Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual Chapter 19

4:26 AM.

 

“….”

 

The bright screen of the monitor illuminated the writer’s face.

 

“…As expected, is this still not enough…”

 

Because it was the rainy season, the road conditions were bad. There were many unpaved roads as well. Considering the actors’ schedules, it would be best to film in a single house if possible. But a suitable filming location hadn’t come up yet.

 

‘If worst comes to worst, we’ll have to move around from place to place for the shoot, but considering the actors’ stamina, shouldn’t we schedule it so that we film as much as possible in the same location?’ 

 

Since there were still houses left that he hadn’t seen yet, he decided not to be impatient. Instead, he made note of houses and locations that suited each cut. This was so that filming could proceed even if a perfect single location wasn’t found.

 

‘It’s already gotten quite late.’ 

 

Director Lee Seonhae had gone to sleep at 1 AM. She said she would be driving next time and needed to manage her physical stamina. 

 

‘Then again, there were plenty of things to cause a headache today.’ 

 

He naturally felt sympathy for her. The writer stretched his body with difficulty.

 

“Ughh…”

 

His body made cracking sounds.

 

‘I guess I’ve gotten old too.’

 

He was 36 this year. It was hard to expect the physical condition of someone in their twenties.

 

‘And I didn’t know I would end up crawling into this much danger at this age.’

 

Have I not matured enough? While this industry is particularly one where it’s hard to mature, there was a faint sense of self-reproach. He thought of the cigarettes he had quit a long time ago.

 

“….”

 

Through the large window, he could see the mountain in the rain.

 

“…The scenery is certainly nice, at least.”

 

To build a hotel in a mountain like this, it felt like someone would have to be thrown in jail. Anyway, it was nice to zone out while looking at it. Even though he couldn’t hear the sound of the rain.

 

‘Is it because the soundproofing is good?’

 

Thinking about soundproofing brought up another chilling thought.

 

“….”

 

The writer scratched his head vigorously.

 

‘Sleep is out of the question.’

 

He was more used to staying up all night anyway. If he fell asleep like this, he would probably just have nightmares. Rather than that, it was better to kill time and wait for the sun to rise.

 

“Should I go for a walk?”

 

To take a night walk while staying at a hotel like this.

 

‘It seems a bit like a crazy thing to do, but if I just go out and smoke a cigarette, my head will be more…’

 

Writer Hong Gyeongyeon rubbed his stiff neck. After hesitating for a bit, he entered the room where Lee Seonhae was sleeping. He gently shook the director, who was deeply asleep.

 

“Director.” 

 

“…Ugh, uh, what is it.” 

 

“I’m going to go have just one smoke and come back.” 

 

“Uh… a cigarette? Didn’t you quit?” 

 

“I’m just holding it in, you know. That’s how everyone lives.” 

 

“That’s true, but… is your mind feeling that uneasy? Did you have a nightmare?” 

 

“No, I haven’t slept. Just because.” 

 

“Honestly, I don’t recommend it…”

 

The director sat up, her hair disheveled.

 

“Shall I go with you? Wouldn’t it be dangerous wandering around alone?” 

 

“I’m worried it’ll look like we’re plotting something if we do.” 

 

“Why, it could look like we’re having an intimate date.” 

 

“Ugh.” 

 

“Look at you. I hate it too, okay?” 

 

“Anyway, you know what I mean.” 

 

“I really don’t recommend it, though.”

 

Buried in sleepiness, the director scratched her chin.

 

It was dawn, the sun hadn’t even risen. The area was already deserted, and this was inherently a dangerous hotel, wasn’t it? Wandering around alone posed a great risk.

 

“But our Writer Hong has a point too. There’s no way a hotel of this scale doesn’t have CCTV, and there must be staff managing the hotel even in the early hours… if the two of us, who are persons of interest, move around together….” 

 

“I think it might unnecessarily get on their nerves even more. I wonder if it’s a bit too paranoid, but in a place like this, it’s probably better to be paranoid.” 

 

“Still, it might be better for the two of us to go together. Better to be warned than to die, right? I wonder if the staff would even care that much about the safety of us outsiders, anyway.” 

 

“Ah, about that.”

 

The writer hesitated before asking.

 

“Wouldn’t it be okay, if only because of your mother’s side of the family, Director?” 

 

“…Ah… that’s sad, but I can’t deny it.” 

 

“I was thinking that might be the reason Lee Yeonwoo-ssi simply accepted us into this hotel in the first place.” 

 

“That is possible. Someone of his standing wouldn’t be ignorant of my mother’s family.” 

 

“Exactly.”

 

“…Hmm…”

 

The director let out a deep sigh.

 

“If you feel like you’re about to die, use my Uncle’s name.” 

 

“Will you be okay with that?” 

 

“I’ll deal with the aftermath.” 

 

“Then I’ll make good use of it.”

 

“Mhm.”

 

As if her sleep was completely gone, the director got up.

 

“Are you not going back to sleep?” 

 

“I should stay awake just in case.” 

 

“This reminds me of when we went to Syria.” 

 

“It should be better than there. Here, at least a name carries weight.” 

 

“Names carried weight there too.” 

 

“But there’s no one openly holding a gun here, right?” 

 

“We can’t know that for sure either.” 

 

“Writer Hong, you have a talent for triggering my fear.” 

 

“Well, I am making a living off of that.” 

 

“Anyway, be careful.” 

 

“Yes.”

 

The writer picked up his precious pack of cigarettes.

 

“I’ll try not to die.” 

 

“Oh my, how tough.”

 

* * *

 

“….”

 

It was a bit awkward.

 

“…Nothing’s happening.”

 

Then again, what could possibly happen just stepping outside a hotel to smoke a cigarette? The places she passed were merely a hallway, the elevator, and the lobby. She hadn’t even run into any other guests. 

 

Leaning against the wall by the main entrance, he looked at the scenery. Unlike earlier, the sound of rain filled his ears.

 

“Huu…”

 

As he exhaled, cigarette smoke mixed with the rainwater.

 

‘I’m screwed.’

 

He had barely managed to stay quit for three years. How long would it take to even pretend to quit again? Amidst such tensionless thoughts, a faded memory surfaced.

 

—È tutta colpa tua. 

 

“….”

 

It’s all your fault.

 

“…Ah…”

 

A hollow laugh escaped him.

 

‘I didn’t even have a dream, so why is it so vivid.’

 

He was a bit tired. Perhaps it was because he was staying in a thrilling place for the first time in a while. A corner of his brain tingled. Like someone making excuses, he smiled and pulled out the last cigarette.

 

‘My mind must be all over the place because I haven’t slept.’

 

It is often called ‘well-intentioned violence.’

 

It wasn’t like that from the beginning. But the principle of a documentary is to capture the scene exactly as it is, not to ruin it. People died within the texts, photos, and videos.

 

It was very terrifying. The guilt of not being able to save them when he could have. The blood, the flesh, and the screams.

 

“….”

 

That became an obsession.

 

‘What a pathetic adult.’ 

 

Obsession invites selfishness.

 

He had already learned that the helping hand extended to others is actually reaching out for oneself, and that unrestrained hand eventually creates muddy waters.

 

It was etched deep into his bones.

 

‘I thought I had learned how to restrain myself, but I guess I was just docile because I hadn’t encountered a situation like that…’

 

Director Lee Seonhae had said something like that.

 

‘People really don’t change easily.’

 

She had described her own meddling nature as rude.

 

That might be true. Including Hong Gyeongyeon himself. Because help that is unwanted, or that brings about an even greater tragedy, is exactly that.

 

‘…But, still…’

 

The last cigarette burned down.

 

‘Isn’t it right to help the people you can help…?’ 

 

It was a question that wasn’t even a question.

 

‘No, I really don’t know.’

 

This problem is always difficult.

 

Human life is dignified, but simply being alive isn’t everything. If one cannot take responsibility, one shouldn’t lay a hand on it. The very thought of being able to take responsibility is arrogance in itself.

 

Even so, if one still wants to help someone, is it hypocrisy? 

 

“…Ah.”

 

A raindrop fell with a plop, extinguishing the cigarette.

 

“…What a waste, it was the last cigarette.” 

 

Knowing he wouldn’t be able to control himself, he had intentionally put only two in the pack. Resenting and praising his past self, he decided to call it here. He might be able to light it if he tried, but a cigarette soaked in rainwater tastes awful.

 

“Haa.”

 

After picking up the trash, he went inside the hotel.

 

‘I feel like I can live now.’

 

Sorting the butt back into the pack, Hong Gyeongyeon leaned against a lobby pillar. Was it due to the lack of sleep? His head felt a bit dizzy. 

 

Outside, it was so humid it felt like being submerged in water, but the hotel was less damp. It must be maintained to be a pleasant environment. It seemed like it would cost quite a bit of money.

 

‘The lobby is still quiet, too.’

 

Well, it was dawn, so there shouldn’t be anyone…

 

“Yes.” 

 

“….” 

 

“I see.”

 

No, there was someone.

 

‘…Lee Yeonwoo?’

 

He cautiously peeked his head out from behind the pillar.

 

Within his field of vision, he saw a neatly dressed young man. Slicked-back black hair and glasses. An unruffled attire. That was definitely the General Manager.

 

‘Who is he talking to?’

 

Unlike his appearance, it was a rough, humorless voice. 

 

“I am simply tired.” 

 

“….” 

 

“If anyone receives a call at dawn when they are deeply asleep, I don’t think they would feel refreshed, to say the least. Furthermore, to be called out consecutively like this… there are certainly many problems.” 

 

“….”

 

The unsmiling face was unfamiliar.

 

‘So that’s what he looks like when he’s not smiling.’

 

He had thought the man was as affable as a fox, but that must have been a fabricated impression.

 

‘He has… no expression.’

 

The unadorned face was still neat, but it also looked cold. At the very least, he didn’t look like someone born with a naturally smiley personality.

 

Hong Gyeongyeon listened intently to his conversation while grasping his movement path.

 

‘…Was there a separate passageway behind the counter?’

 

Lee Yeonwoo had definitely appeared from behind the counter. And he was heading in the direction of the elevators.

 

“Perhaps this is for the better. I don’t know for what reason I was called, but rather than letting them take an interest in those guests, it would be far safer to make them focus their attention on me instead.” 

 

“….” 

 

“No.”

 

His voice became stern.

 

“…I cannot agree with that opinion.” 

 

“….”

 

Opinion?

 

“I will not let innocent people die in this hotel.” 

 

“….” 

 

“Do not force me. I only listen to what you say when our interests align. And right now, I have no reason to follow such an inefficient option. This might be the game you created, but the one running this hotel right now is me.” 

 

“….” 

 

“If you disliked it that much, you shouldn’t have dragged me here like this in the first place. Forcibly involving a person in such a sordid criminal act… aren’t you lacking far too much conscience?” 

 

“….” 

 

“…Haa…”

 

He furrowed his brow. It was a dry expression, completely devoid of his usual demeanor.

 

“…Do not get angry and please listen to me. There is nothing for you to lose just because I insist on this method. The people from the outside do not need to get hurt. I am already taking the fall for that portion instead anyway.” 

 

“….” 

 

“Yes. That means I am executing my role very capably. Don’t you quite like me for that? Well, at the very least, you would judge that I have enough ‘usefulness’ to be held back by force like this.” 

 

“….” 

 

“…I’m truly honored that you would say that.”

 

A dry sigh.

 

“Why it had to be me remains a question, but considering the nature of this place, if it had been anyone else but me, the damage would have grown out of control.” 

 

“….” 

 

“Since I can clearly comprehend that fact at least… yes, I understand.”

 

Understand?

 

‘Understand what?’

 

Even while hiding, he was bewildered. To say he understands with a face that looked like he had barely just become an adult.

 

‘This current situation? Or this hotel?’ 

 

Hong Gyeongyeon strained to focus on the voice that was growing distant and hard to hear.

 

“I would like you to refrain from triggering these events during the dawn if possible, though. But I suppose it would be unreasonable to expect such manners from the guests of this hotel. Isn’t that right?” 

 

“….” 

 

“It’s highly likely to be a guest room event… If it’s the bathroom again this time, that would truly be amusing.” 

 

“….” 

 

“…Is that so?” 

 

“….” 

 

“This is going to be tiring.”

 

With that, the voice stopped.

 

“….”

 

“….”

 

At the end of a silence that felt long, the elevator doors opened, and Lee Yeonwoo spoke.

 

“Is anyone there?”

 

Hong Gyeongyeon realized.

 

‘…I rode the elevator down.’

 

An elevator that almost no one used. Since Hong Gyeongyeon had ridden it down, it must have been stopped on the 1st floor. Coincidentally, it was the elevator on the side Lee Yeonwoo was heading toward.

 

Hong Gyeongyeon simply held his breath. Silence continued once again.

 

“….” 

 

“…No, there is no problem.”

 

A tone as if soothing someone.

 

“Yes.”

 

With that short answer, the elevator doors closed.

 

“….”

 

Hong Gyeongyeon slowly slumped to the floor.

 

“…Haa…”

 

What is this?

 

Just what is going on here.

 

* * *

 

“Is anyone there?” 

 

“Yes.” 

 

“….” 

 

“Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.” 

 

“….” 

 

“There are many problems.” 

 

“…No.”

 

Is this wicked cat quoting my words like this?

 

“There is no problem.” 

 

“Yes.” 

 

“Yes.”

 

Would it kill you to tell me beforehand?

 

‘It probably would.’

 

In any case, it was a cat that couldn’t be trusted.

 

“From next time on, if there’s someone listening, please at least give me a hint beforehand. Understood?” 

 

“No.” 

 

“Your answer is quick; as expected, you don’t disappoint.” 

 

“No.” 

 

“You really are nothing but a mean cat.” 

 

“No.”

 

Riding the elevator up to the 7th floor, Lee Yeonwoo kneaded Coco’s cheeks. The cat didn’t resist and enjoyed the rough handling. It was a very brazen and insolent cat.

 

‘Did I say something strange?’

 

He thought about it carefully, but it didn’t seem so.

 

‘At most, the image of me and this hotel plummeted together.’

 

The truth of the hotel wouldn’t be revealed by those remarks, but it was really embarrassing and annoying. At this point, he was grateful as long as the other party didn’t think of Lee Yeonwoo as a modern-day slave.

 

‘It must have looked like I was suffering a significant violation of human rights, but I can’t exactly explain that it’s actually because this is a game…’

 

Even if it was a game, now that it had become reality, it was indeed a violent crime. Hadn’t Lee Yeonwoo worried about that in the beginning too? It was just that because he was in the body of a character in a game he knew, it didn’t pose a threat.

 

‘Above all, grabbing a complete stranger and explaining that my situation is game data or whatever is already not a normal situation itself. Even if I tried to explain, I wouldn’t even know where to begin.’

 

He felt like… he would look like an otaku.

 

‘It’s not a pleasant thing for either of us.’

 

As expected, it seemed better to hide the truth.

 

“Just now, I sold off my pride and dignity for quite a bargain.” 

 

“Yes?” 

 

“If Writer Hong Gyeongyeon finds out the true identity of the other guests here, I’ll truly plunge to a level where I can’t even be returned. Just thinking about it is awful.”

 

As time passed, there were many images he ended up giving up on.

 

‘Any expectation that this place would be seen as a normal hotel has been ruined from the start, anyway.’

 

Lee Yeonwoo was not a stupid person. Hadn’t he ruined the situation to this extent? To have come this far and still hope his mind and body looked healthy seemed like a terribly shameless thing to do.

 

‘Whatever.’

 

Let’s just leave it at that. 

 

That sounds far more realistic and convincing. If he told the truth at this point, they would just think, ‘He’s suffered so much he’s gone crazy.’

 

‘Since I’ve long since drifted out of the normal category, as long as the essence of a monster hotel isn’t discovered… the rest of the misunderstandings can be managed somehow.’ 

 

Things like this always ended up getting discovered, but he wasn’t going to let that happen. Lee Yeonwoo truly intended to grit his teeth and hold out.

 

He got off on the 7th floor.

 

“….”

 

Ah, seriously.

 

If only you hadn’t called me in the first place.

 

‘Let’s calm down.’

 

The incident had happened, and he had to manage the fallout. If his blood pressure rose, he could die. Hadn’t he become much more fragile than before? He had to be careful.

 

“…Good dawn, dear guest. The call bell rang, so I have come to check.”

 

Should I buy a master key first once the tutorial is over?

 

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

 

The door opened eerily, and he was too tired to fully appreciate the horrific atmosphere. The mental toll was already great. Lee Yeonwoo immediately entered the room.

 

And he saw.

 

“….”

 

The ‘Wet Person’ completely submerged in the bathtub looked just like the corpse of a drowned person.

 

Event name: “Beneath the Shallow Water”.

 

‘Is the bathroom cursed or something?’

 

Well, since the ‘Wet Person’ had checked in, it probably was. He admitted that. But from the perspective of someone who had just woken up from sleep, he couldn’t help but have complaints.

 

“Dear guest.”

 

Lee Yeonwoo approached the bathtub.

 

“You like water… far too much.” 

 

“….” 

 

“I will be honest with you. I don’t know if I can pull you out right now.” 

 

“….” 

 

“Because right now, I’m like acorn jelly that breaks just by touching a chopstick. Will you take that into consideration? Of course, you wouldn’t have much interest in the health condition of a hypocrite, dear guest…” 

 

“….” 

 

“…This is driving me crazy.”

 

Should he pull this out or not?