How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth — Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER

Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER

【What‌ a shame. You‌ got an empty‌⁠ prize.】

An⁠ empty prize? And what the hell‌‌‍ is that supposed to mean?

I nearly dropped my‌ pen while copying‌ everything into the‍ Tarae Diary because‍‍ of how absurd‌ it was.

【You‌‌ examine the trash.】‌

Bzzz.‍

Suddenly,‌ my phone vibrated‌ and the screen⁠ began flickering.

【Ugh!‌ You feel an‌‌ unpleasant sensation, as⁠ if your entire⁠ body is twisting.⁠‍ This trash is⁠ something incomplete, something⁠ that never managed‍⁠‌ to be finished.】

The‍ “trash” depicted in⁠⁠ pixel graphics was⁠⁠ so distorted that⁠ it was difficult⁠ to tell what‍ its original shape⁠‌ had been.

At‍⁠ times it looked⁠‌ like a long-haired‌ girl wearing a red dress.

Other‍ times it looked⁠‌ like spaghetti covered in burnt tomato⁠ sauce.

And⁠⁠‍ sometimes it looked‍⁠‌ like fingers stained⁠⁠ with balsam flowers⁠‍ over bruised fingernails.⁠

【You‌ will not end‌⁠⁠ up like this.⁠‍ After all, you⁠‍ cannot leave before‌ seeing the final parade, can you?】⁠‍‌

Who⁠ exactly was this‍ “you”?

Me,⁠⁠ the one playing?⁠⁠

Or⁠ the monster I was controlling?

【You‍ think about what⁠‍ to do with‌‌ the trash. Will⁠‍ you throw it‍⁠ into a trash‌‍ can? The Cleaning‌‌⁠ Cast will quickly⁠‌⁠ sort it out.⁠ Or will you eat it? If⁠‌ you swallow something‍ so disgusting, you⁠ might get sick.】‍‍

【▶⁠‌‌ Throw it away】‌⁠

【▶⁠ Eat it】

【Throw it away!】

If‍ I got sick‌⁠ from eating it,‍⁠ I would be‌⁠ the one suffering.⁠⁠

【As‍ soon as you⁠ throw away the‍ trash, a Cast‍ who works to keep Happyland clean‌ carries it away.】‍‍

【All Happyland Cast are happy and diligent!‌ Thanks to that‌‌‍ trash, they will‍ be able to⁠‌‌ study how to⁠‍‍ make you happier. After all, that‍ trash was once‌‍ a visitor too.⁠ Just like you.】

So that was the‌ setting.

It‌⁠ was probably one of the game’s‍‌ monsters that had‍‌ died during Lee⁠‌ Jinsu’s playthrough or‍⁠ his coworker’s.

Something⁠ like a member⁠ of the same‌‍ species.

“Ah…‍‍ Then maybe I shouldn’t have thrown‌ it away.”

“Why?”‍‍⁠

Hwang‍ Juyeon asked after hearing me mutter.⁠

“If⁠‌ the Cast study⁠‌ visitors, they might‌ be able to‍‍ counter us later.”‌

Since we’re in the role of visitors.‌‌

Hwang⁠ Juyeon’s expression became‌ strange, so I quickly added,

“Well,‌ it also said‍ I could get‌⁠ sick if I ate it. So⁠ throwing it away was still the⁠ correct choice, right?”‌‌

“Both‍ options probably had⁠‍ the potential to harm us. This isn’t a normal game.”

Only‌⁠⁠ then did Hwang‍⁠ Juyeon seem to‌ understand, and she nodded.

【Look!‍⁠ There’s the exciting‌ ‘Dancing Viking,’ the⁠ chilling ‘Haunted House,’⁠‍‍ and the refreshing ‘Waterfall Ride.’ They‌ all look fun!‌‌ Which one will you try first?】‌⁠⁠

【▶‍‍‍ Dancing Viking】

【▶‌‍ Haunted House】

【▶‌ Waterfall Ride】

In situations like this,‌⁠ it was best‍ not to overthink things and simply‌ choose the first⁠⁠⁠ option. At the‌ very least, it⁠ made things less‌ confusing.

【Dancing‍ Viking!】

【Every⁠ time you fall‌ from the highest⁠ point, stand up‌⁠ and enjoy yourself⁠ to the music!‌‌ Be happy!】

【▶⁠‌ Be happy】

【▶‌‍⁠ Be unhappy】

【Be⁠⁠‌ happy!】

An‍ illustration of the‌ Viking ride appeared,‍⁠ and music began‍‌ to play.

There⁠⁠ were no lyrics.‍

But‍ the moment I heard the melody,‍‌ I recognized it‍ as belonging to⁠ the idol group‌ that had been‍‍ trapped there.

It⁠ certainly wasn’t the‌ kind of song‌‌ that would normally⁠ be played on a Viking ride‍‌ at an amusement‌ park.

【Ugh!‍‌ You writhe in‍ pain. What kind‍‍ of horrible music‍ is this?】

Bzzz.‍⁠⁠ Bzzz. Bzzz. Bzzz. Bzzz.

The⁠⁠‍ phone vibrated violently⁠‍ as the screen‍ continued to flicker.‌

【The‌‌ sound of drums‍⁠⁠ striking heaven and⁠ earth over and‍‌ over. An unpredictable‍ melody that rages⁠‍ like a storm‍ before becoming as‍‌ silent as a sea without a single breeze. A spell recited in‍ an incomprehensible language.‍ You feel as though hands are⁠‌ cursing you from the depths.】

Bzzz.⁠‌ Bzzz. Bzzz.

The vibration felt as⁠‌ if my life⁠‌ were slowly being‍⁠ consumed.

【This⁠⁠ cursed music has⁠⁠‌ found a crack⁠‌‌ in the wounds‍ you received from‌ looking at that⁠ unfinished trash and‌⁠ has begun tearing‌ you apart from within…】

The⁠‌‍ screen, which had‍ been flickering nonstop,⁠ finally went completely‍‌ dark.

【What⁠ a shame! Music⁠ has the power‍‍ to save or‌ kill someone. You are no longer⁠ in a condition⁠⁠ to enjoy happiness.⁠⁠ But even so,‌‍ you can still‌ be happy.】

【CONTINUE】⁠⁠

【EXIT】⁠

I died.

Because‌‍ of a song‍ by dead idols.‍

Beside‍‍ me, Hwang Juyeon‍‌ let out a muffled gasp and‌ looked at me⁠ anxiously.

Choi‍ Jaeha and Yoo⁠ Hyunjae also simply‍ watched me in silence, unable to‍ say anything.

They‍‍⁠ could not force me to accept‌⁠‍ a penalty and‌‍ continue playing.

But⁠⁠ neither could they‌⁠‌ tell me to‍ quit and pass the turn.

If‍ the play order followed the order‌‌ in which we⁠‌ had entered our names, then Hwang⁠‌ Juyeon would be next after me.⁠

So‌ if I pressed⁠ EXIT and quit‍‍ here…

“……”⁠‌‌

First,‍ I summarized the‌ script and options‌⁠ in the Tarae‍ Diary while organizing⁠ my thoughts.

Honestly, I wanted to‍ quit.

Of‍‍ course I did.‍⁠

But‍⁠ if I quit⁠‌ here…

Hwang Juyeon would probably‍ want to quit the moment she‌‌ got the chance⁠⁠ as well.

And‌‍‍ after her, Yoo‍‍ Hyunjae.

And‌ after him, Choi‌ Jaeha.

And⁠ when it finally‍ became the last person’s turn, Jung⁠‌ Jiho?

I glanced sideways at⁠ the child sitting⁠‌ in a chair⁠ taller than himself.⁠‌

He‌ looked exhausted after‍ vomiting earlier.

His⁠‌ eyes were half-closed.‍

Not⁠‍ only was it‌ impossible to entrust⁠⁠⁠ such a dangerous‍⁠ responsibility to a child who had⁠‌‍ not even entered‌⁠ elementary school yet.⁠

Beyond⁠⁠‍ any moral issue.⁠

If‍⁠ nobody cleared the‍‍ game, nobody would⁠ get out.

Could that child beat‌‌ the game?

A child who had‌ not even fully‌⁠‍ mastered reading and‌‌ who had stopped‍ communicating with others?⁠‌

The‍ same game that‌⁠ every adult had‌‌⁠ chosen to abandon‌⁠‍ in order to‌⁠ protect themselves?

“For⁠ now, I’ll keep‍‍ going. As far⁠ as I can.”⁠‍‌

So‍ I had to⁠⁠‍ advance as far‍ as possible and‍ gather information.

Even⁠‌⁠ if the turn⁠ eventually reached Jung⁠‌‌ Jiho no matter‌‌ what.

If‌‌ we gathered enough data.

If⁠⁠ we got lucky.⁠

Maybe⁠ that child could⁠⁠⁠ clear it.

“Mr.‍ Seon Yuhan…”

The‌‌‌ emotions contained in⁠ Hwang Juyeon’s trembling‌⁠ voice felt almost⁠‍ as though they‍ were my own.‌

Worry⁠‌ for me, who‌‍ was about to⁠‍ lose a part‍⁠ of my body.⁠⁠

Relief‌ that it was⁠‌ not her turn⁠⁠ yet.

Guilt‌‍⁠ and self-loathing for⁠⁠ feeling that relief.‍

And‍⁠‌ finally.

Gratitude‌‌ toward me.

The‍ moment I sensed‌ all of that,‌ I covered my‌‍ mouth.

【CONTINUE!】‍

Suppressing⁠‌ a laugh that‍⁠ threatened to escape,‌‌ I chose to⁠ continue.

After⁠⁠ all, it wasn’t‍‌ going to hurt.⁠‌

No‍⁠‌ matter what I lost.

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

【But‌⁠‍ happiness always comes‌ at a price!】‍

Everyone⁠‍ stared at the⁠ screen while holding⁠ their breath.

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

“Haa…”⁠

“Huff…‍ Thank goodness. Well,‍⁠ not that it’s‍⁠ good news, but‍ at least you’re⁠‌ still alive…”

I slowly lowered my⁠ head and looked‌ at my shoes.‍

While‍ sitting with my‍ feet flat on‌⁠ the floor, I could barely notice‍ a difference.

But‌⁠⁠ when I carefully‌⁠ tried to move‍ them, the sensation‍‍⁠ between the two⁠ was clearly different.⁠

“Hmm…”‌⁠‍

I felt my right‍⁠ ankle suddenly sink.

Tap.‍⁠

I took off my⁠ shoe.

Then‌ I understood exactly‌ what had disappeared.‌‌‍

“Your heel?”

“Yes.”⁠

The‌ part of the⁠ sock corresponding to‍‍‌ the heel was‍‍ completely empty.

The‍ instep, the ankle,⁠ and the toes⁠ were still intact.

Only‌ the heel had‌‍ disappeared.

I thought about taking‍ off the sock as well to‍ check the cut⁠ section.

But‌⁠ I gave up.⁠

It was not something I should do‌ in front of‍⁠ other people.

“Director.”⁠

“Yes?”⁠‍

“Does‍⁠ this count as⁠⁠ a workplace accident?”‌

We‍‍ both knew it⁠ didn’t.

Even‍ the Ministry of Labor knew it didn’t.

I only said it‌‌ because the atmosphere⁠ was too depressing.‌

“At‍⁠ the very least, I could move‌ your hiring date‍ forward in the⁠‍ paperwork.”

Fortunately,⁠ Director Yoo Hyunjae⁠ answered the joke‌ with a smile⁠‌ in his voice.‌

“If⁠ something can’t be⁠ done, making it‌‍ possible. That’s the‍‍⁠ thing I’m best‌ at.”

I believed him.

Because‌‍ nobody reached a position like his⁠‍ through ability alone,‍‍ especially at his‌ age.

【You‍ have finished resting.⁠‍ Now it’s time to be happy‌‌ again!】

The⁠⁠‌ game resumed.

【Do‌ you remember your‌‍ name?】

【▶‌‌‍ I remember it】‍

【▶‍ I forgot it】

【I⁠ remember it!】

【What‌‍ is your name?】

【▶‍‌ CJH】

【▶‍ Kim Jinwoo】

【▶‍ Seon Yuhan】

【▶⁠ binary】

【▶‍ I forgot it】‍‍

And‍ who the hell‌ was Kim Jinwoo?‌

I looked at Yoo⁠‌ Hyunjae by instinct,⁠‌ but he simply‍‌ shrugged to indicate‍⁠ that he did⁠ not know either.⁠

“Could⁠ there be more⁠ people here besides⁠ the seven of⁠ us…?”

Choi⁠ Jaeha muttered in‌ a tone as ominous as that‍⁠ of a victim‌‌ destined to die‌ first in a horror movie.

“I‌ don’t think so…‌ but it could‍ be another NeoSoft‌⁠ employee.”

And⁠ if that were‌⁠ the case…

If⁠ the missing employees‍ were also playing this same game…‌

“Eh?‌ Then where is‍‌ that person?”

Just like the interviewer⁠‌ or the children‌‌‍ from the daycare, all the people‌ who disappeared when‍⁠ the Tarae Building‍⁠ became a labyrinth⁠‍‌ were probably…

“Here.‌ They may be⁠ trapped in exactly⁠ the same labyrinth.”⁠‌

Existing‍‍ in a separate‌⁠⁠ space-time.

Identical.⁠

Yet⁠ different.

“Ah.‌‍ That makes sense.”⁠⁠

Yoo‌ Hyunjae nodded.

“If‌‍ people were divided‍‌ to adjust the‌ difficulty, it would be understandable. Labyrinths‌ are usually easier‍⁠ the more people‍‌‌ there are trying⁠‌ to solve them.”⁠‌

Most‌ problems in the⁠ world can be‍⁠ solved with enough⁠‌ resources.

Labyrinths‌‌ are not an‌‍ absolute exception.

The‍ difference is that‌ they consume too‌ many resources.

Including‌⁠‌ human lives.

Even‍ with unlimited time,‍‍ money, and personnel,‍ having a single⁠‌ person survive is⁠‍ already considered a miracle in an‌⁠ invasion-type labyrinth.

That is why ordinary‍ people do not⁠ want to watch‌ entire groups being‍ sent to die.‌‌

Nor⁠‌‍ do they want‍⁠‍ to see endless‍‌ resources wasted on⁠ something that will‌‍‍ probably fail.

Although, of course, that‍ opinion rarely includes‍⁠‌ the people trapped‍⁠ inside.

【Seon‌ Yuhan!】

【Correct.‌‌ You are Seon‍ Yuhan.】

The⁠ truth was that I did not particularly want rescue‌‍ teams to be‌‌ sent either.

All⁠ they would accomplish‍ would be increasing‌‌ the number of⁠⁠‌ body bags.

Because‌ kind labyrinths are‌ always prepared.

Prepared‍ to create new‌ rules and new‍‍ phenomena so that‌ the newcomers do not feel left⁠⁠ out either.

That‍ is why the‍ Labyrinth Management Bureau⁠⁠ makes access to‌ invasion-type labyrinths so⁠‍ difficult.

And⁠⁠‍ why, the moment‍ one is confirmed,‍ entry is blocked‌‌ to everyone.

At⁠ least in theory.‍‍

【Look!‌‍ It’s the Haunted‌ House. A haunted‌ house full of⁠‌ ghosts where you‌ can enjoy chasing‌ and being chased.⁠ It seems perfect‍⁠‌ for passing the‍‍ time before lunch.⁠ Be happy!】

【▶‍‌⁠ Be happy】

【▶ Be unhappy】

A haunted house where‍ ghosts chase and‍ are chased.

It⁠ seemed like an⁠⁠⁠ attraction that would‍ also put the‌‍‍ player in danger.⁠

But‌ at least it⁠ meant that afternoon‍ would come after⁠ this.

One‌‌ step closer to‍ Happyland’s closing time.⁠

【Be⁠‌ happy!】

An‌ illustration of the‌‌ haunted house appeared,‍ colored in dark‍ teal, purple, and‌ black shades.

【You⁠ are walking through⁠‌‌ a dark hallway.‍ Where will you‌‌‌ enter first?】

【▶‌‌ Kitchen】

【▶ Living room】

When⁠ you know nothing,⁠‌ you choose the‌‍‍ top option first.‌

【Kitchen!】‍

Tap-tap-tap…!‍

The‍ sound of something‌⁠ running.

“ Aaaah!”

Blood⁠‍‍ splattered together with⁠ a chilling scream.⁠

【What‌⁠ a scare! But‌‍ a ghost with a kitchen knife‌ cannot frighten you.‌ You bite into‍‍ a ripe red‌‌‌ apple.】

Crunch,⁠ crunch.

【A⁠‍ sound comes from‍‍ the living room.】‍

Clack,‌‌ clack.

What‌ sound effect was‌‌‌ that?

It‍ sounded familiar, but‍‍⁠ I could not‌‍⁠ quite place it.‌‌

【A‌‍ sound comes from‌ upstairs.】

Creeeak,‍ thump…

That⁠⁠ one I recognized.⁠

It⁠ sounded like someone‌ sneaking around on⁠‍ the second floor.‌‍

【Where‌⁠ will you enter‍‍ now?】

【▶ Living room】

【▶‌ Roof】

【Living⁠ room!】

【You‌⁠ find a ghost⁠‌‌ sitting motionless on⁠ the floor. What‌‌⁠ is that enormous‍ toy in front‍⁠ of him?】

Boom—!‌ Ratatatat-boom!

“Ha…!”‌⁠

“What‌ is that? Why⁠‍ does it sound⁠ like that?”

Boom!‍ Ratatatatat!

The‍ explosions continued hammering‌ against my ears.‌

【Ugh!‌‍ You writhe in‍ pain. What kind of ghost is⁠‌ that, tearing you⁠‌ apart?】

Bzzzt. Bzzzt. Bzzzt. Bzzzt. Bzzzt.

The screen began flickering⁠‌ rapidly.

【Without‍⁠ losing your courage,⁠⁠ you run toward⁠ the ghost. You‍⁠ aren’t thinking of‌‍ giving up here, are you?】

Ratatatat!⁠ Boom! Craaack—!

【What‍ a shame! You⁠‌⁠ defeated the ghost,⁠‌‍ but not even‌‌‍ someone like you‍ can withstand a continuous discharge of 18,000 J of‌‌‍ energy. You are‌‍ no longer in‍ a condition to‍⁠ enjoy happiness. Even‌ so, you can‍‌⁠ still be happy.】⁠‍

【CONTINUE】‌⁠

【EXIT】‍⁠

That‌‌ “clack” sound I had heard earlier from the living‍‍ room.

It‍ was the sound‌⁠ of a machine‍ gun being loaded.‍