How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth — Chapter 40: Lost Boy the Last Boy

Chapter 40: Lost Boy the Last Boy

[Incident⁠⁠ ③ – Statement⁠‌ for 4]

[Testimony C: “Hey, you⁠ know I really⁠‍‍ did think of‍ you as my own little brother,‌⁠ right? Mom and‌‌ Dad said the‌ same thing. They⁠⁠‌ said they felt⁠‌ reassured because it was as if‍⁠ they had gained‍ another son. So if someone had asked me how‍‍ many people there‌ were in our‌ family before that‌‍⁠ happened to me,⁠‍ I would have‌‍ answered with exactly⁠⁠ this number.”]

Bang!‍

[××｜(Verify)]⁠‌

The‍ red seal of‍ doubt was stamped⁠ onto the white‌ paper.

“Do⁠ not doubt.”

One,‌ three, six, ten,‌ fifteen, twenty-one.

Those beautiful eyes watching‌ me.

They‍‌⁠ stung.

They‌ stung.

They‌⁠ stung.

They⁠ stung.

And⁠‍ they laughed.

Another⁠ gulp of the‌ Breath of Judgment‌‍‍ seeped into me.‍⁠‍

“Kugh…‌‍ Ugh…!”

Everything⁠ before my eyes⁠ was red.

The‌ whole world swayed⁠⁠ like a red⁠‍ haze.

I had seen a scene like this⁠⁠ when I was⁠‍ very young.

The⁠ world turns upside‍ down.

My‌‍‍ parents are dead.‍⁠

I’m‌‌ losing too much blood.

Everything⁠ before my eyes was white.

As⁠ I collapsed onto‌⁠‌ the cold floor,‌ I saw a white ceiling.

Some⁠⁠ days, instead of⁠ the ceiling, I saw my aunt.⁠‌

A woman who sometimes‌ smiled, often cried,⁠ frequently got angry,‌‍ and seemed pitiful⁠‍ every single day.⁠‍

I looked at that⁠⁠⁠ dazzling light.

Everything‍‌ before my eyes‌ was black.

I closed my eyes⁠ for only a moment.

The‌‌ die’s eyes were‌ twenty-one.

Or‍ perhaps I had‍ fallen asleep for‍ a very long⁠‌⁠ time.

After‍‌ that time when I woke up‍ screaming after falling‍ asleep at school,⁠ I stopped taking‍ naps.

I opened my eyes.

And‌ finally.

I could no longer‍ see anything.

“Ha…‌⁠⁠ Khk… Ngh…!”

I couldn’t stop laughing.‍

I had gone blind.‌‌‌

My‌⁠ lungs felt full⁠‍ of blood instead‍⁠‍ of air.

It⁠‌ was as if‌‍ someone were driving‌⁠ a burning rod‌‌‍ into my abdomen.

Another death was brushing‍‌‍ against my fingertips.‌

And⁠‍ yet, I couldn’t‌‍ stop laughing.

That‍ he had died⁠‍ considering me family⁠ until the very‍ end.

That‌⁠ for that brief‌ time, he had⁠⁠ considered me part⁠‍ of his family.⁠

That there were no‍‌ longer people in‍‌‌ this world absurdly‍‍‍ kind like that.⁠

And⁠‍⁠ that all of‍‌ it was my‌⁠‍ fault.

It‌ was so ridiculous‌‌ I couldn’t bear‌⁠ it.

I truly couldn’t.

“The‌‌ incident has concluded.”‌⁠

That‌‌⁠ strange beautiful voice⁠‌⁠ of Do was‌⁠ barely reaching my‌‍ ears properly anymore.‌

Something warm was flowing⁠‌ from my ears‌‌ as well, leaving‍⁠⁠ them numb.

“Hng…⁠‍ Uugh…”

With‌⁠ great effort, I pushed myself back‍ up and sat‍ down again.

Clack.‌

Rattle!⁠‍

I heard the sound‌ of the die‌ rolling across the⁠ hard table before‍ gradually coming to⁠ a stop.

Naturally,‍‌ my now-blind eyes‌‍⁠ could no longer see the number‍ on the top‍‌ face.

“I‌‌ can… check it…‍ with my hand, right?”

“I‍ allow it.”

Ah.‍⁠‌

How kind.

And⁠‌ how cruel.

Do⁠⁠ had surely anticipated‌ this would happen.‌‌‌

That‌‌‌ I would voluntarily keep verifying statements⁠ to learn the‍‍ truth until I eventually lost my⁠ sight.

That‍‍ was why, if‌ he had forbidden‌ touching the die‌⁠ from the beginning,⁠ my victory would⁠‌ have been guaranteed⁠‍ at this point.⁠

Because⁠ I would have⁠‌ simply continued choosing⁠⁠ “Accept.”

If⁠⁠⁠ I didn’t know‍‌ what number had⁠ come up on⁠‍⁠ the die, then‍‍ even if I wanted to verify‍ a statement, I wouldn’t gain any‍ useful information.

I wouldn’t know which⁠‌ number it was‌ related to.

In‍⁠ other words, Do‍‍ wanted me to⁠‌ know the number‌ generated by the⁠ die.

Because only then would‍ I want to‍‍ know whether the‌‌ testimony related to‌‌ that number was‌‍‌ true or false.

And only then would⁠ I end up‌⁠‌ verifying it even⁠‍ at the cost‌ of my own⁠‌ death.

“Four…?”⁠‌⁠

I carefully felt the‌ surface of the⁠ die, counting the‌ eyes with my‌⁠‌ fingertips.

“Ah, no. It’s five.”‌‌‌

Top‍ face: 5.

“An‍ incident has occurred.‌⁠ I will begin‍‌⁠ the testimony.”

The‌⁠ document in front‌⁠ of me probably‍‌⁠ said something like:‌

[Incident‍‌ ④ – Statement⁠‍ for 5]

[Testimony⁠ D:　　　⁠⁠‍]

“Oh, I’m waiting for‌ you on the‍‌ floor corresponding to‌ this number of‌‍ eyes.”

The⁠ voice had something‍‌⁠ that resembled Do,‍‌ though it was⁠‍‍ much more masculine‌ and spoke in‍‌‍ a gentle tone.‌‌

“I’ve‌ prepared many fun games for you.‌ However, the final⁠ game requires a minimum number of⁠‌‌ participants for us to enjoy it‌ together. After all,‌‌‌ it’s less tragic‍ for a quarter‌⁠‌ of my players‌‍ to die than⁠‌ for half of‍ them to die.”⁠‌

Isn’t⁠‍⁠ that just a matter of proportions?⁠⁠

In‌ the end, the absolute number of‍⁠ dead people is‍‍⁠ still the same.‌‌

“So‍ if you want⁠ to play until the end, you’ll⁠‍‍ have to bring‌ more friends. That way you’ll reduce‍ the chances of‍ those friends you‍‍‍ cherish most from dying. Of course,⁠ you probably think⁠ that as long‍ as you survive,‌⁠ nothing else matters. But even so,⁠‍⁠ you’re also the type who thinks⁠⁠‍ it would be‌ nice to save⁠⁠⁠ someone, aren’t you?”‍‍⁠

A very long statement.‍‌‌

But there was no‍ need to complicate‌ things.

Truth⁠⁠ is always truth.⁠

And⁠⁠ a lie is‍‍ always a lie.

Both cannot coexist within the same statement.‌

If‌‍‌ a single sentence‍‌ is true, then‌‌ the entire testimony‌ is true.

And‌‌ if a single‌ sentence is false,‌ then the entire‌ testimony is false.‌‌

“Accept.”⁠⁠

And I knew at⁠ least one of‍‌⁠ those sentences.

I knew whether it‍‌ was true or‍ false.

Bang!

It⁠‍ sounded as though‍ a stamp had⁠‍ been pressed onto‍‍ the document.

[(Accept)｜××]‌

That⁠‌ was probably how‌⁠ the Accept and⁠⁠ Verify section now‌⁠‍ appeared on the statement.

“The‍⁠‌ incident has concluded.”

Fortunately.‌‍

I had been worried⁠‌ another testimony would⁠‌ appear that I would be forced‍‌ to verify.

Now⁠ that I think about it, I believe this was‌ the first time‍ I had accepted‌‍ a testimony since‍ the actual game‌‍ of Breath of⁠‌ Judgment began.

I hope I can‍ get through the‌ remaining two incidents‌⁠ this way as‍‌ well.

By‍ the way, I don’t know where‍ the fifth floor‍‌ is, but it‌‌ seems I’ll have‍ to play another‍ life-or-death game there.‍‌

And‌ I’ll also have‌ to save more⁠⁠ people than I have now.

“Cough,‍ ugh…”

Even⁠⁠ while sitting still,‍⁠ blood-stained coughs kept⁠⁠‌ escaping.

I’m‍ sleepy.

Everything⁠ is dark.

Maybe‌ I’m simply deeply asleep because of⁠⁠‍ some medication and‌‍ all of this‍⁠ is nothing more‌ than a horrible‌‌ nightmare…

Crunch!‌

“Ghh,⁠‍ aaagh…!”

Pull‍‍‌ yourself together.

Six⁠‍⁠ incidents completed and⁠ six minutes.

Even⁠‍ in this state,‍ if I can⁠⁠⁠ endure just six⁠ minutes, I’ll be‍‍ able to get‍‍ Jung Jiho out‌ of this labyrinth.⁠‌

“Hurry…⁠‌ continue.”

“A‌ competition against such⁠⁠⁠ an enthusiastic opponent‌ is pleasant.”

Clack,‍ rattle.

The⁠ sound of the⁠⁠ small die rolling‌⁠ eventually came to‌ a stop.

Once‍‌ again, I slowly‌‍‌ extended my hand‍ and felt the⁠⁠‌ die to count⁠‍‍ the eyes.

Two…⁠‍‌ No, three.

Top‍‍⁠ face: 3.

“An‍ incident has occurred.‌⁠ I will begin‌ the testimony.”

Shhhk.⁠⁠⁠

I heard the sound⁠‌‌ of a new‌‌ statement being placed‍‌ before me.

[Incident‍ ⑤ – Statement‍ for 3]

[Testimony‌ E:　　　⁠]

It⁠⁠ probably said something⁠‌ like this.

“This‍ is the weight⁠ of the deaths⁠ you engraved onto⁠ your own name.”‍‍

This‍⁠ time it was‍ simply Do’s voice.‌‌‍

A beautiful androgynous voice,‌ impossible to imagine‍ from hearing it‍ alone, a voice‌ that seemed capable⁠⁠ of enchanting anyone‍ who listened to‍ it for too⁠‍ long.

“You‍‍ should not have‌ done it.”

“Don’t…⁠ lecture… me.”

“This‍ is the testimony⁠‍ of an incident‍⁠ that happened to⁠‌⁠ you. You live‌ carrying at least this many other‍⁠ people’s lives upon‍ your name.”

His‍⁠ voice sounded as‌⁠ though he were‌⁠‌ looking at something⁠‌⁠ pitiful and pathetic.⁠‌‌

What‌‌ expression are Do’s‍‌ eyes drawing right‍ now?

“My‌‌ cowardly and foolish‍ opponent. Even if‍ temporal distortion did‌⁠⁠ not exist, you‌ still would not⁠⁠ have the right to sit at‍⁠ my gambling table. Because within the name that makes‍ you who you⁠ are, there is‌‌‍ not a single⁠ fragment that truly⁠‌ belongs to you.‍ I know your‍‌‌ life has no‌ value as a wager. Just as⁠⁠‍ you know it‌ too.”

“…Accept.”‌‍

Bang!‍‌‍

I heard the sound‌ of a stamp‌‌ marking the statement.‌‌

Why‌‌ the hell is‌ he saying so‍‍ much useless nonsense?‌‍‍

Does⁠ he no longer⁠ intend to stop‍‌ me from accepting the testimonies?

There‌ is only one‍⁠ incident left.

If⁠ I clear it without problems and⁠‍ survive for six‍‌‌ minutes, I win.⁠

Or⁠ does he think⁠ that, after already‍‍‌ inhaling two breaths‍‌ of the Breath,⁠⁠ I’ll simply die on my own‌ anyway?

“The incident has concluded.⁠‍ Only the sixth‍ and final incident remains.”

Or‌ perhaps…?

Does‌ he still have⁠ one final blow‌ prepared?

“If‌ you resolve the‍‌ incident the same‌ way you just‌ did, you’ll be‌‍‌ able to take‌ that small and‍ young companion out⁠⁠ of this labyrinth.‍⁠⁠ You won’t live much longer, but⁠⁠ six minutes isn’t very long. It⁠‍ shouldn’t be difficult‍ for you.”

Clack,‌ rattle…

As⁠ an ominous feeling⁠‍ slowly rose from‌ the tips of⁠ my feet, the‌‍⁠ sound of the‌‍ die ceased.

I extended my hand and slowly traced⁠⁠ the top face.‌‍

One…‌⁠

Two…‍

The‍⁠ circular indentations carved⁠⁠ into the die.⁠

“It’s‌ a two.”

Top face: 2.

“An⁠‌‌ incident has occurred.‌‍‌ I will begin‍ the testimony.”

I heard the soft sound of a document appearing in‌ front of me.‌

It‍ probably said.

[Incident‌‌‌ ⑥ – Statement‍ for 2]

And‌ then…

“The‌ number of people I want to‍‍ kill more than⁠ anyone else, but‌‌‌ cannot kill.”

A voice that sounded‍ strangely familiar.

My‌ own voice.

Two‌ people.

Wouldn’t‍⁠⁠ one have been‍‍⁠ enough?

No,‌‌ were even two⁠ not enough?

Could‌ I ever be‌‍‍ satisfied with two?

I don’t know.

It‍ doesn’t matter whether⁠‌ it’s true or‌‍‌ false.

I have to accept it.

I have to close‌ out this incident‌ no matter what.‍‌

“Accep—”‍⁠

“—The‍⁠⁠ number of people⁠⁠ who did not‌‌⁠ die ten years‍⁠‌ ago in the Dalmul-ri labyrinth.”

“…What?”‌⁠⁠

What‌‍ does that mean?‌‍‍

“W-what…‍‍⁠ what do you‍ mean by that…?”⁠

I tried to stand‍‍ up in a hurry, but my strength failed me‍ and I collapsed‍ again.

I could barely feel⁠ pain anymore.

“W-what‌⁠ do you mean…‍ they didn’t die?⁠ That there were⁠⁠⁠ two people? Say‍‍⁠ it again. Keep talking… ngh… Keep‌ talking!”

The⁠ only response I received from Do,⁠ whose location I could no longer‍ determine, was silence.‍

“Besides‌‌‌ me… was there someone who survived? Back then… that⁠‍ day… the bodies…”‍⁠

One body was missing.‌

His‌ body was missing.‍‍⁠

More⁠⁠ precisely, it disappeared‌ immediately after he‌ was trapped in‍ a situation where‌‌ death was certain.‌⁠

It⁠ made no sense.‌‌

But⁠‌ labyrinths had always‌ been places devoid‍‍ of sense.

But⁠‌ if he didn’t⁠‌ die…

Of⁠ course, I’m no‍ longer naïve enough⁠⁠ to be easily deceived by a labyrinth’s wordplay.

From a medical standpoint,‌‌ he surely died.‌⁠

But‍ if, somehow, he’s⁠ still alive…

‘▶‍ Did you forget?’‍‌

That‌⁠ voice that woke⁠ me during the happiest moment of‍ my life in‍‌ Happyland…

Maybe.‍⁠‌

“Really?‍‌ Really…? Is it⁠ true?”

“I‍ already told you. What matters is what you choose⁠ to believe and‍ what you choose⁠‌‍ not to believe.”⁠

Do‌‌ was no longer⁠‍ imitating my voice.‍‍

“Ah…⁠⁠ ah…”

As⁠⁠ if the entire⁠ universe had compressed⁠ into a single‌ point, the whole‌‌‍ world fell silent.⁠‍

The⁠‍ temperature of the⁠ blood running down‌‍‍ my neck.

The⁠‍ pain of my‌‍ body’s membranes burning‌‍ away.

The‍‌ deafening ringing echoing⁠‌ inside my head.‌

Everything‍‍⁠ converged into a single point, as⁠ small as one‍ of the eyes⁠ drawn on a die.

Within⁠ that tiny world,⁠‍‌ only two things‍‌ existed.

Me.⁠‍⁠

And‍‍‌ the truth I had to face.‍

It‌‌ was only within⁠ that darkness, where⁠‍‍ I couldn’t see⁠ even a step‍ ahead of me,‌ that I was‌‍ finally able to‍ look directly into all of Do’s eyes.

“Verify.”⁠‍

I…‌

I want to know‍ the truth.

I need to know‌ it.

Even⁠‌⁠ if I have⁠‌‌ to wager the‍ future of that‌ seven-year-old child.

No.⁠

If it were possible, I would wager the future of‍ every person here.‍⁠⁠

“Do not doubt.”

And‌ so, in exchange‌‍ for abandoning the⁠⁠ child’s future, I obtained the truth.⁠‍

“Ha…”‍

And‌ I willingly accepted‌ the final Breath.

***⁠