Chapter 120

Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual

"Oh, how nice to meet you."

"......"

At the Dining, another guest spoke to them for the first time.

"I heard from Yeon-woo just yesterday that there were two Human Guests staying here."

A tone that flaunted familiarity with a person named Yeon-woo.

A neatly suited, immaculately groomed appearance. The jacket's shoulder line fell precisely, and his shoes gleamed. His smile was gentle, yet something about it was unsettling.

Seome naturally observed the junior's reaction.

"...Is that so."

...No matter how he looked, this was no human.

"Forgive me, but we haven't received any introduction about you."

"How terribly sorry of me. Yeon-woo is certainly a prudent man. I'm grateful to at least have the chance to introduce myself now."

His speech was archaic to the point of sounding scripted, like an actor on a stage. He surveyed Seome and Rawi, then raised the corners of his mouth. Perfectly symmetrical.

"Please call me 'The Guest Without Taste.'"

"...That's...."

Seome, whose lips had parted, continued.

"An unusual name."

"It's the etiquette one observes in this hotel."

"Etiquette."

"The guests here understand that directly revealing one's name to another is a great discourtesy."

"I see such a rule exists."

Seome rose from his seat, positioning himself to shield the frozen Rawi, and asked.

"Then what should I introduce myself as?"

"I'm aware that this courtesy is unfamiliar to guests such as yourselves."

"In that case?"

"Your true name, if you please."

It was the kind of smile a surgeon wears just before an operation, saying 'everything will be fine.'

"Won't you tell me your real names?"

Seome, who had been biting his lip, asked.

"...Is that truly a rule of this place?"

"My, you're not as foolish as I'd expected."

"I wonder about that."

"Whether I should call this fortunate."

"We consider it fortunate."

However frazzled he might be, Seome did what needed doing.

"Yeon-woo has never mentioned any such rule to us."

"...Hmm...."

The man who'd called himself 'The Guest Without Taste' stroked his chin.

"...This is a decidedly rare feeling."

"I apologize if I've offended you."

"No, it's simply that seeing Yeon-woo's favoritism firsthand stings a bit."

"Favoritism?"

A word far removed from the image of Yeon-woo that Seome knew. But The Guest Without Taste merely smiled as before.

"You seem to trust Yeon-woo more than I'd expected."

"That's a textbook opening for driving a wedge."

"I would be wounded if you saw me as that sort of swindler."

"May I ask why you approached us?"

"Curiosity, first and foremost."

The man tilted his head with a smile.

"Days when Human Guests stay here are quite rare."

"......"

"The impeccably upright Yeon-woo simply cannot tolerate that sort of thing...."

"......"

"Without so much as his permission, where exactly did you crawl in from?"

Pressure.

"......"

The eyes of a granary's master, regarding rats that had gnawed a hole through the wall.

"...I'd like to state in advance that we didn't come here by choice."

"Oh, of course. I don't believe you possess that kind of ability."

"When you put it that way, it's rather unfair on multiple counts."

"Most likely you were caught up in someone's mischief."

Having said that, The Guest Without Taste shifted his gaze.

"It seems the young friend over there has no intention of speaking."

"...Uh, um, please spare us?"

"Good heavens, I'd rather not see your blood."

"Oh dear...."

Rawi dragged a hand down his face and managed a grin.

"Grateful as that is, you don't strike me as someone who dislikes blood."

"This one's tongue isn't so tame, either."

"Some things are obvious at a glance."

"Ah, yes, young Artists do tend to have that quality."

Seome cut in, shielding Rawi once more.

"A puppy that doesn't know to fear the tiger."

"I agree wholeheartedly, young friend."

First 'young friend,' now 'young friend' again. Seome was inwardly astounded. He hadn't thought he could hide anything in front of a Dokkaebi, but not every Dokkaebi could see through 'Seome.'

'He's imitating a human, but he's an extremely powerful Dokkaebi....'

He must be deliberately suppressing his intimidating presence right now.

"...Wouldn't it be uncomfortable to dine in that state?"

"How courteous. Splendid. Your efforts to ingratiate are admirable, so I shall reward you with an answer."

His eyes curved, very long.

"Appearances aside... I'm in a position where I need to look quite good in Yeon-woo's eyes."

"......"

Seome struggled to ask.

"...May I ask why?"

"To get a job here, of course."

"I see."

Seome nodded, then a moment later snapped back to his senses and double-checked.

"......? A job?"

"Yes, I've come prepared to open the restaurant of my dreams."

"A job??"

"Must I say it twice?"

"No."

He felt like he was losing his mind.

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

He truly felt like he was losing his mind.

'A hotel where Dokkaebi come and go was already hard enough to comprehend, and now a hotel where Dokkaebi get hired? Is that a thing that happens? Is that allowed, across all laws of the universe?'

The man, who had been pleasantly observing Seome's reaction, spoke again.

"Do you now somewhat understand why I must imitate a human? Yeon-woo does seem to deeply cherish things that speak as you do, things that are fragile and easily broken...."

At that, Rawi muttered to himself.

"Come to think of it, it's been a while since I've heard Korean."

"Precisely!"

"Whoa, you scared me."

"Yeon-woo really ought to appreciate this devotion of mine."

"I think I might be sick. For something to look devoted, you're a bit too intimidating. Sir."

"I thought I was being quite kind."

That was true enough. A twinge of bitterness ran through Seome at their exchange. For a powerful Dokkaebi to take human form, speak human words, and even 'tolerate' conversation — that was remarkable kindness.

To begin with, Seome had never once 'conversed' with a Dokkaebi in this manner.

"Then the reason you specifically approached us is...."

"Curiosity, first. Personal goodwill, second."

"Personal goodwill."

"I should learn your faces now."

Those jet-black eyes took in Seome and Rawi.

"So that I don't, by accident, play any tricks on you."

"......"

That was a truly chilling form of goodwill.

"...Yeon-woo must truly be an important figure in this hotel. For someone of your stature, 'Guest Without Taste,' to have to curry this much favor for a job."

To that, The Guest Without Taste stroked his chin and spoke.

"How much do you know about him?"

"Like I said, that's a textbook—"

"This is still goodwill. Accept it graciously."

"It's difficult to take your words at face value."

"Does Yeon-woo look like a person to you?"

Seome.

"......"

Could not answer immediately.

"...That's...."

"Of course he does. He is a person. He holds an important position in this hotel, important enough that I must curry favor to be chosen. Yes, that's right."

That smile spread softly. The voice was low and measured, the sentences courteous.

"He is the most beloved 'person' in this hotel."

"......"

At those words, Seome recalled the moment he'd first come up to the hotel. The moment he'd stepped off the elevator and the Dokkaebi waiting in the lobby had shown Yeon-woo reverence and courtesy.

"...I'm aware that the guests here regard Yeon-woo favorably...."

The man smiled and tilted his head.

"Everyone has someone they'd like to be close to, don't they?"

"And for all of you, that would be Yeon-woo."

"To help you understand, think of it this way."

He continued his explanation.

"A person of exceptional beauty. A person of great wealth. A person of wisdom. Someone who benefits you by being near, who makes you feel good. Someone for whom all of it comes as naturally as breathing, without any effort at all...."

"...You'd want to be close to them."

"That is the principle, young friend."

After fumbling, Seome answered.

"I don't think Yeon-woo would welcome that."

"But it remains true that he is the most beloved person in this hotel."

"That...."

Seome continued.

"...By the General Manager as well?"

"......"

"......?"

After a slight delay, the man asked.

"...Did you just utter the General Manager's name?"

"...If I've overstepped, I apologize."

"Oh, no, this is...."

Separate from his smile, he let out a low laugh.

"I'm having quite an enjoyable time."

The man went on.

"Of course. If there is one being in this hotel that loves him most, it would be the 'General Manager.' The master of this hotel and a merciful soul. He creates a paradise the likes of which exists nowhere else in the world."

"It doesn't particularly look like paradise...."

"To lumps of flesh like you, it would not."

"......"

"...Oh dear, was that a bit frightening?"

He wore a gentle smile as he straightened his attire.

"I must apologize for the many discourtesies. I happen to hold both this hotel's General Manager and Yeon-woo in considerable esteem, and whenever the subject of them arises, I simply cannot contain my excitement."

"...No...."

"You're still stiff, which would only gnaw at my reputation. If you don't mind — what do you say? Would you come to my table and share a meal?"

"...That's,"

"Come."

He extended a hand.

"'May I partake?'"

"— You may not."

"......"

...Yeon-woo appeared from behind The Guest Without Taste.

"Once again, no, you may not."

"...Haha...."

"They are my guests."

"Well, well."

The man looked at Yeon-woo and narrowed his eyes.

"Caught again."

***

Watching the retreating back of the black suit, Rawi smiled awkwardly.

"...Were we just about to die?"

"The Guest Without Taste is a cautious hunter. He doesn't kill Human Guests readily."

"That sounds like he does kill them, eventually."

"Please, never sit at the same table as that man."

Yeon-woo gently pressed down on the still-standing Seome's shoulder. At that touch, Seome sat down half-heartedly. Yeon-woo then asked.

"May I join you?"

"Anyone but that scary man is fine."

"'Man,' you say."

He settled into the seat with a faint smile.

"So that's how he looks to you."

In Rawi's estimation, it was a thoroughly 'adult' smile. The feeling was a bit strange.

'...The smile itself isn't all that different from that monster's just now, and yet the difference in substance is this stark. Even dressed similarly, the contrast is this extreme. Impressive.'

Whatever Rawi was thinking, Yeon-woo continued his explanation.

"The Guest Without Taste draws Human Guests to his table. If you accept his invitation, you first lose positive emotions, then negative ones."

"Oh, so it's a bit less dangero—?"

"If you accept all the way through to the third and final invitation, The Guest Without Taste drains every drop of blood from a person who can no longer feel anything and has been driven mad. He calls that an empty shell."

"Much more dangerous, then."

"All the Monster Guests here tend to be that way."

Yeon-woo cautioned in an even tone.

"There's nothing to be gained from getting close, so no matter how human they act or how much goodwill they show, please avoid contact as much as possible."

"Well, sure."

"If avoiding contact proves too difficult, winning their favor is also an option. The Guest Without Taste will probably be fond of rare antiques."

"Antiques?"

"Of course, even that should be limited to once or twice at most. It's dangerous."

"Hmm...."

Rawi looked at Yeon-woo. He too was suited and neat, but as expected, different.

"......"

And yet similar.

That Dokkaebi just now had clearly been emulating 'Yeon-woo's' look on purpose.

"...Are you close? With that Dokkaebi from earlier?"

"Next time, I'd appreciate it if you started by telling me what bothered you."

"I'm sorry."

One of Rawi's strengths was that his apologies came fast.