(This world must be in the 20th century, though the calendar says otherwise. A mix cultured between the 20th and 21st century?)
Benjamin walks through the street where horse-drawn carriages clatter over uneven cobblestones, but there is also a car that has a decent design for the 21st century. Victorian architecture, with ornate facades adorned with intricate carvings, grand arches, and towering spires. LED billboards adorn the sides of Victorian architecture, flashing advertisements for the latest gadgets, fashion trends, and blockbuster movies.
Down on the streets, crowds of people move with purpose, their faces illuminated by the glow that looks like a phone. The air is thick with the scent of coal smoke and the sound of steam engines chugging along railway tracks that crisscross the city, connecting it to distant corners of the land. Factories hum with the rhythmic clatter of machinery, as workers toil away in dimly lit workshops, their faces smudged with soot and sweat.
"This is so crazy..."
Benjamin murmured as he saw the whole city of Zalemat with mixed feelings. The feeling of being foreign and isolated was the only thing he could describe in this city. He could tell that those billboards that were flashing with advertisements were just for decorations.
(Looks like the time here is stopped in the Victorian era, but was still being assimilated by the outside world.)
"Lad, you have been blessed!"
Just as he was pondering those questions he was stopped by the person in a robe, with the hood pulled up to obscure the wearer's face, adding an air of anonymity and mystique. The fabric may be adorned with intricate embroidery each imbued with deep significance to a certain religion.
"Yes? May I know you, sir?"
Benjamin carefully said as he looked like cautiously at that person but that person ignored him and started walking to the street. The bizarre feeling was that the guy was murmuring something but could not comprehend any of it.
(That was creepy as hell! Let's not be involved with him.)
No longer wanting to look at the city he continued to venture to his destination where the church could be found. But he did not know that the robed person was now watching him intensely with a red eye flashing in its hood.
"The scent of transcendent, the president should know about this....."
...
..
.
An ordinary church nestled within a northern part of the city, surrounded by lush greenery and towering trees. The church itself is a charming structure with a rustic charm, its weathered stone walls telling tales of generations past. As Benjamin approaches, the scent of wildflowers dances on the gentle breeze, mingling with the soft chirping of birdsong.
(This is the most normal thing in this city, but there was a saying that ordinary things can also hide the most hideous thing.)
Benjamin thought looking with nervousness like never before, his soul was screaming to leave this place but still, he did not waver as he trusted the system more than anyone else in this world and this place had no danger indicated to him by the system.
(I will run the moment there is a danger. I just need to look at someone who would teach me basic exorcist then leave right away.)
Stepping inside, Benjamin was greeted by the warm glow of sunlight filtering through the stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the wooden pews below. The air is filled with the soft murmur of prayers and hymns, creating a sense of tranquility and reverence.
The church's exterior is modest yet inviting, with a simple wooden door flanked by stained glass windows depicting scenes from biblical stories. Ivy climbs up the walls, adding a touch of natural beauty to the building's facade. A small bell tower rises above the roofline, its copper bell gleaming in the sunlight.
The interior of the church is adorned with subtle touches of elegance and simplicity. A wooden altar stands at the front, adorned with fresh flowers and flickering candles. Above it hangs a crucifix, a symbol of faith and redemption. The walls are adorned with religious artwork and intricate carvings.
As Benjamin takes a seat and bows his head to initiate a silent prayer, he senses a person walking in his direction- a daunting figure moves through the corridors of the church. He was tall and imposing, his presence commands attention. His piercing gaze seems to penetrate the depths of one's soul, leaving a lingering sense of dread in its wake.
"Lost lamb, you must be from another land? Do you have time to spare?"
His demeanor is austere and unwavering, his voice deep indicates that he won't accept the refusal. Benjamin looked at him, and he could feel the oppressive aura that the priest was exuding.
"Yes? How can I help you, Father?"
"My name is Anderson Smith, I welcome you in this cursed land, lost lamb."
!?
Benjamin was speechless as the priest said those sentences to him like it was a normal thing. The fact that those who managed to listen to their conversation now look at him in pity.
[CONGRATULATION FOR FIND THE TRUTH REGARDING THIS CITY!!!]
[REWARD: EYE OF APPRAISAL]
[MISSION DETAILS: THIS CITY WAS CURSED! THE UNKNOWN MYSTERY THAT EXUDED THIS CITY WAS SOLVED WITH JUST ONE WORD!]
Benjamin could not help but become shocked but he did not show it to his face. The priest gestures to follow him to a confession room which he did. The confession room consists of two compartments separated by a partition and screen.
"We did not need this partition."
The priest removes the partition while he gestures for Benjamin to sit on the other side. The solemnness of the place makes him more nervous knowing that there is something in this city that the general residents know more than him.
"This land would be your imprisonment until the day of judgment."
The priest did not beat the bush, he said those words frankly while looking at Benjamin with pity and seriousness. The word 'imprisonment' makes Benjamin wonder if that was related to a curse in this land.
"Imprisonment!? Is not that exaggerated, Father Smith?"
Benjamin was skeptical on the outside but he had the feeling the that priest was telling him the truth. Given the state of the city where the civilization was halted while the outside was brimming with advanced technology did not make any sense to him.
"BEWARE THAT LEAVING THIS LAND WOULD CAUSE CALAMITY NOT ONLY TO YOU BUT TO YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ACQUAINTANCES."
"..."
"THIS IS THE CURSE PLACE UPON YOU THE MOMENT YOU STEP ON THIS LAND, LOST LAMB."
(Does not that mean that I will experience the movie called 'Last Destination' where the protagonist and his friends die if I leave this place!? WTF!?)
...
..
.
Inside, the meeting space is a dimly lit chamber adorned with rich tapestries, velvet drapes, and antique furnishings. Candles flicker in sconces along the walls, their soft glow illuminating shelves lined with ancient grimoires, alchemical texts, and occult artifacts of unknown origin.
An altar stands at the center of the room, adorned with candles, crystals, and other ritualistic items. Symbols of the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water—are carefully arranged, invoking the sacred energies of the natural world.
"President, a new lost lamb was seen in the city."
"Hmmm? That was the church problem, Jin."
A two robed person talks to each other. The other one just ignored his sentence while looking at the crowd where the exorcists and occultists gathered. The place where professionals handle the supernatural.
"Even that guy has transcendent?"
"Ehh that was interesting... having a transcendent is rare but an outsider having one is much rarer. After all, ghosts in this city are not fond of outsiders after all."
The president said still looking at the crowd where people gather information while they take advantage of each other, even backstabbing was normal in this place. The notorious and most popular place- The Ghost Club.