Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual Chapter 20

『The depth of the bathtub is abnormally distorted. The water sloshes endlessly, and the body has sunk. It can never rise again.』

 

“….”

 

Those were the lines from the cutscene in the event 『Beneath the Shallow Water』. 

 

‘The condition for intervention is for the user to pull the Wet Person out of the bathtub themselves.’

 

As expected, it was an event where he could draw attention.

 

In exchange for temporarily blocking the erosion of the bathtub, a penalty followed this time without fail. A fixed occurrence of the ‘Drowning Nightmare’ with a 100% probability. The continuation of a terrible hallucination of being submerged in water…. 

 

‘On top of that, a rapid deterioration in lung function and a drop in oxygen saturation. A 90% chance of sleep apnea attacks during sleep. And a 30% increase in command error rates due to system abnormalities.’

 

They were the worst conditions, but if he was lucky, he could trigger the ‘Victim Switch Flag’. This meant the probability of the user becoming the kidnapping target instead of a guest would be activated.

 

As long as this flag functioned properly, the human guests would be in a relatively safe zone.

 

‘But I’ll die instead.’

 

He felt no impression. 

 

Lee Yeonwoo looked at the large hand resting outside the bathtub.

 

“….”

 

He patted it while falling deep into thought again.

 

‘…If pulmonary edema is added on top of this condition, there’s no way my current organs will hold up. If this were the main game, there would have been recovery items, but in the tutorial, I can’t expect much.’

 

It was basically telling him to die.

 

‘No, if things go well, I might not die.’ 

 

It was still dangerous all the same. But what if he ignored it?

 

‘The Wet Person will make this guest room their permanent habitat.’

 

The unrecoverable penalty for the lost HP and the room’s appliance malfunction state would persist. In other words, his HP bar would shrink and he would have to abandon Room 703. In that case, it would be designated as an ‘Entry Prohibited’ room.

 

You see a lot of those in horror games, don’t you? Like a room the staff advise you never to enter. It would turn into that kind of typical room.

 

‘I think that’s a bit much.’

 

He stopped patting the hand.

 

“….” 

 

“…?”

 

Perhaps it was just his imagination, but the corpse’s hand seemed to twitch.

 

Lee Yeonwoo stared at it quietly, before speaking.

 

“…I think this is quite unfair. I am still adapting to this unfamiliar order, but you monster guests have already perfectly internalized the physiology of this hotel. Thanks to that, I acutely realize my lack of insight at every moment.” 

 

“….” 

 

“It seems you quite enjoyed the time we played in the bathroom previously. Seeing as you’re triggering events consecutively like this, it must mean I’ve drawn a considerable amount of your interest and attention. I don’t know well if such ’emotions’ actually remain in you, but…”

 

He wished they would just leave the fragile human guests alone, at least that much.

 

“I understand.”

 

He pulled up his lips and put on a smile befitting a hotelier.

 

“When an old friend asks to play together, there is no reason to refuse.”

 

Lee Yeonwoo grabbed the cold hand. In game terms, he had chosen the ‘Hold Hand’ option. Perhaps because of that, despite having a body with less durability than a ripe persimmon, he was able to exert a strong grip.

 

‘…There was no need to worry about my health condition in the first place. It turned out to be a pointless display of fuss in front of an already sensitive guest.’ 

 

Whether his body was like a persimmon or pudding, it happened automatically. This wasn’t a body that should be able to produce this much grip strength, after all. This, too, must be a privilege included in the game system.

 

He didn’t know if he could even call it a privilege, but anyway.

 

“…Shall we try pulling you out?” 

 

For reference, the result is random.

 

If he was unlucky, he would be dragged down into the deep sea.

 

* * *

 

“…Haa…”

 

Hong Gyeongyeon was currently on the 7th floor.

 

“…Why on earth am I here?”

 

Indeed.

 

‘No, pull yourself together.’ 

 

This was no time to be zoning out. He had to do either one of two things: run away from this spot, or search the guest rooms as if combing for lice. Hong Gyeongyeon’s mind grew anxious.

 

‘Should I quickly inform the Director, or do something… no, is it even right for me to be doing anything right now? Do I even have the right? Even if he looks young, Mr. Lee Yeonwoo is the General Manager of this hotel and a professional. Rather than creating a variable like me, isn’t it better to leave him to handle it…?’

 

Leave him to handle that kind of thing?

 

“….”

 

Is that the right thing to do as a human being? Then shouldn’t she do it?

 

‘…I don’t know.’

 

He was in a situation where he didn’t even know what kind of system this hotel operated under. If he acted rashly, he could cause an even bigger accident. So he had to restrain himself.

 

‘Stay in line.’

 

Then, at the very least, no variables would arise in this hotel.

 

‘Surely they wouldn’t kill the General Manager when they’re just guests, would they? They wouldn’t do that. If I step in unnecessarily and end up getting hurt worse or complicating the situation… that would be an even… bigger problem.’

 

He felt flustered and disillusioned. Disillusioned with this current situation where he had to convince himself like this. And disappointed in himself, who didn’t even have any right to do so.

 

But agonizing like this wouldn’t change anything.

 

“…Right.”

 

Let’s calm down for now.

 

‘I’m not in a rational state.’

 

Maybe it was because he had recalled past events.

 

Impulsive choices always made him regret. Hong Gyeongyeon decided to return to his room. He felt he needed to talk to Lee Seonhae.

 

Yes, that was what he should have done.

 

“…!”

 

Splash—!! 

 

The sound of something falling in.

 

His head whipped around.

 

It was a sound coming from Room 703, whose door was slightly ajar.

 

* * *

 

‘Ah, oh my.’

 

It seemed today was an unlucky day.

 

‘This is surprising.’

 

As if consecutive events weren’t enough, to lose this 50% probability battle. It was clear someone was sucking away all of Lee Yeonwoo’s luck. The suspects were Coco and this hotel.

 

‘…Let’s stop the escapism here.’

 

Lee Yeonwoo looked straight ahead.

 

‘How terrifying.’

 

It was the face of a fairly handsome young man, but…

 

“Hypocrite.” 

 

‘It is the same as always, blaming innocent others whenever you open your mouth.’ 

 

“Warm hypocrite. Don’t be alive. Don’t be alive in front of my eyes…!”

 

A widely torn mouth, sharp teeth, and red eyes. Along with scales sprouting on his skin and hair scattered in the water, it was truly a harmonious combination. It was the typical image of a water ghost, as if ripped straight out of an illustration.

 

‘According to the description, they are still crying even now. Beneath the surface of the water, endlessly.’

 

It was recorded in the encyclopedia. You just can’t see it because they are submerged in water, but they are always crying.

 

Lee Yeonwoo nonchalantly reached out his hand. And then, tap, he quietly touched the corner of the other’s eye.

 

“….”

 

…His senses were quite dull.

 

‘Is it because of the status ailment?’

 

It seemed his peripheral nerves had dulled due to the ‘Cold’ debuff he had caught earlier. But it still wasn’t painful. Even at this very moment, as he was being strangled and shoved into the water.

 

Because the user outside the monitor doesn’t feel pain just because the character is drowning.

 

‘If only there were no human guests in this hotel, I would have concluded things quietly around here. It has become a shame for both of us. For me, and for this friend too.’ 

 

Ah, of course, strictly speaking, this one wouldn’t be human.

 

‘Is it because it feels realistic unlike the game? Strangely enough, he smells like a human.’

 

The materialization of a concept. That is the characteristic of the monster guests who visit this hotel. But when facing this terrible hatred and desperate struggle, a different thought would cross his mind. 

 

A rather plausible doubt: could these be something else hiding behind the shell of a game?

 

‘I’ll slowly consider that later…’

 

Lee Yeonwoo looked ‘above the water’s surface’.

 

“Don’t leave me behind.” 

 

“….” 

 

“I’m lonely. You’ve closed your mouth now. I can’t hear you. Let’s sink like this. Die. Don’t be alive. I’m lonely. You shouldn’t be so hot. I’m lonely…” 

 

‘Mmm.’

 

He could guarantee that if only their personality was a little more agreeable, they would be less lonely than they were right now.

 

‘I don’t have any items, so I need to find another method. What should I try?’

 

It was one of the drawbacks of the tutorial bug. The fact that he couldn’t obtain items corresponding to the events of guests common to both versions. That was why he had wanted to avoid bathtub events if possible.

 

“….” 

 

“Lonely.” 

 

‘Let’s see.’

 

What did I do in times like this?

 

‘If you don’t have an item, there’s a 99% chance of death…’

 

Conversely, this meant that death wasn’t guaranteed by the system. If there was even a 1% opening, well, it wasn’t a bad condition.

 

‘I have a cheat method to avoid death.’

 

How great it was that he had learned Blood Magic beforehand. Since things had come to this, it was better to fake ‘death’.

 

The cold hand choking his neck. He could feel sharp nails digging into his skin. He loosened the strength in his own hands that had been holding onto it. 

 

If this were a game, he would have chosen this option:

 

[Use Item ◁] 

[Resist ◁] 

[Give Up ◀]

 

Now, take it. 

 

* * *

 

“Hmm…”

 

The large window of the 21st-floor room.

 

“As expected, I can’t see from this direction.” 

 

Too much time had passed.

 

Lee Seonhae knew Hong Gyeongyeon’s habits. The cigarette pack he took also looked light. It should have been three cigarettes at most, but Hong Gyeongyeon showed no signs of returning to the room.

 

Then, an ominous thought struck her.

 

“…Surely he didn’t go to the 7th floor, did he?”

 

Lee Seonhae grabbed her coat and put it on.

 

* * *

 

Hong Gyeongyeon, who had been standing in front of Room 703 for a long while.

 

He heard the sound of splashing, as if someone was resisting. He also heard the sound of something heavy falling completely into the water. And then, he heard every last bit until all the noise quieted down.

 

His trembling hand hovered near the door handle of the room.

 

“….”

 

But ultimately, Hong Gyeongyeon chose to flee the scene.

 

“Ugh…”

 

He stumbled backwards, moving away from the door.

 

‘…There must be a reason he said the 7th floor was dangerous.’

 

He knew why it was dangerous, but there could be something even worse than that.

 

He kept thinking about it, but Lee Yeonwoo was a professional. He naturally knew more about this hotel than Hong Gyeongyeon did. In other words, the probability of Hong Gyeongyeon causing an accident was much higher than the probability of Lee Yeonwoo dying.

 

Hong Gyeongyeon moved his feet towards the elevator as silently, but as quickly as possible.

 

‘I’ll tell the Director. If I talk to her about the situation, she’ll make a better judgment than I can right now. Right, maybe really contact her mother’s side of the family, or… or…’

 

Lee Yeonwoo needed help. That was the right thing to do. But the help he needed was definitely not Hong Gyeongyeon’s. So he had to find another way quickly.

 

He admitted to himself that he was panicking. He shouldn’t be like this. I’m of no help right now.

 

‘The Director should still be awake, so…’

 

And. It was then.

 

Creeeeak—…

 

“….” 

 

“….”

 

Splash, splash. 

 

The sound of wet footsteps.

 

His breath hitched.

 

Hong Gyeongyeon looked behind him.

 

“…Ah.”

 

A soaking wet, tall man was standing there holding a knife.

 

“….” 

 

“….”

 

…A kitchen knife?

 

‘…Why is he holding a knife?’

 

For what purpose?

 

Unconsciously, Hong Gyeongyeon examined the knife first. To see if there was blood on it. Fortunately, there was no blood. Of course, it could have been wiped off. Nothing was certain.

 

He stepped backward. Then, the other person took a step closer.

 

“….”

 

Through the disheveled hair, he saw those eyes and lips.

 

‘He’s smiling.’

 

Bloodshot, bright red eyes. Lips dripping with amusement.

 

‘I mean, why?’

 

Lee Seonhae used to tease Hong Gyeongyeon for being easily scared. But Hong Gyeongyeon had always felt wronged.

 

He possessed an ordinary level of sensitivity. Being startled when a gun goes off, getting scared when blood splatters, screaming when there are a lot of bugs. Just that level.

 

So, he wasn’t a coward.

 

He was just ordinary, only…

 

“….”

 

When cornered, he lost his reason.

 

“…What are you doing?”

 

Hong Gyeongyeon valued his life moderately. If he had valued it a lot, he wouldn’t have been doing that kind of shit following Lee Seonhae around in his prime 20s.

 

“What were you doing?” 

 

“….” 

 

“Why are you holding a knife? What was that sound of water earlier? Are you the one who called Lee Yeonwoo-ssi? Have you been to a Waterbomb festival or something? Why do you look so happy?”

 

It was too, far too repulsive an opponent not to be sarcastic.

 

“Is it fun going around tormenting someone who can’t even resist like that?”

 

It must be fun, fuck. It must be fucking fun.

 

“You’re not some pervert b*stard.”

 

He might have lost his reason and been accusing an innocent person. But they say you see as much as you know. Hong Gyeongyeon reasoned based on the facts, and right now, the other party had even come out holding a knife.

 

Even if he wasn’t the culprit who caused Lee Yeonwoo’s cognitive impairment, that guy was just a crazy bastard.

 

“Why don’t you say something? Can’t you speak? Then I’m sorry, I’m sorry about that, but I’m not sorry about the rest. Can I call the police by any chance? I bet I can’t, right? All the staff of this crazy hotel really need to pick up and fly.” 

 

“….” 

 

“I asked why you brought out a knife. Are you going to stab me? Are you going to stab? Will you let me off if I beg on my knees? No, right? It isn’t, I’ve never seen anyone whose eyes rolled back like yours who wasn’t a pervert. Otherwise, refute it. You didn’t refute, so I guess it’s true, right?” 

 

The other person’s face contorted bizarrely. It was roughly a gaze that said, ‘What is this crazy bug bastard?’ A face filled with contempt, annoyance, and irritation. It was a reaction where the excitement and pleasure had died down a notch.

 

‘No.’

 

That made it even more annoying.

 

‘Why were you in such a good mood earlier then.’ 

 

And the answer was right there. The red stains caught under his fingernails, and the stuff smeared around his mouth…

 

“Ah, you really are a crazy b*stard??” 

 

“….” 

 

“…Uh…” 

 

“….” 

 

“…I’m s-sorry… not, you crazy b*stard.”

 

He thought it was just a busted lip. But why was there only blood smeared on his lips, with no wound to speak of? And why are his teeth so red?

 

Hong Gyeongyeon’s face turned from white to pale blue.

 

‘Don’t tell me this crazy human…?’

 

It was true, but slightly different. A monster eating a human, just like a human eating an animal, wasn’t that unusual of an occurrence. At least within fictional media.

 

The problem was that this was a game, and also reality. And Hong Gyeongyeon didn’t even know this was a game. He didn’t even know the other party wasn’t human.

 

“….”

 

Therefore, a truly horrifying hypothesis ended up springing to his mind.

 

“…1, 119… 119… No, why is there no signal again… I really want to cry… Is the smell of blood crazy….” 

 

“….” 

 

“Hah, shit, I lose even just based on physical stats… Ah seriously, I should have just come out with the Director. What kind of wealth and glory was I trying to enjoy being alone in this crazy hotel.” 

 

“….” 

 

“What do you eat to grow that big? Your hand is the size of my face? Jealous? Ah, surely you didn’t grow up eating exactly what I think you ate, right? Please tell me it’s not. F*ck, why does it feel like I hear a voice from somewhere saying ‘please it’s not’… please, world.” 

 

“….” 

 

“Ah! Ah, try killing me! Ah, try killing me, really. Do you think I’ve been stabbed only once or twice? Do you think you’re the only one who knows how to chew on people? I have hands, feet, and teeth too!” 

 

“…….” 

 

“Let’s all die together…!!”

 

And Director Lee Seonhae, who had just arrived on the 7th floor.

 

“….”

 

Hearing her coworker’s declaration of mutual death from inside the elevator. 

 

“…What is this?”

 

Just what is going on here.

 

She was following the exact same line of questioning Hong Gyeongyeon had in the lobby.