Rise Of The Hoarder

"It's fine. You should all get some rest. Later tomorrow, we'll be having a meeting involving all the team members." Charles said.r

He decided to cease his worries and focus on the issue at hand instead.r

"We'll be discussing many issues, so it might take a while, and I'll make sure the sudden appearance of those Hobs is investigated as well. You may all leave."r

"Alright. That sounds neat. Thanks, Charles." Daniel smiled, waving at the leader casually as he turned to leave.r

The Group members knew not to linger around the office too long as they scurried out before Charles changed his mind and gave them a penalty.r

On their way out, they whispered among themselves;r

"Isn't it strange that we didn't even hear a word of complaint from him?"r

"Maybe Anabelle's group brought way more resources so the quota was met."r

"Their group? They're only a team of five, who even has an inexperienced member. Do you really think they outdid us?" r

"Well, they did manage to bring an Ogre's core. Maybe they hit the jackpot!"r

"Oh, shii! That's so true."r

"Lucky them!"r

"Ah, I wish I could learn a Skill from that core. I'm sure it'll be OP as fvck!"r

"Yeah, yeah. Dream on!"r

As their hushed voices became fainter, indicating they had traveled a distance out of his range of hearing, Charles sighed, shaking his head in the process.r

Ana's team, though very small in number, were elite Gifteds. Their efficiency and coordination were top class, yet the fools in Daniel's team underestimated them.r

'They are right though… if not for Ana's team, no… that mysterious man… we would be talking about something else entirely'r

"Something on your mind, dear?" Charles' vice leader asked him as she sat in the chair beside him.r

Everyone had gone, so she was free to.r

"I'm just thinking, Tasha… how everything so far has somehow played out favorably. Though it's only a matter of time. We need to act quickly." Charles sighed, looking in her direction.r

Tasha's stoic face morphed into a soft and understanding smile.r

"It's fine, dear. I'm sure it'll be fine. After all, this Camp has you." r

Charles smiled. It was just like his wife to support him even at times like this, telling him what he needed to hear. However, he was afraid of the current situation.r

Even he might not be enough to resolve all the problems the Camp was facing.r

'And I'm surrounded by nincompoops who can't even use their heads, relying on me for nearly all mental tasks.' Charles screamed internally.r

If it hadn't been for Tasha's constant support and obedience to his orders, he would have collapsed a long time ago. Still, there was a silver lining, one he had not seen coming.r

"That masked man… he's quite interesting…"r

Tasha looked at her husband with a supportive smile. The scheming look he had in his eyes indicated that he was cooking up something in his mind.r

"All of this connects to that one kid. Jeremy… I wonder how much use he can be to us…"r

He would soon find out after talking to the brat. If everything went well, then Jeremy might even possess the key to getting out of their situation.r

'And I'm sure he'll gladly do anything he can to save his new family… Excellent! It looks like I have another useful pawn!'r

It will be until hours after he made this thought, that Charles would realize that he was merely making clouds in the sky.r

Jeremy was never the pawn… it was the other way around.

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

"That fool Charles… who does he think he is? Making a fool out of me like that! I'll show him!" Melissa gritted her teeth as she walked through the hallway.r

Of course, she was headed nowhere else but Anabelle's team residence. Even though she had acted so high and mighty, the Ogre skill was too tempting to pass up.r

'Shit! I can't believe I have to do this. Even Daniel couldn't say anything. That idiot!'r

Descending the stairs, she reached the right floor and proceeded to walk through the hallway until she reached the room of her destination.r

"I just have to play nice for a little while. Once I get that skill, I'll show everyone who's boss!" r

Finally arriving at the room entrance, Melissa knocked on the door, but even before she got a response, she opened it.r

As a general rule of the Camp, no doors were to be locked, even during the night. In exchange, security was guaranteed and no one was allowed to trespass into another person's room, except of course those permitted to.r

'I have enough qualifications, plus permission from Charles!' Melissa grinned slyly as she opened the door, stepping into Ana's premises, or rather, the whole team's residence.r

The girl's eyes bulged in surprise to meet no one currently in the room, except for a single boy. He sat at the close end of the room on the mattress, a book in hand as he appeared to be reading.r

'I don't recognize him… who the hell is he? Where are Anabelle and the others? Did I get the wrong room?'r

No, there was no way to mistake it. This was the right place. She could understand if Anabelle's team weren't present in their room, since there were other places they could be in. However… Melissa couldn't overlook the stranger she had just seen.r

"Oi, who are you?!" Her loud voice suddenly echoed throughout the room.r

The boy, whose head was bent downward since he was fixated on his book, suddenly flinched upon hearing her voice.r

Melissa couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity emanate from the boy, like she knew him from somewhere. She walked further into the room, moving in his direction.r

"U-Uh… I…" The boy stuttered, still putting his head downward.r

'That voice! I've definitely heard it before. This guy… could he be…?!' Melissa's thoughts rang.r

Millions of memories flashed in her head, feeling a sense of nostalgia. She wasn't certain yet, but… there was only one person she knew who gave off such a pathetic impression, had such a small frame, and had a voice like that.r

It was none other than-r