How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth — Chapter 44: Through Our Veins

Chapter 44: Through Our Veins

“By‍ the way, can you see this?”‍

I pointed at the‍ mannequin sitting behind‌⁠ me to my‍‍‍ left.

Imitating⁠‌ me, the mannequin‍⁠ also pointed behind‍ itself to its‍ left.

『Yes.』

“Hey.‍ Look at me‍ when you answer.”‌‌

I grabbed the shoulder⁠‌ of Youth B,‍⁠ who was still lying on her back.

It⁠⁠‍ was unpleasant that⁠ her touch felt⁠‍ completely normal.

Even⁠⁠ though beneath the T-shirt was that⁠ strange mass of‌ letters.

“I’m‌‌ asking if you‍‌ can see it.”⁠

『I can’t see it,‌ idiot. Are you‌ having hallucinations now‍ too? Do one⁠ thing, just one‍⁠⁠ thing. It’s only⁠‍ you and me⁠ here. If there were anyone else⁠ besides us…, you‍ know. That would‍‍ be the scariest⁠⁠ thing of all.』

“And father?”

The⁠ word left my mouth without thinking.⁠‍

Not⁠‍ even “dad.”

“Father.”‌⁠

Like⁠‍ a habit engraved‌ on the tip⁠ of my tongue.⁠

『…It’s‍‍⁠ been a long time since I’ve⁠ seen you forget⁠‍ even father.』

Youth‍ B raised her⁠⁠‍ upper body and‌ sat facing me.⁠

I looked at the‍⁠ place where her⁠ eyes should have‍ been on that‍ rippling face made⁠‌ of broken black letters.

『Was⁠‍‍ yesterday really that‌ bad? Well, you‍ did seem to‍ be suffering a lot.』

“What‌⁠ happened yesterday?”

『If you don’t know,‌ it’s better to⁠‌ leave it that⁠‍ way.』

“Why?‍ Tell me.”

『And‍ why should I? If you want⁠ it to be‍‌ fair, then tell‍ me all the‌‌‌ things you’ve never told me.』

I remained silent.

There’s‍ no way to‌⁠ explain something I don’t even know.⁠‌

『See?⁠ You don’t tell‌⁠ me either.』

“…Then⁠‌ where is father?”⁠⁠‍

Youth‍‌ B stared at‍‌ me silently for⁠‍ a few seconds‍ before answering.

『Sleeping. After putting on another one of⁠⁠ his performances.』

“In‌‌ the master bedroom?”‌‌⁠

『Yes.』‌

“Do‍ you know what⁠⁠⁠ time it is?”⁠‍

I asked while recalling⁠ the contents of‍ the article.

‘According‍⁠ to the ▓▓ Police Station and‌ the ▓▓ Fire⁠⁠ Department, a fire broke out around⁠‍ 3:10 a.m. in‍ a detached house‌⁠‍ located in ▓▓-dong,‍‌ ▓▓-gu.

(…)‍‍

The‌⁠ family’s teenage children,‌⁠⁠ Youth A and‍‍ Youth B, were‍ found in the‍ living room with‍‍ stab wounds to‍‍‍ their necks.

The father, C, a man in his forties, was found‌ in the master‌‌ bedroom with his‌‍ limbs bound and multiple stab wounds‌‍ across his body.⁠‍‌

(…)‌⁠‍

Police⁠⁠ believe the perpetrator‍ threatened and murdered‌‌ C, then killed Youths A and⁠ B, who had‌ witnessed the incident,‌‌ and set the⁠‌⁠ fire to destroy‍‍‌ the evidence. They‍‌ are also investigating‌‌ the possibility that⁠⁠‌ it was a premeditated crime motivated⁠‌ by personal grudges.’‌

According⁠‌‌ to that information,⁠‌ the sequence of‌ events was as⁠⁠ follows:

‘Tie‍ up and murder‌⁠ father C → murder the witnesses,⁠ Youth A and⁠ Youth B → start the fire‌‌ (around 3:10 a.m.)’

Since‌ there were signs‌ of torture on‌⁠ C, even being‌ generous with the timeline, it had‍ to be assumed⁠ that the killer‌‍‌ was already inside⁠⁠ the house thirty to forty minutes‍‌ before the fire.

『Right⁠ now? Mmm… Around‍‌‌ two-thirty? More or‍‍ less.』

“Hah.”⁠

Then⁠‌ it was exactly‌⁠‍ the time when‍ the killer had⁠‌ entered the house.‌

Should⁠ I prevent the‌‌ family’s deaths?

Or‌‌ should I make‌⁠ sure they happened?‍‍

What‌‍ exactly did the⁠‍⁠ labyrinth want from⁠ me?

“Let’s⁠ go.”

But⁠⁠ regardless of the answer, I first‌‍ had to get‌ out of this basement.

『Why?』‍

“Father‌⁠‍ is going to‌ die.”

『Don’t‌‍ you mean, “I’m‌ going to kill‌⁠⁠ father”?』

Guided‍ by the moonlight‍⁠ coming through the⁠‍ tiny window, I searched for the‌‌‌ door.

It‍⁠ was locked.

It‌‌ looked like a lock that could‍‍‍ only be secured⁠‍ from the outside⁠‌ with a key.‌‌

Furthermore,‌⁠ the electricity was‍ out; even after‍‌‍ flipping the switch,‌‍‍ the lights didn’t⁠⁠⁠ come on.

“Someone‍‍ is going to‌‌‍ kill father. And‍‌‌ they’re going to⁠ kill us too.”‍

『Oh,‍⁠ reaaally? I wish‌ that were true.』‌⁠‍

“I’m⁠ not joking.”

『Do⁠ I look like‍ someone who’s joking?』⁠

The⁠ sentences of Youth‍‍ B, who showed‌‌‌ not the slightest‍‌ interest in leaving‌⁠ the basement, blended into the shadows.⁠

Ah.‌

Don’t⁠ tell me…

“Edit”⁠ and “Publish.”

I had pressed “Publish.”‍

Because⁠⁠ the objective was⁠‍⁠ to achieve a “Publication completed.”

But‍⁠ editing an article⁠‌ originally means changing⁠ its content before‍‍‌ publishing it.

And⁠‌ if that logic⁠ also applied to⁠⁠‌ this labyrinth.

Then⁠‍ choosing “Publish” directly⁠‍ without first going⁠ through “Edit” meant…‌⁠⁠

That‍ I had to‌ make sure this‌ family’s deaths happened.‌

Exactly‌‌ as they were‌‍ written in that‍⁠ draft.

A rule worthy of‍ a labyrinth.

How⁠⁠‌ many people would‌‍ willingly walk toward‍ a death whose‌ outcome they already‌ knew?

‘The‍ family’s teenage children,‍⁠‌ Youth A and⁠ Youth B, were‌‍ found in the⁠ living room with‌‍ stab wounds to their necks.’

In‌‌⁠ that case.

I’m‌‌ getting Youth B out of here.‍‍

No‍ matter what.

Because‍‌ we are supposed‌ to die from⁠ stab wounds in‌ the living room.⁠

***‌⁠

『See?‍‌ I told you⁠ we were all‌ going to die‌‌ together today. Stabbed‍‍ by some burglar?⁠ Because you read an article like⁠⁠ that?』

Youth‌‌‍ B followed me⁠‍ around as she watched me thoroughly‌ search the basement,‌ trying to make a lockpick or⁠⁠ something similar.

『I‌ didn’t know you⁠ were having such a happy dream.‍ I should have‍ let you sleep‍‌ longer.』

The laughter turned into⁠ sentences by Youth‌‍ B brushed against my neck as‌ if trying to⁠‌‌ strangle me.

『But⁠ seeing you this‌⁠ absent-minded and completely‌⁠⁠ deranged reminds me‌ of the old‌ days. It’s fun.』⁠

She‍‌ had absolutely no‍⁠ intention of believing‌‌ me.

Nor of cooperating.

『Although…』‍⁠‍

As⁠‌ she said that,‍ Youth B ripped‍ one of the⁠‌‍ drawers out of⁠ the metal filing cabinet I had‍ been inspecting.

『Don’t‌‌ do it so⁠⁠‌ often. Hold on‍ a little longer.』⁠

I thought it was‍‍⁠ a magic trick.⁠

Youth‌⁠ B stood the drawer upright, stepped⁠ on the inner⁠ side, and tore‌⁠‌ off the front⁠ panel in one⁠ pull…

Clink.‌⁠

A thin piece of‌ metal fell to the floor.

『I can’t do it⁠‌ alone.』

My‍‌‌ sister picked up‍‍ the metal fragment‌‍‌ as she spoke.‌‍‍

『Just⁠ like you can’t‍⁠ do it alone‍⁠‍ either.』

Was‍ she smiling?

Or did she look‌‍⁠ sad?

For‍⁠⁠ some reason, I regretted being unable‍ to see that‌⁠⁠ face.

“By‌‍ the way, that piece. Was it‌ already inside the drawer?”

Youth⁠ B skillfully bent‍‌‌ the tip of the metal and‌‌ fashioned an improvised‌⁠ lockpick.

『No.‌⁠‍ You hid it when you were‌ in elementary school.』‌‌

“Me?”‍

『Back‌ then you were⁠‌ still pretty rebellious.‌⁠‌ You used to⁠ try forcing things‌‍ open with chopsticks⁠⁠ and hid them‌ in the gap‍⁠ by that window.』

As‌ she inserted the lockpick into the lock, she gestured⁠‍ with her chin‍ toward the tiny semi-basement window behind‍‍‌ us.

『And‌‌ then you escaped‍⁠ through there and‍‌‍ got caught by‌ one of the⁠ lackeys. For an‍‌‌ entire week father‍ gave you lots⁠ of “love.” Did‌ you forget that⁠‌ too? Anyway, after tearing this whole‌‍ room apart, he⁠ somehow never found this. And after that, well…』

Click.‌

The⁠‍ basement door opened⁠ with an unpleasant‌ creak.

『…We‌‍ stopped even thinking about getting out.』

Even⁠‌ though she could⁠⁠‌ open it so‌‍ easily now.

My‌‌ sister’s words fell⁠ one by one.‌

…Wait.⁠

Just⁠ as I was‍‍ stepping out of‌ the basement behind‌ her.

A strange feeling made⁠‍ me slowly turn my head to‍ the left.

This‍⁠‌ mannequin.

Wasn’t⁠ it moving a little faster than‌ before?

『What‍ are you doing?⁠⁠ Seeing things that‌⁠ don’t exist again?』⁠

It⁠ wasn’t an illusion.⁠‍

This⁠ mannequin was imitating‍‍ my movements a little faster.

At‍‌ first it was obvious to anyone‌‍ that it reacted‌ a full beat‌‍ after me.

Now‍ the difference was‌‌ only half a beat, like a slightly desynchronized video.

What‌ will happen if‌⁠‍ it keeps speeding‍‌ up?

What‍ if it starts⁠‌‍ moving at exactly‌ the same time‌ as me?

“…It’s nothing.”

I followed Youth B upstairs.

I walked carefully to‍‌ avoid making noise.‌

She,⁠ on the other⁠ hand, moved without⁠‍ the slightest concern for it.

She⁠‌ clearly didn’t believe⁠⁠⁠ at all that⁠ a killer had⁠‍ entered to murder‌ us.

『I‍‍‍ don’t feel like‌ anyone has come‍ in.』

Youth‌‌ B’s sentences trembled as if she‍ were suppressing laughter.‍

As⁠ if she wanted‍⁠ to mock me.‍

And‌ just as she‌ said, the first⁠‍ floor was spacious, dark, and silent.⁠

A completely ordinary detached‍ house.

The⁠ kind of house‍ that would appear‌ in any television‍ drama.

To‌‌ think there was a basement like‌ that underneath it.‌⁠

And‌ that children lived inside.

『Didn’t‍‌ you say you‍ were going to‍ check on father?‌ If you’re worried,‌ at least take‌‍ a kitchen knife.』‍⁠

Without‍‌ waiting for my‍ answer, she walked⁠⁠ straight into the⁠ kitchen and returned‌ with a knife.‍

“I⁠‌ don’t need it.‍‍ I’m not going‌⁠ into the master⁠⁠ bedroom either.”

Because⁠‌ my goal was for father to‍‌‌ die in the‍⁠ bedroom exactly as‍‍ the article described,‌ and for us to be murdered‍ in the living‍ room.

『You’re‌‍ not going in?‌‌‍ Even though a burglar is going⁠⁠‌ to kill father‍‍‌ and then kill⁠ us?』

Her⁠ tone made it‍ clear that she‍ found the whole⁠⁠⁠ thing hilarious.

『You⁠‌⁠ have to go in. Otherwise, how‍‌ are you going⁠‌ to find out‌‍ who dares to kill our beloved ▓▓▓? Then you’ll definitely need this.』‌

“Mmm.”‌

Maybe⁠ it would be‌‍ enough if we‍ saw the killer‍‍ in the master bedroom and then⁠⁠⁠ fled to the‌ living room to‌‍‍ be captured there.‌

“Alright.”⁠

『Good.⁠ Then now…』

Shh.⁠

Youth‌‍ B pressed the⁠ knife to her‍ lips and gestured‍‍ for silence.

I watched as she‍‍ stealthily moved toward⁠⁠ the staircase leading‌‍ to the second‍ floor.

Her‌ way of walking⁠ was so quiet‍⁠ that it seemed professional.

She⁠‍ didn’t allow even the slightest creak‍ from the wood.‍‍‌

I could see the‌‌⁠ chaotic flow of⁠ fragmented letters that‍ made up her‍‍‌ body.

One‍⁠ step.

Then‍⁠ another.

And‍‌ as we climbed⁠⁠‍ the stairs, I felt something similar‍ stirring beneath my‌‌‌ own skin.

『Here.』⁠‌

The‍‍ words flowed soundlessly.‌

And‍ the knife ended‍ up in my‍ hand.

It‌ fit perfectly.

As⁠ though it had‌‍ always belonged to⁠⁠ me.

Using⁠⁠⁠ the improvised lockpick,‍ Youth B opened‍ the lock on‍‌⁠ the master bedroom‌⁠ door.

Creeeak.⁠⁠

The‌‌‍ door opened.

And⁠ there was father.‍

Lying⁠ on a wide‌⁠ bed.

His⁠‌ head, formed from‍ horribly mangled sentences,‌ rested on the‍‍ pillow.

He⁠ wasn’t tied up.‌

Not‌‍ even close.

He‌ was sleeping soundly‍ while scratching his⁠‌ legs.

『Definitely.』‍⁠‌

Youth⁠⁠ B was already‌ beside the bed.⁠⁠‌

She‌⁠ nodded.

『Even‌ if someone killed him, he wouldn’t‌ even notice. Right?』⁠

And‌‍ then.

I understood a truth so cold that⁠ it ran through⁠ my entire body.⁠

No‌‍ one was going⁠ to enter the⁠ bedroom where father was.

Except‌ us.

Only⁠‌ us.

Only the three of us.

We⁠ were the only‌‌ ones present in‍ this place.

The‍‍ only people capable‍ of killing us‍ were ourselves.

I tightened my grip⁠‍ on the knife⁠ handle.

I didn’t know exactly‌ who had been‌ primarily responsible.

But⁠ it seemed that‍⁠⁠ we had tied‍‌ up father, murdered‍⁠ him, and then⁠‌ stabbed each other.

I slowly walked from‍ the doorway toward‍ the bed.

Step‍ by step.

Just⁠‌ as Youth B opened the drawer⁠ of the nightstand.‌

『The fishing line should‌⁠ be here…』

— ██. ██.

Father⁠ woke up.

“Aaaah!”‍⁠

Father⁠⁠ grabbed Youth B by the hair.

A black hand seized‌‌ her arm.

The‍ delicate letters that⁠ formed her body twisted desperately.

The⁠ intertwined sentences moved toward me.

███. ██ ████?

Thud!‍

Something‍‍⁠ struck my head.‍

Clatter!‍

The‍ knife fell to‍⁠⁠ the floor.

Crack!‌‍⁠

A hand grabbed me⁠ by the throat.⁠‌‍

█!‌ ███ ██.

Why‌‍ does father never‌ let us leave?‍‌

As‌⁠ if that were‌‍⁠ the only rule‌ that existed.

███.‍‌

“▓▓▓! Ugh! What are‍‍ you doing…?!”

My⁠⁠ sister was trapped‌‍ by father.

And‌‍ at the same‍⁠ time, she was holding on to⁠‌ him as well.‌‍

“You‌⁠⁠ came here for⁠‍‍ this? To let‌ yourself get beaten‍‍ in such a patheti—”

— ██. ███ ██⁠ ███ ██████.

No.‍⁠⁠

No.⁠‌‌

No.‌

I don’t want to.‍

I don’t want to.‍‍

I…⁠‌

Came‍ here to kill‍ you.

Because‍⁠ today is the‍‍ day we are supposed to die.‍

█,⁠ ██!

With⁠ all my strength,⁠ I shoved away‌ that black and‍⁠ disgusting thing.

I grabbed something sharp‍‍‍ and pointed.

And‍ swung it.

██,‌⁠ █! █! █……⁠‌ ██!

Once.‌‌

Twice.⁠‍⁠

Three‌ times.

Four‌‌ times.

Five‌‌ times.

Six‌ times…

Black⁠ letters burst out‌‍ from the black‌ body.

They‍ soaked my hands⁠‌ like a curse.‌

Seven⁠ times.

Eight⁠⁠‌ times.

Nine⁠‌ times.

Ten‍ times.

Eleven‌⁠ times.

Twelve‌‍ times…

█,‌ ██……!

I know.

I know I’ve been⁠ waiting for this⁠‍ moment.

For‍‍ a very long⁠ time…

***⁠⁠‌

『See? I told you it was “I’m going to kill⁠⁠ father.”』

Youth‌⁠ B’s voice pulled me out of‍‍‍ my trance.

I raised my head.‍‍

And‌⁠ then I realized⁠ there was something‌⁠ behind me.

『What’s‍‍ wrong? Do you‌ have father’s ghost‍‌ stuck to your‍ back or something?』⁠‍

My white mannequin.

Now‍‌ it was so‌‍ close that I could no longer‍ see its entire‍ body just by‌‍ turning my head‍‌‌ to the left.‍⁠

It‍ was standing directly‌⁠ behind my back.‌

And‌ it was no‌ longer imitating me.‌

Now⁠ it moved exactly‍‍⁠ the same way‌ I did.

Like‌ a twin.

At‍⁠⁠ the same time.‌‌

For‌⁠‍ a moment, I felt relieved to‌ see that nothing else had happened.⁠‌

But‌⁠ an icy unease⁠ began to creep⁠ through my veins.⁠‌

Because⁠‌‌ if it didn’t⁠‌ stop here.

If it started moving⁠‍‍ before me.

Getting‌⁠ ahead of me.‍

Then.‌‍‌

What‍ would happen?

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Chapter 44: Through Our Veins

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