Signed in Trembling Ink
Dungeon preparations were going smoothly. I'd made Borudo write up a promissory note, though he still had a few steps left—and those I'd handle myself. I'd placed an order with Dorea for 30,000 potions; he'd tackle it proactively on his own. It'd be nice to get help from the pharmacists' guild, but even without them, hitting a monthly production of 30,000 would suffice.
I'd tasked Pila with lobbying the Magic Association and sealing the magic sword.
"Not bad for a tutorial. Pretty intense pace."
Unlike the game, there were no time skips, so what would've taken months in-game time, I'd wrapped up in just over a month.
Progress-wise, that's gotta be a new record.
Same route as playing Elena, but doable without her too. In the game, everyone fell for Elena's charm and helped eagerly, but as Eck, I'd substituted it all with negotiations.
"Damn satisfying."
I let out a chuckle. Shortening the timeline was pure self-indulgence, but since it actually helped, what wasn't to love?
Now, just one thing left. The big one.
The guild building came into view. The guild formed a street around its dedicated plaza: main hall, tavern, basic shops for adventurers. The main building, the guild's symbol, had a hole punched through it and was under repair.
I grabbed a passing adventurer by the collar.
"What the hell happened?"
"E-Eck? Uh, s-sounds like Elena and the guild master had some kinda fight...!"
"Elena?"
I let him go, and he bolted with his buddies.
"A fight with Rebecca?"
Why? My mind spun through possibilities, but the most common ones drew from game relationships.
I'm still alive, so it didn't play out like the game... but...
It happened right after my kidnapping, so it was probably tied to me.
...Fate doesn't change? Nah, it will.
I shook off the ominous thought and headed into the guild tavern.
Early morning, adventurers grabbing breakfast before hunts. The buzz cut off the instant I opened the door. All eyes on me.
Guys at the tables flinched, looked away. They snuck glances, heads swiveling opposite as I passed.
What the...?
Atmosphere was off. I asked Eck in my head what adventurers' reactions meant.
Yesterday, I'd gotten drugged and kidnapped while wasted. Prime gossip fodder. Someone could've rallied them for a hardline showdown—no surprise there. They'd probably trashed me as an A-rank failure for falling to poison.
"Hmph..."
I sat in my usual spot.
But reactions were the opposite. Like they'd all eaten rotten meat and caught food poisoning.
"E-Eck..."
Jeina approached, trembling. Her eyes, drained of life, swam with pure terror. Her hand setting down my drink was white-knuckled.
"S-sorry about yesterday. Really."
"..."
Eck-style would've meant sending her to the gallows, but I'd reflexively held back. That'd been the spark—now she was beat to hell. Brown hair torn out in clumps, matted mess. Left eye socket bruised black, half-swollen shut. Cracked lips crusted with dried blood. Neck bruises peeking out.
Adventurers' handiwork. Eck was the A-rank rep for guild adventurers, after all. They wouldn't let her slide after tarnishing that symbol.
Feral bunch.
Living safe on Eck's rep had dulled my edge; modern complacency slipping through. Even Eck got lazy from my past life's soft vibes—time for a wake-up.
Today's noble showdown meant no wasting energy here, but...
...No choice.
Lots of dungeon collabs with these guys ahead. Better not look weak.
"Jeina."
"Y-yes!"
A bit late, awkward, but punishment was due.
I consulted Eck. Eck, what would you do? You're the idiot who didn't flip the table right away. Fuck.
My inner Eck offered input at thought-speed; I judged. This was the attitude Eck would show from now on. Time to demonstrate to everyone.
"Eek..."
Jeina bowed low, braced to grovel or strip. Shoulders shaking.
Past Eck would've flipped the table first. Predictable pattern—they expected it. Grab her hair, smash her face-first, etc.
No matter how I spin it, that ain't me.
Not playing nice; just too extreme, Eck or them. Plus, mimicking Eck—or what they expected of him—meant tiptoeing around.
Then Eck's temper boiled up inside me.
Why do shit I hate just to watch their eyes?
Sudden rage. I leaned back, crossed my legs, eyed Jeina coolly. Gaze steady.
"Jeina."
"C-can't you just... let me live?"
"Head up."
My low voice froze her. Tears welled in her bruised eye as she looked up. Face of a condemned prisoner facing the executioner.
"Old me would've ripped your limbs off and chucked 'em at those bastards."
"Eek..."
"But I've realized something lately."
I tapped my overlapped hands on my knee.
"Beating and breaking people ain't the only way."
I wasn't the Eck they knew anymore. Couldn't be. Even my inner Eck was influenced by modern memories and experience. He agreed: pure violence loses more than it gains.
Of course, no letting sword-in-the-back slide. Gotta repay double to hold position. But Eck had learned better than violence from my memories.
I rummaged in my pocket, pulled out crumpled parchment, ink bottle, quill. Carrying 'em lately for frequent use.
Stuff clashing with Eck's vibe made Jeina's eyes waver.
Thud. Set 'em on the table, slid to her.
"Write."
"W-what...?"
"Take dictation."
Her swollen eyes flicked between parchment and me. Trembling hand gripped the quill gingerly.
"I, Jeina, have inflicted severe mental and physical harm on adventurer Eck."
Her fingertips quivered at every word from my lips. Only the quill's scratch filled the silent tavern.
"As compensation... I swear to pay 5000 gold coins."
Her hand stopped. Ink beaded at the nib, dripping round, staining the corner black.
Color drained from her face; lips turned blue.
"F-five thousand gold...? Eck, I-I couldn't possibly have that kinda money..."
A fortune she'd never touch serving tavern corners her whole life. Fair reaction.
"Keep writing. Who said stop?"
"Eek..."
My voice: dry, unyielding. Crushing her shoulders coldly.
"Term: 20 years, monthly interest payments. Fail to pay interest..."
I smirked, stared silent. She looked up; eyes met her terrified gaze.
I, Jeina, have inflicted severe mental and physical harm on adventurer Eck.
As compensation, I swear to pay 5000 gold coins.
Term: 20 years, with monthly interest payments.
If unable to pay interest: I forfeit my body to become adventurer Eck's property, to be sold to a brothel, used as monster bait, or disposed of at his discretion.
"Hic... eek..."
Tears burst from Jeina's eyes. Drops smeared the parchment, but under my glare, she stifled sobs, kept writing. Final signature, thumbprint. I snatched it.
"Ah..."
Jeina stared blankly at the parchment in my hand. I held out mine; she offered the quill reverently with both hands. Feathers quivering.
I signed, thumbprinted. Stood slowly.
Unfurled the note toward the tavern full of adventurers, showed it off.
"Everyone, eyes on this."
My voice weighed down the room. Gazes locked on the parchment.
"Any bastard stabbing me or pulling shit from now on—don't think a few punches and death ends it."
It was the promissory note.
"Jeina, instigated by Rebecca, drugged me. For that, she swears to repay me 5000 gold coins."
Jeina just sat dazed, tears streaming. If she thought a beating and clinic visit ended it, wrong. Now she felt it as debt.
"Even I was careless, but it could've killed me."
I shook my head.
"Hilarious, right? Lost my edge leaving the field. Anyone thinks this price is steep? Step up."
Shook the note. Fluttered, drawing eyes. Silence.
I slammed it on the table, scanned them again.
"I've been too soft lately. Overlooking a gem like this. If you thought I was dumb, watch yourself from now."
One gulped. Violence ends with the hit. Debt drags on till paid.
To avoid tangling with me, they'd eye me sharper than before. Every morning Jeina woke, entered the guild, saw my face—numbers would haunt her. A chain she'd never pay off in life.
Eck had learned advanced capitalism from my memories.
Rolled the note, pocketed it.
Now Rebecca owes me more than this.
Brainstorming as I called Jeina.
"Jeina."
"Y-yes..."
Voice drained, cracked raw. I knew the feeling. Past-life me chased by debt mountains.
"Get my breakfast."
"Y-yes..."
She rose unsteadily, zombie-like, shuffled to the kitchen. I plopped down.
Tavern dead quiet. All nerves still on me.
Ignored 'em, ate what Jeina brought, cycling mana to scan for poison influx. Any entry, mana would shred it instantly.
Every damn meal like this?
A pain. No wonder nerves frayed doing it constant.
Soon, customers cycled; tension eased. Familiar blonde approached with familiar steps.
"Uncle!"
Elena. Lit up spotting me, bounded over like a pup finding its owner.
"You look chipper."
"Uncle okay after yesterday?"
"Yesterday?"
"Uh..."
"Don't sweat it. Handled."
"...Huh?"
Plate cleared; Jeina whisked it away. Elena's eyes followed.
"Anyway, what's up? No need hunting me down for a bit."
"Well, got something to show you."
Elena pulled a vial from her pocket.
"That?"
"From the lady who cared for us at our old place."
"Hanna?"
"Yeah. Met her recently?"
Hanna. Knew her well. I crossed arms, stared.
"Why show me?"
"Figured you'd know what it is. Hanna said fatigue recovery potion."
"She looked after you in tough times. Trusted giver—why not chug it?"
"Uh... better know what you're drinking, right? Ahaha."
"My fault, huh."
"Eek..."
Elena couldn't deny. I held out hand; she approached to hand it over, but flinched midway.
"What?"
"N-nothing."
Grabbed the trembling vial. Twirled it curiously on my finger.
Send this packing here.
Vial's true nature: Est. Potion Elis made for her sister.