Strange Game - Anime Mashup

"Hurry, hurry, let's go to the room," someone urged.

"The room must be safer than this hall," another voice chimed in.

"We need to push forward quickly," a third added with growing urgency.

The middle-aged man bolted toward the elevator, frantically pressing the button for the third floor.

"Come on, let's take the elevator," he called.

"No, it's safer to take the stairs!" Hoshino Ai countered, trying to mask her unease. Her fingers fidgeted nervously as she rubbed her face.

"Yes, the stairs might be safer," another agreed. "Who knows what might happen in the elevator?"

Lin Ye feigned an attempt to open the staircase door opposite the elevator. He had already tried earlier during the time stop—the staircase was locked. The door wouldn't budge.

"It's locked," he said. "The stairs can't be used."

This revelation deepened the tension. The silence in the hallway felt oppressive, as if the air had thickened with unease.

It became apparent that the locked staircase was linked to the "emergency situation" mentioned in the rules. The key to unlocking it had yet to appear.

With a ding, the elevator doors slid open.

Six people entered cautiously. Hoshino Ai clung to Lin Ye, reluctant to look around. Mihui, another woman, pressed closely to Lin Ye, her fear just as noticeable.

The confined space of the elevator heightened the tension. Every corner seemed ripe for a sudden, horrifying encounter.

Thankfully, they reached the third floor without incident. The elevator doors opened slowly to reveal a dimly lit corridor. The crimson carpet stretched out like a warning, its somber hues amplifying the eerie atmosphere.

No one moved at first. Lin Ye took the lead, stepping out boldly, prompting the others to follow hesitantly. The elevator doors closed with a soft thud behind them.

"Let's search the corridor," Lin Ye suggested. "There might be some clues here."

After five minutes of exploration, they regroup.

"There are 20 rooms on this floor," Lin Ye reported. "The staircase leading down is open, but I wouldn't recommend trying it now."

Taisuke, who had been about to investigate, quickly pulled back. Lin Ye's cautious demeanor instilled a sense of discipline in the group.

"Can we check into our rooms now?" someone asked.

"Yes," Lin Ye replied, "but if you find anything unusual, report it immediately. Do not hide anything."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The group split into smaller pairs. Lin Ye and Hoshino Ai approached Room 306. With a click, the door lock disengaged. The dark interior of the room loomed ahead, silent and foreboding.

Hoshino Ai immediately flicked the light switch. The sudden brightness was a welcome relief, easing the oppressive mood somewhat. Lin Ye began a thorough inspection.

The room's romantic decor left little to the imagination. Red and pink hues dominated, and a faint, sweet scent hung in the air. The furnishings were explicitly designed for couples: a large bed, a spacious bathtub, and an assortment of intimate props.

Hoshino Ai's face flushed as she noticed some of the items. She quickly averted her eyes in embarrassment.

"I'll check the bathroom," Lin Ye announced. "Hoshino-san, inspect the room carefully. Don't miss anything."

"Understood," she replied, determined to be useful.

Hoshino Ai began her inspection, starting with the bed. She lifted the quilt and peered underneath but found nothing. She moved to the bedside drawer, opening it with a slight tremor in her hands.

The contents made her blush furiously: lubricants, sprays, and a vibrating stick. She slammed the drawer shut with a loud clang.

"What did you find?" Lin Ye's voice startled her.

"N-Nothing!" she stammered, trying to compose herself.

Curious, Lin Ye opened the drawer himself. He examined the items without a hint of embarrassment. Beneath the lubricant, a folded piece of paper caught his eye.

"New rules," he muttered.

The blue card bore a new set of instructions:

Hotel Rules (Part 2):

-Do not make excessive noise that could disturb other guests.

-Ignore any sounds coming from other rooms.

-It is recommended to shower before resting.

-Visiting other rooms or walking in the corridors at night is allowed.

-Twin-bed rooms do not exist. If you find yourself in a twin-bed room, leave immediately and recheck your booking.

-A friendly reminder followed: The sex toys in this hotel are complimentary. Please use them freely for a wonderful night.

Lin Ye's focus sharpened on Rule 5. "Twin-bed room…" he murmured, a sense of foreboding washing over him.

Hoshino Ai's face turned pale as she realized her earlier embarrassment could have led them to overlook a critical rule.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice trembling. "I… I didn't check thoroughly because of… those things. It's my fault."

Lin Ye's expression softened. "It's okay. Just be more careful moving forward."

Suddenly, a knock echoed through the room.

"Boom, boom, boom."

"Brother Lin, Brother Lin! It's me, Taisuke Sawanaga. Please open the door quickly—there's something important! We found out the new rules for staying here."

Lin Ye stood up, made a reassuring gesture to the purple-black-haired girl clutching his clothes, and walked toward the door.

The knocking and muffled noises from the corridor outside were audible, confirming that the corridor was not part of the "next room" range.

Even through the door, Lin Ye could sense Taisuke's panic and nervousness.

"What's your friend's name?"

"Huh?"

Taisuke froze, momentarily stunned.

"Ito Makoto. My friend's name is Ito Makoto. Sorry, I was so scared in the hall earlier that I forgot to answer your question."

Lin Ye reached out and opened the door. The hinges creaked slightly as it swung open.

Standing in front of him was the yellow-haired Taisuke. Behind him stood three others: the middle-aged man Tanaka Ichiro, Kuroda Hikari, and Kamimura Mihui. All four looked visibly shaken, their eyes darting nervously as though they had just escaped something terrifying.

"Brother Lin, these are the rules. We found them hidden in the closet. But this—this one is the most important."

Taisuke hurriedly thrust a blue note into Lin Ye's hand and pointed to a specific rule.

"This rule says the hotel doesn't have twin-beds in the rooms, but… our room was a twin-bed room."

The glaring conflict between reality and the rules had thrown the group into a spiral of anxiety.

If they hadn't followed Lin Ye's advice to search every corner of their room, they might have already violated the hotel's rules.

At this moment, their fear was clear.

To them, Room 308 had become a devil's den, capable of devouring their lives at any moment.