Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: The World of the Strongest 7
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That colossal monster appearing in the heart of New York, Manhattan, wasn't the end—it was just the beginning.
Crack! Craaaack!!
Rumble rumble ruuuuumble!!
Starting from New York Manhattan, colossal monsters emerged in Canada, Alaska, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia, Mongolia, China, Korea, Japan, India, Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Poland, Italy, Germany, the UK, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, and countless other countries.
Roooooooarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!
The world, naturally, descended into chaos. The weaker a country's Tower suppression force—the players—the greater the shock. Some nations even issued total mobilization orders.
Countries hosting members of the Strongest 7 suffered minimal damage. But those without fared far worse.
Island nations bordering the sea took the heaviest hits. Everywhere except Japan was said to be on the brink of annihilation, with damage so severe the rumors were hardly exaggerated.
Australia, at least, leveraged its vast continental landmass to repel the beasts.
But Sydney had been destroyed.
Demolished beyond repair, to the point where abandoning it entirely seemed the better option.
"My God..."
"This has to be a dream..."
"Ahhh..."
"Overnight..."
"How are we supposed to live now...?"
"What do we do...?"
"...We have to leave this place now."
"...But where to? Nowhere's safe."
"...America should be okay. They've got superheroes there."
"This place isn't safe anymore... We need to go to Korea! Safe Korea!"
Those whose homes were trampled by colossal monsters fell into despair. Grief manifested as mournful tears, agony as blood and screams.
Death cared nothing for age, gender, or status. It shattered all equally.
With nations shaken to their cores, public order plummeted. Hoarding of essentials intensified, and illicit Nectar deals proliferated in the shadows.
The wealthy abandoned their countries for safer foreign lands. Players who lost hope succumbed to temptations from abroad and turned their backs on their homelands.
"...Thank God we're Chosen Ones."
"...I can't die. Gotta survive somehow."
"...Let's get out of here."
Real estate values hit rock bottom.
Everywhere outside the Strongest 7's host nations sank into worthless sludge.
Even Dubai's towering skyscrapers, symbols of wealth, proved mere bubbles—and were abandoned where players were scarce. Even the rich hid away, valuing their lives above all.
To make matters worse...
"Th-the Tower...!"
"Erosion rate keeps climbing...!"
"At this rate, a Monster Wave is coming!!"
"It's because of the colossal monsters...!"
"We gotta run! It could burst any second!"
"Aaaargh!!"
"Ruuuun!!"
The colossal monsters had thrown the world into disarray, causing Tower erosion rates to skyrocket everywhere.
Monster Waves were now inevitable; it was only a matter of time.
It was a true nightmare—an era devoid of hope, filled only with pain, screams, and wails...
The Nightmare Age.
Yet ironically, as the world suffered, the value of exceptional players—and the Strongest 7 in particular—soared.
The outcome was inevitable.
China's supreme superhuman, Heavenly Horse Ryu O-shin, transcended "strongest" to become the War God symbolizing China itself.
Ryu O-shin's worth pierced the heavens, propelling him to fifth in the Communist Party hierarchy. Whispers even called him the successor to the General Secretary.
Japan's Chosen, Kaguya, became the spiritual pillar of her nation.
Her Dragon God Cult became Japan's premier faith, boasting over 60 million adherents.
She effectively supplanted the Emperor; even the cabinet dared not command her lightly.
Russia's top psychic, Vladimir, ascended to vice president, wielding power second only to the president.
Rumors dubbed him the true number one, his popularity and influence eclipsing the sitting president, with the people's trust absolute.
Italy's Guardian Aria was granted the title of Saint by the Roman Curia, becoming the EU's guardian deity of justice.
She also led the NATO Guardian forces, protecting all member states.
Korea’s strongest hunter and Sword God, Kang Mu-hyuk, chaired both the Hero Association and Hunter Association while directing the newly formed presidential agency, the National Security Superhuman Office—solidifying his status second only to Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
The people's faith in Kang Mu-hyuk was unshakable. When he repelled the Monster Wave triggered by colossal monsters without a single casualty, the nation erupted in cheers.
America's top superhero and Hero, Jack Roar, was beloved as "Superman" by the American public.
Jack Roar was granted the right to judge villains on the spot and, when needed, commandeer military forces—an unprecedented privilege.
Thus, the Strongest 7 claimed wealth, fame, and power as the pinnacle players.
People believed without doubt that they would soon surpass national representatives to become something greater.
...And the people's guesses proved spot on. But one thing they never foresaw.
Heavenly Horse Ryu O-shin could never tolerate mere mortals lording over him.
Of course, he'd endured it until now due to lacking the power. But now, edging from 4th to 5th rank, things had changed.
"Kill them all."
Ryu O-shin bared his hidden fangs.
Leading his Heavenly Horse Army, he stormed the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, executing the General Secretary and every Communist Party member on site.
This decapitation strike wiped out China's leadership almost entirely.
The Communist Party lost all function, forced to kneel before Heavenly Horse Ryu O-shin.
"I alone am the true ruler of the People's Republic of China, the heavens themselves. All of you, kneel."
Ryu O-shin became the true Heavenly Demon, dominating China. He slew all who resisted.
In Japan, the Dragon God Cult was enshrined as the state religion. Its shrine maiden and leader, Kaguya, transcended humanity to become a demigod.
The cabinet devolved into her puppets.
No one dared defy Kaguya—not even the Emperor, who bowed at her feet. The prime minister was her devout follower.
"We shall follow the Dragon Shrine Maiden."
"We shall follow!!"
"We shall follow!!"
She wielded absolute power as Japan's undisputed master.
"All shall be as you decree."
Vladimir conquered Russia per Akasha's will. It was no challenge. He ensnared them in inescapable sleep demon haze and struck—done in a single night.
"Hope this satisfies you."
The night was vampire domain. For the Crimson Vampire Vladimir, it came with the blood authority to create kin.
Of course, no one knew—those he bit became loyal thralls.
"We shall follow our master."
"Bestow your commands."
"O holy ruler of the night!"
Thus, Vladimir devoured Russia without spilling a drop.
Aria, the EU's guardian deity and recognized saint, ascended beyond sainthood to the papacy.
"I'll do my best~!!"
How she rose to pope remained unknown.
The Vatican had elevated her abruptly.
Sudden, yes—but no cardinal opposed. Even Vatican bishops acknowledged her.
"May God's blessings be upon you."
Aria accepted eagerly.
Italians were briefly baffled but didn't rebel.
In a world facing potential apocalypse, no savior existed but Aria.
So all welcomed her.
Sword God Kang Mu-hyuk, backed by overwhelming popularity, claimed the presidency.
He won the election with a staggering 95.8% of the vote.
"In our era, we need a president who can conquer despair. If you believe in me, I will repay that faith endlessly."
As Korea's president, Kang Mu-hyuk enacted sweeping reforms.
He dismantled redundant ministries, quietly eliminating obstacles.
Major conglomerates were nationalized; resisters replaced or removed.
He abolished mandatory military service, neutered the reserves, and fully seized the Hero and Hunter Associations to thwart any coups.
"For Korea's security, even martial law is an option. But fear not, my people! I, Kang Mu-hyuk, will protect Korea!!"
Thus, Kang Mu-hyuk gradually—and thoroughly—transformed Korea into a dictatorship.
But the public remained oblivious. They never suspected the internet or media had fallen under his control.
Besides, before all this, he was Korea's hero—rivaling Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
...In this way, most of the Strongest 7 proved all too "human." Far from the selfless heroes devoted to humanity.
Hero Jack Roar came closest to the devoted, Superman-like ideal—but even he had flaws.
Unlike the comics' Superman, he executed villains decisively.
And for the greater good, he knew when to sacrifice the few.
'...No choice if I want to save more. Minimize casualties... maximize lives saved.'
Saving everyone wasn't an option for Jack Roar. It was impossible.
Not even a Hero could manage it; he rejected such arrogant delusions.
So he differed from comic Superman—heroic yet profoundly human...
A human closest to hero.