The being revered as a goddess spoke thus.
Oh? That crashed plane?
It wasn't me who caused the plane to crash; it was that guy.
That guy?
Yes, I need your help.. We must recover the Ring of Osiris as soon as possible, before the true disaster occurs..
A real disaster?
Master slowly raised his hand; his hand in the mortal realm was clean and neat, with his nails trimmed to perfection, but the hand reflected in the floor-to-ceiling window was wrapped in bandages, with golden flames sizzling and burning along the edges of the cloth.
..
..
Mister, here is your coffee, along with your change and receipt. Please take them.
Thank you.
Wood smiled as he took the coffee from the waiter and walked out of the cafe. His expression remained as calm as usual, but in his heart, he couldn't help but start calculating how many hamburgers, fried chicken, fries, croquettes, ice cream, donuts he could buy with the "change" he earned from this errand.
(This money will clearly allow me to hold out until next month's payday, so I can definitely take out another loan to buy a new phone~)
(Hmm, Boss mentioned yesterday that he would have a designer take my measurements for two custom-made suits next week. This means he plans to take me to some rather formal occasions..)
(When traveling with the Boss, food, drink, lodging, transportation will definitely be free. If the service is excellent at night, I might even receive a huge tip~ Oh! Boss! You are the most merciful God in this world! I would be willing to kneel a ten thousand times to kiss your—)
Thoughts came to an abrupt halt.
His body was struck by the roaring heavy truck, sending him flying through the air in a parabolic arc!
（——f**k！）
A curse word surfaced in Wood's mind, his left hand instinctively grabbed the scalding coffee.
Thud!
His body slammed into the ground, the immense pain made Wood feel as if a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader was practicing aerobics on every single one of his ribs.
(Huff.. wheeze..)
After lying on the green lawn to the left of the front of the museum for about ten minutes, Wood finally caught his breath. He propped himself up to sit up, felt the change in his pocket, brushed the grass off his shoulders, walked toward the coffee cup standing at the edge of the lawn.
(Fantastic, not a single drop of the Boss's coffee was spilled.)
Wood thought happily, picked up the intact coffee cup, strode into the Museum.
The truck that had nearly caused a fatal accident had long since vanished over the horizon, the pedestrians on the road were completely unaware of the accident, continuing on their way in their own hurried paces.
..
Boss!
Wood walked into the office and placed the coffee on the Boss's desk: "Here is the hot coffee with milk and sugar that you wanted—"
Are you alright?
Master, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, turned around, his deep blue eyes scanning Wood's body inch by inch. "I saw everything that just happened.. You were hit and sent flying by a large truck that appeared out of nowhere while you were crossing the street with your coffee—do you need me to call an ambulance for you?"
—Ah!
Wood was startled and quickly refused, "Thank you for your concern, Boss, but I feel fine. I don't need an ambulance!"
Are you sure you don't need one? Or are you just afraid of the ambulance fees?
“..”
Wood lowered his head in embarrassment.
I thought so..
Master strode over to the desk on his long legs and took a sip of the coffee, which had cooled to the perfect temperature after all the commotion, savoring it like fine wine. His gaze continued to wander over Wood. "I won't force you to go to the hospital."
Thank you, Boss.
I'll give you two days of paid leave. Get some proper rest. If you feel any discomfort, contact me immediately; I'll send you to a hospital under my name. You are my most precious collection; I don't want you to get hurt.
The hospital under the Boss's name? Does that mean the examination fees and subsequent medical expenses can be..
Wood looked at Master with great anticipation.
Master shook his head and said softly, "Fifty percent off, at most."
I can't even afford fifty percent off! It's too expensive!
Wood blurted out.
Sorry, I forgot you're so poor you have nothing left but your body.
Master smiled dotingly, reaching out with his large hand to ruffle Wood's pale blonde hair.
Boss—
Wood was about to protest when he suddenly saw blades of grass flying past his eyes one after another.
So it was..
What did you think?
The man looked at Wood with a half-smile.
“..”
(I thought you took me for a child. Although I admit I have a bit of a baby face, but..)
Wood grumbled inwardly.
..
After a thorough cleaning, all the grass seeds and dust were removed from Wood's hair, his body was inspected inch by inch by the Boss. It was confirmed that the accident of being sent flying by the truck had not even left any bruises on his skin, let alone fractures or internal bleeding.
—Go back and rest. Remember, if anything feels wrong, contact me immediately!
Thank you, Boss.
Wood nodded while putting on his clothes, his face covered in a fawning smile.
And also—
What?
What were you thinking about when you were sent flying by the truck?
I..
Wood frowned and thought for a moment, then whispered, "My head was full of motherf**kers, I was also worried about spilling the Boss's coffee and having to buy another cup.."
Is that all?
Master narrowed his eyes slightly.
It's.. it's fine, I also feel something is wrong.. I mean, the feeling of my truck being sent flying is very abnormal, it's like, like.. like—ah!
Wood let out a cry, clutching his forehead with both hands as he knelt in pain on the carpet.
I.. I..
“What did you feel?”
Master knelt on one knee, his left hand reaching around to grab Wood's shoulder while his right hand rested on his waist, asked softly, "Tell me, in that moment, what did you feel?"
I—
"Wood" slowly lifted his head from Master's shoulder, his eyes swirling with golden lightning as if possessed by something unspeakable, a bone-chilling sound escaped his throat.
I saw locusts and yellow sands filling the sky, occupying New York. I saw the humanoid of tar raising his right hand, wearing the golden Ring of Osiris, stepping with strides of flame.. The boundary between life and death was broken.. The dead surged from underground, the living turned into mummies.. I..
You saw nothing; you are just too tired.
The man spoke softly, raising his right hand to brush the air across Wood's face.
The golden lightning gradually faded, Wood, returning to a state of calm, slowly closed his eyes, his head drooping as his nostrils flared with steady breaths.
As expected, this accident was no accident.. The Ring of Osiris was on the car; it was drawn to you..
Muttering to himself, Master picked up the unconscious Wood by the waist and placed him on the sofa.
There is currently no evidence that thing has discovered you.. but to be safe, I must add another seal to you..
..
Half an hour later—
Wood opened his clear, pure eyes. "Boss, I just.."
You fainted just now. Preliminary suspicion is a mild concussion caused by the car accident—
Preliminary suspicion? An ambulance?! Boss, you called an ambulance!
Wood sat up with a start, staring nervously at Boss's handsome, statue-like face, his green eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Did you call? You didn't call, right? You didn't, right?"
If I said the ambulance is on its way—
The ambulance fees..
I can pay upfront, then it can be deducted from your salary in twelve installments.
—No!
Wood burst into loud wails, "Boss, I—I've recovered, I don't need an ambulance.. Please! I beg you! Please don't let an ambulance extort my wallet! I'm already so, so poor.. I.."
I'm kidding.
Master smiled, pinching Wood's cheek: "I'll have my Private Doctor go over to your place in a bit to give you a basic check-up."
Do I have to pay for it?
Wood asked nervously.
No need.
Long live the Boss!
And what else?
And also—