Chapter 44: Game of Geniuses (3)

The next day, in the afternoon.

The second day of Game of Geniuses began.

“All players, please gather in the game hall.”

The cast, who had been lounging around leisurely, made their way over with resigned expressions—they knew this was coming.

As everyone gathered in the game hall, Dojun immediately sensed an odd undercurrent.

‘Looks like they hatched a plan while I was away.’

They had tried to hide it, but Dojun, ever perceptive, picked up on it quickly.

‘Either most of them formed an alliance… or worst case, they all did.’

Finally, the last player, Baek Ji-hyuk, returned from the prison cell.

“Guys!! I’m back!!”

“You did well, Ji-hyuk.”

Lee Sang-moon welcomed him warmly with a pat on the shoulder.

But the reunion was short-lived. The game started immediately.

“Today’s game is [Conditional Derby].”

[Conditional Derby].

The rules were as follows:

Like a horse race, players had to predict who would place 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

Each player controlled a “horse” and rolled a die to move forward. The round ended when three players crossed the finish line.

Points were awarded as follows: 1st place – 4 points, 2nd – 2 points, 3rd – 1 point.

The twist? [Conditions] could be triggered during the game.

The exact triggers and effects of these [Conditions] were kept secret.

Before the game began, each player submitted their 1st–3rd place predictions and selected a [Condition]. The [Condition] could change every round, but extreme or impossible ones would be rejected.

Just hearing the rules, it was clear this was a team-based game.

But unlike yesterday, there was a crucial difference: the game had no real room for reversals.

A lead gained early would likely persist until the end.

“The game will proceed over three rounds. The player with the highest total score wins.”

“The winner will receive 2 gems, 2 Death Match Exemption Tickets, and a hidden clue.”

“If multiple players tie for 1st, each will receive 1 gem, 1 ticket, and the clue.”

“Now, please enter the dealer room one at a time to submit your predictions.”

As the dealer finished explaining the rules, the players exchanged wary glances.

Once again, it was Lee Sang-moon who broke the silence.

“This one’s tricky to coordinate—since we have to guess the rankings before the game even starts.”

“True enough,” Hong Ju-ho agreed.

They were right. Without aligned predictions, forming a team was difficult.

Though there was one possible way.

‘If everyone but one person formed an alliance, it could work.’

Dojun was already prepared for the worst-case scenario.

But for the plan to work, one condition had to be met:

He needed to enter the dealer room first.

Only then could the alliance set their rankings and strategies accordingly.

Dojun waited, watching to see what they’d do. And sure enough, Lee Sang-moon made his move.

“Dojun, want to go first? The order doesn’t really matter anyway.”

With that, Dojun’s suspicion became certainty.

‘What a sly fox.’

Lee Sang-moon had manipulated people all the way to the final three in Season 1.

He was a master at swaying and rallying people—a natural-born political schemer.

But since Dojun was aware of it, he could avoid the trap.

‘Still… maybe I’ll play along this time.’

With a naïve smile, Dojun replied:

“Sure, I’ll go first.”

Inside the dealer room, the staff urged him.

“Mr. Kim Dojun, please submit your predictions for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Also, register your [Condition].”

In truth, his prediction didn’t matter.

Assuming the others had formed an alliance, Dojun was effectively guaranteed last place.

And yet he accepted Sang-moon’s invitation to go first—for a reason.

“1st: Lee Sang-moon. 2nd: Hong Ju-ho. 3rd: Park Hye-ran. As for the [Condition]…”

He whispered something softly. The dealer’s eyes widened in shock.

“That’s… allowed?”

“I think it’s possible, but…” the dealer said hesitantly, before checking with production through his mic.

A moment later, he nodded.

“Yes, it’s approved.”

“Then please register it.”

Dojun smiled cryptically and exited the room.

Outside, the others immediately pretended to act casual, as if nothing had happened.

Then, one by one, the rest entered the dealer room and the game began.

“We will now start Round 1. The player who entered the dealer room first goes first.”

Dojun picked up the die and tossed it lightly.

Clatter.

In [Conditional Derby], the die only showed numbers from 1 to 3.

It rolled across the floor and eventually stopped.

[1].

Seeing the result, the alliance team visibly relaxed.

“Mr. Kim Dojun advances one space.”

Last to move was magician Lee Eun-hyun.

He glanced at Dojun and raised his hand.

“I will activate my condition—on Kim Dojun.”

“Mr. Lee Eun-hyun has used a condition. Kim Dojun’s horse moves back one space.”

Dojun’s brow twitched.

Though conditions were secret, this one was easy to guess:

‘Sacrificing your own turn to move another player’s horse forward or back one space.’

The intent was obvious.

With a strained smile, Dojun turned to Eun-hyun.

“Hyung… what’s with this treatment? Did I do something to offend you?”

Feigning hurt, Dojun kept up the act. Eun-hyun replied dryly,

“Sorry. I made predictions, and I can’t have the wrong person winning.”

“I get it. It’s not about winning the race anyway.”

Dojun nodded in mock understanding and rolled again on his next turn.

[3].

“Nice!!”

Dojun pumped his fist in victory.

But the others only grinned, unaffected.

With excellent die rolls, Sang-moon and Ju-ho surged ahead—buoyed by favorable conditions.

At this rate, the round could end in three turns if no one blocked them.

“I’ll use my condition on Dojun again.”

“Mr. Lee Eun-hyun has used a condition. Kim Dojun’s horse moves back one space.”

Once again, Dojun was pushed back.

Expressionless, he rolled again.

[3].

Another high roll—and now the alliance members looked mildly annoyed.

“Dojun has good luck with dice today, huh?” Sang-moon quipped.

Dojun grinned.

“Come on, hyung—you’re in first place. Don’t be petty.”

Still, Sang-moon and Ju-ho kept pulling ahead.

Then it was Baek Ji-hyuk’s turn.

He suddenly raised his hand.

“I’ll use my condition on Dojun too.”

“Mr. Baek Ji-hyuk has used a condition. Kim Dojun’s horse moves back one space.”

“…Hm?”

Now that someone besides Eun-hyun was targeting him, Dojun’s frown deepened.

Seeing this, Sang-moon was sure of victory.

‘This game is structured so one person can’t do anything alone. This is your loss, Kim Dojun.’

Just as planned, the cast had formed a full alliance—excluding Dojun.

As soon as he entered the dealer room first, the others quickly agreed on who would place 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

They tailored their [Conditions] to make that outcome happen—mainly by obstructing Dojun.

There was only one way Dojun could win:

‘If his prediction turned out to be exactly right by pure luck.’

But the game was lopsided from the start.

Every time Dojun made progress, they knocked him back.

Their goal: to keep him out of the top three at all costs.

Despite the onslaught, Dojun sat quietly, expression unreadable.

Anyone with a brain would realize what was happening.

“…This is fun.”

Just that one comment made the alliance team collectively wince.

Grown adults ganging up on a high schooler.

Sure, Dojun’s talent gave them an excuse—but to outside viewers, this wouldn’t look good.

“Round 3 of [Conditional Derby] has ended. The game is over.”

All three rounds played out the same way.

No surprises, no twists—just one-sided domination.

The top three were:

1st – Lee Sang-moon, 2nd – Hong Ju-ho, 3rd – Lim Yun-hwan.

“Here are the results. All players except Kim Dojun finished with 21 points.”

The announcement made everyone lower their heads.

It was as if the host had said aloud: “You rigged this.”

“Kim Dojun, with 18 points, is nominated for the Death Match.”

Suddenly, the alliance froze.

If Dojun had gotten just one more prediction right, he would have tied with them.

Sang-moon swallowed hard.

‘If I hadn’t put Yun-hwan in third at the last second, we could’ve lost.’

He sighed with relief. A dirty win—but a win nonetheless.

“Two Death Match nominees are required. Since everyone else tied, no one receives immunity.”

The alliance had asked the dealer about this in advance.

Ultimately, someone would be selected.

And the person they all agreed should go to the Death Match… was Dojun.

They’d promised not to complain about the aftermath.

“Mr. Kim Dojun, please select your opponent for the Death Match.”

“I choose…”

Just as Dojun was about to announce his pick—

“One moment.”

The host interrupted. Everyone looked puzzled.

“Mr. Kim Dojun, you earned a total of 15 gems from [Conditional Derby]. Here they are.”

The dealer handed him a pouch. Dojun accepted it with a polite nod.

“Thank you.”

“…What!?”

“How…?”

The alliance was dumbfounded.

Only Park Ha-neul understood.

“His [Condition] must’ve been: ‘Earn 1 gem every time your horse is moved by a condition.’ He moved 15 times.”

“Correct, Ha-neul noona,” Dojun said with a grin.

The entire alliance went pale.

He had known from the start that they were targeting him.

He had accepted he’d be sent to the Death Match—and planned around it.

Even without winning, he’d walked away with a massive haul.

And for that strategy to work, one thing was essential:

‘Overwhelming confidence that he could survive the Death Match.’

For a moment, Dojun radiated such fierce energy that the others were stunned.

If he did survive the Death Match, it would be an utterly terrifying play.

Sang-moon realized it again:

Kim Dojun had to be eliminated.

‘The more gems you have, the more powerful you become. If he survives, Dojun will dominate.’

Now the knife was in Dojun’s hands.

“The player I choose for the Death Match is…”

He smirked and locked eyes with someone.

“Baek Ji-hyuk.”

“Ah, come on! Why me again!?”

“Baek Ji-hyuk is selected as the second nominee. Please proceed to the Death Match room.”

Ji-hyuk looked ready to cry—two days in a row in the Death Match.

In the game room, Ji-hyuk pleaded.

“Dojun, why me…? Yeah, I blocked you earlier, but two days in a row? That’s brutal.”

The smile vanished from Dojun’s face.

In a chilling voice, he replied:

“There’s information hidden in the prison. I couldn’t risk that falling into the wrong hands.”

Ji-hyuk flinched. His usual sly smile disappeared.

“…So you knew?”

He had discovered a secret in the prison—too late. Now he had to survive to confirm it.

“Of course. No other reason. No grudge or personal motive.”

Then, the atmosphere grew suffocating.

Dojun stepped closer, voice cold.

“I just think some knowledge is best kept… to one person.”

That smile—so chilling, so final.

It was the smile of a grim reaper come to claim a soul.