Chapter 12

Takuya: It is done, James-san, Yun-sama. Please, follow me. Your baggage is already in your room.

Takuya led us into the hotel reception proper. I saw our names and pictures on an acrylic stand. In front of it were items that were prepared in advance for us. Yun and I were given wristbands similar to those you used in an onsen. Our floor and room number were marked on a metal tag embedded in the band.

Takuya: This unlocks your room door and your lockers. There is no need to pay for anything in this hotel, everything is free. James: Okay ... Takuya: You are free to walk around and explore the hotel. Rooms where you have access to can be unlocked with this key. If it doesn’t unlock, it means you cannot go in. James: Okay ... Takuya: The first four floors are for participants. Levels five to eight are for VIPs. They take different lifts and you will not see them unless you are being asked to go to their rooms.

Takuya then gave Yun and I a smartwatch each.

Takuya: Messages, announcements, and instructions will be sent through this watch. You need to wear it at all times, even when you sleep. Charging instructions are available in the room. Now listen very carefully. The moment the battery runs out for your watches, it is game over for us. No battery means no more. You will return with nothing. Is that clear?

Yun: Nothing? Takuya: Only the deposit ... I’m sure you don’t want to end up with nothing after going through all this ... so make sure to charge your watch...

I saw Simin and Harry at the other end of the lobby talking to their guide. While I waited for Takuya to take something from the office behind the reception, I saw Herman and his wife. His wife had to be more than half his age. She looked so young and hot. The way she dressed was also very provocative. She had on a white tube dress that clung tightly to her lithe figure, accentuating her curves and leaving little to the imagination. Her long, dark hair flowed over her shoulders in loose curls, framing her delicate features. She appeared to be of mixed ethnicity, with almond-shaped eyes that seemed to sparkle with an air of mischief. Her eyes met mine for a brief moment and I couldn’t help but feel a jolt of attraction. I didn’t know much about Herman, but it was clear that his wife was a stunning woman. As she glanced at me, her lips quirked into a sultry smile, revealing perfect teeth. My heart rate kicked up a notch and I felt arousal stirring within me. Herman’s wife was the kind of woman who could turn heads in any room, and she wore her beauty with an air of confidence and elegance. Her body language spoke volumes about her self-assuredness, and the way she carried herself made it clear that she knew the effect she had on men. Herman saw me staring at his wife and gave me a smirk. I quickly looked away, seeing Takuya coming back with a welcome bag of hotel amenities.