Rise Of The Hoarder

'Why don't I try using that…?' My thoughts trailed, remembering a means I had devised in case of situations like this.r

I had to be careful though. Since they were members of an expedition team, that meant they possessed one of the greatest assault capabilities in the camp they came from.r

From my memories in the Sacred Hall, groups were classified into Ranks.r

Even if they belonged to a lower rank, their strength would at least be on par with mine. That meant I couldn't make any unnecessary moves, else they would sense me too. Still…r

Observing the group of Gifteds approach my location at a steady pace, their gear and outfits didn't match what I was used to.r

"They barely have any enhancements… and the strongest energy I can sense is from the woman who appears to be the leader. What's going on?" I whispered.r

'Well, no use thinking about that now. I'll soon find out, anyway!'r

I currently had 10 Skills overall, a few of which I obtained after obtaining my 'Job' as a thief. Having to no longer summon my Subspace and tap on the selected item of use, I only needed to say the magic word.r

"Summon"r

Instantly, the Vending machine I saw a few moments back appeared at the designated location I desired.r

'Perfect! Now let's see how they react!'r

Using my binoculars, I made sure to place the contraption in a place they would easily notice, drawing their attention to the scarce resource they were after.r

Immediately, I saw one of the girls notice the Vending machine, alerting the rest.r

'Oh? That was quick! Is that the effect of her Gift?' I reasoned.r

"L-leader… there!" Her tiny voice rang in my ear.r

'Welp, it doesn't matter. They've taken the bait. It's time for step two!'r

As the group happily advanced to the object I set before them, my mind went to the 'guy' I had sensed a while back. It was the only one in the area, but at that moment it was asleep, and I really didn't want to engage it at the moment since I was having my fun too.r

Another thing I did, alongside exploring the grounds, was spread many of the Demon Cores in my possession around the vicinity. In a situation whereby I become surrounded or caught by an unprecedented assault, I could easily activate the Demon Core explosion, like landmines which would serve as a surprise attack to my opponents.r

'To think I would use them like this instead. Oh well…'r

"Boom" I let out with a grin.r

Instantly sending my mana to the nearest Demon Cores behind the group, I caused a chain reaction among my little bombs.r

>BOOOOOOOMMMMM!<r

The sound was amplified due to my heightened senses, and I could feel the vibration in the air as clouds of smoke rose from the site of the blast.r

The 'guy' who was asleep suddenly woke up, letting out an angry growl for the disturbance. Of course, I was referring to a Demon.r

"GROOOOOWWWWLLLL!"r

The group became flustered and slightly frightened by the Demon's presence, making me smile more in anticipation.r

"Let's test out your strength… dance for me, everyone!"r

But, to my surprise, the group grew even more afraid and appeared not to have a desire to fight the monster who was rapidly charging toward them.r

'What's the holdup?! It's just a Grade 1 Demon, not a Boss or anything like that. You're the Expedition team, right? Deal with it!' I thought in slight annoyance.r

After what seemed like a deep moment of consideration, the leader decided to fight. However, her team was not so convinced.r

Still, the Demon had closed in on them, leaving combat the only choice available to them if they desired to live.r

"Everyone… on my mark, we ATTACK!" The leader shouted.r

"At least she has some backbone. Despite their earlier hesitation, they're still an assault team. Maybe they're new at this, that's why they reacted that way. But now it seems they're ready to fight." I thought.r

"This should be an interesting fight, nonetheless…"r

Or so I thought.r

[The Present]r

"Unbelievable…" I whispered, completely shocked by the sight I witnessed.r

All five members of the Expedition team were exhausted, heaving in desperation as they struggled to remain conscious.r

Four of them were on the ground, holding their injuries as they huffed, while the last one standing, their leader, was battered with countless bruises.r

"She hasn't lost her fighting spirit, but… at this rate…"r

The entire scenario was different from how I expected it to play out. I clearly remembered that the barest minimum for being on an expedition team was being in Level 100.r

They also needed to possess the Gifts and Skills necessary for combat and obtaining supplies.r

However, what was this nonsense I was seeing?r

Focusing on the monster, I could tell what kind of Demon it was.r

[System Alert]r

-tName: Hell Ogrer

-tLevel: 39r

-tRace: Demon (Lesser) – Grade: 1r

-tAge: 25 Daysr

[Stats]r

-tHP: 3000/3,000r

-tMP: 400r

-tStrenght: 2,000r

-tAgility: 600r

-tVitality: 3,000r

-tIntelligence: 20r

[End Of Information]r

This was what they were finding so hard to handle? All five of them?r

Glancing at their Status Information for the first time, I could finally tell why.r

"This is… don't tell me, they're actually this weak?!" I exclaimed.r

I covered my mouth as an afterthought, thinking they would sense me if I raised my voice too much, I noticed that none of them did.r

"So, not only is their fighting power low, but their detection skills are also trash. This isn't what I expected."r

I fought so hard in my apartment, trying as much as possible to reach the barest minimum I needed to survive in the outside world, only to be greeted by this underwhelming sight?r

"Status Window"r

"Skill Window"r

"[Subspace] Summary"r

Three different windows appeared before me as I compared my current abilities with theirs.r

[STATUS INFORMATION]r

-tName: Jeremy Lewisr

-tLevel: 102 – Exp: 30.61r

-tRace: Human – Job: Thiefr

-tAge: 16 Yearsr

-tSex: Maler

-tHeight: 5" 3. – Weight: 115 poundsr

-tAlignment: Chaotic Neutralr

-tKarma Points: 500r

-t(G) Karma Points: 100r

[Stats]r

-tHP: 5,200/5,200r

-tMP: 1,000/1,000r

-tStrenght: 1,070r

-tAgility: 5,400r

-tVitality: 5,200r

-tIntelligence: 15,800r

-t(G) Factor: 70r

-tGift: [Subspace]r

-tItems Equipped: Noner

-tAllies: Noner

[Additional Information]r

A human with the last Gift. Possesses the interest of God.r

[End Of Information]r

[SKILLS]r

-tYou Currently Possess 12 Skill Slotsr

•tSlot 1 - <Claw Attack>r

•tSlot 2 - <Spike Attack>r

•tSlot 3 - <Venomous Spikes>r

•tSlot 4 - <Steal>r

•tSlot 5 - <Recall>r

•tSlot 6 - <Summon>r

•tSlot 7 - <Roar>r

•tSlot 8 - <Rule>r

•tSlot 9 - <Spike Skin>r

•tSlot 10 - <Aura>r

•tSlot 11 - <Empty>r

•tSlot 12 - <Empty>r

[Skill Slots Will Be Added As Your Level Increases]r

[SUBSPACE]r

<Special Items Possessed>r

Name: Hell Kobold King's Toothr

Rank: F+r

Level: 1(Upgradable)r

Strength: 600r

Durability: 5,900r

Core Power: 1,200r

Core Energy: 100%r

[.]r

Name: Hell Kobold King's Clawsr

Rank: F+r

Level: 1(Upgradable)r

Strength: 1,000r

Durability: 7,000r

Core Power: 2,000r

Core Energy: 100%r

[.]r

Name: Enhanced Daggers (Core 1) ×100r

Rank: Fr

Level: 1r

Strength: 20r

Durability: 200r

Core Power: 60r

Core Energy: 100%r

[.]r

Name: Enhanced Daggers (Core 2) × 50r

Rank: Fr

Level: 3r

Strength: 60r

Durability: 600r

Core Power: 180r

Core Energy: 100%r

[.]r

Name: Enhanced Sword (Core 5)r

Rank: F+r

Level: 10 (Max)r

Strength: 500r

Durability: 5,000r

Core Power: 700r

Core Energy: 100%r

[Other Items]r

-tRegular Weapons (Knives, Clubs, Swords, etc.)r

-tMakeshift Weapons (Metal Rods etc.)r

-tFoodr

-tWaterr

-tClothingr

-tAccessoriesr

-tSurvival Suppliesr

-tFirst Aidr

-tMediciner

-tFurniturer

-tFridges/Freezersr

-tInverterr

-tSolar Panelr

-tGeneratorr

-tChemicalsr

-tGasoline/Fuelr

-tGas Cylindersr

-tJuice and Winer

-tMiscellaneousr

[See More]r

Giving a deep sigh, I finally figured it out. The reason for the disparity between my Level and theirs, and how it appeared as though they were weak.r

"So that's how it is… what a predicament"r