Ethan closed the door behind him and leaned against it for a long moment.
Silence.
Real silence.
The kind that only comes late at night, when the world outside doesn't care whether you exist or not.
He walked a few slow steps forward and collapsed onto his bed.
The bed creaked softly under his weight.
The room was small.
Painfully small.
A single bed pushed against the wall.
A wooden chair with one loose screw.
A cheap folding table that served as his dining table, study desk, and sometimes pillow.
One dim yellow bulb hanging from the ceiling.
This room had seen everything.
His college nights, spent studying until his eyes burned.
His first salary, where he had danced alone like a fool.
His failures.
His compromises.
His loneliness.
For years, this room had been his entire world.
Ethan stared at the cracked ceiling.
"How long… was I planning to live like this?" he murmured.
His chest felt tight—not with sadness, but with something heavier.
Regret.
And anger.
Just then—
Ding.
Ethan's eyes snapped open.
A glowing blue screen appeared before him.
"Host, Newbie Pack has arrived."
He sat up instantly.
"What now…?"
His heart started racing.
He reached out instinctively and tapped the screen.
The screen changed.
[Newbie Pack Reward]
Asset Acquired:
Grand Orion Palace Hotel
– Five-Star Luxury Hotel
– Entry Fee: $1000+
– Location: Prime City Center
Ownership Status:
✔ 100% Ownership Transferred
✔ Legal Documents Prepared
✔ Payment Completed
Ethan froze.
His brain refused to process the words.
"…Hotel?"
"…Five-star?"
"…Ownership?"
He blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then he laughed.
A low, disbelieving laugh.
"You're kidding me…" he whispered.
A five-star hotel.
One of the most luxurious hotels in the city.
A place where he couldn't even step inside without feeling out of place—
Was now his?
"This… this newbie pack…" he said, holding his head, "…just gave me an entire hotel?"
For the first time in years, genuine happiness surged through his veins.
He lay back on the bed and laughed openly, staring at the ceiling.
"If this is a dream," he muttered, "don't wake me up."
Just as he was calming down—
Knock. Knock.
Ethan froze again.
Who would come at this hour?
He stood up and opened the door.
A familiar face greeted him.
Ava stood there, holding a food container in both hands.
"I saw you earlier," she said softly. "You looked completely exhausted."
He blinked. "Ava…?"
"I made dinner," she continued, avoiding his eyes. "I know you live alone."
He immediately shook his head.
"You didn't need to do that," he said. "You shouldn't trouble yourself."
She frowned.
"You talk too much," she said firmly. "Sit down and eat."
Before he could argue, she walked inside.
Ethan could only sigh and follow her.
They sat on the chairs near the table.
Ava opened the container, and the smell of warm, home-cooked food filled the room.
Ethan stared at it.
It had been years since someone cooked for him.
As he took the first bite—
Something inside him broke.
He ate silently.
Slowly.
Memories of his parents, his village, his sister's laughter flooded his mind.
Without realizing it, his eyes became wet.
Ding.
"Favorability increased by 5."
Ethan froze mid-bite.
"…What?"
He looked at the system notification, confused.
I'm just eating…
Why is her favorability increasing?
He swallowed and looked at Ava.
"By the way," he asked casually, "where are you working now?"
She hesitated.
"Recently… I joined a new hotel," she said.
"Oh?" Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Which one?"
She sighed.
"It's a good hotel," she said, "but the general manager is horrible."
She clenched her fingers.
"He keeps trying to harass female staff," she added quietly.
Ethan's eyes darkened.
"That bad?"
She nodded.
He took a breath.
"…What's the hotel's name?"
She said it.
Grand Orion Palace Hotel.
Ethan's spoon slipped from his hand.
Clink.
His mind went blank.
The same hotel…?
Dinner ended soon after.
Ava packed the empty containers.
"Get some rest," she said. "You need it."
She left.
Ethan closed the door and leaned against it again.
His heart was beating hard.
"Tomorrow," he whispered, "I'll go there."
The system screen appeared again.
"Please collect your Newbie Gift."
He smiled faintly.
"I will."
That night, Ethan slept deeply.
For the first time in many days, his sleep was peaceful.
Morning came late.
Very late.
Sunlight filled the room.
Ethan stretched lazily.
"How long did I sleep…?" he murmured.
Ding.
"Host, wake up."
"Task Assigned: Collect Newbie Gift."
"Reward: $10,000."
His eyes widened.
"Ten thousand… just for showing up?"
He dressed quickly and left.
The Grand Orion Palace Hotel stood like a palace made of glass and gold.
Tall.
Luxurious.
Magnificent.
Ethan stopped across the road, staring.
This… is mine?
He walked toward the entrance.
Before he could step inside—
"Hey! Stop right there!"
A security guard blocked his path.
"Entry restricted," the guard said rudely. "Poor people aren't allowed inside."
Ethan frowned.
"Show your assets," the guard added.
Ethan took a calm breath.
"I'm the owner of this hotel."
The guards burst out laughing.
"Owner?"
Just then—
"Ethan?"
Ava walked out from inside, shocked to see him.
"What are you doing here?"
He smiled slightly.
"I came to see my hotel."
She stared.
"…What?"
Before she could say more, a fat man in his forties walked over.
Greasy hair.
Bulging stomach.
An ugly smile.
The general manager.
He leaned close to Ava.
"Serve me properly," he said, smirking. "Maybe I'll promote you."
Ethan's fists clenched.
When the man tried to touch Ava's shoulder—
Ethan grabbed his wrist.
"Don't touch her."
The manager shouted, "Let go!"
Ethan didn't.
Ava whispered urgently, "Ethan, stop! He's the general manager. He has connections."
Ethan looked at her calmly.
"Don't worry," he said. "I'll handle this."
"Security!" the manager yelled. "Throw this poor man out!"
Before they could act—
"Stop."
A cold voice echoed.
A young man in a black suit approached.
He looked professional.
Sharp.
The head manager.
He stared at Ethan's face, then at the documents on his tablet.
His expression changed instantly.
He rushed forward.
"Sir!" he said respectfully. "The ownership papers are ready. Only your signature remains. Payment has already been completed."
Silence fell.
The general manager turned pale.
The security guards froze.
Ava's eyes widened.
The head manager turned sharply.
"This hotel has a new owner," he said loudly. "What nonsense were you doing?"
He turned to Ethan.
"Shall we go to the office, sir?"
Ethan nodded.
Before leaving, he looked at Ava.
"Focus on your work," he said softly. "We'll talk later."
He then looked at the head manager.
"Fire the general manager."
The man fell to his knees, begging.
The head manager shook his head.
"We were already planning to remove him," he said. "Multiple complaints from female staff."
He signaled the guards.
"Take him away."
As Ethan walked toward his new office—
Ding.
"Ava's Favorability Increased."
Ethan smiled.
This time—
He didn't feel small anymore