Rise Of The Hoarder
Chapter 226 Gratitude

Of course, the nigh-infinite celestial ones knew this proposal was the best.

Executioners were the servants of Supreme Beings, completely loyal and absolutely pure in nature. They were the keepers of balance and existed to blot out all evil and errors that were designated by the System.

It was due to this fact that they knew the Executioners were the perfect ones for the job. However, one problem arose from this sole option the Supreme Beings had.

Executioners could only neutralize and exterminate evil… and their target, Jeremy Lewis… was not!

But, these Gods did not despair, after all… just all, they knew of the future, and the flow of fate was in their favor.

It was only a matter of time!

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

“Okay, then… I suppose it’s time to leave.” I mumbled, looking around me.

The compound was practically empty.

The areas that once had houses and structures akin to kitchens, dryers, and vestiges of civilization were all taken in by me. I deemed the living structures to be useful, so I took the opportunity to keep them for myself._.

Certainly, no one would mind, right?

After finishing my business, I looked at the sturdy compound walls—the ones that still stood erect. Stretching so far and wide, the structure looked lovely, though primitive.

‘The barricade is nice, and the wood is in good condition too. Plus, I should be able to enchant it just like they did, with my new Skill…’

Using this rationale, I stripped the large plot of land of all the wooden barricades that separated the compounds’ from each other. By the time I was done, only the flattened plains could be seen for miles, as well as the forest around.

I had taken everything else for myself!

‘They should all prove useful, one way or the other…’

Also, since I had enough space within [Subspace], it was fine.

With all said and done, I decided that it was time to bring out all the Gifteds locked up in my [Subspace].

“<Summon>”

In a flash, the thirty-six Gifted hostages with me, Lara being among, appeared. They were all in seared positions, the same way they would have been when I used <Recall> to take them back into [Subspace].

They resumed their chatter for a while, and then stopped the moment they realized something was off with the scenery and the time of day.

It was already night.

“W-wha-?!” The group made flustered noises.

“Calm down, everyone.”

My voice pierced through the confusion, causing everyone to look in my direction. They could all clearly see in the dark due to their high Levels. Even Melissa was nearly close to obtaining a Job, and she was the most useless of everyone, in combat.

“Masked Hero!”

“It’s you!”

“What’s happening!?!”

I was already donning my usual Hero’s attire. The dark cloak I had on complimented the pants, gloves, and boot nearly covering all signs of skin on me. My masked still maintained its dignity as well, giving me a mysterious vibe.

The Gifteds before me all had confused expressions, much of which I was sure would be guaranteed. However, as I had already intended from the start, I was going to try out a new Skill I obtained to calm their nerves entirely.

It was an advanced form of <Rule>, and I wanted to see its effects.

<Command>!

“All of you, stand.”

Instantly, the seated humans obeyed without any hesitation. I smiled underneath the object that blocked my face.

<Rule> could only affect the emotions and inner processes of my targets, but <Command> allowed them to act how I wished. It was the ultimate control Skill! Plus, with my Dominator Title’s effects, my Skull’s proficiency was higher.

I could make these people do my bidding.

‘Is there a more advanced derivative of this? If so… it must be crazy broken!’ My mind raced with excitement.

I couldn’t get carried away, though. I still had a role to play.

“Don’t be so flustered. It took some time and effort, but I finally took care of the Horde and closed the gate… see for yourself.”

I stepped to the side and raised my hand, pointing at what would have been the Hobgoblin’s territory. What could only be seen now was a bare, barren land.

I watched their expressions and grinned with satisfaction as they made amazed and completely flabbergasted faces.

Their eyes bulged to take in the wasteland that used to be crawling with green monsters beyond their control. Some even burst into tears as they finally realized that the fight was over.

They survived the ordeal that had killed others, and finally… finally…

“It’s time to return to your homes. You’ve done well.”

With this statement of utter bullshit coming from my mouth, the pole broke down and thanked me profusely.

Many still had shock written all over them and most likely wondered how I was able to cause not only the Hobgoblins, but also everything else in the area, to vanish.

“T-thank you so much!”

They offered thanks in tears of gratitude, kneeling before me and mentioning praises over and over. It was thanks to me that they survived the stampede. I saved them from inevitable death. I guided them through the Horde and made them all phenomenally stronger.

I championed the cause and took care of all the big guns. Though they couldn’t get the Demon Cores from any of the monsters I killed, they apparently all considered the loot a small price to pay for their lives and safety.

Being faced with so much gratitude and worship, I had to say something to cheer everyone up, didn’t I?

“I only did the right thing. Helping others… is only common sense.”

Yep. That still made me cringe.

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

According to my story, I used a very dangerous Skill to wipe out everything in the area, including the gates and wooden barricades.

That was why I had to transport them all to my alternate space dimension—so they wouldn’t get caught up in the blast.

The result was what they saw before them. Nothing at all remained.

“Here. I took the liberty of picking up the Demon Cores of the ones your slew.”

Handing over two large sacks filled with the glowing red stones of Demons, I offered them to the group.

It was their spoil of war, wasn’t it?