"Last round, Mr Ruan."
Thanh Van's fingers barely kept from trembling as Kim Jihun looked up at him, his empty eye socket still oozing blood, the remaining amber eye dull and confused.
"Last one is the charm, An," Jan piped in, his clammy hands rubbing at his thigh, trying to wipe away the sweat. "Make it a big win!"
Thanh Van lips held a caricature of a smile as he spun the ball.
It scrambled wildly over the slots, clattering against the wood, the rhythmic beat in tune with his frightened heart.
When it finally slowed, it hovered over the healing kit before it tipped over the slight groove- and swayed inside the next slot, the sound of metal scraping against wood still echoing inside Thanh Van's mind long after the ball had stopped in its tracks.
"Spinal cord, removed."
Only the muffled thud of Kim Jihun slumping to the ground, woke Thanh Van from his trance.
"Mr Jan… your turn."
