Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual - Chapter 17

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

Chapter 17.

“This mountain certainly sees its share of rain.”
“Tell me about it.”

The Director gazed out the window from the passenger seat.

“Even for monsoon season, this is excessive.”

They hadn’t forgotten why they’d come here—to secure a filming location.

Still, they’d wrapped up today’s work earlier than planned. The treacherous roads alone made travel time grueling. To meet the seven o’clock appointment they’d mentioned, leaving early was essential.

“We won’t make it by seven sharp, will we?”
“The GPS says we’ll arrive at 7:20.”
“That should be acceptable.”

I recalled the two Staff Members’ worried faces.

“Those kids are suffering because they’re following us around.”
“I feel like I haven’t heard you say that in a long time.”
“Right? I thought once I quit documentaries, I’d never have to deal with this again.”

Yet inevitably, the real question surfaced.

“The 7th Floor—what do you think it was?”
“I’m sorry, but I’m already exhausted just thinking about it.”

Hunting for hidden villas scattered across the mountain was no simple task. And now we had to remain vigilant even at the Lodging. The actors felt it too—this summer was cursed.

“…At the very least, it’s clear that there’s a dangerous guest on the 7th Floor.”
“Right, so we concluded that this ‘guest who dislikes rain’ seems to be staying on the 7th Floor.”
“Since they said it’s still in trial operation, there shouldn’t be many guests, but I’m not sure if that guest is the one who called. You clearly said back then that ‘because of the rain, there are many guests on the 7th Floor.'”
“Come to think of it, they never actually told us not to go to the 7th Floor because it’s dangerous.”
“Yet somehow we ended up thinking that way, which is the funny part. I suspect they may have deliberately said those things to prevent us from going to the 7th Floor.”
“Like, the thing about many people on the 7th Floor? That could be it.”

The Hotel General Manager, Lee Yeon-woo, was skilled at handling people. Even in situations where conversation shouldn’t be happening, it felt comfortable. That must be his social aptitude.

“The 7th Floor… the 7th Floor, huh….”

And then the summons.

“What could the summons mean?”
“It’s odd that the Hotel General Manager moved instead of a regular staff member. In other words, it suggests a situation that would be difficult to handle unless it was the Hotel General Manager.”
“Either a significant incident occurred, or the guest specifically called for the Hotel General Manager.”
“Aren’t both scenarios strange?”

It was odd that an incident requiring the Hotel General Manager would occur, and it was equally odd that a guest merely staying at the Hotel would summon the Hotel General Manager. Especially since he was also the owner.

“The more I think about it, the less it seems like he receives the treatment befitting the Hotel’s owner. He appears to have considerable authority, yet something feels…off.”
“Lee Yeon-woo?”
“Yes, normally you don’t summon an owner in that manner.”
“I’m curious how someone treated that way could even be the Hotel’s owner. He’s busy enough with just that, yet he’s also serving as the Hotel General Manager.”
“For a Hotel of that size, usually one person handles just one role.”
“Or maybe he’s not actually the owner?”
“Should I go back and relearn the dictionary definition of owner?”
“That’s not what I mean.”

The Director tapped his fingers.

“An owner doesn’t have to be just one person, you know.”
“…Co-owners?”
“Exactly. From the start, he even said he was only asked to manage the Hotel.”
“If that’s the case, then capital provision and operational rights would be separated. The actual owner of the building and assets would be someone else, and Lee Yeon-woo might only hold the operational rights to the Hotel.”
“That arrangement is fairly common. Usually, the asset owner has more power in those cases.”

The Director, who had been pondering, nodded.

“Well, I’m starting to get a picture of what’s happening.”
“Isn’t it possible that the Building Owner and the operator are sometimes nearly equal in power?”
“Does that seem like the situation we’re in right now?”
“Ah….”

The Writer’s expression turned pale.

“What if we just grabbed Lee Yeon-woo and ran away?”
“What about the other staff members? Are we going to kidnap all of them too? That would only make things worse.”
“I know, but it’s so unsettling that I had to say it.”

He was just a college student at best.

“I don’t understand what they’re doing bringing in someone barely grown. This ‘summons’ thing—he wasn’t subjected to anything strange, was he? If there’s a real owner behind all this, then he’s ultimately just another employee too….”
“That’s why we’re wrapping up early and leaving today.”

It was anxiety. Pure anxiety.

“The word ‘summons’ sounded far too unsettling.”

The red-stained cotton gloves were still vivid in my mind.

Director Lee Sun-hae had completely abandoned any hope regarding the Hotel after that incident. There was too much she had witnessed. The world operates with a cruelty that defies comprehension.

If one can imagine depravity, it is surely being realized somewhere—such is the indifferent structure of this world.

“I wish this summons was nothing serious, but if it were, it wouldn’t have been Hotel General Manager Lee Yeon-woo who went—it would have been a regular Staff Member. Like those who came during our breakfast service.”
“Exactly. Room service is handled by regular staff, so why would the Hotel General Manager need to go as well? No matter how I look at it, the guests at this Hotel don’t seem normal, which makes me even more anxious.”

Even during the trial operation, there had been opportunities to encounter other guests. But someone was staring into empty space, someone was weeping, and someone was watching them.

“Those really weren’t people in their right minds….”

The Director looked at him, his tone weary.

“Doesn’t this place feel exactly like a psychiatric hospital?”
“At least hospitals actually treat people. This is just shoving crazy people inside and calling it a day.”
“I always knew something like this would eventually exist.”
“Why’s that?”
“Anyone with money cares about appearances, and dangerous people emerge from those kinds of families regardless. I’m talking about genuinely dangerous cases—not just people with minor mental shortcomings.”

Some people are born with fundamental deficiencies. It could be rationality or emotion. If their judgment were simply clouded, basic care would suffice.

Those with intact intelligence but unusual sensibilities. Those with clouded reason but heightened aggression. They existed everywhere in society as ordinary members.

“This is really a sensitive issue, isn’t it?”

You couldn’t condemn them for it alone. You shouldn’t.

Yet the Hotel’s guests grew increasingly unsettling to me. They didn’t seem to be staying for ordinary reasons.

“Right, that’s why it’s a hotel, isn’t it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Guest care is provided, but there’s no cumbersome procedure required to check in or out.”
“…And it’s in such a remote, desolate location. It’s really the perfect place to maintain appearances.”

I was exhausted by it all.

* * *

As I moved, countless thoughts occupied my mind. What was that summons about? Could there be a serious problem? If there was, how should I handle it? Should I pretend not to know again this time?

“Oh, you’re here again today, Lee Yeon-woo!”
“Please don’t raise your voice in the Lobby.”
“Was I too loud? I’m sorry about that….”
“….”
“…Huh?”

That’s when I was taken aback.

“…Lee Yeon-woo!”

The Hotel Lobby during its trial operation.

There were scarcely any guests, and the expansive Lobby lay silent. In this place where even the Staff Members held their breath, raising one’s voice would inevitably catch everyone’s attention.

“Hotel General Manager?”
….
“…Uh….”

The Writer expressed bewilderment through silence, and the Director shared in that confusion.

It was deeply disconcerting.

“…Surely he saw us, didn’t he?”
“…Rather than saw, he was within our line of sight.”
“Then why isn’t he responding?”
“It seems he can’t hear our voices either.”
“That’s strange.”

The Hotel General Manager stood at the counter as always today. He glanced at the Lobby’s clock, then at the monitor on the counter. He wasn’t simply standing idle. He was clearly working.

Yet he did not acknowledge their presence.

….
“Yeon-woo.”

The Director approached him at a steady pace.

“Yeon-woo, can you hear me?”

They passed through the Main Gate.

“We just got back.”

They passed by a pillar in the Lobby.

“It was raining a bit outside.”

They passed beneath the chandelier.

“We were supposed to meet at seven, weren’t we? I apologize for running late.”
“….”
“Oh, perhaps we didn’t make a firm appointment? How embarrassing. You must be tired—do you have time for this?”
“….”
“…Lee Yeon-woo.”

Time passed,
and passed,
and passed further still.

Only when the distance had narrowed to where I could almost touch him with an exaggerated stretch of my arm—

“Um, Lee Yeon-woo?”
“….”

His gaze finally reached me.

“…Ah, you’ve arrived.”

A fleeting, parched expression, followed swiftly by a smile.

“I’ve been calling for you since the Main Gate.”
“….”
“…Is something wrong?”
“No.”

An artificial denial that tumbled out as though he’d been waiting for the question.

Yet the silence that followed.

“….”
“….”

Lips pressed firmly shut—as though uncertain what to say, or perhaps knowing full well but unable to bring himself to speak. His eyes wavered between faint confusion and profound self-reproach.

Then came words forced out as though against his will.

“Really, it’s fine.”
“….”
“Truly.”

To the one who had made the effort, it sounded anything but fine.

“….”

…What a mad hotel this is.

* * *

The Writer’s mind churned.

‘Inattentional Blindness, Selective Inattention….’

Attention-based perceptual failure.

In simpler terms, a state where one fails to perceive something else while concentrating intensely on one thing. There were naturally multiple causes for this phenomenon.

Recalling relevant materials, Hong Kyung-yeon followed the Hotel General Manager.

“This way, if you please….”

The place he guided them to was the First Floor Lounge.

“I apologize for not being able to arrange a more distinguished venue. As I mentioned before, our Hotel is currently in trial operation, so our available facilities are extremely limited. I regret that we have inadvertently caused such discourtesy.”

At the ring of a bell, staff members brought tea.

“It appears you typically enjoy delicate flower teas, so I have specially prepared peony tea for today’s occasion.”
“…I haven’t had peony tea in quite some time.”
“Despite its flower language of modesty, the fragrance is quite bold and profound. I hope my modest judgment has aligned with your preferences.”

Thin white porcelain—a ceramic cup with translucent clarity. The golden liquid within glowed with serene luminescence. The fragrance, less sweet than roses yet more composed, eased both body and spirit.

‘Is this also one of the social skills required in this line of work?’

Once again, a staff member placed the Hotel General Manager’s chair and withdrew.

He settled into the chair.

“Given that the Hotel sits nestled within the mountains and the rainy season compounds the summer heat, the air grows quite cool. I’ve prepared a warm beverage much like last time, and I do hope it suits both of your preferences.”
“Oh, this is wonderful!”

The Director offered his characteristic pleasantries.

“I’ve never had peony root tea before.”
“Is that so? Peony is as multifaceted in its medicinal properties as it is resplendent in appearance. Particularly in weather like this, it proves quite beneficial for maintaining one’s health.”
“My, is that true?”
“It’s known to excel at improving blood circulation, alleviating muscle cramps, and providing anti-inflammatory and calming effects. While such claims may sound like common marketing language, it’s also said to have benefits for skin beauty.”

The Manager added with a smile.

“Though I suspect such benefits would be quite unnecessary for the Director.”

At that, the Director glanced toward the Writer.

“Writer, drink plenty. Your skin’s been looking rough lately.”
“Why must you say such things when we’re both aging together?”
“Your skin is quite… wait? Lately, wait? Has it gotten a bit…?”
“Oh, come on.”

A subtle herbal fragrance wafted through the air.

“There’s a hint of traditional medicine in this, isn’t there?”
“Yes, that’s because we’ve included the roots. Ordinarily, peony roots require caution depending on one’s constitution, underlying conditions, or interactions with other medications being taken. However….”

The Manager gazed at the teacup before him, then offered a faint smile.

“This blend has been carefully balanced and adjusted so that both of you may enjoy it comfortably. It’s not a potent medicinal tea strong enough to expect genuine therapeutic effects, but it’s perfectly safe for gently soothing a body worn down by a demanding schedule.”

The Writer took a sip of the tea.

“….”

A subtle sweetness and a hint of earthiness. It possessed a charm distinct from roses. Just as promised, a delicate bitterness and the astringency of medicinal herbs were perceptible. Yet it remained clean and refined.

‘…The peony tea I’ve had before wasn’t this inexpensive either.’

It wasn’t mass-produced. At minimum, handcrafted. Seeing something like this made me acutely aware that this facility was a space designed for the upper echelon. This wasn’t a car offered to just anyone.

‘But why would the owner of such a place….’

Hong Kyung-yeon looked at the Hotel General Manager.

“I hope the car meets your satisfaction?”
“…Ah, it’s wonderful.”
“I’m relieved that my selection hasn’t caused any inconvenience to such distinguished guests.”
“No….”

He recalled what had happened moments earlier.

‘Unfortunately, that wasn’t simple carelessness.’

Lapses in attention weren’t uncommon. They occurred when one was concentrating on something, or when a stimulus fell outside one’s predictive range. Or when a situation was so familiar that one failed to recognize the exception.

But I had been working at the time. I was observing my surroundings, and my perception was sharp. Yet I hadn’t captured Hong Kyung-yeon and Lee Sun-hae in my field of vision. Or rather, I had captured them but failed to perceive them.

‘Inattentional blindness….’

The primary cause.
Damage to a specific region of the brain.

“I must apologize for my rudeness in the Lobby just now.
“…Ah, yes?”
“Since the two of you still seemed concerned, I took the liberty of speaking first, despite the impropriety.”
“…I’m sorry, it must have shown.”
“Not at all. It’s been a long time since I’ve received someone’s genuine concern, and as a person rather than merely a manager, it brought me joy. But surely you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable in a hotel meant to be a place of rest?”
“Well, um.”

The Hotel General Manager offered his characteristic smile—the kind that put people at ease.

“Please don’t trouble yourselves. At that moment, I had urgent matters requiring my full concentration, and I simply failed to notice your calls.”

He adjusted his glasses and continued.

“Upon reflection, it was clearly my own negligence. I apologize again.”
“No, that’s not….”

When Hong Kyung-yeon stammered, the Director spoke in his stead.

“People get busy sometimes—surely that’s not something to apologize for.”
“Thank you for your understanding. Since it is my duty to attend to our guests, I shall be more vigilant going forward to ensure such oversights do not cause concern.”

At my words, Hong Kyung-yeon thought to himself.

‘That’s not something mere vigilance will fix.’

No, actually, I’m not sure.

‘There are too many possible causes.’

Stroke. Traumatic brain injury. Encephalitis or some other infection. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Brain tumor or post-surgical complications. Which one could it be? Or was it something else entirely?

‘He looks fine on the surface, but he’s hiding so much beneath those clothes.’

At least his head seemed intact. It didn’t appear he’d taken a blow to the skull. Though even that wasn’t certain. I wasn’t a doctor, and I hadn’t gotten a close enough look at Lee Yeon-woo’s condition.

The Director observed the Writer’s ruminations and wrinkled his nose slightly.

“…Actually, I came here to discuss something else today.”

The Director smiled, his face etched with fatigue. I thought I heard a faint sigh.

“I’m going to be frank with you.”
“….”
“You don’t seem to realize how loud things were at the Main Gate earlier. It looks like you have no intention of telling us about it, unlike last time… but frankly, even we—complete strangers—are worried enough to bring it up.”
“…I’ve shown you an embarrassing side of myself.”
“Blind to sight, deaf to sound.”
“Indeed.”
“Something must have happened in those few hours to cause such a deterioration in your condition.”

A direct hit, plain and simple. The Writer was taken aback, but the Director pressed on regardless.

‘He’s no ordinary victim.’

Too resilient to be a typical one. Not physically—mentally. Or rather, in judgment and capacity for action. Someone this solid couldn’t be coaxed or cajoled.

‘To extract the information I want from someone like this, I need offense, not evasion.’

Negotiation would be another option, but we have neither information nor leverage to trade with right now. So I had to eliminate any room for escape. Even cornered in a dead end, they might still refuse to speak.

“When you were called, you went up to the 7th Floor. I suspect something happened there. Someone of your stature—someone who could simply remain in the Lobby and maintain control—why would you move those heavy footsteps toward a mere Guest? I’m curious.”

I employed provocative language as well.

“You’re worried we might cause trouble, aren’t you?”
“…Yes.”

See, I knew it.

“Then tell me something.”

The other party was evasive and defensive, yet they showed goodwill toward us. While an aggressive approach carried some risk of backfiring, the probability was low.

That made it all the more tragic. Even in this situation, he was concerned about Lee Sun-hae and Hong Kyung-yeon. So he acquiesced readily. How calculating and yet how virtuous a person could be.

“We know our place. We understand how the world works. It’s true we’re intrigued by this Hotel and want to learn more about it, but if it seems dangerous, we’ll flee without hesitation. We have at least that much survival instinct.”
“Given your two’s illustrious track records, I find that survival instinct somewhat questionable.”
“Fair point, I’ll admit. But look at us—we abandoned documentaries and switched to creating original films. We’re people who thought we’d die living that way, so we changed our path entirely. Trust us a little.”
“I see….”

Lee Yeon-woo regarded her intently, then.

“Nothing of consequence occurred.”

A faint smile played at the corners of his mouth as he continued.

“I simply entertained a Guest who enjoys water for a brief moment. My shirt got a bit wet in the process, but such things dry, after all.”
“….”
“I do care for our Guests, but it’s difficult to watch the two of you indulge in such perilous amusements. Don’t you agree?”

…A Guest who enjoys water, he said.

“So you’re admitting this hotel is dangerous.”
“As a manager, it’s shameful to say, but I thought if I were honest about that much, you might be a little more careful. Was I mistaken?”
“How embarrassing—you know us far too well. You must have seen plenty of troublemakers.”
“That’s just how life goes.”

Perhaps this was as far as I should push.

‘Digging any deeper would be dangerous now.’

I needed to know when to step back and exercise restraint. Otherwise, I’d invite trouble.

‘The Writer seems to have grasped the rest on his own.’

Whatever he’d figured out, the Writer’s face had gone pale. He was terrible at hiding his emotions. The Director felt a surge of satisfaction.

“You look exhausted. If you’d like, shall we postpone this conversation for today?”
“Is that so? I found even this time we’ve spent facing one another to be a meaningful conversation.”
“Is there someone who wouldn’t want to talk with us longer than this?”
“….”

Another brief silence and denial.

Lee Yeon-woo’s gaze drifted momentarily toward the space behind Lee Sun-hae and Hong Kyung-yeon. Lee Sun-hae turned to look, but there was nothing there. Then Lee Yeon-woo’s voice continued.

“…That couldn’t be.”
“Your words always come late at the most delicate moments, don’t they?”
“I’m… rather flustered myself.”
“We are too.”
“Haha….”
“You look tired.”
“That’s true.”

Finally, an affirmation.

“It must be the cold weather.”

No—only partly that.

“It doesn’t seem like it’s that cold today.”
“It’s rather chilly today.”
“That could be true.”
“I fear I was too hasty this time. I wanted to offer you distinguished guests the most complete hospitality, yet instead I’ve only committed discourtesy due to my own condition. I sincerely apologize.”
“Don’t say it like that—what does that make me?”
“Would it be possible to postpone this precious moment until next time? When we meet again, I wish to receive you both in proper form, without any shortcomings….”
“….”
“I humbly ask for your understanding.”

What a difficult world this is.

“Very well.”

And what a disorienting one at that.

‘…This meddlesome nature of mine.’

I thought I’d improved, but people truly don’t change easily.

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