A well-kept secret
Elise stood straight before Trinity Shogun in her immense office, located at the top of the Tower of Recoveries, the heart of the Debt Agency. This building, a black and silver monolith, dominated the financial capital of the continent. It symbolized the Agency's power—an edifice so tall that people said it nearly touched the heavens… yet it let no light escape.
Inside, each floor was designed for a specific function:
The lower levels housed the field agents and collectors, those who handled ordinary debtors.
The middle levels were reserved for managers and analysts who monitored the continent's finances, predicting bankruptcies before they even occurred.
Higher up, the offices of the high-ranking officials—a place where decisions about the world's economy were made, decisions that no one could oppose.
And at the very top, Trinity's Office, accessible only to those she deemed worthy.
"Elise, my dear, I have a new mission for you."
Elise straightened slightly, attentive. In recent months, her missions had become increasingly burdensome. At first, she simply repossessed the belongings of ruined debtors. Then she was assigned more complex targets—fraudsters who tried to escape their debt, financial criminals. She hadn't questioned things too much… until now.
Trinity closed the file and slid it toward her.
"This time, it's a special case. It concerns the Wycliff family."
Elise opened the file and scanned the documents. Her heart skipped a beat. A family of farmers. A debt of 300,000 credits. Nothing like the wealthy industrialists or corrupt politicians she was used to dealing with.
"Such a small debt…?" Elise murmured, troubled.
"Don't be naive," Trinity replied. "The amount doesn't matter. What matters is the example. These people took out a loan ten years ago to save their farm. We gave them time, too much time, and yet they still failed. If they don't pay, it will send a message to others—that the Agency can be ignored."
Elise felt a knot form in her stomach. Destroying a modest family's life… simply for an "example"?
"I refuse."
Trinity raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"What did you say?"
"I refuse this mission. I'm not here to crush innocent people."
Elise, who had climbed through the Agency's ranks over the years, knew she should never have questioned Trinity's orders. But this time, she couldn't stay silent.
"I refuse this mission."
A silence settled in, heavy like a threat.
Trinity stared at her for a long moment before turning her gaze to the horizon through the massive, reinforced windows.
"You've always been special, Elise. I suspected the day would come when you'd question what we do here."
She crossed her arms and turned back toward the young woman.
"I suppose you'd also like to know the truth about your parents?"
Elise stiffened.
"Your parents were not ordinary citizens. They were connected to one of the rulers… and their deaths were no accident."
A cold shiver ran down Elise's spine.
She knew the rulers all too well. Trinity was one of them, after all, and over time, she had spoken to Elise about the others—though never in full detail. Even the extent of their abilities remained a mystery.
If she remembered correctly, there were six of them, along with...
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The One to Be Adored – Idolatry (Supreme Sovereign)
Position: Absolute monarch of the continent, worshipped as a deity.
Influence: His cult is omnipresent. He imposes his will upon his subjects, eradicating all dissent.
Powers: The ability to manipulate perception and faith, making rebellion against him impossible. (The only ability Trinity revealed to Elise.)
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1. Trinity Shogun – Exploitation (Leader of the Debt Agency)
Role: Overseer of the continent's economy and finances.
Influence: All wealth flows through her. She turns debt into a weapon of domination.
Powers: She can curse someone with an eternal debt, gradually draining their existence. (The only ability she admitted to Elise.)
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2. ??? – Manipulation (Master of Twisted Truths)
Role: Ruler of the media, propaganda, and information control.
Influence: He rewrites history and manipulates the masses' perception.
Powers: Can alter memories and impose alternative truths. (You get the idea.)
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3. ??? – Total Domination (Lord of Absolute Order)
Role: Commander of the security forces and judicial system.
Influence: No crime or dissent can exist under his rule, but the justice he enforces is absolute and merciless.
Powers: Can establish supernatural laws that are unbreakable by those who violate them.
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4. ??? – Devouring Ambition (Architect of Ascension)
Role: Leader of research, technology, and forbidden experiments.
Influence: He shapes the continent's future through discoveries that defy morality.
Powers: Can accelerate the evolution of living beings and objects—but at the cost of unpredictable mutations.
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5. ??? – Fanaticism (High Priest of the One True Doctrine)
Role: Master of the continent's cults and beliefs.
Influence: He enforces a singular ideology and eradicates all heresy.
Powers: Can ignite the fervor of an entire population, making them incapable of disobedience.
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6. ??? – Betrayal (Weaver of Conspiracies)
Role: Chief of spies, assassins, and covert intelligence.
Influence: She ensures that no one can overthrow the established order, orchestrating intrigues that serve the rulers.
Powers: Can slip into someone's shadow, forcing them to betray others without realizing it.
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"You… You know something about them?"
"Only fragments. But I won't give them to you for free. Here, everything has a price. If you want this information, you'll have to earn it."
Trinity slowly stepped toward the center of the room and, with a fluid motion, conjured a magical contract between her fingers. The air crackled with dark energy as crimson ink spread across the parchment.
"A fight. Win against me, and I'll tell you everything I know."
Elise felt a chill run down her spine. She had never faced Trinity in a real fight. She had trained under her, yes. Been evaluated, again and again. But a serious battle? That was something else entirely.
"And if I lose?" she asked, her voice tense.
Trinity smiled.
"Then you forget your doubts, you complete this mission, and you stay with the Agency. Forever."
Elise's gaze darkened.
"Fine."
The contract burst into flames, sealing the agreement.
With a simple snap of Trinity's fingers, the office walls vanished, revealing a circular arena, a training ground hidden behind complex illusions. The black windows turned into mirrors, reflecting every movement.
Elise clenched her fists. This was the test of her life.
"Come now, my daughter," Trinity declared, taking a combat stance. "Show me what all these years of training are worth."
A silence.
Then, Elise attacked first.