Ernest calculated the amount of money someone had given anonymously. The amount is even in line with the offer he made last night. 200,000 dollars. That's not a bit of money!

Ernest kept his mouth shut for the money he now holds. He looked around several times around his bed filled with dollars.

"My God, this is real! I got it now. What should I do with this money? I even shudder at holding this money. Am I going to be a billionaire now?" Ernest asked himself with a happy-looking face.

At that time, he still remembers how he made an offer when he met the strange human who he said was name is Jeremy. He's happy, very happy! Because with this, he would be able to pay rent, open a business, and pay his father's debts.

"Is it better for me to quit my job now? I'm already rich. I have a lot of money and I just have to open a business so that the money won't run out," Ernest told himself.

He immediately put his money in the safe. He had to keep it well because it is precious to him now. When Ernest was about to go out of his room, suddenly the phone in his pants pocket rang. Ernest take his phone and picked up the call.

"Hello?" Ernest replied when he first picked up his call.

"Has the down payment arrived?" asked someone behind the phone.

Ernest snarled, he glanced at his phone and saw a username there named Jeremy. Ernest plugged his phone back into his ear and smiled summarily.

"Right, the money has reached me. You have kept your promise," Ernest said happily.

"Thank God, I'm glad to hear that. Then, what about my offer last night? Do you want to do it?" he asked trying to convince Ernest.

Ernest nodded, and said, "Of course I am! How can I refuse it? The covenant is the covenant," he answered.

"I'm glad you want to keep your word. All right, let's start with me explaining the game rules first. Are you ready?" he asked Ernest.

"Of course I'm ready!" Ernest whispered excitedly.

"All right, the first rule is that every member who plays in this game has to keep the game secret from anyone. Whether it's family, friends, or even strangers. Second, every time you pass the level, your money will increase after the mission's end. However, if you fail, you will suffer a lossThird, and you must not leave the game until you complete the game. If you leave this game, there are consequences you must bear. Fourth, never argue with what I interrupt! Later you will get the result of your assistance. Lastly, the fifth, I will rule and you will carry out the task. Until here you understand?" Jeremy said explaining everything in detail.

"Of course I understand. Is that the only rule?" Ernest said underestimating this game.

"Yes. Oh yes, I tell you that the name of this game is The Little Hope. You will play 13 games on a different levels that will bring you into the world of your imagination. You must complete your tasks if you don't want to be punished or suffer losses," he explained again.

"The Little Hope? Isn't this supposed to be a Big Dream? Everyone will surely dream of getting hundreds and millions of dollars from this game," said Ernest.

"You'll understand it later if you've played with us. How? Are you going to start now?" asked the man named Jeremy making sure.

"Yes! " Ernest whispered excitedly.

"All right, we start our first game. I'll explain the rules," Jeremy replied.

"The first game is worth 200 dollars if you win it. However, if you lose, you have to give us double the 400 dollars. The game is easy, you just have to stay away from your friends and stay away from your job. Live according to what you want for a long time," Jeremy explained.

"My friend? You mean, Hellen?" asked Ernest to make sure.

"Yes, he is. He will be an obstacle for you later. So, you have to stay away from him. You also have to get out of the cafe that treats you badly, okay?" Jeremy said surprised Ernest.

"Remember, you can't argue!" he said again, which shocked Ernest completely.

He too was speechless at his work. But, given the money, he had just given him. It's like his friendship is meaningless. Ernest nodded. It looks like he's coming out of the cafe that's been staring at him for the last 5 years and has to lose that friend he's always been with.

"Let me know if you've done it," he said then hung up the call.

Ernest looked at his cell phone. Should he do it? But he recalls that if he failed to do so, he would have to face a detrimental punishment. But he did not even know what was meant to be a grievous punishment.

Tok! Tok! Tok!

Knocking at the door of his room distracted him, he opened the door and saw his father who seemed to be smiling at him.

"Are you going to work? Hm. I think you're rich enough, Ernest. Especially with the magic money," Lewis said, making Ernest smile clumsy.

His heart is racing all the time. He must be able to keep the money well. Otherwise, his father would have taken everything and used it for gambling. Even though he had been given monthly rations by Ernest, it is undeniable that his father's behavior has not completely disappeared.

"I think so, that's why I'll go to the cafe to discuss this with Hellen. For today, maybe I'll go to work as usual. I don't know if it's for tomorrow and so on," Ernest replied.

"All right, then what about the remittance? Did he contact you? You're not wrong to get that kind of money for free?" Lewis asked curiously.

"He hasn't answered yet, but I think there's a reason behind everything. I'll find out the truth later, I have to hurry! I said, Dad! Remember, never go anywhere before I go home, okay?" said Ernest, who was greeted by his father.

Ernest went to the cafe where he worked and left the money with his father. Ernest believed his father would never be able to unload his secret safe because it was encrypted. So Ernest thought it would be safe if the money was kept by him.

His mind is now raging. Can he just leave Hellen alone who's been with him for years? However, this is a job requirement. He remembered that Hellen once said that he wouldn't mind working without him. Doesn't that sound good?