The morning after my forced penthouse stay, I was woken not by sunlight—there was none in this world—but by a polite knock at the door.
"Master Arvale. The Director requests your presence."
I groaned, half-buried in silk sheets that probably cost more than my entire old life.
"Do I… have to?"
Ledger: [ Attendance Mandatory. Refusal = Offense. ]
"Right, right. I'm coming."
I splashed water on my face, put on the black coat they'd gifted me, and hoped my terrified expression wouldn't count as "mysterious intimidation."
The Obsidian Fang headquarters buzzed like yesterday. But this time, whispers followed me deliberately:
"That's him…""The Candidate…""Look at that aura. Terrifying."
I swear, I was just yawning.
Director Kael waited in his private office—a sleek chamber overlooking the city, filled with gold-inlaid contracts and faintly glowing maps of the Demon Realm. He stood at the window, hands clasped behind his back.
"Arvale," he said without turning. "The Organization does not promote lightly. If you are to be a true Candidate, you must prove your worth."
My heart sank. Here it comes.
"You will complete a test."
I opened my mouth. "Uh—"
Ledger: [ Passive Aura: Test Accepted. ]
The room fell silent.
Everyone present bowed."So decisive!""He didn't even hesitate.""As expected from the Envoy…"
I wanted to cry.
Kael turned, a faint smile on his lips. "Good. Your task is simple—reclaim one of our debtor territories. A minor branch in the eastern district has defaulted. Handle it however you wish."
Debtor… territory?So like… go ask for rent?
I blinked. "You mean, collect… money?"
Kael's smile widened. "Precisely. Who else but you could?"
The demons in the room shivered. Apparently my clueless question sounded like a sinister confirmation of my terrifying power.
I left the skyscraper surrounded by guards in sleek black suits. Pedestrians scattered out of the way. Neon billboards reflected across my glasses (which I didn't even need, but the Fang gave me as a "dignified accessory").
The target was a small casino district run by mid-tier demons.From the outside, it looked like Las Vegas crammed into three streets—flashy lights, loud music, and demons gambling with glowing soul-coins.
To me, it was just… overwhelming.
To the Fang? It was a debtor stronghold.
The guards stopped at the edge. "Master Arvale, do you wish us to storm the place?"
"Storm?! No!" I waved frantically. "I'll… handle it myself."
Ledger: [ Passive Aura: Ruthless Confidence Detected. ]Crowd: collective shiver
"He dares go alone…""Truly terrifying.""No wonder he's the Candidate…"
I facepalmed internally.
The moment I stepped into the casino, everything froze. Cards stopped mid-air. Dice rolled off tables in slow motion. Even the music stuttered.
The Chaos Ledger pulsed inside me.
[ Wealth Disparity Detected. ][ Passive Conversion: All debts owed in this district are now linked to you. ]
"Wait, what?!"
A flood of golden numbers filled my vision. Names, debts, amounts—all converted into neat glowing entries inside the Ledger.
And in the next instant—
Every gambler, dealer, and mob boss in the casino dropped to their knees.
"Please, Lord Arvale, forgive us!""We didn't know the Obsidian Fang sent… you!""We'll pay! We'll pay double!"
I just stood there holding a free drink some waitress shoved into my hands.
"Uh… sure?"
Ledger: [ Collection Complete. ][ Reward: 500 Chaos Credits. ]
The whole casino erupted into chaos—no pun intended. Demons scrambled to throw bags of coins, treasures, even deeds at my feet. Some even started fighting each other just to offer more.
From the outside, it looked like I had walked in, unleashed an invisible storm of terror, and crushed the place with sheer presence.
In reality, I had no idea what was happening.
When I walked back out fifteen minutes later, the entire district was silent. Guards stared at the mountain of wealth being carried behind me.
One whispered, voice trembling:"He… he cleared the territory without lifting a finger."
Another bowed."As expected of the Chaos Envoy."
By the time we returned to headquarters, the news had already spread:
"The Candidate subdued an entire debtor branch… alone.""Not a drop of blood spilled. Truly efficient.""A future Director indeed."
And me?I just wanted to scream into a pillow.
If I thought walking into a casino and being showered with money was awkward,returning to the Obsidian Fang headquarters afterward was a full-blown nightmare.
The moment I stepped into the lobby, the entire building buzzed like a hive of hornets.
"Master Arvale has returned!""The Candidate cleared the debtor district in a single visit!""Not even the Director himself moves that fast!"
I nearly tripped on the carpet. All I did was stand there while terrified gamblers paid me off!
But of course, the Ledger twisted everything.
[ Passive Broadcast: Feat Interpreted as 'Absolute Domination.' ][ Reputation Increase: Obsidian Fang (Major). ]
I wanted to cry.
The elevator ride up was even worse.Every demon I passed bowed their heads, whispering words like "Chaos Envoy" and "future pillar." By the time I reached the top floor, I was ready to curl up in a ball.
The office doors opened.
Director Kael sat at his obsidian desk, hands folded neatly, eyes glowing gold. The room smelled faintly of expensive incense.
"Arvale," he said smoothly. "You exceeded my expectations."
I raised my hands quickly. "Wait, it's not what it—"
Ledger: [ Passive Deception Aura: Activated. ]Crowd: gasps in reverence
Kael's eyes sharpened. "Ah… so it was a test. You wished to see if we could comprehend even a fraction of your power."
What test?! I just wanted to explain!
Kael stood and began to clap slowly.The sound echoed like thunder.
"To walk into a debtor district alone, without lifting a blade, and emerge with full repayment… This is the essence of control. No slaughter, no chaos. Just authority. That, Arvale, is true strength."
Demons around the room lowered their heads. Some even knelt.
"Chaos… authority…" they whispered.
I wanted to dig my own grave.
Kael poured a glass of crimson wine and held it out to me. His tone dropped into something dangerous yet admiring.
"You understand, don't you? Wealth is more than numbers. In our world, it is fear. It is loyalty. It is survival. And you wield it as if it were your birthright."
Me: "I… uh…"Them (hearing): 'His silence carries wisdom.'
I took the glass, because what else could I do?
Then Kael dropped the bomb.
"Effective immediately, your candidacy for Director is no longer symbolic. You will have your own seat at the Fang's council table."
The room froze.Even the kneeling demons looked up in shock.
"Director Candidate with voting rights?!""So soon?!""The Fang is truly changing…"
Meanwhile, I nearly spit out my wine.
Council seat?! Voting rights?! I don't even know how your meetings work!
But the Ledger chimed smugly:
[ Achievement: Official Recognition as Director Candidate. ][ Reward: Reality Fragment ×1. ]
I glared at the invisible system."Stop rewarding me for misunderstandings!"
Kael placed a black emblem on the desk before me. It was sleek, metallic, engraved with the Fang's sigil.
"This," he said, "is your authority token. With it, every branch of the Obsidian Fang will acknowledge your orders."
I picked it up with trembling hands. It pulsed faintly, like it really meant something.
Which, of course, it did. Because the moment I tucked it into my coat, every demon in the room lowered their head deeper, like I'd become a walking storm.
The meeting dragged on. Reports about districts, profits, even whispers of royal politics. I barely understood half of it, nodding whenever Kael looked at me.
And every nod sent shivers through the crowd.
"See how he listens without speaking. A true strategist.""His patience is terrifying.""He'll surpass even the current Directors."
By the end of the meeting, I wasn't just a candidate anymore.I was a legend in the making.
When I finally stumbled back into my penthouse suite, I collapsed face-first into the bed.
"…What the hell is happening to my life?"
The Chaos Ledger appeared in front of me, glowing faintly.
[ Correction: Wealth is happening. ][ Next Objective: Expand your influence. ]
I groaned into the pillow.
Because whether I liked it or not, I was now officially a rising power in the Demon Realm.
And tomorrow… tomorrow, they expected me to act like one.