Welcome to the Goblin Hotel - Chapter 20

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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 20
“Sigh.”
The breath escaped on its own.
Facing what Gang Rim had called a reckless, uncontrolled spirit in a situation like this made my blood boil.
A thing clinging to the doctor’s back, shaking his head.
One leaping atop a patient, bouncing wildly.
Another shrieking directly into a drunk man’s ear.
And one wrapped around the nurse’s leg, cackling with glee.
“Quite a swarm of malevolent spirits, aren’t there.”
The hospital had become a playground for every manner of wayward ghost.
No wonder the Emergency Room couldn’t function properly.
I laid Song I down on an empty bed.
After confirming the Spirit-Repelling Bracelet was secured snugly on her arm, I left her in Min Jae’s care.
“Stay beside Song I.”
“Yes.”
I approached the nurse first.
— Cackle-cackle-cackle-cackle!
The malevolent spirit clinging to her leg had pulled the corners of its mouth up to its ears, grinning wickedly.
Its tongue lolled out past its lips, writhing as it brushed against the nurse’s ankle.
‘That’s a pervert of a ghost.’
I unwound the Spirit Rope from my waist—payment I’d received from Gang Rim.
Binding.
With the Spirit Rope’s power, I could catch it.
The old me—the one who could do nothing while spirits spouted nonsense in my ears and loitered near my daughter—was gone.
I hurled the end of the Spirit Rope at the creature.
Whish—
The Spirit Rope wound cleanly around the malevolent spirit’s neck and yanked it up.
— …!!!
The spirit was dragged thrashing through the air.
“What gives you the right to crawl into a place like this.”
I wasn’t in the mood to show mercy today.
“Maybe a beating will knock some sense into you.”
I drove a fist charged with fury straight into it.
In that instant, power surged through my knuckles of its own accord.
Smack—!
The malevolent spirit’s form warped and scattered like smoke.
【 Purification complete. 】
【 Spiritual Power Point +200 】
A pale blue glow had gathered in my fist.
It was similar to the energy from burning away obsessions, yet different.
‘I understand how to use it now.’
Once the spirit clinging to her leg vanished, the nurse’s pinched expression softened into ease.
I approached her and spoke.
“Excuse me, our child has a high fever.”
“Have you checked in at the front desk?”
“Yes, we have.”
“Let me take her temperature again. But we’re quite backed up right now, so you’ll have to wait a bit.”
I nodded.
The reason for the backlog was obvious.
No matter how I thought about it, these damn spirits were to blame.
I turned my gaze toward the doctor.
‘If I deal with that one, the wait times should move up.’
— Cackle-cackle-cackle-cackle! Cackle-cackle-cackle-cackle!
The spirit riding on the doctor’s back was grabbing his hair and shaking his head about.
The other one beside him was also flailing, and our eyes met.
— …!!!
It tried to slip away, but it was too late now.
I hurled the Spirit Rope toward the malevolent spirit.
Whish—
The Spirit Rope caught it without hesitation.
I yanked the rope and dragged the creature down to the floor.
Crack—!
I stomped hard on the thing with my foot wreathed in blue energy.
The malevolent spirit’s form twisted and scattered.
【 Purified. 】
【 Spiritual Power Point +300 】
The air in the Emergency Room grew noticeably lighter.
The doctor’s complexion brightened.
He shook his head sharply and called out in a clear voice.
“Patient Song I!”
I raised my hand quickly.
“I’m here!”
The doctor approached and examined Song I’s condition.
“How long has this been going on?”
“She’s been unusually listless since evening. When I checked her temperature around eleven, it was 39.7 degrees.”
“Did you give her antipyretics?”
“Yes. I gave her fever medication once and even bathed her body, but there was no improvement.”
“No cough, throat seems fine.”
Then he pressed gently on her abdomen from different angles and continued.
“I don’t see any other issues. I’ll give her an antipyretic injection—have her see a pediatrician when it gets light out.”
“Understood.”
The doctor left.
I waited for the nurse to come administer the injection.
But two nurses were already wrestling with a drunk man beside the next bed.
“You bastards! Do I look easy to push around?”
The drunk bellowed, poisoning the atmosphere of the Emergency Room.
“Sir, you can’t behave like this here.”
“Who the hell are you? Huh? What are you?”
“If you keep this up, we’ll call the police.”
“What? You—!”
No matter how much the nurses scolded or tried to soothe him, the drunk wouldn’t listen.
Left alone, this wouldn’t resolve easily.
That filthy creature clinging to the drunk’s ear, screaming into it—I needed to deal with it.
— Kee-kee-kee-keeee!! I’ll kill you!!!!
Garbage bastard!!!!
I hurled the Spirit Rope toward where the drunk stood.
Whoosh—
The Spirit Rope snared the malevolent spirit clinging to the drunk’s back in one motion.
It shrieked.
— What? Let go!!!!
The malevolent spirit thrashed.
From this creature, steeped in malice, emanated an even more repulsive aura than the others.
I pulled the rope taut.
It spun through the air and came hurtling toward me.
“Quiet.”
I seized its throat.
Then—burst!—its form exploded and scattered.
【 Purified. 】
【 Spiritual Power Point +500 】
The drunk, who had been shouting moments before, suddenly froze and blinked.
“Huh…? Why am I here?”
All his bluster drained away.
The two nurses exchanged looks and let out sighs of relief.
One more left.
The one bouncing up and down on top of the patient.
The patient’s face had turned ashen—his condition looked dire.
The guardian was holding the patient down, screaming.
“Oh God, my child’s dying. Please, someone help!”
I hurled the Spirit Rope at the creature straddling the patient.
Swish—
The Spirit Rope coiled around the creature’s waist, and I yanked it toward me as it thrashed.
“This is not your playground.”
Then I drove my elbow down hard.
Crack—!
【 Purification complete. 】
【 Spiritual Power Point +300 】
The patient’s face, which had turned ashen as death itself, regained its color.
“Mom, I’m okay now.”
“Are you really?”
The Emergency Room fell noticeably quiet.
I swept the area once more with my eyes.
‘Is it over?’
That was when.
Beneath the bed where Song I lay.
A shadow flickered there, barely perceptible.
Slide—
A Malevolent Spirit crawled slowly out from under the bed.
Body low, creeping with caution.
Its eyes locked directly with mine—the one trying to escape.
“You.”
The spirit flinched at the sound of my voice.
How long had it been hiding down there?
Infuriating.
‘Why were you near my Song I? What were you planning?’
I threw the Spirit Rope quietly.
Whoosh.
This time the rope wrapped tightly around the creature’s body.
The Malevolent Spirit writhed, trying to wriggle back under the bed.
“Not today, you don’t.”
I pulled the rope, dragging it toward me.
Then I pinned it beneath my foot.
Min Jae watched and asked, puzzled.
“Boss, why aren’t you purifying that one?”
“This one’s going to Gang Rim.”
One of the nurses, who’d been wrestling with a rowdy drunk, approached.
“Let me get the IV in.”
The nurse skillfully connected the IV line.
Transparent liquid dripped steadily, one drop after another.
‘Good thing I cleaned up those Malevolent Spirits.’
As the Emergency Room fell silent, Song I’s expression grew noticeably more at ease.
I gripped Song I’s hand tightly.
Ten minutes.
Twenty minutes.
The body that had been burning like fire only moments before was gradually cooling.
Song I’s breathing became much more even.
“Dad···.”
“Yes, Song I. Dad’s right here.”
I felt her forehead.
Her temperature had definitely dropped since before.
The nurse came over and checked her temperature again.
“37.8 degrees. The fever’s come down quite a bit.”
“Thank you··· so much.”
As the tension drained from me, my legs nearly gave out.
‘Tonight was truly··· long.’
I stayed by Song I’s side until the IV drip was finished.
Min Jae sat in a chair, dozing but glancing at Song I every few moments.
An hour later.
The IV was done, and her fever had dropped further.
“You can go home now. But if the fever comes back, make sure to see an outpatient doctor right away.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
I lifted Song I into my arms.
My body felt remarkably lighter.
The moment we stepped out of the Hospital, cold dawn air seeped into my skin.
The sky was brightening gradually overhead.
The moonless night was nearly gone.
“It’s over.”
Min Jae answered quietly.
“Yes. It’s over.”
I opened the car door, settled Song I inside, and spoke to Min Jae.
“Put that thing in the trunk.”
Min Jae nodded and shoved the Malevolent Spirit, wrapped in the Spirit Rope, into the trunk.
***
The Hotel Lobby doors swung open.
Song I rushed in first.
Min Ju jumped to her feet and rushed to greet her.
“Song I! Are you all right?”
“Unnie! Hehe… I don’t hurt anymore.”
Song I’s face had brightened—nothing like the child burning with fever moments before.
Hwang Geum Yi bounded over, tail wagging, circling around Song I.
Song I stroked Hwang Geum Yi’s head.
“Hwang Geum Yi. I’m back.”
Lick-lick—
Hwang Geum Yi lapped at Song I’s palm.
Then.
Mi Ho’s eyes glowed blue as she studied Song I from head to toe, slowly and deliberately.
— For now, she’ll be fine.
“For now?”
I questioned, and Mi Ho tilted her head.
— She fell ill because her body couldn’t bear the Spiritual Force.
“She got sick because of Spiritual Force?”
— Yes. You tried to pour more water into a small cup than it could hold. It overflowed. Once she adapts, she’ll be fine.
Song I cocked her head in confusion.
“But I didn’t drink that much water…?”
Min Ju whispered from beside me.
“It’s a metaphor.”
I furrowed my brow and asked.
“You’re saying she’ll be fine once she adapts?”
— Her capacity is expanding.
Give it a day or two and she’ll stabilize.
Giving Song I five hundred Spiritual Power Points yesterday—that was the culprit.
【 Staff Details 】
*Song I:
Health Status: Excellent
Spirit Sight
Trustworthiness 99/100
Spiritual Power – 2,825p
Health Status: Excellent.
That one phrase eased my worry, yet I still felt guilty. Song I had suffered today because of my carelessness.
‘When Song I was sick, I never even thought to check the status window.’
I tried to think coldly and clearly.
But I realized I hadn’t managed it.
“Sigh… Song I got sick because of me.”
Mi Ho smirked at me.
— So the child had a brief illness, and now you’re planning not to give her any more Spiritual Force?
“I should stop, shouldn’t I?”
— Didn’t you just say Song I is the most precious thing to you?
“Yes. She’s precious. That’s why—”
— You’re being foolish.
If that’s how you feel, shouldn’t you be thinking about steadily expanding her capacity bit by bit?
Spiritual Force builds her stamina and gives her the power to stand against Malevolent Spirits.
Actually, spiritual power itself wasn’t the problem.
‘Every time it comes to Song I, it’s hard to think clearly. I need to keep my head sharp.’
Clap!
I gave my cheek a light tap with my palm.
Mi Ho was right.
Giving spiritual power to Song I—
it was perhaps like a vaccination.
Children run fevers after vaccination, their arms swell.
Yet parents don’t avoid vaccinating their children.
They accept the present discomfort to prevent a greater pain later.
I looked at Mi Ho and asked.
“How do you build capacity?”
— Like today.
Raise the spiritual power bit by bit, as much as the child can handle.
“How much is that?”
— Who knows? You’ll get a feel for it as you do it.
Just as Mi Ho and I were talking,
Min Jae pulled out the malevolent spirit from the trunk.
Min Ju gasped at the sight of it.
“Min Jae! What on earth did you bring?”
“Sister, the boss caught a ghost. He said he was going to give it to Gang Rim?”
I spoke to Min Jae.
“Min Jae, put that thing in the empty room for now.”
“Yes, boss.”
I turned to Min Ju.
“Min Ju, light incense in front of the door.”
“Should I call Gang Rim?”
“Yes.”
“But the sun’s already rising. Will he come?”
Gang Rim had only appeared in the dead of night until now.
Even so—
“People don’t only die at night. An Underworld Messenger doesn’t rest just because the sun’s up.”
“Oh! You’re right.”
Min Ju went out to light the incense, and Song I tugged at my hand.
“Dad, I’m hungry.”
“Then, do you want rice porridge?”
“Yes.”
Just then, Mi Ho swept her hindlegs and spoke.
— Give her meat.
Capacity sickness heals faster when you eat well.
There was concern hidden beneath her casual words.
A small laugh escaped me.
“Thank you for telling me.”
Mi Ho turned her head sharply.
“Song I, let’s go eat meat.”
Song I bobbed her head quickly.
“Yes!”
Her voice was bright—she’d wanted meat instead of porridge all along.
The kitchen filled with the smell of grilling meat early in the morning.
Song I and Hwang Geum Yi both chewed carefully and ate with relish.
Just as Song I, satisfied, was patting her belly with a content expression, the notification I’d been waiting for appeared.
【 An Underworld Messenger has arrived. 】
I Inherited a Goblin Hotel
Author
: Why So Startled
Creation Date
: August 25, 2026
Publisher
: A.C.E.S Media Co., Ltd.
Editor
: Acesis Media Editorial Team
Address
: 325 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Urban Bench Building 10F
Email
: [email protected]
※ This work has been published by Acesis Media Co., Ltd. in accordance with a contract with the copyright holder,
and the contents may not be used in any form or manner without permission from the company and the author.
This e-book is a copyrighted work protected by copyright law, and unauthorized reproduction or copying 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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