NOVEL NEXT Welcome to Dungeon Hotel
Chapter 202
First, I brought Han Woohyun out and stood in front of the penthouse entrance.
“Leaving someone alone like that—” “If leaving someone alone is the issue, then let’s both guard this place together,” I squatted down on the carpeted floor. Han Woohyun, who saw that, said as if he was dumbfounded. “Sleeping here…?” Then what? Where do we sleep? With a sigh, Han Woohyun sat down next to me and leaned against the entrance. Then he said to me. “Are you using your skill to read my mind?” “No. Why, are you cursing at me inwardly?” Han Woohyun chuckled at my question. “I thought it was like this because you saw it.” Han Woohyun’s brown eyes stared at me intently. The atmosphere is getting strange. I turned my head and spoke as if making an excuse. “I don’t think it would be good to keep scaring the child.” “The child…?” Han Woohyun frowned. “Child… He has too much strength to be called a child. That guy.” “Do you think having strong power means it’s okay to sacrifice your childhood? Do you think he should understand the complex situations of adults?” I looked up at Han Woohyun. He blinked his eyes slowly a few times and then said. “…So you’re talking about me.” I won’t deny it. I think Han Woohyun has a specific reason for being particularly harsh with Suzuki Yuto. “I think the two of you have some similarities. I apologize if I misunderstood.” Han Woohyun made a strange expression at my words. “You don’t need to apologize to me.” Anytime. It was as if the word was omitted. Han Woohyun soon looked away from me and rested his arms on his knees as he spoke. “It’s true that there are some similarities. Gaining great power at a young age… It’s a frightening thing. Even for adults with power, it’s difficult not to wield it recklessly. You have to learn to control it well.” Control… Yeah. Han Woohyun might be right. From what I’ve observed so far, Suzuki Yuto doesn’t seem to know how to control his own power. He ends up using his control skill in unnecessary situations, sometimes causing unnecessary backlash on himself. But isn’t there something that just can’t be explained? For example… It seems like the word ‘fear’ keeps coming up in that guy’s mind, doesn’t it? Surprisingly, Han Woohyun gave the answer. “And above all, he is in a good position to abuse his power. Like me.” “Good position…? Because he’s a mind controller?” “No.” Han Woohyun’s eyes shone sharply. “That guy has every reason to hate others and the world.” “….?” “Didn’t you see it?” What? What do you mean? “The scars on his body, wrists and ankles, barely covered by clothes, must be from before his awakening, probably from being assaulted. Suzuki Yuto is a victim of assault.” “….?!” When I looked surprised, Han Woohyun tilted his head. “I guess that’s not what you meant by looking like me.” “Yeah. I didn’t think that far.” I’m not that much of a scumbag. Then why was he afraid of us— “Because I’ve been hit before. Thinking if you’re weak, you’ll be attacked, and if you’re strong, you have to rule over others. That’s probably why.” Han Woohyun spoke as if he had read my mind. Haa. I’m dumbfounded. What kind of guy is like that? If Suzuki Yuto is a victim of assault, it’s understandable why his satisfaction level was extremely difficult to manage. Because it must have been difficult to open your heart to others. In such a situation, gaining power would have likely made Suzuki Yuto feel like he had a sturdy shield to rely on. And he would use that to protect himself somehow. So he continued to use the skill unconsciously. As I reached that thought, my gaze involuntarily turned towards Han Woohyun. “Yeah, he must have been in the perfect conditions to abuse that power.” “…?” “Even so, you didn’t do it? It’s admirable.” I reached out my hand and gently stroked Han Woohyun’s bangs. Han Woohyun’s jaw tightened. “You’re the one who is admirable. You always use your strength in a good way without hesitation.” “Because there is no way to use it in a bad way. That’s my strength. If I had met you and Suzuki Yuto outside, I might have lost, but if you come here as a guest, I can become stronger by satisfying the guests. My strength is physiological, and your strength is not. However, the important thing is that it was not abused.” I say this sincerely. I think I’m doing this because satisfying guests is how I become stronger, and I think Han Woohyun could easily have gone down a bad path. He must have had a lot of worries and confusion during the process. Han Woohyun may think that he is broken, but I think he is a good person even with such worries— So you— “I like it. You’re cool.” Unconsciously, Han Woohyun grabbed my hand that was patting his head in response to the unexpected words that came out. Then he came closer and said. “Did you just say you like me?” “…Huh? Ah, mhm.” “Take responsibility for those words today.” Han Woohyun pulled my hand down and placed it on his own waist. Then he gently pulled my chin and kissed me on the lips. Chu. There was a short sound. Han Woohyun slightly removed his face, looked at me for a moment, and kissed me again as if he couldn’t bear it anymore. Sometimes short, sometimes long. Han Woohyun’s lips urgently pressed against mine. Ah, I don’t know. Social distancing fails. Thinking I was screwed, I gave strength to the hand on his waist. At my gesture, Han Woohyun flinched and pulled back. The relationship between us grew in an instant. “….” Seeing my confused expression, perhaps due to the sudden emptiness I felt, Han Woohyun spoke with a troubled look on his face. “You… you…” Han Woohyun sighed briefly. “You really don’t know anything.” “….?” What are you talking about? I actually know a lot. I can’t even tell you everything… “And what if your heart is weak and you accept everything?” Han Woohyun tidied up my messy hair for me and spoke affectionately. I don’t know what you’re talking about— Ding! It was that time. The elevator door opened before my eyes. At that moment, Dad, who found us sitting together affectionately, gasped and covered his eyes in shock. “You guys here… what…” There was a moment of silence for a few seconds, and then Dad was thrown against the wall of the elevator, as if he had been attacked by a monster. “No, no…! No! I saw it wrong. It’s a mistake…!” Han Woohyun froze and I stood up, touching my forehead. “Dad, it’s not a mistake. Why did you come up?” Dad said, looking at me with betrayal in his eyes. “Are you disappointed because I interrupted you?” “…No.” “The reply was late.” Dad grabbed the handle on the elevator wall and sat down. It seems like you’ve learned a thing or two about cheekiness from Uncle Junsoo at times like this. “No, why did you come!” I shouted at Dad with a red face. Only then did Dad come to his senses a little and stand up and say. “They say a dungeon break was created on the grounds of a mansion in Kyoto. It looks like the Dungeon Management Department has contacted the Hunter Association, but since it is a top dungeon, it seems that there is a delay in rescuing people caught up in the dungeon break.” “….?!” Kyoto. Dungeon Break. I bit my lip and lowered my voice at the combination of words I was expecting. “Is that mansion grounds where Suzuki Yuto’s family is?” Dad nodded his head. “Then, Suzuki Yuto’s family…” “They said they haven’t found it yet.” Damn it. Even though I had already contacted the Dungeon Management Office, I can’t believe it happened like this. It was then. The door slid open and Suzuki Yuto came out of the penthouse. “…!” “…!” While everyone was surprised, Suzuki Yuto opened his mouth. “It’s so loud I can’t sleep.” What. Didn’t you hear? Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, a window appeared before my eyes. ‘Guest Room 205’ is worried about his family and his heart is pounding. Nevermind. He heard it. He’s just not showing it. Besides, he’s worried about his family. I said to Suzuki Yuto, trying not to pay attention to Suzuki Yuto’s declining satisfaction. “Let’s go down together. I’m thinking of checking out that dungeon break he just mentioned.” “…!” Suzuki Yuto flinched. It’s true. I must enter the dungeon just mentioned and look for Georg Schulze. “Let’s also look for your family members, Hunter-nim.” I could see the numbers above Suzuki Yuto’s head rising ever so slightly. Suzuki Yuto turned his head away from me. “I, I’m… not particularly worried about family and such. Whatever happens in the human world, it doesn’t matter.” That statement is not sincere. After listening to Han Woohyun’s explanation, I felt like I understood. That Suzuki Yuto is trying his best not to give his heart to others. Because he might reveal a weak side. Suzuki Yuto said, gripping the handle tightly. “So I won’t go into the dungeon.” “I don’t… recall ever telling you to enter the dungeon.” As I muttered, Suzuki Yuto shouted. “I’m going down because I’m hungry! Move!” Suzuki Yuto pushed Dad away and abruptly tried to press the close button. ‘I’m worried about my family, but I’m scared to go into the dungeon.’ As soon as I thought about it, I suddenly realized. That’s not everything. That guy hates himself for feeling scared. He wants to control himself, not others. He wants to control his fearful and weak self and change them into being indifferent and cynical about the human world. But that’s impossible. No one can control a human being. Even if it is yourself. But as Han Woo-hyun said— ‘He needs to know how to control himself.’ You can control it. I pressed the open button, placed my foot on the elevator door, and made it impossible for the door to close, then spoke. “Shall we go in together? To the dungeon.” “….?! At my words, Suzuki Yuto flinched. At the same time, Han Woohyun also asked with a puzzled face. “Don’t scare the kid?” Instead of answering that question, I looked at Yuto and said. “I can never guarantee the safety of Hunter’s family inside the dungeon. If we don’t decide now, we may never get another chance. What will you do? If you agree to go in, I’ll get the equipment ready for you. Thanks to our skilled blacksmith, our hotel is overflowing with gear.” Yuto clenched his fists at my words. Yuto said. “Why should I save such a foolish person?” If Dadand Han Woo-hyeon had heard this, they would have wanted to punch him in the chest, but instead of taking his words as they were, I said this. “Are you too scared to go in?” And that too with as much of a mocking expression as possible. “Wha, what…! I’m a mind controller! A very high-rank mind controller! If I go in, I can win it all! I, if necessary…! I could even go into that dungeon you mentioned and clear it!” He said, spitting out saliva. The words spoken in a strong tone seemed to be spoken to himself. As he said that, he mumbled like someone who suddenly realized something. “Yeah… I can beat anything… Anything… I’m also a world ranker. I can accomplish anything…” Then he hit the wall with his fisted hand and said, “S, so, if necessary, I’ll go in!” Bang! The elevator walls rang with the sound. At that sound, Dad’s face contorted next to me. “Oh, that’s a surprise.” I burst out laughing slightly. Yuto said as if it were absurd. “A, are you laughing…? Are you laughing at me right now… thinking I can’t do it? I really can! Get me some equipment!” “No, I’m laughing because I thought I couldn’t do it.” “T, then…?” “I wonder if you now know that you are strong. Hunter, you will be able to rescue your family even if you enter the dungeon. Only if you decide, though. However.” Suzuki Yuto flinched at my words. “However?” “Under international law, it is difficult for minors to enter the dungeon, so I will go in this time.” I said that and got on the elevator. Suzuki Yuto said with a puzzled face. “But just now… you asked me to go in together…” “I was just testing it out. I was curious about how well Hunter Suzuki Yuto can control his fear. But you just said it yourself. If necessary, you’ll enter the dungeon. That means if your family needs you, you’ll go in, no matter how scared you are.” “….!” “No matter how scary it is.” “….!” I smiled at him. “You’re strong, really.” As soon as I said that, Suzuki Yuto’s satisfaction level went up. 20 Kyaa. It is a huge development. For real this time. And at the same time, Suzuki Yuto’s mind communication window opened, showing his shocked expression as he looked at me. ‘Guest Room 205’ thinking of a cute…cat. ‘Guest Room 205’ thinks that you are the first person to say that I am strong. The rest makes sense, but— Why do people say cats are cute here? The satisfaction level of ‘Guest Room 205’ is soaring! 50 Congratulations! You have achieved the achievement ‘Curing Middle School Syndrome’ and earned 10,000EXP points! ….? Middle School Syndrome? At the same time I was embarrassed, the elevator carrying Dad, me, Han Woohyun, and Suzuki Yuto began to go down. First of all, there was no time to delay. Hello! 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