How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth — Chapter 10: The murder case in the library

Chapter 10: The murder case in the library

“Seon⁠ Yuhan examines the‍ corpse of a woman lying on⁠ the floor.”

What is this?

Where‌ is that voice‍‌ coming from?

It‌ was a strange‌⁠‌ voice, as if‌‍‍ it came from‌‍ a specific point⁠‌⁠ and at the⁠ same time permeated⁠‍‌ the entire space.⁠

It‌ felt like an‌ oracle, a divine‍‌ revelation.

It‍ didn’t travel through‌‌ the air, but⁠‌‍ pierced directly into⁠⁠‌ each of my⁠ cells.

“Seon‌ Yuhan examines the‌ corpse of a woman lying on‌⁠ the floor.”

I looked down, at‌ the woman’s body‍ or what used‍ to be a woman lying in⁠ front of me.‍‌

“Seon⁠⁠‌ Yuhan examines the‌ corpse of a woman lying on‍ the floor.”

How⁠ persistent.

Is‍ it going to⁠ repeat it until‍ I obey?

Will⁠ it kill me‌ if I don’t?‍⁠

In⁠ the end, I slowly bent my‌ knees to observe her more closely.

“Seon Yuhan examines the⁠ corpse of a woman lying on‌‍⁠ the floor.”

First,‍ the neck area‌ was soaked in‌⁠ blood, and there‍⁠ were also stains⁠ on the floor.⁠‌

Was‍ she stabbed in⁠ the neck?

Her⁠ long hair, half‌‍⁠ tied with a clip, was disheveled,‍‌‍ covering the side‍ of her face⁠ and her neck,⁠ so I couldn’t⁠‌ confirm it with⁠ certainty.

“Seon Yuhan examines the⁠‌‍ corpse of a woman lying on‍⁠‍ the floor.”

The⁠⁠ woman wore a gray knitted top,‌⁠ stained with dark⁠‍‍ reddish marks, jeans,‍ and clean sneakers.‌

“Seon⁠‌ Yuhan examines the‌ corpse of a woman lying on⁠⁠‍ the floor.”

Is it still not⁠ enough?

Do‌⁠ I also have‌‌ to check her⁠ face?

Carefully,‍ I turned the‍ corpse.

Fortunately,‍ nothing happened like⁠ it actually being‌ a labyrinth monster‍ that woke up⁠ and attacked me.⁠‍

First,‍ I checked the‍⁠ ID hanging from⁠‍ her neck.

The‌‍ woman’s name was Kim Gilyeong.

She‍‌ seemed to be‍⁠ a librarian at‌ “Chaekbang Ollae”.

If⁠ she has an‌ ID, she is‍‍‌ company staff.

Maybe‌ with it I could enter the⁠ daycare without being‍⁠ considered an outsider.⁠‌

“Seon‍ Yuhan examines the‌ corpse of a woman lying on‌‍ the floor.”

I continued examining Kim Gilyeong’s body.

Her‌‌‍ neck was covered⁠‍‌ in blood.

I moved aside the⁠‍ hair stuck to‍ it and cleaned some of the‍‍ blood until the⁠⁠ wound became visible.‍‍

“Seon‍ Yuhan, upon observing‌‌ the shape of‌‌ the wound, determined that the weapon‍‌ was not a knife.”

Finally,‌ the narration changed.⁠

Is⁠ it reading my‍‌ thoughts?

How⁠ unpleasant.

“Seon‌‍ Yuhan examines the⁠‍⁠ librarian’s corpse in‌‍ greater detail.”

What‍ a nuisance.

“Seon⁠⁠ Yuhan examines the‌⁠ librarian’s corpse in greater detail.”

I shook my head‌ and continued observing‍‍ Kim Gilyeong.

On‍‌‌ her chest there‍ were one or‌ two wounds similar‌⁠ to the one‍‌ on the neck,‍‌⁠ and on her‌ hands and face‌‍ there were scratches‌‍ and puncture wounds.

The⁠‍ knitted cardigan was⁠⁠ torn in several‍ places.

“Seon Yuhan determined that‍ there was a struggle between Kim‍‍ Gilyeong and the⁠ attacker, and deduced⁠ that the culprit‍ probably killed someone‌‍‌ for the first time.”

An‌ impulsive murder, committed‌ without conviction by the attacker himself.‍

And,‌‌‍ moreover, committed by a human.

Hostile‌‍ entities of the‌ labyrinth do not‌‌ kill in such⁠ a “human” way.‌

“Seon⁠⁠⁠ Yuhan reconstructed the⁠‍‍ scene in his‌ mind. For some reason, the attacker⁠ concluded that he‌ had to kill‍ Kim Gilyeong and‍‌ stabbed the area near the victim’s‌ heart.”

But‍‌ what the culprit‍⁠ was holding was‍‌ probably not a sharp tool made⁠⁠⁠ to cut or⁠ slice efficiently.

If⁠ one considers the‍⁠ shape of the‍ wound and the environment, where there‍‌ was nothing else‍‍‍ that could serve‍ as a weapon,‌ then probably.

“A⁠ pen is mightier‍ than a sword.⁠‌ But the tip⁠‌⁠ of the culprit’s‌‌‌ pen was not‍ strong enough to‍ reach Kim Gilyeong’s‌‌ heart. Kim Gilyeong,‌ naturally, resisted.”

Probably,‍ after that struggle,⁠ she ended up‍‌⁠ dying from being⁠‍ stabbed multiple times‍‍ in the neck.⁠‍

“Then,⁠ who was the‌ culprit?”

One⁠‌ cannot even estimate‍ their build, much⁠ less their sex.‌

In‌‌ a situation like⁠ this, those factors‍‍ are not so‍⁠ important.

Of‌‍ course, that does‌‍⁠ not mean that⁠‍ physical strength does‌‍‌ not matter at⁠ all.

But‌ in a moment‌‍ where life and⁠ death fiercely compete, there are many‌ other factors that‍ come into play.⁠⁠⁠

No⁠ matter how big‌ or strong you‍ are, if you hesitate, grow overconfident,‍‍‍ panic, or become‍ overly emotional, someone⁠‍‌ half your size‍ can defeat you.‌

Besides,‌ unless someone is‌ professionally trained, how‍ would they know‍⁠ how to properly‍ kill another person?⁠

And‌⁠ even if they‌‍ did, how would‌⁠ they apply it⁠ correctly in a real situation?

And‌ this, moreover, is‌⁠ a labyrinth.

A place where anything‌ can happen, and‌⁠ where being surprised‍ by it makes‌‍ no sense.

Trying⁠ to deduce who⁠⁠‍ the culprit is‌ right now makes‌‌ no sense.

“Then,‌‌ where is the‍‍ culprit?”

For‍⁠ an instant, I felt a chill‌⁠ in my chest.⁠

“And‌‍ the murder weapon?‍‍ Where is the⁠‍ pen with which⁠⁠‍ he stabbed Kim⁠⁠ Gilyeong?”

I looked around urgently.‌

No presence could be‍‍ felt. Since I entered.

“Did⁠⁠ he escape?”

But‍⁠⁠ with those comments,⁠‍ it’s inevitable to‍ get nervous.

I thought that maybe⁠ the door was⁠ closed, but it⁠‌⁠ wasn’t the case.‍⁠

Even‍ now, it opened‍ normally. I could⁠‍ leave and come‌‍‍ back in.

Whatever it is, it seems that the⁠ event in the‍⁠ library has already‍⁠ ended.

“Seon‌ Yuhan realized that⁠ he had arrived‍ too late.”

It‍‍ makes sense. I lost time in‌ the interview room.‍

About‌⁠ 30 minutes have passed since the‌ labyrinthization began, so‍ whatever happened here‌‍ already occurred.

“Perhaps, if Seon Yuhan‌ had arrived a little earlier, Kim‌‍‌ Gilyeong would have⁠⁠‌ lived. Like Choi Jaeha.”

Maybe.‌⁠‌

It’s nothing new.

“That’s‌ right. Seon Yuhan‌ is that kind⁠⁠⁠ of person. Someone‍‍‍ who patches his broken shell with fragments of others,⁠‍‌ who cooks his sustenance with others’ breath and survives⁠ day by day⁠ with the death‌‌⁠ of others.”

I passed by the⁠⁠‌ entrance where the‌ librarian had fallen‌⁠ and went deeper‌ into the library.‍

There⁠ was a shelf‌ area with a modern design, and‍ another reading area⁠‌‍ with sofas and‌‍⁠ tables arranged in‌ harmony.

“Isn’t‍‌‌ he, in essence,‍ a monster of⁠ the labyrinth?”

My‌‌ gaze fixed on a book in⁠⁠ the reading area.⁠

In‍ the center of‍ a space with puff seats and‌‍‍ single and double‌ sofas, there was a single book⁠‌ lying there.

“Seon⁠ Yuhan realizes that‍ he has no⁠ right to read⁠‍ this book.”

What?‍‌

I can’t read it?‌

As⁠ soon as I approached, the book‌‌ snapped shut.

I withdrew the hand⁠‍ I had extended.⁠‍‍

In‌ situations like this,‌‍ it’s not advisable to touch anything⁠ lightly.

“A‍ feeling of regret‌⁠ lingers in Seon⁠‍⁠ Yuhan’s heart, thinking‌‌‍ that if he‍⁠ had arrived a little earlier…”

Yes,⁠ maybe then I would have had⁠ the chance to⁠ open that book,⁠‌ or the librarian⁠‍ wouldn’t have died,⁠ or Choi Jaeha‌‌ wouldn’t have died…‍ or me.

“Seon⁠ Yuhan silently began‍ to do what‌‌ he had to do. Something that‌‍⁠ a normal person‌⁠⁠ could not do.”‌‌

I ignored the voice‍ that kept echoing⁠ like a hallucination⁠ even after leaving‌ the library.

I have to live.‍ Even if I die. I have‌ to get out alive.

That⁠ is my rule.‌‍⁠

“Do⁠ rules have to‌‌ be followed? Like⁠ in the labyrinth?”⁠‍‍

Sssk, sssk.

I focused only on the sound of fabric dragging across‌ the hallway floor.⁠⁠

“Oh!”‍

When‌⁠ I opened the door to Woori‍ Saenal Daycare, the‍ goose plush I already knew came⁠ running out, wobbling.

“Who‍⁠ the hell is⁠ this lunatic who⁠ drags along the⁠ floor an ugly⁠‌‍ doll that no‍‍ one would even⁠‌⁠ want as a gift and walks⁠‌ into the daycare?”⁠⁠

Calling‌ a human a doll?

When⁠ the doll is⁠ itself.

“Ah…‌‍⁠ but he is‌ an employee. Is⁠ there no way‍⁠⁠ he can pass?”⁠‌

“Do you think so?‌‌ Especially with a defective product like‍‌⁠ that?”

It‍⁠ seemed that that⁠ expressionless plush had‍ one.

“Woori‍‌ Saenal Daycare prohibits‍ entry to outsiders.”‌

…Next‌ time I’ll have to bring him‍ alive.

**⁠

5-1.‍⁠ An employee’s corpse‌ does not help‍‌ you enter the daycare.

**‍‌

“If‌ it were possible⁠ to turn back⁠ time, what would‍ you do, Mr. Seon Yuhan?”

“I‍ would go to‍‌⁠ the library…”

“The‌‌‌ library… And have‍‌ you thought about‍‌ what book you‌‍ would read there?⁠‌⁠ Books can always‍ be read at⁠ any time, but⁠ some should only‍ be read at‌‍ the right moment.‌ In the end,‌⁠ the impression changes‍ depending on the‌ reader’s state, their⁠ experience…”

I waited for him‌ to finish before speaking.

“Mr.⁠ interviewer, this building⁠‌ has become a labyrinth.”

Then‌ I explained all‌⁠‍ the rules and‍ precautions I had⁠‍ learned with my⁠⁠ body.

“Ah,‌⁠ and if you‍⁠‍ are going to⁠ take something from⁠⁠ the merchandise store…⁠‌⁠ always pay in⁠ cash. No… better⁠ don’t even go‌ in.”

“Ah… alright…”

The‍ interviewer, confused, asked‍ me again if I was okay.‌

“Yes,⁠⁠ I’m fine.”

We⁠‌ both knew it⁠‍ was a lie.‌‌

“Then…‌‌ see you later.⁠ Get out alive.”‍⁠‍

“Yes,‌⁠ we will see⁠⁠⁠ each other.”

Hopefully‌ at least that‌⁠ isn’t a lie.

***

Bang!‌

Crash—! Boom—! Bang—!

Boom—!‍⁠‍ Thud—!

I managed to safely⁠‌ retrieve the accountant‌ Choi Jaeha from‌ the elevator and⁠⁠ showed him the‌ absurd reality of this labyrinth where,‍ no matter how‍ much you go‌⁠‌ down, you always‌ end up on‌ the second floor.‌

Thud,‍ bang!

“Ugh!‌ It won’t break!‍‍ Aaah!”

Choi‌⁠⁠ Jaeha went crazy‍‌ for a while,⁠‍ trying to break‍ a window to‍‌ escape, but eventually calmed down.

“So,⁠ what do we‍⁠ do now?”

“First‌ I’ll go to‍‍‍ the library.”

“Why?‍‍ Shouldn’t we check‌ everything? The daycare,‌ Tarae, the auditorium?”

“It’s‍‍ my decision. If you want, you‍ can go on⁠ your own.”

“No,⁠ I was just‍‍⁠ asking out of⁠ curiosity.”

The⁠‌ accountant, whose size‍ was inversely proportional to his courage, walked behind me.⁠

“By‌ the way, have‍⁠‌ you been to‌‌‍ the library?”

“No.”‍‍

“Only⁠ employees can enter?”⁠

“No,‌ anyone in the⁠ company can. I should also read‍ more but I don’t have time.”‌‍⁠

People‍‌ who read make⁠‌ time to read.⁠‌

“Mr. Choi Jaeha.”

I stopped in front of “Chaekbang Ollae”.‍‌

“Before‍ entering, I warn‍⁠ you. It’s dangerous.‌‌ Even if it‌‌ looks safe, you can die at‍ any moment.”

“Yes,‌‌ yes, understood, mom.”⁠

He⁠⁠ frowned, but then‌ smiled.

“I⁠‍ know that in invasive labyrinths people‍ die. I’m not a child.”

He‌ looked like one.‌

“But⁠‌ you’re trying to⁠ get out. So⁠‌ it’s better to‌ follow you than⁠‌ stay trembling and die.”

An‍ adult?

“Although‍‌ I don’t promise⁠ not to blame⁠‌ you if everything‌ goes wrong.”

I don’t know if‌⁠‌ he’s a child⁠ or an adult.‌

“Yes,⁠ you can blame me if you‌ want.”

“What‌‌ kind of answer‌⁠ is that?”

He⁠‌ opened the door.‍‌

“Huh?”‌

As‌‍‍ soon as I heard that, I prepared to die.‍‍

……‌‌

But‌ nothing happened.

Two⁠ women were there,⁠ looking at us.⁠‌‍

One‌ with a black‌ suit and a ponytail.

Another‍ with a gray cardigan.

“How‍⁠ did you get⁠ in?”

“Through⁠‌ the door.”

“How did you open⁠‌ it?”

“By turning the handle…”⁠

“And‍ it opened?”

“Yes…”⁠

“It‌⁠‌ didn’t for us.”‌

“It⁠‍ did for us.”‍‍

Clack.‍⁠

“Huh?⁠‍ Now it won’t‍‌‌ open. Seon Yuhan,‌ what’s going on?”‍⁠

What‌ a stupid conversation.⁠‌

“Because‌‍ this is a labyrinth.”

We‌‌‍ are trapped in‍‍ the library.

“A‌ labyrinth? Really?”

“Yes.”⁠

“It’s‌ true,” Choi Jaeha⁠ added.

“Did‌⁠⁠ you hear the noise? It was‍ an elevator falling.⁠‌‍ And even if‌‍ you go down,‌‌‌ you stay on‍ the second floor.‌ There’s no other⁠ explanation.”

“Then…⁠ are we trapped…?”‌

The⁠‍ woman with the⁠ ID collapsed.

Kim‌⁠ Gilyeong.

The‍‌ librarian.

“Then…‌⁠ am I going⁠ to die here?”⁠‍

Yes.‍ She already died‌‍ before.

“Stop‍ talking nonsense.”

The‍⁠ other woman helped‍⁠ her stand up.‌

“Now everything makes sense.⁠ There’s no internet,‌‌ no electricity… and the door doesn’t‍‍ open from the inside.”

“Yes.”⁠

Was‍‌⁠ it her?

Did‍‌ she kill her?‌