Rise Of The Hoarder

Their eyes told me they couldn’t believe my words.

I was probably saying nonsense or had probably gone mad as a result of the terrifying sight of Demons everywhere. There was no way the weakling called ‘Jeremy Lewis’ could arrange for something so sinister—so downright evil.

Unfortunately for them… their thoughts were false.

>RUMBLE!<

>RUMBLE<

>RUMBLE<

Sudden quakes caused the both of them to nearly lose balance as the penthouse trembled as a result of fast-moving beings who seemed to be getting closer to our elevated platform.

I eased my hold on the pair, allowing them to voice out their shock.

“T-this is—?!”

Instead of focusing my control on the two, all my attention was placed on the ones who made the terrifying sounds that seemed to shake the concrete we stood on.

“They’re coming this way!” Daniel yelled, sharply looking directly past me.

>BOOM!!!<

In a burst, the door to the penthouse was blasted off its hinges and sent flying straight at me.

“Hyaahhhh!!!” Daniel screamed, pushing himself from his standing posture as he sharply appeared in front of me to stop the metal door that would have hit me otherwise.

‘I could have stopped it, though…’ I nearly rolled my eyes.

Daniel maintained his stance in front of me, shielding both Melissa and myself from the ones who had forcefully invaded the penthouse and now growled at us.

“Damn it! We’re too late… they’re here!”

Demons poured out of the opening that connected the penthouse to the stairs leading up. In their dozens, they appeared—all were Hobgoblin Champions.

“Shit… this will be tough!” Daniel growled, most likely realizing his chances of victory, or lack thereof, after checking their Stats.

“Jeremy, don’t leave my back. I promise… this time I’ll protect you!” The heroic boy said, his eyes not leaving the enemies.

Even in this type of situation, he was worried more about me than himself.

“W-what should we do, Daniel? They’re too much!” Melissa cried helplessly.

Even if they tried escaping, there were still Hobgoblins beneath us. Daniel could try creating an opening that let us break through their formation—allowing us to escape through the only door in sight.

However, it was uncertain if there remained Hobgoblins in the Camp building. If we were to encounter even more of such high-level Demons, especially in confined locations, it would be even more disadvantageous for us.

“I’ll need to rely on your Gift, Melissa. We’ll break through somehow. Once that happens, I’ll buy enough time distracting the Demons so you can take Jeremy and run.” Daniel’s chivalric voice sounded, intensely looking at Melissa.

“B-but, Daniel… what about you?” Melissa protested weakly.

“I’ll be fine. I’m strong enough to handle myself. Besides, I won’t be able to go all-out if you’re close to me. You may get caught up in the battle.” He gave a reassuring smile.

After a slight second of consideration, Melissa conceded.

I could tell she was worried—not for Daniel, but herself.

If anything happened to the reliable and strong hero, her survival would be threatened. Plus, he was even leaving me in her care. To a selfish bitch like Melissa, I was nothing more than a burden she would easily cut loose if I proved detrimental to her survival.

“You have to live, okay?!” She yelled at him, desperate in her tone.

The idiot, feeling as though his girlfriend really cared about him, gave Melissa a reassuring smile.

“I’ll make it out alive. I promise!”

‘What a death flag.’ I instantly thought.

The Demons were now slowly advancing, ready to pounce.

Daniel summoned a sword, thanks to his [Knight] Job, and filled it up with aura, one of the Skills in his possession, creating a brightly-colored blue blade. He tightly gripped the weapon, apparently steeling his resolve for the terrible, life-threatening battle that would now unfold.

“Here I go! The moment I open up a path, run as fast as you can!”

>WHOOOOOSHHH!!!<

Before we could respond, he moved like a blur and lunged at the green army of death blocking the way.

“Rahhhhhh!!!”

With a blue glow covering his body, granting him enhanced strength, Daniel most likely raised his physical ability to the maximum and cut through the small horde.

The knight was powerful enough to damage them and exchange strikes, but even he could not deal fatal hits.

Still, he achieved his motive, slowly handling the monsters in such a way that the oath to our escape opened up. Hope was in sight!

“Go! Go now!” Daniel screamed, struggling to hold back the monsters that would tear apart his flesh with any chance they got.

Melissa, who had already activated her link barrier, sharply responded to her lover’s instruction and was about to run as fast as her legs could carry her. But…

“Don’t move.”

… Upon hearing my whisper, her body halted and she ceased any signs of escaping.

Daniel, who was still struggling with all his strength, noticed that we hadn’t made a break for it yet and swiftly turned his attention in our direction.

“W-what’s going on?! Melissa, run!”

The moment his attention got diverted to us and he lost sight of the opponent—even if it was just for a brief moment—it was enough time for me to command the Hobgoblin Champions to use Skills for enhancing themselves.

With their advanced strength, even as Daniel realized his error and tried reacting to their assault, it was too late for him.

Their combined assaults hit him throughout his body, especially focused on all his limbs.

“GUARGHHHHHH!!!” He screamed in pain as he fell to the ground, partially stunned as a result of the surprising surge of pain in multiple areas of his body.

‘I’m not done yet!’ An evil gleam appeared in my eyes as I commanded two of the monsters to inflict additional pain on the injured boy.

>CRACK!<

“ARGHHHHHHHH!!!” More screams of hurt emanated from Daniel as his bones were shattered by the crushing weight of the Hobgoblin Champions’ legs.

With all his means of struggle taken away from him, the true fun was just beginning!