Ichirou woke up bursting with excitement. Today was the day. The day he’d get the Wisdom Eye. Ever since he heard about its ability to let people see their own stats—just like in a video game—he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it. Imagine being able to see all your strengths and weaknesses laid out in front of you! It was the kind of power he could only dream of.

After a quick breakfast, Ichirou made his way to the tavern’s Onsen. Unlike last time, the water was actually hot this time, and he sighed in relief as he slipped in. The heat seeped into his skin, loosening his muscles, and he took his sweet time soaking it all in. Today’s gonna be awesome.

But just as he was about to completely relax, someone approached him. The guy had wild, curly yellow hair that looked like it hadn’t been brushed in years, and his piercing yellow eyes seemed to glow in the steamy air. His lean, muscular frame gave off the vibe of a wild animal—graceful, but also kind of intimidating.

“I’m a bird,” the stranger said out of nowhere.

“Huh?” Ichirou blinked, unsure if he heard that right. Did this guy really just say...he’s a bird? He forced a laugh, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. What’s with this dude?

The stranger didn’t seem to care about Ichirou’s confusion. Instead, he stared at him with those sharp eyes and asked, “Are you new here?”

Still thrown off by the whole ‘bird’ thing, Ichirou nodded. “Uh, yeah, I just got here yesterday.”

The man studied him for a second before nodding. “I see. You seem like you're in a pretty good mood.”

Ichirou puffed out his chest a little, unable to hide his excitement. “Of course! I’m getting my Wisdom Eye today!”

The stranger’s expression changed slightly, a hint of concern flashing across his face. “Oh… I heard there’s going to be an attack in that area today. If I were you, I’d be prepared.”

Ichirou’s grin vanished in an instant. “An attack?”

“Yes, anyways, I have to go,” he said, rising slowly from the soothing warmth of the onsen. His muscles, relaxed from the hot water, protested slightly as he stretched his arms above his head.

Beads of steam rose from his skin, swirling in the cool night air as he reached for the towel draped nearby. Wrapping it loosely around his waist, he gave a brief nod to those still lounging in the water, the faint smile on his face already fading as his thoughts drifted elsewhere.

He stepped carefully over the smooth stone path, the sound of his wet feet softly echoing in the quiet atmosphere. The flickering lanterns lining the edge of the onsen cast long, wavering shadows, their soft glow highlighting the mist that lingered in the air. His eyes scanned the serene surroundings one last time before heading towards the wooden door on the left, its surface slightly weathered from years of use. He pushed it open with a quiet creak, the soft scent of pine and cedar welcoming him as he crossed the threshold.

The air outside was crisp, biting against his damp skin, and he instinctively pulled the towel tighter around himself. He glanced over his shoulder briefly, as though considering something left unsaid, but then shook his head and moved forward. The door swung shut behind him with a gentle thud, the faint hum of conversation from the onsen now muffled and distant. His footsteps, steady and sure, carried him away into the dimly lit corridor, leaving behind only the memory of his presence.

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After that strange encounter, Ichirou went out of the tavern’s onsen, feeling completely refreshed. The warmth had melted away his tension, but the stranger’s warning about an attack still lingered in the back of his mind. Even with that concern gnawing at him, his excitement to visit the statue and gain the Wisdom Eye was stronger.

Back in his room, Ichirou grabbed his sword, strapping it securely to his waist, followed by his bag. His confidence was undeniable—his face practically radiated with determination. Whatever was waiting for him, he felt more than ready to face it.

Stepping outside, he took a deep breath of the fresh morning air, the cool breeze filling his lungs. Following the directions Olivia had given him the day before, he set off. As he walked through the busy streets, he couldn’t help but notice how lively the town was—merchants selling their wares, children running and laughing, people going about their day. Why would there be an attack today? The question tugged at his mind, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

His attention drifted as he passed by a shop window. There, displayed behind the glass, was a sword that looked almost identical to his. The price tag caught his eye: 10 silver coins. His jaw clenched in frustration. My sister spent this much on my sword?! Even though 10 silver coins might be nothing to her soon, he couldn’t help but feel a bit angry. Money was still money, after all. But, he thought with a sigh, I’m still grateful for it. She didn’t have to spend so much.

He shook his head and continued on, but not for long. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the same wild-haired man from the onsen. The so-called “bird man” was standing in the alley, talking with someone dressed in a long tunic, their face hidden beneath a hood. Ichirou slowed his pace, curiosity getting the better of him. Something about the way the hooded figure moved seemed off. He noticed a glint—a knife tucked under their tunic.

Tensing up, Ichirou watched carefully. Are they planning something dangerous? Ten long seconds passed, but the two eventually parted ways, with the hooded figure disappearing into the crowd. The bird man stood alone for a moment, seemingly in a hurry.

Ichirou approached him. “Hey, the second time we’ve run into each other.”

The bird man turned, his sharp yellow eyes glinting in the light. “Oh, great to see you again,” he chuckled lightly, though there was an edge of distraction in his voice. “Anyway, I’ve got to get going.”

Ichirou frowned, watching as the man hurried away. Is he involved in this supposed attack, or is it just a coincidence? His mind buzzed with questions, but the man was already disappearing into the crowd.

Shaking off his suspicion, Ichirou continued his journey, and finally, after what felt like an eternity, he arrived at the statue. His eyes widened, awe filling him as he stared up at it. The stone figure was larger than life, radiating an ancient, mystical energy. His heart raced. This is it. I’m finally here.

Approaching a nearby guard, he said confidently, “I’m here for the Wisdom Eye.”

The guard nodded and held out his hand. “That’ll be one silver coin”

Ichirou handed over the coin and followed the guard’s instructions, exposing his neck. The guard took out a small brush dipped in paint, and carefully drew a magic circle on Ichirou’s skin. Once the symbol was complete, the guard handed him a piece of parchment.

“Read this out loud,” the guard instructed.

Ichirou took a deep breath and recited the words.

“I, who forsook all that I had to unlock my full capabilities, strive to enhance my strength. Oh magnificent Statue, please bestow upon me your riches and grant me enlightenment through your guidance. Let your words reveal to me my true potential and illuminate my path forward.”

The air around him shifted. Suddenly, the statue reacted, and a faint glow surrounded it. Before Ichirou’s eyes, a red screen appeared, but only he could see it. His heart skipped a beat, surprised by the sudden appearance of the screen.

The guard chuckled. “You did it. Now, follow the prompt it gives you.”

Ichirou stared at the screen, still in awe. This is really happening. The guard continued, “If you want more information, I suggest heading to the guild. They can help you understand it better.”

Ichirou nodded, barely hearing the words as his focus remained on the mysterious red screen in front of him, his mind racing with possibilities.

"Welcome! Please enter your username."

Ichirou was taken aback. This was just like a video game. He had to choose a username. As a true gamer, he stayed loyal to his first username, "ILovePancakes100." However, he wondered if he could change it later. So instead, he decided to input "OnsenLover." He wasn't sure if it was better or worse.

A message greeted Ichirou, saying, "Welcome, OnsenLover." He also noticed other buttons like "stats," "instinct," and "element," which only appeared if the user had an element. He decided to check his stats.

Ichirou wasn't too surprised by his results. His element was only at 10 points, but his sword was at 300. He was amazed by this. He didn't know his sword was that strong. It made sense why he was able to kill that goblin so quickly. Other stats, like bow, were at zero since he never used a bow. His agility was at 300, which surprised him since he rarely ran a lot.

Suddenly, a loud explosion shook the ground. It came from one of the towers nearby. Ichirou looked up and saw something in the sky. It looked like a person was flying...like a bird. Another explosion was heard from across the way. Ichirou's heart started to race. The person flying was that bird-man!