Chapter 162
Chapter 162
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: Era of Great Upheaval
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The world has entered a true era of cataclysm!!
Ten years have passed since the towers appeared, now entering the eleventh year.
The world was turned upside down by a single climber.
──New materials had begun appearing in other towers as well, and special products were emerging from the [Mystery Tower], which had become state-owned following the death of the Pirate King.
The American tower boasted to all nations that, befitting its vast landmass, it was producing new floors, new monsters, and new materials.
But the [East Asia Alliance] had gone even further, adding a massive number of new items and new skills.
America was utterly shocked upon hearing the news, and thanks to that, some climbers had even migrated to the Asian Alliance.
They were giving up on high floors by exploiting the fact that the tower was shorter, aiming to climb the low tower, learn skills, and grow stronger.
On top of that, the fact that entire nations were rapidly developing under the Idol's influence played a role, and some people had even settled down in the Idol's domain, which Wakamo Inarizushi effectively ruled, including [Wakamo Floor 1].
Even the Legendary-class members of the [Six Freaks] were wandering around aimlessly, and those who hadn't committed major crimes were desperately trying to figure out how to get in—what more needed to be said?
"Eat up, as much as you want. I'll buy it all for you."
"Ah, yes!"
Mei Shaolongbao had stepped out for a quick meal with Xiao Liang.
She had posted a notice to her viewers saying she wasn't sure when the second part of the stream would start, and slathered her skin with a thick layer of blue liquid.
It was a skincare product promoted by the VTuber, made by mixing slime and mana concentrate, and she was desperately trying to heal her [Idol's Body], which was on the verge of breaking down.
Fortunately, time was passing, and it was recovering at a ridiculous speed thanks to its cheat-like skill effects.
The unspoken description in her status window about always maintaining [Peak Condition] was incredibly handy...
'There wasn't even a choice to begin with.'
Grumbling inwardly, Mei pulled out [Climber Cultivation Know-How] and flipped to the page on 【Idol】.
Boom!!
"Uh...."
"Sorry."
The food she was eating spilled from the bowl, and the soup in the pot overflowed. As the thick tome... no, the know-how book materialized on the table, Mei apologized, and Xiao Liang said it was fine and called over a staff member to clean it up.
"Waiter!!"
She was sweet and kind only in front of Mei and Yu Ying, but elsewhere she was like a proper underworld boss.... Wait, did she just call him "waiter"?
The waiter came rushing over with a terrified expression, frantically cleaning up and asking if he should bring new dishes. She told him to clear it and bring more orders, shoving a tip into his front pocket with a smile.
It was heartbreaking to see his legs shaking from the overwhelming pressure Xiao Liang exuded.
'──What does any of this have to do with a VTuber?'
Mei sighed as she looked over the selected skills.
Job-exclusive skill 【Unshakable Mind】
- Grants strong resistance to all mental effects.
- Overcome confusion, provocation, and stun with mental strength.
【Idol's Body】 also had an effect to maintain mental calm.
This smelled like a "hastily made skill" prepared specifically to cover Wakamo's glaring weakness. But on the flip side, there was nothing more fatal for an Idol who had to lead many people than being swayed by mental attacks and losing control.
Why else did kings or gods in comics and anime constantly get corrupted, brainwashed, or hypnotized and exploited?
Still, thanks to that, she had also acquired the [Berserk] skill.
It was known that this skill was typically acquired only when a comrade dies, something horrific happens, or one's reason flies out the window from extreme rage.
Unless you deliberately sought it out—and really, unless you had a blood-sworn archenemy—it was hard to obtain through normal means.
But conversely, it was also a skill that [Wizards] or [Summoners] could acquire. It might come in handy someday..... Sadako might make good use of it...?
Flutter, flutter—
"Did you hear? They're coming from Vietnam all the way to India and into China."
"Kazakhstan and Iran too, apparently. Borders getting sealed off? That's ridiculous."
"They all fled during the war, but now the world's getting better, huh?"
"But the skill compositions have expanded, right? Scholars say it's dividing into major and minor paths or something. Too complicated, I didn't get it."
"We just pick what's suited to our class and that's that."
While reading the guidebook, Mei perked up her ears to the conversations around her.
It seemed like all of overseas, including America, was paying attention.
And the number of people wanting to come over was increasing, apparently.
Being a climber didn't always mean good things. Some places came with obligations, and some nations demanded even harder work.
Yu Wei was firm on this point and didn't want foreign climbers migrating over, she recalled.
National politics weren't something Wakamo could interfere in. Still, VTuber fans had asked to let people through for collabs.
She had even told them to let her know about anyone sneaking in under that pretext.
Well, that was in the past.
They were already complaining about the increase, and now it looked like it would only grow more....
'Damn, nothing useful here at all.'
[Climber Cultivation Know-How] for 【Idol】 was shockingly useless for Wakamo!!
And for good reason—【Idol】 was a class that cultivated and raised climbers, formed parties with them, commanded them, and climbed together.
Meanwhile, Wakamo was like, Huh? What's that about believers? Tell fans to fight? You think that's something to say to a VTuber?
Even as [Idol's Body] screamed, Fuck!!! I'm not a combat job skill!!! Stop making me fight!!! she pushed it to the breaking point and kept going—that was Wakamo.
It was like doing F1 racing, then suddenly pulling out an AE86 alone. "86? Racing with that junk?" people sneered, but she went on a wild rampage anyway—that was Wakamo.
Even if the racing team (Korean tower) yelled that her engine was on fire!!! Tires three gone!! she finished first on one tire, pulling off insane feats.
Even if the roof caved in, she could patch it up and keep going. Hell, no roof? No problem. Just her conviction~
....A guidebook explaining "class" to someone who defied common sense like this was pointless.
"What the hell are abundant harvest skills? Crop blooming...? New crop synthesis? Immunity to diseases plus preventing natural disasters and resolving human conflicts.... What bullshit is this?"
The [skills] an Idol could do had exploded in number, to the point where even Wakamo felt dizzy looking at the sheer volume.
And amid all that, the rewards from climbing Floor 2, which she'd seen in the [List], weren't even in the guidebook!!
She thought the Unshakable Mind skill was probably hastily made, but no—it was all custom-made for Wakamo. The shocking truth hit her.
Wakamo, on the verge of losing her mind, trembled with shock.
It would be nice if exclusive item descriptions came up too..... But at this point, she was scared to even look!!
"And what's this about Idol's Apostle evolution and [Spirit] growth in the shape of believers....!!"
And amid that, there were tiny new derivative paths like, Oh, and here's a bonus~ You can succeed as a [Summoner] too! Wakamo foamed at the mouth.
What was this? It wasn't rage-induced seizure—it was more like a backlash from accumulated, indescribable shock?
With her mentality properly shattered, color drained from Mei's entire body, turning her pale white.
It was a newly acquired bizarre ability.
It felt like the Korean tower was saying, You've been complaining about no good skills lately, no exclusive items, no room to grow, so we prepared a whole bundle for you~
But reality was like hitting max level in an online game and chilling, only for new quests, skills, raids, and story to explode in number—overwhelming the early starters to the point of head-exploding.
'At this rate, I need to do a collab stream soon...!'
Sadako and Yu Ying were waiting to collab with Wakamo.
Meaning they had halted their climbs. Including Lucia!!
"Mmnom nom... Ancestor, you won't have any?"
"Yeah, yeah."
Grabbing a boiling pot with one hand without looking and chugging it down like soup, Mei set it aside, and Xiao Liang became even more deferential.
-98th floor? Coming? Coming?
-Came, so I turned it on lololol
-I'm so excited I can't hold it!
-Real talk, every skill is coming out.
-We're witnessing the Idol of the era...
-Scout the pioneer stream or get left behind~
-Climber Association is in chaos lololol
The [Guidebook] was originally kept at the Climber Association for curious climbers to check, but now there was a line with numbered tickets, apparently.
Opening a portal and handing it back to the association staff, Mei put on her yellow tracksuit for climbing and did some light stretching.
-Streeetch! Gymnastics!
-Gotta work hard to grow big like Ancestor~
-2m is a bit...
-Heard after a millennium you'll get there.
-How old even is she anyway!!
-Super Mei again? Missed it ㅠㅠ
A clip of Mei Shaolongbao, wrapped in golden light and blazing with holy flames, had apparently gone up on the community.
Naturally, it caused a huge uproar. Wakamo's claim that she'd lost power due to the tower was true after all. This is the final point...? Believers were in awe upon awe.
[Author: Human Breath]
[Title: She can envelop holiness too, right?]
Saint: Yes hahaha!! Only a tiny fraction of climbers!
-Woaaaaah!?
-No way! Holiness is companions' exclusive...!
ㄴThought the same about shamanism....
ㄴWho do you think I am, standing in front of you?
-You're just a plain priest! I'm the Idol that priest serves!! It's a hierarchy!!
ㄴLmao scale is totally different
-Ahahaha Asia's right about Idol worship lololol
ㄴWakamo said to believe in religion too.
ㄴAnd we do, so subscribe bro.
Yeah, everyone was super hyped.
Unless transferring from companion, other classes including [Wizard] had to rely on healing skills or potions, but believers were growing in number, hoping Wakamo might one day let them transfer to a priest who could use divine skills.
More [Clerics] meant better party completion, and adding [Bards] would expand buff variety—no downsides.
However, divinity and mana had severe backlash.
Mana had an inherently disadvantageous matchup against divinity, for some reason.
So no matter how much Wakamo grew, there was no chance of unlocking that stat awakening in companions.
──Well, who knew what climbing the tower might bring.
"....My merch sales went up, what do I do..."
"Merch... Otaku culture, right?"
"Yeah, Xiao Liang. Kinda?"
"Otaku business targets guys who don't spend much elsewhere, so they got some leeway but their sense of money is wrecked, right?"
Mei felt her emotional distance from Xiao Liang widen.
She couldn't nod in agreement while keeping two steps back, or gaze sadly at distant mountains with a hurt expression.
-Lately MZ kids...!!
-No, Xiao Liang's the young one lololol
-Young folks don't get us otakus!!!
-G..uy...s... Seen Hong Kong movies...?!!!
-Bet she doesn't even know why Ancestor wears yellow tights.
-Miss you Dragon...
"....Shall we head up?"
"I don't know what it is, but I'm sorry..."
[Challenging the Trial of Sichuan Tower Floor 98]
-Climber, shatter the wall and overcome the hurdle.
-Destroy your rival and seize power!
-Climber, show your martial prowess!
[Platinum Achievement Condition]
-Defeat [[Perfected Man Taigong Wang]] (0/1)
A strange tension filled the air.
A handsome young man in immortal-like robes stood before her.
The black-haired man, stroking a nonexistent beard, clasped his hands behind his back and tilted his head with a smirk at the approaching Mei.
"Jiang Taigong."
"Pardon? What was that?"
"[I'd like my fishing rod back──but I guess you hate being at a disadvantage?]"
"Isn't it the fault of the one who couldn't keep hold of it?"
She had figured she'd eventually run into him if climbing the Chinese tower, but that smug smile gave off an instant unlikeable vibe.
Having lived as an otaku for long years, Wakamo felt a visceral rejection of alpha males? This guy was close to a social butterfly... but even more trash-tier.
Thinking back, hadn't his wife, who'd supported him for 20 years, finally fled? And he only succeeded after, becoming a wife's nemesis.
"You can't scoop up spilled water, right?"
"[Haha──! True enough!! It was that era, so it'd be nice if you changed your view of me as trash.... You wanted to meet me, right? Climbed up expecting it?]"
"Won't deny that."
──The Korean tower's interference was clear in his speech patterns.
Should she be grateful for the Korean tower's thoughtful consideration in preserving the VTuber concept...?
She did have some expectation of actually meeting Jiang Taigong if climbing the Chinese tower.
Still, she hadn't imagined some Casanova who could charm any passing woman with a glance—not some old geezer.
"Huuuh...."
Xiao Liang's face turned beet red, wobbling drunkenly.
Seeing her duck her head shyly like a girl in first love, the chat exploded in lament.
-Me
-Fuck
-Me
-Fuck
-Fuckin hate how just his face pisses me off.
-Can't even be jealous... Those lashes insane?
-Even guys can kinda see it.
-Couple fight scene?
-Falling for the fox??
-Inari Fox God watching the stream must be burning up lololol extra
-Inari: Where do I extra-click.
-???
-???????
-Ugh suddenly scared.
-Look how savage...
-But no relation to Jiang Taigong, right? ....Right?
Jiang Taigong fluttered his sleeves, revealing his hands, then spread his arms and began levitating.
His smile seemed to say that since her wish to meet him on the way up had come true, it was time to fight as climbers—bonus points.
"[You've finally reached here as a climber!! Wakamo Inarizushi! Yes, I am Taigong Wang, whom you've longed to see!!]"
"It doesn't suit you!! Put on a beard!!!"
"[You like the young look too!!]"
It sounded like he was pointing out that she'd come as Mei, not Wakamo.
But broadcast-wise, a handsome youth was better, right?
The [Apostle] conjured by the tower unleashed a preemptive strike with wind strong enough to rattle the jade pendant at his waist.
Mei countered with an Idol's storm, and the clash of intangible winds sent shockwaves that buckled Xiao Liang's legs, making her collapse.
"Ugh... My head feels weird..."
One jade pendant was glowing pink. It was clearly charming [Reason].
With Xiao Liang's eyes full of hearts, [Charmed] and about to attack Mei, it was trouble—so Mei opened [My Worlds] and tossed her to safety, then massively extended [Extending Rod] to attack the floating Taigong Wang.
The rod whipped fiercely, light as if weightless, flashy and fast, but Taigong Wang didn't block—he just stood there.
Invisible qi enveloped him, absorbing all attacks.
It felt soft and yielding, like punching an air-filled balloon—not solid at all.
Crackle—!!
Accelerating with [Idol's Thunder], Mei launched the camera as a foothold, closing the distance to Taigong Wang in an instant.
Showing genuine seriousness unlike before, Mei soared above Taigong Wang and stomped down with full force.
Squelch.
It didn't connect.
-Inari: Break his nose!!
-Calm down.
-Manager can't block...?
-Then manager dies ㅇㅇ....
-Wife, so understand.
-Not rage at guy who cut friend's throat?
-Inari: Beat him like he beat me!!
-Wakamo suddenly trash in a flash.
-Violence is top-class for chiefs lololol
-First climber to hit me!!
-Masochist...?
Using [Weight of Faith] and trying to pass through with [Idol's True Form], but whether mana or not, it didn't penetrate—still, she could slam the invisible space downward onto Taigong Wang.
And right before impact, Mei's face reflected on the ground.
Why was her face reflecting on the blue meadow? Before the doubt cleared, splash—she sank into water, eyes darting in panic.
Bubbles rising in the water, Mei spun the rod to deflect the whipping lightning.
She was fighting half-heartedly.
Unable to sink in water, she surged up with all her might, only for the ground—no, the sea—to rise vertically.
Turning into a massive water giant, the fist falling from above morphed into a huge rock wall, pouring down like a landslide.
"Extend—!!!"
Using [Model Adjustment] to enlarge the rod, the tip stabbed into the ground, shoving back with full power and clashing with the giant stone fist.
In that gap, Jiang Taigong shot out from the stone giant's body like a flying fish, walking on air.
Folding space to run, he reached Mei in an instant with a heat haze flicker.
She slapped away the grabbing hand with her knife-hand, thrusting sharply at his vitals, but Taigong Wang seized her hand and halted it.
'Fast!'
This close-range grab right before contact was the first since Inari God.
"[Many await our reunion—shouldn't we chat more?]"
"Not a fan of guys who ditch women."
"[And what of those who don't understand others' feelings?]"
The needling words made Mei tense her captured hand to thrust, but her vision flipped, swept away by rapids.
But it was an illusion.
It was her own misperception from the qi stirred by Taigong Wang swinging her hand.
Taigong Wang, projecting vivid illusions with sheer aura alone, moved like a white heron freely flying the skies.
His long sleeves flapping like wings, Mei spun in his grip like a dance partner, crashing into empty sky.
Had she reached the tower's ceiling?
No, wrong.
The air had suddenly become a wall.
Cracks in the scenery, Mei crumpled like embedded.
"[How about this?]"
With the sensation of gravity pulling down, Taigong Wang lightly stomped the Mei pinned in the sky.
The massive rock giant had merged with the ground, but Mei and [Extending Rod] fell as if gravity inverted.
The flat plain from moments ago had become a cliff, plummeting—using [Object Interaction] to yank the rod and stab it into the ground for braking.
As soon as she stopped, Taigong Wang leaped onto the rod, his leg blurring with afterimages as he pummeled her entire body.
"Urghk....!!"
Clear bruise marks seared into the kicked spots.
Dodging her face, the merciless beating made Mei grimace fiercely, but she curled her lips and stood atop the rod.
"Did you beat your wife like this too?"
"[Who'd misunderstand from hearing that!]"
On the barely foot-plantable rod, Jiang Taigong and Mei's hands crossed.
Neither using feet, slapping hands away, pushing wrists, knife-hand breaking flow.
Fluttering sleeves unleashed straight punches like projectiles, softly pulled back with palm and redirected.
Knife-hand swinging at wrist like a famed sword, countered with pulling palm strike, twisting trajectory off-line.
Fluttering sleeves unscathed, hands and wrists clashing precisely, exchanging hundreds of blows in split seconds—masters' duel.
Even Mei, multiplying hands to eight for swordplay, found no gap in Taigong Wang's sturdy defense painting circles in air.
Spectators couldn't tell who dominated in the fierce bloodbath atop the wind-swayed, shaking rod.
Wobble—!
And soon, the rod shot upward.
No—more accurately, gravity normalized.
Chasing the sliding-back Taigong Wang, Mei sprinted the tilting, shaking rod like flat ground.
"[Idol's Light]!!"
Clenching fist for combos, then hurling compressed inner light with full power.
Taigong Wang raised arm wide, sleeves enveloping the light orb streaking air, swinging momentum to return it.
No sooner thrown than U-turning back—poof, Mei vanished.
As the decoy from [Idol's Form] faded, bewilderment flashed in Taigong Wang's eyes.
Grab!
An arm from the rod seized his leg.
Using [Model Adjustment] to enter the rod and burst out, Mei yanked his leg hard, kicking at his jaw.
As he tried palm-grab, Mei toed up, clamping fingers with toes.
Forcing arm back to drop guard, her wild fist smashed face-first.
[Idol's Thunder] shot between legs.
Trick of turning body to mana, extending only arm for solid hit—Mei grinned briefly.
Wiping lip blood lightly, Taigong Wang turned Mei's leg to [Divinity], exploding it with backlash.
No time to react to the scene.
Positions swapped, plummeting now, Taigong Wang aimed fingertips at Mei.
"[[Element Transmutation: Metal(金)]]"
Spurt—!!!
Remnant mana from his kick transmutes to ore, sprouting across Mei's body.
Realizing minerals rooting into flesh, half-integrated, she ripped out [Idol's Mineral]-eroded parts—next [spell] incoming.
"[[Element Transmutation: Flame(炎)]!!]"
KABOOM!!!!
Useless to rip—even as massive blast spreads spherically.
Unaware, one might think sun rose at floor center.
Expanding elements devouring each other, swelling size.
Half-body charred to ash, Mei rolled landing on remaining arm-leg, executing fall technique.
"[[Forced Mutation]!!]"
Sleeves flapping, palms to ground—massive tree roots shatter earth, entwining whirlwind-like, squeezing Mei as wooden waves.
Countering flames with [Idol's Flame Retribution], freezing insides with [Idol's Freeze] to halt growth—Mei eyes Taigong Wang, but.
Element sprouting from her ice soared skyward.
"[[Element Transmutation: Ice]]"
Ice element Taigong Wang's head-sized flies up, forming shape.
-Uh, uhhh.
-Inari: Block it!!!
-Pirate: Captain!! Fire flames now!!!
-No, fuck no?
-Using [Form Change]?! [Wizard]?!
-No, Taoists control nature, so Wizard fits...!
"Oryaa──!!"
Condensing mana atop palm into [Mana Core] instantly.
Grip and cast [Idol's Flame], chain-exploding into fireworks bloom.
But blocked.
-Pirate: That... seems like my superior skill, affecting terrain to make air barriers.
-Why didn't you tell Captain?
-Pirate: How would I know!!
And it comes.
"[[Element Transmutation: Flame]]"
Flames and ice collide.
Scale dwarfing Sadako's output, power, size—embarrassing to compare.
Mammoth blast freezes entire floor, icing viewers' screens too.
Then blazes—flames that freeze on touch spread.
"[Wha—?!]"
From dense ice fog at epicenter, massive arm bursts, space-ripping grip on Taigong Wang, extending to ceiling.
Max [Model Adjustment] gigantizing Mei before freeze catches up, slamming gripped Taigong Wang to opposite wall with fist.
Overwhelming giant motion, but.
Line tracing Mei's upper body and right eye.
"[Confident in sword too, weren't you, Wakamo Inarizushi?]"
Jade pendant in hand gleamed with light blade.
Releasing [Model Adjustment] to normal size, trying reattach severed part—
[[Cut by Taigong Wang's Jade Pendant] prevents recovery!]
Fingers gone from one hand, unusable; opposite shoulder dangling?
Before thinking [Body Replacement], Taigong Wang [Shrinking Earth] closes to breath-distance.
"[──Soloing the trial? Pathetic]"
Buzz from behind—no time to turn, kicked flying backward.
One arm palm only, kick-sliced part detached, arm flying far—Mei surrounded by screams.
"Huh? Huhh?"
Brief eye contact with monster-fighting climber, mutual shock.
Taigong Wang stomps overhead, sinking distracted Mei.
Japanese climbers fighting yokai on white snowfield flinch in surprise.
Mei flies sliding kick-like, crossing over Chinese climber party in flashy arena.
Space-folding kicks send her shuttling floors each hit.
Russian climbers pause monster fights, peering at her crashing through abandoned factory ceiling, structures, falling limply—no way to help.
Taigong Wang's comet-fall pursuit too fast.
"[....What the hell is that?]"
A fox spirit on [Wakamo Floor 3] asked.
Bugs flee, birds scatter, fox spirits confused.
Chasing camera on, plaza fox spirits watching stream spot plummeting Mei overhead, panicking.
But no mishap of her crashing on them.
Smashes [Idol's Shrine] roof on [Wakamo Floor 2], kick-crumbling wall, tumbling worship path.
"Kyaa?!"
"Wh-what?"
Barrier protects panicking people, isolating Mei.
Emerging from collapsing shrine, Taigong Wang taunts spectators beyond invisible wall.
"[Oops! Isn't this your usual trick?]"
Mocking line, then phantom shift—reappears behind rising Mei, nape-grab lift.
BAM—!!
Crashes into [Idol's Shrine] wall on [Wakamo Floor 1].
Overhead downward smash impact.
Nothing but vast meadow, Mei rags tumbling.
"Ancestor...?!"
From Chinese to Japanese to Russian towers, floor-hopping to Korean tower.
"[Seems you're mistaken—so I'll clarify]"
Uninvited guest reaching "Wakamo Inarizushi's floors," even [My Worlds], casually hands behind back.
"[You, the challenger?]"
"Damn alpha male"
Areas used multiple times in fights, never specified safe zones.
Boss monster invading at last—Mei scowled.
Portal opens to [Wakamo Floor 1] scenery last—not 98.
[Form Change Wizard] Taigong Wang gathers black vortex over hand.
"[Can't reach 99th floor, Wakamo Inarizushi. You've racked up grudges]"
Mei Shaolongbao's body vanishes, yellow tracksuit drops to floor—newly resummoned Mei picks it up, dons it.
With pristine [Idol's Body] from resummon, she raises Thousand Cannon Cloud Sword, posing.
Xiao Liang mirrors, sword up. Yu Ying, Sadako—no, Ichigo and Pirate rush to help, but transparent wall blocks interference.
Meeting worried VTuber gazes, Wakamo ignites fighting spirit.
"If gods block me, I'll behead gods themselves."
How many more skills ahead?
Opportunity might be countable on fingers.
But that was fine.
──【VTuber Skill】 acquisition drives Wakamo up the tower!!
"I'll behead you, you damn alpha male!!!"
"[Let's see who gets severed!!]"