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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?

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