Chapter 173
Chapter 173
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: Those Aspiring to Become the Most Honorable Climber
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【Mystery Tower】 has unveiled the 【Arena】 to the world! Come!!
This is the 【Tower】 itself granting climbers the chance to bask in glory.
All 198 【Tower Lords】 across the world have each put up one item...
Correction: 197.
The 【Korean Tower】 lacks the intelligence or capability to provide an item, so it only offered [Costs].
Towers existed everywhere, from small nations to great powers—mysterious structures present in every land.
And those who climbed them sought power beyond humanity, aiming for the unknown summit.
In a way, this was the first event in history open to every climber.
The 【Russian Tower】 was always open, so it deserved a slight exception.
While the Greek Tower hesitated, pondering due to the [Black Tower], the Italian Tower struck first.
Just as it claimed to be the true successor to Rome, a tournament open to the public was held in the Italian Colosseum.
One could say the Olympics, rendered meaningless by climbers, had made a glorious return, now composed entirely of climbers.
Broadcast stations flocked in droves, filming and interviewing famous climbers.
Tourists poured in by the masses—the Vatican was humming tunes.
Thanks to companions, they could sell genuinely effective [holy water] and such; buying souvenirs turned straight into revenue.
Even fountain water could be turned into holy water, creating something from nothing—a scam of the ages—but since it worked, what could anyone do?
"So, how do they fight?"
"They say it's divided into leagues? Like matches against national representatives and ranking battles. But the most popular has to be challenging the strongest, right?"
"Yeah, probably."
The Tower classified climbers into 【15】 ranks.
Leagues were thus split into Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and so on, held separately.
It seemed to borrow ranks from the world's most famous game, but no one nitpicked such trivia.
Even if they did, why provoke the Tower's displeasure over something so minor?
Thanks to Wakamo's streams, it was known the Tower had personality—indeed, even Tower Lords who ruled entire nations.
This sparked debates among scholars and Tower critics about what gave these Tower Lords the right to test humanity—but let's skip the boring stuff.
Wakamo cared only about VTubing, after all.
Iron and Bronze Leagues—for novices, apprentices, pros, veterans, and masters who hadn't conquered a single 【Tower】—drew the most climbers.
Even 【2nd-Gen Legendary Classes】 were plentiful, leaving ordinary classes a bit glum.
Silver and Gold Leagues—for first-class, special-class, and experts who had conquered at least one 【Tower】—saw climbers calmly observing rivals, unhurried by experience. Cool-headedness and situational judgment were paramount in the Tower, after all.
Next came Platinum League, for artisans, champions, and nobles who had conquered a combined 100+ floors across Towers.
Those who'd climbed mostly low Towers were anxious.
From the [Six Freaks] onward, famous climbers nationwide had flooded in.
In Platinum, many felt competitive fire, thinking, "I'm above these guys anyway," burning with battle spirit.
Finally, Royalty, Emperor, and Master ranks occupied Diamond League.
Here, only ultra-famous climbers gathered—virtually everyone knew each other's faces.
Elites who'd conquered a combined 200 floors across multiple Towers.
And so.
Realizing their clear separations in the arena, their eyes shifted to the empty throne at the highest peak.
The most honorable, glorious seat reserved for but one climber.
A position no one could dare challenge—or even reach, perhaps.
They stoked their fighting spirits, vowing to claim the 【Grand Master】 throne.
—Though rankings didn't shift by mere wins or losses, rendering it meaningless.
Unless artificially made like Wakamo, most climbers were the type to charge if there was a chance.
That's how you climb the Tower.
"Whoa... she's here!!"
"She stripped her own manager bare and rode in...?!!"
"Maybe she just has that fetish?"
"Makes sense!"
A woman over 2 meters tall mounted the truck-sized Nati, striding in with majestic presence.
Her aura rivaled a great general's; some civilians shuddered under the invisible, immense mana pressure.
Even magic-type climbers, recognizing her careful power control to minimize harm, felt awe and fear at her strength firsthand.
A 【Legendary Class】 had unique traits, sure—but her dignity suggested a truly different breed.
"Manager, hate to say it, but did you have to ride the bear?"
"Are you dissing my 【Partner】 as small right now?! If I'd had more Tower Coins... ugh...!! So unfair... getting that scam exclusive gear!!"
Saying something like "I don't need this" might awaken Manager Won Da-hye to rip Wakamo in half.
She was confident she'd win a fight... but actually trying might prove different.
"Noisy, isn't it..."
The arena had shops exchanging conquest badges for goods, Tower Coin vendors, and stores selling items bought with arena-specific points from battles.
Wakamo gritted her teeth at the Tower's predatory currency split.
Even a Tower should use a common currency, right?
Musing thus, Wakamo smiled at the info drawing the sharpest reactions.
Right—we're climbers.
Unless total weirdos like Wakamo Inarizushi or broken by climbing.
—Few ever truly stop ascending.
To make such folk fight to the death, worthy rewards were key.
Even better if summons revived upon death in matches, and no one truly died even in earnest fights.
Limited-time gear repairs added nice flair.
Entrusting Thousand Cannon Cloud Sword for repairs, Wakamo gazed at the "Ranking Board" people couldn't tear eyes from.
For 【Legendary Classes】 only, rankings looked like this:
1. [Idol] Wakamo Inarizushi - [100+ floors]
2. [Man Eater] Amelia Hear Mason - [99 floors]
3. [Holy Swordsman] Alexander Doherty - [72 floors]
4. [Satanist] Elisei Bonn - [65 floors]
5. [Werebeast] Ingrid Rontry [61 floors]
6. [Collector] Yung Wei - [60 floors]
7. [Soldier] Hector D. Derargaza [52 floors]
8. [Predator] Penthesilea [48 floors]
9. [Satyr] Parag Bharat [47 floors]
10. [Reaper] Aidan McElroy [46 floors]
Wakamo had knocked even Mujon and Sword Saint off cleanly, with new climbers rising—shaking up ranks.
Yung Wei seemed too busy with Wakamo's commissions to climb.
He wasn't one to obsess over rankings anyway—broad-minded fellow.
"So this is the world ranking, huh?"
Climber Rankings.
1. 【Idol】 Wakamo Inarizushi.
2. [Akasha Wizard] Timothy M (Matteo) Davis.
3. [Slayer] Yoo Kyung-yeon.
4. 【Man Eater】 Amelia Hear Mason
5. [Fist King] Oyama Masahiko.
6. 【Holy Swordsman】 Alexander Doherty.
7. [Divine Archer Cavalry] Lee Soo-deul Khan.
8. [Phantom Punch] Tcheng Hieu.
9. [Bear Bear Bear] Won Da-hye.
10. [Variation Wizard Master] Oyama Sadako.
So many familiar names.
How many climbers worldwide?
Topping this list meant undisputed "strongest."
'2nd is that US Climber Association Chair... 3rd is Korea's Chair.'
She knew the old man was strong, but above Man Eater? Unforeseen.
Still spry at his age, steadily climbing—impressive.
Though he waited for her to resolve his "stuck point"...
'And plenty of unknowns.'
More standard classes than 【Legendary Classes】 in top ranks—balance among climbers might be solid.
'More than that, knew Manager was [Shifter]... but why's her top title...'
So much to point out, but fitting for a manager?
"Usually suits, but got permission for climber gear. The Chair said to show some skill as Korea's future."
"Tough gig, Manager."
"Not just to me—he said it to you too. Ditch the half-hearted attitude; show 【Grand Master】 dignity. You're strong, sure, but always seem meek on stream—makes folks underestimate you."
"...Really?"
Manager's words carried weight.
Musing, she pocketed the repaired Thousand Cannon Cloud Sword, rubbing her chin.
No streaming plans this time. Plenty of cameras, climbers circling her for shots anyway.
Frankly, expected a few to barge in for interviews or networking intros, manners be damned.
"Hey—!! Grand Master!!"
Shifting thoughts to duel formats, [Six Freaks] members shoved through the crowd.
Many new faces.
Among them, a man shifting to werewolf to match Wakamo's height pointed and yelled.
"You bastard!! Stop the inhumane animal trade at the Russian Tower right now!! Ingrid Rontry of the animal protection group won't forgive you!!"
"Never got to fight last time. Let's settle who's truly strongest!! Remember me? The Holy Swordsman?!"
"Told you I'd hunt you!! Let's go for real!!"
"Hector from the US here. As you see, military. Apologize on behalf of the Guardians' mess—US gov't cleanup."
"This one is Sword Transformation Master—wait, don't interrupt! I'm introducing myself!"
"Aigoo, Wakamo-nim! Engineer here! Remember me? Hehe...."
Whoa—so many people.
[Predator] Penthesilea—Spartan for three generations—was dragged back again.
Ignored Sword Transformation Master; pondered dropping "bad news" on Engineer but held tongue—surprise gifts hit better.
Knew US gov't was swamped with Guardian fallout, so accepted Soldier's apology.
Holy Swordsman: meh... Wakamo crossed arms at the aggressive newbie [Werebeast].
Manager Won Da-hye stepped forward past her.
"Now, now, everyone calm down. You all here to fight Wakamo-nim?"
"Can't forgive those who don't cherish animals!! What do you take life for?! Heard about Russian Tower atrocities from that [Holy Swordsman]—shocked!! Animals belong in nature!!"
Manager explained [Werebeast] as a radical animal lover.
Already knew from before. Power to turn animal? Obvious passion.
Watching him pound his chest, roaring to thrash her, Wakamo pondered.
VTubers thrive on communication—eloquence key, per Teacher Ayingne ep 158.
"Hold up—counterpoints. First, can't control Tower ops."
"Saw video of you cozy with the Tower Lord?"
"Second, I'm with a bird protection group reviving extinct avians."
"Hmm... true. But unequal! Scared to fight me?"
"Finally: I'm endangered too."
"Yeah...?"
Wakamo Inarizushi—world's sole [Idol].
Fox goddess with animal ears—no human rights! Only two in existence!
Ingrid, lifelong protector of endangered beasts, eyes bulged.
Before him stood a long-lived species enduring human history!!
Like Greenland sharks living 400+ years in seas—on land, Wakamo!!
"You shitty Holy Swordsman!! Telling me to hit an endangered species!? Heartless bastard!!!"
"No, don't fall for that sophistry!!"
"We protect bears too, Werebeast-nim! You're being tricked! That fox is a sly Brit!!"
"Yeah...?"
At Won Da-hye's wicked whisper, Werebeast recalled "Brit," slapping his forehead.
"You!! From the nation that birthed the first animal protection laws!! Satyr scum!!"
"How dare you say such harsh words....!!"
Seemed chummy—now pinching cheeks, bickering.
"Big heads like mutts."
"Tell me about it."
[Beast Master] holed up in Russian Tower crafting partners—opposite view: no proper animal laws, trading hub. Excusable rage.
Wakamo worried: if partner gravely hurt, no treatment funds—abandon?
Not now, but someday meat shields get ditched?
"Speaking of—watch the Satyr!! Psycho nympho hits men, women—didn't care I'm male. Tried 'awakening your feminine side'—chilling."
"Ew, fuck."
Thanked Werebeast, entering arena.
Stalkers follow VTubers. Fame breeds clingier pests!
【Pirate】 was mere life threat(?); now chastity threat(?)...
"Finally plagued by proper VTuber woes—peaceful, almost. Guess I am a VTuber? Creepy sex offender stalker..."
"Got countermeasures for chastity threats?"
"Chastity's answer: Apostle Successor."
Adolf Lucia—now threatening gallery display if uncooperative—prime feral season.
Engineer flying in too, hearing of her.
"Adele can't kill, so no worries."
"Victim might prefer death."
Gallery screams draw complaints often.
Without "worst complainers get gallery'd" policy, endless harassment.
"Heard from wolf—you're fox goddess. I'm Lee Soo-deul Khan—[Archer] from Mongolia."
Traditional Mongolian garb woman approached.
Precisely: targeting by [Satyr] made her "victim" too.
"Victim...? You?"
"No, he's no mere perv. My grandma's..."
"Whoa, fuck."
"No no—grandpa."
"Worse."
Grandma or grandpa—either unimaginable...!!
"Took my beloved horse I raised too... That lunatic wrecked my tribe!!"
"Wakamo-nim, that guy's even crazier than thought!!"
Grandpa target... Pervert level too high—cold sweat.
My life's wild, but pervs scaled up... Can't Asuka fix...?
Lee Soo-deul Khan sobbed: Satyr charmed tribe's mares and stallions, stole them all.
Recalling tore her up—fuming extra.
"Went to retrieve—guess what my horse said?! 'Marrying him, go home!!' Chose man over friendship from two Tower conquers!! NTR'd!!"
"Question—if not rude, your horse female, right?"
"Stallion."
"Horrific tale. Don't wanna hear... Other topics?"
"I got a sibling now. Newborn! Just learned—shocked. Raising as artist."
Adele—slipped in seamlessly—eyes unfocused: "Like other topics?" Group averted gazes.
"This is Man Eater..."
"No, our artist."
"People-eater..."
"Close enough."
How'd she ticket-plane here so fast?
Happily carving mystery stone with sculpt knife into Engineer figurine—fresh psychopathic asylum escapee vibe.
Her beaming smile on our VTuber's face? Wakamo smiled too.
Cold sweat included.
Belatedly, Lee Soo-deul Khan explained: Werebeast eats all raised beasts—headache, even [Hunter] bounty failed—corpse found mangled.
"Word: not climber hunter—man hunter now. Haunts gay bars..."
"Damn, final boss a crazy nympho. Where's moderator?"
"Werebeast said: fled too."
Wakamo vowed: rarely kills, but smash skull on sight this time.
Expected trouble getting concert mic [exclusive gear] here.
But surviving hidden perv threat...
Quitting climbing? Trials chase auto—cursed fate?
"Eh, Satyr's weirdo. You're woman—not man—no issue."
Must kill.
Can't share skies with that perv...!!
"Too busy with Satyr talk? US has duty to protect you. That criminal's headache galore."
Crowd parted in long hall.
Legendary US strongest: stopped 1st/2nd Gen Man Eater rampages.
Current US rank 1, Association Chair.
Dashing suited middle-aged man—[Akasha Wizard], space magic renowned—greeted.
More allies, better for Wakamo.
"Let's get along," he extended hand—mana swirled palm.
Lee Soo-deul Khan muttered "nasty temper," glaring—ignored.
'Fighting among climbers? Pointless. Nothing from non-[Wizard], let alone 1-year newbie. Just don't antagonize.'
America first always—he gripped warily.
US top Wizard's magic activated!
Scans body info unknown even to self: diseases, genetics—strength too.
Master all weaknesses for arena dominance—claim "1st" glory.
—Protecting her sincere too.
Pure climber's battle lust.
"!!"
Timothy sweated at magic readout.
'Actual age 1,001?! N-No... more shocking: insanely honed mentality!!'
Overwhelms top [Wizard] me.
Hidden extreme training pinnacle...!!
'Stably serene mana... pressure... each speck like a person...!'
"As fellow climber, care for a bout?"
"Lucky. Targeting weakness? You'd be dead."
No US match for him lately—this find!
Grinning ear-to-ear Timothy surged aura—like fight now.
But paling under Wakamo's overwhelming pressure, he grinned demonically.
Lee Soo-deul Khan—not scared of Wakamo's pressure—grinned gum-showing wide.
Climbers all mad!!
Especially combat Legendary Classes?
"Heart pounding...!! How strong...?! Wanna fight full tilt!!"
【Holy Swordsman】 yelled, ignoring stares—Fist King nodded empathy.
Even newbie era, decent spar partner.
Can't miss true clash chance.
"Heh... hope we avoid our cute daughter...!!"
"Take me as opponent—really mad?"
"No dad hits daughter!!"
Fist King ruffled rank-10 daughter's hair proudly.
Sadako griped dad doting annoying—but relished touch.
Eyes scanned bustling [Legendary Classes].
Hope no trouble.
"Souvenir for Yu Ying—what?"
Shoving worries, Sadako chugged beer, licking foam, pondering.
"First, I'll hold a blood festival with you!! If no fight will, I'll just destroy this arena! Hahaha!!"
"Our boss looks thrilled."
—Dad's whatever; tone down excited leader.
Unknown concept, but such lines unnerve Japanese Sadako...?
...
...
"Hey Asuka. Love the chaos, but where do you learn it?"
"VTubers, obviously?"
"Who?"
"Blue Asuka follows blue VTubers: Kroni, Koko, Sasamomo, Taa, Hauwu, Ryumi, Rayu!!"
"Don't know all, but daily rampage—direction change good? Why Russia?"
Rare downtime.
1st-gen collab: Asuka wrecked—but flowed funnier, more highlights.
Streams are dopamine, after all.
Asuka aids tame during Ichigo's healing streams.
With climbers flocking to Italy's World's Strongest Climber Tourney.
Non-combat classes swarmed Russian Tower.
Yu Ying marveled market street from climbers picnicking sales outside Tower.
Brought her for this?
Nah—Asuka waved no.
"We got famous—[Trading Card Game]. Making TCG."
"Ahh... got it?"
Asuka planned huge card shop inside Russian Tower.
Brought Yu Ying for naming/decor; Tower Lord preps bigger with investor Wakamo—told her.
Yu Ying: "Our President amazing!"—Wakamo clueless.
Towers chaotic from Wakamo; Russia seizes chance solo.
"Goods sales? Doujin shop vibe...? Famous company?"
"Tiger Den (Toranoana) where VTuber Nekoyama Nae's from?"
"Then Fox Den (Inarinoa)."
"Inarinoa (Fox Hole)! Everland-scale expansion?"
"...I didn't mess up, right?"
Universal climber translation fooled Yu Ying—unsettled stare at Asuka.
No issue—Russian Tower Lord (arrival unknown) and Asuka beamed.
Thumbs up—utterly anxiety-inducing.