The Squid Games

Kikidori's eyes fluttered open, the harsh light blinding him momentarily. He squinted, trying to adjust to his surroundings. Gone was the van; he now found himself in a stark, sterile room. The walls were a dull gray, and the air felt heavy with tension. As he sat up, he noticed something strange: he was wearing a green jumpsuit, the fabric rough against his skin.

"What the…?" he muttered, glancing down at the number emblazoned on his chest—**347**. Confusion washed over him as he tried to piece together what had happened.

Before he could gather his thoughts, a guard in a pink uniform entered the room. The guard's mask was featureless except for a circle drawn on it, giving him an eerie, robotic appearance. "Get up," the guard commanded, his voice muffled and emotionless.

Kikidori nodded, scrambling to his feet. "Where am I? What's going on?" he asked, but the guard merely gestured for him to follow.

As they walked through a long, dimly lit corridor, Kikidori glanced around, absorbing the bizarre environment. The walls were lined with cameras, their lenses staring down at him like unblinking eyes. He felt a shiver run down his spine.

"Why are there so many cameras?" he wondered aloud, but the guard remained silent, leading him to a large open area.

When they arrived, Kikidori was met with a shocking sight. Hundreds of other participants were gathered, all wearing the same green uniforms, confusion etched on their faces. The atmosphere buzzed with uncertainty and fear.

"Stand in front of the camera," the guard instructed, pointing toward a large screen that loomed above them. Kikidori complied, feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in his stomach.

Suddenly, a mechanical voice boomed from the speakers. "Welcome, players. Please smile for the camera."

Kikidori blinked, taken aback. "Smile? What kind of sick joke is this?" he thought, but he forced a grin, feeling foolish yet compelled to comply.

"Good," the voice continued, and Kikidori felt a strange sense of dread wash over him. "You are now part of the game. The first game will begin shortly. Please follow the guards to your designated area."

As the guards began to usher the players forward, Kikidori caught snippets of conversations around him.

"What is this place?" someone whispered.

"Are we really going to play a game?" another voice trembled.

"Did anyone else see the invitation?" a woman asked, her eyes wide with fear.

Kikidori exchanged glances with Minji, who had joined him in the throng of players. "What do you think is happening?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't know," he replied, anxiety knotting in his stomach. "But we have to stick together."

The crowd shuffled forward, led by the guards, until they reached a vast outdoor arena. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a surreal light over the scene. In the center stood a giant, colorful playground, complete with swings, slides, and a massive scoreboard looming overhead.

"What is this place?" Kikidori murmured, bewildered.

Suddenly, the booming voice returned, echoing across the field. "Welcome to your first game: Red Light, Green Light. The rules are simple. When the signal is given, you will move forward. When the signal changes, you must stop. Failure to comply will result in elimination."

Kikidori's heart raced as he processed the words. "Elimination? What does that even mean?"

The crowd began to murmur, fear spreading like wildfire.

"Players, take your positions!" the voice commanded, and Kikidori felt a push from behind as everyone scrambled to line up at the starting line.

"Stay close," he urged Minji, who nodded, her eyes wide with fear. They positioned themselves among the throng, adrenaline pumping through their veins.

"On your marks… Get set…" The voice paused dramatically, and Kikidori could feel the tension in the air thickening.

"Green light!"

The crowd surged forward, Kikidori running alongside Minji, heart pounding in his chest. He glanced around, seeing players sprinting with a mix of determination and terror.

"Keep moving!" he shouted, urging Minji on. They pushed through the chaos, but his mind raced with questions. "What happens if we don't make it?"

Suddenly, the voice boomed again. "Red light!"

Kikidori skidded to a halt, heart racing as he froze in place. He dared not move, fear gripping him. The atmosphere shifted, a palpable tension settling over the players.

"Don't move!" he warned Minji, who stood beside him, eyes wide.

But then, a chilling sound echoed through the air—sharp and sudden. One by one, players began to fall, their bodies hitting the ground with sickening thuds. Kikidori's breath caught in his throat as he realized the horrifying truth.

"Is this… is this really happening?" he gasped, shock coursing through him.

"Stay still!" Minji cried, panic rising in her voice.

Kikidori felt his heart drop. This was no ordinary game.

End of Chapter 3