Kang No-eul

Ever since No-eul entered the games as a guard, she had always been under the orders of a figure in a black suit. She never saw their face, only heard that dry, firm voice that demanded obedience. She was convinced it was a man.

That night, after distributing food to the players, a guard approached her with a disturbing message: the "boss" wanted to see her. In her mind, No-eul didn't doubt the reason. Perhaps they had discovered the brutality of the games, smashing everything without mercy... She said nothing. She headed to the designated room with firm steps, although inside her, suspicion burned like a warning.

Upon opening the door, the atmosphere enveloped her immediately: the air was heavy, almost unbreathable, as if the walls held secrets that were too dark. The figure in the black suit stood with their back turned, motionless; an expectant silence dominated the room.

"—Did you call for me, sir...?"
No-eul's voice sounded cold, though a shadow of doubt pierced through her as she slowly removed her mask.

The figure turned slowly, with movements so calculated they seemed designed to unsettle. When the mask was removed, reality hit No-eul like a dagger: it wasn't a man. The face that emerged was that of a woman. She was smiling. Not a kind smile, but something deeper, a smirk loaded with unfathomable intentions. No-eul felt ice run down her spine.

"—Sir...?" — she repeated, barely audible.

"—Miss is better, don't you think?" —

The woman's voice was a sharp whisper, capable of cutting through the air like a blade.

"—Linda, we need to talk about your attitude. You're here because you're paid, just like I am... but I'm the one who ensures that no guard makes mistakes..."

With unsettling calm, the woman sat on the edge of the table, locking her eyes on No-eul.

"I didn't call you here to scold you, but it's inevitable... you're always full of trouble."