(3rd Person POV)
While some nobles viewed the credit card as an opportunity to take advantage without intending to repay, not all shared the same intent.
There were others genuinely impressed by the convenience.
"Darling, this card is wonderful," a noble lady beamed as the Hellscape cashier swiped it across the reader. "With just a single swipe, everything we bought is paid for."
Her husband gave a faint smile, nodding. "Indeed. It's an elegant solution. No more carrying satchels of money just to buy a dress or two. Quite clever, really."
She leaned closer with a playful look. "Hehe, may I borrow your card from time to time, my love?"
The nobleman raised a brow, feigning hesitation. "Of course, my dear—but only if you use it in moderation. From what I read in the contract, if we reach the 50k limit and don't pay it off in time, our credit score takes a hit… and the interest rates spike."
"Worry not," she said sweetly. "I'll be careful."
He gave her a look. A look that said he didn't quite believe her.
Across the noble circles, similar scenes played out. Ladies who had never touched financial instruments now regarded the shimmering card with the same awe they once reserved for royal jewels. And in the days that followed, a quiet alliance formed—one bound by silk, heels, and the intoxicating allure of shopping.
Soon, a private gathering was arranged. A dozen noblewomen descended upon the Hellscape Mall in full force. Dressed in their finest, they moved from boutique to boutique, clearing shelves with no thought of credit limits or moderation.
"Already maxed out, darling?" one lady teased, sipping a sparkling drink. "Pity. My husband's limit is eighty thousand. Still plenty of room."
"Eighty?" scoffed a plump woman with a proud grin. "Child's play. Mine's two hundred thousand."
And just like that, a new kind of competition was born—not over beauty or lineage, but over the size of their husbands' credit card limits.
Unbeknownst to them, Arthur's bank had just found its most enthusiastic—and profitable—customers.
---
In the chairman's office of Hellfire Park, Arthur sat comfortably in his seat, exuding quiet confidence. Across from him, Princess Mary was energetically recounting her findings.
"Based on the latest reports," she said, her tone upbeat, "both nobles and commoners are loving the convenience of the credit card. Some are even saying it's the future of banking." She grinned proudly. "At this rate, Hellfire Bank might not just challenge the Big Four—it could dethrone them and become the Big One."
Arthur smiled at her optimism. He was pleased, but his expression remained thoughtful. "That would be nice," he said. "But let's be realistic—for Hellfire Bank to truly rise to number one, credit and debit cards alone won't be enough."
Mary blinked. "No? Why not? We're moving fast. I honestly think Hellfire Bank has what it takes to replace the Big Four."
Her confidence was rooted in her own achievement—particularly the massive success of the HKSE.
Arthur tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. "It's the corporate payroll," he said calmly.
"Corporate payroll?" Mary echoed, raising a brow.
He nodded. "It's the real lifeline of banks. Companies deposit salaries directly into employee accounts. These paycheck deposits—usually via checks—keep people tied to those banks. And right now, the Big Four have that monopoly."
Understanding lit up in Mary's eyes. "So you're saying... unless we're part of the corporate payroll system, we'll always be a step behind."
"Exactly," Arthur replied. "As long as paychecks go through them, employees will naturally stick to their banks. That's why the Big Four can afford to be arrogant. They don't need to compete in service—they already have the companies locked in."
Mary leaned forward slightly. "So… your plan is to turn Hellfire Bank into a viable payroll option?"
Arthur's eyes gleamed. "That's the goal. But it won't be easy. Most companies stick with the Big Four because of the perks they receive—low interest loans, lenient terms, special accounts."
She tilted her head. "Then you'll match those perks?"
He shook his head with a faint smirk. "Hellfire Bank is just starting out. We don't have the same resources to offer those perks."
Mary frowned slightly. "Then what's the plan?"
Arthur leaned back, his voice tinged with amusement. "Let's just say… I still have a few cards up my sleeve."
---
The Big Four weren't even slightly alarmed by the rising popularity of Hellfire Bank's credit cards among nobles and commoners—despite the surge in adoption just five days after launch. Whether people paid through Hellfire or not, it didn't matter to them.
At the end of the day, the old guard still held the real power.
Why? Because the payroll systems of most companies were still tied to them. They controlled the cash flow.
That's why, even with the appeal of Hellfire Bank cards, most employees—especially first-timers—stuck with the Big Four. New hires had no real choice; their salary accounts had to be linked to one of the four major banks.
Still, thousands had chosen to open a secondary account with Hellfire Bank. Convenience was the biggest reason. After withdrawing their salary from the Big Four, many would deposit the money into their Hellfire account. But they remained the minority.
For most people, debit and credit cards weren't all that attractive. Cash was still king. They preferred saving money physically—tangible, familiar. If they wanted to shop, they just paid in bills. No fancy cards required.
That was the mindset Hellfire Bank had to break through.
And their upcoming TV ads were designed to do just that.
The ad told the story of two brothers—one working in the city, the other bedridden in a rural town, relying on his sibling for financial support.
It depicted the frustrations of using traditional bank transfers: delays, paperwork, and uncertainty. Days would pass, and the money still wouldn't arrive.
But when the brothers switched to Hellfire Bank, everything changed.
The city brother used the Hellfire Bank website—a clean, responsive banking interface. With just a few clicks and types, the money was transferred instantly.
Problem solved.
No more delays. No more stress. Just a seamless, near-instant transfer across regions.
The message was simple: fast, reliable, and built for real needs.
The ad struck a chord.
People began to talk:
"Hellfire Bank's really fast. I think it outpaces the Big Four in convenience and innovation."
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to open a Hellfire account—just in case."
Hellfire Bank was gradually earning a new nickname in the financial world: "The Most Convenient Bank in the Horn Kingdom," as dubbed by several industry publications.
And yet—that was as far as it went.
To most people, Hellfire Bank was still just a secondary option. A backup. Not the main account.
Because unless Hellfire could secure corporate payroll integration and convince major companies to adopt it for salaries and operations, it would never dethrone the Big Four.
Arthur knew that better than anyone.
His bank didn't have the centuries-old power, deep reserves, or entrenched connections that the Big Four enjoyed—but it had something they didn't:
Entertainment leverage.
Two weeks after the launch of Hellfire Bank, Arthur introduced a bold initiative: the Business Support Program.
Under this program, companies that entrusted their savings and payroll systems to Hellfire Bank would receive exclusive perks—not just typical financial incentives, but something far more valuable.
At first glance, it didn't seem too different. Sure, Hellfire offered low interest rates and minimal service fees—but compared to the Big Four, it wasn't anything groundbreaking.
But then the real offer came to light.
What caught the attention of business owners was this:
Any company that partnered with Hellfire Bank would gain access to the entire Hellfire ecosystem.
Lower advertising fees on the Hellfire Network.
Discounts on producing commercials at Hellfire Studios.
And in some cases—priority ad slots during peak hours.
Even the possibility of being featured in Hellfire films or TV shows, depending on the partnership level.
It was a masterstroke.
"W-Wow… Hellfire's really offering this?"
A company director stared at the benefits list, jaw slack as his eyes scanned the paper.
Many others had similar reactions—shocked, impressed, and very interested.
Why?
Because when it came to entertainment, no one could compete with Hellfire.
For any brand looking to grow, these perks weren't just bonuses—they were game-changers. A background appearance in a Hellfire film, a commercial aired before a blockbuster, a product mention in a hit show—these could launch a company into the spotlight overnight.
Not to mention, Hellfire also waived the fees for barcode order systems, since they owned and operated the infrastructure behind them.
The response was immediate.
Within days of the program's launch, companies lined up to join.