PAST LIFE RETURNER

Side Story 36 – The Second Day of the Auction - Sena

Sena thought it would be easy this time when she heard there were only two passengers. The most challenging part of dealing with VIP customers was when a party was held onboard. If there were only two, then it was likely they were businessmen.

Furthermore, businessmen often preferred solitude over proactive service, so she did not have to approach them unless they asked.

<One of them is a U.S. citizen. He's the contractor.>

Amanda's voice sounded heavier than usual. Although it was a personal matter, Sena couldn't help but ask.

<Amanda. You sound off, are you okay?>

<No, I'm fine. And...the other passenger is a formal member of the World Awakened Association.>

Only then did Sena realize why Amanda's voice was heavy. The passengers were deeply involved in global security.

<I've sent the contract and related documents by fax. Have you received them?>

<I'll check.>

Sena moved to the office where the fax machine was located. Documents were continually being printed. The first was a copy of the change in ownership of the aircraft. The owner's name was Ethan. This meant the aircraft registration number B028 had changed from a chartered plane to Ethan's private jet.

It was common to buy and sell planes in the industry, but not like this. Typically, it involved months of negotiation as a large sum of money was being traded.

Sena had never heard of this kind of deal before. Including documents on aircraft ownership meant the new owner wanted to inherit her team.

<Who is Ethan?>

<I can't disclose the identity of the boss.>

Sena realized that Amanda had become independent and had resigned from her previous company. She had received a lot of help from Amanda, so she felt cheered up.

<Congratulations, Amanda. I'm genuinely happy for you as if it's happening to me.>

<...Thank you.>

Still, Amanda's attitude was different than before. Sena thought it was strange and picked up the newly received documents. The contract stated a salary much higher than the industry average for VIP cabin crew. It also included a confidentiality agreement, which was expected.

However, the problem was the next document. The terms were all intimidating. One of them was like this.

「* All crew, including the captain, cannot take out in-flight items. Upon disembarking, the chief cabin crew, as appointed by the contractor's representative, will inspect these items and get them verified by the representative.」

<Are you looking at it?>

<I am a bit hesitant since I don't know who the employer is. This isn't ordinary direct employment. I appreciate the offer but...>

<I understand. If you insist, we can raise the salary and reduce the contract period. I'd like you and your team to take this job.>

<I need to discuss this with my team. By when do I need to decide?>

<I'm sorry, but I can't give you much time.>

I guess it would be about a week.

<You have to decide within the next 30 minutes and complete the procedures within two hours.>

<...Amanda?>

<I've never asked anyone to trust me before. But now, I have to. Please accept this offer. I believe this will be a turning point in your life, Sena, that will never come again.>

***

Anxiety and anticipation coexisted. The atmosphere peaked when a famous elite pilot joined her team. After making all the necessary preparations, Sena gathered her two teammates and said, "Thank you for trusting me and making decisions quickly. Our boss is expected to be deeply involved in world security. It might be an opportunity for us to contribute to world peace, and more importantly, it's been a while since we've had such an assignment."

"I've always wanted to visit Korea. Thank you."

"Me too."

Their destination was a local airport in Gunsan, Korea. It was known as the closest airport to the headquarters of the World Awakened Association. It was assumed that the final destination of the mysterious boss and his companion would be the association's headquarters. And soon, they made their appearance.

Everyone, including Sena, waiting at the bottom of the stairs, was taken aback. Although they had prepared welcoming smiles for the new boss, those smiles disappeared immediately. The first to speak was their new boss.

"You must be Sena. I look forward to a smooth journey to our destination."

***

If it was just him, then it might have been unnoticeable. But even his companion resembled Osiris. Their final destination seemed to be the headquarters of the World Awakened Association, and from what Amanda had shared, the identity of the companion was clearly an official member of the association.

The circumstances were too evident to be coincidental. The heaviness Sena sensed in Amanda's voice now made sense.

Sena's limbs trembled. Her mouth was so dry that it started to hurt.

It can't be. Why would He... He wouldn’t use an airplane. It's impossible...

No matter how much she denied it, it was of no use. Also, she wasn't the only one in turmoil. Inside the separated curtain area, not even a breath could be heard. All they did was exchange anxious glances.

Sena took several deep breaths, trying to be as quiet as possible. As she tried to leave, her team members held her back. But no one dared to speak. Some looked down, others just breathed heavily, unable to pull themselves together even ten minutes after takeoff.

Sena managed to free herself from their grasp. She couldn't just hide behind the curtain forever.

Click. Click.

No matter how cautious she was, the sound of her heels couldn’t be muted, especially given the quiet atmosphere of the aircraft. Sena winced at every step, even though she was the one making the sound.

Do you need anything?

Sena rehearsed what she had to say over and over. Even if she wasn't in a position to express deep gratitude for his act of saving humanity, she could offer some assistance during his rest. If he wanted private time, then she could retreat to the bunker with her teammates, or she could kneel by his side if he desired hospitality.

Please grant me such an honor...

But suddenly, Sena felt overwhelmed by emotion, almost to the point of tears. It was a risky moment since crying would ruin her mascara. At that very moment when tears shimmered in her eyes, her composure shattered.

The aura she felt from the back of Him and Osiris grew intensely profound. All she could see of Him, obscured by the seat back, was a small portion of the back of his head. He was slightly lowering his head, unmoving.

The same went for Osiris. What could they be contemplating so deeply? Why the urgent trip to the World Awakened Association? He even had an eyepatch on. What could possibly harm his sacred body?

Sena panicked and quickly turned around. She didn’t care about the noise her heels made now. As soon as she entered behind the curtain, she vomited into the sink.

"...What...what's happening..."

One asked, while another hurriedly closed the curtain. Sena's face was pale with fear that humanity might be in another crisis.

***

In reality, Seon-Hu and Joshua were so engrossed in their phones that they didn’t hear the faint commotion coming from behind the curtain where Sena was. This was because there was lots to study in order to avoid having streaks of defeats. As they were venturing into the main battleground of the game, the difficulty level was bound to increase significantly.

Factors such as character matchups, item mechanisms, tactics, and positions to choose during large-scale battles were overflowing with organized strategies.

However, there was one thing they all consistently talked about. It was about the significance of the jungle player. A jungle player didn’t stand in any of the three attack lanes but moved independently, intervening in each lane as needed. It was a kind of special force.

"That makes sense. If our jungler had done well, then we wouldn't have been this frustrated."

Looking back at the games they played in Berlin, their team's jungle players were less prominent than the enemy team's. It was always like that. Being new to the game, one couldn't expect to master it from the start.

If the jungle player had noticed and supported those inevitable minor lapses in advance, they wouldn't have been beaten so mercilessly.

"We would have won at least once."

Seon-Hu turned his head to the side. Joshua's determination in studying the strategies seemed as fierce as actual combat.

He's so focused. I can't let him down again.

"Joshua."

"Yes?"

"From now on, I want to change positions."

Joshua needed to be informed in advance to study strategies accordingly.

"We had no choice but to both be dealers in the bottom lane because neither of us gave way, but we don't necessarily have to fight only in the bottom lane."

"Are you considering the jungle?"

"Don't feel bad. It's not your fault, it's mine. I can't see a win with our current position."

"It's not you. It's the pathetic plays of our teammates. I was also pondering how to tell you, but since you brought it up, I feel at ease."

"Of course, our insights are bound to be the same. What position are you considering?"

"Top."

"Why not mid? Wouldn't mid have more control over the battlefield? Feel free to voice your honest opinion."

"I think mid suits you better, Master. Look at the past battles. Didn't the enemy's mid player constantly harass?"

「kiiil : This is the famous food place I've heard about. I enjoyed the meal, eating you two. Nom nom.」

Joshua recalled a message that had embarrassed him.

"The intervention of a jungler can prevent adverse situations by securing vision. But think about when the momentum shifted. Due to frequent interventions from our mid, not only the bottom but also the enemy's mid grew stronger. However, that was the ideal role for mid. A role we couldn't expect from our mid, and at the same time..."

Joshua voiced his accumulated thoughts rapidly.

Joshua had a lot bottled up, but he's still unsure about mid.

Seon-Hu swallowed his thoughts, not wanting to show weakness.

"Master, the mid is the center of the battlefield. As in the past battles, you need to hold the center in the upcoming battles for us to win."

"No, I should be in the jungle to make the most of our duo advantage."

Their voices grew louder, enough to be heard inside the curtain where the crew gathered.