Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual Chapter 39

When he opened the hotel door, stepped inside, and waited for the master of this place. 

 

“Thank you for visiting.”

 

The voice of the entity welcoming the guest was neat. 

 

A clean pitch that didn’t suit its youthful face. The pronunciation, the tone, the voice. It was like a well-trained announcer. It suited this hotel perfectly.

 

That was precisely why it gave a sense of incongruity. 

 

“Nice to meet you.” 

 

“Yes, how may I help you?” 

 

“I would like to stay for one night.” 

 

“A one-night stay, confirmed.”

 

The appearance was sharp and intellectual. The glasses and suit gave off a sophisticated impression. It was smiling, but not a shred of emotion was revealed. The eyebrows were thick, and the eyes were narrow.

 

‘A fox….’

 

…But for a fox, the pupils were round.

 

As he observed the eyes beyond the lenses of the glasses, the narrow eyes curved even more softly. It was a smile with the power to capture the attention of others.

 

‘He carries himself well.’

 

Whether he was skilled at performance or it was an innate disposition. Either way, it was not an instinct a newborn goblin could possess. Baek Mujin confirmed that the thing before him was not merely a product of the labyrinth.

 

“Then,”

 

The entity, naturally drawing focus, spoke. 

 

“I shall assist you with your check-in.” 

 

“….”

 

I see.

 

“…I’ll leave it to you.”

 

A gaze drifting through the air.

 

It was not a mere hallucination. What caught on the edge of Baek Mujin’s senses was a congregation of numerous souls and gazes converging into a single point in the air. 

 

Though they were silent, polite, and well-ordered.

 

‘With this kind of density, certainly….’

 

It was enough attention to cause a single goblin to emerge.

 

“….” 

 

“Hello?”

 

And, another goblin.

 

‘…Compared to that ambiguous one, this thing is definitely of the labyrinth.’

 

Something that clumsily imitated a cat. Seeing as a glimpse of ego could be seen, it was indeed a goblin. That thing appeared to be the essential owner of this labyrinth called ‘Hotel One.’

 

‘Then what is this?’

 

What was this thing now handing him a key?

 

“I shall escort you to Room 9 on the 17th floor.” 

 

“The 17th floor. Good.” 

 

“Then, prior to your entry, I will provide some guidance on a few matters.” 

 

“That because it’s under pilot operation, there are deficiencies in the overall service, and some public facilities are unavailable? And that because of that, it might be difficult to prepare meals?” 

 

“….” 

 

“…My niece was indebted to you.” 

 

The old man bowed his head. It was a greeting with classical etiquette, in the manner this labyrinth desired.

 

“I came to convey my apologies and gratitude for making things troublesome.”

 

Requesting a stay was also a part of that.

 

This labyrinth took the form of a hotel, and it had its own rules. To go against the rules was to offend the owner’s temperament. That was not what Baek Mujin wanted.

 

He wanted to maintain a good relationship with them.

 

Because rare things are well worth the effort.

 

“Can we talk for a moment?” 

 

“…Of course.”

 

It was a satisfying answer.

 

* * *

 

It guided Baek Mujin to the elevator.

 

‘The 22nd floor.’

 

It was quite high up.

 

Beyond the floor-to-ceiling glass walls, the rain-soaked forest could be seen below. It was so beautifully arranged that it was hard to believe it was inside a labyrinth.

 

‘Is this also the tendency of the manager?’

 

The ‘Manager’ leading the way spoke.

 

“I apologize that I am guiding you personally instead of a staff member. As I mentioned before, this hotel is under pilot operation, so some facilities are difficult to use.” 

 

“Then what is this place?” 

 

“Fortunately, we recently finished the primary maintenance of the hotel facilities, so unlike Director Lee Seonhae’s group last time, I am able to escort you to the lounge like this.” 

 

“A lounge. Is the entire 22nd floor like that?” 

 

“The sky lounge and dining are prepared on the 22nd floor. Guests may visit at their convenience to enjoy dining. However, since the maintenance of the lounge is not yet fully completed….” 

 

“I don’t see any staff.”

 

The atmosphere was different from the lobby. Not only staff, but no ‘guests’ could be seen either.

 

“It seemed like there were quite a few staff members. Have they not been assigned to the lounge?” 

 

“They are friends who haven’t been trained in this area… I ask for your understanding.” 

 

“I see.”

 

Friends.

 

‘He uses friendly words, unlike how he looks.’

 

The lounge was pleasant. It was a relaxation space combining beautiful scenery and comfort, rare to see in the narrow land of Korea. The sofa he entrusted his body to was soft and plush. 

 

‘I can feel an intention to properly operate this facility as a hotel.’

 

It was different from a typical labyrinth.

 

‘If it were truly like them, they would have at most clumsily imitated human things to merely keep up appearances.’

 

But this place was not like that.

 

From the placement of staff to the condition of the facilities, and the Manager’s guidance. He finally understood why an ordinary person like Lee Seonhae could return alive so unscathed.

 

When their gazes met, the being once again curved its narrow eyes.

 

“Do you find the seating to your liking?” 

 

“It’s not bad.”

 

A single question rose in Baek Mujin’s mind.

 

‘What does he want?’

 

It was certain that this was not an existence that could be dismissed as a mere accessory of the labyrinth.

 

Since Lee Seonhae had said the two owners had different wills and were in conflict, there was no way this ‘Manager’ was a part of that monster imitating a cat.

 

‘But it isn’t another labyrinth with an ego, either.’

 

By nature, labyrinths have twisted temperaments. They cannot form normal relationships with others, and even if they feel interest in humans, it always ends in tragic ruin.

 

‘But Seonhae came out alive. And that child’s young subordinates as well.’

 

If so….

 

“….” 

 

“I have prepared tea.” 

 

“…Why not use the staff as you did in the lobby?” 

 

“As you can see, there are few staff members here.” 

 

“I understand.”

 

In the lobby, this entity had employed a staff member to move the luggage. Did he ring a golden bell? The clear metallic sound still felt vivid, as if clinging to his ears.

 

“Do you enjoy it?”

 

A sudden question without a subject. But the counterpart naturally provided an answer.

 

“Of course. Since ancient times, tea has been a good friend to warm the body when one hungers for company.” 

 

“What is this?” 

 

“I brought buckwheat tea.” 

 

“Is there a reason?” 

 

“Is there any tea better than this to enjoy with a new friend on a rainy and foggy day?” 

 

“To think you would already consider this old man a friend. It’s an honor.”

 

The scent of buckwheat wafted.

 

“The aroma is good.” 

 

“Thank you.” 

 

“Please, take a seat.”

 

The General Manager sat in the seat facing Baek Mujin.

 

Baek Mujin looked at the being’s silhouette reflected in the dark window. He took in the rainy forest for a moment, then shifted his gaze back. The being’s posture remained unruffled.

 

It looked like a part of this hotel, but had he not already felt that such a thing was impossible?

 

‘Has he been here quite long?’

 

Baek Mujin held his knees and bowed his head once more.

 

“…Thank you once again.” 

 

“I am glad to hear you say so.” 

 

“I am the one who is grateful that you did not refuse an old man’s sincerity.”

 

Because the being was so polite, he wondered if it might decline, but the young thing merely smiled and accepted his gratitude. There, Baek Mujin felt a strange temperature.

 

Things like pride, or perhaps relief.

 

“I believed I did something worthy of receiving thanks.” 

 

“Yes… saving a life is that kind of thing.”

 

This being places weight on life. It is favorable toward humans, considerate, and observes carefully.

 

“….”

 

…But, you?

 

“To be this kind to a strange guest, you must cherish this hotel quite a bit.” 

 

“Oh dear, those are mischievous words. While it is true that I cherish this place, I do not live putting a reason into being kind to people.” 

 

“Just simple goodwill?” 

 

“When one lives in a place as secluded as this, a strange guest is bound to be a welcome sight.” 

 

“I suppose that’s true.”

 

That people are welcome.

 

‘We’ll see.’

 

Did he change, or was he like this from the start?

 

“…Hmm….”

 

The tea was quite good. Even for Baek Mujin’s palate.

 

“I brought a gift.” 

 

“I see.” 

 

“I am worried because it doesn’t look like something you would like so much.” 

 

Baek Mujin knows good and evil, but he doesn’t place value on them in themselves. Thus, he had brought a gift that this being would most likely prefer, but it seemed it wouldn’t work at all.

 

“May I hear about that gift?” 

 

“I brought a death row inmate.” 

 

“….”

 

Eyes as round as the full moon looked at Baek Mujin.

 

Silently, the round pupils stared as if looking through his soul. The face, stripped of its smile, resembled a tiger rather than a fox. Just as a fleeting regret passed that it would have been better if it were a bit darker here.

 

“Aha.”

 

Just as before, the eyes curved.

 

“May I hear the reason?” 

 

“The reason for bringing a gift is always obvious.” 

 

“You thought I would like it.” 

 

“I find it regrettable. It doesn’t seem that way at all.”

 

Baek Mujin looked at the pitch-black goblin on his shoulder.

 

“It is not a gift brought to give to that thing, though.” 

 

“Our hotel shouldn’t be a very well-known place. Did you perhaps hear a rumor?”

 

Baek Mujin took a sip of tea. The moment he had stepped in front of this place to pick up his niece last time, he had smelled a stench flowing like an underground vein at the bottom of this space.

 

“Far from rumors, I didn’t even know such a hotel had been built in this spot. Contrary to your concerns, I’ve heard nothing about this place. However, I do know that it’s a building built upon corpses.”

 

Coincidentally, it was the kind of thing he knew well.

 

“A building built upon corpses.” 

 

“Do you know?” 

 

“Of course.”

 

The General Manager smiled neatly. It was a calm smile.

 

“It is my hotel.” 

 

“….”

 

It seemed he would have to revise his thoughts a little.

 

‘It wasn’t that that ominous thing was holding him unilaterally.’

 

The black cat. A monster that huddled its body up to look as harmless as possible and acted coyly toward its ‘friend.’ That thing was the main culprit that tied the General Manager’s ankles.

 

‘But he isn’t in a position where he’s just vaguely imprisoned.’

 

The story seemed more complicated than expected.

 

“I smelled the scent of death in this hotel. The thick smell of blood, the layers of piled-up screams. The prayers offered toward a god that should not exist. Those aren’t hidden just because you decorate it beautifully.” 

 

“Would it be to the degree of being visible to anyone’s eyes?” 

 

“To be honest, it would be difficult for others to know as accurately as I do. But anyone with even a bit of sharpness would feel the uncanniness. They would feel the dissonance. Just as Seonhae, who knows nothing, felt the warp in this place….” 

 

“….” 

 

“Seonhae is doing well.” 

 

“…That is a relief.”

 

A faint but clear sense of relief. Toward the smiling being, Baek Mujin continued.

 

“The energy and nature were so foul that I wondered if a gift of this magnitude would satisfy. Though I do not know what or how you would use it, when a death row inmate who has fallen to the very bottom is brought to a place like this… everyone is usually delighted.” 

 

“I didn’t know my tastes were so strange.” 

 

“It’s not strange.”

 

He took a sip of tea and continued.

 

“It is special.”

 

The value.

 

Just how high will the value of this being rise?

 

What a rare and bizarre existence.

 

‘Yes, that’s right.’

 

The words that he had heard nothing about this place were the truth. However, by the time one’s hair becomes gray, there are many things that can be seen even without hearing them.

 

Baek Mujin’s gaze slowly scanned the other’s form. As if tracing the trajectory of a gear that had gone out of alignment somewhere a very long time ago.

 

“What do you consider yourself to be?” 

 

“….”

 

The being answered dryly.

 

“…I consider myself to be the person that is me.”

 

I wonder if you truly know who you are.

 

“Am I wrong?” 

 

“No.”

 

It was good that I approached politely.

 

“You are not wrong.”

 

He almost ruined a precious connection.

 

* * *

 

Goblin.

 

A spirit unique to Korea, born from objects imbued with human emotions and time, and living in harmony with people.

 

It was an existence on a different track from the ‘ego-possessing labyrinth’ Baek Mujin had explained to Lee Seonhae. Because in legends, although they might play mischievous pranks, they were deities who knew how to keep loyalty under honest rules.

 

‘To think such a deity would be trapped in a labyrinth like this.’

 

The young goblin looked up at Baek Mujin.

 

“Will you be alright?” 

 

“Right, I am merely curious about what kind of place it is, so do not worry about this old man.” 

 

“I will guide you, but I hope you won’t be uncomfortable.” 

 

“The more you age, the fewer things there are to be surprised by.”

 

He requested the Manager for a tour of the hotel.

 

The first thing he wanted to see was the Aqua Park. That Samdocheon where Lee Seonhae had stepped in and barely returned alive. He was curious what could be measured there.

 

The doors to the 23rd floor, the Aqua Park, opened.

 

“It is here.” 

 

“….”

 

Clean floors and bright lighting.

 

Warm air, as if one were at a beach or in a greenhouse.

 

And… the peaceful sound of water.

 

“It is unexpected.”

 

“Would it be impolite to ask what is unexpected?” 

 

“I expected there to be at least a water ghost….”

 

It was truly clean water.

 

“….”

 

Why?

 

‘This should be a labyrinth that cannot be this clean.’

 

The screams, agony, and scent of blood that seeped from every corner of the hotel were not left here at all. Only the water, transparent as a jewel, rippled as if nothing had ever happened in the first place.

 

‘Then where was all that despair contained?’

 

The answer was realized only after looking at the young goblin standing beside him.

 

“…Ah.” 

 

“…?” 

 

“It is nothing.”

 

I see, so that’s it.

 

The breath that had stopped before the wide and deep water, and the terrible sound of water swirling inside that body. The freezing hands floundering in a dying breath, and the tail of a water beast.

 

And the terrible scent of blood.

 

‘Is this why he couldn’t leave the hotel?’

 

Goblins are truly foolish creatures.