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How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth Chapter 23: The Sender Is Not in the User’s Contacts

Chapter 23: The Sender Is Not in the User’s Contacts

I stared fixedly into⁠⁠ the darkness where‌⁠ even boundaries between‍⁠‍ shadows could not‌⁠⁠ form.

Clank,‌ splash.

The​‍‍ footsteps of mercy⁠‌ echoed beside my⁠ ears.

“What’s‌​ wrong? You’re suddenly​⁠​ acting creepy. Is​‌ there something behind⁠‍ us?”

I looked at the‍‍‌ face of the‍‌⁠ cowardly accountant.

Choi‌‍⁠ Jaeha’s expression, bent​‌​ over while checking​⁠‍ the tires, looked⁠​ surprisingly normal.

“N-no.‌‌‌ It’s nothing.”

I shook my head.‌‍​

“There’s‍‍ nothing.”

In​ the end, it‌⁠‌ really had been⁠ an illusion.

Mercy​⁠ is not coming‌ toward me.

“Haa,​ not this one‍​ either.”

“Huh,‍​ but don’t you⁠⁠​ need to look​‌ at the pattern⁠ photo?”

When‌⁠ I showed him​‌ the image on‌ the screen, Choi​​‌ Jaeha barely glanced‌‍‌ at it and​ waved his hand.​⁠‍

“I’ve‌⁠⁠ already more or⁠‌ less memorized it.⁠⁠ Besides, it’s annoying⁠​ to keep staring‍‍⁠ at your phone‌​ all the time.​ Ah, Seon Yuhan,‍‍⁠ you still don’t​‍‌ have a car,⁠‍ right? Look, tire⁠ patterns vary depending⁠‍ on the manufacturer,‌ but normally this‌​ part has vertical‍ grooves following the‌⁠⁠ circumference, and that’s‍ what’s most commonly‌⁠ used…….”

I half-listened to the⁠‌‍ explanation about tire‍⁠‌ patterns from certified‌‍ public accountant Choi‌⁠ Jaeha, the proud​ owner of his​‌ own car.

It‌‍‌ wasn’t anything especially‌ important.

Nor⁠⁠​ was it something⁠ completely unfamiliar to​ me.

There​⁠⁠ was a time‍⁠‍ when I obsessed‌⁠‌ over the marks⁠ left behind like‌⁠ scars in the‌‍ place where someone‍⁠ had lost their​​⁠ life.

A very long time​⁠‍ ago.

Even​ now, sometimes I calculate the appropriate‍ speed capable of‍ pulverizing my femur.‌

It’s​ a bad habit.‌

“Haa,​‌⁠ but even though​ all the patterns‌‍ look similar, they’re‍ also different. It’s‍ more complicated than​‌​ I thought.”

Perhaps​‌‍ because he depended⁠⁠ on a rather⁠‍‌ weak flashlight, Choi⁠ Jaeha blinked several‍‍‌ times with tired⁠ eyes.

“Let’s‌​ switch. I’ll check​⁠ this area.”

This⁠ time Choi Jaeha​​‌ illuminated the area​⁠ with his phone‍‌‌ while I inspected​‍‌ the tires.

What‍​ we were looking⁠ for was a rib pattern with‍ thick grooves undulating‌‍​ vertically.

Just⁠‍ as Choi Jaeha​‌ had said, the​‍⁠ details differed on‍ every tire, so⁠ we had to​⁠​ check carefully.

Though⁠​​ more than that,‍⁠ those skid marks.⁠

They‌​ keep appearing before‍‍ my eyes.

“For‍ them to be‌ so long and​⁠ clear……”

“Huh?‌‌ What did you​​ say? Did you​‌‌ find something?”

“Ah,‌‍⁠ no. That’s not​‌ it.”

I kept comparing the‌‌‍ patterns as I spoke.

“I​ mean the tire‍ marks from earlier.⁠ Normally they don’t⁠⁠ end up that​ long or that​ deep.”

“Mm……​ now that you​⁠‌ mention it. For⁠⁠ the mark to‌​ come out that‌ strongly, the car⁠ would have had​‌⁠ to be going‌ pretty fast. There‍ was probably a lot of empty‌​ space in front⁠‌ and behind.”

“Do⁠ you think it​⁠‍ was an accident?”‌

“It​‌ could be. Or⁠⁠⁠ maybe something like‌ a wild animal​ ran across.”

Choi‌ Jaeha shrugged as‌ if it didn’t⁠‌ matter.

“But​ who cares, right?​‍⁠ What if it’s‌ just a fake‍ created by the‍⁠​ labyrinth?”

What‍⁠ matters is not​‍ whether it’s fake⁠ or real.

What​ matters is that⁠ the labyrinth created⁠​ it.

“It⁠ could be a clue to reach‍​​ the next floor.”​​​

“Ah……‍​ really? But nothing​‍‍ like that happened‍⁠ on the second‌‌​ floor. Couldn’t it‌ just be that⁠​ there aren’t any‍ clues?”

“That……”‍‌‍

I was left speechless.‌‍

Now‌​​ that I think‌‍‍ about it, this‍ person believes we⁠ escaped from the​‌ second floor because​‍‌ we “saved Jung​ Jiho” in Saenal​⁠‍ Daycare.

He‍ does not know‌ that the librarian‌​ of Book &‌‍​ Allae was not‌‍⁠ human.

Nor‍ does he know​‌ the clues related‌ to her.

At‍​ that instant, an‍ inexplicable anger churned​‍⁠ inside my stomach.⁠‌‌

That‌​‍ the labyrinth is‌ not a place​ you escape from‍⁠‌ by saving people.‌⁠

That⁠⁠​ saving the child​‌‌ did not help‌ at all in​⁠ escaping.

That⁠‍​ perhaps what I truly wanted to‍ save was not⁠‌ the child.

That‌‍ what is truly‌⁠ necessary in a labyrinth is not‍ the determination to​‍‌ die, but the⁠ determination to kill.​‍

That​​⁠ life is not‍ something given freely,​‌ but a “state”‍‌ barely maintained after​ miserable and desperate‍ struggles.

That,​‌⁠ just like outside‍‍⁠ the labyrinth, surviving‌​ is fighting and​‍​ fighting can never⁠⁠ be elegant.

And‌‌ that because of⁠⁠‍ that, in the​ end, inside the‍​⁠ labyrinth we all​​ become the same.‌​

That​‌ you people know‌​ nothing…….

“Maybe​ there were clues⁠ we didn’t find⁠ and we just‍ got lucky.”

I forcibly swallowed that‍‍​ blind curse and​ that frustration.

Spit​‌ it out.

Spit‍⁠ it out.

Spit⁠​‌ it out.

Spit⁠‍‍ it out.

Spit⁠⁠​ it out.

Spit⁠⁠ it out.

Spit‍ it out.

I told you to‌ spit it out!​⁠

A sharp scream I could not digest‍ clawed at my‍‍ insides.

“Yeah?​‍⁠ Ah, right, you‌⁠​ said you wanted​⁠‍ to become an‌ agent. Then you‌ know something about​‌ labyrinths, huh? Mm,⁠‍ well. Maybe you’re​​​ right.”

After‌‍‍ that, we switched‍‌ tasks again.

Choi‌​ Jaeha checked the​ tires one by‍ one while I illuminated them with‍‍ my phone flashlight‍ at the lowest‌⁠‍ brightness.

Bzzz.‍⁠

As‌ soon as I picked up the‌ phone again, messages‌​​ started pouring in‍ one after another.⁠

[(National​ Message)

Hello,‍⁠⁠ we are recruiting⁠‍ people to help​⁠‌ write delicious reviews​​ for an online‍⁠​ store.

You‍ can do it​ anytime and anywhere​ regardless of time⁠ or space.

We‌ ship the same‌‌ day, so many​‌⁠ customers are satisfied.​​⁠ Don’t feel pressured​‍ and contact us‌ comfortably whenever and⁠ wherever you like.‌

More​‍‌ than 1.2 kg⁠⁠ per day / more than 30‌​‍ kg per month.​‍

▾Real-time⁠‍ inquiry▾

https://s.ub-5iK.com⁠​‌

Slots:​‍​ 11 people (first‌ come, first served)]‌‍

What⁠⁠ the hell is​ this suspicious advertisement.‍

Delete.‌⁠​

[::Web‌ Message::

The‍​​ first floor at​​ double~♥

There⁠‌‍ is no

place⁠

this​⁠ spacious

Escape​​⁠ before

they‍​‌ close

Free​ cancellation 080730616]

Are‌‌⁠ they making fun⁠‌⁠ of me?

Delete.‍

[

We‌‍⁠ regret to inform​ you that you‍ passed away today.​⁠‌

Funeral⁠‍⁠ https://r.ly/6e1leV3]

No.‍‌

I’m‌‍​ not going to​‍ die today.

Even‌⁠‌ if I die.‍‍

Delete.‍‍⁠

[Son⁠⁠ of a b✱tch​​ d@mn y0u
You too, Seon⁠ Yuhan, w1ll d1e✚]‍

I’m​ the one working‍⁠ myself to death.‍

……No.​​​

Delete.‍‌

[〔International​ Message〕 Oppa, I’m⁠⁠‌ hungry. Let’s go‍‌⁠ outside together. There‌‌ won’t be anyone​ there. It can⁠⁠ only be now.‍ Now. Now. Now.​ Now. Ah……]

But‌ I don’t have‍ a younger sister.⁠​‍

Though‍​ I really do‌ want to go⁠⁠‍ outside.

Right‍ now.

To‌⁠ somewhere with nobody⁠ there.

Delete.⁠​​

[(Advertisement)⁠​‌

The‍ one who wanders​ between time and⁠ space

The⁠‌‍ one who moved⁠​ forward facing destiny⁠

The​‍​ one who gave‌⁠⁠ love without reserve⁠‌

This​ body born upon​‍ the gallows

Now⁠⁠ becomes one formed‌​ by three

Yahweh,‍ do you know‌‍ my name?]

No.‌ That can’t be.‌⁠

……Delete.‍‍

[DC3※8※⁠ Card

Customer:⁠⁠​ 3,185,000

Transaction‍⁠​ at va.rious merchants?⁠‍

Inquiry⁠ regarding suspicious activity​​ ▶ In-person visit‍⁠⁠ required]

Delete‍ delete delete delete⁠⁠ delete delete delete​⁠⁠ delete delete delete‌⁠‌ delete delete delete‌‍ delete delete delete​​ delete delete delete​‌ delete delete delete‍⁠⁠ dele—

“Eh?⁠⁠ Found……, huh?”

“Ple……ase.”‌⁠​

That​‌ damned exclamation nearly⁠ made my heart​‍⁠ stop.

It​⁠ better not be‌‌‍ anything important.

“Huh?”⁠​⁠

It‍​‍ was important.

“What​⁠‍ the hell is‌ this?”

What‍‌ Choi Jaeha was‌ pointing at was.‍​

“Looks……‍​ like a package.”‌‌‌

A small delivery box⁠⁠ rested alone on‌‍ top of the‌‍ hood.

A compact box, smaller‌ than an adult​‌ man’s hand in‍‌⁠ width, length, and‌​​ height.

“No,​‌ I mean. There‍​ was definitely nothing⁠‌ there just now!⁠ But I was⁠​ looking at the‍‍‍ tires, thought ‘this‌‌⁠ is it,’ looked‍‍ up, and suddenly‌⁠ this thing appeared……!”​‌‍

“For‍ now, don’t open‍‍ it. Let’s take​⁠ it back and⁠‌​ check it with​⁠ the others.”

First‌ I took pictures‍‌⁠ showing the vehicle⁠ number, the appearance,​ and the location.⁠‌‍

Go1020,‍⁠‍ black sedan, D11.​‌

Meanwhile,‍​​ the accountant stared‍​ curiously at the‌​ box sitting on​‌ the hood.

“Sammae‍ Delivery…… is there‍​ even a company‍‌‌ like that? The‍​ address says Seoul……‌ this is this⁠‍ building and, huh?‌​​ What kind of‍‍ address is Go1020?⁠‌ What lunatic uses​⁠‌ their own car​ as a delivery‍‍ address?”

“……The​⁠ labyrinth is insane.”​​

After‌‍ reading the recipient‍ address written on‍ the label, it⁠ was obvious this​ was a gift‍ sent by the‍​⁠ labyrinth.

I picked up the​‌ box with one​​‌ hand.

The​ box itself was‌⁠ small, and whatever​​ was inside seemed‌ even smaller.

“Let’s‌‌ go back.”

“Yeah.‍⁠​ But do you‌​​ think there’s actually⁠⁠‌ something inside? It‌‌ feels super light.”​‌

“I⁠ don’t know…….”

We‍‌‍ walked through the⁠‍ darkness relying on⁠‌‍ tiny lights, while‌ at the same‍⁠‌ time trying not‍ to look directly‍⁠ at those lights.‌​

We⁠‌‌ only lifted them‍⁠ briefly to check‌⁠⁠ for obstacles ahead‌​ or confirm we⁠ were still heading⁠ the right direction,‌‍‍ then immediately pointed​​ them back toward‍⁠ the floor.

Sometimes‍⁠‍ a dim light‍⁠ is scarier than​​‍ absolute darkness.

“By​‌‌ the way, this⁠⁠⁠ is the first‍⁠⁠ time I’ve seen⁠‌⁠ Director Yoo Hyunjae​ this close. He’s‌ so handsome it’s​‌⁠ actually terrifying.”

The⁠ accountant leaned slightly​⁠​ closer and whispered.⁠​‌

“I⁠⁠ mean, I totally⁠​ get why he’s‍⁠⁠ so popular. And⁠‍⁠ well, even though⁠‍ he was vomiting⁠​⁠ and all…… hm,⁠⁠‌ he still feels⁠‍ kind of human.‍‍ I’m definitely bragging⁠⁠​ later that I met Yoo Hyunjae.”‌​​

……If​​‍ we get out.‌

Choi‍ Jaeha’s voice trembled‍‍ slightly when he⁠​ added that at‌ the end.

Even​‍ though he looked​​⁠ anxious, he was‌​‌ holding up surprisingly‌‌​ well.

He⁠​‍ didn’t seem to​‍ be seeing strange​⁠ things.

Not‌ like me.

When‌ I heard Yoo‌⁠ Hyunjae’s theory that‍​ we shouldn’t make‌‌⁠ loud noises like​ screaming, honestly, I worried more about‍‍⁠ Choi Jaeha than​​‌ Jung Jiho or​⁠ Hwang Juyeon.

Because‌⁠‍ despite his size,‍​ he’s extremely timid​ and dramatic.

I thought he would‌‌‍ be the real​​⁠ problem.

“Ah.⁠⁠⁠ My niece is​ a fan of‍⁠​ Director Yoo Hyunjae……⁠ no, actually, isn’t​⁠ it weird to​​ be a fan​⁠ of a CEO?‍⁠ Last time she‍ asked me to⁠ buy her some​‍ Yuwi Red Snake‍‌⁠ figures, so I went to look,​‌‌ but they don’t‌‍ even sell merchandise​‌ of the director.‍​ So how are⁠ people supposed to‍ fangirl over him?‌​⁠ Though honestly, if‍⁠ they did make⁠ merchandise of the‍⁠‌ directors, it’d probably​‍ sell better than‌⁠ the Red Snake‍⁠⁠ stuff. Ah, right,‍ those tiny figurines⁠‌ are ridiculously expensive.⁠‍‍ How the hell​ does something the⁠​‌ size of your‍​‌ palm cost tens​⁠ of thousands of‌⁠ won? But what​⁠ could I do?‌ She likes them.⁠​⁠ That kid is​ seriously scary. She’s​‌​ always calling me‍‍ saying ‘Uncle, buy‌‌‍ me this,’ ‘Take​⁠‌ me there,’ ‘Do⁠‌ this for me.’‍‍ She knows perfectly⁠‌ well I’m weak‌‍‌ against her. I seriously spoiled her⁠‌‍ too much. And​‌ she doesn’t even‍⁠‍ take after my​⁠‌ brother or sister-in-law.​ She just had‍‍‍ to resemble her⁠ aunt…….”

“Ah,⁠‍‌ I see.”

This‌ man is the‍‍⁠ type who talks‍‍ nonstop when he’s​‌‌ nervous.

I take back what​​‌ I said about‌ him “holding up⁠‌ surprisingly well.”

Choi⁠ Jaeha’s words poured​ out like machine-gun‌ fire until one‌​‍ of my ears‌ started going numb.​​

When‍‌ we were searching⁠​​ tire patterns, he⁠⁠ was calm because​ he had something‌⁠ to focus on.⁠

But⁠‌ now that he⁠⁠​ no longer had‌‌‍ that, it seemed⁠ the fear was‌‌ finally catching up‌‍​ to him.

In⁠‌ a situation like​⁠ this, I feel‌⁠ like if he‌ so much as‍‌ sees a bug​‍ crawling by the​​ wrong way, he’s​‍ going to scream‌ immediately.

……And‍ I don’t want‍ to see that​​ again.

Or​‌‍ go through it​ again.

Bzzz.‍⁠

Then.‍

I felt a faint‌ vibration in my⁠‍ hand, and the⁠ locked screen suddenly‌⁠‍ lit up.

“……Ha.”⁠

The‌‍ moment I saw‍⁠​ the incoming call‍ screen, I inhaled⁠‍⁠ sharply.

[Aunt]​

[Swipe⁠‌ to answer]

It⁠‍‌ felt as if​ someone had pulled⁠‌ my lungs aside‍ and squeezed my⁠ heart directly.

A call from “Aunt.”‌

I quickly pressed the​‌ side button to‌‌ reject it.

It​‌ vibrated again.

[Aunt]⁠​

[Swipe⁠ to answer]

I rejected it.

I must not answer.​⁠

Never.‍

And⁠​ not just because​⁠​ the internet doesn’t‌​​ work, calls shouldn’t⁠​ work either, and‌‌​ messages shouldn’t work⁠ as well.

[Aunt]​‌

[Swipe‌⁠ to answer]

But​‌ because.

I don’t have anyone‍ saved as “Aunt”‍⁠ in my contacts.‌​

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