My Trillion Dollar System

Chapter 4. Build And Destroy

"There's a way. Look." August pointed at the billboard.

"The Arizona yearly tech competition for only the best computer geeks in the world," August said almost in a whisper, his eyes fixed on the grand prize. "A $100,000." He breathed as Dan turned to the direction of his gaze.

"A $100,000 and a position of chief hacker of Arizona Tech!" Dan exclaimed, his eyes widened.

"This is crazy! I could actually show them my talent," Dan said gleefully.

"So you propose we should enter this competition to win a $100,000?" August asked.

"Why are you asking that? You were the one that proposed the idea." Dan eyed him suspiciously. "Or would it be strange for you because it’s the company of those that stole your girlfriend from you?"

"Far from it. I don’t care any longer. This is the only way I can make my $100,000. A trillion dollars is the goal. At last, I would eventually have the last laugh," August said, staring at the billboard as Dan nodded with a smile.

"But..." he suddenly said. "It’s a national competition....Did you see that? The requirements!" He pointed at the slideshow as August read out loud. "Persons from around the world could participate. The minimum number in a team should be two and there are no limits to the maximum."

"That’s no problem." August brushed off. "We are good enough to crush them!"

"What? Are you kidding me? Are you a computer literate? You don’t seem like that to me." Dan shook his head as August exhaled.

"Yeah. I’m no computer geek like you. But I’ve got wits. Just follow my lead Danny joy. And see me lead us to victory. Damn, I’m so happy to have met you. Maybe the system is helping me. He led me to you!" August laughed out happily as Dan stared at him with a weird expression.

"And I am cursed to have met you." Dan snorted back as August increased the intensity of his laughter and drew Dan to himself while Dan was in his own thoughts.

There was no harm in trying. If he managed to win, he would get his dream job. For now, let’s put our trust in August. He thought and bit his lips nervously.

******************

Dan walked slowly onto the stage where the competition was being held two days later. He felt nervous as he walked down to his seat, passing by other contestants in twos, threes, and fours, while he was the only one. That jerk, August, had asked him to come in alone.

Except for the invisible earbuds in his ear, which they could use to communicate, something he didn't see the use of, Dan was literally alone. The odd stare he got from his fellow contestants was enough to make him have cold feet. He swallowed for the umpteenth time and averted his gaze from them as he stared at the company in front of him.

"Danny boy! Are you seated already?!" August's happy voice that usually irritated Dan called from the earbud he had on.

"Where..." Dan immediately realized he was about to raise his voice then calmed down immediately. Nobody was to know he had an earbud, which he was using for some sort of communication. It was clearly prohibited. He still couldn’t figure out where August had gotten this particular one that couldn’t be sensed by others.

"Where are you, August?! How dare you leave me all alone here?" Dan muttered.

"What? Why should I be there with you? I am clearly useless, and you know that. I don’t know shit about what you will be doing. So I would rather be behind the scenes to make way for you, Dan," August said with a playful tone as Dan's irritation grew.

"This isn’t funny, August. You should be here. At least to sit with me to give me morale. I am the one only freaking person here, and remember the rules! Minimum of two persons per team! Every other person has a team."

"You shouldn’t worry yourself, Danny boy. I am with you even then I am not there physically. And remember, when the competition starts, don’t do anything until I give you a cue to start. Remember, don’t do anything…” he hung up before Dan could ask why. Dan bit his lips nervously and cursed at August under his breath.

“Hello, everyone.” The host for the competition climbed the podium. A smart-looking dressed lady in a white shirt and well-tailored trousers, her hair parked in a bun.

“You are welcome to the annual tech competition by the Arizona group. Today, we have seven contestants that will be…” The host stopped when her eyes fell on Dan.

Dan quickly looked down to avoid her gaze, scared that she might do what was on his mind: eliminate him because the minimum on a team was supposed to be two.

“Mr. Dan Brian? Are you waiting for your partner to join you soon?” The host asked with a calm look, noticing how nervous Dan looked at that point.

“Uhmmm…. I am the only one.” Dan stood up slowly and stared at the host almost pleadingly. “My partner bailed out.” Some of the other contestants chuckled.

Now Dan felt like dying and dragging August to hell with him.

“Oh, but the rules stated…,”

“It’s fine. Let him be. If he wants to compete, let him.” An authoritative voice spoke from the left side of the room as everyone turned their attention to him.

He looked sophisticated in his black tuxedo and his hair swept back in a neat CEO style. His Cartier wristwatch on his wrist.

“Alright, sir.” The host said.

“You can have your seat, Mr. Dan, and good luck.” The host said with a smile as Dan forced a smile and sat, still nervous.

“So now, the rules of the game. The theme of the game is called ‘Build and Destroy.’ Every team is either meant to build or destroy to gain points. Building is in the sense that you build networks in the form of code to guide your territory, which will earn you points if you succeed in protecting your territory with impenetrable codes.” She paused and continued.

“While for the destroy is you attacking the other opponent to see if you can hack and invade their territory. You should note that invading will earn you more points than building. So if you want to finish up quick with a higher point, invading should be a priority. Well, I guess invading will only be for those who can defend and invade at the same time. Good luck!” The host said with a smile, followed by a round of applause.

But Dan wasn’t having it. How was he supposed to pass this? The other teams have members who could defend while others go to invade, but he was the only one! Damn! He shouldn’t have agreed to this in the first place.

“Don’t freak out, Dan. Be calm. Don’t start yet. You will only start when I say so…” August's voice came through again and turned off almost immediately.

Dan’s exasperation only mounted as the buzz to start was pressed. He watched as the other hackers tapped on their keyboard while he could only stare at the blank screen.