Tap...
A man in tattered clothing stepped through a city adorned with classical architecture intertwined with machinery and steam.
He turned his head, observing the iron pipes attached to every building, while thick gray fog clumped in the air. Rows of classical-style buildings lined the streets, filled with elegantly dressed residents, yet everything felt strangely familiar.
Tak...
A small pebble was kicked into the air by the shoe of a man wearing a double-breasted suit. He paced back and forth in a tall hat, a cigar puffing smoke from his mouth. On the other side, women looked graceful in long dresses, blouses, and netted hats atop their heads.
Tak...
The man continued walking, venturing deeper into the city.
The city seemed alive, yet it was also shrouded in an indescribable gloom. Arshen Swallowing his saliva and muttered,
"All of this feels like a dream—a medieval city standing so vividly before me."
"Their emotions, their movements, the cause and effect at play, the bone-chilling winter cold, and the strange language I've never heard before, but i can understand it so easily..."
"What's even stranger is that all of this feels–normal."
"Phew... this is truly a miracle."
Arshen sighed, a puff of white vapor escaping his lips before slowly dissipating into the air.
Tap...
He continued walking past buildings with iron pipes protruding from nearly every wall. His eyes caught a bakery displaying warm bread behind a glass window, its aroma wafting through the air. Across the street, a restaurant showcased men and women with varied expressions, elegantly enjoying their meals.
Tak...
Arshen glanced back at a corner of the street and spotted a man dressed in black and white, a revolver at his waist and a star-shaped badge on his chest.
Children ran around, buying sweets and playing together. A stray dog sat in a corner, its tongue hanging out, exhaling breaths that formed white vapor in the cold air.
Arshen smiled. His gaze returned to the cobblestone street, taking in the new sights of the world he now found himself in.
"Ever since I woke up, I've been wondering... Is all of this a reality that feels like a dream? Or a dream so vivid it resembles reality? For now, I can't answer that... but I suppose this world isn't so bad."
Arshen observed the various people walking about. Some entered homes, inns, or hotels. Others were engaged in disputes, some were indifferent, and a few were even doing unspeakable things in secluded spots.
He ignored it all and continued walking, following the long, cobblestone street that seemed to lead nowhere in particular.
Tak...
Finally, he arrived at a large, densely populated area. His eyes caught sight of a towering clock tower, ticking slowly. Not far from it stood a grand building—resembling a cathedral or church—with many people coming and going.
The building bore the symbol of a vertical sword with a hexagonal star behind it.
"A place of worship? A cathedral? Or perhaps a church?"
Arshen sat on a nearby bench, gazing at the church and the bustling crowd around it.
A church? The symbol of a vertical sword and a star... Could it be the Cathedral of the Goddess of Night and Starlight?
'There are four churches in Seraphia: the Church of Truth, the Church of Night, the Church of Lust, and the Church of Insonabilis. Each worships a different deity, such as the Goddess of Night and Starlight from the Church of Night.'
The air grew colder. Feeling his body shiver, Arshen made his way to a local drink stall still open on a street called Branch Street, not far from the city center.
As he entered, he glanced around with his dark gray eyes, noting the few patrons inside.
"Boss, one Oaklea!"
"Alright, take a seat."
Arshen sat on a prepared chair and picked up a newspaper on the table.
The front page featured news about the Trisian Merchant Company successfully marketing telegrams throughout the Kingdom of Seraphia and the Republic of Abaron. Another page displayed sketches of various criminals with their respective bounties, along with an article about Garam City.
Dugh...
A cup of hot, murky brown drink was placed before him, steam rising from its surface. Arshen sipped it slowly.
'Oaklea is a common drink in the cities of the Kingdom of Seraphia, made from ginger and tea, mixed with lime juice. It tastes warm, slightly sour, with a hint of bitterness.'
After finishing, he pulled out a copper coin marked with the number one to pay for the drink.
"Thank you."
As he stepped out of the stall, white snow began to fall from the sky.
This world uses pearl, silver, and pound as currency.
1 Silver = 10 pearls
1 Pound = 20 silver (or 200 pearls)
1 Pound = equivalent to 200 cups of Oaklea
All of this was known to Arshen from his memories in this world.
And now, he only had six silver left.
While searching for an inn, he spotted a small child huddled in a corner of the street. The child was shivering, his body thin and frail, his clothes tattered.
Arshen felt a strange emotion—pity, yet at the same time, it was as if his feelings were telling him this was normal.
After a moment of thought, he blinked, then entered a bakery and bought a few pieces of warm bread.
Tap...
Exiting the bakery, he walked past the child, seemingly ignoring him. However, moments later, he turned back, bought a cup of warm drink, and placed it beside the boy.
"What's your name?"
The boy looked at him hesitantly. After a while, his lips trembled before he finally spoke.
"F-Finn..."
His voice was weak, his eyes lifeless.
"Finn, that's a good name. Eat. This is for you."
Finn hesitated, but his hunger overcame his doubt. He began devouring the bread eagerly.
Arshen smiled, then placed a silver coin in the boy's hand.
"This is for you. Use it to buy something to protect yourself from the cold."
Finn stared at the coin in confusion.
"B-But..."
"You don't need to worry about anything. Just keep it. If you want to repay me, find me in the future."
Finn fell silent, then nodded.
As Arshen turned to leave, a faint voice called after him.
"W-wait... What's your name, sir?"
Arshen smiled, pressed his chest, and gave a slight bow.
"Zodiac."