How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth — Chapter 17: Exit Music

Chapter 17: Exit Music

“Why…⁠⁠⁠ why can’t I get out?”

The⁠‌‍ three of us‍‌‍ fell into confusion.‍‍

Hwang‍ Juyeon and I could enter and‌‌‍ leave without any⁠ problem.

But⁠ Kim Gilyeong couldn’t‍ get out.

Even⁠‌ if we grabbed‌ her and pulled, her hands would‍ slip free right⁠⁠ at the boundary‍ of the doorway.‍

When⁠‌⁠ she was dead,‍ she could come⁠‌ out.

“What the hell is wrong…?”

Suddenly, my gaze fell‍⁠ on Kim Gilyeong’s‌⁠ employee ID badge.⁠

“Librarian.”‌‌

“Y-yes?‍‌ Yes…?”

“No,‌‌ I thought maybe it’s because you’re⁠ a librarian.”

“What⁠⁠ do you mean?”⁠

“Maybe‍ librarians have different⁠‌ rules. Different from‍‌ normal visitors like‌⁠ us.”

Just⁠⁠ like the students⁠ of Seonghwa High‌ had to complete⁠ the graduation ceremony‍‍‌ to escape the‌ labyrinth.

Just‍⁠ like the masked‌‌ monsters of each‌ grade could not enter the teachers’‍⁠⁠ office.

Invasion-type‍⁠ labyrinths reflect people’s‍‌⁠ identities and the‍ original characteristics of⁠⁠‍ the place in‍ their rules.

“So…⁠‌‍ is there a separate condition for⁠ Gilyeong to be⁠ able to leave?‍⁠‌ And how are‍ we supposed to‌ find something like‍ that…?”

Hwang‍ Juyeon let out⁠ an exhausted sigh,‌⁠‌ and Kim Gilyeong‌ burst into tears⁠ for real.

“I’m‌‌ sorry… sniff… I’m‌ really sorry. I know this is‌‌ selfish but… don’t⁠‌ leave me here‌ alone… don’t leave me here alone…! I… I really‌‍⁠ am trash… huuuaaa…”⁠‌‍

I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

I know that fear.‍‌

The⁠ despair of the‌‍ one left behind.⁠ The helplessness of‌‌ the one being‌⁠ evaluated.

“I…!”

While‍ I only bit‌⁠ my lips, Hwang Juyeon hurriedly hugged⁠‍ the librarian to‌ calm her down.⁠

“I’ll‌ stay here with‍⁠ you. So don’t‌‍ worry too much.⁠ We’re not going‍‍‌ to abandon you,⁠ okay? There, stop‌ crying. Seon Yuhan.”‍‍

“Yes?”⁠

The‌ freelance magician and‌ piano teacher waved her free hand⁠⁠ toward me.

“Go‍⁠ first. What was⁠‌ the name? Jipo?‍⁠ Jiho? Anyway, you⁠ said you knew⁠‌ a child, right?”‌

Hwang‍‌ Juyeon let me‍ go just like that.

Telling me to hurry‌ and check on‍‌ the child, without⁠ making me feel guilty.

“Understood.‍⁠ Then I’ll come‍‌‌ back…”

Faced‌ with that consideration,‍‌ the first thing‌ I felt was⁠‍ shame and an⁠ unpleasant discomfort. I lowered my head⁠ while muttering and‍ left almost as‌ if fleeing.

Even⁠ though Hwang Juyeon⁠‍ was probably already‍ like that even‌ before reading my⁠ story.

I shook off those‌ thoughts and ran‌‍⁠ toward the Woorisaenal⁠ daycare.

The‍ short distance between‍ the library and the daycare felt⁠‌ unbearably long.

Sshk.⁠

Finally,‍‌ I opened the‌‌‌ daycare door and‌ entered.

“Oh!”

The‌ teacher, whose personality‌⁠ was as wicked‌‌ as her appearance⁠‌ was ridiculous, raised those black pupils⁠ toward me.

“Hi!‌ Could you tell⁠⁠ me what brings‍‌ you here?”

Damn. It seems she‍‍⁠ doesn’t recognize me.‌

Did‍‌ I really skip the daycare?

That‍⁠‌ makes no sense.‍⁠‌ That couldn’t have‌‍⁠ happened.

“Did‍ you perhaps come‌⁠‌ for an enrollment‌ consultation?”

“No. I…”

“Or are you perhaps‌⁠‌ the guardian of‌ one of our‌ children?”

Guardian.‌

The⁠ moment I heard‍ that word, my‌⁠ mind, which had⁠⁠⁠ stopped for a moment, started working‍ at full speed.⁠

“Yes.⁠⁠ Isn’t the child‌ Jung Jiho here?”

Of⁠⁠ course.

I am completely sure⁠ that, even in⁠ this loop, I came to the⁠ daycare first with‍⁠ Hwang Juyeon before‍ going to the‌⁠ library.

That‍‍ I obtained the⁠‍‌ role of Jung⁠⁠ Jiho’s temporary guardian‍⁠ and that we‌‌⁠ performed choreography shows‌⁠ to exhaust the toys. Of course,‍‍ this time without‌‍‌ making Hwang Juyeon‍ suspicious.

“I’m‌ sure I’m his temporary guardian.”

Then⁠ the goose teacher became completely still for several seconds.‍‌‌

Like⁠ an artificial intelligence‌‌ processing a request⁠‌‌ impossible to understand.‍

“Hmm.‌ I think there’s a misunderstanding.”

Finally,‌⁠ the goose tilted‌ its white neck‌‌ and spoke.

“There⁠ is no child⁠‍ named Jung Jiho⁠⁠‍ in Saenal daycare.”‍

A horrible chill ran‍ through my stomach‍‌ and I swallowed‌ involuntarily.

Let’s accept, even if only as the‌ slightest possibility, that‍⁠‍ for some reason‌‍ I don’t even⁠⁠‌ remember, I went‌ to the library first.

But even so, it’s‍ telling me it doesn’t know a child who clearly attended here?

A child whose name⁠‍ was written on‍‌ his locker?

And⁠⁠ coming from a labyrinth monster whose‌‌ rule consisted precisely‍ of tormenting him?⁠

“Are‌⁠ you perhaps an‌ employee of Yuwi Guild?”

The‌‌ controlling library that⁠‍ punishes you if‍‌‌ you don’t follow‍‌ instructions.

Its‍ penalty was not‍‌ simply erasing memories.⁠ It was completely‌ erasing someone’s very‌ existence and manipulating‌ all the memories‌⁠ and situations related⁠ to that person.‍‌

“From⁠⁠ your silence, I assume you are not.”

So‍⁠ Jung Jiho simply⁠ disappeared? As if‌⁠ he had never‍⁠ existed here?

And‌‌ if the labyrinth were resolved like that? What would⁠ happen to him?‍ And to his‍ parents?

“Saenal‌⁠ daycare prohibits entry⁠ to outsiders.”

***⁠‌

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

As⁠ I was already⁠ used to it,‍ I explained the‍ current situation and‍ necessary precautions to‍ the interviewer, activated⁠‌ the fire alarm,‌⁠‌ and went down to the second‌ floor, where I met Hwang Juyeon.‌‍

After⁠‍ that, everything flowed‍ similarly, though more⁠⁠ smoothly than in‌⁠ the previous round⁠ where Hwang Juyeon‍ had disqualified me⁠ as a companion⁠⁠ because of my‌ comment about “because‍‍ you know how‍ to play piano.”

We⁠ found the child⁠‍ Jung Jiho while he was receiving⁠ punishment disguised as‍‍ education inside the⁠ daycare, obtained permission‍ from the goose for him to‌‍⁠ leave early, and⁠‍‍ started performing clumsy‌‍ choreographies to play with the “children”‍⁠ until they got⁠ tired.

And from here on,⁠ everything was new.⁠

At‍‌ least, according to‍‍ my current memories,‌⁠ this had never‌ happened before.

“……the⁠ child stays alone……”⁠

We⁠ managed to make‌‍ the “children” finally fall asleep peacefully,⁠ resting their arms‌ beneath their heads to the rhythm⁠ of the lullaby.⁠‌

“My‌ goodness, they fell⁠‌ deeply asleep. They⁠ must have had‍ so much fun.”‍

For‌ the first time, the ridiculous-looking goose‍ monster spoke softly, almost in a whisper.

It‌ stared directly at‍⁠⁠ me with those bean-like black eyes‌⁠‍ and slowly bent⁠⁠ its white neck.‌

“Thank you for playing‌ so well with‍ our children. Then‌‍ have a safe trip, guardian sirs.‍⁠ Jiho, you take‌‍ care too.”

“Mm.”‌‌

I hugged the exhausted Jung Jiho, asleep⁠‌ in my arms,⁠‌⁠ and answered vaguely.‌

Sshhk.‌⁠

The entrance to Saenal‌‌‌ daycare opened smoothly, as if it‌ had never been‌‍ blocked.

“Huff…….⁠‍ Uuugh, my hands‍ hurt. I was‌‌‍ more nervous than‍ during a piano⁠⁠ competition, seriously.”

As‍ soon as the‍⁠‌ door closed, Hwang⁠‍ Juyeon collapsed against‌ the wall and‌‍ shook both hands‍‍⁠ while massaging them.

“Seon‍ Yuhan, you should‍ sit down and rest a bit.⁠ Are you okay?⁠‍ You look completely‌‍ exhausted.”

“No.⁠‌ Let’s go down‌‍ quickly.”

I gently patted the‌⁠ child on the⁠ back as he⁠ slept with my‍ shoulder as a pillow.

“It’s‍‍ possible that saving‍⁠ Jiho was the⁠ condition for getting⁠ down to the⁠ first floor.”

“Ah,‌ that could be⁠⁠ it. Let’s hurry.”⁠‌

To⁠ summarize it, we‌ went down those‌ stairs whether they‍‍⁠ were stairs to‌ heaven or hell,‍‌ who knows carrying‍ the child on‍‍ my back, but‌⁠ nothing changed.

Only‍‌ my arms and⁠‌‍ legs ended up‌⁠ trembling even more.⁠

And⁠‌ I couldn’t wake‍ a child sleeping that deeply either.‌

With‍ the cursed characteristics⁠ of those stairs,‌⁠ if I stopped‌‍‍ halfway down, we‍ would probably end⁠‌ up falling.

I don’t understand how⁠⁠ parents carry children like this.

“Ah,⁠‍ right! Wait, the⁠‌⁠ librarian was there.‌‌‌ Don’t tell me‍‌ she’s still trapped in the library…….”⁠⁠

“Miss⁠‍‌ Hwang Juyeon, then‌ I……”

Ah,⁠⁠⁠ damn it.

I was just about‌ to say I would go to‌ the library alone⁠ when I realized‍ my mistake.

In⁠ the previous round,‌‌‌ I should have‍ confirmed first whether⁠‍ finishing the reading‌‍ club was the‍ condition for getting‍ down to the‍ first floor.

But‍‍⁠ I was in‌ such a hurry‌⁠ that I went⁠ straight to the‌ daycare.

I also couldn’t ask⁠ Hwang Juyeon to‌‌⁠ wait outside with‍ Jung Jiho.

Maybe‌ only those who‍ completed the reading⁠⁠ club could go down.

“A-ah,‍‍‍ no. Let’s go⁠‍‍ in together. There‍ might be clues‌‌ there about the‌ condition for going‍⁠ down, so let’s‌ take the opportunity⁠⁠ to check.”

Current‍ time: 3:54 p.m.⁠

The three of us‍ opened the library‍ door.

***‌

“It is time for‌ the reading club.”

Once‍‌ again, that voice⁠ impossible to distinguish‍⁠ as either a divine revelation or‌‍‍ narration echoed out.⁠

Now⁠‌ it was exactly⁠⁠⁠ 4:00 p.m.

Even‍‌ though other times it had started‍‍ at 3:50.

“No additional participants will⁠ be accepted until‍ the reading club‍‍ is over.”

So⁠ they check participants‌‍ every ten minutes⁠ and then the⁠⁠ meeting starts?

When⁠‌‍ the explanation ended,‍‌‍ a white book‍‌⁠ fell into the‌‍ hands of all‌‌ four of us.‍‍

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

“D-do we just have‌‍ to read……?”

“Yes. Let’s read them.⁠‍ Ah.”

Suddenly,⁠‌ I thought of‍ something and looked‍ at the child‌ sitting to my‍ right.

How‌ old is he exactly?

Can‌⁠ he even read‌⁠ a book this⁠ thick?

“Jiho,⁠⁠ can you read⁠ Korean?”

The⁠ child nodded with‌ a nervous expression.‍

Thank goodness.

At‍‍‌ least he could‌⁠ read a little.‌‌‍

Maybe‍ he wouldn’t understand‌‍ every word, but it’s not like adults always understand‌‌‌ everything they read‌‌ either.

“Then‍‍ read slowly. And⁠ if there’s something‌ you don’t understand,‌ ask me or‍ the teachers here.”‍‌

I looked at that⁠⁠ tightly closed mouth and added,

“You‌ don’t necessarily have‌‍‌ to speak. Understood?”

Only‌ then did the⁠ child nod again.‌⁠

[Kim‍⁠⁠ Gilyeong was born⁠⁠ on September 16⁠‍‍ at 7:32 p.m.]‍

The⁠‍‌ moment we opened‌ the books, everyone⁠‍‌ except me looked‍ up in confusion.⁠

“But⁠‌⁠ this book…….”

Kim‌ Gilyeong received Hwang‌ Juyeon’s book.

Hwang‌ Juyeon received Jung‍ Jiho’s.

Jung⁠ Jiho received mine.‍‌

And I received Kim⁠‌‍ Gilyeong’s.

[“Munrim‌‌ Elementary students who‌‍ will write a new story!”

The⁠⁠⁠ days when they⁠ listened to the⁠⁠ principal’s boring speeches⁠ in front of‌‍ the podium and⁠‌ sang the school‌‍ anthem.]

Even‌ though I had‍ already finished this⁠‌ book before, I was careful not‌⁠ to skip any‍⁠‌ parts.

[“You‌ came from Sangnim⁠ too, right?”

After‌ the middle school‍ entrance ceremony, someone‍‍ cheerfully approached Kim⁠‍‌ Gilyeong, who was‍‌‍ sitting alone among‌⁠ noisy classmates because‍‌ of her introverted‌ personality. Hong Donghui.‌⁠ Kim Gilyeong glanced‍⁠ sideways at the⁠⁠‌ name tag.

“It‍‍ looks like only‌‌⁠ you and I came from the‌ same elementary school‍⁠ in our class.⁠‌ Let’s eat together‍⁠ later!”

Dark⁠‍‌ skin, a huge‍⁠ smile that showed‍ even her throat,‍ steps always full⁠‍ of energy. Hong‍‍ Donghui became Kim⁠‍ Gilyeong’s favorite friend.]⁠

Hm?‍

Something…….‍‌

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

I looked at the⁠ silent child sitting‌‌ to my right.‌⁠

Clearly,‌‌ he was struggling⁠ to focus on‍ a book filled‍‌‍ with nothing but‌‍ text and not‍‍ a single illustration.‍

His‌ eyes were pointed⁠ at the book, but he was‍‌‌ completely distracted.

I think I chose‍⁠⁠ the seat well…….‍

“Jiho,‍‍ even if it’s⁠ difficult, you have‍‍ to read. It‍‍‌ doesn’t matter if‍ you go slowly.”‍⁠

I spoke while trying‌ to force away‌‌ that thought crawling‍ through my mind‌‍‌ like an insect.⁠

I really am a horrible adult.

“Hm?‍‌ Is there something‍‌ you don’t understand?”

As‍ if he had been waiting, the‌ child pointed at‌‌ a section in‌ my book.

“Ah,‌⁠ this?”

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

The moment I took‌ the book in‍‌ which I myself‍‍ was the protagonist,‍ the voice echoed like a warning.⁠‌

“Can‍ I really only‍‌ read the book⁠‌ I was given……?”‌⁠

I tried to keep‌⁠ a calm expression.⁠

“Well,‍⁠ in short, this‍‌ means something like⁠‌ a legal guardian.‍⁠‌ In other words,‍ like a mom‌‌⁠ or dad. When‍‌ a child doesn’t‌‌ have a mom⁠⁠ or dad, other close relatives or⁠ other adults have‍ to take on‌⁠‌ that role. Those⁠ people are called‌ that.”

I have no idea⁠‍‍ what the proper⁠⁠ level of explanation‍ is for a preschool child.

Although,⁠‌ to begin with,‍⁠ this doesn’t seem⁠‌⁠ like an appropriate⁠ story for someone‌⁠‍ his age either.‌

“If‍ there are words‌ you don’t understand,⁠ keep asking. Mm,⁠‌ it seems they‍‌ do allow quick⁠⁠ glances at other‌ people’s books.”

The‍ child’s expression, as⁠‍ he obediently nodded, darkened a little⁠ more.

I turned my attention‌⁠ back to the⁠ book.

[Kim Gilyeong won a school literary review⁠‌‍ contest.

“After⁠‌‍ reading this book,⁠ I thought dreams‌ aren’t things that‍ only happen at‍⁠ night.

(omitted)‍

That’s⁠ why, after reading‌ this book, I would open the‍ closet door a little every night.”‍

《Alice‍ in Wonderland》 became⁠‍⁠ Kim Gilyeong’s favorite‌ book.]

It⁠‍‌ was one of‍ the parts that‌ had been considered‌‍ a spoiler in the previous reading‌‌ club.

Even‍ rereading it, it‌‍‍ still seemed strange‌‍ to me, but‍‍‌ I continued reading.‌

[Kim Gilyeong absentmindedly watched⁠ the white snow‌‌ falling outside the⁠ window, scattering like⁠ flower petals. As‍ if celebrating her‍ birthday.]

……Wait.‍

Flip,‌ flip.

I carefully turned pages‍⁠‍ forward. Then back.‌‌‍

[“What⁠⁠ was the name⁠‍‍ of your best⁠ elementary school friend?”⁠‍

Kim‌ Gilyeong remembered a memory as clearly⁠⁠ as if it⁠‍‍ had happened yesterday.‌ A friend with‍ skin as pale⁠ as someone who⁠‍‌ had never seen‌⁠⁠ sunlight, with charming‍‌ dimples when she‍‌ smiled. Hong Donghui.‌‍ Kim Gilyeong wrote‌ the answer without⁠ difficulty.]

Frrp.⁠

Forward.‌‍ Further ahead. Then‍⁠ back again.

[Stopping⁠‌‌ in front of an empty space‍‌ on the bookshelf, Kim Gilyeong placed⁠⁠ a novel by‍ C. S. Lewis‍ there. Secretly reading the book she‍‍‌ had loved most⁠ in childhood, even⁠‌ though it no‍ longer had demand‍⁠ among users of‌‌‍ the corporate library,‍ was a privilege‍ exclusive to the librarian.]

Forward.‍⁠‍ Then backward again.

“…….”‍‌

My‌ forehead soaked with‌ cold sweat itched,‍⁠ and the fingers‌ holding the pages trembled.

Pretending to scratch the‌⁠ back of my‍‍ hand, I forcibly⁠ hid the trembling while moving my⁠ eyes.

My‍⁠ palms were damp‍⁠⁠ with sweat and‍ my mouth was⁠ drying rapidly.

I can’t let them‌‍ notice.

……That I realized it.⁠