Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: Failed Assassinations in Japan
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Japan, Tokyo, Prime Minister's Official Residence.
Unfortunately, it was a parliamentary session led by the Prime Minister, who belonged to the Liberal Democratic Party and was no climber himself.
With the emergence of the Tower and the climbers who could handle it, the politicians' power had drastically diminished.
As long as there was a Tower and climbers to deal with it, the government's existence was merely a necessary formality.
Yet, a group that had dominated Japan for ages couldn't possibly collapse in just ten years.
Thus, backed by the support of climbers and the public alike, they were seizing control of the political world and expanding their influence.
They approached everything without haste, steadily building their foundation over time.
Even after the Prime Minister's term ended and he stepped down, he had prepared a successor to manipulate Japan from the shadows and even swayed the Deputy Prime Minister.
Unless some natural disaster struck, once the current Japanese Association President—that old ghost—stepped down, his own nurtured subordinate climber would take the position, placing Japan in the hands of a politician rather than a climber.
To that end, hadn't he done everything to prevent that aged Association President from finding a successor?
He had even used the media to hype up the Fist King's power and status, blocking him from also serving as Association President.
Next, he had confirmed that the famous climber known as the "Ninja" had no interest in politics or the Association presidency.
But as they say, you never know what the world might throw at you— a true human calamity... no, an enraged Fox God had manifested in Japan.
She claimed not to be the Pale-Faced Golden Fur that burst from the Killing Stone, yet she had naturally—and in an instant—seized control of Japan.
By diving into the VTuber genre, which appealed to the younger generation, she captured their hearts.
At the same time, existing as an "Idol" Fox God, she drew endless lines of elderly devotees who visited the Fist King's dojo to offer tributes or pay homage.
On top of that, hadn't she brought both the Japanese Association President and Japan's strongest climber, the Fist King, under her wing, while rapidly training the Fist King's daughter?
Watching her flaunt her prowess live on stream felt like a chill running down one's spine.
It was a clear warning.
Even transforming into the Pale-Faced Golden Fur to devour monsters, she spat lies that no human sacrifice was needed—that she had never tasted human flesh—and no one would believe otherwise.
The sorcerer families that had diligently supported her, acting as allies, were now hurtling toward utter ruin because of that entity.
The four sorcerer companions known as the Abe, Tsuchimikado, Kuzunoha, and Kamo families outwardly pretended to check each other while in reality being in cahoots.
In the end, it was all politics. Climbers' power had grown too vast; they couldn't allow the government to be crushed beneath it.
Even the Chinese government had collapsed under a rebel Collector, losing all its peak territories and crumbling completely.
And the backer who had supported and aided that Yung Wei from the shadows was once again the Fox God Wakamo Inarizushi.
The Pale-Faced Golden Fur, once cursed to awaken from her seal and seek revenge on humanity, was cunningly winning over the populace in ways beyond imagination, turning masses into her faithful worshippers. Take one's eyes off her for a moment, and her forces ballooned uncontrollably.
Not content with gathering nations' Legendary classes, she had even replaced Russia's president with a subordinate loyal to her will.
She had turned the governments of China, Russia, and Korea into her puppets!! How could one not fear that?! Japan was the last holdout.
She wasn't aggressive about it. She simply established her symbolic [Idol's Shrine] as if claiming Kyoto as her capital, naturally expanding her influence.
She was enduring the humiliation and shame, demonstrating through actions—not words—that the Japanese government should voluntarily submit to Korea, offering up the nation without begging.
"This wicked yokai vixen...!!"
But a frontal confrontation offered no chance of victory.
Even if Abe no Seimei returned to life, victory was questionable.
Sneaky schemes were impossible too, given her AI shikigami that completely dominated modern networks; they were reduced to using paper documents for every secret meeting in their pathetic state.
"It's not the Pale-Faced Golden Fur or some Fox God... She's bewitching humans! Everyone's been fooled!! Damn it!!! We were so close to making Japan... rise again as a great power...!!"
It was the Japanese government that had actively urged Korean climbers to naturalize.
Back when he was a mere Diet member before becoming Prime Minister, it had been a long-term plan.
If Korea failed to handle the Tower and collapsed, Japan could claim territorial occupation for "safety," or force unfavorable treaties beneficial to Japan.
That is, until the Fox God Wakamo Inarizushi appeared!!
"What... what the hell are we supposed to do...?"
"So, it would be appreciated if you could make a decision soon."
At this rate, the Japanese government would fall into the Fox God's hands. Proud Japan couldn't crawl under the likes of Joseon, a former vassal state. The Fox God knew that humiliation well, hence her nonsense about being Korean-born!
Thus, the Prime Minister groaned at the agent who had come to propose a "deal."
They were special entities affiliated with countless international alliances.
If the Six Great Evils consisted of Legendary classes, these were mostly ordinary climbers, one might say.
Honestly, the Prime Minister suspected they were just ladder-kicking.
Yet, even so, the Fox God's power had grown to an unmanageable level, forcing a choice.
"Is assassination really possible?"
"We have to think long-term."
With her absolute safe haven [Wakamo Floor 1], assassination or terrorism was impossible, spies were perfectly filtered, and infiltration unfeasible.
Even bribing existing residents with vast sums resulted in immediate "betrayal" classification and loss of residency rights—the thoroughness was astounding.
Moreover, she had a super AI shikigami monitoring every network and even isolated satellite systems worldwide 24/7 without respite—a transcendent being.
Unless operating with paranoid thoroughness in compartmentalized cells, they'd be annihilated by the Six Great Evils' boss before even reaching the Fox God.
"Let me reiterate: we do not want climbers' power to surpass nations. Mere humans with special powers shaking ancient states? Look at Russia and China—what became of them? As guardians protecting humanity, we must maintain balance."
"You killed 48 Legendary classes, they say—hard not to believe..."
"An excellent choice. As long as we 'Guardians' exist....... the new humanity chosen by the Tower will never rule the world."
Climbers weren't new humanity? The Prime Minister genuinely wondered.
He knew Legendary classes were special—but special enough to call "new humanity"?
Yet seeing that Idol made it clear: Legendary classes stood at the pinnacle of humanity chosen by the Tower.
Their mere existence threatened humankind.
There existed beings unknown to the world, self-proclaimed heroes of humanity, who had been operating in secrecy since ancient times.
Concealed in secrets even Aska couldn't uncover, they lurked.
※※※
"So, this bag can double as a shield if needed. It can deflect bullets. Got it? You never know when something might happen. Stay alert at all times... got it?"
"You're such a worrywart manager!! Japan is one of the safest countries. It's not Korea or anything. The only murderer around is someone like the Sword Saint."
"That's exactly the problem!!"
After Mare Pilot's flashy awakening stream, Sadako had consumed the awakening elixir Ichigo made, suffered some aftereffects, and been forced by Wakamo to take a few days off.
Worried about Sadako traveling to Japan alone without escorts, the manager insisted on at least one guard even on the plane, but Sadako was too nonchalant.
When she confidently said she'd just knock out anyone who showed up, the manager reluctantly handed her a special bag that could serve as a shield.
"I'll fill this with souvenirs and come back~"
With no clothes packed since she had some at home, Sadako boarded the flight to Japan with just the empty bag, leaving Manager Won Da-hye praying nothing happened.
Even Yu Ying, summoned by Yung Wei to visit China, had gone with multiple escorts.
Though whether it was a vacation for her was debatable... anyway, a climber of Sadako's caliber should be fine even against assassination threats, right?
'She'll be okay, right?'
Oblivious to Manager Won Da-hye's worries, Sadako donned an eye mask, picked her nose, and fell asleep the moment she sat down.
The flight to Japan was under two hours, but after downing five bottles of booze beforehand, she was out cold from the alcohol.
And the man seated beside her quietly grabbed her neck and snapped it with all his might, breaking her cervical vertebrae.
The human spinal cord is like a mainboard housing all neural networks.
Connected to the lumbar region, signals travel along the vertebrae throughout the body; sever it midway, and instant death is inevitable.
With the neck vertebrae shattered, severing the entire nerve bundle, survival would mean total paralysis—not much of a life!!
To ensure she was finished, the agent injected poison from a syringe before retreating to the bathroom, tearing a scroll to warp away.
A brutal murder in an instant...
Mare Pilot met such an anticlimactic end—
"Nom nom... ugh... no inflight meal?"
Drooling, Sadako straightened her 90-degree twisted neck and blinked.
Her body, half-rubberized from overfamiliarity with [Shape Transformation], rotated her head full circle like an owl before stretching languidly.
"Ughhh... nothing beats strong booze with that crisp bite. No matter what Yu Ying says... wasp sake or snake liquor is the best... hehe...."
Whether dangerous potions from Yu Ying or horrifically high-proof alcohol—even if her liver exploded—she'd just regenerate it and live wildly.
Thanks to that, she had insane poison resistance. Coincidentally, the strong booze neutralized the injected toxin, leaving her merely dizzy. She tilted her head, wondering if five bottles were enough to make her this woozy.
"Nothing beats the homeland!!"
Upon landing in Japan, Sadako grinned while chugging warm sake. This was life.
The agent disguised as cabin crew had laced the sake and even spiked the snacks with bacteria—but alas, Sadako would just recover via [Shape Transformation], blaming it on the booze even if her liver failed or her throat melted.
Even six bottles of sake laced with cyanide and red deer antler extract.
"Gahhh!! This booze tastes like death—delicious!!!"
Even with her face turning purple, a snap of [Shape Transformation] detoxified it. Sadako rated the shop's sake five stars, vowing to remember it, and sauntered out.
With poison confirmed ineffective, an agent hurled a knife made of synthetic metal secretly dubbed [Wizard Killer] by the government—effective even against [Shape Transformation]—aimed precisely at Pilot.
"Oh, newspaper."
Sadako caught it between six folded newspapers.
The agent facepalmed at the absurdity.
The knife naturally clattered to the floor. Sadako glanced at it curiously before checking the papers.
"Huh? Kids pranking? Holes in the newspaper... whatever, no mess, no problem!"
Legs crossed at the bus stop, downing twelve canned beers from a convenience store while scanning recent Japanese news, Sadako prompted a [Shooter] in a nearby alley to prepare a sniper shot.
Grown via a skill tree specialized solely in killing, this government agent had even taken a [Subclass] suited for assassination: an intangible bullet invisible, unfelt, and silent, set to pierce and kill Sadako.
With penetration effects, it would rupture only the heart and vanish, mimicking a heart attack.
"Hmm hmm hum~♪ Oh, new Doctor Who season. Gonna be fun."
Bang—!
The silenced shot only the shooter heard rang out; the bullet passed through the newspaper, struck Pilot's chest dead-center on the heart, and exploded.
"Urk..!!"
"Target, heart hit...."
"Stomach's upset... maybe straight booze isn't great? Ugh, chest feels tight."
Muttering that, Sadako finished her beer and tossed the can in the trash.
Always practicing [Shape Transformation] on cooldown, she followed Wakamo's advice by making her organs shift positions inside her body. Since she could disassemble her entire form, did she even need organs?
Challenging that realm, Pilot let her heart frolic freely within.
"We'll destroy the brain!"
The shooter switched targets, firing at Sadako's head.
"Pchoo!"
Cooldown on the penetration skill left her dodging the shot with a sneeze. Sniffling, Sadako stood.
Ridiculous, but plans remained.
They had surveilled her routine: she planned to board the arriving bus.
Casualties would mount, but necessary sacrifices. The bomb under the bus was primed.
"You know, I've got money. Better take a taxi."
Spotting the bus, Sadako opted for luxury and hailed a cab instead.
"FUCK!!"
A woman's mind is fickle, but Sadako's whims transcended imagination.
"Ah~ Morning, so bars aren't open yet~"
Taxis to Kyoto left agents helpless—but with her destination known, hordes awaited to assassinate her.
Killing Wakamo Inarizushi's inner circle one by one—starting with the most lethal affiliated VTuber—couldn't fail at step one.
"Wonder when my otaku bro will show~"
Planning to meet her brother for VTuber advice, catch up, and visit Dad together, Sadako entered a cafe and ordered coffee.
"One iced Americano, please."
Unexpecting non-alcoholic orders at eateries, agents planned: as she sipped, bump from behind to spike it.
"Sorry."
"Nah, it's fine."
Apologizing to divert her gaze, the agent dosed the coffee with his other hand.
Instant mana backlash convulsions upon sipping, then whisked away by fake rescuers for quiet disposal.
Sadako raised the cup to drink.
"Oh my... Sadako, is that you?"
"Oh, Granny. Long time no see."
"My, you haven't changed a bit.... Eyes are dim these days... could you check the time?"
"It's 9 o'clock... oh shoot."
"Goodness, still so scatterbrained..."
A Kyoto local granny recognized Sadako and chatted.
Habitually checking her wristwatch at the neighborly query, Sadako spilled the coffee across the table.
Granny chided her scatterbrained ways.
Sizzle—
Poison in the coffee caused acrid smoke to billow from the table.
"Wow, heard caffeine's bad, but this much? Gotta go decaf. Take care, Granny."
"Sure thing."
Out she went, grabbing four Budweisers from a convenience store, chugging them while walking.
Agents pursuing the daylight street-drinking Sadako were growing exhausted.
It felt like she knew and was toying with them.
As she crossed the sidewalk, deciding on a drive-by pistol shot from a passing car, agents mobilized stealthily.
Unaware, as Sadako approached—agents drew guns and fired in unison, but just before range, she veered into a pachinko parlor.
"FUCK!!!"
"Wha...? Whatever."
Agents smacked their foreheads at zero successes.
Inside, Sadako withdrew cash, loaded balls, and cracked her neck.
"First, nine bottles of booze please."
"Well, if it isn't our regular Sadako!! Extra one on the house."
"Nice!"
Plopping at a machine, she downed two bottles, belched heartily, and yanked the lever to play.
Agents sat quietly left and right, cautiously raising pistols. Oblivious Sadako grinned, yanking away.
One in back hid his gun under clothes, poised to fire.
Pachinko jingle!!
"Whoa!! Jackpot!!!!"
Clapping at the mega win, Sadako lifted her bag to catch spilling balls.
Left agent's shot hit the bag and ricocheted on jackpot cue; turning it deflected the rear shot; opening caught the right one's—all while scooping balls.
"Uhehehe... jackpot balls hold luck!! Gonna hoard and share 'em."
Thud thud—
"Hm?"
Three slumped from chairs beside her. Sadako tilted her head but ignored.
Pachinko addicts fainting from bankruptcy shock? Common; owner would handle it. She chugged remaining booze and played on.
"Man, Manager Won Da-hye worries too much. Japan's so safe—assassinations? Pfft~ Even if, I'd just flatten 'em~"
Bag brimming with balls, humming, Sadako headed to Dad's dojo up the stairs.
Bomb set to detonate on her step.
"Hmm, beehive in the woods? Saw one before. Gotta check if bigger."
Detour for honey sake via woods instead of stairs.
Bomb agent facepalmed.
"Dad~ Daughter's here."
"You made it! No hassle from those sorcerer nobodies on the way?"
"Nah? Big Sis taught me sorcery. Shall we make a sorcery companion too?"
"Sounds good!! But can you teach it?"
"[Idol's Shrine] something or other.... uh... forgot. Booze might jog it?"
"Sigh."
Arriving unscathed, Sadako munched wild honeycomb, kicked off shoes, and entered.
"Peaceful is best."
Giggling that the manager fretted needlessly.
※※※
"Doing well in Korea?"
"Yeah... you can drop the formalities."
At Chengdu's Liu Bei Martyrs' Tomb—Yubi's mausoleum—Yu Ying smiled, touring with Chairman Yung Wei.
Power and politics held little appeal, but for Boss's connections, networking was good.
Discussing extra [Idol's Shrine] construction, escort Kang Yeo-ul bestowed blessings on pilgrims, Mei browsed Collector's new artifacts for usable ones.
Meanwhile, Collector and Alchemist circled Liu Bei's tomb side by side.
Not yet [Emperor], but Tower and all pointed to her inevitable ascension.
From looming threats to Tower climbing difficulties... from 54th floor reward, she drew an item.
To Yung Wei, already holder of [Guan Yu's Spear], Yu Ying offered...
"A gift."
"My god...!! Authentic?!"
[Twin Swords: Universal Peerless Blades]—Tower's grandiose gift of two swords.
Existence dubious, Tower-made likely, unusable by Yu Ying.
But Yung Wei could. Receiving Liu Bei's own swords as gift, Yung Wei wept endlessly.
This joy... indescribable!! He suppressed sobs before the young emperor.
Yu Ying worried he'd declare a week-long festival upon emperorship.
"—Killing intent."
Yung Wei instantly donned [Marco's Wolfskin Cloak] and [Spartacus's Shield], assuming defense.
"...Which way?"
"......30km?"
Sniper's barrel trained on her, Yu Ying's [Survival Instinct] sharply reacted.
Not skill—raw beastly senses. Whipping her head, the startled sniper raised his gun.
".....smell of trained agents...."
Unicorn agents reeked similarly; Chinese too, of rigorous training.
Mingles among escorts? Climbers among tourists possible, but...
"Footsteps irregular... armed."
Guns gripped, red eyes sharp, Yu Ying scanned for hidden agents.
Firing at empty air, one tumbled from the wall.
Cloak dispelled, headshot agent dropped dead.
"Past the gate.... bomb too?"
"How did you know?"
"Uh.... gut feeling?"
Hard to articulate, Yu Ying replied; Yung Wei raged, beard bristling.
"How dare they!! Bombs at Liu Huangshu's tomb!! Seal this sector now!! Find them!!!"
Escorts scrambled on lockdown.
But Yu Ying acted faster, gun on fleeing agent.
Bang bang bang—!!
Tourists ducked amid chaos; some flopped dead.
Yu Ying intuitively sniped disguised agents.
Yung Wei marveled at the emperor's heir's prowess.
Swish.
Dodging invisible bullets via body's unconscious sway, not ears.
Bullet cratered ground; distance too far, Yu Ying clicked tongue.
"Snipers: three.... five.... seven?"
Sensing aimed malice on skin, Yu Ying scowled.
Batting transparent rounds with gun-mounted Plum Blossom Swordsmanship, she swiftly exfiltrated with Yung Wei.
Agents gaped in disbelief.
Human? Mere non-Legendary climber?
No mere VTuber corp.
Fox God-nurtured elite human weapons!!
Japan's failure report left agents despairing.
Exposure meant no escape.
"Already giving up?"
Mediator smirked, doffing bucket hat.
Six Great Evils' boss grinned down at sniper.
"Impressive, right? Spotting raw talent, polishing it to gems. True Idol... while you lot are pathetic."
Click—before firing, sniper rifle shattered.
"【Declaration of Death】"
Death's shadow behind boss claimed sniper's life instantly.
Strolling casually, hearing Japan's cleanup too, she eyed scanning Yu Ying...
No, the emperor candidate, smiling.
"Fox God hates messy politics. But knowing her nature terrifies, so no choice?"
Towers assented helplessly.
Chinese thanks and Japanese bafflement noted, Mediator tilted head.
"Good. In China? Sichuan hotpot, obvs. Food time?"
Gathered Legendaries varied in reaction.
Boss's treat? Free meal—everyone tagged along.
Spicy disaster ensued, but experience nonetheless.