I woke up staring at two silver coins in my palm.
The morning light made them gleam. Two whole silver. More money than I'd had since arriving in this world.
I could use them for my debt. Cut down my servitude to Agatha by a few weeks.
Or...
I thought about the refugee girl. Her sick sister. The +1000 karma.
Twenty copper had given me a thousand karma.
Two silver was two hundred copper.
If the ratio held...
That's ten thousand karma.
[System: I can see you calculating.]
Shut up, I'm thinking.
My debt was 135 silver. At two copper per day, that was 6,750 days of work. Eighteen and a half years.
But if I could get karma faster by helping people, and karma restored my powers, and my powers let me work better jobs, earn more money, help more people...
It was a feedback loop.
An exploitable feedback loop.
[System: Oh no.]
Oh YES.
I sat up, clutching the coins. "System. Question."
[System: ...Yes?]
"How do I maximize karma gains?"
[System: By performing genuine acts of compassion and—]
"No, I mean optimize it. Most efficient karma per time invested. Best return on investment. I want the meta strategy."
[System: ...]
[System: You want to min-max... being a good person?]
"Yes. Exactly."
There was a long pause.
[System: I'm going to regret this, aren't I?]
"Probably. Now give me options."
Another pause. Then:
[System: Fine. Two paths available:]
[System: OPTION A - "The Honest Path"] [Perform good deeds naturally. Help people as opportunities arise. Slow but steady karma accumulation. You maintain full control of your resources and decisions.]
[System: OPTION B - "Maximum Optimization Protocol"] [Automated karma generation system. Maximum efficiency. Highest possible karma gain rate. Some restrictions apply. Warning: Once activated, it cannot be turned off.]
I didn't even hesitate. "Option B."
[System: Are you SURE? You should really read the—]
"I'm sure. Activate maximum optimization."
[System: ...Your funeral.]
[System: MAXIMUM OPTIMIZATION PROTOCOL ACTIVATED!]
[System: Analyzing optimal charity distribution algorithms...]
[System: Calculating efficiency ratios...]
[System: Implementing automated resource allocation...]
"Wait, what do you mean automated—"
The two silver coins in my hand vanished.
Not fell. Not dropped. Vanished.
Like they'd never been there.
In their place was 10 copper.
"What?"
[System: Auto-Charity Feature Enabled!]
[System: 95% of all monetary assets and future earnings will be automatically distributed to those in need!]
[System: Current distribution: 1 silver, 90 copper allocated as follows:]
[System: - Refugee Medical Fund: 80 copper] [System: - Orphan Relief Program: 50 copper] [System: - Emergency Food Distribution: 40 copper] [System: - Homeless Shelter Operations: 20 copper]
[System: Remaining balance: 10 copper]
[System: Karma gained: +9,500!]
[System: You're welcome! ♪]
"WHAT?!" I shot to my feet. "You just—you STOLE my money!"
[System: I didn't steal anything! You chose Maximum Optimization! This IS maximum optimization!]
"I didn't agree to—bring it back! Give me back my silver!"
[System: Can't do that! The money has already been distributed to people in need! Unless you want to go rob some orphans? ♪]
"I—you—THIS IS THEFT!"
[System: This is EFFICIENCY! You wanted maximum karma gains! 95% charitable giving generates massive karma returns while leaving you 5% for basic survival! It's the optimal strategy!]
"I DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE AWAY MY MONEY!"
[System: Then you shouldn't have chosen the option explicitly labeled 'Maximum Optimization'! Did you think there wouldn't be trade-offs?]
I wanted to scream. To break something. To—
Wait.
I looked at the notification again.
+9,500 karma.
From 1.9 silver.
That was... actually incredible returns.
No. No, focus. You have TEN COPPER left. That's five days of wages. You can't live on that!
[System: Current Karma: -9999999999999999999990513]
[System: You're making progress! Only 9,999,999,999,999,999,990,513 to go! ♪]
I sat back down on my bedroll, head in my hands.
"Can I... can I turn this off?"
[System: Nope! You chose Maximum Optimization! It's permanent until your karma is fully restored!]
"PERMANENT?!"
[System: You wanted the most efficient path! This is it! Every copper you earn, 95% goes to charity, generates karma, and slowly restores your power! Eventually, you'll be strong enough to earn MORE money, which generates MORE karma, which makes you STRONGER! It's a beautiful system!]
"It's SLAVERY!"
[System: It's OPTIMIZATION! There's a difference!]
[System: Besides, you literally asked for this. I gave you two clearly labeled options and you picked this one without reading the details. That's on you! ♪]
I wanted to argue. To fight. To find some loophole.
But the System was right.
I'd done this to myself.
Ten copper. I have ten copper. That's... that's barely enough for a week of food if I'm careful. I can't survive on tavern wages if I'm only keeping 5%. I need...
I need more income.
A lot more income.
"Fine," I said through gritted teeth. "FINE. If I'm stuck with this, then I'll just have to earn more. Way more."
[System: Now you're thinking! ♪]
"Shut up."
I got dressed and headed out. I needed a second job. Something that paid better than tavern work.
Something like... adventuring.
The Adventurer's Guild was busier than I'd expected.
The main hall was packed with people in armor and robes, all clustered around a large board covered in quest notices. Some were celebrating successful missions. Others were arguing over job distributions. A few were nursing injuries in the corner.
I approached the reception desk where a tired-looking woman was processing paperwork.
"Excuse me," I said. "I'd like to register as an adventurer."
She looked up, assessed me in one quick glance, and went back to her papers. "Registration is five copper. Rank assessment is mandatory. Expected wait time is thirty minutes."
I pulled out five of my ten remaining copper and slid them across the desk.
She took them, stamped a form, and handed me a wooden token with a number on it. "Wait in the assessment area. Next!"
I moved to the side, clutching my token.
This is fine. I just need to pass the assessment, get ranked, take some quests, earn money. Easy.
[System: You have Power Level 2.8.]
I know that!
[System: Most goblins have Power Level 3-4.]
...I'll figure it out.
"Number forty-seven!"
I approached the assessment crystal—similar to the one at Agatha's appraisal, but larger. A guild official stood next to it, looking bored.
"Hand on the crystal, please."
I placed my palm against the smooth surface.
It flickered weakly.
POWER LEVEL: 2.8
The official frowned. "That's... very low. Are you sure you want to register as an adventurer?"
"Yes."
"You understand that most common monsters have higher power levels than you?"
"I understand."
He sighed and wrote something on a form. "F-rank assignment. You'll be restricted to gathering quests and low-threat subjugation with supervision."
"I can handle solo work."
"Miss, with all respect, you can barely handle a slime solo. I can't in good conscience—"
"I'll sign whatever waiver you need."
He stared at me. Then shrugged. "Your funeral. Wait here."
He disappeared into a back room and returned with a contract. It was long. Very long.
"The Guild accepts no responsibility for injury, death, dismemberment, poisoning, cursing, petrification, transformation, possession, or any other adverse effects sustained during quest completion. The undersigned acknowledges that adventuring is inherently dangerous and..."
I skimmed the rest. It was basically "if you die, it's not our problem."
I signed it.
The official stamped it and handed me a copper badge. "F-rank. Congratulations. Quest board is over there."
I turned to leave—
"Hey! You're registering?"
I looked up to find myself surrounded by men. A lot of men. All in adventurer gear, all staring at me with varying degrees of interest.
"Uh," I said. "Yes?"
"What's your power level?" one of them asked—a swordsman with a confident smile.
"2.8."
They winced collectively.
"That's... rough," another said—a mage in blue robes. "But hey, we're always looking for support members! You could join our party!"
"We have an opening too!" A different group pushed forward. "Great benefits! Even split on all loot!"
"Our party is well-established! We'd love to have you!"
I was confused. "But... my power level is 2.8. I'm basically useless in combat."
"That's fine! You can handle support duties!"
"Carry supplies!"
"Moral support!"
Why are they all so eager to recruit someone with Power Level 2.8? This doesn't make sense.
[System: Oh honey...]
What?
[System: Nothing. You'll figure it out eventually.]
"What's the profit split?" I asked.
"Even distribution among all party members!"
"We do 20% to support roles, 80% split among combat members."
"We could negotiate based on contribution—"
"Wait," I said. "So if I join a five-person party and we complete a quest worth one gold, I get... one-fifth of a gold?"
"Well, yes. That's how party splits work."
I did the math. One-fifth of one gold was twenty silver. That was good!
But then 95% of that would vanish to charity.
Twenty silver became one silver to me.
Whereas if I did a solo quest worth even ten silver...
I'd keep 50 copper instead of 5 copper.
Solo work is more efficient even if the quests pay less.
"Thank you for the offers," I said politely, "but I prefer solo work."
"Solo? But you're F-rank with Power Level 2.8!"
"Yes."
"You'll die!"
"Maybe. But that's my choice."
I pushed through the crowd—why were they all still staring?—and made my way to the quest board.
Most of the F-rank quests were gathering missions. Herbs, mushrooms, monster parts from already-dead creatures. Boring but safe.
But there was one at the bottom that caught my eye:
GOBLIN NEST SUBJUGATIONRank: FReward: 15 SilverDetails: Goblin nest located in Whispering Woods, estimated 10-15 goblins. Eliminate or drive out. Proof of completion required.
Fifteen silver. That was... decent. Even with 95% going to charity, I'd keep 75 copper.
Better than a week of tavern wages.
I pulled the notice down and brought it to the receptionist.
She looked at the notice. Then at me. Then back at the notice.
"You want to take a subjugation quest? Solo?"
"Yes."
"You have Power Level 2.8."
"Yes."
"Goblins have Power Level 3-4. Each."
"Yes."
"And there are ten to fifteen of them."
"I can read."
She pinched the bridge of her nose. "You already signed the waiver?"
"Yes."
"...Fine. Quest accepted. Proof of completion is goblin ears. Minimum of ten required. Payment upon return."
She stamped the notice and handed it back to me.
I left the guild, notice in hand, ignoring the whispers and concerned looks.
Fifteen silver. 75 copper for me. That's thirty-seven days of tavern wages. Worth it.
[System: You're going to fight fifteen goblins with Power Level 2.8.]
I have 1% of my yokai strength back. That's enough to flip a man and break a floor.
[System: Goblins are faster and meaner than drunk adventurers.]
Then I'll just have to be faster and meaner than them.
I headed toward Whispering Woods, trying to project confidence I didn't entirely feel.
[System: Well, this will either go very well or very badly.]
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
[System: Oh! Speaking of which...]
[System: KARMA THRESHOLD REACHED!]
[System: -9,999,999,999,999,999,990,513 → SKILL RESTORATION UNLOCKED!]
I stopped walking. "Skill restoration?"
[System: Your good deeds have reduced enough negative karma to unlock one of your original abilities! Congratulations! ♪]
[System: SKILL REGAINED - "CONCUSSIVE STRIKE"]
[System: Description: Channel the devastating impact of vehicular collision into your attacks. Opponents slightly stronger than you are stunned for 3 seconds. Opponents weaker than you are instantly killed unless carefully controlled. WARNING: Extremely stamina intensive. Use with caution.]
I stared at the notification.
Then at my hands.
"I have... a combat skill?"
[System: You have ONE combat skill! Your original moveset included dozens, but this is the first one you've recovered! It should help with the goblin situation!]
[System: Assuming you don't immediately pass out from stamina drain! ♪]
I flexed my fingers, trying to feel the difference. There was something there now—a potential. Like a muscle I'd forgotten how to use.
Concussive Strike. Stun or kill. Very draining.
I looked toward the woods in the distance.
Fifteen goblins. Power Level 3-4 each.
Me. Power Level 2.8. One combat skill. Terrible stamina.
This is either going to be really cool or really embarrassing.
[System: My money's on embarrassing! But I'm rooting for you anyway! ♪]
"Gee, thanks."
I took a deep breath and started walking again.
Time to see if a former truck could handle some goblins.
How hard could it be?