Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Drake Rampage
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A peaceful afternoon, right around lunchtime when the sun had just begun to tilt from its zenith.
The street, which always looked so serene, was engulfed in flames in an instant.
Thanks to the well-trained emergency response systems, including alert networks, the citizens immediately began evacuating to subways, Climber guild buildings, or the Association headquarters.
The vague fear that the Incheon Tower might one day collapse had led to consistent drills, and those drills saved countless lives from the sudden terrorist attack.
Firefighters, police, and even the military stationed in Incheon all mobilized, rushing in to subdue the rampaging monsters.
And among them were the Climbers scaling the Incheon Tower.
"Association President, is this the work of the Six Evils?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Despite their grandiose name, the public referred to these terrorist Climbers—who aimed to destroy the six continents where people lived—as the Six Evils.
They didn't share a unified belief.
One was someone who awakened just before an unjust execution and vowed to overthrow the nation's system.
Another believed they were chosen ones, calling for the extermination of the old humanity that couldn't keep up with Climbers, the new race.
Some sought to become rulers through the strength they'd gained, crumbling everything in their path.
Others simply wanted to rampage freely as their desires dictated.
There were those who claimed the Tower was God's judgment on humanity, dreaming of collapsing it to end civilization.
Even one ashamed of their job nailing goats.
They were so disparate in missions, goals, and beliefs that it was a miracle they didn't turn on each other.
That's why the world government speculated there must be some shadowy puppet master behind them—but even after ten years, misfits, criminals, and terrorists kept emerging.
Even if the Tower filtered for extremes, it was inevitable that people with shattered morals and twisted desires would appear.
When the Towers first appeared, attacking and destroying them led to collapses that wiped out cities—not just one or two. Orphans growing up without parents in those ruins sometimes got chosen by the Towers. The Six Evils were an independent faction that took in such people.
They had connections, but calling them a team would be a stretch—a band of lunatics.
And they had followers too, making headaches abound. The silver lining was that the Tower fully revealed everyone's 『Identity』, but most had extreme 『Legendary Classes』, making capture or elimination difficult.
"Doesn't seem like they're aiming for a Tower collapse."
Observing out the window with calm composure, the Association President assessed the situation.
As Korea's top powerhouse, he couldn't move rashly. Acting without knowing their plans could play right into their hands.
For now, at least, it didn't look like a Tower collapse attempt.
Towers had various gimmicks, traits, and collapse conditions, but they shared three common categories:
1. Leave the Tower alone. Most collapsed this way.
2. Destroy it from outside. Durability increased with floors; an Incheon 100-floor Tower wouldn't fall without a nuke.
3. Conquer it and trigger collapse. Easiest in practice.
Hand over items and gear from conquests, abandon climbing, and lose all gained abilities.
Insane, but conquests raised difficulty even on low Towers.
That's why the President no longer climbed.
Abandoning meant losing conquest count too.
Towers didn't return, but their goal was collapse anyway.
Gear up top-tier, climb fast, collapse deliberately.
"Any new personnel added to the Incheon Tower?"
"No, just releasing monsters. We're suppressing followers, but... we suspect they came from China by sea, landing near Seoul."
"That's poking a sore wound..."
Spewing endless monsters pointed to that vile 『Collector』. Collecting people got him that 『Legendary Class』?
In this era, broadcasting sadistic shows with captives, defying humanity without shame.
But in greed, he was the most depraved, lust-crazed among the Six Evils—practically insane.
"They're after the same target as us, it seems. What do you think? Can Deputy Director Won Dahye handle it?"
"Uh, about that... we just got a support request. A [Drake] is heading toward the operation zone."
"......Why are you only telling me now?"
"You were smiling, so I thought you were confident..."
This country's future is bleak. The President sighed deeply.
Why today of all days did he miss the old days of jumping in and beating them down himself?
"With the next Association President right there, what's to worry? Just no unexpected variables."
"That's the variable that triggered the request..."
"You're getting a pay cut."
※※※
Deputy Director Won Dahye didn't panic at the sudden terror.
A promising talent like Wakamo Inarizushi was bound to be targeted.
Her uniqueness as a fox goddess, plus boldly revealing herself via streams—odd if she wasn't marked.
That's why she stayed on edge, wary of Six Evils popping up anywhere.
A Climber who'd conquered the 50-floor Chungju Tower, she could handle mere monsters with her gun alone—no Skills needed.
Her combat experience was on another level.
Aiding civilian evacuations, she shot down suspicious follower types on sight, getting reports from agents positioned around the collab site.
A [Drake] appearing on floor 22.
Enraged? Bloodshot eyes, faster than normal Drakes.
She immediately ordered her team to buy time while she headed there.
'Station Chief Wakamo's sticking to her VTuber concept. Doesn't want to show her face, hence the flimsy disguise.'
Who wouldn't recognize that giant?
Everyone respected her VTuber red pill, so they didn't approach.
All in that line loved VTubers, here for the collab fun.
And Won Dahye knew the station chief was VTuber-obsessed.
Even without divine powers or spells, she rushed out for the advanced event—reckless, but eager.
'Info leak for sure.'
Advancing the collab was Association-government collab.
A mere company event, but state backing sped it up. Overseas collab with pre-made limited merch made it feasible.
Conversely, the Six Evils caught wind and struck.
Target: none other than [Wakamo Inarizushi]!!
Even top-tier, she was still a floor-9 bottom-tier Climber.
13 floors below a [Large Monster]? Reckless, certain death.
'No other large monsters elsewhere! Too obvious!'
Association's oversight not prepping for this.
She'd hide as VTuber, no frontline fighting, but holing up after would trouble them.
Miss now, maybe next year in Japan at earliest!
However.
An unforeseen blowout beyond her worst imaginings erupted.
"What?!"
With the agent's urgent report, leaping rooftops, she faced:
A Drake resembling a T-Rex revived from ancient times, charging the road, crumpling cars like empty cans.
And ahead of that Drake, hat tossed aside, standing before the crowd—the fox goddess!!
※※※
Countless thoughts flashed by.
A mother clutching her daughter, screaming. Panicked people scattering frantically.
Crowded spot—rushing caused tangles, collisions, falls, escalating chaos.
"Freeze!!!"
A shout slamming eardrums.
Chaos halted, all eyes converged.
"Believers, you know red pill is as vital to a VTuber as life itself, right?"
Smiling at the believer's blatant stare—undeniably obvious—several dazed young men nodded.
Their VTuber courtesy: recognizing Wakamo but keeping distance, no chats.
No photos, so community posts at most.
Day 6 of VTuber streaming, red pill crisis already... But she rushed here for collab herself. And tons of VTuber fans present.
For the kid maybe on their first overseas trip, hand in mom's, this should be joyful memories—not disaster.
Her red pill wouldn't leak anyway!!
More important than facade: loving VTuber effort and passion, caring for viewers as streamer—with fans here, what could Climber VTuber do? No autographs yet, though.
"Today's a great day. The dream collab we longed for is on."
She advanced into the street.
How long till other Climbers arrive? Rooftop snipers fired, but Drake shrugged it off. So desperate, emotions visible from afar.
Korea this short on Climbers? Sad state.
Then Climber VTuber had to step up.
"I alone must protect VTuber fans' happiness...."
Don't nitpick dreams and romance with reality, Wakamo!!
VTuber: decides to do it, it's already done!!
※※※
"So, to explain, the situation was pretty dire. Our guild sent me, the closest."
The [Fighter] class, mid-climb on Incheon Tower floor 30, glanced at the wrecked road outside and continued to the reporter.
No heavy cold weapons, high stamina—reached scene fastest, saw it himself.
"As you know... Towers grant Skills by class. [Mimic Fist] or [Pictorial Fist]... common Chinese martial arts. Example: I use [Monkey Fist], mimicking agile monkey moves. But that's [Skill]—mana auras like this."
Demoing the Skill, he kindly explained the shimmering mana as activation, recalling the moment.
Over 2m tall. Shocking as a woman, but charging foe: 12m body length, twice her height at 4m shoulder [Drake].
Clocking 40 km/h, head low, jaws agape to devour the giant fox goddess, tail whipping wildly.
Heavy [Large Monster] etching clear footprints in asphalt.
"Higher floor doesn't mean always stronger. Non-tanks don't block head-on."
Even tanks wouldn't.
[Drake]'s bite force: at least 5,700 kg. Like six light cars dropping from above.
"30-floor tank? Shield and armor crushed. Logically."
Glancing outside again, the [Fighter] pointed not at dino prints.
But small footprints etched clearly in asphalt.
"I mentioned [Skills] earlier. Might've been illusion. Or intimidation aura trick. Believable? Maybe I saw true [Pictorial Fist]."
Before those small prints:
Road gouged backward, vivid parallel 11-shaped traces deep-set.
"200 kg bottom Climber beat 7-ton Drake in strength contest."
※※※
Came for collab event, caught in terror—maybe die. Worst scenario.
Even forgetting fear in shock at unfolding spectacle.
Believers saw. Jurassic World T-Rex looked baffled.
Intimidation overwhelming, thought death.
Her oshi, hiding identity, stepped forward, crouching like to charge.
What? Bottom Climber, limits to recklessness!!
But betraying worries:
Fox goddess stance vanished—erupting forth.
A giant beyond human imagination.
Worse: mounted on beast matching bulk, golden-armored cavalry, shield and ax-spear VTuber-sized, blocking Drake head-on.
How not shock!!
Mana: 434,571 -> 421,983.
[Idol's Image] conjured colossal form.
If named: 【Pictorial Fist: Tree Guardian】!!
"Krurrk?!"
Charging Drake slammed brakes.
Sudden giant with shield and weapon—instinct halted warily.
Natural vision failed to discern mana illusion as fake; mistook real, growled.
But beast's mistake.
Guarding foe slower than—
Mana: 421,983 -> 321,980.
Dumping absurd 100k mana, [Mana Manipulation] leg-boosted Wakamo launched.
Missile-blast boom, road shards trailing, horizontal ejection.
Fierce [Tree Guardian] charge: no counter time, Drake shield-smashed backward.
Legs braced, yet massive dino staggered back.
Head low sensed head-hit, but no time identify.
"Horse with four legs for balance vs. biped dino same weight? Horse pushes stronger. But reality: mere 200 kg. Near-impossible for bottom Climber vs. 7-ton Drake..."
Post-terror, footage private, but Tower-Climber researcher said:
"Rocket acceleration? Plausible."
Thrust changes equation.
Post-collision impact weight—Drake's illusion would feel identical!!
Mana: 321,980 -> 241,062.
'Graaah...!!'
100k mana charge: rocket-propelled efficacy.
Cross-armed body-slam on Drake, Wakamo gritted as 80k mana chunk vaporized.
Damage hits like this...!! Fatigue fiercer than thought!!
22-floor large monster ram—normal!!
Grateful for peak-condition body always, scaled head before Drake recovered.
Trampling as foothold, vaulted skyward.
[Idol's Image] view: [Tree Guardian] rearing forelegs over Drake.
"Taekwondo black belt—!!"
Humanity's strongest strike. Know it?
Legs: 3x arm power for average.
Mana-loaded toes via [Mana Manipulation], body-flip, wild spin. Dizziness-immune body—no limits!!
Speed + centrifugal + weight to heel—stomp!!
Mana: 241,062 -> 40,964.
200k mana!
Know? Virtual Alive's isekai hero: Taekwondo master.
"Altair Kick!!"
Ultra-high-speed roundhouse heel crashed dead-center Drake skull!!
Head-lifting Drake's cranium buried in ground.
Kwaaaang!!
Cracking fissures, asphalt split, building tilted, hydrant burst—water geysered skyward.
Amid destruction, heel-stomp caved skull literally, shattered cranium—Drake eyes rolled back, foam-mouthed.
Unbelievable overkill.
"Huu.... What a loss."
Bitter smile, flopped down there.
Fox goddess perched on dino waved to dazed believers.
".....Beyond imagination, you delivered."
"Who?"
Black-suited agents swarmed Wakamo, plus unfamiliar woman.
Showing over words: flashed Wakamo's fan cafe screen.
Cafe Manager rank.
"VTuber oshi fan suffice, Wakamo Inarizushi?"
"I have a female fan...?"
World!! More shocking than Drake!!