Rise Of The Hoarder

Peter, Lily, Larry, and Daniel arrived not long after my conversation with Ana ended, saving both of us from the awkwardness within the room.r

For breakfast, we took stone-hard bread, with watered-down milk. It felt like torture for my mouth to chew the hard substance and make it soft enough to go down my throat. As for the milk, I couldn't even taste anything creamy within it.r

'It's like white-colored water!' I nearly gagged.r

I wondered how they were able to get milk, though, since they had no way of preserving it.r

'Maybe they used Peter's ice ability?' I reasoned.r

When I asked about it, the answer was entirely different. Apparently, the Camp used powdered milk, and not evaporated ones, allowing them to preserve it well.r

'Still, I wish I could exchange this for the milk I have in [Subspace].r

Since I couldn't act like I didn't appreciate the meal, I endured the breakfast and as soon as it was over, I beckoned to Ana to take me to Charles.r

"We'll be back soon." She told the others as we exited.r

Ana brought me to the Camp Leader's office and briefly relayed my answer to him. Charles nodded and told her to leave the both of us since it was the will of the Masked Man to have only the top leader hear whatever I wanted to say.r

She obeyed and went back to the room. I confirmed her fading footsteps with my heightened senses, as well as the fact that only Charles was alone in the room.r

"You didn't bug this room, did you?" I asked, moving to sit on the chair before his desk.r

"You're quite cautious." He commented.r

"Just answer the question." I snapped, clearly not in the mood for small talk.r

The breakfast I ate not long ago put me in a terrible mood.r

"No, there'll be no point in upsetting you at this point." r

Hearing Charles' answer to my question, I decided to take his word for it and had my seat.r

"Well then, let's get straight to the point…"r

I summoned a bottle of cool milk from [Subspace] and opened it while speaking.r

"… What do you want?"r

Gulping down the refreshing liquid, I savored the creamy taste and moaned in ecstasy.r

'Ahh, that's more like it!' My mind screamed in pleasure.r

Charles stared at me, dumbfounded by the act I just displayed in front of him. He waited patiently until I was done with my first bottle, but the instant I finished it and returned it to [Subspace], I pulled another one out and opened it.r

Noticing his stunned expression, I sighed.r

"There's no need to look so surprised. You already know about my [Subspace] ability, as well as my identity as the masked man. This much shouldn't shock you." r

After saying this, I gulped the milky contents of the second bottle, waiting for him to begin whatever he wanted to say.r

"I assume the excuse you gave Ana was simply so you could have another private discussion with me without raising any suspicion," Charles stated.r

I nodded, still gulping down the milky goodness I enjoyed.r

"T-then… does that mean you're willing to help us?" Charles asked, clearing his throat as he licked his lips.r

Obviously, the sight of someone taking such quality milk in your presence was enough to make anyone parched. r

"You want one?" I asked, deviating from the original discourse.r

My mood became better after taking two bottles of milk. r

Charles expressed surprise at my offer, appearing unsure on whether or not to accept the gesture.r

"Never mind then. More for me-"r

"I want one." He quickly said.r

A grin formed on my face, while he appeared uncomfortable. His ego was hurt by this, but refusing to partake in a once-in-a-lifetime privilege such as this was just foolishness.r

I summoned one bottle of milk for Charles, letting it appear on his desk, right before him.r

I also summoned one extra bottle for myself and drank it to my heart's content.r

Charles was a little skeptical, but after convincing himself that his actions weren't wrong, he opened the bottle and began drinking.r

"Good choice. Now, let me begin…" I smiled while he drank the milk hungrily.r

Apparently, I wasn't the only one who considered the food of the Camp to be trash.r

"I haven't decided to help you guys… yet. If you need my assistance, you'll need to accept my demands." r

Upon hearing this, Charles quickly stopped drinking, so as to prevent himself from choking on it.r

His eyes narrowed to focus on me while he licked his lips to savor the remaining milk on them.r

"And what would those demands be?" r

"Nothing much. I just want to be involved in formulating the strategy concerning the subjugation of the coming Horde." I said.r

Charles sighed upon hearing this.r

"We're not even certain that there's a Horde to Subjugate. A few scout parties have been sent, but no evidence has pointed to there being more of them-" Charles rambled, trying to dismiss the possibility of what we both knew to be true.r

"Please, Charles. You shouldn't behave stupidly in front of me. I'm enough evidence when it comes to a Horde, and you should take my word for it when I say that it exists." r

Charles widened his eyes upon hearing this.r

"You mean, you've actually-"r

"Yes. I've encountered a Horde before. I've also successfully subjugated every one of the monsters, including the Boss." I replied.r

This meant the Camp needed me, and not just for my resources, but also for my expertise when it comes to handling the multitude of Demons that would come for them.r

"I-I see… so, what exactly would you benefit from taking charge of our plans? It would still mean that you're indirectly helping us." Charles stated, eyeing me suspiciously.r

'This guy… he's so untrusting. Why can't he just imagine that I could actually be benevolent enough to be selfless once in a while?' I mused.r

He wasn't wrong to distrust me, though.r

"That's my business. I have my agenda, but it involves you guys still existing. You could say that, it would be in my best interest that you all lived. Last I checked, it's in your best interest that you live as well." r

Charles couldn't argue with me, plus, the cold milk he was enjoying was getting warm.r

Sighing in defeat, he drank more of the drink in his hand and nodded.r

"So what's your plan concerning the Horde?"r