[Divination (LV1) — A rudimentary trick of Mysticism. It can be performed with simple props and won't yield many useful answers, but it also won't bring about terrifying consequences. Continue studying to increase its level.]
Lloyd quickly checked the description of his newly acquired skill and noticed an additional line of text below the main description:
"Where Illusion and reality intertwine is the world you have touched."
Uh…
'That's it? Couldn't they have padded out the content a bit more?'
Just as Lloyd was grumbling to himself, his head suddenly began to itch, as if he were finally growing a brain.
Then, a simple Divination technique materialized in his mind.
The technique was simple: first, find a Medium, like a pencil or a coin. Then, activate the skill and repeatedly chant the question in your mind. Finally, spinning the pencil or flipping the coin would provide an answer to a yes-or-no question, or indicate which path to take at a fork in the road.
'Probably a 55% success rate?'
You couldn't call it completely useless, but it was only barely better than nothing.
Still, Lloyd wasn't too disappointed. The skill had been easy to obtain, and it was only LV1, so there was plenty of room for improvement.
'If only I'd been able to learn this back on Earth, my soft pity pulls wouldn't have been such a miserable failure…'
Lloyd muttered to himself and left the library.
Although it was already 8 p.m., the library was more crowded than it had been during the day. Lloyd, in contrast, was one of the first to leave.
You could actually stay overnight by renting a dorm room, which would only put more strain on an already tight budget.
But Lloyd's situation was different. He had a sister at home to keep company, and he needed to get back early so she wouldn't worry.
It had taken him over two hours to get here this morning. Thankfully, the return trip wouldn't be as slow.
According to the handbook, the area was equipped with a 'Next-Generation, All-Domain, All-Weather, Multi-Purpose, Multi-Function, Advanced Subway Network,' an ambitious project built with vast resources by another of the Three Great Judgment Courts: the Saint's Favor Judgment Court.
It employed numerous cutting-edge technologies and was renowned for being safe, efficient, convenient, fast, and user-friendly. It was the most radiant jewel in the crown of industry, and as it was currently in a trial phase, it could be experienced for free with just an ID card.
In any case, it sounded impressive, and Lloyd was eager to try it out.
"This world's current tech level is still at steam engines and Matchlock Guns, and electricity isn't even widespread. How can they already have a subway? It seems the Sect has mastered a lot of technology that's far beyond its time…"
Muttering to himself, Lloyd followed the directions in the handbook and found the "subway station" in the Eighteenth District.
It didn't look anything like the subway stations from his memories. There were no gaudy advertisements or endless streams of people, just a relatively low entrance to a tunnel. The inside was pitch-black, somewhat resembling an air-raid shelter.
A Priest in black robes stood guard outside. When he saw Lloyd approach, he first inspected his ID card, then spoke.
"New here? I'll show you how it works, then."
With that, he led Lloyd into the pitch-black tunnel.
The inside was dark and damp. The surrounding walls were slick with moisture, illuminated only by a few faint lights. A faint, indescribable, coppery stench filled the air.
He wasn't sure if it was a trick of the light, but Lloyd felt as though the surrounding walls were alive, squirming slowly…
'This is nothing like a subway station. It's more like the esophagus of some colossal beast, isn't it?'
They didn't walk far down the tunnel before arriving at a relatively open and brightly lit "platform." Hanging from the ceiling were sacs that looked like pitcher plants—oily green, the size of a grown man, and disturbingly reminiscent of a meatpacking plant. It was quite unsettling…
"Where to?"
The Priest asked, pulling a map of Radiant City from his robes.
"White Rose Avenue."
"Hmm… we don't have an outpost there. How about Old Oak Street next door? It's not far."
The Priest put down the map, grabbed an iron chain, and used a pulley to pull one of the sacs down in front of them.
He held up two fingers and said:
"Remember this rhythm."
As he spoke, he tapped the surface of the sac a few times, producing a muffled thud like knocking on plastic.
The sac split open, like a pitcher plant opening its maw.
"Alright, get in."
"Wait… this isn't quite the 'subway' I was imagining."
"Don't be afraid. It's very safe. You'll get used to it after a few rides."
Without another word, the Priest shoved Lloyd into the sac and sealed the opening from the outside.
The inside was surprisingly clean and fresh, with none of the expected stickiness. There was even a seat, so he didn't have to stand. It was also well-ventilated and had no strange odors. The only downside was the visibility—it was impossible to see what was happening outside.
"Ready? We're accelerating now!"
Lloyd heard the Priest's voice call from outside.
The next second, he was thrown back into his seat with incredible force. His vision went black, and his head swam with dizziness.
About ten minutes later, a black wardrobe in the corner of a room suddenly swung open its doors and "spat" Lloyd out.
"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH, COUGH, COUGH!"
Lloyd coughed dryly, staggering so badly he nearly collapsed. His ears were ringing, and it felt as if his soul had left his body. He didn't even clearly hear the system notification.
[Ding~ Madness Value +50, Skill Fragment +1]
Fortunately, someone nearby steadied him with a hand.
"First time?"
the man asked, kindly offering him a tissue.
"Cough, cough!"
It took Lloyd a long moment to recover and straighten up. He found himself in a modest little church.
Beside him stood a smiling Pastor from the Sect. His uniform was somewhat similar to Lloyd's, but his was white and more closely resembled a traditional robe.
"This is…"
"The Old Oak Street Radiant Church. You folks from the Judgment Court, however, prefer to call it an 'outpost.'"
"Thank you for your help. My name is Lloyd. I'm the new Executor who just started today."
"My name is Madd, a psychological therapist. Welcome to our big family. May your future be Radiant. If you ever need anything, feel free to come find me."
"Thank you. May the Radiant Light be with you always."
Lloyd exchanged a few more pleasantries with Pastor Madd. By then, his body had mostly recovered, so he took his leave.
Stepping out of the small church, he saw that he was indeed on the familiar Old Oak Street, just a few hundred meters from his home.
Including the time spent beforehand, the journey home took only 20 minutes—much faster than a normal commute.
'To think, when my sister and I first moved here, I never would have imagined it was prime real estate 'near the subway,'' Lloyd thought.