Indra Translations
Navigation
How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth Chapter 29: Come to the Land Full of Happiness

Chapter 29: Come to the Land Full of Happiness

【Invitations‌‌ will soon be‍​⁠ sent to your⁠ friends! They say‍‌‌ happiness grows the‍‍‍ more it is​‍ shared, right? Binary⁠‌ will also receive⁠​⁠ even greater happiness‍‌‌ for sharing happiness!】⁠⁠‍

“Damn⁠ it.”

“T-this…‌​ this guy just⁠ did something weird​‍⁠ to us, didn’t⁠‌​ he?”

“Did‌‍ it just say‍ Happyland…?”

The‍‌‍ bald man, who‍‌⁠ had nearly been‍‌‍ grabbed by the​ neck instead of​‍⁠ the hair, wrote‌ another short note‍‍‍ and showed it‍ to us.

[I‌‌​ had no other⁠‍‍ choice. Please understand.]​‍

Although​ his face was​‍​ pale from his⁠⁠‍ poor condition, he​‍ did not seem​‍ to feel the⁠‍ slightest bit of‍‍⁠ guilt.

In​ fact, he barely‍‌ seemed to have⁠ any expression at‌ all.

“Wow…⁠⁠ wow…”

Choi​⁠​ Jaeha grabbed the​⁠ back of his​⁠ neck.

“What‍ a shameless man.”​‌‍

[Even⁠‌​ so, I’ll tell⁠ you everything I can. Ah, my‍​‍ name is Lee‍​ Jinsu.]

It‍​ was unclear whether‍⁠‍ he had always‌⁠ been like this‍⁠ or whether it‍ was the labyrinth’s‍‌ fault.

[Wait​ a moment. This​‌⁠ has a time​ limit.]

Lee⁠ Jinsu set down‌‍​ the phone and⁠​ looked back at⁠‌‍ the game screen.​‌

【A​ raccoon-costumed clerk is⁠⁠‍ selling ice cream.‌⁠ It looks delicious.​‌‌ You cannot endure​⁠ your hunger.】

【▶‍ Eat】

【▶‌ Resist】

Click.​​

【Eat!】⁠​⁠

As⁠ soon as Lee‌​ Jinsu clicked “Eat.”‌​

Crunch!‍ Splash! Crack!

Along‍‍‍ with sound effects​‌‍ completely impossible for​​‌ someone eating ice‌‍‌ cream, the entire‌​ screen was splattered⁠⁠‍ with red blood⁠‌ that quickly disappeared.​⁠

The‌ raccoon-costumed clerk also‍‌ vanished.

【The⁠‍ sweet-and-salty combination never⁠ fails! Licking the​‍ ice cream left‍​⁠ around your lips‍⁠⁠ with satisfaction, you⁠‍ feel that you‌​‌ won’t be hungry‍‍​ for a while.】​⁠

Lee‌ Jinsu stared at‍​ that disgusting screen‍​ without changing expression‌‍​ and opened his​‌ notes app again.⁠‌

[Anyway,‌ if the time‍ limit runs out,​‌ the game automatically⁠ chooses for you​​ and the penalty⁠‌​ is applied all‌ the same, so‍ you have to​⁠⁠ pick something before​ the timer ends.‌‍‌ No matter what.]‍

“And​ what exactly is​​⁠ the penalty?”

[This.]‍

Lee‌‌⁠ Jinsu opened his‍ mouth wide.

It‍ really looked as​ though his tongue⁠ had been cut‍‌ off.

Only⁠ a small part‍ remained at the⁠ root.

“Ah…”​‍‌

“My​ God…”

Even‌ Choi Jaeha, who‌ had been glaring‌ at him until​‍‍ just moments ago,‌ lost some of⁠⁠‍ his momentum.

[But‌ it doesn’t hurt.‍ And sometimes only‌‌ something like losing‍‌ your hair happens.​ There’s no need​‍​ to be too‍⁠​ scared. It seems‌‌ that the body‍​ part that disappears‌​‍ and the amount​​‌ are completely random.]​​

At⁠‌ that moment.

Ding!⁠‌​

♫ Ta-da-da, da-da, ta-daaaan…​‌ ♫

Suddenly‍‍ the phones lit‌ up and circus-like‍⁠​ music began to​⁠ play.

An⁠‌ organ accompaniment with‍‌​ a retro style⁠ and a cheerful,⁠‍ lively rhythm.

A melody that resembled‌‌ a theme park‌​⁠ parade.

“What‍ is this?”

“Don’t​ tell me it’s‍​ that invitation from‌‍⁠ before…”

The​ same thing happened‍⁠ on everyone else’s‌‍ phones.

Clack.⁠‌

Next,​‍ an ownerless drawer‌​⁠ suddenly opened and‍​ a handheld game⁠​⁠ console flew out⁠ from inside, landing​ in front of​ Jung Jiho.

[There’s‍‍​ also a mobile​ and console version.⁠‍‌ I guess it’s​‌ because you don’t​ have assigned computers.]‌

If⁠‍ there was no‍‍ computer, it used​⁠ a phone.

And​ if there was​​ no phone, it‍‌ lent you someone‌​ else’s console.

What‌‌​ a kind, fair,​‌‌ and considerate labyrinth.⁠

All⁠⁠ of us looked​ at the game‌‌‌ title on our​‍⁠ screens.

【Lost⁠ In HAPPYLAND】

【ENTER】⁠⁠

Happyland.​

An⁠‌ abandoned amusement park​‍ that became an‍‌ invasion-type labyrinth eight​ years ago.

It⁠ had already been‍⁠‍ closed for a long time before‍ its transformation, and⁠​ because of its‍‍ distinctive atmosphere, it‌‍ was often used​​ as a filming‍‍​ location.

Until​⁠ one day, during‌​⁠ the shooting of​ an idol group’s⁠​ music video, the‌⁠ labyrinthization phenomenon occurred.‍⁠​

The⁠⁠​ Happyland Labyrinth was‌‍‌ also resolved through⁠​ the complete annihilation‍ of everyone trapped​‌‌ inside.

Just‌⁠ like Seonghwa High‍ School, which we​ saw in the‍​‍ auditorium.

Or​ Mount Yeongun, which‌​ we heard about‍ on the radio⁠​​ in the parking​ garage.

“Can’t⁠​ we… just not‍⁠ play?”

Hwang​‌‌ Juyeon tried to‌⁠​ escape reality in‌‌ a subdued voice.​⁠‌

She‌‍⁠ did not even‍⁠ seem to believe⁠ it was possible‌⁠​ herself.

“We‌ should sit together.‌‌‍ Can we borrow‌ some chairs, Mr.⁠‌ Lee Jinsu?”

At⁠​ Yoo Hyunjae’s question,‌ Lee Jinsu nodded⁠⁠ without issue.

[If⁠ you need anything,‌⁠‌ use whatever you⁠ want. The owners⁠​⁠ aren’t here anymore‍⁠⁠ anyway.]

Clack!‍ Rattle!

The‌ rolling chairs gathered‍‌​ around Lee Jinsu.⁠​⁠

When⁠‌​ we pressed ENTER​⁠ beneath the game​ title, a new​ screen appeared.

【Enter‍​‍ your name】

【____】‍‍‍

“There⁠⁠⁠ weren’t any problems​‍‌ with not using​⁠⁠ your real name?”‍⁠

From‍⁠​ the earlier pop-up,‌ it seemed that⁠‍ Lee Jinsu had‍‍​ used “binary” instead‌ of his actual⁠‌‌ name.

Although,‍⁠ depending on how‍‍​ you looked at⁠‌ it, perhaps that​ was also his⁠‍ real name.

[Every‌ now and then‌‍⁠ there are quiz-like⁠​ questions asking whether⁠ you remember your⁠‍‍ name, but it‌⁠ doesn’t seem to‍‌ matter whether it’s⁠‍ your real name​‌‌ or not. It​ feels more like​​​ a player ID.]‌⁠⁠

“Then‍ I… will use‌⁠ my name.”

After‍ a brief hesitation,⁠ I entered my‌‍ name.

【Seon‌‍ Yuhan】

【ENTER】⁠

Looking​‍​ at that name,‌‌ I shook my⁠ head, feeling like⁠⁠ an idiot, and‍ pressed Enter.

After‍​ all, it wasn’t​ as though the‍ labyrinth was stupid.⁠

Even‌⁠ if I entered‌ another name, it​ would not stop⁠ recognizing my existence.⁠​

Even⁠‍‍ if I had‌⁠‍ entered “Hong Gildong,”‌ it would not‌​⁠ kill Mr. Hong‍‌⁠ Gildong in my‍ place.

【…Waiting‍‍​ for access to​​ Happyland…】

“Ugh,⁠​⁠ I’ll just use​⁠ my surname. Ah,​‍‌ what should I do? I seriously‍‌‍ know nothing about​​ games…”

Hwang‌ Juyeon, who had​⁠ entered “Hwang,” grabbed‍​‍ her head with​‍​ a distressed expression.⁠​⁠

“I’m​​⁠ not very good​​ at these electronic‍‍ games either.”

That’s⁠‍ why labyrinths…

Muttering‌ in a subdued‍⁠ voice, Yoo Hyunjae‌ idly played with‍ the ring on‌⁠ his pinky finger‌​‍ before entering “Hyunjae.”​⁠

“Hmm,‌ then I’ll use⁠‍ my initials… Ah,‍ Jiho, what are​ you going to​​ use? Do you‌⁠⁠ want your uncle‍‍ to help you?”​‌

When⁠‍ Jung Jiho silently‌​ nodded, Choi Jaeha⁠ began asking, “How‍​⁠ about this? Or‌⁠ this one?” while‌​ skillfully operating the‌‌​ buttons.

Thus,‍​⁠ the name “Jyo”⁠‍ was entered on‍​‍ Jung Jiho’s console.‌

“But​‍‍ this is still‌‌ loading and won’t‌ move on.”

“Ah.”‍​

At⁠⁠ Choi Jaeha’s question,⁠‌ Lee Jinsu made⁠​ a sound and⁠​ opened his notes​ app.

[It‌⁠ seems only one‍‍​ person can play‌‌‌ at a time.]‍

“What​‍ exactly is that‌ supposed to mean?”‍

[I​​ know it’s a weird thing to⁠​ say because it’s⁠‍​ an offline game,​⁠ but it means‍​ only one person‌ can log in.‍⁠ Since I’m playing‍‌‌ right now, none‌ of you can‌ enter. My game​⁠ didn’t start either‍ until my coworker​​⁠ stopped playing.]

“What?”‌

[So‍⁠⁠ I think the‍‌ system works in​​‌ a way that‍⁠‍ I have to​⁠‌ die or quit‍ before someone else‌ can enter.]

“You’ve⁠⁠‍ got to be‌ kidding me! You⁠ should have said‍‌​ that sooner!”

“Could⁠ it be according​⁠ to the order⁠ in which we⁠​‌ entered our names…?”​

If​‌‌ entry was first​⁠ come, first served,​​ I would probably​‍​ be next.

Then‍ Hwang Juyeon, Yoo​‌‌ Hyunjae, Choi Jaeha,‍ and Jung Jiho.⁠⁠‍

“But‍‌ is it possible⁠ to quit?”

[If​ you quit inside‌ the game. Or‍⁠ if you die.​ Either way, the​​ options CONTINUE or​ EXIT appear. My​⁠ coworker pressed EXIT,‌​ and then it‍‍ became my turn.]‌

“Didn’t‌ you say your⁠ coworker died?”

Wasn’t⁠⁠ that more of​⁠ a button for⁠‌⁠ quitting this world‍ than quitting the​‌‌ game?

“Ah.”​⁠⁠

Lee⁠‌ Jinsu absentmindedly opened‍‌ his mouth before​‌ typing again.

[Well,‌​ I killed him.]‌

“What?”‌​​

“W-what?”​

“You‍‌‌ killed him? A person?”

Choi‌⁠ Jaeha jumped to⁠‌⁠ his feet in​‍ horror.

Hwang‍‌‌ Juyeon immediately grabbed⁠‌ a pen she‍‌‍ found on the‌⁠​ desk.

And⁠‌ Yoo Hyunjae discreetly​ pushed Jung Jiho⁠‌​ behind him.

Lee‍‌​ Jinsu continued typing⁠‍‍ with the same‍ impassive expression.

[He‌⁠‌ was about to‍​ die anyway. But​‌ he didn’t die⁠⁠ because he pressed​‌ EXIT, so don’t‌‌​ worry.]

The‌​ fact that he‍ did not try​​ too hard to‍ justify himself made‍ it strangely believable.⁠​

[If​‌⁠ you press CONTINUE,​‌‌ you simply keep​‍ playing. But you‌​ receive a penalty.]​

“Haa…⁠‍‌ That penalty. Is‍ it randomly losing⁠‌ a body part?⁠‌​ Without pain?”

Lee⁠‍ Jinsu nodded.

[It’s‍⁠ completely random. Sometimes⁠‌‌ it’s like losing⁠‍ a few fingernails.⁠‌‍ And if you’re‍​‌ unlucky, you might‍‍‍ lose a lung.]‍

If⁠‌⁠ you did not‌ choose an option‌⁠ within the time​‌‍ limit, you received​​⁠ a penalty.

And‍‍​ if you died​‍​ in the game‍ and wanted to⁠​ continue, you also⁠​​ received a penalty.‌‌‌

That‌ meant that, depending‍ on which body‍‌‌ part you ended‌⁠ up losing, you‌ could die instantly.⁠⁠

[So‌ if you don’t⁠ want to lose⁠ anything, just press‍‍⁠ EXIT.]

Then‌‍ the turn would⁠​‍ pass to the‍‍⁠ next person.

And‌ so on until‌‌​ it reached the‍‌ last person, Jung‍ Jiho.

Was⁠ this some kind‌​​ of sacrifice game?‍⁠​

“Then‌‍ why didn’t you‌‌ quit? Because there‌ was no one‍⁠‌ to pass the‍ turn to?”

[That’s⁠‌‍ one reason.]

His‍ bloodshot eyes stared⁠​‌ directly at me⁠ as he smiled.⁠

[But⁠ also because it’s​ fun.]

Perhaps‍ the only things‌⁠‌ Lee Jinsu had‌​‌ lost in this⁠‍ game were not‌ just his tongue⁠‌⁠ and hair.

He‌ seemed to have‍‍ some kind of​‌ problem with his⁠‍​ brain.

Although​‍ it could not⁠‌ be ruled out⁠ that he had‌​‌ always been like​ that.

“Wow.‌‍‌ He’s completely insane…”‌⁠​

Horrified,‍ Choi Jaeha slowly​ moved his chair⁠​ closer to me.‌⁠

“Mr.‍‌ Seon Yuhan. Do⁠‌‍ you remember when,​ in front of‍‌ the elevator, you‍​‌ grabbed me and‍‍ started saying nonsense​​ and I thought​ you were crazy?‌​ And then in‍‍⁠ the parking garage‌ too… I want‌‍ to apologize. You​‌‍ really are a normal person.”

Having‍⁠ officially received the‌​ title of normal​‍ person, I turned‌‌ my gaze toward‌ Lee Jinsu’s monitor.​

【Look!‌​ It’s the Pang⁠‍‌ Pang Car! Get‌‌ into the adorable⁠‌ bumper car and​ drive around going‍​ pang pang! Be​​⁠ happy!】

【▶‌ Be happy】

【▶⁠ Be unhappy】

Lee‌​ Jinsu selected “Be‌ happy.”

Completely​ calmly, without caring​​‌ that everyone was‌ watching him.

[With​⁠ the rides, it’s​‌‌ usually best to‌‍‌ choose this option.​ That way, time​​‌ inside the game​⁠‍ passes faster. If​ you don’t get‍ on, some pretty‍‌ disturbing events tend⁠​ to appear.]

That‍⁠‌ meant he had​‌ tried the “Be​ unhappy” option.

“What’s​‍⁠ the objective of⁠⁠​ the game? What​⁠ do you have‌​‌ to do to⁠‍​ complete it?”

[From⁠⁠‍ the opening scenario,‌‍ it seems the‌‍ goal is to‌⁠⁠ survive until closing​ time. Based on⁠ how it’s structured,‍​​ that appears to‌ be the natural‌⁠⁠ ending.]

“And‌ how long does​ the game last?”⁠‌​

[Who⁠⁠ knows. It doesn’t​​ seem very long.‌‍‌ If you choose‍ quickly and always‌ make the best‌⁠⁠ decisions, maybe around‌​‍ twenty minutes. Assuming⁠‌ the most efficient‍​ route possible.]

In‌ other words, the⁠⁠ actual duration could‌‌​ be several times⁠ longer.

Or⁠‍ you might die​⁠⁠ before getting that​‍ far.

[Even‍⁠ so, compared to‌​‌ others, this one‌⁠‌ doesn’t have absurd​⁠‌ difficulty.]

“How⁠‌ can you possibly…?”⁠‍

Choi​‍‌ Jaeha started to‍ protest, but lost‍ the will to‍‌⁠ continue halfway through​‌ the sentence.

[Because‌‍ the player is⁠ a visitor. If‌‌ we were playing‌ as the park⁠ employees, the balance‍‌ would be broken‌⁠‌ and nobody could⁠‍​ clear it.]

“What…?⁠ And why is⁠ that…? Mr. Seon‌​ Yuhan, what does‍​‌ that mean?”

This​​ man really had​​ no interest in‌​ labyrinths.

How‌‌ enviable.

Hwang⁠ Juyeon seemed to‍‍⁠ have understood more‌​⁠ or less.

And​‌‍ the co-director of⁠⁠ Yuwi Guild, who‌‍ had remained silent⁠​ this whole time,​​​ obviously understood as⁠⁠‍ well.

It​​ was normal that​‍ Jung Jiho did‍ not understand; he​ had not even‌‍ been born when​‌‌ the Happyland incident⁠‌ happened.

“To​​ begin with, the⁠‍ people who got⁠⁠ trapped in Happyland…”‌​⁠

For⁠ everyone’s safety, I had to explain‌⁠ at least the‌‍ basic knowledge.

“They‍⁠‍ were filming an‍‌ idol group’s music‌‌ video when…”

“Ah,‍‍​ I remember that.‌ People gathered to‌​ pay their respects‌‌‍ and everything. They‌​ were unknown, but‌‌ after they died⁠‌‍ they became famous.‍⁠‍ It felt strange.”⁠

Personally,‍‍ I found it‍ disgusting.

People‍‍⁠ who had never‌‌⁠ shown any interest‍​ and only came⁠ running when they‌ heard someone had‌ died tragically.

People‍​⁠ who started digging‌⁠ up memories of​ the deceased in⁠⁠​ order to force​​ themselves to care.‍⁠

People‌​ who enjoyed others’⁠‌‌ suffering as though⁠ it were entertainment.‌‍

Eight⁠ years later, even‌​ those idols were‌ gradually being forgotten.‌​⁠

And‍‍ the staff members⁠ who had also⁠‌‍ been memorialized were‌⁠ barely more than‍‌‍ names remembered by⁠ anyone.

“In‌⁠ any case, when‍‌ the bodies were​​‌ recovered, they were‌​ all wearing cast‍​‍ uniforms… that is,​ Happyland employee uniforms.‍‍ Of various kinds.”‌​⁠

The⁠‍ uniforms differed depending‌ on the ride‌ or assigned job.‌

“But‍ based on the‌‌‍ condition of the⁠ bodies, it was‍ concluded that rather⁠‌ than employees, they‌ had been treated​⁠​ as though they‍⁠ themselves were the⁠ attractions.”

And​‍⁠ that conclusion was‍‍‌ probably correct.

If‌ the contents of​​‍ this game were⁠⁠ based on the⁠ real events.

“Hey,‌ wait. You said‍‌‌ the players are‍‍ visitors inside the‍ game. Then we…”​⁠

“Yes.”‍​

Bang!‍⁠ Craaack! Bang! Splaash!⁠‍

【You⁠‌‍ executed a perfect‌ drift on a soaked surface.】

I briefly glanced at‍‌ Lee Jinsu’s monitor,‌ where those unpleasant⁠ sound effects and‍​​ messages appeared, before⁠ continuing.

“We​‌ are the ones‌‍​ who kill people.”‍⁠‍

“Haa…‍​‌ I knew it.​‌​ No wonder the⁠‌‌ game is so‍ twisted.”

Choi‌‍ Jaeha looked at​‍‍ the NeoSoft employee​ with disgust, unable‍‍‍ to understand how⁠ anyone could find‍⁠ that game fun.⁠​

Then.‌‌

Bang!​ Crack!

“Aiguer…!”‌‌‌

Lee​‍ Jinsu let out‍​ a strange sound​‍​ of pain.

It‌ seemed he had⁠⁠ tried to say‌‌⁠ “ow.”

【What​ a shame! Even‌‍ you could not‌ overcome a strategy⁠​‌ of mutual destruction.‍⁠ You are no‍⁠‍ longer in a condition to enjoy‍​ happiness. Nevertheless, you‍ can still continue‌⁠​ being happy.】

【CONTINUE】‌‌

【EXIT】‌

“Mr.‍‌​ Lee Jinsu, wait…”‌‌

Click.​‍​

【CONTINUE!】​⁠

Once‍ again, that deranged‌⁠‍ player’s hand was‍ faster than the⁠‍ eyes.

【The‍ wise decision of‍ someone like you‌‍ never wastes an‍⁠⁠ opportunity to be‍​‌ happy.】

【But​ happiness always comes‍​⁠ with a price!】‍‍

【Don’t​ worry! It won’t​‍⁠ hurt. A small​ contribution will make‍‌ you happy: Head】‍

And​​ at the exact⁠​‌ moment that message‍ appeared.

“Buaaagh!‍ W-what the hell…?​ Ugh!”

Part⁠​​ of Lee Jinsu’s‌​ head disappeared.

And‌‌​ then.

【Access⁠ complete!】

The‌​⁠ screen of my⁠‍ game, which had‍⁠‌ been waiting to‍ enter all this​‍ time, changed.

【Welcome‍‌ to the land‍‍‍ of happiness, Happyland!】‍​‌

What did you think of this chapter?
0 reactions

0 Comments


There are no comments yet. Be the first!

Reader Settings
Page mode
Timer
Text Indent
Auto scroll
Tap to read
Pin menu
Translate page
Select language to automatically translate chapter content.
Audio & AI Voice
This chapter has pre-loaded audio
Ads Blocker Image Powered by Code Help Pro

Ads Blocker Detected!!!

We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads. Please support us by disabling these ads blocker.