The floating blue text flickered in front of my face like a smug pop-up ad I couldn't close.
[New Quest Accepted: "Defeat 3 Slimes Outside Orvelia City."]
Reward: 50 gold.
Penalty for Failure: –500 gold.
I stared at the numbers, reread them, rubbed my eyes, and reread them again. The minus sign didn't go away.
"Uh… hey, Lady Seraphine? This says I owe money if I fail."
Across the polished marble hall, Lady Seraphine smiled serenely over her teacup—the kind of smile that could sell disaster insurance to a dragon. "Of course, dear. Motivation is the mother of achievement. If heroes could fail for free, they'd never improve."
"That sounds less like motivation and more like extortion with extra paperwork."
She tilted her head. "Paperwork is extra, actually."
I opened my mouth to argue, but she waved one graceful hand. A golden sigil shimmered in the air, and the heavy double doors of the Hero Guild swung open behind me. Wind rushed through, scattering parchment and pride alike.
"Your destiny awaits, Mister Tanaka," she said, voice soft but final. "Slay the slimes, earn your reward, and pay your initiation fee. The Hero Guild welcomes all… solvent members."
"Wait—initiation fee?" I started, but the doors slammed shut with divine finality. My new life had begun—apparently on credit.
By the time I found the city gates, I'd already learned two important things about Orvelia:
Everything costs money.
Everyone knows it.
Even asking for directions cost me three silver and a dirty look. A vendor charged me a "curiosity tax" for window-shopping. And the guard at the gate made me pay a "foot-traffic toll." I was pretty sure he made that one up on the spot.
Outside the walls, endless green fields stretched toward the horizon, dotted with flowers, butterflies, and a faintly ominous mist. The perfect place for a new hero to begin his adventure—or get eaten by wildlife.
My sword gleamed on my hip, rented from the guild armory. They'd said it was "sturdy," which apparently meant "already cracked but still functional." I took a deep breath and checked my quest log.
[Objective: Defeat 3 Slimes.]
Progress: 0/3.
"Alright," I told myself. "Tutorial monsters. Easy XP. Quick cash. No problem."
A rustle sounded nearby. I turned—and froze.
A wobbling blue blob plopped out of the tall grass, eyes blinking like lazy marbles. It made a cheerful glorp noise. Then another appeared. And another. Three total.
"Perfect," I said. "Three slimes, three targets. Let's do this."
The first one jiggled threateningly.
The second one… split into two smaller slimes.
The third started absorbing a rock, which was now somehow turning into part of its body.
"Okay, maybe not perfect."
I drew my sword. It made a sad scraping sound, like even it was tired. My hands shook a little, but adrenaline—or maybe panic—kicked in. I charged.
The first swing sliced through the air and hit nothing. The slime bounced aside with a wet boing, splashing goo on my shirt.
"Disgusting! Why is it warm?!"
Before I could recover, another slime slammed into my leg. It didn't hurt much, but it stuck. I stumbled, shaking it off.
[Warning: You are currently in debt. 'Limit Breaker' activated.]
A pulse of energy rippled through me. My heartbeat quickened, my vision sharpened, and my sword suddenly felt lighter. Strength surged through my arms like caffeine and bad decisions combined.
For a second, I grinned. "Okay. That's more like it."
Then I noticed my gold count blinking at the bottom of the interface: –37.
"Wait, what? I haven't even bought anything—oh, right. Sword rental."
"Fine," I muttered, gripping the sword tighter. "If being broke makes me stronger, then I'll be invincible by next week."
The glowing red aura from Limit Breaker pulsed around my arms. I felt my body moving faster than I could think, every muscle electric, my swings heavier and sharper. The slimes jittered nervously—if blobs could feel fear, these ones did.
"Let's see you dodge this!"
I brought the sword down with a satisfying squelch. The first slime exploded into gooey confetti. A notification blinked.
[Slime defeated! +10 EXP!]
[Cleanup fee incurred: –2 gold.]
"What do you mean, cleanup fee?!"
Apparently, even killing monsters wasn't free around here.
The other two slimes lunged at me, bouncing with surprising aggression. I sidestepped the first but slipped on leftover slime, crashing face-first into the dirt. The second blob landed squarely on my back, squishing me like a pancake.
"Get—off—me!" I shouted, rolling until it flopped away. My sword flew from my hand and stuck upright in the ground.
[Debt increased: –5 gold (sword damage repair).]
"Unbelievable," I groaned. "I'm not even done fighting and I'm already broke again!"
I scrambled to my feet just in time to see the last slime launching itself at my head. My body moved on instinct, Limit Breaker flaring again. I snatched the sword midair and swung.
The hit connected. The slime burst like an overfilled balloon, showering me in sparkly blue droplets.
[Quest Progress: 3/3.]
[Quest Complete! Reward: 50 gold.]
[Outstanding Debts: –44 gold.]
So much for profit.
I sighed, wiping goo off my face with the least filthy part of my sleeve. "Well… a win's a win. Technically."
That's when I heard clapping.
Slow, sarcastic clapping.
From the edge of the field, a young woman in white robes strolled toward me, expression halfway between bored and unimpressed. Her blonde hair was tied in a high ponytail, and a silver pendant shaped like a coin hung from her neck.
"You swing like someone who's never held a sword before," she said. "And you look like you just lost a fight with a pudding."
"Thanks," I said. "Always nice to meet a fan."
She rolled her eyes and stopped a few feet away. "I'm Mira Lunehart—licensed healer, certified by the Guild of Practical Miracles. You look half-dead, so lucky for you, I make house calls."
I blinked. "Wait, a healer? That's great! Can you—"
"Fifty gold per wound," she interrupted, holding up a glowing hand. "Upfront."
"What?! I just made fifty gold total!"
She smiled sweetly. "Then it's your lucky day. I take payment plans."
My quest reward screen helpfully blinked:
[Warning: Entering additional debt will activate 'Limit Breaker.']
I sighed. "You're serious about this, aren't you?"
"Completely. Also, every second I'm standing here is another one gold in consultation fees."
I hesitated, but a sharp pain from my shoulder decided for me. "Fine. Heal me."
"Excellent choice." Mira's hand glowed brighter, washing over me in warm, golden light. My cuts and bruises closed in seconds.
It felt amazing—until my gold counter updated.
[Balance: –95 gold.]
I choked. "Ninety-five?! That was supposed to be fifty!"
"Oh, that included taxes, tip, and a convenience surcharge," she said cheerfully. "You'd be surprised how quickly it adds up."
I stared at her. She smiled wider.
"Welcome to Orvelia," she said. "Where miracles cost extra."
"You know," I said, clutching my now perfectly healed shoulder, "in my old world, people called that daylight robbery."
Mira tucked her glowing hand back into her robe pocket. "In this world, we call it medical service. You're welcome."
I sighed, eyeing my pitiful negative balance. "Do you at least offer refunds?"
"Sure. If you can undo time and un-bleed yourself." She smiled sweetly. "Otherwise, no."
I was starting to think that maybe the slimes were the least dangerous creatures in Orvelia.
Still, I couldn't deny she was good at her job. My body felt stronger, lighter… and a little too energetic. Limit Breaker was still active, probably because I was knee-deep in debt again. The power thrummed in my veins, half thrilling, half terrifying.
"So, are you a wandering healer or something?" I asked, trying to distract myself from the blinking red "–95 G" hovering in the corner of my vision.
"Freelance," she said, adjusting her coin pendant. "The guild doesn't pay enough, so I charge market rates. I'm also looking for reliable partners to form a hero unit."
I perked up. "You mean like a team?"
"Yes," she said. "A healer, a fighter, and maybe someone with decent aim."
"Perfect!" I said. "I can fight, I think. And I'm great with debt."
She raised an eyebrow. "Debt?"
"Long story."
"Short version?"
"I get stronger the more broke I am."
She blinked twice. "…That sounds both tragic and exploitable."
"Yeah, it's kind of my brand."
Before she could respond, something exploded in the distance. A burst of dirt and grass shot into the sky. Then a voice shouted, "Don't worry! I totally meant to do that!"
Mira groaned. "Oh no. Not her again."
A figure stumbled over the hill—a girl with short purple hair, goggles on her forehead, and a cracked staff in her hand. Her clothes were singed, her boots smoking slightly.
"Hey, Mira!" she called. "Guess who figured out how to amplify her telekinesis?"
Mira muttered, "Please say someone else."
The girl grinned proudly. "It's me!"
She tripped on a rock, flailing as the staff went flying—and so did I. An invisible force yanked me backward into a tree. My vision went whump.
"Ow!"
The girl ran over, helping me up with a sheepish smile. "Sorry, sorry! I'm Tessa Coil. You must be the new guy everyone's gossiping about—the one who owes the guild money already."
"…Word travels fast here, huh?"
"Lightning-fast," Tessa said. "Mostly because I may have… accidentally sent your debt notice flying into the marketplace billboard."
I groaned. Mira pinched the bridge of her nose. "Tessa, why are you even here?"
"I sensed your healing magic," Tessa said. "And explosions attract me! It's a curse."
"Pretty sure that's not a curse," I muttered.
"It is now," she said cheerfully.
Tessa leaned in close, examining my sword. "Ooh, guild rental issue number 4032. Those crack easy."
"Yeah, I noticed."
"I can fix it!" she said brightly. "For a fee."
"Of course."
Mira smirked. "Now you understand how Orvelia works."
I looked between the two of them—the price-gouging healer and the walking disaster with telekinesis—and sighed.
"Fine," I said. "You're both hired."
"Hired?" Mira asked. "We didn't apply."
"Good," I said. "That means I don't have to pay you yet."
"Budget Goblin?" I asked, staring at the new quest screen hovering in front of me. "That's… not an intimidating name."
Tessa peeked over my shoulder. "It says here it's a low-level monster that steals loose change and occasionally tax forms."
Mira groaned. "Oh, great. They're like raccoons, but with accounting degrees."
The quest details glowed mockingly in bright blue:
[New Quest: Eliminate the Budget Goblin near Orvelia's East Road.]
Reward: 120 gold.
Penalty for Failure: +25% interest on existing debt.
My stomach sank. "Interest? You mean… my debt can grow?"
"Of course," Mira said. "This is a well-structured economy. You should be honored to contribute."
Tessa was already twirling her cracked staff. "Relax! We just find the little guy, knock him out, collect the reward, and everyone gets paid! Easy money."
"Easy money," I repeated weakly, already suspecting those words would age like milk
The East Road wasn't much of a road—just a dusty trail winding through half-grown fields and abandoned carts. Crows cawed overhead, and a sign nearby read: Beware of pickpockets, goblins, and surprise toll booths.
"I'm starting to hate this world's sense of humor," I muttered.
Mira adjusted her robes. "Focus, Kai. If we're lucky, we'll finish before sunset. Tessa, try not to blow anything up."
"No promises!"
After about fifteen minutes of walking, we found him—or rather, he found us.
A short, green creature with a leather bag and a tiny pair of reading glasses darted out from the bushes. He squeaked when he saw us, clutching a stack of parchment like it was sacred treasure.
"There he is!" Tessa shouted. "Get him!"
The goblin shrieked, tossed a handful of coins into the air, and ran. Instinct took over—I chased after him.
He was fast. I sprinted through the tall grass, dodging thorns and tree roots, my balance wobbling with every uneven step. "Stop! I just want to kill you for money!"
[Debt Warning: –95 G. 'Limit Breaker' active.]
My body surged with power again. The world slowed, my vision sharpened, and I leapt forward with a speed that would've impressed physics professors everywhere.
I caught up to the goblin easily, grabbing his bag and swinging my sword down—only for it to shatter.
The blade snapped clean off and flew past him, embedding in a tree. The goblin blinked, stunned.
"…You missed," he said in perfect Common.
"I wasn't aiming," I lied.
He smirked, reached into his pouch, and threw a handful of glowing coins at my chest. Each one exploded with a flash and a puff of smoke.
"Those are explosive currency!" Tessa shouted from behind. "He's a Level 6 Auditor!"
"What level am I?!" I yelled.
"Uh… two?"
"Great!"
The goblin lunged again, slapping a glowing paper to my forehead.
[New Condition: Fined –10 gold for Disturbing an Accountant.]
I screamed. "This world is evil!"
The goblin cackled, clearly enjoying himself—until Mira's voice rang out: "Sanctioned Smite!"
A beam of holy light struck the goblin squarely on the head, sending him spinning like a green top. He landed in the dirt, twitching.
Mira walked up calmly, brushing dirt off her sleeves. "And that," she said, "is how you collect unpaid taxes."
Tessa ran up behind her, staff crackling. "Ooh, is he dead?"
The goblin groaned. "Mostly."
[Quest Complete! Reward: 120 gold.]
[Automatic Deduction: Debt Payment –95 G.]
[Balance: +25 G.]
I gasped. "I'm in the positive?! For the first time ever!"
Then a new notification appeared.
"…I hate this world."
We dragged the unconscious goblin back to the Orvelia Hero Guild by his tiny ankles. He was still clutching his paperwork, mumbling something about "asset depreciation" in his sleep.
The receptionist—a bored-looking elf named Lira—barely looked up from her clipboard. "Quest completion form?"
Mira handed it over. "All targets neutralized, minor collateral damage, one hero emotionally scarred."
"Standard outcome," Lira said, stamping it with a thud. "Your payment's been processed. Minus handling, storage, and environmental fees."
"Wait," I said. "What environmental fees? We fought in a field!"
"Fields count as public property," she said without blinking. "Weed displacement and air disruption penalties apply."
I rubbed my temples. "This place makes the IRS look merciful."
Mira smirked. "Welcome to the adventuring world, Kai. If the monsters don't kill you, the paperwork will."
Tessa leaned over the counter, her goggles glinting. "Hey, Lira! Any new quests for our team?"
The elf sighed. "Team? I don't see any registered team under your names."
Mira froze. "Right. We haven't filed the registration form yet."
"Do we have to?" I asked warily.
"It's mandatory," Lira said, already pulling out a stack of papers so thick it could stop a sword. "Team Name, Team Motto, Budget Declaration, Risk Acknowledgment, Injury Waiver—"
"I'll take the injury waiver now," I muttered.
"—and of course, the Formation Fee," she finished sweetly.
I groaned. "How much?"
"Just a small deposit of two hundred gold."
Tessa whistled. "That's… optimistic."
"I don't have two hundred gold!" I said. "I barely survived being negative!"
Lira shrugged. "Then you can apply for a Hero Credit Extension."
[New Option: Hero Credit Extension available. Interest Rate: 30%.]
I laughed bitterly. "Thirty percent? That's predatory!"
Tessa grinned. "Predatory rates for a predatory world. Kinda poetic, huh?"
Mira sighed. "We'll handle it later. For now, consider this a team in spirit."
She extended her hand. "To survival, and hopefully solvency."
I hesitated, then took it. "To not dying before we can afford lunch."
Tessa threw her hands up. "And to explosions that only happen sometimes!"
We all laughed—well, half-laughed, half-cried—and shook on it. For a brief moment, I actually felt something warm under all the chaos and debt: hope.
Then another notification popped up.
[System Alert: "Team Debt Synchronization Enabled."]
[All team members now share a combined balance.]
[Current Total: –200 G.]
Our smiles froze.
Tessa blinked. "Wait… shared debt?"
Mira's face paled. "Oh no."
I checked the screen again, just to be sure. The number was blinking red, bigger, bolder, and somehow angrier than before.
"…Guys," I said slowly. "We're officially bankrupt."
There was silence for a long moment. Then Tessa raised her hand. "So… lunch is off?"
Mira rubbed her forehead. "Lunch is collateral now."
I sighed, staring up at the massive Hero Guild crest hanging above us. It sparkled majestically, the words "COURAGE THROUGH CREDIT" carved into gold.
"…I'm going to regret every second of this adventure, aren't I?"
"Probably," Mira said.
"Definitely," Tessa added.
And just like that, the guild doors opened again, sunlight pouring through. A new quest notification appeared on my interface.
[Main Quest Unlocked: Investigate the Origin of the Debt System.]
[Reward: ???]
[Failure Penalty: Bankruptcy (permanent).]
I laughed weakly. "Guess I spoke too soon."
Mira grinned. "Welcome to the hero life, Kai."
Tessa pumped her fist. "Let's go bankrupt in style!"