Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: The Hotel Abyss (2)
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1.
Now I get why goats are called symbols of the devil.
Up close, they're fucking ugly as hell.
Not some cute furry stylized head—it's a real live goat's head jammed onto a human body.
But whatever....
With Sharingan eyes and demon horse mouths out there, why not a goat head on a human?
I'm past caring at this point.
I coolly brushed it off and read the guidelines.
[The Hotel Abyss Guest Guidelines]
- Issued by Necropolis City Hall.
- These guidelines ensure minimum safety when using The Hotel Abyss.
- Remember, The Hotel Abyss is a Rift at 'Depth 9'. All hotel staff are monsters.
- You will be held responsible and charged for any issues arising from violations below.
Whoa, laying it on thick to scare us, huh?
0) Never show any sign of surprise upon seeing hotel staff.
“......”
I set the guidelines down for a moment and called Arong over.
“Arong, come here a sec.”
“Yes? What's up?”
“You fucker. You said it was nothing special. We almost kissed Arbel the second we got here.”
“Ah, no... Why are you like this? I figured you knew the basics!”
Almost blew the run just from freaking out at the goat.
Wait, goat?
「Sturdy Stomach」
- Grade: SR
- Trait: Grants digestion like steel. Nothing you eat will upset your stomach.
- Sub-trait: Goats recognize you as one of their own. (<< Note this)
- Note: Cannot be upgraded.
That's what it was?
No wonder it's SR!
Because it gets you recognized as kin by the staff, making you a VVIP here?
“Good work.”
I flashed a grin and bowed politely to the goat.
The goat concierge suddenly shot up from his seat.
“Hey! Big bro's here! Fuck, been dying of frustration with no one here who speaks my language. So glad to see one of my own as a guest! I'll hook you up with the full course—head to the 25th-floor Presidential Suite for now.”
He even slung an arm around my shoulder like old pals!
“......”
Sorry, that didn't happen.
He just stared blankly even after the greeting, so I got awkward and imagined something fun.
This hotel's service sucks.
Sturdy Stomach really was false advertising.
I kept reading the rest of the guidelines.
1) All combat, bloodshed, and disturbances are prohibited within the hotel.
2) The hotel's first rule is 'The customer is king.'
3) All 'services' provided by the hotel are paid. Payable in Universal Currency or 'private gold.'
I sighed after getting this far.
“Long and fucking annoying.”
Stop mixing up all these genres.
Gonna bust a gut laughing.
Possession-incest-fusion-punk-regression-loop-hotel-horror-rules-dark-fantasy?
Rose-tteok-bubble-tea-freeze-dried-strawberry-mint-choco-dog-meat-tanghulu?
4) Hotel benefits apply only while you remain a 'guest.'
5) Ensure you do not lose guest status within the hotel.
6) The rules below are to maintain 'guest' status.
Blah blah blah, rest omitted.
Arong was right, overall.
Nothing special except a few items.
No smoking indoors, no dine-and-dash, compensation for damages.
Stuff any civilized modern person would follow in a hotel—not for barbaric Necropolis folks.
The minor ones were similar.
'Do not stay in the hotel lobby for 72 hours or more.' 'Leave the hotel immediately if advised by staff.'
Like rules saying don't cut the gas hose with scissors and light a lighter after opening the valve.
You wouldn't do it anyway, so no real issue.
“Good thing it's not full-on horror.”
Almost cracked my skull over nothing.
Already busy rice-grinding, and rules getting in the way would've pissed me off.
I was putting the guidelines back and turning to Akit and Arong when—
“Why the fuck are trash like you here? Huh?”
“W-well, it's like...”
“Stick to backroom gigs that suit your station. Since those punks ditched.”
A burly guy nagging Akit and Arong.
Male version of a cheongsam—blue changpao.
Built like a tank. Clothes clean, massive hammer on his back.
Thought about intervening but held off.
Too early to judge by looks.
This is Necropolis.
He might look tough but could be solid advice to turn back 'cause it's dangerous.
Butting in with 'Hey, why pick on my boys!' during what seems like good intentions would just make it awkward.
“If you fuck up and die, who's taking my orders? Who's wiping my ass, huh?”
Orders?
Ah, that guy.
'There's this 7th-grade pig named Sunming. He takes jobs from Overnus and subcontracts to us, right?'
'But fuck, acts like big bro while making us buy all his booze and just clocks in.'
'Lone wolf type, but strong as hell, can't say shit....'
'Takes 50% cut on subcontract fees, borrows money and doesn't pay back. Total psycho.'
'John Wick's an angel by comparison. Even gives spaghetti.'
Sunming, the guy Akit and Arong griped about last run.
Bottom-tier world's all about hierarchy, yeah.
Even Korean gangsters are like that—what about Necropolis?
Anyway, that crap about barbarians being more polite than civilized folk 'cause they smash heads if you talk wrong? Total bullshit.
Strong crush weak, smash heads anytime.
That's real barbarism.
“Why you still standing there like idiots? No manners?”
“We didn't come 'cause we wanted to...”
“Bullshit. You're just scavenging like beggars. Huh? Huh?”
Started as what I thought was advice, but now Sunming's slapping their cheeks.
That doesn't count as violence?
“These fuckers, ignoring your big bro when he's talking?”
Arms crossed, watching, when my eyes met Akit and Arong's.
Sunming followed their gaze and spotted me.
“Hey, you. Come here.”
Seemed wary at first, then figured I looked easy and approached.
“You the one? Huh? Who fed these fuckers hot air? You with GetMoney Agency too?”
He jabbed my chest with his finger, sneering.
“Ho? Stiff-necked little shit. Should've bowed quick seeing big bro. You know these punks Akit and Arong, right?”
Fuck, trouble.
Can't stand assholes overflowing with this vibe.
“First time meeting today.”
“Today? Tongue tied?”
“Firth time meeting todayth.”
“Fucking punk?”
His face twisted viciously.
“You think you can handle me? Know who I am before fucking around?”
“Who the hell are you?”
“7th grade, Sunming.”
“4th grade, Guts.”
In that instant, his face drained to indescribable terror.
“Huh...! N-no, I-I mean... that...”
“Divine Sword 4th grade. Arm got busted diving. All healed now, no worries.”
I patted his shoulder.
The 7th-grade fixer Sunming finally clocked it, face twitching, then grabbed my collar hard.
“You little shit! Impersonating now? Wanna die with guts spilling?”
“Try it, dumbass. I've been half-killed by mages twice—scared of your size?”
“What bullshit!”
I answered flatly.
Wouldn't grovel before a real badass, let alone this mid-tier punk.
What do you get from bowing in this shithole?
“Come on, punk. Same shit outside.”
Sunming, veins bulging on his forehead, gripped my collar tighter.
Strong grip—my heels lifted.
Follow and bullet to the back of the skull?
7th grade? Just bag his head, call him a hero, and pop pop pop—dead?
Pondering when—
I felt a chill.
“......”
“......”
“......”
Three goat-headed staff encircled us silently.
Hotel no-violence rule includes bystanders too?
“I was just standing there. Then 7th-grade fixer Sunming suddenly grabs my collar?”
Raised both hands, claiming innocence.
Didn't do shit—can't drag me off like this, right?
But the situation flipped fast.
Goat staff lined up behind me like bodyguards.
“W-what?! This much is fine, right?! I'm a hotel guest!”
Sunming panicked more than me.
Six square pupils stared him down.
“These fuckers....”
After a stare-down with staff...
“Fine. I'll stop. Happy? Fuck, why they always side with that punk.”
Sweat beading on his temple, he quickly released my collar.
“See you outside. Remembered your face.”
“Aftercare's extra charge.”
“Fuck!”
Sunming glared murderously till the end as he left.
Even then, staff stood tall behind me like guards.
This hits different, right?
His treatment of Akit bros and reaction—normal scuffles like this are 'guest disputes.'
But staff shielded me.
Probably the Sturdy Stomach sub-trait?
Favor bends inward.
Basic affinity higher than default, at least.
-Tap tap
A staff tapped my shoulder.
Turned—goats bowed deeply, wordless.
'Sorry for the trouble in our establishment' vibe.
“No, my fault too...”
Nah, wrong play.
Guidelines said staff treat 'guests' like real hotel staff.
“Ah, but... neck's stiff. Collar grab startled the muscles. Might need checking.”
Rubbed my nape, gestured like heading to ER.
“......”
Staff lifted head, rummaged suit jacket, offered something with both hands.
“Oh man, wasn't aiming for this.”
Jackpot.
Snatched it quick.
Offered like a business card—looks like one too.
Not quite—format's a coupon?
Elegant script on front:
“The Hotel Abyss Suite Room Voucher?”
-Ding!
Alert rang.
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:::Challenge:::
- Obtain 'The Hotel' voucher +3pt
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What the?
Challenge-worthy?
3 points even?
“Works for me, but...”
Flustered, another ding.
-Ding!
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「The Hotel Abyss, Suite Room Voucher」
- Grade: UC
- Description: Suite room stay coupon issued by The Hotel Abyss.
- Effect: 1 day stay. Includes welcome tea, breakfast buffet, club lounge access.
- Note: Bound to recipient. One-time use.
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Familiar format—I blinked.
“......?”
Joker's here?
Why you in this?