Chapter 18: From Horror to Romance to Action to… Wait, What?!8:00 AM – A Normal Day… At FirstI walked into Hell’s Finest Hotel, ready for another day of suffering.

  Kenji yawned. “Man, I’m tired.”

  Melodia adjusted her knife holster. “Then sleep faster.”

  I ignored them and went to the front desk.

  Then—

  The lights flickered.

  The air turned cold.

  Kenji shivered. “Bro… why does it suddenly feel like a horror movie?”

  I turned around.

  A guest in a bck cloak stood in the lobby, their face hidden in shadows.

  The air felt heavy.

  A strange whisper echoed:

  “The time… has come…”

  Kenji gulped. “FOR WHAT?!”

  8:10 AM – The Horror Movie SegmentThe guest floated toward the desk.

  I forced a smile. “Welcome to Hell’s Finest Hotel! How can I help you?”

  The guest slowly raised a hand.

  Then pced a single, cursed-looking key on the counter.

  “I am here… for Room 666.”

  Kenji choked. “BRO. WE DON’T EVEN HAVE A ROOM 666.”

  The Demon King suddenly appeared.

  “Yes, we do.”

  Kenji paled. “BRO.”

  The Demon King smirked. “Take the guest to their room.”

  Kenji grabbed my arm. “BRO. YOU’RE COMING WITH ME.”

  I sighed. Why always me?

  8:30 AM – Walking the Horror HallwayWe led the guest down a dark hallway that shouldn’t have existed.

  Creepy paintings followed our movements.

  Floorboards creaked on their own.

  Kenji whispered, “BRO. THIS IS HOW PEOPLE DIE IN MOVIES.”

  I sighed. “We’re fine.”

  Then a voice whispered in my ear.

  “Turn back… or suffer…”

  I IMMEDIATELY TURNED BACK.

  But the door was gone.

  Kenji whimpered. “WE’RE GONNA DIE.”

  Then—

  The guest suddenly stopped.

  Turned around.

  And pulled off the cloak—

  8:31 AM – The Sudden Romance ShiftThe guest was… a beautiful woman.

  Like, mysteriously elegant, long silver hair, glowing red eyes…

  Kenji blinked. “Bro. She’s hot.”

  The woman smiled. “Oh, dear hero… I have been waiting for you.”

  I blinked. “Huh?”

  She grabbed my hand. “You are my fated one.”

  Kenji gasped. “BRO. YOU’RE IN A ROMANCE ANIME NOW.”

  I yanked my hand back. “No, I’m not!”

  She dramatically turned away. “Ah, but our love is written in the stars…”

  Kenji snickered. “BRO. SHE’S GIVING YOU THE ‘TRAGIC BACKSTORY’ TREATMENT.”

  I groaned. Why me?!

  8:40 AM – The Sudden Action Movie ShiftThen—

  BOOM!

  The ceiling EXPLODED.

  A masked assassin dropped down.

  “I’VE COME TO END YOUR FATED LOVE!”

  Kenji gasped. “BRO. NOW IT’S AN ACTION MOVIE.”

  The woman sighed. “Of course. Assassins always come when romance is involved.”

  The assassin lunged at me.

  I did the only reasonable thing—

  I threw Kenji in front of me.

  Kenji screamed, “BROOOOO—”

  The woman kicked the assassin through a wall.

  Then turned to me. “Don’t worry, my love. I shall protect you.”

  I sighed. I hate my life.

  9:00 AM – The Plot Twist ShiftWe returned to the lobby.

  The Demon King stood there, arms crossed.

  The woman gasped. “YOU!”

  The Demon King narrowed his eyes. “YOU.”

  I blinked. “Wait. You two know each other?”

  The woman pointed. “He’s my mortal enemy.”

  Kenji gasped. “BRO. YOU’RE IN A SHONEN ANIME NOW.”

  The Demon King sighed. “I literally don’t remember you.”

  She flinched. “W-What?”

  “I’ve made a lot of enemies. You’re… number 4,568?”

  Her eye twitched. “You ruined my life!”

  The Demon King shrugged. “That sounds like me.”

  Kenji whispered, “BRO. HE’S COLD.”

  She growled. “I SHALL DESTROY YOU!”

  Then—

  9:05 AM – The Sudden Musical ShiftThe lights dimmed.

  The Demon King smirked. “Very well.”

  Then—

  HE STARTED SINGING.

  “You think you can beat me? Oh, how bold!But your tragic backstory is getting old!”

  Kenji gasped. “BRO. IT’S A MUSICAL NOW.”

  The woman gasped. “You dare mock me?”

  “Yes,” the Demon King sang.“And I’m doing it with a song.”

  She growled. “Fine! Then I shall sing too!”

  Then she started singing back.

  I groaned. Why is this happening?!

  Kenji cpped. “BRO. THIS IS FIRE.”

  10:00 AM – The Resolution (I Hope)After the unexpected musical battle, the woman sighed.

  “Very well. I shall retreat… for now.”

  I frowned. “So… you’re not my fated one?”

  She smirked. “Oh, I am. But I’ll wait until next season.”

  Kenji gasped. “BRO. SEQUEL TEASE?!”

  Then she vanished in a cloud of dramatic smoke.

  …Leaving me utterly confused.

  11:00 AM – Back to Normal (?)I slumped at the front desk.

  Melodia walked by. “What’s wrong with you?”

  Kenji grinned. “Bro just lived through five different genres.”

  The Demon King smirked. “Good training.”

  I sighed. I need a vacation.

  To Be Continued…