Rise Of The Hoarder

We continued our journey, moving in our usual formation. Ana was usually behind, keeping a keen eye on me, while Lily was at the forefront, supported by Peter, as she watched out for monsters.

The rest took care of our flanks, making sure it was a well-balanced, airtight defense. I often felt Lily’s gaze upon me, both of curiosity and slight jealousy.

It would seem that she also wanted to be pampered by Ana, how cute.

‘You can have her for all I care… it’s not like I like having this overbearing woman around me’ I wailed within.

We encountered a few more Hobgoblins, though not at the same time, and the group expertly handled them as they did the previous one.

We also took pauses, due to the limitation of Daniel’s Gift, as well as the physical limits of everyone who journeyed.

Well, everyone but me.

Still, I had to act the part, so after calculating how long it took for their stamina to wear out, I sometimes took the initiative to ask for a break before they were completely tired, so I wouldn’t appear suspicious.

‘They’re supposed to be higher than me in Levels, after all…’

It took the whole day, and at a point, I began to wonder how much further it would take. Ana kept encouraging me that we were nearly there, what a lying bitch she was.

“Huu… finally we’re almost there!” She muttered once again._.

I felt like driving my fists into her guts for trying to deceive me, but a sudden thought sparked in my head.

Spreading my senses, which I had retracted due to the uselessness of it amid the group, I went ahead of the team and checked what was present within my range.

Surprisingly, I heard a few whispers, sounds made by humans. I opened my eyes with excitement, appearing slightly pleased by the development.

It would seem Ana wasn’t lying this time.

“Oh, you look relieved. You should be, Jeremy. This journey must have been hard on you, but you did well enduring it so far.” Ana smiled at me, patting me on my shoulder like a big sister.

‘I’m not into that sorta thing, so get your hands off of me!’ I cringed.

Peter glanced in my direction, causing me to quickly change the expression I made.

“Well done, kid. You’ll soon be able to take a breather.” He smiled as well.

The remaining members of the group also smiled in relief, as though finally seeing a place of rest, an abode of peace.

The bright feeling that seemed to permeate everyone nearly sickened me.

‘Idiots. The existence of Camps is just another tragedy in the Apocalypse.’

Of course, it was a safe haven for the weak. Many people preferred the notion of collectivity in such dire situations.

However, such concepts only shackled the strong, and those with potential for growth.

Being encumbered with responsibilities of retrieving resources that you would share, and protecting the lives of weaklings… wasn’t that just madness?!

Looking at the expedition group I was in, they were very capable by normal standards. If they decided to split off from the Camp, they would have better chances of survival and live a fairly more comfortable life.

‘Instead, they’ll have to share all their spoils with the hundreds that will be awaiting them, receiving nothing but peanuts and commendations for risking their lives… pathetic!’

Still, it wasn’t in my place to say. They had their thing going for them, and I had mine.

And so, we pressed on, nearing the Camp and smiling gleefully in anticipation for what would come.

Though my source of joy was most definitely different from theirs.

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

Bright lights illuminated everywhere.

Vast colors, bright and beautiful, like rainbows and the glimmering stars that painted the night in multiple colors, the entire area was filled with them.

If words were to be used to describe such a place, it would be like the aurora borealis, except more radiant and beautiful, the very epitome of perfection.

In this vast expanse of a realm beyond space and time, massive figures shrouded in white light levitated in the air, if it could be called that.

It was an assembly, where beings who had the same appearance gathered. There were no seats, no podium, no lectern, just the seemingly infinite number of white beings that floated in an orderly circle.

In their midst was a single entity, one of the white beings. Kneeling in the center, though still levitating, the bright being’s head was bowed.

The other beings who floated all looked in his direction, uttering nothing. It was unclear whether they were upset or overjoyed, since their entire bodies were shrouded in glimmering white.

“Supreme Being, Sector A-67… this Convergence is focused on your irresponsible actions.” One of the white figures finally spoke.

“The Order has deemed it fit for you to give an explanation concerning the events occurring within your sector.” Another stated.

“Are you aware of the queries we have?” Yet another retorted.

The white being in the middle finally raised his head, looking around him and seeing multiple countless existences such as himself.

“I am.”

Upon stating this, he fell silent once again, awaiting the next statement to be made.

“Do you possess a reasonable explanation? If you do, you may state your case.”

The white being said nothing, but continued in his kneeling posture.

“In case you need a reminder, we shall be willing to gloss over the facts.” A white being stated.

Then suddenly, an intense pressure filled the air, causing tremors within the plane.

Suddenly, a panel appeared before them, and in that panel, a person was seen.

It wasn’t one of the beings, no, it was… a human!

“Do you recognize this human, Supreme Being, Sector A-67?” They all said in unison, causing a boom of sound to spread across the vast plane.

The white being, though his expression couldn’t be seen, gave a brief smile.

Yes, he was definitely smiling.

“I beg your pardon, but that human is not restricted only to my sector. Our Sectors are parallel, and this person you show me must exist in others as well.”

The white beings nodded their heads in agreement.

“Correct. However, this was taken from your sector. Therefore, answer the question, Supreme Being, A-67.”

The kneeling one couldn’t deny his knowledge of the human, since he was the God responsible for his world anyway.

“I do.” He answered.

“And could you tell the order of the identity of this human?” They questioned.

They were omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient… but only in their sector. Ultimately, the truth could only be spoken by and heard from the one who was in their center.

“His name is Jeremy Lewis… and he’s a Gifted.”