Lin Chen didn't move. Her hand remained firm on the hilt of her sword.
"Wager my sword?" Her voice was pure ice. "This is the 'Snow Fang,' a Silver-tier treasure. Worth more than your entire life, you indebted trash."
I smiled. Or rather, my body smiled on its own. The arrogance of the previous owner was etched into my muscles.
"Exactly. If I win, your family's debt is cut in half, and I keep the weapon. If I lose…" I opened my arms, exposing my chest. "You can take my head. The debt collectors' guild will pay a handsome reward for it."
The system blinked before my eyes.
> [ALERT: Host is engaging in a high-risk wager.]
> Current chance of victory: 2%
> Would you like to activate: 'Skill Loan'?
A loan? Even here there were loans?
'Explain yourself,' I thought.
> [SKILL LOAN]
> You can temporarily "purchase" a superior combat technique
> Cost: 100,000 Soul Stones (Added to your total debt)
> Duration: 5 minutes
I sighed mentally. It was a vicious circle. To pay the debt, I had to incur even more debt.
"I accept," I said.
Suddenly, a cold, violent knowledge flooded my brain. My fingers curled as if they had held a sword for centuries.
> [TEMPORARY SKILL ACQUIRED: 'Path of the Bloody Creditor' – Gold Rank]
> Current Balance: -1,000,200,000 Soul Stones (Interest increased while you read this)
"Die!" Lin Chen shouted.
She lunged forward. Her sword traced an icy arc, freezing the air in its path. She was fast. Far faster than human eyes could track.
But my body moved before I could think.
One step to the left.
A wrist flick.
I trapped the blade between my index and middle fingers.
The metallic hum filled the room. Lin Chen's cold technique halted mere millimeters from my skin.
"What…?" Lin Chen's eyes widened in horror.
"Your technique is elegant, but you waste too much energy on the flair," I said calmly. "True elegance is efficiency."
I pressed my fingers.
Crack!
The Silver-tier blade didn't break, but Lin Chen was sent flying backward by the shockwave. She landed on her knees, gasping.
> [EMERGENCY MISSION: COMPLETED]
> Reward: 50,000 Soul Stones
> Updated Balance: -1,000,150,000 Soul Stones
"You lost," I said, extending my hand. "The sword. Now."
Lin Chen gritted her teeth. I could see the tears of frustration in her eyes. She was her family's "genius" and had just been humiliated by the city's "debtor villain."
"This isn't over, Han Seo-jun," she spat, throwing the weapon to the ground in disdain. "My elder brother will come tomorrow. He's at Cultivation Level 3."
She turned and stormed out of the mansion like a whirlwind.
I was left alone in the room with the old butler, who looked like he had seen a ghost.
"Young Master… since when do you know Gold-rank martial arts?"
I didn't answer. I looked at the system screen, still glowing.
> [NOTICE]
> Skill loan duration has ended
> Your body will suffer 'Credit Fatigue' for the next 4 hours
> Status: Extreme Weakness
My legs gave out. I collapsed to the floor like a sack of potatoes, unable to move a single finger.
"Damn it…" I muttered into the carpet.
I had won the sword, but now I was an easy target. According to Lin Chen, her brother would come tomorrow, and I couldn't even lift a cup of tea.
If I didn't find a way to generate real income before dawn, my second chance would end before I could even pay the first cent of my debt.