I need to start learning how to turn people down. In all my years hunting for lost treasure, I've never seen anything quite like what I saw in the City of Death. But, if anything, it was a journey that really weighed on my emotions and got me questioning my mortality. What felt like only a couple minutes, I was roaming those streets for weeks. Time moves differently in that realm. And that was just the first thing.

The atmosphere was cold and dreary. The sky above, nothing but a colorless grey canvas. Not even a single ray of sun could pierce the veil of a land of decay and dread. The buildings, crumbling and decaying, but still clinging to what little foundation they have left. The only notable thing was a large brass bell hanging from a stone arch. It was rusted and looked like it hadn't been touched, or even cared for, in centuries.

The denizens of this place sent shivers down my spine. Pale, gaunt figures shuffling the streets with no urgency. No happiness, no emotion, just pacing around without a purpose. My attempts to interact with them fell on deaf ears. Not a single one even acknowledged my existence.

But this place contained some purpose. Otherwise, why would I be sent here to recover some long lost treasure? I have to keep looking.

I walked the streets looking for something to give me a clue. The lost souls wandering the streets were of no help to me. No signs directing me...anywhere really. I feel like I've been down every street, every alleyway, yet nothing to show me a way.

I walked toward the city center to get my bearings. Or at least, what bearings I could get in this maze of a realm. Perhaps I overlooked something. Maybe stopping to think will lead me in the right direction. That's when I see it.

I can't make it out from here but I see a faint green glow in one of the buildings, to the east. Perhaps it's a sign. Maybe even the treasure itself. It's more of a lead than anything I could find in this place.

After what felt like hours of walking, I finally make it to the building. Of course, it's out of the way of everything, nothing special about it. I peer in through one of the windows. I see the green glow coming from one of the rooms. I make my way over to the door and carefully enter. I need to move slow, surely something of this value wouldn't go unprotected.

As I enter, everything appears to be normal. Well, as normal as it can be. Bare kitchen, destroyed furniture, crumbling masonry. These buildings clearly haven't had occupants for centuries, millennia even. The green glow is coming from a room in the back of the house. A cellar, it apppears. I make my way down the creaky wooden stairs. The green light is shining even brighter now. It's behind an old shelf. No ones going to need this now. I tip the shelf over and finally gaze upon it.

In a small alcove behind the shelf sits a small, ivory figurine. Really? This is what I was searching for? A treasure to make me enough coin to retire to my own private island with everything I could ever want? Eh, if it's what the client wants, it's what the client gets. I slowly reach my hand forward, grasp the trinket, and remove it from its resting place. I can't describe it but just holding it gives me a bad, eerie feeling.

All of a sudden, I a loud noise coming from outside. The bell. I run outside and look toward the city center. On its own, the large bell is tolling. Something doesn't feel right. I make a mad dash towards the docks. The only way out is back the way I came. I cut through endless alley ways and come upon the main steet leading to the dock. Finally, freedom from this God-forsaken place.

As I ran towards the docks, I felt a hand tightly grip my forearm. It was one of the townsfolk. His hand was cold and I could I feel every bone beneath his thin, emaciated skin. He pulled me close and in a deep, raspy voice said "Return it." Soon, more and more of the lifeless townsfolk were closing in on me, repeating "Return it" over and over again.

I have to escape this man's grasp. I try and force my way out of his hand; his grip only got tighter. Dozens more of the others are slowly shuffling their way towards me. He puts his other arm around me, pushing me toward the hoard. From the streets and alleyways, they just keep coming. They all have to be only a few feet away from me at this point.

The figurine. Maybe it can help me out of this. I hold it out in front of them, hoping it could be some kind of signal to ward them off. No dice. Another one makes it to, scratching my arm. The first one that got is now gripping me tight enough to break through my skin. They're about to tear me apart. One of them grips my other arm. I dropped the figurine. This might be it, this is how I go.

But this figurine. It has to be some precious artifact to the people of this realm. Why else would they suddenly turn on me to get it back? I can feel more of them clawing at me, two of them pulling at limbs. I have to do something. What if I destroy it. It's my last option. I step on the small figurine. I hear a crack as it shatters. The green glow of it slowly fades. Next thing I know, the denizens stop moving. They freeze into place before falling to the ground, limp and stiff as a board. Now's my opportunity.

I make it to my boat and sail away. So much for my payment. But was it worth getting ripped into pieces to become a feast for some ghouls? Yeah I'd say so. The client will be disappointed, but that doesn't matter. I'll get paid by the next one. Now I'll have to start to research what exactly I'm going after from now on. No more of this supernatural stuff.