It was 6:am in the morning, this was the time we arrived at the foot of the humungous mountain.
Since we arrived at dawn we were able to see the mountain in its full splendor, aweing away our sleepiness, jolting us wide awake.
{So, this is Everest, the highest peak of the world… Amazing}
From our journey here, I was once again reminded how wide the scope of power the colorless Joker has.
Whenever there was inspection stops our truck would just ride past them, but the weird thing is that despite doing so we were never chased or stopped, instead they just acted like we didn't exist.
Curious, I asked Ken about it, and his answer stumped me even now.
"Oh, that huh? Well… our organization have connections with the presidents of each country in Europe and a couple in Asia. As long as we don't do anything that might potentially hurt their country they'll let us do whatever we want. Those officers probably got word that if they see a car with our plate number they can let it through without inspections."
"…uh"
Presidents!? How the hell did they…. Nevermind, thinking about it will only hurt my head so let's just roll with it.
After that we then arrived at an airport where a private jet was waiting for us. The jet had a sleek black design where if it flew in the sky at night it would be near impossible to notice it.
The pilots and staff seemed to be expecting us to arrive as they were already in full uniform, ready to depart.
"Master Jake, we've been expecting you."
Said the pilot, as he bowed down in front of Jake.
{Hoh… master huh, so he really does have a high rank.}
"Hahahahaha! thank you for being ready despite it being night already, it must've been tiring having to wait for us."
"No, not at all. It is our duty to make sure that the flight to the base is without mishaps so your gratitude is unnecessary. We are only doing what we must."
"Hmm.. but I still thank you. Ok then! You guys carry our things inside the jet we'll go in first."
"Yes!"
"You three, I know that you should be awestruck by now but save it inside the plane, we have a schedule to follow so we might be too late if we depart even longer."
"…"
"…"
"…"
Following his instructions, we all immediately went to the jet. We climbed up the jet's stairs and were introduced to the insides of the jet.
The insides contained numerous luxury items, from the leather chairs to bar at the back. It seemed like one of those jets' movie villains would have.
Sitting down on a chair that's beside a window, my entire body immediately became sluggish. The chair was the most comfortable thing I have ever experienced, as a child who had always slept on a stiff wooden bed something like this chair was heaven.
And it seems like I'm not the only one who thinks so, as Millie who was beside me and Fred who was on the opposite had the same reaction that I had.
"Heh, it's a 9-hour flight so you can rest assure that you will have plenty of time to enjoy this luxury."
"Yep!"
Loudly responded Fred.
"Hmm…. But that really surprised me."
"what?"
"Jake…. I never thought he could act so…. mature?"
"Pfft!"
"Urghh…"
Looks like Ken and Des found my words extremely funny as they laughed hysterically. Jake on the other hand was as red as a tomato, looking extremely embarrassed.
"I – I wasn't in the right state of mind at that time. As you may know from my gift, I'm what you'd call a battle junkie. Ever since our mission started 2 and half months ago I didn't have the opportunity release my pent-up stress so I ended up exploding at the end."
"hahahahahahaha! Your red as fuck! Embarrassed that you shamed yourself in front your crush? Mwehehehehe!"
"Why you!"
"Sigh*…. Looks like we wouldn't be getting any sleep in here as well."
"hehehe…"
Laughed Millie with a worried tone.
...…
"So, what are we gonna do now?" (Jericho)
I asked the three men in front of us. The area was extremely cold as the mountain's snow together with the air of dawn complimented each other to form an area an conditioner could never recreate.
Due to this everyone was wearing coats and gloves that we got from the plane to lessen the cold.
"Hmmm… I've already contacted them so they should be here any minute now."
Just as Ken's words ended, we suddenly heard a sound coming from deep inside the mountain.
Tugtugutgutgut*
"What the… huh? Wait… is that a helicopter!?"
Coming our way was what seemed to be a full metal armored helicopter. Despite it looking extremely heavy, the way it flew was so steady that if it didn't look larger and larger we would've never expected it to be moving.
"How do you like it? It's a specially designed helicopter that can take on Everest's unforgiving weather."
The helicopter closing in on us slowed down as it neared our location. It then started moving downwards, fully stopping after it was only a couple meters away from us.
From it, came out a tuxedo dressed woman with short dark green hair and yellow green colored eyes. She was the type of beauty that would without a doubt turn heads wherever she went, and her figure was that that was build for speed, with her moderate chest and smallish build.
Although she looked quite cute, the three men didn't seem to think so as they immediately lowered their head and kneeled in front of her.
"It is an honor that you've graced us with your presence, Madam Murielle!"
"If I may be so bold to ask, what might your purpose be?"
Asked Des with a voice filled with respect, but also with a hint of fear.
"Stop trying to speak like that, it's annoying."
"As you wish."
"Tsk… anyway, I'm only here for one thing. You said in your report that you managed to acquire three talented children, I wanted to see if they really were as you said."
"Ah! Yes ma'am. Kid's introduce yourselves."
"My name is Millie Adolf."
"I am Jericho."
"He-hello, my name is Fredrich…"
"Hmmm… if I'm right then you should possess the [Fire Bender] gift, don't you?"
"Ah, ye-yes, that is correct!"
"Ok… then."
Pshhhh*
"!?"
As if she was mist, her entire body suddenly disappeared from her initial position and suddenly appeared behind us.
Although I was a little slow I managed to dodge her slow grab and roll away from her.
Millie on the other hand, after being taken by surprise, immediately used her gift to spew flames all around her, hoping that it would prevent the woman from grabbing her.
As for Fred? Well…
"Wah!"
He was choked hold by the woman for being unable to react.
"Hmmm…. One had excellent reflexes and physical ability that allowed him to immediately dodge danger. One was calm enough to immediately assess the situation and use her gift to prevent me from touching her. Although her reaction was a little slow, given enough time it can improve. As for this one….. since I've read that your gift was a stationary one where it doesn't give you way to defend yourself just yet, I'll take that into consideration. But you still weren't able to react despite me taking it very easy so that's a huge minus on your grades."
"Wehh!" (Fred)