Episode 2 of Season 2 of "Alice in Borderland" kicks off with a bombshell revelation from Kyuma, the King of Clubs, who confesses that the concept for the game they've devised—Osmosis—is entirely their own creation. The stakes are high in this high-octane contest, where two hours are allotted for teams to amass points, initially divided amongst themselves with a collective total of 20,000. The distribution of these points is a strategic maneuver pivotal to victory.
There are three avenues to securing these precious points: scavenging for item boxes scattered across the battlefield, daringly touching the opposing team's base to pocket a cool 10,000 points (a maneuver akin to a high-risk, high-reward version of Capture The Flag), or engaging in hand-to-hand battles with rival players. When contestants clash hands, the one with the higher point total snatches 500 points from the encounter, while the loser sees the same amount deducted from their tally. The twist? Neither combatant knows the other's score beforehand, adding an element of calculated risk.
The bases themselves are ensnared in a labyrinthine set of rules that pose perhaps the greatest peril. Touching your own base's pole grants the player infinite points, enabling them to strip 10,000 points from an opponent, effectively eliminating them from the game. Our protagonists devise a clever plan: assigning the fastest runners the least points and burdening the slower ones with more, with the base guard, Tatta, receiving the smallest share. They also form pairs—Usagi with Niragi, and Kuina with Arisu—with the latter duo setting out to collect item boxes.
After securing their first prize, they encounter Kyuma, who goads Arisu into a battle, releasing Kuina's hand and challenging Arisu one-on-one. Much to everyone's surprise, it transpires that all participants have an equal number of points, leveling the playing field. United in purpose, the group manages to pull ahead, amassing a formidable lead and garnering substantial points.
However, just as they make their way back to their base, a chilling twist unfolds: Niragi begins coughing up blood, a harrowing reminder of the deadly stakes at play in this brutal game.
However, the opposing team is unprepared for the tricks Kyuma has concealed up his sleeve, as the entire King of Hearts squad descends upon their base from every conceivable angle, while Tatta stands isolated, with all his comrades rushing towards the vital pole. Regrettably, although three out of the four successfully strike the base of the pole, one of them—Shitara—ends up tagged and falls, his life extinguished in the brutal game. The group hastily conveys his body back to their base, meanwhile, Arisu musters the troops and decides they should scatter and search for the crucial items. Little do they know, Kyuma has anticipated this very maneuver. With everyone separated, the King of Clubs team dismantles them with relative ease.
The King of Clubs squad seizes a commanding lead and wagers that Arisu lacks the audacity to assault their stronghold—and they prove correct. After tagging Arisu and seizing 500 points, Kyuma goads him to muster some courage and execute what must be done, reminding him that this is a game where life and death hang in the balance.
Now, with Arisu temporarily sidelined, an idea takes root in his mind to turn the tables. He resolves that they must assault the base en masse, banishing their fears and embracing Niragi's wholehearted endorsement. All yearn for victory and decide to launch a synchronized attack on the base, save for Tatta, who remains behind to safeguard their own territory.
Usagi decoys Goken, the mad parkour ace from earlier, leading him away from the base. Kuina, Arisu, and Niragi converge from diverse directions. Kyuma's henchmen safeguard their own base, while Niragi, Arisu, and Kuina charge simultaneously. Arisu, remaining inactive, touches Kyuma, forcing him back, with Niragi mirroring his move. Kuina, however, fails to reach the base, and the plan starts to unravel. They seem to have failed… or perhaps not?
Usagi discovers an item, leaving them 500 points shy of victory, but with the team clinging desperately to their base and no apparent escape route, Arisu's hope begins to wane. With just ten minutes remaining, Niragi's true colors emerge as he decides to pursue Usagi alone, with sinister intentions of sexually assaulting her. As for the rest, the outlook grows increasingly grim with less than ten minutes on the clock.
