Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual Chapter 16

Today as well, I failed to send the good-natured guests out of this wicked hotel.

 

It was a shame. Truly.

 

‘There shouldn’t have been any problem holding onto my reason.’

 

I was confident in holding onto my sanity, at least. Even if an abnormality arose, I could just shake it off with my own strength. Even if the shell of ‘General Manager’ lacked the function to ‘refuse human guests,’

 

I am undeniably a human with self-awareness.

 

“….”

 

I am human, right?

 

Anyway.

 

‘…I thought I could push them out of this hotel as long as I firmly established my will, just like I did in the power generation room. The results are not going as planned at all.’

 

It was a bitter result.

 

‘It seems the realm of the mind and the mechanism of action have different binding forces. A coercion that falls outside the control of my consciousness… This is quite… perplexing.’

 

Thanks to firming my resolve, my mind clearly judged that ‘I must send them out right now.’ But my body wouldn’t follow. Even though I tried to say, “Staying here for a long time is not a good choice.”

 

Because of that, I ended up spitting out nonsensical greetings instead.

 

‘Is it related to my body being reduced to such a helpless state?’

 

This body doesn’t make any sense. Not only is there a forty-five-year-old mind dwelling in a nineteen-year-old body, but it also entails pain if I don’t follow the action mechanism of this so-called ‘character.’

 

‘Even the fact that the pain I should feel vanishes when I mimic those actions, or that I can exert superhuman strength at all… is clearly abnormal. This, too, must have a logical basis like Blood Magic.’

 

But with his lacking insight, it was a reason he couldn’t yet understand.

 

“Haa….”

 

He had to finish his research quickly. 

 

‘…Anyway, an event? That’s rare.’

 

Is it because it rained a lot? Or perhaps it was because of the attention diversion last time. Lee Yeonwoo had instinctively sensed the call and come straight to the 7th floor.

 

“….”

 

The lights hanging from the ceiling were ornate. The large windows were clean. Beyond them, the forest could be seen, and raindrops formed on the glass.

 

However, the air was damp and chilly. A corridor with a soggy layer of rainwater stuck to it. Bright but pale lighting.

 

“Man…”

 

Lee Yeonwoo’s dry voice settled in the empty hallway.

 

“What a tiring thing.”

 

The ‘Wet Person’ event had triggered. 

 

* * * 

 

From a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 6. Each monster guest is assigned ‘events’ where they are the main character. Among them, the ‘Wet Person’ has a total of five events.

 

‘Did it happen inside the guest room this time?’

 

Lee Yeonwoo stopped in front of room 703.

 

‘Based on the location, it’s not The Final Struggle.’ 

 

Though it occasionally happens in the hallway, the ‘Wet Person’ events mostly take place in the guest rooms, and specifically in the bathroom. Considering the concept of a water ghost, it was a perfectly natural causal relationship.

 

“….”

 

Since starting the tutorial, this was the first time an event of the ‘Common to Both Versions’ grade had occurred. 

 

“…Good morning, guest.”

 

There are no modern doorbells in this hotel. Instead, a classic ‘bell board’ takes its place.

 

When an event occurs, the bell on the board rings, and the user—that is, the game character—instinctively senses it without having to physically look at it.

 

“The call bell rang, so I have visited to check on you.” 

 

This was a kind of systemic procedure. A line of dialogue that would be automatically output in the game. Now, he had to recite this sentence himself without getting a single syllable wrong. Only then would the ‘game system’ be applied.

 

He finished spitting out the line.

 

“Is there perhaps anything I can help you with?”

 

Then, instead of an answer, an unpleasant frictional sound scratched the hallway.

 

Creeeeak—

 

“….”

 

The door opened.

 

There was no sign of anyone.

 

‘…A facility under my management is making such a crude noise?’

 

Who gave permission for a guest room door to open with this kind of noise? Honestly, the fact that the door was creaking was far more unpleasant than any horror directing.

 

‘I know it’s allowed for the sake of the game, but I’m not feeling too good about it.’

 

Of course, that was merely Lee Yeonwoo’s personal sentiment. Since the door was open, he had to step inside according to the set procedure.

 

“Excuse me, I’ll be coming in.”

 

He pushed his body into the darkened room.

 

“…”

 

The first thing that approached him was the dampness.

 

‘It’s hard to breathe.’

 

As he exhaled with difficulty, his white breath scattered due to the low temperature.

 

His doubts flared up. Usually, the colder the air, the harder it is for it to hold water vapor, yet this place is damp and cold as if mocking the laws of physics. It was a bizarre sensation, like frost coating his lungs. 

 

‘But I don’t feel any pain.’

 

There was only ‘sensation’ as a phenomenon. Right now, he was a game character that had entered an event sequence. There was no reason or need to hesitate.

 

Yeonwoo indifferently moved his steps toward the source of the water sound.

 

“Oh my.”

 

When he opened the bathroom door, a familiar sight unfolded. 

 

‘So it was the shower event.’

 

Also known as ‘Unwashable Water’.

 

‘I know the situation well, but the feeling is different. There really is a significant difference between seeing a pixelated image in a game and seeing it directly in person….’ 

 

The text he had familiarized himself with a long time ago crossed his mind.

 

『Beneath the stream of cold water, the Wet Person fell to their knees and dropped their head. The water flows, but they are still submerged. They are alone.』

 

Indeed, it was exactly as described. The pitiful sight of them getting hit by water under the showerhead. There was nothing more to check.

 

‘If I draw their attention, the penalty was, as I recall…’

 

The illusion of the entire body being soaked continues for 24 hours. The ‘Cold’ debuff is inserted into all decision-making. Acute pulmonary edema, hypothermia, and arrhythmia.

 

‘Fatal.’

 

Even now, without the penalty, his condition isn’t great. Isn’t he barely plugging the organ damage and hemorrhaging with blood magic? On top of that, pulmonary edema and arrhythmia.

 

‘It’s no different from telling me to just die.’

 

However.

 

‘What if I leave it alone?’

 

Frequent electrocution and bathroom-related accidents. In other words, ‘water system contamination’ will spread throughout the hotel.

 

‘Our innocent guests will also be using the bathrooms in this hotel….’ 

 

There are plenty of electronics in this hotel, too. Despite the 19th-century Western hotel concept, they use electricity just fine. If things go wrong, it wouldn’t just be at the level of getting hurt, but their lives could be in danger.

 

They cannot resurrect if they die like Lee Yeonwoo. And they receive all the pain, just as it is.

 

‘I have to intervene.’

 

And even if that wasn’t the case.

 

“…Haa…”

 

It’s pitiful to watch.

 

“Dear guest.”

 

He straightened his body that was leaning against the bathroom door. He stepped inside the bathroom.

 

“It’s summer, but perhaps because it’s the rainy season, the weather is cold.” 

 

“….” 

 

“The room’s humidity is high. The temperature is low as well. If you need any related services, please let me know. I will help you.” 

 

“….”

 

There was no answer.

 

‘That’s natural.’

 

In this event sequence, the ‘Wet Person’ does not open their mouth. Unless the Aqua Park event occurs, they will remain silent.

 

‘Since they’re submerged in water, there’s no way they could speak.’

 

The monster guests here are the embodiment of globally common negative concepts. The ‘Wet Person’ is the concept of a drowned person, and a reproduction of the fear of water ghosts and murderous spirits. They are still drowning in the water.

 

‘Even though these monster guests aren’t truly human….’

 

Empty shells without roots or souls, merely recreations of a situation. 

 

‘Still, as a user, don’t I at least have the right to feel pity for them?’

 

Since they’re in such a state that makes you care just by looking at it.

 

“…You like the rain, don’t you? I remember.”

 

He brought up unnecessary words.

 

“I know you focus on the faint vibrations of raindrops falling on the water’s surface. There is nothing better for sensing the existence of the outside world while underwater, where all senses are vague.” 

 

“….” 

 

“Where would you be right now? Are you near the surface, or have you sunk to the deep sea? Are you in the ocean? Or a river? A deep lake? Wherever it is, it wouldn’t be a shallow place….” 

 

“….” 

 

“I apologize if my rambling has cluttered your ears.”

 

They might have felt offended.

 

“But whenever I saw a guest standing in the rain like this, I always wanted to ask.” 

 

“….” 

 

“Because I wanted to pull you out.”

 

This was not a game line.

 

‘It’s presumptuous meddling.’

 

It was a game he cherished. He cherished the monster guests in it, too. He grew attached to them. While there were monsters that were purely dangerous, there were also monsters born from pitiful concepts.

 

The ‘Wet Person’ was like that. They were a guest he couldn’t help but care about.

 

“…You might criticize me as a hypocrite this time as well, but well.” 

 

“….” 

 

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to come outside rather than staying submerged forever?”

 

He was about to turn off the shower, but changed direction. He grabbed the showerhead. He checked the water temperature as it was.

 

‘It’s too cold.’

 

He turned the faucet and turned on the hot water. After testing it on his hand to gauge an appropriate temperature, he hung the showerhead back up. Warm steam rose in the freezing bathroom.

 

‘I set it to a moderately lukewarm temperature in case they got burned, but to think it would produce this much steam.’

 

He wondered for a moment if it was okay, but.

 

“…”

 

At the warm rainwater, the ‘Wet Person’ lifted their head.

 

Their hair was a mess, so their face was still not visible. Lee Yeonwoo just sat there, leaning against the shower booth wall.

 

“….” 

 

“….”

 

…Seeing as they aren’t attacking, it seems they didn’t hate it.

 

‘Now that the game has become reality, I’m doing things like this, too.’

 

The method to draw attention in this event, “Unwashable Water”, is simple. You just turn off the shower, shut off the water, and cover the ‘Wet Person’ with a towel. Then it’s over.

 

But he didn’t end it right away and waited for a moment.

 

“I have watched you for 26 years.” 

 

“….” 

 

“Every time, it bothered me. Everyone has times when they want to sink down, and though I can’t let you stay in there forever… I thought it would be okay for a little while.”

 

It might look foolish to give affection to a fictional existence. But after 26 years, whatever it is naturally gains its own value. Even if it’s just mere game data.

 

There are no humans in this hotel. Even if there were, they are subjects he must send out and protect. Being isolated from society, the only thing that increased was talking to himself.

 

“Whether you feel sad or angry is your own freedom, but you should at least take care of your body. If you cry, it’s better to cry in a warm, fluffy bed, and if you get angry, it’s better to do it with a full stomach.”

 

That was the reason he had intentionally raised the water temperature of the showerhead.

 

“It’s a pity, but I cannot stay like this for too long.”

 

 “….” 

 

“…Shall we get up now?”

 

A little later, Lee Yeonwoo turned off the shower. Then he took out the largest and thickest towel from the linen closet and draped it over the head of the ‘Wet Person’.

 

‘Should I wipe off the moisture too?’

 

But he wondered if he really needed to go that far. They looked like a fully grown adult. Since they were a sensitive type of guest, increasing physical touch wouldn’t do any good. He walked out of the bathroom just like that.

 

Before he knew it, the air inside the room had normalized.

 

“….”

 

A thought that occurred to him as he stepped outside the room like that.

 

“…Ah.”

 

…Should I have been a little more scared?

 

It was supposedly a horror hotel management simulation game. He wondered if he hadn’t fulfilled his duty as a horror game user.

 

‘I feel like I just comforted a guest who was suffering from heartache instead of having a horror experience.’

 

But there had to be something to be scared of to get scared.

 

‘If I’ve been with them for long enough for the world to change twice over, it would actually be impolite to act scared all of a sudden now.’

 

He should ask for something reasonable.

 

It was an excuse, though he didn’t know who it was directed at.

 

* * *

 

Five minutes after leaving the guest room. As he was mentally preparing himself, the penalty hit.

 

“—Cough, cough cough…!!”

 

His lungs felt like they were shrinking beyond belief, to the point where he couldn’t breathe. 

 

Lee Yeonwoo groaned as he rolled around on the bed in his quarters. His situation was extremely pitiful. Acute pulmonary edema, hypothermia, and arrhythmia, of all things.

 

“At this point, it wouldn’t be strange if I was featured in a medical textbook…” 

 

“Yes.” 

 

“Alright, let’s think positively. It’s like receiving the results of a comprehensive medical checkup in advance.” 

 

“No?” 

 

“That’s true.”

 

It was the perfect condition to kick the bucket.

 

He laid out the shallow medical knowledge he had. Breathing abnormalities caused by acute pulmonary edema. Frothy coughs and cyanosis. Moderate hypothermia caused by a drop in body temperature. The subsequent decrease in reaction speed and confusion of consciousness.

 

‘Arrhythmia could even be a precursor symptom to cardiac arrest.’

 

For a normal body, it would be a fatal state.

 

“Maybe because it’s a game, it isn’t reflected to that extreme extent.” 

 

“Y—no.” 

 

“I wish you would please… speak properly.” 

 

The things that came to mind right now were HP decrease, delayed command response, action nullification, automatic collapsing while moving, coughing fits, restricted surroundings detection function, etc.

 

A truly diverse range of status ailments were reflected, but that was all.

 

‘There’s no frothy cough, and my muscle rigidity is maintaining a certain level.’

 

True, there’s no way a developer busy coding the game would have put effort into the anatomical details of the human body. It’s not like that guy was a doctor, either.

 

“It’s at least a comfort that I don’t feel any actual pain.” 

 

“Yes.” 

 

“…Of course, this won’t be someone else’s problem forever. The moment I shed this character’s shell and return to reality, these illnesses will hit me all at once, and it will be really hard to manage then.” 

 

“Yes.”

 

Fortunately, among these, ‘HP decrease’ disappears if I use the bed in my quarters. But I can’t sleep right now. Once you sleep in this bed, you are guaranteed to wake up at dawn the next day.

 

‘But in the end, all these status ailments are also limited to the game character’s body.’  

 

Just because a game character is sick doesn’t mean the user behind the screen feels the pain. It’s the same right now. Such statuses were only reflected as mechanics; there was no actual confusion or blurred vision.

 

“….”

 

Ah. Seriously, what nonsense. 

 

‘Let’s stay calm.’

 

Before analyzing this abnormal body—which, if presented to the medical community, would make Hippocrates crawl out of his grave and Nightingale fly over—there was an important matter.

 

The good-natured guests came to mind.

 

“…Should I put off the conversation for later?” 

 

“Put off for later.”

 

“I won’t consider an answer that solely reflects your personal opinion.” 

 

“No…” 

 

“Acting cute won’t help.”

 

“No…” 

 

“I said it won’t help.”

 

However, his hands were diligently kneading Coco. This texture was truly fantastic. If a pillow like this had been released, he would have bought seven of them and rotated using them every day.

 

Lee Yeonwoo placed Coco at his side and stroked it.

 

“Putting it off for later won’t solve the status ailments, either.”

 

The most efficient method was a reset through death, and the next best option was utilizing items, but the situation wasn’t favorable.

 

‘Let’s face reality.’

 

The more I put off the conversation, the higher the chance innocent people will be put in danger.

 

“….”

 

He looked at the clock. The hour hand pointed to the number 7.

 

“….” 

 

“No…” 

 

“Tsk.”

 

Lee Yeonwoo got up from the bed. His body was heavy.

 

‘Would it be even stranger if my body felt light when I have acute pulmonary edema, hypothermia, and even arrhythmia? At least it’s a relief that my body hasn’t become abnormal to that extent.’

 

He stood in front of the mirror.

 

“…I can’t become an adult who doesn’t keep his promises.”  

 

Even so, there was nothing he could do about the rising irritation.

 

‘Am I really crazy?’

 

He felt disillusioned by this body that was swayed by all sorts of status ailments. At this rate, he would be coughing as he walked and tripping as he walked. It was already dizzying to think about.

 

‘This is my first time having this many status ailments overlap in the current situation, which isn’t a game.’

 

He couldn’t see a future.

 

* * *

 

But to think he wouldn’t be able to physically see.

 

“Um, Yeonwoo-ssi?” 

 

“…Ah, you’re here.”

 

“I’ve been calling you since the main entrance.” 

 

“…….” 

 

“…Are you feeling unwell somewhere?” 

 

“No.”

 

Denying it immediately, Lee Yeonwoo racked his brain.

 

‘Restricted surroundings detection function.’

 

This is how it’s reflected?

 

‘How can a person be completely invisible?’

 

It really must be crazy, right?

 

Even amidst the confusion, Lee Yeonwoo tried to say, “There’s nothing wrong with me.” It was a given. The more anxious the human guests became, the more this hotel liked it. And it wasn’t good for the guests themselves, either.

 

But the words wouldn’t come out. Why? For what reason? How come?

 

“….”

 

The answer automatically came to mind.

 

‘Delayed command response, action nullification.’

 

It was definitely crazy.

 

“…I’m really, fine.” 

 

“….” 

 

“Truly.” 

 

“….”

 

Wow, my goodness.

 

‘To think this stupid remark came out of my mouth.’

 

It was a pathetic answer that would make even someone who thought he was fine turn back to look.