Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual Chapter 43

“In the case of general guests, we take certain measures, but….”

 

“Measures, you say.”

 

“It seems there is no need for such measures in your case, Guest. You do not appear to have suffered any nightmares.”

 

“Indeed.” 

 

“I see.”

 

The General Manager personally assisted Baek Mujin with his check-out.

 

“Please provide your signature.”

 

What was handed over was a guest ledger in a classical style. Baek Mujin picked up the pen and wrote down his name.

 

He consciously gripped the edge of the ledger, but the sensation touching his fingertips was as icy as if it had been kept in a freezer. The spot where this young goblin had been holding was uniquely chilly.

 

“….”

 

His body temperature was remarkably low. Unlike other Dokkaebi.

 

‘Like a corpse pulled from the water.’ 

 

He never took off his gloves. Occasionally, he coughed as if he were dying, and every time he did, there was the scent of blood. He looked elsewhere as if hearing auditory hallucinations. Before the large swimming pool, he held his breath.

 

And then, he looked into the deep water as if he desperately wanted to drown.

 

‘The curse is truly tenacious.’

 

It is a water ghost’s curse, and for that very reason, it is an affection. That is how goblin without tradition act. Baek Mujin knew that this curse had been formed in the process of saving Lee Seonhae.

 

To become the object of a miscellaneous ghost’s attachment and substitute another’s life.

 

‘Whether that was the only option or it simply suited his temperament better, it is not the act of a sane person.’

 

But it is effective. Efficient. For this being is not one to crumble under such a trivial curse.

 

He valued that point highly.

 

“…You seem to like this hotel quite a bit.”

 

“Did it appear that way to you?”

 

“Had it not, you would have grown weary much faster than now. It wouldn’t have been strange if you had collapsed long ago.”

 

“You are correct, sir.”

 

“It looks like a space where quite a lot has happened.”

 

There is no graveyard quite like this graveyard.

 

“Sin piled upon sin….”

 

Traces of resentment and pain more terrible than a plague-ridden corpse pit were steeped into the place. Just looking at it was enough to cause a headache.

 

“This hotel did not serve as a very good resting place for me.”

 

“Did your eyes feel fatigued?”

 

“That was certainly part of it.”

 

For Baek Mujin, whose physical strength was not what it used to be, this was a space where he had to see, hear, and feel too much.

 

“However, I believe it is a good hotel.”

 

It is a labyrinth of high value.

 

It was worth preserving.

 

“As long as you do not wish it, I will not open my mouth regarding this hotel.”

 

“Thank you for your consideration.”

 

“Do you perhaps have any intention of coming outside?”

 

Did this man have memories from when he was human? If asked, it was difficult to give a definitive answer. There were times when he acted quite human, only to suddenly reveal a vivid inhumanity.

 

Baek Mujin added his private opinion: even that discordant inhumanity might be a form of ‘lost humanity.’

 

‘In that case, he might have inherited memories only in fragments.’

 

If so, adapting to human society would not be easy. There are many rules that cannot be understood with only fragmentary information. Above all, nothing good would come from a young Dokkaebi revealing himself in this era.

 

“If you ever come outside, please contact me using the business card Seonhae gave you. Only if you wish it, I shall pull some strings on this end so that you do not get caught up in troublesome matters.”

 

“Is that a gift of gratitude for helping Director Lee Seonhae?”

 

“No, the gift of gratitude was the death row inmates I brought….”

 

“….”

 

Baek Mujin raised an eyebrow.

 

‘He is remarkably fond of humans.’

 

Or more accurately, does he value life? Every time he encountered this side of him, he thought it was unexpected, but regardless, it was a demeanor befitting a young and traditional Dokkaebi.

 

“…Right, then….”

 

He ended up saying things he didn’t need to.

 

“Since you seem quite young, I shall leave a few more pieces of an old man’s worthless advice.”

 

“I shall gladly listen.”

 

“Remember. You are not the one being eaten; you are the one who eats.”

 

“That is not particularly welcome advice.”

 

“Hah.”

 

In this regard, he truly felt that he was a goblin—and a young one at that. While maintaining a polite frame, there was a sense of playfulness.

 

“What can you do, even if you dislike it? That is instinct and fate. No matter how much you fold your hands and pretend to be humble or weak, playing the part of the prey, you will eventually be found out.”

 

“Pretending, you say.”

 

“Those with keen senses will recognize it at a single glance all the more. When that time comes, acting like a clumsily gentle young master won’t work on them, so… it might be wise to learn how to control it in advance.” 

 

“Is that advice?”

 

“If you truly hate hearing it, you may consider it nagging.”

 

Baek Mujin clicked his tongue.

 

“But do you not already hold the leash of this hotel? Only when the one sitting at the top possesses a minimum amount of self-righteousness does every balance truly find its stability.”

 

“You seem to wish for me to become a tyrant. You might get along well with my partner.”

 

“That is not the case.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Because I like your policy.”

 

Suppressing all ominous things. Persuading, enchanting, and sometimes repressing to control them in the direction he desired. Where else could one find a violence so serene and sweet?

 

‘He doesn’t seem to be entirely unaware of his own nature.’

 

Would there ever be another labyrinth like this in the world? A space where there are two goblins, and peace was achieved through the self-righteous sacrifice put forth by one of them. Such a labyrinth was hard to find anywhere.

 

‘All the more so if one of them happens to be a sacrifice.’ 

 

Baek Mujin simply hoped that this value would not be damaged.

 

“Do you like good things?”

 

“It is a universal taste.” 

 

“Then you were born with ill fortune.”

 

“Ah, to say such heartbreaking words.”

 

“It cannot be helped. Since you harbor something so foul, no matter how much you struggle, how could people not be frightened?”

 

“I should hope for it to be a ghost house that is as harmless as possible.”

 

“A ghost house, that is also an interesting idea.”

 

This labyrinth still craves blood, pain, and screams. Nevertheless, he rejected the death row inmates. To stay in such a labyrinth and reject such a gift was truly a marvelous thing.

 

Even more so, because you….

 

“….”

 

…My words have grown unnecessarily long. Baek Mujin changed the subject as if shaking off idle thoughts.

 

“You’ll live a long life.”

 

“Is that a prophecy that I will be endlessly cursed by others?” 

 

“You caught on quickly.” 

 

To be well-versed even in human humor—was that not quite commendable?

 

“I don’t think that will particularly be the case, so do not be too hurt.”

 

“Hurt, you say.”

 

“Yes, yes. This old man worried for nothing.”

 

“Not at all.”

 

“Since things have turned out this way, even the advice I just gave no longer counts as a gift.” 

 

“It was more than enough of a gift.” 

 

“Since it is difficult for me to grasp your preferences, won’t you tell me yourself?”

 

“What….”

 

“What do you want?”

 

It would be faster to just ask.

 

“Is there a gift you desire?”

 

“…There are many.” 

 

“Is that so?”

 

“….”

 

The goblin didn’t answer for a while. He saw a fatigue as dry as an old tree.

 

* * *

 

‘A gift.’

 

The head of a major corporation. A powerful figure who even seemed well-versed in the workings of ‘a certain world.’ The cards Baek Mujin could give him would be infinite.

 

‘…How is my father doing? And the youngest?’

 

He wanted news of his family. Whether they had forgotten him, and if so, how they were living now. Whether the place he was supposed to return to still remained there.

 

‘What about that idiot?’

 

He was also curious about his friends, with whom he used to cause all sorts of trouble. Everyone had been too busy making a living to even gather, and he had been dragged here without even being able to say a proper goodbye.

 

‘What about my job? My identity? How is the world running after I vanished?’ 

 

He missed his family. He was curious about his friends’ well-being. Above all, he was desperate for a way out of here. If it were a figure like Baek Mujin, he might hold a clue to this awkward situation.

 

The deliberation was short.

 

“….”

 

Both this hotel and he himself were unstable.

 

“…Could you block the path?”

 

“The path?”

 

Baek Mujin asked back in an impassive tone. Lee Yeonwoo continued calmly.

 

“This hotel draws people in.”

 

“And?”

 

“Just as Director Lee Seonhae did, someone else might find themselves driving here on a rainy day as if possessed. In this world… are there not those who particularly enjoy dangerous things?”

 

“There are such temperaments.”

 

“I would like you to block that path.”

 

He couldn’t leave immediately anyway.

 

Even if he could leave, what could he possibly do there? Was he planning to beg his family and friends, for whom it was unknown if they even remembered him, to recall who he was?

 

That was not Lee Yeonwoo’s best option. He knew that if he missed the timing, there were opportunities he would never be able to grasp again. This hotel was like that, and his current state was like that.

 

He did not want to waste an opportunity on such a foolish act.

 

“However, I believe the task will not be easy. As I recall, the hotel’s domain includes a significant portion of the forest road connected to the main gate. The hotel’s resistance might be quite fierce.”

 

“You are raising it quite strongly.”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Right. Blocking the path, is it…” 

 

Baek Mujin gave an affirmative answer.

 

“I shall do so.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“It might take some time.”

 

“I only ask for your favor.”

 

The world is made of countless variables. Time flows, and humans are ultimately creatures who cannot help but feel regret. That was why Lee Yeonwoo sought to do his best in every moment.

 

That was ‘him.’ 

 

“Please, have a good day.”

 

That was the ‘Lee Yeonwoo’ he knew. 

 

* * *

 

“Chairman.”

 

The man opened the car door.

 

“Please get in.”

 

“I wonder if our Seonhae felt this way.”

 

“…Did something happen?”

 

“It’s peculiar.”

 

Baek Mujin added.

 

“It was quite an enjoyable experience.”

 

Though it wasn’t comfortable.

 

Baek Mujin buried himself deep in the back seat.

 

Once the man also climbed into the driver’s seat, the car began to slide down the bumpy slope. Beyond the heavily tinted windows, the moisture-laden forest sped past.

 

“I am glad there were no particular problems.”

 

“You worked hard driving all the way to Gapyeong.”

 

“Considering the resignation letter I’m about to write, this is nothing.”

 

“Impudent fellow.”

 

“I believe you have already accepted it.”

 

“All the useful ones are leaving.”

 

“If you had put just a little more effort into raising your children, the situation would be better than it is now.”

 

“I recall putting in quite a lot of effort in my own way.”

 

“….”

 

In the familiar silence that descended, Baek Mujin asked. His tone was casual.

 

“Are you going to call it a misunderstanding again?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I hope it ends within three times on the way to Seoul.”

 

“I will keep that in mind.”

 

Baek Mujin always looks at history and value. The same went for his own bloodline. Proper treatment for precious things. That was the reason Baek Mujin endured such impudent conversation.

 

Because he is an object of such value, he accords him that much respect.

 

“I must block the path.”

 

“…The path, sir?” 

 

“The goblin requested that I block the path as a gift.”

 

“Then the food offered to the labyrinth will decrease.”

 

“That is what he wants.”

 

“Is he hoping it starves to death?”

 

“He seemed to be pondering a way.”

 

“If he’s a goblin of that temperament, I’d rather….”

 

“The door cannot be closed.”

 

Baek Mujin personally opened his tumbler. A strange herbal scent filled the inside of the car. 

 

“All sorts of ominous things gather at that house; would it be right to close the door?”

 

“What happens if it is forcibly closed anyway?” 

 

“The miscellaneous ghosts who have lost their place will spread in all directions. It will become a total carnage.”

 

“Isn’t that too heavy a burden for a young Dokkaebi to shoulder alone?”

 

“How can I stop him from doing what he says he likes?”

 

That stubborn fool.

 

Baek Mujin felt like he understood that goblin’s character. His pure and honest energy was no different from that of a Taoist master, but had it not been for such effort, he surely would have become a madman who commanded the whole world.

 

“If he truly hated it, he would have died instead.”

 

He would have truly, with all his might, found a way to escape that spot and position. He was burdened with the star of a tyrant, yet because he was born a benevolent ruler, he had become a mass of contradictions in this moment.

 

“In that case, is he indeed someone who was sacrificed?” 

 

“Yes. It seems he was originally someone belonging to the background who got caught up in the creation process and was bound to it. Yet, in the midst of becoming a goblin, he ultimately failed to cast aside his humanity.” 

 

Whether he couldn’t discard it or it formed along the way, he didn’t know.

 

“It would have been easier if he had been entirely offered and lost his sense of self.”

 

He can neither die nor live. If there is such a thing as ill luck, he has quite a lot of it, yet the world also calls that a miracle.

 

“It was an absolute spectacle, without a single flaw.” 

 

“I know what you mean, and I know what you are doing, Chairman. However, I….”

 

“His value is high, so leave him be. He is a beast that will find his own way even without interference, not something for a faint-hearted child like you to try and embrace.”

 

“….”

 

He could see the veins bulging on his precious youngest son’s neck. This family’s temper was something else.

 

“Are you angry because I ignored you so much?”

 

“It is a misunderstanding.” 

 

“Two left.”

 

“I am keeping that in mind, Chairman.”

 

“I wish I could have seen that part personally as well.”

 

The massive power radiating from him was of a different class than any other existence. The energy that brought to mind a mysterious spirit animal and the unpredictable hotel operation were proving his extraordinary nature.

 

The neat black hair, the pure expression, and the beast-like long outer corners of his eyes hidden beneath….

 

“Though his actions are those of a fox, his eyes are those of a human tiger.” 

 

“….”

 

“His energy sinks into the abyss like an icy lake, yet his presence is overwhelmingly incomparable. And yet, the attitude he puts on is bizarrely gentle and orderly.”

 

Admiration was mixed in Baek Mujin’s voice.

 

“Despite that, he considers himself a person and seeks to live as one. How an alien existence wearing a human mask can do such a thing…. He is truly a specimen beyond all specifications.”

 

“….”

 

“Ah, right… he was also quite sociable.”

 

Baek Mujin held up the wine bottle. The man spoke in a suppressed tone, as if holding back a sigh.

 

“If he has a human form and a human way of thinking, then isn’t he a human in the end?”

 

“He is a person.”

 

“He’s nineteen years old.” 

 

“His physical body appeared to be so.” 

 

“How was the mind?”

 

“I am not so omnipotent as to conclude that.”

 

“Has he been trapped inside there his whole life?” 

 

“From that perspective, it wouldn’t be strange to call him a child.”

 

Stuck in repeating time, dying and being reborn countless times, yet maintaining the same body. An existence that never even had the chance to experience the flow of time in society. Who would dare to guess the age of such a thing?

 

“Even so, he knew how to hide all of that essence and mingle with people. He puts on such a dignified act that it would make an impatient person burst with frustration.”

 

“Could he come out into society?”

 

“My child.”

 

Baek Mujin admonished his lovely youngest son.

 

“If you force a dog or a cat to stand on two legs and put clothes on it, would it be comfortable?”

 

“…It might not be, but. Doesn’t the master of the hotel consider himself a human?”

 

“He may come to realize it soon enough.” 

 

“Realize what?”

 

“Well, that humans do not have that much value?”

 

Ultimately, he will reach such a conclusion.

 

“They are weak and pathetic.”

 

They claim greed as a right and live mistaking convenience for freedom. They excuse the shackles they chose for themselves as being forced upon them, and they sell off the possibilities of the future for immediate pleasure.

 

“They evade by saying the reason their lives are this way is ultimately due to fate, feeling a cowardly sense of relief. While they avoid pain, they cannot give up a life of bondage. They only grumble while being tied up, without even the courage to untie the knot; that is a human.”

 

“….”

 

“They are louder than any other creature. While shouting for freedom, they have no intention of paying the price for it. They even hypnotize themselves by saying ‘it couldn’t be helped’ or ‘this is the wise path,’ and they even mistake the devil shaking their leash for a path to salvation.”

 

At that, the man asked with a skeptical look.

 

“…That is a startling view. I didn’t know that you, who knows the value of talent better than anyone, would undervalue humans to that extent.”

 

“Of course, it is not my opinion.”

 

“Then whose are you speaking of?”

 

“They must belong to the devil.” 

 

“The devil… you say?”

 

“So.”

 

Baek Mujin asked.

 

“How about you?”

 

“Father.”

 

“Do you think differently?”

 

“….”

 

The man spoke. It was a calm tone.

 

“No.”

 

“Right, right….”

 

Baek Mujin nodded soothingly.

 

“That fellow can’t become a human, and he shouldn’t.”

 

He carefully scanned the wine bottle Lee Yeonwoo had handed him. The elegantly wrapped bottle radiated a black, smooth luster. However, inside this, it would be filled with that clear and pure liquor he had tasted.

 

“If a tiger hides its claws, are its teeth also hidden?”

 

“….”

 

“If that were possible, that would be truly unfair in its own way.”

 

In this world, there certainly exists a class born as predators, for whom eating others is the natural order.

 

“Shall we see how much grass the tiger grazes on?”

 

“You have a nasty hobby.”

 

“Since an existence of that magnitude has revealed itself, whether he wishes it or not, his name will be heard before long.”

 

“I only hope it happens after I finish settling my personal affairs.”

 

“If you had only possessed some proactivity, I wouldn’t have had to go out personally with this old body.”

 

“I don’t want to evolve.”

 

“Impudent fellow.”

 

Setting the wine bottle down, Baek Mujin whispered into the void.

 

“…I should have at least asked if he holds any cards.”

 

* * *

 

“…Who….”

 

Lee Yeonwoo muttered.

 

[Sixth Sense]

‘Someone spoke while looking at me.’

 

“I feel like they’re cursing me to become a villain.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Yes?”