Welcome to the Goblin Hotel - Chapter 16

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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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Episode 16
When I saw the daylight, I lay down for a brief nap.
An hour must have passed.
I heard Song-i and Hwang-geum-i playing in the living room.
“Huff-huff-huff-huff…! Woof!”
“Ha-ha-ha! Hwang-geum-i, that tickles…!”
‘It’s pleasant to listen to. That laughter.’
My daughter’s laughter, drifting in from so early in the morning.
A good way to start the day.
Even though I’d only slept a short while, my body felt refreshed.
All those tens of thousands of Spirit Power Points had been worth spending.
So this is why people throw real money at games.
As my points rose, my physical condition changed noticeably — I couldn’t help but use them.
Once I’ve sent Choi Il-joo off properly, more points should come in, right?
‘I wonder how much this time…?’
At dawn, Choi Il-joo seemed to be in quite good condition.
I was relieved. He appeared to be improving little by little.
【 Guest Status Information 】
*Room 201:
Baek Yeo-u
Spirit Power Recovery in Progress
*Room 205:
Choi Il-joo
Wandering
Fatigue
D–22
*Room 310:
Dokkaebi
Satiety
‘Looks like Dokkaebi ate the rice cakes well again.’
I only enter Room 310 once a day.
It was a rule I’d set for myself in my heart.
No matter how curious I felt about what Dokkaebi might have left behind, I wouldn’t go in to check.
I could only enter when bringing Dokkaebi’s meal.
It was a rule for Dokkaebi, yes, but also one for myself.
I couldn’t let myself get blinded by rewards and ruin my daily life.
After finishing my morning routine of checking on the guests’ conditions,
I picked up the heavy sack of seeds and headed toward the back of the hotel.
Song-i and Hwang-geum-i had come out too and were examining the seedlings we’d planted yesterday.
“Song-i, what are you doing?”
“Dad, the tomato plant grew!”
It was unlikely to grow noticeably in just one day after planting, but to the child’s eyes, it must have seemed that way.
“It grew already?”
“Maybe it’s because I watered it yesterday.”
Hwang-geum-i wagged her tail when she saw me.
“Woof! Woof!”
“Hwang-geum-i’s full of energy this morning.”
“Woof!”
Hwang-geum-i barked softly, looking at me.
That was her way of calling me.
“What is it?”
As I drew closer, Hwang-geum-i looked toward the garden bed.
I followed her gaze.
“What’s there that’s got your attention?”
There was something there.
‘Hm…?’
Where I’d scattered the Lettuce Seeds yesterday, there should have been only dark earth,
but seedlings had already sprouted.
‘Do they normally grow this fast…?’
Delighted, I called out to Song-i.
“Song-i, come here a moment.”
Song-i, who had been watching the tomato seedlings intently, drew near.
“Dad, what is it?”
“Look here. A sprout’s already coming up.”
Song-i crouched down and examined the soil carefully.
“Wow! A real sprout!”
“This sprout will grow into Lettuce Seeds.”
Song-i cupped her hands near her mouth and whispered to the seedling.
“Lettuce Seeds, grow big and strong.”
I stroked Song-i’s head and asked, “Song-i, want to plant more seeds?”
“More Lettuce Seeds?”
“No. This time it’s Buckwheat Seeds.”
Song-i’s round eyes widened.
“The buckwheat for making Dokkaebi’s buckwheat noodles?”
“That’s the one.”
I unfolded the pouch I’d brought along.
“We’re going to plant these.”
The pouch was full of buckwheat seeds.
Song-i’s eyes sparkled.
“Dokkaebi will love it, right?”
“Maybe. But I think you’ll love it just as much.”
“Me?”
“Buckwheat flowers are beautiful. You’ll definitely like them.”
Song-i picked up the small spade and laughed.
“Dad! Let’s hurry. Hehehehe!”
I scraped the soil shallow beneath the stone wall that surrounded the hotel.
As Song-i scattered the seeds, I lightly covered them with earth.
Step by step,
we sowed along the wall.
“Dad, what color are buckwheat flowers?”
“White.”
“I can’t wait to see them.”
Song-i hummed as she scattered the seeds.
With all this anticipation, I hoped they’d grow well.
May they shoot up strong, bloom beautifully, and bear full seeds.
A quiet wish lay in the earth-covered soil.
***
Meanwhile.
At Sssongs & Song Entertainment, where Lina worked,
“What do you think? Be honest with me.”
Lina’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
The manager let out a dry laugh at the sight of her.
“Hah! Haven’t you already made up your mind?”
“Still. I want to hear what you think too.”
“Fine. It’s very good. Your voice is great, but honestly, the song itself is a perfect fit for you.”
“Yes!”
“But Lina, the writing credits—are you sure about Jung Yu-ri? The contract said Kim Woo-jin.”
“Jung Yu-ri transferred the rights to Kim Woo-jin.”
“Watch out—what if later on they claim they changed their mind and try to—”
Suddenly, Lina’s eyes grew moist.
“That won’t happen. Jung Yu-ri isn’t around anymore.”
“…What?”
Lina waved her hand, clearly not wanting to discuss it further.
“Let’s drop it. What I asked you before—”
“Gold Entertainment?”
“Yeah.”
The manager narrowed his eyes, studying Lina.
“Lina. You’re not thinking of transferring there, are you?”
“What nonsense? How much equity do I have in this company? That’s not it. So tell me—hurry up.”

“I heard the boss there used to be a fighter. Same with the staff.”
“A gangster?”
“That’s what they say. The kids under that company don’t get paid properly, and their debts keep piling up. Sounds like they’re being sent out for other work too.”
“…You don’t mean… escort services?”
The manager nodded.
“Yeah.”
“Insane. Places like that still exist these days?”
The manager spoke carefully.
“That’s why, Lina. Don’t even think about going there.”
“Come on, seriously! It’s not like that!”
At the sharp tone, the manager’s shoulders tensed.
“Then why are you doing this…?”
“Just. There’s something I need to pay back.”
At Lina’s cold voice, the manager broke into goosebumps without understanding why.
***
A lazy afternoon.
I lay on a mat spread in the shade of a tree.
Song-i rested her head on my stomach, listening intently.
“Hehe! Daddy’s belly is making funny sounds.”
Every time it growled, Song-i giggled.
Just then Min-ju and Min-jae approached with a large tray.
“Boss, snack time.”
“We worked this morning, now we’re eating snacks in the afternoon?”
Min-ju laughed at my words.
“You had early breakfast then. People will think I starved you.”
I lifted Song-i’s head and sat up.
“What’s on the menu, chef?”
“Buckwheat noodles.”
Min-jae set the tray down on the mat.
The aroma of the warm broth stirred my appetite.
“Looks delicious. Can you make another bowl like this for dinner?”
“For Room 310, right? Should I make it around midnight?”
“Yeah.”
Min-ju nodded.
“Got it. Eat up. The broth will get cold.”
Min-jae and Song-i were already slurping their noodles.
“Mmm…! Delicious.”
Min-jae wiped away the seaweed flakes around Song-i’s mouth.
“Song-i, you’ve got seaweed on your face.”
“Hehe! Thanks, oppa.”
The two of them got along so well together.
It made me jealous.
I squinted and went straight for the broth with my spoon.
The warm broth went down my throat smoothly.
“Ahh…! Refreshing.”
Song-i tilted her head.
“But Daddy, the broth is warm?”
“When something’s satisfying, you call it refreshing too.”
At my words, Song-i nodded and brought the bowl to her lips, drinking the broth.
“Wow. Refreshing!”
That’s our Song-i—quick to catch on.
She must be a genius.
Min-ju giggled watching Song-i.
“Song-i, you’re so funny. Kekeke…!”
“Hehe…!”
Song-i beamed at Min-ju with a triumphant expression.
Then.
Bzzzzt—
My phone vibrated.
[ Lina ]
‘Noodles don’t taste right if they’re cold.’
I twirled the strands with my chopsticks, brought them to my mouth, and chewed.
Only after swallowing that first bite did I press the answer button.
“Yes. This is Kim Woo-jin.”
“Boss!”
A bright voice burst through the phone speaker.
I could tell her mood just from the sound of her voice.
Things must be going well.
“Yes, Lina.”
“The album work finished faster than expected. We’re confirmed for release next week.”
“Already?”
“Yes! We kept the arrangement minimal, and the recording went perfectly. Jung Yu-ri must be helping out!”
“Will I be able to hear it?”
“I’ll stop by the hotel around lunchtime tomorrow.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
After I hung up and set down my phone, Min-ju asked as if she’d been waiting for this moment.
“Boss, who was that?”
“Lina.”
“Is she coming?”
“Around lunchtime tomorrow. Looks like the album work is done.”
Min-jae murmured wistfully.
“I wish Jung Yu-ri could have been here with us too….”
“Jung Yu-ri made her choice and left. That’s settled.”
Min-ju lifted her voice as if to clear the air.
“Oh! I’m so curious. Can we listen to it too?”
“Yeah. We should be able to hear it tomorrow.”
***
Before three in the morning arrived.
I heard footsteps coming down the staircase.
‘Has his timing gotten earlier?’
Choi Il-joo’s waking hour seemed to have shifted forward.
He came through the corridor without a word.
His gait was no longer the tottering, near-collapse of before.
His eyes were vacant, but he walked with purpose.
Choi Il-joo made his way slowly along the hotel’s perimeter as he did each night.
He approached the bench swing, taking his usual leisurely stroll.
I addressed him.
“Would you like some tea?”
Warm steam rose from the kettle.
“Yes.”
As he settled onto the bench swing, the wood gave a small creak.
I poured Mistletoe Tea into a cup.
“Drink it while it’s warm.”
He wrapped both hands around the cup.
For a long while he savored the warmth, then sipped it slowly.
A flicker of life returned to Choi Il-joo’s eyes.
Where before his gaze had wandered, lost in empty air, now he looked at the trees.
He saw the stone wall. He saw the grass.
As Choi Il-joo’s eyes fell upon the stone wall, he spoke.
“Are you doing construction work?”
The overturned earth beneath the wall was visible even in the darkness.
“Ah, that’s where I planted the buckwheat.”
“You’re farming?”
“A bit of this and that. I wanted to see something beautiful bloom.”
“Flowers…. I won’t see them, will I?”
He said nothing more after that.
Buckwheat flowers take two months to bloom.
It’s a pity.
He would have to leave this place before the buckwheat flowers opened.
***
The next day, around lunchtime.
A familiar black van pulled up in front of the hotel.
The door opened.
Lina stepped out, dark sunglasses perched on her face.
She waved from a distance.
“Boss!”
Lina entered the hotel and removed her sunglasses, glancing around.
“It feels different in daylight.”
“You brought the tracks?”
She held up her phone with a flourish.
“All the files are right here.”
I frowned slightly.
“You could have sent them yesterday.”
“Heh! But I needed an excuse to come here.”
Lina smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
Ah, she really is an entertainer.
There’s something different about the way she smiles.
Just then, Song-i came running out from the dining area.
“Unnie…!”
“Song-i!”
“I missed you so much.”
“Want to hear the song I just recorded?”
“Yes!”
Song-i nodded vigorously.
We brought a small speaker into the lobby.
Lina connected her phone.
After a moment.
The quiet intro began.
Min-jae held his breath, and Min-ju clasped her hands together.
Lina’s rich, resonant voice flowed through the speaker.
It felt as though Jung Yu-ri’s voice was layered over Lina’s.
— Can I become a star?
When the song ended.
None of us could speak.
“…What do you think?”
At her question, I finally exhaled the breath I’d been holding.
I’d forgotten I was holding my breath at all.
Min-ju started clapping.
“It’s absolutely incredible!”
Song-i spoke softly.
“I felt like I could hear Yu-ri’s voice.”
I nodded and replied simply.
“It’s excellent.”
“I knew you’d say that!”
Lina’s expression, which had brightened at my words, suddenly froze.
Then she pointed toward the staircase and cried out.
“B-boss…! What is that?”
Inheriting the Dokkaebi Hotel
Author
: Why That Novel
Publication Date
: August 25, 2026
Publisher
: Acesmedia Co., Ltd.
Editor
: Acesmedia Editorial Team
Address
: 10F Urban Bench Building, 325 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Email
: [email protected]
※ This work has been published by Acesis Media in accordance with a contract with the copyright holder,
and the content may not be used in any form or by any means without permission from the company and the author.
This e-book is a work protected by copyright law, and unauthorized reproduction or duplication may result in legal liability.
UCI
: G720:N+A129-20260730113

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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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