The silence in the Han manor was thick, not with peace, but with the lingering echo of Lin Feng's humiliation. Outside, the last remnants of the rain were giving way to the cold bite of the Mist City night. I sat alone in the ruined hall, the expensive wine still untouched, a chilling reminder of the letter tucked into my robe. "Reincarnators are usually more subtle." The words, written in elegant calligraphy, felt like a brand on my skin. Someone knew. And that someone was going to the Moon Festival.
I opened the System interface, my fingers hovering over the new notification: '(1) pending message in your Infamy inbox.' This was no ordinary System message. It was the sender of the letter, an "Acreedor de Sombras" (Shadow Creditor) as the System would later confirm, pulling me into a game I hadn't agreed to play.
Clicking the inbox, the letter reappeared, glowing with a faint, dark energy. Below the chilling text, a new option blinked: [ANALYZE SOURCE - Cost: 500 Infamy Points].
'The System really does monetize everything,' I mused, a cynical smile playing on my lips. My current Infamy was [Despicable Villain and Useless Heir: 1,000 points]. Plenty to spare.
'Analyze,' I commanded inwardly.
A swirl of black and purple light erupted from the letter on the screen, coalescing into a shimmering text block:
> [ANALYSIS COMPLETE]
> Sender: Unidentified "Shadow Creditor."
> Threat Level: Extremely High.
> Known Information: Operates within the "Moon Festival" event. Displays knowledge of trans-dimensional phenomena (Reincarnators).
> WARNING: The term "Reincarnator" is classified as a forbidden truth within this Plane of Existence. Public disclosure will result in immediate execution by the "Hall of Justice" to preserve planar stability.
> Recommended Action: Extreme Caution.
>
My blood ran cold for a second time that night. Execution by the "Hall of Justice." The System wasn't messing around. This wasn't just about debt anymore; it was about my very existence in this world. The Lin Feng scam suddenly felt like child's play.
'The term "Reincarnator" is forbidden?' I thought, picturing the vast, ignorant masses of this world, believing in destiny and divine bloodlines. 'So, the System isn't just a ledger; it's a cosmic secret keeper.'
But then, another thought struck me. The analysis mentioned "Shadow Creditor." Not just "an enemy."
'System, is this "Shadow Creditor" also tied to the Debt System?' I asked silently.
> [QUERY: Shadow Creditor]
> The entity identified as "Shadow Creditor" is an independent agent with direct access to your 'Infamy' metric. They operate outside conventional System parameters but align with its core principles of debt and repayment. They are not an enemy, but an "external business partner" interested in specific transactions.
>
'An external business partner,' I repeated, a new kind of plan forming in my mind. 'So, they're not trying to kill me because I'm a reincarnator. They're trying to leverage it.'
My eyes drifted to the [Black Market of Reputation] tab, still open from my previous delve. If Infamy was currency, and this "Shadow Creditor" understood Infamy, then maybe...
I scrolled through the forbidden items again, past the poisons and illusion runes, seeking information, not power. There had to be a way to communicate, to understand the rules of this new, terrifying game.
Then, I found it:
> [SHADOW COURIER CONTRACT]
> Effect: Securely transmits one message to any entity with an 'Infamy' signature.
> Reputation cost: 200 points of "Infamy".
> (Note: Recipient's identity will be revealed upon successful delivery.)
>
'Perfect,' I thought. 'An expensive pen pal.'
'Purchase [Shadow Courier Contract],' I commanded.
> [TRANSACTION SUCCESSFUL]
> Infamy Balance: [Despicable Villain and Useless Heir: 800 points].
> New Item: [Shadow Courier Contract] (Single Use).
>
The scroll appeared on my virtual desk, glowing faintly. I tapped it, and a text box opened: "Enter message for Shadow Creditor."
'Han Seo-jun,' I began, channeling my inner villain. 'I understand we have a... mutual interest. The Moon Festival is approaching. Let's discuss terms. What's your price?'
I hit 'Send.'
A wisp of shadow detached from the scroll, dissolving into the air, heading towards an unknown destination. Moments later, a new notification flashed:
> [MESSAGE DELIVERED]
> Recipient Identity Revealed: Kim Da-hye, Young Mistress of the Azure Dragon Sect.
> WARNING: Kim Da-hye is a known 'System User' with a 'Debt System' similar to your own. Threat Level: Catastrophic.
>
My jaw dropped. Kim Da-hye? The Azure Dragon Sect was one of the three great powers of Mist City, renowned for its righteous cultivators. And its Young Mistress... a "System User" like me? This wasn't just a political trap; it was a game of cosmic chess.
'Well, Jo,' I muttered to the empty room, a twisted grin spreading across my face. 'Looks like our planning session just got a lot more complicated. And a lot more fun.'
The Moon Festival was no longer just a deadline for survival; it was a meeting of villains. And I, Han Seo-jun, was about to make a deal with the devil. Or perhaps, another demon in disguise.