Hirotsuka woke up from his slumber the moment he heard the soft voice of a girl.
He opened his eyes.
Darkness.
He was used to it. He had been blind ever since birth, so it wasn't something unfamiliar.
"Hirotsuka! Wake up!" Akari called out.
"I'm up." He replied shortly. Akari Kim had been his neighbor since they were kids and had always come over to bring breakfast and wake him up ever since his parents died.
He had lived with his grandmother ever since then, but his grandmother had died the previous year. He was 24 now, the same age as Akari.
Hirotsuka then felt a pair of clothes and a towel in his hands. He knew they were from Akari. "These are your clothes for today. Breakfast is ready." Akari said. He just nodded in reply.
After she left and closed the door, he got up and walked over to the bathroom, already having memorized the route over the years.
While showering, he remembered the day when everything changed. An NPC, an angel-like woman appeared in the sky in the middle of the city. Suddenly, a window appeared in front of everyone. A survival game was being held where the winner would get unlimited wishes. It could grant wishes except those involving life and death.
The game appeared once every seven years. His parents had decided to join. They were both hunters, so it wasn't hard for them. Since his father was a damage dealer and his mother a supporter, they were used to working together.
The survival game took a long time to complete. People who forfeited said it was a day there, but in reality, it was five days. Everyone who died in the game would die in real life. No one had ever won the game.
His parents never came back. Hirotsuka refused to believe they were dead. He knew they were alive somewhere. He promised himself to train and prepare to join the game. He wanted to know what had happened to them. Whether they were dead or alive.
He had learned to use his other senses and awareness of his surroundings. He had learned how to fight and became one of the strongest and smartest in a center where they taught kids to be hunters. Akari joined, too, because she wanted to learn self-defense and mostly to help him practice.
After breakfast, they both went out for a walk. Hirotsuka knew the exact time when the NPC would appear. Akari didn't know, since she didn't really care about it.
Akari was excitedly talking about a new kitten she had met when a strong wind came, and the NPC appeared.
[ Greetings, people of the Earth. A survival game will be held. The winner will receive an unlimited wish. You will be given the choice to forfeit during the game, but if you die in the game, you will die in reality as well. ]
The NPC said this with a grin. A soft veil shadowed her eyes. White hair framed her face in soft, luminous strands, some braided with care, others loose as if shaped by a tender breeze. Her gown draped in gentle folds, pale and luminous, brushing the air with quiet grace. Hands open in calm surrender.
[ A window will appear for you to make a decision whether to participate or not. ]
[ May your journey be blessed. ]
Then the angel disappeared as the strong wind blew again, and, as she had said, a window appeared before their eyes. Since Hirotsuka was blind, he wasn't sure how they managed to make him see the window.
[ Do you wish to participate in the game? ]
[ YES ] [ NO ]
Akari quickly turned to Hirotsuka. "Are you going to join?"
Hirotsuka nodded. "Yeah. You shouldn't join." He said bluntly.
"Wait, what—why?!" Akari was stunned by how bluntly he said it, not letting her make her own decision.
"Because it's dangerous." He shrugged.
"But you're joining it!" She was flabbergasted at how hypocritical he sounded.
"Because there is no one who will mourn for me. You still have your family." He said it so casually as if talking about the weather, which left her speechless. The situation between them grew silent.
Akari bit her lower lip as she thought for a moment. Her head dropped as her eyes stared at the floor. She couldn't say anything because that was the truth. She still have her family.
Hirotsuka sighed and patted her head. "Well, that's that. I'll go now."
As Hirotsuka was about to press the [ YES ] button, Akari suddenly grabbed his wrist, stopping him.
"I'll go with you." She had made up her mind.
"Are you dumb?" Hirotsuka asked exasperatedly. He would never understand how her mind worked.
"Call me dumb all you want. I've made up my mind, and I want to join." She stated firmly, eyes filled with determination.
Hirotsuka stayed silent for a moment before sighing. "Suit yourself, then."
She froze. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "You won't stop me?"
"Why would I? After all, it's your choice." he said, and she hesitantly let go of his wrist. Akari felt a bit embarrassed because she had thought he would protest, but he seemed so chill about it.
"Before you press it, they said there's customization for our appearance. Make sure you pick something that will help me recognize you." He reminded her, and she said yes. They both tell each other what they will put on their appearance.
They both pressed [ YES ] and were transported into the game. Various options for appearance appeared before him and he saw his real appearance for the first time. It wasn't that bad. Handsome he would say. Akari have always been the one picking hairstyles for him whenever he decided to go to the barber and it wasn't quite bad.
Hirotsuka decided to make his appearance different from his real one.
He created a cool and cold face with sharp cheekbones, a defined jawline, and a strong gaze. He didn't change his physique since it was already moderate with a muscular build, and he was satisfied with it. He also decided to put on a blindfold to cover up his eyes.
It was an impression that looked strong and fitting.
[ Customization Completed. ]
[ Creating the avatar. ]
...
.....
....
[ The avatar is completed. ]
Then a window appeared before him.
[ We are offering a way to help you overcome your disability. Would you like to accept this offer? ]
[ YES ] [ NO ]
He thought for a moment, then pressed [ YES ]. It could be an advantage for him, even though he preferred not to see, as he was used to being blind.
[ Choose the one you desire. ]
└ 1. A pair of eyes
└ 2. The ability to see through creatures
└ 3. The ability to see through others' eyes
Hirotsuka thought for a moment. All of them were useful, but he decided to choose a pair of eyes.
[ You have selected 'A pair of eyes'. ]
Then another window popped up.
[ Pick your preferred method. ]
└ 1. Random pick
└ 2. Your own pick
Hirotsuka didn't hesitate. He pressed [ Your own pick ], and numerous options appeared in a new window.
[ Choose the one you desire. ]
└ 1. Syren eyes
└ 2. Dragon eyes
└ 3. Snake eyes
.
.
.
└ 10. Normal eyes
He picked the syren eyes without a second thought since it was the first choice.
[ Congratulations! You have received the 'Siren eyes'. ]
[ The acquired eyes will replace your current eyes. ]
Then another window popped up just as Hirotsuka was thinking he would be transported into the game.
[ Syren Eyes ]
Category : Eyes
Grade : Rare
Effect : Resistance +50
Skills : Alluring Vision, Soul Reflection, Drown in Illusion
Description : Grants the ability to see hidden parts.
He squinted his eyes as he read the status window. He had never known that eyes could have skills.
He pressed the first skill to see what it did.
[ Alluring Vision ]
Description: If you lock eyes for 10 seconds, they become temporarily charmed and will follow whatever you order them to. Stronger effect on enemies with low mental resistance.
Hirotsuka pondered and thought it was a useful skill since he could basically manipulate anyone he wanted. He pressed another skill.
[ Soul Reflection ]
Description: You can see a person's true intentions. Lies appear as visual distortions. Hostile intent glows red. Hidden enemies flicker with shadow outlines. You can see invisible or disguised characters. You can also see what they're thinking.
His eyes widened as he read the description. The skills so far were useful and advantageous. It made him wonder if it was fair for the system to give such powerful skills. He decided not to think further and pressed the next one.
[ Drown in Illusion ]
Description: Each enemy's worst fear appears as a ghostly projection behind them. You can exploit their fear to weaken them. You can create an illusion of their fear when you lock eyes with them.
"Hmm, the skills so far are good and easy for me to deal with troublesome people," Hirotsuka thought. He would try using these skills on Akari later since the skills weren't harmful, except for [ Drown in Illusion ], which he didn't want to scare her with on their first meeting in the game.
[ Would you like to be transported into the game now? ]
[ YES ] [ NO ]
Hirotsuka pressed yes.
[ We will immediately transfer you to the first scenario. Good luck, people of the Earth. ]
In an instant, a bright light hit Hirotsuka's eyes.