Every Stronghold had different sectors that acted as their own tiny country. These Sectors, depending on their sizes, houses thousands to millions of human lives.

Although there are many of them, that does not mean that all were warriors and fighters. Some were typical day-to-day peddlers, while others were ordinary button-pushing citizens.

Not even 15% was powerful enough to fight against a LVL 25 daemon. The world may have given everyone the power to change, but that does not change the fact that others do not wish to rely on conflict to rise in power. Many still rely on others.

However, that didn't indicate they didn't contribute to the world; it just meant they have different roles to fill. After all, the world would not function if all were but mindless fighters and no thinkers.

And while the fighters fight for peace and resources, these thinkers sat in a tower called the Obelisk.

These Obelisks were no monuments but a building and the sign of peace and power. Inside this tower, at the very top of it all, sat a group of people leading that sector's government.

It was a group of fourteen people, comprised of businessmen, warriors, and Sector Leader. That was the usual group; however, that day was currently a bit different.

The ones who were present were the seven leaders of the Eastern Stronghold 3.

Their agenda was straightforward, to deal with the ramification of the Joint Expedition that had turned to a massive loss of power.

The Sector 25 Leader spoke…

"The Scorching Forest, it is East of Sector 25 and has been the death bed of many Hunters. We have not seen so many deaths since the Rafflesia accident two years ago.

"Currently, people are in a state of panic and unrest. The number of deaths this time had allowed the media to affect the view of our leadershi[. We need to find ways to cover our losses quickly, else we will be replaced."

The Sector 28 Leader agreed with his words, "I agree, the number of deaths is simply staggering. We lost a handful of B-Rank and B+ Rank Hunters. The beasts there have been eradicated, the remnant of the Village, and the daemons' bodies are proof enough of the victory. The media is on our tail demanding how we could deal with this loss, and public opinion is on an all-time low. I know the situation is bad. However, we can use this situation…"

"How do you mean?" One of them inquired.

"With this incident, we can use the Hunter that survived as a flagship, turn her into a hero, and tell her story about the hard-fought battle she went through to appease the public. After that, we use that chance to recruit fresh blood into the Hunter's Association; if we do well enough, we can use this chance to ask for help from the Core Sector, thereby furthering our strength. We will be able to use that strength and reclaim the Bleeding Rage Valley. With that in our hands, we'd be able to sell raw materials to the West."

A chortle escaped one, and the others followed suit. In the midst of an unfortunate accident, there would always be those who could see the bright side of things, even if that view was nothing but a skewed vision of a greedy and cowardly leader.

Then again, what he wanted was only protection, and with his protection secured, so will the people under him. In a way, the cowardly a leader was, the better the survival of his people.

With this finished, the Sector 23 Leader chose to say his piece, "We will do that. For now, let us tackle the issue of the destruction of the Dungeons over at Scorching Forest. This shouldn't have been a problem, but some of the reserved Dungeons are closed up without our knowledge. Because of this, our haul, export, and overall income is dwindling fast… also, it would appear that two days ago, every dungeon in the Scorching Forest had been conquered…"

"Is it another vigilante group?" one of them asked, his anger hidden from behind his gritted teeth.

"I am not sure, but with the rate they are clearing the dungeons, I fear it must be a massive force. And we have received another set of news that the North-East is beginning to turn rowdy. Mana fluctuations are happening at an incredible rate, and if nothing is done, the Bleeding Rage Valley will soon be affected. I fear that a Monster Tide might come alive."

===

The sun, it was once the most respected celestial body in the world. But as the new eras came about, it was now only the receiver of hate.

'Goddammit, this fucking sun is too much for me. Why the hell did I decide to go for it? Now, how the hell am I going to fucking to survive in this godforsaken place with this shitty heat?'

[Hey, don't complain, just ensure that whatever you are doing is going to work, if not, I'm taking away the Map function of the System.]

'Shut up, will you? I'm trying to direct a genocide here.' Lilith said with absolute calmness in her voice.

The human Sectors were doing some massive shifts in power. However, the same could be said in the North-Eastern part of Stronghold 3.

Over at the North East, the daemons were being routed by newcomers from a Foreign Land. These lands had been in a constant state of balance for the past decades. There was no ruling being who stands at the peak of the North East. However, some group from the decimated Scorching Forest appeared without warning and began exterminating every dungeon in the vicinity.

Lilith appeared from the East and smuggled her forces over this territory to make them stronger. At the moment, she had around fifty daemons who had reached LVL 120 and beyond.

Right now, she was inside a dungeon, leading the entire forces in order to share the experience.

And as time went on, Lilith finally stood up as she saw the Boss Monster appearing.

[Boss Monster: Ghidor LVL 186]

It was a three-headed snake monster roaring like no tomorrow. Lilith, as she stood in her Tri-Horn Apostle form raised both her tiny and dainty hands.

She gathered mana and began mumbling to herself, 'Let's try doing this again…'

She didn't activate any active skill; instead used her passive skill mana manipulation. Lilith gathered her mana and manipulated the element around her.

A massive gust of wind began to arise around the Ghidor, and Lilith cupped her hands. The Orochi was suddenly encased in a swirling storm which soon became a typhoon.

The Boss Monster wanted to escape as quickly as possible, only for Lilith to gather Fire element inside her mouth and create a breath attack like a Dragon.

'Free Skill: Fire Tornado!'

The Ghidor was swallowed in a blazing tornado, and as the wind stopped…a damaged Ghidor appeared. It wasn't dead but would soon be killed by the Army.

Lilith looked at her work then clicked her tongue, 'The potency of the flames is weak. I still can't draw out the power of an element without an active skill.'

Free Skill was neither a passive nor active skill. It was a technique she created by combining her passive skills.

Using Mana Manipulation and specific Elemental Manipulations, she was started shaping attacks to use…she was slowly branching out from her given powers.

In short, Lilith was becoming stronger.