CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 746: Modern Entertainment

Asher, FatelessPen, and the rest of the students reached the highest floor of the Gentle Hotel Skyscraper. Each floor contained fifty rooms, and the Hotel Manager guided them as they each picked their lodging. Asher, William, Ryaen, Vaelric, and the other top rankers from each school year were accommodated on the top floor, while those with lower rankings were assigned to the floor below.

Even on this excursion to another Empire, Star Academy continued to grant superior privileges to students of higher standing, though both floors offered essentially the same rooms and comforts.

Before anyone retreated to their rooms, FatelessPen delivered some important announcements.

Addressing the students under his charge and protection, FatelessPen stated, "While we are uncertain of our exact duration within the Thalvorn Empire, we anticipate receiving updates on our itinerary in two or three days. Furthermore, you are permitted to explore freely and visit any location, including venturing into the Inner Rings if you so desire," he communicated with instructive calmness. "Ensure you do not instigate any conflicts, but equally, do not tolerate any disrespect from anyone," he concluded with authority.

He then turned his gaze towards the Hotel Manager, offered a nod, and departed towards his own room, also located on the topmost floor.

The students promptly went their separate ways to their assigned rooms, all eager to experience the advanced technology the Hotel Manager had boasted about, despite most having only a rudimentary understanding of such devices.

Asher approached his room and held the hotel key card against the door handle. It emitted a soft beep, followed by a synthesized voice.

"Welcome to the Gentle Hotel."

Disregarding the automated greeting, Asher entered his room. The walls were a spotless white, and he moved further inside, his gaze calmly surveying the surroundings. The room itself was vast, spacious enough to comfortably house over a hundred individuals. His eyes meticulously took in every detail; nearly every technological innovation from Earth was replicated here. Side tables, exquisitely crafted modern bedframes, stylish table lamps, gleaming polished floors, tasteful decorative furnishings, and numerous familiar gadgets adorned the opulent suite.

A colossal curtain spanned one entire side of the room. Asher’s attention was drawn to a touchscreen control panel integrated seamlessly into the wall. A gentle press activated the system, causing it to beep before the curtains gracefully slid open, unveiling a massive glass wall.

Asher walked forward, halting about a meter from the glass. From his vantage point, he could observe the Zero Rings from the highest elevation of the Gentle Hotel.

The sky had already deepened into night, and the moon hovered serenely above the Thalvorn Empire, casting a tranquil silver luminescence over the city below. Despite their arrival during the afternoon, several hours had been spent traversing from the Outer Rings to the Zero Rings, even with the swift speeds attainable only by higher-ranked Life Rankers. This journey underscored the immense and staggering scale of the Thalvorn Empire.

Even though night had fallen, illumination was abundant everywhere. Every skyscraper and high-rise building radiated with brilliant lights, while innumerable lampposts stretched endlessly along the streets beneath. The ambiance felt strikingly futuristic, akin to gazing upon the cityscape of Shanghai at night back on Earth. Far below, vehicles flowed like rivers of light along the roads, and affluent Young Masters strode with arrogance, their guards trailing closely behind.

This scene conveyed an unmistakable sense of security, as if no misfortune could possibly befall anyone within the Thalvorn Empire. However, Asher possessed a deeper understanding, recognizing that such appearances were merely superficial. An effective government is adept at fostering public confidence while concealing inconvenient truths from plain sight.

He gave a slight shake of his head, turning away from the glass panorama. His eyes then settled upon a gargantuan one hundred and twenty-inch television mounted elegantly on the wall. Below it sat a smaller table, which hosted a gaming console complete with multiple controllers and a neatly organized collection of games.

The instant Asher noticed it, a profound sense of nostalgia washed over him. He had inhabited this world for two full years, and after such an extended period, he was finally beholding a television once more.

Without a second thought, he approached it, picked up the remote control, and began exploring its functions. Much like the smart televisions of modern Earth, this one also featured a variety of installed applications and entertainment systems.

Initially, Asher's plan was to briefly observe the room before departing the Gentle Hotel with his companions to explore the city and indulge in some shopping. However, with movies, games, and familiar forms of entertainment now readily available, the shopping and city exploration could be postponed.

Asher promptly settled onto the bed, operated the remote, selected a movie application, and commenced watching a randomly chosen film.

Certainly, individuals whose careers involved acting existed within the world of Crymora. Yet, such professions were likely unique to the Thalvorn Empire, a testament to their advanced technological prowess.

While being an actor might initially seem peculiar in a realm where supernatural powers were commonplace, it's crucial to remember that not everyone in Crymora possessed awakened abilities. Ordinary individuals still populated this world, naturally pursuing conventional careers and lifestyles akin to humans on Earth. Acting was merely one such profession. Asher could easily deduce that this industry and its associated entertainment market were probably concentrated heavily within the Outer Rings.

And though some might question why anyone would opt to watch action movies or fictional narratives when real superpowers were an undeniable reality, the answer is quite straightforward: the vast multitude of non-awakeners dispersed throughout every Empire.

It must be understood that non-awakeners were not a minor group numbering a few thousand or even a few million. With populations soaring beyond twenty billion citizens in each Empire, the individuals who failed their awakenings amounted to hundreds of millions. Given these immense figures, industries like movies, gaming, entertainment, streaming, and numerous others were inevitably poised to generate astronomical sums of platinum coins.

Asher remained stationary, making no move toward the bathroom or bothering to inspect the suite's living area. His gaze, tinted purple, stayed riveted to the television screen as he casually retrieved a meal from his space ring and began to eat while watching.

Ever since his reincarnation into Crymora, one of Asher's most simple yet cherished aspirations had been the ability to leisurely enjoy meals while watching movies or YouTube. Finally, after two years, this modest wish was being realized.

The moment one movie concluded, Asher immediately switched to another. He progressed from ordinary films to seasonal blockbusters and a variety of genres. Hours slipped by as he continued his uninterrupted binge-watching marathon.

Subsequently, after dedicating several hours to an endless stream of films, Asher shifted his focus to an entirely different pursuit: gaming.

With a mere flick of his wrist, a gaming controller materialized in his hand. He proceeded to play several offline games before eventually transitioning to online matches, competing against citizens of the Thalvorn Empire itself.

Unsurprisingly, Asher suffered resounding defeats.

But did it faze him? Not in the slightest.

In this moment, he was not Asher the Awakener, nor Asher, the brilliant student of Star Academy. He was simply an individual reveling in the enjoyment of modern entertainment after years of deprivation.

Time seemed to dissipate unnoticed, and before he could fully register it, the clock had already struck three in the morning. Asher had dedicated nearly the entirety of the night to gaming and movie-watching without cessation.

After some time, Asher finally stood. Having thoroughly satisfied his craving for gaming and entertainment, he finally resolved to explore the remaining areas of the opulent room.