The Squid Games

Kikidori sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the peeling paint on the wall of his cramped apartment. At 23, life had become a series of monotonous days filled with worry and despair. The city outside his window buzzed with energy, but for him, it felt like a distant, unattainable dream. He had no job, no money, and no prospects. The weight of his circumstances pressed heavily on his chest.

With a sigh, he pulled on his worn jacket and stepped into the cold night. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, and he knew he had to do something. The convenience store down the street was a familiar haunt, a place where he often found himself scavenging for change. As he walked through the aisles, he felt the familiar pang of desperation.

"Just a few coins," he mumbled to himself, fingers fumbling through the fabric of his jacket. He hoped to find something—anything—that could buy him a meal. His heart raced as he felt something crumpled.

"Come on, come on," he urged, pulling out a few crumpled bills. Relief washed over him like a wave. "It's not much, but it's enough."

He quickly made his way to the counter, purchasing a sandwich and a drink. It wasn't gourmet, but it was sustenance. As he left the store, he savored the taste of victory, however small.

Back in his apartment, he devoured the food, feeling a momentary escape from his reality. The sandwich was a reminder that even in the darkest times, hope could be found in the simplest of things. He leaned back against the wall, wiping crumbs from his mouth, when suddenly, a loud knock echoed through the silence of his small space.

"Who could that be?" he wondered aloud, glancing at the clock. It was late, and he wasn't expecting anyone. Hesitating for a moment, he rose to answer the door, curiosity bubbling inside him.

As he opened it, he found a mysterious black box resting on the floor. It was glossy and unmarked, almost as if it had appeared out of nowhere. Kikidori picked it up, his heart racing with intrigue.

"What is this?" he murmured, examining the box closely. He felt a strange pull toward it, as if it held the answers to all his problems.

With trembling hands, he opened the box. Inside lay an invitation, elegantly printed on thick paper. with a triangle, circle,and a square. He read the words aloud, his voice barely above a whisper: "Welcome to the Game. Win 45.6 billion won. Are you in?"

His heart pounded as disbelief washed over him. "Forty-five point six billion won? Is this for real?" He shook his head, trying to process what he was reading. The allure of money, the promise of a better life—it was intoxicating.

"What if it's a scam?" he thought, but the thought of his current life pushed him toward the decision. He could feel the weight of his struggles pressing down on him.

"Look at me," he said to himself, pacing the room. "I've got nothing to lose. This could be my chance to escape."

He took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions inside him. "I can't keep living like this. I have to do it. I have to join the game."

Kikidori's mind raced with possibilities. What if he won? What would he do with all that money? He could finally pay off his debts, help his family, and maybe even start fresh somewhere far away from this city.

He glanced back at the box, determination setting in. "I'm in," he whispered, sealing his fate.

End of Chapter 1