In the aftermath of Zack's fatal fall, Drake stood before the officers, his expression a carefully crafted mask of feigned fear and concern. The police hurried to the edge of the hole, their flashlights piercing the darkness and confirming Zack's grim fate."He just grabbed me. I was so scared," Drake exclaimed, skillfully portraying the victim role.Preoccupied with the situation, the officers offered comfort and reassurance. "You're safe now. We'll get you out of here," they promised, eager to secure the scene and assist the supposed captive.Drake, masked by his disguise, hid the satisfaction of witnessing Zack's demise. He allowed the officers to escort him out of the cave, successfully playing the part of the shaken and relieved hostage.As they emerged into the crisp night air, Drake noticed a familiar figure among the crowd of officers securing the perimeter."Why is she still here? She's working too hard," Drake murmured to himself, observing Marianne’s dedicated work. He saw
“A-Aunt Beck?” Drake stammered in disbelief as the elevator doors slid open, revealing the late Rebecca Luansing standing there, a sight he hadn't anticipated or prepared for."Who?" she replied, looking behind her as if expecting someone else, though there was no one around but the two of them."Aunt Beck, you're back?" Drake continued."Who are you talking to, sir?" she asked, genuinely puzzled.Drake flinched, taken aback by his aunt talking to him politely. "You're not Aunt Beck?" he asked, blinking multiple times."No, sir. You've got the wrong person.""Really?"Now, taking a better look at her appearance, Drake noticed that she looked younger than Aunt Beck. Despite the age difference, her entire demeanor bore an uncanny resemblance to Rebecca Luansing."Who are you?" he asked."I am Felicia Mendez, sir. It's my pleasure to finally meet you," she introduced herself."Felicia? The one who took my position while I was gone?" Drake inquired."Yes, sir. I was about to welcome you d
Drake stepped back into his office, relieved to find Felicia no longer there. As he settled in front of his computer, a torrent of troubling thoughts flooded his mind. Felicia's sudden appearance after Zack's death left him uneasy, an unsettling feeling compounded by the strange timing of her employment."System, I need information on Felicia Mendez," he ordered."That will cost 50 billion," the tribute system replied. Drake's hands slammed onto the table in disbelief. "What?"His voice reverberated loudly in the office, yet his shock stemmed not from the exorbitant price, but from the reason behind it."Such a high price suggests she's under the system's protection! An ordinary person would only cost 50,000 coins!" Drake exclaimed, sharing his assumptions with the tribute system."Hey, answer me!" Drake's irritation grew as the system remained silent. "I'm right, aren't I?”The tribute system, as usual, maintained its silence, frustrating Drake as he sat seething in anger in his chai
The holographic display flickered ominously, bearing the stark warning: “Notice: All your system features and activities are suspended.” Drake received the notification from the tribute system, triggered by Lucille’s meter dropping to zero.It should have been alarming, but Drake remained unfazed. “Take it or suspend it. I don't care,” he thought dismissively, his gaze fixed on the holographic screen. Meanwhile, in the background, Lucille's panic crescendoed into frantic screams.Drake had preemptively prepared for this scenario, creating a storage room stocked with all the system items he might need during a suspension. Money, health potions, poisons, tracker devices, and an array of other useful tools neatly filled the room. Whether the system outage lasted briefly or for an extended period, Drake felt no concern; he believed he was well-equipped.“Do you think I'd always panic every time Lucille goes haywire?” he mused, a smirk tugging at his lips.As Drake relaxed, Felicia unexpec
Felicia Mendez, abandoned at the roadside, contorted her face as the dignified corporate facade melted away. She spat on the concrete floor, frustration evident as she stomped her heels."Damn it! Why penalize me for something I have no control over!" she exclaimed, her voice growing more manly as she vented her frustration on the tribute system. She attempted to grab the holographic screen, as if challenging it to a fight, oblivious to the onlookers who regarded her as if she were unhinged."That Lucille! She has a system too, right? I'm right, aren't I? She's the one who's been supplying Drake with items! He got all those items from her to kill me!" she proclaimed. However, her protests and inquiries fell on deaf ears as her system remained suspended, trapped in a frozen screen following her encounter with Lucille.“I should make them pay! All of them must pay!” she growled.Zack White, now masquerading as Felicia Mendez, vividly recalled the near-death experience he had narrowly es
Felicia Mendez stared intently at her system, her fingers clicking randomly as her face contorted when nothing responded. "Seriously, what's wrong with you? It's not me who revealed the system! Is it my fault Lucille found out?" she grumbled. "Open up! I don't even have the cash to buy a cigarette!"She kicked the vending machine in the smoking area. It wasn't break time yet, but as a staff member who just turned over her work to Drake, she had nothing left to do. Frustration consumed her, both because her system froze and because she couldn't take action against Lucille and Drake."Just you wait, b*tch! I'll find a way to deal with your lover!" she cursed, another wave of frustration surging. She knew the risks of confronting another system user, yet she yearned to confront Lucille. "If only I didn't need this system so badly, I'd run over and end their lives in an instant!"She kicked the vending machine again, venting her frustration, when suddenly her phone rang. Glancing at the ca
In the commonly organized human resource department, Axel Marisigan, the human resource manager, leisurely spent his time browsing explicit images on his phone, indulging in pictures of big-breasted women, thinking it was just another normal day."Excuse me, sir, the security just reported someone in the sales department physically attacked her colleague," his clerk informed him."What? For real?" he asked in surprise."Yes, sir."“Hurry, bring her here, and make sure nothing will come out in public," he instructed. BellRox Corporation prided itself on maintaining a spotless image, and it was his responsibility to ensure that any trouble never reached the public eye.He immediately contacted a hospital he regularly dealt with to handle medical matters and cooperated in concealing such records from the public. As he was engrossed in managing this situation, his personal phone rang."Director Marianne?" he blurted out, surprised that someone higher up was calling him."Good day, madam.
Drake blinked several times, taken aback by this unexpected confession."What did you say?" he asked again, hoping for a different response.Marianne avoided his gaze, focusing on the tea in her hands."You're joking, right?" Drake chuckled awkwardly, feeling a mix of relief and uncertainty about how to react."I am not," Marianne replied weakly, her words clear despite the faintness of her voice.“Why?” Drake inquired, puzzled by the sudden admission.“What do you mean, why?” Marianne frowned, placing the tea cup on the table and fixing her gaze on Drake."What do you like about me? I have nothing good about," he muttered, unsure of how to respond.“You have nothing good?” she repeated, her gaze slowly appreciating Drake's features until it unexpectedly halted at his crotch."Excuse me, what are you focusing on?" Drake waved his hand, feeling utterly perplexed by the sudden shift in Marianne's attention.Marianne wore a strange smile before saying, "You won't date me anyway, so why
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