Escaping the Mystery Hotel

Chapter 176: Party Time – Sanctum of Blessings (3)

User: Han Kain (Wisdom)

Date: Day 89

Current Location: Floor 1, Corridor

Sage’s Advice: 3

- Han Kain

It’s useless to worry, now it’s time to receive some rewards!

Isn’t this one of the most enjoyable moments in this damned Hotel?

As we approached the Sanctum of Blessings near the first floor’s entrance, everyone’s expressions brightened.

We entered the Sanctum of Blessings.

“What? Why can we only pick two?”

Everyone was surprised.

Why are only Seungyub and Elena eligible for empowerment?

I didn’t expect my name to be after receiving “Scenario Comprehension”, the owl did mention it would take a long time for us to meet again after all.

But why aren’t the others listed?

Didn’t all of us play significant roles in the Gate Room? Even Ahri was the first one to break through the last trial on her own.

…A sad realization dawned on me.

“It seems the Gate Room doesn’t count toward the contribution calculation.”

Ahri sighed and responded, “No wonder there was no Party Time after the Gate Room. There wasn’t a need to visit the Sanctum of Blessings.”

Seungyub replied with some expectation, “I guess I was recognized for escaping alone in the first attempt of Room 201!”

Noona seemed a bit indignant.

“I also escaped alone during the second attempt.”

“But you recently received the ‘Hand of Greed’ after your last empowerment, right? Maybe it’s just not your time yet.”

Jinchul-hyung chimed in with a ridiculous comment, “If they just showed our contribution points clearly, there’d be no confusion! I’m basing this off my own experiences, but whenever someone hides stuff like this, it’s because they’re trying to take advantage of you!”

“Who would benefit from withholding our contribution points…?”

“…”

What’s the point in arguing further?

In the end, the two received their empowerment.

***- Park Seungyub

As I felt myself being pulled somewhere, I grew disoriented.

When I barely managed to steady my staggering body, I heard an all-too-familiar line.

[Welcome to Summoner’s Rift!]

“…”

The place felt familiar. The dark, somewhat stuffy air, computers everywhere—it looked like an internet café, minus the clerk.

Only one computer was on, playing music I’d heard thousands of times.

A boy, who looked to be about my age, sat in front of the screen, completely engrossed in it.

“Excuse me…”

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“Wait a sec! I just need to push this!”

“…”

“You’re going for a backdoor with 5 deaths? I think the minion is getting pushed back.”

“It’s fine! They just need to hold on a little bit longer!”

A moment later, the outcome was decided.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“You okay?”

“How did you play this game every day? I’m drained after just a few games. Why am I so unlucky with my teams?”

Hearing such words from the Patron of Fortune left me speechless for a moment.

Of course, you lost after dying five times and only going for backdoors…

It’s not that you’re unlucky with teams, it’s your team that’s unlucky to have you!

I held back from saying it out loud.

He was still my patron, after all.

Watching my frustrated expression, the boy chuckled and said, “I played exactly like you did before coming to the Hotel.”

“No way.”

“How’s it any different?”

“Wow! You little bas— I mean, Mr. Patron really doesn’t understand this game, right?”

“Did you just call me a ‘little bastard’?”

“Do you even know the difference between mindless backdooring and split-pushing? Wow~! I didn’t expect to be lectured on lane management by someone who doesn’t even know how to manage minion waves. Do you know the difference between leaving 6 ranged minions and 3? Do you know how to create a big wave? And why did you choose that skill tree? At 21 minutes, why were you at Red—”

“Okay, okay, I give. Sorry. Let’s talk about your Blessing.”

“…”

“Your parents must have had a tough time raising you.”

“What do you mean by that? I was trying really hard to hold back, but—”

“Okay, okay, I get it. Let’s really talk about your Blessing now. I’ve had a lot of interesting experiences since meeting you, but I don’t want to go down in Hotel history as the first patron to get hit by a participant.”

“…Okay.”

With a wave of his hand, the internet café scene vanished, replaced by an office with neat tables and chairs.

“What empowerment am I getting this time?”

“That’s a good question. My answer is… ‘You’re not getting one this time.’”

“…”

The Patron observed me for a moment before marveling.

“You’re really something! Even after all the hardships in the Hotel, you hear there’s no reward, and your expression hardly changes. This shows remarkable patience…”

“What are you trying to say now?”

“It’s just that you seem to completely change when certain topics come up. Anyway, I’m not saying there’s no reward at all. You’ve already heard from your comrade, Han Kain, right? If you gather enough contribution, you can get a powerful empowerment.”

“Oh! So after clearing the next room, I’ll get a powerful empowerment?”

“That’s right. But…”

“But?”

“You’ll have to step it up in the next room. Your contribution is still a bit lacking.”

“Then how about just giving me a weaker empowerment based on my current contribution—”

“No. You need to aim for a powerful empowerment.”

“…”

“You’ve probably heard it hinted at already. Room 203, you remember right?”

“Yes.”

“The empowerment I’m preparing for you will be very useful there. Compared to your comrades, you’re already starting to fall a bit behind, right?”

“…Yes.”

“You haven’t even gotten an Inheritance yet. Room 203 will be both a challenge and an opportunity for you.”

“So, I have no hope in Room 202…”

“To be honest, it’s not a room where you’re likely to perform well enough to earn an Inheritance. But do your best. You’ll need to gather some contributions in Room 202 to get the next empowerment.”

As I listened, I grew curious.

Why does he say I’m unlikely to get an Inheritance in Room 202, but that Room 203 is a challenge and an opportunity?

The boy, seemingly reading my thoughts, responded, “You’re not planning to ask about the contents of the next room, are you?”

“…”

“Of course, I can’t tell you.”

“Are other questions allowed? For example, what is this ‘powerful empowerment’?”

The boy made a somewhat ambiguous expression before answering, “It will increase the ‘predictability’ of your ability.”

“Predictability”? I don’t understand.

The boy glanced elsewhere before continuing.

“You’re worried about the Hotel getting colder, aren’t you?”

“Oh! Are you going to give me a hint?”

“It’s different from the Cursed Rooms. Not everyone needs to participate.”

“Huh?”

“There’s no need for you to overexert yourself.”

What does that mean?

As those words lingered in my mind, my consciousness faded.

***- Elena

I found myself in the beautiful garden I’d visited before.

I could hear birds chirping, and the landscape of the flower garden looked like a watercolor painting.

As soon as I entered, I heard a worried voice, “You have acquired a dangerous ability.”

“Hello.”

“I had hoped you wouldn’t acquire a power that affects the mind.”

“…I thought the Irregular Polyhedron would be too difficult for me to handle.”

“That’s true.”

Although it was true that the Polyhedron required high intelligence to use and I probably couldn’t use it, hearing the blunt answer felt oddly upsetting.

The Patron soon chuckled and continued, “You don’t have to be a prodigy to use the Irregular Polyhedron. However, it does require considerable calculation skills. Don’t you have capable comrades in that regard?”

“Yes…”

“Actually, it’s not that you’re not suited for Ominous Imagination. In fact, few could use it as well as you. It’s a power that requires a rich imagination. It’s by no means a weak power; it’s just a difficult power to control and has severe aftereffects.”

“Come to think of it, when I obtained the ability, Kain told me that using Ominous Imagination could easily lead to mental problems. But so far, I haven’t felt anything. It just makes me more scared because weird monsters keep appearing…”

“That’s because you haven’t truly used it yet. Right now, you’re just desperately trying not to use it, so the power is leaking out in small amounts while you’re off guard.”

“I see.”

I felt even more anxious.

Isn’t she basically saying that once I start using it in earnest, I’ll go insane?

“Don’t worry too much. Originally, I was going to give you a different ability, but when I say you have acquired Ominous Imagination, I’ve prepared an appropriate Blessing empowerment. Just convictions settle in a calm and serene mind, after all.”

“Uh? T-thank you!”

“However, the power I’m giving you will only help reduce the aftereffects of Ominous Imagination. You’ll have to master its use on your own.”

“I’ll try my best.”

“Why don’t you talk about your ability with that lousy fellow you like so much?”

“Uh??? What are you talking about all of a sudden???”

“Why are you so surprised? It seems like you’re the only one who doesn’t know.”

“No, no, no, no—”

“Enough with the ‘no, no,’ It’s time for you to go.”

With that, I felt my consciousness being swept away like a wave.

Just before it faded completely, I heard one last word.

“The issue with the cold is not something you need to worry about.”

What does that mean?

Congratulations!

Elena Ivanova – Justice → Has acquired ‘Calmness and Tranquility’.

*****- Han Kain

After the two received their Blessing empowerment and passed out, we moved them to a safe location and gathered around the tea table.

As he lifted a cup, Grandpa sighed.

“It’s getting worse. Take a look at this.”

“Since when did you start liking green tea ice cream?”

“If it were ice cream, at least it would taste good… The situation on the first floor is worsening by the minute.”

It wasn’t just ice floating in the tea; it was practically a block of green tea ice. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“What should we do?”

Songee’s question brought silence.

It was my cue to speak up.

At least I knew what I wanted to say first.

“Just a moment,” Noona responded immediately.

“You’re going to use Advice?”

“Yes. As I mentioned early this morning, I’m planning to use today’s Advice on Room 104.”

Ahri seemed uncertain.

“Isn’t the increasingly cold Hotel the more immediate issue? Shouldn’t you use Advice on that…?”

“That’s a valid point, but there’s never really been a time without urgent issues since we got here. Besides, Party Time lasts for three days, right? Today is just the first day.”

“So you’ll ask about the cold on the second or third day?”

“Exactly. And…”

There’s a certain intuition I’ve been feeling for some time now.

Perhaps it grew stronger after I used Descent in Room 102.

I know I must confront the “Lord” again and settle things.

“Go ahead, then. It’s your Blessing, so it’s your choice. Like you said, you can ask about the Hotel getting colder tomorrow.”

Once I decided to use the advice, I found myself momentarily at a loss for what to ask.

What should I ask?

What is the Lord’s scheme?

Will I really betray my comrades in Room 104?

It’s hard to choose, especially since each question costs three counts…

Sage’s Advice: 3 → 0

The wisest one sets the board so that everyone benefits.