Rise Of The Hoarder

The audience was astonished!

Sweat fell from their brows and their bodies shuddered. Even though they were protected by the sturdy pink layer, none of them were immune to the chill that coursed through their bones.

The group had thought they saw the full extent of the Masked Man’s powers—or at least close to it. However, his current actions shattered their preconceived notion.

“I-impossible…”

“This can’t be real… right?”

“I can’t believe this… is he really human?”

“Masked Hero! You’re so amazing!”

They all had different ways of expressing their shock.

For starters, the group didn’t know how it was possible to clear the battlefield of corpses. They had seen so many dead bodies—like an insurmountable sea—yet, in an instant, the Masked Man cleared them all.

It was a feat like none other.

As if that wasn’t amazing enough, a massive Dragon suddenly emerged from a dark cloud and soared into the sky. The Demon—a being that far surpassed anything they had seen up until that moment—charged briskly at their savior.

In all honesty, they expected him to lose.

They had even readied one of the Return Stones they received from their Rewards. Other than Tia, who seemed mesmerized by the Masked Hero, everyone else considered making a break for it. The enemy was impossible, after all.

An Undead Dragon was still a Dragon, and simply by looking at the Stats of the creature which was in the hundreds of thousands, they figured there was no chance.

Yet…_.

Yet… the man in the mask prevailed. His prowess exceeded all their expectations and the strength he showed was otherworldly.

They couldn’t even follow his movements.

Even after the Dragon conjured up storms…

Even after the Dragon fired its highly destructive breath…

Nothing fazed the man who floated in the sky.

At this point, they gave up trying to rely on their intellect. They were merely fools who knew nothing. They simply watched in bewilderment—as the Masked Hero plunged through the sky and swiftly approached the Dragon.

Well, they simply ‘tried’ to watch. His movements were too quick to perceive—as was the Dragon.

>BOOOOOOOMMMM<

Once again, the shockwave of the two colliding forces rattled them.

The barrier protecting them was sturdy, so it didn’t break, but… their entire spirit seemed to snap in two.

What unfolded next was not something humans should have been privileged to see.

The Dragon crashed to the ground, creating a massive quake that decimated a large portion of the area. The group fell to their buttocks and shrieked in terror and excitement—mixed emotions that should never be allowed together.

They peeled their eyes open like people assailed with insanity, staring at the scene laid out before them.

>WHACK!<

>SLAM!<

>SQUELCH<

>BAM!<

>BOOOOMMMM!!!<

The pounding reached their ears as the shaken group witnessed a one-sided beatdown. The Masked Man was one-sidedly dominating the fallen creature. They saw as pieces of rotting flesh and bones flew off as the Dragon shrieked in agony.

Undead weren’t supposed to feel pain, or even fear… but this one clearly displayed both.

“GRUUUAAAAAHHHH!!!” The Dragon bellowed.

It was as though it prayed for salvation.

The beast of chaos and destruction begged for its life. The Masked Hero didn’t show any mercy, though. He just kept pounding.

More and more flesh scattered, bones shattered. It was a gory sight to see. The group that watched began to wonder who the actual Demon was.

It couldn’t be the pleading, powerless Dragon… or could it?

As the team contemplated this, the Dragon’s HP reached zero… and with one final thrust… it completely shattered apart.

With that, in mere minutes, the most powerful Demon they had ever seen disintegrated before their eyes.

[SYSTEM NOTICE]

[Congragulations!]

~You Have Completed The Quest~

<You have completely destroyed the Dragon Of Storms Barbados>

<The Souls Of The Dead Thank You>

<You Have Received Their Goodwill>

<You Will Be Given Rewards Based On Your Accomplishments>

<You Will Be Given Additional Rewards Based On Your Actions>

[SEE MORE INFORMATION]

Once the party members saw the System window being displayed before them, they forgot their fears and gave in to excitement.

That was all that mattered now.

Still, even with the rewards given to all of them, one member, in particular, couldn’t keep her eyes off of the floating gait of the Masked Hero.

It seemed he had also received the System Notification and was checking out his rewards.

The entire battlefield was still, and it seemed like all sound had vanished from the area. This woman couldn’t keep her eyes away from the center of attraction that seemed to dull everything else.

Tia stared hard at the Masked Hero, marveling and blushing.

‘He did it again…’

>THUMP<

>THUMP<

>THUMP<

Her heart was pounding violently.

She hadn’t felt this way before, so Tia took a while before completely realizing the emotion that was consuming her­—

Love—

Some called it love at first sight, fate, destiny—whatever it was, Tia felt it swirling within her, swelling more and more.

And before she knew it, the girl became completely entranced with the Masked Man.

********

[You Have Leveled Up]

[You Have Leveled Up]

“Whoah, two in a row? I’m surprised!”

As I remained in midair, I watched the System congratulate me for my feats, and how there would be additional rewards.

It also continued its narrative as to how the dead souls were willing to offer themselves to me as an expression of their gratitude. I didn’t mind that since I needed to fill up my Spirit Ring with souls for it to be empowered.

‘Seven hundred thousand souls are good for a start.’

Well, they were more than good if I was being honest. I just hit a jackpot.

“No, then… let’s see the rewards.”

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

[Congratulations!]

<You Have Completed The Challenge Of The Seventy-First Floor>

~Rewards Will Now Be Allocated~

<You Have Been Given The Spell: Soul Reaping (Middle)>

<You Have Been Given The Spell: Soul Enslavement (Middle)>

[They Will Be Added To The Ghost Magic Section In Your Grimoire]

I smiled.

‘So, I finally have this, uh? Good…’