Welcome to Dungeon Hotel Chapter 275

269. Dad

 

‘It was because of me that these three became close.’

 

I pretended not to notice the chocolate smeared all over young Han Woohyun’s mouth and watched the three people as they sneakily glanced back while pretending to head upstairs. 

 

Han Woohyun watched the three warily, refusing to touch the chocolate cake until they had completely disappeared from sight.

 

He acted as if nothing had happened even though his face was covered in chocolate.

 

Of course, his cheeks kept moving because there was still chocolate cake in his mouth.

 

And every time his mouth moved, the boy’s satisfaction level kept going up.

 

201

 

202

 

203

 

The numbers kept rising without pause, leaving afterimages, so the crimson shadow above his head never had a chance to disappear. 

 

So, just as Manager Kang Miyeon had said, it was true that he liked sweet cakes, but he had no desire to eat them eagerly in a place full of people.

 

‘Raising children is hard…’

 

It’s hard, but it’s also cute.

 

Really now. Was there ever a time when you were this cute? 

 

It was a bit frustrating at that moment, realizing that there wasn’t even a single photo left, so I didn’t even know what little Han Woohyun looked like. 

 

‘And now that I think about it, Han Woohyun liked sweet things.’

 

He liked to drink sweet coffee or iced tea as a hangover cure, and he also liked to eat candy canes, which didn’t seem to fit.

 

 

Han Woohyun said he had no idea what he liked, but maybe he had forgotten or stopped remembering the things he liked or disliked from his childhood. 

 

I just reminded him of those things.

 

“….”

 

After confirming that all three people had gone upstairs, Han Woohyun looked at me with a wary gaze. 

 

Was he telling me to go in too?

 

I quietly took a step up the stairs.

 

But at that moment, Han Woo-hyun’s satisfaction level changed.

 

202

 

It went down?

 

I panicked and took a small step down. 

 

203

 

The satisfaction level returned.

 

I placed my hand on the stair railing with a confused expression.

 

202

 

201

 

The satisfaction level drops. 

 

I took my hand off the railing and walked toward Han Woohyun. 

 

Hmm… What would be the right thing to say?

 

I realized that raising a young child is more complicated and sensitive than I thought, so I started to be more careful with my words. 

 

“Can I eat the cake too?” 

 

I first pretended to casually ask the manager. 

 

Then the manager looked at Han Woohyun, and Han Woohyun… 

 

Hesitating, he nodded his head.

 

It feels like I’m taking care of a cat. 

 

I slowly approached Han Woohyun after those words. 

 

Then I saw Han Woohyun’s small feet wiggling under the tablecloth.

 

203

 

204

 

Even though his expression is like that, he’s actually happy.

 

I was grateful for having developed the sense to notice that much, and I picked up a plastic spoon from in front of the manager and scooped a big spoonful of cake. 

 

‘I scooped too much.’

 

I thought that, but Han Woohyun showed no reaction. 

 

The satisfaction level also remained unchanged.

 

Rather, the light in Han Woohyun’s eyes seemed more like an expectant gaze. 

 

I opened my mouth wide and put the large cake in my mouth. 

 

The dough, which had been carefully mixed, was dense, and the outer part, baked in a wok oven made with savory seasoning, was crispy. The melted chocolate added a sweet touch. 

 

‘…Delicious.’

 

It was quite sweet for my taste, but for someone who enjoys sweet treats, this flavor would definitely appeal to them. 

 

That means it was a taste that Han Woohyun would definitely like. 

 

It was quite sweet for my taste, but for someone who enjoys sweet treats, this flavor would definitely appeal to them.

 

As expected, Han Woohyun is still Han Woohyun, isn’t he?

 

While I was lost in those thoughts—

 

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240

 

“….” 

 

Han Woohyun’s satisfaction skyrocketed. 

 

Only then could I see Han Woohyun, who was staring at me, trying to hold back his smile. 

 

Why… is he doing that? 

 

The manager, with a similar expression, looked at me and then subtly pointed to her own cheek. 

 

‘You got it.’

 

I quickly tried to wipe the cake off my cheek—

 

250

 

I stopped in surprise, looking at the rising satisfaction level. 

 

Then, I scooped another spoonful, opened my mouth wide, and ate the cake.

 

This time, I could definitely feel the chocolate not only on my lips but also on the tip of my nose. 

 

Han Woohyun burst out laughing when he saw that.

 

“…Pft.” 

 

Not knowing what his own face looked like, Han Woohyun let out a laugh that sounded like the high-pitched giggle unique to young children.  

 

As I watched Han Woohyun, I ate the cake greedily, then I secretly put some cake on Han Woohyun’s cheek.

 

“….”

 

Then Han Woohyun’s movements suddenly stopped.

 

Was it a mistake?

 

After a brief moment of hesitation, Han Woohyun moved. 

 

“….!’ 

 

He generously smeared cake on my cheek as well. 

 

260

 

You brat. 

 

I quickly scooped up some cake with a mischievous smile and lightly smeared it on Han Woohyun’s nose. 

 

Then Han Woohyun opened his surprised rabbit eyes.

 

He looked flustered, but it didn’t take long for him to come to his senses and start fighting back against me.

 

“Hey.” 

 

“Hey? Why are you joining the fight, Manager?”

 

“Normally, it’s hard for workers to side with their employers.” 

 

As the manager joined the fray, the delicious cake was transformed into a tool for both offense and defense. Soon, the three people and Geumdong, who had heard the noise, came down to join in the battle. 

 

“Come here, you brat.”  

 

“Hehehe, look at your face. Did you just roll around in the mud?”

 

“Shoot, shoot~ Fly high in the sky, fly~”

 

It seemed that, in the process, the satisfaction of the three people was rising more than that of Han Woohyun. 

 

* * * 

 

When the fun cake fight ended, Kim Junsoo lifted Han Woohyun and gave him a bath. 

 

In the meantime, I searched for clothes to put on Han Woohyun, but among the men’s clothes, there was nothing suitable. 

 

I took out the short-sleeve t-shirt I had washed and kept clean. 

 

It’s a bit small for me, but it should be a little big for Han Woohyun. 

 

He’ll have to wear the same pants as before, but changing into a fresh T-shirt should make him feel better.

 

I folded the T-shirt neatly and placed it in front of the bathroom where the two were inside before stepping away. 

 

Soon, with his back freshly dried, Kim Junsoo came out, carrying a half-dazed Han Woohyun on his back. 

 

“He’s completely tired, isn’t he?” 

 

“Playing in the water is always tiring, you know? Pft, so cute….” 

 

Kim Junsoo sat Han Woohyun down in Room 204’s bedroom and began putting socks on him.

 

If he had the same energy as before, he would have stomped his feet and refused, but he was so thoroughly worn out that he couldn’t even put up a fight and just lay limp. 

 

‘I wonder what kind of chaos would unfold if Uncle Junsoo ends up remembering this moment.’

 

Among the baby Junghyo fans, Uncle Junsoo could be considered to have a relatively good relationship with Han Woohyun, but it was hard to say that he actually held any affection for him. 

 

It was more accurate to say that the social skills he had developed over years as the Association President were simply working on Han Woohyun as well. 

 

I had always thought that deep down, he might be more wary of Han Woohyun than even Aunt Misoon or Uncle Minhyuk. 

 

So, I had a feeling that if Uncle remembered this situation, it would cause a big problem. 

 

Administrator

 

There’s nothing unusual at the hotel, right?

 

I tried talking to Alex for no reason, but no response came back.

 

‘Nothing could happen… ‘

 

Anyway, the dangerous ones—like the Demon King or those similar to one—were in this world, so there were no threats to the hotel. 

 

Rather, the problem is Dad. 

 

Dad whom the fallen Human King is keeping. 

 

Ever since rescuing Han Woohyun, my mind has been in a tangled state. 

 

The completion condition for this quest is to rescue the heroes, but the completion reward doesn’t mention returning Dad—only granting the power to protect the world. 

 

‘In the worst-case scenario, rescuing Dad and saving the heroes could be entirely separate matters.’

 

Of course, if I’m granted the power to protect the world, I could use it to thoroughly defeat the Demon King and rescue Dad. But still, I couldn’t help but worry.

 

It would be great if Alex could properly make use of that bug—

 

Gyeongseong Hotel: ★★★☆☆

 

Remaining satisfaction until a 4-star hotel: 800

 

Even after raising it for a long time, the satisfaction level is still insufficient to create a 4-star hotel. 

 

I couldn’t help it.

 

Right now, this place is an apocalyptic world, and for those who have lost their family and friends in a place like this, their satisfaction level is bound to be lacking. 

 

While I was lost in thought, staring at the status window, Uncle Junsoo was called by Hwang Misoon and went outside.

 

When only Han Woohyun and I were left, he clutched the blanket with a slightly frightened expression and looked at me.

 

“Are you… going to turn off the lights and leave?”

 

Ah, the light.

 

Come to think of it, there are quite a few kids at that age who can’t sleep alone. 

 

They say the hardest parts of raising kids are feeding them and putting them to sleep. 

 

I recalled the manager’s words and moved closer to Han Woohyun. 

 

When I sat by Han Woohyun’s bedside, his brown eyes quietly stared at me. 

 

So, are you going to turn off the light or not? 

 

…That’s what it seemed like he was asking, so I answered. 

 

“Did you usually sleep with the lights on?”

 

He shook his head. 

 

“…Dad left the bedside lamp on.”

 

Coincidentally, there was an antique bedside lamp in Room 204. 

 

I turned on the bedside lamp and switched off the fluorescent light instead. 

 

“I’ll leave it on for as long as you want.”

 

“…Phew.” 

 

The kid let out an audible sigh of relief.

 

I smiled a little and asked Han Woohyun. 

 

“Did you have fun at your birthday party?” 

 

I realized the question was odd only after asking it, but the answer came immediately. 

 

Could today be a fun day?

 

“I don’t know.”

 

“….” 

 

“But I don’t think I’ll be able to forget today…”

 

The child’s words were true. Today would undoubtedly be an unforgettable day for him in many ways.

 

Han Woohyun gripped the blanket tightly and looked at me. 

 

“I won’t be able to see Mom and Dad again, right?”

 

Han Woohyun asked me with an innocent face. His voice was filled with tears, but he never cried.

 

It was a face that instinctively seemed to know that many difficult things were still ahead. 

 

I thought about my answer.

 

I wanted to tell him that there are people we may never see again, but who remain in our memories and stay with us for a lifetime. That I, too, know someone like that. 

 

But it would be difficult for this young child to understand such abstract words. So, I continued speaking in a simpler way. 

 

“Even if you can’t see your mom and dad, their love for you will never change.”  

 

“How do you know that? They don’t tell me… I can’t see it… How can I know from now on?”

 

The child’s voice trembled. It trembled so much that it finally broke, and Han Woohyun began to cry. 

 

A deep pain settled in a corner of my heart. I lay down diagonally on the bed and embraced Han Woohyun. 

 

I held him for a long time, feeling tears welling up from his small head.

 

Strangely enough, even as the boy continued to cry, his satisfaction level only kept rising. 

 

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It was both pitiful and amazing.

 

That a person’s heart can sometimes shatter so easily, yet at other times remain whole like this.

 

I held the boy a little tighter.

 

Han Woohyun is Han Woohyun…

 

I whispered into the boy’s ear, recalling the realization I had while eating the cake earlier.

 

“I… I’ll tell you instead….”

 

My voice trembled without me knowing.

 

“I’ll… turn on the stand for you on scary nights, stay with you, and also…” 

 

Because Han Woohyun is Han Woohyun,

 

Because this guy is little Han Woohyun,

 

What I just said wasn’t a lie.

 

“…I’ll love you.”

 

“…H, heuk…” 

 

Quiet sobs came from the small head.

 

The sobs flowed out and kept flowing until, finally, they stopped. 

 

“I love you.”

 

It was the moment I whispered in his ear.

 

A blue light flashed before my eyes.

 

It was the light flowing from my ring.

 

And then a voice came.

 

—You told me to choose. Whether to live unhappily, stuck in the past, or to live happily with you in the future. My choice is… this.

 

Only then did I realize that the activation phrase for the ring Han Woohyun had given me was “I love you.” 

 

He had specially requested the activation phrase from Aunt Misoon.

 

‘Of all times… now….’

 

I looked at the young Han Woohyun in surprise, glancing between him and his floating face in the air. 

 

Isn’t this some kind of time paradox?

 

—Even in the dark nights, in the bright days, in difficult times, and in joyful moments, I will always be by your side.

 

Was it because of his rather serious expression? I forgot to hide the ring and just sat there blankly, listening to Han Woohyun’s confession. 

 

He must have confessed dozens of times, but he always gave me that sincere confession.

 

—I’ll give you a heart so vast that even if you spend your whole life searching, you won’t be able to find all of it.

 

Without realizing it, I found myself drawn in, as if mesmerized.

 

—I love you.

 

My hands gripped the blanket tightly.

 

—I love you.

 

A tickling feeling spread through my heart.

 

—I love you.

 

Han Woohyun before my eyes was so vivid that, for a moment, I felt as if I could smell his scent.

 

As our faces got a little closer, I felt like I could touch him.

 

‘I miss you.’

 

I wanted to touch him, and hug him.

 

Suddenly, a strong impulse came over me.

 

I thought to myself that if he were right in front of me, I might have clung to him in an ugly way. 

 

No, I wanted to do that.

 

I always thought I had done my best to convey my feelings, but every time I heard Han Woohyun’s confession, I realized that wasn’t the case. 

 

Every time I saw Han Woohyun, so openly and genuinely showing his feelings, I couldn’t help but think that the one lacking courage was me. 

 

I looked up at Han Woohyun and wished for another chance.

 

I wanted to meet him again and tell him how I felt at this moment.

 

Even in a world on the brink of destruction, I thought only of you.

 

But then—

 

Tuk.

 

The video froze, and someone took my hand.

 

It was young Han Woohyun.

 

Young Han Woohyun mumbled, unable to take his eyes off the spot where Han Woohyun’s video had been.

 

“Dad…?” 

 

What?

 

I looked down at Han Woohyun, wondering if I had misheard.

 

But then he smiled brightly with red eyes and hugged me tightly.

 

“It’s Dad.”

 

1,000

 

A red satisfaction mark appeared. And at the same time—

 

‘★’ acquired!

 

Gyeongseong Hotel: ★★★★☆

 

“It’s Dad. Dad is here.”

 

The young Han Woohyun, believing he had heard his father’s voice, was holding onto me. 

 

My head was dizzy.

 

It wasn’t because I had been crying before I knew it.

 

It was because I had unknowingly been adapting to this world created by the Demon King. 

 

Everything in this world felt disturbingly real, just like this young and soft skin.