How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth — Chapter 6: Those who could not get out

Chapter 6: Those who could not get out

「Senior,‍ what’s wrong? What’s‌‌ in there?」

The‌ first-year student, who‌ no longer wore‍‌ her hair short‍ but in a ponytail, approached the‍ boy who was stiff like a statue.

The‍⁠‍ boy flinched and‌⁠ tried to close‍ the locker, but⁠ it was already‌⁠ too late.

「That…‌‍ can’t be.」

Both‍‍ seemed to immediately‌‍⁠ understand the meaning‌‌ of that phenomenon.

That‌ place was a labyrinth from which only those who‍ fulfilled certain conditions‌⁠⁠ could get out.⁠⁠

Perhaps⁠‍‍ there is also⁠‌⁠ a condition for‌ the entire labyrinth‌⁠‌ to be resolved‌‍⁠ and everyone to⁠⁠‍ get out at⁠ the same time.‍‌‍

But‌ most likely, the‌ easiest way to‌ escape is to⁠⁠ wait until graduation.‌‍

「I’m so jealous. Really.‍‌⁠ I wish I had been born‍ a little earlier.⁠ Then I could⁠⁠‍ graduate with you.‍ But seriously… congratulations.‍‍ I mean it⁠ from the bottom‍⁠ of my heart.」

The⁠ girl with big‌‌ eyes spoke firmly, though on the verge of tears.‌‍

The‍‍ only first-year student of Seonghwa High⁠ School clung to‍ the only student⁠⁠‍ about to graduate‌ and cried for‍ a long time.⁠

Sniff.

From‌‌ the back row,⁠‍ a sob was‌‌ heard.

In⁠ the auditorium there⁠⁠⁠ were only two‌‌ people.

One vomiting, the other⁠⁠ crying.

A truly beautiful cinematic‍⁠ experience.

「Stop‌⁠ saying nonsense about‍‍ staying. Think about⁠‍ getting out. Don’t‌‌ come back. Don’t‌‌ worry about me.‌ If you’re that worried, get out‌‌ and ask for‍⁠ help. You already‍‍‌ know all the⁠‌ rules.」

「Do⁠ you think you‍ can endure without me? Two years?」⁠

Both‍‌ looked at each‍‌ other with reddened‌‌ eyes, as if their gazes would‌⁠‍ pierce.

「And‌ me? Do you think I can‍‌ endure without you?」‌

I know that love‌ can save a person.

「Damn‍‍ it, what is‌ that? Does it⁠ have its eyes‌ and mouth stuck‌⁠ together? Hey! Get⁠‍ into the teachers’⁠‌ room! I’ll distract⁠ it! I’ll be⁠ right back, tell Song Seorin something!」‍⁠

That’s⁠ why I also know that love⁠‍ can kill.

「S-seorin… Song Seorin… what⁠ are you doing?⁠ Hey, get up…⁠‍‌ are you upset? Because I didn’t‍‌ go to the⁠ auditorium? I… I didn’t graduate… wait…‌ the graduation… was it because of me…?」

Yoon⁠⁠ Haejun hugged Song‍⁠ Seorin in the⁠‌‍ teachers’ room turned⁠ into a sea‌‍ of blood and⁠‌ did not get up for a long time.

The‍ scene changes.

Yoon‍‍ Haejun gathered the‍ bodies in silence.⁠‌⁠

He‌ cleaned the dried⁠‌ blood from the teachers’ room.

He‌ put on the‍‍ jacket and tie‍ carefully.

He‌‌‌ selected food in⁠‍ the store skillfully.‍

He went up to‍ the rooftop and⁠ placed the items‌ one by one‍‌ on a low‌ desk.

I carefully observed what‍⁠ he had placed.‌

Apple‍ jelly, pear ice⁠ cream, sikhye, rib-flavored‌ snacks, fish-shaped cookies,⁠‌ rice drink.

Yoon‌⁠ Haejun knelt before‍‍ the heaviest altar‍ in the world.

He bowed.

He⁠ stood up and‌ bowed again.

His‌‍‍ hunched back, like⁠‍‌ that of a child, trembled slightly.

Behind‍‍ the last student‍⁠⁠ of Seonghwa High‌⁠ School, black smoke⁠ began to rise.‍‍

The‌ camera slowly pulled⁠ away, showing the⁠‍‌ school.

Seonghwa‍ High School burned‍‌ like a torch‌ in the darkness.

Finally,‌‍ the school became‍ small and the‌ end credits began.‌

[Those‍ who could not⁠ get out]

[Yoon‍ Haejun]

[Song‍‍‌ Seorin]

…

Names.‍‍ Names. Names.

More⁠⁠ than 200 names.⁠⁠‌

I covered my mouth.⁠

The⁠ labyrinth is a space governed by⁠ rules.

If you follow the‍ rules correctly, you‌‌ can get out.‍

“Those‌‍ who could not‌ get out”.

Therefore,‍ the labyrinth has⁠ no malice.

If⁠ it seems to have it, it is only an‍⁠⁠ imitation.

A human interpretation.

This⁠‌ place… mechanical, pure⁠ to the point⁠‍ of being terrifying…‌

[Location:⁠ Seonghwa High School]‌

…
…
…

[Subtitles:‌‍ Labyrinth Pictures Co.,‍ Ltd.]

The‌ credits also ended.‌

I took out my‌ phone discreetly to‌ check the time.

6:02.‌

Duration:‍‍ 2 hours 7 minutes.

I thought it was⁠‍ time to get‌ up, looked back‌‍ at Choi Jaeha,‍ and gestured to‌‌ him.

Flash—!

But⁠⁠ suddenly, behind my‌ head, that is,‍‌ the screen lit⁠‍‌ up again.

Damn it.

A delayed attack.

I sat back down abruptly.

If⁠ I had stood‌ up thinking the⁠‍ credits were already⁠ over, I really‍⁠ would have died.‍‌‌

Does‌‍ this damn labyrinth‌ also have post-credit scenes?

Is‌‍ it going to‌‌ show a preview⁠⁠⁠ of the next‍ part?

Thinking that, I looked⁠⁠ at the screen—

“Huh?”⁠‌

Without⁠‌ realizing it, I stood up abruptly.

“Huh?”⁠‍‍

That idiot voice of⁠ Choi Jaeha was‌⁠ my last memory.‍

Definitely,‍ in this labyrinth‌ there is a rule that forbids‌⁠‍ saying “huh?”.

Damn‌‍‍ it.

**⁠

Do‍⁠ not stand up‍ from your seat before the movie completely ends.

**‍

“If‌‍‌ it were possible‍ to turn back⁠ time, what would⁠ you do, Mr.‌ Seon Yuhan?”

Was‍⁠⁠ it an illusion?‍

Did⁠⁠ I really see⁠ what I thought⁠ I saw?

Besides,‌‍ it happened so‌ fast that I don’t even know⁠ how I died.‌

How⁠ do you silently⁠‌⁠ kill a problematic‌ viewer in the⁠‍ middle of a screening?

…No. It doesn’t matter.‌

I had something to‌‍‍ do.

“Excuse‌‍ me. From this‌ moment on, this‌‌ building has turned‌‍ into an invasive‍‍‍ labyrinth. You have⁠‍ to leave. Yes,‌‌⁠ it’s serious. Please,‌ listen to me.”‍⁠

I helped the interviewer‍⁠ up while speaking.‍

“In‌ a moment there⁠‌ will be a blackout, so you won’t be able⁠ to use the⁠ elevator. Be careful not to fall on the stairs‍ and do not‌‍ stay on them⁠‌ for more than‌‌ 5 seconds. If‌ someone asks you⁠ the time, answer normally. If you‍ get trapped in‌‍‍ the auditorium, you‍‌ must follow the instructions without exception.‍ And you probably⁠‌ can only move‍‌ one floor at⁠‌ a time. If⁠⁠⁠ after doing what is necessary on the second floor‌ you can’t get‍‌ down to the‌ first, then I don’t know. I’m‍⁠ sorry.”

Huff.⁠‌

I spoke too much‌‌ while walking fast‌ and ran out‌‍ of breath.

“Ah…‌ u-understood.”

The‍ interviewer nodded, confused.⁠‌

“But,‍‍ are you okay,‌ Mr. Seon Yuhan?”⁠‌

“Yes.‌ Hurry. I have‍‍ to get people‍ out of the‍ elevator.”

I also asked him⁠ to spread the news of the‌‌ labyrinth through SNS‍ via the agents‍ of the Yuwi Guild.

“I‌ understand.”

He‍ looked at me‍‌ firmly.

“By⁠‌ the way, Mr.‌⁠⁠ Seon Yuhan. You⁠ don’t have to⁠ apologize for not‍ knowing something here.‍‍‍ In a labyrinth,‌ not knowing is⁠ normal.”

“Ah.”⁠

Then,⁠⁠ the fact that‌ I knew things makes it… abnormal.‍

And‌⁠ even so, he‍‌⁠ didn’t question me.

He even told me not to feel⁠⁠⁠ bad.

Having⁠ someone like that‌ as an interviewer is one of⁠⁠‍ the few strokes⁠ of luck among‍ my many misfortunes.‌‌

“Yes.”‍‌

It⁠⁠ was hard to‍ look him in‌⁠ the eyes, so‍⁠⁠ I lowered my⁠‍ head.

“Then,⁠‍ take care. See‌‌⁠ you later.”

“Yes. Take care.”

I hope he doesn’t‌⁠ disappear.

Will I be able⁠‍ to see him‍ again?

Thinking‍ that, I stopped⁠⁠ the elevator.

6…‍‍ 5… 4… 3… Ding!

「The‌⁠ doors open.」

That‌‍‍ unpleasant face of‌ the accountant appeared.‌‍

“Mr.⁠ Choi Jaeha.”

“Huh?‌⁠ Yes?”

“I‍ have something to‌ tell you. Step‍⁠‍ out for a moment.”

Confused,‌⁠ he stepped out.⁠‍

“Eh…⁠⁠ what’s going on…?”‌

He‌ stared at me.‌

I didn’t have much to tell him.‌

Just‍ that this building‍‌ had turned into‌‌ a labyrinth and‍ that in less⁠ than a minute‌ there would be‍ a blackout.

“What…?‍⁠ That doesn’t make sense…?”

He⁠ started using formal‍‍ language without realizing‌ it.

Interesting.‍‍‍

If⁠ you speak politely,⁠‍ even if you‌ say crazy things,‌⁠ people respond the‍‌ same way.

Before, it wasn’t like⁠‍ that.

Boom!⁠‍

“Ah!‌ What was that?”⁠‍

Boom!‍‌‍ Crash! Bang!

“You’ve‌‌ already confirmed it.‍ Let’s go to⁠ the stairs.”

Crash! Thud!

“Ah… yes…”

After hearing the surround‍ sound of elevators⁠ falling, he became‌ docile.

“Hold‌‌‍ onto the handrail‍‍ and go down⁠‍ slowly. But don’t‍ stop.”

“Ah…‌‌‍ yes… but… how‍‍‌ did you know‌⁠⁠ I was there?”‌

His‌‍‌ voice echoed in‌‍ the hallway.

“I‌‍ knew unilaterally. You’re⁠⁠ an accountant at‍⁠ Howol, right?”

“Ah…‍⁠ I see. You saw it on‍ the web.”

He⁠⁠‌ sighed in relief.‍⁠

“But—”‍‍

“Don’t⁠ stop. Keep going down.”

“Ah…‌ yes. Your name?”⁠

“Seon‍ Yuhan.”

Luckily⁠ he didn’t take⁠ out his card.⁠‍

“Then…‌ Mr. Seon Yuhan.”‍

“Yes?”⁠

“How‌ did you know⁠‍ I was in‍⁠ the elevator?”

Wow.

He’s‍⁠ smarter than he‍‍‌ looks.

“I‍‌ didn’t.”

“But⁠ you called me⁠‍‍ right when the⁠ doors opened.”

…Strategic‍‌ error.

“Besides,‌⁠ you knew the‍‍ elevator was going‌‍ to fall. That‍⁠ doesn’t normally happen.”‌⁠‍

…He⁠ really thinks.

I can’t give him‌ time.

“I have good instincts.‌⁠‍ I felt that‌ this would be‌ a labyrinth and that I knew⁠ what would happen.”‍‌

“Does‍ that make sense?”⁠

He⁠ dropped the formal language.

“Not even fortune tellers‍⁠ get that right.”

“Maybe‍‍⁠ you’ve never been‍⁠ in a labyrinth.”‍

He⁠‍ went silent.

“Labyrinths‌ leave questions unanswered.”‌‍

He⁠⁠⁠ looked at me‌⁠‍ cautiously.

“Anyway.‌ The problem now⁠ is this.”

I pointed.

“We‍‍ came out on the second floor‍ even though we⁠‌ opened the door‌⁠ on the first.”‍

“What…?”⁠‌⁠

Again.

“Damn‌ it!”

Well…‌ it was inevitable.‍

“So…‍ what do you⁠⁠‌ plan to do?”⁠

“Search‍‌⁠ the entire second‌‌ floor. It could‌ be the condition⁠‌‌ to go down.”⁠

I pointed at the⁠‍ auditorium.

“We‍⁠⁠ start here.”

“I‌⁠ don’t want to…”‌

But‌‍ he had to.⁠‌

Because‌ I didn’t see the post-credit scene.‌

I have to see‍‌ it.

To⁠ understand.

“Then⁠ we’ll go to‌ the daycare, library,‌ and store.”

I pointed at the⁠ map.

The‍ building is square-shaped.‌‍

Empty‌ center.

Everything‌‍ connected.

“We⁠ go clockwise.”

I didn’t ask him‌⁠ to come.

But‌ he came.

“Alright…”‌

He’s‌‍⁠ scared.

“But‍ don’t be too⁠ surprised. And follow‌‌ the rules.”

“What⁠‌ are you saying?‍ I’m not a child.”

…He‍ looks like one.⁠⁠

I opened the auditorium‍ door.

***⁠‌

In‌⁠ the end, I had to convince⁠⁠⁠ him again to⁠⁠ sit.

And‍‌ watch that trash‍ movie again.

[Those‌‌ who could not get out]

[Yoon‍‍‍ Haejun]

[Song‌ Seorin]

…

Names.‍

More than 200.

I thought about the⁠‍ school.

4 years ago.

On‍ October 2, it‌ became a labyrinth.⁠

On‍ February 5, it‌ was resolved.

Burned.‍‌‌

Everything⁠‍ clean.

Nothing‌‌ remained.

Only‍‌‌ 6 bodies on⁠‍⁠ the rooftop.

And‍⁠ traces of 200‌‍‌ people.

Now‍ I know what‌ they lived through.‌‍

Will‍‌ I be able‌⁠ to tell it‌⁠⁠ someday?

Will⁠‌‍ I be able⁠‌‌ to get out?‍

For them.

Flash—!‍‍

The‍ screen lit up.

I gripped the armrest.

The post-credit scene began.‍⁠

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Chapter 6: Those who could not get out

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