Black looked back at Silent who's currently looking at his back.
Silent looked at him and nodded. They continued to travel.
"By the way mister, most of the structures here have that metal thingy up through their roof," Meat asked, looking around.
"Oh you've noticed it," General Nyton replied. "It's a solar panel that converts sunlight to energy."
"The person who runs this entire nation sells it to other nations."
"Sunlight that converts to energy... It seems similar to what the cyber punks are doing..." He scratched his head.
"Hm, is that so?" General Nyton replied.
It's amazing they've managed to achieve that with scraps... General Nyton thought.
"It's also where we get our electricity, since they've pretty much made their territory part of that trash," White replied.
"By the way, you mentioned the person who runs this entire country is selling energy to other nations?" Black asked.
"Hm yes. Since this place is mostly dry, it barely rains here. The person who runs this either sells that excess energy or trades it for supplies. It's been going on for three generations," General Nyton replied.
"Three generations?" White asked.
"Yes. This country was established around 150 years ago," he replied.
"He seems like a powerful guy, is that right?" Black said, looking at General Nyton.
"You're quite sharp. Unfortunately, that person won't sponsor you guys," General Nyton replied with a serious tone.
Black stopped his walking. "Why is that?" he asked.
"For a country to bloom, it must have its wall — and that wall is what he supports," General Nyton replied.
Tsk.
"That's disappointing then," White said, putting both his hands on the back of his head.
General Nyton nodded, closing his eyes.
"By the way mister, we've been walking for quite a while..." Meat said, holding both his hands.
"Don't be nervous. Actually, we're here," General Nyton said. In front of them was a massive five-story building.
[Sun-scorched Hotel]
"It looks quite old," White said, leaning back outward.
"Don't worry about it — this is where you guys will stay for the meantime," General Nyton said, opening the wooden door.
As they entered, the atmosphere changed. The hotel was filled with different kinds of people: some muscular with arrogant faces staring directly at them, others lifting their clothes to show their weapons.
"Most of the guys you'll see here will probably compete with you, so you can use your time to get to know them and maybe find allies," General Nyton said, walking toward the front lady.
"Four standard rooms, please."
"That'll be 400."
General Nyton pulled out a black card and handed it to her. Her eyes widened; she looked at General Nyton, and he smiled.
"CASHIER! CASHIER!" the front lady yelled. A few seconds later, a woman in a white dress with a black cloth tightening her abdomen came out. She wore black glasses and had a black ponytail — the most noticeable part was her quite sharp ears.
"Co-coming!" she stuttered as she reached the front lady.
"What are you even doing? It took you so long!" she said, pointing a finger. The other bowed. "Sorry..."
Sigh... General Nyton thought, annoyed.
The front lady leaned in and whispered something.
"Quickly tour them to their standard rooms and bring them the VIP accessories!" The cashier's eyes widened and she nodded.
"Please fo-follow me!" she said, bowing and leading General Nyton and the group toward the third floor.
"Most of the rooms are quite full huh..." White said.
"Looks like it," Black replied.
Silent was last, looking around to memorize the place. What he noticed was a red balloon by the last room on the second floor.
He quickly remembered that guy — red lips, a creepy smile.
As they arrived on the third floor, the cashier led them to their rooms. "Th-this is your room's, misters... I'll comeback with your VIP acc-accesories..." She bowed and hurried off, until she bumped into Meat's massive physique and fell over.
Meat bent down to help her up. When she saw his large hands reaching for her, she quickly covered herself. "Ple-please don't hurt me!" When she opened her eyes, she was standing, supported by Meat.
"Ah..." Everyone stayed silent, and she felt the awkwardness. She quickly bowed to Meat and apologized. "I-im sorry." Then she ran off.
"What's with her?" Meat asked.
White slapped his back. "It's because you scared her, dumbass!"
"I did?..." He replied, confused, scratching his head.
"Anyways, I'll be going. Your belongings will be here in a few minutes," General Nyton said. "If you have any trouble, ask the staff. And here..."
He handed each of the four a gold coin with a mark of O in the middle.
"It's worth 500 — spend it wisely. If you go out, your food will be provided here, so don't worry if you spend it all," General Nyton said, waving his hand as he walked downstairs.
"Welp, I guess I'll check mine first," White said, reaching for the doorknob — only to see Silent already going in. "Wait, that's unfair!" he yelled, looking around to see Meat and Black had already gone in and closed their doors.
"Aghh, they seem very serious this time..." White slouched his back as he entered his room.
Inside Black's room, it was both big and small at the same time. There was a bed frame, a table with a lantern and a chair, a fan on the ceiling, and an open window. He grabbed the bed sheet to cover the window, making the room dark. He locked every possible entry to make sure no one could see him, then removed his coat, clothes, and black mask. He took a couple of medicine from his pocket and swallowed them, then leaned against the table, holding on tight.