A Quintillion Coins Safety Net

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 Tribute System is real," the system confirmed. “It’s a system existing for millennia.”

"Are you really sure that I can spend all of this wealth?" Drake inquired once more, seeking that extra ounce of certainty.

The system's response was unwavering: "Yes. I guarantee you that your quintillion coins are all available at your disposal," it assured him.

Drake took a deep breath, straightened his posture, adjusted his clothing, and ensured his appearance was impeccable. He was ready to confront the source of his torment.

Stepping into the company building, he immediately scanned the room for David Cheng, a man he typically avoided at all costs. Despite the rage coursing through him, he managed to maintain his composure.

"What kind of trick did you pull, Drake?" David demanded. "How did you manage to come up with that money so quickly?"

Drake met David's gaze, his expression no longer one of fear or subservience but of quiet resolve.

"I didn't pull any tricks, David," Drake replied, his voice unwavering.

"You didn't?" David scoffed. "Is it possible that you suddenly have $19,000? Don't tell me you're embezzling our department's funds?"

David spoke so loudly that even those at the far edge of their open workplace stuck out their heads in curiosity.

"That's my own money, David," Drake sternly replied. "It's you who's been spending our funds improperly. Tell me, David, why are all the supposed 'in good stock' GPS devices broken?"

"Why are you asking me? Weren't you the one who broke them?" David shrugged condescendingly. "It's in our policy that the last person who touched them takes responsibility."

Drake clenched his fist tightly as he grew angrier listening to his conceited officemate. He already knew what David was trying to do, so despite being completely enraged, he calmly said, "Say whatever you want; I no longer need to endure this toxic environment. I'm leaving this company."

David was momentarily speechless, the shock of Drake's decision washing over him. He had expected Drake to be broken and to remain trapped in his role as the office punching bag. But here was Drake, standing tall and walking away from it all.

"Are you running away, coward?" David provoked, trying to get a reaction.

"No, I should tell Marcus about what I know about you."

David's eyes widened. As if the tables had turned, David was the one with trembling eyes, and Drake's shoulders strengthened with confidence.

David made a fake cough to hide his anxiety. He then recovered and loudly said, "What do you know? I'm the one who knows a lot about you, you fool! You should know your place, or else you won't have any place to work at all."

David crossed his arms, expecting Drake to cower. To his surprise, Drake responded by rolling his eyes. Drake then turned his back to David and knocked on Marcus Lee's office.

Confidently, Drake entered Marcus Lee's office, acutely aware of the tension in the room. Marcus was about to unleash his anger on him, but he was not prepared for what Drake had in store.

Without a word, Drake placed his resignation letter on Marcus's desk, the piece of paper declaring his decision to leave the company. The audacity of this act was not lost on Marcus, and he stared at Drake in stunned silence.

"What kind of joke is this?" Marcus finally managed to sputter, his face contorting in anger as he read Drake's resignation letter.

Drake's voice was firm and unwavering as he replied, "I quit, sir."

The room seemed to crackle with tension as Marcus struggled to process this unexpected turn of events. He had been the source of Drake's misery, the one who had belittled and bullied him relentlessly, and now Drake was taking control of his own destiny.

"I am busy," Marcus growled, his face reddening with anger. "Don't give me this crap, or else—”

“Or else what?” Drake asked, his tone defiant. He turned to face Marcus Lee and pointed at the cardboard box he had brought along with his resignation letter. “Do you think you were doing well at embezzling the company funds? You should check on David Cheng too. He’s gaining more than you.”

Drake's words weren't supported by any evidence, but he knew people with the same shameless skin would know each other’s hidden schemes. He relished the way Marcus's face contorted with shock and anger.

“You’re making up nonsense!” Marcus Lee yelled as soon as he recovered from the shock. “I won’t pay you this month if you continue to mess up!”

Drake clicked his tongue dismissively, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction as he watched Marcus's reaction. He turned away from his former manager and confidently shrugged his shoulders.

"You can keep my pay, sir. I don't need it," Drake declared firmly, his voice filled with resolve. "It's the last penny you'll ever get from me."

With those words, Drake walked out of Marcus Lee's office, leaving a stunned and speechless Marcus in his wake. The employees in the office watched in amazement as Drake confidently strode through the office, his head held high.

Stepping out of the company's doors for the final time, Drake felt a sense of liberation wash over him. He had taken a bold step toward a new life, one where he would no longer be defined by the cruelty of others. The tribute system had given him the means to break free.

However, Drake found himself crouching on the pavement outside the Bellrox building, his heart pounding in his chest. It was a moment of intense emotion and self-reflection.

“I... did I really do that? I quit my job!”

With trembling hands, he pressed his finger in the air, summoning the tribute system. Drake tapped the system, half expecting it to disappear like a dream.

To his immense relief, the holographic window flickered to life, its presence reassuringly real. "Drake Chwe," the system's message appeared, "Congratulations on your brave decision. You have taken the first step toward a new life, one free from the shackles of your toxic employer. Your journey has only just begun."

Drake's hands continued to tremble with a mix of happiness and adrenaline. It was a day he had longed for, a day when he could finally escape the toxic environment and torment he had endured there. His steps were filled with newfound confidence and liberation.

“I have to tell this to Merlyn!” he excitedly said.

A wide smile curled on his lips as he rushed to dial his girlfriend's number. It had been a long time since he had been able to deliver good news to her. Throughout the years, he knew that she had borne the brunt of the negativity in his life, yet she remained loyal and had been a source of comfort that helped him endure his suffering. Merlyn Spenser was a pillar of strength in his turbulent world.

However, Drake's excitement turned to concern when Merlyn didn't answer his call. She had not been at the office, and this was unusual. They usually exchanged text messages when one of them was busy with work. Puzzled and worried about her sudden disappearance, the Tribute System's holographic screen appeared before him once again.

It suggested, "You can use the system's trace and track feature for 10,000 coins per use."

Drake briefly wondered if this was some sort of scam, but he trusted the Tribute System. Concern for Merlyn's safety outweighed his hesitation, especially since he had quintillions of coins at his disposal.

"Thank you for your purchase! To use the feature, please fill in the information the system needs to locate the object or person you want to trace," the Tribute System prompted.

Drake quickly filled out the information sheet, providing every detail he knew about Merlyn. The system then pinpointed her exact location on a map, and Drake's eyes widened in surprise and worry as he read it aloud, "RedLutos Motel? Why would she be at a motel at this hour?"

A sense of unease washed over Drake as he contemplated the possibilities of why Merlyn would be at such a place, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.