As Danial, disguised as John, led the group of tourists and the scarred man toward the 6th floor, he couldn't help but feel the weight of his double life. He maintained his friendly and professional demeanor, hiding the urgency he felt inside.
The scarred man's group, intrigued by the lavishness of the 6th floor and their exclusive treatment, began to settle into their designated rooms. Danial, knowing that time was of the essence, continued to assist them with their needs.
With Pearl's efficient coordination, the 6th floor had been emptied of all guests and staff, creating a mysteriously empty environment. The other hotel guests, thanks to the efforts of the hotel's secretary, had left the premises, believing the temporary maintenance story provided by the staff.
Once the tourists were settled into their rooms, the scarred man summoned Danial. "John," he said with a hint of command in his voice, "you've been a great help to us. Stay nearby; we might need further assistance later."
As the scarred man's group settled into their designated rooms on the 6th floor, a peculiar and synchronized series of actions unfolded. Once behind the closed doors, each member of the group pulled up their sleeves, revealing a concealed watch. With practised precision, they clicked a button on their watches, setting a timer for 10 minutes. The air in the hallway buzzed with an unspoken intensity as the group prepared for their covert operation.
Behind each door, the tourists began to unpack sophisticated equipment from their bags, each group having different tools that designated their specific tasks. The atmosphere became charged with an air of secrecy, and the dull hum of assembling gadgets mixed with the occasional metallic click of weaponry being readied.
Assault rifles, ranging from sleek AR-15s to rugged AK-47s, were carefully laid out alongside specialized equipment. The scarred man's group was a well-oiled machine, each member knowing their role and executing their tasks efficiently. The room had transformed from a luxurious hotel suite into a temporary command centre for a mission known only to them.
Meanwhile, Danial, still maintaining his facade as John, lingered nearby as instructed. The scarred man approached him with a nod of appreciation. "Thanks for your help, John," he said in a low voice, a hint of secrecy underlying his words. "Stay nearby; we may need your guidance in exploring the hotel."
Danial responded with a respectful tone, "Yes, sir. You can call me anytime through the wired connection."
The scarred man acknowledged with a slight nod before disappearing into the room, closing the door behind him. In that brief moment, Danial caught a glimpse of the sophisticated equipment and weaponry within. His curiosity mingled with a growing sense of unease as he realized that the scarred man's group was involved in something far more sinister and complex than he had imagined.
As Danial, still maintaining the guise of John, led the scarred man's group to the 6th floor, he couldn't shake the weight of the unexpected revelation. Using the discreet scanning capabilities of the System, he surreptitiously analyzed the scarred man's group. The results were staggering — there were a total of 15 cultivators among them. Five individuals were in the first stage of mortal-level cultivation, six in the second stage, and three in the third stage. The scarred man himself possessed formidable power at the advanced stage of mortal-level cultivation.
Meanwhile, the hotel continued its transformation into an eerily empty space. Miss Pearl, the efficient secretary, navigated the quiet hallways and discreetly made her way to Danial's private room. Inside, his friends were engrossed in a discussion about the unfolding situation, wondering why Danial had lied about the recruitment process.
As the scarred man's group continued their covert preparations on the 6th floor, Danial, wrestling with the weight of newfound information, contemplated strategies to manage the situation until the arrival of the Special Ops team. Unbeknownst to him, Miss Pearl, the efficient secretary, discreetly overheard the unfolding drama in Danial's private room.
Inside the room, the atmosphere was tense, with everyone engaged in a discussion about why Danial had lied. The accusations and doubts were voiced freely, creating an undercurrent of tension among friends.
"I can't believe Danial would lie to us like this. Why would he lead a group of people to the upper floors?" Robert exclaimed, his earlier triumph now turning into a self-righteous tone.
Pavan, torn between trusting Danial and blaming him, added, "I thought we were having a simple reunion. Why complicate it by bringing outsiders, and why lie about it?"
The group seemed divided, with some expressing disappointment and others outright anger. One person suggested, "Maybe we should have kept this party to ourselves. Calling in someone else was unnecessary."
Another directed a pointed look at Pavan, saying, "Wouldn't have minded if you brought someone, but at least bring someone who doesn't lie."
Pavan, feeling the weight of the situation, struggled to find the right words. "I don't know why he would lie. Maybe he's in a tough spot or something," he offered weakly.
A dissenting voice countered, "Nope, I would have never done that, and he shouldn't either. We don't need dishonesty among friends."
Meanwhile, Kuro remained the picture of composure, calmly eating his food as if the unfolding drama held no interest for him. His stoic indifference added another layer of complexity to the situation.
Amidst the heated discussion, Maria, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "I don't think Danial would lie without a reason. Maybe there's more to this than we know."
Maria, who believed in Danial's integrity, decided to act. She took out her phone, sending a text message to someone. In a matter of minutes, she received a response that caused a subtle change in her expression.
As the friends in the private room continued their heated debate, Miss Pear overheard every word. However, she chose not to intervene, well aware of Danial's true identity as the owner of the hotel. She recognized the complexity of the situation and decided to keep her knowledge to herself.
After a moment, Miss Pearl entered the room gracefully, offering a warm greeting to everyone. "Good evening, everyone. I hope you're enjoying your time at our hotel," she said, introducing herself as the hotel manager.
The friends, momentarily taken aback by her sudden entrance, returned her greeting with a mix of surprise and curiosity. As they glanced at her, they were mesmerized by Pearl's beauty, curvy body, and striking eyes. However, they were swiftly brought back to reality by the seriousness in her expression.
Pearl took a moment to apologize, her tone composed yet apologetic. "I'm sorry for the interruption, and I appreciate your understanding. Due to some emergency maintenance, we had to ask everyone to leave and evacuate the hotel."
Robert, who had been enjoying the party, expressed his dissatisfaction. "How can this happen in a five-star hotel? An electrical mishap? Who will be responsible for this?"
Pearl, maintaining her poise, responded calmly, "I understand your concerns, and I share your disappointment. Our maintenance department detected an electrical issue in the upper floors, and as a precaution, we decided to evacuate the premises for the safety of our guests."
The room fell into a momentary silence as everyone absorbed the unexpected turn of events. The friends exchanged glances, contemplating the severity of the situation. Someone spoke up, "An electrical mishap? That's highly unusual for a hotel of this calibre."
Pearl nodded sympathetically, "Indeed, it's an unfortunate circumstance. We take the safety of our guests very seriously, and we are working diligently to resolve the issue. In the meantime, we recommend that you gather your belongings and exit the premises.
As the friends absorbed Miss Pearl's unexpected announcement, questions lingered in the air. Sensing the rising tension, someone in the room mustered the courage to ask, "Miss Pearl, can you give us more details about this electrical issue? It seems highly unusual."
Pearl, maintaining her composure, responded, "All of your questions will be answered, but I need you to leave the premises of the hotel immediately." Her tone, firm and authoritative, left no room for further inquiries. Turning on her heel, she swiftly left the room.
Stunned, the friends exchanged glances, uncertainty written on their faces. Robert, sensing the seriousness of the situation, stood up with confidence. "Miss Pearl is the manager of the hotel, so we should act accordingly and leave the hotel immediately."
Seated next to Robert, another person added, "Robert is right. We should leave; if not, it might cause danger to our lives."
The group nodded in agreement, acknowledging the need for immediate action. As they started exiting the hotel one by one, Maria, turning to Pavan and Kuro, suggested, "Guys, I think we should leave too."
Concern etched on his face, Pavan questioned, "What about Danial? Should we inform him?"
Maria reassured him, "Danial is smart. He'll make it out; it's probably just a temporary maintenance issue." Her words aimed to pacify Pavan's growing worry, and indeed, they provided a momentary sense of relief. Still, Pavan felt compelled to inform Danial about the unfolding situation. He took out his phone and sent a quick text, detailing the emergency evacuation.
Once he was done texting, Pavan gestured to Kuro and said, "Buddy, let's go." Kuro, seemingly unperturbed by the unfolding drama, remained seated calmly, finishing his dish. With a nonchalant remark, he added, "This is some good food."
Pavan, momentarily taken aback by Kuro's calm demeanour, shook his head in disbelief. Nevertheless, he insisted, "Come on, Kuro, let's go. We need to exit the hotel."
Danial, still maintaining his facade as John, lingered nearby as instructed. The scarred man approached him with a nod of appreciation. "Thanks for your help, John," he said in a low voice, a hint of secrecy underlying his words. "Stay nearby; we may need your guidance in exploring the hotel."
Danial responded with a respectful tone, "Yes, sir. You can call me anytime through the wired connection."
The scarred man acknowledged with a slight nod before disappearing into the room, closing the door behind him. In that fleeting moment, Danial caught a glimpse of the sophisticated equipment and weaponry within, intensifying his sense of unease.
Descending from the 6th floor, Danial, unable to ignore his heightened anxiety, utilized the discreet scanning capabilities of the System to analyze the scarred man's group. The results were staggering — 15 cultivators, varying in stages of mortal-level cultivation. The scarred man, their leader, possessed formidable power at the advanced stage.
The weight of the situation bore down on Danial. Two weeks earlier, he was just a university student, and now he found himself trapped with a group of rogue cultivators threatening the hotel. The reality hit him hard, and the panic set in.
His breath quickened, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. His palms became clammy, and he felt a constriction in his chest. As he descended the stairs, his steps became unsteady. The once-controlled facade began to crumble.
Danial clutched the railing for support, his vision blurring with fear. Thoughts raced through his mind, and the realization of the danger unfolding gripped him. "How did I end up in this situation?" he wondered, the panic intensifying.
His surroundings seemed to close in, and he struggled to regulate his breathing. Each step became a daunting task as his legs felt like lead. The voices of the scarred man's group echoed in his mind, intensifying the sense of impending doom.
As he reached a landing, the panic reached its peak. His body, unable to withstand the surge of anxiety, betrayed him. Danial stumbled, nearly tumbling onto the stairs. The echo of his near-fall reverberated in the silence of the stairwell, and at that moment, time seemed to freeze.
Danial, visibly disturbed and struggling to maintain his composure, took a few deep breaths as he descended the stairs. The weight of the situation bore down on him, and the panic that had gripped him threatened to overwhelm his senses.
As he reached a quieter corner of the stairwell, Danial took out his phone, hands trembling slightly as he dialled Agent Thompson's number. After a few tense rings, Agent Thompson picked up the call with a brisk, "Yes, Danial, what's the matter?"
Danial, his breathing still erratic, began to recount the situation. "Agent Thompson," he said in short breaths, "the rogue cultivators, they have guns, advanced equipment, and I don't think I can handle this alone. It's more than I expected, and I'm not equipped for this."
Agent Thompson's brow furrowed on the other end of the line. He recognized the urgency in Danial's voice and the gravity of the situation. "Danial," he responded, his tone steady and authoritative, "you're a part of the Law Enforcement Organization now. You're also a member of the Special Ops Team. You need to organize your emotions and calm down. This is what you've trained for."
Danial struggled to accept the truth, his mind still reeling from the sudden turn of events. "I never signed up for this," he muttered, the reality sinking in.
Agent Thompson, attempting to instil confidence in Danial, continued, "You're part of something bigger now. You have the training, and you have the support. You need to adapt and improvise. This is your moment to prove yourself."
Danial, taking a deep breath, tried to steady his nerves. "I don't know what to do, Agent Thompson. I'm not prepared for something like this."
"This is part of every officer's routine in the Law Enforcement organisation, things don't always go the way you want them to go. You will have to adapt and improvise Danial that's your only way out of this situation."
Agent Thompson's voice remained firm. "That's why you need to think on your feet. Buy some time. Distract them. Use the hotel's resources to your advantage. Can you create a diversion? Perhaps manipulate the lights or create some confusion?"
As Danial listened to Agent Thompson's instructions, he took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenge ahead. In a voice less shaky than before, he replied, "I have control over the lights in the hotel. I might be able to create a diversion and buy some time for the Special Ops team to arrive."
Agent Thompson's response was decisive, "Do what must be done, Danial. I have faith in you.
As Danial hung up the phone, he felt a surge of determination. He knew he had to act swiftly to prevent the situation from escalating further. With a newfound sense of purpose, he rushed down the stairs and headed to the electrical room of the hotel.
Meanwhile, outside the hotel, Pavan, Maria, Kuro, and the others were engaged in a heated conversation about the recent events. One of Robert's friends expressed scepticism, "Emergency maintenance during work hours? Seems fishy to me. Are we sure this hotel deserves its five-star rating?"
Another, adding a touch of sarcasm, remarked, "Maybe it's a five-star hotel in a parallel universe. In this one, it's more like a two-star at best."
Pavan, defending the hotel's reputation, countered, "No way! This hotel has been operating for years, and countless reviews rate it five stars. Something unusual is happening, but I don't think it's the hotel's fault."
Not entirely convinced, Robert questioned, "Then whose fault is it, Pavan? If the hotel didn't mess up, someone did."
Just as the group continued to debate, Kuro stood silently beside them, gazing at the hotel with a contemplative expression. Maria, noticing his thoughtful demeanour, asked, "Kuro, do you sense something? Is there anything on your mind?"
Kuro, maintaining his calm demeanour, replied, "Nothing specific. I was just waiting for something interesting to happen." His eyes remained fixed on the hotel as if anticipating a turn of events.
As the group exchanged glances, the unexpected occurred. The entire hotel was plunged into darkness as the electricity was abruptly cut off. An eerie silence settled over the area, broken only by the distant sounds of confusion and surprise from other guests outside.
The friends, along with everyone else, were now staring at the hotel with a mix of shock, amusement, and, for some, a hint of fear. Maria, breaking the silence, exclaimed, "Did anyone else see that? The entire hotel just lost power!"
Pavan, still defending the hotel, tried to rationalize, "It's probably part of the maintenance issue. Maybe they had to shut down the power temporarily. Let's give it a moment; it might come back on."
As the group waited in the darkness, uncertainty lingered in the air. The hotel, once a symbol of luxury and comfort, now stood as a mysterious silhouette against the night sky.
Meanwhile, inside the hotel, Danial had reached the electrical room. With a deep breath, he entered, flicking on a flashlight to navigate through the dimly lit space. He assessed the control panels and wiring, formulating a plan to manipulate the lights strategically.
Back outside, the friends were growing increasingly uneasy in the dark. Kuro, ever composed, broke the tension with a nonchalant remark, "Well, this is more interesting than I expected."
Maria, catching on to Kuro's calm attitude, chuckled nervously, "You have a point, Kuro. But seriously, what's going on? Is this part of the maintenance, or did something else happen?"
Kuro said " I don't know but whatever is happening it is something big"
The scarred man and his group, were about to start the operation when the power suddenly went out. The scarred man looked around and muttered " A power outage? In a reputable hotel, how could this be." Behind him, the lackey said in assurance " This might be an electrical problem, the hotel should be able to fix it without an issue." The scarred man although he had his suspicion decided to start the operation.
He picked up his walkie-talkie and said in a commanding tone " All teams prepare to move Out" to which each team replied "ROGER!" after which they began to move out in a structured order
In the darkened hotel corridors, Danial, now feeling a surge of nervous energy, observed the armed group moving out of their rooms in a disciplined manner. As he cautiously approached the stairs, he noticed a white mask lying on the steps. An idea sparked in his mind, and he quickly picked up the mask.