Black Ledger

This is a story set on our Earth—a world where people live ordinary lives, filled with happiness or sorrow alike. But the moment someone becomes different from the rest, they are stripped of both. They can no longer live happily, nor are they allowed the comfort of sadness. In a world meant for the ordinary, being extraordinary is a curse in itself.

My life had reached a similar turning point. My name is Charlie.

Ever since childhood, my parents never gave me the habit of pocket money.

Charlie's father: "Children don't need money. If you want something, just ask me. I'll get it for you."

That belief came at a cost. I was never allowed to buy anything of my own choice. Whenever I chose something:

Charlie's father: "Your taste is terrible. It's too expensive, and it doesn't even look good. Forget it—I'll choose something for you. Look at this, it's solid… and cheaper too."

If there were a survey of how much money a person spent in their lifetime, my name would probably top the list—not because I spent the most, but because I spent almost nothing.

Because my expenses were always minimal, I never had many friends, nor a girlfriend. Everyone saw me as a miser.

After turning twenty, I finally got a job and rented a place of my own. Life seemed better. I was free. I could do whatever I wanted. No one could stop me, no one could question me. Every day after work, I would spend my time playing games. I didn't realize then that this peaceful life was only temporary.

One day, a parcel arrived. A game called Black Ledger. I had no idea who sent it. That night, rain poured heavily as I started playing. The game was strangely addictive. Every enemy I defeated rewarded me with money.

I thought to myself: What if something like this existed in the real world?

Then… reality struck.

Lightning hit my house. Directly. Onto me. I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I was in a hospital. My house had burned to ashes—everything except me.

Even the doctors were stunned.

Doctor: "How… how did you survive this?"

When I opened my eyes, my parents stood there, terrified. For the first time, I saw genuine worry in their expressions. And just like that, I was thrown back into my old life.

When we returned home, I saw a group of men outside our house. They looked like criminals.

Charlie's father: "I'll talk to them."

But they started threatening him—and then beating him. My mother and I rushed to help, but before we could reach him, they struck him so brutally that blood poured from his head.

At that moment, everything turned blurry. I didn't understand what was happening to me, but I knew one thing clearly.

I was furious.

What happened next was beyond logic. I attacked every single one of them. I beat them so badly that they couldn't even stand. I carried my father inside the house. That was when I felt it—my pocket felt unusually heavy. When I checked, it was filled with cash.

I was certain of one thing—I hadn't even had a single rupee on me. I didn't even know how to fight.

Then an interface, appeared in front of my eyes. When I touched it, I saw records of every criminal I had defeated, along with the exact money I had earned.

I remembered the game. Black Ledger. The game where defeating enemies rewarded you with money. Perhaps because of the lightning strike, that game's power had become part of me.

That night, I finally asked the question that had been burning inside me.

Charlie: "Dad… why were those men after you?"

For a moment, he said nothing. He looked older than ever—shoulders slumped, eyes heavy with regret. This time, he didn't avoid the truth.

Charlie's father: "When you were two years old… I fell into debt. I borrowed money from the mafia. A huge amount. So large that I haven't been able to repay it, even after all these years. Usually, I managed to keep paying them… but this time, I didn't have enough. That's why they lost patience. That's why they came today—to make an example of me."

I clenched my fists.

Charlie's father: "I wanted to give you and your mother a better life. But I failed. I couldn't buy you the things you liked. I couldn't protect you from disappointment. Not because I didn't want to… but because I couldn't."

For the first time, I truly understood. It wasn't that my father didn't care. He was simply trapped—cornered by circumstances far bigger than himself.

I spoke calmly.

Charlie: "Alright. From now on, I'll repay everything."

He looked at me in shock.

Charlie's father: "Don't be ridiculous. You don't need to do that. I've already caused you enough pain. I won't let you carry my burden too."

Charlie: "If this continues, you'll never live in peace. You'll spend your entire life looking over your shoulder. Don't worry. I'll handle it. Just tell me—how much do we still owe them?"

He hesitated… then spoke in a low voice.

Charlie's father: "Ten million dollars."

The very next day, I went to meet the mafia myself.

I walked into their den, several armed guards blocking my path.

Charlie: "I need to speak to your boss."

Guard 1: "Are you stupid or just suicidal? You don't have the status to meet him."

Charlie: "Look, I just want to say something. That's all."

Another guard narrowed his eyes.

Guard 2: "Wait… this is him. He's the one who beat up our guys last night."

The atmosphere shifted instantly.

Guard 3: "So it was you… the bastard who dared to touch our men."

Charlie: "I wasn't in my right mind back then—"

Guard 2: "Oh yeah? We'll fix your mind right now."

A deep voice echoed from inside.

Kyoren Yujin: "Enough."

Everyone froze.

The guards stepped aside. I walked in. Inside sat Kyoren Yujin—a Japanese mafia boss with sharp eyes and an unreadable expression.

Kyoren Yujin: "Speak. What do you want?"

Charlie: "My father borrowed money from you. The debt is still unpaid. I'm here to say that from now on, I'll take responsibility. Don't trouble my family anymore."

Yujin chuckled.

Kyoren Yujin: "So… the little chick has grown up. I saw you as a child. You look just like your father."

I thought to myself: I look like my father? Looks like his eyes are as messed up as his brain.

Kyoren Yujin: "What's your name?"

Charlie: "Charlie."

Kyoren Yujin: "Fine. If you want to repay the debt, I don't mind. But what about yesterday? What guarantee do I have that you won't do something like that again? The way you beat my men… no normal human can do that. Tell me the truth. Are you one of them?"

Charlie: "One of who?"

Yujin waved it off.

Kyoren Yujin: "Forget it."

Charlie: "I won't repeat what happened. I'm just a normal person who wants a normal life."

Kyoren Yujin: "Your father said you live in the city. What do you do?"

Charlie: "I have a private job."

Kyoren Yujin: "You think you can repay that much money with a private job?"

Charlie: "Don't worry about that. No matter what, I'll handle it."

I turned and left.

That night, lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling. Ten million dollars. How the hell am I supposed to repay that? Then I remembered the money that had appeared after I beat those goons.

Charlie (whispering): "If defeating someone gives me money… then this might be easier than I thought. But who do I fight?"

A small smile appeared.

Charlie: "There's one guy who should still be awake."

I got up from my bed and left the house.

A few minutes later, I was standing in front of a familiar door. I knocked.

Buzzo (from inside): "Who's there at this hour?"

Charlie: "Hey, Buzzo. It's me—Charlie. Just got back yesterday. Thought I'd drop by."

There was a pause.

Buzzo: "At this hour? Are you crazy? We can meet in the morning."

Charlie: "I'm leaving tomorrow. So I thought—now or never."

The door opened.

A little later, we were sitting in Buzzo's yard under a sky full of stars. He handed me a beer.

Buzzo: "Here. Your favorite."

Charlie (smiling faintly): "You look thinner. Gym or something?"

Buzzo: "Nah. Just started dieting."

He hesitated for a second.

Buzzo: "I heard lightning hit your house."

Charlie: "Yeah."

Buzzo: "And you survived?"

Charlie: "Yeah."

Buzzo: "How?"

Charlie (shrugging): "I had a rubber carpet. Threw it over myself."

Buzzo laughed.

Buzzo: "Damn… from your stories, it sounds like you're faster than lightning itself."

I stared at the stars.

Charlie: "Buzzo… remember that game we used to play as kids? The one where we tested whose punch was stronger?"

Buzzo (grinning): "Of course. I always won. You were weak back then—and you still look the same."

Charlie: "Why don't we play it once more?"

Buzzo: "Are you crazy? You just got discharged from the hospital."

Charlie (smiling): "Come on. Nothing will happen."

Buzzo studied me for a long moment.

Buzzo: "You always refused this game as a kid. What got into you today?"

Charlie: "Just… felt nostalgic."

Buzzo sighed.

Buzzo: "Alright. I'll fulfill your wish."

We stood facing each other.

Charlie: "You go first."

Buzzo (shrugging): "Fine."

Buzzo threw a punch. Hard. I felt the impact—the shock ran through my body—but almost instantly, my body healed.

If I didn't have these powers… I'd be done, I thought.

Buzzo: "Your turn."

I threw a punch.

Buzzo flew backward. He crashed into the ground and didn't move.

I stood there, breathing heavily. Slowly, I stretched out my hand, expecting something.

Money.

But nothing appeared. Instead…

The cash already in my pocket vanished.

I frowned.

Charlie (whispering): "So… it only works when the enemy truly deserves it."

Under the silent night sky, I realized—the power had rules. Breaking them came with consequences.

The next morning, I left for the city. My rented house was still under repair, so I decided to walk—letting the noise of the streets clear my mind.

That's when everything changed.

A girl, face partially covered, was running through a narrow alley. Her breathing was uneven. Fear was written in every step. Behind her, several men chased relentlessly.

She turned a corner—and collided straight into me. Both of us fell to the ground.

The girl tried to get up immediately, ready to run again. I stood, grabbing her wrist instinctively.

For a brief second, I saw her face. She was strikingly beautiful—but there was something else too. Urgency. Danger.

Before I could speak, she moved her hand sharply. A sudden gust of wind exploded outward. I was thrown several feet back. She didn't look back. She kept running.

But it was too late. The men surrounded us.

I sighed.

Charlie: "…And who exactly are these guys?"

The leader stepped forward, cold and menacing.

Leader: "You. Walk away. Don't turn back. If you value your life."

I glanced at the girl. She was panicking, eyes searching desperately for an escape that didn't exist.

Charlie: "I don't enjoy standing around either."

The men stepped aside, making a path for me. I began walking.

The leader spoke again.

Leader: "Princess, come quietly with us. We don't want to hurt you—but if you resist, we will."

I froze.

Charlie: "Princess?"

The girl lifted her chin defiantly.

Girl: "Do whatever you want. I'm not going anywhere."

The leader exhaled.

Leader: "Fine. Take her."

The men rushed forward.

The girl closed her eyes. Her hands moved with fluid, graceful precision. A powerful wind burst through the alley, slamming several men into the walls.

But not all of them fell. The rest charged again. She fought with desperation—mixing hand-to-hand combat with bursts of wind—but she was getting overwhelmed. Injured. Exhausted.

I watched from a distance.

A memory surfaced—the mafia goons. The money that appeared afterward. My eyes narrowed.

Charlie (whispering to himself): "So… it only works on people who truly deserve it."

I took a step forward.

Charlie: "Guess there's only one way to find out."

I walked toward them, my steps slow but deliberate.

Charlie: "Enough. I take back what I said earlier. I'm interested in this fight now."

The leader scoffed, stepping forward with a sneer.

Leader: "This doesn't concern you. Don't play hero."

Charlie: "I'm not playing hero. But ganging up on one person… that's just pathetic."

Before he could respond, one of the men struck me hard across the head.

I staggered—but didn't fall. My body had changed; my reflexes sharper, my strength heightened.

I looked up and threw a punch. The man flew straight through a wall with a deafening crash. Silence fell.

The girl stared at me, eyes wide. The leader froze. The remaining men took a step back, shock etched on their faces.

I felt the weight in my pocket. I reached inside.

Money.

A slow smile crept across my face.

Charlie (thinking): "So it's true… this only works when someone truly deserves it."

The fight resumed. Each strike I threw was precise, overwhelming. I moved with calculated force—enough to incapacitate, not kill.

The girl regained her confidence. Together, we pushed back the attackers, her wind attacks cutting a path through the remaining men.

Finally, the leader, breathing heavily, stepped forward, staring at me in disbelief.

Leader: "You… you're like us… aren't you?"

Charlie: "I didn't think superpowers were real either. But here we are."

Suddenly, I couldn't move. My feet felt glued to the ground.

I looked down—my legs were encased in a sticky, translucent substance.

Girl: "Be careful… that's his ability. He can turn objects into adhesive."

I sighed, frustration creeping in.

Charlie: "Great… this world really has everything."

The leader straightened, voice calm but dangerous.

Lee-Dan (the leader): "My name is Lee-Dan. I'm the princess's bodyguard. You've had your fun—get in the car. Now."

Girl (coldly): "If you want to kill him, go ahead. But I'm not going back there."

Lee-Dan's expression darkened. The adhesive began spreading upward, creeping across my body. Breathing became difficult.

Charlie (straining): "Seriously? I just helped you…"

Girl: "I didn't ask you to."

Lee-Dan (calmly): "Then I'll kill him."

For a moment, I felt panic—but only briefly. The sticky substance kept creeping up my legs, tightening with every second.

Girl (firmly): "Leave him! I'm walking away. I don't need your help!"

Her words were sharp, but her tone carried resolve. She stepped back, ready to move. Lee-Dan's eyes narrowed, but with a snap of his fingers, the adhesive dissolved into vapor, drifting away harmlessly.

I collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, watching her prepare to leave.

Lee-Dan (calmly, to me): "Your powers are unusual… but they come with a price."

Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving me on the street.

I stood slowly, checking my pocket. All the money from the fight was gone. Every last bit.

Confused, I looked ahead. Then… the familiar interface appeared before my eyes, visible only to me.

Entries appeared—names, outcomes, rewards. Everyone I had defeated since gaining this power.

Then the most recent entry flashed:

Lee-Dan — Result: Defeated — All earnings: REVOKED

I exhaled slowly.

Charlie (thinking): "So that's how it works… power doesn't mean easy money. The system judges victories… and losses have consequences."

For the first time, I truly understood.

This power wasn't a blessing.

It was a test...

To be Continued.....