter, trying to take a seat from under people that would waste time bickering over them.

129|Deathslayer pushed 003|ItzIngenious to the ground in pursuit of an empty chair, and 003|ItzIngenious struggled to get back up.

082|Oman finally located an empty chair, stepping on 003|ItzIngenious' back as she ran to claim it.

By the time 003|ItzIngenious finally got up, all the seats were taken. A defeated smile stretched across his freckled face as he was pounded with bullets.

"Player 003|ItzIngenious, eliminated. 6 players remain." 

[ 🎶 Dunggeulge dunggeulge 🎶]

With absolutely no time to prepare, the music started once again, and the six remaining players resumed circling the chairs, now more desperate than ever.

[ 🎶 Dunggeulge dunggeulge 🎶]

"I'm getting really sick of this song." 129|Deathslayer complained.

[ 🎶 Binggeulbinggeul doragamyeo chumeul chupsida 🎶]

"Me too. It reminds me of death." 155|Astana sighed.

[ 🎶 Sonppyeogeul chimyeonseo, noraereul bureumyeo 🎶]

"Am not knowing, guys, this al-being so much fun!" 082|Oman skipped happily to the music.

[ 🎶 La-la-la-la, jeulgeoupge chumchuja 🎶]

"Ah, so you're just the masochist type." 129|Deathslayer suggested.

[ 🎶 Ring-a-ring-a, ring-a, ring-a-ring-a, ring 🎶]

"Am guess so." 082|Oman shrugged.

[ 🎶 Ring-a-ring-a, ring-a, ring-a-ring-a- 🎶]

Despite her nonchalant attitude, as soon as the music turned off, 082|Oman raced for the nearest chair, almost knocking it over with the force of her speed.

136|Indiana wasn't in a hurry, as confident in his skills as he was.

034|South Korea and 100|Spain scampered to the chairs closest to them, as they lacked confidence in their speed.

136|Indiana then began sprinting towards a chair, so incredibly fast that he tripped over the chair leg and essentially took flight, sailing across the room.

At that time, though, everyone had found a seat.

136|Indiana was shot out of the air, and collapsed in a bloody pile in the corner.

"Player 136|Indiana, eliminated. 5 players remain." 

"This is getting intense." 129|Deathslayer wiped the plentiful sweat from his forehead.

[ 🎶 Dunggeulge dunggeulge 🎶]

"When I win, if I ever hear this song again, I'm going to kill myself." 155|Astana adjusted her scarf as her pace quickened and it began to slip.

[ 🎶 Dunggeulge dunggeulge 🎶]

"That's so Guyanacore of you." 129|Deathslayer laughed.

[ 🎶 Binggeulbinggeul doragamyeo chumeul chupsida 🎶]

"Es muy triste that a song this bueno es be use por un game so malo."100|Spain sighed.

[ 🎶 Sonppyeogeul chimyeonseo, noraereul bureumyeo 🎶]

"Still am havings fun, Oman?" 034|South Korea asked.

[ 🎶 La-la-la-la, jeulgeoupge chumchuja 🎶]

"Yes, am havings many fun." 082|Oman continued skipping along to the music.

[ 🎶 Ring-a-ri- 🎶]

When the music stopped, 082|Oman's happy expression turned stoic. She immediately began shoving past the other players, for some reason sitting in the seat furthest from her original position, crossing her legs impassively.

"OW!" 034|South Korea held his leg as he twisted his ankle. He had been approaching a chair when his ankle inverted. 155|Astana swooped in and took the chair right from in front of him.

The other two chairs were on the other side of the circle, so he stood up to get one, but they had all been occupied.

A guard was already behind 034|South Korea, and shot him in the back of the head, the internal tissues of his head spilling onto the ground, and some of the blood splashing onto 082|Oman's pants.

"EW!" 155|Astana jumped up in horror. "MY CLOTHES!"

"Player 034|South Korea, eliminated. 4 players remain." 

"This is the final round of Musical Chairs. The players that get seats will advance to the next challenge." 

"This is it. It's all come down to this." 129|Deathslayer rubbed his hands together expectantly.

[ 🎶 Dunggeulge dunggeulge 🎶]

The players noticed that the music was much slower this time.

[ 🎶 Dunggeulge dunggeulge 🎶]

"What the hell?" 129|Deathslayer began walking faster as opposed to his previous leisurely stroll.

[ 🎶 Binggeulbinggeul doragamyeo chumeul chupsida 🎶]

[ 🎶 Sonppyeogeul chimyeonseo, noraereul bureumyeo 🎶]

[ 🎶 La-la-la-la, jeulgeoupge chumchuja 🎶]

[ 🎶 Ring-a-ri- 🎶]

129|Deathslayer lunged for a chair, but 100|Spain was quicker. “Not so rápido!” he shouted, shoving 129|Deathslayer aside, the two stumbling.

155|Astana, watching from the side, seized the opportunity. “You both are going down!” She darted toward the remaining chairs, but 082|Oman anticipated the move and intercepted them.

“Gettings back!” 082|Oman growled, pushing 155|Astana away. The struggle intensified as they all fought for their chance to sit.

In a frantic rush, they all lunged for the remaining three chairs. 129|Deathslayer managed to reclaim his footing and reached for the closest chair, but 100|Spain was right behind, determined to take it for himself.

With a swift move, 100|Spain shoved 129|Deathslayer aside again, causing them to stumble. “Tu no am gettings this one!”

In the chaos, 155|Astana and 082|Oman collided, both grappling for the same chair. In a desperate moment, 155|Astana pushed 082|Oman to the ground, claiming the chair as her own.

The guards watched impassively as 129|Deathslayer and 100|Spain struggled with 082|Oman, but only one could claim the last chair. Just as 082|Oman lunged forward again, 100|Spain pulled her down, using the momentum to secure the final seat.

"Player 082|Oman, eliminated. 3 players remain." 

Survived Musical Chairs: 3

Eliminated: 6

"Attention, players. There are only three players remaining in this game. Six players were eliminated during the last game. 086. 015. 003. 136. 034. 082. The prize amount is currently $193 million dollars."

"Player: 100|Spain. Player: 155|Astana. Player: 129|Deathslayer. You are the three finalists."

"I've been waiting to hear that for a long time." 129|Deathslayer sighed in relief.

"I can't believe this is really real." 155|Astana laughed incredulously, jumping for joy.

"Am muy proud of nosotros." 100|Spain smiled broadly.

"Me too." 129|Deathslayer stuck his thumb up.

"Attention, players. Your final challenge will begin shortly."

"You cannot be serious." 155|Astana scoffed in disbelief.

"Wait, final?" 100|Spain repeated.

"Your final challenge is... an escape room." 

"I love escape rooms." 155|Astana sprouted a wide grin.

"Each of you will be put in a different escape room of relatively equal difficulty. You will each have one hour to complete the challenge. The player that is the first to reach the Frontman Yacht at the dock by the entrance of the dorms wins Squid Game."

"This is the finale... it all comes down to this..." 155|Astana rubbed her hands together in excitement.

"In ten minutes, the vans will arrive to escort you to the escape rooms."

"This is so stressful." 155|Astana twirled her hair apprehensively.

"Vamos a ver." 100|Spain cracked his knuckles.

"It's crazy to think that at the start of this there were almost 200 of us. Now it's just us three." 129|Deathslayer lamented sadly.

"Yes, and how sad. Some of them were good people." 155|Astana frowned.

"Well, most. Not that idiot Indiana. Or that brat California." 129|Deathslayer laughed.

"Or Missouri and Nevada. A bunch of troublemakers." 155|Astana shook her head disapprovingly.

"O Nueva Jersey." 100|Spain chimed in.

"True. He was a d---." 155|Astana chuckled.

While they were socializing and laughing about, three hooded figures appeared behind them.

"What's-" 129|Deathslayer noticed the lurking shadow, but before he could comment on it, an object was placed over his face, and he passed out.

"What's wrong with-" 155|Astana was about to go assist 129|Deathslayer, but she was incapacitated too. She fell unconscious into the guard's arms, 100|Spain doing the same.

Room 1 - 129|Deathslayer

129|Deathslayer awoke in a dimly-lit jail cell. The only light came from a flickering bulb overhead. The walls were cold and damp, and the cell was sparsely furnished with a metal bed, a toilet, and a small bookshelf filled with dusty books.

129|Deathslayer stood in the middle of the cell, surveying his surroundings. He ran a hand through his shiny black hair nervously.

"Okay, just stay calm. This is just a game. I’ve faced worse than this." 129|Deathslayer attempted to reassure himself.

He approached the bookshelf, scanning the titles. His fingers grazed the spines of the books, searching for anything unusual.

"There has to be a clue here. Come on, think!"

He pulled a book from the shelf titled The Adventures of Jepp E. Jeppington. As he flipped through the pages, a small key fell out and clinked onto the floor.

129|Deathslayer grinned widely. "But... what’s this for?"

He pocketed the key and turned his attention to the walls, where he noticed strange markings. He leaned in closer, squinting to read the faint words.

"Riddles, huh? ‘To escape, you must see beyond the bars. What has keys but can’t open locks?’ A piano? No, that doesn’t make sense..." 129|Deathslayer laughed.

He paces the cell, frustration building as he tries to solve the riddle.

"Think, think! It’s probably something obvious. The answer must be right in front of me." 129|Deathslayer groaned loudly.

Suddenly, he spotted a small, rusted lock on the cell door.

"Of course! A piano has keys but doesn’t open locks. What if…"

He quickly checked his pockets for the key he found. "Let’s see if this works."

He inserted the key into the lock, but it didn't fit. He sighed, running a hand down his face.

"Alright, back to the drawing board. I need to focus on these riddles." he lamented quierly.

He moved to the wall and started reciting the riddle aloud.

"What has keys but can’t open locks? Hmm... A map! It has keys to locations but doesn’t unlock anything."

With insurmountable energy, he scanned the cell for a map, eventually finding one hidden beneath a loose floorboard.

"Yes! Now we're getting somewhere." He studied the map, noting the marked locations and what they might reveal.

"One step closer to that yacht." He exclaimed with renewed vigor. The bars shifted to the side, enabling him to leave the cell. He sprinted into the hallway in pursuit of the emergency exit.

Room 1 - 155|Astana

155|Astana regained consciousness in a chemistry lab. The air was thick with a strong corrosive smell, and the walls were covered in scribbled formulas and diagrams. A large periodic table hung prominently.

She stood at a central table, her eyes darting around the room, taking in the scene.

"Alright, focus," she murmured to herself, taking a deep breath. "There’s got to be a way out of here."

Her gaze fell on an open lab notebook lying on the table. She picked it up and flipped through the pages, searching for a pertinent formula. "C’mon, give me something useful."

As she scanned the notebook, a complicated equation caught her eye. "This looks promising. If I mix these chemicals correctly, maybe something will happen."

She moved to a nearby shelf, selecting the necessary vials. "Hydrochloric acid. Sodium bicarbonate. Now for the tricky part."

Carefully, she poured the hydrochloric acid into a beaker, her hands steady despite the apprehension. She hesitated for a moment, then added the sodium bicarbonate. The mixture fizzed violently, a cloud of gas erupting from the beaker.

"Wow! That’s more reaction than I expected," she gasped, stepping back to avoid the mist. As the gas cleared, she noticed a hidden message on the wall revealed by the reaction, words that seemed to shimmer in the dim light.

"Yes! A clue!" She leaned closer to read it aloud: "The key to escape lies where elements combine."

"Elements combine... Of course! The periodic table!" She rushed to the wall where the large periodic table was mounted. Her fingers traced over the elements, looking for combinations that might unlock the next clue.

"What do I need?" she thought aloud. "If I can find the right chemical reaction, it might reveal the key or a code."

She focused intently, recalling her chemistry lessons. "Bromine and potassium... no, that’s not it. Maybe sodium and chlorine?"

Just then, she remembered a drawer at the far end of the table. "There might be more supplies!" She hurried over, yanking it open to reveal a selection of additional chemicals.

"Perfect," she exclaimed, grabbing a vial of sodium chloride. She returned to the periodic table, combining the information she had gathered.

"Alright, let’s see if this works," she said, her heart pounding. She prepared another beaker, mixing the sodium chloride with the previous compounds.

As the mixture began to bubble, she watched closely, hoping for another reaction. The beaker emitted a bright flash, and a small compartment in the wall clicked open, revealing a glowing key.

"Yes!" she shouted. She grabbed the key and turned toward the locked door. She unlocked the door, which led to outside. Once the dock was within view, she took off running.

Room 1 - 100|Spain

In an elegant art gallery, it smelled strongly of aged wood and varnish, and the polished marble floor reflected the canvases on display. One particular painting stood out to 100|Spain.

He stood in the center of the room, absorbing the atmosphere.

"Alright, es tiempo find un way out," 100|Spain murmured, glancing around. "There has to be something here."

He wandered toward a large painting of a serene landscape, the colors vibrant and inviting. "Eso feeing diferente," he thought, studying it closely. "¿Puede hide una clue?"

As he examined the edges of the frame, he noticed a small, almost imperceptible button tucked away.

"¿Qué?" He pressed it gently, and to his surprise, a hidden compartment on the wall slid open, revealing an old scroll.

He unfurled the scroll, which contained a riddle: "In shadows and light, the truth shall be found. Seek the portrait where the heart beats sound."

He began scratching his head. "Que even mean?"

He turned to the paintings again, scanning for anything that might fit the description. His eyes landed on a portrait of an enigmatic woman. He approached, feeling drawn to it.

"¿Esto?" he wondered aloud. As he got closer, he noticed something peculiar about the frame. It seemed slightly ajar, different from the others.

Carefully, he pried at the edges of the frame, and it swung open to reveal a hidden mechanism.

Inside the cavity, he found a small music box. He wound it up, and as it played a soft, haunting melody, he felt a vibration beneath his feet. Suddenly, a panel in the floor shifted, revealing a set of stairs leading down.

He carefully descended the stairs. At the bottom, he found a small room filled with art supplies and tools. In the corner, a large canvas stood blank, but beside it lay a palette of paints, along with a note that read: "Create your escape."

He felt a surge of inspiration. "Si yo can into pintar something que capture the essence of this gallery, maybe es la key." He grabbed a brush and began to paint.

As he worked, the melody from the music box played on.

Finally, he stepped back to admire the representation of the gallery. Suddenly, the canvas shimmered, and he heard a click.

The wall beside him began to dissolve, revealing a sparkling doorway. He shouted in excitement and stepped through the doorway. 100|Spain could see the emergency exit, which led directly to outside. He took off promptly.

155|Astana, 100|Spain, and 129|Deathslayer burst from their respective doors, eager to reach the Frontman Yacht first.

155|Astana was the first to exit her escape room, a smug smirk stretching across her face as she sprinted down the dimly lit corridor.

“I can’t f--- it up now,” she murmured, pushing herself harder.

The heavy door swung shut behind her, and she almost tripped as she navigated the maze-like hallways.

Behind her, 100|Spain emerged seconds later.

His long legs propelled him forward quickly. He pushed through the exit with a strong force.

129|Deathslayer was not far behind either, grinding his teeth as he accelerated. The sound of his footsteps echoed, urging the other two to pick up the pace. 155|Astana and 100|Spain were already racing toward the exit.

155|Astana reached the outer doors first. She bolted down the ramp toward the dock, her vision locked on the Frontman Yacht glistening in the distance.

100|Spain was gaining ground. “¡No voy a perder!” he shouted.

129|Deathslayer was left in the dust, but he refused to give up. He sprinted with everything he had, his muscles burning. The overturned crates and tight corners used every ounce of agility he had honed.

Just as 155|Astana reached the wooden planks of the dock, she felt 100|Spain closing in on her.

“Come on!” she urged herself. She could see Nickelz standing atop the yacht. She leaped onto the yacht’s deck.

“Congratulations, Player: 155|Astana. You are the winner of Squid Game.” Nickelz proclaimed.

Just seconds later, 100|Spain arrived, breathless but not defeated. Frustration cascaded across his face as he realized he had come so close and yet lost.

(Confessional: 155|Astana)

"I can't believe I actually did it! I won almost 200 million dollars! Time to buy a nuclear missile!"

(End Confessional: 155|Astana)

The next game that I do will be the Amazing Race. If you still want to join, you can join at this link. This is NOT an interactive story.

Thank you so much for your support, and thank you for 100,000 TAKES! This is such a big milestone for me.