Chapter 41
Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Waterpark Bliss in the Apocalypse
Doom Waterpark Resort – Doom Hotel Provides Enjoyable Moments Even in the Apocalypse (→ 20 Coin Discount on Entrance Fee Right Now!)
"Shall we look around a bit?"
At my words, Hye-na shot her hand up high.
"I approve! I want to see what's here."
Say what you will, but this was a place we'd be staying for at least a few days.
VVIP perks meant we could use all the facilities for free.
Might as well try everything before we go.
We left our room and started properly touring the hotel.
It struck me again just how enormous it was. Nothing ordinary about its size.
"It's less a hotel and more like a full-on resort, huh?"
"Indeed."
As vast as it was, it was teeming with all sorts of people milling about.
Most were foreigners, as expected.
Some even wore full suits of armor.
In those odd moments, you really felt this was a fantasy novel world.
"Come to think of it, Yu-ri, you've been here before, right?"
"I only rested here briefly. I don't know much."
"Oh, I see."
As we walked a bit, a sign caught my eye.
March Rabbit hadn't been exaggerating.
The sign mapped out a dizzying array of facilities.
This wasn't just a spot for rest.
It had every leisure amenity you could imagine.
"Hmm, so many options—it's making it harder to choose. Where to first?"
Yu-ri and I stared straight at Hye-na.
"Wh-what? Why are you looking at me?"
Why? Because she was the only one among us with experience at places like this.
"I-I've never been to a place like this either!"
"Still, you're more familiar than us."
Yu-ri nodded at my words.
I'd been a total loner who only read webnovels before.
Yu-ri was a reincarnator to begin with.
Frankly, spots like this didn't suit our personalities.
Here, we desperately needed an extrovert's guidance.
"Hmm."
Hye-na looked a touch awkward.
But her expression said she didn't mind being relied on.
She stared at the sign like she was drilling holes in it, then pointed to one spot.
"How about here?"
"Waterpark?"
Hye-na nodded.
"It's active, gets the body moving, and no complicated rules to learn. I think even Yu-ri can have fun there."
Indeed. A thoughtful pick, considering Yu-ri the reincarnator.
Classic deep-thinking Hye-na.
"Ah, that's just my opinion, though. If there's somewhere better..."
"Sounds good to me. What do you think, Yu-ri?"
"I'm fine with it too. Swimming builds stamina anyway."
Decision made, we all headed to the waterpark.
It was as grand and dazzling as the hotel itself.
Spacious to begin with.
But the variety of pools and rides was insane.
'And we get all this for free?'
I changed into a swimsuit and waited outside for the two.
Incidentally, the hotel loaned out swimsuits and gear for free.
Normally it'd cost coins.
But we're VVIPs.
Honestly, it felt a bit burdensome.
Like we'd lucked into something ill-fitting.
'Yu-ri and Hye-na aren't out yet.'
I'm a guy; picked something basic.
But those two? Probably agonizing over cute swimsuits for once.
Maybe even picking for each other.
'Pretty crowded here too.'
The hotel was huge.
But even more residents packed it.
Like us, they seemed set on enjoying it all.
Men and women in swimsuits frolicked happily.
They'd endured the apocalypse too.
Yet here they were, forgetting it all, savoring the moment.
'Kinda jealous how they can dive in like that.'
Maybe Metafiction's influence?
Even that scene felt slightly off to me.
More precisely, like 'background characters assigned to enjoy themselves.'
Knowing this world's a novel amplified it.
Apocalypse fun didn't scan as normal.
Of course, I knew that was arrogant.
Even if this was fiction.
Even if they were mere extras passing by.
They were still humans living day to day.
Better to soak it up when you can—for mental health.
'If I turned off Metafiction, maybe I could lose myself like that...'
I deliberately kept Metafiction active at all times.
Traits like it could be toggled at will.
But I didn't. You never knew when something might happen.
In a doomsday world, stay vigilant always.
My rule for surviving here.
"Hey, handsome oppa."
Lost in thought, a unfamiliar woman's voice came from beside me.
I turned to see two women in swimsuits eyeing me.
"Uh... me?"
They beamed at my question.
Not a mishearing—they'd just said something like 'His voice is hot too~!'
"What're you thinking so hard about on vacation?"
"That serious face is too cool!"
"Just some personal worries."
Both had long blonde hair and blue eyes.
Not quite Yu-ri or Hye-na level, but stunning beauties.
English speakers—probably American.
I wasn't fluent, mind you.
'Doom' made any language mutually intelligible.
Their Korean was auto-translating too, no doubt.
"No fun worrying on a rare outing. Wanna hang with us?"
One hooked her arm in mine casually.
Her ample chest brushed me—pro move.
Reverse hunting, huh?
Without Metafiction, I'd have panicked.
"Sorry, but I'm with—"
"Ji-hoon~"
Grateful but about to decline, Hye-na's voice called from afar.
I whipped around reflexively.
And let out an involuntary gasp.
'Whoa...'
I knew Hye-na and Yu-ri were beauties.
But their swimsuits blew past expectations.
They wore matching white-and-black rash guards that hugged their figures.
Navels and thighs boldly exposed.
Sure, more coverage than bikinis.
But their looks made coverage irrelevant.
"Who are those two? Friends you just made?"
"..."
The vibe clashed 180 degrees with their fresh looks.
Hye-na's eyes smiled as she asked.
Her mouth didn't twitch.
Yu-ri's eyes narrowed thinly at them.
Like a leopard eyeing prey.
"S-sorry for the intrusion..."
Outmatched in looks? Or aura?
The women retreated pronto.
Soon as they vanished, Hye-na yanked my cheeks.
"Picking up girls while we pick swimsuits. Our Ji-hoon sure is popular, huh?"
"Doesn't seem like my fault, somehow."
No, really innocent.
I'd just stood there.
Was literally refusing.
"And we weren't gone that long."
Yu-ri sighed in agreement.
They had come out pretty quick.
Unlike looting stores, where outfits took forever.
"Those rash guards, right?"
"Yeah, matched with Yu-ri. Doesn't she look amazing?"
Hye-na wrapped an arm around Yu-ri's waist.
Together, they were photoshoot-ready.
"Hmm, tons of cute swimsuits; wanted to try others. But Yu-ri hated them."
"Too thin. Basically underwear."
Hmm, bikini vs. underwear debate.
Our reincarnator drops another tough one.
Comment sages'll sort it.
"Good thing the waterpark's open-air. Fine indoors too, but might look weird."
"Got it."
Not up on swimsuit culture.
But solid choice.
Hye-na grinned at me.
"Hehe, why the face~? Disappointed, Ji-hoon?"
"Nah, means I don't have to show you off. I'm thrilled."
Their beauty drew eyes in every sense.
Guys and girls already glancing.
Skimpier suits? Fly magnet.
Sure, as a guy, curious.
But hate the spotlight more.
'VVIP drama bait already. More eyes, boom guaranteed.'
Heroines fending off creeps, schooling them.
Love the trope, but overkill tires.
Nodding to that thought, Hye-na patted my back.
"Ah, hey! What?"
"You're just... sigh. That's what I mean."
"...Surprisingly possessive."
Cheeks faintly flushed on both.
Why? My bad?
"Anyway, let's go play!"
Hye-na tugged my arm.
Whatever prior worries.
With them, it all washed away.
"Hmph, nothing but trash."
Kim Chun-sik, lounging in a Doom Hotel suite, sighed at the new resident reports.
First main quest done.
Hotel residents surged.
But no talents to his taste.
'Time to scout fresh blood.'
Newbies aside.
Intense power struggles brewed inside.
Hotel-exclusive events.
Prizes were juicy.
But slim talent pool? Pointless.
'Gotta step up myself?'
Sipping wine mid-dilemma, the door opened.
A subordinate entered.
"Boss! Urgent news!"
"...Didn't I say knock when I'm resting?"
"S-sorry! Had to tell you quick!"
"Fine. What?"
Subordinate stammered through shakes.
"A new resident has a VVIP ticket. March Rabbit personally welcomed them."
Interest lit Kim Chun-sik's eyes for the first time.
"Tell me everything."