Chapter One: The Bankrupt Manager's Lunar Hotel

Old Chen stood before it with one hand on the handle. He had only been searching for the electrical room, but the door seemed to recognize him and opened by itself. Beyond the gap lay no darkness, but orange summer sunlight and the cry of cicadas. A little girl called from inside. “Daddy, what took you so long?” Old Chen froze. The weathered face beneath his helmet went bloodless. His lips shaped a name. “Xiaoman...” Zhou reached for him too late. Something like a tide surged through the doorway and dragged Chen in. Zhou seized the safety tether at his wrist, his boots carving two long streaks over the stone. The clasp screamed under the strain. Miguang's voice remained perfectly calm. “Deepest regret detected. Room 001 has generated.”