"I've got this," a man reassured himself with a quiet whisper, gently tapping his chest. He took a slow, calming breath before stepping into the cold, sterile BellRox Corporation building.His arrival didn't go unnoticed. A hushed murmur from one of his colleagues signaled his presence, and an oppressive tension settled over the office, much like a thick fog. He was all too familiar with the reason behind the uneasy silence."Drake Chwe! In my office, now!" Their manager's voice reverberated through the room, shattering the stillness.Reluctantly, Drake obeyed, his heart sinking as he entered the lion's den. He couldn't even find support or help as his colleagues averted their eyes, hoping to avoid being caught in the crossfire of their manager's sadistic games."Yes, sir," Drake responded, steeling himself for what lay ahead.Inside the manager's office, a stark contrast to the bustling open workspace outside, cold fluorescent light illuminated the room. A dominating oak desk took cen
Drake's jaw dropped, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions raging within him. The mention of ten million dollars for his sister's medical needs echoed in his mind like an unrelenting drumbeat."Ten million dollars..."The number seemed astronomical, an insurmountable sum casting a dark cloud over him. His heart ached under the weight of it, realizing his beloved sister's life hung in the balance."How on earth am I going to get ten million dollars?" The question tormented him, pushing him to the brink of despair. He had never possessed even a fraction of that amount.Drake remained frozen where he stood as he slowly processed everything inside his head. A moment later, he walked out of the building and aimlessly wandered down the street without any specific destination.As he aimlessly navigated the labyrinthine streets of the city, the neon lights and bustling crowds around him felt distant and surreal. He had strayed far from his office, his mind clouded by a potent cocktail of anger
Drake's world was turned upside down by the revelation of the Tribute System and the unimaginable wealth it held. The shock of seeing the astronomical balance of 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 coins overwhelmed him, causing him to lose consciousness.Hours passed, and Drake slowly stirred back to awareness, his head throbbing from the earlier hangover.“What the heck was that? A dream?” he wondered, still dazed. “It must be a dream.”It was only when the shrill ringing of his phone pierced the silence that Drake jolted fully awake. He fumbled for the device, his heart pounding as he answered it."Drake Chwe!" The voice on the other end was harsh and unforgiving. "Do you have any idea what time it is? You were supposed to be at work hours ago!"It was Marcus Lee.Panic surged through Drake as he glanced at the clock. It was 1 in the afternoon, far past his usual starting time."I-I'm so sorry, Manager Lee," Drake stammered, his voice filled with desperation. "I must have overslept. It won't
Outside the Bellrox Corp. building, Drake Chwe stood alone, contemplating his newfound wealth and the potential escape it offered from his toxic workplace. He gazed at the company's imposing signage; he couldn't help but question the reality of his situation."System? I mean, are you seriously, absolutely real?" Drake muttered, a hint of disbelief still lingering in his voice. "I know you already helped me with the GPS, but are you really, truly for real?""Yes, the Tribute system is real," the system confirmed."Really? You won't just disappear on me all of a sudden?" he asked. "I won't end up with nothing if I decide to quit my job now?""Yes. You can leave that toxic workplace behind. The system has quintillion coins at your disposal," assured the system."Seriously? How can I be sure I won't end up with nothing? You see, I'm poor, and my sister is sick. Even though this job is like a nightmare, it's my lifeline," Drake shared, his worries pouring out.“System User: Drake Chwe. The
Drake Chwe trembled as he looked at the location pinned by the Tribute System. It was an unfamiliar place, and he had a gut feeling that something was off. The RedLutos Motel was definitely not where a Bellrox Corp. front desk worker should be during office hours. Not entirely trusting the system's accuracy, he decided to return to Bellrox Corp. and get more information.Drake approached the front desk and politely asked, "Excuse me, do you know where Merlyn Spenser is?"The front desk receptionist gave him a scrutinizing look from head to toe before responding with an obviously fake smile. "It's still 3 p.m.; she's at work.""But where is she working right now?" Drake pressed."We can't share our colleagues' whereabouts without a valid reason," the receptionist replied, still smiling insincerely."I'm her boyfriend, and I can't reach her," Drake explained.The other receptionists behind the desk burst into laughter. Their amusement was obvious, as if Drake had cracked a joke. Drake c
Drake moved through the bustling streets with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions in his mind. He left the motel, but pressing concerns still weighed heavily on him. He asked himself, "What's my next move? Where do I even start?" Drake clenched his fists. "Merlyn… they won't get away with this. I'll make sure of it. But my top priority is helping Ely. I won't let anything happen to her," he thought to himself, his sister's trusting and hopeful face flashing in his mind. The Tribute System had granted him a fortune, but it could only be withdrawn in the form of coins. Drake realized that he needed a solution to this conundrum—a way to convert his coins into a more manageable and useful form of currency. “Ugh! I said that, but where can I even find the miniature temple? I need to offer a tribute!” he exclaimed. He retraced his steps through the city, attempting to recall the events of that night when he had met Zack White and stumbled upon the temple. The memory was hazy, clouded
Aunt Beck had been Drake's sole pillar of support, especially in the absence of his gambling mother. Sadly, due to his mother's reckless behavior, Aunt Beck had stopped providing help to them. However, even though she had decided not to concern herself with Linda, she still held a soft spot in her heart for her niece and nephew."What are you doing here?" Aunt Beck asked, clearly surprised to see Drake in her store."Hi, Aunt," Drake said, greeting her with a warm smile. "Didn't I tell you I'd pay you back?""Seriously? Doesn't Eleanor need it more?" Aunt Beck inquired.Aunt Beck stepped away from the cash register and approached Drake. She wasn't the cashier; she was simply idling in her own store."She does, and that's why I need your help, Aunt," Drake explained.Aunt Beck's forehead furrowed in concern. "I may have a few game stores and arcades, but I'm not wealthy, Drake.""I know. I'm not asking for money. I will genuinely pay back what I owe.""Are you really going to pay me?"
Linda's words reverberated inside Drake's head, like a painful symphony of hurtful words that sent shockwaves through his entire being. "We can claim more money in insurance if she dies! Why spend more money?" Linda heartlessly shouted, igniting a fiery rage within Drake. "What did you say?" he thundered. "How dare you say that!" Drake couldn't believe that those words had come from his own mother. How could someone be so cold? How could a mother be so utterly indifferent to her child? How had his mother turned into a stranger, someone he no longer recognized? The questions swirled in his mind, leaving him stunned and anguished."We could claim ten million from the insurance if you'd just left her alone! Why spend more on her?" Linda repeatedly asked, while angrily stomping her foot on the floor as if Drake were the one who had made the wrong decision. Drake glanced at his unconscious sister lying in her hospital bed before he approached his mother. "Mom—no, Linda. Is that the on
Ten years had passed, yet the dream of earning a sextillion coins remained elusive. Time slipped away unnoticed as Drake immersed himself in the relentless pursuit of money to settle his debts. Only too late did he realize the true cost of his singular focus.Seated in his office, absorbed in his tasks, Drake was jolted from his concentration by the ringing of his phone. Glancing at the caller's ID, he recognized his sister Eleanor's number. With a resigned sigh, he answered the call."Hey, Ely," Drake greeted, attempting to sound nonchalant despite his apprehension."Drake, where are you?!" Eleanor's voice crackled with frustration and disappointment."I'm at the office, why?" Drake responded, his heart sinking as he anticipated the conversation that was about to unfold."Seriously? You forgot, didn't you?" Eleanor's incredulous tone pierced through the line.Drake's stomach churned with guilt. "Forgot what?"Eleanor let out an exasperated sigh. "My wedding, Drake! The one I've been
Drake was shocked to learn the truth, his jaws dropping even further when Lucille revealed that he needed to repay the tribute system twofold."Earning sextillion coins is impossible!" he exclaimed."You have to offer it back, or else you'll spend your life paying for it," Lucille replied grimly, exaggerating the explanation to divert Drake's attention away from herself."Damn it. Is this why I can't kill Zack? He cannot die until he pays his debt," Drake said frustratingly, but then he smiled viciously. "But does that mean I can keep him in prison to suffer?""He doesn't change. Good luck," Lucille muttered under her breath, slowly becoming accustomed to Drake's viciousness."What is it?" Drake asked."Nothing. I was just wondering why you came here," she bluntly asked, inwardly worried about the chance of Drake hurting her."What else? To pick you up?" Drake said, grabbing Lucille's hand and looking into her eyes with sincerity. "Lucille, please believe me, what Marianne said was al
Lucille Bmak seized the opportunity to escape when Drake and Rebecca were engrossed in their own conversation.Thinking it was her chance, she began to make her way out. However, unbeknownst to her, she was trapped in a labyrinth from which only Zack, Rebecca, and Drake could find their way out."What the hell is this place?" she muttered to herself as she continued downwards in an attempt to escape, but the path seemed endless."Aah!" she screamed as someone suddenly yanked her back."You're new here? There's nothing above your head yet," the female said, her tone cautious and discreet. “I got the ability to see other users status and progress. You're still fresh. Save yourself!”"What? I don't belong here. Do you know the exit?" Lucille asked, sensing no hostility from the girl."Go up instead of down," the girl replied honestly."Really? But why aren't you leaving?" Lucille inquired."I'm weak, but I can't die. You should be careful. Let go of the system as soon as possible while i
Lucille Bmak had prepared herself for this inevitable day.She knew all too well that her peaceful days would come to an end as long as Zack White and Drake Chwe existed.However, despite her thorough preparation, she couldn't shield her heart from the viciousness that Zack and Drake displayed towards her.The constant hostility from both men exhausted her heart and mind, leaving her unable to display any emotion upon seeing Drake, whose presence made her heart throb, or Zack, whose mere presence sent shivers down her spine."Damn you! Damn your luck!" Zack White growled in frustration, his anger palpable as he longed to inflict harm upon Lucille.He yelled and pounded on the barrier as if he desired nothing more than to tear Lucille apart, but what frustrated him even more was the nonchalant expression on Lucille's face."Do you think you'll escape me for imprisoning me for three years? I'll torture you every second of the day!" he threatened."So foolish," Lucille commented, further
Drake Chwe hurried to find Lucille. He strode past the long underground passage, paying little heed to the torture cell, laboratories, and whatever bizarre occurrences filled each room. As long as Lucille wasn't there, Drake's focus remained undeterred."Where the hell are you?" he muttered exasperatedly to himself, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he reached the final room at the end of the underground complex. Taking a deep breath, he swung open the door, only for his eyes to widen in shock at the sight of his lover bound by chains."Lucille!" he exclaimed, rushing forward to free her, but his efforts proved futile."Drake, long time no see," Lucille greeted casually, her gaze devoid of emotion as if she had just woken up from a nap."Hang on a little longer. I'll free you soon," he promised, frantically rummaging through his bag for any tool that might help, but none did the trick."Damn it!" he cursed in frustration, realizing he couldn't access his trusted system in a time of
Zack sported a victorious grin, his eyes locked onto Drake with the same intensity Drake once aimed at him from within the torture cell. His lips curled as he relished the sweet taste of turning the tables."It'll be better if we suffer together. You know, I didn't plan to torment you for just three years," Zack said, closing the distance between them. "Let's make it forever," he whispered, his voice dripping with menace.His grin widened as he observed Drake's expression darken. However, standing closer to Drake proved to be a mistake."Oh, damn it," Zack cursed, blood bubbling up as he collapsed to the ground."All talk, huh?" Drake snorted, a twisted smirk forming on his lips as he pressed his foot onto Zack's face. "Your only shot at survival was staying locked away. Why set yourself free?""What's happening?" Zack grunted in agony, attempting to extract the knife lodged in his side, but it remained stubbornly embedded in his flesh."Can't you recognize these?" Drake sneered, with
Thanks to Merlyn, Drake finally learned where Lucille had been taken. He instructed Merlyn to locate her using his device, unaware that she would succumb to a heart attack afterward, much like the way he deceived and threatened Natasha into her demise."Code blue! Code blue! Room 203!" a nurse frantically announced.Medical staff rushed to Merlyn Spenser's side, the monitor next to her bed blaring with the alarming sound of a code blue. Doctors and nurses swarmed into the room, their faces etched with urgency as they converged around Merlyn's bed. The room was filled with the sound of rapid footsteps and the clatter of medical equipment."Goodbye, Merlyn. Thank you for your help," Drake coldly muttered as he casually walked out of the ICU, a strange sense of satisfaction washing over him."Why Canman, though?" he wondered, glancing at the address Merlyn had provided. "This doesn't sound good."He immediately hopped into his car and drove to Canman, Zack White’s hometown. Arriving the
When faced with a choice between life and death, the decision might seem obvious to most. Yet, Lucille Bmak's response was anything but expected. Though she typically valued her own survival above all else, this time she made a different choice."F*ck you!" Lucille spat defiantly, refusing to entertain whatever offer Zack White had in store. Having fallen into Drake's traps before, she was adamant about not allowing herself to be ensnared by another chain, even if it meant facing death."This is the last time I'm asking you. Listen to me, or—" Zack seethed, tightening his grip around her neck."I don't care! Kill me!" Lucille exclaimed, though her body trembled with fear. Summoning a forced smile, she added, "You've repeated yourself three times now. You sound like the one who needs me.""Who needs who?" Zack White yelled, his fury palpable. Despite his rage, he found himself unable to carry out Lucille's demise.Rebecca, the veteran user of the system, who had once bestowed favors up
Inside Lucille's house, the dimly lit corridors exuded an eerie aura as Zack White prowled through them, his presence ominous and foreboding. His eyes gleamed with a dark resolve as he approached Lucille's study, his heart pulsing with venomous intent."Finally... the moment I've been waiting for," he whispered to himself. He tried to be as quiet as possible so that no one could detect him."I'll kill you once I'm done with my task," he murmured, his voice low and menacing. Despite the vigilant guards stationed at every corner of Lucille's house, Zack's movements remained undetected. He used a system device to camouflage himself through the guards.Peering into the study, he observed Lucille seated at her desk, completely absorbed in her work, unaware of his presence. Zack's lips curled into a sneer as he watched her, memories of past torment flooding his mind."You thought you could hide from me, Lucille. But I always find my prey," he hissed, his voice dripping with malice. "How dar