A quick SkeweSearch of nearby hotels popped up, and—oh? What was this?

  The Emerald Crown Hotel & Spa?

  Five stars. Solid reviews. Free breakfast. Discounted late-night check-in rate?

  Maluck raised an eyebrow. “Oh damn. Maybe this thing actually works.” He had to admit, the reviews looked amazing—people raving about the comfort, the service, the whole luxurious vibe. For a second, he almost felt like he was living in a movie, sliding into a penthouse suite with a glass of champagne waiting for him.

  Then he scrolled further.

  Complimentary robe and slippers. Plush bedding. High-speed WiFi. Pillows that aren’t made of regret.

  He smirked. Pillows that aren’t made of regret? Whoever wrote that review had clearly been through some late-night decisions they weren’t proud of. But he couldn’t help but laugh. This was exactly the kind of place Maluck needed right now. A sanctuary, a haven, a retreat from the whirlwind of luck and unpredictability that had been his life recently.

  He pulled up the booking page. “Why not?” he muttered to himself. It wasn’t like he had anything else going on tonight except a quiet beer and the buzzing of his phone with the occasional notification. If luck was on his side, it’d be a perfect stay.

  With a few taps, the reservation was made. Maluck leaned back in his seat, letting out a contented sigh. “I could get used to this,” he thought, watching the bartender across the room polish a glass, clearly oblivious to the storm of decisions and luck swirling around Maluck’s life right now.

  He took a final sip of his beer, his mind already imagining the soft bedding, the plush slippers, and the deep, uninterrupted sleep that awaited him. Maybe the System had something else in store for him tomorrow—but for now, he was just going to enjoy being a little lucky for the night.

  His Probability Charm had been working overtime. Sure it had cost him a few LPs but feeling nouveau riche, he didn’t mind.

  Maluck grinned, downed the last of his beer, and headed for his newly manifested luxury for the night.

  ***

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Maluck pulled up to the Emerald Crown Hotel & Spa, already feeling like a damn king.

  The place looked fancy—but not the kind of fancy that made you feel like a broke loser just for walking in. The lobby was all polished wood, soft lighting, and a faint smell of something expensive, like vanilla and success.

  The moment he stepped inside, a well-dressed concierge smiled at him.

  “Good evening, sir! Welcome to the Emerald Crown. Do you have a reservation?”

  Maluck almost laughed.

  “Yup. It’s Maluck Tychandros.”

  The concierge clicked a few keys on his sleek-looking computer, then smiled.

  “And since you’re checking in late, we’ll also upgrade you to a Deluxe King Suite—at no additional charge.”

  Maluck blinked.

  “…Wait. What?”

  The guy smiled like this was totally normal.

  “Yes, sir. It’s our policy to fill suites when we have extras available. You’ll enjoy a spacious room with a city view, complimentary minibar, and a luxury rain shower.”

  Maluck felt a tear form in his soul.

  A free upgrade.

  A damn luxury rain shower.

  And a COMPLIMENTARY minibar? Do those even exist?

  This was so far removed from the Pretty Good Western bullshit that he felt like he had stepped into an alternate timeline.

  “Sir?” The concierge looked at him expectantly.

  Maluck snapped out of his internal celebration and threw on a confident smile.

  “Yeah. Yeah, that sounds… acceptable.”

  He handed over his ID and payment like this wasn’t the greatest moment of his life.

  Within minutes, he was given his keycard, a warm ‘enjoy your stay’ from the front desk, and—get this—a complimentary bottle of chilled water.

  As he headed toward the elevator, he glanced at his System screen.

  His Bad Luck Points were still holding steady.

  No catch. No hidden fees.

  Just pure, unfiltered luxury.

  Maluck grinned.

  “Damn. Being lucky feels amazing.”

  ***

  As Maluck strolled toward the elevator, a System Task popped up.

  Of course it did.

  Wrath, clearly milking every last second of his turn at running the System, had thrown in one more task before his shift ended.

  [System Task Issued] That guy looked at you funny. Give him a good talking-to.

  Task Bonus: +2 LP.

  Maluck blinked.

  “What guy?”

  He looked around, and sure enough, there was an older man with glasses, clearly exhausted, hauling his luggage toward the check-in desk.

  A normal, tired traveler.

  Not some smug, sneering bastard who deserved a verbal beatdown.

  Just a dude existing.

  “Oh, come the fuck on.”

  Maluck instantly hit ‘Do Not Accept’ on the task.

  [System Response] DO IT. DO IT. DO IT.

  Maluck glared at the screen.

  “NOPE.”

  Not tonight. Not when he was about to enjoy his fancy-ass hotel room with its luxury rain shower and complimentary minibar.

  Not when life was finally going his way.

  He loved the System, but he refused to be some brainless bitch, chasing Luck Points like a dog after a treat.

  He slapped the task rejection again for good measure and strolled into the elevator like a man who had won at life.

  Somewhere in the Astral Universe, Wrath was fuming.

  And Maluck?

  He was about to have a great night in a fancy hotel.