Chapter 66 Shrine 1 - Recording Begins
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"It should be fine, right?" another girl, Xiao Zhou, said to you.
“Don’t worry, there are five of us,” you replied curtly.
Now everyone is wearing microphones and can't chat casually anymore, but you heard them complaining about being "dragged into filming a show while walking down the street."
Even without you, someone else would have caused a similar incident. After all, it's quite common to grab passersby, especially takoyaki, on the streets of Japan to film shows and prank them. But since this incident was caused by you, you can't help feeling guilty.
Fortunately, everyone was prepared. If I had to say, you're the only one who's "vulnerable."
Because you don't understand Japanese.
It was purely coincidental that you were brought in to record the show, but the other outsiders are all genuine Japanese language experts. I wonder if this was a prerequisite for their selection.
Come to think of it, even if it's a show that observes the behavior of foreigners, it would be difficult to create a variety show effect if none of the participants understood Japanese.
You look at the translator; she's wearing the same headset as you, ready to translate the director's instructions and any other items you might need to read later.
Gaa—gaa—
A flock of crows swept overhead, stirring up a gust of wind.
As the sun sets and dusk approaches, it's a time of great misfortune. As you've checked, this is a very inauspicious time.
The director and his assistants finalized the miniature cameras and their locations, and set up the equipment.
Get ready to start filming.
"Welcome everyone to 'The Mystery of the Shrine at the Time of Demons'!" The host, Mio, began her introduction with her usual enthusiastic tone. "Today's exploration location is Aoki Shrine, a place with hundreds of years of history. Our mission today is to unravel the shrine's 'forbidden mysteries.' What kind of interesting stories will unfold between a few exchange students from the Flower Country and this traditional sacred site of Japan? Are you all ready?"
"Okay!" you shouted along with everyone else.
Mio nodded, standing to the side with a mission card in her hand, and said mischievously, "Besides enjoying the beautiful scenery, don't forget we have a challenging mission. Completing the mission won't be easy! You need to find the talismans hidden in the shrine, but remember, every step here is fraught with mystery!"
The photographer was busy adjusting the lens, and you looked up to see the lighting crew setting up dim lanterns on both sides of the torii gate. The flickering light made the crimson lacquer look like it was about to flow.
It really has a very ominous feeling...
Just as the directing team and Mio were enthusiastically discussing the mission and interacting with you, a soft bell rang out from inside the shrine.
A shrine maiden dressed in white and red emerged slowly from the depths of the shrine. Her steps were light, as if her feet did not touch the ground. She held a string of bells and a sakaki (sacred wood used for offerings) in her hand.
Her face was so exquisite it resembled a doll's, and her expression was as cold as a mask, her gaze calmly sweeping over everyone present.
"Welcome to Aoki Shrine," her voice was low and steady, and unlike her youthful appearance, it possessed a majesty beyond her years. "Before we begin our exploration, please allow me to perform a purification ritual for you. This is the abode of the gods, and mortals must cleanse themselves of worldly dust before entering, lest they offend the deities."
She has such a commanding presence.
You were all stunned by her aura and involuntarily lined up, waiting for her guidance.
The shrine maiden began from the left side of the procession, gently shaking the bell in her hand, which made a clear, ringing sound.
Then, she gently touched each person's shoulder with the sakaki branch, chanting a spell that even the translator couldn't understand.
It felt like a breeze brushed past your left shoulder, followed by a cool sensation that spread from your shoulder throughout your body, making you feel lighter, as if something had been swept away.
When it was your turn, she paused slightly, glanced down at you with a meaningful look in her eyes, but quickly looked away.
You were a little confused and blinked blankly at her retreating figure.
"Purification complete." The shrine maiden put away her bell, stood at the front of the group, and said in a low voice, "Now, please follow me to tour the shrine."
The shrine maiden led you through the torii gate. Tall, ancient trees lined both sides of the shrine's approach, and at this moment, only the orange-red sky cast dark shadows through the canopy.
Watch your step; the stone path is covered with moss, making a slight rustling sound with each step, and it's also a bit slippery.
The damp, woody scent is pleasant, and you unconsciously slow your breathing.
“The torii gate is the dividing line between the realm of gods and the human world,” the shrine maiden began, her voice softening. “Once you cross it, it means you have stepped into the realm of the gods. From now on, no matter what you see, please do not make a loud noise or touch any of the shrine's items.”
As you walk towards the middle of the approach, you'll see a small purifying fountain. The shrine maiden stops, turns around, and says, "Next, we will perform the purification ritual, an important ceremony for entering the shrine."
She demonstrated by scooping up a spoonful of water and washing her left hand, right hand, and mouth separately, then rinsing the spoon handle clean. You followed suit, and a shiver ran down your spine as the cool water touched your skin.
"Don't be lazy!" Xiao Zhou smiled and nudged you gently with her elbow. "Maybe this is a foreshadowing by the production team." After saying that, she made a few jokes to the "audience" through the camera on your head in Japanese.
Due to the special nature of the shrine setting, there were no dedicated cameramen following the participants closely. The production team switched to a "documentary" style for filming. In addition to the cameras set up in the room, all the footage was filmed by two cameras hanging on the heads and chests of each of the participants.
After completing the purification ritual, you arrived at the main hall of the shrine. The offering table in front of the hall was filled with exquisite offerings: fruits, pastries, and small jars of sake. Incense smoke rose, creating a solemn atmosphere, but—you felt a bit of a pungent smell.
Subtly turn your head slightly to the side, trying your best not to do anything that might seem disrespectful in this setting.
The priestess stood before the altar and whispered, "This place is dedicated to the Goddess Aoki, the guardian deity of the forest and life. She is kind yet stern, and all who enter this place must do so with reverence."
She gently raised her hand and pointed to a wooden plaque beside the altar, on which were engraved a few lines of warning: "Be humble and do not break the taboo. Otherwise, it will never be returned."
One of the boys, with damp bangs, muttered dismissively, "Aren't these scaremongering things a bit too exaggerated?" Upon hearing this, the shrine maiden slowly turned her head, her gaze icy, and coldly said, "Those who are careless in their words and deeds will surely be noticed by the gods."
Yin Shitou swallowed hard and stopped talking.
Finally, the priestess led you to the backyard, which was darker and more humid than the main hall.
An ancient well stands quietly in the center of the courtyard, its mouth covered with thick moss and surrounded by weeds.
"This is the shrine's sacred well, said to lead to the boundary between the realm of gods and the human world," the shrine maiden said in a cold tone. "Legend has it that some have heard whispers coming from the bottom of the well. If the voice calls your name, please ignore it, or you will become its sacrifice."
You all obediently followed the shrine maiden toward the well. As you approached the well's opening, you vaguely felt a gust of cold wind emanating from it.
Take a look?
No, no.
You were startled by the sudden, reckless thought that had popped into your head. Your face paled, and you quickly walked away from the area.
That concludes our visit to Aoki Shrine.
Next, it will be time for free exploration.
The priestess stood before the main hall, watching you form teams and then part ways.
She bowed slightly and said calmly, "May you all successfully complete your exploration, and may the gods forgive your offense."
Looking back, in the blink of an eye, the priestess's figure disappeared into the temple gate.
Is she human?
you do not know.
"Let's go quickly, lest those three outshine us," Xiao Zhou urged you softly.
"Okay." You follow Xiao Zhou's steps.
The five people naturally split into two groups based on gender for the competition. There were three people on their side, and you had an extra translator, so there were also three people on your side. It's alright, not a bad deal.
The current goal is to find more of the "folk cards" that the production team has hidden here.
"Attention girls, the boys have reached the front hall. You can explore the area around the back hall now." The director's instructions came through the earpiece. "Remember, don't touch any offerings or open any wooden boxes. Be careful, this is a crucial spot for filming."
"Okay," Xiao Zhou replied instinctively.
"Don't answer the headset. Didn't Mio tell you? Don't act like you're giving orders. Just be natural. We'll go through the woods on the left and find something." The director impatiently cursed a few more times in Japanese.
The translator is very dedicated and has translated it for you word for word.
"These don't need to be translated." After being scolded like this, you'd rather not understand than feel bad about it, so you half-jokingly said to the translator.
Upon hearing this, this girl, who was usually quiet and reserved except at work, raised her head for the first time, smiled at you, and her eyes sparkled.
Without arguing with the translator, you and Xiao Zhou quickly followed the director's instructions, clowning around in the bushes like clowns, and somehow ended up at the back hall.
The rear hall was much more enclosed and gloomy than the front hall, with only a few lanterns hanging overhead emitting a faint light, casting undulating shadows on the ground in a dim yellow glow.
"Those guys really know how to be clever, running off to a spacious, bright, and safe place to do their missions," Xiao Zhou complained.
"It's so cold," Xiao Zhou said, rubbing his arms. "The lighting design is so creepy. The production team has really gone too far."
You remain noncommittal, observing the surrounding scenery.
"There's a bell in the back hall. Try to find it; there are clues there." A brief hissing sound rang out, followed by the director's latest instructions through the earpiece.
"Why don't we go look for clues over there? Oh, right, maybe around some of the offerings." You repeat the director's words, pretending it's your own idea.
Xiao Zhou frowned appropriately: "Offerings? Those are things from the shrine, not props, right? Can we go there and touch and look around randomly?" She was just acting; actually, the production team had marked which items were props in a way that only they could recognize.
You smiled and said half-jokingly, "Let's not touch it randomly, just take a look, and remember to pay our respects from both the front and back."
You followed the path deeper into the back hall, the sound of footsteps following behind you, and soon you found an offering table.
On the altar was a small statue of a deity with an indistinct face, and a small bell hung beside it.
The bell is rusty, as if it hasn't been touched for many years, yet it emits an eerie luster, beckoning you to explore it.
“This bell looks suspicious.” Xiao Zhou reached out to touch it, but you immediately stopped her: “Wait, something’s not right here, don’t touch it.”
Before he finished speaking, the bell on the altar suddenly started to shake on its own, making a clear tinkling sound.
"Who moved it?" Xiao Zhou exclaimed, taking a step back nervously. You were startled too, but tried to calm yourself down: "Maybe it was the wind... or maybe the show set up a mechanism?"
“Wind? Look around, there’s no wind!” Xiao Zhou pointed around, his voice trembling slightly.
Just as you were about to approach the altar to take a closer look, a whispered voice, not belonging to the director, suddenly came through your earpiece, like a hoarse woman softly reciting something.
The sound was intermittent, and the specific content was unclear.
You feel your scalp tingling.
"Did you hear that?" you asked Xiao Zhou tentatively.
"I heard it, what was that sound... it sounded like someone chanting a spell." Her face turned pale, and her voice lowered.
"Call the production team and ask them to pause the recording?" Xiao Zhou almost burst into tears.
Let alone Xiao Zhou, even you would find it creepy.
Simply stopping the recording means you have to give up exploring this place for now, and then—
Ring—ring—ring ring ring—
Ring ring ring ring ring ring—
The bell on the altar suddenly shook more violently, and the small metal ornament was shaken so badly that it started spinning on the table.
It was tossed high into the air and then slammed down, thud, thud, thud! After several times, it was smashed to pieces!
"It should be alright now, right—" Before you could finish speaking, the deafening sound of bells rang throughout the room.
Snap!
The already dim light flickered, and the surrounding shadows began to distort until the light bulb shattered!
The room was plunged into complete darkness.
"That woman's voice is still there!" Xiao Zhou burst into tears, grabbing your clothes and trembling.
You didn't have time to comfort her; the situation was critical. Mustering your courage, you approached the offering table and saw a yellowed card next to the bell, with some ancient Japanese characters written on it:
「音にtouchれるな、さもなくば神の声をhearく」
(Do not touch the sound, or you will hear the whispers of God.)
"Found the card!" You pick it up and are about to step back when the bell suddenly stops, and the room falls into a deathly silence, with only the ringing in your ears caused by the noise still lingering.
"Good that we found it, let's go, this place is too eerie!" Xiao Zhou snatched your card, turned around, grabbed your hand, and ran away.
You ran while looking back to make sure nothing was chasing you. But just as you breathed a sigh of relief, that hoarse voice came through the earpiece again:
"Hiss... gurgle... gurgle..."
What should we do now?
Before you could come up with a solution, Xiao Zhou ripped off the headset, threw it forcefully to the ground, jumped on it, and stomped on it until it was smashed to pieces.
"I'm going to give the card to the director. I'm not recording anymore. This is completely wrong. Who would come to the shrine at dusk?" Ignoring your attempts to stop him, Xiao Zhou ran noisily toward the torii gate.
You haven't caught up with her yet. Let her think it over carefully and not act impulsively. Another scream came from the front hall.
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Author's note: Good evening!
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