Chapter 566 - 556: Sound Source Pollution 8

During a break, one of the cashiers grumbled, "What’s going on today? Why are there so many people shopping at the supermarket?"

"You don’t know?" another cashier asked in surprise.

"What is it? Just tell me already," the first cashier asked anxiously.

"Some expert published an article today saying that Noise Syndrome is a contagious disease. The transmission route is currently unknown, so he’s urging everyone to stay home to avoid getting infected."

After hearing this, the first cashier’s face showed dawning comprehension. "Oh, that article. I’ve seen it. But out of every ten things that expert says, nine and a half are lies and the other half is just nonsense. How can anyone still believe him?"

Hearing this, the other cashier shook her head. "It’s better to be safe than sorry. Anyway, I just told the manager to exchange my whole month’s salary for food. If you’re thinking about it, you’d better be quick. When I was leaving her office, I heard her say she’s planning to raise the prices on everything in the store."

And so, Moira Lynch worked tirelessly until eight o’clock at night before her shift finally ended.

After receiving her two hundred for the day’s work, Moira Lynch looked at the manager and asked, "Can I use this money to buy some food from the store?"

The manager wasn’t surprised to hear Moira say this, as several other employees had already approached her about the same thing today.

"Of course. Go get whatever you want, then check out at the counter yourself."

The manager’s tone was very friendly. She had seen Moira’s work ethic today.

It was no exaggeration to say that Moira worked as fast as two people combined. The two hundred was money well spent.

So, as Moira was about to leave, the manager didn’t forget to dangle a carrot in front of her.

"Keep up the good work. After this month is over, I’ll make you a permanent employee. Not only will you get full benefits, but your salary will also increase."

Moira simply smiled and nodded in response.

’Rule number one of the workplace: don’t argue with your boss, and definitely don’t call them out on their empty promises.’

Moira went to the food aisle.

The supermarket had been flooded with customers today, and the food aisle in particular had been wiped clean. It had just been restocked.

Moira picked out a few boxes of her favorite small bread rolls and three cases of mineral water.

She took the items to the checkout. The total came to three hundred fifty-six.

Moira took out her pay for the day, then pulled another one hundred fifty-six from her pocket.

Just then, the manager, who was about to head home herself, saw the young woman with so many things and couldn’t help but ask, "Are you really going to walk home like that?"

Moira nodded. "Yeah."

It looked like a lot, but it wasn’t actually that heavy for Moira. After all, this was a woman who could carry a gas canister with her bare hands.

’The only problem is that it might block my view while I walk. That’s a bit of a hassle.’

But that was fine. She had cleared out some more room in her Space Button this morning, plus the space freed up from throwing away the headphone packaging. Her plan was to walk a little ways, find a hidden spot, and stuff everything inside it.

However, her words struck the manager as inexplicably heartbreaking.

Moira was about the same age as her own daughter. It really wasn’t easy for someone so young to be out fending for herself and earning a living.

"It’s already dark out. It’s dangerous for you to walk home alone. Where do you live? Let me give you a ride."

"That’s not necessary, Manager. I can get back on my own," Moira replied, instinctively trying to refuse.

"Don’t be silly. There’s no need to be so formal. Get in the car, I’ll take you home. And in the future, try not to buy so much at once. It’s a pain to carry. Or you could have your family come pick you up."

At the manager’s insistence, Moira got into the car.

When Moira mentioned the name of her residential complex, the manager said in a surprised tone, "Our complexes are right next to each other!"

After they arrived at the entrance to the complex, Moira thanked the manager and was about to head back to her rented apartment when a familiar voice suddenly called out from behind her.

"Moira?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Moira turned around in surprise.

"Hugh Finch?"

Once she got a clear look at his face, Moira was overjoyed. It really was Hugh Finch.

Just this afternoon she had given up on the idea of finding him, and now, here he was tonight.

’Talk about searching high and low, only to turn around and find him right where you least expect it.’

"Right, how did you find me here?" Moira asked curiously. "Don’t tell me you used divination."

Hugh Finch came to Moira’s side and instinctively picked up the things she’d bought. They started walking and talking.

"You’re half right. I saw the news today, then I performed a divination. That’s how I found you," Hugh Finch explained.

"The news today? Did I leave some kind of clue?" This time, Moira had used the Communication Corridor.

"Don’t worry, you didn’t leave any clues. It was just a gut feeling. When I saw the news, I just had a hunch it had something to do with you."

Hearing Hugh say this, Moira was a little speechless. "I’ve only ever heard of a woman’s sixth sense. I didn’t know men had one too."

In response, Hugh Finch rolled his eyes at her.

"By the way, what are you doing with so many headphones? Did you really get Noise Syndrome?" Hugh Finch asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

Unlike Moira, who had been teleported to a shopping mall, Hugh Finch had been sent directly to a hospital, so he had seen what patients looked like when Noise Syndrome acted up.

At his words, Moira shook her head. "To be honest, I can’t say for sure. My symptoms are very similar to Noise Syndrome, but not quite the same."

"You know my talent is spiritual power. I can perceive things that you guys can’t, so..."

Moira suspected that everything she had encountered since the start of the game was related to her spiritual power.

The reason was that if she reduced the range of her spiritual power, the voices in her head would also weaken.

"As for the headphones, they’re just in case I need them."

When they reached the apartment Moira was renting, Hugh Finch was immediately stunned by the scene inside. "Why is there so much food?"

The apartment was packed with all sorts of provisions.

"Didn’t you bring any nutrient liquid or Energy Bars?"

Moira shook her head. "I did originally, but I didn’t put them in my Healing Pack. Besides, I never liked the taste of nutrient liquid, and you get sick of Energy Bars if you eat them too much. I still prefer normal food."