Rise Of The Hoarder

[System Notice]

<Would You Like To Advance To The Thirty-First Floor Of The Tower Of Death?>

[Yes]              [No]

I watched as the System Window appeared in front of me.

The other members of the group were behind me, looking in both awe and excitement. It seemed their fear had completely vanished, only anticipation remained.

I shrugged and decided to keep going. I wasn’t going to be satisfied until I beat this Tower in one try!

The moment I tapped on the [Yes] option, a large wall of stone appeared. It looked like a gravestone, but massive. A white swirling portal glowed at its center, seeming to call me into it.

‘Oh? So, this is the gate leading to the next floor?’

It was a bit different from the usual teleportation done by the System. It was only a guess, but I felt like perhaps it was a sort of measure to allow Gifteds a second moment to decide on whether they wanted to proceed or not.

It was a foolish measure for me, but for others… perhaps they would choose to give up.

“Let’s go.” I mumbled, entering the stone portal with everyone right behind me.

Since I already noticed them move close to me, it was assured they wouldn’t leave me by myself. Now that I had their loyalty, at least to a degree, I simply needed to focus on the enemies.

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

‘Who is this man…?’ Tia wondered within herself as she couldn’t keep her eyes away from the masked savior who helped them.

His broad back seemed like an insurmountable wall between her group and the enemies that seemed overwhelming. The Thief didn’t even know when she began to obsessively keep her gaze on him to avert any fears within her heart.

Any time she saw the dark cloak he wore behind, her heart felt at ease. She felt secure.

‘He is…’

Tia didn’t know how to describe the man. He seemed to be a bit older than her, perhaps twenty-one? His voice carried authority and power, and the gear he had on clearly displayed what kind of formidable individual he was. She couldn’t see his Status Introduction, so he existed in a plane higher than she could ever imagine.

However, what made this man so scary were the diverse abilities he displayed during their time together.

As they traveled the Floors, he used several abilities that defied logic. Initially, she thought he was a Brawler, given the way he one-shotted the Gluttonous Demon back then, however he kept surprising her with a wide array of abilities.

He purified the undead.

He used Spells to decimate tough opponents.

He used a wide array of weapons.

Plus, his movements told her he had several Skills supporting direct combat.

This man was unfathomable in all aspects. So much so, that Tia gave up on trying to understand him. She simply immersed herself in the overwhelming display of his might.

He was overpowered!

Tia didn’t know when her heart began to flutter. She didn’t realize when she anticipated his next powerful display. As someone who was often relied on in her group, and even before the Apocalypse, she now felt what it was like to get pampered… to be protected.

“Masked Hero…” She whispered and fixated all her attention on him as he killed off the last of the Demons in sight.

The place where they stood which was once infested with several zombies and undead knights had been swiftly wiped clean. Of course, she was merely a spectator, watching from within the pink barrier that their Masked Hero erected to shield her from harm–it seemed Tia completely forgot that she wasn’t the only one being protected.

Her thoughts had narrowed down between herself and the one who existed several heights above her.

“Done.” His voice simply echoed across the devastated plain that he conquered.

With this, the 68th floor was down!

Tia didn’t know how they had come so far in such a short while, but… she didn’t want it to end.

Suddenly, she heard a Ping and a Window appeared in front of her. Tia recognized this quite well–the System Window that alerted her off the reward received for merely spectating.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

[Congragulations!]

<You Have Completed The Challenge Of The Sixty-Eight Floor>

~Rewards Will Now Be Allocated~

<You Have Been Given The Skill: Negative Effect Resistance (Middle)>

<You Have Received 5,000 Karma Points>

<You Have Received The Title: Undead Cleanser>

[End Of Information]

Just for watching her hero fight, she had gotten such good rewards from the System.

Initially, the Rewards were only Karma Points, but they eventually became Skills. Sometimes, she even received Titles and Items. She had gotten a couple of potions, a few items that were far better than anything she owned, three very decent Skills… and even one other Title other than the one she just got.

The teammates beside Tia were also howling in delight, extremely happy about the haul they received. Even of they were merely spectators, not risking their lives in the slightest, they were already being rewarded with so much.

If they were gaining this much, just how much was their Hero collecting? Surely, he was raking in the most profit–one that exceeded their expectations. Of course, every member of Tia’s Party thought this, but they didn’t mind.

They were well aware that he didn’t need them to keep climbing, but he brought them along anyway. Not only did the Masked Hero save their lives, but he also gave them such benefits.

They weren’t receiving the main rewards, but the group was certain that even if the Masked Man didn’t exist, another team would have beat them to the punch. They were merely an average team, after all. First place didn’t belong to them.

But, now…?!

They didn’t Level Up, but they received too many privileges that they were certain their lives would be so much easier.

It was all thanks to their masked savior.

Tia was sure everyone in her team felt the same way–filled with overwhelming admiration toward their hero.