Rise Of The Hoarder

'Ahh, so humiliating!' My mind rang, hearing the cringey voice that I hadn't used in ages.r

Before the Apocalypse, when I was still the loser I was, it was a voice I used very often.r

To seem subservient and harmless, I adopted an identity that made everyone dismiss me as a lamb that was of no worth. I thought doing so would make sure that people would not notice me or bother with my existence.r

Of course, it eventually backfired on me, as even those younger than me took me for a pushover and used me to their pleasure.r

Eventually, the very misery I avoided came at me in its full brunt, and I suffered dearly for that error.r

But… unlike then, this was different.r

Since the person I was currently dealing with was a goody goody who couldn't help but cater to weaklings. To appeal more to her kind nature, resorting to this was nothing short of a perfect strategy.r

'Still… urgh, I feel like gagging!'r

"Ow… Ah…" Ana moaned, feeling sore all over as she turned her body which was covered in the green slime I summoned.r

The energy on her hand flickered, buzzing incessantly as she removed it from the hole she made in the concrete. Finally, the red light died out.r

Her eyes slowly darted in my direction in surprise as she struggled to look up due to the pain her body was undergoing, and the exhaustion that was most likely coursing through her being.r

"A… person…?" She mumbled.r

Her eyes appeared to be trying to discern whether I was real. For a brief moment, our eyes locked on each other, waiting for the first person to say something.r

"U-um… are you okay?" I decided to take the initiative and break the silence.r

As soon as I did, she snapped out of whatever daze she was in and realized what she had just done.r

"A-Ah! I'm so sorry for mistaking you for a Demon and nearly killing you!" She burst out, then wincing in pain for exerting herself in apologizing.r

"Ah. It's fine… I'm alright…" I managed to let out, flustered by her sudden apology.r

That was the first time I had heard someone tell me they were sorry for something as petty as an accident. r

An emotion I wasn't accustomed to slightly flickered within me, but quickly died out before I paid it much mind.r

'It's a good thing she's feeling guilty toward me. That will make her easier to manipulate!' A dark thought manifested within me.r

Stretching my hands toward her, I offered to help the woman up on her feet. She smiled with relief and gratefully took my hand. While she weighed next to nothing, and I got no resistance from the pull, I still pretended to struggle in lifting her in order to maintain my weakling act.r

"Urhh… Ah!" I made groaning sounds, stiffening my muscles and made a very good show until Ana finally found her footing.r

"T-thank you… um…" She muttered awkwardly.r

The shock of another human being in the building must have still been playing on her mind. Her expression showed that she was contemplating asking me something.r

"Who are yo-" r

"Y-you don't look so good. Come with me. Let me take you somewhere to rest first!" I snapped, taking the initiative from her.r

She realized the truth hidden in my words instantly, but for some reason appeared hesitant to indulge in my suggestion.r

'If we're going to talk, it'll be on my terms!' I grinned internally.r

I knew she had a lot going on for her. The fact that she still had her group members in the other building, her worry for supplies, and her curiosity concerning me. However, I needed Ana to make a snappy decision so as to influence her more in my favor.r

"It's getting late. That sound you made just now could attract actual Demons. It's not safe here!" I added.r

Immediately she heard this, the hair on her skin stood, and I could smell fear and anxiety emanating from her. If a Demon was to attack at this very moment, she was definitely not going to stand a chance. r

She must have also sized me up, realizing I was no good in combat due to my demeanor. That meant that the only reasonable option was to come along with me.r

"Y-yes… you're right." She said, still stunned as she looked at me.r

"A-alright. Let's go. Follow me!" I whispered.r

Ignoring the slime on her body, and bearing the pain she felt, Ana obeyed and walked behind me as we climbed the stairs to a higher floor.r

Even while I walked in front of her, I could clearly feel her gaze upon me. Having higher sensory abilities could be scary at times. It wasn't that she exhibited bloodlust in any way, but her careful and analytical eyes made me feel uncomfortable.r

Of course, I was more concerned with my plan and how to exploit Ana and the rest of her group members in my favor. However… something about her bothered me.r

'Why does she keep looking down when staring at me? I know I'm short, but…' I wailed internally.r

Due to the period I spent without human interaction, the immeasurable time within the Sacred Hall, and even a while on my own when I returned, I had forgotten the concept of heights to a degree.r

'Even Paul was only a little taller than me…' r

Yet, here I was, forced to swallow the harsh reality of this world. Combining the peculiar, innocent way I spoke with my height, it wouldn't be a far cry to assume that I was in my early adolescence.r

"Tch" I silently clicked my tongue as we kept advancing, nearing what I had prepared to be my base prior to her arrival.r

A few moments later, I showed her into an apartment I had retrofitted into a base.r

Of course, it wasn't something extra special. Just a place with a surprisingly large sitting room, where I kept a lot of things so they would appear as though I used the home often.r

'… And so it begins!'r