4:26 a.m.
"……."
The monitor's bright screen lit up the writer's face.
"…As I thought, this isn't enough…."
With the monsoon, road conditions were bad. Plenty of unpaved roads too. Considering the actors' schedules, it would be best to film at a single location if possible. But a suitable spot still hadn't turned up.
'If push comes to shove we'll have to move from place to place, but given the actors' condition, we really should try to schedule most of the filming at the same site.'
There were still houses he hadn't checked, so he decided not to rush. In the meantime, he'd matched each shot with a house and location. A precaution in case no ideal site emerged.
'It's gotten very late.'
Director Lee Seon-hae had gone to sleep at 1 a.m. She'd said she would drive tomorrow and needed to manage her stamina.
'Well, today was mentally draining for her too.'
He sympathized completely. The writer stretched with effort.
"Unghh…."
His body popped audibly.
'I really am getting old.'
Thirty-six this year. No use expecting his twenties' stamina.
'Never imagined I'd be crawling into this kind of danger at this age.'
Was he still immature? This industry was particularly resistant to growing up, but a faint self-reproach lingered. For the first time in a while, he thought of the cigarettes he'd quit.
"……."
Beyond the floor-to-ceiling window, the rain-soaked mountain was visible.
"…The scenery, at least, is nice."
Someone would probably end up behind bars for building a hotel on a mountain like this. But it was good for spacing out. He couldn't hear the rain, though.
'Must be the soundproofing.'
The thought of soundproofing brought another unsettling notion.
"……."
The writer scratched his head vigorously.
'Sleep's not happening.'
Staying up all night was more natural to him anyway. If he fell asleep now, he'd only have nightmares. Better to kill time and wait for sunrise.
"Maybe I'll go for a walk."
A nighttime stroll, while staying at a hotel like this.
'It's a bit crazy, I know, but if I just smoke one and come back, my head will be clearer….'
Writer Hong Gyeong-yeon rubbed his stiff neck. After some deliberation, he went into the room where Lee Seon-hae was sleeping. He gently shook the deeply asleep director.
"Director."
"…Ugh, mm, what?"
"I'm going to have one and come back."
"Hmm… a cigarette? Didn't you quit?"
"More like holding off. Everyone does, right?"
"I suppose… Are you feeling that bad? Nightmare?"
"No, I didn't sleep. Just."
"Honestly, I wouldn't recommend it…."
The director sat up groggily.
"Want me to come? Isn't it dangerous to go alone?"
"I was worried that'd look a bit conspiratorial."
"Or like a cozy date. Why not?"
"Ugh."
"You think you're funny? I don't want to either."
"Anyway, you know what I mean."
"I really wouldn't recommend it."
The director scratched her chin through the drowsiness.
It was predawn, the sun not yet up. The hotel was already isolated and dangerous by nature. Going alone carried significant risk.
"But Writer Hong has a point too. A hotel like this can't not have CCTV, and there should be staff managing the place even at dawn… if the two of us, persons of interest, start moving around…."
"It could unnecessarily rub them the wrong way. It might be an overreaction, but in a place like this, being a bit paranoid is probably better."
"Still, two would be safer. Getting warned is better than dying. And I doubt the staff care that much about outside guests' safety anyway."
"Ah, about that."
The writer hesitated, then asked.
"Wouldn't you be fine because of your mother's side of the family, Director?"
"…Ah… that's depressing. I can't say no to that."
"I've actually been wondering whether the reason Mr. Yeon-woo let us stay in this hotel to begin with was because of your family."
"Could be. Someone of his caliber probably knows about my mother's side."
"Exactly."
"…Mm…."
The director exhaled deeply.
"If it feels like you'll die, use our uncle's name."
"Will that be all right?"
"I'll deal with the fallout."
"Then I'll put it to good use."
"Mmhm."
The director sat up as though she'd finished sleeping.
"You're not going back to sleep?"
"I'll stay awake just in case."
"This reminds me of when we went to Syria."
"This has to be better than that. At least here a name carries weight."
"Names carried weight there too."
"But nobody here is openly holding a gun, right?"
"That's also uncertain."
"Writer Hong, you have a talent for feeding my paranoia."
"It's what I earn my living doing."
"Anyway, be careful out there."
"Will do."
The writer picked up his precious cigarette case.
"I'll try not to die."
"Ooh, how tough."
***
"……."
He felt a bit silly.
"…Nothing's happening."
Well, what was going to happen when all he did was step outside for a smoke? The only places he passed through were the corridor, elevator, and lobby. He hadn't run into any other guests.
He leaned against the front wall and took in the view. Unlike before, the sound of rain filled his ears.
"Phew…."
He exhaled, and cigarette smoke mingled with the rain.
'I'm screwed.'
He'd been holding out for three years of quitting. How long would it take to even pretend to quit again? Through those tensionless thoughts, faded memories surfaced.
—È tutta colpa tua.
"……."
It's all your fault.
"…Ah…."
A hollow laugh escaped.
'I didn't even dream, so why is it so vivid?'
He was a bit tired. Maybe it was staying somewhere thrilling for the first time in a while. One corner of his brain prickled. He smiled like someone making excuses and pulled out a cigarette.
'Must be the lack of sleep scrambling my head.'
People call it "violence of good intentions."
It hadn't been like that from the start. But the principle of documentary is to capture the scene as it is, not to destroy it. Within the words and photos and footage, people died.
He'd been terrified, many times over. The guilt of having been able to save someone and failing. Blood and flesh and screams.
"……."
It had become a compulsion.
'A sorry excuse for an adult.'
Compulsion breeds selfishness.
The helping hand extended to others is really stretched out for oneself, and that unrestrained hand will inevitably churn up mud—he'd already learned this lesson.
He'd carved it deep into his bones.
'I thought I'd learned to hold back, but maybe I was just tame because I hadn't faced a situation like this….'
Director Lee Seon-hae had said it.
'People really don't change easily.'
She'd called her own meddling rude.
She might be right. Hong Gyeong-yeon included. Help that's unwanted, or that invites a greater disaster—that's what it is.
'…But, still….'
The last cigarette was burning down.
'Isn't it right to help those you can help…?'
It was a question that barely qualified as a question.
'No, I don't really know.'
This problem was always hard.
Human life is sacred, but being alive isn't everything. If you can't take responsibility, you shouldn't lay a hand. Believing you can take responsibility is itself arrogance.
And yet, if you still want to help someone—is that hypocrisy?
"…Ah."
Tok—a raindrop fell and snuffed out the cigarette.
"…What a waste. That was a good one."
Knowing he couldn't resist, he'd deliberately brought only two. He cursed and praised his past self in equal measure and decided to leave it at that. He could relight it if he tried, but a rain-soaked cigarette tasted awful.
"Haa."
He picked up the litter and went back inside.
'I feel human again.'
He tucked the butt into the case and leaned against a lobby pillar. Was it the lack of sleep? His head was a bit fuzzy.
Outside it had been almost like being underwater with the humidity, but the hotel was drier. Must be managed for comfort. Probably cost a fortune.
'The lobby is still quiet.'
Well, it was dawn, nobody would be around—
"Yes."
"……."
"I see."
No. Someone was there.
'…Lee Yeon-woo?'
He peeked out cautiously from behind the pillar.
In his field of vision stood a young man in neat attire. Black hair swept back, glasses. Impeccable dress. It was unmistakably the General Manager.
'Who's he talking to?'
Contrary to his tidy appearance, the voice was humorless and rough.
"I'm merely tired."
"……."
"If anyone is summoned from deep sleep at dawn, the least they'd feel is not refreshed. And to be called out twice in succession like this…… there are clearly many problems."
"……."
A face without a smile was unfamiliar.
'So that's what he looks like when he isn't smiling.'
He'd thought the man was sly and amiable, but that had apparently been a manufactured impression.
'His expression is… blank.'
The unadorned face was still neat, but it also looked cold. At minimum, he didn't seem someone born with a naturally cheerful disposition.
Hong Gyeong-yeon listened carefully to the conversation and tracked his movements.
'…There's a separate passage behind the counter?'
Lee Yeon-woo had clearly appeared from behind the counter. And he was heading toward the elevators.
"Perhaps this is actually for the better. I don't know the reason for the summons, but rather than letting those guests attract interest, it's far safer to redirect attention toward me."
"……."
"No."
His voice turned resolute.
"…I can't agree with that position."
"……."
Position?
"I will not stand by and let innocent people die in this hotel."
"……."
"Don't force my hand. I listen to you only insofar as our interests align. And right now, I have no reason to follow such an inefficient option. This may be a game you created, but I am the one operating this hotel."
"……."
"If that displeased you so much, you shouldn't have dragged me in like this in the first place. Forcing a person into this sordid criminal act and then…… have you no conscience at all?"
"……."
"…Haa…."
His face contorted. A dry expression utterly unlike his usual self.
"…Don't get angry. Listen to me. You have nothing to lose if I insist on doing things this way. The people who came from outside don't need to be hurt. I'm already taking on their share as well."
"……."
"Yes. That means I'm doing my part very competently. You're rather pleased with me for that, aren't you? Well—I'd think you judge me to have at least enough 'usefulness' to warrant holding me here by force."
"……."
"…I'm truly honored you think so."
A dry sigh.
"Why it had to be me remains a mystery. But considering how this hotel operates, had it been someone else, the damage would have spiraled beyond control."
"……."
"That much I can clearly accept… yes. I understand."
Understand?
'Understand what?'
Even while hiding, he was incredulous. A face that barely looked adult, and he says he understands.
'This situation? Or this hotel?'
Hong Gyeong-yeon strained to focus on the voice growing distant.
"I'd appreciate it if events like this were kept to a minimum during the pre-dawn hours. Though expecting such manners from this hotel's guests is probably asking too much. Wouldn't you agree?"
"……."
"High probability it's a room event… if it's the bathroom again, that would be quite entertaining."
"……."
"…So it is."
"……."
"This will be tiring."
The voice fell silent.
"……."
"……."
After what felt like a long silence, the elevator doors opened, and Lee Yeon-woo spoke.
"Is someone there?"
Hong Gyeong-yeon realized.
'…I took the elevator down.'
A barely used elevator. He'd ridden it down, so it had been stopped on the first floor. And it happened to be the very one Lee Yeon-woo was heading toward.
Hong Gyeong-yeon simply held his breath. Another silence followed.
"……."
"…No, nothing's wrong."
A tone as if soothing someone.
"Yes."
With that brief answer, the elevator doors closed.
"……."
Hong Gyeong-yeon slid down to the floor.
"…Ha…."
What.
What was all that.
***
"Is someone there?"
"Yes."
"……."
"Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes."
"……."
"Many problems."
"…No."
This wicked cat, quoting me like that?
"Nothing's wrong."
"Yes."
"Yes."
Would it have killed you to give me a heads-up sooner?
'It would have.'
An utterly untrustworthy cat.
"Next time someone is listening, please at least tip me off in advance. Understood?"
"No."
"Quick on the response—never disappointing."
"No."
"There really is no cat more wicked."
"No."
Riding the elevator up to the seventh floor, Lee Yeon-woo kneaded Coco's cheeks. The cat didn't resist and enjoyed the rough handling. An absolutely detestable and impudent cat.
'Did I say anything strange?'
He combed through his memory, but nothing stood out.
'At worst, my image and this hotel's image took a joint nosedive.'
That level of remark wouldn't reveal the hotel's truth, but it was genuinely embarrassing and infuriating. At this point, he'd be grateful if the other party simply didn't think of him as a modern-day slave.
'They probably see it as significant human rights abuse, and I can't exactly explain that it's actually a game….'
Game or not, once it became reality, it was a serious crime. Hadn't Lee Yeon-woo himself worried about that at the beginning? It was only not threatening because he knew the game and had a character's body.
'Above all, grabbing a stranger and explaining my situation with talk of game data and whatnot—that's already not a normal scenario. Even if I tried, I wouldn't know where to begin.'
He'd probably come across as… an otaku.
'Not a pleasant experience for either party.'
Best to keep the truth hidden.
"I've just sold my self-respect and dignity at quite the bargain price."
"Yes?"
"If Writer Hong Gyeong-yeon discovers the true nature of the other guests on top of this, my image will degrade to a point beyond return. The thought alone is dreadful."
The list of images he had to abandon grew with time.
'At this point, any hope that this place looks like an ordinary hotel was doomed from the start.'
Lee Yeon-woo was not a stupid person. He hadn't ruined things to this degree. Coming this far and still hoping to appear mentally and physically sound seemed too shameless.
'Forget it.'
Just accept that narrative.
It was far more realistic and convincing. By now, even if he told the truth, they'd probably think, 'The poor thing's been through so much he's lost his mind.'
'I departed from the realm of the normal long ago, so as long as the essence of this monster hotel stays hidden… the rest of the misunderstandings I can manage.'
This was the kind of thing that inevitably got discovered, but he would not let it. Lee Yeon-woo fully intended to grit his teeth and endure.
He stepped off on the seventh floor.
"……."
Ah, really.
If only you hadn't summoned me in the first place.
'Calm down.'
The incident had happened, and he had to clean it up. If his blood pressure spiked, he could die. Besides, he'd become far more fragile than before—softer than silken tofu. He had to be careful.
"…Good morning, sir. The call bell rang, so I've come to check."
Maybe he should buy a master key the moment the tutorial ended.
"Is there anything I may help you with?"
The door opened with an eerie creak, and the horror atmosphere was too tiresome to savor. He'd already taken a heavy mental blow. Lee Yeon-woo entered the room immediately.
And he saw.
"……."
The 'Drenched One,' sunk deep in the bathtub, looked like the corpse of a drowned person.
Event: 『Beneath Shallow Water』.
'Has the bathroom been cursed?'
Well, once the 'Drenched One' had taken up residence, cursed it surely was. He conceded that. But from the perspective of someone roused from sleep, complaints were inevitable.
"Sir."
Lee Yeon-woo approached the bathtub.
"You really do… love water."
"……."
"I'll be frank. I'm not sure I can pull you out right now."
"……."
"At this moment I'm acorn jelly that snaps at the touch of a chopstick. Can you work with that? Of course, the health of a hypocrite is hardly your concern…."
"……."
"…This is maddening."
To pull, or not to pull.