Rise Of The Hoarder

It didn’t take very long for me to locate them, given the advantage I had in sensory perception.

Deciding to take care of the most troublesome first of all, I made my way to the second floor where I tracked my target’s presence and passed through her door.

In an instant, I was greeted with the floral scent of the room. For someone like me who had heightened senses, it took a while for me to acclimate to the oddly sweet aroma that hung in the air.

I shook off the feeling and set my eyes on the owner of the room—Melissa!

She slept on her bed, humming in her usually charming voice. If I hadn’t known about her rotten personality, I would have taken her for the average teenage girl.

Drawing nearer to her, I felt no hesitation or much emotion, simply anticipation for what was to come. Reaching her bedside in a flash, I reached out and tapped her, causing the girl to vanish into my [Subspace].

‘I could easily just use <Recall> to take her back, but this is much more fun… plus, I’m not in a rush.’

The moment Melissa vanished, I had all the space in the room to myself. Of course, I did not hesitate to take her bed, mirrors, and the countless fragrances and girly stuff she stocked her haven with.

Within a few seconds, I stripped the room of its beauty, leaving a blank space.

Once I concluded my business, I made my way to another room where my second target—Daniel—was.

The room had a completely normal ambiance. Nothing unique about it in the slightest! I didn’t even waste any time taking in Daniel who was having a nap, most likely after working himself to the bone on one thing or another.

I exited the place, realizing nothing of value was kept in his completely unimpressive abode.

‘Tch, cheapskate…’

Finally heading to my final target before seeing Charles, I neared a very familiar area. Every step I took reminded me of my time at the Camp. Memories flooded my head as I continued my steady pace until I reached the front door of the room.

‘This place…’ My thoughts trailed.

This was where I stayed back when I spent time with Anabelle and the others.

Nostalgia swept through me as I entered the room, taking a good look at the ambiance. Nothing had changed! It was as though I had never left, as though Anabelle and the others were not dead.

This was most likely a result of Lily’s plea with Charles or whoever was in charge. She must have wanted to immortalize the memories of her comrades.

Speaking of the devil, I saw the young girl crouched in a corner, arms wrapped around her legs as she trembled in emotion. I silently watched as she shuddered and let out soft moans chock-full of tears.

“B-big sis… A-Ana… it’s a-all my fault… it should have been me who died… Y-you saves me and d-died instead…” Her soft voice reached my ears.

“I-I’m sorry… s-so sorry…”

I would have gotten disgusted if it was another person who cried like this in front of me, but the sentiment I had toward Lily couldn’t make me get angry at her. The young girl’s weakness was certainly repulsive, and the way she sat in a corner feeling bad about herself reeked of self-pity and shamelessness.

However, I couldn’t fault her.

If I didn’t have the knowledge of the future, if I never experienced the despair that Grade 2 Demon showed me… if I was the one who was saved by Ana, and not Lily… perhaps I would have been the one who was curled up like a ball and crying.

That sentiment alone caused me to nearly sympathize with her.

‘Okay, Jeremy. You’ve seen how she’s faring… now you just need to do what you came here for…’

I silently moved closer to Lily.

“J-Jeremy…?” Her voice rang loudly, raising her head higher than its previously sunken state.

‘What the fvck!?!’ My mind screamed as I took a step back in surprise.

‘She can see me?!’ I panicked.

“I-If you can hear me… I’m sorry Jeremy… I’m so sorry. You died too… I’m the only one left… I couldn’t protect Ana… I-I couldn’t…” Her pathetic voice trailed again as she returned into silent sobs.

‘Phew… that was a close one…’ I heaved in relief.

To think she caught me off-guard like that. For a second there, I thought the girl could sense me despite all the Skills that were in effect.

Before I had any more thoughts, I took Lily into [Subspace], as well as everything else in the room—whether they had value or not.

‘Don’t worry, Lily… I’ll keep these precious things for you… they’ll be ruined if they remain here.’

With those final thoughts, I left the room and made my way to the peak of the building where the boss was—and by boss, I meant the Camp leader, Charles.

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

[The Present]

“You look surprised… did you really think I’d leave just like that?” My voice rang malevolently as I deactivated my stealth Skills and manifested my presence.

“Jeremy… I knew it. It seems you’ve gotten a few more Skills since we last met…” Charles responded.

The way voice the Camp Leader’s voice quivered was his failed attempt in sounding composed. I could tell that he most certainly wasn’t thrilled about my presence in his office.

“I gained a lot of Levels too. Why don’t you see for yourself?” I smiled, doing myself the honor of having a seat.

Charles gulped, obviously unable to stop me as I made myself comfortable on the chair before his desk. Even as I sat, the man remained standing, most likely unsure of what to say or do.

Maybe it was guilt, for the fact that he failed to protect Ana even though I spared his lover. Perhaps it was fear, for the fact that I could easily tear apart all that he had built and take it all for myself. Or maybe… it was both?!

“Have your seat, Charles. We have some things to discuss, don’t we?”