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chapter 13
As soon as Serin finished checking the ledger entries, as if someone had pressed a rewind button, the shabbily dressed man and woman walked into the reception hall.
Serin immediately checked Gwak Il-beon’s expression.
Since he showed no reaction, Serin realized the two newly arrived people had been permitted to enter.
‘And if they’re entering during the exam, then they must be involved with it.’
Straightening her posture, Serin bowed to the guests with a soft 45-degree angle.
“Welcome. Thank you for visiting Hyeumwon.”
The stiff expressions on the man and woman eased.
‘The front desk is like the face of the hotel. It determines the entire impression of the lodge.’
“We’d like to stay here.”
“Yes, are there two of you?”
“Yes. And we are government officials on duty.”
“May I verify your credentials?”
The two smiled—her reaction was completely different from the previous examinee’s—and presented their official token.
‘Surely the exam won’t go as far as checking whether their tokens are forged, right?’
Serin copied the information onto the ledger, then returned the token.
“Yes, confirmed. How many rooms would you like?”
“Separate rooms.”
“Understood. I will prepare rooms in the Yeongwolgak wing.”
Serin took out two key tags from Yeongwolgak—specifically marked “Bongmyeongjae.”
The two actors playing guests exchanged satisfied looks.
Her sequence of questions had made it obvious what Mistake #1 had been for Examinee #1, Shini.
Shini had handed them a single key without confirming their relationship, status, or room preferences—just assuming from their shabby clothing.
A mistake impossible if one had even skimmed the ledger beforehand.
Serin continued.
“How long will you be staying?”
“Mm? Ah, two days.”
“So, that means two nights—correct?”
“Ah—no! Just one, one night.”
“Yes, I’ve marked your check-out for tomorrow.”
At that moment, the female guest asked her second question.
“By chance, where is the restroom?”
“Exit and it’s on the far right. Supplies are available inside for your convenience.”
The pair, looking pleased, turned to leave—then stopped, remembering something. They had forgotten to ask because Serin’s service was so smooth.
“Oh right—the lodging fee…?”
Serin gave a warm smile.
“Of course, for officials currently on duty, it is free.”
“Ah—yes, right!”
“And meals are served at Manhyangru, but if you prefer, they can be delivered directly to your room.”
“A—ah, no, that won’t be necessary!”
Their script didn’t include anything beyond that.
After the two hurried away, the strict-looking examiner, Lee Jeong-ah, entered next.
“I wish to order dinner.”
“Will the rest of your party also be dining?”
“…How did you know I have a party?”
Serin pointed to the key rack.
“You are the guests of Anbingak Room 40, the group room, are you not? I only wished to confirm in case someone in your group did not want dinner.”
“…Correct. All of us will eat. Prepare it.”
Having said what she came to say, the examiner turned to leave.
But Serin quickly stopped her.
“Excuse me—does anyone in your party have foods they cannot eat?”
At this unexpected question, the examiner and Gwak Il-beon both showed surprise.
“Foods… they cannot eat?”
“Some people get sick from certain ingredients. If you inform me, we will prepare your meal accordingly.”
‘…It could cause illness, she says… Hmm, I hadn’t considered that. I should mention this to the kitchen as well.’
“There is no issue. Prepare it.”
“Yes, understood.”
The examiner again tried to leave, relieved that everything was done.
Serin stopped her once more.
“Customer?”
“What, now?!”
“How will you be taking your meal? Shall we bring it to your room?”
Do you want room service?
“…No.”
Afraid another unexpected question would follow, the examiner quickly retreated.
Gwak Il-beon, watching the exchange, let out a quiet chuckle.
Right after the examiner left, the clerk from earlier rushed in.
“The guests have departed! Come quickly and tidy the room.”
But Serin remained planted.
The clerk turned back, flustered, urging her to follow.
“I cannot leave this desk unattended when a customer may come at any moment.”
At a hotel, the front desk is never left empty.
A guest could arrive at any moment—why abandon the desk?
That simply would not happen at any establishment that values its service.
“…All right.”
The clerk left without pushing further.
‘…So that’s the end?’
Serin glanced at the assistant superintendent.
He tossed her a brief remark in passing:
“…Well done.”
Trying not to show it, Serin had been tense the whole time. Only now did she finally smile brightly.
(Transition)
After the reception-hall exam ended, Gwak Il-beon gathered the examinees.
“Now, we move to the site of the final test.”
He led them deep into Hyeumwon, toward a large building marked Jipsacheong—the Steward’s Office.
“Jipsacheong?”
Dasim answered in a whisper.
“It’s where the officials working here handle administrative affairs. Somewhere in here is the office of the chief administrator, Euncheon~!”
Her eyes sparkled as she gazed up at the building.
‘This place definitely gives off the vibe of “official business conducted here.”’
Unlike the splendor of Manhyangru, the building exuded dignity and disciplined elegance.
A monk inside greeted the examinees.
“Hehehe, you’ve all worked hard on the tests. I am Hyegwang of Hyeumsa.”
“Ah! That monk—he ate four hotpots yesterday!” Dasim whispered.
Hyegwang smiled kindly.
“Only one final test remains. It is not difficult, so do not be too tense. Simply think, ‘If I were the master of Hyeumwon, what would I do?’ With that mindset, the answer will come naturally.”
He named the first examinee.
“You will draw wooden tags again, and enter one by one. The rest will wait here.”
Serin drew the very last number.
‘Perfect. I can read the faces of those who come out first.’
But contrary to expectations… the expressions of the examinees leaving the room were strange.
“…Why do they all look like that?” Dasim tilted her head.
“Right?”
They looked exactly like high school students walking out of a math exam where they’d tried “creative answers.”
‘Just what kind of assignment is this?’
Eventually, Serin’s turn came.
“Next examinee, enter.”
She followed the clerk inside.
Hyegwang led her to a room with only a single desk, then spoke:
“Once you find the answer, come out and tell me.”
He left the room.
That was it.
“…Huh?”
No explanation of the task. No instructions. No incoming “guest” like the previous test.
Now she understood why everyone looked so baffled after leaving.
Still, thanks to the previous exams, Serin already had an idea.
