Rise Of The Hoarder

“Get in formation, everyone!” Ana declared, stepping forward as her body began to glow in order to activate her Gift [Armament].r

As expected, the group covered me, blocking my short frame from the Demon that approached at a rapid rate.r

Well, to me it wasn’t.r

Still, with my senses at their level, I could sense every detail of the battle from my position, it all depended on perspective.r

“Stay behind us, Jeremy. Don’t worry, this will be over soon!” Ana spoke to me reassuringly.r

Her expression was filled with consideration and compassion, making me wonder why she was so fixated on me.r

‘Oh shit! I nearly forgot that I told her the whole story about my entire comrades being killed by Demons. She must think I have a trauma or something.’ My head suddenly rang.r

I had to act the part!r

“Y-yes. Thank you…” I smiled nervously, stepping back.r

Even if they somewhat blocked my view at the moment, once they commenced their fight, I would be able to see it clearly, instead of relying on my senses.r

Ana’s fiery orange ability manifested, shrouding her entire body in her bright battle armor.r

According to my data from the previous fight, where I saw all of them being pummeled by the Ogre, Ana’s Armament simply boosted all her stats and created an enhanced version of her.r

This allowed her the ultimate offense and defense. A well-balanced ability. It’s a shame that she was so weak. If she grew it to a higher level and even Leveled up further, she was bound to be nearly invincible in a fight.r

“Ah, that Gift… I want it.” I whispered, nearly drooling.r

Unfortunately, I couldn’t obtain her Gift. Even with my <Steal> Skill, I can only obtain items and in very rare instances, Skills. Since the effects were random, and there were limitations, it wasn’t an all-powerful ability.r

‘My level is way higher than theirs, so I’m sure the effects of <Steal> will be good on them, but… I’d better not try it now.’r

“Let’s do this, everyone!” Ana shouted.r

I looked before me, and truly the team had taken formation. Ana was at the vanguard, being the strongest in battle. Daniel and Peter were located at her right and left flank respectively, while Larry stood beside Lily at the rear.r

Since I had a good idea of what their Gifts were, I wasn’t surprised. Rather, it was a somewhat impressive tactic.r

Daniel had a shrinking Gift, so he often carries miniaturized versions of weapons. Once he threw them at the opponent, who wouldn’t view them as much of a threat, he would undo the effects of his Gift, causing them to return to their normal size and deal good damage.r

Peter, on the other hand, had a freezing Gift. I had to admit, his cryogenesis was really good. However, the disadvantage of such an ability was that when faced with an opponent with higher stats and resistance, his Gift won’t be of much use.r

Finally, Larry had a body morphing Gift. He could transform his hand into a decent bow and generate arrows from his flesh. I would have considered the Gift gross in the past, but I’ve seen worse.r

The reason he stayed at the rear with Lily was to have a good vantage point, plus with Lily’s Gift, he was better able to pinpoint the enemy’s weak spots.r

And so, their formation was nearly perfect. The only reason they lost against the Ogre was that it was overwhelmingly stronger than them. r

But now, against an enemy they could beat… They weren’t half bad.r

“SKRIAAAAAHHHHH!!!” The Hobgoblin roared, coating itself with the little magic power it had, causing its body to glow. r

It stared with bloodlust at the group and charged at them in a frenzy.r

>WHOOOSH<r

Ana dashed from the forefront and rapidly moved in the monster’s direction. In an instant, she closed the distance and steeled her fist, covering it with more energy.r

The Demon proceeded to lunge its claw at her, but it appeared she was a split-second faster, as she dodged its strike and gave it a direct hit on the jaw. r

The monster was thrust above due to the strike, allowing Peter the chance to use his ice Gift on the stunned Demon.r

The white glaciers proceeded from Peter’s feet, stretching in a straight line, and reached the Goblin. Ana moved out of the way, causing only the monster to be trapped in its prison of ice.r

“K-kiiii?!!!” The Goblin groaned, feeling the frost cover its skin.r

Of course, it wasn’t going to hold the Demon forever since the green radiation it emitted was already breaking down the ice.r

“Daniel!” Peter quickly shouted.r

“I know!” He answered, throwing several small rocks at the Hobgoblin.r

“Grriiikkkk!!!!” It struggled from the ice, and finally, several cracks appears on the light blue structure.r

However, it was too late. Daniel’s small projectiles had already reached its location, and in an instant, the shrinking effects were removed, and large boulders appeared, damaging the frozen Hobgoblin.r

The rocks chipped at its HP, and some frozen parts of its flesh broke off.r

“Gurrrrruaaaaaakkkk!!!” r

>BOOOOOMMMM< It finally tore out of its ice prison, growling and glaring at the defiant humans that dared to stand against it. r

Still, once again it was too late.r

“There!” Lily pointed in the direction of the right area of the Hobgoblin’s chest.r

Larry grinned and released his already aimed arrow. Perhaps it was due to a skill, or a part of his Gift, but the arrow he shot suddenly ignited into blue flames, increasing the speed and most likely its power.r

>WHOOOOSSSHHH<r

The arrow whistled past in a flash and the blue-coated arrow pierced the Demon’s chest, crushing its heart in an instant.r

Instantly, the arrow exploded, and from the inside out, the Hobgoblin followed suit.r

Its body was engulfed in blue flame, and it was barely alive, but a large portion of it was still intact and it wasn’t yet dead.r

Refusing to underestimate the Demon, Ana rushed toward the Hobgoblin once again and poured power into her fist, launching it at the monster.r

>BOOOOOMMM<r

As her blow connected, the monster was blown into bits, sending its flesh flying everywhere. Blood spurted out of its body, but Ana quickly stepped out of the way, so only a small amount splashed on her.r

Still, because of her armament, none of them reached the attire she wore.r

And so, right before my eyes… I witnessed my first group monster subjugation in person.r

‘Not bad…’ I smirked.r