Rise Of The Hoarder
Chapter 246 Crux Of The Game

The thirteen Gifteds who were participants in the blood-curdling game made by a sick boy ran, all in different directions.

It was the best option they could come up with to preserve their lives.

Of course, a few idiots believed that if they could only last for an hour, they would survive the death that seemed to creep up on them. Some counted the seconds in their head while others completely ignored the concept of time and ran as fast as they could.

This continued until… the one minute of grace elapsed.

After that, the carnage began!

“GARUIIIIIKKKKKK!!!”

The loud screeches of the unstoppable monsters echoed in the air. As soon as the desperate scavengers heard it, they realized that they needed to pick up the pace… else they would die.

Unfortunately, before one of the thirteen could even think of resorting to a Skill for safety, one Hobgoblin Champion had already crept up on him, brandishing its hand to form a fist.

>BOOOMMM<

The attack connected, rendering the scavenger into mincemeat. The pressure made by the blow sent reverb moving across the surrounding—along with chunks of flesh and bone.

While the others had separated from one another, so they couldn’t gain visuals of their respective locations, they clearly heard the shattering sound caused by the Hobgoblin._.

Some were quick enough to activate the <Phase> Skill, giving them temporary intangibility.

However, not everyone was fast enough!

>FWOOOOSHHH<

The Champions moved swiftly, killing three more scavengers in the blink of an eye. Crushing their skulls, tearing apart their limbs, shattering all the bones within, and turning them to dust—the method differed depending on their twisted tastes of the Demons, but it ultimately led to the death of the Gifteds.

A few who weren’t lucky enough to have the <Phase> Skill also fell prey to the assault of the Demons. Four more died as a result.

This made a total of eight deaths, leaving only five survivors.

It had been barely a minute since the release of the Demons, yet over half already crossed to the other side. The survivors were too focused on escaping to care about the death of others.

“Guruiik Guruurik!” The Hobgoblin Champions who couldn’t hit their target growled in annoyance.

The troublesome <Phase> Skill got in their way since their fists simply passed through their targets.

‘If I keep this up, maybe I can…’ They thought to themselves, having glimmers of hope burning deep within their hearts.

Once again, however, they would be dealt another taste of despair!

>ZZZTTZZZ<

A buzz appeared in each of the surviving Gifteds’ locations and a panel opened up instantly.

[SYSTEM ERROR]

~The Skill being used no longer exists in your Skill Slot~

<Skill Effect Will Be Forcefully Deactivated>

[END OF INFORMATION]

Suddenly, a strange sensation coursed through their bodies and they suddenly felt something… yes, the dust that was being raised as a result of the Hobgoblins’ tantrums.

They could feel it now!

‘I’m not intangible?!’ Must have been the thought that rang in their minds at that exact moment.

Unfortunately, they did not have the speed or mental capacity to fully understand and react to what was occurring until it was too late.

>BOOOOMMMM!!!<

Flesh and blood scattered apart in all locations as the once invincible Gifteds were torn apart by the absolute Demons

There was no chance to feel pain or fear. The death was instant—albeit gruesome. In a way, one could assume that it was mercy.

And so, thanks to the mysterious [SYSTEM ERROR] that flashed before the unsuspecting Gifteds— moments before their death—only one scavenger was left… and it was none other than Kevin Smith!

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

“Haaa… Haaa…!!!” Now barely breathing, Kevin still pushed himself to run.

It had barely been a few minutes since the culling began, yet he felt like he had been running for years.

His eyes were transfixed on his Status Window and shock pervades him.

‘H-How is this possible?!’ He questioned within himself.

Unfortunately, the answer to his inquiry never came.

One after the other, his subordinates fell until none were left registered on his screen. Gritting his teeth, he cursed and kept pushing himself to run.

In no time, a Hobgoblin would approach him for battle. He had to finish it off and resume his escape as soon as possible, lest others would catch up to him.

‘There are thirteen Hobs, same as the number of us. Even if they’ve killed my subordinates, it will take some time before they reach me. There should be one assigned to me, that’s the one I should look out for!’

Fortunately, he had high Agility and Vitality Stats, giving him an advantage in his escape.

‘I just need to keep moving. If I encounter a Hob, I won’t hold back!’

Prolonging anything would be to his disadvantage.

Having these thoughts, Kevin held on to his illusion of victory and didn’t notice that, for some reason, he had gotten slower. Not only had he lost his speed, but in only a few minutes, he felt completely worn out.

He had thought it was a result of the tension he felt. Unknown to the foolish man who trod the path of death, the cause was something else entirely!

“GARUIIIIIKKKKKK!!!!” A sharp cry from a Hobgoblin rang through his ears.

It was most likely the one assigned to him!

Preparing himself for battle, the most reasonable choice, Kevin brandished his fist and glared in the direction of the voice. As soon as he readied himself, another cry surged from a different location, and then another, yet again another.

Kevin kept hearing growls of Demons from all directions, as though they had surrounded him.

‘H-how…??! They couldn’t have caught up with me already!’ The dark-skinned man thought in panic.

Fear coursed through his veins as he realized he was nearly out of cards to play. Not only had he lost his subordinates, a major source of his power, but he was already feeling strangely exhausted.

He wasn’t even confident in fighting one Hobgoblin Champion, talkless of multiple ones.

Unfortunately, the fiend didn’t have a choice!

>RUMBLE<

>RUMBLE<

>RUMBLE<

The earth shook and Kevin’s body shuddered in response. His eyes caught the sight of multiple Hobgoblins approaching him. From the front, from the sides, even his back. His peripheral vision didn’t fail to estimate their numbers… they were thirteen!

All thirteen monsters now drew nearer, having bloodthirsty looks in their eyes. Kevin needed no prophet to tell him that he was screwed.

Death was inevitable!