Chapter 248: It wasn’t there

Sylvan’s hand immediately went down, his expression changing as well.

The faint tension that had been present only a moment ago disappeared, replaced by a lighter smile.

"What are you doing here?"

Asher was walking quickly toward the two of them.

"Nothing, nothing... I was just searching for you."

His eyes shifted toward Blake.

"Miss, I-I see you’re also here."

Blake was still slightly dumbfounded, but he quickly composed himself. Was this even worth calling a coincidence?

"Yes. It’s a pleasure to see you again."

"Right, yes. It’s a pleasure to see you too."

There was something strange about his behavior.

’He is speaking a bit quickly...’

His eyes kept moving between Blake and Sylvan, as if he were checking whether everything was still normal.

Blake watched him carefully.

’Did he notice something was weird? How did he even reach us?’

Either way, it didn’t matter right now. There were too many unknowns already. He couldn’t afford to create another problem.

Blake smiled and casually wrapped his arm around Asher’s.

"How about we all head back to the ballroom? It’s far too dark in here."

Asher seemed surprised by the sudden gesture.

"Y-Yeah. That’s probably a good idea."

Blake glanced toward Sylvan. The older man looked at the two of them for a moment, then nodded.

"Sure, as you wish."

The three of them began walking back toward the ballroom.

No one said anything, their footsteps echoing softly through the corridor.

The farther they went, the more the atmosphere changed.

The darkness gradually gave way to the warm light spilling from the distant ballroom entrance. The faint sound of music became clearer as they approached, along with the murmur of dozens of conversations.

Blake remained beside Asher, simply keeping his expression relaxed while occasionally glancing toward Sylvan.

The man’s back was facing him.

There was no obvious sign that anything had happened.

Eventually, they reached the brighter section of the corridor.

Blake noticed the woman from earlier.

She had finished her phone call and was standing awkwardly against the wall, apparently waiting for him.

Blake immediately let go of Asher’s arm.

"Well, I’ll be going then."

"Ah... already?"

"Yes. I was with her earlier. I’m sorry."

Blake gave the woman a small smile.

She returned it, looking relieved.

"Thank you."

She said that, and Blake didn’t know if she was referring to him waiting for her or to him basically saving her...

"Of course."

Blake gave Asher one last glance.

"It was nice seeing you again."

"Y-Yes."

Blake then walked over to the woman. Together, they headed back into the ballroom.

The moment he crossed the entrance, the noise returned.

Sylvan and Asher were still in the corridor.

Sylvan’s back was turned toward him.

Blake’s expression slowly hardened.

’What was he even trying to do? What was he holding in his hand?’

And, more importantly, why would he attempt anything at such an event?

There were too many people around and definitely too many witnesses.

He looked away.

Whatever the reason, everything was over now.

’Farewell.’

***

Later that night, Blake stood at the hotel reception desk.

"I would like to go to the billiard room."

The receptionist stared at him.

"...The billiard room?"

"Yes."

The receptionist’s expression became puzzled.

"I’m sorry, but we don’t have a billiard room, Miss."

Blake blinked.

"You don’t?"

"No."

"That’s strange."

He leaned slightly toward the desk.

"Two days ago, a staff member knocked on my door. He told me there was a brand-new billiard room on the underground floor."

The receptionist froze for just a moment.

It was brief, but Blake noticed.

The man’s expression changed, his eyes widening slightly before he quickly looked down.

"Underground floor?"

"Yes."

"I... I’m terribly sorry, but that can’t be."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, absolutely."

The receptionist began apologizing repeatedly.

"I’m very sorry for the confusion. Perhaps there was some mistake. I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience."

Blake watched him.

There was clearly something wrong, but pressing him now would probably accomplish nothing.

"It’s fine."

He smiled politely.

"Don’t worry about it."

"Thank you for understanding, Miss."

Blake turned away, his expression immediately becoming serious.

So there was no billiard room or underground floor. And yet someone, or whatever that was, had specifically told him otherwise.

’So they really did want me to believe it.’

He returned to his room.

He reached his door and almost opened it, then stopped.

Blake stared at the handle and, for several seconds, didn’t move.

"..."

He slowly turned around. There was still something bothering him.

He quietly mouthed the words to himself.

"I’ll sneak for my lover."

Blake stared ahead, sighing. Then he turned around and walked back down the stairs.

He couldn’t let this go.

Tomorrow, he would have to leave anyway. That meant tonight might be his only opportunity to gather more information.

The more he knew, the better. He wasn’t even certain the creature would still be there. For all he knew, there might not be anything at all.

But he needed to check.

Blake returned to the ground floor and found a map of the building near the lobby.

He leaned closer, his eyes moving across the various floors.

First floor.

Second floor.

Third floor.

The guest rooms.

The service areas.

Everything seemed normal.

Then he searched for the underground floor, but there was nothing about it.

Blake frowned and checked again. However, he really hadn’t read it wrong. There was no underground floor at all!

’...What the...’

His eyes widened as he stared at the map in disbelief.

So the creature had lied to him. Or, more accurately, it had tried to make him believe something that didn’t exist.

Blake slowly straightened.

’How fucking annoying!’

He had wasted enough time tonight.

And if the creature really was connected to whatever was happening beneath the hotel, then there was no point wandering around blindly.

He turned away from the map.

Perhaps it would approach him again. Perhaps it wouldn’t.

Blake began walking back toward his room.

’Either it approaches me first...’

He glanced over his shoulder once.

’Or nothing.’