Rise Of The Hoarder
Chapter 278 Heartless Strategy

What should I have done? Accept death?

No way!

No matter what, I wanted to live. That was why I had done so many unsavory things—perpetrated atrocities that would cause many to label me a monster. I did them all so I could live!

Yet, my life was going to end even as I was confused as to the reason. No, I couldn’t accept that!

Even as I stared at Lara back when she suddenly appeared thanks to <Automatic Summon>, a dark thought crept into me.

I initially hesitated in executing it, but the allure become completely irresistible in the face of certain death.

It was at that point that I realized that no matter how much I loved a person, or claimed to care about them… in the face of my own survival… I would completely abandon whatever sentiments had been built in my heart.

My (G) Karma Points were 9,899… just a bit before I reached the required amount for a [Subspace] Upgrade.

If I could kill just a single person more, the number would add up. Despite my hesitation, the first individual that came to mind was Lily. Unfortunately, she was no longer in my grasp, and I couldn’t even ‘Recall’ her._.

If only I could achieve a total of 10,000 (G) Karma Points, I could unlock a new ability that would give me an edge against my adversary.

Soft far, I realized that touching my opponent and her feathers did the trick, even though ranged effects were useless.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t even fast enough to compete with the winged woman’s speed. [Subspace] had never failed me before when it came to upgrades. It certainly wouldn’t let me down now! If only I could get my hands on more (G) Karma…

My mind raced, seeking other alternatives, even with Lara directly in front of me.

I truly didn’t want to think of her, but my twisted mind knew it was only a matter of time before she was the only option that existed.

Fortunately, or could I even call it that, the woman already knew I would sacrifice her. I didn’t know how, but it seemed she could read me like a book and figure it out.

She didn’t make an attempt to flee to struggle. As usual, she accepted her fate with a smile, making it easier for me to pull the trigger.

Even with that, it wasn’t any easier.

Still, I did it!

And the effects?

The effects were superb!

Lara had a high Level, and she gave me the highest (G) Karma Point I had ever received from any other Gifted.

A whooping sum of 500!

As a result, not only was I able to meet the requirement, but I also got surplus points as change.

While the Angel was still recoiling from my actions, I took the chance to obtain my goal and upgrade my Gift. Fortunately, I made it in time and got three new abilities that changed my perception of [Subspace] forever.

One, was the ability to take in any matter, even living beings, just by looking at them.

Second, was the ability that helped me get rid of the Angel and her feathers even though I could barely see them—Automatic Subspace!

It was an offshoot of <Automatic Summon>, I was certain, and it allowed me to send objects into my [Subspace] based on distance and value.

Thanks to that, once the Angel entered my range, she was done for!

The final ability I obtained could be considered the most broken one of them all. It was ‘Unlimited’!

I now had an unlimited number of Slots in my [Subspace], completely removing any worry concerning the previously insufficient slots from my mind.

Thanks to these three new perks, I was able to emerge victorious and would now proceed to achieve greater heights, but… at what cost?

Looking around me, I could see multiple shattered buildings and tons of rubble around.

The destruction was greater than anything I had expected, and it weighed too heavily on me. All the loot I had previously gotten was now destroyed and I barely had anything left in my arsenal but food, water, and miscellaneous supplies.

‘Well, I still have the throne…’ A slight chuckle formed on my face as I remembered not using that.

Still, though, everything else—at least, nearly everything—had been destroyed.

My heavy eyes looked around as my body slumped while moving. There was something in sight that buzzed. It was golden in color, and the way it flashed made me feel a slight bit of hesitation about approaching, but I did so anyway.

Upon closer inspection, I fully realized what the glow was.

“That’s the ball that trapped Lily…” I uttered, seeing the bright glow of the golden orb dim until it finally flickered out and vanish.

The absence of the Angel that supplied the energy must have caused the force field to dissipate.

I watched the girl who had been within it slump to the ground slowly, as though being carefully let down by the remaining glows before completely fizzling out.

A single smile formed on my face as I carefully examined the little girl. She seemed so innocent and her peaceful sleepy face showed how oblivious the poor thing was of the entire incident that transpired while she was unconscious.

‘…’

I reached out for her, but stopped midway.

My heart ached considering what would happen if I took her along with me and had to decide sacrificing her once again for my benefit.

First was Paul, then Lara… would Lily be next? Her?!

My eyes gazed upon the girl’s little frame as the remnant of humanity within me tightly gripped my conscience.

I was currently Aligned as ‘Neutral Evil’, so it would completely make sense for me to take her with me, despite knowing the consequences, and exploiting her as much as I could.

Killing her was also an option since I could gain (G) Karma Points and EXP, without resorting to any hassle of raising her.

But, even then, I didn’t want to do any of those.

Was it weakness? Sentiment? No, I didn’t think so.

‘It’s too… inefficient…’