Rise Of The Hoarder

Our group walked in silence, traversing the Floors from the sixteenth.

As promised, I didn’t allow them to fight and simply killed off all the enemies in our path. To me, they were all weaklings that didn’t deserve my time. If it had been up to me, I would have summoned some Demons to take care of the trash, but…

‘I can’t have them suspecting me for their predicament…’

I was already plenty suspicious as it was. If it wasn’t for the goodwill I built, they were probably going to fear me to a terrifying degree since trust among Gifteds was basically as fickle as could be.

Thankfully, these monsters didn’t waste much of my time… and a Spell like <Earth Spikes: Intermediate> was enough to kill them. I didn’t even need to touch any of the small fries.

That’s right! I had obtained the Skill which allowed me to use Spells a while back. It was at the Basic Level, but since I wasn’t a Mage, I couldn’t utilize it. After the Tutorial Ended, I bought a Grimoire with Karma Points, and even got the Intermediate version of that Skill along the way.

In a sense, I could be determined to have a Mage Job based on these factors.

And it wasn’t just the Mage Job that I leaned toward!

With so many powerful Demons at my beck and call, I could be mistaken for a Tamer. I had Charles’ Gift as a Skill, along with several other sensory abilities; people could mistake me for a Scholar.

I had several buff Skills that made it seem like I was a Brawler, or even knight. With my coordination and projectile Skills, I could pass as an Archer. I could use Healing abilities and could buff others as well. I passed for a Priest._.

In essence, I was an all-rounder at this point, but who would have thought it all began when I settled for being a Thief.

Our group advanced quickly, killing the Spawned monsters as quick as possible. Thanks to my Potion, they had enough stamina to last them the journey, so they didn’t get exhausted. And then, before we knew it… we found ourselves at the Elevator—the room that led to the 30th Floor.

Everyone had seen me carry them so far, and they must have also seen the profit I was raking in for them.

In essence, they really had nothing to lose and got tons in return.

“Things may get a bit rougher from here, so please huddle together. Once we arrive at the scene… please ensure you remain immobile until I say so.”

‘… And don’t get in my way!’

[System Notice]

<Would You Like To Advance To The Thirtieth Floor Of The Tower Of Death?>

[Yes]              [No]

A smile formed on my face as I tapped the window displayed before me. Light enveloped the area, and in an instant, our group got transferred to the 30th Floor. I expected a bit of challenge considering the System made it compulsory that Gifteds operated in groups.

‘Don’t disappoint me!’

>SHIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGG<

We all closed our eyes in reaction to the blinding light, feeling space warp as we moved to an entirely separate plane.

After a second, I peeled my eyes slowly, sensing the ominous aura that enveloped our new surroundings.

Capturing the new, terribly gothic sight, I smiled a little. Mist wafted through the air and an eternal night hung in the sky. I saw several graves and gravestones laid out before me, spreading for what seemed to be miles. The eerie silence was unsettling, and the pungent odor made the body to shudder.

The entire thirtieth floor was a graveyard, bustling with death and chill that belonged only to the deceased.

I could tell that the thick mist around gave debuff effects, the surrounding chill gave a ‘Fear’ effect, and the terrain made it extremely disadvantageous to fight. I calmly analyzed everything surrounding me, prepared for what would come next.

The Gifteds around me shivered, assailed by Fear. I resisted it easily thanks to my resistance, ignoring the trembling people behind me. They were only extras and it was even lovely how they simply stood there.

‘I should finish things up a—’

>CRREEEAAAAKKKK!!!<

Suddenly, sound began to echo all around our vicinity.

I felt several figures emerging from underneath the ground. They seemed to be crawling up, like desperate beasts. Hands appeared above the surface, and before long their heads appeared.

As I expected, undead were leaving their graves as they appeared for a fight. Having rotting flesh, tattered clothes, and disgruntled moans, they sluggishly approached our little group.

As expected, they were Ghouls.

The group of undead surrounded us from all areas—we were teleported to the center of the graveyard, after all.

“Gurruuuukkk…” I heard their murmurs.

The tone of their groanings was low, but it felt like metal grating against each other. As the unpleasant sensation wafted in my ears, my disgust grew more.

“<Safe Haven>” I used a Skill, protecting my supposed allies from the undead horde.

The pink force field brought a smile on my face as I remembered a particular someone. It was a good thing she was good for something in her death.

With that, I didn’t have to worry about the demise of anyone on my side. I could completely wipe out the horde that easily numbered thousands.

“Now, I see why the System decided to make this a compulsory team event. It’ll be nearly impossible for most Gifteds to win here…”

The trail of undead went on for as long as my eyes could see, after all.

“I don’t have time to spend on you guys. I’ll just resort to <Parlor Tricks>”

With that, the roulette spun.

The choice was made.

As expected, it was [The Devil].

As a result of its effects… a dark wave of energy swept through the area as the Arcana came into effect.

The wave of death filled the area and touched every single undead in the area.

“Fall!”

I waited for the miraculous effect of my Skill.

… But, the Ghouls did not fall and die.

Instead, the opposite happened.

“GURRRUUUUAAAKKKKKK!!!” Their screeches climaxed, and I felt an aura of death surge from each and every enemy in sight.

It was at that moment that I realized my error.

“Oops…”