squid game x reader S2 & S3

S3 part 8

You were all soon back to the room where the other players were already gathered. Everyone was shocked to see the baby in Geum-ja arm.

None of you were truly present. Jun-hee, still weak from giving birth. You, barely on after Hyun-ju and your injury, and Geum-ja, shattered by the loss of her son.

Jun-hee and Geum-ja sat on the bed, while you sunk to the floor wrapping your arms tightly around yourself, your head resting on your knees. The room was still, heavy with exhaustion and grief. You barely registered Geum-ja's gentle voice asking if she wanted to breastfeed the baby.

You lifted your head slightly and saw Jun-hee breastfeeding the baby. Her expression soft but distant.

The guards walked in, their Boots echoing against the cold floor.

"Congratulations to all of your for making it past the fourth game." The one in the center announced, his voice cutting though the silent like a knife. "Here is the result of the fourth game."

He raised a remote an pressed a button. The light dimmed, and all eyes upwards at the massive piggy bank suspending from the ceiling then, with a mechanical whir, cash pouring into it, the sound of
bills fluttering like a storm of paper rain.

"Thirty-five players were eliminated from the fourth game," the guard continued. "We now have twenty-six remaining. The prize money accumulated so far is 43.2 billion won. Each player current share is 1.725 billion won."

"You will now take a vote to decide whether to continue the game or not." The guard announced firmly. "The player with the highest number will go first."

A brief pause followed before the guard spoke again.

"Player 039, please step forward."

All eyes turned on player 039 walked to the front of the room, the sound of his footsteps sharp in the tense silence.

"If you wish to continue the game, press the O button," the guard instructed. "If you wish to end it, press X."

The screen in front of the room flickered to life, waiting for the player's decision.

Player 039 hesitated, his hand hovering over the buttons. The silence stretched, thick, suffocating before he finally pressing O.

A soft beep echoed through the room and the scream lit up with one vote on the O team. You let out a quiet sigh and dropped your head back into your knees. Unable or unwilling to watch anymore. The weight of everything settled heavy on your shoulder.

Geum-ja suddenly stood up after casting her vote. Without hesitation, she moved to the player's who haven't voted yet, her voice trembling as she pleaded with them, desperation bleeding through every word.

You didn't even lift your head, but tears welled up in your eyes, quietly soaking into your sleeve.

Then the guard voice echoed.

"Player 456."

You blinked then lifted your head, turning towards the corner. Gi-hun. You had completely forgot about him. He was still handcuffed to bed, unmoving. He didn't even look up when the guard called him. Lost in thought.

"Player 456 has forfeited his vote."

A beat passed.

"Player 457."

Your breath caught.

It was your turn.

It didn't even matter anymore. Only 8 had voted to leave, 8 out of twenty-six.

The moment the number flashed on the screen, your heart sank lower than any thought possible. Hope wasn't just gone, it had been crushed under the weight of what was still to come.

You stayed still, arms wrapped around your knees, head bowed.

"Player 457 forfeited her vote." The guard announced flatly.

Another number lost on the count. Another voice unheard.

Eventually, everyone drifted back to their beds. The guard's left without another word, the door sealing shut behind them.

Geum-ja approached Quietly and sat beside you on the cold floor. You didn't look up until you felt her gently touch your shoulder. "Let me check your injury, Y/n," she said softly, her voice laced with concern despite the exhaustion in her eyes.

You hesitated, still curled around yourself, but her presence, calm and familiar made it easier to breathe.

You slowly sat up, your movement stiff and aching. Fingers trembling slightly, you unzipped your jumper and slid it off, followed by your shirt. leaving only the thin fabric of your top that covered your chest.

Geum-ja leaned in, her brows furrowing as she examined it carefully.

"Its worse that i thought," she murmured, reaching over to untie the shirt Hyun-ju tore earlier during the last game. "You should have told me sooner."

She took your shirt and began gently wrapping it, careful not to pull to hard. You stayed still, eyes on the floor letting her work in silence.

"There," she said softly when she finished, tying the end with a small knot. "That'll hold you better."

She didn't meet your eyes, but her care spoke louder than anything else could in that moment.

"Thank you," you whispered, you voice barely above a breath.

Geum-ja gave you a small nod, her expression gentle as she reached forward and helped you zip your jumper back up. Her hands were steady, but you could see the exhaustion in her face, the kind that went deeper than just lack of sleep.

Once it was zipped, she sat back, resting her arms in her knees.

"You don't need to thank me," she said quietly, eyes fixed on the floor across from you. "We look out for each other. That's all we have left."

The silence between you wasn't awkward. It was understanding.

And in this place where trust was rare, and kindness even rarer, that meant everything.