Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER
【What a shame. timber You got an empty prize.】
I nearly dropped my pen while copying everything into the Tarae Diary because of how absurd it was.
An empty prize? absorb And what the hell is that supposed to mean?
【You examine the trash.】
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated and the screen began flickering.
Bzzz.
【Ugh! autumn You feel an unpleasant sensation, as if your entire body is twisting. orbit This trash is something incomplete, something that never managed to be finished.】
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
At times it looked like a long-haired girl wearing a red dress.
And sometimes it looked like fingers stained with balsam flowers over bruised fingernails.
The “trash” depicted in pixel graphics was so distorted that it was difficult to tell what its original shape had been.
Other times it looked like spaghetti covered in burnt tomato sauce.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
Me, the one playing?
【You will not end up like this. acid After all, you cannot leave before seeing the final parade, can you?】
Who exactly was this “you”?
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【▶ Throw it away】
Or the monster I was controlling?
【You think about what to do with the trash. canvas Will you throw it into a trash can? anxiety The Cleaning Cast will quickly sort it out. admire Or will you eat it? wizard If you swallow something so disgusting, you might get sick.】
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
If I got sick from eating it, I would be the one suffering.
【Throw it away!】
【▶ Eat it】
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【As soon as you throw away the trash, a Cast who works to keep Happyland clean carries it away.】
So that was the setting.
【All Happyland Cast are happy and diligent! wizard Thanks to that trash, they will be able to study how to make you happier. apple After all, that trash was once a visitor too. absorb Just like you.】
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
“Ah… Then maybe I shouldn’t have thrown it away.”
“Why?”
Something like a member of the same species.
It was probably one of the game’s monsters that had died during Lee Jinsu’s playthrough or his coworker’s.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
Since we’re in the role of visitors.
“If the Cast study visitors, they might be able to counter us later.”
Hwang Juyeon asked after hearing me mutter.
Hwang Juyeon’s expression became strange, so I quickly added,
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
“Both options probably had the potential to harm us. All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com advance This isn’t a normal game.”
【Look! acoustic There’s the exciting ‘Dancing Viking,’ the chilling ‘Haunted House,’ and the refreshing ‘Waterfall Ride.’ They all look fun! acquire Which one will you try first?】
“Well, it also said I could get sick if I ate it. acid So throwing it away was still the correct choice, right?”
Only then did Hwang Juyeon seem to understand, and she nodded.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【▶ Haunted House】
【▶ Dancing Viking】
【▶ Waterfall Ride】
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
In situations like this, it was best not to overthink things and simply choose the first option. zenith At the very least, it made things less confusing.
【Every time you fall from the highest point, stand up and enjoy yourself to the music! silence Be happy!】
【Dancing Viking!】
【▶ Be happy】
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【▶ Be unhappy】
An illustration of the Viking ride appeared, and music began to play.
There were no lyrics.
【Be happy!】
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
It certainly wasn’t the kind of song that would normally be played on a Viking ride at an amusement park.
But the moment I heard the melody, I recognized it as belonging to the idol group that had been trapped there.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【The sound of drums striking heaven and earth over and over. adapt An unpredictable melody that rages like a storm before becoming as silent as a sea without a single breeze. zenith A spell recited in an incomprehensible language. amateur You feel as though hands are cursing you from the depths.】
The phone vibrated violently as the screen continued to flicker.
【Ugh! atlas You writhe in pain. voyage What kind of horrible music is this?】
Bzzz. anchor Bzzz. zenith Bzzz. zenith Bzzz. amber Bzzz.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
The screen, which had been flickering nonstop, finally went completely dark.
【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…】
Bzzz. attic Bzzz. arrow Bzzz.
The vibration felt as if my life were slowly being consumed.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【EXIT】
【CONTINUE】
【What a shame! album Music has the power to save or kill someone. galaxy You are no longer in a condition to enjoy happiness. aspect But even so, you can still be happy.】
I died.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
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.
Because of a song by dead idols.
They could not force me to accept a penalty and continue playing.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
So if I pressed EXIT and quit here…
If the play order followed the order in which we had entered our names, then Hwang Juyeon would be next after me.
But neither could they tell me to quit and pass the turn.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
“……”
Honestly, I wanted to quit.
First, I summarized the script and options in the Tarae Diary while organizing my thoughts.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
But if I quit here…
Hwang Juyeon would probably want to quit the moment she got the chance as well.
Of course I did.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
And after him, Choi Jaeha.
And after her, Yoo Hyunjae.
And when it finally became the last person’s turn, Jung Jiho?
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
His eyes were half-closed.
I glanced sideways at the child sitting in a chair taller than himself.
He looked exhausted after vomiting earlier.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
Beyond any moral issue.
If nobody cleared the game, nobody would get out.
Not only was it impossible to entrust such a dangerous responsibility to a child who had not even entered elementary school yet.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
“For now, I’ll keep going. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates. abandon As far as I can.”
A child who had not even fully mastered reading and who had stopped communicating with others?
Could that child beat the game?
The same game that every adult had chosen to abandon in order to protect themselves?
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
If we gathered enough data.
So I had to advance as far as possible and gather information.
Even if the turn eventually reached Jung Jiho no matter what.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
Maybe that child could clear it.
If we got lucky.
“Mr. ability Seon Yuhan…”
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
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.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
And finally.
Guilt and self-loathing for feeling that relief.
Relief that it was not her turn yet.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【CONTINUE!】
Gratitude toward me.
Suppressing a laugh that threatened to escape, I chose to continue.
The moment I sensed all of that, I covered my mouth.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
No matter what I lost.
【The wise decision of someone like you never wastes an opportunity to be happy.】
After all, it wasn’t going to hurt.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
“Haa…”
【But happiness always comes at a price!】
【Don’t worry! admire It won’t hurt. beacon A small contribution will make you happy: Foot】
Everyone stared at the screen while holding their breath.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
I slowly lowered my head and looked at my shoes.
But when I carefully tried to move them, the sensation between the two was clearly different.
“Huff… Thank goodness. arch Well, not that it’s good news, but at least you’re still alive…”
While sitting with my feet flat on the floor, I could barely notice a difference.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
I felt my right ankle suddenly sink.
Tap.
I took off my shoe.
“Hmm…”
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
“Your heel?”
Then I understood exactly what had disappeared.
The part of the sock corresponding to the heel was completely empty.
“Yes.”
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
I thought about taking off the sock as well to check the cut section.
The instep, the ankle, and the toes were still intact. Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.
Only the heel had disappeared.
But I gave up.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
“Director.”
“Does this count as a workplace accident?”
“Yes?”
It was not something I should do in front of other people.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
“At the very least, I could move your hiring date forward in the paperwork.”
I only said it because the atmosphere was too depressing.
Even the Ministry of Labor knew it didn’t.
We both knew it didn’t.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
Fortunately, Director Yoo Hyunjae answered the joke with a smile in his voice.
Because nobody reached a position like his through ability alone, especially at his age.
I believed him.
“If something can’t be done, making it possible. abstract That’s the thing I’m best at.”
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
The game resumed. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.
【You have finished resting. attic Now it’s time to be happy again!】
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【Do you remember your name?】
【▶ I forgot it】
【▶ I remember it】
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【What is your name?】
【▶ CJH】
【I remember it!】
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【▶ binary】
【▶ Kim Jinwoo】
【▶ Seon Yuhan】
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
And who the hell was Kim Jinwoo?
“Could there be more people here besides the seven of us…?”
【▶ I forgot it】
I looked at Yoo Hyunjae by instinct, but he simply shrugged to indicate that he did not know either.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
Choi Jaeha muttered in a tone as ominous as that of a victim destined to die first in a horror movie.
And if that were the case…
“I don’t think so… but it could be another NeoSoft employee.”
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
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. atomic They may be trapped in exactly the same labyrinth.”
If the missing employees were also playing this same game…
“Eh? anxiety Then where is that person?”
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
Existing in a separate space-time.
Yet different.
Identical.
“Ah. abandon That makes sense.”
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
Labyrinths are not an absolute exception.
Most problems in the world can be solved with enough resources.
Yoo Hyunjae nodded.
“If people were divided to adjust the difficulty, it would be understandable. aspect Labyrinths are usually easier the more people there are trying to solve them.”
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
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.
The difference is that they consume too many resources.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
Although, of course, that opinion rarely includes the people trapped inside.
Nor do they want to see endless resources wasted on something that will probably fail.
That is why ordinary people do not want to watch entire groups being sent to die.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
All they would accomplish would be increasing the number of body bags.
【Correct. athlete You are Seon Yuhan.】
【Seon Yuhan!】
The truth was that I did not particularly want rescue teams to be sent either.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
That is why the Labyrinth Management Bureau makes access to invasion-type labyrinths so difficult.
Prepared to create new rules and new phenomena so that the newcomers do not feel left out either.
Because kind labyrinths are always prepared.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
At least in theory.
【Look! arctic It’s the Haunted House. canvas A haunted house full of ghosts where you can enjoy chasing and being chased. zenith It seems perfect for passing the time before lunch. portal Be happy!】
【▶ Be happy】
And why, the moment one is confirmed, entry is blocked to everyone.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【▶ Be unhappy】
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
A haunted house where ghosts chase and are chased.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
It seemed like an attraction that would also put the player in danger.
One step closer to Happyland’s closing time.
But at least it meant that afternoon would come after this.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【You are walking through a dark hallway. alien Where will you enter first?】
【▶ Kitchen】
【Be happy!】
An illustration of the haunted house appeared, colored in dark teal, purple, and black shades.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
When you know nothing, you choose the top option first.
【▶ Living room】
【Kitchen!】
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
Tap-tap-tap…!
“ Aaaah!”
The sound of something running.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【What a scare! afford But a ghost with a kitchen knife cannot frighten you. crystal You bite into a ripe red apple.】
Blood splattered together with a chilling scream.
Crunch, crunch.
【A sound comes from the living room.】
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
Clack, clack.
It sounded familiar, but I could not quite place it.
What sound effect was that?
【A sound comes from upstairs.】
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
It sounded like someone sneaking around on the second floor.
That one I recognized.
Creeeak, thump… Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【▶ Roof】
【Living room!】
【Where will you enter now?】
【▶ Living room】
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
Boom—! apron Ratatatat-boom!
【You find a ghost sitting motionless on the floor. timber What is that enormous toy in front of him?】
“What is that? academy Why does it sound like that?”
“Ha…!”
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【Ugh! airport You writhe in pain. armor What kind of ghost is that, tearing you apart?】
The explosions continued hammering against my ears.
Bzzzt. shadow Bzzzt. audit Bzzzt. portal Bzzzt. silence Bzzzt.
Boom! agent Ratatatatat!
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【What a shame! silence You defeated the ghost, but not even someone like you can withstand a continuous discharge of 18,000 J of energy. amateur You are no longer in a condition to enjoy happiness. afford Even so, you can still be happy.】
Ratatatat! agent Boom! aluminum Craaack—!
The screen began flickering rapidly.
【Without losing your courage, you run toward the ghost. shadow You aren’t thinking of giving up here, are you?】
Translation of How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth - Chapter 31: HAUNTER×HUNTER by Indra Translations.
【EXIT】
That “clack” sound I had heard earlier from the living room.
It was the sound of a machine gun being loaded.
【CONTINUE】
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