Welcome to Dungeon Hotel Chapter 298

292. Not S-class, but Junghyo’s fan club.

 

“….”

 

“….”

 

A heavy silence settled between the two of them.

 

Louisa opened her eyes wide and soon asked Junghyo cautiously. 

 

“So you’re saying… you’d be open to coming to France, on the condition that you get to build a hotel in Paris?”

 

“For now, I will think about it.” 

 

Louisa’s eyes widened once again at the rather straightforward answer.

 

In the meantime, Junghyo—the woman with those jet-black eyes—quietly looked at her hotel and said. 

 

“If there’s someone who can run this place in my stead, then this hotel can always stay here, waiting for the people of Yeongchun-myeon and all corners of the dungeon. So it’s probably better for me to go somewhere else.”

 

“Why so easily…”

 

Just as she was about to say, “Why give up so easily?”, Louisa hesitated. 

 

Because at that moment, those pitch-black eyes were staring straight at her.

 

“I realized something from what you just said.”

 

“What is that?”

 

“I’ve already become the person I wanted to be. I think I was the only one who didn’t realize it for a long time.”

 

Junghyo answered with a face that looked somehow overwhelmed, but there was a faint trace of regret lingering in her profile. 

 

Regret—but not lingering attachment. Perhaps that’s why Luisa’s lips parted instinctively, as she looked at that lonely expression. 

 

That side profile looked so lonesome…

 

Because she realized—she didn’t like seeing that kind of expression.

 

Each time Louisa’s lips moved slightly, black scales briefly appeared and disappeared on the nape of her neck— 

 

“Isn’t it your birthday soon?”

 

“Yes?”

 

Ah. This woman…No, my birthday.

 

Louisa blinked when she realized that.

 

“I believe your 70th birthday is tomorrow. For tomorrow evening’s dinner, I’d like to serve a birthday cake as dessert. Would that be alright with you?”

 

“Dessert?”

 

Louisa nodded quickly.

 

“Okay. Whatever it is.”

 

While Louisa was shaking her head vigorously, Junghyo quietly gazed above her head.

 

 

20

 

Satisfaction was rising.

 

* * *

 

“So, you’re saying you want to order a birthday cake for Ms. Louisa Villani here?”

 

Kang Miyeon pointed at the tablet screen displaying the map and asked.

 

Her fingertip was pointing at Happy Confectionery in Jeongcheon County.  

 

“I’ll go there myself!”

 

Geumdong raised his hand.

 

“Me! I can go! A great golden retriever is good at running errands~”

 

“A retriever can’t go alone.”

 

“Hng… But I’m not just any retriever, I’m a great Goldie…” 

 

“No.”

 

Junghyo said firmly.

 

It was already strange enough for a retriever to be fetching a cake, but when she saw those chubby cheeks puffed up from munching on sweet potatoes bought at the spirit shop, she knew that brat had something else in mind.  

 

If anyone saw Geumdong picking up and eating bread or cake near the bakery, they would immediately report her for pet abuse. 

 

“I thought I hid the sweet potato well, but…”

 

“How did you even know about the one box that was left?”

 

Junghyo comforted the general manager, who was disheartened by Geumdong’s now chubby jowls.

 

Since Hyejin recently started dieting and has been diligently taking Geumdong for walks, there’s no choice but to trust her with it.

 

Fortunately, in Geumdong’s case, the side effects hit hard, but as for the other spirits, they’ve recently started enjoying their work noticeably more—especially after receiving some new items purchased through the shop.

 

‘Shopping at the shop…! I can’t stop!’

 

‘Fly, Yeongchun Coin~!’

 

‘Oh my, I have to buy this.’

 

Though they did seem a little overly influenced by capitalism, it was still a desirable situation in terms of motivation.

 

‘They all enjoyed working to begin with, so there’s not much of a difference…’

 

After dealing with a troublesome guest, Junghyo watched Toto crawl under the concierge desk, pull out a white stuffed bunny, give it a tight hug, and then return to work—and thought to herself.

 

‘Just watching her is adorable.’

 

In other words, the motivation was coming from Junghyo herself. 

 

‘Everyone has always liked working to begin with, so it’s not a huge change anyway…’

 

After dealing with a troublesome guest, Junghyo watched Toto crawl under the concierge desk, take out a white bunny plushie, give it a tight hug, and then return to work—and thought to herself. 

 

‘Just watching them makes me feel cute.’

 

In other words, the motivation was coming from Junghyo herself. 

 

But troublesome guests are out.

 

After smoothly kicking out the troublesome guest who had been bothering Toto using her front desk skill, Junghyo said.

 

“Then I’ll go to Happy Confectionery and pick up a whole cake.”

 

“Are you really okay with this? No matter how I look at it, recruiting the pâtissier from the bakery in the lobby of XX Hotel seems like it would generate more buzz. Besides, since you’re Dr. Louisa, someone from France—the country famous for desserts—it feels like a cake made by a pâtissier trained in the homeland would be more fitting, too.” 

 

It seemed Kang Miyeon was still a bit hung up on the bakery in the lobby of XX Hotel, where Lee Semyung had recently brought her a cake from.

 

In fact, according to information obtained through Shim Jiyoon, the pastry chef at that bakery was reportedly looking for a new job.

 

And Junghyo herself had also enjoyed the bread and cakes from that bakery. 

 

A taste that showcased top-quality ingredients in the most classic and refined way.

 

She couldn’t say the hefty price didn’t bother her, but it was the kind of taste she’d still want to indulge in on a special day—despite the cost.

 

However, there was a problem with getting Louisa Villani’s birthday cake from that place.

 

“We can’t exactly serve a cake with the XX Hotel’s logo on it, can we?”

 

“Oh. That’s true.”

 

Kang Miyeon said as if she had finally realized it.

 

“Besides, we can’t just suddenly ask a pâtissier we haven’t even discussed a contract with to make a cake.” 

 

Since they hadn’t found a pâtissier yet, the space that had been reserved for a bakery store was temporarily being used as a cafeteria. 

 

“What you mean is…”

 

“I haven’t decided yet whether to make an official offer to Happy Confectionery. Still, I’m thinking of talking to both of them about a potential contract. Let’s have a conversation while we work out the terms.”

 

The point Megumi emphasized the most to Junghyo regarding hiring was not to make judgments in advance.

 

Applications, interviews, negotiations, and so on—hiring goes through various stages, and during those processes, you might come to see new sides of the other person.

 

If someone was going to take charge of <Yeongchun Bakery>, then of course they had to be selected through a thorough process.

 

“Alright then, I’ll go. I’ll also try to bring up the contract talks.”

 

“Yes.” 

 

Kang Miyeon hesitated as she was about to hand over the car keys to Junghyo. 

 

“Oh, but— you do know that inquiries have been pouring in for you lately, right? Big guilds from all over the world have been sending love calls your way.”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

She actually just got one a moment ago.

 

Kang Miyeon smiled brightly at Junghyo’s response and said.

 

“It’s an honor to be working with a world-famous hunter.”

 

It was said in a slightly teasing tone. 

 

“I heard the contract terms are incredible. I saw the article too, and I couldn’t close my mouth in shock. Not that you’d actually go, of course—”

 

At the joking remark, Junghyo simply smiled back and quietly looked into Kang Miyeon’s eyes.

 

Kang Miyeon and Junghyo’s gazes met in midair.

 

“Uhm…”

 

“Uhm?”

 

“There’s not much time left on your contract with the Association. You kept it short when you first signed it.”

 

“….?”

 

Kang Miyeon’s eyes widened. This was because Junghyo had slightly averted her gaze the moment she said those words. 

 

That means…?

 

“Don’t worry. The hotel will run just fine without me. There might even be someone better than me to take over as the boss.”

 

As Junghyo’s gaze naturally shifted toward Merlin Grey, Kang Miyeon’s eyes followed hers in the same direction. 

 

“…Wait, don’t tell me the ‘boss’ you’re talking about is…?!”

 

Junghyo quickly reassured the flustered Kang Miyeon.

 

“Just… I’m only thinking about it. Just thinking, that’s all.”

 

When Junghyo smiled softly and looked back into her eyes, Kang Miyeon froze on the spot.

 

She had no choice.

 

‘Can I… even stop her?’

 

She had this thought. 

 

If the boss, who’s been running nonstop for Yeongchun Hotel until now, wants to take a break—whether for a while or for good—can I really stop her?

 

Come to think of it, she saved people in a world on the brink of collapse, ran a hotel even there, met someone she loved as a guest—and it’s only been a month since she ‘left’ that person behind.

 

And yet, the boss returned without pause to the daily life of worrying about someone’s sleep, thinking about what she’d eat, and making sure birthdays were celebrated.

 

‘You might want to rest.’

 

Kang Miyeon’s lips pursed.

 

Among the offers Junghyo had received, some were quite extraordinary—proposals that would allow the hotel to open and close only when needed.

 

There would be no need to work as busily as now.

 

Kang Miyeon quietly watched as Junghyo reached for the car keys in her hand, hesitating for a moment as she debated whether or not to let them go.

 

But then it came to mind.

 

The image of the boss who once told her that even if you quit your job, get divorced, or go through a major failure in life, it never means your life is ruined.

 

It was time to return those words.

 

Instead of just thinking about holding on—

 

“No matter what you decide, you’ll always be mine, Boss.”

 

“…Yes?” 

 

No.

 

That’s not it.

 

“No, I mean you’re my Superman. Wait, no. You don’t have to be Superman! You’re just… my person. You know that… right?”

 

Do you get it?

 

Kang Miyeon instantly wanted to bite her tongue at the clumsy confession that had slipped out, but Junghyo, now holding the car keys, simply let her shoulders drop slightly and gave her a faint smile.

 

“Thank you. I know what you mean.”

 

“….!”

 

Damn it.

 

A part of Kang Miyeon’s heart ached strangely.

 

In her heart, Junghyo had already become—if not a firstborn daughter—someone like a younger sibling to her.

 

Of course, she was far stronger and more capable than herself, but still—strangely—Junghyo was someone who made her want to protect her.

 

Perhaps it was because she had often seen the far side of Junghyo—the moon’s dark side—someone who, in caring so deeply for the guests, often forgot to care for herself.

 

Kang Miyeon kept thinking—over and over—about the back of the Boss disappearing into the elevator, until finally, she grabbed the wombat by the scruff of its neck.

 

“Turn on the Wi-Fi quickly.”

 

“….?”

 

“Ah, hurry!”

 

As soon as the Wi-Fi turned on, Kang Miyeon created a new chat room.

 

The people she invited were Hwang Misoon, Kim Junsoo, Han Minhyuk, Moon Heeyoung, Lee Semyung, and lastly, Han Woohyun.

 

There were a total of 6 people.

 

Title : Not S-class, but Junghyo’s fan club. 

 

Hunter Kang Miyeon 

 

Are you guys still baby Junghyo fans?!

 

Association President Kim Junsoo

 

….?

 

Master Hwang Misoon

 

….?

 

Hunter Moon Heeyoung 

 

….?

 

Hunter Lee Semyung 

 

I’m right next to you, Manager.

 

Hunter Kang Miyeon 

 

Nooooo. 

 

Why don’t you remember?! Remember!

 

You should all be grateful to the Boss.

 

I’m sorry, thank you, that’s what you have to do!

 

Ugh ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ  Just because you’re S-rank doesn’t mean you’re everything!

 

Even if I’m not S-class, let me be the president of the Junghyo fan club!

 

Hand over my boss!

 

It was truly the desperate struggle of a C-rank hunter.