Chapter 197
Chapter 197
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 197
Chapter Title: Swiss Vacation
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Nearly two years had passed before they knew it.
Looking back on the memories from that time, so many things had happened.
Climbing the tower was just for the streams anyway, so she honestly couldn't care less.
What mattered more was how the collabs went, how the songs turned out, and how much they'd grown as VTubers.
...Ahh, really. Everyone had grown and changed in so many ways.
New members had joined too, though they were still only at the first generation for now.
If she became the president of an even bigger corporation, maybe she'd recruit a second generation?
There hadn't been any major incidents so far, and VTubers could hide their pasts pretty easily anyway.
She could always end up hiring the wrong employee by mistake and watch everything crash and burn.
Yeah, better to bury these pointless worries and just imagine a fun future while relaxing.
She was dying to watch VTuber streams right now, her whole body twisting with the urge, but she had to hold back and enjoy the vacation.
All she could do was trust that the twenty of them, each handling their parts, would record everything properly.
"What are you thinking about, Wakamo?"
"Worried about what happens if I come back and the recordings aren't there."
"Come on, we've never asked anything like this from you before. If they can't even handle this much, they're done for."
Manager Won Da-hye was Wakamo Corporation's direct manager, handling a ton of responsibilities.
On top of that, she was also working with the Korean Climber Association, so failing to record a VTuber stream would be a huge problem.
It wasn't even anything difficult—they'd been told exactly how to do it.
"Go with the white-faced golden fur look?"
"That's some hanging angle on this one."
Meanwhile, Asuka saw a chance to score points and was secretly setting up her own recording.
Yu Ying overheard and quietly messaged Yung Wei.
"When it's time to rest... rest."
Switzerland was bustling with people everywhere, just as expected.
Was it because it was such a tourist spot? And the nature was so well-preserved too.
She'd once dreamed of retiring to a place like this, maybe farming or something.
But real rural life had zero romance to it.
Cities were still the best—no bugs to deal with.
Towering skies, endless natural vistas, mountains and fields retaining their pure colors... clear flowing water and the white snow up high—
'I want to watch VTuber streams.'
Listening to VTuber songs should be fine, right? She played a playlist to see off the group as they headed out.
Mei Shaolongbao planned to head into the woods and prepare a meal for when the others returned.
They'd even gotten permission to hunt near the rented cabin.
The owner had joked that she might run into other hunters and get mistaken for a fox to hunt, but come on—would any hunter actually shoot and hit a bipedal figure?
She wandered the woods carefree, gathering herbs and mushrooms, catching fish from the stream, picking fruit along the way—
Peaceful.
Strolling through the forest with VTuber songs as background music, leaping freely—it felt just like appearing in an anime made with VTuber characters.
Hiya~ I'm an anime character~
'Come to think of it, Pirate said she felt weird about only herself getting an anime. Should I do one for Ichigo too?'
They had plenty of capital now, and investments everywhere, so making an anime didn't sound bad.
An anime based on VTuber characters... but that could backfire if not handled carefully.
Whizz—!!
She lightly ducked the incoming arrow and continued on her way.
A hunter, huh? Guess the owner wasn't kidding.
"Whoa, this is amazing."
She'd caught fish from the river, but finding sheep on the mountain too?
With all these ingredients, dinner would be hearty.
They'd eaten lunch already, so prepping dinner now would work perfectly.
.....
....
.....
"【Authority】 is the one thing only those who reach the wall can obtain. Normal classes are 'hard to get,' but—【Legendary Class】 is the exception."
"....Why?"
"A class limited to just one person. Where do you think the original comes from?"
The [Six Evils] Legendary Class holders gathered as the [Mediator] explained.
Of course, she didn't mention Ether, but she casually talked about the Authority used by the [Idol].
Her subordinates knew she wasn't ordinary, but they never imagined she'd lived for such a long time, so they kept their distance.
"Well, there are already plenty of villains here who stay out of Wakamo's way and stick to their own business, right?"
Those who toppled nations, those who crowned themselves kings, those who bent people to their will—the [Six Evils] members were still dangerous enough to shake the world.
Wakamo had softened their edges, but most were criminals anyway.
Thanks to Korea's Idol, even Legendary Class holders could eat comfortably without turning to crime, making the second generation way softer than expected.
"Unless you can kill Wakamo Inarizushi, stay quiet."
"Boss, that almost sounds like we could win if we had enough time."
"Of course."
All Legendary Classes could obtain the 【Authority】 shown by the Idol who appeared on the 60th floor of Korea's tower.
Just climb the tower, and eventually, they'd grasp and awaken it.
Something unique, granted to only one person.
"I told you, it's a nonexistent Legendary Class. So the Authority is nonexistent too."
Even obtaining 【Ether】 wouldn't help.
Well, maybe as an [Idol], she could grant it to climbers along the way.
"I said it has clear advantages over normal classes, right?"
Her subordinates grumbled—why reveal this only after twelve years?
And after her explanation ended the usual Six Evils meeting, and right after explaining what happens if Oracle, out for the meeting, commits a crime and gets caught—
The climbers started whispering among themselves.
[Location (Witch)] spread out a map and grinned wickedly.
"Heh heh heh... Outlaw's done for! Let's split the money in the Swiss banks!"
[Voodoo Master] agreed, shaking a doll roughly and letting out beastly howls.
Then [Third-Generation Satanist] smirked slyly, saying he had plans.
"I used necromancy and demon summoning to bring terrifying darkness to Switzerland... used a ton of offerings too? Let's cash in big!"
The Satanist, plotting to steal all the money from Swiss banks, also pulled out data on the [Neo-Nazi Secret Base] hidden underground in Switzerland, obtained through a devil deal.
"The Guardians are using it now. These guys have no human rights, right? Round 'em up and use 'em as offerings!"
"That's a devilish idea!"
"But the Satyr that reached Italy's come up to Switzerland too. Everyone, be careful."
[Voodoo Master] suddenly remembered something during the Satanist's explanation and mentioned it belatedly.
The Satanist said he'd heard about the Italy incident too, summoned a lesser devil, and showed a photo.
"They say it's a monster that moves freely outside tower domains. But... seeing it kills you! It's a cursed abomination!!"
A photo of [something in human form]. If Oracle were there, she'd recognize it instantly.
The hunter imprisoned underground in the Vatican—[Man-Eater]—was wandering Italy's night streets.
"It's chasing something up to Switzerland. Germany's in chaos."
"This monster, plus Satyrs, Guardians, and the great demon we're summoning last?"
"Let's turn Switzerland into a sea of fire..."
Later, seeing Wakamo's announcement of her Switzerland trip, they hurriedly canceled.
Switzerland could be burned later—plans could always be postponed.
But they were impressed by the talent for strolling into a minefield without intel.
......
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.....
Splash—
The sound of rushing water echoed.
Birds cried as they soared through the sky.
How long had it been since she'd come to play in the water?
They'd rented a private beach no other tourists would visit.
Well, technically a lake, but it was as wide as the sea, so whatever.
It was partly to protect the VTubers' red pills, but mostly to avoid annoying stalkers or similar issues.
They looked like they were relaxing, but Wei and Shu forces hidden everywhere were ready to turn any suspicious folks into pincushions.
Honestly, these people might be the most dangerous thing in Switzerland right now.
To ensure no one wandered in by mistake—despite warnings and signs—Won Da-hye had even released bears.
Wakamo doubted her ears, but Won Da-hye confirmed she'd actually done it.
She'd bribed local Swiss bears with salmon to act as guards—an insane story she had to believe.
No wonder a baby bear had been lurking near the sandy shore—it was on duty while she went to work!!
"Yay, all that's left are photos, Asuka."
"But is there even a place to post them?"
"Me too, me too! Since we're taking them, let's all—!"
"Auntie, stop being embarrassing. Tuck in the horns and the tail too, you're blocking the way."
They changed into swimsuits bought excitedly for fun and started playing freely by the lakeside.
Olga's entry froze the water a bit—a minor mishap—but Asuka fixed it with shamanic flames to warm it up.
Watching, Aiba muttered it was a lake, not a hot spring, and shook her head at the steaming shore.
"I've never been on a group trip like this! So exciting! What should we play?"
Even Aiba, worn down by society and police work, felt purified by Ichigo's innocent joy and laughter.
"Want to build a sandcastle with me, sis?"
Ichigo was totally hyped—dipping her feet in the lake, drawing in the sand, snapping photos of her comrades with her camera. Aiba fetched a bucket and shovel, suggesting a sandcastle.
"I'll show you AI craftsmanship."
"Can it be made of ice?"
Adults and kids gathered, having fun with just sand.
Asuka didn't show it on her face, but her excited voice gave her away.
"I'm dying....."
"Then crash under the parasol. Rest when you rest."
"Alcohol! Alcohol!!! The lake's like the sea!!! If you're in Switzerland, it's Köpfli!!"
Wakamo couldn't swim, but with her hair up, she planned to check out the underwater scenery.
Her body didn't need air, so she could dive to the depths if she wanted.
Meanwhile, Sadako—who hated water—had somehow gotten booze again and was running around with it.
She was so hyped she tried waking the energy-drained Adelheit, who was sleeping.
"JeHAHAHA!! Alcohol! Alcohol!!!"
Sadako claimed Switzerland had tons of booze, hauling a whole basket of mystery bottles around, chugging away.
"Hey, Wakamo's diving deep— is that okay?"
"Manager Won Da-hye, you planning to surf?"
"Right?"
But did a lake even have waves?
"Just curious... where do you even get swimsuits like that?"
"It's a special limited edition. A swimsuit painted with a wild bear full of primal power—costs 500,000 won?"
"I see..."
"I'm not embarrassed, right?"
"No, I was just wondering how you ended up shopping with the girls and getting gifted a swimsuit."
"There's a generation gap!"
Not quite, but Kang Yeo-ul (Wakamo) didn't bother saying so.
She couldn't turn back into a man anyway, and had no plans to, so she'd just go along with it.
"Looking at us like this, all our members are total beauties. Shouldn't they be actresses or idols instead of VTubers...?"
"Well, career paths are personal choices. Ads only need the characters—super convenient. VTuber megacorps rule."
"No thoughts on debuting as second-gen, Manager?"
"Not interested."
What did girls do at the water's edge? Wakamo, who'd only learned from anime, was genuinely curious.
The manager dashed off to "surf," and Kang Yeo-ul humored the drunk Sadako charging in yelling "Sumo time!!!"
Was sumo on a Swiss shore what girls did on vacation?
No one knew beach volleyball rules, so they played like dodgeball.
Once Asuka started flying, Olga spread wings and joined, turning it superhuman.
But Aiba blocked Yu Ying's Peach Brothers trio summon—powered by elastic love material (bunjee gum)—for the win.
Who knew she'd awaken avatar summons there, uniting the three musketeers for a spike... Yu Ying's growth was scary!
Exhausted from water play, they all went to eat.
"I have something I gotta eat in Switzerland, so I'm going solo!!"
"Asuka, follow her."
"Alcoholic!!"
They savored Switzerland-exclusive dishes, feeling bliss.
Building life memories and experiences.
Sure, Sadako went off alone this time, but with six days left, what could go wrong?
"So what exactly did you go eat?"
"I said I was going for food."
"...Food, right?"
Swiss wine is mostly consumed locally, hard to find abroad.
From northern Rheinfeldt's "Feldschlösschen" to Interlaken's "Lugnerbräu."
And Lucerne's "Appenzeller"—Switzerland's famous for wine too, not just beer.
Over 200 grape varieties grown...!! This is paradise!!
Swiss folks drink hard liquor casually—Sadako had to come here.
Over 2,000 wines, she couldn't decide where to start.
Absinthe, Kirsch, Grappa, Alpenbitter... whiskey for an aperitif.
Downs 750ml in one go, savoring the aroma and taste.
Perfect—【Alcohol Course】 exclusive to Switzerland.
As a boozehound, she couldn't skip this—it was worth coming for!
She drank and drank and drank.
Chased booze with booze as a side, then rice with booze.
Damn, this place is killer—booze just keeps going down... so good!
"JeHAHAHAHA!!! This is life!!! Glad I came!!! But since I'm with comrades, just one day of this, then hold back, Sadako!!!"
"...If it's not rude, no food?"
"Oh, Asuka. You followed? Wait, they do food here too?"
"Y-You human Sadako, no food order?"
"Ah! Right, me too! Double wine as rice here please!"
"......"
"Seriously, the wine here goes down so smooth. No sides needed!"
Asuka wrinkled her nose at the piercing alcohol stench.
How did that tiny body hold all that booze?
Curious, Asuka sipped—suppressed the urge to puke—and ate her food.
Meanwhile, empty bottles piled infinitely beside Sadako.
Only after clearing the display shelf—70 bottles down—did Sadako feel satisfied.
"Ugh... tipsy. Too drunk to eat. Do they deliver to Korea?"
"Uh—how much?"
"Everything in the store."
The clerk beamed at the black card.
Service wine bottle in hand, Sadako walked with Asuka, shaking it: "Share with the comrades!"
But steps later: "I want booze again," freaking Asuka out.
"Ah—becoming one with nature, resting... forgetting city civilization, just passing time..."
Aiba lounged on the terrace chair, cigarette in mouth, muttering like a poet.
Beside her, Olga plucked an instrument, playing tunes.
Yu Ying, wiped from water fun, snored on the sofa; Adelheit, recharged by rest, roamed drawing pictures.
Sadako stuck by Mei grilling meat, chugging while waiting.
"So, what'd Sadako eat for lunch?"
"Ate at my spot. Their rice (booze) is killer."
"I see."
The thick booze breath spilling from her mouth answered first.
"No bears in the woods? Switzerland's gotten so barren."
"Isn't no bears normal?"
"No bears means it's no place for humans."
"More importantly, cops in town said some crazy pervert's on the loose."
Wakamo and Won Da-hye returned from a forest stroll inside the cabin.
They chatted about forest happenings and town gossip from lunch.
Exhausted Asuka from tailing Sadako slept on the opposite sofa from Yu Ying.
"So peaceful..."
"I'm in full VTuber withdrawal, about to die."
Won Da-hye freaked at Wakamo—hands shaking, eyes wide, legs vibrating.
"Not even a day yet!"
"Impossible!! I can't hold it!! We don't tell Sadako to quit booze or Aiba to quit smoking!!"
"No, hold it!!"
"I can hold it!!"
"You promised your employees as president!!"
"Snort this orca power aid powder from the waifu cup to cope!"
Four Wakamos pinned the thrashing one, on the verge of screaming "VTubers!!!" and bolting for merch.
Kang Yeo-ul frantically dumped orca powder up her nose.
"Isn't that mixed with water?"
"Need max effect, deal with it."
"Ahh... sweet. Fading..., so sweet..."
As Kang Yeo-ul said, it hit hard—Wakamo's face softened.
Beloved VTuber vibes through her nose...
Kang Yeo-ul stuffed a Mikoshi taiyaki in the calmed Wakamo's mouth to steady her breathing.
"Tonight she'll go wild too, so tell everyone to stay in."
Mei and Kang Yeo-ul—the two white-faced golden furs—planned to block VTuber-crazed Wakamo with full effort.
"Nothing else, right?"
Aiba, smoking and chilling, cautiously asked about the dot she'd divined earlier.
Besides that, what big trouble could hit Switzerland?
The Swiss tower was fine, and the mafia surely knew Wakamo was here.
In town earlier, no stalkers or fans—government probably intervened.
This way, the remaining six days could be chill: valleys, tourist spots, all relaxed.
"Then, whatever—"
With Wakamo and everyone here, what problem? Aiba shrugged.
Five Wakamos, even? No sweat.
Worrying over nothing just wrinkles skin—she hummed off to do a face mask.
The rest enjoyed a BBQ party.
No one foresaw it then.
That their group vacation would turn into such hell.
In the woods, wicked lecherous eyes gleamed at the visiting women.
....
...
"So, Satanist, what to watch out for?"
"I embedded a 【Soul Stone】 for the plan. Gotta retrieve it. Leave it, and evil spirits swarm. Who'd rent a cabin in the mountains anyway! But if someone takes it, disaster!"
"Hid it well?"
"Like a mood light. Unless a ghost grabs it, I can find it!"
...
....
"The inside's cleaner than expected?"
Bedtime for all, Olga Romanova entered her room.
Her gaze drifted to the mood light(?) gathering eerie mana.
Expensive rental cabin stuff?
Curious, she touched it— it fell off, startling her; she hid it in her bosom.
"...Gotta tell the caretaker."
Sadly, ghost-blind Olga missed the spirits swarming her room.
They hid under the bed and in the wardrobe, never leaving.
"Olga sleeping well~ Tonight's patrol's Mei~"
Outside the window: perky white hair tufts and flashing red eyes.
That window!! That window!!
Evil spirits shuddered in terror and fear.
A mana ghost beyond devilish words haunted the cabin!!
Shu generals patrolled the hall in spirit form.
The basement monster held its breath in fright.
"Wine cellar in the basement? Perfect!!"
The lurking monster ambushed descending Sadako, decapitating her—now she held the head, bottle jammed in neck, drinking.
The monster panicked, cowering at stair bottom, whimpering in fear.
"But why'd the head come off? Whatever!! JeHAHAHA!!"
Set head down, bottle in mouth; poured booze down the neck.
At the insane sight, the basement monster wet itself.