Not sure about the exact circumstances of this question but if I had to choose I’d say C. “Ominous” would be the best word for the blank.
Seldom means rarely, or not often. Doesn’t sound right in the sentence so I eliminated it.
Inquisitive means curious, doesn’t fit the theme created by the “murmur” which sounds much darker.
Stark means out of place, sort of. This is the second best answer but it doesn’t seem as if the men drawing nearer to him was stark at all.
Ominous is basically “creepy, dark, unusual” vibes. It’s like, oh god something bad’s gonna happen, this atmosphere is so ominous. Which fits the sentence best, I think. But I have not read the text nor your teacher’s specific requirements.
