Seeing Qin Nuo's stubbornness, Chen Yuan shook his head and said, "About a week ago, this thief started coming here, and every time it only steals the expensive stuff to eat!"

"So far, the goods that ghost has eaten are worth over 8000 Ghost Currency. If this continues, it won't be long before this store has to close."

Although Chen Yuan said this, there was no sign of pessimism on his face. He only had two days left to finish this level. Once he exits and claims his reward, whether the Specter Supermarket closes or not won't matter to him.

"Can't the Boss and Boss Lady catch it?" Qin Nuo asked, as the couple didn't seem like weak ghosts.

"The thief isn't very aggressive, but it's quite tricky."

"Every time the Boss and Boss Lady are about to catch it, they suddenly act like they're possessed, let the thief go, and then walk back to the counter in a daze. After a while, they snap out of it."

"This thief probably has some ability that can mess with ghosts' minds."

"Also, it seems like it's injured, and its appetite has been growing these past few days!"

"Once it's done eating, it hides in some corner of the supermarket, and when it gets hungry, it comes out to steal again," Chen Yuan explained.

At first, the thief always messed up the goods Chen Yuan organized, and he thought about catching it. But later, he gave up since the thief didn't seem to want to harm him, so he just let it be.

Hearing this, Qin Nuo could basically confirm one thing. The ghost that the system said could be fused with was most likely this thief.

After a brief thought, Qin Nuo suddenly had a perfect plan. But first, he had to catch this thieving ghost!

"When does it usually come out to steal?" Qin Nuo asked.

"This guy's appetite is huge lately, coming out to steal at least three times a day. I'm sure it'll come out again tonight!" Chen Yuan concluded.

"Alright, I'll wait for it to come out tonight," Qin Nuo said.

He had a whole day, and as long as he returned to the restaurant with Ingredient No. 8 before 6 AM, he would complete the task. Tonight was basically his only chance!

"No need to wait, it'll come out swaggering," Chen Yuan said.

"At first, it was a bit timid, but later it realized no one could do anything to it, so it got bolder and bolder."

"Now, whenever it's hungry, it comes out swaggering to eat, treating the supermarket like its own home."

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Qin Nuo nodded in understanding and didn't ask further, leaving the shelving area.

At the counter, the Boss and Boss Lady seemed to have tired themselves out from arguing and finally quieted down.

The Boss Lady pulled out the dagger stuck in her chest and smiled at Qin Nuo, asking, "So, did you see that thief?"

"No, but your employee Chen Yuan told me some information about the thief."

"I'll take action tonight."

"Ah, Little Chen."

"He's indeed a rare, diligent, and responsible employee. Every time I check, he has the shelves organized neatly and orderly!" the Boss Lady chuckled, clearly satisfied with Chen Yuan.

Diligent and responsible...

If you saw him eating instant noodles and playing games inside the shelves, you might not say that.

But Qin Nuo had to admit, he was envious.

Players in horror games under the protection mechanism had it so easy!

The irritable Boss suddenly changed his attitude towards Qin Nuo, saying, "Catch that damn thief, and you can have any ingredient you want from us!"

"Not just sell, we'll give it to you!"

Qin Nuo knew their little scheme and showed a deeply trusting expression, "I'll do my best."

Evening quickly fell.

The street was swallowed by darkness, and while it was quiet, it seemed filled with unknown dangers.

The rolling door came down.

The Specter Supermarket closed its doors.

The Boss and Boss Lady were nowhere to be seen.

At this time, Chen Yuan finally came out from the shelving area, skillfully went to the counter, got some delicious food, and somehow pulled out a bottle of yellow beer.

Chen Yuan sighed contentedly, "Finally, a proper meal after a day of instant noodles."

"Why didn't you dare come out during the day?" Qin Nuo asked.

"That's my working time. If I'm not in the working area and leave without permission, it would break the protection mechanism."

"Without the protection mechanism, wouldn't the Boss and Boss Lady tear me apart?" Chen Yuan said.

The protection mechanism was set up for players, but there were rules to follow!

Once violated, the protection mechanism would be broken and lose its effect!

So, no matter how stuffy the shelves were or how hungry he was, Chen Yuan had to stay inside.

Qin Nuo suddenly realized he hadn't fully grasped the intricacies of horror games.

This Chen Yuan, though he seemed simple, had a firm grasp on the protection mechanism!

Perhaps that's why he's managed to live comfortably until now.

Bang!!

In the darkness, a shelf suddenly fell, goods flew everywhere, making a loud noise.

Chen Yuan took a big gulp of yellow beer and said, "Look, the Glutton is out!"

"Aren't you coming with me to catch it?" Qin Nuo looked at the indifferent Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan put down the duck frame in his mouth and said, "Can't catch it. You blink, and it'll run away. And even if you catch it, the ghost can possess you, making you dizzy and disoriented."

"How many times have the Boss and Boss Lady failed? Don't I know?"

"As long as it doesn't bother me, I won't provoke that troublesome guy!"

Chen Yuan peeled a sausage and ate it as he spoke.

Qin Nuo said nothing and headed towards the shelving area.

In the displayed shelves, the thieving ghost heard footsteps and vanished in a flash.

Qin Nuo looked at the torn packaging scattered everywhere. Goodness, it was quite picky, only eating the expensive stuff!

"Hey, I have something tasty here. Why don't you come out and make a friend?" Qin Nuo called out.

Outside, Chen Yuan rolled his eyes at this, "If that can lure the ghost out, I'll eat dirt upside down!"

Seeing no response, Qin Nuo smiled and took out the Meat of Taisui from the toolbar, placing it on the ground.

Qin Nuo couldn't see or smell anything enticing about the Meat of Taisui, but since the system said so, he wanted to give it a try.

What he didn't know was that once the Meat of Taisui was exposed to the air, an invisible scent, irresistible and maddening to ghosts, had already spread.

In the darkness, the thieving ghost's eyes lit up, its body uncontrollably drawn towards it.

Hearing the movement, Qin Nuo turned his head and saw a shadow slowly emerging from the darkness.

It was a formless, phantom-like ghost.

Its only feature was the blood-red eyes covering its entire body, looking terrifying!

Qin Nuo waved at it friendly, "Hello."

It glanced at Qin Nuo, and the next second, the Meat of Taisui was in its hands.

Without hesitation, it swallowed it in one gulp, and then its nine blood-red, eerie eyes squinted slightly, showing a look of enjoyment.

"You ate my stuff, can we be friends now?" Qin Nuo asked.

"Idiot!" To his surprise, the thieving ghost spat out human words, full of deep mockery, and turned to leave.

"Sigh, I just wanted to make a friend. Too bad I have so much Meat of Taisui left, and I don't know who to share it with!" Qin Nuo sighed, showing a regretful and lonely expression.

The Glutton stopped and asked, "You have more?"

"I have plenty. Want to be friends with a tycoon like me? All-you-can-eat!" Qin Nuo said kindly.

The Glutton wasn't buying it, sneering.

"You humans are the most cunning. Don't take me for a fool. Friends? You're trying to catch me, right?"

"If you have good food, I can just snatch it from you. Why waste so much time talking?"

Qin Nuo was taken aback.

"That... makes some sense."