Chapter 175
Chapter 175
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Tower-Climbing Fox Goddess VTuber
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"[Human]☆Spotted!"
"Uhyo~ Chyo. Ruk. Ki♡"
"[!!!!$!@%$!@%!!!]"
The [Human], who seemed invincible without the nearby [Black Tower] and was now vulnerable to normal attacks.
Even with its considerable combat strength pushing back the climbers, it stood no chance against a group beating from 500 climbers.
After binding it, the climbers spent far more time arguing over who got the credit than anything else.
"Find it!!! Hunt it!!! Track the scent and tear it limb from limb...!!!"
The [Beast Master], saddened by a lack of Tower Coins, unleashed his tamed monsters in every direction.
Climbers rampaged after the monsters scattering across the entire tower, having caught the strong scent of the [Human].
And among them was Yu Ying's party, who had to pursue it for now.
"Wakamo!! Wakamo!!"
Asuka and Yu Ying turned their heads and waved at the climbers' shouts.
A climber whose eyes met theirs jumped in excitement and yelled.
"She saw me! She looked at me!"
"She saw your money pouch!"
"She turned her head and looked right into my eyes!"
"No, she saw your money pouch!"
"No, she chose me. She's taking me to [Wakamo Floor 1]! Wakamo―!!!"
The climber screamed, "Kiyoooot—remember me!!!" and charged ahead on horseback, smashing straight into the fleeing [Guardian].
The climbers swarmed the fallen figure, beating it as long as it was still breathing—life or death didn't matter.
It was a scene of pure madness and terror.
The [Humans] were one thing, but the [Guardians] showed no mercy even to fellow climbers.
"Those wicked bastards were after our Wakamo idol!!"
""""Execution!! Execution!! Execution!!""""
"Our Wakamo idol has shown us mercy!! Rise up, you countless Ada spawns!! Wakamo idol, who granted you the right to climb and the chance to win a beauty despite your ugly faces that doom you even at the top, demands the extermination of the [Guardians]!!!"
""""Wakamo!! Wakamo!! Wakamo!!""""
"Deliver judgment to the unbelievers who don't even watch 10 clips a day from Wakamo boss's channel and aren't subscribed!! Then even us monoship true otakus have salvation!!"
"Don't you have friends?"
"Fuck! Everyone here is brothers!!!"
""""Waaaaah!!!!""""
Find them! Find them and smash them!!
A good Guardian is a dead Guardian!! They're bonus Tower Coins for us!!
The VTuber otakus, decked out in Wakamo keychains, shouted, and the believers echoed back.
They had witnessed the miracle of [Partner], a product beyond lovers—a hope, a god's gift.
Men and women mingled without distinction, screaming their lungs out in incredible unity and solidarity.
"Gather, Lunaites!!! For the princess!!"
"WAAAAAGH!! Wakabro!! Remember me!!"
"It's a holy crusade!! Inaris, answer the call!!"
True to their otaku nature, their chants overflowed with personality.
Armed proudly with merch of their beloved oshi, united by their VTuber otaku identity, respecting each other's oshi—they built a splendid, peaceful, happy otaku culture... The [Tower Lord] trembled in disgust.
Why are otaku parties in my tower...!!
But since they were all walking money bags, she smiled, clapped, and cheered them on.
Having received much, she generously showered them with [Tower Coins] as rewards, and the climbers swarmed like pigeons, picking them clean.
Eyes burning with greed, they went mad at the thought of gaining honor and maybe even praise from their oshi (Wakamo).
"Damn, I never thought opening a TCG shop would be this hard. I couldn't even display the merch properly. Why are they targeting me?"
Yu Ying grumbled, genuinely baffled.
She'd been annoyed that the [Guardians] targeted her from the start, but even after their organization crumbled and they became fugitives worldwide, they still went after her—it made no sense.
Asuka raised her thumb, claiming to know the answer to her question.
"Yu Ying, don't get mad and listen. Why can she use such a class? A normal alchemist would have a lab or company. But if you know this, master will be sad. Let's face reality."
"They're targeting me because I'm weak?"
"I can't bet, but if I could stake money, I'd bet you're the first to die."
Even Russia's [Tower Lord] agreed with Asuka, telling Yu Ying so.
She had gotten stronger, no doubt the strongest among alchemists.
Conversely, despite devouring so many rewards, her ranking was low.
"They're targeting our master to attack her?"
"No way."
"Then they're targeting the alcoholic with passive Death Touch that ignores mana-less attacks and insta-kills on contact?"
"Sadako sis would probably go 'Lucky—☆' and fight back."
"They're targeting me, who can fly and use all kinds of [Shamanism]? I'm just a familiar. If I die, buy a new one."
"Hmm—Asuka's a diversion, but it'd be nice if you lived long."
"Targeting the mad German artist? Intelligence insta-kills you. Or the esper? She's a trained soldier."
Indeed... Even including all 0th and 1st gen from Wakamo Corporation, the only easy target was the [Alchemist].
Someone seemed missing, but Asuka wouldn't forget.
"Anyway, won't it resolve itself soon?"
Yu Ying, an [Alchemist] not suited for combat, knew the research results from Robert and U.S. experts.
—Of course, it was useless to Wakamo Corporation, so they'd ignored it.
[Human]... in other words, ancient humanity was incredibly potent for human bodies.
It was as if they'd evolved solely to serve as nutrients.
Beyond preventing baldness, it grew hair, boosted vitality, enhanced focus—practically a miracle drug for students.
The [Tower] cured everything from cancer to dementia just by climbing.
It even revived those ambiguously dead to some extent—no explanation needed.
But even the Tower couldn't regrow lost hair.
It healed hair cut or torn in battle, but not baldness.
Since [Humans] could cure that, their future looked bleak.
"When it's fresh! Shouldn't we extract the gallbladder or liver and eat it??"
"Give me back my hair!!!"
The [Human], limbs torn off by excited climbers, let out a desperate scream.
The cry, laden with meaning, echoed to Moscow's Red Square outside the tower... and the ground began to shake.
Russia, with its vast territory, had only built one tower in Moscow.
All costs went into that tower, using the land for trade goods production.
The rest was being turned into factory zones by Jackson.
Russia had just one tower.
China had none at all now.
Climbers flocked to Korea and Japan, while those in Russia for shops or towers were mostly vacationers.
Some even came without weapons, just to enjoy—so this situation must be bewildering for them.
Rumble rumble rumble—!!
From underground, the [Black Tower] rose with tentacles.
"No, even if I'm weakened now, an invasion like this...?"
But as the [Tower Lord] panicked briefly, she exerted her power directly—formless energy gathered in the air, and the tower began to bend.
Thrusting both hands forward and twisting with all her might, it shattered with a crunch!!
Climbers who'd subtly underestimated her for not being as strong as Yu Ying or Asuka changed their views, applauding her use of climber-impossible authority.
"Save the感動 for later—see that [Portal]?"
A strange energy flowed at the tower's entrance.
The Tower Lord asked if they knew towers represented [nations]; they nodded.
Thus, conversely, the [Black Tower] represented a non-existent [nation], connected to all.
"Risky, but how about entering and uncovering [Tower Secrets]?"
"Why should I take that risk?"
"I'll give you [Partner] free creation rights."
"You're trying to buy me off with money?!"
Yu Ying snapped at the Tower Lord's offer.
But the sum was too huge, so she accepted the commission and entered the portal with the climbers.
The Tower Lord provided escape items, so they'd bail if it got dangerous.
《You have entered the Ascension Tower》
-Reach the top and [■■] to ascend.
-Current [■■] record doesn't exist, so unreachable.
-Those meeting conditions can "evolve" into [Heroic Spirits].
"『Hello, I'm the Tutorial Fairy. Welcome to the [Ascension Tower]』"
"...Huh?"
This was way off expectations...?
Yu Ying and the climbers blinked at the flying fairy.
"Hit that and its head explodes, right?"
"Good thing I kept up with Nobelpia!!"
"『The [Ascension Tower] isn't functional yet. Please wait』"
Leaving those words, the Tutorial Fairy vanished.
Thud... thud...
"It's moving, it seems."
As Asuka said, the tower was in motion. No way to tell where from inside, and surprisingly, not a single [Human] inside.
Perhaps they were blessed by the [Black Tower] but unqualified to enter it?
Human-like skeletons littered the place.
No monsters visible—only traces of mutual slaughter.
Stairs led up, and higher levels held only endless war remnants.
"The skeletons differ. Weapons show civilization gaps."
"What does that mean?"
"Those who fought inside came from different nations."
Rusted bronze swords, crude wooden clubs, stone spears...
As Asuka said, Yu Ying noted the dead humans weren't vastly different from modern humanity.
Asked climbers to gather remains; no huge gap from [ancient humans].
"What does 'ascension' mean? [Heroic Spirits] are tower-only monsters."
"Like [Idols], maybe a class. Come to think of it, [Idols] exist but not that class?"
Even [Legendary Classes] appeared as monster jobs in the tower.
[Artists] popped up too, defying prediction.
Currently, 90th-floor climbers faced mostly [Heroic Spirits].
At the peak waited [Idols], usually.
Yu Ying turned to the endless spiral stairs.
Unlike resource-gathering towers they climbed, the structure was wholly different.
By floor 3, corpses had weapons and armor.
Unclear how far they could go, but she suggested not all climb.
Yu Ying grew uneasy voicing it; all agreed, startling her.
Used a [drone] on floor 4: traps everywhere.
Pitfalls piercing the fallen, crushed by pressing walls.
"Ugh...."
The blatant malice to kill climbers gave her chills; she rubbed her arms.
"Shouldn't it be 'Tower of Trials' not 'Ascension'?"
No exit even.
Enter and fight or die—only choices.
They used items to evac to Russia first.
"—I see...? Climber deaths are a loss, right? What's the gain in being so brutal?"
Russia's [Tower Lord] pondered her existence and [Black Tower] mysteries while hearing Yu Ying's report, tilting her head like a bobblehead.
"Asuka has a question. Why doesn't [Idol] exist as a job? Yet it does in the [Tower]?"
"........Yeah? I use it as top cost unit. From human history—probably even [Idols] don't know...? I don't either."
"What do you know?"
At Asuka's sharp point, Russia's [Tower Lord] shrugged: reset everything, knows nothing~
All-in on one tower let her keep her body; she handed Yu Ying the promised free creation ticket.
Asuka crossed arms, deep in thought.
Yu Ying too.
"Inari Fox Goddess doesn't question her existence. Black Tower items suggest [Idol] records erased... What do you think, Yu Ying?"
"With this ticket, making Wakamo pres as [Partner] would make things awkward, right?"
"You saw Tower's shocking secrets and that's priority? Asuka's in shock."
"Ha..... How to use it...."
Asuka shook her head at pubescent Yu Ying's serious dilemma.
For [Partner], just pick efficient/performant.
Ignoring Yu Ying sketching fox ears and huge tits on paper, Asuka opened her TCG shop.
"VTuber cards for sale! Virtual live cards and underworld idol merch!! Big-head unicorn and Hishoui figures too!"
Black Tower truth? Who cares!!
For those living off VTuber streams, irrelevant!!
"....."
Yu Ying paused sketching, recalling Black Tower interior.
One wall carving looked familiar.
'Maaniter'
Undeniably abnormal Legendary class.
"—Just what is the [Mediator]'s identity?"
And the enigmatic being knowing far too much alone.
Didn't want entanglement... Yu Ying sighed, eyeing the crown on the table.
※※※
"You okay?"
"I want to believe climber rankings aren't just about climber strength."
Cheung Hieu groaned in agony, still reeling from the Wakamo fight.
All his long-hardened climber skills felt negated in an instant.
Seemed hit by every attack, but dodged by pulling back at contact.
Could've swatted easily but toyed appropriately.
"Felt gazes from all sides. Piercing every move... muscles, breath—stripped bare."
"Don't get down. Climbers rarely fight each other."
—US Association Chair said so, but some climbers were power-drunk.
Unable to contain power, wanted to crush other climbers—not tower.
Like cold water slowly boiling.
Thus, [Arena]'s emergence was perfectly timed.
Place for climber fights, with gains.
Now voices condemned fights outside arenas.
With [Tower] hosting big events steadily, more climbers would gather.
To calm uncontainable excitement and aggression—accustom to fighting [ancient humans] like climbers.
"Still, glad for the gift. She said I'm not weak at all."
Cheung Hieu hugged the box full of [Wakamo Inarizushi] gifts, voice wistful.
Devastated by gap, but regretted not going all-out to learn more.
"She's East Asia's martial arts incarnate over ages. Beating with fists was odd from start."
He laughed, accepting result, relieved; [Werebeast] praised his good nature.
"Boss, made money?"
"Heh... Know why VTuber Uniyuni bets well..? Unicorn who all-in'd failed company twice and succeeded! First try's exp and connections, second's real...!! Big game hunter Wakamo goes!! Beast heart!!!"
"Who's Uniyuni?"
"Don't know our cute big-head horned girl?"
"Ahh... that... big head, horns, triangular mouth... Watame!"
"Domestic VTubers good too!! Sadako, how much'd you win?"
"All of it?"
Sadako showed piled cash; Wakamo's bet money gone, coins left.
Absurd luck—opponents lost every bet.
If bet on Manager Won Da-hye, she'd lose too—such bullshit force.
Sparta, chewed alive by Won Da-hye, was soulless.
【[Diamond League] match starting soon】
"Oh, my turn already.... Who's opponent?"
Wakamo, stuffing hotdog, eyed scoreboard: familiar class.
【[Idol] VS [BearBearBear]】
【[Idol] limited to [1] skill by penalty】
"Oh dear."
"Manager vs pres fighting... Ironic. We never fought, right?"
Won Da-hye, teleported to arena top, spoke to Wakamo.
Neither manager nor VTuber wanted fight—Wakamo could throw if needed.
But special reward this time—no choice.
[3]
"Won't forgive throwing."
"Rematch proper, right?"
Shifter Won Da-hye strongest solo.
Bear transform too—what more needed?
With Ichigo/Pilot, it'd sweep allies—no full fight.
But no need now; bear pelt on, loosening up.
[2]
"I like mecha but bears too."
"Who doesn't know?"
"No.... You don't. I like bears way more than you think!!"
[1]
Why say that pre-fight...?
Wakamo felt ominous.
Pre-start, she began bear-shifting, breathing heavily.
[Match Start!]
"Change Kuma1!"
"Huh?!"
"Ooh.... That's"
"Know it, grad student?"
"Professor. That blazing flame is [Hell Chain] line. But chest fur suggests [Magica Mahoun] bear monster. Head horns [Thunder Medveji]!!"
Flame-cloaked, two-horned giant bear Won Da-hye; seats' [Professor] noted 3+ bears mixed.
"Fearfully masterful. Upper class wouldn't notice."
[Werebeast] clarified: 7-kind chimera bear.
"[Thunder Break]──!!"
Lightning from raised paw slashed arena floor like sword.
Wakamo dodged sideways pre-slash; giant bear eyes flashed, denying approach.
"That's [Baskania Bear]'s evil eye skill!!"
"Photon beam!!"
Actual mana-condensed beam from eyes; Wakamo bridged-back evaded.
Not copyable skill.
"Digestive juices!!"
Spewed acid corroded all touched.
Wakamo's deadpan got "Mazinger Z uses it" unasked.
"Freeze beam!!!"
Horn beam grazed arm, freezing it; Wakamo freaked.
Crowd eyed [Professor].
Head horns not [Thunder Medveji].
"That's [Kooru Ainu Bear] from Hokkaido Japan...?"
Fist King recalled horn-smashing capital; [Professor] realized color diff, gasped.
"Breast Fire!!!"
Chest tattoo beamed heat rays, burning/vaporizing on touch—fierce AOE.
Transform with Ichigo/Pilot? Would sweep allies—destructive.
Korean chair too, but top Koreans all violently characteristic?
"Too soft, manager!!"
Dodging attacks froze/burned/shocked body, meaningless to [Idol Body].
Closed distance fast, full-power boxer punch to gut—from Cheung Hieu.
"Killer Bite!!!"
Won Da-hye's gut split, giant mouth emerged.
Metal teeth gleamed, guillotine-snapped, chomping Wakamo's upper body.
"Lucky just mouth."
3rd-gen Sparta relieved, chest pat.
"What bear has mouth on belly?!" mid-chat, Sadako said from Yung Wei.
"Probably elite boss [Archdemon Dragon Bearking]."
Kyoto Tower 200x reward maybe, Sadako guessed.
Half-eaten Wakamo flailing legs; Won Da-hye grabbed feet, yanked, tossed skyward.
"Quiz! Muscle Man has bears?!"
"No it doesn't?!"
"Ignoring giant bear Gorota from anime only unforgivable!!!"
"Serious otaku worst!!!"
Arguing manga vs anime on original—truly worst, Wakamo protested; Won Da-hye ignored, soared high.
Grabbed Wakamo's head arms-back-neck lock, legs clamped hers—suppressed.
Back-to-back, rapid drop!!
"Full Power!!"
Wakamo struggled free, but Won Da-hye's strength insane.
"McKinley Reversal!!"
"Graaah...!!"
No pain, but scream etiquette for receiver!!
Impact flipped Wakamo back; pre-landing, Won Da-hye's ground sweeps stabbed fierce.
"1RK Hell Sweep!"
"Why same moves you two!!"
Fist King recognized command, Sadako dumbfounded.
Won Da-hye spun top-like, 3 bear kicks sent Wakamo flying; landed deft.
Won Da-hye inhaled for breath, yelled.
"Can't even know Gorota who does Paro Special! Otaku fa—guwek"
"Punch each... with full "ora" intent...!!!"
Grimaced, true-fist ignoring manager—sent giant bear flying 3m.
Defended one-strike penetration but flung; Won Da-hye groaned.
"Come on, BearBearBear..... Show everything!!"
"Go, Fin Panel!!!"
"Time out quick"
Blue salmon spirits from back swam air, water-bombing Wakamo.
Waterjet-power split arena; Wakamo freaked.
"Ooh! This skill?! Manager this strong! Even this professor couldn't see!!"
"Spirits!! Definitely!! Possible!!"
Won Da-hye summoned/manipulated [Water Spirits] as bear!!
Theoretically possible, but combat use amazed climbers.
Wakamo helpless vs pouring Fin Panels(?).
High-speed shoot-dodge pierced her style perfectly.
"I watch VTuber streams too, Wakamo-san!!"
"Who?!"
"Uooo Shaa Kick!!"
"Watches male VTubers...!!"
Missile spirits pierced/froze arms; charging Won Da-hye kick direct hit.
Barely leg-guarded Wakamo, but fight just starting!
"Now I'll grind you down nice. Guard shows deep martial knowledge; Shaa Kick just start."
"Manager holds grudge against me!"
Too many suspects—speechless!!
"Eekyoot! Give beat!!"
"High-perf roboco fist counter!!"
Bickering bear vs fox fought fiercely.
Sadako watched nonstop banter.
Knowing live stream, quietly facepalmed.
Hate to say, but both too embarrassing.