Chapter 152
Chapter 152
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: Busy Vacation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Busy, so busy!!"
"Hmm~ I wanna eat some pudding~"
"Hmm— so the theory on [Mana] is.... is this right?"
After a long time with some free time, the Wakamo series had gathered and were chatting away.
Mei Shaolongbao was fussing about, unable to stay still as she organized here and there, distributing documents.
Next to her, Kang Yeoul had snacks piled up and was elegantly chugging a large zero cola can she'd pulled from the fridge.
Finally, Wakamo was reading research materials from the [Professor], who had gotten excited after seeing [Divinity] and started new research.
Having three bodies, with vision split into three and thoughts divided into three, wasn't something she'd done for just a day or two—it had been close to months now, so it felt as natural as breathing.
Thanks to the properties of creating [Duplicates], each one's unique traits were emphasized, to the point where strangers might mistake them for entirely different individuals.
Mei, unable to calm her excitement, was rolling her eyes this way and that while watching backlog VTuber streams.
Kang Yeoul finished her cola and used [Object Exchange] to float the delivered chicken in midair as she ate.
Wakamo was organizing everything about the [Idol's Body]—what they'd experienced so far and what was possible.
The Wakamo series, gathered at the [Idol's Shrine] on [Wakamo Floor 1], were spending their vacation busily.
This was an area off-limits to anyone but special people, yet every now and then, someone would barge in despite the prohibition.
If left alone for a bit, someone would poke around or even take an item like a souvenir.
When photos of the shrine's interior popped up online, Wakamo held back a little, but when someone stole a figure and listed it on a secondhand site, that was the last straw.
She'd been truly furious at the scratch on the precious figure and nearly smashed the thief, only barely stopped by everyone else...
Being famous came with constant headaches.
"Munch munch."
Kang Yeoul didn't really need to eat, but she stuffed some dried squid into her mouth anyway and was reading a post from [Classmate] about Wakamo's school days.
They'd apparently been in the same class, but she had no memory of them being friends. Wakamo had been the ultimate lone wolf type.
She preferred enjoying solitude over the hassle of making friends and getting dragged around.
'Even when I tell the truth, nobody believes it.'
Even posts about her military service record had people marveling instead, saying the Fox God had disguised herself as a man to live in human society and even enlisted.
Amid that, there were theories about why she hadn't transformed into a woman.
Why couldn't Inari Fox God do it? Maybe big people have big things?
Kang Yeoul smirked at the community thread speculating pointlessly about what was between Wakamo's legs.
"Man, it's total chaos."
After [Babel Fragment] came [Babel Language]... There was the story of how 【Tower of Babel】 collapsed under Yahweh, mixing up all humanity's languages.
The tower built highest in the world, reaching for the heavens.
──If things turned out like this, wouldn't the legend of the Tower of Babel be true?
Anyway, [Korean Tower] had swallowed up nearly all of [Northeast Asia], its influence massive.
Should it be called the [Tower Guild]?
[Japan Tower] had been thoroughly defeated, so it followed suit. [Russia Tower] was starting over from scratch and seemed to recognize [Korean Tower], which had taken down an Apostle.
Finally, [China Tower] had lost the bet. You could tell from how they called her "Mei Shaolongbao" instead of Wakamo Inarizushi at the last moment.
[Korean Tower]'s habit was to address each one differently, treating them as separate.
And so, the language barrier between China, Japan, Russia, and Korea completely collapsed, allowing communication even for non-climbers.
Of course, writing still needed to be learned, but VTuber subscriptions, including virtual lives, started surging for Korean VTubers.
Because now they could communicate!!
They still couldn't read text, but understanding what VTubers said was a huge plus.
Wakamo used to listen and translate in her head, but now she didn't need to, so her clip-making speed jumped about 20 times.
Her followers were begging in the fan cafe: Please stop!! Have mercy!! Show some restraint!!
They still didn't get her grand plan to get them subscribing to more VTubers... Her believers were too soft...
On this day off, Mei was watching VTuber streams.
Making clips after so long, watching broadcasts, even checking White Fox's birthday.
"The new song SUPERNOVA is the best!!!"
VTubers were all looking healthier overall, streaming more often, doing more collabs... It was pure bliss.
Good thing she stayed alive!! Felt like a reward for climbing the tower so hard!! Won't this stingy Korean Tower give better skills?
"Fans have to stay on the same level as their faves—no ego allowed. Even if I become a big VTuber, collabs are forever, mm-hmm."
"I'm working to make VTubers I like healthier. No need to brag about it anywhere. Not trying to show off."
"VTuber life matters, but not crossing the line as a fan does too. Lately, VTubers are talking about me, and it's killing me with embarrassment!!"
"What can ya do? The Fox God loves VTubers, so they're normalizing streams to impress her."
Kang Yeoul mumbled around a mouthful of apple pie.
Mei, checking on her new big sis Shaoliang via text from the Professor without even looking, replied.
They traded words, carrying on the conversation while sorting thoughts simultaneously.
"Hmm, got a conclusion. [Idol's Body] is 100% mana-made. [Divinity] is its antithesis. Proof idols can never become [Gods]. Might as well call it [Duct Tape] instead of divinity?"
"Duct tape is divine!! Anyway, should we organize the mess of [Martial Arts] we picked up this time, or the techniques Mujon showed?"
"Won't it just come naturally if we slack off? Need some cool coffee~"
"Instead of always brawling physically. Wanna try smart stuff like [Shamanism] or [Magic]. No progress at all. 【Tower Coins】 buy all sorts of things, I get it in my head, but can't use 'em."
"Can't help our low IQs. We're dumber than Sadako, really."
"Plus, when [Idol's Body] froze last time, consciousness stayed intact, didn't revert to original body? Probably never going back for life?"
"Wow! Red pill blocked at source!"
"Slurp— But if so, could my [Ego] treat a [Duplicate] as [Original], making it higher priority?"
"Damn, [Idol's Body] skill sucks. Because it's a 【Non-Combat Legendary Class】? Feels hopeless...."
Now completely junk, if not used carefully, the engine would blow, leaving her immobile and listless for days. Cracks happened often too. As fights intensified, [Idol's Body] couldn't keep up at all.
She'd felt it clearly fighting 【Mujon】.
Non-combat classes couldn't beat combat ones.
Mujon had buffs, doping, weapons, armor, exclusive skills—endless means.
They could make [Climbers], scale up Shrine Maidens massively, so far from combat, no exclusive items either.
Any way around it? Scoured the [Training Guide], but [Idol's Body] only gave [Duplicates] post-acquisition—no upgrades.
No hope even for exploits since [Duplicates] could shatter.
Not after Mei went wild and left Wakamo immobile.
"Well, that's it then. I'm no game or novel protag. Breaking limits to power up is too much."
"VTuber streaming skills still stagnant though."
"At least singing's gotten decent reviews. Little more effort, maybe we drop an album?"
"Ahh.... it was long, so long...."
"So whose idea was dakimakura for every Wakamo type?"
"Not a kids' toy set, but buy all the figures and they combine?"
"Jackson's money grub went pro."
"Adeleheit's making them?"
"Uh, um...."
Excessive loyalty to the President led to worship items cranked out with pointless high quality. T-shirts okay, but panties...? Never even worn them.
"Some quick companies already selling Wakamo Corporation sticker bread."
"Good thing China's on our side. Otherwise, illegal merch flood..."
"Being famous sucks!! Today's Hako did a Wakamo World Cup!! Ahhh....!!"
Yung Wei straight-up ran idol worship biz(?), building a grand shrine, so no one risked illegal merch. Meanwhile, Asuka went further, using Japanese tech for weird merch galore.
[Fox Spirit Series] or [Turtle Ship and Dragon General God Series]... Fine for cute SD figures sold only at Kwonwang's dojo.
But why sell Turtle Ships as figures in Japan.... Asuka, this right?
Sadako stressed over people nagging why a Japanese girl carried Admiral Yi Sun-sin's stuff.
Gave her a corporate card for encouragement—now thinking, maybe she just found booze money.
Seemed likely, so shipped Sadako to Manager Won Da-hye too. Guess I'm one up on you, Sadako....
"Adeleheit and Asuka are going wild cranking out merch! What do we do!!"
"Don't want a tapestry of me in my room!! Ah, but maybe the cute Fox Spirit series?"
"1/1 giant kid Wakamo doll's 130,000 won—gonna buy that? Not a waste...?"
"Should bless 'em for sale? My conscience hurts!!!"
"Speaking of, 【Broadcast Points】 piling up—how to spend?"
"Need faith and extra stats for [Skills] too....."
"Ugh—head hurts! Gonna watch VTuber streams!!"
"Mikonowa opened! Card shop sim looks fun."
"Yamada fired up a fighting game? Our tourney okay to join though?"
"Do that and Pyret wins over Sisybotan, makes her cry—I might split Asuka's hips."
"And yet can't hit VTubers we raised ourselves...."
"Streamers begging for tourney spots, collabs, ads pouring in. Hire more managers?"
It was rest. Wakamo surprisingly saw this as resting.
Then, Dragon General God, transformed into [Loli Wakamo] model after outing with Inari Fox God, returned.
Beside her, another duplicate, [Extending Rod], in [White-Faced Golden Fur] VTuber model, set down a box of collab merch bought outside.
"""""Five bodies are the best!!"""" "
'Crazy bastards.'
The five rushed in, eyes mad with glee as they inspected VTuber merch, sorted multiples (at least three each), and carefully sliced open boxes with mana-forged blades instead of tape.
They extracted the VTuber merch with master-level focus and care, then all five heads swiveled like creepy cameras to align perfectly.
Checking from different angles: sloppy finish here, great molding there, gotta repaint this myself, etc.
The five Wakamos unpacked dubious merch (questionable for original use) and neatly sorted it in the [Idol's Shrine].
Inari Fox God recalled the fool who'd illegally snuck in, stolen a figure, listed it on a flea market site.
What baseless confidence let them bypass entry ban with good Talent...?
'This one's actually the true idol who lost her memories? Totally Tamamo-no-Mae vibes.'
Five bodies working without bumping arms, ten eyes darting busily—beyond perfect sync.
Impressive for five people, but really one with five views.
Even Inari couldn't fathom what landscape Wakamo saw while living.
Honestly, first thought it cheating—but against Wakamo's matchup where most Inari [Shamanism] failed, close combat might just make a good teacher?
'Learning forms by watching? Ridiculous....'
Inari eyed her suspiciously, wondering if Korean Tower made her.
"Come on, aren't you too grown for doll play? Fine alone, but embarrassing in front of me, right?"
"Bought Inari Fox God figure merch too."
"Who made that?"
"Adeleheit."
"No, why? For real why? Not for Inari Shrine display, right?"
"Of course not."
"Sigh."
"Putting a 1/1 bronze Inari Fox God statue."
"Knew it, so told Asuka to make a 1/1 bronze Wakamo statue too."
"You bastard──!!!!"
Inari Fox God stepped past the merch box, nudged Mei's back with her instep, and brazenly perched on Kang Yeoul's head.
Legs crossed, she looked down arrogantly, rubbing fingers with a bored expression.
"Snagged the Prime Minister spot. Congrats—you basically own Japan now."
"Eh— whatever. No ambitions. Can you get more VTuber collabs though?"
"That's all in your head?"
"""""Yep!!"""""
Made sense—only that mattered, so she climbed Kyoto 100F even at 200x difficulty.
Gave up understanding someone fearless of death chasing front-row live tickets.
"Anyway, about tower alliances. Current setup's like [Guilds] for humans. Big [Companions]. As 【Floor Lord】 of [Wakamo Floor 3], you're legit 【Tower Lord】 now."
"No change though?"
"Too soon."
Inari couldn't spill all, but as climbers grew, things unlocked gradually. Wakamo rocketed solo, dooming others—[Japan Tower] fretted via proxy.
"So Inari Fox God ex-Tower Lord?"
"Kyoto Tower's lord. Part of [Japan Tower]. Makes me see how inept [Korean Tower] is for staying silent this far."
Normally, climber prowess like this unlocked more, Inari sighed.
Korean Tower gorged too fast, belly bursting, brain frozen—like giving a monkey a computer, she explained.
"Think Sichuan Province 100F crediting 95F climbed is the reward?"
"5F to 100F? Sweet deal."
"100F two-peats!"
"Huge W."
"Smash 5F quick, wanna watch VTubers."
"Can I have cola?"
"One at a time!!! Wait, you're all one! How?!"
"It""just""happens?"
Inari, spooked by perfect word-sync from 'one' person, edged away to a distant chair.
No longer saw her as human. Something human-shaped.
"Listen. Rewards settling. You bet a 【Babel Fragment】? [China Tower] bankrupt, couldn't pay. Still inaccessible. [Korean Tower] should handle, but hypergrowth means clueless. Monkey with PC."
"Oh, our Korean Tower's rice monkey?"
"Making bank off Wakamo."
"Wakamo one-trick...."
"Drop it...."
Whatever topic, they'd go 'Really? Huh, okay?'—zero worry.
Answering Wakamos down to three. Wakamo and Mei dipped back for VTuber focus.
Wanted to snap, but three listened, so Inari swallowed rage.
"You're off-script. Hence the spotlight. Stuck on [Idol's Body] limits? 【Babel Fragment】 wish would've fixed, but not easy to get."
"How to get?"
"Why down to one?"
"Gotta watch streams?"
"Won't ditch climbing for full-time VTuber offer?"
"Might bite if quitting VTuber for clipper life."
Wrong.
Zero interest in climbing, for real.
VTuber debut accidental, still unhappy with her streams.
But no greed otherwise—no wishes, goals. Pure in a way...? Frugal, desireless human.
Four huddled watching VTubers, chitchat insane—still, Inari patiently eyed Kang Yeoul.
"【Mystery Towers】 exist to close gaps. Only risk-takers find 'em. Wants climbers with strong desires."
"Wanna ask now. You skipped before. What does the tower want from humans?"
"Climb."
"Then what?"
"—Even terminal like me dunno. Conquer all Japan towers, maybe find out?"
"So smash top floor, barge in—what happens?"
"Don't. Even. Think. It."
Beast-level thinking chilled Inari with sweat.
Meanwhile, the four in back had popcorn, cola, multi-screens, glued to streams.
Even [Camera Manipulation] overhead VTubers shared via vision link.
"Sigh..... Anyway.... You're a mega-force now [Towers] check. To balance, other towers boost climber rewards. [Guardians] react stronger? Korean/China Towers dysfunctional—climb 【Mystery Tower】, Wakamo Inarizushi."
"Ehh... no thanks...."
"Just a few floors?"
"But Mystery Towers brutal."
"Varies per tower. All different—safe!!"
"Rewards solid though."
Wakamo recalled Inari's words, past rewards.
Got cheat item [Idol's Glory]. Similar from others?
"But folks gunning for Mystery Tower ownership. Why?"
"Collect 100, get 【Babel Fragment】."
"—Oh."
No ladder-kicking fan, but... Wakamo had enemies.
Didn't notice at festival, but later intel shocked.
US raided Guardian lab, Wakamo saw [Babel Fragment] records.
Beyond imagination. If wished on?
Humans might wish, but crime lord [Sword Saint] collecting bugged her.
".....How'd they know?"
"Wakamo, story's not done. Told you—your fault complicating. Climbing reveals [Full Clear Floors], including 【Mystery Tower】 spots. And why collect. To balance one OP climber."
"Uh...."
"Plus [Grand Masters] challengers coming. Pride bait... Varies per tower. You like fighting?"
"Me? Hate violence?"
"......?"
Inari doubted her ears at the sincere claim.
Kang Yeoul dead serious hating violence—Inari blanked.
Korean Tower didn't just grab any condition-met fool, right?
Nah, desperate wouldn't pick randos into mess.
'Please not that.'
Losers' words shamed.
Later, news: Greek/Roman 【Mystery Tower】 spawned 【Colosseum】 egging climber fights.
"Ugh, barbaric."
Bonus: [Pirates] led by [Six Freaks] raided 【Mystery Tower】, Greece hit.
"[Pirate allies raiding Mystery Towers: [Three-Way Admiral], [Palace Ghost - Sage Lord], [Oni], [Sword Saint]. Greece's [Six Freaks] Penthesilea fought, lost... Legendary [Explorer] lost Mystery Tower too.]"
"Tsk."
Pirate rampaging with uncanny skill to spot Mystery Tower owners.
Not bragging—kept hidden.
Herding packs, picking fights.
"[Breaking! Declaration of war to [Idol] Wakamo Inarizushi! Come to Greece Colosseum or... pirates threaten to cut undersea cables, kill streams!]"
"Satellite age now.... Cutting cables ain't easy. No prep for tha—"
"[Refuse and they'll bomb Virtual Live HQ too—]"
"Inari, grab tools. Time to smash some balls."
"Got it."
I don't like killing people.
Not preaching—just my thought.
Weaker than me don't deserve my kill...
I target only stronger foes or monsters I can't beat!!
But sometimes.... exceptions needed.
"Hang that bastard on a cross for crow food."
"Presenting bio sparrows, heh."
Asuka, arrival unknown, grinned slyly, rubbing hands.
"Call Yung Wei for one nuke."
"Calm down, Master."
Seeing truly pissed Wakamo, Asuka urgently soothed.
Inari quaked at ear-flattened killing intent.
Truly terrifying...! Scary...!!
"No reason not to kill."
Wakamo drew [Shotgun for Oshi].
Yago, Ame... grant me FPS god's blessing...!!