After opening the door, they found a young girl dressed as a maid standing there.
She had a curvaceous figure and was scantily clad.
A sweet smile graced her face, making her look like a life-sized porcelain doll.
"Esteemed guests, good evening. At 10 o'clock tonight, the Underground City will open its doors. Please, you are cordially invited to visit the Underground City!"
Everyone was stunned upon hearing this.
They instinctively looked towards John, who seemed to have already grasped what was happening.
They had come specifically for the Underground City, so someone offering to guide them was indeed welcome news.
"Who else will be going there?" John asked.
The young maid maintained her sweet smile and replied, "Any guest staying at the Rose Hotel is eligible to go there."
Her answer didn't directly respond to John's question, but it clarified that anyone at the hotel had the eligibility to visit.
John's lips curled into a slight upward arc, chuckling softly as he looked at the young maid.
"Is that so? Does that mean I can choose not to go as well?"
The expression on the maid's face didn't change; she simply nodded, still smiling.
"Whether or not the guest wishes to go is entirely up to you. That's something no one can interfere with."
"But if the guest does decide to go, we can assure you the most sincere enjoyment and comprehensive service."
As the young maid spoke, her tone seemed to carry an extra hint of suggestion.
Dark Fox, being a man, almost instantly caught on, raising an eyebrow teasingly at John.
Silver Tear couldn't help but roll her eyes.
At such a critical time, why resort to these antics?
It was as if they weren't taking their leader's life and death seriously.
"Alright, I understand," John responded.
It was still three to four hours until 10 o'clock, giving them some time to prepare.
They had expected the maid to leave after her message, but instead, she pulled out a tray from behind her, which held three masks.
"Tonight is a masquerade ball. Please remember to attend on time."
John didn't hesitate, taking the tray immediately.
"Understood."
After receiving a definite answer, the young maid respectfully smiled and then turned to leave.
The maid felt perplexed; their usual mandate was to maintain a neutral stance.
However, this time, something seemed off.
They did not betray them, but instead provided sanctuary through another means.
This was quite different.
Was this really something they could do?
Before she could finish her thoughts, she sensed the air pressure drop around her.
Instinctively wanting to plead for mercy, it was already too late.
From the mass of black mist, another tendril extended, wrapping around the maid's neck like a tentacle, tightly constricting.
Her eyes widened in terror as she was uncontrollably lifted by the black mist.
Her face turned a shade of blue-purple, struggling for breath, and she was on the verge of passing out.
Only now did she truly feel a profound sense of dread, but at that moment, she couldn't even muster a plea for mercy.
.net
"I... I..."
The black mist churned slowly, as if reflecting the mood of its master.
"Have I been too gentle with you lately? So much so that you feel you can question whatever I say?"
The maid's eyes bulged, her face turning a ghastly shade of blue-purple.
She struggled desperately, clawing at the black mist coiled around her neck, but it was utterly futile!
A look of terror flashed across her face, filled with immense regret.
Why had she dared to speak so rashly to her master?
But now... it was useless!
A thick wave of fear thoroughly soaked her heart, but regret was pointless now; she could only endure harshly.
The black mist seemed not to be so angry after all.
Only when the expression on the maid's face had completely changed did it slowly retract its tendrils.
"Thank you, master..."
The maid gasped for air, clenching her teeth, finally feeling as though she had come back to life.
The sensation she had just experienced was terrifying, as if just one more second would have meant her end.
"Perform well tonight, or I wouldn't mind turning you into fertilizer for my garden."