Chapter 191
Chapter 191
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 191
Chapter Title: VTubing Means Fighting Yourself
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VTubing is fighting yourself......
Of course, you have to keep pushing even while dealing with crazy fans.
Strong mental management is the most important thing. Cry when you need to cry, laugh when you need to laugh, but on stream, only show the fun parts.
Wakamo has no talent for VTubing...!! She had no choice but to become a clown!!
There was no other path!!
- The guild master's VTuber nonsense is starting again.
- Oh ho, it's lecture time.
- You say that, but when Hako cries, it's heartbreaking.
- Her empathy only exists for VTubers lololol
- Truly the ultimate VTuber demon, for real.
"You chose Oshis, so accept it."
- Well, no choice then.
- When the idol says to accept it, do humans have any options?
- Believers just loyalty loyalty~
- But with Guild Master Ichigo's abilities, couldn't she just mod it?
- She says the stats aren't there?
- Aren't there a ton of stat substitution skills?
"Too drastic a setting change isn't good for a VTuber, so I've got a lot of worries. Suddenly becoming an emperor..."
- From Laughing Bell Alchemist to emperor. How did Ichigo become a king?
- She really rose from the bottom lololol
- Self-made success(?).
- Rode the Wakamo line first.
- Ah, then it's undeniable lololol
- Riding the right lines is a skill too lololol
- So when are you climbing?
"You have to give the Korean Tower time to prepare mentally. Their senses have dulled lately. Whatever happened to the Korean Tower from the early days when they tormented in fresh ways?"
- Their senses are definitely dulled lololol
- I miss the guild master writhing in pain from back then...
- Maybe Wakamo just got way too strong?
- Could be!!
- It's boring so viewers' dopamine isn't filling up!!
"Okay, believers. That's it for today's stream! See you tomorrow!"
After bidding farewell to her believers and ending the stream, Wakamo fell into contemplation once more.
Korean Tower.... Did they forget how to make towers while hoarding 70% of the rewards for themselves? Don't they know how to adjust difficulty?
The gimmick from before with the golem or destroying the facility's core required teamwork with allies, which she thought was pretty good, but there were too many unreasonable parts.
Even normal climbers rarely get countered right away on the next floor, but the Korean Tower responded way too fast.
Had they learned that raising difficulty against Wakamo required this method?
For now, while resting, she'd mentioned it to the Russian Tower Lord, hoping to communicate with allied towers and regain their beginner's mind.
She was a VTuber living off tower climbs, after all. If the floors weren't fun, viewers would be disappointed.
When the Japanese and Chinese Towers burned gloriously to their end, didn't the Korean Tower feel that fighting spirit?
Heat blood clearly didn't exist in their hearts. As expected from these incompetent monkeys who couldn't do anything right.
'......Wait, didn't this bastard read my mind to design it, so maybe they really can't do anything?'
Even as she steadied her mind for the next VTuber stream and cultivated her spirit, her worries about the Korean Tower wouldn't fade.
It was like throwing a child into the water, but she didn't feel particularly guilty. Her first worry was that they'd ask her to become the Korean Tower's Tower Lord next.
The [Moderator] would probably be out soon, assessing the situation.
Wakamo didn't know what the 【Tower of Babel】 used to be in the past, but including [Guardians], [Humans] swarmed it like flies on honey-drizzled wood, surprising her inwardly.
"Hoo.... Let's not worry. The tower will handle itself. Even popular VTubers get tired..."
Viewer counts, video views, subscriber growth kept catching her eye.
Even mentions of Wakamo that she'd have just laughed off before now stuck in her mind when making clips.
Lately, right after the Italian Tower destroyed her VTuber merch, it felt like she was only ingesting VTuber essence.
Was VTubing drifting away from her heart....?
"How many times a day.. does my heart drift from VTubing... What should I do?"
"I'm doing comprehensive gaming streams with all sorts of games, my skills have improved, I'm better at horror games than before, my singing's gotten better too—what's the problem?"
"Is my body and mind worn out? The merch getting smashed is heartbreaking, but... it has nothing to do with VTuber work, right?"
"Maybe depression from getting older... Why that... hormone thing..."
"At this rate, the only way is to binge Ui-sensei's streams and master the strength that lets one person rival a corporation..."
Wakamo, Kang Yeoul, Mei, the white-faced golden-furred one with a model (Dragon General God), and the white-faced golden-furred one with a model (Extending Staff)—the five of them sat discussing.
Showing off various special and flashy [Skills] made viewers happy and joyful, which made Wakamo happy too.
From [Guardians] to [Humans], she'd gotten tangled in all sorts of headaches, but including [Pirates], Wakamo had resolved most of them.
Even the border walls, a big VTuber issue, were "resolved" by unifying China, Japan, and Russia(?).
Maybe she felt empty and depressed because she hadn't conquered and unified America...?
No, that's definitely not it.
"Maybe it's the Ichigo issue making you depressed. You need to reset the tower and climb from the start. Ichigo wants to climb together, and with who-knows-what happening anytime, if she feels useless alone, she'd get depressed again, right? Maybe you're guessing her feelings like that?"
"Or maybe Pilot's bad relationship with her mom is bothering you. The couple seems fine, but mom-daughter is the worst, and it nags at you.... Even Kwonwang can't say anything about his daughter into booze and pachinko, so some darkness there makes work hard to focus on.... Pilot's mentally tough and a company pillar, but she's human. It's okay to cry when hurting... Is that too much concern?"
"What about Lucia? She's making art, doing VTuber work, managing the gallery. Already frail, worried she'll overwork to death. Like I said last time, she clings saying she needs to work harder for attention and can't miss the chance, hard to say anything..."
"Mami's fine with booze and smokes, but worried she'll cause trouble chasing guys. Got Jackson on her and agents as escorts per manager request—but actually, one big reason VTubers graduate is approaching it herself. Still enjoys and works hard on VTuber stuff...."
"Asuka too, but all members have their own worries, and they're human after all. As president, managing people with unknowns makes you anxious maybe. Superhumans don't mean superhuman comrades? VTubing is human too in the end."
In the end, circling back, the recent slump wasn't just the Korean Tower—various stress factors piling up.
All five felt like they forgot someone, stroking chins, then remembered poor Manager Won Da-hye.
Wakamo's whining was nothing compared to her workload, so they decided to hold back.
""""""So, came to ask if you have any worries.""""""
"Worries? None in particular?"
Even as five spoke at once to gauge reaction, Adelheid replied without blinking.
She smiled, showing a piece she'd crafted with artisan spirit for a year to sing to fans.
"First, remaking the instrument from scratch."
Wakamo broke into cold sweat at the madness. Wait, starting from there? What's with artists...?
She even showed an indescribable structure, claiming to make an instrument nonexistent in this world, fitting for a VTuber.
To Wakamo's sensibilities, it didn't look like an instrument anywhere.
"And new merch!! Cute plushie, right? New tapestry!! And big posters too!! Drew tons!! Look!!"
"Getting better every day... Adelheid really is a genius."
"Can't help but admire."
"Wow, plushie so cute."
"Wanna hang a few in my room."
"Will sell well."
"Uhuht."
Seeing Adelheid grinning ear-to-ear, the Wakamos silently shivered and hugged each other.
"Ahh... Arms shaking, sleepy from fatigue like dying, but it's okay... Poor pitiful Adelheid always has Wakamo-nim's positivity and praise!!! Even for trash artist like me, Wakamo-nim's 'good job' cheers make vitality explode!!"
Mei collapsed, legs giving out from the overflowing madness in her eyes.
Terrifying pressure.... Like getting draft notice....
Even when demoted to idol by Korean Tower and given a death sentence, never felt this fear.
Man-eater's aura softer maybe, hard to describe... Did Lovecraft write like this?
"Red glow from her eyes."
"Red gaze... Why are you here..."
"Adelheid, what do you think about injecting personal views into company work?"
"Company isn't for self-realization or preaching ideas, right?"
"Seems fitting for her."
"No wonder she's so damn strong."
Murmuring Wakamos.
Mei whimpering, legs weak, pulled back; Wakamo stepped forward.
"Worried wasting your shining talent on VTubing, with so much work too? How about it?"
"Wakamo-nim? Art that doesn't make money isn't art. Know my merch income? This is art."
"I see..... Then, may I ask about that statue of me?"
The massive Wakamo holding Earth resembled Atlas bearing the sky.
Except continents were replaced with VTuber names.
"That's art."
"Won't make money though?"
"If I claim something Wakamo-nim made isn't art, just make it art, no?"
Artists use tough words....
"Wakamo-nim, some viewer didn't say nonsense like Adelheid wants to quit VTubing? Can you tell me the viewer's name? Ah! No, I'll handle it."
"Just worried about you, precious comrade!"
"......Hmm.... Feels so good I'm gonna nosebleed."
"It really burst."
Nosebleeding profusely from excess happiness, Adelheid collapsed and was hospitalized.
Hope it's just overwork from excess tasks.
Anyway, the biggest worry Adelheid was happy working, joyful creating art, loved by fans, orgasming(?) from Wakamo's praise, vomiting blood saying so—pass.
If needed, toss one Wakamo...
"Not me? First-gen!"
"Office worker Kang Yeoul, always overworking!!"
"Extending Staff is newbie but a weapon!! Don't forget!!"
"Giant mecha trash? Gonna discard?!"
"Damn, feeling schizophrenic. Aren't my egos too strong?! More importantly, how'd it end up like this?!"
""""First, watch VTuber streams and calm down""""
No sooner said, five turned on different VTuber streams, becoming Vtubing immersed, whispering.
"Rookie appeared!!"
"Sob sob, cried along with Hako maid nun hitting 1,500 followers after 100+ days streaming."
"Our fox god, watching collab with Dragon Palace princess, why tears...?"
"Excited for new Catholic VTuber debut, upvote lololol"
"Current bangs, VTuber, TS.... No webnovels left...."
On the way, viewing Adelheid's [Portrait of Dragon Palace Princess] drawn for Wakamo, all shed silent tears, then to next member.
"Eh? My mom? Uh.. some prestigious family blah blah.... Bro couldn't handle pressure so became female? Women can't inherit, whatever—don't worry. Boss is my new family!! Oyaji!!!"
"Damn, Sadako!! I like you!! Into my arms!!"
"Jehahaha!! Isn't it backwards?!"
Trying to hug Sadako, five stretched arms to hug each other, grabbing limbs and head—Sadako got dismembered.
"Kwaaaak!! Boss!!! Love too much!!!"
""""""I'll hug you!!""""""
"Tell Yu Ing!! Guwaaak!!!"
Yu Ing watching enviously got hugged by Asuka instead. Truly heartwarming family gathering.
"Hmm, yeah, celebrities or VTubers dating makes fans leave.... Could hurt other genmates too. Considering retirement funds, saving slowly while thinking. US Association Chair asked if no plans for next Climber Association Chair. Why not take US too, President?"
"Right, Eva was police."
"Yeah yeah, diligent elite."
"Adapted fastest to company, doing well."
"Making albums too.... Less than a year, graduation too soon?"
"Believe you'll stay long!"
"Sigh... Of course..."
Eva smiled survival-positive at five Wakamos urging long VTubing and big bucks. Honestly, no corp offers better support, lax work, and she was rocketing up—no mistakes planned.
And she knew best what mistakes bring.
VTuber stain on Wakamo Corporation? First ever?
Hearing Asuka whisper sweetly behind, "Forgive juniors anything," she grinned brightest, desperately, gums showing.
Adelheid on IV grinned crescent-eyed too!
Don't wanna get "Engineered"...!!
"Actually, more worried about Oracle barging into my closet saying world needs saving."
"Men meddling other VTubers locked in Wakamo 3rd floor."
"Wow, really?"
"Yeah."
"......For real?"
"Unauthorized trespass is crime, Eva."
No wonder Oracle vanished lately—caught by Wakamo.
Thought something happened since no contact...!!
"Then lastly, our Ichigo!"
"Uhe...."
Yu Ing buried in two white-faced golden-furs' 9 tails each—18 total—fluffy bed, drowsy to sleep anytime.
"Ichigo.... Stay wrapped in Kotodama."
Asuka slyly joined, upper body in tails.
Members shoving bodies in tails like now-or-never, Mei with 3 tails giving Adelheid tail pillow meantime.
"This is company welfare, heaven, sex!!!"
"Wanna refute mad artist, but smells good, so fluffy..... Can't make pillows like this?"
"...I can!! As an 【Artist】!!!"
Surprised how much they liked it.
Wakamo never lay on own tails, no desire, but others crave? Seeing manager join, pondered new bodies.
Anyway, no-tail Kang Yeoul fetched drinks for group rest; Wakamo asked Yu Ing.
"Heard Asuka taught raising 【Emperor】. No thought to reclimb from start? Lose full clear rewards stats/skills, but long-term better?"
"......"
Yu Ing bit lip, pondering—not considered before.
"Weak, hate just watching, being protected, useless.... Just wanna climb."
"I see..."
As Wakamo feared.
"Got lotsa exclusive gear? How many legendary classes without? I got over 10."
Meanwhile Eva advised cooperative floors for better exclusive items as full clear bonuses.
Laughed saying dedicated items pouring each floor, unsure what to use—Adelheid stuffed handkerchief in her mouth.
"........Superior to idol! Korean Tower no, Chinese Tower prepped! Better just climb?"
"Right?"
"Then, check our Ichigo's skills?"
Pre-Emperor Ichigo's skills were roughly:
[Scrap Synthesis+++], [Extreme Poison Crafting+++], [Lethal Toxicity++], [Sturdy Body+++], [Tough Vitality+++], [Lethal Shapeshift], [Poison Resistance], [Human Body Researcher], [Alchemy-Metal Transmutation], [Alchemy-Artistic Sculpting], [Elixir Crafting], [Alchemy-Property Conversion (Poison)], [Plum Blossom Swordsmanship (梅花劍法)], [Virtual Spirit Taiji Divine Fist (虛靈太極神拳)], [Mana Manipulation], [Sharp Instinct+++++], [Gun Fighting], [Alchemy-Intermediate Synthesis], [Alchemy-Golem Summon], [Synthesis - Hyper Adrenaline].
Including +enhanced, poison-handling assassin alchemist solidly built, fitting her. Plus 100-floor reward ultimate [Hyper Adrenaline]?
Current Ichigo's skills:
[Emperor's Dignity], [Command], [Emperor's Protection][Plum Blossom Swordsmanship (梅花劍法)], [Virtual Spirit Taiji Divine Fist (虛靈太極神拳)], [Mana Manipulation], [Sharp Instinct+++++], [Gun Fighting].
Plum Blossom, Taiji Fist, Mana Manip, Gun Fighting taught personally by Wakamo remained.....but this was pathetic.
Who'd believe 56-floor climber? Strength/Agility down to 5, Agility -500% with exclusive gear—existent or mana.
'─This doesn't make sense'
【Tower】 rewards vanish on class change?
Twice 100-floor rewards, climbed skills gone—better not change.
Asked Russian Tower Lord, she said unavoidable, troubled.
"Should prep a 【Partner】 as sturdy guard?"
"Got comrades, fine!!"
Yu Ing hastily changed topic, Russian Lord has partner ticket anytime.
Yeah, she wants to make her own partner—forcing bad.
Then answer was [Reward of Faith] only.
"Asuka."
"[Summoner] lines have separate stats, impossible. Wizard/Shaman summons lack mana too. Emperor like [Idol] has unique summons, independent growth class."
"And?"
"And, remove dragon robe, [Agility] penalty gone, so [Berserk]-like self-stat up or stat-sub [Skills] better. [Emperor] strategy/tactics command class, restricted from direct combat like Wakamo-nim."
"Insult to climbers only way to see. No choice, death sentence."
Tower-blaspheming ultimate VTuber Wakamo Inarizushi appears...!!
"Unreason to 1st gens! Inequality to frontrunners! Why climbers suffer!"
"Cuz no idol leader like Wakamo?"
"Right, I can! Me!!"
Tower design? Climber rules? None of my business.
If VTuber frontrunners pioneered wilds, paving for followers.
Wakamo must too!!
Yu Ing eyed Sadako forebodingly; she smiled accepting.
Overflowing capital...!! Devoted believers raised for this...!!
Finally, Wakamo Inarizushi's brilliant negotiation skill!!
"Hey, Chinese Tower? Want revenge on Korean Tower? Contact."
What [Korean Tower] mistakes:
—Towers aren't Korean Tower's side!!
Knew it'd happen, contract excluded Wakamo Inarizushi name but tiny fine-print clauses.
Foolish side at fault in contracts.... Vs Korean Tower, Wakamo could trash conscience.
For our VTubers, believers—become demon asura!
Won't take it forever...!!
Entered [My Worlds], checked tower coin shop after long.
Sudden balance patch, job deletion reset.
Cuz that, lovely VTuber cries.....
Then clipper Wakamo of [Friends]! Wallet open for Oshi!!
"Donations incoming!!!"
[Friends] enraged at Asuka's post gather, handing tower coins.
Fans unite for our Oshi.
Wakamo Corp VTuber fans join, coins pile.
"[Special item from Chinese Tower VVIP entry~]"
Russian Tower Lord quick-cut: never allied Korean Tower.
No fools ignorant which side to ride...!!
Inari Fox God heard, got items via Japan Assoc Chair, eyes sparkling.
Screw Korean Tower that made Wakamo...!!
[Korean Tower protests: [Emperor] job by Chinese Tower!]
[Chinese Tower retorts: You're my boss, inequality your fault!]
Weak-eat-strong world.
Weak get bitten, can't survive.
"Cut this bastard, I become Tower Lord?"
"[Not entirely impossible..?]"
"Joyful usurpation time. Going throne succession, fucker."
Fox revenge, 2 years long...!!
Italian Tower invasion, didn't protect my merch!!
Ichigo suffering Emperor change!!
Pilot hated by Japan/Korea antis!!
Lucia tormented by Germany!!
Mami no boyfriend!!
Asuka grew via trolling!!
Our Io sip Khan no presence, album unpopular, fans/me forget, solo streaming hardworking—all!!!
All your fault, Korean Tower!!
"Learn passive skills for stat ups, 30 covers it, right?"
"Universal skills only, how? Wakamo-nim no stats, but Ichigo has."
"Our Ichigo, mom'll seat you golden throne."
".......That's good, right?"
Asuka sincerely questioned.
Emperors sit golden thrones, no?
Wakamo bought heavy armor bonus skill first.
Can't move anyway, full-plate Ichigo...!!
Pre-57th floor, surpass Mare Pilot 2.0: Golden Throne Emperor Hajime Ichigo 2.0...!!
Korean Tower can only watch.
In short absence, couldn't gauge how far own climber went.