Rise Of The Hoarder

It was dark.r

Only one person—one human—was in the enclosed space.r

A large hole existed overhead and he was underground. r

Surrounding him were terrifying creatures—Demons—who looked like they were about to tear him to pieces.r

His body ached, he trembled unceasingly. r

“Hicc… Eeek…”r

The Demons closed in on the single, pathetic human. r

He couldn’t resist. He was weak. He was powerless. He was…r

… LEVEL 1!r

Someone like him, with no combat ability whatsoever, how could he even dream of fighting back?r

There was no doubt about it… this man was going to die here.r

‘I—I don’t… want to…’ His thoughts trailed in misery and despondency.r

In fact, he was still plenty confused as to how and why this had to happen to him.r

He had been good.r

He had been obedient.r

He had been useful.r

Even when his ‘partner’ was down here slaying the enemy, he had been working hard to gather the Cores and even managed to form another high-grade weapon. r

Then… why?r

‘Why did Jeremy do this?’ r

The lone figure could not understand. r

Even as the monsters approached, he couldn’t solve the riddle. Perhaps this was a means of distraction, so he wouldn’t fear the dangers around him… as well as his impending death.r

Yes, he was going to die here—like a dog.r

Once the young man realized this, a myriad of emotions coursed through his body.r

Fear. Confusion. Anger. Hatred. Rage… And finally…r

… DESPERATION!r

‘I won’t… I can’t…’r

There was no way he would die here!r

Once he made this resolve, a bright light shone within him and it seemed like he was being enveloped with something warm.r

His body stopped quivering. All indecisiveness vanished—replaced by a firm resolve to survive.r

He suddenly felt energized, as if the pain he felt from his wounds didn’t exist.r

Only one thought coursed through his mind.r

SURVIVE!r

‘I MUST SURVIVE!’r

With the Gun he had made secretly, as well as the enhanced bullets manufactured by adding Demon Cores to the mix, the young man managed to slay his first Demon.r

[YOU HAVE LEVELED UP!]r

He felt much better—invigorated, even.r

Proceeding, he further killed more Demons.r

[YOU HAVE LEVELED UP!]r

[YOU HAVE LEVELED UP!]r

[YOU HAVE LEVELED UP!]r

He kept killing—not missing his mark for a second.r

The Demons were faster than he was, but for some reason, he could read them well. r

He didn’t falter for even a second.r

His hands were on the trigger throughout. r

And so… after a grueling life and death session… this lone human managed to kill his last prey.r

And, with that… he was reborn anew—no longer the innocent pushover Gifted. Now… he was an avenger!r

And on his mind was only one thought.r

—Jeremy Lewis!r

**************r

‘Looks like I remembered something unpleasant…’ Paul smiled.r

His eyes were on the gem in his grasp.r

With this, he would finally be able to deal his first strike—at long last!r

‘Let’s do this.’r

>SHIIIIIIINNNNGGG!!!<r

A brilliant glow surged around Paul and he was taken away from his location.r

The young man felt space warp as he was moved upward—ignoring the Floors he was meant to have passed to arrive at his destination.r

It was a waste, but… for the plan he had in mind, sacrifices had to be made.r

>VWUUUUUSSSSHHHH!!!<r

In a gust of wind, and surrounded by brilliant light, Paul made his entrance.r

‘So… this is the 60th Floor, uh…?’ His thoughts trailed as the illumination spread across began to dissipate.r

There were no monsters around, and the place seemed awfully quiet for a higher floor. Most importantly, his target—Jeremy Lewis. A.K.A. The Hoarder—was right in front of him.r

“It’s about time you came…” The man in the mask muttered.r

He was seated atop some sort of chair—it looked more like a throne. It was wooden and a bit primitive, but Paul could sense some energy from it.r

‘A Grade 2 Item…?’r

His major concern was the one who sat atop the seat like a glorified king.r

“… I’ve been expecting you…”r

The Masked individual began moving his hand, bringing it closer to his face—or, rather, mask.r

Slowly, he removed the thing, revealing the face that was hidden underneath. The well-chiseled face, handsome features, cleanly cut bangs… and well-defined eyes.r

Paul felt shocked beyond words. This wasn’t the face he was expecting to see.r

‘I—is that… really… him…?’r

The mask vanished into thin air the moment it got off, a sign that the being before him and transported it into a special space.r

‘SUBSPACE… or wait… it could be INVENTORY…’r

“What’s with that face?” The man before Paul smiled.r

The condescending look on his face, and how he comfortably sat on the throne, pissed the white-haired young man off to no end.r

He gritted his teeth and, at that very moment, knew that hesitating would be useless. There was no mistaking it.r

This was the one and only…r

“… Jeremy Lewis. We meet again.” r

This time, Paul gave a rueful smile.r

His eyes narrowed and he shook off any distraction in his mind. Shamefully, he had lost his composure for a moment, but… right now, he was fine.r

“Oh? I don’t believe I ever told you that name, Pariah…”r

The Automaton that Paul had used to watch Jeremy was nowhere to be seen—meaning it was already in Jeremy’s [Subspace].r

‘Fine. You can have it, for now. It served no use than observing your actions, after all…’r

“I’m pretty sure you did.” Paul smiled at Jeremy’s remarks.r

‘He suspects me somewhat, but he still doesn’t know who I am, uh? As expected…’r

This was the moment he had been waiting for ever since he was thrown into that ditch and survived. The moment he would resurface before Jeremy Lewis and confront him.r

It was finally time that he—the betrayed protagonist—would appear to the surprise of his betrayer.r

A face-slapping scene of satisfaction!r

Paul had finally arrived at this juncture, standing before a partner that ended up trying to kill him for his own ends. r

A smile formed on Paul’s face. He looked cool as heck, and with his hands in his pockets, he spoke;r

“We meet again. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten alre—”r

“… You’re Paul, right? I have to say… it’s been a while.”