Chapter 138: Land of the Yeti 14
After hearing the Snowfox Boy’s explanation, Moira Lynch’s eyes lit up. ’This is great stuff.’
After putting away the portable kitchen, Moira Lynch looked at the Snowfox Boy. "To thank you, how about I help you collect your trash? I’m a Recycler."
"No, no, it’s fine! I didn’t really help you with anything." The Snowfox Boy waved his hands repeatedly, thinking the girl in front of him was being far too polite. ’Are people from other planets all like this?’
"I insist. If it weren’t for you, I never would have gotten the portable kitchen. It’s just collecting some trash, which is nothing for me. It’s no trouble at all."
The Snowfox Boy still wanted to refuse. He truly felt he hadn’t been much help, and he knew how much Recyclers charged these days. Even a D-rank Recycler’s fees were very expensive.
But then he seemed to think of something. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Alright then. But we have... quite a lot of trash. Just do what you can. Please don’t overexert yourself."
"I won’t, I won’t. I won’t push myself," Moira Lynch said with a smile.
’I’m not worried about the quantity being too large, only too small.’
The Snowfox Boy led Moira Lynch to a room.
As they arrived, a group of young Snowfox Beastmen were carrying platters of prepared food toward the room, their heads hanging in dejection.
Once inside, the Snowfox Boy scratched his head sheepishly. "This is all the food we failed at making. I’ll have to trouble you with it."
The first thing she saw upon entering the room were several barrels gleaming with a metallic sheen.
"Did you make all this today?"
’If it was made today, it’s still fresh. If not, I’ll need to inspect it more carefully.’
"We made it today. Chef Jean rejected all of it. She said we haven’t practiced enough and that dishes like these can’t be served."
’As long as it’s from today, it’s fine.’
Moira Lynch walked further into the room and over to the barrels. She found they were filled with different dishes, each type neatly sorted into its own container.
’I’m sure these Snowfox Beastmen must have OCD.’
It didn’t take Moira Lynch much time to collect everything.
When he saw her emerge from the room, the Snowfox Boy thought she had already done all she could. "It’s okay," he said comfortingly. "We’ll hire other Recyclers for the rest later."
Moira Lynch just smiled and didn’t correct him. After walking out of the restaurant, she saw several players in the distance heading her way.
Moira Lynch turned and walked in the opposite direction. As she went, she took off her hat, revealing snow-white hair. Combined with her white cloak, she blended in perfectly with the surrounding Snowfox Beastmen.
Seen from behind, no one would ever guess she was a player.
Although the players noticed Moira Lynch, they just assumed she was a uniquely dressed Snowfox Beastman and didn’t pay her much mind.
However, what Moira Lynch failed to notice was that in the sunlight, her hair shimmered with a faint blue tint in addition to its white color, giving it a sacred and noble air.
Once she was a good distance away, Moira Lynch put her hat back on. Completely unaware of the change, she popped a Snow Chestnut into her mouth.
’I’ve eaten so many Snow Chestnuts... I wonder if it’s enough to receive the Snow Sprite’s blessing.’
’Oh well. Even if I don’t get it, getting a limited-edition winter season skin would be nice too.’
She had now completed all her current side quests. The smart move was to complete as many more as she could before the rescue team arrived.
After leaving Snowfox Village, Moira Lynch took out her Flying Device, hoping to use it to find a place where a side quest was likely to appear.
Based on her experience with the last two side quests, she knew she had to find a special location to trigger one.
For example, Lake Iluna and the Sea of Snow Lilies from before.
After flying for several hundred meters, the surroundings were still a vast expanse of white, with nothing in sight.
’It seems there are no side quests around here.’
But Moira Lynch wasn’t discouraged. A planet as big as Glacius couldn’t possibly have only two or three side quests.
Besides, she still had Patience. Even if she couldn’t find any side quests, she could at least help update the map of Glacius.
This wasn’t a side quest, but a regular mission Moira had accepted as an adventurer. The reward was a bit small, but every little bit counts, and small gains add up.
She picked a random direction and set off.
As she traveled, something on the snow below suddenly caught her attention.
Amidst a vast, white snowfield, a speck of red had suddenly appeared. Even if it was tiny, it was still incredibly conspicuous.
However, being extremely cautious, Moira Lynch did not get off her Flying Device. She had spiritual power; if she wanted something, she could just use that. There was absolutely no need to go down there herself.
After first scanning the area with her spiritual power, she found what she expected: another powerful heartbeat under the snow, just a few meters away from the red object.
If she had rashly gone down to investigate, her chances of dodging a sudden attack would have been minuscule—unless she escaped into her personal space.
"Patience, scan that thing for me."
Probably because of the distance, Patience’s scan and analysis took longer than usual.
[Anthor Beast: Vicious by nature. Hides its body beneath the snow and uses the red fruit on its head as bait to lure prey close before swallowing it whole.]
’So it really is a trap. Good thing I wasn’t curious enough to just go over and check it out.’
Just as Moira Lynch was about to fly away on her device, the voice of Patience sounded in her ear again.
’There’s more?’
[Red Fruit: SSS-grade Energy Fruit. Consumption strengthens one’s bloodline and body, and awakens hidden potential.
PS: Its effects are several hundred times more potent than the Bone Marrow Cleansing Fruit you consumed.
Only a Red Fruit picked directly from the head of an Anthor Beast is considered an SSS-grade Energy Fruit. Once separated from the Anthor Beast, the Red Fruit’s grade will continuously decline.
The Anthor Beast is extremely protective of its Red Fruit. Anyone who attempts to pick it will be met with the Anthor Beast’s most ferocious attack.]
Moira Lynch, who had been about to leave, now found herself rooted to the spot.
On one hand, a ferocious Anthor Beast. On the other, an SSS-grade Energy Fruit.
’Strengthens bloodline and body, awakens hidden potential, and its effects are hundreds of times better than a Bone Marrow Cleansing Fruit.’
Moira Lynch stared at the speck of red on the ground. ’Fortune favors the bold, as they say. I’m up in the air... if I use my spiritual power, maybe it won’t even notice.’
Having made up her mind, Moira Lynch asked, "Patience, are there any side effects to consuming a Red Fruit?"
The Red Fruit’s grade would continuously drop after being separated from the Anthor Beast. To prevent its effects from weakening, the best solution was to eat it as quickly as possible.
[Red Fruit Consumption Advisory: Do not use any talents for eight hours. Rest is required. Some individuals may experience drowsiness after consumption.]