Chapter 3: A Debt That Didn't Exist

The room fell silent.

The fat landlady folded her arms, wearing the smug expression of someone who believed victory was already hers.

Behind her, the two servants grinned wickedly.

Pema tugged lightly on Chimi's sleeve.

"Big Sister..."

Her voice trembled.

"They've beaten people before."

Chimi gently patted the girl's hand.

"It's alright."

She then looked at the landlady.

"May I ask your name?"

The woman blinked.

"...What?"

"Your name."

"You came all the way here to demand money. It would be rude if I didn't know who I'm talking to."

The woman lifted her chin proudly.

"I am Madam Sonam."

"The wealthiest landlord in this district."

The system spoke.

Scanning...

Madam SonamReputation: PoorHonesty: 3%Greed: 99%Intelligence: AverageFavorite Hobby: Taking advantage of desperate people.

Chimi almost laughed.

"Even the system is roasting people now."

Madam Sonam slammed her hand on the table.

"Enough talking!"

"Pay me one hundred silver coins!"

"Or I'll take this house!"

Chimi calmly unfolded the debt paper again.

She read every line.

Thanks to Perfect Memory, every tiny mistake stood out immediately.

The handwriting changed halfway through.

The seal was slightly crooked.

The date was impossible.

She smiled.

"Madam Sonam."

"When exactly did I borrow this money?"

"Three years ago."

"I see."

Chimi nodded thoughtfully.

"And from whom?"

"You borrowed it from me!"

"Interesting."

She pointed to the paper.

"This contract says the lender was your husband."

Madam Sonam froze.

The servants exchanged nervous glances.

"Oh..."

Chimi continued.

"And according to this date..."

She looked toward the small window.

"...your husband had already been dead for six months."

Silence.

Complete silence.

Pema stared at Chimi with wide eyes.

The servants slowly looked at Madam Sonam.

The woman's face turned bright red.

"T-That's..."

"You forged the contract."

Chimi folded the paper neatly.

"And rather poorly."

The system cheerfully announced:

Critical Hit!

Emotional Damage: Massive.

Combo Count: 1.

Chimi fought hard not to smile.

"This system really enjoys drama."

Madam Sonam stomped her foot.

"Who cares?"

"No one will believe a cursed girl!"

She snapped her fingers.

"Grab them!"

The two servants stepped forward.

Before they could move another step...

A deep voice echoed from outside.

"What is happening here?"

Everyone turned.

An elderly monk stood at the entrance.

His robes were old but spotless.

His walking staff looked ordinary.

Yet the moment he appeared, the two servants instinctively backed away.

The system's voice suddenly became serious.

Warning.

High-level cultivator detected.

Power Level: Unable to Calculate.

Recommendation:

Be respectful.

Chimi immediately bowed.

"Greetings, Master."

The old monk smiled warmly.

"I smelled trouble."

"Seems I wasn't mistaken."

Madam Sonam's expression changed instantly.

"M-Master..."

"I..."

The monk looked at the forged contract.

Then at Madam Sonam.

"You forged this?"

She swallowed.

"No..."

"Yes..."

"I mean..."

The monk sighed.

"Greed blinds even those with comfortable lives."

He gently tapped the ground with his staff.

The forged paper burst into golden flames and turned to ash.

Pema gasped.

"So cool..."

Chimi couldn't help agreeing.

"Very cool."

The monk looked at Chimi.

"You remained calm."

"You protected the child."

"You exposed the lie without violence."

His eyes twinkled.

"That requires wisdom."

The system chimed in.

Hidden Quest Completed:

Solve the problem without fighting.

Reward:

+200 Fortune Points.

+One Mystery Gift.

A small golden chest appeared in Chimi's inventory.

She blinked.

"Not opening that yet."

Experience had taught her that surprises could be either wonderful... or catastrophic.

Madam Sonam suddenly dropped to her knees.

"Please forgive me!"

"I was wrong!"

The monk shook his head.

"You should apologize to them."

The woman reluctantly turned toward Chimi and Pema.

"I'm..."

"...sorry."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Chimi studied her for a moment.

Then she smiled.

"I accept your apology."

Madam Sonam's eyes widened.

"But..."

Chimi continued.

"If you ever forge another contract..."

"I'll make sure the entire valley knows exactly how creative you are."

For the first time in years, Madam Sonam genuinely felt ashamed.

She hurried away with her servants stumbling after her.

As the dust settled, the old monk chuckled.

"You have courage."

"And a sharp tongue."

Chimi scratched the back of her head.

"I've been told they're a dangerous combination."

The monk laughed heartily.

"I believe we shall get along well."

He looked toward the distant snow-covered mountains.

"My name is Master Gyeltshen."

"I have come because your destiny has finally begun to move."

Before Chimi could ask what he meant...

The system suddenly sounded an alarm.

Emergency Mission Activated.

Host, someone is watching you.

Threat Level: Unknown.

Do not look toward the eastern ridge.

Chimi's heartbeat quickened.

Without moving her head, she glanced at the old monk.

His cheerful expression had vanished.

He was staring toward the mountains with narrowed eyes.

Whatever-or whoever -was out there...

It had just found Chimi.

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