work
Dring drinnng driiiinnnnng
Hello, who is this...
...
...
Hello! Hello! Who's calling—damn kids. You better stop making prank calls, or else...
Hangs up.
Damn, I was just enjoying a good night's sleep, and now...
Dring drinnng driiiinnnnn
Picks up.
I swear, if I find you, you're going to—
(Hello.)
Hmm... H-Hello! Is this you, you brat, disturbing me at this hour? Who do you think you are...
(A debt agent.)
... What? H-How? A debt agent? Gulp I'm really sorry, miss, but why are you calling me at this hour?
(Well, sir, since you mention it, it seems you owe the agency a sum of over 12,300,000 in red bills, and this debt was contracted... oh my god, seven years ago! Why such a delay, sir?)
Well, madam, you... you need to understand. How could I pay the agency with all the expenses I have to cover? I have a family to feed, I... I beg you, please give me more time. I have a wife and children to care for.
(Yes, you do have a wife and children, but... oh sir, it seems you forgot to mention Valérie, Gloire, Sara, Lorraine, and many others.)
Blushing How do you know about...
(Ah, dear sir, we are the agency. We are one of the rulers of this continent. Of course, knowing about a married man's mistresses is child's play for us. You said you needed time and that you're fighting for your family. But the price of luxury clothes and beauty accessories for your various mistresses makes me think you're financially comfortable. Your children attend a prestigious school in one of the continent's most developed cities—they have every chance of success. Your family seems to live in, oh my, a literal castle. Tell me, sir, with all these expenses, how did you forget about your debt?)
Wait, it's not what you think. I can explain—
(There's nothing to explain, sir. When you signed the debt contract, you were aware of the consequences of non-payment by the due date. Nevertheless, I am sorry for you... Thank you for choosing the debt agency. I hope you enjoyed our services. Goodbye.)
...
...
Damn, no, no, no! I'm finished. I'm ruined.
Third-person POV
The man was panicking. He didn't know what to do or think. Just as he was about to call the agency back, he realized his wife was video-calling him.
Honey, this isn't the time. I have to...
(My love, there's a problem at home.) Crying
What problem? Why... why are you outside?!
(Look.)
The woman pointed her phone camera towards their massive house... which was literally sinking into shadows. Yes, a huge shadow was looming over the house.
(Honey, you have to come home right away, you... gibberish)
Honey, I can't hear you well.
As the man watched the phone screen go black and lost connection with his wife, he was in shock. He was in another city on business and never imagined things would turn out this way. As he wondered what to do, he received a message—from the bank.
"Sorry, sir. We regret to inform you that your bank account has been 'recovered' by the debt agency, along with all your real estate assets. We thank you for your loyalty over the years. Good luck in the future."
The man was utterly ruined. Every bank where he had deposited money called him. All his insurance companies turned away from him. Every shareholder in his company abandoned him. His money—everything, everything, everything... His phone was finally absorbed by a shadow.
Damn, even my phone... I'm definitely finished! Smiles.
---
(Hello... Yes, the recovery was a success. All right, I'm returning to base.) Call ends.
An 18-year-old girl with a black coat, long gray hair, and eyes of different colors—one white, one black—watched the man, who was preparing to end it all.
"Poor soul... I am." That was her only thought before leaving.
How did I get here?
She didn't pity the man but pitied herself. How had she become like this? She still asked herself that question.
---
In the Past:
Elise realized that the woman who adopted her wasn't just anyone. She was Trinity Shogun, known as the "Debtor Sinner" and president of the Debt Agents—one of the ruling bodies of the continent. Though considered the least powerful, they were still dangerous to those who challenged them.
The Debt Agents' role is to lend money to those in need. They control all the continent's banks and insurance companies. If someone doesn't repay their debt by the agreed date, all their assets are seized.
Young Elise's POV:
I received intensive training from my many "instructors." They taught me to react to danger, endure pain, be stealthy, lie convincingly, and improve my physical condition. Their goal was to make me a debt agent. But as Trinity's adopted daughter, I also received a princess-like education: 4 hours of foreign languages, 3 hours of arts, 7 hours of math (geometry, calculus)... It's too much to list—I almost went crazy.
Oh, daughter of time, I eventually felt a dark energy within me. One day, I lost control, and nearly the entire mansion began to collapse. If Trinity hadn't been there, I would have destroyed everything and hurt myself.
Trinity: Come here, my dear.
As I sat beside her, she explained what "sinners" really meant and talked about the energy they use.
Trinity: Sinners are beings with incredible abilities beyond comprehension. When they awaken their powers, they gain שְׁחִיתוּת (shechitout)—an energy that manifests as decay or corruption. It can degrade matter, render objects and environments harmful, and even age or decompose living beings instantly. This energy spreads through air, water, or earth, degrading everything it touches.
Over time, I trained with Trinity instead of my instructors. She judged my power too strong for normal humans to handle. After five years, I achieved my awakening at 13, earning my sin: theft. Eventually, I joined the Debt Agency and made a name for myself.