Chapter 70: Crino Prairie 14
The woman glanced at Moira Lynch, a thoughtful expression on her face. After a long moment, as if she had remembered something, she suddenly asked, "Have you been to Sauron’s place before?"
"Sauron?"
Seeing the confusion on Moira Lynch’s face, the woman explained, "He’s a Leonin."
Moira Lynch nodded. "I did go to a Leonin’s house."
"That’s great. Sauron told me you have a strong work ability and helped him clear out goods that had been piling up in his warehouse for years. Come with me. I really need your help right now."
Moira Lynch followed the woman, her eyes shining with excitement. She hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly this time. It was all thanks to the Leonin’s endorsement.
Of course, you had to have the skills to back it up. If her own abilities weren’t strong enough, he wouldn’t have recommended her in the first place.
After about a five-minute walk, the two of them arrived at the storeroom behind the kitchen.
The woman pointed to the storeroom, which was so full it was about to overflow. "Take everything in here."
Moira Lynch glanced at the storeroom and confidently assured her it was no problem.
After the woman left, Moira Lynch skipped happily toward the storeroom.
Since the storeroom was overflowing, she could only start from the outside and work her way in, clearing things bit by bit.
"What is all this stuff? Coffee grounds?" Moira Lynch looked at the substance in her hand. It looked like dirt, but not quite—it strongly resembled coffee grounds.
[These are the waste materials produced when Kakas beans are ground. They have a wide range of uses: as plant fertilizer, deodorizer, cleaning agent, exfoliating scrub, hand soap, for removing skin wrinkles, making sachets, insect repellent, and natural dye.]
"Besides not being edible, these Kakas grounds are really versatile."
[Actually, they are edible. If you put these grounds in a container and add water, you should be able to brew a cup of Kakas, though the flavor will be a bit weaker.]
Moira Lynch: ...
’Even if you say so, there’s no way I’m trying that.’
’Kakas is so similar to coffee, can’t I just drink coffee? Why would I brew used Kakas grounds?’
Taking a deep breath, Moira Lynch got down to business. Ignoring the fact that they were technically edible, these Kakas grounds were practically a treasure trove.
With a wave of her hand, large swathes of Kakas grounds were taken away.
As Moira Lynch continuously absorbed the items into her space, she gradually made her way deeper into the storeroom.
She had originally thought the entire storeroom was filled with Kakas grounds, but it turned out she was wrong.
About two-thirds of the warehouse was occupied by Kakas grounds. The other third was...
With Moira Lynch’s current eyesight, there was little difference between day and night for her.
After clearing away all the Kakas grounds, she reached the other one-third of the space.
[Instant Kakas Powder. For details, please refer to instant coffee.]
Moira Lynch’s eyes widened. ’If I remember correctly, this shop sells hand-ground coffee—no, hand-ground Kakas, right? Why would there be instant Kakas powder here??’
’It’s over. I’ve discovered such a huge secret. Am I going to be silenced?!’
Moira Lynch chanted internally, ’I saw nothing, I saw nothing!!’
Then, as quickly as she could, she packed the remaining one-third of the items into her space.
Besides the instant Kakas powder, there were other types of items, but Moira Lynch didn’t look closely. At a time like this, the less she knew, the better.
When the woman returned, the warehouse had been completely cleared out.
"Oh, my heavens, Sauron’s description was too conservative! You’re simply the best Recycler I’ve ever seen. To Teleport away so much trash must have consumed a lot of your spiritual power."
"It was nothing, really." Moira Lynch wiped the non-existent sweat from her brow, feigning modesty.
"With your work efficiency, you should apply to be an S-rank Recycler! Their pay is dozens of times higher than a regular Recycler’s."
Moira Lynch said reservedly, "I’m still too young."
Hearing this, the woman nodded. "That’s true, you are quite young. I hear the workload for S-rank Recyclers is immense. Someone your age definitely wouldn’t be able to handle it. Still, I never expected your work efficiency to be this high. It seems the payment I prepared for you is too little. I’ll add a little something extra in a bit. What would you like?"
Moira Lynch thought for a moment. "Anything is fine. I’m not picky."
Upon hearing this, the woman couldn’t help but be even more pleased with Moira Lynch. Any other Recycler would have definitely started making all sorts of demands.
The woman took out a square, silver card and scanned the smiley face badge on Moira Lynch’s chest. Then, she handed Moira a bag.
She took the bag and opened it. Inside were individually wrapped sugar cubes.
[Kakas Sugar Cubes, a byproduct of hand-ground Kakas. High in calories, can quickly replenish the body’s lost sugars.
Note: Do not consume more than one cube per day. Overconsumption may lead to hyperactivity.]
’Hm, good stuff.’
After stowing away the Kakas Sugar Cubes, Moira Lynch asked, "Excuse me, are there any other shops around here?"
Moira Lynch decided to change her approach. The game system only required them to help the Beastkin and earn smiley faces; it didn’t specify *how* they had to help.
"You’re looking for more work, right? Of course, there are plenty more jobs! With an ability like yours, they’d welcome you with open arms. But it’s no use telling you now, because the rain outside hasn’t stopped. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow to set out. Why don’t you stay the night here?"
"Thank you so much! Next time you need me to collect trash, I’ll give you a discount," Moira Lynch said with a grin, sweet words rolling easily off her tongue.
"That would be wonderful! I’ve rarely met a Recycler as polite as you."
On her fifth day in the game, Moira Lynch had a rare good night’s sleep. The fluffy bed, pillow, and blanket were even more comfortable and warm than the silk quilt she had bought for herself.
"Patience, what brand are these blankets and pillows?"
[This is a four-piece silk bedding set produced by the Cloud-Mulberry Silk Beastman. It is warm in winter and cool in summer.]
’Beastkin?’
Moira Lynch felt the texture under her hand and made a resolution. If she ever met one, she would definitely buy a set from them—no, several sets.
Early the next morning, she bid farewell to the woman and set off.
She headed in the direction the woman had pointed out.
The Crino Prairie, freshly washed by the rain, filled the air with the fragrance of earth and grass.
Many plants that hadn’t been there before the downpour were now eagerly sprouting.
Along the way, whatever Patience said was useful, Moira Lynch collected into her space.
’This thing that looks like a scallion can cure colds and fevers? Taken.’
’This weirdly purple mushroom can instantly send someone to the great beyond if eaten? Taken, and taken.’
’This succulent-like plant can treat external injuries and even heal broken legs?! Taken, taken.’
...