Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual Chapter 33

Someone wished to die. 

 

Someone wished to live.

 

“Sa, save…!”

 

A cold hand that no one could grasp.

 

“….”

 

A breath that sank quietly into a place where no one could see.

 

“…Haa….”

 

Warmth stolen away without knowing a thing.

 

A teenage girl, drowned to death in a valley swollen by the rainy season. A man in his 40s, throwing himself into a river out of pessimism for life. A man in his 70s, dying of hypothermia while sleeping rough on a rainy day.

 

They were trapped in water but couldn’t die, so they became fish instead of people.

 

‘It’s cold.’

 

They are together and one, yet always lonely.

 

‘It’s quiet.’

 

They hate the warmth, yet yearn for it. 

 

‘It hurts.’

 

But because they are always in the water, people call this a ‘water ghost.’ 

 

A ghost in the water. A monster during a voyage, or a ghost ship. It would commonly be called a water ghost, but it is a wider scope than that. More diverse people and stories are exactly what it is. 

 

In the midst of that, a door opened for this cold and lonely thing.

 

“Thank you for visiting.” 

 

“….” 

 

“How may I help you?”

 

Out of nowhere.

 

…It was a magnificent hotel.

 

“….”

 

And originally… the memory of a water ghost is a rather desperate thing. 

 

It only remembered after plunging the owner of that singular voice into the water several times. It only recognized him after killing him countlessly, beyond measure.

 

As for what it looked at so intently.

 

Pale skin. Fleshless fingers. A neat face.

 

Jet-black hair. Precise intonation.

 

Warm, and

 

‘Fluffy.’

 

Soft.

 

Just, like that….

 

“….” 

 

“….”

 

—Splash…!!

 

“…Cough….” 

 

“….” 

 

“Ugh….” 

 

“….” 

 

“….” 

 

“….”

 

Hypocritical things.

 

The water ghost couldn’t forget. 

 

“…Ugh….” 

 

It must be because the summer is long.

 

* * *

 

Lee Yeonwoo had been reviewing one hypothesis all along.

 

‘This place does not completely match the game I knew.’ 

 

It wasn’t that the game had become reality, but rather that the game had been summoned into reality.

 

Therefore, the monster guests before his eyes would not move solely according to the data he remembered. Reality is fundamentally a mass of variables.

 

Nevertheless, what was clear was that they too were influenced by the ‘game system.’

 

‘It means I should act based on the game information I remember, but I shouldn’t blindly trust it. Yet even considering such inconveniences, the information on Howon is useful…. Especially in a life-or-death situation like right now.’ 

 

To be precise, it was a matter of Lee Seonhae’s life rather than his own.

 

“….”

 

At any rate, the important thing was that Lee Yeonwoo had to follow the game rules.

 

“Guest?”

 

Lee Yeonwoo called out politely to ‘The Wet Man.’

 

“How are you feeling right now?” 

 

“….” 

 

“I am glad you seem better than before.”

 

Entering the 23rd floor within 11 hours of the kidnapping. Securing the rescue target within the Aqua Park. Completing the tutorial. The ‘Wet Man’ in a non-agitated state.

 

These are all conditions necessary for Rescue Method 2, the Management Route.

 

‘And he has finally escaped the agitated state.’

 

The opponent was not laughing, nor was he walking quickly or running. He was still holding the knife, but that was his natural state. It was the appearance of the ‘non-agitated’ state as seen through the screen.

 

So, since all conditions had been met, had it transitioned to the Management Route?

 

‘No.’

 

There was still one more condition left.

 

‘I have to take enforcement measures for checkout.’ 

 

Now, if he uttered the statement “You are not my guest,” it would result in a successful rescue route, but.

 

“…I am a bit concerned. Because your way of existence seems to have become much more complex than what I remembered. I lack the certainty of whether the past measures will still be valid.” 

 

It was the difference between the game and reality.

 

‘What if he isn’t the Wet Man I knew? Even if he is, what if the tutorial bug hasn’t been applied?’

 

But Lee Yeonwoo did his best.

 

“So, I must deliver some regrettable news.” 

 

“….” 

 

“…You are….”

 

You.

 

“—not my guest.” 

 

“….” 

 

“….”

 

Silence flowed.

 

Lee Yeonwoo blinked.

 

The dim lighting and the bizarre water trails soaking the floor. The weight of the chilling air pressing down on that beautiful scenery.

 

“…Ha, oh dear….” 

 

…Confirming that nothing had changed, he slowly wiped his mouth.

 

“Regrettable.”

 

He had failed.

 

And the monster charged.

 

* * *

 

Lee Yeonwoo fell into thought while maintaining distance at a speed appropriate for a character.

 

‘What could have been the problem?’

 

It was possible the tutorial bug hadn’t been applied.

 

‘That often happened in the game, too.’

 

As a bug is a bug, consistency could not be expected. Above all, since this place was reality based on a game, another anomaly might have occurred.

 

‘Though the former doesn’t matter since it was like that even when it was a game, the latter case will be quite a headache. I hoped it wasn’t so, but since it has turned out like this, the value of the information I remember becomes incomparably lower than before….’

 

“Lonely.” 

 

“—Tsk.”

 

Darn it.

 

‘Is it entering Phase 2?’

 

Despite being on land, ‘The Wet Man’ spoke. It meant he had begun to perceive the Aqua Park itself as a water tank. Naturally, the danger level increases.

 

“Lonely, cold. I’m cold. I’m telling you. Listen to me.” 

 

“I am listening intently, even if it doesn’t look like it.” 

 

“Why? Why? Why? Why am I alone? I’m scared, cold, and because it’s quiet…!” 

 

“You’re treating me as if I’m worth less than air.” 

 

“Hypocrite! Ah, because it’s warm, only you, only you, only you…!!” 

 

“Like a madman.”

 

He moved his feet, maintaining a precarious distance.

 

But even this would be hopeless once Phase 2 fully hit its stride. ‘Phase’ was just a nice word; in reality, it was no different from a summary execution.

 

‘Nothing is going right.’

 

Originally, as long as one is familiar with the path, one shouldn’t be caught. This is because the speeds of ‘The Wet Man’ and the ‘Operator’ are set to be identical. However, since the Management Route failed, the opponent’s speed will increase.

 

Ah, how should he put it? It was as if he could hear the developer’s malice-filled voice saying, ‘If you’re upset, you should’ve done better from the start.’

 

‘Even if I try to let it go, this is a bit unfair. I don’t think there was any fault on my part, but regardless, is this how the failure of the route progression manifests…?’

 

He had gained good information.

 

“Give it to me—!!” 

 

“I’ll have to be more careful next time.”

 

The advantage of a character’s body.

 

‘I don’t lose my breath even while talking and running.’

 

Oh, my goodness. It truly could not be a more marvelous advantage. 

 

Lee Yeonwoo shivered with a yearning for items. Or even skills and stats. If only he had the interface, he wouldn’t be suffering this kind of humiliation.

 

“….”

 

Now there really was no other way.

 

‘The only escape right now is….’

 

No, was it not the only one? In the worst case, he could engage in a messy brawl using the Blood Magic he learned just before coming to the 23rd floor. But he couldn’t guarantee Director Lee Seonhae’s safety with that. As expected, rejected.

 

Therefore, the only remaining method.

 

‘Proceed with the Contract Route.’

 

Ah….

 

‘I wanted to avoid contracts more than anything else.’

 

Though it was nicely called a contract, it was no different from private loans that held one’s life hostage. He didn’t know how many times he had completely overturned his save files during those 26 years because of these damn ‘contracts.’ 

 

‘But since he’s entered Phase 2, there is no other way.’

 

In an uncontrollable situation, he could at least control his own death. That was the only initiative he could seize in this situation.

 

“….”

 

For me to live.

 

For me to live more comfortably.

 

To let someone else get hurt more. 

 

‘That kind of thing.’

 

Was something that couldn’t happen to Lee Yeonwoo.

 

“Warm, fluffy, soft…!!” 

 

“—Blood.”

 

Tack.

 

“Breath.” 

 

“….” 

 

“…Warmth.”

 

The things you whispered about until you were sick of them.

 

Lee Yeonwoo was in a state where he had precariously stepped onto the edge of the pool. 

 

“As far as I am concerned.” 

 

Rescue Method 3, Contract Route.

 

Performing self-harming events 2 or more times. Selecting structural utterances 2 or more times. Entering the 23rd floor aqua park within 12 hours. The ‘Wet Man’ in a non-agitated state.

 

And the final condition.

 

“….” 

 

“How about it.”

 

Death in the main pool.

 

Lee Yeonwoo reached out his hand.

 

“I cannot perform miracles, but….” 

 

“…Lonely.” 

 

“I can die together with you.” 

 

“Yes.”

 

The pale Water Ghost, sprouted with scales, lunged at him with a smile.

 

“My, hypocrite.”

 

Splash—!!

 

The surface of the water surged violently with a massive spray.

 

One human. One mermaid.

 

* * *

 

Thinking about it coldly.

 

Andersen’s fairy tales have a chilling side.

 

‘…Were the two legs the Little Mermaid gained truly a gift?’

 

Let’s imagine cutting off two legs and attaching a fish tail for the sake of love. Everyone would unanimously call it crazy. How is it not grotesque? 

 

Losing the tail one originally had and attaching parts of a creature’s body one doesn’t even know well in its place. Giving up one’s talent and pride in singing to offer one’s voice.

 

‘Walking on unfamiliar legs, suffering from pain every time one steps on the ground….’

 

And to think that if one fails in love, one dissolves into seafoam and disappears.

 

‘Isn’t it grotesque?’

 

It’s no different from a ghost story.

 

“….”

 

The sensation of cold water rushing deep into his lungs was vivid.

 

“It’s cold, right?” 

 

“….” 

 

“It hurts, right? It’s stifling, dark, and you must be scared.” 

 

“….” 

 

“I was like that too, we were like that….” 

 

“….” 

 

“…Lonely.”

 

Regrettably, it is not as painful as you expect.

 

The purely physiological sensations of being cold, in pain, or feeling stifled. For the current Lee Yeonwoo, they were already stories from a distant land. He felt himself gradually changing in that way.

 

‘…Perhaps this non-human sensation is the most efficient tool for properly managing this hotel.’

 

The feeling of slowly being bleached out from the category of humanity. This place treats human emotions as unnecessary variables and forces the manager to erase them.

 

On one side of such a dry thought, an absurd sentiment arose. 

 

‘It doesn’t kill me… right away.’ 

 

This was content that wasn’t in the game. 

 

‘Then again, the conversation shared right before falling into the pool is also content that wasn’t originally in the game.’ 

 

‘The Wet Man’ was simply pulling Lee Yeonwoo down, deeper and deeper. He did not swing a sharp weapon, nor did he strangle him.

 

It was a scene not shown in the game. Because it ended with falling into the pool.

 

“….” 

 

“…I didn’t want to die.”

 

…It’s natural, as it is a creature’s instinct.

 

‘I want to hear a bit more of what it’s saying….’ 

 

His glasses had floated away to somewhere long ago. Beyond his swaying black hair, transparent water floods in enough to make his eyes ache. It was a sight one would only see in the deep sea within a dream. 

 

‘A world that couldn’t be seen when it was simply a game. A voice that couldn’t be heard.’

 

The emotions beyond the data that he finally ends up facing.

 

“….” 

 

“….”

 

In that way, the form of ‘The Wet Man’ fills his vision.

 

‘…A mermaid, I see.’

 

Well, naturally.

 

It wouldn’t be that kind of romantic entity.

 

Having fully revealed itself, ‘The Wet Man’ was in the form of a mermaid.

 

‘Mermaid is a nice word for it.’

 

It was just a monster fish.

 

‘A thing that used to be human breathing inside the water instead of on land, and wearing a tail instead of legs.’ 

 

Magnificent like a betta’s, long like a snake’s….

 

“….”

 

Breath ends, Eyes close.

 

“….” 

 

“…Sleep well.”

 

Right.

 

‘Is it because it’s a death defined in the game, or… well.’

 

There is no respiratory reflex, no convulsions that should follow drowning, no staggering, no unconscious movement. Only the sensation of the heart and brain gradually dying, which is something he has become quite accustomed to while living in this hotel.

 

“….”

 

…The cry.

 

Of a deep-sea creature is heard.

 

As expected, Andersen’s fairy tales are not for children to see.

 

* * *

 

“…?”

 

Lee Seonhae suddenly felt her vision brighten.

 

“…The lightbulb….”

 

After flickering, the bulb in the infirmary turned on.

 

The heavy air that had been pressing down on her body and the chilling energy that had been crawling down her spine were washed away in an instant. It was the sight of a normal infirmary that could be seen anywhere, just without people.

 

Therefore, she realized instinctively.

 

‘It’s over.’

 

The relief lasted but a fleeting moment, and the thought that followed was horrific.

 

‘Did he really, die…?’

 

Ah.

 

“…Ugh….”

 

—Bleergh, cough, cough!!

 

Lee Seonhae retched for a long time.

 

There was nothing to come out since she hadn’t eaten anything, but fishy water poured out from her mouth in gulps. Along with dizziness, an indescribable, terrible sensation wrapped around her entire body.  

 

Her breath was shallow.

 

“…No.”

 

Haa, hah.

 

“Surely, it can’t be.”

 

Right?

 

“There’s no way.”

 

She didn’t even have the luxury to pull herself together. She panted and lifted her body. She tried touching the walkie-talkie with trembling hands, but as expected, there was no response.

 

Lee Seonhae went outside the infirmary. The sound of anxious footsteps echoed in the hallway. The scenery of the hallway that entered her eyes was excessively bright and peaceful. As if nothing had happened.

 

Did this hotel know, indeed, that such artificial peace was actually eerie?

 

“No….”

 

A high ceiling and neatly installed lighting. A smooth tile floor and walls without a single drop of moisture. The connecting hallway boasted a sophisticated appearance, yet it was nothing more than a structure filled with a lifeless silence.

 

“….”

 

Thud, thud. Lee Seonhae moved her feet.

 

She saw a signpost kindly written in Korean. As she walked along the guidepost, a pool soon appeared. 

 

It was a scale that was on a different level from a typical hotel pool. As if an underwater palace or an art gallery on water had been moved there, the space emitted a magnificent and luxurious aura.

 

“….”

 

However, there was no trace of a monster anywhere.

 

It was merely bright, quiet, and sophisticated. As if mocking the vivid terror she had experienced, every threat had evaporated without a trace.

 

“…Yeonwoo-ssi.”

 

It was as if someone had erased everything.

 

She knows. Lee Seonhae had also heard of the plan. That he would try to persuade it. But that if he failed, he might die. Yet since he said he would try to die halfway, his breath should be attached, so why. 

 

“Yeonwoo-ssi?”

 

Is it that no one is here?

 

“General Manager.”

 

Her voice grew louder. Her footsteps were now closer to a run.

 

“Lee Yeonwoo-ssi…!!”

 

No matter how she called out with all her might, the only thing that returned was a cold echo.

 

“….”

 

Lee Seonhae muttered to the air. “It’s damn huge,” she said.

 

‘…Of course, no matter how much I think about it, it’s nonsense, but still, if he’s dying halfway, surely he’s alive, isn’t he? Shouldn’t he be alive?’

 

Ah, she didn’t know. Her head throbbed and her vision was dizzy.

 

‘Fuck, what is this. It’s not like I took… some drugs, so how can such a… fantasy-like thing happen? Yeonwoo-ssi… no, he clearly told me he wouldn’t die….’ 

 

But she really didn’t know.

 

‘Why do I feel this way?’

 

Why?

 

The feeling of having left him behind. 

 

…Why does it feel that way?

 

“….”

 

She looked around once more.

 

Pleasant music was flowing through the entire park.

 

The floor was clean enough to shine, and all the plausible facilities were perfectly in their places. A space where artificial structures and natural elements harmonized. The air was fresh, and the sight was refreshing.

 

The sound of the fully filled water languidly rippling….

 

“…Haha….”

 

Lee Seonhae sensed two things instinctively.

 

“Where are you?”

 

This was not the space she had been in just a moment ago, and Lee Yeonwoo must have died by the murderer’s hand in that place. Her survival might have been built upon someone’s death.

 

“Where is this?”

 

Escaping by using a kid as a scapegoat.

 

“….”

 

It was a horrific survival.