Chapter 176
Chapter 176
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 176
Chapter Title: The World's Most Famous Climber Companion
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Who is the most famous climber companion in the entire world?
Surprisingly, it would be [Wakamo Corporation], outshining even the Papal Office.
Even [Alchemists] can train a unit to the point where, in just one year, they overwhelm and annihilate elite U.S. special forces.
Everyone knows the secret lies in her being an idol who has lived through long ages.
In this modern era, no one experiences arrows and swords clashing as they steal lives from each other in vivid close-quarters bloodbaths!
Known as the founding master of the [Mount Hua Sect] in those chaotic times of war, who would dare belittle her martial prowess?
There are even tales that Wakamo Inarizushi possesses the most perfected form of martial arts in the purest sense, without relying on [Skills].
No one knows why she insists on being a [VTuber], but people speculate it's because she's an [idol] of the present age.
The ability to lead countless people.
The ability to handle any situation without panic, always smiling.
And her talents as a broadcaster on full display.
Being scouted by Wakamo Inarizushi as a VTuber essentially means you have genius-level talent and aptitude as a climber (?), or so they say.
Even that talentless German artist became a monster second only to Man-Eaters after her training.
That's why the U.S. Association President is even more eager to get close to Wakamo Inarizushi.
After all, China, Korea, and Japan all have 【Next Association President Candidates】.
In China, the descendant of an idol named "Xiao Liang" is learning martial arts directly and is set to become the next Grand Elder of the Mount Hua Sect.
In Japan, she raised "Sadako," the eldest daughter of the Fist King, Japan's strongest man, into an unprecedented monster.
In Korea, she took "Won Dahye," who was the Surveillance Team Chief but slated to be the next Association President, and perfected her even further.
"If only I could get a chance to talk with that American superpowered climber."
That's why Aiba, who joined Wakamo Corporation as a VTuber, is also America's hope.
She was once part of a special forces unit dedicated to climbers and was an elite with no shortcomings.
The problem? She got fed up with the U.S. government's pathetic treatment and upped and left for Korea entirely.
She used to juggle VTubing as a side gig while serving in the military, so her disappointment must have been immense.
"By the way, it's still baffling no matter how I think about it."
U.S. Association President Timothy acknowledges that the "Tower Emergence" and "First-Gen Man-Eater" incident 11 years ago shocked the world and caused massive casualties.
Even he thinks that without the 【Mediator】, humanity might not have survived in its current form.
Just recalling that moment still makes his hands tremble.
He can't comprehend how someone with such an extreme personality didn't know about the existence of the [Guardians].
He gets that the Guardians' founding ideology stems from fear of Man-Eaters, but keeping it secret makes no sense.
"If each 【Tower】 has its own 【Ego】, then which Tower had the strongest ego at the moment they were born?"
Do all the 【Towers】 truly follow the 【Mediator】's will?
"Heh, pointless worries."
No Association President of any climber association knows that the boss of the [Six Freaks] is the 【Mediator】.
He only knows because she spared his life, seeing his devotion to fighting for humanity.
He still can't forget the moment America's first-gen climbers were massacred.
It was reported as deaths by Man-Eaters, but the truth was a bit different.
Those who got drunk on their special powers and vowed to remake the world in evil were wiped out in a single day.
"If there are Towers, superpowers, aliens, and idols..."
──Then maybe even 【Gods】 exist.
...
...
"Getta─!! Tomahawk!!!"
Won Dahye's shoulder fur splits open, sprouting a metal blade, which she grabs and yanks from her body.
The metal blade in Won Dahye's hand soon takes the shape of an axe, and Wakamo realizes she's squeezing out mana in a form similar to [Idol's Mineral].
There are plenty of monsters that turn their bodies into weapons—but honestly, she was curious what kind of [Bear] monster it was.
"Boo─merang!!!"
Wakamo dashes to dodge Won Dahye hurling the axes in both hands with all her might.
Won Dahye raises her front paw toward the fast-approaching Wakamo.
"Getta Machine Gun!!"
Tududududu──!!
Her claws start firing like bullets from her hand.
Wakamo swings her hand blade to deflect the incoming projectiles, noticing the claws have turned into drill shapes.
'This is the [Drilling Bear] skill.'
Known as a bear monster that turns its hands into drills to burrow underground and attack from below.
If Wakamo's memory serves, it's a monster from the Kazakhstan Tower!!
"Rocket Punch─!!!"
And responding to that was Wakamo.
With a boom!! below her elbow, compressed mana explodes, launching her arm like a missile.
Won Dahye startles at the incoming fist for a moment, then her entire body shifts to blue, evading the attack in an unimaginable way.
"Change Kuma 2!"
"What?!"
"That's the [Yaojing Qiong] from the China Tower!! A fairy bear that turns into water!! Physical attacks won't work!!"
"But our boss's attack is magic?"
Won Dahye, now fully liquid water, lets the incoming attack pass through her by boring a hole in her body, then splashes and flows like a river.
But only for a moment—With a kururung, a bolt of lightning surges from the ground to the sky, wrapped in thunder, launching a lightning bear.
Even with [Idol's Body] pushed to its limits, Wakamo needed [Idol's Thunder] to boost her reflexes.
So she quickly judges she can't counter and raises both arms into a defensive stance.
Thung─!!
Her upper body shakes with the dull impact.
A single bolt pierces through Wakamo's body, fixed to the earth like an earth-bound spirit without budging an inch.
The lightning bear slides across the arena on all fours, roaring as it accelerates for another charge.
"Mach Special!!"
"Kamen Rider?!"
"It's Getter Robo G!!"
Disappointed at the otaku who doesn't know, Won Dahye curls into a ball and spins, colliding with Wakamo to start a contest of strength.
But she slips from Wakamo's grasping hands, ascends to the sky, flips, and dives back down.
"Super Inazuma Kick─!!"
Kwang!!
Thunder roars, blinding light filling the arena.
But Wakamo, unblinking, precisely grabs the incoming leg, stops it, and hurls Won Dahye with all her might.
Won Dahye crouches to defend in surprise.
But Wakamo leaps from the ground, her straight punch slamming Won Dahye's waist, causing her body to reflexively sprawl.
As Won Dahye flips head-down, she senses Wakamo draping her head over her shoulder for some technique and struggles.
"Too bad, you can't escape!! Muscle Buster!!!"
Kwang─!!
With arena-shattering impact, Won Dahye flips airborne and crashes, vomiting blood.
"Even among VTubers!! 【Fox】 VTubers are especially special!!!"
Do you know foxes enchant people?
Among VTubers, fox characters are the most approachable and popular!!
Fox designs are common, which is why so many survive—but that's why they're the strong ones!!
Virtual Live's cute Fubuki gathered fans early on and stands as a sturdy pillar.
Hololive Idol's fox-like Lurutan enchants fans as a gumiho, blending harmony.
Stella Miss's Inari Shibuki carries a log(?) because the other 3rd gens suck at games.
And how many fox VTubers in 2nd and 3rd gens? Fond memories of the graduated fox detective.
Plus Face Fusion's Tenko and Chisaki with their brilliant planning...!!
[I'm not a fox, I'm a wolf.]
Oops...! But same family, forgive me...!!
"Remember this, Manager!! Taking on a fox character means becoming a pillar!!!"
"Aren't there bear VTubers?!"
"There actually is one using a polar bear model!!"
"Why?!"
More than that, how do you even know about it...? Won Dahye, about to ask, recalls she once clipped and uploaded it, breaking into cold sweat.
Locked in standoff, they glare hotly and charge again, clashing.
"Fubuny Punch!!"
"Masay!!"
"Approve buying Miko Megu Piguma, Manager!!"
"Lend me some power to buy the whole Fukashita series, President!!"
Kwaaang─!!
"Didn't reach...!!"
"Such spirit...!!"
Fists enhanced by mana clash in midair without touching, screen shaking with impact, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Of course, their banter was childish beyond trivial, but the fight was peak battle by any measure.
Neither yields an inch, relentlessly clashing with lethal intent.
"As expected, sparring with Kuma is the best!"
"Kuerng!!"
"Nah, they're just playing."
Sadako, arms crossed watching, shakes her head at the two having fun, holding back drinks in front of Dad.
—Climbers are beings who crossed from reality into fantasy.
To otakus, it's like becoming anime characters.
Purely childlike, unhidden, giving their all while enjoying the fight.
Hard for non-climbers to understand.
That's why arenas are so popular.
The joy of unleashing honed techniques... the [Class] you chose and perfected through hard effort.
The happiness of showcasing your strength freely.
The pleasure of giving it your all without restraint.
"...It's an arena, so you can fight freely. But that's not all, right Manager?"
To Won Dahye, Wakamo Inarizushi is the ultimate oshi who smiles through any full-power attack!!
Even as a bear, the tiny Wakamo doll on her waist is like a talisman.
Easily torn and broken, but she has plenty more.
To some, VTubers give joy to life.
"Makes me jealous..."
Sadako grins, itching to join the fight.
The fight's conclusion is near.
'Manager's so versatile.'
Her style is brutal, but hides endlessly varied techniques.
Wakamo smiles, seeing she learned directly from watching her—without ever being taught.
'Back to basics.'
Never pondered "nothingness" deeply, but wuxia masters return to beginner's mind or grasp enlightenment from fundamentals.
Martial arts born from nature, animals, insights across the world.
'Reminds me of my early days using only Idol's Body.'
Compared to that era's Wakamo, it's ant vs. giant.
Even without [Mana Manipulation], she manipulates mana to move.
A body 100% mana moves purely by Wakamo's "will."
Changing colors, clothes, extending arms—all freely.
—So, with all skills sealed now, has Wakamo truly lost all [Skills]?
Martial arts mastered through the body remain usable.
Then, couldn't skills rooted in mana be possible too?
In the depths of Wakamo's unconscious, a faint light of enlightenment begins to rise.
"Gom kiri gan go geuhwoe..."
And Won Dahye, Wakamo's diehard fan, senses from her ominous aura that she'll pull off the usual "comeback win."
Isn't it Wakamo's style to reverse impossible situations with unimaginable moves for a satisfying victory?
She concentrates mana into both arms.
Mimicking [Mare Pyret], she creates opposing [elements] for intense vibration.
Gripping fingers forcefully, gale blasts from her back as Won Dahye slides across the arena in a charge.
"Hell End Heaven!!"
"Plagiarism!!"
Sadako protests from the sidelines, but Manager ignores her!!
Facing the storm incarnate Won Dahye, Wakamo raises her hand.
"Stella Miss's fox goddess Buki grew her nails to boost combat power... At the cost of fingerprint recognition, can't even open doors... But don't say her nails are longer than the fox goddess's height!! Our Buki has big head like Uni for a reason(?)!"
Her nails sharpen like blades, black hair wraps her hand and spins wildly.
Hiding the drill-spinning arm with hair, forming a hair drill, she thrusts forward.
"Buki Drill Break─!!!"
[Idol's Body] is special.
With just this skill and Wakamo's prowess, nothing is impossible!!
Kwagagagak!!!
Won Dahye's pulverizing forward fists clash with the hair drill.
Like Sadako, repelling mana amplifies destruction, grinding down the drill.
As nails and fingertips vanish rapidly, Wakamo spins her other hand into a drill and clashes.
"Shine─!!!"
Overwhelmed by sheer output.
Judging that, she resolves and activates a [Skill].
Brilliant light radiates from her body, smoke rising as Wakamo's body melts.
Wakamo, having seen it in Russia, watches in disbelief—and the [Professor] in the stands recognizes it and shouts.
"[Radioactive Mutant Bear]'s [Radioactivity (Nuclear Decay)] skill...!! Emitting radiation?!"
Wakamo had pondered if [Idol's Mineral] could make uranium.
But she'd held back, fearing monster treatment—yet her crazy manager went and did it.
Now Korea has radioactive bear missiles(??)!! Inari help us!!
"Spark──!!!"
"Kwaaaak!!!"
Wakamo's drill shatters under Manager's deathly radiation aura, pushed back.
Victory tilts visibly, climbers rise reflexively for a better look.
"Looks like I win!!!"
"...Forgot, Manager...?"
"Yes...?"
"Victory always goes to the brave!!"
"That iconic line?!"
Inside the exploding drill, a smaller one emerges—but different color.
Skill-less, Wakamo Inarizushi invokes [Idol's Mineral].
Using the liquefaction in [Idol's Body], liquifying her arm into drill form.
"Wata Meta's 2-month newbie move—Tsuno Drill!!!!"
"Drill? That's a masterpiece mecha...!!"
"And you overlooked it, Manager!! Idol's secret technique!!"
Won Dahye, eyes on the drill as Wakamo's mouth gapes.
"Gigantic Breath!!"
"Fuooh─!!"
Won Dahye's head takes Wakamo's ki blast mouth beam direct hit, body flung back sliding meters before slumping.
No matter how strong, decapitation is fatal... except for Wakamo!!
"Not human fighting."
Fist King bursts laughing at the absurd sight, patting Tcheng Hieu's back.
He felt bad losing to Wakamo in boxing, but now grateful it was fists.
Next opponents' faces darken.
How to beat a fox goddess shooting beams from her mouth...?
"Not fighting childish, Boss?"
"Hahat! Sadako! Life's fun when it's childish."
※※※
"Ben, come look at this."
"...Impressive."
A scientist studying [Humans] peers into the microscope at his colleague's call.
"Amazing.... A [body made of pure mana]...?"
Modern humanity all possess [Mana].
High mana levels lead to becoming climbers, per theory.
In that sense, these ancient [Humans] are invaluable specimens.
No internal organs, pure mana—no need for food or sleep.
Unfathomable how humans evolved this way.
"Even monsters get [Classes]... but it shows [■■]?"
"—And we acquired data linking to [Man-Eaters], Ben."
"Hoo...."
Ben sighs, rubbing his brow at mention of his friend's daughter Amelia.
'Man-Eaters are abnormal classes.'
Among 1st-gen Legendaries, uniquely unbalanced monstrosities.
—Why such classes existed? Answers may lie in the "past."
Ancient humans abandoning humanity, transforming into something else.
With Towers' revival raising Earth's mana, what is their goal?
"—Just how did the [Guardians] connect with those guys?"
Ben gets steady U.S. gov intel, yet it baffles him more.
Hostile force targeting Towers, fighting climbers.
[Guardians] suspected of taking them from Antarctica—doesn't add up.
"Speaking of, the Pope requested U.S. aid, right?"
"Yeah.... Something like this?"
"Worse, no? That was mana ghost. This is body turned to mana, species changed."
Colleague likens it to 【Legendary Class】 fully altering race.
Current Pope, cursed somehow, body fully mana.
Dies if mana hits zero... Desperate, understandable, but Ben feels unease.
Rumors of something under Italy's underground too.
"Anyway, their weakness is 'penetration.' ──Counters might be 【Subterraneans】?"
Colleague shrugs: Blind underground dwellers might win?
Catacombs house them, now a labyrinth only Papal access.
What lurks deep within?
Unrecorded history, perhaps why built there.
[Divine Power] crushes [Mana] one-sidedly—[Humans] no match.
If they haven't scouted underground, opponents are different monsters.
"No clue where the world's heading."
Honestly, doesn't matter.
Just hopes salvation for that child climbing Towers, seeking freedom from tormented souls.
If God exists, He'd grant that earnest prayer.
──Or maybe pray to another god.
Ben resumes [Human] research.
...
...
"Phloroma!!"
"Don't pop out of my closet."
Aiba, brushing teeth, shrugs it off—second time, used to it.
Oracle grumbles about not wanting this [Skill], steps out.
"So, another prophecy, Morpheus?"
"Hmm.... Kinda vague."
Oracle gripes [Black Tower] interfering with foresight.
Knows massive tower moving somewhere, but not destination—rubs crystal ball.
Plus, ongoing arena tourney in [Italy].
Ominous prophecy on [Catacombs] underground, he reveals.
"Deep, deep darkness—something ancient humanity sealed!! For some distant future, it seems. [Guardians] are after it."
"While we're on it. With our President around, climbers increase, not Legendaries. Why antagonize us?"
Oracle stammers at Aiba's logic.
Legendaries problematic, but more climbers helpful.
From [Guardians'] view, cheer more to prevent Legendaries—why hassle? He gripes.
"[Humans] awakened by [Black Tower] influence, so Catacombs monsters too?"
"But they awoke sooner? Like a year earlier."
—If true, Aiba would've heard rumors.
Italy underground monsters? They'd call foreign aid discreetly.
Recently happened, Italy scrambling cover-up.
Saints, champions, paladins, clerics aplenty—what worry?
They'd want quick fix to sudden underground nests.
"Anyway. Oracle? Saw the vid? Our little Emperor's [Black Tower] upload. Know anything?"
"Hmm.... No clue? Anyway, Papal bans idol worship—time to deploy, Neo."
"....Haa."
Grumbling, Aiba grabs holster, nods to go.
Not solo—alerted comrades.
Yu Ying and Asuka, opening shop in Russia, join fast via [Wakamo 1F].
"Black Tower entanglement barely started."
Yu Ying gripes—under 2 hours—arms up in room.
To identify [Italy Catacombs' aberrant lifeforms].
And keep whatever's inside from [Guardians], Aiba moves.
"Membership vid material?"
"O, smart mommy."
"Plus, call another idle one."
Adelheit and Sadako busy in Italy.
Can't call arena-busy; summon the lounger.
Can't skip Wakamo Corp affiliate?
"Thanks for calling!"
"No, had to."
"Just conspiracy nut?"
"Yeah, why over Oracle?"
More accurate than Oracle? Aiba and Asuka zip lips.
Final joiner Robert! Five head to Italy.
"Feels like JoJo!"
"Don't jinx, Asuka."
JoJo Italy arc? At least two die.
Yu Ying buys flight tickets, pauses pre-boarding—something nagging.
Forgot...? Three agency folks including her, no mention—probably fine.
-Super Dragon skipping tourney?
"Ey! Gotta VTuber stream!! New song dropping!!"
-Good job on streams, Aoji Kan—superchat lololol
-Glasses best lololol
-New horror game?
-Duel! Duel!
"Awright~ What to play~ House quiet today?"
Aiba, Asuka, Yu Ying all out playing?
Whatever.
Iosif Kan ignores, focuses on stream.