KNOCK KNOCK.
The light overhead flickered again like it was trying to warn me in Morse code. I was standing in the middle of my room, holding a literal demon contract, and trying really hard not to breathe too loud like I was in some horror movie.
And then—
BZZZT.
My phone buzzed. I looked down. New notification from the System:
Incoming Debt Collector. Please prepare an offering or apology.
Bro. WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN???
Another knock. This time slower. Like whoever (or whatever) was out there was trying to be polite about killing me.
So naturally, I did the bravest thing a broke uni student could do in this situation.
I hid under my desk.
Don't judge me.
From the floor, I could see the bottom of the door. Shadows moved. And then—silence. No more knocks. No footsteps. No system sounds.
"Maybe it left," I whispered. Even the room felt like it was holding its breath.
Then a clawed hand slowly slid an envelope under the door.
SCRIIIIITCH.
I kid you not, my soul left my body.
I stared at the envelope like it was gonna explode. It was black. Like, shiny void black. And there was a wax seal on it that looked like it was made of blood. Not like "red wax" blood—nah, I mean like actual coagulated blood. The seal was pulsing.
I was like, "Nope. Absolutely not. I'm returning this order to sender."
But the system had other plans.
Debt Notice Received. Opening Automatically.
The envelope lifted into the air. I just sat there, mouth open, trying to glitch myself out of reality.
It unfolded itself mid-air like some cursed origami and read itself out loud in a voice that sounded like if Google Translate had possessed a haunted mirror.
"Debtor: Kael Sen. You have failed to acknowledge three pending system transactions. A Collector has been dispatched."
BZZZT.
The lights shut off completely. My heart rate hit dial-up modem speeds.
And then—I saw it.
Bro.
Right outside the window.
A tall, lanky figure. All shadows. No face. Just long-ass fingers tapping the glass like it was bored.
TAP. TAP. TAP.
I don't live on the ground floor. I live on the third.
And this dude was floating.
I was THIS close to uninstalling myself.
Suddenly, the demon spoke, but not out loud—in my head.
"Open the door, debtor."
Nah fam.
"You are delaying your consequence."
OKAY BUT CAN YOU NOT DO IT IN 144p SURROUND SOUND INSIDE MY SKULL??
"Last warning."
And then, it phased through the wall like it was part of a glitchy video game.
No door needed.
The thing was right there in my room.
Its face—or lack of one—hovered inches from mine. I could feel the cold radiating off it. It smelled like burnt receipts and regret.
"Uh," I managed to croak, "Can I pay in installments?"
It tilted its head.
"Offer accepted."
DING!
A new system window popped up in my face:
Payment Deferred. New Penalty: Interest of Pain.
…Excuse me??? Interest of PAIN???
Before I could scream or throw myself out the window, the Collector vanished. Like poof. Gone. Just like that.
And the room warmed up again. Lights flicked back on.
I slowly stood up, checking to see if I was still in one piece.
Debt Collection Paused. Next Attempt: Unknown. Rest well
THE LITTLE SMILEY FACE WAS SO UNNECESSARY.
I sat back down on my bed, covered in sweat, shaking, and traumatized.
This system really said: "You can't die yet, we still got plans for you"
And honestly? I was too tired to argue.