One month after Hawaii's destruction, chaos engulfed the world. Pacific nations faced catastrophic devastation.
A massive explosion in the Pacific Ocean triggered a tsunami. Waves over 50 ters high struck every country bordering the Pacific simultaneously. Within hours, islands were subrged, and coastlines obliterated.
Tokyo's eastern shores were completely subrged. The governnt declared a state of ergency. A radioactive leak began in Fukushima.
The leak was unprecedented in scale. Countries like South Korea and China halted fishing. Japan's already declining economy plumted further.
On the U.S. West Coast, tsunami sirens blared in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, but it was too late. Waves destroyed ports and erased coastal areas.
Island nations like Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa were wiped off the map instantly. Survivors fled to higher ground.
In Australia, cities like Sydney and Brisbane sustained significant damage, though the inland areas remained relatively safe. However, the ports were no longer functional.
Chaos ensued. With destroyed ports and collapsed infrastructure, international aid could not be delivered. Power outages, water shortages, and hunger beca the main crises in the first week.
Shanghai and Hong Kong suffered severe damage. The collapse of Pacific trade routes caused the Chinese economy to falter. With comrcial ships heavily damaged, China's economy stagnated.
Indonesia suffered the worst. So islands were completely subrged. Evacuation efforts failed. Thousands were stranded in high-altitude areas.
Tens of thousands fled from the U.S. West Coast to inland regions. Seattle, being higher and more protected, beca a temporary governnt hub, but its infrastructure was inadequate.
Even though the governnt mobilized the military, it didn't help. This only fueled the anger of an already furious population.
The loss of Pacific trade routes impacted the entire world. Oil prices soared, chip production halted, and food prices skyrocketed. Protests erupted in China, the U.S., and Japan.
Lack of clean water led to outbreaks of diseases like cholera and typhoid. Hospitals were overwheld, and major corporations suffered unprecedented stock drops.
The New York Stock Exchange was closed for a day. Rising global inflation caused economic troubles across many nations.
Russia's ports in Siberia were damaged and rendered unusable. The cold winter, logistical issues, and ongoing conflicts prevented the Russian governnt from intervening.
The U.S. failed to aid the West Coast refugees, leaving local populations in dire straits. People began migrating from the western states, causing a population collapse.
In Indonesia, the governnt completely fell apart. Unable to quell uprisings, the president and cabinet collectively resigned.
The tsunami's radioactive waters devastated the ocean ecosystem. The fishing industry ca to a standstill, exacerbating the global food crisis.
European and Middle Eastern nations attempted to send aid, but with sea routes unusable, assistance was limited. The U.S. and China's internal crises further hampered relief efforts.
Strangely, while the world reeled from sudden disasters, the problems seed unending. With Russia and the U.S. incapacitated, anti-foreign organizations in the Middle East quickly initiated terror attacks.
Iran seized the opportunity to finance these organizations, further straining the already fragile balance in the region.
Europe was in turmoil as well. In Germany, a nationalist party ca to power through early elections, while border clashes erupted between Belarus and Poland.
It seed Lucifer's work was never done. He had to increase the PDA forces to 20,000 out of necessity. As expected, the entire fleet sent to save Hawaii had sunk. Along with the admiral, evacuated civilians, and 2,000 PDA soldiers...
Lucifer had been dealing with headaches recently. Witnessing such a disaster before everything was settled was unfortunate. On top of that, he no longer had access to unlimited funds.
This ant he couldn't spend as freely as before. The governnt was utterly helpless. Even the military budget was slashed as all efforts went toward overcoming the disaster.
On the brighter side, military bases had been established in Ro and Berlin. There were around 10,000 PDA soldiers stationed in Berlin and 5,000 in Ro. Lucifer planned to open new bases in London and Madrid soon.
There was so good news. The Vanguard Demon Hunting initiative officially launched in North Arica. Guilds were established, strategically located in their respective states, with smaller branches expanding into other regions.
Participation rates were surprisingly high, even exceeding expectations, thanks to support from influential figures.
Despite the hunters' formation, the one thing missing was demons to hunt. While Lucifer considered various solutions, no ideas ca to mind. In the end, he decided they should assist with human affairs for the ti being.
Guilds hosted tasks posted by ordinary people. These included simple missions as well as high-reward tasks in collaboration with local police departnts.
Hunters earned both credit points and money when they completed these tasks. Their earnings were not insignificant, making hunting a unique profession in these harsh economic tis.
However, for all its advantages, hunting had its downsides. Missions weren't unlimited. While so hunters were lucky, those less fortunate ended up without inco and often jobless.
Demon hunting, though seemingly simple, was an extrely challenging profession. Not everyone could earn money easily. In the Vanguard Demon Hunting guild, the more work you completed, the faster you climbed the ranks.
Failing to do so ant leveling up at a painfully slow pace. At a certain point, so hunters couldn't even afford the cost of their equipnt.
Unfortunately, there was nothing to be done...
"Azazel," Lucifer turned to the pigeon perched at the corner of the table. "Do you think this is Death's doing?"
"Most likely," Azazel replied calmly. "Death is the most skilled at creating chaos among the Horsen of the Apocalypse. And it's clear the Vampire Prince has indirectly lent his aid as well."
Azazel spoke with certainty. Lucifer frowned. "This is bad. It's just starting, and the world is already in chaos. We need to stop him."
"How will you do that?" Azazel asked curiously. "You can't kill Death to stop him. You can't negotiate with him because you can't find him. In short, you can't stop him."
Hearing this, Lucifer narrowed his eyes, frustration clouding his expression. "Perhaps you know sothing but aren't telling ?"
Azazel grinned slyly. "I do, but I'm not sure it will work."
"Then speak. Let hear it," Lucifer demanded. Azazel chuckled and nodded. "The Horsen of the Apocalypse were created as egoless beings by nature. That was the case until you died."
Azazel paused briefly before continuing. "They gained egos, rested, and eventually ca to bring the apocalypse to this world. Normally, one command would be enough to stop them, but now they've grown too arrogant and powerful to heed even you."
Mocking the Horsen of the Apocalypse, Azazel said with a smirk, "But those fools forgot sothing."
"And what is that?"
"When the Horsen were created, they fed off the endless chaos of Hell. While this granted them great powers, it also ca with serious disadvantages."
Intrigued by Azazel's words, Lucifer urged him to continue. Azazel smiled. "The Horsen cannot live anywhere other than Hell. Their powers co from humanity's dark emotions, and eventually, when they reach full strength, they're forced to erge into the world."
"Impossible. I won't let them succeed," Lucifer growled, frowning as he sensed Azazel's plan. Without Azazel saying it, Lucifer could already feel that he intended to let the Horsen grow stronger and ultimately draw them into the world.
This was unacceptable for Lucifer. Humanity would cease to exist if the Horsen gained full strength, sothing Lucifer could not permit.
"No, no, you misunderstand ," Azazel quickly clarified. "The Horsen have a partial blindness to power, Father. If we bring Avalon's demons into the world, the Horsen will undoubtedly awaken early and attempt to attack the world."
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"So, you're saying we should bring demons into the world and cause trouble for humanity, right?" Lucifer said disapprovingly. Azazel looked at the stubborn Lucifer before a smile of realization crossed his face.
"While roaming this world, I read so mories. Sothing like those 'dungeons' you ntioned," Azazel said, recalling the concept of dungeons. "Dungeons were forming on Earth, with things like dungeon bosses inside them."
Hearing this, Lucifer's eyes lit up, understanding Azazel's intentions. A smile appeared on Lucifer's lips as he processed Azazel's proposal. It was a good plan.
If Azazel could create dungeons on Earth, it would make life easier for the Vanguard Demon Hunters while setting a trap for the Horsen of the Apocalypse.
"And how exactly do you plan to do this?" Lucifer's curiosity deepened. Azazel, with a grin, answered, "I can shatter Avalon. These fragnted dinsions can serve as gateways to Earth. In short, we allow humans to enter the dungeons constructed in Avalon."
"How will these dungeons fool the Horsen?" Lucifer asked, awaiting a response. Azazel replied swiftly, "The more I link this world to Avalon, the more Mana this world will gain, Father. Although Avalon is a fallen fairy dinsion, it still possesses its own Mana."
"The Horsen know there is no Mana in this world. If Avalon's Mana begins rging with Earth, the Horsen will believe it's because of them and will rely on the Mana to descend into this world."
"The Horsen sound a bit foolish," Lucifer remarked calmly. Azazel mocked, "Those fools may have gained egos, but they lack the intellect to manage them. Even though they're no longer under your command, they still act as if they're programd to destroy worlds."
After Azazel spent ten minutes elaborating on his ideas about dungeons, the two ca to an agreent.
"Interesting. I like your idea," Lucifer said, recalling gas he had once played. "Good. Let's implent it as soon as possible. Prepare dungeons all over the world."
Pleased with his father's approval, Azazel nodded. As he turned to leave, he added one last thing, "Don't worry. It won't take long. I'll let you know when the dungeons are ready."
Azazel departed the pigeon's mind and returned to Avalon, while Lucifer resud working on the docunts in his hands.
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