Rise Of The Hoarder

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I could hear the footsteps of a group approaching my room.r

It was morning already, and I knew it was only a matter of time before this happened.r

From the sounds and clutters of their feet, they were five in number, all moving in a careful, yet hurried manner.r

'So they're here already, uh?' I smiled broadly.r

Before long, the group reached my front door, and just as expected, I heard a knock.r

"Jeremy, it's me… Anabelle." r

I slowly displaced the grin I had and made sure everything was in order. Practicing my expression for the last time, I snickered within myself.r

'I might not even need it, though…'r

"Please come in," I responded calmly.r

Ana gave a relieved sigh and proceeded to open the door, revealing herself alongside four of her comrades.r

Seeing them up close now, only one thought came to mind. r

'They… They're tall!'r

Even Lily, whom I had thought to be a Loli, was at least my height. It was unfortunate, but it appeared I was indeed the smallest in the room, having the same height as the cute girl among their group.r

'So this is how things are… tch!'r

In any case, more important matters occupied my mind, and I proceeded to check out their information summary.r

[SYSTEM INFORMATION]r

Name: Peterr

Race: Humanr

Sex: Maler

Level: 18r

Alignment: Lawful Neutralr

[End Of Information]r

[SYSTEM INFORMATION]r

Name: Danielr

Race: Humanr

Sex: Maler

Level: 16r

Alignment: Neutralr

[End Of Information]r

[SYSTEM INFORMATION]r

Name: Larryr

Race: Humanr

Sex: Maler

Level: 16r

Alignment: Neutral (Neutral Evil)r

[End Of Information]r

[SYSTEM INFORMATION]r

Name: Lilyr

Race: Humanr

Sex: Femaler

Level: 12r

Alignment: Neutral Goodr

[End Of Information]r

As expected, Lily's level was the lowest. She did seem like the least experienced member. Plus, none of the group member's Levels held a candle to Ana's. It was no wonder they respected and trusted her so much, despite her naïve personality.r

However, the most intriguing thing that caught my eye was the Alignment of one of the group members.r

'Larry has a Neutral Alignment. Yet… what's this I'm seeing?'r

In a bracket beside the 'Neutral' alignment, there was another Alignment entirely. Larry was… 'Neutral Evil'!r

'So that's how he is… This guy is a faker.' My mind rang.r

A faker, one who hides his true Alignment through a Gift or Skill, causing anyone around him to see something other than what he truly is.r

Of course, whatever trick he used wouldn't work on me since I was 50 Levels higher than him, however, seeing this made me even more cautious. r

'Just as I thought… I can't trust anyone!'r

Even though the guy, Larry, had such a dangerous Alignment, everyone around him was fooled. He had even been chosen to be among the expedition team, a sensitive role in a camp. Which meant that none of the Camp members had a level high enough to truly discern him.r

Well, he didn't pose any threat to me anyway, so it wasn't in my place to take care of their mess.r

"So this is him… Jeremy?" Peter mumbled, stroking his chin as he observed me.r

His actions creeped me out, as he appeared to be dissecting me with his eyes.r

"Oh, shut up. Go ahead, introduce yourselves." Ana elbowed Peter, causing him to yelp slightly.r

Rubbing his side a little, the four eyes told me his name with a pained smile.r

'It appears that despite his earlier behavior and how he speaks, he's actually sorta a good guy.' I mused.r

As expected of someone with the Lawful Neutral Alignment. He also had the highest level, after Ana.r

'Quite the reliable guy, uh? I wonder what his Gift and Skills are.'r

The remaining group members took turns in introducing themselves, though their words were useless to me. I had already gotten whatever information I could by checking their Status Introduction. Plus, everything they were saying was ultimately a pretext to the bad news.r

They weren't going to take me with them.r

"U-um… I'm Lily… Nice to meet you…" Lily mumbled, smiling shyly at me.r

'A-ahhh… Kawaii!' I slipped into my usual Japanese reaction at the sight of her display of cuteness.r

Ah, it would be a waste to kill such a girl, but such would be her fate if this group failed to comply with my wishes.r

Well, I had not lost hope entirely. After all… there was plan B. If they didn't bite after this, then they would be fools… and would soon be dead.r

"My name is Jeremy. It's nice to meet you. I met Ana yesterday, and I'm happy to be able to meet more of her companions." I spoke calmly, pretending as though I had been practicing the lines all night.r

The group smiled at me, though I could see Daniel display a guilty look on his face since he knew they were going to turn me down. However, before that happened I had to make my move.r

"So, Ana… I did some thinking last night, and I thought of something!" r

Anabelle looked stunned a little, her eyes broadening in curiosity.r

"O-oh, really?" She blurted out. r

I could tell from the fidgeting of everyone present, that they were in somewhat of a hurry. They wanted to get things over with and leave for the camp. Plus, staying with me any longer would only increase their feeling of guilt, something every human avoided.r

However, I wasn't going to let them slip away from my grasp so easily.r

'It's showtime!'r

"I know your group must not have gotten anything since my savior took all the useful things in this area. S-so… As an apology for that, and also as a contribution from my end, please take anything you deem useful from this base!"r

The entire group was astonished by my statement. I could see the eyes and heads of everyone turning in every direction that they could, and they could definitely see many things I had that could count as 'useful' to their camps. r

'Yes… now what do you say, retards? Change your mind yet?' A mischievous gleam appeared in my eyes.r