Chapter 16: Social Issues
(One week earlier)
As soon as Rocky's interview was broadcast nationwide, the digital world erupted into chaos.
His allegations against the True Elites guild ignited a firestorm of outrage on social media, as many refused to accept any defamation of these highly regarded figures.
In this world where monster tides originating from the tower, threatened to sweep the planet to extinction every four years.
Hundreds of thousands of climbers engaged in a crucial battle to contain the beasts within the tower's vicinity and safeguard the planet.
Criticizing climber guilds was seen as denouncing the very heroes who had risked their lives for humanity's survival and was considered to be the worst form of social taboo.
The reverence for climbers and the staunch defense of their honor stemmed from a cultural evolution over the last three centuries.
Approximately 300 years earlier, climbers had come to recognize their unique position that their sacrifices for humanity's sake were not obligatory but were choices made out of valor and a deep sense of duty.
Taking part in this perilous struggle against the monster tide, climbers voluntarily risked their lives to repel the invasion, making this decision out of free will rather than any compulsion.
Should the climbers' association ever decide to abstain from battling the monster tide, the repercussions of that decision was not something that the climbers had to face directly.
Instead, ordinary people would have to suffer the dire consequences with countless settlements turning into ruins, and potentially millions, if not billions, of lives lost.
Thus, in a parallel to deities desiring unwavering devotion from mortals, climbers sought fame, love, and support from humanity in exchange for their indispensable services, binding the two in an unspoken pact of mutual dependence and respect.
By insinuating that one of Earth's own climbers would behave with nefarious intentions and cause harm to one of Earth's own rising stars, Rocky had thrown mud at a wall that commoners worshiped daily, and the backlash of such an action was severe, giving birth to a huge digital campaign once Rocky's interview was aired.
As the digital tempest swirled around Rocky's accusations, the online community found itself cleaved into two fervent factions, each wielding their convictions like banners in a storm.
On one side, a chorus of voices called for unwavering accountability. "We can't turn a blind eye just because they're heroes!" a tweet declared, capturing the essence of this group's demand for transparency and justice. Forums buzzed with detailed discussions, urging a thorough and unbiased investigation into Rocky's claims. "Even heroes must answer to the truth," a popular blog post argued, resonating with those who believed in the importance of integrity above all else. This segment of the community, though respectful of the climbers' sacrifices, insisted that no one, not even the most esteemed climber guilds, should be exempt from scrutiny.
Conversely, a vehement backlash against Rocky's narrative emerged, fortified by unwavering loyalty to the True Elites. "Rocky's accusations are a disgrace to the climbers who protect us!" an incensed netizen posted, reflecting a sentiment of betrayal felt by many. These supporters rallied around the guild, dismissing Rocky's claims as slanderous and unfounded. "#TrueElitesHonor" trended, as fans shared stories of climbers' bravery and sacrifices, painting Rocky as a villain undermining the heroes of humanity. "Without proof, these are just words meant to tarnish the brave," a highly shared video commentary opined, calling into question Rocky's motives and character.
Amidst this polarized landscape, social media became an arena for heated debates. Comment sections turned into battlegrounds, where arguments were exchanged with the rapidity and intensity of arrows in medieval warfare. Blind supporters clashed with those advocating for accountability, neither willing to cede ground. "Our climbers have earned our trust through blood and sacrifice!" one side argued, viewing any accusation as a direct assault on the very fabric of their society. "But truth and justice must prevail, no matter who stands accused," countered the other, steadfast in their belief that righteousness should guide their judgment.
This division extended beyond mere opinions, evolving into a reflection of deeper societal values: the weight of hero worship against the principles of justice and accountability. Rocky's allegations had unwittingly tapped into a cultural vein, unleashing a torrent of emotions and revealing the complex relationship between heroes and those they protect. Some saw Rocky as a lone voice daring to speak truth to power, while others perceived him as a traitor, casting unwarranted aspersions on revered protectors.
As the debate raged on, the significance of Rocky's accusations transcended their immediate implications, catalyzing a broader societal introspection.
This was not merely about the veracity of his claims, but about sparking a necessary dialogue on the ideals of heroism, accountability, and the intricate balance between the two.
The fervent online discussions revealed deep-seated beliefs about trust, honor, and justice, showcasing the community's capacity for critical reflection. Rocky's words, whether proven true or false, had already started to achieve a profound effect where they had prompted a collective examination of what it meant to be a hero in a society that desperately relied on them, and how that society choose to paint these severely flawed beings as second coming of gods, when in reality they were far from ideal.
In a society, where people wore tshirts with the tags 'Proud to die for my climbers pride' the question of whether the climbers were even worthy of such admiration was a tough one.
Criticize them too much and they would be disintevized to protect humanity.
Turn a blind eye to their misdeeds and the message that would be sent would become that regardless of what they would do, humans would worship them like dogs because they were dependent on them for their survival.
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/// A/N - This bonus chapter is sponsored by patron RippiN, please thank him in the comments for the same ///
Chapter 17: Whirlpool of hate
Rocky's life changed drastically after the interview aired on national TV.
He was branded as a 'Rebel' and became a polarizing figure wherever he went.
At school, he was given hell by his fellow classmates whose dream was to become a climber one day.
For them, who were indoctrinated as a child to be thankful towards climbers, Rocky's views were blasphemous and hence they relentlessly harassed him for it.
His desk was stuffed with dog-shit, his water bottle had piss inside of it instead of water and some more rowdy fellows even went as far as to spit on him as he walked through the halls.
'Ungrateful cunt'
'Attention seeking whore'
'Dickless bitch'
These were some of the insults that the men of his class hurled at him, with even Adam and Taylor receiving the short end of the stick for being friends with him.
The women he rejected now scoffed at him, spreading nasty rumors about his personality that were simply not true.
His reputation which was untouchable just a few days ago, became unsalvageable now, as he became the center of hatred and conspiracies.
Some wondered if Rocky had sold his conscience and had joined the Agents Of Olympus to betray his own sister.
Some found the fact that he was not celebrating new years at his own home and was at his friends to be a convenient excuse.
Nonetheless, despite all the hatred, and all the taunting, Rocky kept his calm.
One recess, he just went to the school playground and bent the side iron pole of the volleyball net with his bare hands as although he did not scream at anyone in the school, nor did he threaten or physically hurt anyone, with the entire school watching, he bent iron like it was rubber, leaving everyone scrambling in fear.
Rocky had not even entered the tower yet and hence, he should technically not have the strength of a climber, however, after consuming the five body strengthening potions that the system had given Rocky as reward for completing the interview, Rocky's innate strength had increased by leaps and bounds as he became capable enough of bending iron with his bare hands.
This event sent shockwaves across the school as from that point onwards Rocky became the lion of the Savannah that the herbivores scrambled upon seeing.
As they mocked him from afar, however, no-one dared to come close to him or spit on his face anymore as they feared for their life.
Thankfully, all this drama only occured after Rocky had received his no objection certificate from the schools principal, as she absolutely lost it after Rocky bent the volleyball pole.
Fined 2000$ and suspended for a week, the principal really wished she could rescind Rocky's no objection certificate at this point, however, unfortunately she could not do it.
From the second she submitted it, she had lost her hold over Rocky, as once submitted the application could not be rescinded.
She, just like most students, was a blind believer in the magnanimity and grandeur of the climbers and believed that questioning their morales was a crime.
She had hence turned a blind eye to all the bullying that Rocky was facing as deep down she believed that Rocky deserved it, however, when the tables turned she immediately went ahead and suspended Rocky.
However, the bullying at school was nothing compared to the bullying online as Rocky had become public enemy number one.
Religious figures from the Church Of Gemini, the patron god of the True Elites guild, declared Rocky to be a blasphemous traitor demanding for there to be a heretical inquisition to question his intentions, however, with Rocky not yet being a part of the Climber Association and being just a normal citizen, they had no jurisdiction over him.
Rocky's life turned into a whirlpool of chaos and all of it just went to show how flawed the current human society was as a whole.
Accusing the morals of climbers, who were no different from mortal men gripped with desires, ambitions and vices was declared to be blasphemy, the concept of free speech did not seem to apply to them and Rocky found this entire situation to be completely bullshit.
Although he had not wished to place himself in the middle of this shit-storm, now that he found himself within it, he had no regrets.
**********
( Meanwhile Karna )
Using Rocky's interview as an excuse, Karna launched a desperate internal probe into Riva's team to check whether or not it had a traitor.
He provided different information about the investigation to different members and tried to bait out the traitor by spreading false rumors that he had gained evidence that someone within the guild had indeed betrayed Riva.
For a week, he played the game of cat and mouse with Riva's team members, placing a tail on all of them and monitoring their every activity as eventually he received the news that Joe had managed to shrug off his tail and was missing since last morning.
A search of his apartment suggested that he had left in a hurry with clothes and valuables thrown hastily across the room as he only took the things most valuable to him while discarding everything else.
Him fleeing was the irrefutable proof that he was indeed involved with Riva's disappearance and the fact that he was Riva's scout for the night, responsible for her safety when she was kidnapped, made Karna even more sure of his hypothesis.
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/// A/N - My apologies, I'm feeling under the weather and am unable to provide the bonus chapters scheduled for today.
I will surely give them once I feel a bit better.///
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
21 Power
stone 
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