22 The End? (2/2)

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Diesel sprung up from his bed. It felt like he just had the strangest dream ever, but he couldn't remember what it was about. Like a fog in his head, the more he thought about it, the thicker that fog became. It didn't seem like it wanted to be remembered.

He went about his day – brushing his teeth, putting on clothes, getting a drink of water. His day was just the same as any normal person, as monotonous and uninteresting as could be.

As he surfed the internet a bit until lunchtime, he checked the forums for new mentions. He replied to the random, scattered comments on his stories that he was lucky to have. It was just another day being cooped up at home due to the issues outside.

He found out that his favorite restaurant was open once again. Excitedly, he grabbed his coat and his keys and made for the car.

Starting it up, the gasoline fumes and purring of the engine felt oddly calming as he stared blankly with his windows down in the garage. After a few moments, he shook his head and backed the car out.

”Something must be wrong with me today. My mind is still kind of in a funk from this morning. Was that dream that weird? Can't seem to figure out why…”

As he drove down the road, he almost failed to notice a truck that had blown the red light. If he had stopped a moment later, it likely would've hit him!

Diesel was a bit annoyed by it, but whatever, he was too hungry to care. However, he did take another look at the truck as he caught a glimpse of white feathered wings sitting on the steering wheel.

”Now, that can't be. I'm really just seeing things.”

He shrugged it off and pulled into the parking lot of a Thai restaurant. 20 minutes later, a steaming hot plate of level 5 Drunken noodles was in front of him. He took a bite, savoring the intense spiciness coupled with the richness of the sauce.

It was the best damn noodle dish that he had ever had, better than any other time he had it. His stomach hungered for more like it hadn't consumed food in ages. Hesitantly, he glanced at his wallet before going up to the counter to order a second helping.

With his belly a little overly full and his tongue still mildly stinging from the spice, Diesel trotted back to his car, wondering what he should do next.

Life was getting back to normal in this town. It had been disrupted by a disease that had swept through the world, keeping people at home for the longest time. Diesel himself had nothing to do but to stay at home, having lost the job he once had. Now, he would have to find something else to pay the bills.

What could he even do with his skills? He yawned as he dreaded having to do a bunch of job interviews once again, but it couldn't be helped.

Suddenly, he noticed a strange flyer stuck under the wiper blade on windshield. He pulled it free and read the contents aloud.

”Heh? What's this? Do you love to travel to interesting places that you can only dream of? Experienced drivers wanted. On the job training available. An open mind is a plus. Hazard bonuses! Fantastical adventures await!”

Diesel stared blankly at the flyer. Normally, he would just laugh it off as a joke. The very things that it was advertising seemed a bit silly. Hazards and adventures through driving a truck? How much were they trying to romanticize it?

Though Diesel chuckled, he couldn't take his eyes off the flyer. As silly as it sounded, what did he have to lose?

”Well, it sounds better than accepting the terms and conditions of some golden ticket that was offered to me from a contest I randomly entered for fun…”

He needed a job anyways. Dialing the number at the bottom, it rang a few times before he heard a click.

”Otherworld Isekai Service…how can I help you?”

THE END