Welcome to Dungeon Hotel Chapter 319 - Side Story 1. An Ordinary Romance (14) 

Side Story 1. An Ordinary Romance (14) 

 

The Baekho Guild building had a hidden elevator.

 

The entrance passage to the building was completely different, and if you entered through the hidden passage, you ended up in a space that was entirely invisible from the outside.

 

Sunlight streamed in, and the walls were soundproofed so that no noise could escape, while the floor was made of marble.

 

“…Baekho Guild is very secretive.”

 

Uncle Junsoo beside me also said, clearly fascinated.

 

“You haven’t been here before?”

 

“You haven’t been here since everything changed, right?”

 

Ah, this has changed.

 

I walked through a corridor where I couldn’t see any sign of an elevator, and before I knew it, I was standing in a large, living-room-like space.

 

A chandelier hung overhead, and the floor was covered with a carpet laid over marble.

 

From the outside, this building just looked like a typical corporate office, but who would have thought it contained spaces that felt like a hotel inside?

 

It might even be nicer than our own hotel.

 

Anyway, this place was clearly the top floor of the Baekho Guild, the passage leading to Shim Jiyoon’s office. 

 

‘I just came by to see her face, that’s all—’

 

Shim Jiyoon wasn’t the Baekho Guild Master to me—she was just a guest at the hotel. 

 

Because of that, I had been thinking far too casually.

 

But now that I was inside this reception room, I got the sense that Shim Jiyoon wasn’t exactly an “ordinary” human.

 

‘The structure is completely different from the Hanwoon Guild’s, isn’t it?’

 

Uncle Minhyuk’s office was spacious and comfortable enough, but it wasn’t to the point where ordinary guild members couldn’t even get near it.

 

Uncle Junsoo spoke up, as if he was thinking the same thing as me.

 

“She’s someone with even more cunning side than her father.”

 

It was a truth everyone could agree on.

 

‘Shim Jiyoon is a person you can never truly read.’

 

Uncle Junsoo’s words were met with Yoojun’s soft laugh as he replied.

 

“That’s exactly the kind of person who fits the position of Baekho Guild Master.”

 

At Yoojun’s reply, Uncle Junsoo responded with a look of disbelief.

 

“Tell her the spy she planted in the Association recently has already been exposed. Operating an information guild within the Association is illegal.” 

 

“…What are you talking about?”

 

Yoojun pretended to be distracted, but I could stake my wrist on the fact that Uncle Junsoo’s words were probably true.

 

Shim Jiyoon was the kind of person who was more than capable of that. 

 

As a subtle tension lingered between the two of them, the wall that had looked like a decorative fireplace slowly slid open, and a woman in an all-black suit stepped out from within.

 

Was that a door?

 

“Please come up.” 

 

I entered with Uncle Junsoo, as if possessed. There, in place of the floor buttons, like in an elevator, was a button with no icon. 

 

When I pressed it, the elevator began to operate.

 

“Wow, this is an elevator.”

 

When I said that, Yoojun chuckled mischievously, teasing me.

 

“Does the Hanwoon Guild not have anything like this? I guess they really are lacking in a lot of things.”

 

“What do you mean ‘lacking’?”

 

I blurted out, getting angry for no reason.

 

It’s not my guild, but still… I can’t let them badmouth Hanwoon Guild. 

 

“Well, I’m not even there, am I?” 

 

“….”

 

You’re really.

 

“You’re cursing with your eyes again. You even did that to the building guard earlier.”

 

“Me? When did I?”

 

I did have a thought like that when I was being treated like a street vendor, though.

 

‘You’re way too perceptive for no reason.’

 

But it’s not wrong.

 

There’s no healer in Korea with the skill of Yoojun.

 

If Yoojun weren’t this loyal to Baekho, he’d already be switching guilds every contract season, and his mere presence would command a hefty price everywhere.

 

Healing, by its very nature, is directly tied to a hunter’s life, which makes it even rarer than combat-oriented abilities. 

 

At that moment, Uncle Junsoo, having overheard our conversation, asked with a puzzled look.

 

“No, when did you two get this close?” 

 

“We’re not close.” 

 

“We’ve always been close.”

 

Our answers didn’t match.

 

What the heck?

 

I had no intention of getting close to this guy.

 

But this argument soon ended. Soon, the elevator doors opened, and we met Shim Jiyoon.

 

* * *

 

Slurp.

 

Shim Jiyoon, having tasted the coffee I brought, put the cup down for a moment and took a deep breath.

 

“Whoo…”

 

Does it… taste bad?

 

A tonic for beating Monday blues: Iced Americano (F)

 

-Boosts your energy by 200% on Mondays only.

 

Since today’s Monday, I brought it just in time.

 

I even brought it in an iced cup, carefully keeping my balance on the motorcycle.

 

It would’ve been easier if I’d put it in my goblin pouch, but unfortunately, since it’s my vacation, I didn’t bring any work-related items.

 

“Strangely, I always feel exhausted on Mondays, but this is nice.”

 

Seeing a smile spread across Shim Jiyoon’s face, I couldn’t help but smile too.

 

That’s a relief. 

 

So it really does work, after all. 

 

“Are you enjoying your vacation?”

 

I nodded at Shim Jiyoon.

 

“No side effects from poisoning, right?”

 

Poisoning.

 

I’ve never leaked that information outside, but it’s not surprising that the Baekho Guild Master knows about it.

 

Whether it’s because of the “information guild” or Yoojun’s loose tongue, I don’t know.

 

“Yes. I feel fine.”

 

Except for a slight hangover. 

 

“That’s a relief. I was… a little worried. Of all things, it had to be an poisoning even Jun couldn’t fix.” 

 

Shim Jiyoon spoke with a look of deep concern.

 

“Still, in a way, it’s fortunate that you ended up having some time off, even if it was forced.”

 

“…Is that so?”

 

“Of course. You seem to be making good use of your precious vacation time, don’t you?”

 

“Yes?” 

 

“I saw the photos from the amusement park. You looked cute, of course—not the guy next to you, but you, Boss.” 

 

“…”

 

Ah, that picture.

 

That photo’s actually been circulating on social media lately.

 

It’s a romance between the first- and second-ranked, you know. Apparently, it’s getting a lot of attention overseas. 

 

‘We really did get photographed a lot here and there…’

 

In the past, that kind of attention would have felt burdensome, but now it didn’t really matter to me.

 

Above all, it was because I had become stronger.

 

I could handle whatever problems came my way.

 

‘Except for this whole poisoning thing, that is.’

 

“I heard your vacation is ending soon.”

 

“Yes. I’m planning to return this weekend.” 

 

After blacking out yesterday, extending my vacation any further didn’t feel meaningful anymore.

 

I’d already done everything I wanted to try, anyway.

 

If I rest any longer, I’ll probably just get bored.

 

“What are you talking about? I said the withdrawal symptoms won’t be gone until next week…”

 

At that moment, Yoojun asked with a puzzled expression. 

 

That calm face.

 

I clenched my fists and glared at Yoojun.

 

“You were lying, right?”

 

“What?”

 

“You mean the part about me being poisoned.” 

 

Slurp.

 

In the uneasy silence that filled Shim Jiyoon’s office, she finished her coffee with evident enjoyment.

 

“…Let’s have a conversation.”

 

* * *

 

I’ve been ignoring it until now.

 

Whether it’s even possible that an S-rank healer like Yoojun can’t cure this kind of poisoning.

 

Why is it that my body can use every skill except stamina, strength, and agility?

 

When I try it in the morning, when my stamina is at its peak, I can even feel a faint trace of mana in my body.

 

‘Last time, I even managed to activate a communication skill.’

 

This was definitely strange.

 

“I, I didn’t know?!”

 

Uncle Junsoo flinched in shock and backed up against the wall.

 

But the fact that he neither looked surprised after hearing what I said nor knocked Yoojun out disqualifies him.

 

“Don’t lie to me.”

 

“…Hmph.”

 

“Was there ever a poisoned symptom to begin with?”

 

At my question, Yoojun leaned back comfortably against his chair and laughed.

 

“Yes, there were.” 

 

It sounded like he was saying that the symptoms did exist, but he either chose not to cure them despite being able to, or he deliberately made them worse.

 

Messing around with my body like that…

 

It was definitely a situation worth getting angry about, but the reason I didn’t lose my temper was simple.

 

“You pretended not to know on purpose, didn’t you?”

 

I hesitated for a moment at Shim Jiyoon’s question.

 

“…Because I think I know why.”

 

These people… They definitely planned this together.

 

The association president, Uncle Junsoo, Yoojun, and even Shim Jiyoon. 

 

If I had just told you to rest, you wouldn’t have.

 

Since becoming number one in the rankings, the hotel had been fully booked all the time, and everyone knew that I had been overworking lately.

 

“If you hadn’t done it this way, you wouldn’t have rested just because you felt energetic, right? Rest isn’t only for recovering your strength. I’m worried about you, Junghyo…” 

 

“Who knows about this?”

 

“…Me, Shim Jiyoon, Yoojun. And… Lee Semyung? Han Woohyun.” 

 

Just as expected. People who are a little off in the head, enough to pull off this crazy stunt.

 

It’s right that Uncle Minhyuk and Aunt Misoon don’t know. 

 

“What about Aunt Heeyoung?”

 

“She never said anything. She knew right away that if you said you were sick, you’d be lying.” 

 

Those needlessly thorough people.

 

“Junghyo… are you… mad…?”

 

Uncle asked, wearing a sad expression for no reason.

 

I hesitated for a moment, then answered kindly.

 

“You just wanted to let me rest, right?”

 

“Of course!”

 

“I noticed how you felt, so I stayed quiet. Now come back and sit down, will you?”

 

I looked at Uncle Junsoo, who was standing by the wall as if reflecting on his actions for no reason, and patted the seat next to me.

 

Uncle Junsoo, looking as defeated as Geumdong, timidly came over and sat down next to me.

 

“…Do you know how I feel…?”

 

“Of course. I understand how the Association President feels.”

 

“Association President…?”

 

Uncle Junsoo’s eyes wavered.

 

“Is there a problem with calling the association president ‘President’?”

 

I answered coldly.

 

Well, I understand how you feel.

 

First of all, it’s annoying.

 

And above all, the most infuriating one is Yoojun.

 

“What were you planning to do if I ended up getting hurt like this?”

 

“That wouldn’t have happened. I only slightly lowered your stamina so that, compared to others, you’d just barely feel like an ordinary person.”

 

“Ha.”

 

This person, really.

 

“You ordered it, didn’t you?”

 

I looked at Shim Jiyoon with cold eyes.

 

Shim Jiyoon then turned her head slightly, averting her gaze and asking.

 

“If I say I was the one who ordered it, what will happen with the coffee from now on?”

 

“….” 

 

* * *

 

I got back at the three of them in my own way.

 

First, I told Shim Jiyoon that the coffee delivery service would be put on hold for a while, and I told Yoojun to fix me immediately—then gave him a strong warning.

 

‘I’m thinking of setting up a blind date for Shim Jiyoon.’

 

‘… Are you crazy?’

 

‘If I’m the one setting her up, she’d at least agree to meet, right?’

 

‘….’

 

I surprisingly accepted Yoojun’s apology without much trouble.

 

Of course, the treatment was also completed quickly.

 

Feeling all my fatigue melt away, I stood up from my seat completely refreshed.

 

And finally, a call came for Uncle Junsoo in front of the building.

 

[So you bought a motorcycle.]

 

“Mi, Mikyung…”

 

It was a call from Aunt Mikyung.

 

[You don’t need to come in today. I’ll go out myself.]

 

“N, no! My love, your love, Mikyung. Mikyung…!” 

 

Uncle Junsoo collapsed in front of the building, screaming in despair. 

 

But I ignored him and started the motorcycle.

 

I already knew how to operate the motorcycle.

 

“Uncle, I’ll take the motorcycle home.”

 

“Oh, is this why you asked me to give you a ride…?”

 

I nodded quietly.

 

This is exactly why I asked Uncle to give me a ride.

 

“There should be a car up ahead. Secretary Myunghan said he’d come to pick you up.”

 

“!”

 

“Then, I’ll be off.”

 

And so, on that Monday afternoon, the association president’s little escapade was quickly brought under control.

 

And until the day I was supposed to return to the hotel, there was no word from Han Woohyun.