Rise Of The Hoarder

“Let’s stop fighting.” Larry suddenly said, rising from where he crashed.r

He had a few bruises from the impact, but they were nothing spectacular. r

“Why don’t you hear me out?”r

Judging from his countenance, Larry was pretty confident of whatever he was about to say. Curiosity began welling up within me, but I also knew I didn’t have a lot of time to spend.r

“What makes you think I’ll want to listen?” I asked, rolling my eyes.r

For all I know, he could just be trying to stall until the Cool down time of his Skills have passed, or he might be looking for an alternative way to escape. After our brief clash, it was obvious to everyone who the superior one was.r

“Larry, just kill him!”r

“There’s no use reasoning with someone like that!”r

“He’s a monster! Please don’t go easy on him.”r_.

Apparently, not everyone watched the match closely. To them, did it seem like Larry was holding back in his fight against me?r

‘I take it back. It wasn’t obvious to everyone!’r

“Will you losers just quiet down?! I don’t remember you being useful in any way, so just sit and watch!” He responded harshly to the clamoring crowd.r

This made them whimper and shrink back. Their eyes were now filled with shock that the kind-hearted and warm Larry was now being so mean.r

‘Perhaps it was due to the pressure of battle.’ With this thought they tried to be understanding… at least that was what I picked up from their little interactions.r

“You’re already showing your true colors to the people you’re trying to fool, Larry. How long do you think they’ll be able to trust you if you keep acting like that?” I asked, smiling at Larry’s devious face.r

He shrugged slightly.r

“What other choice do they have? Where else will they go?”r

Well, that was an apt response. The deserters were currently stuck with Larry, whether they liked it or not. r

“Still, from your words, I can assume you already know about my true Alignment. No, since you’re a High-Leveled one, you must have already known since the first day we met.” Larry remarked.r

I gave a poker face in response. I wanted to know exactly how he deciphered that. There was only one reasonable answer, and that would be-r

“If you’re wondering how I came to that conclusion, it’s because I know another one of your kind. He’s also a High-Leveled Gifted. He’s the leader of my true Camp!”r

‘I knew it!’ My mind rang.r

However, this posed a serious problem indeed. I didn’t know that there was someone else who would farm Demons at such a crazy pace when the Apocalypse just started. It was premature to assume that I was the only one who had achieved a high level, but I only thought so on reasonable grounds.r

‘To think there was someone else who-‘r

Suddenly, I ceased my thoughts since I realized something. It was possible to attain a high level without having to hunt Demons. That had to be the reason. And judging from Larry’s alignment, and the information Charles had obtained about his Camp, it all came down to one thing.r

“Your leader… he’s High-Leveled, uh?”r

Larry looked pleased, happy that I was gaining interest. He was wrong, though. r

“How many people did he have to kill to reach such a level?” I smiled malevolently at Larry, causing him to shiver a little in shock.r

“Y-you know about that? How unexpected. Does that mean you’re also-” Larry’s smile deepened.r

‘The fool must be thinking I had an Evil Alignment.’r

“Who knows, maybe that’s the case. Although, It doesn’t matter… since I’ll be taking care of you all soon.” I grinned, stepping forward a little.r

Upon realizing that even his life was in danger because of the EXP I would gain from killing him, Larry appeared to be thinking of a way to changing tactics.r

“L-lets not be in a rush here, Jeremy. Why don’t we come to an agreement?” He offered, trying to keep his cool.r

“What’s your offer?” I asked flatly, refusing to halt my slow approach.r

“You should know that these useless people behind me have their uses, right? That’s why I brought them from the Camp. If you cooperate, I’ll let you have your share of them!” He offered.r

‘Is this guy retarded or what? I believe his brain must be fried.’ My thoughts trailed.r

“If I wanted them, I could just take them without sharing with you. How does your offer benefit me.” I said.r

At this point, the impatient members of the crowd started talking among themselves, whispering violently. They had been listening in to our conversation, without understanding most of it. However, upon hearing Larry’s last statement, their suspicion of him rose and they were now worried about their fates.r

“I have information, you know? And resources! I don’t know why you intentionally integrated yourself with our Party and joined the Camp, but it must have been for information and resources too, right? You were hoping to plunder their resources and take the EXP of the Camp members, right?!” Larry was now babbling on faster, since I was getting closer by the second.r

I shrugged. His crude thoughts were not in line with my agenda. Comparing the Camp’s resources to mine, I had way more than them both in quality and quantity. There was no way their supplies tempted me.r

As for the EXP of the Camp Members, if I wanted them, I wouldn’t have taken the peaceful and conniving route. I could have just easily slaughtered them and plundered their goods.r

“EXP isn’t everything in this world. Levels only affect basic Stats. In this new world, you have to rely on more than that if you want to survive.” I answered.r

Besides, if I killed them, my Alignment would shift from Neutral to Evil, and that was something I couldn’t afford to do now. After all…r

“T-then why? Why did you join them and share the resources of your base with the Camp? For someone like you, there’s no merit!” Larry cried.r

He was perplexed. The confused man was trying to figure out what it could be that I desired, so he could strike a deal with me. Unfortunately, there was nothing of interest he could offer me.r

“That’s none of your business. You can’t give me anything of value, anyway.” I answered.r

Information. Power. Resources. I had more than he could fathom. r

“I have to say, I was a little interested in what you had to offer since you were quite confident earlier. However, this is kind of… disappointing, It appears I overestimated you.” I smiled, standing directly in front of Larry.r

‘It’s the end of the line!’r