As the Uber pulls up to the front of the hotel, the sheer size of the building makes us pause. The hotel towers above us like a pagoda skyscraper, its design blending ancient and modern styles perfectly. From the ground, the structure feels rooted in tradition—thick, solid foundations with wooden beams and curved rooftops reminiscent of traditional Japanese architecture. But as it rises, the structure becomes sleeker, tapering into the sky with glassy reflections, giving it the modern look of a high-end skyscraper.

I glance at the others. “Looks like we’re really going all out with this one.”

Abel, still staring at his phone, scrolls through the booking options. “Alright, I checked online. All of these seven-star hotels have space, but there’s only one that’s got a penthouse left.”

Isak smirks, clearly excited at the prospect. “Penthouse, huh? Sounds like the only choice.”

“Yeah, but…” Abel’s eyes flick to the price, and his face tenses for a second. “It’s expensive. Like, next-level expensive.”

I shrug, trying not to let the number faze me. “Narkul gave us the money to live comfortably, right? Might as well start strong.”

Abel grins, clearly not needing much more convincing. “Well, in that case…”

We all exchange a glance, the same thought running through our heads: If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it right. No sense holding back when we’ve got the funds.

Abel taps the final confirmation on his phone, booking the penthouse at the top. “And… done. We’ve got the most expensive room in the most luxurious hotel in the city. Let’s see what living like royalty feels like.”

The entrance to the hotel is massive, with sliding doors that open into a grand, gleaming lobby. Polished marble floors stretch out in front of us, and an intricate chandelier hangs above, casting a warm glow across the room. The staff, dressed in sleek, modern uniforms with subtle nods to traditional attire, greet us with professional smiles.

I can already feel the weight of how fancy this place is. Everything about it screams exclusivity, from the quiet hum of the lobby to the luxurious decor. It’s clear that only the wealthiest can afford to stay here, and for the first time in our lives, that’s us.

“Are we seriously going to live here?” Jiho mutters under his breath, looking up at the massive ceilings. “I mean, this feels… excessive.”

I give him a nudge. “Come on, Jiho. You’ve always wanted to live the high life. Now’s your chance.”

He shrugs, still looking a bit out of place, but there’s a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. Isak, on the other hand, is already walking ahead, eager to check out the penthouse.

As we approach the reception desk, the woman behind it greets us with a polite bow, her tone respectful but warm. “Welcome. You have a reservation, yes?”

Abel steps forward, showing her the confirmation on his phone. “Yeah, we’ve booked the penthouse suite.”

Her eyes widen slightly, and she quickly regains her composure. “Ah, of course. Right this way, please.” She gestures toward the private elevator in the corner of the lobby.

We follow her, stepping into the elevator that takes us straight to the top of the hotel. The ride up feels surreal, the soft hum of the elevator calming the slight anxiety building inside me. It’s one thing to talk about staying in a penthouse, but now that we’re actually doing it, it feels… different.

When the doors slide open, we step into the penthouse, and all my doubts melt away.

The suite is massive—an entire floor dedicated to luxury living. The floor-to-ceiling windows give us a panoramic view of the city below, the lights twinkling like stars in the darkening sky. The interior is modern, but there are touches of traditional design everywhere: sliding paper doors, wooden beams, and delicate lanterns casting a warm glow across the space.

“This…” Isak says, spinning in place as he takes it all in. “This is insane.”

The living room is furnished with plush couches and low tables, with intricate vases and artwork decorating the walls. A fully stocked bar sits in the corner, and I can already see the door leading out to a private terrace, where the city stretches out beneath us like a glittering sea.

Abel whistles low. “I could get used to this.”

“Yeah,” Jiho agrees, wandering over to the window and staring out at the view. “This is something else.”

I walk over to the center of the room, taking it all in. It’s a lot to process—the sudden shift from our old, cramped apartment to this penthouse suite at the top of a seven-star hotel in a world we barely understand.

But for the first time since we got here, it feels like we’ve landed in the right place.

“This is just the beginning,” I say, more to myself than to anyone else. “We’ve got a whole world to explore.”

“Let’s hope the next stops are just as nice,” Isak jokes, flopping down onto one of the couches. “But, honestly, I don’t think anything’s going to top this.”

We settle in, each of us finding our own space in the penthouse, and for the first time since we arrived, I feel a strange sense of calm wash over me. We’re in a new world, sure. But for now, we’ve got a place to call home.

The penthouse is bigger than we could have imagined, and as we explore, it feels like each room reveals something more insane than the last. As we keep looking around, Abel, Jiho, Isak, and I exchange glances—we’re all thinking the same thing: this weekend is going to be crazy.

First, we stumble upon the indoor basketball court. It's got polished wood floors, pristine white lines, and a view of the city through wide, clear windows. Jiho’s eyes light up like a kid on Christmas morning. “Yo, this is perfect. You guys know I’m about to take every one of you down, right?”

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

I smirk. “In your dreams, Jiho. You couldn’t even take me down when we played at the park.”

“That was before. I’ve leveled up,” Jiho says, already spinning a basketball he found on his finger. “Come on, after dinner, it’s on.”

Isak laughs, clearly excited. “You’re both about to get schooled. Let’s just hope you don’t get tired too fast, Jiho.”

Jiho ignores the jab and dribbles the ball, clearly ready for a challenge. “We’ll see about that.”

While Jiho’s claiming his future basketball victories, Isak is already scouting out the entertainment system. “They’ve got this new console,” he mutters, flipping through the options on the massive TV screen. “It’s got games I’ve never even heard of.”

I glance over his shoulder, intrigued. “What’s the setup?”

“The console’s called a VX Sphere. Looks like you can switch between handheld and full-immersion modes, like VR but... crazier. And the games look insane. There’s this one called Soul Nexus—something about diving into different worlds and fighting mythical creatures. Sounds right up my alley.”

“Of course, you found the games first,” I tease. “You barely took in the penthouse.”

“Hey, I’ve got my priorities, Haru,” Isak says with a grin. “I’m setting this up tonight.”

Abel, being Abel, is already making his way to the hotel gym. “You guys enjoy your games and basketball. I’m going to check out the weights. Gotta make sure I don’t slack off.”

I shake my head, amused. “Yeah, yeah, go lift your dumbbells. Just don’t overdo it on your first night here.”

“I’ll try,” Abel says with a grin that suggests he absolutely won’t.

And then, it’s just me. With Jiho occupied, Isak setting up his gaming system, and Abel off to the gym, I take the opportunity to do what I’ve been eyeing since we got here—the infinity pool on the balcony.

It’s massive, almost as big as the apartment itself, with crystal-clear water that seems to stretch out to the horizon. There’s a subtle hum of different mechanisms built in for pleasure and relaxation, from heated jets to waterfalls you can swim under. The edge of the pool is completely transparent, giving a surreal view over the city below.

I slip into the water, the warmth soothing immediately. I swim to the edge and rest my arms on the clear barrier, gazing out over the city as dusk begins to settle.

The view is breathtaking.

From this height, the whole city of Sanzu stretches out beneath me like a living painting. The intricate architecture of the buildings—traditional yet modern—makes the skyline look like something out of a dream. From massive mansions to sprawling academies, it all feels grand and endless. The colors of the setting sun cast a golden glow across the city, reflecting off the rivers and rooftops in a way that makes everything seem almost too perfect.

And then there’s the Sanzu River. The way it snakes through the city, connecting districts and winding between buildings, it’s the true gem of this world. The river glistens in the fading light, turning shades of orange and pink as it mirrors the sky above. It flows smoothly, guiding my eyes through the heart of this vast, unfamiliar world.

Beyond the river, I can see vast mountains in the distance, their peaks touched with the last rays of sunlight. There’s a wilderness out there, beyond the city limits, and I can only imagine what it holds. Everything from this high up feels surreal, almost otherworldly.

As the sky shifts from gold to a deeper purple, the city begins to glow with the lights of its people. Lamps flicker on in the streets, and I can see figures moving along, some riding on strange, futuristic bikes, while others stroll in groups, enjoying the evening air.

The cathedrals stand tall, their massive structures reminding me of something familiar yet foreign. The wooden beams and sloping roofs remind me of Japanese architecture, even if no one here calls it that. The intricate woodwork, the way the buildings fit seamlessly with nature, it all feels like a perfect balance of old and new. I can’t help but think that Akari might’ve been right about bringing us here. It’s overwhelming, but at the same time, it feels… right.

The sun finally dips below the horizon, and the city becomes a sea of lights. From the palace to the smallest shop, everything has its own glow, a reflection of the energy that seems to pulse through this world. And I, sitting in this luxurious infinity pool, feel like I’m both part of it and separate from it at the same time.

This is our new life.

And despite the unknowns, I’m starting to feel like we’ll be alright. With my brothers beside me and a whole new world to explore, it’s hard not to feel a sense of excitement.

I take a deep breath, letting the night air fill my lungs, and close my eyes. We’re here. And this—this is just the beginning.

I drag myself out of the pool, the water dripping off me in slow rivulets, my muscles feeling heavy from how long I’ve been in. The warmth had settled deep into my bones, but now, as the cooler air hits me, I can feel the need to get out. I grab a towel, rubbing my arms dry as I look back at the hotel. It’s quiet, too quiet. Abel must’ve finished at the gym, but where’s everyone else?

As I glance back over the city, my breath catches.

Lanterns. Hundreds—no, thousands—of glowing lanterns float gently up into the air, their soft light illuminating the night sky like stars that had decided to come down for a visit. They rise slowly, gracefully, as if each one is being carefully guided by an invisible hand. The city below is already beautiful, but this... this is something else entirely. It’s like watching a painting come to life, a masterpiece made of light.

The lanterns remind me of something familiar, like the ones you see in old celebrations, but there’s something otherworldly about them—almost like they’re alive. They float higher and higher, swirling around the city in patterns that seem almost deliberate, like they’re part of some grand, magical dance.

I can’t take my eyes off them. “Is this... magic?” I mutter under my breath, barely believing what I’m seeing.

One of the lanterns drifts closer to me, its warm glow casting a golden hue on my face. It hovers just inches away, as if it’s inspecting me, curious. Tentatively, I reach out, my fingers brushing against its smooth surface. It wobbles for a second, like I’ve disturbed it, then calmly realigns itself, continuing its journey upwards. I blink, mesmerized. It’s as if the city itself is breathing, sending these lanterns into the sky as an offering to the stars.

I smile, excitement bubbling up inside me. “Guys!” I shout, turning back toward the penthouse. “You’ve gotta see this!”

Silence.

I pause, my smile fading a little. “Isak? Jiho? Abel?” I call again, louder this time, expecting some sort of sarcastic response or at least a lazy ‘what?’ from Jiho.

Nothing. Not even a sound.

I glance back at the lanterns, still floating serenely upwards, but the sense of wonder I had moments ago is replaced by something colder, something unsettling. The air feels different now, heavier. Like the calm before a storm.

Something’s wrong.

I quickly grab my shirt, pulling it over my head as I move toward the penthouse entrance. My heart starts to race, and a chill runs down my spine.

Where are they?

“Guys!” I shout again, louder this time, my voice echoing against the empty penthouse walls.

Still nothing.

The silence stretches, unnerving, and I can’t shake the feeling that something bad has happened. Something I can't yet see.