NOVEL NEXT WORLD Welcome to Dungeon Hotel
Chapter 189
“So, you’re saying she was kidnapped while you were together? That man had Yoojun’s face.”
After temporarily closing the coffee shop, Lee Semyung sat facing Jan Schulz and Yoojun. There were only these three people in the hotel lounge. When Semyung came in holding the bleeding Junghyo, Miyeon had already sent all the guests up to the room. This is because she heard the situation from Yoojun and Sophia. If guests needed food or drinks, the spirits would provide them through room service, so no one had to come down to the lounge for the time being. Miyeon decided to personally go downstairs to handle the situation at the coffee shop. Seeing how everything was planned and executed in an instant, it was evident that the manager was indeed a manager. If Lee Semyung had had a little more time, he would have been impressed by Miyeon’s abilities.. “Georg Schulze always keeps someone skilled in illusions by his side because he often has to hide his identity.” Jan Schulz spoke as if he wasn’t surprised to hear about the kidnapper who had changed his face. Georg Schulze was now on the international list of villains. And it was the Dungeon Hotel that played a role in revealing the true nature of the Mara Cult led by Georg Schulze. It is clear that they have a reason to target the hotel owner, and circumstantial evidence has even been provided. “Then you mean that Georg Schulze is inside Dungeon now. Inside Dungeon, where you don’t know where it leads.” At Yoojun’s words, Jan Schulz shrugged. “It might not be connected to anywhere else. If he used the power of the demon king to open the dungeon and sealed the entrance with a barrier, it would explain why we haven’t found him until now, and at the same time, it would be understandable why Georg targeted the dungeon hotel owner.” “What you’re saying is that you want to use the Dungeon Hotel as a passageway, that Mara Cult.” Yoojun looked bewildered. After first learning about the Dungeon Hotel, Yoojun thought that dangerous villains might enter the hotel, but he never anticipated that someone like Georg Schulze would target the hotel itself. So, he also didn’t anticipate that Junghyo would be kidnapped right next to him. “It’s my fault. I was right next to her, but I couldn’t protect the boss.” Yoojun’s expression turned serious. Even though he’s a healer, he’s also an S-class hunter. He couldn’t do anything while someone was kidnapped right in front of his eyes. It’s embarrassing. Yoojun’s heart was heavy ever since he saw Junghyo, who had said ‘I’m going to the hotel’ with a calm face, return to the hotel covered in blood. Usually, Yoojun had no interest in other people’s affairs. Because he suffered racial discrimination from a young age and lived as a loner, he always lacked trust in others. After his awakening, starting his first social life as a rare S-Class healer, the thought that he shouldn’t be taken advantage of was deeply ingrained in him. But he actually had a lot of loneliness. Therefore, it was because of that, he was instantly captivated by a Korean person he met in a foreign land, which had never felt like his own despite living there for almost twenty years, becoming true friends with Shim Jiyoon for the first time. Among the few who have glimpsed his vulnerable inner self is none other than the hotel manager. ‘Actually, you’re weak-hearted, right? Pretending to be rude.’ Maybe that’s why he feels really weak. She worries about the hunter guests, perhaps fearing they might be a bit hungry or injured, yet when she herself is in crisis, she maintains such a calm demeanor. While he was disturbed by such thoughts, Lee Semyung spoke. “No, it’s not Yoojun’s fault. I… I helped Junghyo with her plan even though I knew about it.” “Junghyo’s plan?” Lee Semyung’s eyes darkened at Yoojun’s question. “Junghyo said that Georg Schulze would need her. Junghyo already knew everything. That Georg Schulze would be in another world and that the hotel would be needed for his work.’ Lee Semyung washed his face and frowned. “I was short-sighted. Because Georg Schulze is a dangerous figure, I thought it would be best to eliminate him with Junghyo’s help if necessary…” Then, when Lee Semyung saw his blood-stained hands, his expression became even more hardened. Jan Schulz, who had seen Lee Semyung lose his temper and run wild earlier, comforted Lee Semyung. “This is no one’s fault.” Jan Schulz sat right next to Lee Semyung and massaged his shoulders. “It’s natural for a parent to feel responsible for everything that happens to their child. But the truth is, we can’t help or control everything that happens to our daughter. Don’t feel too guilty, just do what you can. Go in and hold the hotel manager’s hand so that warmth can be transmitted.” As Jan Schulz spoke, he suddenly felt that the words were coming back to him. I can’t help everything that happens to my daughter. …I need to talk to Sophie more. He thought so to himself. “I understand for now. I’ll go up again. Please don’t mention anything about Junghyo’s condition to the outside for now. I want to block out any other potential threats until Junghyo wakes up.” Both Yoojun and Jan Schulz agreed with what Lee Semyung said. Lee Semyung went up to Room 202. As soon as the elevator door opened, he saw the face of Geumdong, who was guarding Room 202. Her eyes, reddened from crying, widened in surprise. “Hunter Lee Semyung! The boss has woken up! Heuk… thank goodness…!” “What?” Lee Semyung quickly opened the door to Room 202 and entered. Though bloodied towels and torn clothing caught the eye first, Lee Semyung reached for Junghyo’s hand instead of dwelling on those painful sights. Junghyo, whose complexion was white, opened her eyes. “…I feel dizzy.” “You don’t have to say anything.” Lee Semyung suddenly realized as he held his daughter’s cold hand. Maybe this is how I’m being punished for making you wait so long. My punishment for having such a brave daughter who does anything without hesitation. “Dad.” The corners of Junghyo’s mouth rose slightly. “Don’t blame yourself. Dad didn’t do anything wrong.” “….!” Tears welled up in Lee Semyung’s eyes again. Looking at that, Junghyo smiled faintly again. Her back stung with pain, adding to the discomfort. It was evident that the attack she had received before losing consciousness was taking its toll on her body. And to Dad too. ‘Lee Semyung (door deskman)’ is suffering from his helplessness. After seeing this, she couldn’t help but say what Sophia wanted to say to Jan Schulz. “Ugh…don’t cry. Why are you getting all emotional by yourself? I…” She barely managed to speak as she moistened her dry lips. Her eyelids felt heavy as if stones had been placed on them. “…Just having Dad by my side is enough. I don’t need anything more than that.” “…Heukh…” “Oh, right. The kidnapper, that… Georg Schulze…” “That’s for later. Later, we’ll talk about it, Junghyo.” Lee Semyung sniffled as he gently placed his large hand on Junghyo’s forehead. And when he took his hand away a moment later, Junghyo was fast asleep. Lee Semyung looked at Junghyo with his reddened eyes for a long time. ‘My daughter has really grown up.’ Lee Semyung thought so. Although he said he would respect Junghyo’s choice, there was still a part of his heart that thought of Junghyo as a child. And so, when Junghyo offered him the position at the door desk, he resolved to reject various other offers and stay by Junghyo’s side. Feeling a desire to fulfill the role of a father he hadn’t been able to play until now. But when he saw Junghyo today, he realized. Junghyo is not a child. Instead, he felt like she was already surpassing him as a ‘hunter.’ ‘Now, Dad no longer has to worry about the destruction of this world alone.’ The destruction of this world. The change that could stand against the world being destroyed by Georg Schulze, whom Lee Semyung saw, may have begun somewhere other than Lee Semyung or Moon Heeyoung. ‘So now, at least one S-Class person can be a hunter who saves hunters instead of a hunter who fights monsters.’ That S-class hunter. It’s going to be Junghyo now. Clearly. While he was captivated by such a premonition, something began to shimmer behind the curtains of Room 202. Our daughter, no, Junghyo, sees something she desperately wants to see in her dreams. **** The plump oysters were finely chopped and poured into a pot with sesame oil. Sssk—! With a delicious sound, the oil-coated oysters began to cook until they were juicy. When the oysters seemed to be somewhat cooked, Geumdong put down the spatula, grabbed the pot handle, and gave a snap to his wrist. As he focused on his hand, a faint light flowed out. “…It’s done…!” Geumdong’s face became slightly brighter. As expected, this is possible because the power of the hotel is getting stronger. Geumdong patiently watched as the light flowing from his hand approached each oyster ripening in the pot. As the light enveloped the oyster, a translucent window appeared before Geumdong’s eyes. Healing power +1 Healing power +1 ….? Geumdong tilted his head. He can see this, too. Geumdong thought for a while and opened his eyes wide. ‘Is this perhaps… the former boss’s…’ Geumdong touched the message window with his hand and soon focused on cooking again. This wasn’t the time to think about it. Geumdong could feel that the boss’s energy has declined a lot now. He doesn’t know because there’s a message window just like now. He sensed a very subtle weakening of the light in the hotel today, despite it having been steadily brightening recently. Geumdong quickly completed a bowl of oyster porridge, placed it on a tray, and then glanced up at the chandeliers in the lounge. Blink—. See? The chandelier is sad, too. The hotel can’t be without the owner. That’s how we think about our boss— It seems like only the boss doesn’t know. How important is the boss? Because if so, she wouldn’t ask that question. ‘If… I was not the original owner of this hotel, what would you do?’ What do you mean not the original owner? If that were the case, the hotel wouldn’t have been able to grow this much. Geumdong thought so and arrived at room 202 with oyster porridge. He then tried to open the door to room 202, but the door was already slightly open. “….?” Has the boss regained strength and come out? That was when he instinctively waggled his golden tail and pushed the door a little further. A voice like he had heard before came out. “Please wake up… please…” Through the slightly open door, he could vaguely see a man sitting next to the bed. “I take back everything I said about loving me. I don’t expect anything from you anymore. Just come back… Just that…” Huh? Our boss, she’s not going to die? He looks like a VIP guest, but it seems there’s been some misunderstanding… What should he do! ‘I should explain for you!’ It was when Geumdong, with his bright face, was about to step forward to give an explanation on behalf of the sleeping boss. A large hand grabbed Geumdong’s back. Once again, the owner of the hand prevented Geumdong from screaming. “Let’s start by cleaning Room 203.” The owner of the hand, Lee Semyung, narrowed his eyes and spoke to Geumdong. Hello! You can also buy the advanced chapter in Ko-fi now, just click the ko-fi button and look for the title of the novel in shop. Thank you for your support!
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