Rise Of The Hoarder

"It looks like we're all set!" I smiled, turning to Paul who nodded nervously.r

My eyes gazed upon the door, and I felt a tingle around my skin. It was similar to fear, but also excitement.r

Finally, I'll be leaving this godforsaken place, however, that in itself was going to be a challenge.r

Slightly tapping the blockade, I returned the freezer to [Subspace], and proceeded to the door.r

"Stay behind me!" I commanded and was instantly obeyed.r

Passing through the first floor's hallway to reach the stairs, we located a few roaming Demons that were most likely trickling from above.r

I effortlessly launched a few blades to kill them, and Paul rushed to get their Cores.r

After completely eliminating them, we reached the stairs.r

>GULP<r

I could hear the sound of saliva forcing down Paul's throat as he stared at the flight of stairs in dread.r

"This guy…" I muttered, glaring at him irritably.r

He knows nothing, yet why is he acting so nervous?r

Unlike him, I possessed heightened senses, so I already knew… The monsters down there are very dangerous. Their size, their numbers… I could roughly estimate them.r

As the stench of Demons made my nose crinkle in disgust, and the amount of bloodlust made me break into a cold sweat, I grinned in determination.r

Countless growls and howls of monsters filled the underneath area, and I was certain the exit is blocked so there was no way to leave without killing them off first.r

Not that I wanted to escape this building without exterminating every last Demon here.r

"That would be a waste of Exp!" I reasoned.r

Fortunately, they're all afflicted by the <Hunger> Status Condition. These Demons also share a certain form of familial bond so they don't engage in cannibalism. I can't begin to imagine how difficult my life here would have turned out if it weren't for these saving graces.r

The Exp count also doesn't matter if the HP of the Demon is low. As long as I kill them, they're automatically transferred to me for my growth.r

"Hehehe, I'm practically meeting them half-dead. Their hunger has done half of the work for me!"r

With these words of encouragement I muttered to myself, I walked down the stairs, preparing for an all-out battle against the Demons.r

If I was correct, they will sense me before I reach their location. If that was the case then I need to hurry down before they can react.r

The advantage… must be mine!r

[A Few Moments Later]r

It was a bloodbath!r

Hell Kobold Spawnr

Hell Kobold Spawn (Soldier)r

Hell Kobold Spawn (Adult)r

Encountering a large multitude of the three varieties, I instantly knew I was in for a terrible time.r

Launching their deadly assaults on me, both in short and long range, the Demons growled in fury and apprehension upon seeing a stranger encroach on their territory.r

Fortunately, I had told Paul to hide by the stairs, giving me no reason to hold back.r

Even without having to worry about Paul, there was no choice but to go all out… If I didn't, I was sure to die!r

I had no time to rest as I constantly used all parts of my body to fight the seemingly endless hordes of Demons who surrounded me.r

First using my Venomous Spikes, I launched the stinging projectiles from my body as they appeared like large needles colored red.r

I spread the attack as much as I could, ensuring I hit as many Demons as I could, even if it was once.r

"This way, I'll be able to shave off their HP as time passes!"r

After the duration ran out, I instantly switched to my Spike Attack and Claw Attack Skills.r

I was so occupied with staying alive, I used both my hand and leg nails to generate claws while bringing out spikes from my skin.r

Doing this shredded my outfit, but I didn't care!r

"I have many where they came from anyway!"r

I somersaulted several times, back flipped and used my nimble reflexes to dodge their attacks while launching mine, killing them as swiftly as I could.r

Even with my relentless efforts to dwindle their numbers, the Demons appeared in hundreds, probably close to a thousand. I couldn't count their total numbers since I was barely trying to stay alive.r

"Gargkkk!" I groaned as I felt spikes pierce my skin, drawing blood from me for the first time in a while.r

So this was true danger!r

I seemed to have forgotten since I had been having my way lately.r

Quickly pulling out the prickly substance, I did not dare cease my movements. Doing so would mean being caught in the endless barrage of spike bullets that the Demon Soldiers were shooting, as well as the Poisonous spikes of the Adults.r

Sure, I was faster than them. However, being so outnumbered, I couldn't do much except flail about as I avoided the lethal blows of my adversaries.r

As the Demons turned to Ashes, leaving behind their cores, more seemed to approach.r

"Huff… Huff…" I breathed tiredly, still enduring as I attacked.r

>Squish<r

>Squelch<r

>Krik<r

>Splurge<r

More hits landed as time went on, piercing my flesh, crushing my bones, and draining blood out of me.r

"Arghhhhh!!!" I screamed in pain as I continued dancing to the tune of battle.r

I couldn't stop, the endless assaults would turn me to mincemeat if I skipped a beat.r

Fortunately, the countless Level Ups I obtained while killing off the Demons healed my wounds, so I focused on my task even with the pain and damage I kept on receiving.r

"To think I was so proud of myself earlier… For killing some half-dead bunch!" I gritted my teeth in frustration.r

The half-dead bunch now had an overwhelming advantage against me.r

I had no idea how long I had been fighting for. Everything seemed like a blur now, as though the only things that mattered were the Demons and me. All else faded into the background, including my concept of time.r

I followed the same pattern of killing the Demons which were, the monsters severely injuring me, me obtaining a Level Up, healing my injuries, kill more Demons, Rinse and Repeat!r

Before I knew it, I acclimated to their system of attack, able to predict the next strike and the one after that.r

While I felt weary after fighting for so long, my body became lighter and everything else became slower. No, it wasn't that!r

I was just becoming faster.r

Now getting the chance to access [Subspace], I leaped above the massive crowd, launching myself high up in the air, to my surprise.r

Since the Ground Floor was extremely roomy, with a wide structure and a large reception, I was able to jump several meters in the air, surprising myself.r

My wide eyes scanned the room, counting a few hundred of the Demons left.r

Now outside their range of attack, the Demons looked above them to see my temporarily suspended gait. They all pointed their arms and readied the several spikes they had in my direction.r

Unfortunately for them, I was faster.r

Rapidly using the selective feature of [Subspace], I chose to bring out nearly all the blades I had within my storage space.r

"Eat this, you sons of bitches!!!" I yelled, releasing all the pent-up anger and frustration within.r

>Vwoooom!<r

Many [Subspace] openings materialized around me, summoning the full brunt of my assault.r

Hundreds of weapons floated in the air with me, all pointing at the Demons who were stuck in slow motion compared to my speed.r

A wide, desperate grin formed on my face and I opened my mouth wide in a loud cry.r

"DIEEEE!!!"r