"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