The translucent screen still floated in front of Ethan.
Five skills.
Five paths.
His hand hovered in the air, fingers slightly curled, as if the choice itself carried weight.
Before he could decide..
BANG.
The sound echoed through the suite.
Ethan's eyes snapped up.
Another knock followed, louder, impatient, followed by the sharp click of the door unlocking.
The door opened.
Ethan turned.
His ex-brother-in-law stepped inside first, wearing a smug smile, eyes shining with satisfaction.
Behind him was a man in a tailored hotel uniform. Dark suit. Silver badge pinned to his chest.
Assistant Manager.
His presence alone shifted the air in the room.
"What's going on here?" the man demanded loudly, his voice sharp and confident, as if he owned the place.
Ethan stood slowly.
The brother-in-law laughed. "There he is. The fraud."
The assistant manager scanned Ethan from head to toe. His gaze lingered on Ethan's plain clothes, then moved to the luxury around them. His expression twisted slightly.
"This suite is reserved for elite members," the manager said coldly. "Explain why you're here."
Ethan said nothing.
The brother-in-law stepped forward eagerly. "That's exactly what I was trying to tell you. This guy doesn't belong here. He's broke. Always has been."
He pointed at Ethan. "He can barely feed himself. There's no way he paid for that membership legally."
The assistant manager frowned. "Are you accusing him of theft?"
"I'm saying someone made a mistake," the brother-in-law replied quickly. "Or he used stolen money. Either way, this is embarrassing for the hotel."
The manager nodded slowly. "I see."
He turned back to Ethan. "Mr…?"
"Rowe," Ethan said calmly. "Ethan Rowe."
The assistant manager scoffed. "Right. Mr. Rowe. I need you to explain how you obtained platinum membership."
Ethan met his eyes.
"I paid for it."
The brother-in-law laughed loudly. "With what money?"
The assistant manager raised a hand. "Enough. This is a serious accusation. Fraud damages our reputation."
His voice rose deliberately, drawing attention.
"Everyone out here needs to hear this," he continued. "We do not tolerate deception."
The door behind them was still open.
Staff began gathering.
Two cleaners paused in the hallway. A concierge slowed his steps. Someone whispered.
Footsteps approached.
Maya appeared at the doorway, her eyes widening slightly at the scene.
"What's going on?" she asked.
The assistant manager didn't look at her. "This guest is under investigation."
Maya stiffened. "Under whose authority?"
He turned to her sharply. "Mine."
The brother-in-law smirked, enjoying every second.
"See?" he said loudly. "This is what happens when trash sneaks into places meant for real people."
Ethan felt something shift inside him.
Not anger.
Clarity.
The system screen pulsed faintly in front of him.
[SKILL SELECTION PENDING]
[AWAITING HOST CONFIRMATION]
Time seemed to slow.
Ethan looked at the assistant manager.
Then at his brother-in-law.
Then at the staff watching quietly.
He remembered kneeling in the rain.
Remembered fourteen dollars.
Remembered being dragged out like nothing.
His hand moved.
He selected a skill.
Negotiation Mastery.
The screen dissolved instantly.
There was no sound.
No light.
But something settled into his mind.
His thoughts sharpened.
The noise around him faded.
He could see it clearly now.
The assistant manager was bluffing.
No warrant. No proof. No procedure.
Just power.
Ethan exhaled slowly.
"Before you accuse me," he said calmly, "you should check the records."
The assistant manager laughed. "You don't tell me how to do my job."
"I'm not," Ethan replied. "I'm protecting your hotel."
That caught attention.
Murmurs spread.
The manager narrowed his eyes. "Explain yourself."
Ethan took one step forward.
"You're accusing a platinum member of fraud in front of staff and guests," he said evenly. "Without evidence."
The manager scoffed. "We'll find evidence."
"And if you don't?" Ethan asked. "Who compensates for the damage?"
Silence.
The brother-in-law scoffed. "Don't listen to him. He's just talking big."
Ethan ignored him.
"If you're wrong," Ethan continued, "your actions become defamation. Breach of protocol. Abuse of authority."
The assistant manager stiffened.
"That's not...."
"Is there a formal audit?" Ethan asked calmly.
"No."
"A written complaint?"
"No."
"Any proof?" Ethan pressed.
The manager clenched his jaw.
Ethan nodded slowly. "Then this is a personal attack."
The hallway was quiet now.
Maya's eyes widened slightly.
Ethan turned to his brother-in-law.
"You brought him here," Ethan said. "So let's settle this openly."
The brother-in-law crossed his arms. "Settle what?"
Ethan faced both men.
"A bet."
The assistant manager laughed harshly. "You think this is a game?"
"No," Ethan said. "I think it's a lesson."
He raised his voice just enough for everyone to hear.
"If I'm wrong," Ethan said, "if I can't prove my membership is legitimate, I'll kneel."
Gasps rippled through the hallway.
"I'll kneel," Ethan continued, "and apologize to both of you. Publicly."
The brother-in-law's eyes lit up.
The assistant manager smirked.
"And if I'm right?" Ethan asked.
The manager raised an eyebrow. "Then what?"
"You kneel," Ethan said calmly.
The hallway went silent.
"You kneel," Ethan repeated, "and apologize. To me. And to every staff member you disrespected today."
The brother-in-law burst out laughing. "You're insane."
The assistant manager stared at Ethan for a long moment.
"You're gambling your dignity," he said slowly.
"I already lost it once," Ethan replied. "I'm just reclaiming it."
The manager scoffed. "Fine."
Maya stepped forward sharply. "Sir.."
He waved her off. "I accept."
The brother-in-law grinned. "You're done, Ethan."
The assistant manager folded his arms. "Let's see how you explain fifty thousand dollars you don't have."
Ethan smiled faintly.
Inside his mind, the system pulsed once.
[NEGOTIATION MASTERY — ACTIVE]
Ethan met their eyes.
"Good," he said. "Then let's begin."