Chapter 290 - 280: Hugh Finch’s Prophecy

Moira planned to have her Universal Gloves copy the rest of the items.

Ever since she’d gotten the Universal Gloves, they were the item she used most often.

Considering they could also copy other items, you could say one item had ten thousand different uses.

However, while the Universal Gloves could copy items, they couldn’t replicate single-use ones. Plus, the copying process itself took time.

Furthermore, the copied items had a time limit.

But that didn’t really matter, since the original items had time limits too.

Moira looked at the various items in her inventory space. She had her work cut out for her.

In the end, the Prophetic Robe went to Hugh Finch.

When everyone learned of this outcome, they were both curious and disappointed.

Some people even contacted Hugh Finch, offering to buy the Prophetic Robe from him for a hefty price.

Even people from the base came to him directly.

From their conversation, Moira learned that Cathaya did, in fact, possess growth-type items.

Besides Cathaya, there were also rumors of growth-type items appearing in the Beacon and Ursia.

Moira was a little angry when she heard this.

Back at the auction, they had been unwilling to offer up any growth-type items, trying to fob her off with a pile of useless junk instead.

Because of this, Moira was so annoyed that even the Redlight game started to get on her nerves.

"According to our research, the growth conditions and methods of use for each growth-type item are unique. But without exception, their potential is immense."

The person who had come to speak with them this time was a sharp-looking woman in a business suit.

The woman spoke at length, with the sole purpose of convincing Hugh Finch to hand over the Prophetic Robe.

"What makes you think the Prophetic Robe will be wasted on Hugh?"

Even though the woman’s actions were for the good of the country, Moira couldn’t stand by and watch her praise her own people while putting Hugh down.

It was as if the robe could only fulfill its true potential in their hands, and for anyone else to have it was a reckless waste of a priceless treasure.

The woman hadn’t seemed to expect Moira to interject.

After all, Moira was famously cold and aloof, and she had always remained a spectator in their previous dealings.

Some psychologists had even analyzed her, concluding that Moira was likely an extremely emotionally detached person. They theorized she only teamed up with Shane Rhodes and the other two to seek their protection.

The four of them being together was seen as a simple matter of mutual convenience.

So, the woman had naturally assumed Moira would choose to remain a bystander this time as well.

The woman was slightly displeased at being interrupted by Moira, but she was well aware that Moira was no mere pretty face.

Moira rarely spoke, but when she did, none of the others—not Shane Rhodes, Kai York, or Hugh Finch—would ever argue with her.

So, she patiently explained in a gentle voice, "That’s not what I meant. The Prophetic Robe is an extremely rare growth-type item. Now that everyone knows it’s in Hugh’s possession, countless people have their eyes on him."

"You must understand the principle: an innocent man gets into trouble for the treasure he carries."

There was some truth to her words.

’If I didn’t already know the Prophetic Robe’s properties,’ Moira thought, ’I might actually believe she’s right.’

In truth, the Prophetic Robe was, in itself, a top-tier defensive item.

It provided round-the-clock protection just by being worn.

After all, fortune tellers were notoriously squishy.

’With the Prophetic Robe’s defensive power, forget about getting hurt—if you hit it with a cannonball and so much as a single hair fell, I’d call it a loss.’

The reason the item description didn’t mention this was because it was its least remarkable ability.

’If I had any Divination Talent myself, I never would have parted with this item.’

Then again, as powerful as the Prophetic Robe was, not just anyone could wear it.

Moira already knew how to upgrade it, too.

The Prophetic Robe grew by constantly absorbing the backlash from prophecies.

So, for the Prophetic Robe to grow, all Hugh had to do was constantly perform divinations.

This information had been revealed to Hugh the moment he acquired the Prophetic Robe.

However, if the user’s talent wasn’t strong enough, the Prophetic Robe wouldn’t absorb the backlash from divination. Instead, it would amplify the punishment.

’So, there was no need to worry about what the woman was suggesting.’

Shane Rhodes looked at Hugh Finch. "Hugh, what do you want to do? Whatever you decide, we’ll have your back."

Hugh Finch sighed, then looked at the woman. "Director Miller, thank you for your concern. But since the Prophetic Robe chose me, it means we were meant to be. As for those people you mentioned who have their eyes on me... if they think they have what it takes, let them come."

As he spoke, Hugh stared straight at Director Miller, his eyes filled with unconcealed confidence and fearlessness.

In his twenties, fresh out of school and full of passion, he was at that age where he was afraid of nothing.

Not to mention, Hugh had the strength to back it up.

Seeing that Hugh was unwilling, Director Miller didn’t press the issue.

’She wanted to,’ she thought, ’but what could she do? This group was always managing to bring all sorts of things back from the game.’

’Although they had Veridian Prime now, if they used force against Moira’s group, people would inevitably accuse them of discarding an asset once it was no longer needed. That would be an ugly look.’

"Alright. If you run into any danger or change your minds, you can contact me anytime."

With that, Director Miller stood up to leave.

Just as she turned to go, Hugh suddenly stopped her.

"Director Miller, I performed a divination right after I got the Prophetic Robe. The next natural disaster will begin after the next game round ends."

At his words, everyone in the room turned to stare at Hugh.

Director Miller didn’t doubt the truth of Hugh’s words. After all, this was the person the Prophetic Robe had chosen.

"Do you know what the next natural disaster will be?"

Under everyone’s tense gaze, Hugh slowly said, "Blizzards and extreme cold. Also, three days from now, the insect plague will experience a massive outbreak."

Upon hearing Hugh’s words, the color drained from Director Miller’s face, and the colleagues who had come with her also looked grim.

"Thank you for the warning."

After thanking him, Director Miller led her people away at a near run.

They had come for the Prophetic Robe, but now, they had something far more important to deal with.

They wouldn’t have much time after the next game round ended, let alone with the insect plague set to break out in just three days.

Thanks to the Petalwing Beetles that Moira and Hugh had brought back from the game before last, some regions had resumed planting, but the crops were still far from mature.

They had to get back and start preparing immediately.