Chapter 17 Prey

“Let’s begin!”r

Using my already boosted-up stats, I lightly sped through the hallway, reaching the stairs in no time.r

The bloodied corpses of the monsters had already vanished. It must be due to the system, after all, they dissipate and become demon cores as well as other items. It only made sense that the blood would dry up too.r

There were no monsters on the stairs, so I hurriedly sped down the third floor and reached the second.r

“Now this is the tricky part,” I said to myself.r

This floor was crawling with Demons!r

As I stepped into the hallway of the second floor, I saw multitudes of the creatures. They all glared at me instantly, baring their fangs at me.r

From their numbers alone, they should be over fifty. There was no way my earlier strategy would work here. Even though it worked out last time, I was sure that sooner or later I would have been overwhelmed.r

“Direct confrontation is unavoidable! I’ll have to fight eventually!”r

Might as well start now.r

“Skriiiiiakkkk!!!” One demon yelled, gathering the attention of the others.r

“SKKKKKRIIIIAKKIAKK!!!” They all let out their disgusting screeches.r

It would only end up being a waste of time to look at all of their Status Information. Ultimately, they would all end up dead anyway.r

I slightly turned the two rods I held on both hands, twisting them in anticipation of the fight.r

Since the stairs were located in the middle of the building, coming down from them meant being surrounded by Demons on both sides.r

Encircled by these bloodthirsty monsters, I stood with resolve, taking a battle stance, and waited for them to come to me.r

Without wasting time, they lunged in my direction, initiating the coming bloodshed.r

I instantly threw the two rods I held toward two Demons who charged at the forefront, using the full force of my muscles to land a fatal hit on them.r

Instantly, I activated my [Skill] ‘Claw Attack’ and stretched my hands toward both sides of the hallway.r

My five fingers brought forth claws, piercing ten monsters in an instant, as their blood splattered all around the space where the battle was occuring.r

My coordination has improved, so I ensured that my attacks would hit them in vital spots.r

Retracting the spikes, I bent my body to avoid the several claws that lunged toward me from both sides.r

The remaining Demons, upon realizing the threat I posed, maintained their distance and kept attacking with their innate skill.r

Fortunately, my agility was quite high now, so I evaded the sharp nails that were being endlessly lunged at me.r

“[Subspace]” I called.r

The blue window buzzed in front of me instantly.r

My eyes were not focused on the [Subspace] window, though. Any loss in concentration on my part will lead to instant death, since about 40 Demons remained, And they were constantly hurling their attacks from a distance.r

“Heh, not a problem!” I mumbled, still dodging their assaults.r

During my time in the house, I didn’t just pay attention to all my [Stats]. There was something very essential that I needed to master. It nearly cost me my life during the last round I had with the Demons.r

“I need to fully memorize the contents of each slot within [Subspace] and the exact location they are in,” I muttered to myself in the solitary space.r

Since I need to select the contents I require before [Subspace] can respond, it would be highly inefficient to use my Gift in a fight. In fact, it was impossible, especially when concentration was going to be needed in the battle.r

However, if I could memorize each of their location within [Subspace] and coordinate my hands accordingly… Even without looking at [Subspace], I would be able to bring out whatever I need without affecting my focus.r

It took grueling time and practice… I was frustrated at a point, but I kept at it.r

“I have 1,600 intelligence points, after all! Might as well put those numbers to good use!”r

Even now, I haven’t completely mastered the whole thing. But, as for the items I needed right now… That won’t be a problem.r

“Sharpened Metal Rods!”r

I tapped on that particular icon five times, and instantly, the weapons appeared above the monsters I concentrated on.r

“Skriiki?!” The Demons exclaimed as five of them instantly died, impaled by the weapons of my creation.r

“Skriiiiikaaaa!!!” The Demons growled in anger.r

“Perfect, I was waiting for that!” I grinned.r

Something important I noticed about the Hell Kobold Spawns was the strong attachment they have towards members of their kind.r

That was why, even when they were afflicted by the Status Condition of <Hunger>, they refused to resort to cannibalism.r

How ironic of savage beasts.r

But, that worked to my advantage. The rage and anger they felt toward me, who mercilessly annihilated their brethrens, I want it.r

The Demons, abandoning all care, dashed towards me in fury.r

They brought out their sharpened claws and all launched them at the same time.r

“That’s a lot… But…” I grinned.r

I brought out my Claws and parried the several ones they used.r

>Skraaaaaa<r

The metallic sounds of grating objects sounded as tiny sparks flew in the air.r

My sudden defensive move made them hesitate, allowing me to select more weapons from my inventory.r

This time, I summoned several knives from my stockpile.r

These knives pierced the heads of my targets, damaging them to an extent.r

“Tch, looks like it’s not fatal,” I noticed.r

But, that was fine too. After all, it wasn’t the finishing act.r

“Skriyaaaakkkk!” They screeched, all lunging toward me from all directions.r

In an instant, I’ll be trapped in an enclosed space, totally overrun by these monsters.r

“No, you don’t!”r

I pointed my hands toward the ground and extended my nails once again. Using my claw attack on the ground, my nails pierced the concrete floor, pushing me higher into the air as the claws lengthened.r

Within moments, I was above the savage Demons who already filled my location and glared at my figure above them.r

I tapped twice on an icon in Subspace, retracting my claws from the ground.r

<Deep Freezer ×2>r

My two Deep Freezers fell from a higher height than I could achieve previously, building an even greater force as they descended.r

I used this chance to jerk my body in the air and summersault away from the crowd beneath me.r

This would have been impossible without my newly acquired [Stats].r

“Skriiikiii!” The Demons yelled in shock, anger, and fear, all combined in one harmonic cry.r

As they watched me safely land away from them, the bloodthirsty demons could not do anything to stop me.r

Because… >SPLAT!<r

>BAM!!!<r

The crashing sound of the two massive structures landing made a loud reverb as the ground vibrated due to their impact.r

Blood splattered all around, spilling all over the walls, the floor, even my newly changed clothes.r

“Yuck!”r

But, despite the disgusting feeling I was having right now, and the weariness permeating my body… I felt a strong sense of satisfaction.r

I have never felt this excited in my life, and now… Here comes the reward.r

[You Have Leveled Up]r

[You Have Leveled Up]r

[You Have Leveled Up]r

[You Have Leveled Up]r

[You Have Leveled Up]r

[You Have Leveled Up]r

“Now that’s more like it.”