Escaping the Mystery Hotel

- Han Kain

A finger descended like a falling meteor from the boundless sky, bringing everything to an immediate halt.

The anguished song of Beatrix, echoing from a distant dimension, ceased.

The noise from the books and screens fluttering around in the strange space stopped.

The maddening laughter of the cruel god, which filled the world, fell silent.

In that moment of suspended time, the finger descending from the heavens pierced through me, leaving me no space to evade.

“…”

When I came to my senses, I realized that I had returned to being fully “Han Kain”.

“What the—”

“Are you back to your senses?”

Startled, I turned around and saw an intellectual-looking man in his late fifties.

“You!”

“Then your next line will be, ‘You’re the Chief Researcher!’ Aren’t you tired of saying the same old predictable line?”

“…What’s going on? What was that finger?”

“It’s a courtesy for being the first room on the second floor.”

“What?”

“Did you truly understand the concept of ‘sealing’ before you entered this room?”

“I got the gist from Ahri, but honestly, I didn’t fully grasp it. Even Ahri didn’t completely understand it.”

“You started Room 201 without a proper understanding of the sealing system? Well, that’s not really your fault. After all, how could you have known before experiencing it? There’s no manual in this hotel. Did you realize beforehand that you could be swept up in the thought processes of the characters, risking a change in your personality? Could you have prepared for that beforehand?”

“…”

“So, as the first room on the second floor, there’s a bit of consideration given. You’ve been forcibly separated from me. Congratulations, you’ve regained your full self.”

“Well, that’s… certainly something to be thankful for.”

“Isn’t it amusing? This hotel seems to collect all the world’s absurdities, yet it still hides these strange courtesies.”

The Chief Researcher pulled out a cigarette and slowly began to smoke.

As he exhaled the crumbling mist from his mouth, he spoke again, “Care for one?”

“I’ve never smoked.”

“Interested in learning?”

“…”

“Ha! A dull junior, then.”

“I’m not your junior.”

“Is that so?”

“…”

“It’s interesting, looking at you. You seem to have a lot you want to say but don’t know where to begin. Am I wrong?”

“Was this really the only way? Was sacrificing Beatrix and humans as offerings the only solution?”

“It seems you really didn’t like my method.”

“You… While I was merged with you, I realized something. You only see others as mere tools, everyone except yourself.”

“It’s a common flaw amongst those in high positions. And you’re mistaken about one thing.”

“Mistaken?”

“You said I only see everyone else as tools? What sort of nonsense is that? I’m the most useful tool of all.”

“…”

“Why do you think I’m even here?”

“Are you saying you came to the hotel on your own to obtain something—”

“Let’s leave it at that. You’ll never see me again in your life, so why bother with personal questions about me? They wouldn’t mean anything beyond satisfying your curiosity. Instead, ask the questions that will matter to you going forward.”

With those words, the Chief pointed at my Status Window.

User: Han Kain (Wisdom)

Date: Day 87

Current Location: Floor 2, The Cursed Room – Room 201, The Cube

Sage’s Advice: 3

“…”

This was the first time someone else had looked at my Status Window.

The Sage’s Advice tab flickered.

“What is this…?”

“Use the Advice to ask me questions. I’d like to just tell you myself, but I can’t anymore. You know how to use it, right?”

“You’re not the Owl, so why are you asking me to use Advice—”

“Didn’t I tell you not to ask trivial questions? Ask what’s necessary.”

“…”

“If you can’t decide what to ask, I’ll choose something appropriate for you. The first question… Yes, this one will do.”

Regarding the system on the second floor.

Advice: 3 → 2

…I let out a dry laugh.

The Chief Researcher, who seemed to be an owner of Wisdom long ago, began using the Status Window as if it were his own.

He even began the bizarre act of asking and answering his own questions.

However, it was true that I had many questions for him, and the topic of ”the system on the second floor” was something I was dying to know more about.

I decided to listen quietly.

The Chief Researcher began his self-Q&A session.

“The second floor is similar to the first with each room having its own scenario. However, the rooms on the second floor revolve around a seal. The seal might pertain to one of your group, but it’s also linked to an important character in the scenario who plays a key role in solving it. When the seal is lifted, that character’s consciousness also awakens along with your comrade’s.”

“…”

“Do you have to break the seal to solve the room? Not necessarily. But it’s usually a good idea to aim for it. Your companions in Room 201 seemed obsessed with breaking the seal, didn’t they? Even though they weren’t entirely sure why, they ended up being right. It seems they’ve developed a bit of an instinct from surviving in the hotel.”

“…”

“Once the seal is broken, the room is essentially solved. A character who knows the answer to the room, like the ‘Chief Researcher’ in Room 201, will awaken.”

“…”

“However, there’s one problem—oh, hold on. It looks like a further explanation will require another Advice. Do you have any other questions?”

“Just use another one and continue explaining.”

“Good idea. The second question will be this.”

The problem with the answers known by the characters.

Advice: 2 → 1

“When the seal is broken, the character who awakens alongside your comrades will know the room’s answer. The problem is that the answer they know isn’t always a great one.”

“What?”

“What do you mean, “What?” Haven’t you been complaining to me this whole time about whether this was the only way?”

“…”

“It’s the same in other rooms. When you break the seal, you’ll learn the answer to the room but also realize the answer has many flaws. Usually, you won’t have the luxury to think about it and will just go along with that flawed answer like you did this time. But… if you have the time.”

“If we have the time?”

“Consider whether there might be a better answer. For the record, I’ve heard that finding a better answer comes with its own rewards.”

My mind was spinning.

I concentrated all my thoughts on organizing everything I had heard.

The second floor, like the first, has a scenario for each room, and one of us will end up sealed.

Breaking the seal releases my comrades and the character who knows the room’s answer.

Therefore, breaking the seal drastically increases the chances of solving the room.

However, the answer the character knows is flawed.

If we could find a better answer, we might receive additional rewards.

Is that about it?

As I pondered whether I had missed anything, the status window flickered again.

Regarding the limits of Advice.

Advice: 1 → 0

“Why did it change without a word—”

“Sorry about that. Time’s up.”

Indeed, as he said, the world that had been frozen began to move again.

As the Cursed Room was solved, the space started to slowly collapse.

“The last answer is nothing special. From reviewing your memories, it seems you have quite a bit of resentment toward the Owl.”

“…”

“As someone who owes him quite a bit, I thought I’d clear up the misunderstanding. The reason the Owl sometimes gives you cryptic, riddle-like answers isn’t to mess with you. He, too, has his own restrictions and simply chose that route out of necessity.”

“Chose?”

“Would you rather have a simple, clear answer that only conveys one meaning or a more ambiguous one that, like a Zen koan, can be interpreted in many ways? He chose the latter to convey more information in a single response.”

“…”

The surrounding space began to crumble.

The end of the long and arduous Room 201 was finally here.

Just as the platform we were standing on began to give way, I couldn’t help but speak up, “I never want to become like you.”

“That’s a good thought. I wish you the best, my junior.”

You have succeeded!

The Cube.

A strange place where people were mysteriously kidnapped and endlessly killed by monsters.

The reason this horrific place was created was, surprisingly, to save humanity.

Unable to face the root of evil with power or wisdom, the people ultimately chose to offer living sacrifices in a desperate attempt for survival.

Was there really no other way?

Who knows?

But don’t worry!

You’ve certainly solved the room!

Monsters lurking in every room, a girl who was more like a living natural disaster than a person!

And even a research lab shrouded in mystery.

After overcoming all these trials and protecting the world from the Eye of Zero Dimension, your efforts were truly impressive.

***

***

***

***

One of your teammates has successfully resolved the issue!

Congratulations!

The successful resolution allows everyone to return safely.

Now, who will receive the treasure, and what will it be? You get to decide!

“???”

I was reading this when my eyes widened in shock at the last line!

You can choose what treasure to receive?

And even who will get it?

Is anyone other than me still alive?

After the resolution of Room 101, the “Moment of Choice” made a return.

Soon, another notification appeared.