Welcome to Dungeon Hotel Chapter 270

264. Han Woohyun

 

The voice was so faint that I thought it was a hallucination. 

 

But soon, the voice came again. 

 

“Please save me.” 

 

It was the trembling voice of a young boy. 

 

As soon as he heard the voice, Han Minhyuk headed toward the source of the sound. 

 

It was on the opposite side of the street where the yellow bus had stopped.

 

Han Minhyuk looked inside the white car with a noticeably dented hood and then opened the door. 

 

No, he tried to open it, but the door only crumpled further and wouldn’t budge. 

 

It seemed that the door had crumpled even more because Han Minhyuk, now awakened, had applied force to it. 

 

If there was a survivor inside, using force like that wouldn’t be a good idea. 

 

I was worried about the survivors and tried to cross the street.

 

At that moment, a monster with bright red eyes appeared in front of me.

 

That thing, which had clearly emerged from the gate I saw earlier, was— 

 

A ‘Corrupted Duoksini (A)’ appeared in front of you! 

 

An A-rank monster. 

 

It’s one of those with the word “corrupted” attached in front of it. 

 

‘Is it targeting Uncle Minhyuk again?’

 

But it was a little strange.

 

Targeting the same hero twice?

 

Isn’t this a violation of quest rules? 

 

I wanted to immediately confront the Demon King, but Han Minhyuk was currently on the other side of the six-lane road, struggling to open the car door. 

 

“Kuuuuuuu!”

 

The corrupted Duoksini howled toward Han Minhyuk’s location. 

 

The corrupted Duoksini howled toward Han Minhyuk’s location.  The Duoksini belongs to a similar goblin family, but unlike regular goblins, which resemble humans, these Duoksini are as large as trolls, with their bodies covered in thick cow-like skin. 

 

“Han Minhyuk-ssi, get out of the way!” 

 

The Duoksini charged towards Han Minhyuk.

 

I ran at the same time, but if Uncle Minhyuk couldn’t avoid it, his body would definitely be crushed between the car and the Duoksini’s thick body. 

 

But instead of avoiding it, Uncle Minhyuk kept pulling at the door until the end. 

 

Ting!

 

With a sound of one of the car frame pieces being ripped off, Han Minhyuk threw the door at the Duoksini. 

 

It was a strong force, but it seemed to have no effect on the Duoksini, which only grew more enraged. 

 

“Grrrr!” 

 

The Duoksini let out a beast-like sound and took a leaping stance. 

 

Every muscle of the creature twitched, and then its body leapt forward. 

 

At the same time, Han Minhyuk pulled a child out from inside the torn-off door. 

 

The moment the creature was about to strike the child and Han Minhyuk, he unfolded a massive umbrella. 

 

As the umbrella fully opened, a large harpoon was fired from its tip.

 

The harpoon, much stronger and larger than when it was deployed in the air earlier, pierced directly into the Duoksini’s thigh. 

 

The Duoksini howled and reached out with its hand, but the moment it touched the umbrella, the hand was immediately scorched and burned with a hissing sound. 

 

“Kuuuuuu!” 

 

As the enraged Duoksini leaped, seemingly intending to crush the massive umbrella Han Minhyuk was holding, 

 

Slash.

 

The immortal sword I pulled out cut off that brat’s neck.

 

Seeing its head fly off, I let out a heavy breath. 

 

“Heuk… heuk…” 

 

I looked down at the Immortal Sword, stained with its blood. 

 

“Are you… are you okay?”

 

When I asked, the large umbrella was finally folded neatly.

 

‘That umbrella is stronger than I thought.’

 

Behind the umbrella, Han Minhyuk stood tall, holding the umbrella while carrying the unconscious boy in front of him. 

 

Like an elite agent in an action crime movie.

 

He looked at the umbrella and said, as if he was amazed.

 

“This is more impressive than I thought.” 

 

“That’s right.” 

 

I approached Han Minhyuk and touched the umbrella. 

 

To activate the hotelier’s eyes.

 

‘Manner Guardian Umbrella (S)’

 

—It ensures the monsters’ manners are kept.

 

This item, with its terrifying description, has various additional activation skills listed. 

 

As expected, it was a high-grade item.

 

Looking at the description at the end, it seemed like I had poured in the magic stone from the corrupted Manticore’s corpse last time as well. 

 

He took the S-grade magic stone, saying he wanted to study it here and there. 

 

Seeing her create things like this from the early stages of awakening, Aunt Misoon truly is a genius. 

 

‘…Or maybe she’s a military enthusiast.’

 

“Looks like Hwang Misoon really treasures this item.” 

 

Han Minhyuk’s expression became mysterious at my words. 

 

I went behind him and checked the boy’s condition.

 

Anyway, wouldn’t it be worth it if this guy was alive?

 

I placed my finger just below the nose of the limp boy, who appeared to be around six or seven years old. 

 

And the moment a warm wind came out of the boy—

 

A window opened before my eyes.

 

You’ve rescued the ‘Hero of the Human World’!

 

Final Stage 3.

 

—Final Quest: “Prevent the Corruption of the Human World”

 

—The Corrupted Human King has kidnapped the Hero of the Human World and is using them to corrupt the human world once again. Rescue the heroes of the human world and prevent its corruption. (4/5) 

 

—Completion Reward: Power to Protect the World ×9 

 

…?

 

What are you talking about?

 

The remaining heroes of the human world were Moon Heeyoung and Lee Semyung, weren’t they? 

 

But since I’ve saved Han Minhyuk twice, are they giving me one more? 

 

I stared at the status window with a puzzled expression, and in the meantime, a faint voice came from the boy’s mouth. 

 

“…Dad… Mom…” 

 

Han Minhyuk tried to ignore it, but realizing he couldn’t, he placed the boy on the ground. 

 

The boy regained consciousness and stood on his two feet, looking up at Han Minhyuk.

 

No, to be precise, it was the car behind Han Minhyuk’s shoulder that caught his attention.

 

“My mom…Dad…”

 

Han Minhyuk’s face distorted. It was natural that he couldn’t answer.  

 

If there had been more survivors inside, neither Han Minhyuk nor I would be standing here like this. 

 

The boy’s long, thin eyelashes fluttered. 

 

The moment I looked into the deep, dark brown eyes of the kid, as if he might burst into tears at any moment, and realized his face was actually quite handsome and cute, I suddenly opened my mouth.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“…Han Woohyun.”

 

Even with tears hanging in his eyes, he didn’t cry out loud as he spoke. 

 

“….” 

 

I’m going crazy.

 

I sat down in front of the young Han Woohyun, my lips tightly pressed together. 

 

* * *

 

“…Are you okay?”

 

Han Minhyuk reached out to me, seemingly flustered.

 

But to show that I was fine, I lifted my head and stared directly at Han Woohyun.

 

Now that I could see it, the car wasn’t just damaged at the bonnet; the windshield was also shattered, and blood was flowing heavily from the driver’s side.

 

I could tell whose blood it was.

 

The boy’s profile, scratched and covered in soot from the car frame, was filled with a sense of loss.

 

It was because he hadn’t fully grasped the reality of death to the point of missing his parents yet. 

 

That boy had just faced the first irreversible moment of his life. 

 

I saw the boy wiping away his tears with the end of his sleeve.

 

The light of resignation filled his brown eyes.

 

It was a familiar look to me.

 

The hero of the human world I just saved is indeed Han Woohyun. 

 

‘Then there’s only one hero left.’

 

Moon Heeyoung.

 

My head became complicated.

 

The original plan was to meet with Lee Semyung and Moon Heeyoung tomorrow, rescue them, and finish the quest— 

 

There was no way Lee Semyung would be somewhere else. 

 

‘What if Lee Semyung doesn’t exist in this world?’

 

My mind became complicated.

 

I remembered that Aunt Heeyoung had gone to the Gangwon-do circuit, met with Dad, and the date they met.

 

I couldn’t help it.

 

That day—

 

-…Gugugung…!

 

‘What’s meant to happen will happen…’

 

Because it was the day my house collapsed.

 

But the problem was the trajectory of Moon Heeyoung during the time when Lee Semyung didn’t even exist. 

 

Would he still exist at the Gangwon-do Circuit at that time?

 

The answer was unknown.

 

“Where… do such monsters come from?” 

 

While I was pondering, a small voice was heard.

 

Han Woohyun was staring at the Duoksini’s neck. His body and voice trembled, as if he still thought that the monster could emerge from anywhere. 

 

Han Minhyuk lifted Han Woohyun’s body and then draped his coat over the boy’s head, saying. 

 

“Nobody knows that.” 

 

There was no confusion in Han Minhyuk’s eyes as he said those words. 

 

“But no matter what, there is something more important.”

 

“….” 

 

“Think about what you want to eat. We’ll go to a Chinese restaurant for dinner.” 

 

He said that and then quietly looked at me. 

 

Uncle said that and then quietly looked at me. 

 

He had just said he was going to the U.S. military base a moment ago. 

 

“I don’t mind going to the US military base any other day. First, I’ll find out where this kid is from….” 

 

Seeing the look in my eyes, Han Minhyuk avoided my gaze and placed the boy in the car. 

 

I realized that there was something more Han Minhyuk wanted to do here, at this place. 

 

But—

 

“Then, please go back to Gyeongseong Hotel first. I have somewhere to go.” 

 

I spoke to Han Minhyuk, who opened the passenger side door as if inviting me in.

 

“Where are you going? We don’t know how many more of those things might show up.” 

 

Han Minhyuk frowned. 

 

I searched the cars near the forklift.

 

With so many cars abandoned like this, I thought at least one of them might still have its key in the ignition. 

 

“It’s okay.” 

 

And it wasn’t too difficult to find a car that seemed to be in decent condition, with no smoke coming out. 

 

Judging from the children’s belongings that were left behind, it seemed like a family had run away, leaving the car behind.

 

I turned the car key to start the engine, confirming that it worked properly. After turning off the engine and removing the key, I walked back to the van. 

 

I saw Han Woohyun sitting at the edge of the passenger seat, swinging his legs.

 

‘There was a time when he was smaller than me.’

 

It was a little strange and sad at the same time.

 

I patted Han Woohyun’s head and lowered my head to make eye contact with him.

 

“It’s okay. As you just saw, this guy is the world’s best hunter.”

 

“…Hunter?”

 

I nodded as I watched the boy’s eyes widen.

 

“Hunter. A monster hunter.”

 

I recalled Han Woohyun standing in front of the classroom in his high school uniform.

 

At that time, I just thought his eyes were fierce and intimidating.

 

But now I know.

 

How much those eyes were shaking.

 

He must have felt like he was walking back into the disaster that had swallowed the people he loved most.

 

‘Don’t die.’

 

At that time, I could only say this to him.

 

Because I felt the same way.

 

If Han Woohyun were to disappear inside the dungeon like Dad, I would feel like I was being dragged back into the darkness again, and it would suffocate me. 

 

Just hearing the word hunter made my heart race and my breathing quicken.

 

But to me now, the word ‘hunter’ had a similar but slightly different meaning.

 

“They are the people who do the most dangerous but absolutely necessary things in this world. You could call them heroes.”

 

I looked at the young boy’s eyes shining.

 

A ray of hope appeared in his eyes that had been filled with a sense of loss.

 

I said to him.

 

“I’ll wait at the Gyeongseong Hotel with Hunter Uncle. I’ll make something delicious for you.” 

 

I hesitated and stroked Han Woohyun’s head. Han Woohyun’s head that I could touch was still quite small. 

 

I felt strange.

 

Because if my memory is correct, I have to say this now.

 

If the calendar I saw in this world is correct—

 

And if the date in my memory is correct—

 

“And happy birthday, Woohyun.”

 

I looked at the boy’s dirty face with a heart that felt like biting my tongue.

 

Today, which would forever be a disaster for Han Woohyun, was Han Woohyun’s birthday.

 

“…And it’s never your fault, Woohyun. Thank you for being born.”

 

Watching the little boy finally cry out loud, I realized why Han Woohyun was so thankful for eating my seaweed soup. 

 

My head was spinning.