HonestTurn Motors – Car dealership.
"Haah." Augustus shook his head after checking around ten cars. He couldn't pick a single one.
His budget was around $15,000, but that wasn't the real problem.
The problem was that he did not know cars. Their prices? Features? Fuel efficiency? All of it flew right over his head.
Heck, he didn't even know how to drive one.
I should've shown more interest in cars. And I'll also need to learn how to drive from someone good, he sighed, looking at the lined-up cars that were gleaming in the sunlight.
Yeah, let's ask Michelle for help. His training might have ended by now, he perked up and immediately called Michelle.
"Hello, Michelle, I hope I'm not disturbing you. I'm at HonestTurn Motors and needed your help with buying a car here," he asked in a polite tone. "I'll even pay you for your guidance," and added.
"Haha, not at all, Augustus. I'm almost finished with my training. I'll be there in 10 minutes," Michelle eased.
Ten minutes soon passed by and...
"Michelle, I'm here!" Augustus shouted, waving his hands while standing among the parked cars.
Michelle approached him with an easy smile while Augustus smiled back. "Thanks for coming, Michelle. I really appreciate it. My budget is around $15,000," he informed with a thankful expression.
"No problem, Augustus, and I wasn't busy anyway," Michelle said with a light smile and turned toward the salesman, who was standing just beside them. "Please show us the best cars in this budget."
"Of course, sir," the salesman began, while Augustus and Michelle followed.
"This isn't your average Corolla—this is the XSE, top-of-the-line, and only 40,000 miles on it. You're getting a sport-tuned suspension, LED headlights, an 8-inch touchscreen, heated leather seats, and a sharp, aggressive design—all for just around $18,000," he suggested and showcased around a dozen or so cars in the same way.
Michelle raised his brows but stayed silent, and after showcasing around a dozen or so cars, Augustus glanced at Michelle and questioned, "So what do you think, Michelle?"
"Let me think…" Michelle stroked his chin with a serious expression. "Since you don't know how to drive one," he mumbled, "I think the Toyota Corolla XSE is a good choice. What do you think?" he said, pointing at the black car.
Augustus scratched the back of his head, flashing a confused look. "Uhm… if you say so," and turned toward the salesman.
"We will take the Corolla XSE, please," he said with a soft smile.
The salesperson's face lit up with a genuine smile. "An excellent choice, sir," he affirmed, but before Augustus could hear his words, the System chimed in, shifting his focus.
Ding!
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Mission #3: Learn How to Drive
[×] – Get admission into a Driving School.
| Reward: 2x learning speed + compensation for fees and any damages.
Driving isn't just convenience—it's survival. In a world that moves fast, staying still isn't an option.
[×] – Drive a car for 10 minutes without guidance.
| Reward: $300,000 budget allotted to buy a new car.
| Penalty: Grocery delivery suspended. Lug everything back like it's 1985.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
[Congratulations, Host, for taking things into your own hands. You have unlocked (Level 1) Task Triggering Information.]
"Huh? System, are you playing with me? Should I buy this car now or not?" Augustus blinked, looking at the task, confusion flickering in his eyes.
"Excuse me, sir, can I get the paperwork done?" the salesman asked.
Augustus glanced at him, his confused expression changing to a thoughtful one. "Hmmm," he hummed, then, "Yes, I'll purchase this car," he quickly decided.
The salesman nodded with a gentle smile and asked him to follow inside the office to get the paperwork done.
Augustus nodded and followed behind, but after taking a few steps, his brows furrowed.
System, you said you wouldn't give me a car, right? he asked, remembering the system's snarky remark while the mission panel still hovered before his eyes.
[The system assigns tasks based on your direct involvement. Show up, take initiative, engage—and tasks will follow. The more active you are, the more opportunities arise.
In this case, by choosing to buy a car—despite my rejection—you triggered a task through initiative. Had you done nothing, no task would've appeared.
But this can't be forced. The system senses your emotions and responds accordingly. So, always show up—despite there being no opportunities. Tasks can trigger anytime, anywhere.]
"Wow, that's a long speech... but kind of motivating, I must say," he mumbled. So it's like real life—the more I show up, the more opportunities or tasks I get, he thought and entered the office.
[Exactly. Tasks are inherently dependent on you, the Host.]
With all the final paperwork done, fifteen minutes soon passed by and he finally got the keys.
Damn, my first car, he mused, eyes gleaming with joy while holding the car keys. Didn't think I would ever purchase a car this soon, he was filled with happiness. Even though it wasn't a fancy car, he was still satisfied with it.
Then, he stepped out of the office and glanced at Michelle. "Thank you once again, Michelle. Please check your phone—I've sent you some money for always helping me whenever I asked," Augustus said with a delighted smile as they walked toward their parked cars.
Michelle first refused to take the money, saying he didn't do much, but Augustus insisted. "Please, Michelle, if you deny it, I'll feel guilty for asking your help again," he said with a warm gaze.
Michelle sighed and reluctantly agreed. Then he pulled out his phone to check the amount while thanking him. "Tha–" but just as his gaze noticed the amount, Michelle's eyes widened in surprise.
"T-thank you, Augustus, but $1000 is a lot, and I honestly didn't do much."
Augustus eased with a light smile. "Just take it, so that I can keep bothering you again for help, haha," Augustus laughed it off so that Michelle wouldn't feel pressured to take it.
"Thank you, Augustus… You don't know how much I needed this. Please call me if there's any help you need at all. I'll come ASAP," he said with enthusiasm, flashing a genuine smile.
Augustus narrowed his eyes. "What happened? Do you need more?" he asked. Since Michelle was present at every call, Augustus wouldn't hesitate to help since he seemed a nice guy.
"Haha, no no, this is more than enough."
Augustus nodded with a bright smile, looking at his happy face. Michelle nodded back and got into his car.
"Are we ready to leave, sir?" an employee asked from behind. Since Augustus didn't know how to drive a car, he had asked the car dealership to deliver his car to Crunch Studios.
"Yes, let's go," he said and also entered his new car, but not before sliding his hand above. The employee nodded and sat in the driving seat.
"See you soon, Augustus, and once again, thank you," Michelle said with a bright smile, and with a final nod, both drove off in different directions.
Once Augustus arrived at Crunch Studios, he booked a taxi for the employee and thanked him as he left, then called David to inform,
"Hi David, I'm standing just below the office. Let's discuss things while looking for our new office," he said in a happy tone while leaning on his new Corolla XSE.
"Five minutes? Yes, that's fine," he responded.
And just as he cut the call—
"Bhooo!" Keith jumped in from the side and yelled, taking him by surprise.