Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual - Chapter 11

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 11.

I won’t eat it.

“…To be honest, I really don’t want to eat.”
“No.”
“I’m not being capricious. I mean I genuinely despise it.”
“No.”
“Look at me. I’m asking out of sincere concern—is the physiological mechanism of nutritional intake in this body truly designed within the ‘normal parameters’?”

Lee Yeon-woo furrowed his brow as he gazed at the steak and beef vegetable porridge arranged on the table.

Though I had orchestrated it, the request was ultimately accepted as a standard room service order. The dishes had appeared in the dumbwaiter on the 21st Floor, and I had brought them directly to the Lodging.

“These are the most basic preset dishes provided during the tutorial phase, however….”

As one progresses deeper into the game, recipes that abandon all sense of propriety emerge—eighteen-rated concoctions—but for now, this was the tutorial. Visually, the meal appeared nothing short of pristine, almost excessively refined and ordinary.

The crucial point was that it seemed consumable even for an ordinary person.

“….”

…And I was no longer an ordinary person.

‘Perhaps the one I should have worried about first when consuming this Hotel’s food wasn’t the human guests, but myself. I volunteered for this clinical trial, but now that the food is before me, my confidence has wavered.’

It was hardly a pleasant situation.

“Is it really safe to eat?”
“Yes.”
“There won’t be any reflux symptoms afterward, or any unfortunate damage to my intestinal lining?”
“Yes.”
“The functions of mastication and swallowing… Yes, I do have them. I understand that intellectually.”
“Yes.”

The system certainly contained a related ‘motion’ for it. It was closer to a ‘potion’ concept that restored abnormal conditions rather than sating hunger for survival, but regardless, this body was defining the process of swallowing food.

Lee Yeon-woo eventually placed a spoonful of porridge into his mouth.

‘…I can taste it, at least.’

I had wondered if the ability to taste might have disappeared. Given this body’s fragile durability, it wouldn’t have been strange if some of the five senses were incomplete.

But it was a groundless worry. The taste was vivid—more than vivid, it stimulated my tongue with acute sensitivity. While the defensive mechanisms were a mess, the sense of taste alone had somehow become distorted to the point of being provocative.

“Why is the craftsmanship… so refined?”

A peculiar question arose, yet at the same time, I felt an odd sense of satisfaction.

‘To think the food within Ho-won was calibrated to this level of quality.’

It felt like stepping into an immersive pop-up café meticulously planned by a major corporation. That virtual image I had only ever seen as crude pixel clusters beyond the screen was now manifesting in such exquisite form.

“A mere 1-star basic dish reaches this standard?”
“Yes.”
“…Have you ever tasted it?”
“No.”
“Ah.”
“Ah.”

Lee Yeon-woo casually cut the steak into bite-sized pieces and offered one to Coco.

“….”
“No reaction.”
“Ah.”
“There was one.”

Coco’s expression remained fixed in that Cheshire Cat smile. It was difficult to read emotion from that face, which didn’t blink once, but still.

The way he opened his mouth wide every time I offered him meat was an unmistakably clear expression of intent.

“With that perpetually identical face, it’s genuinely difficult to incorporate feedback.”

Lee Yeon-woo muttered in a flat, emotionless tone, as though organizing finicky experimental data. Yet his hands continued cutting through the steak.

“Ah.”
“Please wait, Guest. We’re preparing your order.”
“Ah.”
“The airplane is flying~”
“Ah. Ah.”
“That’s right.”

The bowl was emptied in an instant. If I had to calculate the proportion, roughly ninety percent of it had disappeared into Coco’s stomach. She ate everything without discrimination—meat, porridge, it all went down equally well.

“…?”

I was beginning to wonder if this monstrous cat had any dietary limits at all.

‘…Well, it’s good that she eats well, isn’t it?’

Having reached that conclusion, I continued speaking.

“You have quite the appetite, Coco.”
“Yes!”
“Would it be alright if I asked for your help occasionally?”
“Yes!”
“Thank you.”
“Yes!”

Based on my direct consumption, no physical abnormalities were detected. However, biological safety and personal preference were separate matters. I had never particularly enjoyed the act of eating itself.

So the conclusion was simple—I was grateful to have found a reliable dining companion.

“For now, seeing that my body accepts it without issue suggests it’s not poison.”
“Yes.”
“The fact that even a worn body like mine can accept it makes me think it might be fine, but on the other hand, there are many unchecked variables that make me uneasy. Even in a place like this, it’s not my preference to place something uncertain on a guest’s table.”
“Worn body?”
“My apologies—I suppose I’ve been rejuvenated. But separate from that, as one ages, certain concerns accumulate. This place doesn’t even have food safety test kits. So, how should I proceed…? There’s still no guarantee this isn’t a poison.”
“Guarantee.”

Coco lifted her head and fixed her gaze directly on me.

Her mouth still held that bizarre smile, but her eyes carried a peculiar certainty. The clear pronunciation that emerged without moving a single facial muscle was always strange to witness.

Coco declared it outright, as if pronouncing a solemn oath.

“Guaranteed!”
“…Ha,”

Lee Yeon-woo adjusted his glasses and let out a low chuckle.

“Who exactly is providing this guarantee?”
“Coco.”
“To think a normal conversation like this is possible—tears are clouding my vision….”

There was no logical foundation, no documentary proof, yet the willingness to stake her own name on it was rather admirable. It reminded me of a young niece stubbornly insisting on easing her uncle’s worries.

And….

“….”

Separate from her charm, this co-operator rarely told lies.

“…So you’re willing to stake nothing but ‘personal credibility’ in this opaque system? As a business partner, it’s quite an unrefined approach, but well.”
“Coco, guarantee.”
“Not bad at all.”

The effort spent teaching her language had borne fruit.

“Let me place my faith in that baseless confidence of yours.”
“Yes!”
“Should any of our esteemed guests later complain of stomach troubles, you as co-operator will share responsibility for the aftermath. Understood?”
“Guaranteed!”
“Reassuring, isn’t it.”

Lee Yeon-woo slowly extended his hand and grasped the cat’s soft paw, shaking it gently.

“I’m counting on you, Coco.”
“Yes!”
“Yes.”

* * *

The Director spoke.

“Damn, this is delicious.”

The Writer reproached him.

“Please speak with more refinement.”
“The flavor was so exquisite that admiration flowed forth unbidden.”
“Director.”
“The moment it touched my palate, a restrained depth and harmonious balance unfolded across my entire mouth.”
“Oh, come on.”
“Such an exquisite taste—I haven’t experienced its equal in far too long. My heart was utterly captivated by this incomparably refined flavor.”
“I was wrong.”
“I agree with you.”

The Director grumbled.

“I said it was delicious because it was delicious. Why are you suddenly calling me vulgar and childish…?”
“This is driving me crazy. Please don’t slander me—I never said any such thing.”
“But seriously, this really is delicious.”
“Right? Honestly, I just wanted something comforting, so I didn’t have high expectations.”
“Why wouldn’t you have expectations at a Hotel of this caliber?”
“Well, I actually gave it some thought yesterday. If the guests here are bringing their own food and eating it—to the point of bringing their own personal chefs—wouldn’t that suggest there’s no shared chef at this facility? That’s what I was thinking. It’s surprising to see this level of quality during the trial phase.”
“Hmm… possibly?”
“So maybe there really is no shared chef here. That’s the conclusion I reached. It’s remarkable that they’re achieving this quality during the trial phase.”
“Trial phases vary in their approach.”

Some places merely verify that operations function, while others prepare everything thoroughly and conduct verification before officially welcoming guests. This place seemed closer to the latter.

The Director gazed out the window.

“It’s still raining.”
“Isn’t it lighter than yesterday?”
“Let’s start moving.”

After all, we had a purpose for coming here. The survey had to be completed within a week.

“We need to get our Writer out of here before he faints from fear.”
“You’re teasing him again. I can’t work with someone like this—it’s unfair.”
“The money’s already spent; I can’t refund it. We’ve already signed contracts with all the actors, haven’t we?”
“You know your personality is really terrible, right?”

They quickly gathered their belongings and left. Since they were only here to scout, they hadn’t brought much with them.

The Corridor was lined with Elevators. There were many of them, but not a single light was on. It meant the guests at this Facility didn’t move around much.

The Director’s group checked their keys as they boarded a descending Elevator.

“You brought the keys, right?”
“Yes, Director.”
“Then let’s go. The rain’s thinning out—it should be perfect for capturing the atmosphere.”
“We need to make the most of this gloomy weather’s mood.”
“Most of the shooting will be indoors anyway, but we definitely need to film what we can before summer ends.”
“I hope the rainy season lasts longer.”

They arrived at the Lobby quickly.

Humid yet sparse air. I could feel the Staff Members observing the Lobby. The Director was no different. This place had many intriguing aspects.

“Ah.”

The silhouette of the Manager standing near the Front Desk entered my view. His appearance was as impeccable as yesterday, but his silhouette bathed in the pale morning light possessed a peculiar clarity.

Perhaps it was because of the sound I’d inadvertently made—he turned his head and met the group’s gaze.

“You’ve come down.”

A smile of just the right temperature—neither excessively light nor burdensome in its weight.

He approached with his hands clasped behind his back, maintaining a comfortable distance that respected the other’s space while naturally commanding the initiative of the conversation. His gait carried the polish of experience.

…He was someone who knew how to capture another’s attention.

“Did you have a pleasant stay?”
“It was wonderful. Breakfast was delicious too.”
“I’m delighted to hear that. We were concerned about staffing shortages in the Kitchen, but your gracious palate has saved our reputation.”
“My, what an amusing way with words.”

Noticing Hong Kyung-yeon standing rigid throughout the exchange, Lee Sun-hae continued the conversation.

“We should be heading out now—we have several places to visit.”
“I see. The weather is poor with thick fog ahead. Please drive safely.”
“Thank you.”

After the brief exchange, the group stepped outside the Hotel. Rain and fog obscured everything in sight.

“No wonder the ground is soaked…”

One Staff Member trailed off, gazing wearily at the sky.

“Director, I’ll drive today.”
“You’re not going to get us lost again like yesterday, are you?”
“The signal’s back now anyway.”
“Fair point. Start the engine for me.”
“Yes.”

Two Staff Members climbed into the vehicle. The engine rumbled to life with a vroom. The Director remained standing near the Hotel entrance.

“….”

The Writer turned to observe her.

His voice emerged cautiously.

“Did you notice?”
“Yes.”

The Director recalled his conversation with the Manager.

“His hands were badly injured.”

Badly enough that blood was dripping.

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