Rise Of The Hoarder

After using his [Teleport] Gift consecutively, for an extended period of time, Terry became exhausted.

Sure, Gifts did not require Mp, but it took a great amount of concentration and stamina to maintain them. While they were considered a part of someone, even using one’s hands or legs too much would exhaust a person; the same applied to Gifts.

Needless to say, Terry was tired, so he put off using [Teleport], and decided to simply walk.

‘I don’t know how much time they can buy for me, but…’

He had to find a haven to recuperate his energy.

After agonizing over what he did to his teammates for some time, Terry had managed to ease his conscience, and was now more determined to survive than ever before.

‘Where do I go, though?’ He racked his brain for an answer.

Even if he went through the right path of the corridor, and ended up in front of a Spawn Room, what next?

Terry wasn’t confident in his ability to beat the Demons in a Spawn Room alone, especially those in the Sixteenth Floor. For one, he was a mage and sucked at close combat. Plus, his Mana hadn’t fully recovered yet; he wasn’t even halfway done!

Also, once he entered a Spawn Room, the Mage wouldn’t be able to leave until all the monsters were defeated. That just seemed too much for him! Terry understood his capabilities, that was why he completely ruled that out.

‘Hopefully I encounter a Safe Zone first…’ His thoughts trailed as he walked._.

*******

After walking down the path for some time, Terry finally reached the entrance of a room. He gulped upon realizing what it was.

‘Shit! It’s a Spawn Room!’

A person could differentiate a Safe Zone from a Spawn Area based on the labels and designs of the doors. After challenging Dungeons for quite a while… everyone knew this already.

“Damn… what do I do now?” Terry nearly broke down in exhaustion and disappointment.

He truly had no idea what to do!

The monster could be behind him any moment, his teammates wouldn’t stand a chance and after they died… he would be next!

‘Should I have just fought alongside them until the end?’

Now that everything felt hopeless, betraying everyone had certainly been a waste.

“Keuk… shit! What should I do…?”

At this point, Terry was crouched against the walls and braced his body. His head was partially buried within his hands and legs as he sobbed. Despondency crept in and he could feel guilt choking every fiber of his soul.

All the Mage could do was suffer in silence and inevitably meet his end.

“What’s wrong?”

“I… don’t… know what to… do…”

Suddenly, Terry paused, realizing someone had just spoken to him.

A human had just spoken words and asked him, “What’s wrong?”

The man’s eyes bulged in fear and surprise as he raised his head to set his sights on the one who stood before him. It was no understatement to say that his eyes bulged and his jaws dropped once he saw that he had been right.

Someone, a person, was standing in front of him.

It was…

“You don’t know what to do, eh? That’s not exactly detailed is it?”

… A masked man!

The man had a tall, slightly muscular stature. His dark hair flowed neatly behind his white and blue mask, and a tranquil air surrounded him.

He was wearing what seemed to be a dark, long hooded cloak that also served as a jacket. His equipment all looked first rate, and there was something about his presence that inspired both awe and fear in him.

“I have to say… I didn’t expect anyone to be here…” His voice, deep and powerful, trailed.

Terry was dumbstruck and kept staring at the man standing before him.

“… Why are you here?”

The question pierced Terry’s heart, and he sought a way to answer. What could he say? Should he tell the truth, or should he lie?

‘No, this man… he seems reliable! Maybe he can help me… maybe he can help my friends!’

If they were still alive, perhaps he could enlist his help to save them! But first…

Terry narrowed his eyes to see the man’s Status Introduction. He seemed very strong and reliable; plus, his gear looked extremely good.  However, just to be sure… Terry had to know!

[SYSTEM NOTICE]

~Detection Has Been Nullified~

<Your Target Has Nullified Your Detection>

[END OF INFORMATION]

‘A-ah!’ Terry’s panicked mind rang.

The masked man in front of him had to be armed with an item that prevented such detection. It wasn’t uncommon in the world they were in, and that was why the only ones to trust were people in a person’s party.

‘Part, uh…?’ Terry’s guilty mind trailed as he looked at the man.

The masked person cocked his head.

“I-I’m sorry for delaying my reply!” Terry, who was very flustered, jumped to his feet.

The height of the masked man was even greater than his. He had to be at least 6 feet 4′! Realizing the height difference between the both of them, Terry shrunk back a bit.

“I-I’m sorry to get you dragged in all this, b-but… please… my Party needs help! Please help me rescue them?!”

Terry realized his voice had been louder than necessary, and he was being shameless by asking this stranger for help, a stranger he didn’t even know! Yet… he had no choice!

“A Party, eh? Where are they? Why aren’t you with them?”

His words contained no malice, but Terry felt like his heart bled from the masked man’s question.

“I… I went to get help, but found no one… that’s why I’m away from them!” Terry went with a lie, too ashamed to speak the truth.

‘Hopefully he doesn’t have a Lie Detection Skill…’

“I see. Understood…” The Masked Man muttered.

Terry couldn’t believe the man agreed so quickly and without hesitation. Was he so good natured? Or was he so strong he could do that without any inconvenience?

The Masked Man seemed to turn in the direction of where his Party Members would be, if they were still alive, making Terry’s heart jump in suspense and excitement.

“… Alright, then. Let’s go.”