Chapter Text
The meeting room at JYP felt wrongly quiet for eight people like them.
Eight chairs were lined up around a long polished table, eight familiar figures filling them in their own chaotic ways. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, slicing the room into bright gold and shadow, dust floating lazily in the air. It should have felt normal.
It didn’t.
Bang Chan sat at the head of the table, back straight, arms folded, eyes sharp. He’d been in this industry long enough to recognize that strange, heavy silence—the one that always came before something big.
Something bad.
Felix was swinging his legs under the table, humming a random melody, completely unaware of Chan’s tension.
Minho leaned over and kicked his ankle lightly.
“Yah. Stop that. You’re going to drive me insane.”
Felix grinned. “What if they’re bringing snacks?”
Changbin scoffed. “At JYP? If we’re lucky, we’ll get a single protein bar to share.”
Jisung was twirling a pen between his fingers, spinning it faster and faster, eyes darting from face to face. “I swear, if this is another ‘let’s work harder’ speech, I’m walking out.”
Seungmin glanced at his phone. “We’ve been sitting here for ten minutes. That’s already longer than some of our meals.”
Jeongin laughed quietly. “Hyung, you say that every meeting.”
Hyunjin hadn’t said a word.
He sat by the window, chin resting in his palm, eyes fixed on the city far below. The sunlight caught in his hair, making him look almost unreal—like he was somewhere else entirely.
Chan noticed.
“Hyunjin,” he said softly. “You okay?”
Hyunjin blinked and looked back at them. “Yeah. Just… wondering what they want.”
The door suddenly opened.
All eight of them straightened instantly.
A man in his late thirties stepped inside, tablet tucked under one arm, dressed in a neat blazer and a smile that was too practiced to be real.
Minho leaned toward Changbin. “That’s him. The new manager.”
“Mr. Kang,” Changbin whispered back. “I heard he used to work in overseas projects.”
Mr. Kang closed the door behind him with a soft click and bowed politely.
“Good afternoon, everyone.”
They stood up at once.
“Good afternoon!”
“Please, please, sit,” Mr. Kang said with a light laugh as he took the chair across from Chan. “No need to be so formal. I won’t take too much of your time.”
That alone made Jisung uneasy.
Felix leaned forward. “Then why do I feel like you’re about to ruin my day?”
Mr. Kang chuckled. “You’re very perceptive.”
Chan’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You said this meeting would be… different.”
Mr. Kang tapped his tablet once. “Yes. Very different.”
A small pause.
Too small.
“I just want to start by saying how well you’ve been doing,” he continued. “Your last comeback exceeded expectations. Your international growth is impressive. You must all be exhausted.”
Felix brightened. “We are, but it was fun!”
Jisung groaned loudly. “Fun? I haven’t slept properly in three days.”
Seungmin shot him a look. “That’s because you stay up watching dumb videos.”
“They’re not dumb.”
Hyunjin leaned forward, elbows on the table. “Sir… what’s this really about?”
Mr. Kang’s smile deepened, but something behind it hardened.
“Straight to the point,” he said. “I like that.”
He glanced around the table again, slowly, deliberately.
“Let’s just say… an opportunity has come up for you.”
Eight pairs of eyes locked onto him.
And somewhere deep inside, Bang Chan felt something twist.
Mr. Kang tapped his tablet, and the dark screen flared to life with a soft glow.
A logo appeared—sleek, unfamiliar.
“We’ve received a proposal,” he said. “Not from another company. Not from a broadcaster. From an external production team.”
Jeongin leaned forward immediately. “A show?”
Mr. Kang nodded. “An online series. It streams mainly on YouTube and other platforms. It’s been gaining a lot of attention.”
Minho squinted at the screen. “What kind of series?”
Mr. Kang hesitated—just a fraction of a second. “A variety-style program. Very interactive. The viewers feel like they’re part of the game.”
Changbin’s eyes lit up. “Games?”
“Yes. A group is invited to a special location and asked to participate in a series of challenges.”
“Like Running Man?” Changbin added, already excited.
“Similar,” Mr. Kang said. “But with one major difference.”
The air shifted.
“The games are elimination-based.”
The word landed heavier than it should have.
“Wait,” Seungmin said slowly. “Elimination as in… people drop out?”
Mr. Kang nodded. “After every round, someone is removed from the game based on performance.”
Felix blinked. “Removed like—kicked out, right?”
He made a dramatic chopping motion. “Not… chopped out?”
Jisung laughed nervously. “Yah, stop being weird.”
Mr. Kang smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Relax. This is entertainment. Think of it as a survival variety show.”
Hyunjin frowned. “Survival?”
“The last player standing wins.”
A silence crept over the table.
“Wins what?” Hyunjin asked.
Mr. Kang’s lips curved. “A large prize. And a lot of attention. The show is known for going viral. They want to feature idols for the first time.”
Bang Chan glanced around. “So no other idol group has done this?”
“No,” Mr. Kang replied. “You’d be the first.”
Jeongin’s eyes sparkled. “That sounds cool.”
Minho crossed his arms. “Or dangerous.”
Seungmin nodded. “Why us?”
Mr. Kang leaned back slightly. “Because Stray Kids are known for their teamwork. Your chemistry. Watching you compete together would be… compelling.”
Changbin puffed out his chest. “We are entertaining.”
Jisung smirked. “We’re basically chaos in human form.”
Felix grinned. “The fans would love it.”
Hyunjin didn’t smile. His gaze stayed fixed on Mr. Kang.
“Where is it filmed?” Felix asked.
“A secluded location prepared by the production team,” Mr. Kang said. “No interruptions. No leaks.”
Minho raised a brow. “Secluded how?”
“Remote,” Mr. Kang replied. “Quiet. Private.”
Bang Chan tapped the table lightly. “And how long?”
“A few days,” Mr. Kang said. “Long enough to finish all the games.”
“So we go somewhere,” Seungmin summarized, “play games, get eliminated one by one, and that’s it?”
“Yes. Think of it as a special project. SKZ Code, but… more intense.”
Felix’s eyes sparkled. “That actually sounds fun.”
“As long as there’s food,” Changbin added quickly.
Jeongin nodded. “Food is non-negotiable.”
Jisung leaned back. “What’s the catch?”
Mr. Kang met his gaze. “The challenges are demanding. Physically and mentally. But the staff assures us everything is within safety limits.”
Hyunjin finally spoke, voice low. “And if we say no?”
Mr. Kang looked at him steadily. “Then you walk away. No consequences. This is only an offer.”
The room fell quiet.
Bang Chan looked at his members—Felix’s excitement, Changbin’s curiosity, Minho’s caution, Jisung’s mischievous interest, Jeongin’s wonder, Seungmin’s suspicion, Hyunjin’s unease.
“This could be interesting,” Changbin said.
“Or a disaster,” Seungmin replied.
Felix leaned toward Chan. “Hyung… it could be really fun. All of us together.”
Minho shrugged. “We’ve survived worse schedules.”
Hyunjin’s fingers curled against the table. “This feels… off.”
Chan inhaled slowly.
“Thank you for explaining, Mr. Kang,” he said. “We’ll talk it over as a team.”
Mr. Kang stood. “Of course. Just remember—opportunities like this don’t come often.”
He bowed.
“I’ll wait for your answer.”
The door closed behind him.
Changbin slapped his hands together, the sound sharp in the quiet room.
“Well,” he said, forcing a grin, “that was… something.”
Felix was practically vibrating in his chair. “I kinda wanna try it. I mean—games? A whole show just about us playing games?”
Seungmin shot him a look. “You hear the word games and your brain turns off.”
Felix gasped. “Hey! My brain is very on.”
Jisung snorted. “He’s not wrong though. You’re curious too.”
Seungmin opened his mouth to argue, then stopped. “…Okay, maybe a little.”
Minho leaned back, crossing his arms. “Curious and comfortable are two very different things.”
His gaze shifted to Hyunjin.
“You’ve barely said anything. What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”
Hyunjin slowly lifted his eyes from the table. There was something uneasy in them, something that didn’t quite fit the playful mood.
“I think,” he said quietly, “it sounds too good to be true.”
The air changed.
Felix’s smile faltered just a bit.
“What do you mean?”
Hyunjin hesitated. “A viral show. A big prize. A secluded location. No other idols involved.” He shook his head slightly. “It feels like bait.”
Jisung tilted his head. “Bait for what?”
“That’s the problem,” Hyunjin replied. “I don’t know.”
Bang Chan exhaled slowly. “Yeah… that’s what’s been bothering me too.”
Minho frowned. “So we’re all feeling it, right? That weird vibe?”
Seungmin nodded. “It’s like when a scam email is written too perfectly.”
Changbin rubbed the back of his neck. “But at the same time… what if it’s real?”
Jeongin spoke up softly. “If it is real, it could be amazing.”
Felix hugged his knees to his chest. “I just don’t want to miss out on something big.”
Silence stretched between them, thick with possibilities and unease.
Outside the tall windows, the sun slipped lower in the sky, shadows crawling slowly across the floor—long, dark fingers reaching toward the table.
Bang Chan watched the light fade, jaw tightening.
“Whatever we decide,” he said quietly, “it won’t be simple.”
And somehow, all of them already knew that once they chose…
there would be no turning back.
++++
The dorm was unusually calm that night.
Not quiet—it was never truly quiet with eight people living together—but calm in the way only deep exhaustion could create. The kind that wrapped around them after weeks of nonstop schedules, rehearsals that went past midnight, and the constant pressure of having to be “on.”
Felix was sprawled on the living room floor like a starfish, headphones on, quietly humming along to whatever song was playing. One knee was bent, the other leg lazily kicking the air in time with the beat.
Minho sat at the small table with his laptop open, a drama paused halfway through the episode. A cup of coffee sat next to him, completely forgotten and long gone cold.
Changbin was in the kitchen, opening and closing cabinets like he expected something new to magically appear.
“Why do we never have anything good to eat?” he groaned. “All I see is ramen and regrets.”
“You say that like ramen isn’t the greatest invention in human history,” Jisung replied from the couch, where he was half lying, half sitting, scrolling through his phone. “Also, regrets build character.”
Seungmin, leaning against the wall with a towel draped around his neck, raised an eyebrow. “If regrets build character, then you must be a masterpiece by now.”
Jisung slapped a hand over his heart. “Wow. I came here to rest and I get emotionally destroyed instead.”
Jeongin laughed from the floor where he was sorting through a pile of snacks. “Hyung, you literally asked for it.”
Hyunjin sat near the window, sketchbook resting on his knees, pencil moving slowly as he drew without really thinking. His hair was still slightly damp from his shower, a soft curl falling into his eyes. He looked peaceful—too peaceful, like he was trying not to think about something.
Bang Chan stepped out of his room with his phone in hand.
He stopped for a second, just watching them. His members, scattered around the dorm like this—comfortable, loud, messy, real.
Then he cleared his throat.
“Guys.”
Most of them looked up immediately.
Changbin poked his head out of the kitchen. “If you’re about to tell me we’re officially out of snacks, I don’t want to hear it.”
Chan huffed a small laugh. “No. It’s about Mr. Kang.”
That changed the atmosphere instantly.
Felix pulled his headphones off and sat up. “The new manager?”
“Yeah,” Chan said, walking into the living room and leaning against the back of the couch. “We have to give him an answer tonight.”
A quiet beat passed.
“Tonight?” Seungmin frowned. “That’s… fast.”
“They probably want to lock the schedule before someone else takes the slot,” Chan replied. “This show isn’t just about us. They’re casting.”
Minho closed his laptop slowly. “So basically… now or never.”
Jisung swung his legs off the couch. “Wow. Dramatic.”
Hyunjin finally looked up from his sketchbook, eyes thoughtful. “That’s exactly what worries me.”
Changbin crossed his arms. “Why does everything that sounds exciting also sound suspicious?”
Felix tilted his head. “You’re saying it like that’s a rule of life.”
Seungmin muttered, “It kind of is.”
Chan looked at all of them again—eight tired, curious, anxious faces.
Minho closed his laptop with a soft click.
“So,” he said, leaning back in his chair, arms crossing loosely. “What do we think?”
Changbin emerged from the kitchen holding a cup of ramen like it was a sacred object.
“I think if it involves games, I’m already emotionally invested.”
Jisung snorted. “You’re invested if it involves free food.”
“That too,” Changbin agreed proudly, slurping a noodle.
Jeongin tilted his head, chewing on a chip. “But hyung… isn’t it kind of weird? We don’t even know this production team.”
Hyunjin finally looked up from his sketchbook, pencil pausing mid-line.
“Yeah. It feels… rushed.”
Felix hugged a cushion to his chest. “But Mr. Kang said they’re popular, right?”
Seungmin folded his arms. “Popular doesn’t always mean safe.”
Bang Chan nodded slowly. “That’s why I didn’t just take his word for it.”
He lifted his phone. “I asked him to send me everything. Company name. Contracts. Their past shows.”
Jisung scooted closer. “And? Are they shady?”
Chan scrolled. “Their channel has millions of subscribers. Their old series are public. No scandals, no lawsuits, no weird rumors. From what I can tell… they’re legit.”
Minho raised an eyebrow. “You did a full background check in, what, ten minutes?”
Chan shrugged. “Leader instincts.”
Changbin laughed. “Of course you did, leader-nim. You probably checked their tax history too.”
Hyunjin studied Chan’s face carefully. “So you really think it’s safe?”
“As safe as something like this can be,” Chan answered honestly. “I don’t see any red flags.”
Jeongin let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Okay… that’s good.”
Felix’s eyes lit up. “Then it might really just be a fun show.”
Seungmin hesitated. “We’ve had two comebacks in a row. We’re exhausted.”
Jisung dropped back onto the couch. “My soul left my body somewhere between dance practice and vocal recording.”
Changbin raised his ramen cup. “My muscles are actively filing a complaint.”
Minho leaned back, thoughtful. “That’s actually why this might be good.”
They all looked at him.
“If it’s just a few days somewhere else, playing games,” he continued, “it could feel like a reset. A break. Something that’s not schedules and cameras and pressure.”
Felix smiled softly. “Like a little trip together.”
Jeongin’s face brightened. “That sounds really nice, actually.”
Hyunjin’s pencil slowly stopped moving. “…A break does sound tempting.”
Seungmin sighed. “I hate that you’re all making sense.”
Jisung grinned. “Come on. Say yes. Join us.”
“I am literally surrounded by idiots,” Seungmin muttered—but he was smiling.
Bang Chan watched them, something warm in his chest.
“I’m tired too,” he admitted quietly. “But I think doing this together could be good for us. Something different. Something we’ll remember.”
Changbin nodded. “We always say we want new experiences.”
Felix added, “As long as we’re together.”
Jeongin looked around at them. “I trust you guys.”
Hyunjin closed his sketchbook. “If Chan says it’s okay… I’m in.”
All eyes turned to Seungmin.
He groaned dramatically. “Fine. But if this turns into a disaster, I’m blaming every single one of you.”
Jisung cheered. “Yes!”
Minho smirked. “Guess that’s settled.”
Bang Chan unlocked his phone, fingers hovering for a second.
“So… we’re really doing this?”
One by one, they nodded.
“Yeah.”
“Let’s go.”
“Why not?”
Chan typed quickly.
Hello, Mr. Kang. We discussed it as a team and decided to accept the offer. Thank you for thinking of us. Please let us know the next steps.
He read it once, then hit send.
The message disappeared.
Felix grinned wide. “It’s really happening.”
Changbin lifted his ramen cup like a toast. “To games and free food.”
Jisung laughed. “And to surviving whatever chaos this becomes.”
Seungmin shook his head. “You’re all way too optimistic.”
Hyunjin glanced toward the dark window, a faint, uneasy feeling stirring.
“Let’s just hope it’s as fun as they promised.”
Bang Chan looked at his members, smiling softly.
“No matter what… we’ll face it together.”
Outside, the city lights shimmered.
And far beyond their sight, something unseen had just begun to move.
++++
Two days later.
The roar of jet engines rolled across the runway like thunder as a sleek white private jet waited at the edge of the tarmac, sunlight flashing off its polished body. Hot wind whipped around their jackets and hair, carrying the sharp smell of fuel and metal.
Eight figures stood at the bottom of the stairs, duffel bags slung over shoulders, backpacks bumping against their sides.
“Wow…” Felix breathed. “We really get our own plane.”
Changbin squinted at it. “This thing probably costs more than our entire dorm.”
Seungmin muttered, “Don’t touch anything. They’ll charge us.”
Company staff clustered nearby, juggling clipboards and radios.
“Please be careful,” one of the managers said, bowing deeply. “Call us the moment you land.”
Bang Chan bowed back. “We will. Thank you for everything.”
Felix waved enthusiastically. “Don’t worry! We’ll come back alive and with stories!”
“And snacks,” Changbin added quickly.
Seungmin sighed. “Why is that your top priority?”
Hyunjin stood slightly apart, eyes fixed on the plane. “It still doesn’t feel real. Yesterday we were rehearsing… now we’re flying somewhere secret to play games.”
Jisung grinned. “This is how horror movies start.”
“Stop,” Jeongin said nervously. “You’re making it worse.”
Near the stairs, three men waited.
They wore dark, fitted uniforms—no logos, no smiles. Just clean lines, earpieces in, posture straight like soldiers.
Minho leaned toward Jisung. “Are those staff… or bodyguards?”
Jisung swallowed. “If they’re staff, they’re the scariest staff I’ve ever seen.”
Jeongin peeked at them. “They look like they could knock us out with one finger.”
Changbin puffed out his chest. “I could take at least one of them.”
Minho glanced at his arms. “You’d die first.”
One of the men stepped forward. His voice was calm, deep, and perfectly controlled.
“If you are ready, please board. We will be departing shortly.”
It didn’t sound like a suggestion.
The company staff stopped at the bottom of the stairs.
Mr. Kang smiled warmly. “Everything is prepared. Just relax and enjoy yourselves.”
Bang Chan nodded, even as a small unease stirred in his stomach. “We will.”
Felix grabbed Jeongin’s sleeve. “If this turns into a survival game, you’re sticking with me.”
“I was planning to hide behind you,” Jeongin whispered back.
They began climbing the stairs.
Changbin paused halfway. “Last chance to back out and go eat chicken.”
“No one’s stopping you,” Seungmin said.
Changbin kept climbing.
Felix turned around at the top, waving both arms wildly. “Bye! Don’t forget us!”
The door slid shut with a heavy thud.
The outside world disappeared.
The inside of the jet was far more luxurious than any of them expected—wide leather seats, soft lighting, a quiet hum replacing the chaos of the runway.
Changbin’s eyes went wide. “Okay, this is insane.”
Jeongin ran his hand over the seat. “Can we keep it?”
Seungmin dropped into a chair and sighed. “I could sleep here for a week.”
Minho took the seat by the window, peering outside. “I’ve never been on a private jet before.”
Jisung plopped down next to him. “If I die today, at least I can say I experienced this.”
“Don’t say that,” Felix said quickly, sitting across from them. “We’re just going to play games.”
Hyunjin sat beside Felix, hugging a cushion. “Yeah… just games.”
Bang Chan took the seat near the middle, instinctively choosing a place where he could see everyone. He glanced around, counting heads—all here.
The three uniformed men took seats toward the back, buckling in silently.
A moment later, the plane began to move.
Jeongin pressed his face to the window. “We’re really taking off.”
As the jet lifted into the sky, Felix let out a small laugh. “Whoa.”
Changbin spread his arms dramatically. “I am flying!”
Seungmin covered his face. “Please sit down like a normal person.”
Once they leveled out, the cabin grew calmer.
Jisung leaned back, fingers tapping nervously on his knee. “So… does anyone actually know where we’re going?”
Minho shook his head. “Nope.”
Hyunjin glanced at Chan. “Did they tell you anything?”
Chan hesitated, then admitted, “All they said was that it’s a private location prepared for filming. Somewhere quiet.”
Changbin frowned. “That’s… vague.”
Felix tried to stay upbeat. “Maybe it’s a resort or something.”
Jeongin nodded eagerly. “Yeah! Like one of those pretty places you see in dramas.”
Seungmin tilted his head. “Then why all the secrecy?”
No one had an answer for that.
One of the uniformed men spoke up from the back. “For confidentiality. The production values privacy.”
His voice was even, practiced.
Jisung jumped slightly. “Ah—sorry. We weren’t trying to pry.”
The man gave a brief nod and said nothing more.
An awkward silence followed.
Hyunjin shifted in his seat. “Do you feel it too?”
Felix looked at him. “Feel what?”
“Like…” Hyunjin searched for the words. “Excitement, but also something heavy. I don’t know why.”
Felix smiled softly. “I think that’s just nerves.”
Bang Chan tried to reassure them. “It’s normal to be nervous. New place, new people. But the company checked everything. We’re okay.”
Minho studied Chan for a second, then nodded. “Yeah. If you say so.”
Changbin clapped his hands together. “Alright, enough gloom. Let’s make a bet.”
Jisung’s eyes lit up. “I like where this is going.”
“Who do you think is going to lose the first game?” Changbin asked.
Jeongin pointed immediately. “Hyung.”
“Hey!”
Seungmin smirked. “I vote Jisung.”
Felix giggled. “I think Chan-hyung will be too serious and mess up.”
Chan laughed. “Wow, thanks for the confidence.”
Hyunjin raised his hand. “Minho-hyung. Just because.”
Minho blinked. “What did I do to you?”
They laughed, the tension easing a little.
But every now and then, someone would glance toward the back of the cabin—at the three silent figures, sitting perfectly still.
As hours passed, the sky outside the windows darkened from blue to orange, then to deep purple.
The jet kept flying.
Jisung checked his phone, then frowned. “No signal.”
Felix checked his too. “Mine neither.”
Minho shrugged. “We’re probably over the ocean.”
Jeongin hugged his knees. “We’re really far, huh.”
Bang Chan looked out the window, trying to spot anything below, but there was only darkness.
Somewhere deep in his chest, that knot tightened.
Still, he smiled and turned back to them. “Let’s rest while we can. Once we land, it might get busy.”
Seungmin nodded. “Good idea.”
One by one, they settled into their seats, some dozing off, others staring into space, thoughts drifting.
Hyunjin closed his eyes, but sleep didn’t come easily.
Felix whispered, barely audible, “Hyunjin?”
“Yeah?”
“You think this will really just be fun?”
Hyunjin opened his eyes and looked at him. “I hope so.”
The jet continued through the night, carrying them toward a destination none of them could name.
Toward a game they didn’t yet understand.
Toward the beginning of everything.
++++
Several hours later.
The jet didn’t announce their arrival.
It simply shuddered—a soft but unmistakable tremor that rolled through the cabin.
Bang Chan’s eyes fluttered open. The low hum of the engines had changed, deeper now, slower. He pushed himself upright, still half-asleep… and froze.
The windows weren’t black anymore.
They were green.
Endless shades of green.
“Guys,” he murmured. Then louder, his voice sharp with sudden alertness.
“Hey. Wake up. We’re here.”
Felix blinked himself awake. “Huh… already?”
Jeongin rubbed his face. “I swear I just closed my eyes…”
Minho leaned over the seat toward the window. “Wait—what is that?”
Jisung nearly tripped climbing over him.
“Move, move—oh my—”
Below them stretched a massive island, wild and untouched, blanketed in forests so thick they looked like a green ocean. Sunlight spilled across rolling hills, and the surrounding water glimmered like polished glass.
Felix gasped. “That’s… beautiful.”
Hyunjin pressed his forehead to the glass, eyes wide. “It looks unreal. Like a painting.”
Changbin let out a low whistle. “Okay. Okay. I officially forgive them for scaring us.”
The plane descended slowly, smoothly.
Birds scattered below like tiny shadows, and beams of sunlight cut through the trees in golden streaks.
For a moment, everyone was quiet.
Then Seungmin spoke, his voice sharp.
“Do you see anything… man-made?”
They all leaned closer to the windows.
No rooftops.
No roads.
No docks.
No smoke.
No movement.
Nothing.
Jeongin swallowed. “There’s… literally nothing there.”
Felix laughed nervously. “Maybe it’s like a nature retreat?”
Minho frowned. “Or a place no one lives.”
Jisung tried to joke. “So, uh… free real estate?”
Hyunjin didn’t smile. “It feels… too empty.”
The plane touched down on a narrow landing strip carved straight through the greenery.
Tires screeched softly against the concrete before slowing to a stop.
The engines powered down.
Silence flooded the cabin.
One of the uniformed men stood, expression unreadable.
“Please prepare to disembark.”
The words felt heavier than they should have.
They grabbed their bags and lined up.
Excitement buzzed, but something tighter—nervous, electric—curled underneath it.
The door opened.
Warm air rushed in, thick with the scent of trees, earth, and ocean.
Felix stepped out first and spread his arms wide. “Whoa—this air amazing!”
Changbin followed, eyes darting everywhere. “This place looks expensive.”
Minho snorted. “You mean wild.”
The island was breathtaking. Towering trees swayed gently. Sunlight danced through the leaves. Somewhere deep in the forest, birds called back and forth.
Jeongin slowly turned in a circle. “It’s so pretty it doesn’t feel real.”
Hyunjin’s voice was soft. “I could paint this for the rest of my life.”
Bang Chan wasn’t smiling.
He was scanning the trees.
“The silence is weird,” he said quietly. “There should be… something.”
“Chan,” Jisung said, pointing. “Over there.”
Half-hidden between branches, mounted high in the trees, were sleek black LCD screens. Metal frames glinted where sunlight hit them.
They didn’t belong.
Seungmin frowned. “Yeah, no. That’s creepy.”
Minho crossed his arms. “So much for untouched nature.”
Felix tried to laugh it off. “It’s just part of the show, right? Like… jungle-tech vibes.”
But as the dark screens stared back at them, reflecting their own faces, it was hard to shake the feeling that the island wasn’t just watching them…
It was waiting.
Before anyone could say another word—
Something moved.
Leaves rustled.
Shadows shifted.
From between the trees, figures began to emerge.
One.
Then five.
Then more.
By the time they stopped, around twenty people stood before them in a loose semicircle.
All in black.
Black uniforms.
Black gloves.
Black boots.
And black masks that hid every trace of a face.
Not fabric. Not medical.
Solid, sculpted masks—cold, smooth, and utterly blank.
The temperature of the moment dropped.
Jeongin grabbed Felix’s sleeve. “Hyung…”
Felix swallowed hard. “Yeah. I’m… definitely seeing that.”
Hyunjin’s earlier awe vanished. “Okay. That just went from ‘cool island’ to ‘horror movie.’”
Changbin muttered, “Why do they look like they could take over a country?”
Jisung shrank slightly. “I feel like we accidentally walked into the final boss area.”
Seungmin whispered, “This is insane.”
Even Minho straightened, jaw tightening. “They definitely left this part out of the email.”
Bang Chan instinctively stepped forward, placing himself half a step in front of the others.
The black-clad figures stopped a few meters away.
Perfectly still.
Not a single one moved.
Then—
Another figure stepped out from behind them.
He wore dark blue from head to toe—long coat, gloves, trousers—every piece the same deep, elegant shade. His mask was pure white, smooth and expressionless, like porcelain.
He moved slowly, deliberately.
Hyunjin felt a chill slide down his spine. “That’s… gotta be the host.”
Seungmin murmured, “Why do I feel like we’re about to be told the rules of our own funeral?”
The blue-clad figure stopped in front of them.
Wind whispered through the trees.
Birds went silent.
He dipped his head slightly in a formal bow toward Bang Chan.
“Welcome,” his voice echoed through the mask, calm and distorted.
“Stray Kids.”
Chan bowed back quickly. “Thank you for having us.”
“I am one of the coordinators of this competition,” the man said. “There are nine of us.”
Changbin whispered, “Nine coordinators? This thing’s serious.”
Jisung hissed back, “Stop narrating!”
The coordinator lifted one hand.
“Nine games are currently active on this island. You will participate as one team.”
Felix’s eyes lit up despite everything. “Nine games? That’s kinda awesome.”
Jeongin nodded. “We can do this.”
The man’s tone didn’t change.
“In each game, you will either succeed… or be eliminated.”
The word cut through the air.
Eliminated.
Hyunjin hugged his arms. “Eliminated… how?”
Minho glanced sideways at Chan. “Like, you lose and you’re out, right?”
The coordinator tilted his head slowly.
“Elimination means you will lose something.”
The way he said it—quiet, precise—made their stomachs twist.
Seungmin frowned. “That’s a really creepy way to phrase it.”
Changbin let out a shaky laugh. “So… let’s just not lose, yeah?”
Jisung forced a grin. “Sounds simple enough.”
Felix tried to keep the mood light. “Hey, we’re good at games!”
Jeongin raised a fist. “We always win when we’re together!”
Bang Chan nodded, hiding his growing unease. “We’ll give it everything.”
The coordinator studied them for a long moment, as if memorizing their faces behind their smiles.
“Your confidence is noted,” he said. “Please follow the staff. The first game will begin shortly.”
At his signal, the black-clad figures stepped aside, opening a narrow path into the dark forest.
Hyunjin hesitated. “This is really happening…”
Minho muttered, “Yeah. And I don’t think this is the kind of show you can quit.”
Felix looked at Chan. “Hyung?”
Chan met his eyes and nodded firmly. “Stay close. All of you.”
Changbin cracked his knuckles. “Alright, creepy island. Let’s do this.”
Jisung laughed, nervous but excited. “Welcome to… whatever this is.”
And together, they stepped into the trees.
As they began to walk between the silent, masked figures, Jeongin whispered, “Why do I feel like this is cooler than I expected… and scarier too?”
Seungmin answered quietly, “Because it probably is.”
Behind them, the jet stood alone on the runway.
Ahead of them, the forest waited.
And somewhere among the trees, the screens flickered to life.
They followed the coordinator in a tight group, boots crunching softly over dirt and fallen leaves. The black-clad staff walked on either side of them, silent as shadows.
For a while, only the sounds of nature filled the air.
Then the coordinator spoke again, his voice steady as he walked.
“Before we proceed,” he said, “please hand over all mobile phones and smart devices.”
They all looked at each other.
Jisung blinked. “Huh?”
Felix tilted his head. “Like… our phones?”
“Yes,” the coordinator replied calmly. “Phones, smartwatches, earbuds. Any electronic device capable of communication or recording.”
Changbin frowned. “That’s kinda sudden.”
Seungmin pushed his glasses up. “Is that really necessary?”
The coordinator didn’t slow down. “As you know, we do not allow any form of cheating. This competition is conducted under strict and professional conditions.”
Minho muttered, “Sounds serious.”
Jeongin glanced down at the phone in his hand, hesitating. “I mean… it makes sense, right? If it’s a game show.”
Hyunjin looked uneasy. “But what if we need to call someone?”
Felix smiled nervously. “We won’t, because we’re gonna win fast and go home.”
Bang Chan walked a step closer to the coordinator. “We were told everything would be under control.”
The man nodded slightly. “It is. Your company has been informed of our policies.”
That seemed to settle it.
Chan turned back to the members. “Guys… let’s just do it. It’s probably standard for shows like this.”
Changbin sighed. “Alright, leader says so.”
One of the black-clad staff stepped forward, opening a hard black case.
Reluctantly, they began handing things over.
Felix went first, pulling out his phone. “Bye, buddy,” he whispered, dropping it into the case.
Jeongin followed, taking off his smartwatch. “I just charged this…”
Jisung hesitated longer, then placed both his phone and earbuds inside. “I feel naked.”
Seungmin carefully turned off his phone before handing it over. “I really don’t like this.”
Minho dropped his in without a word, eyes scanning the silent figures around them.
Hyunjin held his phone for a second, thumb brushing the screen, then gave it up too. “We’ll get them back, right?”
The staff member said nothing, only closed the case halfway.
Changbin handed over his devices last, forcing a laugh. “If this goes missing, I’m suing.”
Finally, Bang Chan placed his phone in the case as well, watching it disappear with a tight expression.
When everything was collected, the case snapped shut.
The feeling that followed was strange—like being cut off from the outside world in one clean motion.
No buzzing.
No screens.
No way to reach anyone.
Jeongin hugged his arms. “It’s so quiet all of a sudden.”
Felix tried to grin. “Kinda peaceful?”
Seungmin shot him a look. “That’s not the word I’d use.”
They continued walking for a few more minutes until the coordinator suddenly stopped.
The black-clad staff halted with him.
He turned to face them.
“Thank you for your cooperation,” he said. “From this point forward, you will remain here.”
Hyunjin frowned. “Here?”
Changbin looked around. “Like… just here in the forest?”
“Yes,” the coordinator replied. “We will leave you now. The first game will begin shortly.”
Jisung’s eyes widened. “Wait, that’s it? You’re just leaving?”
Felix laughed softly. “At least tell us how long ‘shortly’ is.”
The man gave no direct answer. “Please wait calmly. Instructions will be delivered when the game starts.”
Bang Chan took a step forward. “Is there anything we should do in the meantime?”
“Remain together,” the coordinator said. “And do not attempt to leave this area.”
With that, he inclined his head once more.
Then he turned.
One by one, the blue figure and the black-clad staff melted back into the trees, their footsteps barely making a sound until they were completely gone.
Silence swallowed the forest again.
The eight of them stood there, alone.
Then Changbin broke the silence with a nervous laugh. “Well… guess it’s just us now.”
Felix bounced lightly on his heels. “This is kinda cool though, right? Like we’re in some survival show.”
Hyunjin nodded, eyes shining despite the tension. “Yeah. It feels intense, but… exciting.”
Seungmin folded his arms. “Exciting is one word for it. I still don’t like that they took our phones.”
Jeongin exhaled slowly. “Same. I keep reaching for my pocket like it’s still there.”
Minho glanced around at the trees and the strange quiet. “It’s probably just to make it more immersive. You know, for the atmosphere.”
Bang Chan tried to sound confident. “Guys, remember—this is supposed to be a fun program. They wouldn’t invite us if it was dangerous.”
Jisung nodded quickly. “Right. It’s just a game. A weird one, but still a game.”
Changbin stretched his arms. “And if there’s a prize, I’m definitely winning it.”
Felix grinned. “Imagine the stories we’ll tell after this. ‘Yeah, we went to some mysterious island and played secret games.’”
Hyunjin laughed softly. “No one would believe us.”
Despite the uneasiness crawling under their skin, the mood slowly lifted. Their nerves turned into adrenaline, curiosity, that familiar spark they always felt before something new.
Then—
A low electronic hum cut through the forest.
They all froze.
Minho’s head snapped up. “Did you hear that?”
From between the trees, the large LCD screens mounted high on thick trunks flickered to life, one by one. The dark forest was suddenly washed in a cold, artificial glow.
Jeongin’s eyes widened. “Whoa…”
Seungmin took a step closer, squinting. “Those weren’t on before.”
The screens stabilized, glowing bright white.
Then bold black letters appeared across all of them at once.
GAME ONE HAS BEGUN.
For a heartbeat, nobody moved.
The words felt heavier than they expected.
Changbin swallowed. “Okay… that’s dramatic.”
Felix let out a breathy laugh. “They really know how to set the mood.”
Hyunjin’s pulse picked up, excitement rushing through him. “This is it, huh?”
Bang Chan straightened, eyes fixed on the screen. “Everyone, stay sharp. Let’s see what they throw at us.”
Even Seungmin, still uneasy, couldn’t hide a small spark of anticipation. “Guess there’s no turning back now.”
The forest seemed to hold its breath around them.
Jisung looked up at the glowing letters, his nervous grin slowly turning into genuine excitement. His heart was pounding, but in that moment, all he could think about was how unreal—and thrilling—this felt.
He broke into a smile and said,
“Aw man… this is gonna be so much fun.”