He approached the 2012 Toyota Vios first, its silver paint dulled by years and its interior still smelling faintly of floodwater despite the sun beating down on it for days. The sight of mold-speckled seats would scare any normal buyer. Not him.
He pressed his palm to the hood.
"Reconstruct this car into brand-new dealership condition. Keep the odometer reading the same."
The panel blinked.
[Reconstruction Complete.]
The Vios shimmered, its grime dissolving in ripples of light. The dents smoothed out, the cracked headlights gleamed crystal-clear, and the silver metallic paint deepened into a flawless shine. The cabin smell changed too—gone was the mildew, replaced by that unmistakable new car scent.
Timothy opened the door. The seats were pristine, the dashboard glossy, not a speck of dust in sight. He slid into the driver's seat, running his hand across the wheel. The digital odometer still read 92,347 km. Just as he wanted.
He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. "God, it even smells new."
This was no longer a junker worth ₱40,000. It was a certified pre-owned unit he could confidently sell.
He stepped out, smiling faintly. "₱550,000 minimum," he muttered, writing it down in his notebook.
Next was the 2014 Fortuner, black paint dulled, its engine lifeless from transmission failure. Timothy didn't even hesitate.
Hand on the hood. "Reconstruct to brand-new condition, odometer unchanged."
The SUV pulsed with blue light. The dull black surface turned mirror-smooth, chrome accents gleamed, and its stance seemed to rise taller, prouder. Inside, the leather seats softened, the stitching redid itself, and the faint smell of grease vanished into the scent of leather conditioner and plastic wrap.
Timothy climbed in, brushing a hand across the steering wheel. The odometer stayed at 101,221 km. Perfect.
He smirked. "Retail this at ₱1,100,000. Maybe 75% of market value. Should sell quick."
The 2010 Starex had been a depressing sight—engine overheating, radiator leaking, the A/C busted. To Timothy, it was just another test.
Palm to hood. "Reconstruct."
The white pearl paint brightened instantly, almost glowing under the afternoon sun. The clunky sliding doors slid open with a whisper, revealing a spotless, cooled interior. Even the A/C blew fresh air as if it had rolled straight from Hyundai's factory.
He sat inside for a moment, grinning. He could almost see it: families using it for vacations, companies snapping it up for shuttle services.
"₱650,000. Easy."
Next was the 2015 Honda Civic, crimson red. It had been a flood-damaged mess, its engine seized.
"Reconstruct."
The effect this time was dazzling. The red paint flared back to life, a gleaming crimson like a sports car ad. The flood-stink interior was gone, replaced with firm, spotless upholstery. Timothy revved it—smooth as butter, no hesitation, no cough.
He grinned. "₱780,000. And some rich kid will buy it the moment they see the paint shine."
The 2013 CR-V had been plagued by a slipping transmission and rough idling. Not anymore.
One reconstruction later, the titanium gray body looked immaculate, the SUV standing tall and reliable. The odometer ticked just as it had before—87,442 km.
Timothy chuckled. "₱950,000. Maybe a million if I play it right."
The 2017 Innova had been the easiest win. Diesel engine knocking, white smoke—issues that terrified middle-class families who otherwise loved the model.
With reconstruction, it became a shining beige metallic gem. He sat inside and felt like he was in a showroom demo unit.
"₱1,050,000. Maybe ₱1.1 million. Families will fight for this."
The 2018 Montero Sport was one of his biggest bets. Flood-damaged, interior stinking, transmission iffy. He remembered the seller's bitter face as he handed over the keys.
Now, under the System's glow, the silver body was pristine. The SUV looked like it had never touched floodwater in its life. Inside, the leather gleamed, the dashboard screen flickered to life instantly, and the faint "new car smell" filled the cabin.
Timothy laughed aloud this time. "₱1,100,000 at the very least. Probably more."
Finally, the crown jewel. The 2016 BMW 318i, Alpine White. Electrical glitches, ABS fault, check engine light.
Timothy took a deep breath, hand firm on the hood. "Reconstruct to brand-new condition, odometer untouched."
The glow this time felt heavier, like the System itself knew this was different. The white body shone like polished marble, the rims glistened, and the interior… plush leather, glossy trim, every surface perfect.
He climbed in, fingers brushing across the steering wheel where the BMW logo gleamed proudly. The odometer read 64,883 km. Honest mileage. But the car itself looked untouched by time.
His chest swelled. "₱1,650,000. And I'll still undercut the luxury market."
Timothy stepped back, surveying his lot. Hours ago, it looked like a graveyard of broken vehicles. Now, it looked like a dealership showroom under the open sky. Eight gleaming cars lined up, their paint reflecting the weak Manila sun, every surface flawless.
Neighbors whispered beyond the walls, wondering how rusted junk turned into polished steel overnight. Timothy didn't care. The walls were high, the gate thick, and he had his story ready: refurbishing, repairs, buy-and-sell hustle.
He pulled out his notebook, jotting down the figures.
Projected Sale Prices:
2012 Toyota Vios – ₱550,000
2014 Toyota Fortuner – ₱1,100,000
2010 Hyundai Starex – ₱650,000
2015 Honda Civic – ₱780,000
2013 Honda CR-V – ₱950,000
2017 Toyota Innova – ₱1,050,000
2018 Mitsubishi Montero Sport – ₱1,100,000
2016 BMW 318i – ₱1,650,000
Total Projected: ~₱7,780,000
From an investment of ₱1.81 million.
Timothy's hands shook slightly as he set the pen down. His lips curved into a slow grin.
"This… this is it. A test run worth six million in profit. No one can stop me now."