Welcome to Dungeon Hotel Chapter 295

289. We should have a car parade.

 

‘I have nothing left behind in the past anymore.’

 

‘Me too.’

 

Demon King

 

Is this a country?

 

As he listened to the Demon King’s lament, Merlin Grey shook his head while staring into the void. 

 

“Then why are you showing this to me? You could’ve just died alone, couldn’t you?”

 

Demon King

 

Because it sucks.

 

Because it sucks.

 

While boiling pasta noodles to serve to the guests, Merlin Grey muttered to himself.

 

If it really sucked that much, he could’ve just left that chatroom a long time ago. It’s not like Merlin was holding him back with force anymore.

 

In short, the Demon King is staying there because he wants to be there.

 

‘The reason is…’

 

Merlin Grey gave the pasta noodles a gentle stir to keep them from getting soggy, then looked quietly at the Demon King and asked. 

 

“If someone calls you, you’ll come out, won’t you?”

 

Demon King

 

…!

 

“If Junghyo calls you herself, you’re planning to reluctantly come out and head to the hotel, aren’t you?”

 

Demon King

 

‘Demon King’ left the chat room.

 

Oh my. 

 

Merlin Grey stared at the chatroom in disbelief.

 

He pouted his lips and typed out a simple message.

 

Former Hotel Owner

 

What if I invite you?

 

Demon King

 

…?

 

The Demon King’s reply came quite quickly.

 

It felt like he might’ve caused a bit of trouble, but considering he’d already caused a massive one before, it didn’t really matter.

 

For example, like giving Han Woohyun a skill window—or something like that.

 

‘But why did you turn it off?’

 

When Merlin handed the Mind Communication skill to Han Woohyun, he set two conditions.

 

One was that it could only be used for a week.

 

The other was that once it was turned off, it couldn’t be turned back on.

 

But why did he turn it off?

 

‘Because he’s no longer curious about what the other person feels…’

 

Merlin tilted his head in curiosity, turned off the timer that had just gone off, and scooped out the pasta noodles.

 

Now, all he had to do was pour the basil sauce, garnish it with tomatoes, and send it out—

 

“Mmm… this is delicious…”

 

“…That’s for the guest!”

 

He smacked Geumdong’s shoulder repeatedly as the boy grabbed the steaming pasta with his hands, but it was no use. The pasta already in Geumdong’s mouth was still connected to the rest sitting in the strainer.

 

“The guests are eating seafood ramen anyway…”

 

Geumdong mumbled around a mouthful of pasta, looking as if he’d been wronged.

 

Only then did Merlin Grey finally turn to look at the burner beside him.

 

In the large wok on the burner were remnants of the seafood ramen Kang Miyeon had cooked earlier, using a heap of seafood she’d brought from Yonggung Sashimi Restaurant, saying it was to feed the staff.

 

“Why would they choose seafood ramen over fresh basil tomato pasta…!”

 

Merlin Grey went out to check the reactions of the guests behind the partition in anger.

 

There’s no way they would prefer instant ramen that takes just five minutes to make over gourmet pasta prepared at a five-star hotel.

 

Sure, it had tasty ingredients like octopus, shrimp, and clams, but weren’t those kinds of ingredients better steamed or eaten raw to preserve their flavor and texture in the first place?

 

Besides, the very idea of serving ramen at a luxury hotel was absurd to begin with.

 

Merlin Grey went to the table in anger to blame the guy’s mentality as the general manager.

 

But what he faced at the guests’ table was—

 

“As expected, ramen really is the best after a night of drinking.” 

 

“Ramen with octopus? This kind of luxury is only possible at Yeongchun Hotel!”

 

100

 

100

 

99

 

It was the sound of the boss’ wallet jingling.

 

“….!”

 

As Merlin stood there blankly in a wave of emptiness, someone walked past him holding a green bottle.

 

The one carrying the soju bottle—completely out of place with her neat attire of a navy uniform and a napkin draped over her arm—was Kang Miyeon.

 

“Hey. What do you think you’re doing?”

 

“What are you doing? I’m trying to recommend a perfect pairing with seafood ramen.”

 

“It’s the middle of the day. And don’t forget, the guests in Room 203 went back to their room completely drunk last night. More importantly, do you seriously think ramen and soju make sense at a hotel?”

 

That’s why beginners can’t do it.

 

Kang Miyeon, the general manager, might have earned Lee Junghyo’s favor, but she still had a lot to learn.

 

A luxury hotel was supposed to monitor the guests’ condition from start to finish and provide seamless, unobtrusive service like air.

 

Kang Miyeon might have had a knack for marketing, but she lacked that kind of finesse.

 

“The general manager misses too much. God is in the details, you know.”

 

Kang Miyeon laughed in vain at Merlin’s words.

 

“Are you sure I’m the one missing the details?”

 

“What?”

 

For some reason, Merlin tilted his head in confusion as he looked at the confident Kang Miyeon.

 

“Room 203 is for two male guests.”

 

“….”

 

“Purpose of the trip?”

 

“Fishing.”

 

Of course, he had figured that out in advance. For a hotelier, the purpose of a guest trip is something he should be familiar with as a basic matter.

 

‘What does she take me for…’

 

There’s no way he could miss something so basic.

 

Merlin consoled himself, who was unnecessarily nervous.

 

But then,

 

Kang Miyeon pointed to the guests’ tables with her hand.

 

“Do you know what fishermen like the most?”

 

At Kang Miyeon’s fingertips was a bottle of water placed next to the ramen. The two guests were sipping it from their glasses.

 

“Water…?”

 

Because they like fishing?

 

“That’s why the ‘former’ hotel owner can’t help but lose his sense.”

 

“….?”

 

What are you talking about?

 

Feeling somehow irritated, Merlin looked over at Kang Miyeon.

 

Kang Miyeon said confidently.

 

“A bottle of water with the label removed. What’s inside is soju.”

 

“….!”

 

“Soju is like elixir to fishermen, you know.”

 

Kang Miyeon smiled softly as she gently shook the green bottle, making it glisten.

 

Then, as if speaking to a subordinate, she gently patted Merlin Grey’s shoulder and whispered softly into his ear.

 

“God is in the details.”

 

Damn it.

 

Merlin Grey, watching Kang Miyeon’s retreating back, unconsciously clenched his fist tightly.

 

Just that heir of Yonggung Sashimi Restaurant…!

 

Demon King

 

Hahahaha.

 

At that moment when the Demon King started laughing.

 

The elevator opened and an employee working at the cafe came into the lounge.

 

He quickly approached Kang Miyeon and whispered something urgently. Kang Miyeon placed the soju bottle and shot glasses on the guests’ table, then turned around with a stern expression.

 

“Why? What is it all of a sudden?”

 

Just a moment ago, she was smiling happily after winning.

 

“The Mayor of Ganju-gun came to the first floor.”

 

“The Mayor of Ganju-gun…? Ah, the lord of this region.” 

 

“Lord of what? The county governor is an elected position, you know?”

 

If the county governor is a lord, then are we his subjects? 

 

Kang Miyeon swallowed those words, put down the napkin, and quickly caught the elevator.

 

It’s ruined.

 

The boss did say there would be some big event before going up to Seoul, but she never imagined it would be something like this.

 

As Kang Miyeon arrived at the cafeteria floor, she stiffened upon seeing the brightly smiling Mayor of Ganju-gun and the aide standing behind him holding a placard.

 

The proud daughter of Ganju-gun.

 

Congratulations to Hunter Lee Junghyo for being ranked 1st in the world.

 

Crazy.

 

Kang Miyeon’s face crumpled into a frown.

 

The murmurs of the surrounding guests grew audible. Several began fumbling for their cell phones.

 

“World ranking 1st…?”

 

“Didn’t you write 1st in Korea incorrectly?”

 

“The world rankings haven’t come out yet.”

 

In fact, Kang Miyeon had already heard the news from the boss over the phone.

 

But the article was definitely supposed to come out tomorrow, so something must have gotten messed up along the way.

 

The Mayor of Ganju-gun secretly whispered to Kang Miyeon, even though he had brought a placard.

 

“I heard the news.”

 

“…How… The article hasn’t even been published yet…”

 

“Someone’s daughter—who’s a friend of our daughter’s classmate—works at the Association.”

 

At that point, they’re practically strangers.

 

“At Ganju MBS, my grandchild’s former math teacher’s child also works there.”

 

That’s a stranger, too. 

 

…is what she wanted to say, but in Ganju-gun, that actually counts as a pretty close relationship.

 

“So I just had to be the very first to celebrate this great honor~ Sooo~! I went to the factory an hour ago and practically begged them to make this— and yet, is our dear boss too busy to come out?”

 

In short, the news hasn’t even been out yet, and the mayor of Ganju-gun has blown it up.

 

Kang Miyeon, realizing the situation, clenched her teeth in determination, her face flustered as she prepared to drive the mayor out.

 

“Ahaha… Well, you see, Mayor…”

 

But the mayor didn’t back down easily.

 

“Now, I think our county’s population is going to skyrocket! You know what? Hm? I had a strange dream yesterday. A dragon soared into the sky with an orb in its mouth. And now I realize—that dragon was our boss, and the orb was Ganju County! What do you think about that, secretary?!”

 

“That’s right! Ganju-gun will now shine as the most populous in the entire province.”

 

“Hahaha, oh dear. Do you think I should go meet with the provincial governor next month?! Gotta book a decent seafood restaurant somewhere. Ah, seriously. She’s ranked number one in the world—this is practically like winning an Olympic gold medal for our country, right? Hm?”

 

“That’s right, sir!”

 

What do you mean, ‘right’!

 

Kang Miyeon pulled a long face as the murmurs of the guests grew louder with each enthusiastic agreement from the aide.

 

“Um… arrange a delivery truck. No, it would be better to get a cargo truck from the cement factory and decorate it.”

 

“…Why the cargo truck…?”

 

Kang Miyeon felt a chill run down her spine as she looked at the mayor of Ganju-gun.

 

Then the Mayor of Ganju-gun replied with a smile brighter than anyone else’s.

 

“Of course, we need to do a car parade.”

 

Kang Miyeon screamed inwardly.

 

What should I do, boss!

 

Looks like the boss is about to get a flower necklace and be paraded around on top of a cargo truck!

 

* * *

 

The BJF gathering ended in complete chaos. 

 

Luckily, I managed to snatch Uncle Minhyuk’s gun just in time to stop Aunt Misoon from getting shot—so in the end, it was a happy ending.

 

“I’ll drive.”

 

Dad took the wheel and decided to head to our next destination with me. Han Woohyun had to return to his home in Seoul since he was starting work tomorrow.

 

Manager, I’m heading out now.

 

I had left a brief message in the group chat with the manager, where the unread notification “1” had stubbornly remained since earlier. 

 

Is she busy? 

 

I have to go and help her quickly.

 

I rested my head on the passenger seat and prepared to rest.

 

Until Dad started making strange noises.

 

“When are you… getting married to Han Woohyun?”

 

I lifted my head from the chair rest at the sound that made my eyes open wide.