Chapter 156
Chapter 156
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: Truly Petty to the End
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"Wow, she's petty right up to the very end. What now, Captain?"
"Hmm..."
Wakamo rubbed her chin, deep in thought.
She checked the time.
"You didn't fight me, though."
"That's right."
"If we head south from here, do we reach the South Pole?"
"......?"
Sadako felt uneasy, unsure what she meant.
Come to think of it, Wakamo had clearly said she'd make an example of them, that even if the whole world forgave them, she'd kill them herself—even charging in right away, furious, trying to kill them.
No matter what the pirate said, she got the Legendary class's plight and understood it on some level.
"But I'm pissed."
"Oh."
We're screwed.
※※※
"Hahaha!! A hole in my heart, but what a thrill!!"
"...This feels ominous..."
The pirate spat out the blood pooling in his mouth, wondering if he'd ever felt this alive.
Sure, starting with skills that burned [Tower Coins], he'd revealed nearly all his cards—a fatal flaw.
But still, ten whole years! Ten years!! After taking the Tower Coins from the first-generation pirate who died after just one year, he'd suffered endlessly.
He couldn't even brag about it anywhere—harboring his agony in silence, now he felt a cathartic relief, like a rotten tooth finally pulled.
"And there's a guy with eyes like mine."
The pirate chuckled, having spotted someone with ambitions sky-high, mockable by others.
If he knew that dream belonged to a terrifying polar bear killer gunning for President Wakamo, he'd be disappointed.
"Now climbers from around the world will flock to the South Pole...!! Let them fight among themselves!! Meanwhile, we snag the rewards with my [Treasure Map] skill!!"
He knew the [Mystery Tower]'s location thanks to that skill.
And he'd grasped its contents via [Explorer].
The [Pirate's Tricks] skill let him use a skill from a defeated foe or one bought in trade—just once.
It had been a long time... Ten years! Ten years!!
Climbing towers desperately, plundering as lord of the seas, stealing treasures, living the pirate life.
Yet hunger and thirst never faded.
The [Six Sea Freaks], a Legendary class collective, should be the world's terror—a criminal syndicate—yet turned into a joke by the Idol's emergence.
Even the boss just said crap like, "Isn't Wakamo fun?"
A brainless woman with no fire in her eyes for dreams or ambition, just thinking, "Broadcast tomorrow?"
"Damn, too bad I couldn't kill her myself."
There was no answer for that.
The moment he learned of the [Babel Fragment]'s existence, the pirate sprang into action.
His ambition of conquering the seas dangled before him, but the Idol would just "Huh~ Idol Kick~" and shatter it.
His other followers felt the same. She was far too strong!!
Eradicating the [Idol] from this world to sow chaos anew.
That was this pirate crew's ultimate goal.
He'd even bought items from the [Tower Coin Shop] for conquering the tower, enduring heavy losses to climb as fast as possible.
The pirate didn't know the small detail: the Tower Coins he'd earned over ten years, including the first-gen's, amounted to about the 10,000 coins Korea Tower's Dalkkok had given Wakamo.
"I'll make that bastard vanish and beg to return to Korea...!!"
The pathetically petty [Three-Way Naval Commander] showed no remorse even after getting crushed by Sadako like a dog.
Meanwhile, the [Oni] and [Executioner] felt uneasy.
The whole plan was a mess, but somehow it was teetering along.
—But the opponent was that insane Idol?
Even worse.
"[You motherfucking bastards!!! I can't hold back with you pricks picking fights!!! I'll make an example of you fuckers!!!]"
She'd been yelling that while rampaging, howling wildly.
And right on cue, she'd charged full-force to kill as the pirate predicted.
The Oni stroked the goosebumps on his arm, recalling how she'd smashed the barrier faster than a blink.
The Idol claimed [No Killing], but she never said she'd absolutely stick to it.
So they could only pray the [Babel Fragment] granted a proper wish.
"Huh...? What's that??"
A towering white spire.
Before the [Mystery Tower] at the South Pole stood a small shop awaiting them.
It looked slapped together from scraps—not something you'd see in Antarctica.
Spotting the [Tower Coin Shop] sign, the pirate guessed.
"Probably the final Mystery Tower... so the towers placed a [Shop] out front."
"Damn, Captain! You're so smart!! Should we grab something? Potions maybe?"
"Buy a sword too."
"Got it!"
As Gongkwi saluted and walked off, his comrades watched, thinking anyone reaching the South Pole had already won.
They glanced at the [Amundsen-Scott Station], recalling the [Ghost Story] haunting the now-abandoned Antarctic.
Mysterious monsters kidnapping people, or weird cults.
"Too bad we can't just pirate-raid the shop."
"Welcome. Do whatever you want."
Gongkwi opened the shop door, and Wakamo—lying sideways, munching a ho-bung—waved.
Gongkwi blinked, too shocked to process, his mind frozen.
"Huh? Wakamo? Why...? Uh... weren't you in Greece...?"
"I can run at light speed."
"...Oh."
She'd just turned into lightning and bolted straight to the South Pole. A bit reckless, but she'd asked her manager to handle things.
The greedy onlookers would've backed off seeing her thunder away skyward.
Most reactions: "Some poor bastard's heading to God today."
"Pirate life, huh... tough break."
"Risked his neck, no words for that."
Jackson and the reaper sweated coldly for another reason: Wakamo had taken Man Eater along.
"Grrr..."
Gongkwi, piss-soaked and voiceless from terror, trembled limb-shakingly before Man Eater's murderous aura from its restraints, eyes bloodshot.
"Pathetic in every way."
"Back in the day, this piece won awards in art contests..."
"Huh...?"
"Tofu!!!"
A black plastic bag of perfectly frozen tofu—chilled by Antarctic cold—smashed into Gongkwi's skull.
"Humans dying is eco-friendly. Isn't it, Gongkwi?"
"A... ahbahbah... b-but... you... no killing...!"
"I have three reasons for not killing people!!!"
Lately pissed, Wakamo figured she'd drop some wisdom like the pirate—holding up three fingers.
"First: corpses are gory, and I hate that."
Purely, she'd always hated horror and cruelty.
"Second: death ends it. For lives full of nothing but pain. Happiness comes from VTubing."
The second reason was extreme!!
To Wakamo, death was mercy, salvation.
No pain, just over. That's why she didn't mind Adelheit keeping villains alive for exhibits.
Villains dying peacefully? Nah. Good job, our artist!!
Hearing Wakamo's inner thoughts, Gongkwi intuited:
Better to die here somehow!!
"...And the last third...?"
"Know how to really piss off a human?"
Gongkwi's curiosity irked her—reason they pulled this crap—Wakamo sighed.
"You goddamn bastards. You talk too much. I get Legendary classes are pitiful, but no mercy for petty villains."
Mercy meant death!! No mercy for villains in Wakamo's no-kill theory!!
As always: if she couldn't win, she killed!!
"Gorilla Angel Vice Grip!!!"
"Gaaahhh!!!"
After pulverizing both arms amid screams, she portaled the handover to waiting Adelheit.
For some reason in a hazmat suit, fully prepped.
Thoroughly! Even a golem in the suit carried him now.
"...Wakamo Inarizushi?"
"Yeah, you fucks."
The six Legendary classes, startled by Gongkwi's screams rushing out, paled seeing Wakamo emerge from the "shop."
VTuber stream pending, blackmailed into chaos—Wakamo's rage had long passed the limit.
Why did school bullies come to mind...? She just wanted quiet otaku life, but they picked fights.
So she beat them with taekwondo.
Then second-years, third-years, even alumni punks...
Lined up, so she beat them all with taekwondo.
Wakamo usually endured for peace...
But words once spoken? No takebacks—Superchatted oath.
"I... I cried, regretted, worked hard for a year of VTuber life... did you have to do this? You shouldn't have... had to be such... assholes...! Felt good, huh!!!!"
Mana surged into Wakamo's fist, hair spiking wildly, warping the landscape.
They had to clear the five-story Antarctic tower somehow.
So the toughest, strongest [Oni] leaped forward, sacrificing for comrades.
"Man Eater, out if you don't wanna die..."
Man Eater blankly retreated into the shop.
Seeing it dazedly watching a VTuber stream fueled Wakamo's greater rage and sorrow.
Even that brutal Man Eater calms, finds joy in VTuber streams.
Why can't these fight-pickers get it?
If they threaten VTubers... eradicate the root!!
"First—fist!!!"
"B-Barrier..."
Oni raised his steel club, buffing physically for defense. Just endure one hit—meanwhile, the other five dashed into the South Pole Mystery Tower.
[Sword Saint] chugged buff potions like water, hellbent on speed-climbing.
The [Pirate] lobbed the ultimate at Wakamo like with Yu Ying, but she ignored, slamming a full-power punch.
※※※
"No good food in Greece...?"
"Um, but..."
Crew lounging in the arena, awaiting Wakamo's return.
Prepped with 0th-gen only, Adelheit on 1F standby—they figured it'd end quick.
Xiao Liang raised a hesitant hand, uneasy.
"What if Ancestor goes wild fighting in Antarctica? Won't the ice melt...?"
"Nah, even pissed, Boss wouldn't."
"She might."
"Damn, hate seeing Japan sink over some idiot!!!"
Yu Ying's quip made Sadako scream inwardly—she'd ignored it, but yeah, probably.
Other Legendaries empathized... but begged their boss: talk peacefully, no fight.
They'd said negotiate—second unbreakable rule—but pirate ignored, did it anyway.
Human folly's endless... thinks he's Prometheus stealing fire?
"Saw some anime, huh. Just petty... can't win, so 'you're out, we gang up'?"
"My dream of marrying Boss—how's that mockable?"
"Yu Ying, you're a lesbian..."
Sadako sighed at our company's mess, watching Yu Ying growl that the pirate was "gay" for sharing "eyes."
Won Da-hye, serving drinks, relayed updates from constant contact.
"Coast guard watching Antarctica called."
"Yeah?"
"Antarctica's split in two."
"Fucked up big time."
Insulting VTubers, Colosseum subordinates "killed" despite no-death—everyone knew Wakamo wouldn't tolerate.
Sadako'd never seen her this pissed in a year.
Even if he'd knelt begging like in their fight, she'd say "example time!!" and punch.
"Wonder: what if Antarctica splits into two?"
"Bipolar. Ichigo-nim, rescue Rukia?"
"You finally snapped, Asuka..."
Asuka cackled at Xiao Liang's question.
Pizza—ordered who-knows-when—like Last Supper, crammed in her mouth.
"Boss said she'd scold for slacking after."
"True Last Supper... cola?"
Yu Ying shook her head pityingly.
※※※
[Entered Mystery 5-Story Tower!]
[Current climbers: 6.]
[Welcoming Grand Master climber [Wakamo Inarizushi]!]
[Climbing Mystery Tower 1F—]
"Shut up!!!"
Crash!!
Wakamo smashed the welcome alert with a fist, pursuing the five into the [South Pole Tower].
"Wakamo Inarizushi!!!"
Blocking her for comrades: [Three-Way Naval Commander].
Most disliked, dumbest suspect.
"Because of you, we couldn't return to Korea, suffered mockery, miserable days—"
"Not interested!!! So what!!!"
Bam!!
Normally she'd listen, but not now.
"Ori's Breathing Form 1!!!"
Grabbed his neck, legs on waist, wrenched back full-force.
Wrestling move inspired by super-famous 1.75M-sub VTuber whose duck sneeze went viral from Sausage Legend Master dreamland.
"Subaru-Style Sheep Killer!!!!"
Folding his waist in half neck-gripped, foaming [Three-Way Naval Commander] portaled away.
Wanted to beat more, but sandbag later!!
Mystery Tower structured as [Monster Raid]—Wakamo grew urgent.
Had heaven abandoned VTubers...?
Scowling at fallen giant yeti.
No! Wrong!
"Even if I betray the world, I won't let it betray VTubers!!!"
Panting, glaring at 2F door, she thundered up as lightning.
Didn't know [Pirate]'s goal, but one thing clear.
What could these Wakamo-untouchable scrubs do?
Stalling. Voluntarily holding—absurd.
2F: Executioner who'd lost without a real fight awaited.
2F boss [Whale Merfolk]? Huge, blocking next door.
Deliberate? Whatever.
"—Draw your weapon! Idol!! I'll hold you one second!! For victory!!!"
"Come out [Idol Etiquette Injector]."
"...What skill's that?"
Executioner gulped at the green-glowing rod humming unknown energy.
"Radiation rod from a reactor?"
"Huh?"
"I know Russia's President, Japan's PM, China's Chairman. Snagging one rod? Easy."
Rod snapped on his side instantly!!
Radiation liquid sprayed wildly!!
Another ass smack, shin-whacked with held rod.
Executioner swung [Decapitation] at head—not happening.
Radiation? No issue—no organs.
No pain, no breath—what problem?
Radiation steamroll, tossed aside like trash.
3F: [Ice Titan], white Antarctic ice giant—sliced, defeated.
[She-Bear] armed with items, bear summoned, locked eyes with Wakamo.
"Disinfect vermin, kyat-ho!!! Taste Elite Shrine Maiden's Lava Blessing!!!"
Before anything, Wakamo blanketed floor with [Idol's Terrifying Blaze].
Gap in She-Bear's terror as bear burned meat-shield: Wakamo softly placed hand on shoulder from behind.
"I don't forgive harassing my manager."
"......P-plea, mercy..."
"Backdrop!!!!"
Waist-hugged, full-tilt backward head-slam on ice—portaled to Greece managers.
Pizza-munchers intuited as head-cracked unconscious [She-Bear] rolled in.
"Climber Gallery'll post 'This ain't right~' soon—block that guy."
"Asuka's on the job."
"Tie to pillar?"
"Bear food?"
"Manager...."
"Oh, radiation... burn it?"
"Manager......."
Tower climb fixes radiation! Ultimate no-worries!
Head-smashing spree to 4F: [Sword Saint] awaited.
"Rematch proper, Idol!!"
Thud.
"..."
Lightning-draw footsword intercepted mid-arc, hand-stopped by Wakamo.
Sadly, martial arts master. Plus great eyes.
Post-Mujon fight level-ups: even recovered body, Sword Saint's spirit worn—no chance.
Sword grabbed, ditched for new draw.
"Behold!! My ultimate!! Take th—"
"Nope."
Portal-jumped Mei knee-smashed it.
Kang Yeo-ul opposite jaw-punched, staggering him—Wakamo collar-grabbed, hoisted.
These guys stronger than thought—4F boss down already.
No clue [Pirate]'s losses—Sword Saint wrecked from overexertion.
"Kill...?"
"No!! Interview you!!!"
"......Huh?"
Kwang—!!
Wall/head-slam body-quaking hoist, Wakamo sought 5F stairs amid unknown huge 4F boss.
One-slash bisected boss "wall"—slammed Sword Saint into it, asking.
"How many?"
Kwang!!
"Grah!!"
"How many?"
Kwang!!
"Grah!!"
"S-sorry... don't know how many... really...!!"
Even Japan's worst killer [Sword Saint] begging mercy—Wakamo unfazed.
"No, how many more pirate fucks? Old natural-death timer? No mercy. So how many pirate fucks left?"
Kwang!!
"Grah!!"
Crashed into sturdy monster corpse again, [Sword Saint] giggled madly, broken.
"All over anyway, Idol!! Conquer 5F, all Mystery Towers gathered!! Your existence vanishes by wish—world draped in Six Sea Freaks terror again!!"
Too strong!! Existence plague!! Wailing elder got Wakamo's "what?" face.
"Just don't interfere, dementia hit?!!!!"
Villains incomprehensible—hoisted high, knee-snapped waist, portaled away.
Panting to 5F: bloodied [Pirate] atop crowned white-fur werewolf, golden aura sword.
Stairs corpse-blocked; in those seconds, burned all [Tower Coins]/[Items]—shattered debris everywhere.
"—It's over! Idol!! My victory!!!"
[[Pirate Nagato Yukiyoshi has gathered all Mystery Towers!]]
[[For that glory, [Babel Fragment] reveals itself!]]
Dispelling sky-dark, descending like Kyoto Tower—Babel Fragment glowing.
Pirate gazed up, ecstatic tears.
"Ten years!!! You vanish!! I become true Sea King! Pirate King in history... what're you doing?"
Wakamo struck bizarre pose amid his rant.
Pitcher winding baseball throw.
"....No way?"
Watching [Mediator] sweated, eyes quaking like earthquake, denying.
All world towers turned to [Korea Tower]—it drooled blankly, clueless.
"....For real?"
[Babel Fragment] stared at the revealed one before it, dumbfounded.
Why two of me?
Kwaaaang!!!!!
[Babel Fragment] collision rippled space-cracks, light burst.
Cosmic Big Bang? Dazzling flash, kwagagak!!—shattering to pieces raining.
"Even trash has uses."
"....Huh?"
Pirate dazed at pulverized, scattered floor shards.
Possible? Aghast, swallowed hard at unbelievable reality.
"Hurt my beloved VTubers and staff, think I'd spare you? You fuck!!! Preempted? Shut up and prep to die!!!"
Slowly self-repairing fragments.
Regrettably, Wakamo wouldn't wait.
"Wai—"
Asuka live-streamed global via alt account: Idol's execution parade.
"Fuck—!! I just wanna VTuber stream, leave me alone—!!!!"
Wakamo's raw fury broadcast, no mercy forgiveness—screeching.
Grabbed Pirate's head, pressed to inner right thigh, vertical hoist.
Tip sky-piercing lift-jump, fall-momentum head-press, leg full-smash groundward.
"Idol—! Helmet Breaker!!!"
Kwaaa!!!
Unsound head-crack echoed, screen showed limp Pirate legs.
Dust-shaking Wakamo eyed by repaired [Babel Fragment].
"Can't grant VTuber wish? Scram."
"[Front Row Concert Tickets...]"
"You're smarter than this cracked-skull pirate!!"
Amazed Wakamo snagged future front-row concert tickets.
Babel Fragment rocks...!!
"Adelheit, he's dying—do yours first?"
"Ah, sure."
Always cheers gallery art, but not her specialty—Adelheit pondered.
But client pays for creation—that's the artist!
Post-Pirate clear, Wakamo coughed to stream.
"Want [Cell Games of Terror] with me? Fight fair. Touch our cute VTubers, end like these. Keep bothering 'cause I stay chill. Fuck!! I'm President!!! Even clippers I'd ignore, but you fucks!! No picking fights!! Got it?!"
Panting rant.
"Love my believers. Stream tomorrow, kill it."
Promo never forgotten.
"......But how do we get back?"
Wakamo Corp VTubers watched, two pizzas demolished.
US agents pizza-partied awaiting Man Eater recovery—now post-party: now what?
"Greece sightseeing?"