Rise Of The Hoarder
Chapter 173 Ana’s Return (Pt 1)

Lara and I talked for a little longer, spending over an hour together— meals included.

“Alright, let’s stop here for today.”

I had gotten enough information about her to satiate my present curiosity. The best way to utilize someone like her would be to fully exploit the [Shapeshifting] Gift she possessed.

Of course, I told her my intentions and she had no objections. She had to earn her keep, after all.

“You need to get strong, though… stronger than you currently are!”

I had no use for weaklings. Her Gift would only make for better utility if she was considerably strong.

My plan was to incorporate her into the surviving members of the Subjugation Team and fatten them up together. The strategy was efficient, however, one problem was evident in it.

“I ditched the camp alongside the others, right? How would you be able to bring me back into the fold?” She asked._.

My grin stretched wider. I had already anticipated this issue.

According to Lara’s earlier explanation, she was already aware— to an extent, of Larry’s plans. The sly woman didn’t trust him for a moment. The only reason she decided to abandon Charles’ Camp was that she wanted to avoid combat.

She intended to shapeshift into a bug or something when everyone’s guard was down and disappear. She would trail Larry and the other deserters to the new Camp. After that, it would only be a matter of time for someone with her wits to replace a way to survive— depending on the circumstances.

It wasn’t a bad plan, unfortunately, the whole thing was thwarted by me.

“I know that I can’t avoid combat now…” Her voice had trailed after telling me her initial goal.

She was right. If she intended on being dead weight, I would kill her off. There was already a fine example of that in my record, though it was a memory I would rather leave behind.

“There’s no need to worry about that,” I replied to her concern about my plan on integrating her with the surviving camp members in,[Subspace]

For one, the one known as Jeremy was already dead. I was known as the masked hero to the Camp members— the Subjugation Squad all feared and respected me. It would be a cinch to bring Lara to the table… especially if she had a considerably high level.

“Before I introduce you to them, I’m going to have you Level Up a bit.” I decided.

At the moment, while she was strong based on the Camp’s standard, I needed more. The strong and weak both respected the strong. If Lara had considerable strength, no one would even dare to harbor any trace of suspicion or blame toward her.

‘Even if I endorse her using my masked man persona, it’ll be better if she’s a force to be reckoned with…’

Using this logic, I decided to groom her a little.

‘I have so many Demons within my special space… might as well put some of them to work.’

I was looking forward to this— Lara’s evolution!

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

“Haa… we’re finally back.” Ana smiled satisfactorily.

Her smile was weary, her eyes tired. However, she remained strong in her resolute expression.

Standing behind her were the remaining members of her expedition squad. Peter, Daniel, and Lily all looked equally tired. It had been a grueling task for them to have made it so far in such a short while.

‘Usually, we would be reaching the Camp in the evening…’ Her thoughts trailed.

They were early by a couple of hours. This was due to the hurry everyone had been in. The group wanted to arrive soon so they could join the rest at the battlefront.

Even though their numbers were few, it would still make a big difference since Ana’s squad was elite.

That was the general reason for their rush, but there was one more that Ana had in mind. It was something everyone also thought of, but she was the most concerned about the deep-seated issue that burdened her heart.

“Jeremy… I hope he’s fine.”

The guard stationed atop the verandah saw Ana’s team and called another to help him open the gates.

The two turned the lever, straining as they worked themselves to the bone in order to lift the heavy metal gate.

Sounds of creaking metal and grinding iron reverberated around as Ana and the others hurriedly entered the building. Taking note of this, Ana could deduce what was happening. A great deal of the Camp members either went to subjugate the horde, or left.

The Camp was shorthanded as a result. Only those who were working on the borehole/planting project were left, as well as a lookout officer who would often switch with those who engaged in hard work at intervals.

Anyone in the scout position did nearly nothing, so the pst was considered as a ‘break’ for those who took the shift and rotated it among themselves.

As Ana ventured into the place that once bustled with excitement and sound, she realized how empty everywhere was. No one came to welcome her since they were all so busy.

She didn’t expect a warm welcome, though. Her head was raised and her eyes darted to the floor where her room was. Jeremy was supposed to be safely tucked in bed or perhaps in Charles’ office.

‘I should check up on him first!’ Her mind raced.

Like an anxious mother, worried about her child— Ana couldn’t get the thought of Jeremy out of her mind. He had been all she could think about throughout the Expedition. The desire to see him at the moment grew exponentially stronger now that she was at the Camp.

However, Ana was bound by her Alignment. As one who donned the persona of a crusader, responsibility mattered most. Since her duty had not yet been fulfilled, she had to restrain herself from further action.

“Let’s go… we’ll report to Charles first?” Her voice rang out, though it appeared to be addressed toward her team members, she was actually telling this to herself.

Ana’s team members positively responded, and with her in the lead, they made their way to Charles’ office.