(3rd Person POV)
Within just a week of launching the Hellfire Bank Business Support Program, the first wave of companies that partnered with Hellfire had already begun to see real results.
Sales figures ticked upward. Promotions reached wider audiences. And for so, the impact was imdiate.
None were more elated than the team behind True-White Paint, a once-third-place brand now climbing fast.
Inside a sleek office bathed in soft pastel hues, Stephanie Watson—a sharp-eyed feline demon with a polished blazer and twitching ears—grinned as she reviewed the latest report.
"Fourteen percent increase in just a week," her secretary reported, nearly breathless. "We’ve overtaken both major competitors. True-White is now officially the top-selling paint brand in the kingdom."
Stephanie leaned back, rubbing her hands together with satisfaction.
"Well, well... who would’ve thought?" she purred. "We were sitting behind those two for months—and now look at us. Hellfire wasn’t bluffing about the exposure."
Her tail flicked in amusent as she added, "It’s almost unbelievable. Just a week ago, we were clinging to third."
Her secretary smiled nervously. "It’s all thanks to your foresight, Lady Watson. If you hadn’t made the move to partner with Hellfire Bank when you did—none of this would’ve happened."
Stephanie nodded, eyes gleaming. "Mmh. I appreciate the flattery—but let’s not pretend. This boost?" She tapped the chart on the desk. "It’s Hellfire’s doing."
Then she stood, walking toward the tall window overlooking the bustling city below.
"It’s ti," she said. "Make Hellfire Bank our exclusive payroll system."
Her secretary’s eyes widened. "Lady Watson... I don’t know if that’s wise. Completely switching over? That ans cutting ties with the Big Four."
He lowered his voice. "Do you really want to offend them?"
Stephanie’s ears twitched again—but this ti, with defiance.
"Offend the Big Four?" she repeated, then chuckled. "Heh. So what?"
Her voice was calm.
But her decision? Unshakable.
The secretary stared at her, stunned by her total lack of hesitation.
"I’ve had enough of these so-called ’Big Four,’" Stephanie snorted. "If I hadn’t been forced to use them before, I never would’ve touched them. But now? Now I have a real option—a real opportunity."
Her voice sharpened, thick with long-held resentnt.
"That damned Gold of Wales especially. They’ve screwed over more tis than I can count. One ti, a major client canceled their order just because the paynt didn’t go through on ti."
She shook her head in disbelief, then smiled coldly.
"But with Hellfire Bank? I don’t have to deal with any of that. Their system lets transfer funds fast—clean and efficient. No hold-ups. No shady delays."
She leaned back, her voice steady now, almost proud.
"And it’s not just about . Our employees are finally receiving their salaries on ti, sotis even earlier. The transfer fees? Practically nothing compared to the blood-sucking charges from the Big Four."
Her secretary stayed silent, lips pressed together.
Because everything she said was true.
He had a Hellfire Bank account too. And every payday, he noticed it—the smooth deposit, the lower deductions, the higher take-ho pay.
---
Aside from True-White Paint, several other companies had begun showing their support for Hellfire Bank. One by one, they started transferring their company savings and finances from the Big Four to Hellfire.
While the obvious reason was the promotional perks—free ad slots, production discounts, and network exposure—many executives cited sothing more technical: Hellfire Bank’s system was just better.
Its interface was sophisticated yet easy to navigate. The financial departnts quickly noticed the difference.
With Hellfire Bank’s website, tracking expenses, payroll, and corporate finances beca smoother, faster, and far more transparent. Compared to the clunky systems of the Big Four, the switch was a no-brainer.
Soon, more companies officially declared: only Hellfire Bank accounts would be used for employee payroll moving forward.
Employees had no choice but to adapt.
In so offices, murmurs began.
"Wait, are they really making us switch to Hellfire Bank?" one employee asked, brows furrowed. "Is that even allowed?"
"Yeah, I just got the mo," another replied. "Starting next month, salary’s only going through Hellfire. No exceptions."
So were wary. Despite the growing buzz, they didn’t fully trust the newcor.
But others had already made the switch—and were more than satisfied.
"Honestly, there’s nothing to worry about," one employee said confidently. "I was relieved when they announced the switch. Hellfire’s transfer fees are lower, so the take-ho pay’s actually a bit higher."
Another chid in with a grin. "And the credit card’s a lifesaver. No cash? No problem. No more borrowing just to get by."
There was still so skepticism, of course — but with the company enforcing the change, most employees had no choice but to adapt.
Then one of them spoke up, "Speaking of credit cards... I just got my monthly statent. The due date’s next week. I can pay in full or just the minimum." He glanced around and asked, "What about you guys? You planning to pay it off?"
A half-elf demoness let out a snort. "Obviously. We have to," she said, folding her arms. "And we better pay it on ti too — or we’ll get hit with interest fees. It’s not that high right now, but let that pile up, and we’ll feel it."
It was her first credit card statent, like most of them. After all, Hellfire Bank had only been operating for a few weeks. Still, she preferred caution over regret.
Another chid in with a shrug. "She’s right. Especially now that we’re locked into Hellfire Bank for payroll. Skipping paynt might ss with our records or card access."
That hit ho. A few who were planning to ignore their dues gave a reluctant nod. They didn’t want trouble down the line.
---
anwhile, in the noble districts, the monthly statents had also begun to arrive. Those who initially brushed off credit card paynts were now facing their first reality check.
At first, the cards were just a novelty. But after a few weeks of convenience — using it at boutiques, banquets, or magic trinket shops — they realized sothing crucial: if they didn’t pay, the card wouldn’t work anymore.
Among noble households, the card had unexpectedly beco a new symbol of status. Noble ladies, in particular, began pressuring their husbands to pay off their balances — if only to keep flaunting their high-tier cards at social gatherings.
So even started comparing limits and design tiers, the way they used to compare carriages or jewelry. What began as financial utility had quietly turned into social capital. And in the world of nobles, that was everything.
Of course, not everyone cared about repaying their credit card dues on ti.
Ferdinand Fellwing, as expected, was one of them.
He glanced at the letter from Hellfire Bank and scoffed. "Hmph. I’ve already maxed out most of the card’s limit. There’s no way I’m paying that nonsense," he muttered, tossing the letter aside.
The household computer’s balance display confird it—his credit card was nearly drained.
Without a second thought, he crumpled the letter and threw it into the trash.
anwhile, at Hellscape Mall, his daughter Anna Fellwing was out shopping with her circle of noble friends. Dressed head-to-toe in designer enchanted silk, she strutted toward the cashier, flashing her golden Hellfire credit card like it was a royal emblem.
The mont the cashier swiped it—beep!
A quiet buzz followed.
The cashier bowed slightly. "Apologies, Lady Fellwing... it appears the card has reached its maximum limit. Until the outstanding dues are paid, it cannot be used further."
Anna blinked. "What? This is a gold-tier card! Don’t you see the sigil?"
"Respectfully, my lady," the cashier replied calmly, "even gold-tier cards must follow the rules. If it’s maxed out, the system will block further purchases."
Anna’s jaw tightened. Her cheeks flushed as she heard soft, amused whispers from her friends.
She forced a laugh, but her ears were burning. The humiliation was instant—and sharp.
In the world of nobles, status was everything. And at this mont... her card had just betrayed her.
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