Rise Of The Hoarder

"Jeremy, what exactly did you do to them?" r

Charles' voice was trembled in seething rage, and his expression wasn't the best either. His question made me startled for a second.r

"What do you mean?" I asked.r

"Don't take me for an idiot!" The annoyed Camp Leader banged his hands on his desk, rising to his feet.r

I shot him a glare, not appreciating the attitude he was displaying. He was a little shaken by it, but his fear was diminished by the anger swirling within him.r

"Did you think I wouldn't notice? My Gift allows me to see the Status Information of everyone, or did you forget?" He burst out, still raising his voice in anger.r

"What's your point?" I asked flatly.r

"You did something to them, didn't you? The Camp Members. All their Intelligence Stats were less than usual. Stats don't just vanish into thin air, so it had to be caused by something… or someone." His eyes narrowed as he eyed me with disgust.r

I was impressed, to say the least. It was one thing to be able to see the Status Information of his targets, but the fact that he memorized the Stats of his Camp members, enough to tell that the number had reduced… that was absolutely stunning.r

'He was better than I gave him credit for.' My mind rang.r

"And? Why are you so confident that I'm the culprit?" I asked with a smile.r

"Can you prove it?"r

He gritted his teeth upon hearing this. r

"Don't play that card with me, Jeremy. I assume that <Steal> Skill of yours isn't for decoration. Plus, everything played out exactly as you wanted, didn't it? This was what you wanted from the very start!" r

Charles' composure was lost. He was genuinely upset by my actions.r

"I also questioned all the Scouts who knew of the matter on whether or not they leaked the news. They all denied it. I can tell when someone is lying, you know…" r

'Welp, I guess the jig is up!'r

Charles could easily tell if I was lying or not, so it was pointless playing dumb.r

"Yeah. You're right. I instigated the whole thing." I admitted, sighing.r

"It was the best call, Charles. I did it for the sake of the Camp."r

"Don't mess with me! You did it for yourself! For your selfish ambitions, whatever they are!." Charles barked in response.r

He wasn't listening to reason since anger had clouded his mind. Due to the situation I created, he couldn't act in any other way than what I intended, meaning I used him as a pawn.r

'His ego won't allow that!'r

"I refuse to be your toy anymore. The deal is over!" He barked.r

Now he was just being unreasonable.r

"You're joking, right? Without me, you won't be able to-"r

"We'll take our chances. I still have my pride as a man, I won't let some kid rule over me. Besides, after this Horde is dealt with, I'm certain you'll use another thing to keep a leash on everyone here. I'm tired of your antics. This agreement is over!" r

Charles was allowing his emotions to rule over him. He failed to see the benefits of my actions. Plus, there was a misconception he was having that I needed to correct.r

"Charles, who do you think you're talking to?" I deepened my tone while staring intensely at him.r

"Have you forgotten that I still have your wife hostage? Did you also forget the safety of your child and everything you've worked so hard to build? I would advise you to mind your tone."r

I was certain he perceived me to be a child, but my Intelligence Stat made me way more mature and pragmatic than any adult around. Plus, counting my experience in the Sacred Hall, his assessment of me was wrong.r

"You think that's enough now?" Charles asked, his glare deepened.r

This reaction surprised me.r

"I know you won't kill them, or me. You said so yourself. You need us for something, don't you?" He added.r

He wasn't wrong, but I didn't expect him to turn things around like this. It appeared his anger wasn't merely blind. He was sick of being controlled and was willing to take a gamble. r

"Do you realize what you're doing? You're defying me right now. It could cost you-"r

"If I keep playing by your rules, I might as well end up dead anyway. No more!" Charles interrupted me.r

It appeared my actions had caused the relationship between me and a useful pawn to sour. It was my mistake. Next time, I will be a little more subtle in my approach.r

"Fine then. What do you want? An apology?" I smiled, shrugging off his rude remarks.r

"Give me back my wife." He demanded brazenly.r

"What?!" I responded, not because I didn't hear him, but because I did.r

'This man's audacity seems to be getting bigger.'r

"I want Tasha back. Return her to me and we'll cooperate." He said with a determined look.r

I could sense his unease. Clearly, he wasn't entirely sure of what choice I would make. If I decided to refuse and he proved to be stubborn, I could easily kill him and take over the affairs of the Camp directly. r

I could also decide to have someone take the fall and ensure someone like Ana or Daniel became the acting leader for the Subjugation team and the Camp as a whole.r

'No, that's too bothersome. There's still so much that I need to do. I would like to avoid that route…' I thought to myself.r

Besides, there's another reason as to why I've avoided killing anyone so far. It wasn't just due to the kindness of my heart.r

"If I give her to you, I lose my leverage. Do you think I'll allow that?!" I asked, eyeing him suspiciously.r

"As much as it pains me to admit it, the Camp still needs you. Your resources and power are needed to survive the coming days. There's no way I would betray you as long as that fact remains." Charles replied nearly immediately, as though expecting that response of mine.r

A smile formed on my face.r

'Do you realize what you're saying, Charles? This impliedly means that as soon as this Camp is stable and safe from any threat, you won't hesitate to betray me.' r

Unfortunately, those silly ideas in his head would evaporate soon. One thing had become clear in this little exchange of ours.r

Charles had become my enemy! r