Chapter 20:
Frey moved through the quiet dark to find somewhere to rest.
He didn’t sleep that night. He didn’t even try. He sat beneath the twisted arms of a hollowed oak, the dry earth beneath him hard and cold. The fire he’d lit had long since burned to embers.
Heka was present, not standing or seated. His dark and fluid shape hovered at the edge of Frey’s vision, like the smoke curling from the dying fire.
“You’ve changed,” Heka said.
Frey didn’t respond. He ran his hand across the worn cover of the ledger. The dark leather hummed beneath his palm.
“The system wasn’t built overnight,” Heka continued. “It was made piece by piece, name by name. Built to grow stronger with every debt, every contract.”
“And every loss,” Frey murmured.
Heka’s eyes flashed silver beneath his hood. “That’s why you must finish what you started.”
Frey’s hands tightened. “Finish it… or become it?”
“Both,” Heka said simply. He drifted toward the fire’s dying glow. The smoldering light caught the gold threading in his cloak, making it shimmer like sunlight dancing on a coin. “The system cannot be destroyed from the outside. You’ve already stepped into the center of it.”
Frey’s pulse quickened. “You mean I’m trapped.”
“I mean, you have power,” Heka corrected. His voice darkened. “But power isn’t ownership. Not yet.”
“And what’s the difference?”
Heka’s gaze sharpened. “Control.”
A sound broke the silence, brittle branches snapping beneath the weight. Frey’s head whipped toward the treeline.
Footsteps.
Frey rose to his feet, his hand tightening around the ledger. A tall, broad-shouldered figure dressed in dark traveling leathers stepped from the shadows. A scar curved from his brow to his cheekbone, disappearing beneath the edge of his collar. His eyes were ice-blue, dead, and cold.
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” the man said, voice low and smooth. His gaze drifted toward the ledger beneath Frey’s arm.
Frey took a step back. “You work for the House.”
The man’s lips curled. “I don’t work for anyone.” He unsheathed a short blade from his belt, a thin, silver-edged weapon with dark runes etched into the handle. “But there’s a price on you, Frey. A big one.”
Frey’s pulse hammered. His mind sharpened. He couldn’t outrun this. The man was already closing the distance, the blade glinting in the dark.
“Don’t be stupid,” the man said. “Give me the ledger.”
Frey’s hand curled tighter around it. His breath sharpened. “No.”
The man’s eyes flashed. He lunged
And the air split.
Shadows exploded outward.
Heka materialized between them, not a figure or man but a shifting wall of black smoke and piercing golden light. His cloak billowed wide, the golden threads igniting like fire.
The assassin struck;
Heka’s arm shot forward faster than sight. His hand gripped the assassin’s wrist. The blade stopped inches from Frey’s throat.
“Mine,” Heka said, his voice low and cold.
The assassin’s body twisted violently. He screamed, a raw, jagged sound. Heka’s hand pulsed with golden light. The runes on the blade burned red, cracking and splintering apart.
The man dropped to his knees, gasping. Blood pooled beneath his hands.
Heka leaned down, his face inches from the assassin’s ear. “The boy’s life is mine,” he whispered. “And tell them who holds the chain.”
The man stumbled back, falling on his butt, clutching his disfigured wrist. He turned and fled into the dark. His ragged breathing faded into the distance.
Frey’s breath came fast and sharp. His heart was pounding beneath his ribs.
Heka turned toward him, his expression carved from stone. “They’ll send more.”
“I know,” Frey said. His hand tightened around the ledger. “Let them.”
Heka’s lips curved faintly. “Good.”
Frey’s Journal: Cycle 10, Phase 2, Solar Arc 218
Credit scores are vital indicators of your financial health and play a significant role in determining your ability to secure loans, favorable interest rates, and other economic opportunities. Although the exact formulas for calculating FICO and VantageScore are proprietary, we know the primary factors that influence credit scores and how they are weighted. Understanding these elements can help you build and maintain a strong credit profile.
Entry: Cycle 10, Phase 2, Solar Arc 218
Debt can be a powerful financial tool when managed wisely, but not all debt is created equal. Knowing the distinction between good and bad debt is crucial for making informed financial decisions that align with your long-term goals. Good debt can help you build wealth and achieve important milestones, while lousy debt often results in financial strain and hinders progress.
Entry: Cycle 10, Phase 2, Solar Arc 218
Payment History
Weight: 35% (FICO) and 40% (VantageScore)
Your payment history is the most critical factor in your credit score. It reflects how consistently you’ve paid bills on time and includes data from up to 10 years. Lenders rely on this information to gauge your reliability.
– Positive Impact: Making on-time payments consistently builds trust and improves your score.
– Negative Impact: Missing payments or paying late, especially if they are over 30 days overdue, can significantly harm your score.
Instance:
Your score will benefit if you consistently pay your credit A card and loan payments are on time. Conversely, a single late mortgage payment could drop your score by 50–100 points.
Set up automatic payments or reminders to make sure you never miss a due date.
Good Debt
Good debt refers to borrowing that supports financial growth or creates opportunities for advancement. This type of debt typically has lower interest rates, manageable repayment terms, and the potential to increase one’s net worth or income over time. However, to remain beneficial, good debt requires responsible management.
Examples of Good Debt
- Mortgages
Why it’s good: A mortgage allows you to own a home, which can appreciate over time and build equity. Additionally, mortgage interest is often tax-deductible.
Instance:
Buying a house for $250,000 that appreciates to $350,000 in 10 years increases your net worth by $100,000, excluding costs like interest and maintenance. - Student Loans
Why it’s beneficial: Education loans offer access to higher education, which can lead to increased earning potential. They also typically have lower interest rates and flexible repayment options.
Instance:
A $40,000 student loan could lead to a degree that increases your earning potential by $20,000 annually, recouping the cost within 4 years of post-graduation employment if done correctly. - Small Business Loans
Why it’s beneficial: Business loans can provide the capital needed to start or expand a venture, generating income and building wealth.
Instance:
A $50,000 loan to open a bakery could result in a business generating $100,000 annually, doubling your initial investment. - Personal Loans for Consolidation
Why it’s good: Consolidating high-interest debt (credit cards) into a lower-interest personal loan reduces monthly payments and simplifies repayment.
Instance:
Refinancing $10,000 of credit card debt at a 20% APR into a personal loan at an 8% APR can save over $1,000 annually in interest, and avoiding using those cards until the loan is repaid. - Credit Cards (Used Responsibly)
Why it’s good: When used responsibly, credit cards build your credit history and improve your credit score. This can lower interest rates on future loans or give you cash back by rotating your money.
Instance:
Paying off your $500 monthly balance on time avoids interest, improves your credit utilization ratio, and boosts your FICO score. Some cards even give cash back, opening a small but additional revenue stream.
Bad Debt
Bad debt refers to borrowing that doesn’t provide long-term benefits or leads to financial stress. These debts often have high interest rates, short repayment terms, and little to no return on investment.
Examples of Bad Debt
- Payday Loans
Why it’s terrible: Payday loans offer quick cash but with exorbitantly high interest rates (often exceeding 100% APR), trapping borrowers in cycles of debt.
Instance:
Borrowing $500 from a payday lender may result in repayment of $650 or more in just two weeks, costing you 30% of the loan in fees. - High-Interest Credit Card Debt
Why it’s terrible: Carrying a balance on high-interest credit cards can lead to unmanageable debt due to compounding interest.
Instance:
A $5,000 credit card balance at 25% APR will cost you $1,250 annually in interest if it is not paid off, significantly increasing your debt burden. - Luxury Purchases on Credit
Why it’s terrible: Financing non-essential items like vacations or luxury goods provides no financial return and can drain resources.
Instance:
Charging a $5,000 vacation to a credit card and paying the minimum monthly payment can take years and cost an additional $3,000 in interest. - Loans Beyond Your Means
Why it’s terrible: Borrowing more than you can afford to repay leads to financial stress and potential default, which can negatively affect your credit score.
Instance:
Taking out a $40,000 car loan with monthly payments that exceed 30% of your income could strain your budget and delay saving for other goals.
Entry: Cycle 10, Phase 2, Solar Arc 218
The system was designed to sustain itself through high-interest loans, revolving credit, and compounding balances. It wants you to borrow to survive, but not to grow. The key isn’t avoiding debt entirely. It’s knowing how to make it work for you. Good debt builds: Evil debt traps.
Regularly Check Your Credit Report for Errors
Mistakes on your credit report, such as incorrect personal information or inaccurate accounts, can unfairly lower your score.
– Obtain your free credit report from trusted agencies once a year.
– Review account balances and payment history to identify any duplicate accounts.
– Please quickly dispute the inaccuracies with the credit bureau or creditor.
Instance:
David discovered an unpaid balance listed on his report that wasn’t his. After disputing the error and providing documentation, the credit bureau removed the item, improving his credit score by 40 points.
Increase Your Credit Limits (Without Increasing Spending)
A higher credit limit reduces your utilization ratio, which in turn boosts your credit score.
Strategy: Request a credit limit increase every 6-12 months if you have a solid payment history. You can contact your credit card company or request an increase, but please refrain from using the extra credit. (Easier said than done)
Instance: Lisa’s limit increases from $3,000 to $6,000, dropping her utilization from 40% to 20% and improving her score.
Credit Utilization Ratio
Weight: 30% (FICO) and 20% (VantageScore)
Your credit utilization ratio measures the percentage of your available credit that you use compared to your credit limit. It is a crucial indicator of your financial management.
– Calculation: Utilization Ratio = (Total Credit Used ÷ Total Credit Limit) × 100
– Positive Impact: Maintaining a utilization rate below 30% of your credit limit is ideal, while those with excellent scores often keep their ratio below 10%.
– Negative Impact: Missing credit card payments or consistently maintaining high balances can hurt your score, even if you pay your bills on time.
Instance:
If you have a credit limit of $10,000 and a balance of $2,500, your utilization ratio is 25%, which is considered a healthy level. However, if your balance reaches $9,000, your ratio jumps to 90%, significantly lowering your score.
Pay down balances before your statement closing date, or request a credit limit increase to improve your credit utilization ratio.
Length of Credit History
Weight: 15% (FICO and VantageScore)
The longer your credit history, the more data lenders have to evaluate your financial habits.
– Positive Impact: A lengthy history with consistent, responsible credit use boosts your score.
– Negative Impact: A short credit history, especially with other risky factors, can make you appear less reliable.
Instance:
A credit card account you’ve had for 10 years reflects stability and sound financial management. Closing this account might shorten your average credit age, potentially lowering your score.
Keep old accounts open and active to maintain a firm credit age, even if you don’t use them frequently.
Credit Mix & Types of Credit:
Weight: 10% (FICO and VantageScore)
A diverse credit mix demonstrates your ability to handle various types of credit responsibly.
Revolving Credit: Credit cards and lines of credit that replenish as you pay them off.
Installment Credit: Loans with fixed payments, such as mortgages, auto loans, or student loans.
Positive Impact: Having both types of credit demonstrates to lenders that you can effectively manage a range of financial responsibilities.
Negative Impact: Relying solely on one type of credit may limit your score’s growth potential.
Instance:
If you have a car loan (installment credit) and a credit card (revolving credit), your score may benefit more than if you only use credit cards.
Avoid taking out loans unnecessarily; balance your credit use whenever possible.
New Credit Inquiries
Weight: 10% (FICO and VantageScore)
This category includes applications for new credit accounts and any resulting hard inquiries on your credit report.
– Positive Impact: Opening new accounts responsibly and spacing out applications can help boost your credit profile over time.
– Negative Impact: Making too many complex inquiries quickly can signal financial stress and temporarily lower your score.
Instance:
Applying for three credit cards within a month may result in a slight decrease in your credit score. However, a single inquiry for a car loan may have a minimal impact.
Tip: Apply for credit only when necessary and try to pre-qualify whenever possible to avoid difficult questions.
Family Ladder Credit Strategy
If your family member is willing, you can create a multi-generation strategy:
– Add kids (13+) as authorized users on cards with a long history.
– Share financial literacy as they grow.
– They begin adulthood with 700+ scores.
This creates generational financial leverage, turning parental credit into a launchpad rather than a burden.
Set a Credit Milestone for Passive Income Access
Use your credit score as a milestone toward a financial goal. Example:
Score hits 720 → You unlock an Airbnb arbitrage deal.
Score hits 750 → You apply for a business line of credit to launch a scalable asset.
You gamify the journey. Credit becomes part of a larger wealth system, not just a number.
You become an Authorized User on a Great Card.
Get added to a parent, spouse, or friend’s well-managed credit card (long history, low usage, no late payments).
It boosts your credit age, limit, and payment history, even if you don’t use the card.
Use Rent, Utilities & Subscriptions to Boost Your Score
Use services like Experian Boost, BoomPay, or LevelCredit to report:
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Rent
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Netflix
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Utilities (electric, phone, water)
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These regular bills typically don’t significantly impact your credit, but adding them creates new on-time tradelines.
Credit Buffer Card
A strategy most use is to have one cash-back card for fixed monthly bills only. Another card for variable bills, and a final one for lifestyle expenses, which are never canceled and are paid in full at the end of each month.
This keeps a credit line open indefinitely, which helps with credit age and payment history, the two most challenging factors to build. You also earn card rewards, often in the form of cash back, simply for using your credit card first, rather than just paying from your bank account.
Use a Credit Buddy Strategy (Be careful who you pick)
You and a trusted friend or partner both have decent credit. Each of you adds the other as an authorized user to a well-managed card.
Mutual boost to credit file age, limits, and payment history.
Great for couples or siblings looking to level up credit before buying a home or applying for a loan.
Other Practical Steps to Improve Your Credit Score
- Pay On Time: Always prioritize paying on time for all bills, loans, and credit cards.
- Monitor Your Credit Utilization: Aim to keep it below 30% of your available credit.
- Build a Credit History: Keep long-standing accounts open and active to maintain a strong credit history.
- Diversify Credit: Balance revolving and installment credit responsibly.
- Limit Hard Inquiries: Apply for new credit only when necessary and space out applications.
Your credit score reflects a snapshot of your financial behavior, and improving it requires consistent effort across all categories. Whether you maintain a perfect payment history, manage your credit card balances effectively, or build a diverse mix of credit types, understanding how each factor contributes to your score is crucial for long-term financial success. By staying proactive and responsible, you can achieve and maintain a credit score that unlocks financial opportunities.
Frey sat down beside the dying fire, his breath steadying. The assassin’s blood was already sinking into the earth, black against the brittle soil.
“You didn’t kill him,” Frey said.
Heka’s gaze darkened. “I let him live.”
“Why?”
Heka’s eyes burned silver beneath his hood. “Because now they’ll know what’s coming.”
Frey’s gaze drifted toward the tree-line, where darkness thickened between the branches. His hand settled over the ledger once more.
They’d come for him. Again and again.
But this time, Frey wasn’t running.