After over six hours of traveling, the time had reached dusk.
When Yi Chen stepped off the carriage with a sense of excitement, he didn’t see any organizational emblems or grand buildings. Instead, a small town lay before him. About two hundred meters back along the road stood a large billboard:
"Welcome to Green Lake Town (Green-Lake)"
This town, preserved in a medieval style, had a lively and vibrant feel.
Most of the buildings were constructed with slightly yellowed white bricks, complemented by brown and red rooftops. Perhaps because there were no factories in town, the air was fresh, and the sunlight more abundant, allowing one to feel the last warmth of the setting sun.
With its spacious streets, neatly lined trees, wide expanses of grassy lawns, and the large lake nearby, Green Lake Town exuded a peaceful, natural charm. It was a place removed from industrial cities—a spot where one could return to nature.
Seeing such a lively town, Yi Chen felt a slight stirring within, as if his body resonated with the surrounding plant life, and his physiological needs suddenly surged.
Quickly, he ducked into a small wooded area by the road. As he unfastened his belt, a flood of relief swept through his lower body.
This suggestion led Yi Chen to make his decision immediately. With a slight bow, he turned and walked away, not even giving his name.
As Yi Chen’s silhouette faded into the town, Edmund looked embarrassed. “Uh? Was I not gentlemanly enough? Or did I say something wrong? He just walked away without even looking back… Or maybe he’s so skilled that he has no need for us.”
The woman behind Edmund brushed her finger, with its black-painted nail, lightly over her nose and said softly:
“He carries a lingering scent of ‘the deceased’ that’s hard to remove and dresses in a style leaning toward the dark side... This young man likely hails from the organization’s 'Cemetery' division.
What’s on his shoulder is likely a product of the Cemetery as well. It could even be a rare type of undead, so it’s only natural he wouldn’t accept the invitation. In fact, staying near him could risk ending up as corpses ourselves.”
Edmund spread his hands, “Ah, what a shame~ Still, since we’re in the same assessment, we might run into him again later. I’d love to see the Cemetery’s capabilities.”
Yi Chen walked along the spacious main street, noticing that the town residents, though wearing masks, didn’t seem lifeless. Many of the residents were outside, greeting each other warmly, and they even gave Yi Chen, the newcomer, a slight nod of friendliness.
However, despite this pleasant town, Yi Chen couldn’t find a sense of peace. As he walked further into the town, an increasing restlessness welled up within him.
When that unease reached a peak, Yi Chen abruptly turned his head.
Before his eyes was a two-story building that exuded a sense of age, retaining a medieval style.
The wooden sign hanging by metal brackets at the front door was heavily weathered by rain, but the words on it were barely legible:
Intuition told him this inn was important.
Perhaps there was something here,
perhaps something related to the town’s secrets.
“Green Lake Town feels nothing like it looks from the outside… The longer I walk the streets, the more unsettling it becomes. I’d even prefer patrolling in a cemetery.
This town doesn’t seem right, and this inn stands out even more.
“I have a gravely ill sister staying in the room at the end. Don’t go near her; she’s afraid of strangers.”
the innkeeper turned, hunched over, and made his way downstairs.
His frail body moved so lightly that he didn’t make a sound on the floor.