Welcome to Dungeon Hotel Chapter 277

271. Give Me Your World

 

“Dad, Mom…” 

 

Mom didn’t come back.

 

The child’s words didn’t seem to reach Dad’s ears.

 

Dad just mumbled like he was half-mad. 

 

“She’s back… of all times… now…” 

 

The child shook her head.

 

No. Mom didn’t come back.

 

The mother, who had gone out to do some shopping, hadn’t returned for over a day—

 

“Junghyo-ya.” 

 

Dad’s eyes were filled with tears.

 

The child couldn’t hide their anxious feelings and burst into tears. 

 

“Waaah… Mom’s not coming… Mom’s not coming…” 

 

As the child started crying, the father suddenly dropped to his knees in front of them. 

 

Although he was called a father, he was still a young man in his early twenties. 

 

The man sat down on the spot, unable to pick up the child, and started crying. 

 

“Mom… I couldn’t bring Mom back.”

 

“Waaah…” 

 

“Could Dad protect Junghyo instead…? Sniff…” 

 

“No… No!” 

 

“I will… protect you until the end.” 

 

The trembling hands that hugged her with a guilty expression were something the child would never forget for a long time. 

 

And she regretted it for a long time.

 

At that time, Dad was enough.

 

It was okay.

 

The fact that they couldn’t hug her while saying those words. 

 

* * *

 

“This way.”

 

Junghyo guided the woman to her room, feeling the weight of the woman, who was half leaning on her. 

 

This woman carries weight.

 

From the side, her eyelids are trembling, and she even wears a somewhat gloomy expression. 

 

‘It’s different from what I always saw in the photos.’

 

Junghyo had almost no memories of her mother when she was alive. She was too young at the time.

 

Memories from that age usually stay in the brain for a long time, thanks to someone nearby constantly reminding them, but Junghyo had no one to do that for her. 

 

The only person who remembered her mother was her father. 

 

So, during the great disaster, she would often reminisce about her mother using the few remaining photos that survived. 

 

The problem was that the woman in the photos was flat, and her expression was always just a smile. 

 

‘I’ve never seen a face like this, trembling in fear…’

 

That’s why it felt unfamiliar and strange.

 

That Mom is alive.

 

“It’s strange. What happened in the world? There’s no one on the streets. I came across a few dangerous-looking people, but I couldn’t even get close to them.” 

 

At that moment, the woman spoke to Junghyo with a trembling body.

 

It seemed like she had encountered some thugs, similar to the looters that Junghyo had first met in this place. 

 

“Monsters are appearing everywhere. You’ll need to hide in a safe place for now.”

 

Until more hunters awaken.

 

Three S-rank hunters, who are already playing an important role in the rebuilding of South Korea, have awakened, so it won’t be long before we can wait a little more.

 

Junghyo thought to herself and then sat the woman down in a chair.

 

The woman was still trembling a little and looked exhausted. 

 

Moreover, since earlier, a growling sound had been coming from the woman’s stomach. She seemed to be hungry. 

 

‘Really, because she’s human.’

 

Junghyo felt a bit dizzy. Her mother wasn’t really alive, but here, she was a real person. 

 

Is it… really a person? Where should sheI ask about this? 

 

First, let’s confirm the situation. 

 

Junghyo redirected the conversation, whether to summon the Demon King or Alex, in order to do something. 

 

“Are you hungry? I have some leftover ingredients for jjambbong. I’ll make it and bring it up to you.” 

 

It was just as Junghyo was about to leave after saying that. 

 

The woman grabbed Junghyo’s hand. 

 

“Are the military and police okay? My daughter is still young, so…” 

 

The woman rambled on, then realized she was holding Junghyo’s hand and awkwardly let go. 

 

Then, feeling like she had been pressuring Junghyo, she hurriedly expressed her gratitude.

 

“Ah, for now… thank you. I owe my life to you.”

 

But Junghyo just stared blankly at her hand for a moment. The sensation in her hand felt so real that it was hard to believe.

 

Junghyo asked, staring at the woman with a dazed expression. 

 

“Sorry, but may I have your name?… I need to make a guest list.” 

 

“Seok Jiyoung.”

 

Seeing the woman speak with her rough lips, Junghyo felt her head go blank once again.

 

“I’ll make some jjambbong… and bring it up.” 

 

Junghyo closed the door to room 301 and stood in front of the stairs. 

 

Junghyo let out a heavy breath and gripped the railing tightly with her hand. 

 

Hotel Owner 

 

What are you doing? 

 

Junghyo stared at the message window, but the Demon King didn’t reply.

 

Just as Junghyo staggered and collapsed by the railing, a reply came. 

 

Demon King

 

How is it? The world I created.

 

As she read the absurd reply, she realized.

 

This world is a trap.

 

Demon King

 

If you want, I’ll give it to you as a Christmas present.

 

This crazy guy’s trap.

 

Demon King

 

This world where all the people you love are gathered.

 

Give me your world.

 

It’ll be a profitable business.

 

* * *

 

“…Noona?”

 

The moment the door to Room 301 creaked open, the woman came face to face with the brown eyes of a boy who suddenly poked his head out. 

 

It was the meeting between the young Han Woohyun and the guest of Room 301.

 

The young Han Woohyun, seeing Seok Jiyoung sitting motionless with a blanket draped over her, seemed startled and stepped back. 

 

“…Noona…” 

 

The person Han Woohyun refers to as ‘noona’ is, of course, not Seok Jiyoung. 

 

Seok Jiyoung thought that he was probably looking for the hotel owner.

 

Seok Jiyoung, flustered, fell on her bottom with a thud, then got back up and spoke to the boy.

 

“Um… are you looking for your sister? Is the boss your sister?”

 

Seok Jiyoung slightly regretted her words as she watched the boy turn his head away from her. 

 

Seok Jiyoung didn’t actually like children much. 

 

Due to her distant relationship with her family, Seok Jiyoung had never really felt the bond of family, and even after getting married, she didn’t have much desire for children. 

 

Still, she should raise them when she has them. 

 

Well, with that kind of thinking, she had a child. 

 

She didn’t think she ever felt tears or a deep affection for the child after holding that tiny thing, about the size of her arm.

 

It just came into the world. Now she has to raise this child. It might be a bit rough. 

 

She just hugged the child tightly as if making a resolve.

 

Her foolish husband burst into tears and collapsed without even holding the child. 

 

She raised the child as if it were a given duty, as if it were a natural part of life, but at some point, she sensed something strange.

 

‘This… I didn’t eat it.’

 

That was the young daughter’s first lie. Even though her lips were covered in cookie crumbs, she lied about not eating the cookie when questioned. 

 

The daughter, who was quiet and introverted, didn’t have much of a desire for things. Still, the fact that she secretly ate the cookies showed how much she must have wanted them. 

 

LIke a fool. 

 

She silently wiped the crumbs from her young daughter’s lips and thought to herself. 

 

The moments when her young daughter started walking, started running, started lying, and started making friends. 

 

The countless moments she would spend without me—the little one who once lay in my arms, drinking the formula I prepared, unable to even hold up her head properly. 

 

She knew she could never be there for all those moments. 

 

Because now, this child had begun to leave her and create a world of her own. 

 

As she carefully picked off each crumb caught in the fine baby hairs, she felt a hint of fear. 

 

I hope you are happy even when I am not around.

 

 

She had never felt this way before. 

 

She loved her husband, but that was because being with him brought her joy and happiness. 

 

To her—or rather, in general—love always began that way in countless movies and dramas. 

 

She loved that person because they made her happy when they were together. 

 

However, now she felt happiness at the thought of a complete stranger finding joy on their own. 

 

At the same time, she was afraid that the other person wouldn’t be happy.

 

Can love begin like this?

 

Can this feeling be called love?

 

Perhaps this should simply be called a desperate prayer, a wish, or something of the sort. 

 

She couldn’t even bring herself to scold the little child who was pretending not to notice—she simply crouched there in silence. 

 

And she said this in a small voice that barely came out of her throat.

 

‘‘If you really want to eat…say you want to eat. If you want to eat something at school, you have to say so. If there’s something you want to eat at school, you have to say it—only then will they give it to you.’

 

The child lowered her head slightly, then nodded shyly. 

 

‘Mhm… okay…’

 

For Jiyoung, loving her child meant that from the moment she became aware of that love, she was already preparing for farewell. 

 

“She’s not my ‘sister,’ just… um…” 

 

At the word ‘Noona,’ the boy flushed and lowered his head for some reason. Seeing him like that, Jiyoung was reminded of her daughter. 

 

“She’s my hero. She saved me.” 

 

Jiyoung gently smiled at the shy smile, as if he were confessing his love. 

 

It seemed that the owner of this hotel had taken in someone who, like her, was separated from their family. 

 

If her hands weren’t this cold, she would have embraced him. 

 

She looked down at her trembling hands and said.

 

“Did you wake up? Because it was noisy outside?”

 

Is it because of me?

 

She asked, thinking that.

 

The boy shook his head.

 

“That’s not it…” 

 

“No?” 

 

“Because I want to see her.” 

 

Han Woohyun’s eyes sparkled strangely. 

 

“I want to see Noona. I had a strange dream.” 

 

A strange dream?

 

Watching Seok Jiyoung blink, Han Woo-hyun thought.

 

The two of them, their pitch-black eyes are very similar.

 

“…Are you cold?” 

 

Han Woo-hyun looked at the woman’s trembling hands and, with small, quick steps, approached Seok Jiyoung. 

 

“Huh? Oh… It’s strangely cold. I’ve been freezing ever since I came to my senses.”

 

As soon as Seok Jiyoung answered, Han Woohyun clumsily climbed onto the bed and gently wrapped his arms around her neck. 

 

“….?”

 

Seeing Seok Jiyoung’s startled expression, the boy said, 

 

“If Noona were next to you, she would have hugged you right away.” 

 

Seok Jiyoung was a little taken aback, but there was no denying that being hugged by the boy had a calming effect. 

 

Such a small body.

 

This is really…

 

She missed her… 

 

“T, thank you.” 

 

Han Woohyun quietly observed Seok Jiyoung for a moment before asking. 

 

“But… do you have a daughter, Aunt?” 

 

….?

 

But why am I an ‘Aunt’? There’s not even much of an age gap between me and the boss. 

 

Even in the cold, Seok Jiyoung found herself thinking that. 

 

Well, anyway.

 

“Hmm? So you heard it earlier.”

 

“….”

 

“Mhm. She’s exactly the same age as you.” 

 

“What’s her name?” 

 

The boy asked, tilting his head.

 

Then Seok Jiyoung smiled and said.

 

“Lee Junghyo.”

 

“Lee…Jung…hyo…” 

 

The boy thought as he pronounced the name quietly.

 

No, he was sure of it.

 

The dream he had was not just a dream.

 

In the dream, that is—

 

* * *

 

The cafeteria of Yeongchun Hotel.

 

Alex, who had been sitting there with his dark hoodie pulled over his head, suddenly found himself surrounded by four S-rank hunters. 

 

Hwang Misoon, Kim Junsoo, Han Woohyun, and Han Minhyuk. 

 

To be exact, the three-colored cat that the S-class hunters had captured was also there.

 

For reference, the three-colored cat had been caught by Hwang Misoon’s cleaning robot—a machine that excelled at everything except actual cleaning. 

 

“Meow! (Why are you doing this to me!)”

 

“You’re the status window?”

 

Holding the cleaning robot’s remote, Hwang Misoon looked down at Alex. 

 

Alex let out a sigh and looked up at Hwang Misoon.

 

And at the same time, he glared at the version of himself trapped by the cleaning robot. 

 

“You crazy brat, what did you mess with?” 

 

“Meow…! (I only revealed your current location, so what?…)” 

 

At that moment, Han Woohyun sat down in the chair across from Alex and spoke. 

 

“I saw you creating message windows inside the painting. You’re doing something similar now, aren’t you?”  

 

“….” 

 

“Why do you have to do that?” 

 

Alex tried to pretend as hard as he could, but—

 

“Why did Junghyo enter a world of catastrophe?” 

 

His expression couldn’t help but collapse in front of Han Woohyun’s direct speech. 

 

I’m screwed.

 

Alex cursed inwardly.