How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth — Chapter 41: For a Good Person, the Labyrinth Is █

Chapter 41: For a Good Person, the Labyrinth Is █

‘Anyone‍⁠‍ who remains trapped‌‌‍ in a labyrinth‍‍ for too long‍ eventually becomes part⁠ of it.’

It⁠ was a phrase‌ that spread like⁠ a trend during‌ the early days,⁠ thirteen years ago,⁠‌‍ when the phenomenon⁠ of labyrinths had⁠‌‌ only just appeared.‌⁠

An‌ urban legend?

A proverb?

Nowadays, thanks to years‍⁠ of accumulated experience⁠ and information, response⁠ teams solve contact‌‌ labyrinths as quickly‍‌ as possible, and‌ the survival rate⁠‌ has increased considerably.‍‌

But‌‌ it wasn’t like⁠ that before.

Contact‍ labyrinths claimed as‍ many victims as invasive labyrinths.

Especially in the early⁠‍‌ days, when there‌‍ were barely any‌ countermeasures against the⁠ rifts that swallowed⁠‍‍ nearby people like‌‍ black holes.

If‍‌ you listen to‌‌‌ the testimonies of‌ survivors from that⁠⁠ era, contact labyrinths‍ were nothing more‍ than hellish scenes⁠⁠ and real-life versions⁠ of low-grade death‌‌‍ games.

That⁠‍ was why the⁠⁠ phrase emerged.

That‌ if someone remained⁠ trapped inside a labyrinth for too‍ long, they eventually‌‌ became part of it.

In‌‌⁠ other words, they ceased to be⁠⁠ human.

They⁠‌ lost their humanity.⁠‍

Of‌‍ course, it was‍ a phrase lazily‍‌ repeated by people who had never‍ truly reflected on⁠‌ humanity and who⁠‌ simultaneously overestimated and underestimated the concept.

But‍‍ now that I think about it…‌

Perhaps it also contained⁠ some truth.

‘▶⁠ Seon Yuhan’

‘▶⁠‌ Seon Yuhan’

‘▶‍ Seon Yuhan’

The‍ person I believed⁠ had died and‌⁠⁠ disappeared ten years‍ ago had become⁠ something incomprehensible within⁠‍ the labyrinth and⁠‍ kept speaking to⁠‍‍ me over and‌ over again.

‘Verify.’‌

And‌ I had thrown‌⁠‌ away a seven-year-old‍‍ child’s chance to‌ escape the labyrinth‌ in order to‍ discover that truth.⁠

That⁠⁠ person.

And‍ I.

Had‌‌ remained trapped in‍⁠ the labyrinth for‍ far too long.⁠‍

***‍⁠⁠

“Interviewer.‌ Please listen to⁠⁠‌ me.”

I have to get out.

I have to get out of here.

That‌‍‍ is the only‍ thing I can‍⁠‍ still do.

And‍ the only thing‍ I must do.‍

Pushing‍ aside those thoughts‌‍ tangled like an‍ impossible knot, I descended floor after⁠‍ floor.

“Huh? No, seriously, what⁠ the hell are‍ you talking about?”⁠

I pulled Choi Jaeha out of the‍‍ elevator.

“Haa… You’re really crazy…‌ No, sorry. Anyway,‌⁠ this really was a labyrinth, right?”‌⁠

I met Hwang Juyeon⁠‌ while descending the⁠ endless staircase after‍⁠ hearing the fire⁠‍ alarm.

“Ugh…⁠‍ blegh…”

I killed the librarian by myself.

“Thank‍ you for playing so well with our children. Have‍‌ a safe trip,⁠ guardians. Jiho, you‌ take care too.”‍

I brought Jung Jiho⁠ out of Our‌ New Day Daycare.‍‍‍

“Mm.‌ I’m fine.”

I met Yoo Hyunjae pretending he hadn’t⁠ just vomited in⁠ the parking lot.⁠‌‌

“Go Bae Seowoo.”

I watched as the‌ chrysanthemum ashes were placed into the‍⁠ funeral urn that‌ had regained its name.

“Wait‌⁠ a moment, Lee⁠ Jinsu.”

I stopped someone who‍⁠ was trying to⁠ continue the Happyland‌ game by pressing⁠‌ CONTINUE, a suicidal⁠ man courting death‌‍ through reckless indifference.‌⁠

This time I was⁠ faster.

“I’ll⁠ continue. Get some‍‍ rest.”

“…Okay.”‌⁠⁠

Lee Jinsu looked at‍ me briefly with‌ his one remaining‍⁠⁠ eye before withdrawing‌ weakly.

I think I was the only one‌⁠‍ who noticed the‍⁠ vague disappointment reflected‌‌ in that gaze.‍

“For⁠‍ now, I’m only‌ going to keep⁠ choosing ‘Be unhappy.’”⁠

I didn’t take out‍ the Jaerae Diary‌⁠ during this run.‍‌⁠

I didn’t want to‍‍ give any opportunity to a certain‍‍ conspiracy theorist who‍‍‍ claimed he would‍ lock anyone who‍ had experienced time‍ regression inside another‌ labyrinth to study‌‌ them.

Unless‌ a situation arose where it was⁠‍ absolutely necessary to⁠⁠⁠ use it, I intended to continue‍⁠ like this.

【▶‍ Be happy】

【▶‍⁠⁠ Be unhappy】

I have no intention‍ of being happy.⁠

I probably don’t even‍‍‌ have the right‌ to be.

【Be unhappy!】

【Correct.⁠‍ You are unhappy.】⁠⁠

But‌ I continued choosing⁠ unhappiness over and⁠ over as I remembered.

The‍‌⁠ red tears that‍ fell during those‍ happy moments.

The⁠ screams that sounded‍‍ like sweet songs.‍‌

The⁠⁠ texture of their bodies being crushed⁠ between my teeth.

And⁠‍ that hunger that‌‌ never disappeared no‍‍ matter how much‍‍ I swallowed.

【Those‌ incapable of desiring‍‌‍ happiness have no‌ right to exist‍ in the Kingdom‍‌‍ of Happiness. Leave.】⁠‌

【EXIT】‍

“Eh?‌ It really lets‍⁠ you leave if⁠‍ you always choose⁠⁠‌ to be unhappy?”⁠‌

【EXIT!】‌⁠

【Your⁠‌ stupidity has caused⁠⁠‍ you to lose⁠‌‌ the opportunity to⁠ be happy.】

【However,‌ even that stupidity⁠ must have a price.】

I hoped some part⁠⁠‌ would disappear without‍⁠⁠ killing me.

Like‍⁠ that time I lost a small‍ piece of my‌ liver.

【Do⁠‍‌ not worry! It‌‌ will hurt. A small curse will⁠ make you more‍⁠‍ unhappy, brain】

Ah.‌⁠

The‌ brain, of all‌‌ things.

What terrible luck.

I closed my eyes,⁠ prepared for the⁠‌ death that was‍‌‌ approaching.

Thinking that, at least, I wouldn’t feel‌ pain.

“…Mr. Seon Yuhan?”

“Mr.‍⁠ Seon Yuhan? Are⁠ you okay?”

And‌ then I opened‍‌ my eyes again.⁠

Choi‌ Jaeha.

Hwang⁠‌ Juyeon.

Jung‌‌‍ Jiho.

Yoo‌ Hyunjae.

Lee‌‌ Jinsu.

I could see them‍ perfectly.

I recognized them without‍⁠‍ any problem.

And‌‌ my memory seemed‌‌ intact.

“Mm.‍‍ I’m fine.”

I moved my body‍‍ around.

I couldn’t detect any abnormalities.

“It‌‍ seems only a very small and‍ unimportant part of‍‍ my brain disappeared.”‌‌‍

“Haa…⁠ Well, if that’s the case, that’s a relief.”

“Are‍ you really sure‍ you’re okay? What⁠ if something suddenly‍ happens later…?”

“If⁠ I were going⁠⁠ to die, I would’ve died already.”‍

【Lost‌‌⁠ In HAPPYLAND】

【CLOSED】‍

Shortly⁠ afterward, the photocopier‍ would print a photograph.

“I’m‍‍ going to get‌‍‍ some water and‍‍ food from the‍ break room.”

I made up a reasonable excuse and‍‌‌ deliberately lingered for‌‍ a while.

“Whew,⁠‍‌ that scared me…”‌‍

A little later, the‍ photocopier began operating.‌⁠‌

“It‌ seems to be⁠⁠ printing… a photograph.”‌

[Seon‌ Yuhan’s One of‌ the Happiest Moments]

This‌ time it wasn’t‌ the roller coaster.⁠

It‌ was the dark⁠‍⁠ view of a room without any⁠⁠‌ visible light, seen⁠⁠ through a slightly⁠ open wooden door.⁠‌⁠

The small second-floor room‌‍‌ of the Haunted‌ House where I had stayed for‍ a moment.

It looked happy.

“Hmm? Mr. Seon Yuhan⁠‍‌ isn’t in this⁠‌‍ one… Huh? Another⁠⁠‌ one is coming⁠ out.”

Surprisingly,⁠⁠ a second photograph‍ emerged.

“This‌‌ one… is Lee⁠⁠‍ Jinsu’s.”

It‍⁠ seemed they didn’t⁠ only hand out commemorative photographs to‍ those who completed‌⁠⁠ the game.

They‍ also gave them⁠ to everyone who‍ actually played it.‍‍

[Lee‌ Jinsu’s One of‌ the Happiest Moments]

The‌‌‍ tip of a Viking ship soaring⁠‌ high into the⁠‌ air.

No one was seated‌ in the back‍‍ row of the‍ ship in the‌‍ photograph.

“For‍⁠‌ now, keep it, Mr. Lee Jinsu.”‌

“Ah,⁠ yes…”

It‌⁠ seemed Lee Jinsu‍⁠ did not recognize‍ the person in‍⁠ the photograph as‌‍ himself.

Something⁠‌ incomplete.

Perhaps⁠ I should have‍ let him continue.⁠‍

Though‌ I don’t know⁠ whether it would‌ have served any⁠ purpose other than‍ increasing the number⁠‍ of people.

“For‌‍ now, let’s leave.”‍

***⁠‍

“Ah!⁠⁠ At last, the‌‍‍ first guests have arrived.”

We‍ handed the Happyland‍ commemorative photographs to‍‌ the mysterious entity⁠ in the empty‍‍‌ office across from‍ NeoSoft.

And‍ we returned to⁠⁠ the 11th floor.‍‍

To‍⁠ the Strategic Planning⁠‌ Department.

“If⁠ you defeat me,⁠ I will let you leave this⁠‍ labyrinth.”

Once‍ again, the flesh⁠‌ die offered escape‌‌ from the labyrinth as the prize‌ for the wager.⁠

“I’ll participate.”

This‍‍ time, Yoo Hyunjae was the first‌ to raise his⁠‍ hand.

Unlike‌‌ before, I remained‍‍ silent.

After‍⁠ all, as Do⁠ had said, a game like the previous one would‌‌⁠ never happen again.⁠

Nor‌‍ could I wager⁠‌ my companions’ lives‍‌⁠ in exchange for⁠ my own escape.⁠

The‍ weight wasn’t equivalent.‍‍

Not‌‌‌ even if I offered all five people here.

“Have‍ you already decided‍ what you’ll compete‍‌ in?”

“Texas‍ Hold’em.”

“Poker.⁠‍ A classic choice.”‍⁠

“I’m‌ not so sure.‌⁠ I intend to⁠⁠ modify the rules⁠ a little.”

Do⁠ swayed his cubic⁠‍ body as though asking him to⁠ continue.

“We’ll‍ use hwatu cards⁠‍ as betting chips,⁠⁠ and when the‍ cards are revealed,‌ each player’s hwatu‌ cards will also‍⁠‍ be revealed…”

The more he spoke,‍ the more specific‍⁠‌ the rules became.‍‌

This wasn’t something improvised.‍⁠⁠

It⁠⁠ was undoubtedly a game he had played before.

“Mm.‍⁠ Explaining all the‌ combinations and scoring‌ would take too⁠‍⁠ long.”

“Oh,‍ I see. There⁠‍ will also need⁠ to be some adjustments. Discuss those in private.”

Do⁠ pointed toward a private office located⁠‍ at the back.‍

“Director.”‍‌⁠

Choi‍‌ Jaeha called out‍ to Yoo Hyunjae‍ as he stood‍‍ up.

Judging‌‍ by his expression,⁠ he seemed even‌ more nervous than⁠‌ Yoo Hyunjae himself.‌⁠

“Are‌ you sure you‌ can win? From‌‍ what I heard, it sounds like‍‌ you’ve played before…”⁠‍

“Sure⁠⁠ of winning? If‍‍‌ I had that⁠‌‌ kind of confidence,⁠‍ then it wouldn’t be a wager.”‌⁠

Yoo⁠ Hyunjae toyed with⁠‍ the ring on‍‍⁠ his left pinky⁠ finger.

It‌‌⁠ was probably an⁠ unconscious habit.

“The⁠ only people convinced⁠ they’re going to‌⁠⁠ win fall into‍ two categories. Cheaters.‌ Or addicts who‌ should be in‍ rehabilitation.”

Doesn’t‍⁠ he want to‌‍‌ live?

He⁠‍ isn’t even planning⁠‌ to cheat in‍ order to win.⁠⁠

Though‌‍⁠ that’s none of my business.

“I‍‍ hope we can⁠ all meet again‍ outside.”

After‍‍ saying that, he‍ entered.

“Good.‍ In the meantime,‌⁠ you may read⁠⁠ this record.”

Just⁠⁠ before following Yoo‍ Hyunjae and closing‍⁠ the door, Do⁠ made a yellow‍ folder appear on‍ the table around⁠ which we were‍ seated.

“It‌ will help you⁠ decide whether you‌‍ wish to play‍ against me and,⁠⁠⁠ if so, which⁠ game you should‌ choose.”

The⁠ door to the‌⁠ private office, now transformed into a gambling room, closed.⁠

“What‌‍‌ is this? A match history?”

I examined the folder⁠‍ Do had left‌ behind.

[Match History]

A neatly written title‍⁠ in the designated‍‌ space.

He⁠ probably would have‍‍ left it for‍ us last time‌⁠ as well after⁠⁠⁠ I entered first.⁠

When we opened the⁠‌ folder, we found A4-sized documents divided into several sections,‌‌‍ similar to an‌‍⁠ actual report.

‘Opponent,’‍‍ ‘Game,’ ‘Result,’ and‌‌ ‘Remarks.’

[Opponent｜Lee＊＊⁠ (50 years old,‍ male)

Game｜Matgo⁠

Result｜Victory‌

Remarks｜－]⁠

Result:‌‍ victory.

It appeared to refer‌⁠ to Do’s victory.‌

In‌ other words, the⁠⁠‌ human had lost.‌‌

[Opponent｜Choi＊＊‍ (40 years old,⁠‍ etc.)

Game｜Futures‍⁠⁠ Investment Ladder

Result｜Victory

Remarks｜The⁠ concealed maneuvers and⁠ deceptive tactics that‌ did not rely⁠‌ on luck were‌ interesting]

“Could⁠⁠ these be people‌‌ who played before we arrived?”

“I‍‌⁠ don’t think so.”‍

Hwang Juyeon contradicted Choi⁠ Jaeha’s question.

“A‍⁠ moment ago he‌ said we were⁠ his first guests.”‌

“Ah, that’s right? Wait.‍ Then that means‍ there really are‌‌ other people in⁠‍⁠ labyrinths identical to this one…”

The‌ record contained information about people who⁠ were not here.‌

Just‌‌ as the Happyland‍ game had displayed the names of‌ players who were‌ absent.

That‌⁠ further reinforced Lee‍ Jinsu’s theory that‍ participants were divided‍⁠ among separate labyrinths, similar to instance⁠ dungeons.

“Let’s⁠‍ keep reading. It‍‍‍ would be better⁠‌ not to choose‌ games that have‍‌ already been played…”‍⁠

I ignored the conversation‌⁠‌ and continued reading‍ the records.

[Opponent｜Shin＊＊ (50 years old,‌ green)

Game｜2-Player‌⁠ Riichi Mahjong

Result｜Victory‍⁠

Remarks｜During⁠ the second North‌ round, the opponent⁠ won with a Pure Nine Gates⁠‍‍ Hand. As a sign of respect,‍ I crafted mahjong‌⁠ tiles from his⁠‌ blood and bones and have preserved them]

[Opponent｜Lee＊＊‍ (20 years old, purple)

Game｜Subway‌‌ Game

Result｜Victory⁠‍

Remarks｜Opponent‌‌ transported to ■■’■■■■⁠ Station]

[Opponent｜Kang＊＊‍ (50 years old,⁠‍ wall)

Game｜Go‌‌‌

Result｜Victory‌

Remarks｜In‌ the second half,‍ the opponent decided‍ to live, which‌ proved entertaining]

[Opponent｜Kim＊＊‍‍⁠ (30 years old,‍‌‌ yellow)

Game｜Mathematical‍⁠ Rock-Paper-Scissors

Result｜Victory⁠

Remarks｜During‍‍ the third set,⁠‍ the opponent understood‍‌⁠ the ‘■■-■-■■■ Theorem’‍ and voluntarily destroyed‌⁠ his own wager.‍ Victory by forfeiture]‌⁠

“What‌ the hell is⁠ this…? No, how could he have⁠⁠ won all of‌ them? He won⁠⁠ every single one?”

“Pass⁠ it here. He‍ must have lost⁠ at least once⁠ against a human…”⁠

“Ah!⁠ Here’s a loss!”‌

[Opponent｜Park＊＊ (20 years old,⁠‌ white)

Game｜Thief‍‍ Poker

Result｜Defeat]‍

Do’s‌ defeat.

Which means the human⁠⁠ won.

However,‌‍‌ the remark was interesting.

[Remarks｜As previously agreed, the‌⁠⁠ opponent was transported‍ to Floor ■ according to his‍‌‍ request]

“My⁠‍ God…”

After being speechless for‌ a moment, Hwang‌ Juyeon changed the⁠‌⁠ subject.

“W-well…⁠ at least it‌‍‌ doesn’t seem to⁠‌‌ be a guaranteed‍‍ loss.”

“That’s‍⁠‌ true… It looks‍ like there is⁠ a chance to‍⁠⁠ win. Ah, Jiho.⁠‌ What’s happening right⁠⁠‍ now is…”

Choi Jaeha began patiently‍‍ explaining the situation‌‌‍ to Jung Jiho.⁠⁠

“Have‌ you already decided what you’ll do?”

I looked in turn‌ at Choi Jaeha, Hwang Juyeon, Jung‍ Jiho, and Lee⁠ Jinsu.

As‌⁠ for Lee Jinsu,⁠⁠ he was a passive suicidal type,‍ so he would⁠ probably participate.

“I‍ don’t know. Looking⁠ at this record,⁠ it seems very⁠⁠‌ difficult to win. If I participate‌‌‌ and die…”

“Exactly.⁠‌ I have no⁠ idea either…”

“Still, why not try? Jiho could also‍ play something simple…”‌‌

“—No,‍⁠‍ what kind of‍‌ madness is that?⁠ If he loses,⁠‍‍ he dies. What‍⁠⁠ do you mean‍ by ‘try’?”

“Ah.”‍‍⁠

For‌‍ them, death was‍ the end.

At‍ least from their⁠‍ perspective.

“I‌‌ forgot.”

“There are things that‍ shouldn’t be forgotten…‌ Ah, wait. Could⁠ it be a side effect of⁠⁠ losing part of‌ your brain? Memory‍ problems? What do⁠ we do?”

“Mm.‌‍ I don’t know.”⁠

“Don’t‍ talk as if it’s someone else’s‌ problem. Anyway, what⁠‌⁠ do you think,‍ Mr. Seon Yuhan?⁠ We’re talking about‍⁠ a wager where‍‍ they could die…”‍

They’re‌⁠‌ so concerned about‍‍‌ dying.

…Ah!‌

Why‍‍ didn’t I think‍⁠ of this sooner?⁠

I just had an‌‍‌ excellent idea.

“I’ll⁠‍ participate.”

I’ll‌⁠‌ convince everyone to‌⁠ wager.

“We still don’t know‌‌ where the exit⁠⁠ is. We don’t‌‍ know how much‌ farther we have⁠ to go. We‌⁠ don’t know what‌‍ we’ll encounter ahead.”‌

So⁠ what if they‌‍ lose and die?⁠‌⁠

After⁠‍ all, when I die, I’ll start over again.

They‌ only believe they’re‌‍⁠ wagering their lives.⁠

But‍⁠ in reality, they‌ aren’t paying any‍‌‌ price.

“I‍ myself survived through‍‍ pure luck after⁠ losing only a useless part of⁠‌⁠ my brain. If we reject this‌‍‌ wager, lose our‌ luck as well, and keep descending‌‍ honestly, I’m afraid‌⁠ to imagine what‍ might happen.”

If‍ they win, great.‌⁠

And⁠ if they don’t,‌⁠ it doesn’t matter.‍‍

“So‍ you should also…”⁠‌

I’m‌ merely placing in⁠‌ their hands a worthless opportunity for⁠⁠⁠ salvation that they‌‍ were about to⁠⁠‌ waste.

Shouldn’t‍‌⁠ they be thanking‌‌ me instead?