Rise Of The Hoarder

After several hours of rest, I roused Paul up as we prepared to leave the house.r

I stored everything useful within my [Subspace] and made sure to arrange them in an orderly fashion.r

I also took great care in memorizing the pattern and location of each significant object, ensuring my undivided attention in combat.r

"Let's go!" I smiled at Paul, who nodded nervously.r

This will be his first time leaving his home since the whole apocalypse began. I'm sure he's frightened, anxious… among other things.r

But, he'll soon realize that he has nothing to worry about.r

>Vwoop<r

The deep freezer and refrigerator I used as barricades instantly returned to their spot among my items and the door slowly creaked open.r

I took steady steps while using my heightened senses to observe the surrounding area.r

"Looks like we're clear, for now," I whispered.r

Since we were on the second floor, we needed to proceed to the first floor, and then the ground floor in order to fully escape this building.r

I silently made my way through the hallway with Paul behind me, as the both of us advanced slowly.r

Within a short period, we reached the stairs leading below and above us.r

I could sense a couple of monsters on the floors above us, but going there would be a waste of time.r

The ones below us were the true targets.r

"How frightening… Even from this distance, I could feel the strong presence they exuded…" I mumbled.r

Paul heard this and his face grew pale. I ignored his idiotic display of timidity and decided to venture downstairs.r

"Remember what I told you back in the house, Paul" I whispered while giving him a stern expression.r

There were two major rules to our partnership.r

One. Paul will continue to be useful and will do as he's told. This included forging weapons and picking up drops for me.r

Secondly, I was to handle the fights. All he had to do was maintain a safe distance from me, while I worked my magic. This way, all the Exp would be mine, and as long as he didn't get in my way it would all be smooth sailing.r

Paul nodded, gulping a little.r

"Kriiiiiikaaaaa!" I heard the monsters making their annoying sounds.r

These sounds completely varied from ones I had grown accustomed to hearing. Even their presence seemed a little different from the Demons I faced earlier.r

"Maybe these are a different breed…" I asked myself.r

There's only one way to find out.r

I descended the stairs in a hurried, yet careful manner. Excited about testing out how far I have come, there was only one thing I wanted to do right now.r

Kill some Demons!r

Drawing closer to the first floor, I could sense the monsters even more clearly now. They were definitely different.r

>Tzzzz<r

A sharp sensation buzzed in my head, indicating that the Demons had become aware of my presence.r

"That was fast!" I commented.r

Give me a break, I haven't even completely left the stairs yet! This was way too quick!r

Their detection ability seemed superior to the Hell Kobold Spawns that I had been fighting. Even though I took extra precautions to remain unnoticed. Perhaps it was due to Paul's presence.r

No! It's still too soon.r

"Kurhhhhhhh!!!" The sounds of rushing demons interrupted my thoughts as I heard them advance towards my direction from both sides.r

Currently, on the stairs, Paul and I were trapped in the narrow structure, leaving only the top floors as options for retreat.r

"Bring it on!" I grinned.r

The demons reared their ugly heads, swiftly making their way to the stairs. Paul took a few steps backward as he watched the monstrosities draw nearer.r

They appeared slightly larger than the previous ones, possessing veiny skin with much larger claws and teeth. They also had spikes protruding from their bodies.r

"Those look dangerous! I shouldn't give these Demons the chance to use them!"r

"Eeek" Paul squeaked in fright, covering his face in fear.r

I instantly activated my skill 'Claw Attack', growing my sharp nails.r

"Kuruuuuu!" They growled, jumping at me from the platform below the stairs.r

Since I was above them, I had a slight advantage.r

Without hesitating, I launched my arms forward, sending my claws flying at the Demons who rushed at me.r

Coordinating my assault on them, the sharp nails drilled holes into their ugly heads, instantly killing them off as their blood splattered across the stairs.r

I sensed more approaching, in a much larger quantity than now.r

Perfect, I should try out my new weapons.r

Deactivating my skill on one of my hands, I fought back the few who remained as they tried climbing the stairs in a hurry.r

My unoccupied hand instantly reached for my [Subspace] which continued to display itself beside me.r

Rapidly beating my fingers on the icons while I faced forward, I timed the attack with pinpoint accuracy.r

The second wave of demons emerged from both ends, nearing fifty, as they all hungrily dashed toward me.r

At that moment, I summoned my 'Enhanced Daggers', in a multitude of thirty Core-Ones.r

"Kuruukkk?!" They bellowed in shock, not even given the chance to get close to me.r

>Fwooosh<r

The daggers flew with increased speed, piercing through the flesh and skulls of the Demons like a hot knife through butter.r

My glowing red knives dealt fatal blows to at least three demons each, causing a total massacre in the process.r

Many [You Have Leveled Up] icons appeared, but I ignored them all.r

My eyes widened as I realized that the noise of the Demons had called the attention of the other monsters on the second floor.r

I had dismissed them since they weren't worth my time, but if I end up becoming surrounded on both ends by monsters, it could prove disastrous.r

"In that case…" I mumbled.r

I just had to resort to my 'special tools'. I grinned, referring to my smaller stock of Core-Twos.r

Using my 'Claw Attack' to sweep through the Demons in front of me, while also sending my regular weapons flying toward them, I killed even more Demons.r

The ones above, on the second floor, started pouring down as well, hungrily glaring at me.r

"Arrhhh, please save me! They're coming!!!" Paul screamed, whimpering like a baby.r

He crouched on his knees and trembled, closing his eyes in fear.r

Ah, I feel like drilling a dagger into his skull. If not for the fact that he was useful to me, I wouldn't even hesitate to ditch this idiot.r

I swiftly materialized my Core-2 weapons, launching them above me to deal damage to the group of about thirty.r

I only had eight of them. Let's hope they count.r

>Zwooooomm<r

The weapons hummed as they flew, displaying little crackles of red lightning in their flight.r

"Skriiilkk?!" The Demons screeched in fear.r

Before they could even respond, the speeding weapons reached them.r

>Kpap!<r

The Demons instantly exploded as soon as the daggers touched them, sending blood all around them. Within a few moments, my very few daggers burst through the group of over thirty Demons, turning them into mincemeat.r

"W-Wow!" I beamed in shock and amazement.r

Compared to the Core-1, the eight I just launched were on an entirely different level.r

"Uuurhhh- Uh…" Paul made silent cries of fear as he raised his head to see what had become of the scary beasts which approached him.r

"E-eehhhh?!" He let out in shock, seeing their bodily fluids all around him as they turned into dust.r

"Paul…" I muttered, slightly drenched in the blood of monsters which gave me a scary appearance.r

"Y-Yessss!" He stiffly responded, frightened by my look.r

"The cores, pick them up" I commanded.r

I didn't care if my tone was rude or imposing. After doing this much work, surely he was aware of it already.r

My cold eyes locked onto his, sending his body jumping instantly.r

"Yes! Right away!" He said, quickly rushing to retrieve the cores from the Demons I had hunted.r

"They should be over a hundred… I think…" I mumbled, feeling exhausted from the work I'd had to do.r

If only [Subspace] could have an automatic firing option, or could return objects to it whenever I wished… just like a particular character I loved so much.r

Unlike him, I had to do everything manually, and that sucked!r

"Maybe I'll unlock that as I increase my rank…" I contemplated.r

Suddenly, I felt a particular pressure that caused me to remove my mind from the thoughts I was having as my eyes widened in surprise.r

"Hey, Paul… Stop what you're doing… Something is coming!" I instantly commanded.r

Paul looked at me with slight confusion, not entirely sure of what I meant.r

>DUM< >DUM< >DUM<r

I heard quakes coming from a distance away. Whatever was approaching us was certainly massive. Even my freezer might not be fully capable of dealing much damage. And what's with this insane amount of bloodlust it was emitting? I've never felt anything like it.r

"Hehe, hehehehe" I slowly let out a chuckle, feeling excited and at the same time nervous about what was nearing me.r

This will be the most challenging foe I've had to fight yet! It certainly won't be easy, even with the multiple Level-Ups I have received.r

But, I can't deny this sensation of anticipation welling up within me.r

"Come then… I've also been wondering when I would get the chance to use it, my trump card!"r