Code Collector

Allen felt confused. He didn't know what he wanted to feel after seeing the members from his previous group act like that.

"A bunch of fakes," Allen scoffed.

Philip was leading him to his room in the camp when he heard Allen rant, "What was that?"

"Oh, no sorry," Allen shook his head. "I'm just thinking out loud."

Philip nodded. He shrugged the topic off and continued walking. There are three floors of the rows and rows of units that was stuck on the thick metal wall of the camp. Each unit was a hundred square meters in size and there are about two hundred units on each floor.

Of course, the ones owning the the apartment units weren't the only Hunters in town. As they approached the third and last floor, Allen could see the separated units right behind the Skill Altar's temple.

It was reserved for the privileged, the Wealth Alley as they like to call it. They are the Hunters born from or own large enterprises back on Earth. There are only twenty units in the Wealth Alley since they can ascend to Paradise anytime with the use of their money.

"We're here," Philip said and opened his unit. Allen could still remember that he was only living in his group mates' couches since he couldn't afford to pay both the apartment here and on Earth. When the world thinks Hunters are privileged, Allen could testify agaisnt that.

In any world, before and after the rise of the Otherworlds, privileges are reserved for the wealthy.

Allen clenched his fist at the thought. He knows he wasn't the only one who was treated like nobody by the world. He wasn't the only one who was always hungry and cold. The thought made his passion to change the world for the better burned even brighter. He now wanted to rule over everything more than ever.

Philip made him sit on the couch while he prepared for the drinks. Allen agreed since he still had about two hours before he leaves the camp. He will bid farewell to everyone in here, but not before he finishes this mission.

When Philip returned, he handed Allen a cup of tea. They both sat on the couch and started their deal.

"First of all," Allen spoke. "What did you think of Allen back when he was still alive."

"He was a brave young man," Philip replied with all honesty. Allen tried to look for the lies and deception in his eyes, but found nothing. He was telling the truth.

"Then why didn't you act like you think of him as that?" Allen asked, reserving the intense gush of emotion inside him. If he shows that he's affected too much of this conversation, Philip might get too suspicious. "Allen is saying that he has nobody in this camp. That he's all alone here and that he felt isolated."

"Because that's what I think would make him push through," Philip sighed. "I honestly thought I could see him get a Rare grade Code and shove it to my throat. I wanted to see him proud."

"Did you know how miserable his life was?" Allen uttered. "He was all alone, and the people like you made him feel like that."

"That's not true," Philip argued. "He had Kyle, Selena, and the other members of their group. Allen was always around them, they were protecting each other."

"You've only seen the surface," Allen said. "He is saying that he was tossed around by his so-called group and nobody wanted to speak up for him. He couldn't speak for himself, and no one else tried to."

"That's because he wasn't treated like that," Philip chuckled. "Are you sure you're talking to Allen? Because I could always see him hang out with Kyle. He would often sleep in Kyle's place while he saves up for his own."

"You're not always with them, so you wouldn't know," Allen scoffed. "That's exactly what Allen said. He's showing me things. He's showing me… memories. Of him being the ragdoll being tossed around in their group. He was–"

"A precious asset," Philip cut off. "His white hair attracts beasts, so they would often make him attract them. But when the beasts comes close, the others would do their best to protect him. Did he show you that?"

Allen paused. He inspected Philip's face once more, and it still has the same unwavering honesty in his eyes. "That's not what he's telling me."

"Allen?" Philip stood and looked around. "Allen, if you can hear me, please listen. Your group leader Martin is the only one who sees you as nothing but bait. The others doesn't think of you like that."

"No," Allen whispered. "Martin was the worst, but they're all the same. I was on the side throwing rocks because I was useless, they treated me like dirt because I couldn't become stronger."

"They put you to the side because they're afraid that you might get hurt!" Philip unintentionally yelled. "Oh, my God. Allen?"

"I…" Allan trailed off. He dug his own grave by losing his composure. He cleared his throat and looked at Philip, "It is me, Allen. I possessed this man because I couldn't take it anymore. What you're saying is wrong."

"Allen, listen," Philip placed his hands over Allen's shoulders. "Do you remember when Kyle and Martin had a fist fight? That was the time when you first found a Rare grade beast. Martin let the beast roam around and smack you with its tusks. Kyle killed the beast himself even when he should be in the back lanes."

"I didn't remember that," Allen whispered. "You're telling lies."

"Allen, listen to me," Philip gripped his shoulders, making him look at the man. "You're remembering things differently. You were loved by most of your group, Allen."

He wanted everything to stop, so Allen shrugged Philip's hands off of him and took a deep breath. "He doesn't want to talk anymore."

"Oh," Philip let out, disappointment evident in his voice. "I guess I made him mad."

"I will try to talk to him," Allen said. "I will go now."

"What about the payment?" Philip asked when Allen went straight to the door.

"There's no need for such thing anymore," Allen opened the door and was about to walk out when Philip called him.

"Then tell Allen this please," the guard yelled. "I'm sorry if I couldn't do anything to protect him. I wanted to push him to become stronger, but I was mistaken for the method I made."

"Okay."

With a loud slamming of the door, Allen left the room. Confusion spread across his mind like a black ink on a clear water. The memories replayed, but everything was now vague. It was unclear to him now what exactly happened in all those years he spent with his group.

He passed a mirror and saw his reflection in the mirror. It was different now. He was a different man. He touched the glass and felt the cold surface in his fingertips.

"Who are you?"