Chapter 608 - 598: Sound Source Pollution 50

Initially, Moira’s group had thought it best to avoid trouble. Whenever they encountered the infected, they did their best to avoid a fight.

They opted for the simplest, most effective solutions, and would only fight as a last resort.

However, that all changed when they learned the infected dropped crystals with different Attributes, just like how zombies dropped Crystal Cores.

The hunt was on!

From the moment they found out, their small team had been constantly attacked by all sorts of monsters, some of which Moira and her companions had intentionally lured.

And, of course, they had dealt with every single one of those monsters themselves.

Things didn’t quiet down until evening.

The others, though unharmed, had been thoroughly spooked by the day’s events. Gone was their earlier bravado and ease; they were now too scared to even travel at night.

Moira Lynch sat in the car, gazing out at the night. There were only five days left before their game ended, so...

’We have to hurry!’

She opened a box filled with the Crystal Stones they had collected that day. There were over a hundred of them in total, all of varying colors and shapes.

But this small haul wasn’t enough. To collect more Crystal Stones, they decided to go on the offensive.

Moira Lynch and Kai York informed Hugh Finch, then slipped away from the group under the cover of darkness.

Once they were far enough away, the two of them found an open area.

Taking out a dagger they had prepared earlier, Kai York made a shallow cut on his palm.

A few drops of blood trickled from the cut before the wound healed itself with astonishing speed.

The scent of fresh blood drifted through the air, and Moira Lynch used her spiritual power to try and lure all the infected in the vicinity.

They had already tested this during the day.

The infected clearly preferred their flesh and blood over that of others.

After several experiments, they came to a conclusion: their flesh and blood was as alluring to the infected as a drug.

Moira Lynch’s spiritual power acted as a catalyst, driving the infected into a frenzy.

After setting the bait, Moira Lynch and Kai York didn’t have to wait long.

Soon, a familiar, piercing screech echoed from the distance. Fortunately, the two of them were prepared this time.

Watching the infected gradually approach from the distance, their eyes held no fear—only excitement.

To them, after all, these infected were just walking Crystal Stones.

...

Just as the sky began to brighten at dawn, Moira and Kai finally returned to the vehicle.

Hugh Finch woke up as soon as they returned. "How was the haul?" he asked.

In response, Moira Lynch gave a mysterious smile and opened the box in her hands. It was now filled to the brim with all kinds of Crystal Stones.

Since both Moira Lynch’s and Hugh Finch’s Space Buttons were full, this box of Crystal Stones had been left with Kai York.

"The haul was decent. But we’ve probably cleared out most of the infected in this area."

The implication was that they likely wouldn’t be bothered by the infected for the rest of the day.

And indeed, that proved to be the case. The journey that day was uneventful, and they encountered no danger.

However, perhaps because yesterday’s events had left such a deep impression, the others remained on edge, even though nothing happened.

By noon, they finally reached their destination: Mistral.

Quite a few people had already arrived at the destination before them.

They learned from these people that besides the newcomers, the entire city of Mistral was now deserted.

"According to our intel, The Thunderer is in Mistral right now," someone said.

These people had already formulated a plan before they arrived; they were simply being briefed now.

Seeing this, Kai York couldn’t help but ask, "If The Thunderer is so powerful, why not try to recruit him? Why are you so set on killing him?"

"Because The Thunderer’s existence is more of a liability than an asset. His ability is too powerful, and he can’t control it himself."

Another person added, "We didn’t want to resort to killing him, either. Originally, the plan was just to place him under our supervision to ensure he wouldn’t lose control again. But The Thunderer refused, and he killed the person who went to negotiate."

While the man was speaking, Moira Lynch’s gaze drifted toward the nearby city of Mistral.

Her spiritual power was already blanketing the entire city, and she had located The Thunderer.

"Boss?" Moira called out tentatively.

At that moment, Shane Rhodes was lying in a pile of rubble, his clothes in tatters. He was gasping for breath, a truly wretched sight.

Suddenly hearing a familiar voice in his mind, Shane Rhodes, who had been on the verge of despair, was so overwhelmed with emotion that tears streamed down his face.

"Moira, where are you? Get me out of here! These people are insane!"

Mistral was now nothing but ruins. The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder and marked by the scars of explosions.

"I’m just outside the city, but I’m with other people. Don’t panic. I’ll heal your injuries first."

Moira Lynch briefly explained her situation and then began to heal Shane Rhodes from a distance.

Remote healing wasn’t as effective as healing in person, so it took a full ten minutes for Shane Rhodes’s injuries to completely mend.

Afterward, Moira Lynch got a set of clothes and some food from Kai York and sent them over to Shane Rhodes.

His wounds healed, dressed in fresh clothes, and with a full stomach, Shane Rhodes once again felt like he was finally alive.

Outside Mistral, Moira Lynch glanced at the others.

Thanks to the performance of her, Kai, and Hugh on the journey, both Kai York and Hugh Finch had been called over to discuss the plan.

Seeing that no one was paying attention to her, Moira Lynch relaxed and began exchanging information with Shane Rhodes.

The first thing she had to ask was how he had gotten himself into such a mess.

Speaking of which, Shane Rhodes sighed, a look of frustration and exasperation on his face.

"I’m not really sure myself. I was just passing through a forest when I saw a purple, apple-like fruit growing on a tree. After I ate it, I lost control. When I came to my senses, I saw a sky full of shells flying right at me."

He had been terrified.

"If I hadn’t reacted quickly enough, you probably wouldn’t be seeing me right now."

"By the way, what day of the game is it?" Shane Rhodes suddenly asked.

"Day twenty-six," Moira replied. "You didn’t know? What day did you lose control?" she asked curiously.

"On day fifteen," Shane Rhodes answered honestly.

He had already realized that the danger in this game was related to sound, so he had been planning to find a shelter and hide himself away as best he could.

However, by sheer coincidence, as he was passing through a forest, a fleeting glimpse of that fruit caught his eye.