Rise Of The Hoarder

Charles displayed surprise at my actions, horrified that I was making myself so comfortable while a woman died in front of me.r

This surprise turned into anger, and for a moment, he forgot his place and barked.r

“W-why are you doing this? Would you really let her die?!” r

The burning look in his eyes made me confirm my suspicion. He did care a great deal for her after all.r

‘Girlfriend, maybe? No. He seems a little too old for that. Plus, he has a ring on his finger, and for a man his age, that probably means he’s married. She’s his wife…?!’ My mind rang in amusement.r

Things were about to get interesting.r

I gave Charles a dirty look, and instantly he froze.r

“Don’t blame me, Camp Leader. I remember you attacking me first.” I shrugged.r

It was only natural to be merciless to one’s enemies.r

“T-that was only because you… you…” r

Charles appeared hesitant to speak. Of course, he would. No matter what he said, it didn’t change anything, and it only wasted time as his wife died.r_.

“Even if you were suspicious of me, you could have held off before your assault. But, since you were so confident of your victory, you became impatient and made the wrong call.” I remarked.r

“As a result, you made the poor woman attack me, leading to those injuries. Do you understand now?” r

My smile broadened as I witnessed the conflicting expression Charles had on his face.r

“That’s right… your wife is currently in this state because of your order… Should she die now, it’ll be on you. Not me.”r

Charles’ eyes bulged as he stared at me, wondering how I knew of the fact that she was married to him.r

Of course, it had only been a hunch, but his expression confirmed it.r

Now realizing the truth in what I said, coupled with his already unstable physical state and mental trauma, Charles gave in to my words.r

‘Arrogant men like him who end up being leaders are strong-willed. To break their spirit, one has to first render them incapable of fighting, place them in mentally straining conditions, and display overwhelming dominance.’ I mused.r

It also helped that he truly shared the blame, and was now suffering for it. r

“P-please save her…” He whispered.r

His barely audible voice reached me, but I wasn’t going to accept some half-assed statement.r

“What was that?” I asked, leaning closer to him so he could speak louder.r

He clenched his fist and trembled. Doing this must have been taking a huge strain on him and his pride.r

Still, if he stalled, it was his loss. It wasn’t like it was my wife who was bleeding out.r

“Please save her! I’ll do anything!” He said in a much louder and firmer tone.r

‘Now that’s more like it.’ I mused.r

“That’s perfect. Then, let’s get down to business. You’ll answer all my questions and tell me everything I want to know.” I stated my terms.r

“P-please take care of her first. At this rate, she won’t make it!”r

I nonchalantly glanced at the woman. Truly, it didn’t seem like she would last long at the current state of things.r

The average human bleeds out in about five minutes. Considering how much time had passed, it could be any moment from now.r

‘Since the daggers are still blocking the wound from gushing out blood, she should last a little longer, but It’s better not to take any chance.’r

In the first place, it wasn’t like I wanted the woman dead or anything. That would be troublesome.r

“<Recall>”r

Instantly, all my Core 2 daggers vanished, returning to [Subspace]. Before Tasha’s blood gushed out of the gaping holes all over her, I played my next card.r

“<Summon>” r

Instantly, Band-Aids appeared, all covering the spots that had been pierced. This provided a temporary solution to the problem, buying her more time to live.r

“That should do it… for now,” I said, turning back to Charles, who was amazed by my powers and how I had easily solved everything without even leaving my seat.r

“W-who are you…?! H-how can you be so strong…?” He mumbled.r

“You can fully see my Status Window, can’t you?” I asked.r

He gulped, nodding slowly, but still turning to look at his wife in concern.r

“I already said she’ll be fine, for now. So, you better focus on me and do everything I tell you to like a good boy. Or else…”r

Charles trembled as he saw a scary look come over my face.r

“… I’ll just remove those Band-Aids as easily as I retracted those Daggers, and we’ll both watch her bleed to death.”r

A brief moment of silence filled the already tense atmosphere.r

“Do we have an understanding?” I asked.r

Charles nodded obediently, just as I wanted.r

“Good. Now, let us begin.”r

I was going to know everything I possibly could. And who else was better to tell me, than the most powerful person in the Camp, as well as somebody who could see the information of everyone with his Gift.r

‘What a great find!’r

>Knock< >Knock< >Knock<r

The sudden banging on the door roused me from my delirious thoughts, also startling Charles.r

‘T-this presence!’ My eyes bulged.r

It was Ana, the person behind the door was Ana!r

Shit, I should have expected this. I was too caught up with more important matters that I neglected the less important one. r

“Charles, this is important. I need to see you!” Ana’s voice rang out.r

The situation was implicating. Blood was on the floor, and Tasha’s body remained on the ground. Plus, Charles was being held hostage while I took charge of the situation. In all fairness, things weren’t looking too good.r

Charles attempted to respond, but upon seeing my warning glare, he decided against it.r

“Make a sound, and I’ll kill her and your wife!” I mouthed without making a single sound.r

“I’m coming in!” Ana yelled impatiently, obviously upset that she was being ignored.r

‘Damnit! Not now, Ana!’ My mind rang.r

I had to do something… and fast!r