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?