• Chapter 43: Genius’s Game (2)

Round 3 began.

 

“Don’t worry, Il-hoe. Just stick to the plan.”

 

At Lee Sang-moon’s words, Nam Il-hoe quietly nodded. Cards were dealt, and the game proceeded.

 

Dojun’s team subtly funneled good bean cards to Nam Il-hoe as planned. With the active push from both teams, Nam Il-hoe quickly took the lead, earning a lot of gold early on.

 

“Good, Il-hoe. It seems to be going better than expected, doesn’t it? You can probably give some gold to your teammates in turns now.”

 

At Lee Sang-moon’s suggestion, Nam Il-hoe shook his head, indicating agreement. But his true feelings were completely different.

 

Give gold to my teammates? Why would I trust you guys?

 

Nam Il-hoe was still hungry. His goal wasn’t a joint victory but a sole first place.

 

I never intended to cooperate with celebrities anyway. Life’s a solo journey!

 

It was Nam Il-hoe’s turn. Suddenly, Nam Il-hoe did not follow the agreed-upon action and instead earned more gold for himself, causing Lee Sang-moon’s group to look flustered.

 

“Il-hoe-ssi, what are you doing right now?”

 

As Park Hye-ran glared at him, Nam Il-hoe feigned innocence. “Ah… I made a mistake. I’ll give it to you next turn.”

 

However, a quick calculation of the remaining turns showed there were only about 5 left. There would be no “next chance” for Park Hye-ran to be supported.

 

Park Hye-ran, who had the second least gold after Nam Il-hoe in the team, was naturally anxious. She needed to have gained at least 3 gold this turn. They were already being targeted by Dojun’s team, and their gold was nearly identical to Dojun’s team. Naturally, the atmosphere in Lee Sang-moon’s team noticeably worsened.

 

It’s begun.

 

Dojun’s team also sensed the strange turn of events. At that moment, Dojun signaled to his teammates. Everyone nodded, and the game continued.

 

If it goes on like this, my first place is guaranteed!!

 

Nam Il-hoe was convinced he’d win if he received full support from Dojun’s team during the remaining opportunities.

 

But then, suddenly, an unexpected turn occurred.

 

Huh?

 

Dojun’s team, who were supposed to be supporting him, suddenly stopped passing cards and simply passed their turns.

 

Did they not get good cards?

 

Since there was an element of luck, there were certainly turns where they couldn’t provide support. However, the unexpected turn didn’t end there.

 

“I’ll sell beans and convert them to gold.”

 

Suddenly, everyone on Lee Sang-moon’s team also started earning wealth without trading with Nam Il-hoe. They weren’t just trading; they were deliberately hindering Nam Il-hoe from earning more gold.

 

What… what’s going on?!

 

A flustered Nam Il-hoe was swayed by the turn of events until Round 3 ended.

 

As expected, Nam Il-hoe had the most gold at the end of Round 3. However, his final amount was only enough to be on par with the average gold of Lee Sang-moon’s teammates. After Round 3, Nam Il-hoe angrily shouted, “What is this supposed to be?!”

 

He glared intimidatingly, but no one so much as blinked. Lee Sang-moon’s expression, in particular, was chilling.

 

“That’s what we should be saying. I had a feeling, but I never thought you’d actually betray us.”

 

Nam Il-hoe was flustered, caught in his attempt to betray them. “Be-betrayal…?”

“If we hadn’t anticipated it and reacted immediately, Park Hye-ran-ssi would have surely come in last place. Isn’t that right?”

 

At Lee Sang-moon’s sharp point, Nam Il-hoe was momentarily speechless. But then, Nam Il-hoe suddenly noticed something strange.

 

“Surely, Lee Sang-moon-ssi, you already anticipated my betrayal and planned to backstab me in return?”

 

Lee Sang-moon said nothing in response to Nam Il-hoe’s words. Seeing this, Nam Il-hoe became certain, and rage surged within him.

 

“Damn it!! I knew it!! These celebrity bastards were siding with each other. They used a civilian like me as insurance, ready to discard me at any time!”

 

Nam Il-hoe was losing control. As profanity unsuitable for broadcast poured out, Lee Sang-moon’s group collectively looked flustered.

 

“Nam Il-hoe-ssi. That’s not…”

“What do you mean, ‘not’?! Let’s watch the broadcast and see how your dirty alliance’s true colors are revealed!”

 

Nam Il-hoe yelled and stormed out of the room. Lee Sang-moon also followed him out, as if he wouldn’t tolerate it any longer. Then, he shouted loudly, “Hong Ju-ho-ssi. I’ll tell you straight. We’re going to make Nam Il-hoe-ssi come in last. Play Round 4 wisely.”

 

At that declaration, Nam Il-hoe completely lost it. No one could remain calm when someone declared they would make them come in last right in front of their eyes.

 

“Fine. Let’s go to the deathmatch!! I’ll come back alive and torment you to the end!!”

 

Hong Ju-ho, who had heard the two of them, spoke.

 

“Dojun, what should we do?”

“There’s no need for us to get involved in that dogfight. We’ll just play it by ear and make Nam Il-hoe-ssi come in last.”

 

Everyone seemed to agree with Dojun’s opinion without dissent, and the next Round 4 proceeded.

 

Round 4 was one-sided. The alliance of 12 people openly targeted Nam Il-hoe for elimination.

 

As time passed, Round 4 ended.

 

—The game has ended. The player with the most gold is Mr. Lee Sang-moon. Mr. Lee Sang-moon will receive 2 gems, 2 deathmatch immunity passes, and a hidden hint. Mr. Lee Sang-moon, please choose who to transfer the deathmatch immunity pass to.

 

Lee Sang-moon, having received his winner’s reward, scanned the room and said, “I will give it to Ms. Park Hye-ran.”

 

Park Hye-ran bowed her head in thanks.

 

—The elimination candidate is Mr. Nam Il-hoe, who has the least gold. Mr. Nam Il-hoe, please choose a player, excluding Mr. Lee Sang-moon and Ms. Park Hye-ran, to face in the deathmatch.

 

Nam Il-hoe gritted his teeth, furious that he couldn’t choose Lee Sang-moon. If he couldn’t unleash his seething rage on his main target, he would at least drag down someone nearby as an alternative.

 

“I choose Mr. Baek Ji-hyeok. I’m going to break apart this celebrity alliance.”

 

His appearance was filled with pure malice. Baek Ji-hyeok, reluctantly, was forced to face Nam Il-hoe in a deathmatch.

 

—Starting this season, deathmatches will be held privately. Everyone, please wait in the waiting room.

 

“Ah!! Why did the rules change again?!”

 

Hong Ju-ho grumbled, but Dojun found it rather understandable.

 

They thought it through well.

 

The newly added rule was to give a slight advantage to players who survived the deathmatch. At the same time, it instilled fear in other players about the unknown game to be played in the deathmatch.

 

From now on, they had to fight purely based on their individual capabilities. Lee Sang-moon’s team could only fervently pray for Baek Ji-hyeok to win.

 

The fight was between Nam Il-hoe, a math instructor, and Baek Ji-hyeok, an idol. At a glance, Nam Il-hoe was predicted to have the upper hand.

 

In the waiting room, the participants vaguely waited for the deathmatch to end. And as time passed, an announcement came.

 

—The deathmatch has ended.

 

“What’s the result?? What happened??”

 

Lee Sang-moon asked nervously.

 

—Mr. Baek Ji-hyeok has survived the deathmatch. Mr. Baek Ji-hyeok will stay in prison until the next main match begins.

 

At the host’s announcement that Baek Ji-hyeok had survived, the participants rejoiced but were also startled.

 

“What? There’s a prison too?”

 

Hong Ju-ho also spoke in surprise, but Dojun felt a sense of unease here.

 

Is there any reason to go to prison?

 

Going to prison meant that communication with other participants would be completely impossible until the next game began. If there was contact with other participants, the person in prison would naturally be at a disadvantage. If a team wasn’t formed beforehand, someone could target the person in prison for the next game and make them come in last again.

 

It’s too illogical a structure.

 

The production team couldn’t possibly be unaware of this. So, he had to think about it in reverse.

 

What if there’s a merit to going to prison, enduring all of that…?

 

Dojun’s eyes sharpened. He then carefully looked around. He wondered how many others had noticed this fact. But at least from their reactions, Lee Sang-moon’s group seemed to have no idea.

 

On the other hand, my team…

 

Everyone except Yoo Jeong-han seemed to have a hunch that something was up. Actually, this was a matter of choice.

 

Would they give up the deathmatch’s merit and stay in a safe position? Or would they risk elimination and go to the deathmatch? If one aimed for victory, most would choose the former.

 

Conversely, those pushed to the brink would choose the latter.

 

This was clearly a mechanism designed for Hong Ju-ho, who was being kept in check, or the numerically disadvantaged ordinary participants to turn the tables. The production team had cleverly designed the game to prevent it from being one-sided.

 

Thinking that far, he felt that this filming would be much more interesting. Even from a broadcasting perspective.

 

As expected of PD Jeon Jong-hyun. He’s not called the rising star of survival programs for nothing.

 

However, this also required the participants to create a good picture for the broadcast. And Dojun had the ability to fulfill that intention perfectly.

 

—Now, everyone, please return to the mansion and rest until the next main match begins tomorrow.

 

And so, the first day’s main match concluded.

 

Late at night, in the mansion’s living room, after the main match. All the participants gathered amicably, enjoying a meal and drinks. However, Dojun could only sip water.

 

Too bad. I wish I could have a drink too.

 

Dojun had been quite a drinker in his past life. But it was clear he would face backlash if he, a known minor, was seen drinking on broadcast.

 

Just a little more patience until I’m an adult.

 

Since it turned into a drinking party, Dojun felt rather uncomfortable being there.

 

“I’m tired, so I’ll go rest first.”

 

Dojun stood up and said. Hong Ju-ho, who was sitting next to him, lightly patted Dojun’s butt.

 

“Alright, Dojun. You worked hard today. Go get some rest.”

 

After confirming Dojun had bowed and entered his room, Lee Sang-moon glanced over and lowered his voice.

 

“Ju-ho, what do you think of Dojun?”

 

At Lee Sang-moon’s probing question, Hong Ju-ho spoke casually.

 

“Dojun? He seems good. I’d like to team up with him again tomorrow.”

 

Everyone looked displeased at his blunt expression of opinion.

 

“Ju-ho, we should team up tomorrow!”

 

The one who spoke was Im Yoon-hwan, one of the participants. He was a former pro gamer, known as Hong Ju-ho’s natural enemy in the scene at the time.

 

“Hyung, I’d like to too. But Sang-moon Hyung won’t let me join.”

 

As Hong Ju-ho openly expressed his annoyance at Lee Sang-moon, who had targeted him today, Lee Sang-moon laughed heartily. “Come on, Ju-ho. I was just trying to create a good broadcast moment~ Alright, then let’s play together tomorrow.”

 

Lee Sang-moon suddenly became friendly, which surprised Hong Ju-ho.

 

“Huh? Hyung, are you serious?”

“Of course, you punk. When have you ever seen me lie?”

“Yes, Hyung, you were good at lying in Season 1, weren’t you?”

“Hahahahaha.”

 

As Hong Ju-ho scoffed, the surrounding participants burst into laughter. In that situation, Lee Sang-moon’s expression suddenly turned serious.

 

“Ju-ho, I’m serious.”

 

Everyone watched with bated breath at his genuine demeanor. They were two people who had contended for the top spot in skill in [Genius’s Game]. If those two formed an alliance? For the other participants, it was a disaster.

 

“Hey~ that’s totally cheating!! Let me join too!!”

“Right, Sang-moon. Let me join too.”

 

Im Yoon-hwan and Park Hye-ran also didn’t want to miss this golden opportunity. Then Lee Sang-moon nodded.

 

“Alright. Yoon-hwan and Hye-ran-ssi can join too.”

“Really?”

 

Park Hye-ran asked again, and Lee Sang-moon replied. “Yeah, everyone else can join too.”

“What? Us too?”

 

Park Ha-neul, from KAIST, was rather flustered. It was suspicious that the person who had been openly dividing celebrities and non-celebrities was now explicitly taking sides. But her curiosity was immediately satisfied.

 

“Instead, let’s eliminate Dojun tomorrow.”

“!!!”

“!!!”

 

Everyone was shocked by Lee Sang-moon’s bombshell statement.

 

“No… he’s still a high school student. Won’t it look bad on broadcast if we gang up on him when he’s not even here?”

“Right, there’s no justification.”

 

Im Yoon-hwan chimed in, pitying Dojun. On the other hand, Park Hye-ran was perplexed that the people who had been on Dojun’s team said nothing.

 

“You guys were on Dojun’s team. Don’t you feel bad?”

“No, there’s probably enough justification.”

 

At Hong Ju-ho’s words, Park Ha-neul and Min A-yeong also nodded in agreement.

 

“Hye-ran-ssi.”

 

Lee Sang-moon suddenly called her name, and Park Hye-ran stared blankly. Then, Lee Sang-moon’s next statement was shocking.

 

“The one who told me Nam Il-hoe would betray us… was Dojun.”

“Wh-what did you say!?”

“Re-really!?”

 

The team members in Lee Sang-moon’s group, who hadn’t known the truth, all looked incredulous.

 

Meanwhile, Hong Ju-ho and his companions, who had been on the same team, felt chills down their spines seeing Dojun’s game skills. He had been marked as someone who absolutely needed to be eliminated.

 

“This game… we were all just pawns in Dojun’s hand. To a mere high school student.”

 

He wasn’t just a smart bookworm. He was excellent at psychological warfare, cunningly exploiting opponents’ weaknesses, and skilled at sowing discord.

 

He’s not just some clueless kid.

 

Lee Sang-moon instinctively felt it. The person to be most wary of in Season 2 was not Hong Ju-ho, but Kim Do-jun.