How to Die in a Company That Turned Into a Labyrinth — Chapter 9: Installment payment

Chapter 9: Installment payment

“Ugh…‍ khk….”

The⁠ force gripping the⁠ back of my‌ neck was so‌ brutal that I couldn’t take even‍ a single step‍⁠ forward.

“Ghk….”⁠

It‌‍‍ was as if a mechanical clamp⁠‍⁠ were strangling me.‌⁠

No‍‌‍ matter how much‍ I resisted, I only flailed my arms and legs⁠ meaninglessly in the‍ air.

The self-defense techniques I had learned long ago were useless.

That‌ only works under‍ the premise that‌‍ the opponent is‍⁠‌ “human”.

My‍‍‍ body was starting⁠⁠‌ to lose strength.⁠‌‌

No.⁠‍⁠

I can’t die.

“Ugh!⁠ Khh….”

Just‌‌‍ as I felt‌ I was about to suffocate, I was thrown to‍⁠ the ground.

I felt someone lift my body and‍⁠‌ tie me to⁠‍ a pillar.

“Th-this…‌‍ ngh… let go….”⁠

I was out of⁠ breath. I was‍ dizzy. I had‌⁠ no strength. I couldn’t focus my‌‌⁠ vision.
I have to get up.

I have to get‍⁠⁠ up and run.‍

“Ugh…‌‍‌ ah….”

Gasping,⁠‌ I managed to⁠ raise my head to see who⁠‍ had tried to⁠‍‍ strangle me.

“Ha…‌‌ seriously….”

It⁠⁠ was a mannequin.

A mannequin dressed in‍‍‌ clothing merchandise.

A faceless mannequin, like‍‌ an egg-shaped ghost,‌ was looking down‌⁠‍ at me.

If⁠ I were standing‍ in front of‌ it, it would⁠⁠ be different, but looking at it from the ground,‍ the pressure was‌‍⁠ terrifying.

Bang,⁠⁠ bang!

I turned my gaze‍⁠‍ toward the store‍ entrance.

Through‍ the small window⁠‌‍ of the door,⁠‌ the accountant could‍ be seen with⁠⁠⁠ a desperate expression.‍

His‌ voice couldn’t be‌ heard, probably because‌ the place was well soundproofed.

‘The‌‍ door is closed!’

From‍‌ the movement of‌⁠⁠ his lips, it⁠‌ seemed he was‍‌‍ saying that.

“Go⁠⁠‍ away. Go away.”‌

Without‍‌⁠ strength, I gestured‌‍ with my hand.‌

Staying‍‍⁠ there wasn’t safe‍ either.

「There’s‍ something you cannot lose」

The‌ mannequin, indifferent, moved‍‌‍ with rigid motions‍ until it stood‌‍‌ in front of⁠‌ the LED screen.‌

「Even‍ if you want‌⁠ to」

Crack.‍⁠

It⁠ raised both arms‌⁠ and tore off‍⁠ its head.

Thud.⁠‌‍

I looked for a moment at the⁠⁠‌ faceless head on the ground, then‍ looked again at⁠ the mannequin’s back.‌⁠⁠

And⁠ right after, I was stunned trying⁠ to process what‌ I was seeing.‌‌

What⁠‍⁠ is that…?

「You know I’m the‌‍ one」

The‍‍ headless mannequin extended‍‌ its hands and⁠ pulled out a golden scale from‍‍ the LED screen.⁠⁠

It⁠‌ literally took an‌ object with physical‍ mass out of‌⁠⁠ the digital screen⁠ and left it‌ floating over its‍ neck.

It was more natural‍⁠ than any graphic⁠ made with absurd‌‌ technology.

Before⁠‌ I could react,‍‍‍ another emoji appeared‍ on the white‍ screen.

A knife.

It‍⁠ was the emoji‍ of a kitchen knife.

「The‍‍ only one」

Thump,‌ thump.

The‌ rhythm of the‌‌‌ music sounded like‌ footsteps of death.⁠‌‌

The‍ mannequin, now with‌‌⁠ a shining head⁠ and armed, turned‍⁠ its body toward‌‍ me.

「Who‌‌‍ sees you just the way you⁠⁠‍ are」

For⁠ an instant, I felt as if‍‍ our gazes met.‍‍

The‌‌ plates of the‌‍ scale looked like‌ human eyes.

A scale and a knife.

A combination that resembled‌‍ the goddess of‍‍ justice.

“Pleased‍ to meet you,‍ customer Seon Yuhan.”‍‌

But the “guardian” of this store was‍ not wearing a white robe, but black technological clothing.⁠

“Thank‍⁠⁠ you for purchasing Tarae products, customer.‍‍ You have paid through a 3-month‌⁠ interest-free plan, correct?”⁠

The‌ mechanical voice kept coming from the‍ LED screen.

The‍ “head” of the‍‌ golden scale only‌‌‍ swayed gently.

“Currently,‌⁠ according to your financial situation, it⁠‍ has been confirmed‌‍ that you can‌ pay the first‍⁠ installment.”

Hearing something so logical‍ is even more frightening.

“But…”‌‌

I knew it.

There‌⁠ is always a “but”.

“Moneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoney……‍ money is like⁠ life, something that exists and then‌ disappears.”

No‍⁠ way.

“It⁠‍ is doubtful that⁠‌‌ you will be‌‍ able to pay‌‌ the second and⁠ third installments.”

“Hey!⁠‍ I have money‌‌ for that! I can even pay‌‌ it all now!”‍

I couldn’t hold back‌‌ and shouted.

“Yes,‌ but you chose⁠ to pay in‍ 3 months without‍‌⁠ interest.”

“So‍ what?!”

It⁠‌⁠ was unfair.

Had‌⁠ they contributed anything?⁠⁠⁠

“The⁠ use of a credit card is,‍‌⁠ in essence, a debt based on⁠‌ trust that your‍ future self will‌ be able to⁠‍ pay it.”

“That…‍ hm.”

It’s⁠⁠ right.

“But‌ how can I trust you if‍‍⁠ it is the‍⁠ first time I see you?”

“What are you talking‌⁠ about? Do you‌‍ think all credit⁠‌ employees are my‌ friends?”

“If you leave here…‌‍ how will I receive the rest⁠ of the payment? Do you think‍‌‌ I do business‍⁠ by digging the‌‍ ground?”

“Stop⁠‌⁠ talking nonsense!”

The‍ head of the⁠⁠⁠ scale completely ignored‍ my words.

“It‍ has been decided‌ to collect installments⁠⁠ 2 and 3 in advance. Thank‍‌‍ you for your⁠‌‍ understanding.”

“Do‌ you know what‍‌ installment payment means?‍⁠ You don’t know?!‌⁠ Hey!”

The‌ plates of the⁠ scale were moving‌‌ slowly, approaching step‍‍ by step.

“We‍ will proceed to‌⁠‍ initiate the collection‍ of the installments.”⁠⁠

「I’m on my way‍ to you」

Finally,‍⁠ the song ended.‍

***‌‌

“Ugh…⁠ haaah….”

How‍‌ much time had⁠ passed?

“Khh!⁠ Keh…!”

The‍⁠⁠ cough burst out.‍

A metallic and unpleasant‍ taste slid down⁠‍ my throat.

“Ugh,⁠⁠ kh… aah….”

I couldn’t form a coherent sentence.

It‌ wasn’t just because‍ I had shouted⁠ until I lost‌‌ my voice.

With‍ this amount of‌‌ blood, I should‍ have died.

No,⁠⁠ I should have‍‌ died from shock‍ long before bleeding⁠ out.

“I’m⁠‍‌ sorry, but until‍ the customer’s payment‍ is completed, you‌ cannot die.”

The‌ damned rules of⁠⁠ the labyrinth were⁠ preventing my body‌‍‌ from dying.

Long live the labyrinth.‌

“There’s not much left…‍ please wait a little longer.”

The‍⁠ bloodstained scale was‌ watching me from‌ above.

Now‍ I understand that⁠ my body is‌ not a single⁠ thing, but the‌⁠ sum of many‍‍ parts.

Now‍‌⁠ I understand the‌ formula for measuring‌‍ my weight with⁠ additions and subtractions.⁠

The‍⁠⁠ eyes are too⁠ light.

Too light to have‌ value on the⁠‍‍ scale.

That’s‍‌ why I watched⁠ everything. With my‍ own eyes.

If⁠‌ I deceived myself‍ into believing I was a spectator, it hurt less.‌

If‍ I believed that‍ this body that‌ was slowly falling⁠ apart was not⁠‍ “me,” but “something else”.

If⁠⁠ I freed myself⁠‌ from the illusion‍ of being myself.⁠

This‍ pain was an⁠ illusion.

I am not Seon‍‌ Yuhan.

I died a long⁠ time ago.

“Now…‌‍ it’s the laaast…”‍‍‌

I didn’t understand well⁠‍ what it said.

Only⁠‍ the sensation of⁠ my chest being‌ opened like raw‌‍ meat by a sharp blade dominated‌‍ my mind.

“The⁠‌ installment payment has⁠ been completed.”

Then,⁠‍ the world was‌ dyed in darkness.⁠‌

**‌

Do‍‍ not pay in‍ installments.

**‍‍

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

“I…”‌

I was about to‌‍‍ say “shi—”, again.‌‌

“I⁠‍ will avoid using⁠ credit cards…”

“It’s‌‍ been a while⁠ since I heard⁠‌ such a realistic⁠‍ answer.”

I couldn’t respond anymore.‍‍ I lowered my‌ head.

This‍ attitude is not good in an‌ interview.

I feel like I’m‍‍ short of breath.‌‍

As‍ if at any‍ moment I would⁠‌⁠ stick out my‍⁠ tongue and die.⁠

I’m‌ going to die. I’m going to⁠ die.

No.⁠‍

I’m‍⁠ not going to⁠ die. I can’t⁠ die.

I don’t want to⁠‍ die.

A transition without pauses‌ between life and⁠‍‌ death.

A boundary that flips‍ like a coin.

Phantom‍ pain that clings⁠ without form.

The‌⁠ discrepancy between remembered‌ suffering and the⁠‌⁠ still-living body.

All⁠ of that.

I felt like it‍‍ was devouring me‌ little by little.⁠

Why‍‍‍ am I still⁠‍ alive again?

Why am I the‌ only one who‌‍⁠ is still alive?‍‌

I don’t want to⁠‌ live.

No.⁠‌‌ That’s not it.⁠⁠

I… I… Seon Yuhan…‌ cannot die.

“Ugh…⁠ kh….”

What‌ did they do in these cases?‌⁠ What did they‍ do?

Right.

Inhale‍ deeply. Exhale.

Clench the fist tightly.⁠⁠ Release it.

One, two, three, four…‌

How‌ strange.

Why‌ do I have⁠‍⁠ so many fingers?⁠⁠

How⁠⁠⁠ disgusting.

“Seon⁠ Yuhan? Are you‍‌⁠ okay?”

The‌ urgent voice of⁠‌‌ the interviewer broke⁠‌ the buzzing in‌ my ears.

“Shall‌ we try to⁠ breathe slowly together?”‍‌⁠

I felt a gentle‍‌ warmth at the⁠⁠ tips of my‍‌ fingers.

I watched without reacting‌⁠‌ as he took⁠‍ a deep breath,‍ and then I imitated him.

Only our breathing echoed‌⁠⁠ in the silent room.

“The‌‍ water is gone…⁠ it’s okay. Don’t‌ worry. You’re in‍‍‌ a safe place.”‍

No,⁠ interviewer. It’s not‌‍‍ okay. This place‍‌⁠ is dangerous.

“I’ll‌‌ stay with you⁠ until you calm⁠ down.”

No,⁠‍ you won’t be⁠ able to stay.‍‌

“There’s‍‍ a hospital on the fourth floor. Also a rest⁠ room. I’ll take⁠ you.”

No,‍ you won’t be‍ able to take‍‍ me.

“Do‌⁠⁠ you need anything?⁠‍⁠ Are you cold or hot…?”

Do‌ you see?

3:33.‌

The‌ interviewer disappeared.

Bang!⁠

Boom! Crash! Bang!

Crash!‍‌‌ Thud!

Choi⁠‍ Jaeha died.

***‍

While I was sitting⁠ in the chair‍ without reacting, I noticed something strange in the inner‍‍‍ pocket of my⁠‍ jacket.

“Ha…”‍‌

I felt the reddish-brown⁠‍ leather at my‌‌ fingertips.

I felt nauseous.

That damn diary.

Well⁠⁠ received.

Just⁠⁠‍ as the advertisement‌‌ said, on the‍⁠⁠ first page of the Tarae Diary there was information⁠⁠‍ by floors of‌‌‍ the building.

From‍ the parking lot‌‌‍ to the rooftop,‍ what departments were⁠‍ on each level‍ the typical thing‌‍ for visitors.

Damn‌‌ it.

With‍⁠ this I can’t⁠‍ know where the‌‌ exit of the‍ labyrinth is. Not‍‍ even if it’s on the first floor.

Tap.‍‌ I closed the‍ diary and put‍‍‌ it away.

In‍‍ the end, I have to go⁠‍‌ down beyond the‌‌⁠ second floor.

[3:54｜SOS｜86%]‍‍

I checked the time‌‌ and stood up.‌⁠⁠

Hmm.‍‌ But my legs⁠⁠‍ feel heavy.

Or⁠ should I say‌ light because they‍⁠ move?

I don’t know.

If⁠ I stay here,‌ I’ll be expelled‍⁠‍ again from the‍‌ interview room, so‍‍ I started moving‍ quickly.

Without⁠ realizing it, I was heading toward⁠ the elevator, but‍⁠ I changed direction.‍⁠

Choi⁠‌‍ Jaeha is already‍⁠ dead.

Even‌ so, that guy, so fearful, seemed‌ worried about me‌⁠ in front of‌‌ the door.

I don’t remember well‌⁠ what happened after.‍

But‌ I don’t want‍ to reset just⁠⁠ because of him.‌

Although‍‌ I would probably‍‌ die again because of some stupidity.‍‍⁠

Even⁠ so.

As⁠ far as I can. As far as I reach.‌‌ As far as‌‍ I survive.

I want to fight.‌

I don’t want to‍⁠ throw away my‍⁠⁠ life.

It⁠‌ feels like an‍⁠‌ offense to life.‌

I.⁠

At⁠ least I…

I cannot allow myself⁠ that.

***‍

I opened the emergency⁠⁠ door on the‌ second floor without⁠ hesitation.

Without‌‌ Choi Jaeha, I didn’t have to‌‌ check the first floor again.

In‌‍ front of the‌ auditorium, I chose‌ the path to‍ the left.

This‍‍ time I would go clockwise pass‌⁠ the daycare and⁠‍⁠ head to the⁠⁠ Yuwi Guild library.‍‌

I don’t want to⁠‍⁠ get close to⁠ that store again.‍‌⁠

Survival⁠ kit?

What‍ is that for?‍‌

It’s‍‍⁠ surely expensive and low quality.

I don’t need it.‍‌‌

As⁠⁠‌ I passed the‌⁠ colorful hallway of‍‍ the daycare, a wall of sober‍ tones appeared.

There‍ were large windows, but the shelves⁠ blocked the view.‌‌

Of‌ course I can’t‍ trust what I see.

The‍‌ labyrinth is never‌ what it seems.‌

[Are you coming to‌ the library?]

It⁠ seems like a play on words.‍‍⁠

Wait‌ a moment.

I extended my hand‍‌‌ toward the door‍⁠ and stopped.

Is‍ it allowed to enter?

What‍‌⁠ if a librarian⁠‌‍ robot appears and‍ kills me?

“Ha…”

But‌ I can’t not⁠‍‌ go in.

Maybe⁠‌‍ the key to⁠ getting out is‍⁠ here.

Creaak.⁠

I opened the door‍ slowly.

The‍ cold and sweet⁠⁠‍ air of the‍‍⁠ library filled my‍⁠‍ nose.

I took a few‌ steps and stopped.⁠‌

“There⁠ was a corpse‍ there.”

What?‍‌

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