Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: Fox God VTuber Climbing the Tower
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"Squid Rice Bowl!"
There was a 21-year-old guy named P living in Korea.
He subscribed to the [Wakamo Inarizushi Channel], and as soon as he woke up, he quickly checked the morning news.
As soon as he entered the news section on the green site, his eyes caught a headline: [Shocking! Ancient Civilization Buried Deep in Antarctica Discovered...? Explorer "That's My Thing" and Blows a Gasket].
The [Pirate] who went to Antarctica and picked a fight with Wakamo Corporation.
Having climbed as a Legendary Class Climber for nearly ten years, his strength was impressive, but at the same time, seeing him not just get kicked out forcibly but slink away with stolen loot because he couldn't win made him seem like a true pirate trash bastard.
He was infinitely far from honorable combat, and with three of his crew being famous criminals, there were tons of cheers in the comments when Wakamo beat them down.
-Hi hi... boobs...
-Turn off the sound and watch?
-Smart thinking, believer.
Yesterday's stream was a rare dance broadcast these days.
It was a day when faith in the Fox God rose while staring at those breasts bouncing up and down and swaying side to side.
The believers gathered in chat, giggling while strictly following the rules.
Then she pulled Antarctica closer with Man Eater, went underground, and even an unidentified ruin popped out.
It really felt like if you missed even one day of this VTuber stream, you'd fall behind in some crucial moment.
Wakamo's climbing streams let Climbers feel the Tower's dangers and how far it would test them.
Climbing meant risking your life.
She was practically the only one broadcasting fights against monsters inside the Tower, making it educational material.
Thanks to that, people prepared more thoroughly and cautiously, forming parties only if they planned to conquer the Tower, and more were joining guilds.
And P here was an [Aspiring Climber].
He started watching Wakamo's VTuber streams because her name was everywhere in Korea, and he got curious about what she was about.
There was that time her rapid-fire clip spam blew up the sub count, and he struggled to adapt to the otaku depths of VTuber culture, but now he enjoyed it.
Other members appeared often, they did group streams—lately it felt like watching variety shows.
"The Idol used her head well."
As a VTuber publicly, she avoided TV unless it was ads, citing the need to sit as a character, so she was rare on TV despite her fame.
Sure, Japanese TV had VTubers sometimes, but not appearing reinforced that VTubers should just VTuber.
She checked the schedule posted by Pipkin Mami, who had fun talk, dropped sex jokes without hesitation, called fans cuties, and spewed casual insults freely, confirming stream times.
Next was the usual login.
Background: [Wakamo Floor 3].
Fox spirits lived there, fighting the bugs.
The old junkyard vibe was gone; ongoing construction and renewals turned it into a proper complex city. P looked around.
The world's first VR game, but too realistic—without pre-set meetups, meeting party members was tough.
No in-game communication was a fatal flaw, but Climbers had the same issue, so it was understandable.
Everyone thought of it as Wakamo Inarizushi's training camp for raising Climbers.
"[Stag Beetle Horn Spear? With Longhorn Beetle Helmet?]"
"[Won't your neck snap charging with that?]"
"[Push hard and we'll have 10 points this week! Let's go!]"
P joined two comrades he'd teamed with for five months against monster insects, despite not knowing each other.
One chased flashiness: equipped with gear from a giant three-horned beetle they'd barely flipped and killed before.
That freakish bug, with stag beetle jaws and longhorn beetle horns, was nicknamed [Tank] among fox spirits.
Its shell too hard, one hit sent you flying sky-high, and even armored, you'd die on impact.
And just trampling at full speed? Took nine hours to catch—vivid memory.
High difficulty and pain made it popular because points earned here bought [Skills] and let you become a [Climber].
Real death-and-kill situations!! Climbers logged in feeling like training in a raw skill-only environment.
Even after becoming a Climber, he'd probably keep at it.
Climber communities raved about buying [Shooter] gun skills.
The other carried sharp spears galore.
Good for thrusting, traps, throwing to rip wings—super popular weapon.
"[Let's go!]"
"[Finish today, hope we all pass.]"
Didn't know genders, names, nationalities, but ignoring that was comfy.
Chats output in your language, all Korean for him.
Tower alliance? East Asia something? Korea's Tower made allied nations' languages compatible.
Parents couldn't communicate abroad, so they let P go to Japan alone.
Stunned hearing they'd play for three months minimum.
"[After this, gonna watch Iosif's stream.]"
"[Me, Ichigo.]"
Members always chatted about VTubers.
Having a guaranteed topic made bonding easy.
Of course, they griped about Wakamo's clips, questioning if this was VTubing.
Lately game/music streams, delaying climbs for some reason.
Whatever, reasons exist—he smashed an ant's head popping from bushes with a stone axe sharpened meticulously.
Never skipped honing the edge, wary of bush ambushes.
Fox spirits rode dodo-like birds or moved like trained soldiers.
IDs above heads made friend-foe ID easy, spotting enemies simple.
Far ahead, a fox spirit's ID vanished with a pop.
"Kiiiiiik!!!!"
Bug hate, fear, misplaced revenge.
Why the bug hatred lately? Wakamo Floor 3.
A super giant grasshopper, twice a fox spirit's size, clung to a tree trunk, jaws wide, spitting saliva.
Thwack! Kicked off, its launch speed hard to track even in reality—nightmare for fox spirits.
"[That one!]"
P blocked with stone shield, got launched rolling backward.
Sawed with deer bug jaw blade, stabbed wildly with spear in both hands.
Target soft legs/belly for takedowns—standard strat.
Never frontal fights; smart, cautious, seize chances to win.
That's why this training camp(?) was popular.
Ignore grasshoppers, they hop city walls invading, so fox spirits swarmed helping full force.
Fox spirit on mini dodo lassos leg pulling, trained ones stabbed joints with metal blades to finish.
Experience gap huge every time.
Equal stats, but movement levels apart.
[Acquired 1 point.]
"[Whoa! 10 points at last!!]"
"[Nice~ congrats.]"
"[What, aspiring Climber? Keep it up.]"
"[Korea Tower easiest!]"
"[Grind here, first 10 floors cake, for real. No roaches buzzing your face at least.]"
"[Ugh... bad memories.]"
Fox spirits who joined the giant grasshopper raid clapped congrats.
Senior Climbers gave tips.
Even with 10 points, not guaranteed Climber—heard that too.
"[Meet after becoming Climbers?]"
"[Wanna live Wakamo Floor 1. Comfy there.]"
"[Deal!]"
After five months together, promised to meet IRL since they'd climb often, ended tough hunt, returned to city.
Local fox spirits preferred logout in city even if dying.
Login disorients, spawning mid-forest meets mantis...? Ugh...
Comrade still chattering got snatched by dragonfly skyward—nightmare.
"Climber application? Collected [10 points]. You know you need mandatory Association personality training and pass first exam, right?"
"Yeah."
10 points didn't guarantee Climber.
Natural Climbers still needed Association personality training.
"Climbers are superhumans, so punishments harsher. Avoid incidents if possible, defend only if unavoidable. Versus other Climbers, judge yourself."
Lecture not tough.
Benefits of being Climber, precautions, basic human morals.
Wakamo boomed Climber numbers, including broken personalities who'd never qualify otherwise.
"Those Climber via Wakamo, she knows if you screw up."
Natural Climbers might flee, but penalties worse—lecturer said.
Impossible to run; summoned forcibly, face Fox God's divine punishment (fist).
Screen showed Wakamo punching through a floor.
Aspiring Climbers sweated coldly. All Wakamo subs, they knew.
"Oh, and [Legendary Class] path closes."
—Fatal issue profs on news said.
Normally, live long, meet conditions suddenly for Legendary Class awakening.
Wakamo mass-producing [Climbers] made national Legendary probability near 0%.
Each one overwhelming cheat class!!
Pirate's terrifying power raised value, fear of [Six Freaks] too.
But unknown paths meant waiting for pioneers to die.
Better just become Climber and climb.
After three weeks' training, barely passed first exam, earned [Wakamo Floor 1] access. P did it.
"I did it—!!!!"
High school cramming for college entrance two years ago, studying wasn't hard.
"Beat the draft before enlistment, fuck yeah!!"
Or desperation differed...
Korean young men desperately become Climbers to dodge military.
Climber riskier frontline than soldier—but won't happen.
While Wakamo Inarizushi around, no East Asia wars.
Glad avoided tragic route: fail exam, draft, discharge, then Climber.
Tragedies like Climber three days pre-discharge existed.
"This is Wakamo Floor 1..."
Guided by Climber Association recognition, [Wakamo Floor 1] was otherworldly.
Via local [East Asia Climber Association], instant travel to China/Russia/Japan—shocking. Korea Tower influence...
"Buy house here, loans available. No interest—"
Boring gov official explanation followed.
Marry, kids waive interest, subsidies.
World changing, some things eternal—thought as staff toured aspiring Climbers.
Warned [Idol's Shrine] absolute no-entry spot.
Then to famous artist [Adelheid's Gallery].
Most reacted "Why art gallery?", P and community dwellers thought "Finally here."
Staff warned diverse group (Japan/China/Russia) racism forbidden repeatedly, popped heart pills.
"You'll face shocks climbing. No running, screaming, damaging works."
"Uh... what if damage?"
"You become the work?"
Asking Russian girl gulped, lowered hand carefully.
Staff explained [Adelheid's Gallery] rules, said report if seeing non-existent Rule 4—scary.
Entered silent gallery: genius pride Adelheid's works in all genres.
Vast, zoned; [Idol's Cage] largest.
But gallery also [Climber Prison].
Adelheid artist and warden.
Entered unnamed [Junkyard] zone: chill hit. Instinct warning unease.
Mannequin in technician garb, chopped with dozens of chisels.
"How heavy the air... Is this hell...?"
One aspiring muttered.
Staff warned view descriptions free, don't peer too deep.
[Lawless] title: mental ward patient screaming?
Next: focus-lost Indian-clad man, like posthumous portrait—gulp.
Coffin contents thrashed wildly.
"Uh... um..."
Indescribable works everywhere.
Pure white space, paintings only showed white walls.
Some walls paintings; human ones faced works.
Crying face vs. bear, oni in flames burning but not.
Next elder■■'s■■■■ had some cover mouths, trembling fear.
Then [Pirate]'s■■■■■■■■■■■—
"You okay?"
Opened eyes: blue sky.
Heard [Artist]'s soul-infused works give mental shocks, but underestimated.
Bone-deep helplessness from terror.
Thanked waking Russian girl; staff casually handed water to scattered field folk.
All revived, staff toured again.
"As Climbers, you won't be exhibited/stuffed. Legendaries need whole generation die."
"Phew..."
"You're just executions."
"Damn..."
Superhumans harsh punishments inevitable... Staff said naturals could flee.
Then haha, added under Wakamo huge benefits, but crime means no mercy.
"Note: Climb elsewhere fine."
"Really?"
"Yep. Spot/catch [Guardians], get bounties/points."
"Many leave for that?"
"Tons. Billions minimum..."
P nodded at staff's tale of bounty hunting walking wallets.
"Oh, Koreans: careful, other Korean Climbers abroad might attack. Lots grudges."
"Ah..."
"Cheer up? Wakamo Floor 1 interest-free houses, benefits galore."
"Thanks..."
Stick to Korea Tower—natural thought.
How long waited? Wakamo Inarizushi approached afar.
"~ Next stream game what. Korea Tower, when's this bastard opening... Gotta watch Neneko Ming Captain stream."
No idol vibe.
Genuine annoyance VTubing talk same as videos.
Freak rumor: hang VTuber collab cafes/goods shops to spot her.
"Welcome!! Congrats new Climbers. Passed tough exam well."
Arrived, instantly revered Idol Wakamo.
Genuine congrats, advice on future.
Handed beginner item sets one-by-one, shook hands.
All here Wakamo subs.
Treated believers/fans earnestly, no prior annoyance.
Read P's eyes? Wakamo grinned.
"Love VTubing, know fan value. Neglect as VTuber? No way annoying."
"Y-Yeah."
"Well, from red pill guy's view, bit awkward."
"Why VTuber anyway awkward?"
"You punk!"
Hugged, noogied crown; tossed [Fox Spirit] doll playfully.
[Acquired [Tower Entry] skill from Idol!]
"Climbers ignore stares. Climbing pure personal skill."
Climb your climb.
Patted shoulder, moved to next.
Thus P became Climber. Wondering class? Entered [Tower Entry].
[Fighter]? Axes main? Maybe [Wizard]...?
[Your class is [Shifter]!]
"Arrrgh!!"
Fox spirit fights influenced too much; P despaired rolling.
Why, Idol!
"—But first! [Transform]!!"
Imagined toughest beast; Floor 1 oil slime startled hopping.
[Amazing change! First transform: [Hell Chain Ursus]!]
Climbers have talents. Even Wakamo-picked.
P innate [Shifter] genius: blazing hell bear form smashed slime.
"Kuung! Kuherung!"
Couldn't talk, but chest-thumped joy with forepaws.
Near-druid shifts; exited Tower laughing at Climbers spooked like monster appeared.
'But how undo?'
Other [Shifters] stuck mid-beast forms. Only P full animal.
Impressed staff gave card "contact if interested," mana drain auto-reverts.
"Ugh... uuu..."
Uneasy dread; rummaged belly pouch, pulled cute smartphone.
Amazed it worked; messaged comrades for meetup.
'What really...'
Giant bear drawing eyes? But pervy stares felt.
Passing Wakamo saw P, complex face: basically 'Why that even transformed...'
"Hey! That guy from before!"
Headed plaza meetup spot: waiting Russian girl.
Asked if guessed: tough dual-sword fox spirit.
"I'm [Fighter], you?"
Names/genders new, but odd friendship.
Maybe life upswing starts now?
"I'm [Shaman]."
Voice behind; turned, girl waved.
Queried spears? Nodded from Japan.
"I'm only guy...?"
"Yep! Congrats, two-hand flower!"
Great party comp, arm-in-arm casual like always fine for threesome climbs—P flinched.
What? Why? Like me?
Manga plot happening...?
Life finally—
Screech—!!
Plaza front: runaway sports car spun brakes, halted before us.
"No time explain, hop in!"
"Huh?"
Stunned boarded unknown; suited driver woman peeked sunglasses at me.
"[Shifter] right? Got talent."
"Y-Yeah. Bear trans—wait?!"
Climber community rule for [Shifters] flashed.
9. If bear transform possible, flee Floor 1 immediately, hide week. Caught? You're on own.
"Welcome new rookie assay!!"
"Nooo! Hate!! Don't!!!"
"Not my jewel box... Congrats joining Bear Manager Club!!"
"Nooooo!!!"
...
...
"Another poor believer leaves world today..."
Checked worried, but Wanda Hye nabbed faster than Aska, took him.
Seeing red sports car? [Shifters] abandon hope—mystery of viral posts.
Manager from Jackson's unescapable [Zoo] build request: what Climber training?
Wakamo recalled unicorn agent's "new surveillance hires popping up"—shook head.
[Settlement complete!!]
"Huh? Now?"
Forgotten; alert popped before Wakamo.
[Climbing Korea Tower and China Tower possible again.]
[All 【Mystery Tower】 clears + new functions coming.]
[Korea Tower wishes long future adventures/climbs.]
This bastard.
Why act friendly...
Wakamo sweated coldly.