Gi-hun is devastated by the loss of his best friend and sinks into deep despair after discovering that the Game Master had hidden his true identity to secretly infiltrate the game.
No-eul infiltrates a dangerous operation with a risky plan. A new game is announced: hide-and-seek, where one group holds a key and the other a knife.
The games resume, and Gi-hun fixates on confronting Kang Dae-ho. Meanwhile, Kim Jun-hee faces a sudden crisis that pushes her willpower to its limits.
Jun-ho's team gets close to finding the island. Jang Geum-ja makes a desperate plea to Gi-hun to help Jun-hee. The VIPs discuss a cruel proposal.
Even as Gi-hun supports Jun-hee amid rising tensions, she must make a pivotal decision. Before the final game, the Front Man gives Gi-hun an ultimatum.
No-eul tries to gain the upper hand in negotiations, but her plans backfire. Gi-hun faces a moral crossroads, testing his limits — how far will he go?
As Jun-ho races to reach the island, tensions peak in the final round. The last players face an impossible situation in the closing minutes of the game.
