Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual - Chapter 120

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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 120.

“Oh, how delightful to meet you.”
“….”

In the Dining Area, a different guest had spoken to me for the first time.

“I heard yesterday that there are two human guests here thanks to Lee Yeon-woo’s recommendation.”

His tone was one of flaunting his connection with someone named Lee Yeon-woo.

He wore a formal suit, impeccably groomed. The shoulders of his jacket fell with crisp precision, and his shoes gleamed with polish. His smile was gentle, yet something about it felt sinister.

Seme naturally observed the Junior’s reaction.

“…Is that so.”

…No matter how I looked at it, he didn’t seem human.

“Forgive me, but we received no introduction regarding you.”
“How embarrassing that is. Lee Yeon-woo is certainly a cautious man. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to introduce myself now.”

His speech was archaic, almost theatrical—as if performed by an actor on stage. He swept his gaze across Seme and Rawi, then lifted the corners of his mouth. The smile was perfectly symmetrical.

“Please call me the Tasteless Guest.”
“…That is….”

Seme, whose lips had been trembling, continued speaking.

“That’s quite an unusual name.”
“It’s a courtesy one must observe in this Hotel.”
“A courtesy, you say.”
“The guests here understand that revealing one’s true name directly to another is a grave discourtesy.”
“So there is such a rule.”

Rising from his seat to shield the frozen Seme, I posed the question.

“Then how should I introduce myself?”
“I’m not unfamiliar with the courtesy that is strange to guests like yourselves.”
“Then?”
“Please, your true name.”

It was like the smile a surgeon wears just before surgery, saying, “You’ll be fine.”

“Won’t you tell me your real name?”

Seme, who had been biting his lip, asked.

“…Is that a rule of this place?”
“My, you’re not as foolish as I thought.”
“Is that so?”
“Whether I should call that fortunate.”
“I consider it fortunate on our end.”

No matter how bewildered, Seme had done what he needed to do.

“Lee Yeon-woo never mentioned such a rule to us.”
“…Hmm….”

The man who referred to himself as the Tasteless Guest stroked his chin.

“…This is certainly a rare feeling.”
“If I’ve offended you, I apologize.”
“No, it’s just that seeing Lee Yeon-woo’s favoritism firsthand wounds my pride.”
“Favoritism?”

It was a word far removed from the image of Lee Yeon-woo that Seme knew. Yet the Tasteless Guest merely smiled and said nothing more.

“It seems you trust Lee Yeon-woo more than expected.”
“That’s the typical beginning of sowing discord.”
“I’m hurt that you’d see me as such a schemer.”
“May I ask why you’ve spoken to us?”
“At first, it was curiosity.”

The man tilted his head with a smile.

“Human guests staying in this Facility are quite rare, you see.”
“….”
“The upright Lee Yeon-woo simply cannot tolerate such things….”
“….”
“So how did you dare to sneak in without his permission?”

A suffocating pressure.

“….”

His gaze was like that of a storehouse owner watching a rat that had burrowed through a hole.

“…I should mention beforehand that we didn’t come here by choice.”
“Oh, of course. I don’t believe you possess such capability.”
“That makes me feel quite wronged, actually.”
“You must have been caught up in someone’s prank.”

The Tasteless Guest, having spoken thus, turned his gaze away.

“Your young friend seems unwilling to open their mouth.”
“…Uh, um, please spare us?”
“My goodness, I have no desire to see your blood.”
“Oh dear….”

Rawi wiped his face and forced a laugh.

“That’s certainly appreciated, though you don’t seem like someone who dislikes blood.”
“This one’s tongue isn’t particularly restrained either.”
“It’s obvious at a glance, isn’t it?”
“Ah, young artists tend to be that way.”

Seme interjected, stopping Rawi once more.

“A young pup doesn’t know to fear the tiger.”
“I agree with that a hundred times over, young friend.”

First “young friend,” now “young friend” again. Seme inwardly clicked his tongue. Not that he thought it could be hidden before a Dokkaebi, but not all Dokkaebi recognized “Seme.”

‘A Dokkaebi mimicking humans, but quite formidable….’

He was deliberately suppressing his oppressive aura for now.

“…Wouldn’t dining in such a state be rather inconvenient for you?”
“How courteous, admirable. Since your effort to curry favor is so touching, I suppose I should answer.”

His eyes curved into a very long, crescent smile.

“Even like this… I need to make a good impression on Lee Yeon-woo.”
“….”

Seme, whose mouth had been gaping, asked with difficulty.

“…May I ask why?”
“To secure employment at this establishment.”
“I see.”

After nodding, Seme came to his senses and asked again.

“…? Employment?”
“Yes, I’ve come to prepare for opening the Dream Restaurant.”
“Employment??”
“Must I repeat myself?”
“No.”

My mind felt like it was slipping away.

‘It’s felt like it’s been gone for days now, but still.’

My mind truly felt like it was dissolving.

‘A Hotel where Dokkaebi come and go—I can’t even comprehend that. But a Hotel where a Dokkaebi is employed? Does that even make sense? Is that allowed, across all the laws of the universe?’

The man, who had been enjoying Seme’s reaction, opened his mouth again.

“Do you understand now why I must mimic humans? Lee Yeon-woo, after all, speaks with all of you and treasures deeply those fragile things that break so easily….”

At that, Rawi murmured alone.

“Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I heard Korean.”
“That’s exactly it!”
“Oh my, you startled me.”
“Lee Yeon-woo should appreciate this noble sincerity of mine.”
“I feel like I might get indigestion, but it seems far too intimidating to call it noble sincerity, sir.”
“I thought I was being quite kind, actually.”

That much was true. Seme felt a bittersweet sting at their exchange. A powerful Dokkaebi taking human form, speaking human language, and even ‘tolerating’ conversation—that was extraordinary kindness indeed.

Seme had never held a ‘conversation’ with a Dokkaebi in such a manner before.

“Then the reason you bothered to speak to us was….”
“First, curiosity. Second, personal goodwill.”
“Personal goodwill, you say.”
“I need to remember your faces.”

Seme and Rawi were reflected in those pitch-black eyes.

“So that if I make a mistake, I won’t play with you, won’t I?”
“….”

That was a chilling sort of goodwill.

“…It seems Lee Yeon-woo must be quite an important person at this Hotel. If someone of the Tasteless Guest’s stature needs to make such a good impression for employment, that is.”

At that, the Tasteless Guest stroked his chin and opened his mouth.

“How much do you know about that?”
“So you’ve been attempting textbook sowing of discord from the start….”
“It’s still goodwill—accept it gracefully.”
“It’s difficult to take your words at face value.”
“Does Lee Yeon-woo appear to you as human?”

Seme.

“….”

Could not answer immediately.

“…That’s….”
“Of course it is. He is human, after all. He holds such an important position in this Hotel that I must present myself well to be chosen by him. Yes, that’s right.”

That smile spread gently across his face. His voice was low and measured, his words impeccably courteous.

“Because he is the most beloved ‘human’ in this Hotel.”
“….”

At those words, Seme recalled the first time he had ascended to this Hotel. The moment Lee Yeon-woo had stepped out of the Elevator, the Dokkaebi waiting in the Lobby had shown him reverence and deference.

“…I am aware that the guests here regard Lee Yeon-woo favorably….”

The man tilted his head with a smile.

“Doesn’t everyone have someone they wish to grow close to?”
“For your kind, that someone would be Lee Yeon-woo.”
“To help you understand, it’s like this.”

He continued his explanation.

“A person of striking appearance. A person of wealth. A person of wisdom. Someone whose presence brings benefit and fills me with contentment. Someone for whom such qualities come as naturally as breathing, requiring no effort whatsoever….”
“…One wishes to grow close to.”
“Such is the logic, young friend.”

Seme, who had been hesitating, finally answered.

“Lee Yeon-woo doesn’t seem to welcome such closeness.”
“And yet he is undoubtedly the most beloved person in this Hotel.”
“That….”

Seme continued.

“…Even to the Hotel General Manager?”
“….”
“…?”

A moment later, the man asked.

“…Did you just mention the Hotel General Manager?”
“…If I’ve been rude, I sincerely apologize.”
“Oh, no, this is….”

Beneath his smile, a low chuckle escaped him.

“You seem to be having quite an enjoyable time.”

The Young Man continued speaking.

“Of course. If there’s anyone in this Hotel who loves him most, it would be the ‘Hotel General Manager’—the Hotel Owner and a most benevolent soul. He creates a paradise like no other in this world.”
“It doesn’t look much like a paradise to me….”
“That’s how it appears to mere flesh like yourselves.”
“….”
“…Oh, did I frighten you a little?”

He straightened his attire with a gentle smile.

“I’ve been quite rude. I admire both the Hotel General Manager and Lee Yeon-woo greatly, and whenever their names come up, I cannot help but become excited.”
“…No….”
“You’re still tense, which damages my reputation, I’m afraid. If you don’t mind, would you care to join my table and dine with me?”
“…That is…”
“Come.”

He extended his hand.

“‘May I eat?'”
“―No.”
“….”

…Lee Yeon-woo emerged from behind the Tasteless Guest.

“I’ll say it once more—no.”
“…Ha ha….”
“They are my guests.”
“Well, well.”

The Young Man’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Lee Yeon-woo.

“I’ve been scolded again.”

* * *

Watching the retreating figure in the black suit, Rawi laughed awkwardly.

“…Were we just nearly killed?”
“The Tasteless Guest is a cautious hunter, so he doesn’t kill human guests easily.”
“That sounds like he does kill them, though.”
“Please, whatever you do, don’t sit at the same table as that man.”

Lee Yeon-woo gently pressed Seme’s shoulder as he still stood. At that touch, Seme awkwardly settled into his seat. Then Lee Yeon-woo asked him.

“Would it be alright if I joined you?”
“As long as it’s not that scary old man, I don’t mind at all.”
“An old man, is it.”

He sat down and smiled faintly.

“Indeed, it seems I do appear that way.”

To Rawi’s mind, it was truly a “mature smile.” The feeling was rather peculiar.

‘…The face itself when he smiles that way isn’t all that different from the monster just now, yet the difference in substance is so strikingly pronounced. Despite similar attire, they’re like complete opposites. That’s quite remarkable.’

Regardless of what he was thinking, Lee Yeon-woo continued his explanation.

“The Tasteless Guest draws human guests to his table. Once you accept his invitation, he first feeds you positive emotions, then negative ones.”
“Ah, so it’s somewhat less dangerous then…?”
“If you accept his invitation all the way to that third and final time, the Tasteless Guest, feeling nothing, drains all the blood of the person who has gone mad. He calls them empty shells.”
“That sounds far more dangerous.”
“All the monster guests in this place are like that.”

Lee Yeon-woo cautioned him in an even tone.

“There’s nothing to gain from getting close, so no matter how much you mimic humanity and offer kindness, avoid contact as much as possible.”
“Well, I suppose.”
“If avoidance becomes truly difficult, then purchasing their favor is an option. The Tasteless Guest likely has a fondness for rare antiques.”
“Antiques?”
“Of course, that too should end after one or two occasions. It’s dangerous, after all.”
“Hmm….”

Rawi observed Lee Yeon-woo. He too wore formal attire and presented himself impeccably, yet something was distinctly different.

“….”

And yet, there was a resemblance.

The Dokkaebi from moments ago had clearly been fashioning itself to resemble Lee Yeon-woo.

“…Are you close with that Dokkaebi from earlier?”
“Next time, I’d appreciate it if you’d tell me first what disappointed you about it.”
“I apologize.”

One of Rawi’s strengths was how quickly he offered apologies.

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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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