The Grand System

Chapter 4

Now Travis has the confidence to raise his chin while walking on the street. Looking into people's eyes doesn't even bother him anymore.

He didn't stop the cab because he enjoyed walking slowly, with no intention of reaching home.

Then a question came to his mind. What if the money disappeared?

He should think of a way to transfer his money in the grand system to his bank account.

"Hello, golden system," Travis said in his mind, hoping to get an answer.

[You have a trust issue]

Travis felt shocked. He had forgotten the system could listen to his thoughts. He didn't reply since he had already disappointed the system.

[Hold your breath for twenty seconds to stop me from listening to your thoughts]

"My breath? You want me to die?"

[I know your capacity]

[Henceforth, I will punish you if I find any thought that doesn't trust me in your mind]

Travis had no choice. He took out his phone and set the stopwatch app. Then another word appeared before him.

[Your lack of trust in me with your actions increases the challenge in seconds]

[Close the stopwatch and hold your breath for thirty-one seconds to stop me from listening to your thoughts]

[I will notify you when you complete the task]

Travis quickly put his phone back in his pocket. He closed his eyes and briefly inhaled air before holding his breath.

The people passing by were wondering what was wrong with Travis. Some waited to be helpful.

A loud voice echoed in his head.

[You have successfully disabled me from listening to your thoughts]

[I can only hear your voice]

[To activate me to listen to your thoughts, hold your breath for about forty seconds]

"That's not fair," Travia blurted out.

Opening his eyes to see the confusion on people's faces embarrassed him and made him hurry away with his head bent.

He entered a nearby restaurant, although he wasn't hungry. Not long after he was waiting to receive the takeaway plate, a BBC News splashed on the big screen before him.

The Wesla company was advertising the auction of a new electric car which was made for only one person, and the auction will commence tomorrow.

Travis was interested. He paid for his food and took a taxicab to get home on time because he wanted to research the company address.

After thirty minutes of browsing on the topic with his poor network roaming phone, he slept off and the phone slid down from his hand, hitting down hard.

In the morning, the thoughts that came into his heart were of the news and his phone. When he saw his phone on the floor, he laughed at himself, picked it up, and saw that the screen had cracks. He dropped it on the bed and then hurried into the bathroom.

He went to the Wesla company, got down from the taxicab, and walked close to the doormen, hoping to be questioned and he was right. They stopped him and questioned him about why he was there.

"I came to bid the car," Travis said

The men exchanged a knowing glance and then opened the door for him.

He walked inside the tall building filled with fleeting cars. He told a security lady about what he came there to do. The taste he received from the way the security gazed at him was sour.

"We aren't looking for an ill beggar. Go back and stay at the gate. The billionaire might spare you some cash," the security lady said.

"The doormen won't allow me in if I am here for begging business," Travis said.

"They have informed me to send you back. People were watching them through the BBC camera and they don't want to tarnish our image for disgracing you. So I would advise you to walk back," the security lady said before allowing two rich men to pass.

When Travis takes a step forward, the security lady pushes him back. "There's no camera here. Don't provoke me to deal with you."

Travis sat on the floor. "Do whatever you want. Your CEO would meet me here."

She kicked him and then opened the door. "We would deal with you after the auction."

Entering the enormous hall, he saw the people gaze at him in surprise while some laughed. The laughter did not bother him, for the big car on the stage had taken his attention now.

The presence of Travis irritated the auctioneer but had nothing to do because the damn being had already entered. He directed Travis to have his sit, but the rich men didn't allow him to sit beside them, so he sat alone.

During the checking section, the dealers had permission to inspect the car, except for Travis, whom the auctioneer forbade from touching.

In the second section, the organizers registered their names and assigned them a number. The auctioneer asked them to sit down while he started introducing the car to them.

The Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne car was made last week, and it was only made for a person and there won't be any other one in the future. As an electric car, it won't consume too much power and it is bulletproof.

After many exquisite details, the auctioneer said the price of the car was $200,000,000 and then asked them to bid on it.

One woman raised her number. "I would pay $300,000,000."

Another person raised the number. "I would pay $400,000,000."

Travis was troubled because he couldn't remember the amount in his system. He closed his eyes and held his breath for forty seconds.

[You have successfully activated me to listen to your thoughts]

"How much is in my bank account?"

[$999,999,500]

Travis was relieved because no bidder had reached it yet.

"$500,000,000."

Travis took a few breaths in and waited for luck.

"$100,000,000."

The room was silent for some moment while the auctioneer was waiting for more response.

"Is there anyone that would pay more than that?" the auctioneer asked.

"I will pay $1,200,000,000," a big belly man said, then raised his number.

Everyone looked at him in shock. And as if some people were waiting for the moment, a woman with eyes glasses raised her hand, saying,

"$1,500,000,000."

A glinting smile shone on the auctioneer's face. His intention of giving a cheap price for the car was already showing excellent results. He was about to raise his voice when someone cut in.

"$2,000,000,000."

"Anyone else?" The auctioneer's cool eyes flare around. The room so was quiet, that one could hear a pin if it was dropped.

"Twenty seconds left to choose the most bidder."

Travis realized the truth behind the security's sour words. They weren't looking for ill beggars. His eyes reddened, and he felt lonely.

The yellowish grand system symbol appeared before him and a light wrote a sentence under it.

[You are sad]

"Why wouldn't I be sad? I have lost, and the merciless security would deal with me when I get out. And I would wish I never came here-"

[You doubt me]

[If you could only trust me]

"Say no more."

Travis rose with his number raised.