The morning sun barely crept over the rooftops of Orvelia City as I sat cross-legged on my apartment floor, staring at a pile of unpaid bills and empty coin pouches. My stomach growled like a disgruntled monster, and the limit of my patience was… nonexistent.
"Another day, another empty wallet," I muttered, poking at the last stale bread crumb in the corner.
That's when the system pinged.
[Welcome, Kai.]
[You are now registered as a Hero Candidate.]
[Debt Level: –100 G.]
I blinked. Hero Candidate? My entire resume consisted of "survived childhood," "excellent at procrastination," and "can slightly run faster than average when chased."
[Special Ability: Limit Breaker unlocked. Debt-powered enhancement active.]
"Debt-powered… what?" I whispered. My hand shook as sparks of energy surged through my veins. Suddenly, my senses sharpened. The air smelled sharper, the light brighter. Even my stomach grumbled in a heroic rhythm.
"Perfect timing," a voice echoed behind me. A tall, elegant figure stepped into my apartment—Lady Seraphine herself, hair glinting like molten gold. "Kai. You've been selected for a heroic task. Your talents are… unique."
I coughed. "You… you mean I have to fight monsters?"
She smiled. "Technically, yes. But first, a small assignment to gauge your abilities."
She handed me a glowing scroll. As I read it, the system pinged again:
[Quest Assigned: 'Test of Potential' — Accept to proceed.]
I swallowed. My debt level blinked ominously: –100 G. But the Limit Breaker thrummed in my veins. "Well… guess I'm signing up."
[Quest Accepted.]
[Objective: Survive the tutorial encounter.]
Lady Seraphine nodded. "Good. Remember, strength isn't just about power—it's about strategy… and sometimes, sheer luck."
The next instant, the window shattered with a crash. Slime-like creatures poured in, wobbly and blue, each with tiny grins and glinting eyes.
"Uh… tutorial encounter?" I muttered. My hands tingled. I clenched my fists, and the Limit Breaker flared. Suddenly, my strikes were faster, stronger, and more precise—though I still had no idea how to aim properly.
I swung wildly, splattering the slimes against walls and ceilings. One bounced back and hit me square in the face.
[Damage: 5 HP]
[Debt Fine: –2 G]
"Seriously?!" I yelled, rubbing my nose.
From behind the chaos, Lady Seraphine's calm voice cut through. "Focus on the smallest one first. Concentration saves time—and money."
I blinked. "Money? We're in combat!"
[System Reminder: Debt matters. Strength increases with negative balance.]
I groaned and nodded. Great. Fighting monsters while losing money—my life had officially become a sitcom.
After a chaotic few minutes, the slimes were defeated. I stood in the wreckage of my apartment, panting, battered, and… somehow more powerful. My HUD blinked with a new notification:
[Limit Breaker Level Up!]
[Debt Influence: +10% effectiveness.]
Lady Seraphine clapped lightly. "Impressive. You survived your first test. Your debt is… manageable for now, but it will grow. And so will your abilities."
I blinked. "So basically, the more broke I am, the stronger I get?"
She smiled cryptically. "Exactly. Now, I have your first real quest waiting. Are you ready?"
I swallowed, feeling the weight of both destiny and debt pressing on me. "…Yeah. Let's get this over with."
[System Notification: Quest Available — Hero Candidate Task #1: Small Slime Extermination.]
And so began my life as a hero… broke, confused, and powered by debt.