Chapter 177: Council
Two months had passed, and yet the test still hadn’t ended.
Inside the highest floors of the Tower, within the grand hall of the Heaven Council, dozens of officials stood in silence as reports continued to arrive one after another.
At the center of the room sat Lilith upon her throne, listening patiently.
"The latest reports from the Test Area have been confirmed." A council official stepped forward. "Newcomer Shin has still not exited the trial."
Murmurs spread throughout the chamber. Even after two months, many still found it difficult to believe.
It was hard to imagine anyone surviving this long in that place, especially after the seals had been lifted.
Even the most talented newcomers shouldn’t have been able to last more than a month. Yet Shin remained inside, but that wasn’t even the most shocking part.
"The reports from the observers stationed near the Lost Portal have also been verified. Approximately three weeks ago, Shin crossed the Lost Portal accompanied by the researcher Livia and another newcomer named Carolina."
Several council members frowned in confusion. The Lost Portal was famous. It was an ancient structure that could only be accessed once all the seals of the Dark Forest had been lifted.
Many treasures had been discovered around it, so numerous expeditions had been sent through the portal. However, every man who entered the Lost Dimension died, while every woman who returned lost her memories.
After multiple losses, most clans had abandoned research into the place, especially because the Dark Forest was only accessible during the testing period.
Yet somehow, Shin had survived there for over a month.
"No one understands how," the official admitted.
Another council member sighed. "At this point, the situation is becoming absurd." He placed several documents on the table. "Because the test cannot conclude while participants remain alive, the expansion system remains suspended."
"And the economic consequences are becoming increasingly severe," another official complained.
More reports were distributed across the chamber.
"The number of newly created guilds has exploded. Most of them are shell organizations with only a handful of members. They lack the manpower necessary to fully utilize their territories."
The result of such a situation was obvious: a reduced level of hunting activity.
And even when many of these new guilds opened their territories to others, members of the old guilds were prohibited from hunting there.
Less hunting meant fewer monster materials entering the market. Meanwhile, thousands of adventurers still possessed large amounts of System Coins.
The result was inevitable.
"Prices have risen nearly everywhere."
Naturally, the major clans were far from pleased. Their decades of influence and the established balance of power were being temporarily disrupted, and the financial losses were already substantial.
Several guild leaders had submitted formal complaints to the Tower Empress, asking her to change the way the expansion system functioned.
It wasn’t possible to make such changes immediately, but it would be possible to prevent a similar situation from happening in the future.
And regardless, the process would be extremely slow. The last time the Empress had made an actual change to the system was fifty years ago.
If a change occurred because of a single newcomer, it would become a historic event.
Lilith almost giggled at the thought. She had known Shin was special from the moment she met him, but even so, he continued to surprise her.
Anyway, the meeting continued. "We have confirmed that several clans have begun exploiting the situation."
A projection appeared above the table. Territories across dozens of floors lit up.
"They are creating large numbers of guilds in order to claim additional land before the test concludes."
There were also reports that some clans were using similar methods to sabotage their rivals, although those reports still required confirmation.
"No."
Lilith’s firm voice immediately drew every eye in the room toward her.
"Why not? Heaven possesses vast reserves of territory and a large number of members. If we move quickly, we could secure enormous amounts of land. And if your report about Shin is accurate, this situation could continue for a very long time."
Lilith shook her head.
"The clans taking advantage of this situation are making a huge mistake and wasting enormous amounts of money. Guilds are extremely important, and creating a hundred of them is simply a massive risk."
Lilith calmly looked around the room.
"The truth is that it’s difficult enough to find even a single trustworthy Guild Master."
Several members exchanged glances. Lilith was essentially saying that she didn’t trust most of them.
"You are all conveniently forgetting that every new guild creates another power center that may eventually betray us. Creating new guilds would only mean burning resources with no guarantee that those guilds will remain loyal in the future."
What she was saying was obvious. The territory belonged to the guild, not the clan. That was why a clan should only allow its most trusted and important members to become Guild Masters.
"These greedy clans are effectively creating future rivals, or at the very least, future headaches. They simply haven’t realized it yet."
"I believe this entire discussion is irrelevant," another council member argued. "The test should end soon anyway. Shin can’t survive forever."
Several members nodded. No one could survive indefinitely inside the Dark Forest. At least, that was the common belief, but Lilith merely smiled.
"If it were anyone else, I would agree." She rested her chin on her hand. "But Shin is... unusual. He clearly possesses some special source of information, and because of that, he can accomplish things that seem impossible."
Lilith doubted that Shin would put himself in such a situation unless he already knew survival was possible.
"I don’t believe this will end as quickly as everyone expects." Several members frowned listening to her words.
"You really think he’ll survive longer?"
"Yes. That’s exactly what I wrote in my report. Did you actually read it?" Lilith asked, visibly annoyed. "Planning around Shin’s death is a poor strategy."
Her answer drew several thoughtful expressions, after a moment, she rose from her throne.
"If everyone else wishes to fight over territory, let them. We should pursue something far more valuable."
The room immediately focused on her, Lilith walked toward the massive map floating above the council table. She pointed toward several trade routes.
"Prices are rising. Supply chains are weakening."
A smile appeared on her lips.
"In other words... this is a seller’s market."
Understanding spread almost instantly. Several council members possessed strong business instincts. Crises had always been excellent opportunities for the wealthy to become even wealthier.
"We will purchase materials before shortages become worse, provide loans to struggling guilds, and acquire failing businesses."
Her smile widened.
"Guilds that cannot survive the crisis will become dependent on us."
Lilith continued issuing orders, preparing Heaven to take full advantage of the situation Shin had unknowingly created.
