Chapter 700: 700 INNATE FEAR
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700 INNATE FEAR
A few minutes later, two people broke through the surface of the water of an artificial lake. Despite the long swim and dive, their breaths were calm.
“Where do you think we are?” Hu Lei asked.
“We should probably get out of the piranha-infested water first.” Zhong Feng replied. “And I think there is something else here in the water.”
“Yeah.” Hu Lei said. “I think there are some crocodiles over there.”
The couple swam out of the strange lake and walked out of the reeds. Strangely, the ground beneath was hard instead of swampy. Beyond that, they found a courtyard built in a traditional style. They looked at each other.
If they did not know they were inside a hotel in a skyscraper in the middle of Tokyo, they would swear they were in a secluded home in the mountains. When they looked back, the dangerous lake was a simple water feature outside the house.
Moreover, the roof and walls were painted in a style that used hyperrealistic imagery and forced perspective to create the illusion of the sky and a real forest beyond the lake.
Hu Lei and Zhong Feng walked to the house and opened the sliding doors of the wooden entrance. Two ladies in yukatas were holding towels on trays on each side.
Frank walked in from inside in his usual gear with a wide smile. “I knew you would not follow the normal route. But I am surprised by your choice. You could have entered the next room even without the tiled floor, considering your skills.”
.....
Hu Lei and Zhong Feng took a towel and wiped their faces and hair.
“Where is this place?” Hu Lei asked.
“It is a private hotel suite built in the underground alongside our other interesting attractions. The former boss designed it, so he could have a place to stay with his beloved. But you know how that story ended. As the new boss, this place is yours.” Frank explained with a faraway look in his eyes.
Frank was a psychopath without typical emotions, but he was still a little attached to his boss. He missed that evil man in his unique way.
“No, that will not be necessary. We will just stay in the penthouse.” Hu Lei replied without a second thought.
“Don’t tell me you are scared of being underground.” Frank laughed.
Hu Lei smiled. She was not scared of being underground.
She had lived underground for months alone in Antarctica. At first, she was almost driven crazy by the thought of being buried deep in the ground on a continent no one frequented. But she realised something else.
She was safe because she was underground. In that cold desert, it was the only place she could be safe.
“Humans have an innate fear of being buried alive. But, that is beside the point.” Hu Lei did not explain the reason she refused. “Take us upstairs. We are cold. And don’t forget to find my knives when you clean the water.”
The discussion about the private courtyard was shut down before it could be explored further. Frank complied and took them to the penthouse of the Anarkh. Before he left, he asked them if they wanted to see how the four people they left were fairing.
“I have it covered.” Zhong Feng said before shutting the door rudely.
Hu Lei looked at him expectantly, waiting for an explanation.
“Based on my deduction, the laboratory was only the first escape room. They have to go through at least two more before reaching the elevator. I can tap into the surveillance.” Zhong Feng told her before scooping her up in his arms. “Let us take a hot shower first.”
Hu Lei giggled. “Just a shower?”
Zhong Feng kissed her naughty mouth. “We will play later.”
In the underground area, the other four people were not in a good mood. As soon as Yagi entered and the door closed, the next trap was activated. The stark white room was filled with tall tanks. With a hiss, they opened up.
“We should stand together,” Yagi said loudly.
The other three people joined him near the sliding door. After entering the room, Shi realised it was another escape room almost immediately. Naturally, he tried to look for clues, but the room was empty and clean, except for tanks.
“The door at the other end has a keypad,” Shi said as he stood next to Yagi. “There are no other traps or clues.”
“I think we are about to get our answers soon,” Inei said as they waited for the fog from the tanks to clear up. “Emi, stand behind me.”
“Seiryo, what happened to that couple?” Emi asked curiously.
Yagi stiffened a little. “They decided to find a different way out.”
“Was there another door?” Emi asked.
Yagi was silent for a long moment. “They decided to take their chances in the pool.”
“With the piranhas inside? That is dangerous. The voracious and predatory nature of piranhas is well-documented. Even if they survive, they might lose a finger or two.” Emi said. She was not a saint, but she could not help the concern.
“I am sure they will be fine, Emi.” Inei rolled his eyes. “I do not think they will be injured on their own property.”
“Are you saying…?” Emi opened her mouth in shock.
“Yeah. They are probably the new owners of the hotel. Or at least, one of them is.” Inei said.
“Why would they pretend to be different people and come down here with us?” Emi wondered.
“The hobbies of the rich and powerful, who can understand them?” Inei waved a hand casually. “Do not worry about it too much. Let us focus on getting out of here.”
Emi knew her brother was being cagey, but it was not her business. At the beginning of the night, she was excited about coming with him to the Anarkh and embracing the excitement of the dark world. She thought she missed the secrets hidden from commoners.
But now, she knew she did not.
There was a reason she left Martial Island, despite her undeniable talent.
There was a reason she chose to be a teacher, despite the countless opportunities she had.
Yes, she could embrace violence and walk in darkness. But she liked a simple life, free of the need for subterfuge and sabotage. And if possible, she would like to keep living the peaceful life she had already started building for herself.
But she did not what it would mean for her future. And that little spark in her heart…
She looked at Yagi with a longing expression filled with apprehension before turning away.
“Are those…?” Inei asked in disbelief.
“Zombies.” Shi finished his thought.
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700 INNATE FEAR
A few minutes later, two people broke through the surface of the water of an artificial lake. Despite the long swim and dive, their breaths were calm.
“Where do you think we are?” Hu Lei asked.
“We should probably get out of the piranha-infested water first.” Zhong Feng replied. “And I think there is something else here in the water.”
“Yeah.” Hu Lei said. “I think there are some crocodiles over there.”
The couple swam out of the strange lake and walked out of the reeds. Strangely, the ground beneath was hard instead of swampy. Beyond that, they found a courtyard built in a traditional style. They looked at each other.
If they did not know they were inside a hotel in a skyscraper in the middle of Tokyo, they would swear they were in a secluded home in the mountains. When they looked back, the dangerous lake was a simple water feature outside the house.
Moreover, the roof and walls were painted in a style that used hyperrealistic imagery and forced perspective to create the illusion of the sky and a real forest beyond the lake.
Hu Lei and Zhong Feng walked to the house and opened the sliding doors of the wooden entrance. Two ladies in yukatas were holding towels on trays on each side.
Frank walked in from inside in his usual gear with a wide smile. “I knew you would not follow the normal route. But I am surprised by your choice. You could have entered the next room even without the tiled floor, considering your skills.”
.....
Hu Lei and Zhong Feng took a towel and wiped their faces and hair.
“Where is this place?” Hu Lei asked.
“It is a private hotel suite built in the underground alongside our other interesting attractions. The former boss designed it, so he could have a place to stay with his beloved. But you know how that story ended. As the new boss, this place is yours.” Frank explained with a faraway look in his eyes.
Frank was a psychopath without typical emotions, but he was still a little attached to his boss. He missed that evil man in his unique way.
“No, that will not be necessary. We will just stay in the penthouse.” Hu Lei replied without a second thought.
“Don’t tell me you are scared of being underground.” Frank laughed.
Hu Lei smiled. She was not scared of being underground.
She had lived underground for months alone in Antarctica. At first, she was almost driven crazy by the thought of being buried deep in the ground on a continent no one frequented. But she realised something else.
She was safe because she was underground. In that cold desert, it was the only place she could be safe.
“Humans have an innate fear of being buried alive. But, that is beside the point.” Hu Lei did not explain the reason she refused. “Take us upstairs. We are cold. And don’t forget to find my knives when you clean the water.”
The discussion about the private courtyard was shut down before it could be explored further. Frank complied and took them to the penthouse of the Anarkh. Before he left, he asked them if they wanted to see how the four people they left were fairing.
“I have it covered.” Zhong Feng said before shutting the door rudely.
Hu Lei looked at him expectantly, waiting for an explanation.
“Based on my deduction, the laboratory was only the first escape room. They have to go through at least two more before reaching the elevator. I can tap into the surveillance.” Zhong Feng told her before scooping her up in his arms. “Let us take a hot shower first.”
Hu Lei giggled. “Just a shower?”
Zhong Feng kissed her naughty mouth. “We will play later.”
In the underground area, the other four people were not in a good mood. As soon as Yagi entered and the door closed, the next trap was activated. The stark white room was filled with tall tanks. With a hiss, they opened up.
“We should stand together,” Yagi said loudly.
The other three people joined him near the sliding door. After entering the room, Shi realised it was another escape room almost immediately. Naturally, he tried to look for clues, but the room was empty and clean, except for tanks.
“The door at the other end has a keypad,” Shi said as he stood next to Yagi. “There are no other traps or clues.”
“I think we are about to get our answers soon,” Inei said as they waited for the fog from the tanks to clear up. “Emi, stand behind me.”
“Seiryo, what happened to that couple?” Emi asked curiously.
Yagi stiffened a little. “They decided to find a different way out.”
“Was there another door?” Emi asked.
Yagi was silent for a long moment. “They decided to take their chances in the pool.”
“With the piranhas inside? That is dangerous. The voracious and predatory nature of piranhas is well-documented. Even if they survive, they might lose a finger or two.” Emi said. She was not a saint, but she could not help the concern.
“I am sure they will be fine, Emi.” Inei rolled his eyes. “I do not think they will be injured on their own property.”
“Are you saying…?” Emi opened her mouth in shock.
“Yeah. They are probably the new owners of the hotel. Or at least, one of them is.” Inei said.
“Why would they pretend to be different people and come down here with us?” Emi wondered.
“The hobbies of the rich and powerful, who can understand them?” Inei waved a hand casually. “Do not worry about it too much. Let us focus on getting out of here.”
Emi knew her brother was being cagey, but it was not her business. At the beginning of the night, she was excited about coming with him to the Anarkh and embracing the excitement of the dark world. She thought she missed the secrets hidden from commoners.
But now, she knew she did not.
There was a reason she left Martial Island, despite her undeniable talent.
There was a reason she chose to be a teacher, despite the countless opportunities she had.
Yes, she could embrace violence and walk in darkness. But she liked a simple life, free of the need for subterfuge and sabotage. And if possible, she would like to keep living the peaceful life she had already started building for herself.
But she did not what it would mean for her future. And that little spark in her heart…
She looked at Yagi with a longing expression filled with apprehension before turning away.
“Are those…?” Inei asked in disbelief.
“Zombies.” Shi finished his thought.
700 INNATE FEARA few minutes later, two people broke through the surface of the water of an artificial lake. Despite the long swim and dive, their breaths were calm.Where do you think we are? Hu Lei asked.We should probably get out of the piranha-infested water first. Zhong Feng replied. And I think there is something else here in the water.Yeah. Hu Lei said. I think there are some crocodiles over there.The couple swam out of the strange lake and walked out of the reeds. Strangely, the ground beneath was hard instead of swampy. Beyond that, they found a courtyard built in a traditional style. They looked at each other.If they did not know they were inside a hotel in a skyscraper in the middle of Tokyo, they would swear they were in a secluded home in the mountains. When they looked back, the dangerous lake was a simple water feature outside the house.Moreover, the roof and walls were painted in a style that used hyperrealistic imagery and forced perspective to create the illusion of the sky and a real forest beyond the lake.Hu Lei and Zhong Feng walked to the house and opened the sliding doors of the wooden entrance. Two ladies in yukatas were holding towels on trays on each side.Frank walked in from inside in his usual gear with a wide smile. I knew you would not follow the normal route. But I am surprised by your choice. You could have entered the next room even without the tiled floor, considering your skills......Hu Lei and Zhong Feng took a towel and wiped their faces and hair.Where is this place? Hu Lei asked.It is a private hotel suite built in the underground alongside our other interesting attractions. The former boss designed it, so he could have a place to stay with his beloved. But you know how that story ended. As the new boss, this place is yours. Frank explained with a faraway look in his eyes.Frank was a psychopath without typical emotions, but he was still a little attached to his boss. He missed that evil man in his unique way.No, that will not be necessary. We will just stay in the penthouse. Hu Lei replied without a second thought.Don't tell me you are scared of being underground. Frank laughed.Hu Lei smiled. She was not scared of being underground.She had lived underground for months alone in Antarctica. At first, she was almost driven crazy by the thought of being buried deep in the ground on a continent no one frequented. But she realised something else. She was safe because she was underground. In that cold desert, it was the only place she could be safe.Humans have an innate fear of being buried alive. But, that is beside the point. Hu Lei did not explain the reason she refused. Take us upstairs. We are cold. And don't forget to find my knives when you clean the water.The discussion about the private courtyard was shut down before it could be explored further. Frank complied and took them to the penthouse of the Anarkh. Before he left, he asked them if they wanted to see how the four people they left were fairing.I have it covered. Zhong Feng said before shutting the door rudely.Hu Lei looked at him expectantly, waiting for an explanation.Based on my deduction, the laboratory was only the first escape room. They have to go through at least two more before reaching the elevator. I can tap into the surveillance. Zhong Feng told her before scooping her up in his arms. Let us take a hot shower first.Hu Lei giggled. Just a shower?Zhong Feng kissed her naughty mouth. We will play later.In the underground area, the other four people were not in a good mood. As soon as Yagi entered and the door closed, the next trap was activated. The stark white room was filled with tall tanks. With a hiss, they opened up.We should stand together, Yagi said loudly.The other three people joined him near the sliding door. After entering the room, Shi realised it was another escape room almost immediately. Naturally, he tried to look for clues, but the room was empty and clean, except for tanks.The door at the other end has a keypad, Shi said as he stood next to Yagi. There are no other traps or clues.I think we are about to get our answers soon, Inei said as they waited for the fog from the tanks to clear up. Emi, stand behind me.Seiryo, what happened to that couple? Emi asked curiously.Yagi stiffened a little. They decided to find a different way out.Was there another door? Emi asked.Yagi was silent for a long moment. They decided to take their chances in the pool.With the piranhas inside? That is dangerous. The voracious and predatory nature of piranhas is well-documented. Even if they survive, they might lose a finger or two. Emi said. She was not a saint, but she could not help the concern.I am sure they will be fine, Emi. Inei rolled his eyes. I do not think they will be injured on their own property.Are you saying? Emi opened her mouth in shock.Yeah. They are probably the new owners of the hotel. Or at least, one of them is. Inei said.Why would they pretend to be different people and come down here with us? Emi wondered.The hobbies of the rich and powerful, who can understand them? Inei waved a hand casually. Do not worry about it too much. Let us focus on getting out of here.Emi knew her brother was being cagey, but it was not her business. At the beginning of the night, she was excited about coming with him to the Anarkh and embracing the excitement of the dark world. She thought she missed the secrets hidden from commoners.But now, she knew she did not.There was a reason she left Martial Island, despite her undeniable talent.There was a reason she chose to be a teacher, despite the countless opportunities she had.Yes, she could embrace violence and walk in darkness. But she liked a simple life, free of the need for subterfuge and sabotage. And if possible, she would like to keep living the peaceful life she had already started building for herself.But she did not what it would mean for her future. And that little spark in her heartShe looked at Yagi with a longing expression filled with apprehension before turning away.Are those? Inei asked in disbelief.Zombies. Shi finished his thought.
