"Good morning, Team Overdraft!" Lira chirped from behind the guild counter, voice way too cheerful for someone delivering financial doom. "You've officially survived your first day as registered heroes!"
"Barely," Mira muttered.
"However," Lira continued, flipping through her clipboard, "I'm required to inform you that your shared debt has increased by twelve percent due to daily interest."
I blinked. "Twelve percent daily?! That's not interest—that's a death sentence!"
"Technically it's called a 'heroic motivation multiplier,'" she said sweetly.
Tessa tilted her head. "So we're… more motivated now?"
"Motivated to cry," I said.
The elf ignored us and slid a parchment across the counter. "Fortunately, the guild offers opportunities to reduce debt through select high-risk, high-yield quests. For example—" she tapped the paper "—The Dungeon of IOUs."
Mira's expression turned pale. "That place is cursed."
"Cursed?" I asked. "Like haunted?"
"Worse," she said. "It's managed by accountants."
I felt my soul leave my body.
Lira went on, "The dungeon automatically generates new contracts when heroes enter. Each room requires a small 'usage fee,' but the loot inside is tax-exempt!"
"That's supposed to make it better?" I asked.
"Of course!" she said. "Now, who's signing?"
Before I could protest, Tessa had already grabbed a pen and scribbled her name across the form, humming cheerfully.
"Tessa!" Mira snapped. "You can't just—"
"Too late," Lira interrupted, rolling up the parchment. "Your party is now officially registered for Dungeon Expedition No. 47-A. Congratulations!"
The stamp glowed red, sealing our doom in bureaucratic elegance.
We stood outside the eastern city gates an hour later, staring at the looming dungeon entrance.
It wasn't the kind of place you imagined for grand adventure. There were no dragon carvings, no mysterious mist—just a metal door with a glowing coin slot and a plaque that read:
"Insert payment to begin your descent."
"…You've got to be kidding me," I said.
Mira sighed. "Dungeon of IOUs. Even entry costs money."
"How much?" Tessa asked, peering at the inscription.
[Entry Fee: 10 Gold per person.]
I checked my balance: –150 G.
"Can we pay in enthusiasm?" I asked hopefully.
Mira pinched her temples. "I'll cover the initial fee," she said reluctantly, handing a few gold coins into the slot. "But you're paying me back—with interest."
The door rumbled open, metal grinding like a stomach begging for coins. A faint, echoing voice welcomed us:
"Welcome, valued customers, to the Dungeon of IOUs. Please proceed responsibly."
The air inside smelled faintly of dust and desperation.
"Feels like home," I muttered.
The first hallway was pristine—marble floors, glowing sconces, and gold-trimmed signs on every wall. One read:
"Safety is priceless. Please mind your debt."
Another said:
"Fighting monsters may void your warranty."
Tessa poked a crystal embedded in the wall. It immediately lit up with text:
She yanked her hand back. "I just touched it!"
"Everything costs money here," Mira said grimly. "Don't touch anything unless you want to end up paying for oxygen."
"Too late," said a voice ahead.
We turned to see a small blue slime wearing a tiny necktie. It held a clipboard and wore an expression of deep professionalism.
"Greetings, honored debtors," it said in perfect Common. "I'm Slime Clerk Model 2-B. Please present proof of payment for dungeon access."
Mira sighed and held up the stamped contract. The slime adjusted its tie, glowing briefly.
"Confirmed," it said. "You may proceed to Corridor One. Beware of late fees."
Tessa raised a hand. "Uh, what happens if we get a late fee?"
The slime's eyes flashed red. "Collection."
We moved on immediately.
The next chamber opened into a wide marble hall lined with floating ledgers. A faint hum of magic filled the air. In the center stood a massive stone golem holding a giant quill.
A sign above it read:
"Stationary Guardian – Please File Movement Request Before Advancing."
I blinked. "We have to file to move forward?"
Mira nodded. "If we don't, it'll charge us for trespassing."
"Unbelievable," I said. "It's a boss fight with paperwork."
Tessa cracked her knuckles. "I can handle this! Watch a pro negotiator in action."
She strutted up to the golem, grinning. "Hey, big guy! We'd like to file a movement request."
The golem's eyes glowed.
"Request received," it said in a booming monotone. "Processing fee: five gold."
Tessa turned back to us. "…I left my wallet at home."
The golem lifted its quill like a weapon.
[Debt Warning: –150 G. 'Limit Breaker' activated.]
I felt the now-familiar rush of power surge through me. My heart pounded, my muscles tingled, and the world slowed down just a little.
"Alright, paperwork monster," I said, raising my sword. "Consider this an early withdrawal."
I charged forward.
The golem swung its quill downward like a hammer. I dodged, sparks flying as it struck marble. Each movement felt easier, lighter—the deeper my debt, the stronger I got.
It was terrifying… and thrilling.
I slashed once, twice—my sword ringing against stone. Cracks formed along the golem's arm.
Then Mira shouted, "Kai! Don't destroy it!"
"Why not?!"
"Property damage fees!"
"WHAT?!"
The golem's quill slammed down again. I barely dodged. Tessa waved her staff, telekinetically yanking the golem's quill away.
"Got it!" she said triumphantly—right before the quill exploded into glitter and a new message appeared in front of us.
[Collateral Loss: –20 G.]
All three of us groaned in unison.
The golem, now quill-less and offended, began scribbling runes on its own arm. The floor glowed. A golden circle formed beneath us.
"Uh, Mira?" I asked. "What's that?"
"Fine print," she said grimly. "And it's about to collect."
The glowing circle beneath us pulsed brighter with every passing second.
Mira's voice sharpened. "Everyone move! That's a debt-binding sigil!"
I didn't need to be told twice. I dove to the side just as golden chains of light burst from the floor, wrapping around where I'd been standing.
The golem's deep voice echoed through the chamber. "Unregistered expenses detected. Commencing asset seizure."
Tessa yelped, ducking behind a floating ledger. "I don't even have assets!"
"Correction," said the golem. "Emotional stability qualifies."
"That's long gone!" she shouted back.
The air buzzed with power as the golem began inscribing more runes on its arm, preparing another spell. My sword—still half-dented from the last fight—vibrated in my grip, eager or maybe terrified.
"Mira, ideas?" I asked.
"Only one," she said. "Try not to break anything else! I'm still paying off your last battle!"
I grinned nervously. "No promises!"
[Debt Level: –170 G.]
['Limit Breaker' resonance increasing…]
The world slowed to a crawl. My body thrummed with unstable energy. My eyes burned red for a split second, and I could feel the debt system whispering—like static in my skull.
Every swing I made cracked stone. Each breath felt heavier, sharper.
The golem lunged, bringing its massive stone fist down.
I met it head-on.
The impact rattled the hall, sending dust raining from the ceiling. For one glorious second, I thought I'd won. Then my sword shattered—again.
"Seriously?!" I yelled, dodging backward as the golem prepared another swing.
Tessa extended her hands, her eyes glowing faintly purple. "Don't worry, Kai! I've got a new move—Psychic Reversal!"
"Wait, what does that do—"
The golem's entire arm suddenly flipped upside down, smacking itself in the face. It staggered, stunned.
"Whoa," I said. "That actually worked!"
Tessa grinned proudly. "See? Totally intentional!"
Unfortunately, the golem's arm didn't stop spinning. It began rotating faster and faster until its entire upper body turned into a whirling tornado of stone and debris.
"—and now it's less intentional!" Tessa screamed.
The tornado slammed into a wall, cracking one of the glowing sconces.
[Lighting Fixture Damage: –15 G.]
Mira groaned. "You two are going to bankrupt me and the guild!"
I glanced up at the golem—it was wobbling, chunks of marble falling off. Its eyes flickered weakly. "If it's going to bill us anyway," I said, "we might as well make it worth the cost!"
I sprinted forward, using a fallen ledger as a springboard, and drove the sword hilt (the hilt, since the blade was gone) straight into the golem's chest.
A burst of energy exploded outward. The golem froze mid-motion, its glowing eyes dimming. Then it crumbled into dust.
[Stationary Guardian defeated!]
[Reward: 80 G.]
[Repair Fees deducted: –60 G.]
[Balance: –150 G.]
"Every victory," I panted, "feels like losing slower."
Mira stepped over a pile of rubble, inspecting the glowing runes now fading from the floor. "The magic here is ancient. Whatever created this place didn't just want to trap people—it wanted to teach them fiscal responsibility."
"Then it's failing miserably," Tessa said, brushing soot off her goggles. "I feel dumber and poorer."
I nodded. "At least we're consistent."
The dungeon door ahead slid open with a low hum. A faint golden light spilled out, illuminating a new corridor filled with shimmering mist.
A new notification appeared.
[Boss Chamber Detected: The Debt Collector Spirit awaits.]
Mira's grip tightened on her staff. "We should turn back. No one below Rank B survives that spirit."
I stared at the glowing doorway. The golden mist pulsed in rhythm with my heartbeat—steady, enticing, like a credit card limit daring me to swipe.
"Yeah," I said quietly. "But if we don't go in, our debt just keeps growing."
Tessa's grin returned, wide and reckless. "Guess we're all-in, then!"
Mira sighed. "I'm surrounded by lunatics."
"Correction," I said, stepping forward. "Broke lunatics."
The boss chamber was silent.
Not the peaceful kind of silent—this was the quiet of overdue bills and regret.
Mist swirled around our ankles as we stepped inside. Golden runes covered the marble walls, shifting like living ink. In the center hovered a tall, ghostly figure wrapped in translucent robes, holding a massive, spectral abacus.
Its voice echoed, smooth and calm—but sharp as a lawyer's smile.
"Welcome, delinquent clients. I am the Debt Collector Spirit, guardian of financial equilibrium."
Tessa leaned close to me. "It talks fancy. I don't like it."
The spirit's glowing eyes focused on us. "Your outstanding balance has reached critical levels. Payment is now due… in soul installments."
"Wait, soul installments?" I said. "That wasn't in the contract!"
"Failure to read the fine print is not the fault of the creditor," the spirit replied coolly.
The abacus beads clacked together, glowing brighter with every sound. "Initiating collection sequence."
[Boss Battle: Debt Collector Spirit – Commencing]
The room's magic surged, forming golden energy lines that boxed us in.
Mira instantly conjured a mana barrier. "Kai, keep it busy! Tessa and I will find a way to interrupt the spell circle!"
"On it!" I said—then immediately ducked as a beam of golden energy scorched the air above my head.
The spirit floated closer, its abacus spinning. "Interest accumulates… exponentially."
The word interest triggered a system ping.
[Debt Level: –190 G.]
[Limit Breaker effect amplified!]
Power coursed through me, tingling like static lightning. My vision sharpened; the world slowed again. I darted forward, sword newly reforged by the system's auto-repair bonus.
My strike met the spirit's robes—but instead of cutting, my blade passed through harmlessly.
"Intangible?! Great!" I shouted. "Any ideas, team?"
Mira's voice came from across the chamber. "Spirits are bound by contracts—look for the sigil anchoring it!"
Tessa ducked behind a floating coin pillar, scanning the walls. "I see something glowing behind that ledger statue!"
The spirit turned toward her instantly, raising one ghostly hand.
"Attempting to evade collection… unauthorized expenditure detected."
Dozens of golden coins materialized midair and fired like bullets.
"Whoa!" Tessa cried, using her psychic power to stop a few—but not all. One grazed her arm, bursting into sparks.
[Damage: –15 HP]
[Coin Debt Added: –5 G]
"IT CHARGES FOR DAMAGE?!" she screamed.
"I told you everything costs something here!" Mira yelled back, firing a bolt of blue light that temporarily disrupted the spirit's abacus.
I sprinted toward the statue. The closer I got, the heavier the air felt—like walking through thick syrup. The sigil pulsed behind the marble figure, glowing gold and red, shaped like a stylized coin with wings.
The spirit appeared between me and it in an instant, blocking the way.
"Unauthorized balance adjustment detected," it hissed. "Penalty: interest doubling."
My HUD blinked red.
[Debt Level: –380 G.]
The surge of Limit Breaker energy nearly knocked me off my feet. My pulse thundered in my ears. The floor cracked beneath me with every step.
"Fine," I said, smirking through the dizziness. "Let's see how you handle high-risk investments!"
I swung.
This time, the blade met resistance. The air rippled, the spirit flinched, and one of the abacus beads cracked.
The spirit screeched, its calm tone finally breaking. "Violation detected! Immediate liquidation required!"
Mira shouted from the side, "Kai! The sigil—it's reactive to debt energy! Overload it!"
"Overload it?! Mira, that's my life savings!"
She deadpanned, "You don't have any savings!"
"…Fair."
I planted my sword in the floor, channeling the wild energy through it. The air exploded with crimson and gold light. The sigil pulsed violently, glowing brighter with every heartbeat.
The spirit's voice distorted. "This level of deficit… unsustainable…!"
Tessa threw up a psychic barrier around us. "Do it, Kai! Go full broke!"
I screamed as the Limit Breaker hit its peak.
[Debt Level: –999 G.]
[Overdraft Mode Activated.]
The chamber shattered in a flash of blinding light.
When the dust settled, I was lying flat on my back, sword smoking beside me. The boss chamber was half-collapsed, marble shards everywhere. The abacus lay cracked in two. The spirit hovered weakly, its form flickering.
It gave a faint, almost relieved sigh. "…Account… settled."
Then it dissolved into golden mist.
I groaned. "Even when we win, we lose."
Tessa coughed out some dust. "At least it's consistent."
Mira helped me to my feet, looking both proud and exasperated. "You nearly vaporized the whole dungeon."
"Yeah," I said with a weak grin. "But the debt's almost round. Makes it feel cleaner somehow."
A faint chime echoed through the chamber.
[Quest Complete: The Dungeon of IOUs.]
[New Quest Available: "The Tax of Heroes."]
We all froze.
Tessa tilted her head. "Wait… tax?"
Mira's shoulders slumped. "Of course. Because beating the boss counts as income."
I stared blankly at the glowing system message. "…Lady Seraphine is going to kill us."
Outside the dungeon, the sun was setting. The three of us stumbled back toward the city, covered in dust, half-conscious, and somehow still in debt.
Tessa whistled cheerfully. "Hey, Kai, at least we're alive!"
"Barely."
"And we beat a dungeon!"
"With negative profit."
She shrugged. "It's not about the money. It's about the adventure."
Mira shot her a glare. "We took this quest to pay bills."
"Details," Tessa said, smiling.
As the guild tower came into view, a new notification popped up.
[Guild Reminder: Rent due in 24 hours.]
I exhaled. "Adventure's over."
Mira patted my shoulder. "No. It's just beginning."
"Yeah," I said, staring at the sunset. "And it's already expensive."