003.
“L-Loan?”
…The system was really too realistic sometimes.
[New Update Benefit: No interest on first loan.]
[Would you like to borrow money to download the Helper System?]
[YES / NO]
My head hurt.
Okay, think positive.
A fifteen-year-old taking out a 10-billion-credit loan — that could become a legendary story.
If I succeed, it might even be the title of my autobiography someday.
Yes, positive thoughts… positive…
“AAAAAHHH!!”
“Wh-What’s wrong, miss? Are you okay?!”
The merchant driving the wagon shouted when he heard my scream from the luggage area.
“N-Nothing! Just a bug!”
I took a deep breath.
Okay. Calm down, Lana. Think this through.
Ten billion credits — yes, that’s a huge amount.
But the in-game economy here is a complete mess anyway.
That number was probably set based on that.
And the biggest advantage is…
“…There’s no interest!”
I looked closely — the repayment period was ten years.
“Ten years, no interest, ten billion… huh. That’s actually kind of tempting…”
Besides, I had no clue how to complete my job quest any other way.
‘Even if I came up with something later, it might not be as reliable as what this Helper System offers.’
“Haa…”
[Would you like to take the loan?]
[YES / NO]
After a long sigh, I pressed the button.
And that’s how I became…
a debtor, on my way to becoming a rich bum.
Ding!
[Loan complete. First-time borrower benefits applied.]
– No interest
– Repayment period: 10 years
The sweet sound of credits pouring into my account filled my ears.
[Current balance: 1,000,356,000]
Beautiful. Truly beautiful.
I decided to enjoy this brief moment of being rich.
* * *
“Well then, miss, best of luck!”
“Thank you!”
The moment I got off the merchant wagon, I immediately opened the system to install the Helper.
I’d already spent the whole ride thinking about “What could I do with 10 billion credits?”
So now, no more hesitation.
Well… maybe a little hesitation.
But no. I killed that hesitation.
Or… I’m killing it now. Yeah. Gone!
[Download now?]
[YES / NO]
My hand trembled slightly as I reached for “YES.”
Calm down, Lana. This is an investment.
It’s just game money. Only… this game is my real life now.
I held my breath and pressed “YES.”
[Downloading…]
[Loading…]
[Download complete. Would you like to activate the shortcut?]
“Yes.”
Another “YES.”
Strangely, spending 10 billion credits made me trust it more.
Weird psychological effect.
“Well, I guess it makes sense. This game’s full of weird systems anyway…”
The game I’d possessed — <Sart> — was technically a dating sim,
but it had RPG elements that required job changes.
So, yeah, grinding actually worked here.
“I’m living proof. I made it this far in Very Hard Mode.”
Since there’s no trading between players, item values are set directly by the system —
and perfectly match their actual power.
Of course, in-game NPC scams? Totally a thing.
Ahem. Anyway — this was the first time I’d ever spent 10 billion credits on anything.
Surely it would be worth it.
[Activating Helper System for Job Quest.]
[Quest recognized: <Chapter 1 — The Secret of Birth>]
[Collecting optimal quest routes…]
[Setting sub-missions based on player abilities.]
[Loading… Complete.]
With a soft chime, a new window appeared.
Ohhh… finally!
After being stuck at 0%, my job quest could finally move forward!
Excited, I read the first sub-mission.
[Sub-Mission 1: Drop out of the Academy.]
“…Did I just get scammed?”
* * *
“So… the sub-missions are definitely based on my stats, huh?”
Because yeah, this one was definitely something I could do.
I mean, I could drop out… if I had to.
“This system really knows how to throw people off cliffs.”
Just when I thought I’d solved one problem, another appeared.
Dropping out of the Academy.
That meant giving up the most valuable thing I had.
“Do you know how hard I worked to get in there?!”
No, wait, that’s not even the main issue — well, it is, but still!
“If I don’t go… where am I supposed to live? What am I supposed to eat?”
I got into the Imperial Academy on a full scholarship — dormitory included!
They even provide meals and uniforms.
Except for weekends, I barely ever need casual clothes.
And now you’re telling me to quit?
“Why is the very first mission already so hard?!”
I wanted to grab someone and yell about it.
My head spun as I tried to think.
I’d planned to attend the Academy because…
that’s where all the heroines are, and it’s the easiest place for quest events!
Most importantly — it’s where my old “Battle Dancer” class was easiest to train!
But…
‘The moment I chose “Rich Bum,” every old plan went out the window.’
If the first button’s wrong, the rest won’t line up anyway.
“Of course, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it…”
I remembered all the grinding I did to get into the Academy.
The villagers’ sneers, their whispered insults.
And the bright smile of the Sister who was so proud when I passed.
“…It’s fine. Her smile matters more than those people anyway.”
And she would respect my choice.
“Remember, Lana. The Academy was just a tool.
The goal is to clear the quest.”
I straightened my back.
Then I turned away from the ticket booth and walked to the pay phone inside the station.
It cost 300 credits to make a call.
After a few rings, the operator’s voice came through.
— Hello, how may I connect your call?
“Please connect me to the Imperial Academy.”
— Connecting you now.
After a short pause, another voice answered.
— Imperial Academy speaking.
“Hello! I was just accepted as a new student.”
— Yes, what can we help you with?
“I’d like to withdraw.”
— …Excuse me?
“I’m Lana, the scholarship student who was just accepted.
I’m calling to drop out.”
Whoever was next on the scholarship list…
Congrats, you lucky bastard.
[First Sub-Mission complete.]
[Reward: +300,300 credits.]
I gave up a full scholarship worth hundreds of thousands —
plus free food, housing, and clothes —
for… three hundred thousand credits.
Well, technically 300,300.
Still, I didn’t feel regret.
I’d chosen this path.
No looking back.
…For real this time.
First things first, I needed a place to stay.
‘I should find somewhere cheap.’
Luckily, prices weren’t too bad outside the capital.
Sure, inns near the station would be pricey,
but if I looked further out—
That’s when a new system window popped up.
[Setting Second Sub-Mission.]
[Sub-Mission 2: Stay at the inn “Toto’s Hammer” in front of the station.]
“Oh, come on.”
Do you just hate it when I try to save money?!
Wait… hold on.
Now that I think about it, this is kind of what a “rich bum” would do.
Not saving money… spending it freely.
My jaw dropped a little.
Don’t tell me…
Is this Helper System not actually helping me clear the quest —
but just teaching me how to act like a rich bum?!
“Stay calm, Lana…”
I followed the instructions and went to find Toto’s Hammer.
It wasn’t hard to locate.
When I asked around, everyone said,
“It’s the biggest inn right in front of the station — you can’t miss it.”
And they were right.
A big building with a cute squirrel holding a hammer on the sign.
But I bet the guests inside had wallets heavier than bears, not squirrels.
‘…Can I even afford to stay there?’
My steps slowed with doubt.
The clerk at the door seemed to glare at me —
or maybe I imagined it.
Or maybe he was just staring because I’m… well, pretty.
Trying to look calm, I walked toward the entrance —
and that’s when I noticed a big poster on the board beside the door.
