WETRIED TRANSLATIONS

The Legendary Newbie of the Ghost Story Labyrinth

[Translator – Aren]

Chapter 89 - At a Hotel with My Girlfriend (1)

We were back on Floor 8.

The sight of the settlement glowing with LED lights beneath the cavern of the abandoned mine drew a sigh of relief from me.

"Haaah... There’s really no place like home.”

After taking a hot shower, I passed out and slept for over 12 hours. Honestly, I thought I could sleep even longer, so I closed my eyes again, and when I woke up another half day had passed.

"Uuugh......."

I felt like death after sleeping so much. This trip to Floor 15, the Abandoned Barracks, had been brutal. Being forced into the unprecedented nightmare of reenlisting in the Korean military had drained me especially badly.

'I seriously need to take it easy for a while. At this rate, I’m going to burn out.'

Floor 15 had turned into a sea of fire anyway. I needed to watch how things developed for a while before entering the Error Junkyard.

The Molting Church had been quiet, and Floor 8 was running without any major trouble, so this was exactly when I ought to get some rest.

"Maybe I’ll check my laptop."

If I had been outside, I obviously would have just lounged around scrolling through my phone, but down here, browsing the gallery on my laptop was the perfect way to kill time.

I immediately made a post.

[Title] So Here’s The Story Of How I Ended Up Reenlisting.

Author: Cheezza.

[Content] Basically, the moment I entered, I got dragged into a roleplay scenario and had to live the military life all over again.

The reenlistment story sent the gallery into a state of pure shock and horror.

ㄴ(NCEInstaReject) That’s insane;; If what Lord Cheeza says is true, doesn’t that make Floor 15 the most brutal place in the Backrooms?

ㄴAgreed. If Floor 15 has been strengthened in that way, I doubt anyone will ever reach a higher floor.

ㄴ(Lost Hassan) Fuck that;; Who the hell would go to Floor 15? I sure wouldn’t.

ㄴFrfr, that’s terrifying af

ㄴ(Pitbull) At least you didn’t have to start all the way from boot camp.

I told them all kinds of stories, but the gallery users especially loved the parts where I landed a liver shot on the Relentless Demon and knocked Gu Bonjae unconscious with an entrenching shovel.

ㄴ(Cheezza) Why are you bastards so obsessed with violence;;?

ㄴ(Pitbull) You really think you’re one to talk?

ㄴ(Lost Hassan) But seriously, the area behind the boiler room and the recycling station are giving me actual flashbacks LMAOOOOOO

While I was chatting with the gallery users, a DM came in.

It was from the Admin.

▶Admin: So what happened with the Error Junkyard?

Come to think of it, I hadn’t told them that part. I explained to the Admin that I had planted coordinates there before leaving.

▶Cheezza: I’m going to rest for a while and keep an eye on the situation before heading back.

▶Admin: So you’ve finally found a lead on the White Room.

▶Cheezza: Looks that way.

After that, the Admin made an unexpected offer.

▶Admin: If you’re taking a break, come stay at our hotel. I’ll send you a voucher for a suite.

▶Cheezza: What? Srsly? Didn’t the hotel shut down?

▶Admin: We’re still preparing for the grand reopening, but construction is finished in a few sections. Since you’d be staying for free, could you fill out a survey while you’re there?

There was no reason to refuse. I knew how expensive it was to stay at the Liminal Grand Hotel. Besides, there was nowhere else in the Backrooms with such a wide range of facilities.

I had a pretty good idea why the Admin was suddenly so generous. Because of our earlier agreement, I was supposed to use the White Room Visitation Pass on the Admin.

She was probably planning to discuss something important once the Error Junkyard yielded some concrete clues. The suite was likely a way of investing in that ahead of time.

There was no reason to refuse.

▶Cheezza: Sounds good. I’ll come.

Naturally, I was planning on having a great time there with Seoul Suyeon.

Then.......

"Wait?"

Come to think of it, we’d officially started dating right after I escaped Floor 15.

Before, we’d shared a room without thinking much of it, but now, it felt completely different somehow.

"Maybe I should ask first…?”

For some reason, my heart started pounding.

* * *

When I’d suggested we each take our own rooms, Seol Suyeon had looked at me like she’d been betrayed, yet the moment we officially became a couple, she ran off to a different room.

"Wait, is this how it’s supposed to go?”

We’d been living together before, and now that we were dating, we’d split up.

-Knock, knock.

I walked over to Seol Suyeon’s room and knocked. A loud clatter came from inside. A moment later, she cracked the door open.

Huh? Why do her lips seem extra glossy today?

"O-Oppa? You're here? Do you want to come in?”

"Sure."

I stepped into her room. As we sat facing each other, an oddly awkward atmosphere settled over us.

It wasn’t as comfortable as usual. A thin layer of cold sweat formed on my back, and I suddenly wanted to finish whatever I came here for and get out as quickly as possible.

'Ah.......'

It didn’t take me long to realize why.

It was sexual tension.

Unlike before, we were now in a relationship where something could happen.

'Wait, is inviting her to a suite under these circumstances really a good idea?'

Then again, going to the Liminal Grand Hotel together sounded like fun. Honestly, what was I supposed to do there by myself?

"Oppa…? Is something wrong?”

"Well, so…”

"Wait! I’ll go first.”

"Hm?"

Seol Suyeon hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"I didn’t change rooms because I didn’t want to be with you. It’s just, if we suddenly slept in the same bed, I don’t really know what I’d do……”

"Ah, so that’s what this was about.”

"It’s not that I don’t want to…It's just, that’s still a little…"

"You really are the type to say exactly what’s on your mind.”

“Yeah, I’m not really the type to beat around the bush. I mean, sooner or later we’re going to do it anyway, right? Knowing you, Oppa, you’ll probably be pretty rough, right?”

For a moment, I was completely speechless.

"Well......"

My face burned. I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt this embarrassed.

"Huh? We’re not going to do it?”

"No, we are."

"Right? So I’ve been thinking about when it would be best. I’ve even been trying to simulate how it’ll go in my head…”

"That’s a relief.”

"What is?”

"I thought I was the only one thinking about it.”

"Haha, as if.”

Her attitude gave me a little more courage. So I told her about the Admin’s offer.

"...So, since this happened, would you like to go to the hotel with me? It’s a suite.”

"Ah......."

Seol Suyeon’s face immediately turned bright red. She fumbled over her words for a moment before finally nodding.

“Okay. If it’s a suite, I think it’d make the trip even more memorable.”

A moment later, she smiled beautifully.

"Let’s have fun together and make some wonderful memories.”

At that moment, I was really glad I’d asked her out.

* * *

A few days later, Seol Syueon and I let everyone know we’d be heading to the Liminal Grand Hotel.

"Ah, is that so? Have fun, you two. A handsome couple like you should enjoy yourselves.”

Gu Bonjae nodded with a satisfied smile. Somehow, he seemed to view us not as a couple who had just started dating, but as two people destined to get married.

Ivan and Nicola had long since realized how close Seol Suyeon and I were, so they simply accepted it.

"Have a safe trip. I’ll continue investigating the Molting Church while you’re away.”

"Borther! Don’t forget to bring me back a souvenir!”

After saying our goodbyes, the two of us went into the Entity Rift and headed for Floor 4, where the Liminal Grand Hotel was located.

On the way, Seol Suyeon suddenly laughed.

"Ahaha."

"What is it?”

"It’s just funny. I’m going on a date with my boyfriend while carrying a rifle and a phase-compression backpack.”

We were both fully armed. The Entity Rift was relatively safe, but you never knew what might happen.

More importantly, this was the Backrooms. There was always the possibility of some unexpected accident dropping you onto a completely different floor.

Naturally, we had brought everything we might need. Our phase-compression backpacks were packed to the brim with survival gear, emergency rations, and plenty of ammunition.

"You’re right. We’ll change into date clothes once we get there.”

"Look forward to it. I’ve got an outfit I bought specifically for the day I finally got a boyfriend.”

"Seriously?”

"But it’s a little revealing, so I’m not sure if I should wear it. If you ask nicely, I might think about it…”

Of course I asked.

The moment she mentioned it had a low neckline, I asked again. Then a third time.

I was deeply moved. Was I finally about to witness the unparalleled anomaly that was my girlfriend?

"......Alright. If you want it that badly, I’ll wear it. Hehe.”

It seemed she’d just needed a little excuse to gather her courage.

And so, wrapped in an atmosphere so full of excitement that it was hard to believe we were still in the Backrooms, we arrived at Floor 4.

The moment we stepped through the massive revolving doors, the stale air of the Backrooms vanished. In its place, a subtle, luxurious fragrance filled my nose. It was worlds apart.

The first thing to greet us upon our arrival was a familiar silhouette.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen.”

Dressed in a flawlessly pressed tailcoat stood the man with the glossy black head of a raven.

It was the Hotelier of the Liminal Grand Hotel. His meticulously groomed feathers shimmered elegantly beneath the light of the chandeliers.

Wow, even seeing him again, he sure was unbelievably dignified.

"Have you been well?”

At my casual greeting, the hotelier responded with a courteous bow.

"As for myself, I’ve scarcely had a moment to breathe while restoring the hotel after its destruction. Haha, I believe you’ll be quite pleased with the suite prepared for the two of you. It was restored with the utmost care. Rather than standing here talking, allow me to show you there immediately!”

As we followed him through the lobby, I looked around with interest.

'They repaired this place faster than I expected.'

The architecture was as magnificent as ever, like a Victorian palace transplanted into the Backrooms. A deep crimson Persian-style carpet cushioned every step. Above us hung an extravagant crystal chandelier, sparkling brilliantly. Everything looked exactly as I remembered.

And yet, despite its perfect appearance, something felt missing.

The noise.

Before, this enormous lobby would have been bustling with anomalous beings. Now, not a single one was in sight.

The gentleman whose head was an antique brass gramophone. The spaghetti-like monster floated through the air, its gigantic eyeball constantly rolling around. The bizarre creature with five heads, each wearing a different mask, who argued endlessly with itself.

The strange vitality once brought by guests from every imaginable dimension had disappeared.

Without realizing it, I felt some melancholy brush against my heart.

"It feels empty.”

The hotelier gently tapped his beak together and nodded.

"I couldn’t agree more. A hotel is at its finest when it’s bustling with guests. Still, the young lady has been devoting herself wholeheartedly to the restoration. I believe within a few decades it will regain its former liveliness.”

Right, he was an anomalous entity. His sense of time was completely different from ours.

-Ding.

A clear chime echoed through the hallway as the elegant antique elevator stopped at the top floor.

The moment the heavy oak doors opened, revealing the suite beyond, both of us inhaled sharply.

"Wow! Is this for real?!”

Seol Suyeon’s usual composure completely vanished. She let out an excited cheer, clenching both fists in delight. I wasn’t able to close my mouth, either.

"Well then, I sincerely hope the two of you enjoy your stay.”

Even after the hotelier departed, we spent quite a while exploring every corner of the suite.

"Oppa! Come over here! There are two pools!”

Seol Suyeon ran toward the spacious terrace, waving me over. When I joined her, I was met with a breathtaking view.

"I think that one over there is a hot spring. See the steam rising off the surface?”

"You’re right. The water’s even a different color.”

"It’s been a while, so how about we soak together? Wash away all the fatigue, you know?”

"Sure! I’d love to. But we don’t have swimsuits…”

"I was just looking through the welcome book. It says swimsuits are provided. Apparently we’re free to use them.”

"Perfect!”

For a while, we completely forgot everything we’d been through. We wandered all over the suite, exploring every corner like a pair of excited children. Eventually, Seol Suyeon told me to wait on the sofa.

"Oppa, just stay here for a minute."

"What are you up to?”

"I’ll only take a second! And no peeking, okay?"

Wearing a mysterious smile, she slipped into the master bedroom and firmly shut the door behind her.

Despite saying she’d be right back, the door stayed closed for quite some time. All I could hear were faint rustling noises from inside.

"What on earth is taking so long?”

Just as I was getting tired of waiting, the doorknob finally turned and Seol Suyeon stepped out.

"Tada! What do you think?”

She had changed into the outfit she’d brought for our date. I stared at her completely captivated.

She was wearing a daring white off-the-shoulder sweater paired with a short black pleated skirt. A slim belt with a gold buckle shimmered around her narrow waist.

"Does it look good on me?”

"You look seriously beautiful. I bet your fans have no idea.”

"No idea about what?"

"What you’re really like in person.”

"Ah, Oppa, the look on your face says you like it a little too much.”

She laughed, her beautiful purple eyes curving into smiling crescents.

Then, at that exact moment, something felt wrong.

"...?"

"Oppa? What’s wrong?”

"N-Nothing.”

It was like my heart had suddenly skipped a beat.

Was I imagining things?

For some reason, Seol Suyeon’s familiar purple eyes had seemed strangely unfamiliar, but when I looked more closely, those jewel-like eyes were exactly the same as always.

They originally belonged to Princess Cavaletto, but now they were unquestionably part of Seol Suyeon.

'Yeah, it’d be strange to feel uncomfortable looking into those eyes now.'

I forced myself to brush the feeling aside.

_________________________________________________________________________

Join our Discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/wetried