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How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth Chapter 11: The Culprit is Inside This Reading Club

Chapter 11: The Culprit is Inside This Reading Club

“Hmm……”‌

The‌​‌ suspect in the​‍‍ librarian’s murder put‍‍​ on a serious⁠‍ expression.

“Then,‍ how about we⁠ leave right when‌⁠⁠ someone else opens‌‍‌ the door from‍​ outside?”

“It‍​‌ won’t work.”

The​ rules of the‌‌ labyrinth are absolute.‌⁠‌

That‍ kind of trick​⁠‍ doesn’t work.

Unless⁠⁠ there is a rule that precisely‌ seems like a trick.

“Even⁠‌‌ so, can’t we‌​⁠ try it?”

“In​‌ any case, we​ would end up⁠ coming back. In‌​ fact, that’s an​ optimistic assumption. The‍ part of the‍ body that sticks‌⁠ out through the‌​​ door could even‍​ disappear.”

The‌‍ woman in the⁠ three-piece suit opened​‌ her eyes wide.‌‍

“Really?”‍

“I’m⁠⁠ saying it’s possible.‍​ In the labyrinth‍‍‌ you always have​ to assume the⁠⁠​ worst.”

The‌ woman’s eyes, which​‌⁠ resembled a fox’s,‍ narrowed.

“Are​ you a jeoksa?”​

“No,⁠​‌ I’m just an‌ applicant who came​⁠ today for an​‍‍ interview at Yuwi.⁠ My name is‍ Seon Yuhan.”

The⁠ woman showed a slight expression of⁠‍ pity.

“My‍ name is Hwang⁠‍ Juyeon and, well,​⁠ sometimes I do​‍‍ magic performances. My​​‌ main job is⁠​ teaching piano at⁠‍⁠ an academy. Today⁠​ I came because‍ there was a magic show at​‍ this daycare.”

Daycare?​⁠

Then⁠‍​ that means this‌⁠ Hwang Juyeon can​‍‍ also enter Woori⁠‍‍ Saenal Daycare.

She⁠⁠ is not an‍ employee like the⁠‌ librarian, but she‌⁠ is not a complete outsider like​‍⁠ me either.

Although‌‍‍ she is still⁠ a murder suspect.‌

I slid my gaze​ toward Kim Gilyeong.​‍

“Ah,⁠‍ I… am Kim‌ Gilyeong. I’m the⁠ librarian here.”

The‌⁠ librarian extended her‍​​ ID, clean of​‍ blood.

“Yes,⁠ nice to meet‌‍‍ you. I am……”​⁠‌

The‍‍ certified public accountant⁠‍ Choi Jaeha, who​‍‌ works at the​‍ accounting firm Howol​​​ on the 16th‌‌ floor of the‍ Tarae building, took​ out his card‍​⁠ again and finished⁠‍‍ introducing himself.

Meanwhile,⁠ I was thinking⁠ about a murder​​‍ that had not​​ yet happened.

“Were​ only you two‌ originally here? I mean before this‍​​ turned into a labyrinth.”

“Huh?⁠ Yes……”

Kim⁠‌‍ Gilyeong nodded.

“At​​ this hour there​‍​ are almost no‍ users. The employees​ of the companies‍ are also working.‌​‌ But suddenly the‍ power went out…​⁠​ and there were‌ sounds like collapsing‍‍​ outside… I tried⁠ to leave, but​‍ the door was‍⁠ closed. I tried‍ to call administration,⁠ but the phone‍​ didn’t work……”

The⁠ last part wasn’t‌​⁠ important.

In⁠ other words, if‌ no one else​‍ enters this library,‍‍​ the person who​‌‍ killed Kim Gilyeong​ last time is‍‍ Hwang Juyeon, the⁠‍ piano teacher and⁠​ freelance magician.

“It​‍​ is time for⁠​‌ the reading club.”​

“What…⁠ who said that?”‍

No,‍‍‌ it’s certain.

“The‌⁠ reading club will‍⁠‍ not accept additional‌‍‌ participants until it‌ ends.”

“What​ is that? Where​‌‌ is it coming​ from?”

“I’m‍‌ not the only​​⁠ one hearing it,⁠ right?”

“What‌ the hell is‍‍​ this?”

“It⁠⁠⁠ seems the labyrinth‍ is starting something.​ Let’s stay calm.”​​

3:50.⁠​

Under​ the absolute rule‍‍‍ of the labyrinth,​‍‍ “Chaekbang Ollae” became​‍​ a perfect locked‍ room from which​ one cannot enter​⁠ or exit.

The​ one who kills‌​‍ Kim Gilyeong is⁠‌‌ Hwang Juyeon.

“The⁠ participants of the​ reading club sit‌​⁠ comfortably gathered in⁠ the reading area.”​

That⁠‌ sentence in present‍ tense is not⁠ a simple statement.​‍⁠ It is an​⁠ order.

“I‌​‍ think we should⁠ follow what it⁠ says.”

“What⁠ if it kills⁠​‍ us?”

Hwang‌‍ Juyeon asked with​‌ narrowed eyes.

“We⁠‍​ could also die‌ if we don’t‌ follow it. With⁠ luck, only one⁠‍‍ person would die.‍‌ If you are⁠⁠ sure of that,⁠‍‌ I won’t stop⁠ you.”

“Huff,⁠‌ it’s scary even⁠⁠ to talk.”

The‍⁠ freelance magician raised⁠​ her eyebrows and⁠‍ stepped back slightly.​

“Sorry​‍​ for arguing first.​ I got sensitive‍ without realizing it.”‌⁠⁠

“No,⁠‌⁠ I understand.”

Really,‍‍ that is quite‌​‌ a mature reaction.⁠​‌

Even‍ recognizing one’s own​‍ state and apologizing⁠ is not easy‍⁠ even under normal‌​⁠ circumstances.

How⁠ did someone like‌‌ that end up‍​​ killing Kim Gilyeong?‍⁠‌

“Well,‌​‌ the situation is‌ the situation. I also reacted badly.​‌ Sorry.”

“The​ participants of the⁠​​ reading club sit‍⁠ comfortably gathered in‍‍ the reading area.”​⁠‌

“Yees,⁠ we’ll sit. Let’s‌⁠ sit for now.‌⁠‌ I don’t know⁠ what they’ll make​​ us do, but‌ at least as​ long as we​‍ obey we won’t‌ die, right?”

Each‌⁠‌ of us chose​‌ a sofa and‍‌⁠ we sat in‌‌​ a circle awkwardly.‌‍⁠

It⁠⁠ was the same⁠​‍ circular space where​‌ before there had‌​ been a single⁠⁠​ book lying.

On‍‌‍ my sides sat⁠ Kim Gilyeong and‌​ Choi Jaeha.

I tried not to​⁠ direct my gaze‌ too much toward‌‌​ the piano teacher‌‌ in front of‍​​ me.

I don’t know the‌ reason for Hwang⁠‍​ Juyeon’s murder.

Considering‌ the nature of‌⁠‌ the labyrinth, it⁠ could have simply⁠⁠‍ been a sudden⁠ mental breakdown.

The⁠ labyrinth makes people⁠⁠‌ irrational.

I hope it’s not​ that she thought⁠ that by killing⁠⁠​ everyone she could‌⁠ escape the labyrinth.‌

That‍ would already be​ complete madness.

Although,‌‌ technically, it’s not‌‍​ a completely wrong‌​ idea.

If‍⁠ everyone inside dies,​⁠‍ the labyrinth is‍ resolved which means​ she would also‍⁠ die.

And‌ besides, it wouldn’t‍⁠‍ be easy to​‌⁠ kill everyone here.‌⁠⁠

But⁠ leaving aside the⁠ motive there is‍​ something that unsettles⁠‍⁠ me.

Time.​

Last‍‌‍ time, when I came here after​​‌ losing time in⁠‍‌ the interview room,‌ it was around​​ 4.

Now,‌​ about 10 minutes​‌ before that, the⁠‌​ relationship between Hwang​​ Juyeon and Kim⁠‍​ Gilyeong does not⁠⁠‌ seem at all⁠ like that of⁠⁠ an imminent murder.‌​

“The‌⁠‍ reading club has​ begun.”

Perhaps​ the reading club‍‍ is a dangerous⁠ event capable of⁠‌ making someone kill⁠ another person in⁠​ just ten minutes.⁠

***‌‍

“A‍ life is a story. This is⁠‌‌ the theme of‍ today’s reading club.”​‌

Along‌​‍ with the voice‍​‍ that pierced into​⁠ my mind, a book fell into‍‍​ the hands of‍ each participant.

I observed the completely​‌ white hardcover book‍⁠ I held in‌‌‍ my hands.

It​⁠‍ was thicker than⁠ a finger, but⁠‍ thinner than two.‍ The typical thickness‌ of a single-volume⁠‌ novel.

The‍‍⁠ cover had nothing⁠⁠ written on it.‍ No title, no⁠‍​ author, no publisher.​

“The‌‍ participants of the‍⁠ reading club read‍​​ their respective books.”⁠​‍

In‌ a labyrinth, if‌​ they tell you‍ to do it,‌‌ you do it.‍‍‌

I opened the book‌‍⁠ in silence.

[Choi​⁠​ Jaeha was born⁠ as the youngest​⁠‌ of three siblings.]‌‌​

What​ is this?

[His‍‌ older brother, with​ whom he had⁠⁠ a large age​ gap, was like‌‍ a distant father‌‍ due to that​‍​ strange awkwardness between‌ them. Even when‍ Choi Jaeha caused‍ trouble, he would​ only say, “He’s‌‌ at that age.​⁠​ Don’t scold him‍​⁠ too much. Surely‌ he won’t do‍⁠‍ it again.”]

What‍​​ am I reading?‍⁠

I doubted my own‌ eyes for a moment and raised⁠​ my head.

Choi​ Jaeha was looking⁠⁠ at Hwang Juyeon⁠‌‌ with the same‌‌​ expression as me.​

Hwang​⁠‍ Juyeon was looking‍​ at Kim Gilyeong‍ with the same​‌‍ expression.

And‍ Kim Gilyeong was⁠ looking at me,​ just the same.‍​

“Could‍⁠‌ it be…?”

“You​ too?”

“You?”⁠

“A‍​⁠ life is a story. This is​‌ the theme of‌⁠ today’s reading club.”‍

We‍ were reading another‌⁠​ person’s life.

“But…”⁠

I was about to‌​‌ say something, but​‍​ I leaned toward​‍‌ Kim Gilyeong.

“Is​ there any rule​⁠ that forbids speaking⁠‍‍ in this library?”‌‍​

Although‍​‍ we had already‌‍ spoken before without‌⁠‍ anything happening, I asked in a low voice just​ in case.

The⁠‍ librarian shook her⁠​ head.

“Not‌‍ really… the library‍​ is a place⁠‌ to read, not‍⁠ to maintain absolute‌‌‌ silence. In fact,⁠‍ reading clubs are‍​‍ also usually held⁠‍‌ here by employees.”⁠‍⁠

She‍​‌ replied with an​⁠ appropriate volume of⁠​​ voice.

“As‍ long as you‍ don’t make too⁠‌ much noise… although⁠​ that applies anywhere.”‍​

“That‍‍‍ makes sense. Then,⁠​‍ are you reading​‌‍ my story? I got a book​‍ where the protagonist⁠‌ is Choi Jaeha.”⁠

“Really?”⁠‍

Choi​‌‍ Jaeha frowned.

“I​⁠⁠ have Hwang Juyeon’s.”‌​‍

“Hmm,⁠⁠ I have Kim‍ Gilyeong’s.”

“It‌ seems that we​​​ all received the‍​ book of the‌‌ person to our​‌‍ left.”

I read Choi Jaeha’s‍⁠‍ story, Choi Jaeha‍ reads Hwang Juyeon’s,‍ Hwang Juyeon reads‍‍⁠ Kim Gilyeong’s, and​​ Kim Gilyeong reads‍ mine.

“And​ what are we⁠⁠‍ supposed to do⁠ with this…?”

“The⁠ participants of the‍‌‍ reading club read​​‌ their respective books.”‌⁠‌

“Uh…⁠⁠ we better read.​‌ If we don’t,⁠ it seems like​⁠ it’ll pressure us‍‍ again.”

I looked back at‌ the book.

[His‌​​ older sister, who‍‌ was five years‍‍ older than him,​ was like a strict mother, unlike‌⁠ the distant older‌ brother. When Choi​ Jaeha misbehaved, she‍ would firmly reprimand‍‍​ him so he‌ wouldn’t develop bad⁠​⁠ habits. She always‍‌⁠ followed it by‍‌ telling him what⁠ he should and​ should not do.]‌‍⁠

I have no interest⁠‍ in reading Choi‌⁠ Jaeha’s life.

But⁠‍​ a reading club​ consists of reading⁠ and sharing impressions,‌​‌ right?

Then‍‍ I have to⁠‌‍ read it. Even​ if I don’t​⁠ want to.

If​​⁠ that is the‌‍ rule.

[Choi​⁠ Jaeha cried a lot because of⁠⁠ his sister and​‌​ spent a long‍ time hating her.⁠⁠ But that is​⁠ precisely family. If‍⁠‍ it weren’t for‌‌​ his sister, who‍⁠​ would have shaped‍⁠ him as a person? His parents,⁠⁠​ exhausted from raising‍‌ two children? His⁠‌ older brother, who‍ indulged him for‌ not feeling much‌ attachment toward him?]​

The‌⁠ book described Choi⁠​ Jaeha’s life with‍‍‌ many trivial details.‌‌

Memories‍‍ of eating ice​ cream with cousins​‌⁠ at his grandfather’s‍​ funeral.

Winning⁠‌​ math competitions throughout‍​ elementary school.

Learning⁠ bad words in‍​‌ middle school and⁠ being harshly corrected‌‌‌ by his sister.​

It‍​ was literally a book about his​​‍ life, full of‌‌ everyday stories without⁠ importance.

In‌ the end, life​‍‍ is only interesting‍⁠ to oneself; to‍‌ others, it is‌‍⁠ nothing more than⁠⁠⁠ boring stories.

[Choi⁠⁠​ Jaeha, crying under⁠ the covers, suddenly‌‍ got up and‌​​ began to write‍ a letter in‌ clumsy handwriting that‍​‍ no one could‍‍‌ read.]

Why⁠‍‌ do I have​‍ to know the‍‌ love story of⁠ a student that‌​‌ I find pathetic?‍‌​

Although,‌​ at least, it‍​‍ didn’t reach the⁠⁠​ level of the‍ grotesque.

It‌⁠‍ seems his sister⁠ raised him well.⁠‍‍

[“Hey.⁠⁠‍ Where are you‍⁠ going at this​ hour?”

His⁠ sister’s cold voice‌ pierced into the​‌​ back of Choi​​ Jaeha, who had​ gone out dressed,​⁠⁠ determined to go‌⁠​ to her house⁠​ after writing a desperate letter.

Unable⁠‍ to lie to‍‌ her, he explained‍‌ the situation with​​ a trembling voice.​⁠⁠

After‍ hearing him, his‌ sister sighed instead⁠ of yelling at⁠⁠ him.

“Hey,⁠ friends or partners,‌‌ everything is like⁠‌ that. If one⁠​ clings too much,‍​ the one who‍ clings gets hurt​ in the hand,​ and the one‌⁠ being held gets​ hurt where they’re​‍⁠ grabbed.”

While‌ saying that, she‌ pulled his cheeks.​⁠

“Ah,⁠​​ ah! It hurts!”⁠‌

“Does‌‍ it hurt? It‍​ hurts for me​⁠ too, idiot.”

“Of‌‍​ course it hurts!⁠‍‍ It hurts more​ for me! Let⁠⁠ go!”

She‌ released his cheeks.​

“See?‌⁠ It hurts more⁠​ for the one‍ being held. If‍ you don’t accept‍‌‌ the rejection and​‌ go looking for⁠‍‌ her, you’ll be‍⁠ the one who​​‌ makes her suffer.‌ Is that how‌​ I raised you?”]‍

That‍ childish but honest​‌ character of Choi‌ Jaeha was proof​‍ that he grew​ up in a good environment.

More⁠ precisely, surrounded by‍​‍ people who loved​ him.

[With​‌ his sister’s teachings⁠‌ and a chicken‌ as consolation, he‌ finally accepted the‍ breakup. Although he‍‍ spent days crying⁠ while listening to‌⁠ sad songs until‌⁠‍ his sister hit​ him again. And⁠‌ shortly after, he‌ found a new‍ love.]

I leaned my back⁠​‌ against the backrest‍​ and looked at⁠⁠ the ceiling without​​​ thinking.

There⁠‍ was an excess‌⁠‌ of private life​‌⁠ without demand.

I couldn’t believe I hadn’t even read‌ half of it‍​ yet.

My⁠​‍ eyes slid toward⁠‌‌ the librarian on​‌‌ my right.

She​ had her face​‍⁠ buried in the⁠‌ book.

Seeing​ her, I thought‌ about the reason​⁠ she had to​​ die.

Maybe‌‌​ Hwang Juyeon killed⁠‌⁠ Kim Gilyeong because​​​ her life was​ exposed in words.‍

I glanced at the‌⁠‍ accountant, who was⁠⁠ reading the magician’s‍ life.

If‍ Hwang Juyeon kills​⁠​ for that, this‍ time it will​⁠​ be Choi Jaeha.‌

So,​ while I kept‌​ reading, I stayed‌⁠​ alert to be‍‍ able to pull‍​‌ him away at‌‍ any moment.

“Grrk—kgh—shk—!”‍

“Aaaah!”‌

Hwang‍‍‍ Juyeon stabbed Kim⁠‌‌ Gilyeong.

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