Apocalypse Arrives: I Become a Powerhouse by Scavenging

"Sir, you’re scaring my sister."

Hugh Finch’s tone wasn’t harsh, but his every word carried weight.

When the middle-aged man saw Hugh Finch, a trace of fear flashed in his eyes. He quickly changed his expression and said, "I just wanted to talk to her. Who knew she’d be so rude? She didn’t even say hello, just turned and walked away."

"Young people these days... each generation is worse than the last. Back in my day, you’d even say hello to strangers you met on the street. I really don’t know what they’re teaching in schools anymore."

The smile vanished from Hugh Finch’s face. He said, "Like you said, that was back in your day. Times have changed. Nowadays, if a stranger suddenly approaches you, they’re either running a scam or they’re a kidnapper. Isn’t it better to run away?"

Although Hugh Finch hadn’t said it outright, the middle-aged man felt like he was being insulted.

’Do I look like an alien or something?’

He just liked the machine in her hand and wanted to buy it. It’s not like he wasn’t going to pay.

Speaking of which, he noticed that Hugh Finch was also holding a similar machine.

His original plan had been to use the young lady as an opening. After all, young girls were thin-skinned. If he was a bit forceful or acted pitiful, she would eventually give in to the pressure and agree to trade, even if she didn’t want to.

He just hadn’t expected her to leave without saying a single word.

Seeing that he had no way of getting close to Moira Lynch, he could only switch targets.

"Young man, that machine in your hand looks pretty good. Makes cleaning up easy and convenient. How about this? I have an item here. Want to trade it for your machine?"

As he spoke, the middle-aged man held up his hands.

He was wearing a pair of very ordinary-looking red wool gloves.

The middle-aged man had forcibly taken this item from his son.

Since it was just a basic item with limited use, his son had let him take it.

The main reason was that if he didn’t let him have it, the middle-aged man would throw a huge tantrum and accuse his son of being unfilial.

Basically, he would just act up in every way possible.

Many players had awakened the Identification Skill, which allowed them to see an item’s level and effects.

So, for convenience, Cathaya had collaborated with people who had awakened the Identification Talent to develop an app. A simple scan could reveal an item’s information.

It could even automatically add information on previously unseen items, making it incredibly convenient.

Just then, Hugh Finch also got the glove’s information.

[Name: Warm Gloves

Level: Basic Item

Effect: Gloves that constantly emit warmth. Wearing them will always keep your hands toasty.]

"No thanks. You should keep the gloves for yourself." Hugh Finch refused without a moment’s hesitation.

’He wants to trade a useless basic item for my Melting Snow generator? What is he thinking?’

Seeing his offer rejected, the middle-aged man’s eyes widened in disbelief. "You refuse? What right do you have to refuse? This is an item! Do you understand what an item is? It’s a hundred times more precious than that piece of junk machine in your hand!"

Hugh Finch took a few steps back to avoid the man’s spittle, then reached up to rub his ear. He said unhurriedly, "If it’s so precious, why are you trying to trade it for mine? Wouldn’t it be better to keep it as a family heirloom?"

"You!"

The middle-aged man’s eyes bulged, looking as if they were about to pop out of their sockets.

Immediately after, his expression twisted in agony. He clutched his heart with both hands, collapsed onto the freshly cleared ground, and began to struggle, letting out a painful groan.

"My heart... it hurts so much! Help! Someone’s attacking me! Somebody, help!"

Hugh Finch watched this scene unfold without the slightest change in his expression, as if he had anticipated it all along. He had the air of a man who wouldn’t bat an eye even if a mountain crumbled before him.

He showed no alarm, nor did he step forward to help the man up. He simply watched the performance like a bystander.

Just then, the sound of footsteps approached from a distance.

The middle-aged man thought his son had arrived, so he started wailing even more dramatically.

However, after a moment, it wasn’t his son who appeared, but Shane Rhodes and Kai York, who had come after getting word of the commotion.

Moira Lynch also walked over from a distance. She saw the middle-aged man writhing and wailing on the ground, his cries having already attracted a lot of attention.

Even though it wasn’t his son, the sight of people approaching made the middle-aged man wail with even more gusto.

"Come and judge for yourselves! It was him! He tried to snatch my item, and when I wouldn’t give it to him, he shoved an old man like me to the ground and tried to kill me to silence me! Is there any justice left in this world?"

At this, Moira Lynch and the others couldn’t help but marvel at the man’s thick skin. This wasn’t just twisting the truth; he was telling bald-faced lies.

Had the man forgotten that Moira Lynch, one of the people involved, had witnessed the entire thing?

Looking back at Hugh Finch, he was still perfectly calm. His expression hadn’t even flickered, as if he were a complete outsider.

Hearing the commotion, the surrounding neighbors also stopped what they were doing and glanced over.

The man’s voice sounded so fake that anyone could tell he was putting on an act.

Besides, they all knew the middle-aged man on the ground. He wasn’t a good person, and he had pulled similar stunts countless times before.

It was only because Moira Lynch and her group didn’t go out often that they hadn’t run into him yet.

Although the crowd knew the old man was just making a scene and stirring up trouble, none of them had any intention of stepping in to help.

After all, no one wanted to get dragged into it and be targeted by that old codger. His four sons were not to be trifled with.

Besides, people are apathetic. They might help someone this time, but there was no guarantee anyone would help them next time.

"What do you want to do?" Kai York asked, looking at Hugh Finch.

Kai York wasn’t really asking how to handle the situation, but rather how to deal with the man himself. Should he just be thrown out, or beaten up and then thrown out?

"Your call." Hugh Finch slowly uttered two words.

"Oh, then I’ll just handle it my way."

With that, Kai York bent down, grabbed one of the middle-aged man’s legs, and simply started dragging him away.

Seeing this, the middle-aged man stopped wailing and struggled to get up.

It had to be said, not a single bite of food the man had ever eaten had gone to waste, and all that flesh on his bones wasn’t for show.

He struggled so hard that even Kai York almost lost his grip.

At this, Moira Lynch’s hand, hidden in her sleeve, clenched slightly.

The next second, the struggling middle-aged man’s face suddenly turned pale. He clutched his heart with both hands and let out a pained cry.

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