Chapter 135
Chapter 135
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: Guardian Scandal Fallout
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"Madness."
From the moment they sensed something ominous in the barren wasteland littered with landmines, the world had been upended—not by conspiracy theories, but by the shocking truth laid bare.
It had only been a few months since the Apostle's emergence in Russia nearly wiped an entire nation off the map.
And now, evidence of assassination plots against Legendary Class climbers surfaced, along with documents detailing grotesque human experiments performed on them.
But that wasn't all. Insane delusional reports emerged claiming that climber Wakamo Inarizushi from another country posed a threat to America and would eventually endanger all humanity.
It didn't stop there—they had not only planned the assassinations but executed them, while also scheming to sacrifice unrelated American citizens for the "greater good," even kidnapping climbers.
China's Chairman Yong Wei flew into a rage, vowing never to forgive this outrage, while the Russian and Korean governments condemned America for crossing a line.
The other alliance governments, fully aware of the Guardians' dark underbelly, were all in on it together. But thanks to their loose organizational structure, they distanced themselves without getting entangled and turned a blind eye.
The Guardians from other nations had abandoned their American branch like cutting off a tail to ensure their own safety and future.
They called themselves patriots, confessed to everything as their own doing, and even in abandonment, claimed they sacrificed for their comrades.
They truly believed they were heroes fighting for humanity's future.
Even in failure, they insisted the survivors would succeed—and despite their crimes, they stood unashamed.
They proclaimed they were right, that it was all for America, for the greater good... to prevent a "Second Man-Eater" incident, even if it meant dying for their nation.
Wakamo, listening in, perked up her ears with a hesitant "Uh... really...?"
Adelheit, on the other hand, spat, "Die, you Goebbels wannabes!!!"
"No mercy or bullshit—they deserve the death penalty, don't they...?"
Sadako noted the death toll was unimaginably high, and these weren't people who chose to become Legendary Class. Among those not affiliated with the Six Evils, nine out of ten had been murdered.
Only about one in ten—no, barely two—Legendary Class climbers unaffiliated with the Six Evils were still alive.
Just the Second-Gen Man-Eater and Esper, that's all.
Even those two were being experimented on with plans to eliminate them someday, since they were deemed necessary for America. Eva trembled with betrayal.
"I should've realized when they lured me with free health checkups and blood donations!!!"
"Why didn't you?!"
"You know how much they pay per checkup? Thousands of dollars! If it hurts, you pop painkillers from the pharmacy and lie in bed—that's the American way!"
"Sorry..."
Sadako brushed it off: "Japan has proper health insurance, so we wouldn't know."
Tempted by free insurance and checkups, Eva had visited regularly to monitor her health, unwittingly volunteering herself for the Guardians' experiments on Espers.
Realizing she'd been raised like a lab rat, Eva gaped like Neo after swallowing the red pill.
Her meteoric rise as an elite agent after becoming a climber, the abundant support for her unit—it was all because of her value as a test subject. It was a miracle her sanity held.
She couldn't pinpoint when her life had become a scripted Truman Show, breeding deep distrust of humanity. How many agents were mixed among her acquaintances? Eva shuddered in fear.
America is terrifying...
Amid this, a Guardian officer took the stand in his high-ranking U.S. military uniform, delivering a passionate defense with genuine emotion, fiery charisma in his eyes. Supporters rallied, ready to protest, convinced he was right.
"Americans are far dumber on average than you think. There was even controversy over the vice president misspelling 'potato.' Ignorance of world geography and current events is bad enough, but public education has its issues too. It's different from Asia!"
"Ah—kinda makes sense..."
Protests erupted outside the courthouse: "America's heroes are right! Climbers are monsters!" Oracle urged Wakamo not to be too shocked, but having watched overseas VTuber streams, she nodded in rough understanding.
Then the U.S. President announced he had received no reports of the military acting so independently and offered deep apologies for the shocking events. Contrary to Eva's fears, even the President wasn't in on it!!
But that meant the Guardians had been operating independently under their "protector" title, shouting, "We're the ones defending America!!" Which was even creepier.
"Gonna get a medal, Eva?"
Fortunately, no casualties occurred during Eva's chase with Yu Ying.
Those in the underground base were involved, so killing them was fine, but slaying oblivious police or soldiers just doing their duty would've sparked massive backlash.
Eva's fellow agents, from resignation letters to shock at a comrade turning criminal, patted her shoulder for averting World War III, thumbing up her heroism.
Medals and heroics be damned—disgusted with America, Eva just wanted discharge, her face drained.
"Oracle, will stuff like this keep happening?"
"It will!! Fox God!! Listen... I'm no prophet. I just divine likely futures from the stars!! The Six Evils will keep acting freely. Some may even oppose you. Look over there."
Oracle pointed to second-gen Legendary Class climbers who now understood their plight, standing dazed and shocked.
"I didn't want to become some criminal either. Being special has perks, but equal downsides. ──The Boss has high hopes for you. For me, I'd love if you kept world peace. Farewell, Neo. If another global threat looms, meet me in the closet."
".....Wait, why the closet?"
"My [Skill] is like that...."
"Oh...."
Oracle vanished into the crowd, still in his homeless getup, sadly insisting no unmarried virgin wants to pop out of her closet.
The chaotic incident seemed to resolve quickly.
Or perhaps—the world was signaling that the real story was just beginning.
Wakamo just wanted to VTuber stream, but the VTuber path was a path of Asura, fraught with stalkers and dangers... including potential world-ending threats. That was VTubing. She'd heal tonight with a Virtual GTA collab stream, sniffling.
"Got a bad feeling we'll get dragged into more annoyances."
"Like what?"
".....Challenges to the strongest climber, Grand Master Wakamo."
"That feels way too real!! Adelheit!!"
How many Six Evils were still gunning for Wakamo? Now even regular climbers might get involved. Second-gens too???? So many already?
Meanwhile, suited government agents approached, conversing seriously—likely vowing no repeats.
Manager Wanda Hye left sternly for America, promising accountability, compensation, and lawsuits, like a general marching to battle with lawyers.
Thanks to Oracle's desperate future-sight guidance, the group had gathered naturally in America. They hugged Yu Ying, fretting over her.
Sadako rushed over the moment she saw the news; Adelheit laughed, claiming the same; Wakamo scooped up precious Yu Ying like a doll, spinning her around, insisting she bolted like lightning at the danger.
Her instincts whispered suspicion, but nestled in Wakamo's chest, Yu Ying wore a dopey, whatever face.
Robert, knowing Wakamo came for a VTuber concert but playing dumb as an adult.
Can't ruin the heartwarming vibe...? He smiled warmly at their tight-knit bonds.
"Conspiracy theories about Legendary Class experiments turning real... What about bases on the moon's dark side, Nazis in Antarctica or the Arctic? Underground worlds with lizard people, hidden ocean depths? Fascinating!"
"Spill every conspiracy you know, now."
"Haha, Eva!! Conspiracies are just for laughs! No way they're real."
Eva shook Robert by the collar, dead serious, but he countered they weren't real, blaming her sensitivity from recent events. Adelheit agreed: no Neo-Nazis or Last Battalion left!!
Yet she worried if a "Fuhrer"-like Legendary existed.
As they chattered, Asuka hopped out of the courthouse.
"Provided the evidence docs. Your cute Asuka reporting in."
"Hey, you knew I was kidnapped—why so late...? And my fake...? Why watch?"
"Well...."
"Well?"
"It was fun."
*Click—*
Yu Ying aimed from Wakamo's arms, vowing to end her today, but Asuka whispered in her ear.
"I'll keep quiet about your yuri novel. Forgive me?"
"We're comrades, right? No betrayals?"
"The 'suddenly lifted onto bed by a god, can't move' plot was meh. But the honest desire-packed parts? Three stars."
"Watch your back at night....."
"This one'swww hilariouswww"
Trembling...
How'd she find my secret novel? Yu Ying's face turned tomato-red, quaking. Asuka teased laughing, then turned robotic-cold: time to head back, everyone.
They'd hoped to sightsee in America, but thoughts of their stand-ins sobered them. They exchanged glances silently.
Yu Ying didn't know, but if she learned the truth, she'd sulk endlessly—who knew?
The doppelganger posing as Yu Ying had fled at full speed the second the breaking news hit.
Yu Ying seethed, outfit nearly bursting, but Asuka held her weakness—no protesting. Asuka's intel and aid resolved everything, so forgiveness for now.
This shameless AI VTuber felt no shame—how to torment her? Yu Ying sighed.
While Yu Ying grumbled at Asuka, the trio whipped out phones, texting stand-ins to scram. "Good job" attached.
Wakamo awkwardly grinned, opening a portal home; Sadako stiffly suggested meat and booze on the way; Adelheit clapped, calling it brilliant.
Asuka helpfully texted what the stand-ins did—plus a "keep secret for new PC parts" request.
After the mad day, the group finally returned to Korea.
Initial thrill of undetected crime soured into real crime entanglement, excitement deflated.
Foresight of more hassles loomed—Wakamo inwardly prayed desperately for a drama-free 1-year anniversary stream.
"BBQ's ready, everyone. Where've you been?"
On Wakamo Corp's rooftop, Olga grilled innocently oblivious, beaming. The group mustered complex, pitying smiles.
Twitching lips, rigid faces—like guilty kids faking grins. Olga noticed nothing.
Yu Ying grumbled at the reptile's fury, earning a smack from Adelheit: "Don't."
Mei Xiao Longbao, on standby to keep Olga put, clapped for a BBQ party!! Calling Kang Yeoul and restored fox god Inari for fun.
Surprised invitees Ninja and Unicorn agents joined; with two guys, Wakamo called Jackson. Amid peaking joy, she clapped for attention: introducing new Wakamo Corp member!
"Behold! Our new teammate, 『Eva Harper Eloine』!"
"Pleased to meet you, seniors. Any smokers here...?"
""""None""""
"Phew..."
New job, new colleagues, elite life over.
They seemed tight-knit, atmosphere chill and relaxed—Eva relaxed, lighting up cautiously.
Tearing up over the tough day, they nodded understanding.
Jackson poured her a drink: "America finally did it—can't laugh."
"Hey, what're you doing?"
"Huh? Isn't this an ashtray...?"
Sadako's eyes twitched as Eva stubbed her cig on white rice in a small bowl.
"Es pers don't die from snapped necks, right?"
"They do. Cultural difference... don't joke?"
"Dead serious."
Smoking alone at BBQ? Fine. But on rice?!
Eva blinked innocently clueless; Adelheit shrugged: "Accidents happen." Cultural gap...
Olga barely restrained herself, suppressing a fork-stab with her own hand.
Post-BBQ, Eva joyed at the spacious new home, leaping shoeless onto white-sheeted bed, dirtying it—Olga nearly dragon-raged.
She'd bought cute furry slippers for the newbie, nearly becoming a mad dragon...!!
Adelheit freaked: "I don't wear shoes on beds either!"
"Most alchemists are junkies, right? Was gonna offer weed pizza."
"Let me smack her once!!!"
"Fighter can't beat Esper, booze hound!!"
"Am I a Pokémon?!"
Post-100-floor clear and festival, lazy Wakamo paled to Eva—finally free from elite shackles, doing whatever post-crime.
Marijuana illegal in Korea, so curbed.
Mei wept bloody tears at shoes-on-bed.
Hate... this delinquent... Where's my pure VTuber...
Then Iosif Khan dropped his debut album; Mei jolted.
...Since when?
"Since debut?"
Truly a hurtful day...
※※※
Legendary Classes are forged by the Towers.
No need for lengthy explanation of their uniqueness.
Germany's Tower demands intricate gimmicks, birthing Doppelganger, Illusionist, artists, engineers.
Japan's is simple: master swordsman becomes Sword Saint.
China's pursues raw, brute strength—Face-Changing Master, Martial Honored One.
Towers don't guarantee Legendary from that nation.
They prioritize, seeking others if unmet over time.
Studying climber history, Towers evolve structures upward.
Korea's dire straits across nations allowed the patchwork 【Idol】.
2nd-gens leaned "religion" over VTuber—disaster brewing.
Yet logical: Korea twisted minimally; Idol=VTuber emerged.
"Normalization"?
Sought proper idols people worship—modern cults.
Korea as cautionary tale sparked 2nd-gen changes: job conditions, high-risk/high-return reworked.
Eurasia aside, history-rich, mightiest? America.
Its vast lands birthed what Legendaries?
Americans' fierce national pride.
Man-Eater: human/climber killer supreme.
Oracle: foresees from future to death, twists fate.
Architect: builds freely with money, reshapes terrain, topples Towers.
Rainmaker: commands weather, spirits, disasters.
Outlaw: brute strength, rule-bending, wields atrocities, ignores resistances, crushes foes.
Esper's innate—likely unique.
2nd-gen 【Phantom Thief】: meets conditions, kidnaps ignoring distance—vicious.
Combat weak, pitifully lost—but climber fights turn on surprise/ignorance.
Scholars theorize: larger nation, global influence, more climbers = stronger Tower prestige/power.
Bluntly: "Click"—I'm super special elite!
Contrast Korea's 【Idol】: never made, clueless, real-time bug-patched via climber minds.
"Completion" differs.
Abundant resources: polished classes.
Scarce: twist conditions, ascend patching "Uh, this way... that there"—pitiful.
"Tanks needed? Made tons." Scale differs.
Excess birthed Man-Eater crisis, spawning Guardians.
Now 2nd-gens watched news, trembling—must unite?
Six Evils focused on spawning more Legendaries, world be damned.
──Korea still had zero Legendaries.
Not even one 2nd-gen!! Should've, but none!!!
"Why not?!"
Wakamo, sick of sole Korean Legendary 【Idol】 title, was losing it.
【Mystery Tower】 emerged, yet undiscovered.
Hiding? How hides that massive Tower? Ocean?
Humanity searches—no find. Insane??
Please not moon/Antarctica/Arctic.
......Whatever.
Ignore.
VTuber before climber!!
Broadcast Points + faith stats piled—deck [My Worlds] for flashiest 1-year concert.
Grinning Wakamo chuckled, shoving arena aside, scrolling decorations.
-[【Mystery Tower】 Available for Purchase]
Freeze.
"......."
Pretend not seen, scrolled down.
Tired lately... Focus VTuber streams...
Scrolled up.
-[【Mystery Tower】 Available for Purchase]
"You little shit."
Why hide here, damn it...
Get out my house!!