Rise Of The Hoarder

“Fine. You can have her.” I shrugged in surrender.r

After considering both sides of the scale, it would just prove to be more troublesome if I didn’t indulge him. r

Using <Recall>, I brought out the woman within my [Subspace]. As soon as she materialized in Charles’ office, her dear husband’s eyes bulged in shock and relief.r

I wasn’t just going to let him have her, though. The woman was unconscious, and was still in the exact state she had been in when I had taken her into [Subspace], so it was easy to hold her in a submissive position while staring at Charles.r

“W-what are you-?!” Charles asked as he glared at me.r

I rubbed my hand around her neck, using my fingers to slightly press on it. The woman’s body was directly rubbing against mine, and I gripped her throat with my second hand.r

“I control whether or not she dies, Charles. Remember that.”r

He clenched his teeth while glaring at me. As long as my point had gotten across, there was no need for further discourse. r

“Here…” I pushed her slumped body in his direction and he swiftly caught her. r

“You bastard!” He growled, drawing her closer into his arms.r

I watched him confirm that she was still breathing, caressing her while gently kissing her forehead. Who would have thought such a stern man like Charles would be a romantic.r

‘Well, he can have her. Now that Tasha has been in my [Subspace] once, she’s been registered as my property, and I can simply use <Return> to take her back.’r

Charles didn’t realize it yet, that nothing had changed. Well, one thing had, and that meant his days were numbered.r

He dared to rebel against me and take such a route. Clearly, I wasn’t going to tolerate such defiance. For now, though, it would be wise to cooperate.r

‘I’m not going to allow my emotions to replace pragmatism.’r

“Now that I’ve returned Tasha, I assume we’re back on track?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.r

He nodded, slowly allowing Tasha’s unconscious body to rest on his lap.r

“Yes. I’ll cooperate.” r

As expected, he was done with his tantrums. Throw in a little treat and people would cease their complaints. Charles utilized this when dealing with the Camp members, but he himself was not an exception to the rule.r

“Very well. I’m taking my leave now.” I said.r

“Talk to Ana and her team. I’ll be sending them to your office shortly. They should be getting ready to begin their expedition.”r

I walked toward the exit and opened it, making to leave the Camp leader’s office.r

“You know… what you’re doing… it’s wrong…” Charles muttered, staring at me weakly.r

He had lost the fire that burned in his eyes, but his look of disapproval didn’t cease. Somehow the judgemental expression he gave annoyed me.r

“You’re not my dad, so you shouldn’t shove your morals down my throat,” I replied, leaving the room.r

Plus, he was the wrong one. Everything I did was for my sake, that in itself is the most righteous action I could ever take.r

‘Now then, time to tie up one final loose end.’r

I returned to my room, or should I say ‘our room’. Usually, anytime I entered, I was welcomed with cheerful greetings from everyone. However, this time was different. Ana’s team members all looked downcast and stunned.r

Ana appeared to be the most devastated of them all, still recoiling from what had happened some hours ago. r

‘Welp, I can’t blame them. After all… one of them left.’ r

“Why…? why would Larry suddenly…?” I heard Ana whisper silently.r

I quickly got sick of the dreary atmosphere and gave a loud cough. This stirred everyone from their depressed state as they noticed my presence for the first time.r

“O-oh, Jeremy. Welcome back. How did your meeting with Charles go?” Ana asked, trying to form a smile.r

It was of no use.r

“It went well, the Camp Leader told me to call you guys once I returned,” I said, looking at everyone in the room.r

“O-oh, is that so?” Ana asked, glancing at everyone.r

I was certain they thought it had something to do with Larry leaving the Camp alongside the 28 others. However, they were mistaken.r

“Okay then. We’ll be heading out now. Take care of yourself.” Ana said, moving out of the room while the others trailed behind her.r

A smile formed on my face as the door closed gently. Why? Because even Ana’s team was unaware of the huge favor I just did for them.r

“These people should be happy. Thanks to my efforts, the ‘Evil’ bastard has been flushed out of the Camp!” I muttered.r

Ana was initially mad at Larry when he said he wanted to leave. She was blazing furious and questioned his actions. Civilians leaving the Camp was one thing, but no one expected an Expedition member to desert everyone.r

“There’s no future for this place anymore. I’d rather join another Camp where they don’t force people to fight against their will!” Larry had declared.r

As intended, his little statement stirred up the unsure civilians around him. The ones who were terrified and felt they had no choice suddenly bought into Larry’s speech and decided to join him. Just like that, he was able to bring 28 people to his side and deserted the Camp with them.r

The remaining didn’t leave with Larry because they were not convinced and couldn’t imagine a better chance out there since the only strong gifteds they knew were all within the Camp.r

“What are the chances that we’ll survive if we leave?”r

“Which Camp will take us in?”r

“I… I don’t know what to do?!”r

The ones who stayed didn’t do so because of loyalty, but because they weren’t strong enough to leave. Therefore, both the deserters and remaining members were the same… weak-willed idiots.r

“I should be taking care of them soon…” I smiled, rising from my mattress. r

‘Charles should be meeting with Ana’s team now. Calculating the time it’ll take for the conversation to be over, I have a little over thirty minutes. I’d better make it count!’r