Special Order

"NEW ORDER DELIVERY- No 8 Mawar Street! The package has been left on your doorstep."

Duke groaned as he reached for his phone to silence the speaker. He hated how cheerful the lady sounded. There was no need for Duke to keep alarms anymore since his new job had been making it a point to deprive him of his peaceful slumber.

Duke turned on his mat, facing the other side of the wall. He knew it wouldn't be long before that lovable voice threatened him.

3… 2… 1…

"Thirty percent of your salary will be deducted if the package hasn't been delivered by 9 AM."

There it was, the only motivation he needed to get his ass off his mat. He sprang up.

He traced his hand on the small table nearby in search of something. His search came to an abrupt end when his hands got hold of it: his glasses.

He picked them up and roughly shoved them on his face. The rough impact made one of the hinges fall off once again. He groaned in dismay before keeping the fallen hinge on the table and wearing the worn-out pair.

His eyesight wasn't that bad, but it wasn't that great either. Duke was one of those people who would walk around without glasses, knowing full well they had not-so-great eyes. It was only recently, when he got a job, that he found his way around the lenses he now had.

Living in a single bedroom with just enough space to fit a single bed, a stool, and his luggage was enough for him. He owned a TV that hadn't been turned on since it was bought and mounted on the wall. Duke had gathered most of what he earned delivering packages to get the television. He didn't bother turning it on yet because he was still waiting to get the new gaming console he wanted. But he was happy today.

He knew if he got paid in cash after the delivery, it would cover the amount for the gaming device he wanted. And then he could get junk food and beer afterward.

Duke didn't waste time in his bathroom. He did his business quickly and headed for the neatly ironed shirt he had placed on the stool where his phone was.

Duke came out to find the package already on his doorstep. He wasn't bothered that someone might steal it. Everyone was pretty much busy trying to level up their tiers and get the government to notice them. Duke had to admit he kind of liked the change a little. Everyone was focused on one aim, while he was simply trying to get enough money to afford what he wanted.

Nevertheless, the world had changed. It started when creatures began lurking on the horizon. After years of isolation, humanity had grown weary and fearful. Then, the government dropped a shocking proposal after the apocalypse: an alliance with supreme beings, offering a challenge to humanity. Reach certain tiers by completing tasks, and receive a substantial reward. The creatures that once threatened humanity's existence were now a secondary concern. 

The government's proposal had sparked a new obsession, as people began to fixate on leveling up their tiers and earning rewards. The world had transformed into a semi-graveyard, with people disappearing without cause, and others whispering amongst themselves about the tiers and their potential wealth.

At first, it started as a bloody rumor. No one was quite sure if the rumor was valid. Then, people began to notice friends exhibiting extraordinary skills after embarking on mysterious missions. These individuals would return with abilities they had only dreamed of possessing. 

At first, it was the parents who were drawn in, eager to secure the government's promises of a better life for themselves and their children. They were willing to do whatever it took to access the rewards and improve their circumstances. 

Soon, teenagers and young adults followed suit, tempted by the prospect of gaining incredible abilities and wealth. As the phenomenon grew, adults began to quit their jobs, enticed by the success of their friends who had joined the mysterious initiative. Those who had participated in the missions were now affluent and could afford everything they desired, sparking a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) among those who had yet to join.

Except for Duke, the news had thrilled everyone else. Who wouldn't want money and a better life? But Duke's past experiences had left him with a deep-seated hatred for the government and their offers. During the apocalypse, his parents had gone missing, and a young Duke had desperately sought help, but his cries for assistance were met with silence. Eventually, the authorities returned his parents' bodies, claiming they had been caught in the crossfire. The trauma of that event was compounded by the fact that Duke was left in the care of a foster father who initially treated him kindly but soon became abusive.

It was his foster father who revealed the dark truth about Duke's parents' demise. They were scientists who had been working in a facility when it was attacked. Instead of being evacuated, they were locked in and killed, their bodies "smeared" to conceal the truth. Duke was denied the chance to see their bodies or even look at pictures of them. This painful history had shaped Duke's worldview, fueling his distrust and resentment towards the government. 

Duke's past experiences had taught him to be wary of the government's motives. When he needed help the most, they were nowhere to be found. So, he didn't trust them to provide assistance without the other party experiencing a devastating loss. 

He was skeptical of their offers, believing that nothing from the government came without strings attached. However, there was one aspect of the current situation that did excite Duke: being the only one doing his current delivery work. With the chaos and obsession with tiers, he saw an opportunity to earn a good amount of money, far more than his usual pay.

A former colleague, who had once worked alongside Duke, had described him as a smart, selfish man. He had even joked that he wouldn't let Duke hog all the glory of working alone. However, when Duke didn't see his colleague for several days, he realized that he too had succumbed to the allure of fame and joined the crowd. 

Duke's thoughts turned to his trusty motorcycle, which he had kept concealed from view in a corner. He unlocked it and rolled it out, revealing the company's logo engraved on the side.

Duke had once joked to himself that he and the company were the only ones who hadn't abandoned their traditional work. However, he soon realized that the company was no longer in charge - the government had taken over. As the sole employee still working under the company's banner, Duke had been provided with an apartment and a motorcycle to ensure he could continue his job uninterrupted.

 He rode his bike down the deserted road from his house to the main thoroughfare, then navigated to the designated street for the delivery. Fortunately, it was just a short distance from his home. Within five minutes, he arrived at the location and handed the package over to the recipient, receiving payment in return. Pleased with the transaction, Duke grinned as he turned to leave. But before he could reach his bike, the man called out for him to return.

"Hey, Man," the man greeted as soon as Duke re approached him. Duke simply muttered a "hello" in response.

"I'd like you to deliver this same package to this location," the man said, handing a note to Duke. But Duke had already started to protest, saying that the company was the only one that tasked him with deliveries. The man quickly brushed off Duke's concerns. 

"I get that, Man. But you see, they make us wait for another ten days before we can send out packages. And there isn't anyone else really to plead with to do this. But seeing that you are here, and you don't have a package to deliver at the moment, just do me a solid and help me drop this off. I'll pay you double the price of what was given to you. So, do we have a deal?"

Duke's ears perked up on hearing "double" of what was given to him. His mind raced while he kept a calm expression, thinking of what else he could buy for his room. The only thing he needed was what he was getting today, but there was no harm in having extra cash.

Duke sighed as if he had no other choice before he spoke. "I'll do it because I don't have a package to deliver at the moment."

The man grinned before handing the package back to Duke, who collected it effortlessly.

"Well, you know how it goes: you get paid on delivery once the recipient has successfully affirmed receiving their package. But since this isn't the usual, he'll be giving you the payment himself."

Duke nodded before veering around to make his way to his bike. He smiled when he felt the money he had collected from the delivery. Now he was going to have two more of the same amount.

"Sweet!" he mumbled before zooming off to the location written on the piece of paper.