Busboy Return

Snow Crab

"Paul, can you see Table 3 in Zone 12 over there?"

"Yes, I see it. Wait, there..."

"What are you doing? Are you just going to watch it? Quickly call for backup!"

"Yes, Master."

Ding!

"Dorothy, it's me."

"Yes, this is Zone 12 team leader, Dorothy. Speak, Manager."

"I think there's a problem with your busboy. It seems he's arguing with a customer. Hurry over to Table 3."

"What? I'll handle it right away."

Dorothy hurriedly walked towards Table 3.

***

"Hey, busboy! Didn't I ask you to clear the table? Why are you just standing there?"

The angry man pointed at the table piled with snow crab shells.

"Hey, busboy! Can't you hear me?"

As the man forcefully pushed his chair back and stood up, he turned out to be much taller than expected.

'Who's making all that noise? And why can't I see in front of me? My vision was fine before...'

Amidst the confusion of sudden vision loss, the sound of shouting was followed by the clashing of metal and lively laughter growing louder.

'And this smell... it's food. Hmm, it's somewhat fishy... must be seafood.'

As the hazy shapes in my vision slowly became clearer, I saw a man shouting at him.

'A Caucasian? He's a foreigner. Wow, what a big guy! But why is he shouting like that?'

Gradually, the things I saw and the sounds I heard synchronized, and the environment around me felt more tangible.

'Am I standing on both legs right now? Both arms are here too...'

Feeling extremely grateful, as if I had found a precious item lost long ago, I found myself absentmindedly patting my own body.

'But what kind of place is this...? Everyone is eating snow crab. They seem to be competing as they messily devour the food.'

I noticed many people piling snow crab on their tables and eating in a competitive and messy manner.

"Hey! Do you have bugs crawling on your body or something? Why are you suddenly patting yourself like that? Ugh, disgusting!"

The man's voice grew louder.

"Do you think I paid $50 to come to this buffet and receive such service? Things got messed up at the Gate today too. Damn it, are you disrespecting me too?!"

The man opened his cape, revealing a big sword at his waist, and kicked the food waste cart standing nearby, making it splash.

"Gate? Huge Sword? Could he be an Awakener?"

As the cart was pushed away, some unknown liquid splattered on my face, bringing a chilling sensation that cleared my mind.

At that moment, an urgent voice broke through the space.

"I apologize, sir. I am Dorothy, responsible for Zone 12. It's our employee's first day on the job, and there was a mistake. I'm really sorry."

"Dorothy?"

"Mike, quickly apologize to the customer."

Facing the intense gaze directed at me, my forehead started to feel tense.