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!”⁠