Chapter 185
Chapter 185
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 185
Chapter Title: Birth of the Dungeon Tower
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This encounter is fate! Wakamo. ─Won't you join me in turning the world upside down?
You can't crush the blue sprout of the Korean Tower... This is just the beginning!! Their era...!!
There are things that can never be stopped.
'Inherited will', 'human dreams', 'the ripples of an era'. ──As long as humanity seeks the answer to 'freedom', they will never stop.
The Korean Tower and Wakamo Inarizushi have finally joined hands.
Back when they started from the bottom, how ragtag were they?
Climbers with classes that could die at any moment, and the most incompetent tower that couldn't even properly assemble skills and had to patch them together.
Yet now, these two entities have become titans known to everyone in the world!!
[Korean Tower laughs that even lending out crests leaves them with extras!]
"Heehee!! Using tower coins in the casino like this...!! We're already making a fortune...!!"
Not scammers... but surprisingly operating sensibly, the shadowy forces of the [East Asian Alliance].
Vaster and more dangerous than the [Six Freaks], more secretive and diverse than the [Guardians]—they were gathered here.
The tower, tower lord, climbers, and envoys all in one place, plotting to earn crests and tower coins.
Naturally, overseeing the entire project was Wakamo Inarizushi.
『Lend 【Tower Coins】 to high-floor and upper-floor climbers at low interest』.
How much had the frontrunners agonized and shed tears over this new currency?
How many pitiful climbers sold their items just to desperately earn tower coins and buy something?
Even low-floor climbers, slowed by the sheer number of things they needed for growth—how many things did they want to buy?
It was a means to live in the present by pulling in the future, but the interest wasn't insane, and steady climbing made repayment feasible.
And even just lending them out brought in some interest, so the Korean Tower made money by doing nothing.
Run away without paying? No climber is ignorant enough to sign a contract with a 【Tower】 and then flee.
Plus, commit a crime and you'd end up in Adelaide's gallery or Wakamo's inescapable prison on the 3rd floor—who'd be crazy enough?
[Korean Tower discusses legendary class designs!]
"How should we make it? We're asking in the gallery, so wait."
"[Is that really okay?]"
"The malice of humanity comes from collective intelligence, my dear."
Just what grudge does this 【Legendary Class】 hold to warrant such a choice...
Wakamo, wearing an expression that said she wanted others to suffer the same pains she'd endured, was the epitome of the white-faced golden fox.
Amid that, she thoroughly excluded her own 【Believers】, grinning slyly at the thought of turning innocent otakus into jobs happily.
She smiled contentedly as all sorts of testimonials and advice flooded the gallery.
"Kekeke... If we take 70% of the rewards besides the idol, the Korean Tower's coffers will overflow, right?"
[Korean Tower giggles like a hamster baring its teeth.]
"Alright—now onto the next plan. Money should always be fleeced artistically."
Dressed in an unknown magician's outfit, Wakamo boasted that she was a master of psychological magic.
She claimed her silver tongue could make onions pass as apples, and with experts on her side, nothing was impossible—as she showed off her fortune.
Never once lost money in stocks or bitcoin; even when Pekopeko lost at the races, she was the empress of horse racing who always won.
A beast-hearted golden fox pup!!
'What the hell is she planning to spend all this money on...?'
The Inari fox goddess was genuinely curious.
Gazing into the distance, wondering what this massive fortune would buy...!!
'With the money I've earned, I'll build a Uni computer, slap limited-edition Low Se-dol keyboard with Stella Miss keycaps, drape a Virtual EN blanket cape, wear the Empress's National Unit t-shirt, Stella Miss hoodie, and Low Se-dol pullover everywhere.'
How much would it cost to buy every limited-edition good...?
She'd had them before, but the previous incident wiped them out, leaving her begging fans to help her buy more.
Someone of Wakamo's stature could probably commission a company for custom sizes...
But that would require a ton of money... Enough to fund full 3D live concerts for all members, or she'd hear she's shameless for buying merch separately...!!
Wakamo did have a conscience!!!
Yes, Wakamo's nefarious ambition was to fleece the Korean Tower for VTuber merch!!
Wakamo, sipping whiskey from a Merhen Sakabam on-the-rocks glass, spat it out—it tasted awful.
She was trying to look cool, but booze was just too nasty!!
"[So, what's next?]"
The Russian Tower Lord asked, and Wakamo tied a red headband around her head.
The Korean Tower grew uneasy—isn't that...?—but Wakamo reassured them it wasn't and headed to the Tower Coin lending branch.
"Th-this... can't go on! What kind of... absurd racket is this! Lending coins... without even giving content to repay them! Everyone... rise up!!!"
She had the fatal flaw of being terrible at lies and acting, but the speaker matters.
With Wakamo Inarizushi herself speaking directly, climbers perked up their ears.
"As your idol, I'm here to explain the risks and benefits of Tower Coin loans to my believers!!"
Starting with ideal loan limits, building trust by noting breeding unlocks can't be bought with loans.
She vowed to force the Tower to improve environments for earning Tower Coins through effort, urging trust in her—the one always fighting at the forefront for believers—and declared that as union rep, she'd share books on class training bought with Tower Coins right here for all climbers.
Thus, right next to the 【Tower Coin Lending Branch】 sprang up the 【Climber Class Training Consultation Office】.
Among climbers checking their class growth paths, more began consulting Wakamo and taking out loans.
For those lost on how to grow, seeing a path was a blinding temptation, leading to more self-investing via Tower Coin loans.
Of course, Wakamo never forgot to warn of the risks.
She cautioned them to beware the nefariously cunning Korean Tower, who'd toiled seeing her struggles.
Seeing that audacity, the Korean Tower clicked their tongue: Right, this is the one who burned down her own house.
Yes! Wakamo was the ultimate VTuber who'd completely erased the red pill!!
A lunatic(?) devoured by her own "idol" concept, insisting she was an idol!!
The true identity of Wakamo Inarizushi, who believed herself an idol...!!!
"Representing the climbers as your idol!! Members of the Climber's Union Association, rise up!!"
"""Let's seize improvements to Tower Coins!!"""
"""Awaken, Towers that discriminate and scorn the frontrunners!!"""
"""Struggle to live like humans!"""
"Everyone! Who is your idol? For you, this Wakamo will confront the Tower directly and create a new environment!"
"""""Wakamo! Wakamo! Wakamo!"""""""
The Towers trembled in fear—had they perhaps contracted with Satan or a devil?
The association president who'd incited climbers, formed the union, and made them follow her was the culprit behind this mess.
Seeing the Korean Tower clap and enjoy the spectacle, the Inari fox goddess facepalmed.
Leading the protesting climbers, Wakamo entered the Tower with the welcoming Russian Tower Lord.
Basking in believers' cheers and praise—"Trust only me!"—she entered, then casually tossed off the headband.
"Now, you all must be wondering what I'm thinking... Leave it alone, and it'll run smoothly. But inevitably, climbers will resent needing loans. Even lending crests—can we guarantee climbers stay in the nation long-term? We must think long-term."
"No, seriously, why do you know tower physiology so well?"
"[Um, if it's not rude, are you really just human?]"
"Quiet and listen. Manchuria's empty now, right? Recent updates allow free entry for climbers and transformations like the Russian Tower. So, we could make a massive tower? Four nations combining forces—it's doable, no?"
"[Uh—it's tough...? If the Chinese Tower goes all out—]"
"If there's no tower, just use one that's there."
Wakamo grinned wickedly, pointing to the remnants of the 【Black Tower】 still in Russia.
Only then did the Towers gasp: Come to think of it, that's a tower too.
It even had tutorial fairies intact, fully functional.
For now, the [East Asian Alliance] recovered the [Black Tower] and moved it to Manchuria.
Towers could transform in various ways—and Wakamo, climbing personally, knew monsters from other nations' towers could appear based on difficulty.
It was a groundbreaking idea only Wakamo, who'd experienced everything from the bottom, could conceive.
Notifications popped and vanished before Wakamo's eyes.
[Korean Tower says this is an investment opportunity! Become a floor owner and earn crests!]
Yes, the plan was to turn an entire tower into a multinational one.
Crests from invested floors belonged to that tower.
Wakamo didn't know the details, but the Korean Tower, who'd rolled her through hard difficulties, flexed: It's our expertise.
If it were just form like a Tower Lord, she'd have punched it.
After brief murmurs, Eurasian Towers reviewed Wakamo's proposal and boldly decided, lending crests.
Some even voted yes to dip into the East Asian Alliance.
Thus, the 【Dungeon Tower】 was born in Manchuria.
Black and white mixed like an Oreo, it fully adopted the [Black Tower]'s structure.
Divide into floors, defeat bosses per floor to ascend—like攻略 while fixed-difficulty dungeon.
Free parties allowed; for higher challenge, enter/exit easy but ascending restarts from bottom—roguelike style.
Multiple nations' crests invested per floor birthed a newborn 100-floor tower.
But opening immediately was amateurish—Wakamo rallied climbers again.
"The Tower will create a new Dungeon Tower for Tower Coins and monster byproducts, believers!!!"
"""""Waaaaah!!!"""""""
"[Special birth privileges for the new 【Dungeon Tower】: low-interest loans, extra loans available!! Loan bloodbath event today only!!]"
The Russian Tower Lord immediately started selling beside Wakamo.
And the Inari fox goddess nagged Aska to promote the 【Dungeon Tower】 worldwide.
With climbers flocking globally as expected, the Korean Tower grinned slyly at the many empty floors among the 100.
[Korean Tower tempts: Borrow crests now—they're cheap!! Invest right away!!]
The [Black Tower]'s structure was dissected from four attached towers, analyzed, and rebuilt. Plus Vatican collapse data from 11 years of [Past Tower] research—combining forces made a shell tower into a new one not so hard.
In just 3 days, the project was a roaring success.
"Huhuhuhu— Hahahahahahaha!!!"
[Ukikikiki!! Ukikikikik!!!]
At the top floor, sipping wine, the duo laughed villainously.
Of course, neither could handle booze—they just posed.
Had to laugh refreshingly to feel like proper villains.
Watching Towers borrow crests, create climbers voluntarily, and labor on floors.
Below, frontrunners hugged Tower Coins from trickle-down, giggling baby-like "Happy! Happy!"; laggards, flush with coins, repaid to borrow big and grow fast—Wakamo smiled warmly.
"[Vatican Tower, you idiot!! Ride the wave right, and tower life is this easy!!]"
Russian Tower Lord laughed happily, buried in Tower Coins fleeced from climbers collapsing in casino rages.
The Japanese Tower eyed crest-heavy borrowers like prey, licking lips at slicing open fattened tower bellies—laughter unstoppable.
And among them, the Chinese Tower, trapped in a reflection space labeled [I Won't Use VTubers], sobbed.
"Huhuhu... Big wins always go to those who read the flow."
Obviously, restarting from bottom each climb is grueling.
Would coin-grinding climbers bother to the top?
Towers knew, skimping top investments—so [East Asian Alliance] filled them.
Wakamo placed Italy/Vatican-held 【Babel Fragments】 as top rewards.
Golden Vatican shattered, thwarting evil plans—one of Korean Tower's rewards.
Wakamo wanted to beg restoring merch with it but held back!!
Because who knows when it'd be needed!!
And so she saved/invested(?) it!!
Making omelets, not just eggs—the big picture!!
Plus, Tower Coins earned let her buy an extra 【Babel Fragment】 from Russian Tower Lord via Korean Tower deal.
Thus, 【Dungeon Tower】's top had 3 full 【Babel Fragments】.
Rumors swirled it could revive the dead—climbers' motivation was sky-high.
Only caveat: floors 97-100 bosses were Korean Tower's "hanging meat" (Wakamo) and "white-faced golden fox" (Wakamo).
Climb if you can and take it...
Next, 【Wooden Holy Grail】 enabling 【Companion】 upgrades—Korea had churches, so Wakamo donated to Korean Association President.
Recalling Wakamo yelling mid-fight "Jesus said no idol worship!!", he eyed her suspiciously.
Seeing "genuine" item desc, glanced again.
Thus, Wakamo's shady history grew.
Only [Mediator] could stop this rampaging duo, but Wakamo wasn't dumb.
She told idle Chinese Tower: Show the Mediator heavenly delicacies.
"[Mediator, um—that Wakamo Inarizushi noticed her background check and is hunting the culprit... Recommend hiding here awhile.]"
"Really...? Korean Tower wouldn't spill... [Six Freaks] leak? Then I'll chill here a bit?"
Mediator drooled over Chinese Tower's free menu.
All food gratis, naturally!
Wakamo bribed [Six Freaks] for her gluttony intel.
Bonus: Korean Tower betrayed instantly to offload red pills.
Unforgivable even for Mediator—investigating red pills.
Thus, Wakamo sealed [Mediator] underground awhile, leading the mega-plan.
Had 2 Babel Fragments anyway, useless—merged with the 3-set.
【Tower of Babel generated in Eurasian continent's Manchuria!!】
Global announcement renamed it—but ignored!!
Boosted promo, drawing more climbers.
Wakamo unwittingly ladder-kicked [Black Towers], dooming [Guardians] to despair screams.
But merch delivery mattered more to her.
Fame, reputation, power—VTuber grasping world's all!
『Idol Wakamo Inarizushi』.
Her words to countless climbers sent global masses towerward.
"【Tower Coins】 and 【Crests】? If you want them, I'll give... Search well!! Left them all at Babel Tower's peak!!!"
The world enters the Great Climbing Era.
Climber numbers rise, Towers' crest intake rises, climbers' Tower Coins and byproducts rise──!!
Wakamo's miracle strategy feeds Eurasian Towers and climbers.
True to 【Idol】, perfect WIN-WIN for Towers and climbers.
Amid it, Wakamo and Korean Tower take "modest profits".
......
...
"Before job-changing to idol, dude. Plan was earn big, loaf forever."
[Korean Tower marvels: Pros are different!]
Lounging side-by-side on sunbeds, sunglasses on, sipping sweet-tangy drinks, sunbathing—two troublemakers.
Climbers partying up Babel Tower climbs.
Towers earning crests from their fights.
Even US/Korean Presidents partying for coins—surreal sight.
More effort, more crests/coins for the duo.
"Easier than VTuber streams!! Making money...!!"
[Korean Tower says wrong career path.]
"Your fault, jerk?"
[Korean Tower laughs it off: But it's good, right?]
Wakamo wrote Mediator report too—"Handle it"—and reclined.
Omit own name thoroughly!!
Prep tail-cut, flee with earnings if needed.
No eternal allies or foes here...!!
Kirinuki... wild clipper world... weak can't survive!!
Surviving evolutions to VTuber, Wakamo was true pro.
.....
...
"Waaaah!!!!"
Wakamo's dog-like wail echoes—miserably wiped in qualifiers.
Opponent, intentionally losing to curry favor, sweats at her pathetically weak play.
"My deck I built with hard-earned cash!!!"
OP deck, useless player—mulligan disaster, early exit!!
While 【Babel Tower】 busied climbers, TCG tourney for [Normals] opened.
Winner gets 【Legendary Class】, no less.
TCG shops mobbed for packs; prelim duels noisy.
Amid it, Wakamo wailed loudest, earth-shattering.
"Damn, hate being only mortal! Want that class!!"
"Me too!"
Surprise entrants: Mare Pirate and Adolf Lucia.
Pirate tired of solo normal class, chasing upgrade.
Lucia—why?
"German Tower that ate Italy might Anschluss anytime!! Might strip my legendary class, so switching early to show German artists' wrath..!!"
"Hey..."
"Heh heh... Engineer... finally ripe─★ Gallery core... adorn with my artistic soul...!!"
"Work hard! Yeah!"
P.S. Iosif Kahn climbed Babel Tower.
Craved popularity, attention.
To hype her buried 2nd album post-release.
Pitying her, Pipkin Mami climbed along.
Ichigo summoned Cao Cao/Yubi for Three Kingdoms stream.
'This is way too comfy.'
Call Shu/Wei generals, recount tales...!!
Free ride ultimate...!!