Rise Of The Hoarder

>BOOOMM!!!<

In a single leap, I achieved lift-off and sent myself flying to the top of the building.

My vision was fixated on the presence that was already flustered by the loud noise my flight generated.

However, before he could move, I used <Command> to halt any action and secured my landing on his vantage point.

“Haaa… looks like I was right, after all…”

In front of me was the scared sniper, kneeling and trembling before an impossible sight that was none other than myself.

Looking at this Gifted’s eyes, I saw darkness, yet the fragility of humanity resting within.

“So, you’re the sniper…”

‘I’ll be having some fun with you…’

*****************

Kevin Smith growled in annoyance as he descended the stairs.

He mumbled curses, furrowing his brows with every single step he took. Walking behind him was someone he had been talking to just a few moments ago.

The Camp Leader himself.

While he was having his enjoyable conversation with Charles, the commotion had swept through the Camp’s entrance, causing an alarm within the whole interior.

One of his subordinates came to report this to him, and he told them to handle the problem themselves.

The problem was the bad feeling he kept having even as he continued discussing with Charles.

“I wonder who the intruders are…” He had mentioned to Charles when they were still in his office, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

The Camp leader had told him that the members would be arriving at the end of the week. Judging from his words, they were at least three days earlier than scheduled.

That could only mean two things…

One was that they completed their mission earlier than usual, and the second was that Charles had lied to him.

“I… wonder as well…” He muttered, looking uncertain himself.

Kevin squinted his eyes, trying to get a read on the shrewd man. They had only met yesterday, but he was making an impression on the violent man’s ruthless heart. At times like this, it was best to hit the nail on its head.

“Did you lie to me? You know what’ll happen if I find out that it’s true.”

The moment Kevin Smith said this, Charles gulped hard. He certainly didn’t lie to anyone, but he couldn’t shake off the feeling that the intruders were members of his Camp.

‘Did they succeed already? Nox that can’t be… from what Jeremy told me, a Horde can’t be dealt with this quickly!’

Since they were following the plan he load out himself, there was no way the mission would end so soon!

‘Did he sense something was off and decided to return? Was there really no Horde and it was all a feint?’

Several possibilities swirled about in Charles’ mind as he struggled to reach the ideal conclusion on what was actually going on. One thing was certain, though.

“I didn’t lie to you! Please believe me, I gain nothing by doing that!”

Why would he choose to rely on deceit when it would only adversely affect his survival and that of his family once the truth was revealed. Charles couldn’t risk it, especially with the knowledge that his opponent was someone above Level 100!

“Well, I suppose you’re right.” Kevin grinned, giving Charles a dirty look.

If he so wishes, he could squash the Camp Leader like a bug, but he chose to bide his time well. Even flies had their uses.

“Well, no matter… since they’re back early, it can only mean there was truly no Horde, or even if there was, it was too much for them to handle.” Kevin grinned evilly.

From what Charles had told him, his scouts had indeed spotted a Horde located somewhere, so the second reasoning he had was more likely to have occurred.

‘They must be tired after facing so many Demons. Plus, judging by the distance alone, the group must be hanging onto the last bit of their stamina.’

He didn’t even need to bother himself with the small fry.

“My men should be finishing them off now… we just have to wait.”

He had a sniper located at a safe distance z just in case any Demons reared their ugly head, and Klaus was on standby with the remaining subordinates. There was no way his professional killers would lose to a bunch of exhausted wusses.

Charles could read Kevin’s thoughts like a book. He knew what the beast in front of him was thinking and wanted to raise the issue of Jeremy, an existence that none of Kevin’s subordinates would be able to defeat, but decided to keep quiet instead.

‘I don’t need to say anything… I don’t owe him that much!’

Ultimately, Kevin was his enemy. If Jeremy was truly around, the leader of the invaders would have no choice but to personally attend to him.

He could use that opportunity to flee with his child.

As for Tasha, his wife, once Charles had ensured his daughter’s safety, he would return for his wife and take enough resources for the both of them.

‘It’s a little too soon, but we have to execute it now!’

While Jeremy distracted Kevin, he would abandon everyone just to save his family. It was shitty. It was cowardly… but it was the only way he saw himself and those he truly cared about living.

Unless… by some miracle, Jeremy had gotten strong enough to overpower Kevin. But, Charles was not a believer in miracles. He was a pessimist, and so he had to act on his impulse.

“W-what is this…? What does this mean?!” Kevin suddenly banged his hand on Charles’ desk, shattering it instantly.

This forcefully ejected the Camp leader from his scheming thoughts as he looked at the clearly enraged man before him.

Kevin was seething in rage and disbelief.

“W-what’s going on?” Charles asked in confusion.

From his office, he couldn’t see what was happening at the gate… though he wished he could.

“My subordinates… are all dying?!”

At this point, Kevin rose to his feet instantly and rushed out of Charles’ office in a flash.

The man who remained in the room gave a sigh of relief, happy he was now left alone to execute his plan. Unfortunately… Kevin returned a split second later.

“You’re coming with me, Camp Leader. I want to see the ones who are responsible for killing my men. Of they’re your members… then I suppose you’re about to have a reunion!”