Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual Chapter 57

 

“Soul Yeast is an item that can later be cultivated in the greenhouse once you obtain the raw material.”

 

Though when on earth he would ever be able to open that damn greenhouse remained a lingering sorrow for Lee Yeonwoo as well.

 

“It is primarily found in liquid-centered hunting grounds, including the 7th floor.”

 

Lee Yeonwoo walked through the mist-shrouded town. It hadn’t felt real when it was just pixel art, but facing it in reality, it was certainly on a scale worthy of being called a ‘city.’

 

Quietly following behind him was the ‘Wet Person.’ It seemed to possess a keen interest in this hunting ground.

 

“I am glad to see you like it.”

 

“….”

 

“Yes, it must be quite comfortable for you, considering you are on land.”

 

“….”

 

“…Ah, the liquid-centered hunting grounds, you mean?”

 

Splash,

 

Shallow water brushed against his shoes.

 

“It is just as it sounds. Oceans and reservoirs exist as you might expect, but areas where blood pools are also classified as ‘liquid-centered’ by the system. However, one must descend to much deeper floors for such areas.”

 

“….”

 

“I take it that is not to your taste.”

 

Then again, water and blood were entirely different in nature. To a water ghost like the ‘Wet Person,’ water was like a sanctuary, but an area filled with blood would be an utterly separate kind of place.

 

“However, the Soul Yeast gathered from such areas yields a larger quantity at one time. So normally, one tends to descend as far down as possible, but….”

 

“….”

 

“Yes, as you can see, I cannot go right now. Nor is my body in any condition to endure such extreme environments.”

 

It was only because this was the 7th floor that he had been able to set foot here at all. He held a certain degree of resistance to threats related to water, after all. Had he been forced to head to places like the 5th or 6th floors, he likely would have lost his life several times over.

 

At that, the ‘Wet Person’ asked further.

 

“….”

 

“Its uses, you mean?”

 

It was only natural to wonder. Nodding, Lee Yeonwoo answered.

 

“In the case of Soul Yeast, it is typically used as a medicinal ingredient. It can be processed into a sedative to stabilize the mind, or conversely, into a stimulant to heighten the senses.”

 

“….”

 

“Aside from that… it is also utilized for somewhat peculiar purposes.”

 

Masking specific flavors and aromas to render drugs or magic undetectable, or shaking the opponent’s psyche to induce carelessness, for example. Alternatively, it was also used to disguise things and deflect suspicion.

 

“As a result, it is frequently used as medicine or poison, but the intrinsic effect of Soul Yeast is intimately related to ‘memory.’ Depending on the refining method, its usage divides into two.”

 

Lee Yeonwoo added.

 

“Reproducing memories of the past, or imprinting memories that never existed.”

 

“…?”

 

“No, I have never used it on you.”

 

“….”

 

“You have no need to worry about such things. It is an ingredient typically used on human guests. Its potency is not nearly strong enough to work on guests like you.”

 

It was not impossible, but the efficiency fell off drastically. Refining it to a concentration that could affect a monster guest would require a tremendous amount of hardship.

 

“Refining the yeast halves its usable volume, and processing it once more into medicine or poison cuts it in half yet again. But to concentrate it enough to be effective on an entity like you….”

 

Coco looked at Lee Yeonwoo. The ‘Wet Person’ did the same.

 

“…Indeed.”

 

“…?”

 

“That is precisely the situation we find ourselves in right now.”

 

“…!”

 

“I did not deceive you.”

 

You followed along willingly, didn’t you? 

 

“The method to obtain Soul Yeast is simple.”

 

Lee Yeonwoo smiled quietly.

 

“For starters, just beat down every single one that catches your eye.”

 

“….”

 

“I am not joking; it is simply because it is an item that appears at random in this area. If you repeatedly hunt and gather indiscriminately, one will occasionally turn up among the acquisitions.”

 

As they hunted the monsters here and scraped together the items, Soul Yeast would eventually find a place in a corner of the inventory before long. Lee Yeonwoo’s smile turned faint and distant.

 

“So usually, I would manage resources by running the hunting grounds for other target items and utilizing the yeast as the stock accumulated, but….”

 

“….”

 

“Yes, right now, that very Soul Yeast is the sole objective.”

 

“….”

 

“Furthermore, it is urgent.”

 

Now that the path to the 14th floor was secured, he had to devise a way to head toward the central control room.

 

“I had intended to buy myself some leeway for that, but if this small, sly scheme of mine ends in failure, I will have no choice either. Other than dragging the ‘Guest Without Taste’ by my tail and playing a friendly game of tag on the 14th floor.”

 

“Not doing well.”

 

“Even Coco says so, does it not? That is correct. This is the reality I currently face. Thus, even if I have to put on a circus act, I must buy time to secure the means to preserve my life. And what is indispensable to that plan is this Soul Yeast.”

 

First, the greatest issue was the fact that the patience of the ‘Guest Without Taste’ was nearing its threshold.

 

“If negotiations fall through, I will ultimately have to engage him in a frontal showdown. However, in that case, there is a high probability of severe confusion arising regarding my identity.”

 

“…?”

 

“Truly a remark worthy of an anthology of water ghosts from ten thousand nations. If it makes no difference to you whether I turn into the ‘Guest Without Taste’ or a clump of blood, then by all means, go right ahead. While I’m at it, perhaps I should try becoming a person of triple personalities.”

 

“….”

 

“Between myself, Lee Yeonwoo, your friend; the ‘Guest Without Taste,’ presumed to be an imperial estate lord of the 18th-century Holy Roman Empire; and the egomaniacal blood that cannot bear being in someone else’s body without seizing control.”

 

“….”

 

“I wonder if there could be a more perfect combination for a multiple-personality disorder. Wouldn’t you agree, friend?”

 

“….”

 

“You cannot imagine how touching it is that you care so greatly for my situation.” 

 

This was what Lee Yeonwoo considered true friendship in its truest sense, built over twenty-six years at the cost of life itself.

 

Was it disgust at the thought of him merging with an 18th-century fossil? The expression of the ‘Wet Person’ was none too pleasant. It clearly showed an aversion toward other monsters.

 

Lee Yeonwoo fell into private thought.

 

‘So it wasn’t being uniquely finicky about the Room 14 monster after all. This aspect shares the same nature as the game, but now that it’s become reality, that exclusive tendency seems to have grown far stronger.’

 

Looking at the face of the ‘Wet Person’—already pale to begin with, but now bearing a complexion that resembled a corpse even more—Lee Yeonwoo offered a faint smile.

 

“….”

 

‘It’s already a dead person, so by what mechanism is blood flow regulated?’

 

“No?”

 

‘I would appreciate it if you did not read my thoughts out of the blue, Coco.’

 

The monsters of this hotel needed to learn how to respect Lee Yeonwoo’s privacy.

 

Gently patting Coco in his arms, Lee Yeonwoo continued.

 

“Therefore, I have nothing more in particular to request of you.”

 

“….”

 

Squish….

 

A waterlogged footstep.

 

“It is just as I said before. Though this is already the third time I bring it up, friend.”

 

“….”

 

“Could you assist me with the hunting?”

 

“….”

 

Fortunately, it seemed to have no intention of going back on its word.

 

* * *

 

A sound like bursting water balloons filled with porridge echoed from all directions.

 

‘I’m not quite sure what that sound is supposed to be, though.’

 

Squelching sounds, things popping with a bang, and far heavier bursting noises. All of it was the noise made by the ‘Wet Person’ slamming ‘drowned corpses’ into the ground.

 

It was an overwhelming physical force that rendered the knife held in the bared-teeth, grinning hand of the ‘Wet Person’ entirely pointless.

 

“Oh.”

 

Another one burst apart.

 

‘As expected of a Both-version monster guest.’ 

 

Its disposition was entirely different from the guests limited to the open version. If that side at least put up a minimal pretense of innocence, the instinctive aggression displayed by the ‘Wet Person’ was beyond comparison.

 

‘From the very beginning, its concept was that of a serial killer on a rainy day, after all.’

 

The ferocity of the ‘The Wet Person,’ who had even been granted the identity of a water ghost, reached its peak on the humid 7th basement floor. He rampaged so flamboyantly that Coco opened its mouth into a round circle. 

 

“Oh.”

 

“To think you have learned how to marvel, I am deeply moved, Coco.”

 

Lee Yeonwoo chuckled with his hands behind his back.

 

The ‘drowned corpses,’ bloated white with water and bearing cloudy eyes, were troublesome enemies that tenaciously pursued players to drag them beneath the water, but even that was meaningless before the ‘Wet Person.’

 

‘What do you plan to do by throwing a fish into water?’

 

In the early stages without a decent weapon, they were a headache of a monster in many ways, but yes. Before two water ghosts, ‘dragging into the water’ was hardly an impressive attack.

 

“Of course, I should be a little careful myself, but….”

 

Lee Yeonwoo looked down at his hand clad in a white cotton glove.

 

He could not respond with such brute force as they did. No matter how waterlogged the hand was, the moment he was caught by it, his entire body would instantly turn into a mass of blood.

 

“….”

 

Soon, Lee Yeonwoo looked at the ‘Wet Person.’

 

“…Hmm….”

 

He, too, needed to put up at least a minimal show.

 

Hunting skills existed in Hotel One. Much like cooking, it was one of the basic skills granted upon finishing the tutorial. Lee Yeonwoo stared at the pack of ‘drowned corpses’ being cornered by the ‘Wet Person.’

 

Adjusting his glasses, he quietly extended a hand.

 

‘…Like this,’

 

Is it? 

 

Bang—!!!

 

“….”

 

“….”

 

Boom, ba-ba-bang!!!

 

“…Hmm.”

 

Lee Yeonwoo lowered his hand without a word.

 

A peculiar silence settled over the harbor where the drowned corpses had all been reduced to mush. Amidst the scenery strewn only with sea mist and flesh, the ‘Wet Person’ slowly turned back toward Lee Yeonwoo.

 

Touching his lips as if embarrassed, Lee Yeonwoo barely managed to speak.

 

“…It’s….”

 

“….”

 

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

 

He meant it.

 

He couldn’t even clearly explain what was a misunderstanding, but seeing the other’s expression, it felt as though he had to spit out those words first. The ‘Wet Person,’ having taken continuous slaps across the face from flying chunks of rotten flesh, looked thoroughly dumbfounded.

 

“I didn’t know it would turn out like this either.”

 

It was not an empty excuse. Who could have known that a hunting skill without a single level-up would yield this kind of power? It was an ability with no weapon and a skill level of merely 1. Above all….

 

“Originally, it isn’t such a crude technique.”

 

“….”

 

“No, truly. Please believe my words, friend. It’s not that I had any complaints about you.”

 

“….”

 

“Yes, of course. Truly… I didn’t know it would turn out like this either.”

 

“….”

 

“In the first place, it isn’t this kind of skill….”

 

“…?”

 

Only then did the ‘Wet Person’ furrow its brow and look down at him. While it must have been difficult to believe that it was unintentional, even if it did believe him, it wore a look of bewilderment as to why such an anomalous phenomenon had occurred.

 

“Well, you see….”

 

“…?”

 

“…Most likely.”

 

Lee Yeonwoo smiled awkwardly.

 

“It seems to be because my physical condition is not normal.”

 

To summarize, that was roughly how it could be expressed.

 

“….”

 

“No.”

 

“….”

 

“No, I am not going.”

 

“….”

 

“I will not go in.”

 

“…….”

 

“Even if you say that, I will not enter.”

 

Lee Yeonwoo shook his head firmly. It was quite a hassle because this childish water ghost kept trying to shove him into the water. This side of him distinctly leaned toward pursuing a life as a human being.

 

“From the perspective of someone with ordinary sensibilities, it is rather chilling, you see.”

 

It had been the same earlier. This existence held neither interest nor concern for Lee Yeonwoo’s well-being. That was why it ceaselessly attempted to drag him into the water.

 

“Wouldn’t you agree?”

 

“….”

 

It didn’t care in the slightest if he were injured or killed by other monster guests.

 

Just now, too, had he not informed it of the fact that he might end up mingled with the ‘Guest Without Taste,’ it never would have helped Lee Yeonwoo.

 

‘What it wants from me is simple.’

 

A ‘friend’ who offers warm heat. That alone was the sole object it sought to protect. It was obsession, and it was possessiveness. Nothing more than a child’s tantrum wishing to monopolize an object entirely.

 

Its ‘protection’ originated from precisely this kind of tantrum.

 

‘Managing its own possession so that it does not spoil.’

 

It had merely defined that under the name of a ‘friend.’

 

“….”

 

“….”

 

Staring quietly down at Lee Yeonwoo, the ‘Wet Person’ soon burst into laughter. A long, thin sound of laughter echoed eerily.

 

Coco poked its head out.

 

“Hello.”

 

“Yes, the notoriety of a water ghost doesn’t just go away, does it?”

 

“Danger. Danger. Danger.”

 

“How frightening this is, really….”

 

Even at this very moment, it was eyeing only the opportunity to drag Lee Yeonwoo beneath the water. Since it seemed to like this area quite a bit, it would attempt to put it into action at any moment the instant he let his guard down.

 

“I apologize, but I have no intention of dying easily for you.”

 

“….”

 

“Please be careful; as you saw just now….”

 

Readjusting his gloves, Lee Yeonwoo narrowed his eyes.

 

“It is difficult to control my strength.”

 

* * *

 

“It is difficult to control my strength.”

 

Earlier, his friend had said this.

 

“….”

 

Saying that he hadn’t known it would turn out like this, either.

 

A worn-out soul and a ruined body. That state, visible for all to see, lent credibility to the words, but the water ghost did not believe those words at face value. None of the monsters in this hotel would have.

 

And was that not only natural?

 

“It would be best to move to another spot now.” 

 

“….”

 

“Wouldn’t you agree?”

 

It wasn’t that he didn’t know it would turn out ‘like this’; it was that he hadn’t known it would turn out ‘to this extent.’

 

“….”

 

Walking behind his friend, the water ghost thought.

 

‘…Ah….’

 

What a pity.

 

If only he were just a little more foolish, and a little weaker.

 

How wonderful that would have been.

 

“…—.”

 

…A slow humming followed after.