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Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: Literally Just Wanted to Pass My Semester

You ever just… wake up on the floor and immediately regret trying to be a decent person?

Yeah. That's me right now.

I was lying in the alley behind my dorm building, face-down in something sticky. My ribs felt like someone used them as a trampoline. My glasses were gone. My mouth tasted like blood and dirt.

A voice above me went, "Still breathing, Vire?"

Great. They're still here.

I didn't even look up. No energy for it. These guys were seniors from the combat track — tall, buff, and full of ego. Apparently, me reporting them for harassing a girl in the cafeteria was enough reason for them to drag me out back and beat the soul out of me.

"I literally didn't even touch any of you," I muttered.

Wrong move. Someone kicked me in the side again.

"Next time, mind your business, smartass."

They left after that, probably bored. I guess watching someone die slowly isn't as fun when they're not crying or begging.

I laid there, staring at the flickering streetlight overhead.

So this is how I go out? Not fighting demons, not some grand battle — just got jumped behind a garbage bin.

And then...

[DING!]

BLOOD PACT SYSTEM INITIALIZING...

The hell?

This red holographic screen popped up in front of my face like I was in a VR game. I blinked, thinking I must've hit my head way too hard.

Vital Status: Critical

Eligible for emergency power loan.

Do you want to survive?

 Warning: Power must be repaid in blood, memory, or time.

[ACCEPT CONTRACT]

 [DECLINE AND DIE PEACEFULLY]

"Okay, what in the actual hell…" I croaked.

I thought maybe I was hallucinating. Or already dead. Or both.

But the countdown started.

[10 seconds remaining… 9… 8…]

"Oh, screw it," I muttered. "Yeah, sure. I accept. Save me, weird demon pop-up."

Blood Pact Accepted.

Borrowed Power: Tier II – Shadow Reflex Protocol

Debt: 5,000 Blood Coins

Payment due: 3 days

Suddenly, it felt like someone injected hot battery acid into my bones. My whole body jerked. Bones cracked, but like... backwards. I could feel everything realigning like some cursed chiropractic session.

I screamed — or maybe just wheezed.

Then I stood up.

Not on purpose. My legs just moved.

I looked down at my hands. They weren't shaking anymore. My body felt... wired. Like I could dodge lightning or punch through a fridge.

Then I heard footsteps.

Great. The goons came back.

"Wait... he's up?"

They froze. I turned toward them, slowly.

I didn't say anything. I didn't have to. One of them actually stepped back.

The rest? Not so lucky.

I don't even remember moving. I just blinked — and the first guy was down, holding his face and screaming. Another flew into a dumpster. One tried to run and got swept off his feet with a kick I didn't even know I could do.

I stood over the last guy.

"Still breathing?" I asked. Then I walked away before I said something edgy and cringed at myself later.

I made it out of the alley and collapsed near the back door of the mess hall, panting. My body was shaking, even with whatever freaky buff I just got.

And then, like an annoying notification after ordering food online:

Debt Remains: 5,000 Blood Coins

Payment due in 3 days.

Choose your method: Blood, Memory, or Time.

Failure to repay will result in Collector visitation.

Have a powerful day.

I stared at the message.

"Cool. So I basically took out a murder loan."

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