Rise Of The Hoarder

Hobgoblins.

A variant of the popular fantasy monsters known as Goblins. While they are more powerful than the base fodder, the Hobs share a similar trait to their weaker counterparts. Intelligence, or rather, the lack of it.

Hobgoblins, like Goblins, are not intelligent. They are savage beings who crave destruction and hunt their prey to survive. At least, that was what I thought until I began noticing the difference with the Horde we were sent to subjugate.

Their attacks and patterns so far were not ordinary. They displayed acts of intelligence, and their coordination was on par with the average Gifted.

After seeing this, I had two theories pop up in my head. One was that these Hobs were more intelligent than the other members of their race. However, using the system to view their stats, their intelligence was nothing to take notice of.

That left the second theory as the only viable means.

‘Someone is pulling the strings… most likely the Boss!’

Upon discovering this, it was easy to decipher my next move. The first would be to take my time and perform my experiments while leveling up. Once that was done, the next thing to do would be to kill the Boss, dispose of the remaining minions, and everyone would end up happy._.

Now on the tall fence, looking beneath me, I saw the huge multitude of Hobgoblins stretching for as far as I could see. Green beings that remained unflinching despite my presence.

They weren’t sleeping but weren’t entirely awake either. This meant they were under the influence of whoever was controlling them.

“Is it similar to how the Hell Kobold King used the <Rule> Skill to command its lesser species to attack me?” I muttered.

If that was the case, perhaps I could get something useful from the Boss’s Demon Core after I killed it.

‘That comes later. For now…’ My thoughts trailed.

Using <Recall>, I returned one of my daggers to [Subspace], launching the other at the group of Hobs. The throw used every ounce of strength I had, enhanced further by the <Aura> Skill that affected the blade and the Core Energy it also possessed.

Sparks of crimson lightning flew around it as it was shot at the group which remained seated.

>WHOOOOOOOOSSSSHHHH,!!!<

MY eyes could not even follow its speed as it raced ahead and hit where I aimed at.

>BOOOMMM!!!<

An explosion erupted from the audience, instantly rousing them from their silent state.

“Knock! Knock!” I yelled, grinning ear to ear at my prey.

The Hobs all looked up and met my gaze. Their eyes changed from tired and sleepy looks to angry and agitated expressions. They displayed their sharpened teeth and gave me savage glares.

“GARUUUUUAAAAAAAKKKKK!!!” The deafening roar from thousands of Hobgoblins sounded in my ears as I stretched my arms, welcoming the noise.

“Ah, this is a first! Performing in front of such a large crowd!” I cheerfully declared.

The Hobs began approaching the huge fence, ready to tear me into little bits. Somehow, they were no longer under the influence of whatever controlled them to be docile, and now they openly displayed the savage nature that was caged for so long.

In a few moments, they would reach the fence, and while they couldn’t reach me from my tall height, I couldn’t afford them getting too close.

‘At this rate, and with their numbers… they could collapse the walls. If that happens, there’s no caging them. It’ll be bothersome if they went after the rest while I am still dealing with them…’ I reasoned, simultaneously using <Summon> to bring forth the weapons in my arsenal.

“Let’s see what I can do with 181 total weapons…” I grinned.

The dagger I threw previously returned to me as a result of <Recall>, so I had a complete set of the tools in my arsenal.

“It’ll be faster if I dual wield. So, I’ll be using the <Hell Kobold King’s Claws>.”

Not only did they have way better Stats than my Core 5 Sword, but I could also wield two at the same time. The synergy they produced with every strike caused their effects to stack, making them both more powerful when used together.

‘So, I have 179 to use as projectiles and two main weapons…’

By the time I was done thinking, the Hobs had neared the walls and would soon make physical contact with the wooden surface.

I instantly reacted by sending my Weapons flying at them with high-speed velocity, boosted by the Core Energy residual within them.

>VWOOOOOOSSSHHHH!!!< The hissed, all darting toward the targets with maximum velocity.

‘This wouldn’t be possible with normal knives or weapons. It’s because of the energy within them…’ I smiled, watching them tear through the skulls of several Hobs, the ones who led the others. Some weapons, like the Hell Kobold King’s Claws and Hell Kobold King’s Tooth, dealt damage to more than one Hobgoblin in a single strike, allowing me to kill about 300 Hobgoblins in a single strike.

I heard a ‘Ding’ in my head, bringing a smile to my face.

[You Have Leveled Up].

I was a little underwhelmed by the fact that killing 300 of them was only enough for a single Level-Up. However, considering the Hobs below me were all fodder, it was understandable.

“GURRRRUUUUUUKKKKK!!!” The Hobgoblins roared in rage, seeing their brethren fall in death.

They now charged at the fence, determined to bring it, and me, down.

“I can’t have that! It looks like I’ll have to come down to your level!” I smiled, instantly leaping from the high estate where I stood, falling to the large group of vengeful and bloodthirsty Hobgoblins that reached out to eat me alive.

As I descended, feeling the wind brush up on my face and raise my hair, I dived, headfirst down, gripping my two weapons even tighter.

“Let’s dance!”

I instantly spun in the air, rotating while descending, still shrouded in the red aura that enveloped my body.

If anyone witnessed this sight, perhaps they would refer to it as fire falling from heaven.

And that was because… my crimson fall brought about chaos to the horde that eagerly expected me.