Pedri stood in the middle of the bustling street, his hands pressed firmly against his head. His mouth hung wide open, as though he were about to cry or scream. "What's going on now? Someone help! Heeeelp!"
A few passersby threw him puzzled looks before hurrying along. After all, Irish City wasn't a place where anyone stopped for a madman yelling at the sky. Pedri groaned in frustration, his stomach growling loud enough to scare pigeons off a nearby bench.
"Great," he muttered to himself, "I'm broke, I'm starving, and now people think I'm crazy. Fantastic." He threw his arms in the air dramatically, eliciting even more stares. "Might as well start doing circus tricks while I'm at it!"
But his complaints were genuine. Pedri hadn't eaten since the previous day afternoon, and his energy was plummeting fast. Worse, he had no idea how to access the mysterious "system account" that kept nagging him.
He scratched his head. "Do I even have an account number? Do I have money? Do I even exist?" His stomach interrupted his existential crisis with another growl. He sighed. "Forget it. I'll just go to White Hotel and figure out how to pay later."
Just as he turned, ready to drag his starving body toward the smell of roasted chicken wafting from White Hotel, a familiar mechanical ding echoed in his ears.
[Ding! The host must credit the loan into his system account. Otherwise, the host will not be able to settle any payments.]
Pedri froze, his face a mix of despair and disbelief. "What do you mean, I can't settle payments? Are you trying to starve me to death? What kind of cruel system are you?"
He stomped his foot like a frustrated child. "First, you ruin my life with your cryptic nonsense. Now you won't even let me eat? What next? Are you going to charge me for breathing?"
But as much as he wanted to yell at the invisible system, he knew it was no use. Just as he was resigning himself to his fate, another prompt appeared.
[Ding! The system has detected the host's critical hunger level. Emergency assistance activated. Accessing Cool Place Hotel dining features.]
"Wait, what?" Pedri blinked, staring at the glowing text. "Cool Place Hotel? Are you... serious? That sounds fake. Like, too-good-to-be-true fake."
Before he could argue further, another prompt followed:
[Ding! The system offers guided access to its hotel and food services. Host, would you like assistance?]
"Yes! Anything! Just give me food!" Pedri shouted, almost pleading.
[Welcome to Cool Place Hotel.]
Suddenly, the world around Pedri shifted. One moment, he was standing in the middle of a crowded street. The next, he was at the entrance of a building that looked like something out of a billionaire's dream.
The Cool Place Hotel was breathtaking. Its exterior was a sleek masterpiece of glass and polished stone, glowing faintly under the blue sky. Soft blue and gold lights outlined the building's edges, making it look like a giant, shimmering jewel.
Pedri's jaw dropped. "What is this place? Did I just step into a movie set?"
The aroma of delicious food wafted through the air, making his stomach growl so loudly he thought it might echo. Without waiting for an invitation, he shuffled toward the entrance, practically drooling.
Inside, the hotel lobby was even more stunning. The floors were made of gleaming marble, polished so perfectly that Pedri could see his ragged reflection staring back at him. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow over the room.
Potted plants sat in every corner, their leaves so vibrant and green they almost looked fake. Pedri reached out to touch one, just to be sure. "Yup, real. Fancy plants in a fancy hotel. Makes sense."
As he stood there, marveling at the luxury, a soft, melodic voice spoke in his mind.
[Hello, I am Lyn, your personal assistant. What would you like to eat?]
Pedri blinked, startled. "Who... what... Lyn? Who's Lyn? Are you another part of the system?"
[Yes, host. I am here to assist you with all your needs. Kindly tell me your preferences for dining.]
Pedri scratched his head. "Uh... well, I'm starving, so... give me something strong, delicious, and—oh, just give me everything! I'm not picky!"
[Would you prefer dining in a private room?]
"A private room?" Pedri's eyes widened. "You mean, I don't have to sit out here looking like a starving maniac? Yes, please! Private room, definitely!"
[Ding! Your room has been prepared. Kindly proceed to Room 9 on the second floor. Face scanning at the door will grant you access.]
The Climb to Room 9 seemed confusing, the building was complex with a lot of matching corridors upstairs. "Okay, I will go by the stairs."
Pedri stared at the grand staircase leading to the second floor. It was beautiful—sleek white steps framed by golden railings—but to him, it looked like Mount Everest.
"Why do I feel like these stairs are mocking me?" he grumbled. His stomach growled in agreement. "Let's just get this over with."
He trudged upward, his legs feeling like lead. "One step at a time, Pedri. Just think about the food waiting for you."
As he climbed, he noticed the walls were lined with abstract paintings. The colors swirled and blended in ways that made him feel oddly calm. "Fancy art in a fancy hotel," he muttered. "Are rich people allergic to plain walls or something?"
By the time he reached the second floor, Pedri was panting like he'd run a marathon. He spotted Room 9 at the end of the hallway and staggered toward it.
The door was sleek and silver, with a small panel for face recognition. Pedri leaned forward, his face almost pressed against the scanner.
"Please let this work," he muttered.
The door scanned his face with a soft blue light, then clicked open with a gentle chime.
The room was simple yet luxurious—a perfect balance. The bed, covered in crisp white linens, looked so inviting Pedri considered diving into it before eating.
A small table with a single chair sat by the window, where golden sunlight streamed in. Beside the door to the washroom hung a full-length mirror, reflecting the room's neat layout.
But Pedri's focus was on the table. Other things seemed would waste his time. His concentration was none other than food.
There, in a steaming hot dish, was a feast that made his mouth water instantly. Thick cuts of meat, buttery mashed potatoes, fried vegetables, and a tall glass of fresh juice.
"Oh, this is... this is heaven," he whispered.
Without hesitation, he sat down and dug in, eating so quickly it was almost comical. The flavors were incredible—rich, savory, and perfectly seasoned. It was, without a doubt, the best meal he'd ever had.
By the time he finished, Pedri leaned back in his chair, patting his stomach. "If I die now, I'll die happy," he joked.
As he relaxed, another prompt appeared before him.
[Ding! The host has some unlocked system features. Would you like a tour of the banking, housing, and clothing options available?]
Pedri sat up, intrigued. "A tour, huh? Sure, let's see what you've got."
Lyn's cheerful voice returned. [First, the banking feature. The host can credit and withdraw funds through the system. Additionally, loans are available for approved activities. Would you like to check your loan eligibility?]
"Definitely!" Pedri exclaimed.
A virtual screen appeared, showing his account balance—zero. Beneath it, however, was his loan eligibility: $4,650..
"Four thousand, six hundred and fifty?" Pedri's jaw dropped. "I'm rich! Okay, not rich, but richer than I've been in years!"
[The host Cool Place Hotel meals paid. Host cam access the receipt on his account. $350 deducted to settle the bill for the meals.]
Pedri eyes blinked again, "Oh, that's alright!" In fact I am spending a night here. Kindly what are the bills?]
[The menu for the hostel booking is as follows.
No. Days> Bill
1. > $300
2. >$550
3.......]
'Wait...wa..it!' Pedri commanded the system to stop there. That was what he could afford with the little Loan at the moment. Maybe two days atmost for now.
That aside, Lyn continued. [Next, the housing features. The system offers rental units in Irish City's most luxurious locations. Pricing varies based on unit size and amenities.]
A 3D map of Irish City appeared, highlighting sleek apartments with rooftop pools and stunning city views.
"Can I move in today?" Pedri asked, half-joking.
[The host's performance and mission completion will determine future upgrades. Hard work is key. Up to there there, kindly may I know if you need the price tags for the outfits?]
Lastly, Lyn introduced the clothing market feature, offering tailored outfits for every occasion. Pedri waved it off. "Clothes can wait. I need to digest all this luxury first."
As the system faded, Pedri lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. For the first time in years, he felt... hopeful.
The system had promised a bright future, but it was up to him to seize it. His thoughts drifted to his parents—their smiles, their promises that he was destined for greatness.
Tears welled in his eyes as he whispered, "I'll make you proud. I promise...right?" However, the flashback was halted by unknown knockon the door. KNOCK!KNOCK!