Rise Of The Hoarder

Uncertainty rang in every nook and cranny of my body as I fought to decide on what reality I was going to choose.

My eyes lifted and I saw Daniel and Tasha move toward me. They had grave and worried looks on their faces. Even before they reached me, I could already guess what they would say.

“Masked Hero… er… I don’t know how to say this, but…”

‘I know already, your Camp has been… Ana has been…”

“The Camp had been compromised! We’re not sure if our comrades are being held hostage or how strong the enemies are. We’re sorry to have dragged you into this mess, but… we have to fight and take back out Camp!” Daniel said to me, clenching his fist in determination.

My eyes stared coldly at him and I heaved a sigh.

Suddenly, all the pent-up anxiety within me vanished and it felt like I was under no emotional burden at all. An unfeeling smile crept on my face as I gave him the most ideal answer ever.

“I understand. Lead the way.”

It didn’t take me very long to realize that the reason for my lull was an effect brought about by one of the Titles I had… <Sole Hunter>!_.

As a result, my heartache grew numb and I instantly relied on my rationale.

Using that, I decided to tweak my plans as we advanced in the direction of the Camp, ready to face those who currently occupied it.

***********************

Due to their High Levels as well as my presence with them, the group of Gifteds undauntedly marched forward.

Their eyes expressed determination and a fierce flame of violence sparked by the reality that everyone knew of. During their absence, an unknown group had taken over the home they worked so hard to protect.

For the sake of their fallen comrades who fought for the cause… for the sake of the comradeship, everyone shared… and for the newfound pride that was sure to have bloomed in the hearts of everyone—the Gifteds were determined to take back their homes.

While the most prudent option was to watch from afar off and devise a strategy concerning the enemies, I convinced everyone to press on.

Due to my <Insight> Skill and my immense sensory abilities, I was convinced that nothing within the Camp building posed any threat to us.

Well, I detected two significantly powerful signatures within, one of which had to be Charles. There was no way they would kill the leader of a Camp so easily, not if he was someone with Charles’ personality.

‘He’s alive, I’m certain!’

I was pleased that I didn’t have to resort to multiple words or <Command> in convincing everyone to march forward without hesitation.

Concern gleaned in their eyes, some had lingering fears that could be deduced from the worried wrinkles on their faces.

‘Some of them have children, relatives… or lovers waiting for them in the Camp…’ My eyes trailed to Tasha once I made the last thought.

Her concern for Charles and her child was sure to be overwhelming her, but the woman impressed me by keeping her cool. She probably took solace in the fact that her husband was extremely witty and would secure the lives of her daughter and himself.

Well, that would work in my favor.

The moment we reached a certain distance from the Camp building, the guards stationed in front of the gates were immediately alerted of our presence.

I saw how their lackadaisical attitude morphed into shock, and then worry as they noticed thirty-seven people approach them with no hesitation.

Instantly, one of them ran through the closed gate, slipping through it as though he a ghost.

‘Oh? That Skill… I remember it well.’

It was certainly troublesome, so much so that the intangibility could be said to be a Hax. Fortunately, I had the perfect counter for that.

The man who remained had a look of fear on his face, but he stood his ground, most likely waiting for the miracle that would occur soon.

“Hm…”

I noticed the iron bars of the gate move. The whole structure seemed different from how I remembered it. The original had most likely already been damaged in the siege, and now they used this replacement.

Unlike the thick iron gate that was lifted, this resembled thick iron bars that seemed like burglaries, all woven with metal rods and tied with metal wires.

It was a crude structure, but I assumed this was merely meant to be a temporary measure.

Men began pouring out of the inner recesses of the Camp building as the gates were opened. The nervous man who had been left to guard the gate let out a sly grin, now confident that his friends were around.

‘Hmm, exactly thirty of them, uh? Not that much… there are more inside, though.’ I reasoned, aptly calculating the enemy’s forces.

Judging by numbers, our group had the advantage. But, common sense dictated that that wasn’t the measure by which a person calculated strength these days.

My eyes squinted more and I took a peek at their Status Information.

‘Pfft, seriously?’

At that moment, the final vestiges of doubt vanished.

Our group was already facing the Camp, merely a couple of meters apart from the entrance.

Daniel took the lead, Tasha moving directly beside him. Glaring at the enemies, he pointed at them and made a dramatic statement.

“Who are you people, and why are you occupying our camp?!”

His voice echoed across the already-tense area. I rolled my eyes underneath my mask, groaning in disgust. At the moment, their identities didn’t matter, nothing about them mattered except two things— their evil Alignment and one final thing… their Levels!

It appeared Tasha read my mind so she said the words Daniel had been unable to declare.

“You all have ‘Evil’ Alignments, and you’re occupying our territory. Do not expect any mercy!”

Tasha’s words resonated with the crowd of Gifteds she led and everyone gave menacing growls. The intense glare on their faces showed me how desperate they were to see their loved ones.

No one remembered the exhaustion they felt anymore. The object of their focus was right in front of them… and being the veterans they were, these breed of Gifteds I raised only had one thought in mind when it came to enemies.

Death!