Chapter 265: Elf and Sugar 6

Just as Moira Lynch stood up, she saw another female player standing beside her. The woman looked to be in her thirties and was watching the scene with great interest.

Seeing this, Moira Lynch approached her and asked curiously, "What’s going on?"

"You don’t know?" the female player asked, looking at her in surprise.

Moira was still wearing the red clown nose, which propped her mask up high and gave her a comical appearance.

"You must have gotten back late last night."

Moira Lynch nodded. "I didn’t get back until after ten."

The female player had a look of understanding. ’Youth is a wonderful thing,’ she thought. ’All that endless energy.’

Then she began to fill Moira Lynch in on what had happened.

Apparently, after they returned yesterday, the player named Cece—the one looking for her necklace—started bragging that she had a high-level item that would guarantee she’d clear the game.

At first, no one paid her much mind. After all, no matter how good the item was, it wasn’t theirs. They figured it was better to rest and recover their strength than to waste time and breath on it.

However, when Cece saw that she wasn’t getting the reaction she wanted, she flew into a rage out of humiliation and started senselessly insulting everyone.

As she spoke, the female player’s face twisted in disgust. "You’d better stay far away from that one, little sis. She’s got a screw loose. You don’t want to get tangled up with her."

Moira Lynch hadn’t expected something like this to happen while she was away. ’It’s true what they say,’ she thought. ’Wherever there are people, there’s bound to be drama.’

She gave a subtle nod. "I understand. Thanks for the warning."

The female player beamed. "You’re welcome. You’re such a sweet talker."

"Patience, who’s the thief?" Moira Lynch asked mentally.

[The person you were just talking to.]

Moira Lynch: "..."

Moira Lynch glanced at the female player in front of her again.

She looked to be in her thirties, but her skin was well-maintained. Her features were soft, and her eyes crinkled with a smile when she spoke. She was the type of person who seemed incredibly kind at first glance.

’Who would have thought someone like that could be a thief?’

’You really can’t judge a book by its cover.’

"So, what exactly happened last night?" Moira Lynch asked curiously in her mind.

[Hypothesis: The player you just spoke with has likely awakened a theft-type talent.]

’Theft? A talent like that exists?’ Moira Lynch was a little surprised.

[Yes. A theft talent is a type of Space Talent. However, unlike normal Space Talents that allow one to open pocket dimensions or use Space Teleportation, a theft talent allows the user to randomly steal an item from a target’s person.]

If the user knows the item’s exact name and shape, they can steal it with precision.

There are currently three recorded types of theft talents: Night Thief, Gemstone Thief, and Deft Hand.

Night Thief is an ability that can only be used at night. Gemstone Thief is an ability that only works on various precious gemstones. Deft Hand is the general type I just described.

Normally, anyone who awakens one of these three talents is required to register with The Interstellar Federation.]

’Got it. It’s like how locksmiths have to register with the police.’

’So which of the three types is her talent?’ Moira Lynch asked again.

[Unclear. Based on yesterday’s situation, it could be any of the three.]

’Alright.’

While Moira Lynch and Patience were conversing, the commotion across the room grew louder.

The female player who had lost her item went from angry to hysterical, finally collapsing into loud sobs.

Most of the people around, however, remained indifferent. Whether standing or sitting, they just watched the scene, showing no sign of wanting to help.

Clearly, none of them wanted to get involved.

Moira Lynch didn’t want to get involved either, so she didn’t step forward.

Just then, the female player who had spoken to Moira Lynch remarked in what she thought was a whisper—but was actually quite loud—"If you ask me, she had it coming. Why was she showing off like that yesterday? It’s only natural she’d be targeted by a thief."

Many people quickly agreed with the female player’s words.

After all, they were all ordinary players with a limited number of items.

You have a high-level item, and you don’t even try to hide it. Instead, you flaunt it for everyone to see. It’s your own fault it got stolen.

It was a classic case of victim-blaming.

Although stealing was wrong, Moira Lynch couldn’t bring herself to feel any sympathy for the person who lost the item.

’Ever heard of not flaunting your wealth?’

Although Moira Lynch hadn’t seen it happen, she knew that everyone kept their best items hidden away, only to be used at a critical moment.

Checking the time, Moira Lynch decided to go wash up first and then get back to work.

Seeing Moira Lynch leave, the other players also began to depart one by one.

As soon as Moira Lynch left the room, she took off the prop on her nose and stored it back in her personal space.

A burst of hurried footsteps sounded from behind her.

The female player she had been talking to earlier quickly caught up to her.

Ever since learning from Patience that this woman was the thief, Moira Lynch had been extremely wary of her.

Noticing the change in Moira Lynch’s demeanor from under the mask, a strange look flashed across the female player’s face before she quickly replaced it with a warm smile.

"Oh, right, we haven’t exchanged names yet. I’m MoonlitHorizon."

"I’m Heaven Owes Me a Trillion."

MoonlitHorizon froze for a second upon hearing the name, then forced an awkward smile. "With a name like that, you must be short on cash?"

"Aren’t you?" Moira Lynch retorted.

MoonlitHorizon was taken aback again, a flicker of anger rising within her. ’Do all young women talk so obnoxiously these days?’ she fumed inwardly.

She decided to get to the point. Any more of this, and she felt like she might just die of anger.

"By the way, I noticed you seemed to be wearing something on your nose earlier. Was that an item?" MoonlitHorizon asked, feigning nonchalance.

Moira Lynch’s eyes instantly grew guarded. "No," she denied, "it was just a decoration."

A lie like that naturally wouldn’t fool MoonlitHorizon, but Moira Lynch had said it deliberately.

After all, someone had just had an item stolen. Even though the other players felt the victim deserved it, they had all become more vigilant.

There was a thief among them, and no one wanted to be the next target.

Sure enough, after seeing her reaction, a knowing smile spread across MoonlitHorizon’s face, her expression clearly saying, ’I understand.’

"After what happened, it’s only right for you to be on guard. By the way, I noticed you don’t seem to have any luggage. You don’t have a backpack?"

’She’s trying to find out if I have a Space Button.’

Moira Lynch replied with a serious expression, "All my luggage is on me."

With that, she quickly ran off toward the dining area.

When she arrived at the cafeteria, it was no surprise that breakfast was once again dominated by sweets.

Some people loved it, while others grimaced with every bite.

Moira Lynch collected her breakfast: a bottle of milk, two bread rings that could be worn on her arms, a three-flavored cake, and a dozen or so multi-colored candies.

Aside from the milk, every other food item was sickeningly sweet.