Madam Rabbit
A massive elevator descended from the ceiling of the hotel lobby. From within emerged a single rabbit beastkin.
The rabbit introduced herself as the hotel manager, stating her name was Lady Luna.
After introducing herself, Lady Luna explained the hotel's services with a completely expressionless face.
According to her, this was a hotel created by a guy called the "Building Creator," a sanctuary in the Ancient Labyrinth that provided all sorts of conveniences to visiting monsters.
And for a price, anyone could stay, using all facilities for free.
She said they didn't discriminate against guests.
—［The payment for hotel services is accepted only in biological materials. We do not accept living creatures, only dead ones, and even parts of a creature's body are fine, so please keep that in mind.］
Lady Luna explained that you could catch another creature and offer it, or even detach a part of your own body.
—［Additionally, our frequent guests usually pay with parts of their own bodies. Very few try to use the hotel by offering other creatures.］
Lady Luna finished her explanation.
She slowly scanned our monsters, then perked up her ears as she looked at Iris last.
—［Ah. So that's why my power suddenly weakened—the one and only explorer of this generation is here too.］
She was precisely looking at my image on Iris's screen.
—［As rumored, Explorer, you're not wandering the labyrinth yourself but exploring it safely from afar. Even though you're not here physically, my power weakened because... of your severed arm, right?］
"...Huh? How do you know that?"
—［Explorer... rumors about Gauntlet have spread quite a bit across the labyrinth. I've heard plenty from our visiting guests.］
Clack, clack.
Lady Luna approached Iris closely, showing no wariness toward our monsters at all.
—［A guest who was just telling stories about Gauntlet is here right now. Would you like to meet them? It'll be a familiar face.］
Snap!
Lady Luna snapped her fingers. Another massive elevator descended—three or four times larger than the one she'd arrived in.
"Abyss Lord is with them, so... yeah."
Should be fine. I added that thought, then instructed the main exploration team to follow the rabbit.
Guess we'd go check it out. I was curious who was spreading stories about me.
The doors of the new elevator opened. Lady Luna boarded first, and the main exploration team followed warily.
In that brief moment, I'd already scouted the red spot's location.
"We haven't paid yet, though. Is it okay to just follow?"
—［Pardon? We've already received payment.］
In response to my question, Lady Luna held something up to Iris's screen. It was some ominous black substance at first glance.
—［I don't know when, but it suddenly appeared in my hand. Didn't the guests give it?］
What the hell is that?
As that question crossed my mind—
—［That's ours, yeah. We paid with a piece of our soul. Duumba.］
Abyss Lord explained while shaking his hips.
"...Didn't see you give it. When?"
—［Right after hearing the full explanation, I did the Duumba Dance and handed it over. Duumba.］
Typical SSS-grade speed.
Anyway, the elevator doors closed, piercing through the hotel ceiling and rocketing upward at high speed.
The elevator stopped, and the doors opened to reveal a vast bathhouse stretching endlessly into the distance.
—［The guests I mentioned are here.］
In the endless bathhouse, only two guests were soaking.
And.
"Huh?"
They looked familiar.
—［Orororo?］
—［I'm warm... Hm?］
The two relaxing in the bath turned their gazes toward the main exploration team.
It was Snake Head and Mummy Skeleton.
"No, they're definitely the ones I tamed."
They were definitely residents of the desert village—and monsters I'd tamed.
I knew it instinctively. No way I wouldn't. Tamed monsters and I always felt connected by an invisible thread.
Iris smartly approached them, bringing me face-to-face.
"...Guys, what are you doing here?"
—［Snake Head said he'd take me somewhere nice, so I followed...］
—［Orororo. This is my occasional rest spot. Even after befriending you, I've snuck here a few times while everyone slept. This time, I got vacation time from the village and came to play. But why're you here, Chuiii?］
"Why? To explore, obviously."
—［I see, orororo.］
Come to think of it, last night they'd visited base, said they had somewhere to go briefly, and headed to Passage 8.
The "quick trip" yesterday must've been this hotel.
"Never thought one of my monsters knew about this place..."
It made sense they hadn't told me. I'd never specifically mentioned the door in Passage 8 to Snake Head, nor asked about rest spots.
Unlike Hedgehog, who spills everything unprompted, Snake Head was the opposite—he didn't bother reporting unless asked.
Of course, he'd tell me if I inquired.
Still, no intention of scolding him over this. Monsters' free time was theirs. No meddling in privacy.
Tamed monsters weren't subordinates; no need for destination reports.
That said, I felt a bit miffed.
"Snake Head, I don't care where you go on vacation, but if there's a great spot like this, you could've introduced it even without me asking. Kinda hurt."
—［Oro... Was gonna tell you later. I come here often, but wasn't 100% sure it was safe yet. Planned to confirm a few more times first...］
"You held back out of worry for my safety? Alright then. Take back the hurt feelings."
—［Orororo!］
Of course. They're my tamed monster.
"Anyway, guess you were the one telling the hotel manager about me."
—［Oro! Bragged a ton! Said you're an amazing explorer!］
No issue there either. Just spreading public facts—no risky leaks.
Anyway, confirmed who was talking about me.
Told the pair to enjoy their remaining vacation, then called for Lady Luna for the next order of business.
"Luna."
—［Yes.］
"We're not here to rest, so... could you guide us to the Building Creator? Wanna chat."
Wanna tame. I quickly corrected to "chat" before blurting the real intent.
No need to raise suspicions.
—［I'm afraid I can't. The Building Creator doesn't wish to meet anyone.］
"Even for extra payment?"
—［No amount will work. You cannot meet the Building Creator.］
"......"
Her expression was resolute, no backing down. Well, it was blank before too.
No choice. Time for that method.
"...You'll let us meet after taming. Guys, grab her."
No compliance? Straight to taming.
That'd solve everything.
The main team immediately surrounded Lady Luna.
But her expression remained unfazed.
—［Unfortunately, guests cannot defeat me.］
Her actual threat level: S-grade. No way our team could win.
Yet she showed no agitation, instead eyeing the team with disdain.
—［No matter how strong you were outside, once inside, you cannot use force. Guests lose powers that could harm others. You cannot attack hotel staff. That is this hotel's rule and law. The hotel's laws are absolute. No one can defy the providence set by the hotel owner in this space.］
Not bluffing. The team was panicking, unable to use their powers.
—［Duumba? My hips feel a bit heavy-yot!］
—［Statement confirmed false. Self also sealed except sensory sharing.］
Hedgehog and Iris.
"Can't use my power either."
—［This mom seems to have lost her power too.］
Even SS-grade Azeras and Niara Nephensis.
Anyone entering the hotel got nerfed, SS-grade or not.
But no problem.
We had one unaffected by the Building Creator's laws.
—［Providence, you say?］
The spirit already summoned by Hedgehog before entering.
—［I do not obey providence made by the weak.］
SSS-grade, Abyss Lord.
He swung his hand lightly, and thud—Lady Luna kneeled limply.
—［...Huh?］
Her perpetual blank face twisted in shock.
—［Duumba? Hips light again-yot. Hotel rules don't apply to me either-yot.］
Hedgehog could finally shake freely.
—［Your movements are sealed. Now be tamed obediently.］
—［This is ridiculous...］
Lady Luna looked incredulous at Abyss Lord's words.
Apparently, no SSS-grades had ever visited—or if they had, they'd followed rules without fuss.
As manager, she wasn't new, but clearly underestimated SSS-grades.
Thought the Building Creator was top dog here.
Frog in a well... no, bunny in a hotel.
"Hedgehog. Red spot's behind her left ear from your view."
—［Duumba, du-duumba.］
Holding my severed arm, Hedgehog wiggled over to Lady Luna.
—［W-Wait...!］
—［Duumba. Du-duumba.］
Wiggle wiggle.
—［Stop! Warning!］
—［Du-duumba. Du-du-du-duumba.］
Wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle!!!!
—［D-Don't come closer!!!］
—［Get tamed nice and easy-yot! Duumba!!!］
Splat!
Hedgehog smacked Lady Luna's face with my severed arm, hopped on her head, and slapped it against her left ear.
Luckily, it hit the red spot dead-on.
I watched, opening the monster compendium.
While updating her entry, I called out.
"Lady Luna."
The hotel manager, Lady Luna. Her name sounded like ally Sage Lunaris.
To avoid confusion, I decided to rename her.
"From now on, your name is Madam Rabbit."
No veto.
