Ancient God and Creation
"It's definitely unique. This is my first time in an inn this massive."
Elisha looked around with curious eyes. The corridor stretched on endlessly, lined on both sides with lavish rooms adorned in elegant decor. Golden wall sconces cast a soft glow, and the large framed paintings on the walls made it feel like an art gallery.
"So this is the vibe at Hostelri? Fascinating."
Melina scanned the surroundings too, letting out an admiring sigh.
"It's like a palace~"
Varis and Eily were just as taken aback, peering around with wide-eyed wonder. The unfamiliar grandeur of the spacious hall had everyone buzzing with excitement.
Everyone except one.
"Huh? Senior Lucy doesn't seem impressed at all?"
Eily tilted her head at Lucy, puzzled. While the others gushed in awe, Lucy looked utterly unfazed, like she was stepping into a place she knew all too well.
"Well, I did come here last year too. It's not as thrilling as the first time~?"
She shrugged nonchalantly.
It made perfect sense, of course. In the game's lore, this was her third visit. Once as a first-year student taking the exam, and now as an outstanding student selected as a support aide—once a year in her second and third years. Nothing new for her anymore.
"Speaking of which, Arnold, you're surprisingly chill about it. Most people gawk for ages on their first visit."
She turned to me with intrigued eyes, clearly wondering why I wasn't reacting like the others.
I nodded calmly, without much emotion.
"Yeah, it's pretty impressive."
But the reason this place didn't spark anything special in me was simple: it was too familiar.
From the name "Hostelri" to the building's exterior and interior layout—it was a dead ringer for the hotels I frequented on business trips in my old world. No, it was a hotel, plain and simple. The corridor length, room arrangements, lighting, decor... all straight out of my countless real-world experiences. Instead of novelty, a wave of familiarity washed over me first.
This might have been the most comforting spot since the moment I first laid eyes on it.
"302, 303... Ah! Our rooms start here!"
Eily, counting the numbers on the doors as we walked, pointed them out. Rooms 304 through 309—private quarters for all six of us.
"Alright, then let's unpack and meet back right here."
Senior Lucy stopped in front of her door as she spoke.
"Okay! See you guys in a bit!"
Varis waved cheerfully. We divvied up the keys and started toward our rooms.
But then—
"Hold on."
Elisha's voice cut through, laced with irritation. The air went still.
"Wait a sec, Eily? Why aren't you heading to your own room? Why are you glued to Arnold's side?"
Her eyebrow twitched as she glared daggers at Eily, like the maid's very presence offended her.
"Now that you mention it..."
Melina narrowed her eyes in agreement, her long ears quivering subtly—like her instincts were on high alert.
The two women's gazes sharpened like blades toward Eily.
But the target herself seemed utterly unbothered.
"Huh? Of course I'm sharing a room with Master."
Eily stated it so matter-of-factly, as if the question baffled her. Her calm demeanor almost felt provocative, especially with that faint smirk and casual shrug.
"Hah?! Since when?!"
Elisha exploded, stepping forward with eyes blazing like they might shoot sparks any second.
"Because I'm Master's maid! We shared a room in the dorms too, so what's the issue?"
Eily replied breezily, but there was unmistakable mockery laced in her tone.
"As his maid, isn't it natural to stay by his side and assist him at all times?"
Elisha grew even more incensed, planting her hands on her hips and leaning in.
"Th-then it should be me sharing with Arnold!"
She wasn't backing down.
"What?! What are you even talking about?!"
Eily bristled, stepping forward too.
"W-well...! I'm Arnold's fiancée..."
Elisha faltered mid-sentence, averting her gaze awkwardly. But she straightened up quick, eyes flashing again.
"H-husband and wife sharing a room is... totally normal, right?!"
Her voice rang confident at first, but trailed off weakly. Her cheeks flushed deeper, betraying her embarrassment.
"......"
"......"
Silence fell, thick with tension. Neither would yield an inch; their staredown crackled like a standoff.
The air around them felt heavier just watching.
"Arnold really is popular..."
Meanwhile, Varis and Senior Lucy exchanged glances.
"Ah, here we go again..."
Varis sighed under his breath.
"Oh ho."
Melina, arms crossed, just smirked like she was enjoying the show—maybe even waiting for her opening.
"Heh, this could get fun~?"
"I'm far more suited to Master than you are."
"What did you say?!"
Elisha overheard and flared up more, while Eily stayed glued to my side, cool as ever.
And me? I just sighed, looking exasperated. I hadn't invited anyone to my room in the first place.
"Enough, all of you. Private rooms for everyone. No special treatment for maids or fiancées. Back to your rooms."
I cut in firmly, my tone steady but resolute.
The three deflated instantly, shooting me disappointed looks.
"Ugh, fine..."
"Can't be helped."
"What a shame..."
Their fiery rivalry fizzled out visibly, and they trudged off reluctantly. I wondered if I'd been too harsh seeing their slumped shoulders, but with the journey ahead, wasting energy now was a bad call.
"Still, going to those lengths... you really are popular, Arnold."
Senior Lucy chuckled teasingly.
I sighed again. All I wanted was some peace, but my head throbbed worse than ever.
After settling into our rooms and unpacking, there wasn't much on the agenda. The dungeon dive was two days out, leaving us free until then.
Most of the group would explore this new place like tourists, but I had other plans.
Senior Lucy's second event was about to trigger.
The moment she was alone, her creator's power would pull her into an illusion. More precisely, her mind would link with her creator's, trapping their consciousnesses in a shared mental space.
I unpacked quickly and headed straight for her room at the corridor's end.
I waited silently by her door, holding my breath for the signal.
A long stretch of quiet. Flickering candle shadows danced on the walls, faint laughter echoing distantly.
I ignored it.
Then—a dull thud from inside.
Thud.
Someone collapsing.
I took a deep breath and knocked lightly.
No answer.
I pressed my ear to the door—nothing but silence.
Varis was supposed to show up here in the original story, but with the plot derailed so many times already, he probably wouldn't.
Decision made.
"No choice."
I'd figured it'd be locked, but that was no hurdle. A bit of force twisted the handle—click—and it swung open.
The world twisted around me, and when I opened my eyes, familiar darkness enveloped everything. An eerie chill hung in the air, like icy fingers creeping over my skin. Even the candle flames wavered, deepening the shadows.
The space brimmed with unnatural silence, an empty void where outstretched hands grasped nothing. A crawling disgust prickled my flesh, threatening to coat my tongue.
I rose slowly. A deep breath filled my lungs with frigid air.
Footsteps echoed from the gloom.
A presence I knew—but never wanted to know better.
"Well now, looks like you've got me good this time~?"
"Luisil..."
And there she was, as always, gazing down at me from the shadows.
But her expression was different this time. Beneath that creepy smile lurked something new: irritation.
Her red eyes gleamed faintly, piercing through me like she saw everything.
"You... why'd you call me here again."
I glared, staying on guard.
She sauntered closer leisurely, tossing out a line.
"Seems you've prepared well this time."
Her lips curved deeper.
"Even knew how to lure in the Hero... not bad, huh?"
"You're even more devious than I thought."