The Horror Hotel

第17話 I’m charging you for emotional damages

Lin Ze and Tang Momo ran through the dense, shadowy forest, the thunderous stomping of Bullguard gradually faded behind them. Tang Momo collapsed against a tree, panting. “I swear... if we survive this, I’m charging you for emotional damages.”

Lin Ze smirked, barely winded. “Hey, look on the bright side—we’re not dead yet. That’s a win in my book.”

Before Tang Momo could unleash a tirade of complaints, her eyes caught something glinting in the moonlight. “What’s that?” She pointed to a moss-covered stone marker nestled between twisted tree roots.

Lin Ze approached it cautiously, brushing off the moss to reveal a series of intricate carvings and faint glowing letters. “Huh. Ancient inscriptions. Classic adventure trope.”

Tang Momo squinted at the strange symbols. “Can you even read this?”

Lin Ze rolled his eyes, pulling a small talisman from his pocket. “Please. This is adventuring 101. Always carry a universal translation charm.” He activated it with a flick of his wrist, and the glowing letters shifted into readable text:

**“To escape Black Wind Mountain, the trespasser must defeat the Yaoguai Chief, Bullguard, and reach the Sacred Altar at the mountain’s peak. Only then shall the path to the Horror Ghost Hotel reopen. Beware: cowards shall be cursed to wander these lands for eternity.”**

Tang Momo gawked at the inscription. “Are you kidding me? We *have* to fight Bullguard? That walking mountain of muscles and horns?”

Lin Ze shrugged, his tone nonchalant. “Hey, it’s not so bad. At least now we know the rules. And I’m pretty sure he’s dumber than he looks.”

Tang Momo slapped her forehead. “This is insane. We’re stuck in a horror-comedy nightmare, and the only way out is to fight a boss-level monster? Why can’t we just... I don’t know, climb down the mountain?”

Lin Ze pointed to the bottom of the inscription, where an ominous line flickered into view:

**“Attempting to flee the mountain shall invoke the Curse of the Lost—where every step leads back to the beginning.”**

Tang Momo groaned. “Of course. Because nothing is ever easy.”

Lin Ze examined the carvings more closely, his eyes narrowing. “Wait. There’s more here.” He traced a series of faint symbols beneath the main text. After a moment, the charm translated it:

**“The Yaoguai Chief’s power lies in his horn. Sever the horn to weaken him. Those who succeed shall be deemed worthy of the Altar’s gift.”**

Tang Momo’s eyebrows shot up. “Sever his horn? Have you *seen* that thing? It’s bigger than my whole body!”

Lin Ze grinned. “Sounds straightforward enough. We just need to find a sharp object and—”

“Straightforward?” Tang Momo cut him off, her voice incredulous. “The guy’s built like a fortress, and you think we can just... *cut his horn off*? With what? Optimism and bad jokes?”

Lin Ze tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Well, my jokes are sharp enough to wound egos. But you’re right. We need something... bigger.” He gestured around the forest. “Let’s look for a weapon. I bet this mountain’s got some hidden loot.”

Tang Momo rolled her eyes but reluctantly followed him. “Fine. But if we die, I’m haunting you forever.”

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the eerie silence was broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and distant howls. Tang Momo shivered. “This place gives me the creeps. Are you sure we’re not walking into another monster’s den?”

Lin Ze waved her concern off. “Relax. It’s all part of the adventure. Besides, the best weapons are always hidden in the most dangerous places.”

They soon stumbled upon a small clearing, where an ancient stone pedestal stood surrounded by glowing blue mushrooms. Resting atop the pedestal was a jagged blade, its black surface pulsating with an otherworldly energy.

Tang Momo hesitated. “That looks... cursed. Like, *seriously* cursed.”

Lin Ze’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “Cursed? Nah, I’d call it ‘flavor text.’ It’s probably just ‘dangerously powerful.’” He reached for the blade without hesitation.

The moment his fingers closed around the hilt, the forest seemed to shudder. A deep, disembodied voice echoed through the air:

**“The Blade of Reckoning has been claimed. Its wielder shall bear the burden of destiny.”**

Tang Momo stared at Lin Ze, her expression a mix of disbelief and frustration. “Why do you always have to touch the ominous artifacts?”

Lin Ze twirled the blade experimentally. “Because they’re cool. Look at this thing—it practically screams ‘Yaoguai horn remover.’”

As if summoned by their newfound confidence, Bullguard’s roar echoed through the trees, followed by the ground-shaking thuds of his approach.

Tang Momo paled. “Great. He’s back. What’s the plan, oh fearless leader?”

Lin Ze grinned, holding up the Blade of Reckoning. “Simple. We take out his horn, climb to the Sacred Altar, and laugh in the face of danger. Piece of cake.”

Tang Momo groaned. “This ‘cake’ better be worth it. Let’s just get this over with before I regret every decision that led me here.”

Bullguard burst into the clearing moments later, his massive form silhouetted against the moonlight. His eyes blazed with fury. “You dare steal from my mountain? Prepare to die, mortals!”

Lin Ze pointed the cursed blade at him, his grin widening. “Oh, we’re not dying today, Bullguard. But your horn? That’s another story.”

Tang Momo muttered under her breath, “What are you talking about? I reckon we’re so screwed.”