173. Viridora
Deep within the Ancient Labyrinth stood a towering skyscraper hotel, a secret haven known only to those in the know. Connected to this hotel was a massive door. Through it stepped a monster named Viridora.
Viridora. A humanoid monster who wielded green aura at will and swung a massive greatsword as his primary weapon. By Kang Geon's standards, he was an S-grade threat.
[Phew... I'm beat. Guess I'll crash here good and proper today too.]
The first time he visited this place, he'd realized he couldn't use any of his power inside the hotel. He'd thought it was some clever trap and braced for death.
But contrary to his fears, the hotel staff didn't harm him at all. They simply introduced it as a rest spot where anyone could relax peacefully as long as they paid the fair price.
Viridora had ended up staying on a whim. As time passed, his tension eased, and through second and third visits, he became convinced this was the safest spot in the labyrinth.
Before long, Viridora was a regular. He dropped by every three days or so. The staff memorized his name from his frequent visits and greeted him with bright smiles, calling him by name each time.
Today was no different.
[Welcome, Viridora sir.]
On his thirtieth visit to the hotel, as he entered the lobby, a rabbit staff member hurried over with a beaming smile to greet him.
Viridora nodded silently and carefully set down the massive creature slung over his shoulder onto the floor.
[Today's payment will be this guy.]
What he'd brought was the corpse of a Pigking. A huge hole gaped in its chest—it had clearly met its end.
[Yes, confirmed. Shall I guide you straight to your room as usual?]
[Yeah. The usual one I always take, please.]
[Ah... The room you often use is currently occupied by another guest. Sorry, but would it be alright to show you to a different one?]
[...Do whatever.]
Viridora was quite annoyed that someone else was using his room, but he didn't show it. He didn't want to upset the staff and risk being banned from the hotel.
It wasn't an overblown worry. Another guest he'd shared a half-bath with last time had mentioned they kept records of rude customers and blacklisted them from entry.
So even if the staff never harmed guests, it was wise to always watch your words and actions if you wanted to come back.
[Then I'll guide you right away. Before heading up, please hand over your weapon.]
[Got it.]
Viridora handed his weapon to the rabbit staffer with practiced ease. You couldn't use power here anyway, but it was hotel policy for extra safety.
With that, Viridora followed the rabbit staffer to his room as usual.
Wearing the soft robe provided in the room, Viridora stopped by the ice room for a long, relaxing session. Afterward, he grabbed some ice cream, crunched it noisily on the way back to his room, tossed the trash, and flopped onto the plush bed.
[Haaah... Heaven itself...]
He wanted to live here forever. Burying his face in the bed with that thought—
Attention. As of now, checkout is fully prohibited for all guests. Until you are tamed by Explorer Kang Geon, friend of our building owner, no one may leave the hotel premises. Thank you for your understanding.
[...Huh?]
Viridora bolted upright. Had he misheard the announcement? He glanced up at the ceiling.
Repeating: As of now...
But no, he hadn't misheard. The exact same message repeated.
[Can't leave the hotel until tamed by the Explorer? What the hell...?]
Instinctively, Viridora reached for his weapon. But he grasped only air.
[Ah.]
He belatedly remembered handing it to the staff.
[...Well, weapons are useless here anyway. Can't use any power.]
He forced himself to calm down.
[Anyway, this situation feels off... What should I do?]
Hide in the room? Ask the staff what was going on? Rush to the lobby and try to escape?
Options raced through his mind. Soon, he made his choice.
He didn't know exactly what was happening, but staying locked in the room seemed like the worst option.
[Gotta get out. Staying here means whatever weird shit is coming will catch me for sure.]
Viridora swallowed dryly and opened the room door. A dimly lit corridor stretched endlessly under faint fluorescent lights.
Tap tap tap tap—
[...Huh?]
Suddenly, all the fluorescent lights went out. Viridora flinched in panic.
Then, from the deep darkness, footsteps echoed.
Breathing raggedly, Viridora stared toward the sound.
Flick.
One fluorescent light flickered ominously back to life. Beneath it stood a single hedgehog.
The Hedgehog Summoner God.
[Doom-bah.]
The hedgehog grinned and wiggled its hips. Then it launched into a passionate dance.
[Wh-what the hell is that weirdo...?]
As Viridora backed away warily, the hedgehog shook its hips ever more wildly, approaching him.
[Doom-bah, doo-doombah. Doom-bah-bah-bah.]
With each step, the extinguished lights flickered on one by one, illuminating the hedgehog.
[Doo-doom-bah. Doo-doo-doombah. Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doombah.]
The eerie dance drew closer. Staring in horror, Viridora shouted.
[N-no, stay back!]
[Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doombah.]
[Eek...!]
Finally, Viridora turned and fled. He ran for his life to escape the grotesque hedgehog.
He rounded a corner, caught his breath, then—
[Huff, huff.]
Lifted his head. At the far end, one fluorescent light turned on.
[Doom-bah.]
In the direction he stared, at the corridor's end, stood the Abyss Lord.
[Doom-bah.]
The Abyss Lord also wiggled its hips and slowly approached Viridora.
[Cr-crazy! Why do these things keep popping up!!!]
Viridora veered off. He sprinted down another corridor—then froze at a bizarre sound.
Munch munch.
"This wall's got great texture-yang. It'll make fine ingredients-yang."
In the darkness, a doll was gnawing at the wall. Horrified by the chilling sight, Viridora whipped around again—
Thud!
He collided with something behind him and fell flat on his butt.
[Ugh, what the...]
Sitting on the floor, he looked up. A massive figure loomed.
The light directly above clicked on, clearly revealing the figure's face.
It was Kang Geon.
"Hey, friend."
Kang Geon greeted casually, then slowly extended a hand toward Viridora.
"You okay from the fall? Grab my hand—I'll help you up."
[U, uwaaaah!!!]
Viridora's scream echoed through the hotel.
[Doom-bah. Welcome our new friend-yot!]
"Welcome-yang!"
[You crazy bastards...]
Viridora was a foul-mouthed one. Well, no hostility toward us anymore, at least.
For the record, he hadn't been hostile even before taming. Just scared stiff.
Despite the rough mouth and tough looks, he was a bit of a coward deep down.
Anyway, decided to apologize for startling him with the weird approach. He was still sulking a bit, even after taming.
As he soothed Viridora—
[Explorer sir. Dex entry complete.]
The Art Pega Unicorn approached and handed over a dex page depicting Viridora.
[Oh. And I added a special effect. If you touch the picture with your finger like this...]
<Animated Illustration>
The picture comes to life.