Noble Fool

The knife on the table between In Ho and Gi-Hun flashed its blade menacingly, as if this was not a way to help, but a death sentence for Player 456. Gi-Hun looked at the knife, and then at the Frontman, who was staring at him…        — Take the knife with you and kill those creatures who want to kill you and the child. — The frontman’s mask-distorted voice sounds particularly menacing when he utters this line: — They’re full, they’re drunk, they’re fast asleep. If you slit their throats quietly in their sleep, no one would notice.        — Why do you suddenly want to help us? In Ho has no answer to Gi-Hun’s question, so he remains silent. Part of him sincerely wants to help him and the innocent baby who was forced to participate in the Game by cruel creatures in golden masks. In Ho sincerely believes that this will be the right decision, a generous chance at life for both the baby and Gi-Hoon. In Ho is sure of this, even if the answer to the question requires him to take off his mask, even if he is in danger of being killed by this very knife. Somewhere in the depths of his dark soul, a tiny spark of humanity still smolders. These few days spent among the players have greatly affected him, even more than In Ho himself would like. He sincerely hopes that Gi-Hoon will not miss this chance. But on the other hand… On the other hand, his desire to gain the upper hand in their confrontation also does not want to be silenced, and therefore a dark satisfaction spreads in In Ho’s soul when, after several of his arguments, Gi-Hun grips the handle of the knife tighter and heads for the exit. That’s right, player four hundred and fifty-six, it’s time to see the light and understand that a hero is not needed here, to accept and come to terms with the fact that everything human in this place is perishing, because it is impossible to remain human here and at the same time get out alive. In Ho knows this very well… Now, playing the hero won’t work anymore: certainly not after the first game, when Gi-Hun wanted to kill his sleeping childhood friend for the sake of a random girl, not after he killed Dae-Ho and player ninety-six, who mercilessly pushed other players into the abyss for money in a game of jump rope. The dark side of In Ho can’t resist the pleasure of hurting Gi-Hun’s soul once again. – Player four hundred and fifty-six, do you still believe in people? — he asks, looking closely at the back of the player leaving. The noticeable superiority in the frontman’s voice makes Gi-Hun freeze in tension for a second, but then he silently clutches the knife in his hand and leaves without answering. At this moment, In-ho feels an unpleasant sense of déjà vu… Later, In Ho’s gaze is literally glued to the screen, where the dorm is broadcast with players who are peacefully sleeping, unaware of the danger that was already creeping up on them in the darkness. He holds his breath as Gi-Hun’s shadow silently crosses the room and stops in front of the bed of the hundredth player: the most vile and two-faced of this entire crowd of trash, because everyone present here, except for Gi-Hun and the baby, can’t be called anything else. “Come on, do it, Gi Hun, — the frontman thinks, – for yourself and the baby. I’ve already done everything I can…” In Ho tenses and leans forward as the knife briefly flashes in the darkness from the light of the piggy bank, and the tip touches the defenseless neck of the hundredth player. His hand clenches into a fist, and In Ho seems to feel the weight of the knife in his palm again, as if he too has returned to that fateful night of his victory. “Prove to me that I had no other choice then…”

***

In Ho’s eyes widen in fear as he hears footsteps approaching through his half-asleep state. He jumps to his feet, ready to fight off whoever is sneaking up on him in the dark to catch him off guard. But the night visitor turns out to be a manager with a white square on his black mask, who doesn’t even flinch when the player suddenly jumps out of bed.        – Player number one hundred and thirty-two, Mr. Oh, wants to see you. ”Who is Mr. Oh?” — This question haunts In Ho, but he doesn’t dare ask it out loud, so he just silently follows the figure in the pink suit while the other finalists continue to sleep soundly and peacefully. Player number one hundred and thirty-two tries desperately to suppress his tremors as he walks towards the mysterious Mr. Oh. Six days in this meat grinder have worn down his nerves, and now he is being led straight into the unknown. Although In Ho does not yet know who Mr. Oh is, he can’t shake the feeling that he is being led like a rabbit straight into the jaws of a boa constrictor. In Ho wants only one thing more than anything: to get out of here alive and save his wife and child. That’s why he came here, that’s why he got involved in all this, despite the fact that his policeman’s instincts were screaming about a catch, because there is no easy money, and the only free cheese is in a mousetrap. So they all became mice, who, due to their stupidity, fell into a mousetrap to the delight of the unknown organizers of this madness. Therefore, the first murder here, although it frightened, did not come as a surprise to In Ho. All feelings and emotions were switched off, only two desires remained: to survive and to win. By any means… In Ho couldn’t even imagine that in a few days one could change so much, become so embittered, but despair pushes him to ever more terrible actions, perhaps even at the whim of that very Mr. Oh, with whom he is about to meet… The doors open in front of him, and In Ho’s gaze is immediately drawn to the rich interior of the office, done in black and gold tones. He doesn’t even immediately notice the mysterious man in the owl mask sitting at the desk, staring at him. When their eyes finally meet, In Ho immediately flinches, getting into a fighting stance, while the stranger remains completely calm.        – Sit down, player one hundred and thirty-two, — the old man’s soft, cracked voice is strongly dissonant with the speaker’s threatening appearance, which makes In Ho tense up even more, — the conversation will be long, and there is no truth in legs. In Ho carefully sits down on the chair, warily looking at his interlocutor.        – What do you want from me? — throwing aside his confusion, In Ho immediately asks directly what interests him, his nerves are already at the limit, it is becoming increasingly difficult to hide his nervous trembling. He already wants to finish this strange meeting as quickly as possible.        – You’re so hasty, — the man in the owl mask says with a soft chuckle, — but… I like your efficiency and determination, it’s not for nothing that you became a finalist… Mr. Oh pauses for a moment, then calmly takes a sip of whiskey from the glass in his hand, as if deliberately playing on In Ho’s nerves.        – You’re here because I have an offer for you, — he finally continues after a moment of silence, — an offer that is guaranteed to make you a winner. In Ho flinches, surprise in his eyes.        — You’ve already proven that you’re willing to do anything to win, — Mr. Oh continues. — This is the first time I’ve seen such a desperate player who would go so far despite his moral principles… In Ho presses his lips into a thin line.        - And what are you getting at? — he asks, looking straight into the two slits on the golden mask.        - To the fact that taking the final step to victory should not be difficult for you… Mr. Oh places a knife on the table between them. In Ho looks down at it, then back at his interlocutor.        – All you need to do is cut the throats of these creatures who have eaten their fill, drunk their fill, and are fast asleep, — the man in the owl mask says in a tempting tone, — I think that’s a small price to pay for the continuation of your beloved wife’s life… In Ho’s eyes flash with anger, his hands balling into fists.        — Don’t you dare mention her in your horrible, cruel conversations, — he hisses angrily through his teeth. Mr. Oh only responds to this outburst of anger with a short laugh.        — Are you really trying to be a moralist after everything you’ve seen and experienced?” In Ho exhales through his nose.        – I would kill you for what you’re doing… — In Ho is already shaking with anger at this obvious manipulation of his feelings and emotions, and with anger at Mr. Oh too.       – Anger is good, — Mr. Oh lazily rocks the glass of whiskey in his hand, — but if I were you, I would prefer to use it where it will be more effective, bringing an unconditional victory. In Ho looks at the knife between them again.        – They’re just trash, an obstacle in your way, — Mr. Oh says casually, as if discussing something insignificant. —Strangers you’ve only known for a few days. Their lives are nothing. Just a few stabs, and tomorrow you can save your wife and child. In Ho freezes when the face of his beloved wife appears before his eyes again, he remembers her radiant smile and ringing laughter, and then the picture changes to how she suffers from pain, but still tries to smile at him, how she slowly fades away before his eyes from illness… Then he remembers the rivals who were ready to betray, set him up, push him in the back, and most importantly, who were complete strangers to him. In Ho understands that in the choice between their life and the life of his wife, his choice will be obvious… The voice of the former, honest In Ho before the games, before his wife’s illness, screams that this is wrong and terrible, but the current In Ho firmly knows: losing her is a hundred times worse. Worse than dying himself, worse than losing his good name, worse than losing his humanity… Mr. O takes a sip of whiskey from his glass and sets it down on the table.        – Why do you doubt? — he wonders, — tomorrow these people will try to kill you. Kill all the creatures with this knife. At the moment, this is the best option for you. “The best option,” — echoes in In Ho’s mind. His eyes once again fall on the knife, and In Ho seems to watch from the side as his hand reaches for the knife and tightly squeezes the handle in his palm, until it creaks, until his knuckles crunch. As if this knife is his last chance, the only way to salvation…        - Why did you suggest this to me? — he simply asks.        - You have great potential! — Mr. Oh exclaims with almost boyish mischief, — I am never wrong in such things! I always know who to bet on. This phrase leaves an unpleasant aftertaste in In Ho’s soul, but it doesn’t matter anymore, nothing matters. The main thing is to save his beloved wife. At any cost… In Ho silently gets up from the table and heads for the exit.        – Player one hundred thirty-two, — Mr. Oh’s call makes In Ho freeze for a second. — I hope you won’t turn out to be a noble fool and miss your generous chance. In Ho only tightens his grip on the knife, even though it seemed impossible, and finally walks out of the office… The players' dorm is still quiet. His fingers still tightly grip the knife as In Ho approaches his first opponent, like a slow, silent shadow. He pauses for a second, still hesitating. In Ho looks at the sleeping man’s face. Has this player really ceased to be a person to him? “They are just trash, an obstacle in your way…” Mr. Oh’s voice is still spinning in In Ho’s head. A trembling hand presses the knife blade to the defenseless neck of the sleeping player. "Their lives are nothing. Just a few stabs with a knife, and tomorrow you will be free, you can save your wife and child…”       In Ho exhales quietly: yes, this is the most important thing, and he doesn’t care how he achieves it… The knife presses a little harder into the skin. “Are you really trying to be a moralist after everything you’ve seen and experienced?” He sacrificed his morality long ago. Darkness, determination and ruthlessness appear in In Ho’s eyes, and the hand holding the knife gradually stops shaking… “Kill all the creatures with this knife. This is the best option for you at the moment.” A second later, In Ho’s consciousness is completely empty. Adrenaline rushes through his veins. There is only one thought left in his head: kill them, save yourself, save your wife and child, and don’t care about the rest… “Killkillkillkillkillkillkill” Doubts disappear, the right hand abruptly covers the victim’s mouth, and the left hand immediately draws a blade across the neck, cutting the throat with one precise movement. The victim shudders, not expecting a vile murder in his sleep. The body immediately begins to convulse in death throes in the killer’s hands, while blood gushes from the throat and mouth. A second blow to the heart makes the victim finally fall silent… The second and third victims also do not have time to really wake up and realize their death. In Ho no longer understands where and how he strikes, literally turning the bodies of his opponents into a bloody mess. The copper smell of blood clogs the sense of smell and consciousness, the mind seems to switch off with each blow of the knife, which becomes more and more furious and cruel… In Ho’s bloody path to victory and money continues methodically and mercilessly. In front of the last victim — a young, timid guy who somehow got to the end with him — In Ho again freezes for a second. But this time he doesn’t hesitate for long: the knife slowly, as if through melted butter, enters his neck. The guy’s eyes widen, he manages to look into the killer’s eyes with fear for the last time, but this does not stop In Ho. The line has already been crossed, and there is no way back, it’s too late to retreat… “I always know who to bet on.” In Ho is furious, screaming, stabbing the knife into the flesh again and again, as if taking revenge on the poor guy for everything he had to endure in this terrible place. When the victim takes his last breath, In Ho steps away from the body, breathing heavily. The adrenaline subsides, and the trembling returns, especially after the final realization of what he did. He killed them, he killed them all… Nausea rises in his throat, and In Ho covers his mouth with his hand, inhaling deeply as his heart continues to pound wildly in his chest. He leans against the cold wall, trying to pull himself together and wipe away the sweat mixed with someone else’s blood with his hands.        – I did it… — In Ho says to the empty air in a trembling voice, either to himself or to Mr. Oh. — I won… The disgusting lump was still in his throat, and the feeling of disgust and revulsion was stuck in him forever, not letting him forget the sticky feeling of someone else’s blood on his hands. And In Ho realized: now he would never be able to wash himself off and would never be the same again. From this realization, something inside seemed to break and crunch deafeningly, like a long-dried branch under his foot… O-Il-Nam and the other VIPs watch the bloody winner of the twenty-eighth Squid Games. One of the VIPs in a tiger mask claps his hands in delight and says:        – Wow, what a finale! It was very exciting!        – Yes, the bloody night was a success, — the VIP in a fox mask lifted her lips in a half-smile, — Of course, they are not spectacular games, but watching the moral dilemma and the fall of player one hundred thirty-two turned out to be quite interesting.        - Honestly, until the last moment I thought that a policeman, even a former one, would not stoop to such a thing, but the one hundred and thirty-second did not let me down, — the third VIP in the deer mask grinned contentedly.        - I beg you, — the woman chuckled, — where in our world have you seen even one honest policeman. At this phrase, all the VIP guests burst into cheerful, loud laughter, sipping champagne. They were clearly in high spirits, while in the background, the surviving player’s psyche and former inner world were finally crumbling to dust.        – It must be admitted that Mister O really knows how to put on a show and which player is worth betting on, — the VIPs were having fun. O-Il-Nam only smiles in response to the praise addressed to him.        – As always, my dear guests, as always, — he simply replies, still carefully watching the one hundred and thirty-second player. It must be said that O-Il-Nam did not even lie when he spoke about the potential of this player…

***

In Ho watches Ki-Hoon put away his knife and walk away from the hundredth player. His eyes narrow and his jaw clenches.        — What a noble fool you are, Seong Gi-Hun,” — he whispers, clutching his glass of whiskey in frustration. — Those creatures won’t spare you tomorrow! They’ll hurt you and the child! Gi-Hun had to do it, had to follow the same path, because there was no other way! Or was there? As Gi-Hun leaves, he seems to be screaming: “I am stronger than you! I have not lost myself! I am still me!” This player is a defiant, destructive challenge to his entire ideology and worldview… But is it really his? Or is it Oh-Il-Nam’s ideology, forced upon him against the backdrop of the pain of loss and survivor’s trauma? Could everything have been different if he, like Gi-Hun, had not listened to Oh Il-Nam’s voice back then? Would he have been able to remain himself if he had not looked through the slits of the owl mask and taken the knife into his hands? Would he have been able to avoid becoming a puppet in the hands of the VIP guests? Unfortunately, In Ho will never know about this, he will never be the same again. And for some reason, this realization makes his eyes moisten… Gi-Hun picks up the baby and holds her close to him with all his tenderness, as if trying to hide and heal in her childish innocence, and on the other side of the screen, Hwang In-ho, the usually emotionless Frontman of children’s death games, can’t hold back the tears that suddenly well up from sadness for the first time in many years…