Rise Of The Hoarder

“After the meeting, I was a little worried that something might happen between you and Anabelle, so I came to look for you,” Daniel said with a concerned face.r

“A-ah, is that so…?” Melissa laughed awkwardly.r

Dani nodded affirmatively, moving closer to Melissa with his usual charming gait. His well-built body and youthful exuberance made him admired by most, even now during the Apocalypse.r

“It turns out I was right. Something definitely happened for you to look so annoyed.” He whispered.r

Gripping Melissa by the waist and drawing her closer to himself so he could smell and hold her in his arms, Daniel smiled and closed his eyes charmingly.r

“Talk to me, babe. What happened this time?”r

Melissa felt her annoyance slowly ease away, and her fear dissipated. Now that she was with her man, nothing would hold her back.r

“Those bastards nearly killed me! Shit, if I hadn’t erected my shield on time, Ana would have bashed her fist into my face with her Gift.” Melissa bawled.r

Daniel was surprised to hear this, It wasn’t like Ana or any of her group members to act in such a way. They were known to be rash and impulsive, but their team was highly respectable and abided by the rules of the camp.r

‘Was Melissa exaggerating things?’ Daniel thought to himself.r

“Are you sure you didn’t do anything to tick them off?” Daniel muttered hesitantly.r

He instantly regretted doing that.r

“Uhhhh?! Are you seriously taking their side right now? Are you saying that I’m lying?!” Melissa blurted out, removing herself from Daniel’s embrace in a fit.r

‘Shit, I shouldn’t have said anything…’ He grumbled internally.r

“They nearly killed your girl, and the first thing you do is blame me? How dare you, Daniel! Even when Charles told me to beg Ana for the Ogre’s Demon Core skill, you didn’t stand up for me. Do you know the kind of humiliation I went through?!” Melissa began barking.r

“H-hold on, Melissa. That wasn’t what happened. I even tried-“r

Before Daniel could speak, she bombarded him with more accusations.r

“Even though I always sacrifice leveling up for the sake of the team all the time, even though I overexert myself for your sake and the people of the camp despite my weak constitution, why am I treated this way?” r

Daniel decided that it was best for Melissa to let it all out, besides… even if he didn’t want it, she was going to keep talking anyway.r

“A-and even when I try getting a skill that will benefit all of us in the group, and the Camp as a whole, no one is on my side. It’s not fair… It’s… It’s just not fair!” r

Her whining kept ringing in Daniel’s head as he patiently tolerated it. Melissa, who had moved away from his embrace, slowly returned, banging her hands on his chest as she rested on them.r

Her attempt at sobbing was poor, but Daniel accepted it nonetheless.r

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have ignored your feelings like that.” He whispered kindly, rubbing her long hair as he tightly gripped her.r

His comfort was all she needed at this time… as well as his sympathy.r

‘As long as he feels bad for me and loves me, Daniel will always come to my help! Just you wait, Anabelle, Jeremy, all of you… there’s no one stronger than my boyfriend around!’ Melissa grinned internally.r

“What came over them though? I wonder why they would just attack you so suddenly… maybe they were mentally exhausted after their expedition…?” Daniel mumbled.r

“No, that’s not it. It’s that bastard, Jeremy that instigated them. I can’t believe that someone as pathetic as him could suddenly appear and somehow convince Ana to take his side…” r

Melissa’s eyes bulged the moment those words escaped from her mouth.r

‘Shit! What have I done?!’ Her mind rang.r

She had thoughtlessly said something she shouldn’t have… she had mentioned Jeremy!r

“J-Jeremy…? the same one we used to know? H-he’s here…?” Daniel suddenly said.r

His voice sounded serious, and completely different from the collected and caring tone he had used just moments ago.r

‘I messed up!’ Melissa thought in worry.r

Daniel retracted himself from her as soon as she tried clasping him deeper into their embrace. r

“W-wait Daniel, he’s not exactly how we used to know him. Jeremy has somehow-“r

Melissa stopped as soon as she looked at Daniel’s facer

His countenance had changed, turning into the expression she hated to see the most. At this point, she knew he wasn’t going to listen to proper reasoning.r

“Where is he? Did you say he was with Ana?” Daniel asked anxiously.r

His fists were clenched and his body slightly shook due to the emotion welling up within him.r

“Y-yeah… b-but, Daniel-“r

“Then I have to go see him now, don’t you think?” Daniel said, turning away from Melissa.r

‘Shit! If I don’t do something now, then…’ Her thoughts rang.r

Quickly running past Daniel in the hallway, she appeared in front of him to intercept his advance.r

“What are you doing Melissa? I have to-” r

“No! Don’t do that Daniel. Not tonight. He’s pretty shaken up… plus, he’s very exhausted. Everyone in the team is also on edge… now wouldn’t be the best time…” She spoke softly.r

‘Please agree, please agree!’ She desperately pleaded internally, while gazing at him with an equally pleading look.r

There was a bit of tension in the air as both of them engaged in an unofficial staring contest. After some moments considering her words, Daniel sighed.r

“Yes. You’re right. I should probably wait until tomorrow. Now isn’t the best time…” He answered in a deflated tone.r

“Y-yeah. Not now…”r

‘Please, not ever too!’ She screamed internally.r

“You seem tired, Daniel. You need to rest.” Melissa said in a soft and caring voice, caressing Daniel’s chest which seemed to make him calm down.r

He was finally returning to his normal self, a state which she could manipulate.r

“Yeah. I actually kind of am. We should return to the apartment and rest.” He smiled weakly.r

‘Whew… that was a close one.’ She heaved in relief.r

Looking at Daniel’s face, she focused her eyes and his Status Introduction appeared, making her clench her fist in anger at what she saw.r

The very thing that made Daniel change so much… his Alignment!r

[SYSTEM INFORMATION]r

Name: Danielr

Race: Humanr

Sex: Maler

Level: 30r

Alignment: Lawful Good (Penitent)r

[End Of Information]r