chapter 1 chapter 2 chapter 3 chapter 4 chapter 5 chapter 6 chapter 7 chapter 8
The loudspeaker crackled to life, and the familiar robotic voice filled the room.
> “Welcome to the next challenge: The Circle Game. As the wheel spins, it will assign you a team of two, three, or four members. Once the number is determined, you will proceed to your designated room. You will have five minutes to reach your group’s room. The countdown begins now.”
The red lights flickered overhead as the circular wheel descended into the center of the arena. A tense hush settled over the group. You could feel the nervous energy radiating from everyone around you, their anxious glances jumping from one player to the next. Soobin’s hand gripped yours tightly, and you could feel the tension in his body, his fingers squeezing yours like a lifeline.
His gaze never wavered from the spinning circle, but his thoughts were a whirlwind. He was hyper-aware of you, of the fact that you were pregnant, and every step he took was calculated, focused on keeping you out of harm’s way.
The wheel began its slow rotation, the brightly lit segments flashing as it picked up speed. You watched it spin, the anticipation building in your chest as the numbers ticked by. What if you weren’t in the same group? The thought lingered in the back of your mind, and you could sense Soobin’s worry, his anxious gaze flicking to you every few seconds.
You barely had time to process your thoughts before the wheel began to slow, its whirring gradually coming to a halt. The lights clicked across the segments, flashing past the numbers, and the room fell silent as everyone held their breath.
Soobin’s eyes locked onto you, narrowing slightly as his mind raced. Three. He glanced around quickly, scanning the other players, assessing them. He wasn’t going to let you be alone with anyone—not while you were pregnant.
Without a word, Soobin pulled you toward the group of players moving toward the three-person room. His grip on your hand tightened as he guided you through the crowd. There was no hesitation in his steps, but the quick, nervous flicks of his eyes betrayed his fear. The game, the other players, and the pressure all weighed on him, but you were his focus. You and the baby.
As you neared the room, a few other players followed the same path, making their way to the same door. Soobin’s posture grew more protective as he led you through the small crowd, positioning himself between you and the others. He wasn’t about to let anyone get too close.
The room they entered was sparse—just a few scattered chairs and a dim light flickering overhead. It felt small, the walls closing in on you as you entered with Soobin. He quickly ushered you to one of the far corners, shielding you with his body from the other players.
Two other people, a man and a woman, were already inside. They glanced at Soobin but didn’t dare to speak. The atmosphere was thick with tension. Soobin didn’t waste any time. His eyes immediately scanned the room for any potential danger, then flicked to the door. His protective instincts were at an all-time high. He wouldn’t let anything or anyone near you.
The woman, clearly nervous, cleared her throat and spoke quietly, “So... what now?”
Soobin didn’t even look at her. His eyes remained fixed on you, and his voice, when it came, was cold and sharp. “We wait for the instructions. Don’t speak unless spoken to. And don’t get too close to her.”
His gaze softened when he turned back to you, though the worry never fully left his face. His hand moved to your stomach briefly, as though making sure you were okay. You could feel his protective energy surrounding you, and though the situation felt tense, his presence brought a certain calm.
The seconds ticked by in the room, and you could feel Soobin’s eyes never leaving you. His hand rested on your shoulder, fingers lightly pressing into your skin, keeping you close to him. He was hyper-aware of everything, his senses heightened, his thoughts consumed with ensuring your safety. You could feel it in every glance, every slight move he made. Soobin wasn’t just worried about the game—he was consumed by his need to keep you safe.
The timer on the walls began to flash, signaling the end of the first round. Your heart raced as the loudspeaker clicked back on.
> “The next phase of the game will begin shortly. Prepare yourselves.”
The room fell into an eerie silence once again. Soobin’s hand tightened around yours, his grip firm as he guided you toward the door, but his eyes never strayed from the others in the room. His body positioned itself between you and the rest of the players. He wasn’t letting anyone close to you. Not even for a second.
When the door slid open, Soobin led you out quickly, his eyes scanning the hall for any threats. He wasn’t just focused on the game—he was focused on you. His every move, every breath, was calculated. He wouldn’t let you out of his sight.
Another group of players rushed past, but Soobin didn’t stop. His focus was singular, his body radiating tension as he moved forward with you in tow. You could hear the whispers of the others, but Soobin blocked them out. His every action, every step, was designed to protect you. Nothing was more important to him than keeping you safe.
Soobin leaned close to your ear, his voice soft but urgent. “Stay close,” he whispered. “I don’t trust anyone here. Not with you. Not with the baby.”
His words were a quiet command, but you could hear the fear in his voice. He wasn’t going to take any chances. As you moved through the hall, his body remained as close to yours as possible, his hand never leaving yours, his fingers tight around your palm. He was protecting you in a way that went beyond the game—this was about his obsession, his need to ensure that nothing, and no one, could hurt you.
The loudspeaker crackled again, signaling the next phase. Soobin’s focus was unwavering, his thoughts consumed by the fear that something could go wrong at any moment. But no matter what the game threw at you, he would be there—always by your side, obsessively protective.
As the door slid open, Soobin moved swiftly, his steps deliberate and confident. He was a man on a mission: protect you. The room you’d just exited was dimly lit, and the hallway stretched ahead, narrow and empty. The sharp click of your footsteps echoed as you followed him. He didn’t spare a single glance to the other players; all his attention was on you.
Every now and then, he would glance back at you—just to make sure you were still there, still safe. His eyes would flicker to your stomach, then back to the corridor, scanning for any potential threats. His instincts were on overdrive, hyper-aware of every shift in the air, every whisper that passed between the other players.
Soobin’s anxiety was palpable. The game, the other competitors—it all seemed secondary to him. He was consumed with the idea of you and the baby being in danger. It gnawed at him, a constant ache deep in his chest, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that something might go wrong.
As you moved further down the hallway, another door slid open, and a few other teams filed through. Players glanced at Soobin, sensing the intense aura he radiated. It wasn’t just the fact that he was a force to be reckoned with—it was the way he carried himself. The way he walked as though no one could touch you. The way his gaze never wavered from you.
You could hear the whispers of the others, their hushed voices full of uncertainty. They were all too aware of Soobin’s obsessive attention to you. But no one dared to challenge him. Not when his demeanor was so cold, so unsettling. His focus was unwavering.
The next announcement crackled over the speakers, and your pulse quickened.
> “Players will now move to the designated rooms based on their group size. You have five minutes to reach your room. If you’re not in your room when time expires, you will be eliminated. Get moving.”
The warning echoed through the empty halls. Soobin’s grip on your hand tightened, and he pulled you toward the next door, his body blocking yours from anyone trying to cut in between. You could feel the rush of urgency in his movements, the sharpness in his every gesture. It wasn’t just the game—his mind was working on overdrive, making sure that nothing could hurt you.
Your room was at the far end of the hall. Soobin led you down the narrow corridor, his steps quickening as they neared the door. The air felt thick, suffocating even, and you could feel the weight of every moment. The game was about to escalate, and the danger seemed closer with every second that passed.
As the door slid open, Soobin ushered you in first, keeping himself positioned between you and the hall outside. The room was empty—just a plain space with a few benches and a table in the center. It looked almost like a waiting room, and your heart began to pound as you realized just how vulnerable the situation was.
You sat down on one of the benches, but Soobin didn’t loosen his grip on your hand. Instead, he knelt in front of you, his face serious as he looked you over. His brows were furrowed with worry, his expression tight.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice low and strained. It was clear that the anxiety had only grown since you entered the game. The thought of something happening to you—of losing you—consumed him. He wasn’t sure what would happen next, but he couldn’t let anything bad happen to you.
You nodded, trying to reassure him, but he didn’t seem satisfied. His gaze dropped to your stomach again, his fingers twitching at his sides as though he wanted to touch you but was unsure of what was safe. His protective instincts were overwhelming.
“Just stay close, okay?” Soobin’s voice was barely a whisper now, but the urgency in his tone was unmistakable. “I don’t trust anyone here. Not with you. Not with the baby.”
His eyes flicked to the other players entering the room, but he didn’t give them a second glance. His sole focus remained on you.
The door slid open again, and another set of players entered. Soobin moved instinctively to stand between you and them, his body a shield, his presence dominating the room. His posture was tense, his hand never leaving yours, his fingers curling tightly around your palm. He was hyper-aware of every sound, every movement.
You could feel the weight of his gaze on you as you sat there, waiting for the game to continue. You could feel the tension radiating from him—like he was holding himself back from doing something irrational, something that could put you both at greater risk.
The other players in the room kept their distance, sensing Soobin’s dominance. They avoided making eye contact with him, and none of them dared to approach you.
Minutes seemed to drag on. Every second felt longer than the last. The timer on the wall counted down, a cold reminder of the clock ticking toward your next challenge. The air grew heavier, thick with anticipation and fear.
Finally, the speaker crackled again, and the voice came through.
> “The next phase will begin. Players will be called to participate. The challenge will require quick thinking and teamwork. We will divide the players into pairs.”
A chill ran down your spine. Pairs.
Soobin’s grip on your hand tightened even more at the mention of the word. He didn’t need to hear anything else. He was already making up his mind.
“No,” he muttered under his breath, his gaze never leaving yours. “We’re sticking together. No matter what.”
You could feel the force of his words. There was no way he was letting you face this challenge without him—no way he was letting anyone else team up with you. Not while you were pregnant.
The thought of losing you, even for a moment, was too much. Soobin’s obsession had reached its peak. The other players might be playing a game, but for him, this was about protecting you, keeping you safe at all costs.
As the other players shuffled into their pairs, Soobin’s eyes scanned the room. He wasn’t sure what would happen next, but he wouldn’t let you go. Not for one second.
The doors opened again, signaling that it was time to move.
Soobin turned to you, his hand still tightly wrapped around yours, and leaned down to whisper, “Stay close. Don’t let go of my hand, no matter what.”
You nodded, feeling the weight of his protectiveness. His obsession had only grown stronger. You weren’t just his teammate—you were his everything.
And no matter what this game threw at you, Soobin would never let anyone take you away.
The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Soobin’s hand never left yours, a vice grip that felt almost suffocating, but it was all you could feel in the chaos of the moment. His eyes were wide, scanning every movement, every sound, but his mind was focused entirely on you.
The loudspeaker interrupted the eerie silence once more, and the robotic voice rang out, sending a cold shiver down your spine.
> “All players, please prepare for the next phase. The game will begin shortly. Pairs will be formed and assigned specific roles. You will have thirty seconds to find your partner.”
Soobin’s grip tightened on your hand as he heard the announcement. Pairs. The word hung in the air like a sword ready to fall. There was no way he would let you be separated from him, not in a game like this. Not with the stakes this high.
He turned to face you, his eyes filled with a fierce, almost desperate intensity. “We’re staying together,” he whispered, his voice barely audible above the din of other players starting to move toward the center of the room. “If they try to separate us, I won’t let them.”
You nodded quickly, your heart pounding in your chest. The idea of being with anyone else—especially while pregnant—was terrifying. You were grateful Soobin was so protective, but his anxiety was becoming more and more palpable, the energy between you both almost suffocating in the confined space of the room.
The timer ticked down, and Soobin glanced toward the door again, his muscles tensing. His body was almost coiled, ready to spring into action at the slightest sign of danger. You could feel his breath quicken, the uncertainty and fear consuming him.
The seconds seemed to crawl as the announcement repeated, the voice on the loudspeaker giving instructions to the rest of the players.
> “Find your partner now. The challenge begins in thirty seconds. Good luck.”
And then the room fell into a chaotic flurry of movement. Players scrambled to find someone to team up with. You could hear them yelling, shouting, their footsteps echoing as they rushed toward one another. But Soobin didn’t budge. He stayed rooted to the spot, his eyes scanning the others with an unwavering focus. His gaze flicked to the door every few seconds, ensuring no one would try to take you away from him.
His jaw clenched as he tugged you closer, pulling you to the far corner of the room. The way he held you was almost possessive, like a guard dog standing between its territory and any potential threat. He wasn’t just worried about you—he was terrified of losing you. He couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to you or the baby.
“We’re not splitting up,” Soobin muttered, his words barely more than a growl. His eyes met yours, and for a moment, the intensity of his gaze seemed to consume you. It was like he was silently pleading with you to understand. “Don’t leave me. Don’t let them take you away.”
You could feel his pulse racing as he spoke, the anxiety evident in the tremor of his voice. The other players continued to scramble around, forming pairs and grabbing anyone in sight, but Soobin remained steadfast, never allowing his attention to drift from you. His protective instincts were in overdrive.
Just then, the door opened again, and more players entered, seemingly unperturbed by the tension in the room. But Soobin’s focus didn’t shift. He didn’t take his eyes off you, his grip tightening on your hand, as if afraid that the moment he let go, you might disappear into the chaos.
The players who had entered looked around, trying to form pairs, but no one dared to approach you or Soobin. They sensed the intensity radiating from him. His aura was like a storm—powerful, unyielding, and dangerous. No one wanted to challenge it.
But as the seconds ticked away, Soobin began to feel the pressure mounting. The game was moving quickly, and it wouldn’t be long before the challenge began. He was losing his patience, the constant fear gnawing at him, the anxiety bubbling just beneath the surface.
The loudspeaker suddenly blared to life once again, breaking the tension.
> “Time’s up. Pairs have been formed. The challenge will now begin. Players, proceed to the arena immediately.”
Soobin’s hand shot out, grabbing your arm with a firm grip as he led you toward the door. His eyes darted around the room one last time, ensuring that no one was going to try and separate you. He would not allow it. His entire being was focused on getting you through this challenge safely.
As you moved toward the door, Soobin’s protective hold on you became even more pronounced. He guided you through the narrow passage, his body practically glued to yours, his every move deliberate and cautious. His thoughts raced—how could he ensure your safety in this madness? How could he shield you from the dangers lurking just beyond this door?
You could feel the tension in the air as you approached the next stage of the game. Your heart pounded in your chest, a mixture of fear and adrenaline. You didn’t know what awaited you, but you knew one thing for certain: as long as Soobin was by your side, you would survive this.
The room you entered next was dimly lit, and there was a large screen on the wall. A deep silence enveloped the area as all the remaining players stood in a loose circle, waiting for further instructions.
Soobin remained close to you, his body blocking yours from the others. He was hyper-aware of every movement, every glance cast your way. His breath was shallow, quick, and his mind was already working, thinking about the next step. He couldn’t afford to relax—not for a second.
The voice on the loudspeaker crackled to life again, its robotic tone now more ominous than ever.
> “Players, please stand by. The next phase will begin shortly. Prepare yourselves for the unknown.”
Soobin’s grip on your hand tightened once more, his thumb running gently over your skin as if to reassure you. But you could feel the tension radiating from him. The game was growing darker, and his obsession with protecting you had only intensified.
The lights flickered above, and the air seemed to grow colder as the seconds ticked by.
Soobin’s heart pounded in his chest, his every muscle coiled in anticipation. There was no turning back now. But one thing was clear—no matter what this game threw at him, no matter what challenges lay ahead, he would never let you go. Not for a second.
You were his, and no one would take you away.
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