Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual - Chapter 39

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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 39.

I pushed open the Hotel’s doors and stepped inside, waiting for the owner of this place to appear.

“Thank you for visiting.”

The voice greeting me was impeccably composed.

A clean, measured tone that clashed with the youthful face—the enunciation, inflection, and timbre all resembled a well-trained announcer. It harmonized perfectly with the Hotel itself.

Which was precisely why it felt unsettling.

“Pleased to meet you.”
“Yes, how may I assist you?”
“I’d like to stay for one night.”
“One night stay, understood.”

The features were sharp and intelligent. Glasses and formal attire conveyed a refined impression. A smile played at the lips, yet no emotion flickered beneath the surface. Thick eyebrows, narrow eyes.

‘A fox….’

…Though the pupils were perfectly round, not fox-like at all.

As I studied the eyes behind the lenses, those narrow eyes curved into an even softer smile. There was a magnetic quality to it—the kind of smile that commanded attention.

‘Masterful control of presence.’

Whether this was learned performance or innate nature, it was no instinct a newborn Dokkaebi could possess. I confirmed that what stood before me was no mere product of the Labyrinth.

“Then,”

it said, drawing my attention with effortless grace.

“Allow me to assist with your check-in.”
“….”

Indeed.

“…I ask of you.”

A gaze drifting through empty space.

It was no mere hallucination. What caught at the edge of Baek Mu-jin’s senses was a collective entity of countless souls and gazes converging upon a single point in the void.

Silent, courteous, and meticulously ordered though it was.

‘At such a density, certainly….’

Sufficient attention to materialize a single Dokkaebi.

“….”
“Good evening?”

And then, another Dokkaebi.

‘…Compared to this ambiguous thing, that one is certainly the Labyrinth.’

Something clumsily imitating a cat. Glimpses of self-awareness suggested it was indeed a Dokkaebi. It appeared to be the essential master of this Labyrinth called Hotel One.

‘Then what is this?’

What was this entity now extending a key to me?

“I shall escort you to Room 9, 17th Floor.”
“The 17th Floor, excellent.”
“Before your check-in, I must inform you of several matters.”
“That we’re in a trial operation period, so there are shortcomings in overall service, and some common facilities are unavailable? And therefore meals may be difficult to prepare?”
“….”
“…Our Nephew has caused you considerable trouble.”

The Elder bowed his head. A classically courteous greeting, executed in the manner this Labyrinth desired.

“I have come to offer both apology and gratitude for the inconvenience caused.”

The request for lodging itself was part of that gesture.

This Labyrinth took the form of a Hotel, and within it existed rules unique to its inhabitants. To defy those rules was to provoke the Master’s displeasure—something I had no intention of doing.

I wanted to maintain good relations with them.

Rare things were worth the effort, after all.

“Could we have a brief conversation?”
“…Of course, sir.”

A satisfactory answer.

* * *

The Manager guided me to the Elevator.

‘The 22nd Floor.’

Quite a considerable height.

Beyond the floor-to-ceiling glass walls, a rain-soaked Forest stretched below—so meticulously maintained that one could scarcely believe this was within a Labyrinth.

‘Is this also a reflection of the Manager’s sensibilities?’

The Manager guiding me spoke up.

“I apologize that I myself, rather than a Staff Member, am conducting this tour. As mentioned earlier, this Hotel is still in its trial phase, so certain facilities remain unavailable.”
“Then what about this place?”
“Fortunately, we recently completed the initial maintenance of the Hotel’s facilities, so unlike Director Lee Sun-hae’s party from last time, I’m now able to bring you to the Lounge like this.”
“The Lounge—does the entire 22nd Floor serve that purpose?”
“The 22nd Floor has a Sky Lounge and a Dining Area prepared. Guests may visit the Dining Area at their leisure to enjoy meals. However, the Lounge maintenance is still incomplete….”
“I don’t see any Staff Members.”

The atmosphere differed from the Lobby. Not only were Staff Members absent—there were no Guests either.

“There seemed to be quite a few Staff Members earlier. Why weren’t any assigned to the Lounge?”
“They haven’t been trained for this particular area, so I ask for your understanding.”
“I see.”

Friends.

‘Despite their appearance, they speak in a surprisingly familiar manner.’

The Lounge was immaculate. It was a sanctuary that combined scenic beauty and comfort—a rarity in Korea’s cramped landscape. The sofa cradled my body with its soft, plush embrace.

‘There’s a clear intention to operate this Hotel facility properly.’

It was unlike a typical Labyrinth.

‘If they were truly like the others, they would have merely cobbled together crude imitations of human things, nothing more.’

But this place was different.

From the Staff Member’s positioning to the condition of the facilities, and even the Manager’s guidance—I finally understood how someone ordinary like Lee Sun-hae could have escaped so intact.

When our eyes met, they narrowed into a familiar, sly expression.

“Are you satisfied with your accommodations?”
“Not bad.”

A question surfaced in Baek Mu-jin’s mind.

‘What do they want?’

It was certain that this being couldn’t be dismissed as merely an accessory of the Labyrinth.

Lee Sun-hae had mentioned that the two masters had conflicting desires, so this “Manager” couldn’t possibly be part of that creature mimicking the Cat.

‘Yet they’re not another Labyrinth with its own consciousness either.’

By nature, Labyrinths possess twisted emotions. They cannot maintain normal relationships with others, and even when fascinated by humans, it invariably leads to tragic destruction.

‘But Sun-hae survived. So did her young subordinates.’

Then perhaps….

“….”
“I’ve prepared tea.”
“…Why didn’t you summon a Staff Member like you did in the Lobby?”
“As you can see, there are few Staff Members here.”
“I understand.”

Back in the Lobby, I had summoned a Staff Member to carry the luggage. A golden bell had rung—or perhaps it was merely the lingering echo in my ears—but that crystalline metallic chime remained vivid still.

“Do you enjoy it?”

A question without a subject, posed abruptly. Yet my companion answered naturally nonetheless.

“Of course. Since ancient times, tea has been a cherished companion—warming the body when the spirit grows weary.”
“And this one?”
“I’ve brought buckwheat tea.”
“Is there a reason?”
“On a rainy, misty day such as this, what better tea to share with a new friend?”
“To think this old man would already be considered a friend—it’s an honor.”

The aroma of buckwheat drifted through the air.

“The fragrance is lovely.”
“Thank you.”
“Please, sit.”

The Hotel General Manager settled into the seat across from Baek Mu-jin.

Baek Mu-jin observed the silhouette reflected in the dark window—the rain-soaked Forest beyond—before turning his gaze elsewhere. His composure remained unshaken.

He seemed almost a part of this Hotel itself, yet I had already sensed that could not be true.

‘He’s been here quite a long time.’

Baek Mu-jin grasped his knees and bowed his head once more.

“…I am grateful once again.”
“I’m pleased to hear you say so.”
“And I am grateful that you did not refuse this old man’s sincerity.”

I had worried the young one might decline, given how respectfully I was treating them, but instead they simply smiled and accepted my gratitude. In that moment, Baek Mu-jin felt something peculiar—a strange temperature emanating from them.

Pride, perhaps. Or relief.

“I believed I had done something worthy of gratitude.”
“Yes… saving a life is indeed that kind of deed.”

This one places weight on life itself. Favorable toward humans, considerate, attentive to detail.

“….”

…But you?

“You’re remarkably kind to a stranger—it seems you care quite deeply for this Hotel.”
“My, what a mischievous thing to say. I do care for this place, but I don’t dwell on reasons when showing kindness to people.”
“Mere goodwill, then?”
“Living in such a remote place as this, one naturally welcomes unfamiliar guests.”
“That would make sense.”

People are welcome, they say.

‘I wonder.’

Had they changed, or were they always like this?

“…Hmm….”

The tea was quite good. Even by my standards.

“I’ve brought a gift.”
“Is that so.”
“I worry it may not be to your liking, as you don’t seem the type to enjoy such things.”

Baek Mu-jin knows good from evil, but doesn’t place value in that distinction alone. So I brought what should be the most preferable gift, though I suspect it won’t resonate at all.

“Might I ask what this gift is?”
“A death row inmate.”
“….”

Round eyes, full as a harvest moon, fixed upon Baek Mu-jin.

Wordlessly, those circular pupils bore into him as if peering into his very soul. The smile had vanished from that face, leaving something far more feline than fox—something that resembled a tiger. For a fleeting moment, I wished the light here were dimmer still.

“Ah.”

The eyes curved upward, just as they had before.

“Might I inquire as to your reason?”
“The reason for bringing a gift is always abundantly clear.”
“You thought I would enjoy it, then.”
“I’m disappointed—you hardly seem pleased at all.”

Baek Mu-jin glanced at the pitch-black Dokkaebi perched upon the other’s shoulder.

“The gift wasn’t meant for that creature.”
“Our Hotel is hardly renowned, so I wonder if you’ve heard rumors of it.”

Baek Mu-jin took a sip of tea. The moment he had set foot here before, when retrieving his Nephew, he had caught the scent—acrid and foul, flowing beneath this place like an underground spring.

“Rumors? I hadn’t even heard this Hotel existed in this location. Contrary to your concern, I knew nothing of this place. Though I did know it was built atop corpses.”

Coincidentally, it was precisely the sort of thing he knew well.

“Built atop corpses, you say.”
“You’re aware of it?”
“Of course.”

The Hotel General Manager smiled with composure. A serene, measured smile.

“It’s my Hotel.”
“….”

I would need to revise my thinking somewhat.

‘So it wasn’t that sinister creature unilaterally ensnaring him.’

The Black Cat—that monster crouching to appear harmless, fawning over its “friend.” It was the true architect of the Hotel General Manager’s bondage.

‘But that doesn’t mean I’m simply imprisoned here without purpose.’

The story seemed more complex than I had anticipated.

“I caught the scent of death in this Hotel. The reek of congealed blood, layers upon layers of screams stacked atop one another. Prayers offered to a god that should never have existed. No amount of pretty decoration can conceal such things.”
“Would it be visible to anyone’s eyes?”
“To be honest, even someone like me would find it difficult to know with certainty. But anyone with even a modicum of keenness would sense the discord. They would feel the wrongness. Just as Sun-hae, knowing nothing, felt the distortion in this place….”
“….”
“Sun-hae is doing well.”
“…I’m relieved to hear that.”

A faint yet unmistakable relief. Baek Mu-jin continued speaking toward that smile.

“The atmosphere and nature here are so ominous that I thought a gift of this caliber might suffice. I may not know what or how to use it, but when you bring a death row inmate who’s fallen to the very bottom to a place like this… everyone rejoices.”
“I didn’t realize my tastes were so peculiar.”
“It’s not peculiar.”

He took a sip of tea before continuing.

“It’s special.”

In value.

Just how far would the value of this rise?

How rare and extraordinary a being this was.

‘Yes, that’s right.’

The claim of having heard nothing about this place was true. But when one’s hair turns white with age, many things become visible without needing to be told.

Baek Mu-jin’s gaze traced slowly down the other’s form, as if following the trajectory of a spring that had come undone somewhere, long ago.

“What do you consider yourself to be?”
“….”

The response came dryly.

“…A person. I regard myself as a person.”

I wonder if you truly know who you are.

“Was I mistaken?”
“No.”

It was wise to approach with such courtesy.

“You were not mistaken.”

I nearly destroyed a precious connection.

* * *

A Dokkaebi.

Born from objects imbued with human emotion and time, a uniquely Korean spirit that has lived in harmony with people.

A being that diverged from the “conscious Labyrinth” that Baek Mu-jin had explained to Lee Sun-hae. In the old tales, such spirits might play mischievous pranks, yet they were beings of integrity who honored their bonds within honest rules.

‘To think such a spirit would be trapped in a place like this.’

The Young Goblin looked up at Baek Mu-jin.

“Will you be alright?”
“Yes, I’m merely curious about this place. Don’t worry about an old man like me.”
“I’ll show you around, though I do hope you won’t find it too inconvenient.”
“As one ages, there are fewer things that surprise.”

He requested a tour of the Hotel from the Manager.

The first place he wished to see was the Aqua Park—that river of the dead where Lee Sun-hae had barely escaped with her life. He was curious what could be measured there.

The doors to the Aqua Park on the 23rd Floor opened.

“This is the place.”
“….”

A pristine floor and bright illumination.

Warm air as if I had stepped into a beach or a Greenhouse.

And… the peaceful sound of water.

“Unexpected.”
“May I ask what is unexpected, without being presumptuous?”
“I thought there would be at least a water spirit dwelling here….”

The water was truly pristine.

“….”

Why?

‘A Labyrinth that cannot possibly be this clean.’

The anguished cries and suffering that seeped from every corner of the Hotel, the stench of blood—none of it remained here. As if it had never existed at all, only water transparent as jewels rippled before me.

‘Then where has all that despair been contained?’

The answer became clear when I looked at the Young Goblin standing beside me.

“…Ah.”
“…?”
“It’s nothing.”

Indeed, that was it.

The breath that had stopped before the vast, deep water, and the vicious whirlpool of sound churning within that body. Cold hands flailing in a breath that was nearly extinguished, and the tail of a water beast.

And that acrid stench of blood.

‘So that’s why it couldn’t leave the Hotel.’

Dokkaebi are truly a stubborn race.

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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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