I Became a Hotelier at the Goryeo National Hotel - Chapter 4

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 4

The woman seemed relieved by those words, slowly released her grip, and fell back into deep sleep.

Eun Cheon, who had been quietly watching the sleeping woman’s face, found the brazier inside the stable, placed it in a safe location, and lit it.

Only after confirming that warmth was circulating inside did Eun Cheon step outside the stable.

“Eun Yeom.”

When Eun Cheon spoke quietly, a black-masked figure appeared as if emerging from his shadow and knelt before him.

“…Guard this place until that woman awakens.”

“Yes!”

Only then did Eun Cheon begin walking toward the Hyeeum-won Main Building.

* * *

And now, the two had met again like this as examiner and examinee.

‘So she was an examinee from Wonri…’

Seeing her bright appearance, so different from dawn, Eun Cheon unconsciously felt a sense of relief.

‘…Relief?’

Eun Cheon found this emotion rising within him strange. It was all the more so because it had been truly long since he had felt anything called ’emotion.’

For him, this was something that had disappeared long ago, or rather, something he had cut away himself. Probably since that terrible night.

Eun Cheon exhaled and closed his eyes.

And when he opened his eyes again, his face had returned to its original expressionless state.

“…?”

Seo Rin unconsciously touched her own face.

‘Wh-why was he staring at my face like that? Is there something on it?’

Especially when someone with such extraordinary looks stares at you, it’s not good for the heart.

‘If not that… Gasp?! Was he just reading my physiognomy?’

Goryeo was a country where Taoism and indigenous beliefs flourished alongside Buddhism, the state religion.

She had heard that even in modern society, there were places that read examinees’ physiognomy, and she thought Goryeo would be even more so, not less.

Seo Rin, who had been trying to avoid his gaze because she didn’t want her unfortunate fate to be discovered, turned her eyes behind him and was startled.

The examiners sitting behind this remarkable handsome man also appeared to have extraordinary looks.

A handsome man with an iron-like appearance who exuded a domineering atmosphere, and a beauty with an androgynous image and gorgeous looks who was waving a feather fan with a pretty eye-smile.

‘Do they select examiners here based on looks?’

But when Seo Rin saw the examiners in the back row, she realized that wasn’t entirely the case.

The cold handsome man among them who most matched Seo Rin’s taste opened his mouth toward the examinees.

“I am Lee Eun Cheon, the Director General of Hyeeum-won. We will now begin the interview. I hope everyone achieves good results.”

Despite having no prior information and no preparation whatsoever, Seo Rin wasn’t worried.

After all, the number of interviews she had taken to become a hotelier was a whopping 100 times!

‘I’m confident in my quick thinking at least!’

Besides, wasn’t this inside a dream? Even if she failed, she could just wake up thinking, ‘Ah, what a weird dream!’

Just then, an examiner called Seo Rin’s number.

“Number 11, Oh Seo Rin, step forward.”

When Seo Rin’s name was called, the examiners’ attention focused on her.

Stepping forward, Seo Rin took a breath, politely placed both hands above her navel, bowed at a 45-degree angle, then raised her face with a business hotelier’s smile.

“Greetings! I am examinee number 11, a prepared talent! A versatile prospective employee! Oh, Seo, Rin. Though I lost my parents early and spent difficult times raising my younger brother alone, I never gave up and continuously learned and strived to achieve my childhood dream of working at a hotel—no, a Yeokwon Inn. As a result, I was able to grow into a talent equipped with various abilities suitable for Hyeeumwon from a young age. My abilities are as follows.”

Seo Rin quickly pulled something from her sleeve and unfurled it with a flourish—its length reached the floor and then some.

The examiners’ gazes turned toward that object in unison.

What Seo Rin had unfurled was a portfolio containing various certificates she had acquired.

“First, I am fluent in multiple foreign languages. I can speak the languages of Song, Wa (present-day Japan), and Dashi Kingdom (present-day Arab).

Second, I have great interest in cuisines from various countries and hold certificates enabling me to prepare diverse foods from many nations.

Third, I have talent in flower arrangement and have obtained a floral decoration technician certificate, possessing the sense and eye to decorate Hyeeumwon into an even more beautiful space.

Fourth, I enjoy bringing joy to people and have outstanding talent in recreation—ahem, I mean music and entertainment.

Based on these talents, I have worked various jobs at multiple guest inns. I have built my skills through diverse tasks including greeting and serving guests, room management, food preparation, and event coordination.

I am someone who never yields to any difficulty and always does my best with a positive attitude. I earnestly hope to pass the Hyeeumwon examination and demonstrate all my capabilities in service.

Thank you for listening.”

The ending was a business smile and eye contact.

After bowing deeply and raising her head, Seo Rin didn’t forget to smile and make eye contact with each examiner one by one.

However.

“….”

Only quiet silence flowed over the platform where Seo Rin had finished her introduction.

‘…Wh-what’s with this atmosphere?’

Even if not applause, she had expected at least some admiration or exclamation.

‘Was I too ahead of my time? Well, this is the distant past after all… Ugh, embarrassing.’

Seo Rin’s face turned bright red with shame as she hurriedly folded up the portfolio bundle that had been spread to the floor.

That’s when it happened.

“Puhaha!! Wow, wow, what’s with her! Hey! Lee Eun Cheon! Pick her! Definitely pick her! Let’s pick her, okay?”

“Shut up, Jeong Jun Gyeong.”

Lee Eun Cheon glared menacingly at the domineering man who was laughing uproariously.

“Why~ She’s all prepared! Don’t you think we’d be at a huge loss if we don’t pick her? Uhaha!!”

When the man called Jeong Jun Gyeong didn’t calm down despite Lee Eun Cheon’s rebuke, the beautiful woman beside him, unable to watch any longer, jabbed his ribs with her fan—thwack!

“Ugh! Wh-Wang An Hyeok?!”

“Please show some restraint.”

The blow must have been quite effective as Jun Gyeong clutched his ribs and glared at Wang An Hyeok who had jabbed him. When An Hyeok looked at him with a bright smile, Jun Gyeong grimaced and shut his mouth.

Lee Eun Cheon asked examinee number 11, Oh Seo Rin.

“You said you’re capable in foreign languages—do you have experience working as an interpreter?”

Interpreter? Ah, he means a translator, right?

‘I’ve done tourist site guide part-time jobs a few times! Of course I have! This is an opportunity!’

“I haven’t worked as an official… administrator, but I have worked as an assistant… aide.”

“Can you really speak the languages of Wa Kingdom and Dashi Kingdom?”

“Yes, I can.”

To Lee Eun Cheon’s eyes, that woman—no, the examinee—didn’t seem to be lying, but confirmation was necessary.

Suddenly, a strange foreign language poured out of Lee Eun Cheon’s mouth.

“إن كنت تفهمني الآن، فأجب(If you understand what I’m saying now, please answer).”

“نعم، فهمت. هل لديك سؤال آخر؟(Yes, I understand. Do you have another question?)”

When Lee Eun Cheon asked in the language of the Dashi Kingdom and Seo Rin immediately answered fluently without hesitation, the examiners and examinees’ mouths dropped open.

This wasn’t the end.

“おさん、をせますか(Then, can you also speak the Wa Kingdom language).”

“はい、しですがせます(Yes, I can speak it).”

“(Where did you learn the Song Dynasty language)？”

“. , (I taught myself through books. I can speak, read, and write).”

“….”

Lee Eun Cheon couldn’t hide his surprised expression.

Notes

1) Wa : Until the 7th century, Japan’s official foreign name was ‘Wa ‘. Although they established the new national title ‘Japan’, the name ‘Wa’ continued to be widely used until the 19th century.

2) Guest Inn : Private accommodation facilities operated by civilians.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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