Episode 3: "Hero Kuronaka's Awakening"

Running through the village, he headed toward the clifftop.
The ever-smiling goddess statue stood there, waiting for Hero Kuronaka to return.

Goddess Statue
"Welcome back, Hero Kuronaka."

The goddess's soothing voice greeted Hero Kuronaka as he stepped back into her sight.
As soon as he stepped in front of her, he reached into his pocket to take the herb out, but—

Goddess Statue
"I hast new instructions for thee.
Listen well."

Two choices appear in front of Hero Kuronaka.

Select
"Yes" or "No"

Hastily, Hero Kuronaka asked the goddess.

Hero Kuronaka
"Uh, don't you need the herb...?"

Goddess Statue
"Didst thou say something?"

Hero Kuronaka
"Didn't you want the medicinal herb?
I went out of my way to buy it, after all..."

Goddess Statue
"Thou are only to answer mine questions with a yes or no."

The goddess's tone was warm and inviting.
Yet again, two choices appeared in front of Hero Kuronaka.

Select
"Yes" or "No"

Regardless, Hero Kuronaka asked a question.

Hero Kuronaka
"Well... I'd like to know something.
I wasn't really thinking about it at the start, but..."

Emotions bubbled within, the more Hero Kuronaka spoke.
Was he feeling... anxious?

He couldn't know why.
The goddess was supposed to be his guide, after all.

(Right?
Maybe not...)

A puppeteer, maybe?

Hero Kuronaka
"What the heck am I even doing?
I just feel like an errand boy..."

The irritated tone in his voice was clear for all to hear.

Hero Kuronaka
"I don't see how this will make me a hero!"

Goddess Statue
"I understand thy frustration."

The goddess spoke calmly.

Goddess Statue
"Believe that there is good reason for this.
It's all for thine own good. And there is no more I can say."

Hero Kuronaka
"..."

Goddess Statue
"Will thou trust me?"

Her tone of voice was as reassuring as ever.
And yet...

There was an undeniable weight to them, leaving no room for dissent.

Select
"Yes" or "No"

More choices.
Before he realized what he was doing, Hero Kuronaka had already chosen "Yes."

Hero Kuronaka
"Yes..."

Goddess Statue
"Well done. Now heed thy new instructions."

The goddess continued, satisfied.

Goddess Statue
"Thou are to cross the bridge ahead and check inside the pot across it."

Hero Kuronaka
"Cross the bridge?"

There was a suspension bridge opposite of the village, yes.
It hung high above the ridge across the village, allowing passage to the mountain on the other side.
Except said path was currently blocked by a large boulder.

Goddess Statue
"I shall proceed to clear the boulder blocking thine path."

"Crack!" came a thunderous clap.
Hero Kuronaka ducked, closing his eyes.

Immediately he heard the sound of crumbling rocks.
Hero Kuronaka opened his eyes, realizing the large boulder once blocking his path was no more.

Goddess Statue
"Go forth, Hero Kuronaka."

Hero Kuronaka
"..."

Hero Kuronaka hesitated.
What had just happened? Lightning struck the boulder and now it was just...gone?

Had it been the goddess's power?
What... What was she?

Goddess Statue
"Go forth, Hero Kuronaka."

As she repeated herself, voice raised this time, his feet moved almost of their own volition.

He headed toward the suspension bridge.
But was it really him?
It somehow didn't feel like these choices were all his own...

His head felt foggy.
He couldn't focus—couldn't think of anything.

As he kept on walking the bridge, he crossed paths with a young girl carrying a woven basket in each arm.
Her messy hair, despite being woven into a braid, still framed her sun-kissed, freckled face.

Village Girl
"Hey, Kuronaka! What's with the long face?
Keep working hard on becoming a full-fledged hero and I just know you'll defeat the Demon King!"

Defeat... the Demon King?

Demon King?
What Demon King?

An older man beckoned Kuronaka to approach the bench he sat upon.

Old Man
"Remember when I found you? You gave me quite a shock, young man! All alone in the rain, and not a single memory to call your own."

The old man spoke, reminiscing.

Old Man
"Heed the goddess's advice and become strong!"

Keeping along his path, he continued across the bridge.
Yet dazed, he put one foot in front of the other, keeping to the path.

He passed by several villagers.

Slime
"I'm noooOoot a bad slime! ProooOooOomise!"

Cat
"Meow..."

Warrior
"It is my duty to protect the village from demons.
Aren't we to do combat training tomorrow?"

Shopkeeper
"I'm closing up shop for the day. All I can sell you is a single medicinal herb."

The end of the bridge was finally within sight.

Though still dazed, Hero Kuronaka finally made it to the end of the bridge.
It led to an open space just like that where the goddess statue rested. A lonely pot stood in the middle.

That must be the pot the goddess had mentioned.

Hero Kuronaka investigated the pot.

But nothing was inside.