Chapter 16: Social Issues

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.

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 ///