Capítulo 19: The Twin Disasters
It was a normal day in Alexandris, people doing their everyday lives until a colossal gate, dwarfing even multiple buildings in size, materialized in the heart of the Nation. The populace stunned and stood in silence; their collective gaze locked on the shattered piece of reality. Traffic ground to a halt, vehicles abandoned as all eyes fixated on the mysterious gateway.
A lone cry pierced the air, acting as a catalyst. Pandemonium ensued, a torrent of panic propelling people in every direction, each desperate to distance themselves from the imposing gate.
Alexander, far away from the gate felt it's heavy presence. Knowing how dire the situation is, he immediately acted and formulated measures on his mind.
Alexander instructed Elizabeth to remain within the house to continue studying the remnants of the gate to prevent information from leaking. To ensure her safety, he called Marikit, a skilled red star Hunter from Everlast, through his phone to guard Elizabeth.
As if things weren't bad enough, Alexander received a call from Park Sang-Min, President of Fearless, the number one guild in Korea, telling him that a massive gate that the WGSO failed to report appeared in the heart of Kaesong.
In response, Alexander immediately called for an emergency meeting, summoning the Diadochi and his officers.
An hour had passed.
Alexander, the Diadochi, and other high-ranking officers of the Everlast guild gathered in the meeting room of their headquarters. Joining them via Skrype, the Presidents of the major Korean guilds.
The assembly room was charged with tension as Alexander faced the leaders of the major Korean guilds. The strained silence spoke volumes of the gravity of the situation.
As the assembly commenced, Alexander took the center stage. He unveiled the grim reality of the situation, revealing that these new gates were far from ordinary. Unlike the previous gates that they have experienced, the gates that appeared are filled with an army of countless Mindless, and Vices.
There would also be an increased number of Corrupted and Malevolents and if they were unlucky enough, a Damned that the modern world had never seen may emerge.
"I have encountered these gates in the past, we should also make countermeasures should we fail to close the gate." Alexander said in a serious tone.
"How do you propose we deal with these gates?" Park Sang-Min asked.
"Gather every available hunter in Korea and collaborate with the Military to prepare defensive measures. Simultaneously, initiate the evacuation of the entire city."
"Sire, in my opinion, we should lend the Koreans our aid in dealing with the gate?" Ptolemy advised Alexander.
"I agree with Ptolemy, according to the legends before our time, a prosperous empire was razed to the ground due to the emergence of a gigantic gate. It took an alliance of every kingdom to defeat the Damned and close the gate." Antigonus said.
Hearing Antigonus' remarks, the leaders of the Korean guild had grim expression on their faces. Among them, Kang Tae-Soo, the youthful president of the Azure Lions, a rising guild in Korea, took a big gulp, steeling himself for the impending perils that loomed ahead.
"Very well, Cassander, take him and seven other yellow stars and depart to Korea once this meeting is finished."
"I will not fail you, Alexander." Cassander said in a sincere manner.
The grim expressions faded on the faces of the Korean Leaders upon hearing that one of the Diadochi and several strong hunters were to be sent to help them.
"On behalf of Korea, I wholeheartedly thank you for the aid you'll be giving us." Park Sang-Min said as he stood up from his seat and bowed to Alexander through the screen.
Seeing the gesture, the other Korean leaders also bowed wholeheartedly to Alexander.
"Korea won't stand alone in this." Alexander responded to raise the morale of the Koreans.
With the conclusion of the meeting, a relentless race against time began. Merely 26 hours remained to prepare and seal the gate before it opens to the world. The consequences of failure held the dire promise of a catastrophic aftermath, a wake of death, ruin, and devastation unfurling in its path.
***
In the solitude of Fearless' presidential office, Park Sang-Min found himself alone, his weariness palpable in the weighty exhale that escaped his lips. Easing back into his chair, he directed his gaze towards the ceiling, lost in a moment of contemplation.
Park Sang-Min, an elder of many years, sports short white hair and a face etched with wrinkles that tell tales of time. His slim figure carries an air of poise, draped in a crisp white suit that complements his dignified but tired presence.
A person enters the office breaking the solace of the room. It was Korea's very own black star hunter, Kang Joon-Sik.
Kang Joon-Sik is a tall and good-looking man, he has sharp eyes, sleek black hair, and a lean body. His wardrobe consists of a leather jacket, a white printed t-shirt, black pants, and two silver tear shaped earing on his right ear. Due to his good looks and status as a black star hunter, he's the most loved and famous person in Korea.
"It looks like only Alexandris and the Philippines will come to aid us." Kang Joon-Sik said.
"It doesn't surprise me, we've got bad relations with the Devastators in America, The Jade Dragon Guild in China never concerns themselves with other countries, Sakura Stream in Japan has their hands full with the missing hunters, and we'd be bled dry by the Guild of the European Nations."
"There's nothing to worry about since Cassander and dozens of strong hunters from Alexandris and the Philippines will come. You also have me here."
"Yes, but for now let's evacuate Kaesong and contact the Military for assistance."
The office's furniture began to tremble, gradually escalating into violent shaking that sent objects crashing to the floor. As chaos engulfed the room and the building swayed, Kang Joon-Sik sprang into action. Swiftly reaching the president's side, using his magic, he created a protective barrier to shield them from possible debris.
"Are you okay president?" Kang Joon-Sik asked with a concerned look on his face.
"I'm fine, thank you for your assistance." Park Sang-Min said as he stands and walks toward the window of the office, looking at something intently beyond the windows. "Was that a normal earthquake or was it because of that damn gate?"
The massive gate outside of the headquarters of Fearless was destabilizing. It destroyed everything that was near it, shredding the buildings, roads, and trees into nothing but small pieces of rubble.
A concerned look from Park Sang-Min and Kang Joon-Sik was evident on their faces. They both felt an ominous feeling that they could not shake after the earthquake.
"Let us quickly prepare to close the gate." Park Sang-Min said with authority as he slowly walks toward the door.
***
Within the confines of the Liam's office in the headquarters of the Devastators, Liam Brooks and Isabella Beaumont engaged in a conversation. The room exuded an air of quiet intensity, the atmosphere in the room was so suffocating that a normal person would have trouble breathing had they enter it.
Isabella's words hung in the air; a question laden with implications. She inquired about the prospect of extending their aid to Korea, a matter that seemed to weigh on her thoughts.
"We should go and offer Korea our assistance." Isabella said in her usual cold tone.
As memories surged through Liam's mind, his demeanor shifted imperceptibly. He projected an outward calmness, a veneer of serenity like the surface of a tranquil river. Yet underneath the facade was a tempest of pent-up fury.
Isabella was like a sailor, anticipating the raging storm coming.
"No, the Devastators shall not give aid to the Koreans." Liam said in a calm tone.
"People will die should they fail to close the gate. Can you just let that happen?"
"Then let's hope for their great success." Liam said mockingly.
"What happened to the old Liam who was ready to help anyone?" Isabella said in her usual cold tone but with hints of annoyance in her voice.
"He has matured and learned from such extreme naivety."
"Can you just set aside your emotions for once and be the Hunter that you are."
In a moment charged with raw emotion, Liam's restraint fractured. The words that burst forth were laced with anger, his voice a tempestuous roar that shattered the quietude of the room. With a forceful motion, he slammed his hands onto the table, the impact a manifestation of the rage that built up inside of him. The table was destroyed under his wrath, leaving pieces of broken wood on the floor.
"Can you just stop! Have you forgotten what those god forsaken bastards did to me? to the Devastators? To You?" Liam said with intense rage.
"They have already been served with justice, your justice. Don't cling on to the past anymore."
Hearing Isabella's words, Liam eased on his chair and turned around to face the windows with the fantastic view, avoiding the confrontation with Isabella.
Seeing Liam's reaction, Isabella let out a heavy sigh as she realizes the futility of her words. There is not much she can do to convince Liam as he already had made his decision. She silently walks out of the room, not saying a single word, leaving him to think and hoping that he would have a change of heart.
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