Chapter 13: Exploring The Nightmare Hotel

Warm golden light spilled onto the steps, illuminating drifting mist.

The Caretaker began walking toward the entrance behind them all.

Gene stopped as he saw the interior, it completely took his breath away.

The lobby ceiling stretched upward through six open floors to a beautiful ceiling. 

A colossal chandelier hung above, each crystal flickering like a captured star. 

The floor was polished black marble threaded with silver veins that reflected the light from above.

Twin staircases  curved gracefully upward connecting the upper floors to the grand staircase.

The staircases mirrored each other to contain opposing doors that lead onto each floor. 

One door on each staircase.

Both doors had massive locks on the outside of them. 

An empty plaque hanging in the middle of each one.

Red carpets ran along corridors that seemed to extend much farther than the exterior dimensions should allow.

Oil paintings lined the walls.

Darkness enveloped some of the paintings .

The frames glowed faintly…

Seemingly Waiting to get filled with something. 

A large sized elevator sat a few feet on the side of the front desk.

A front desk was made of a dark walnut stained with a rich red finish.

A withered wooden plaque sat on top of the counter, in front of which sat a simple brass bell.

The a plaque read:

CHECK-IN DESK

Please tap once if no one is available.

Gene laughed.

“This system knows me too well.”

Selene spun slowly, her eyes shining.

“This is actually quite an incredible build.”

Moira nodded.

“It seems as though the Domain interpreted your concept with exceptional fidelity.”

The Caretaker had stopped walking in the center of the lobby.

The lights flickered and dimmed as he stared at the front desk.

With the sound of a bell , avnew notification appeared.

⸻

PRIMARY SUMMON RESIDENCE REQUIRED

Assign The Caretaker to a Custom Floor?

Yes? No?

⸻

Gene selected Yes.

The blueprint interface expanded again.

Gene chose the floor directly above them to make the Caretaker’s. 

“What kind of environment do you think would best suit him?” Selene asked.

Gene closed his eyes as he pictured moonlit streets, peeling wallpaper, creaking floorboards, and a suburban home where every shadow felt unsafe.

He pictured a lake scene with a camp. 

He pictured a forest with traps.

He couldn’t easily decide what to choose.

“Let’s go with an abandoned hospital,” Gene mumbled to himself.

He added:

• Narrow hallways

• Flickering lights

• Hidden maintenance passages

• Reinforced walls

• Fire suppression systems

Moira raised an eyebrow. “You included his weakness.”

“Always include proper containment protocols.”

Moira smiled approvingly.

“You are smarter than I thought.”

Gene ignored her as he finalized the design.

The first floor shimmered.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding.

They pressed the only floor button on the elevator panel. 

They stepped inside.

When the doors opened again, they had  entered another world.

The floor resembled a hospital frozen in time.

Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead. 

Pale green walls bore water stains. 

Wheelchairs stood abandoned in the corners. 

Closed doors lined a central corridor that seemed to stretch on for an eternity.

The air smelled faintly of antiseptic and cold metal.

At the far end of the hallway, an operating theater waited beneath the harsh white lights.

The Caretaker paused.

Then he turned slowly, taking in the floor.

The emotional bond that  Gene shared with his summon pulsed with an unmistakable satisfaction.

The Caretaker stepped out to explore his new area. 

A new message appeared.

⸻

THE CARETAKER HAS ACCEPTED HIS RESIDENCE

Loyalty Increased

Ambient Fear +10%

⸻

Gene grinned.

“He likes it.”

Selene shivered.

“I absolutely do not.”

They returned to the lobby.

Gene checked his remaining points.

Points Remaining: 220

“Not much left.”

Selene’s eyes sparkled.

“That means it’s time to gamble.”

She pointed him to a smaller nearly hidden menu labeled:

MYSTERY CRATES

Gene selected it.

Dozens of ornate boxes appeared.

Wooden chests bound in silver.

Steel cases with glowing runes.

Black cubes wrapped in chains.

Categories included:

• Common Upgrade Crate

• Rare Trait Box

• Environmental Loot Chest

• Summon Enhancement Capsule

Gene blinked.

“You have got to be kidding me.”

Selene laughed.

“What?”

“It’s literally a loot box system.”

Moira folded her arms.

“Randomized rewards encourage strategic flexibility.”

Gene stared at her.

“That is one of the most corporate sentence I’ve ever heard.”

Selene covered a laugh as Moira beamed smugly.

Gene selected four Common Upgrade Crates.

Three weathered wooden boxes materialized on the floor.

Their lids rattled ominously.

Gene rubbed his hands together.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to unboxing with Gene.”

He opened the first crate.

Silver light burst upward.

⸻

REWARD:

Reinforced Tendons

+10% Movement Speed for The Caretaker

⸻

“Nice.”

The second crate opened.

⸻

REWARD:

Silent Step

Footsteps become nearly inaudible

⸻

The third Crate opened

A stick….

Like an actual stick.

Gene read the description. 

A nice looking stick 

Can be used to roast marshmallows or make a makeshift tool.

“Wow that’s gambling for you I guess.”

Gene and Selene exchanged delighted looks as they opened the fourth and final crate. 

The fourth crate opened.

⸻

REWARD:

False Reflection

The Summon may briefly appear in mirrors outside direct line of sight.

⸻

Selene’s jaw dropped.

“That will make him even more horrifying.”

Gene’s grin widened.

“It’s perfect.”

The upgrades merged into the Caretaker.

The giant shimmered, then returned to stillness.

Only now his presence felt subtly more threatening, like a movie monster after the soundtrack changes.

Gene checked his points.

Points Remaining: 70

Not enough for another crate.

Still, he was thrilled.

He had built a personalized horror hotel.

Assigned a custom environment to his first summon.

And won three upgrades that made his unstoppable masked killer even worse.

This world was dangerous, absurd, and tailor-made for every skill he possessed.

A final notification appeared.

⸻

DOMAIN MILESTONE ACHIEVED

Construct Specialized Headquarters

Rewards:

• +500 Points

• Unlock: Summon Floors

• Unlock: Hotel Staff System (Locked)

• Unlock: Guest Incursion Events

⸻

Gene laughed aloud.

“Guest Incursion Events?”

Selene looked delighted

.

“I need to see those.”

Moira pinched the bridge of her nose as she rubbed her temples.

“I suspect that I am going to regret knowing either of you.”

Gene looked up at the chandelier, at the endless balconies and shadowed corridors of the Nightmare Grand Hotel.

His hotel.

His kingdom.

His story.

The Caretaker stationed himself to stand at the foot of the grand staircases like a dark concierge waiting for the next guest to arrive.

Gene smiled.

“Good,” he said softly.

Then he looked at the swirling menus, the unopened possibilities, and the vast number of empty floors awaiting new horrors.

“Because we’re just getting started.”