Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Fox God VTuber Climbing the Tower
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Rustle—
From a mountain of insect corpses piled high as a hill, the Russian climber who seemed long dead stirred to life.
The reason he stopped Wakamo from checking if she was alive.
She had planned to retrieve the body from this dangerous spot before monsters could devour it.
But of course, she wasn't dead at all—just playing possum.
Even so, to cover all bases, he had ingested a drug developed by Russian alchemists that induced a coma-like state.
In effect, he was in a coma, so Wakamo only grew suspicious but didn't realize he was still alive.
"This is [Four]. The fox has entered the burrow as planned."
"[Confirmed]."
—The Russian agent who referred to himself as "Number Four" removed his gas mask, revealing a reptilian face.
His true identity: a success of the New Humanity experiments using monsters, a government climber subjected to human experimentation.
Russia was seething with resentment and hatred toward climbers.
Though treated as an elite class, they had triggered a societal and economic collapse reminiscent of the Soviet era, earning them the mocking label of the new nomenklatura among Russians.
In truth, they were little more than kholops... slaves. No, livestock would be more accurate.
Stripped of freedom, families held hostage, wounds healed after every climb but bombs or toxin vials implanted in their bodies remained— their lives firmly in the Russian government's grasp.
They didn't even know how they'd be disposed of once used up.
His Slavic comrade had lamented his fate as a "slave" while clinging to hope that treatment would improve someday, that freedom would come.
But having lost his humanity and fully transformed into a monster, he was used as cannon fodder to disrupt Korea's Seoul reclamation and died.
The current Tsar of Russia hailed from the [Six Evils].
A Legendary Class "Scientist"—a madman who called himself a challenger to God's domain, a modern reincarnation of Prometheus.
[Four] had been a first-generation climber even before his human-monster experiments, and he had witnessed the man become Tsar during his military days.
The boss of the [Six Evils] had gathered all Legendary Classes and placed a mere scientist on the throne simply because "it seemed amusing."
No one dared oppose them.
They were beings who could whimsically appoint a nation's president.
He had wanted to flee abroad, but the Tsar had long tampered with every climber under military command.
Starting with poisons that nullified [mana], escalating to bombs that detonated if orders were disobeyed.
A madman who didn't see humans as human—his comrades cursed him as "Frankenstein."
Kiiiiiing—
The climber—nay, monster—with drill-like arms continued excavating the tunnel.
Behind him, former humans lined up in formation.
All modified to withstand radiation, fused with all manner of things, evolved into mutants beyond recognition.
And [Four] himself was no different, altered with monster genes.
His birth name and military records erased... Unable to let his family in Russia die, he had simply resigned himself to obedience.
If the Tower was godlike, he prayed it would smite that lunatic.
But the Tower rewarded the madman who sacrificed test subjects en masse for climbs with congratulations, rewards, and [Skills].
'Korea is done for.'
Research to artificially collapse Towers and use captured monsters' genes on humans to thrive outside Tower domains had succeeded.
They had even modified their own citizens and climbers into absurd monsters, some emitting [radiation], bolstering their forces. If Russia launched full-scale war...
'China's land is already under Russian occupation, expanding their territory. The only variable is that Fox God who can produce climbers.'
The moment intel revealed she could create climbers, the Russian government hastily enacted their plan.
The underground facility had high radiation levels, but they had also dispersed a custom [Slime Mutation] drug.
Ordinary climbers were unaffected, but [mana] users would melt, eventually mutating into [Slime]-type monsters.
Kill Wakamo Inarizushi or turn her into a [monster] for use as a new weapon.
Even the underground [boss monster] awaited her, designed to kill Wakamo Inarizushi, backed by four Russian climbers modified solely for that purpose.
In his case: reptilian monster genes granting poison, stealth, and low body temperature for playing dead.
They had originally aimed for Korea's Guild Master as prime material, but this was superior prey.
Especially with her clear weakness—within the [Scientist]'s meticulously prepared domain, the fox would be hunted and meet her end.
Now, having sealed the escape route, his remaining role was to collapse the facility if needed.
Clang... Clang...
"By the way, what's that noise since earlier...?"
Everything inside this factory was monsters created by the Tsar.
They should be moving to kill intruders on his orders... Could a monster have regained its ego?
He opened the locket at his waist, gazed at his family's photo, and steadied his mind.
To preserve his humanity, he needed something to cling to, to affirm his existence.
In that sense, [Five] deployed for this op was the most pitiable.
A mere 24-year-old girl, reduced to a tool for the mission.
"...Hey, over there... Have you regained your self?"
Occasionally, monsterized comrades regained their egos.
Most begged for death, and if there was any hope, he wanted to tell them to run.
"Grooo."
"...It's a bear...?"
What tapped the wall with its paw was a massive bear.
Russia had plenty of bears, but how had a wild one gotten deep into the factory? He couldn't fathom it.
"Sigh... False hope..."
Disappointed, [Four] lowered his head, then snapped it up in realization.
"A moon bear?"
Why was an Asiatic black bear in Russia, far from its habitat...?
Only then did he notice the bear standing on hind legs.
"Chubby chubby—!!!"
"Gaaah!!!"
[Four] flew back from a single swipe of the massive paw. He fumbled desperately for the gun at his waist, but his hand grasped nothing.
Looking up in panic, he saw the bear aiming his own gun right at him, its mouth opening.
"What's with that look, like you've never seen a bear before? That uniform isn't standard Russian military climber gear. Who are you?"
"...A bear... talking...? Guh—!!"
Convinced the bulk made it immobile, [Four] extended his arms for a surprise attack, never imagining human limbs could stretch.
Undaunted by the pounce, Won Da-hye compressed her fluffy fur in an instant and assumed position.
Shifting from bulky moon bear to sleek sun bear, she closed the gap in one leap, seized his throat, slammed him down, and pinned him effortlessly.
"...So you're the climber Russia collaborated with. Just as I thought."
Rifling through his pockets for comms devices, she eyed his inhuman—neither fully [Shifter] nor human, but monster-like—face.
Asuka's diligent intel brought to the Climber's Association was spot on.
This massive facility was essentially a trap to lure and kill Wakamo.
Securing him was good, but with comms cut, they'd assume capture and who knows what tricks they'd pull.
"Sigh, this isn't even Wakamo's fault. She was supposed to lure the Guild Master originally, so... what a mess."
She had tipped off the Chinese government about Russia's monster legions, so they'd be fortifying the front just in case.
Her role here: extract Wakamo and escape if things went south.
That's what they had planned with Wakamo.
The plan to enter via [Camera] portal was solid.
Wakamo had opened a portal the moment she sensed skills were suppressed inside the factory. Won Da-hye had banged around making noise to pinpoint location.
The secured agent had a map, so she scanned it quick, then used a scroll to evac him.
Killing him would be cleaner, but a live witness was best for pressuring Russia.
"Bears are the best, after all."
Untouched by radiation despite no hazmat suit or attacks, Won Da-hye grinned.
Bears, the ultimate creatures!! She had been fascinated since childhood.
Wanting to know more about those powerful, beautiful beings.
Becoming a real bear was a bit unexpected, though.
Thanks to dumping all skills into becoming a strong bear, she was immune to radiation.
"Anyway, best counter is capturing Russia's president, but that's not as easy as it sounds..."
Grumbling, she noted all electronics fried, so used a [magic]-enchanted item.
Relayed the situation to waiting Asuka and headed for the facility core.
※※※
'Huuuuuh....'
Something felt off inside.
Even without breathing, maintaining and reinforcing her body via [Mana Manipulation], it wouldn't stop.
Limbs stretched like rubber despite mineralizing parts and focusing reinforcement on joints.
No choice, she downed a [Soft Milk Potion] after ages.
Stronger than before, a chilling coolness froze her whole body.
[[Acquired [Monster Mutation] skill.]]
[[[Monster Mutation] skill removed.]]
"...?"
What was that?
It flashed and vanished too quick to read fully. Something about monster, definitely. Uneasy premonition lingering, she stuck to the lead Russian climbers while diverting her flanking escorts.
Still able to use [Skills], she brute-forced [My Worlds] to send them somewhere safe.
They looked shocked as they fell... but her gut screamed no good.
How deep had they gone?
A vast space awaited Wakamo. Too artificially carved for a cave.
At its center stood a streetlamp—no, a grotesque monster—perched silently on one leg.
Opening its eyes revealed dozens of multicolored pupils.
[[Silence Eye seals [Skill] usage.]]
[[Lack Eye seals [Item] usage.]]
[[Ascetic Eye seals [Equipment Item] usage.]]
[[Stiffen Eye inflicts [Bind] status.]]
[[Prohibit Eye dissipates [Mana].]]
Dozens of eyes, including Evil Eyes, on this monster—Wakamo had no clue it existed.
Her [accessories] from Won Da-hye forcibly unequipped, even [Mana Manipulation] sealed, her body began melting rapidly.
Only then did Wakamo notice the unidentified mist filling the facility.
The giant eyes were emitting gas.
[[Affected by [Slime Mutation Drug]: Mutating into [Slime Monster]!!]]
"Huh...?"
Not hyperbole—her body was melting. In frantic desperation, she saw the four Russian climbers turn to her.
They stood unaffected by the boss monster's skills, as if kindred [monsters].
"We'll give you a choice. Die by our hands... or..."
Tossing his gas mask revealed a metallic face. The other three were similar.
Beast heads with silvery fur, dragon-like heads with metal scales. The woman Wakamo wondered most about looked more heteromorph than human, skin tone aside.
"...become a half-monster like us..."
"[Two], per the Tsar's plan, she'll fully monsterize—unlike us."
"Is that so, [One]? Pity. No way out anyway. This is an old Soviet underground nuke silo."
"...One question... Those monsters outside... not monsters, right? They felt like you guys."
"...Yeah."
One, Two—calling each other by numbers.
Even with varied pronunciations, Climber Wakamo heard plain numbers.
Names for this op? Or agents hiding real ones? Their reluctant faces made the situation obvious.
"No thanks to slime. Non-human VTuber is too niche!! Monmusu maybe!!!"
Kicking off the floor, Wakamo lunged. Three backed off; one crossed arms to block her punch.
The sensation—akin to that golem ignoring mana.
"Body turning slimy, Idol. We know your weakness is [mana]. No [Skills], no chance—!"
The man called [Two]'s hand sharpened to a blade, slashing Wakamo's arm.
She leaped back desperately, but a "tail" severed her remaining leg.
Left arm and right leg thudded down, splattered into liquid, writhing as [Slime].
"[Three], open the silo. [Five], sever limbs to neutralize."
Climber life was spectacular, she knew; reality fantastical, too... but monsterizing climbers? Male-to-female not enough, fox god treatment, now slime...?
Overkill settings had limits.
Left: right arm, left leg.
No [Skills], body melting to slime nonstop.
Languid exhaustion overwhelming. Good thing she chugged that potion earlier on a hunch; the internal chill let her hold out.
'These climbers have [Mana Null] or [Mana Resistance], huh.'
No wonder their gear was so basic—no intent to use items from the start.
[Mana Burn] threats wouldn't faze them.
No time for reverie—[Five]'s waist-tail speared like a lance.
Giiiing—
Silo hatch opened overhead, "monsters"—once-people—pouring in.
"Don't wanna fight VTuber fans, y'know."
Joking as she tried rising, tail ripped her waist clean off.
Splorch—jelly-like body jiggled elastically.
"Can't win every day. That's life. Accept and push on—that's best, said the octopus priest."
Yang Imo sang of anxiety yet iron resolve to achieve dreams: [Can I become a great soul someday, outlining my contours strong, so strong?]
[Leap into sleep, flip to show. Splashing waves with today's tears sky-high]—overcoming trials to shine.
As a virtual idol, dazzling, unyielding, desperate effort on display.
If dreaming of VTuber glory, follow your oshi's words.
"Sorry, but as a VTuber, I always risk my life—!!!"
One arm whipped around.
Lost muscle, lost power, lost everything...?
No! Gained!! Elasticity!!
Slime traits: stickiness, bounce!
Coiling softly around the incoming tail, flowing with momentum to hurl it back.
Space warped as Wakamo blurred; massive tail smashed [Three] manipulating the silo, sending him flying.
Can't use [Mana Manipulation]—'cause it's a [Skill]?
Her body made of [mana]... immune to [Bind] meant [Idol's Body] still functioned.
No skill reliance—control body fully, move mana manually!!
Thud—!
Crouching hard, legs rubberized, stretched thin, expanded.
Three climbers drew weapons and charged, but Wakamo rocketed forth.
They were certain attacks wouldn't land.
"Wail, Hell Demon Sword!!"
Mouth cracked wide, elastic-launched [Kusanagi's Sword]!!
Can't equip items?
Irrelevant!!
Propelled by inertia, spinning fast, Wakamo boot-kicked the scabbard via body bounce—shattering [One]'s shoulder, embedding deep.
[Two] and [Five]'s slashing fins and dragon claws glanced off her liquid flow as she spun water-like, unresisting.
"Our attacks won't work!! Ignore and strike!!!"
[One], sword-pierced shoulder, commanded. [Five] inhaled, spewing flames; [Two]'s jaw split, vomiting acid.
Whoosh!!
Wakamo's hair whipped the ground alive-like, launching her body.
Acid and fire collided—explosion, smoke billowing. Acid fog melting eyes forced [Two] and [Five] back.
"[Two]!!"
[Five]'s desperate cry.
He looked up—in vain.
Thin, slender—dangerous.
Portion of acid slurped into slime-arm, elastic-whipped blade-like.
No dodge—slash gashed [Two] diagonally, blood spraying.
Wakamo jammed hand into wound, inhaled deep; ballooning hand tore it wider. [Two] rolled screaming.
Then radiation beam incoming.
In that instant, [One] saw it.
Wakamo thinning, transparent.
Convex lens-like, refracting the headlight-eyed monster's beam through her, piercing [One]'s leg.
"Gaaaah!!!"
"Uwooooh!!!"
Two comrades down, [Five] raised claws, skewering Wakamo's head.
Boom—head burst, neck alone remained.
[Five] relaxed seeing liquid-gushing stump... too soon.
Hair writhed, swarming face, invading nose and mouth.
"!!!──!!!!"
Headless yet moving!? Panicking, yanking futilely—rubber-stretched, clung undetachable.
"[Five]!"
Rushing [Three] tripped as Wakamo's severed leg snagged ankle.
Face-planting with a choke, severed arm slapped on, asphyxiating like with [Five].
Severed parts moved with independent will.
"Already monsterized...!!"
[One] drew monster-capture item.
Aimed Tsar's capture tool at [Five]'s head...
[Target is not a monster.]
"...What?"
Limping, he dodged waist-fragment bouncing ball-like at his face.
Leaping to save [Five], a Wakamo-mass rolled, reclaiming all severed bits.
Jiggle jiggle—
Arms, legs crudely reattached, form barely monstrous lump.
Head outright vaporized, irreparable.
"—Got the gist, this vibe?"
But slime Wakamo spoke.
Palm-mouth formed, palm-to-face, arms-to-hair flowing free—mini Wakamo stood bipedally, grinning at them.
Desperate pinch!! Extreme moment!!
Just before death, something appears.
Pushed to limit, stripped bare, bound—revelation dawns.
Even Kwonwang, becoming [Fox Spirit], joyed at testing techniques.
She saw.
Understood.
Body melting—now, achieved it!!
"Got it!! [Idol's Body] principle!! Flows visible!!"
Wakamo auto-[Mana Manipulation] on [mana] use.
But pre-skill mastery, she concentrated [mana] into [Idol's Body].
No [Skills]—direct control meant comprehending [All physical stats 100% mana-based].
[Spirit] dwelled in [Idol's Body] alone.
No eyes yet see, no ears yet hear, no mouth yet speak.
Ballooning Wakamo reformed shell sans core, casually rolled shoulders at four Russians, smiling.
"Sorry. Not human."
"...Impossible...."
Even [Scientist] couldn't grasp this unscientific entity.
Climbers defy science anyway.
[Mana] to zero = vanish, so non-zero [mana] = persist.
Yes, while Wakamo's mind endured.
Body monsterized to [Slime]? Fine.
Control unchanged!!
Thus, now!! Monster-tagged, yet [Skill]-less [Skills] usable!!
Beyond raw jumps—rubber bounce, hollowed core compressing air for thrust acceleration!!
Faster than sound, three climbers smashed into walls/ceiling, ricocheting.
Kwaaang—!!
"Ugh...!!"
"—Oshi the blacksmith penguin? Or zombie girl?"
"Uwoooooh!!!"
Accelerating, snagged [Five]'s neck casually, hoisting as she asked.
Thought climber ultimately, but grotesque inhuman moves terrified her; shaking fear, she punched full-force, bursting Wakamo's head.
Slime chunks rained.
Yet neck/back hair remnants rose, balled round—Wakamo's face reformed.
[Mana] allows endless regen.
[[Idol's Body] gains [Liquefy] function!]]
Current body: [Slime].
Monster pure, but Tower deemed [new Idol's Body ability].
Wakamo fully controlled it, like free [divisions].
Wakamo Inarizushi's body—unstealable.
Proven immune to possession, brainwash, charm.
Even monsterization profited her.
".......P-Please... spare me...."
Unable to meet Wakamo's gaze hoisting her neck, sniffling [Five] begged.
"Fear not. I'm no villain stealing someone's precious VTuber fan..."
"...Even after trying to kill me...?"
"Couldn't kill anyway—meaningless, no?"
Gentle words, brutally chilling.
Her will utterly broken, she urgently blurted realization.
"Op failed... facility collapses...."
Crunch—!!
"No such thing."
Won Da-hye smashed down on core boss, instant-killing via pounce, dusting filth from fur as she replied.
"Groooaaar!!!!"
Full-throated [Roar] panicked monsters into flight.
Contrary to taunt, [Fear] skill cleanly routed them. Won Da-hye grinned at Wakamo.
How's that? I'm awesome, right?
"Um, are you... naked...?"
"Obviously naked. We're both girls, no issue. Ask about six tits and die."
"Cough...."
"Manager, potion any left? Treat those downed folks."
"Naked, really."
Grumbling, she rummaged neck fur deftly, produced potion.
As she moved to heal, [One] despaired like it was over.
"Tsar... watched via us... We all lose... plan fails..."
"Wounds reopening—stay still."
"...will drop nukes...!!"
"...What?"
Wakamo and Won Da-hye finally peered through open silo at sky.
Something streaked toward them.
"Wakamo! Hurry!! Portal!!!"
"Won't work!!"
Harder than forced earlier—[Skills] more suppressed.
[[Monster-mutated state prevents [Climber] Skills.]]
"Aw, damn!!"
Skills glitching explained.
Mana body mods worked sans skills—unnoticed!!
[[Time passes: [Mana Recovery] restores original state.]]
No time admiring helpful service.
Missile faster than item teleport.
Pre-death slow-mo—Wakamo eyed halted nuke dead-ahead, wondering if survivable.
"......."
"......."
".....What..?"
"Body... won't move...."
Seconds later? Won Da-hye and Wakamo realized: time truly frozen!!
Communication possible, but not a twitch.
Same for other Russians beside Wakamo.
Then—
[[Russian Tower confirms crossing line of 'Excessive Human Rights Violations and Genocide'.]]
Tower's voice boomed.
Audible across all Russia.
Wakamo wondered why [Six Evils] committed crimes yet some maintained civilization, order, obeyed nations.
Especially Germany's [Engineer] rep—curious their inner thoughts.
Jackson called them free crime syndicates...
Now, she understood why superhuman [Climbers] let civilization persist, not collapse.
All Climbers, Wakamo included, unconsciously upheld a line.
[[Russian Tower revokes all Russian-affiliated Climbers' [Climber Privileges].]]
Instantly, Russia's Climbers vanished.
Precisely: monsterized ones reverted to normals.
[[Full Tower evacuation from Russia enacted.]]
All Russian Towers vanished simultaneously.
[[Verdict on Russia's right to exist rendered.]]
Beam sliced vertically, halving nuke.
Sliced nuke powdered to nothingness before their eyes.
Beyond dispersing dust: warrior shouldering massive axe.
Chained hood over head/face, nosepiece exposing only eye sockets—[monster] exuded extraordinary aura.
[[Tower dispatches Apostle to execute Russia.]]
Death sentence, merciless.
Jackson forgot: [Six Evils]' one ironclad rule.
Hunt strong Climbers, kill whimsically? Fine.
Build nations, cults on conviction? Fine.
Act worthy of Tower-granted [Legendary Class]? No issue.
Their boss warned only: "Threaten human continuity not."
Thus [Six Evils] indulged freely, never crossing excess.
Kill 100 humans? Plenty left. Hunter job, fine.
But Russia's Tsar crossed.
[[No need for nations trampling human freedom and dignity.]]
All knew Tower transcended human cognition.
But overt will like this? First.
Threat to humanity's continuity? Erase nation. Scale insane.
'Can't win.'
Even Korean Guild Master no match. Fundamentally otherworldly.
Won Da-hye's will shattered by terror.
Overwhelming presence—miracle not fainted.
Or absurdity kept her conscious.
"VTubing's tough. More constraints than streaming, harder success, men need insane talent for fans."
Apostle before her, Wakamo approached instead.
"Success? Join corp best. That's my path... Red ocean blood and tears—solo blue ocean cheat to fame. Bluntly, my VTuber success? One gimmick. Can't sing, game trash. Insult to other VTubers by existing...
That's how I see it."
Lament or sigh, Wakamo restored via mana recovery, debuffs lifted—back to [Climber].
"Just climbing Tower, risking life—no dilemmas, overthinking, loneliness, confusion... Never felt joy in successes, just 'good VTuber.' Hubris forbidden, especially easy successes like me... Broadcasters mocking people? No."
"...Easy success where?!"
"Just strolled seniors' paved path!! Half-baked VTuber, half fans think streamer—what VTuber!!!"
Beyond annoyance—Wakamo snapped back, silencing Won Da-hye.
Pure VTuber dream, dragged to Russia for hassle...
Rage justified, but Wakamo held back.
Always disliked Wakamo Inarizushi herself.
Likely till death, full VTuber effort sans self-acceptance.
"See? Frustrating mess.
—But life's for risking all on loves, dreams once, right?"
"...No way?"
"Russia's got tons of VTubers and fans. Kill guilty only—not mass slaughter... bugs me."
Raised hand.
Ignoring Won Da-hye's pleas to stop, pointed sky, declared:
"Swore under this sky. Wipe out all who erase VTubers."
"[Climber, you are uninvolved in this execution. Cease pointless fight.]"
Apostle addressing Wakamo? Absurdity peak.
"Ears clogged?"
Sane hearing that quits VTubing sans life-risk.
"Not climbing as VTuber—climbing BECAUSE VTuber."
Deep breath, mana surged, fighting spirit roared.
"Before [Idol (VTuber)], kill faithful (fans)? Let ya?! Dick or not, come at me—!!"
Bellowing charge, Apostle raised axe high, praising.
"[That spirit challenging impossible!! Splendid, Climber!! Show your will!!]"
Fist met axe—thunderous clash.
Wakamo repelled, scraped floor, wall-smashed, buried.
But emerged.
Heavy hit—clothes failed, shrunken.
Single blow vaporized 80% mana.
Yet will unbowed, burning fiercer.
Mana roiled emotional, killing intent visible.
World red-tinged, goosebump mana writhed.
"Awesome, decided."
"Live stream on. Entertainment for faithful, damn bastard."