Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual Chapter 31

To speak honestly.

 

“….”

 

She thought it was beautiful.

 

‘It wasn’t exactly a situation where I should have been looking at it like that.’

 

But the instinct toward beauty was heavier than anything else. Lee Seonhae saw it. It was a primordial life, a thoroughly intellectual form, and a process of reassembly so exquisite it was piteous.

 

Above the water that emitted an ecstatic light, stalks of blood shot up. It resembled a lotus flower blooming from a frost-covered pond, and it shared a likeness with a certain classical illustration she had seen once upon a time. 

 

Frozen blood. A twisted body. The decomposition of the ego.

 

And then, the reassembly. 

 

“Do you need help?” 

 

“….”

 

I saw your eyes. And you were looking at me.

 

She felt fear. It was fear toward the unknown. She felt awe. It was awe toward the pain.

 

Was it like that for the sinners who, trapped and twisted within the ice, were losing their identities?

 

Those who suffered so desperately just to maintain their form. The sight before her eyes was a collapse of the ego that transcended that pain, and a miracle-like restoration.

 

‘If one were to overlay ecstasy upon that terribly hollow illustration.’

 

A line cruel in its precision, crafted by preserving every single texture of suffering without destroying it. It would look exactly like that.

 

I saw that in a certain book….

 

“….”

 

…Where did I see it?

 

* * *

 

The place they arrived at after barely losing ‘The Wet Man’ was the emergency treatment room.

 

“….”

 

Lee Yeonwoo fell into a brief silence with the unconscious Lee Seonhae by his side.

 

It wasn’t for some grand reason. He was just finding the current situation a bit unfair, and was asking himself exactly where his life had begun to get tangled up. 

 

‘If only I hadn’t been kidnapped.’

 

No, rather than that.

 

‘Is it normal for a tutorial to be this difficult?’

 

No matter how much this hotel had manifested in reality. The essence of ‘Hotel Won’ is a game. If so, it was only proper that it possess at least a minimum level of plausibility. 

 

‘Even if this game was notorious for its difficulty….’

 

Since it had been implemented in reality, shouldn’t there be some part that cut him some slack? Although his body had undergone the tutorial hundreds of times, it had never been this harsh. 

 

“…Hmm.”

 

Of course, one couldn’t compare the ‘difficulty’ to when it was just a game.

 

‘Until a human guest appeared, I merely felt this place was like a theme park with a Hotel One concept. How truly regrettable.’ 

 

As expected, a person has to face reality. 

 

“….”

 

Lee Yeonwoo, falling back into silence, checked on Director Lee Seonhae once more.

 

‘She looks a bit comfortable now.’

 

She was a person who, until moments ago, had been at death’s door. From Lee Yeonwoo’s perspective, it was a great relief simply because an innocent person hadn’t died after getting caught up in an absurd incident.

 

‘It’s also a relief that the treatment room was exactly as I remembered.’ 

 

The Aqua Park on the 23rd floor had an emergency treatment room for guests. Even if the situation had changed, the basic emergency supplies remained the same.

 

‘Even though I only administered medicine that has no side effects for human guests, I was worried I might make a mistake now that it has become reality. It seems I wasn’t mistaken.’

 

Since Hotel One was a pixel game, the item images were crude. There was enough difference from their vivid real-life appearances that one could get confused, but he seemed to have found them well enough by looking at the colors and names.

 

Was it because of the high humidity? Feeling his vision grow dim, he adjusted his glasses.

 

“…I’ll have to watch her a bit longer.”

 

Whether the mental shock was too great or fatigue had accumulated, Director Lee Seonhae showed no sign of waking up even though the medicine had been administered.

 

‘But her breathing is gradually returning to a steady rhythm.’

 

Her complexion was also much better than before.

 

‘Seeing that strength is returning to her muscles bit by bit… it seems she has passed the crisis now. Then again, even in the game, the item effects were certain. It appears that immediate efficacy works here as well.’ 

 

Lee Yeonwoo leaned his body deep into the backrest.

 

“….”

 

…He was tired.

 

Perhaps because he had been performing one mad act after another, he was dreadfully tired. On top of that, his head was still spinning from the aftermath of the 「Red Heart, Crimson Sea」 ritual.

 

He quietly tilted his head back. The dark ceiling came into his view.

 

“….”

 

To be honest, his reason had been a bit blurred at that time. 

 

‘…Still, was climbing up through the pipes a bit too much?’

 

At the time, his mind was too hurried. Theoretically, there was no issue, and above all, he thought it was the most efficient method. Because he couldn’t find a reason why he shouldn’t do exactly that. 

 

‘In fact, given my circumstances, there weren’t all that many ways to bypass the rules.’

 

According to the rules, the 23rd floor was a place where one couldn’t even set foot during the tutorial. However, the water pipes were a place where a rule didn’t exist at all because it had never been implemented in the game. He had no answer other than to target that gap. 

 

So he used them. The pipes.

 

‘By grinding my body down.’

 

In a state of blood, Becoming a liquid, Traveling through the pipes….

 

“….”

 

Lee Yeonwoo reflected for a moment.

 

‘—It was a crazy thing to do.’ 

 

It was certainly not something a sane person would do.

 

But what else could he do? It was the only method that came to mind at the time.

 

‘Conveniently, the water tank in the power generation room had the appropriate equipment attached. It was a structure that had been depicted in the game. Equipped with several layers of grinders to prevent the pipes from being clogged by other foreign substances….’

 

Fortunately, according to the game system, those facilities were not included in the conditions for ‘death.’ Thanks to that, while it hurt quite a bit, he survived. Though, because the situation was so frantic, he didn’t even realize how much it hurt.

 

When a person is on the verge of death, there’s no way such pain would register in the brain.

 

“….”

 

Still, it seemed he should reflect on it.

 

‘If I apply an automated imprint later, it will be a bit easier than today, but still, it was a crazy thing to do. If I hadn’t, Director Lee Seonhae would have died, but still, it was a crazy thing to do….’ 

 

Once this matter is over, he really needs to get some proper rest.

 

‘I should have sent the guests out much sooner.’ 

 

It was a shallow regret that was meaningless to have only now. 

 

At any rate, being a body bound by the rules, he wouldn’t have been able to bring up a single word to the guests. Because he had actually tried countless times, but not even his lips would part. 

 

However, it couldn’t be helped that he kept looking back. The thought that it might have been possible if he hadn’t given up and had clung to it more. Thoughts like whether he should have searched for a way to detour more diligently. 

 

“—….”

 

He pushed back the regret with a small sigh.

 

‘…Still, finding the pipes was easy thanks to Director Lee Seonhae sending a signal.’

 

Though it must be the result of her touching this and that without even knowing the reason herself. 

 

These hotel pipes, having experienced them firsthand, were incredibly tangled. He was grateful just for finding her this quickly. If he had been just three minutes later, ‘The Wet Man’ would have finished the execution.

 

“….”

 

But now, Lee Seonhae is alive.

 

“….” 

 

“….” 

 

“…Ugh….”

 

After waiting a bit longer, Director Lee Seonhae drowsily regained consciousness.

 

‘…Oh, my goodness.’

 

If he followed his heart, he wanted to make a bit of a fuss. Even if the situation was out of the blue, it was a reaction that could fully come forth from Lee Yeonwoo’s perspective. 

 

‘To think that the medicine of this hotel really has an effect.’ 

 

As a territorial spirit who had lived bound to this game for 26 years, a corner of his chest even fluttered.

 

‘If it weren’t a matter involving someone else’s life, I would have been purely happy.’ 

 

It was a game that hadn’t had an update, let alone merchandise, for an entire lifetime. Isn’t this the vivid merchandise itself? It meant an item that actually appeared within the game had been manifested. 

 

To Lee Yeonwoo, it felt like casting an actual spell with Harry P-tter’s wand. Like finding that a Star W-rs lightsaber toy was an actual laser. Like catching a stray cat with a Pok-mon Pokéball.

 

“….” 

 

“Ugh, Yeonwoo… ssi?” 

 

“Yes, Director.”

 

But he waited calmly without letting it show on the outside.

 

It was for image management. For his social life. Because no one would want to know about Lee Yeonwoo’s 26-year-old love for Hotel One. It was a natural consideration.

 

“Are you coming to your senses a bit?” 

 

“…Where is this?” 

 

“The emergency treatment room. Have you visited here before?” 

 

“Uh, no…. I went somewhere similar….” 

 

“In that case, you must have visited the staff breakroom.” 

 

“So that really was a breakroom. I couldn’t tell what it was because there was some strange sign attached to it.” 

 

“I see….”

 

…A strange sign?

 

‘Weren’t they clearly attached properly in the game? The sign for this treatment room as well… Ah.’

 

Then he realized.

 

‘Just because I can read it in Korean doesn’t guarantee it looks the same to others.’

 

The identity of the General Manager inside ‘Hotel Won’ was always unclear. 

 

There were interpretations that he was human, but there were also many theories that he was a ghost or a monster. Thus, today as well, Lee Yeonwoo moved one step further away from the category of humanity.

 

‘I feel like my humble dream of returning to society is becoming increasingly distant.’

 

But now was not the time to fall into such trivial worries.

 

“I am truly ashamed for not being able to provide help in time.”

 

“What?” 

 

“There must have been many terrifying and painful situations, and I sincerely thank you for holding out so well until now. While you were resting, I treated your urgent injuries, but is there anywhere else that feels uncomfortable?” 

 

“Injuries… injuries, oh. This…! Huh? Wait? It’s all healed?” 

 

“How are you feeling physically and mentally…?” 

 

“Both are fine. I didn’t realize it while I was wandering around, but I really was in an exhausted state. My head was throbbing, but I don’t feel that now… and my vision is clear.” 

 

“I am glad to hear that.” 

 

“….” 

 

“….”

 

Not long after the conversation cut off, Lee Seonhae jumped up from the bed. She grabbed Lee Yeonwoo’s shoulders.

 

“Just what kind of work are you doing here?” 

 

“I am working as the General Manager.” 

 

“There were nothing but monsters here, though?” 

 

“They are a type of employee under my management.” 

 

“What kind of country’s employee tries to beat a guest to a pulp like that?” 

 

“If you think of this as a sort of extraterritorial region, it might be a bit easier for you to accept.”

 

It had taken him a very long time to adapt to this place as well. Because this hotel, by its very existence, denied the constitution and common sense. The explanation of ‘extraterritoriality’ was an expression mixed with a joke, but it wasn’t entirely wrong either.

 

However, Director Lee Seonhae’s expression upon hearing the explanation was not good.

 

‘Her eyes were full of fear just moments ago, but this is unexpected.’

 

He had expected her to be much more terrified since she had witnessed his ‘Emergency Restoration Protocol’ firsthand. Yet, her face showed a mix of confusion and pity rather than fear.

 

‘Is she enduring it despite being scared?’

 

To receive consideration from the victim when this happened due to his poor management. As a human being, there could be no situation more shameful than this.

 

Lee Yeonwoo pushed aside his fatigue and awkwardness and smiled as he always did. If he, the one in charge, showed weakness, it wouldn’t be good for either of them in this situation.

 

“I am truly ashamed.” 

 

Director Lee Seonhae waved her hand.

 

“It’s not like you made this hotel, Yeonwoo-ssi.” 

 

“If I had that much authority and ability, I wouldn’t have created a situation where everyone suffers like this. It is a very regrettable thing.” 

 

“No matter how I look at it, your personality isn’t suited for working at this hotel.” 

 

“Thank you for the undeserved compliment.” 

 

“Seriously, why did you come here? Why are you working here? Did someone drag you here?” 

 

“Haha.”

 

That is an interrogation even I have had until now.

 

‘Because I can only guess it might be Coco’s doing, and nothing is certain.’ 

 

Having experienced one unrealistic situation after another, he even had such thoughts now. Perhaps this was like an unavoidable natural disaster. Like a typhoon or an earthquake.

 

“…I get it. Who am I to pry into such things? I’m sorry for asking about a sensitive matter.”

 

This time as well, Director Lee Seonhae understood on her own. It was a thing to be grateful for and a relief.

 

“No, the fact that you survived with your limbs intact is enough of a reason for me to be grateful.” 

 

“…Do many people die here?” 

 

 “That is not the case.”

 

Since it became reality, not a single person has died here.

 

Even during the game days, it was only during the early adaptation period; after that, he had somehow sent everyone back alive. It was also thanks to him adjusting the hotel’s tendencies so that it barely received human guests.

 

“I tell you in advance, but you do not need to worry anymore. As long as I am escorting Director Lee Seonhae, there is no more danger of you dying or getting hurt.”

 

“….” 

 

“But staying trapped on the 23rd floor like this would be detrimental to your mental health. I know a way out of here, so please rest assured.” 

 

“…Um….”

 

Director Lee Seonhae laughed awkwardly. After hesitating, she asked.

 

“…You are Yeonwoo-ssi, right?”

 

A voice trembling slightly.

 

“….”

 

What exactly was she asking?

 

‘…Is she asking if the current me and that horrific lump of blood she saw just before fainting are the same being? Or did she encounter a monster mimicking me while wandering the Aqua Park?’

 

Lee Yeonwoo did not particularly want to be an object of fear. Rather than taking a risk, he decided to blame the wary tone in her question on the monster employees.

 

“Did you perhaps run into an entity that looks exactly like me?” 

 

“Uh, well… yes.”

 

The hesitating Director laughed.

 

“I ran into something similar.” 

 

“Something similar?” 

 

“What do you call it… a voice coming from the walkie-talkie that sounded completely identical….” 

 

“Did that voice try to lure you to a dangerous place?” 

 

“There was a murderer blatantly outside, yet it urged me to go out from where I was hiding.” 

 

“In that case… you were a bit unlucky.” 

 

“What happens if I’m lucky?” 

 

“You get connected to the walkie-talkie I have.”

 

Lee Yeonwoo tapped the in-ear piece in his ear. It is a function described in the actual game.

 

“On the 23rd floor, walkie-talkies are occasionally found with a low probability. There is a half-and-half chance of being connected to the real General Manager, but the other half will be answered by a fake General Manager.” 

 

“…At first, it mimicked you very clumsily….” 

 

“That is how they make you feel relieved. After showing a clumsy side on purpose at first, they mimic you meticulously from the second or third time. That way, it’s easier to deceive.”

 

If one looked at the game logs, they could see how the guests trapped on the 23rd floor died because of that walkie-talkie. It was said that everyone lost their lives after being fooled by such fake instructions.

 

“Then it’s no wonder you’re troubled about my identity right now.”

 

She wouldn’t be sure if he was real or fake. Her position was different from his, as he knew Hotel One inside out. Even if he explained the rules, it would be difficult for her to trust him fully.

 

“How about this? I was able to specify your location through the water pipe signal you sent, Director Lee Seonhae.” 

 

“…I did? I never did that.” 

 

“Did you not lean your ear against the sink?” 

 

“Huh? The sink…. That thing where, like, water and monsters were surging back up…?” 

 

“That’s right. It was a survival signal.”

 

Realistically, it was a device that informed that one was alive, and under the game system, it was a gimmick that actually allowed the location to be grasped. Whichever it was, it was an excellent coping mechanism. 

 

“The fact that something surged back up through the sink pipe means the pipe signal was successfully sent. In fact, the pipes in the power generation room were thumping loudly.” 

 

“No, what kind of signal is that…?” 

 

“Were there any other unusual matters besides that?” 

 

Lee Yeonwoo recalled the three cases of Survival Route B. The walkie-talkie, the sink, and….

 

“For example, did the landline phone at the information desk ring? It must be the landline, not a wireless one. if the bell rang even though you hadn’t touched it, it means preparations to send a rescue request are finished.” 

 

“…I saw it… but I just ignored it because it felt ominous, without answering it….” 

 

“…You were wise. It must be thanks to that cautiousness that you have been safe until now. The mental suffering you experienced for several hours was due to my visit being delayed, so please do not blame yourself too much.”

 

A rescue request becomes possible only after the corded phone rings six times, but lifting the receiver rashly before then causes a major problem. It was a dangerous trap where one’s brain could be destroyed if careless. 

 

‘Watching a sane person turn into an idiot is not a welcome matter for me either. In this hotel, it’s better to be excessively wary of one’s surroundings like Director Lee Seonhae.’ 

 

That’s true, but for someone who was so wary… quite….

 

“….”

 

…Hmm.

 

Lee Yeonwoo, having roughly organized the situation, spoke in a voice mixed with inward admiration.

 

“You really roamed around quite diligently.” 

 

“Ah, yes… it just happened to turn out that way.” 

 

“I see.”

 

Is this the spirit of a director specializing in horror?