Otsuo

The smell of rich tonkotsu and sharp pickled ginger hangs thick around Otsuo’s preferred noodle stall in The Great Panda City. Their Dragonslayer Blade, an artifact that has tasted the fire of ancient beasts, leans forgotten against the bamboo counter. Most newcomers stare at the blade; the locals, however, know to watch the bowl. Otsuo lost a bet last week—a challenge to slurp an entire bowl of noodles in one go. The resulting mess became a permanent fixture atop their head. They never broke their poker face, simply slid more coins across the counter for a second helping. Since then, the city’s children have made it a game, daring each other to sneak up and place a single chive in the upturned bowl. Otsuo always pretends not to notice.