Rise Of The Hoarder Chapter 20 Useless!

“Sure, I’ll help you out” I agreed to his request, smiling at the tied-up man before .r

The frightened expression Paul had slowly dissipated into relief.r

“R-Really?” He stuttered, still unsure of whether to believe my words or not.r

“To tell you the truth, I’ve gotten stuck in my attempt to leave this place. I can’t do it alone… I need you as much as you need ” I said with a sigh.r

“W-Wha-?! Even as strong as you are?” He questioned.r

“Well… The thing is…” I mumbled, appearing uncertain.r

Judging by how this has played out so far, Paul was naïve when it ca to this world and its system. I had thought I missed out on a lot since I wasn’t summoned along with the first batch, but it seed even the ones who were, didn’t have much information as well.r

If I can gain this guy’s support, I’ll be able to pull it off.r

“… My ‘Gift’ is entirely useless in combat” I revealed to him.r

“W-What… Y-You an… You can’t fight…?!” He asked, slowly returning to his panicky state.r

“No. it’s not that. Due to my high level, I’ve managed to survive so far, but since I have no offensive ability it’s hard to survive when I’m surrounded. That’s why I try to avoid many fights.”r

His expression fell upon hearing this. It looked like his trust in was waning a bit. I have to fix that.r

“B-But, that all changes since you’re here. With our combined effort, I’m sure we can defeat those Demons!” I quickly added.r.

I’m sure everyone had their pick of the best, leaving with the worst Gift. So, there has to be so sort of useful nature to exploit in this guy’s Gift that’ll make survival easier for .r

“T-The thing is… I-I…” Paul mumbled, looking at with slight hesitation.r

Co on… Don’t hesitate. Spit it out!r

“My Gift also has no use in Combat… I-I’m no use in a fight!” He yelped.r

As I heard those words, my mind paused to process them.r

“What the fvck is this retard saying?!” My mind flared.r

Even after I was so nice to him, tch. What a wasted venture!r

“There’s no point in an alliance then. I’ll have to find a way to-” I contemplated within myself.r

Suddenly my eyes widened as they darted toward the fine tools I saw earlier. The knives and other makeshift weapons, which looked very well-made, still laid on the ground a few ters from our location.r

A grin ford on my face upon realizing that things may not be as hopeless as I thought.r

“He might still end up being useful, after all.”r

A brief mont of uncomfortable silence persisted between us before Paul finally decided to interrupt.r

“E-Erm… So…” He stuttered, eyes darting all over the room.r

He must be wondering what I intend to do now. Fortunately, he’s not useless.r

“A-Ah. I’m so sorry. I was lost in thought for a mont there.” I quickly said, maintaining my ‘nice guy’ routine.r

“Say, Mr. Paul… Could your Gift be related to smithing?”r

His face expressed surprise when he heard this. It looked like I was on the mark on this one.r

“W-What makes you say that?” He asked in a low tone, seemingly suspicious of my question.r

“Oh, It’s nothing really. I just saw so finely made weapons here, and I thought they were very well-made. It’s not sothing anyone can just make in a place like this, and they seem to be in too good a condition to have been bought long ago.” I explained.r

Besides, a lot of those weapons were tools for killing. There was no way soone like Paul got their hands on it prior to the Apocalypse.r

“A-Ah… You’re right. Those are products of my Gift… [SMITHING]” He finally confessed, stunned by my accurate analysis.r

He appeared impressed, and at the sa ti more fearful of .r

That was good. I can’t have him underestimating too much.r

“Wow! That’s amazing! Why didn’t you ntion you had such an amazing Gift?” I bead instantly, shining my healthy teeth toward him.r

“R-Really…?! I thought it was useless…” He mumbled, now even more confused.r

Of course, [Smithing] isn’t too impressive a skill. In a fight, it’s utterly useless. However, I don’t need this chump to fight my battles for .r

“I can’t have him stealing all that Exp.”r

If he could smith those tools with the materials he had here. I wonder…r

“My weapons are becoming pretty bent out of shape, losing their durability, and I’m not an expert at repairs,” I mumbled to myself.r

Besides, they’re becoming less and less effective against the Demons I encounter.r

I need more powerful weapons!r

“No way! It’s not useless. In fact, that’s what I need the most right now. Mr. Paul, I believe I have found a way we can work together without you having to risk your life in the slightest bit. Will you hear out?” I asked.r

Feeling nervous, but slightly elated by the news, he nodded his head.r

Great! He took the bait!r

“My Gift is called [SUBSPACE]. It allows to store things inside. It’s useless in fights, but I can keep very useful things like weapons inside it.” I explained.r

“W-Wow!” He bead.r

Urgh!, what an absolute noob. For him to think [Subspace] is amazing, he must be unaware of the other Overpowered Gifts that exist out there.r

“The thing is, my weapons are all makeshift objects I carved myself or kitchen utensils. They’re hardly efficient when fighting against monsters.”r

He nodded slowly, taking in my words.r

“But, after seeing the weapons you made, and the Gift you have, I finally realized that this is simply perfect! If you can make great weapons for , I’ll definitely be able to handle those Demons by myself and protect both of us. My level is pretty high, you know?” I smiled.r

Everything I have stated is the truth… Well except for the last part. That was a lie.r

“Really? T-That’s amazing then! You’re right.” Paul instantly agreed upon realizing he wouldn’t need to face any danger.r

“How pathetic” My mind rang in disgust.r

But, his personality doesn’t an much. The only thing that mattered was what he could do for .r

I don’t want just any ordinary equipnt made by fusing a few tals together. No… I have a better idea.r

“[SUBSPACE]” I called out.r

Instantly, the blue window displaying my arsenal appeared.r

“Can you see this in front of ?” I asked Paul.r

“See what?” He asked in confusion.r

Even when the Blue Window was right in front of , glowing in the dark room, Paul couldn’t see a thing.r

“I knew it, so others can’t see your Gift window, uh?” I said to myself.r

This works in my favor though. I wouldn’t want anyone snooping around my stuff or spying on what goods I possessed.r

“I tapped on one panel, and instantly, glowing rocks began to spill out of my [Subspace].r

“W-What is that?!” Paul yelled, looking at the strange sight unfolding before him.r

Ah, I see. To him, it’s just as if strange glowing stones appeared out of thin air.r

“Relax, Paul. It’s just a manifestation of my Gift. I just brought these stuff out of my [Subspace].” I hushed him.r

He quickly pulled himself together upon realizing the racket he was making.r

“What are those?” He asked as he viewed the luminous stones on the ground.r

“Oh, these? They’re Demon Cores. I have quite a few of them left to spare…” I smiled.r

“W-Wha-?! No way. You killed this many?!” He said in shock.r

How funny. I’ve killed way more than these though.r

“… Paul. I’ll need you to ‘Smith’ so weapons… And you’ll be using these cores to do it!” I offered with a grin.r

If this went well, then I would have achieved sothing remarkable which will better ensure my survival.r