Chapter 207
Chapter 207
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 207
Chapter Title: Chaos in America
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America was in an uproar.
That made sense. The sun had vanished, storms raged, the earth cracked open, pillars of light pierced the sky, earthquakes ravaged the land, and it had reached the brink of volcanic eruptions.
It was a scene that made you think the Earth might explode and the world end.
Even the climbers must have been baffled as to what the hell was going on.
No matter how strong their power, they couldn't fight at this level of insanity.
The body is far more delicate than people imagine, so unless you're an immortal, you don't engage in such frenzied battles lightly.
[Author: I'm going to Mars, damn it]
[Title: America is fucked]
They were protecting the Man Eater in an underground lab that was the US government's top-secret facility in the LA branch.
But it turned out there were a shit ton of Guardians there.
The list of identified Guardians now includes a ton of high-ranking politicians and famous CEOs.
They claim there's no evidence, but it starts with affiliation documents and includes testimonies.
Anyway, the investigation is underway, but more keep emerging endlessly.
Even the 【US Tower Lord】 is the boss of the [Guardians]. Fucking shocking.
-But how the hell did it get exposed?
ㄴThe guild master went to America for an elite shrine maiden holy site pilgrimage and found it.
ㄴThe Man Eater went berserk and attacked, so he beat the shit out of it and sorted out the hierarchy.
ㄴLegendary Class #2 attacks, #1 wins ㅇㅇ
ㄴGuild master guild-mastered again?
-Isn't the Man Eater humanity's special forces' strongest US weapon? How'd he beat that?
ㄴMore than that, this guy's life is insanely tragic.
ㄴFuck, he pawned his life to the Tower and got used.
ㄴUses rampage-type skills but loses reason. Super gross afterward, covered in blood.
ㄴClass that's in the top 5 causes of climber deaths.
ㄴAgh, dunbros, we told you no berserkers.
ㄴI'm doing Peg-O though....
ㄴAh, you're from that side, huh.
Once it came out that everyone from politicians to corporate chairmen had ties to the [Guardians], America descended into madness from riots to terrorism.
The [Guardians] remnants rampaging with a "fuck it, we're busted" attitude, the police fighting to suppress them.
And the indiscriminate violence from those cursing Wakamo for ruining their plans, burning with revenge.
Peaceful America turning into a hellscape happened in an instant—but so did the cleanup.
"Cut it out, will ya?"
The boss of the [Six Fiends] revealed herself again, and the Guardians' heads and bodies separated as they met instant death.
How did she attack? What weapon did she use? There were hundreds recording the footage, yet no one saw it.
Some guessed it was similar to the [60th Floor Idol]'s appearance, while others intuited it because they already knew.
She had stopped time with the authority of 【Time】, then swept them all away at once.
The leader of the Six Fiends, the Mediator, displayed power that was virtually invincible, to the point where you had to wonder if there were any restrictions on it.
The US Association Chair, triggered by the sight into trauma from the Tower's dawn era, complained of mental anguish and was hospitalized.
It's known that many US climbers who rampaged ignoring the law were killed by the Man Eater, but the truth is the [Mediator] simply massacred them mercilessly for the sake of peace.
It was the day it was revealed that the Tower Lord was the backer of the [Guardians], and that half of the Man Eater's brutal murders were actually the [Mediator]'s doing.
Burning streets, citizens lost in terror and confusion, children weeping pathetically separated from their parents, shops terrorized by mobs.
Surveying the scenes, the [Mediator] let out a sigh and lightly snapped her fingers.
The wounds of everyone except the "dead," and even the collapsed and crumbling city, rewound through time in an instant, returning to their original state.
"Give me one taco here."
Having wielded god-like power, the Mediator handed a dollar bill to the street vendor and ordered food.
The climbers who came to calm the situation and the deployed police didn't dare approach her.
It was the moment the might of the leader of the world-renowned 【Legendary Class】 group, the [Six Fiends], was laid bare for all to see.
"—Tch."
She wouldn't normally step in, but this was an incident caused by the 【Tower】.
She had suspected it since the Tower's appearance and kept steady watch.
But she hadn't expected them to prepare this meticulously while staying hidden.
Munching on a taco, the [Mediator] pondered how to handle the aftermath.
"Ah, is this really the best way?"
The absolute best method had flashed through her mind.
But a sigh came first, and feeling a headache over whether it was right, she chugged her cola.
※※※
"…【Authority】 won't activate."
After barely waking up seven hours later, she desperately squeezed out 【Ether】 to try moving.
But realizing she couldn't even sense Ether, Wakamo despaired.
While she was out, Asuka had quickly resolved the issues with Ben and Amelia, so Wakamo was waiting for now.
The US government deemed the side with the [Guardians] and [Man Eater] more dangerous and handed her over to Wakamo.
They could seal her away forever if needed, and if they didn't want to see the [Mediator] take her, they threatened to dump her on the "neutral" Wakamo.
The US government seemed busy rooting out internal Guardians.
They traded the lab director Ben's testimony and research data for custody of Amelia, making it easier.
Her father, Leo, had also held a high position in the Guardians, so they figured gaining two excellent cooperators was a win.
From their perspective, their one and only niece and only daughter had been used as a human-killing executioner for at least ten years under the Tower's design.
They had even intervened midway as a [Tower Apostle] to manipulate her, so it was clear there was some scheme like the Vatican Tower.
All of it shattered because of an otaku who went to America for a holy site pilgrimage. The US Tower must be worried too.
On top of that, a great demon popped up in Switzerland, and vacationing Wakamo jumped in and killed two execs.
The [Guardians] were thoroughly wary of Asuka's abilities, but at this point, they had no grounds to deny suspicions of an internal spy.
Anyway, the cleanup was being handled diligently by Manager Won Da-hye and Asuka!!
The important thing now was that her Authority wouldn't activate!!
"[So, I said I can't have an Authority, that I'm a Legendary Class without one.]"
"Yeah…? Can't you just use it? If you need an Authority to use Ether, use it without hesitation. There's a realm the brute idiots don't know. I happened to have a 【Authority】 in hand!!"
"[…So, you're saying you created an Authority that didn't exist before?]"
The Russian Tower Lord felt like he was losing his mind.
He doubted whether the being before him was really human.
Was it the Babel Fragment's wicked deception? Or perhaps she truly had amnesia and was an ancient existence?
But no matter how he checked the profile, it showed a normal human, so the Russian Tower Lord eyed Wakamo suspiciously.
In the modern Tower, 【Legendary Classes】 are born from 【Authorities】.
The past [Ascenders] obtained Authorities, but since most already exist, they said "choosing" was meaningless.
Conversely, with the invincible logic that a 【Legendary Class】 implies a 【Authority】, she created one anyway.
It was possible only because of the accomplishments Wakamo had piled up climbing the Tower.
Having 【Ether】 means she's qualified.
According to records— that's why she can create an Authority, but the past and present differ greatly, and the Russian Tower Lord knew nothing, so he had nothing to say.
He could only wonder what the hell the Korean Tower had produced.
Not just the [Man Eater] and [Alien], but the skills were a jumble including [Farmer], [Fisherman], [Maid], and more.
Even copy limits have standards; a rag golem wouldn't be this crude.
"[Creating an Authority can't just be done with grit and spirit……]"
"That's insulting four thousand years of otaku history!! With courage, grit, and spirit, nothing is impossible!!"
No communication whatsoever— her common sense was collapsing first.
Sebastian, sitting beside the Russian Tower Lord, was gazing at distant mountains.
Even the fragment of the [Professor]'s Authority 【Exploration】 reacted with "why is this possible?"
No Authority! Then create one no one has ever made!!
She was essentially the originator of the [Idol (VTuber)] class and the first holder of its Authority.
It was theoretically possible.
The problem was it was like saying you can fly to the sky by grabbing planks and stepping on them.
"Anyway, I dunno why it won't activate. I used it by sensation when I died and came back. No reaction."
"[I've never died and come back, so I can't empathize. Usually, you just end when you die.]"
Revival after three days is one thing, but three seconds? Dial it back.
"More than that, does Wakamo like perseverance theory?"
"What're you talking about, Professor? Perseverance is for yourself. If a group leader preaches perseverance theory, the problem isn't grit—it's the leader themselves. They can't solve it, so they shift blame with the all-purpose 'grit' logic."
"[I'm really going insane.]"
The more they talked, the more insane it felt, the Russian Tower Lord complained in agony.
She kept saying the impossible was impossible, yet her opponent was making it possible, driving him mad.
"Isn't there something more important?"
"[Right!! About the inter-federation showdown!! Got a plan?]"
"Not doing it."
The Tower Lord and Professor froze solid.
Even a passing climber froze.
In the midst of everyone, including her partner, frozen like time had stopped, Wakamo alone smiled happily and repeated herself.
"What's the problem?"
"I'm busy with VTuber work."
So, no.
The Russian Tower Lord wanted to scream in her face that she's the federation leader!! VTubers aren't the priority!!! But he clamped his mouth shut.
He simulated it a bit, and all he saw was himself dead and tossed in the trash.
He'd learned from watching the Korean Tower! If you can't avoid it, enjoy it!
"[Any spots in 2nd gen?]"
The Tower Lord was loaded, so he aimed for a safe spot in her inner circle as a VTuber!
The Professor smacked his forehead in admiration at the Russian Tower Lord's survival strategy.
"Assei! I welcome your voluntary enlistment!!"
※※※
Tap tap tap—
Kang Yeo-ul, the hiring manager smiling with a face colder than machinery, stared intently at the twin-tailed girl in the interview.
The cute blonde twin-tails felt a bit mismatched for a 19-year-old, but Ben had said it was the hairstyle his sister often did for her daughter before she died, so Kang Yeo-ul avoided a landmine.
Seriously, if she'd asked "why twin-tails?" and gotten that answer, she would've had to commit seppuku on the spot.
"Our Lias producer will turn Amelia into an idol. First off— you couldn't even enter elementary school."
She'd been in treatment since the Tower collapse accident at age seven, so it was natural.
She seemed to struggle with speech, but of course, with no education.
"Ha, is education important?"
"If some bastard brings up education bullshit, I'll rip him apart and kill him."
Seeing Kang Yeo-ul casually spout mad talk, Ben muttered "as expected, hang her—" and hugged Amelia, stroking her hair.
Amelia Shea Mason.
19 years old this year, class 【Man Eater】.
It has the penalty of consuming 【Tribute】 to use skills, but even excluding that, her pure stats overwhelm opponents with sheer strength.
The downside is intense impulses that make her lose reason and rampage— but surprisingly, it can be calmed by feeding her Wakamo's Mana Core.
The verdict is that she's made of human flesh and blood, which feels pretty lenient.
Whatever, it doesn't matter, so she tore it up.
Climbers are a pass now!! What I need are idols!!
Tower climbing and inter-federation duels can go fuck themselves—!!
I've got a grand ambition to create pure VTubers!!
"First, teach dance and singing—"
"Ah, th-that… I…"
"Amelia, speak comfortably."
"[Skills] give corrections, so no, no need to learn, it'll be fine."
It's an upgraded version of Wakamo's exclusive skill, treating any dance or song as "ritual" necessities for rapid learning and mastery.
Plus, there's an auxiliary skill that prevents throat strain even when cheering at full volume, and at that, Kang Yeo-ul gazed at the distant mountains outside the window.
"A flower bloomed on the cactus…"
For a test, she showed a YouTube video and asked if she could do it, and she immediately performed the dance 100% perfectly.
Meanwhile, Uncle Ben boasted about his niece's talent, saying it was etched in her DNA because her mother was a famous singer.
Some people practice till they die and still sound like demons screeching from hell. So damn envious.
'Her pure brain is a blessing…'
She has a lot to learn, but leave that to the [Professor].
For basic [Math], from our empress to the math ghosts, there are plenty of experts.
VTubers cover diverse genres, so you can even study as a VTuber!!
Lucky we know about VTubers!!
'First, show her cute animal VTubers to heal her wounded heart.'
She wanted to debut her in 2nd gen right away, but there was a lot to prepare slowly.
Any reason to rush? This is finally a real VTuber debut, not some climber bullshit!!
It sounds like 0th and 1st gen aren't VTubers, but call it trial and error.
Think of it that way. VTubers have no fixed mold!!
"So, parachute-hire Russian Tower Lord, what's your plan?"
"[Well, if I had to say, broadcasting chats with diverse climbers from around the world, intros to the various Towers I'm contracted with? Made a character and nickname too! Rusalka Anastasia!]"
"You bastard!! Planning to use my company for Tower promo!! But I like that sly tone, so you're hired."
"[Can I keep the Tower Lord setting?]"
"Tower's Idol."
What the hell.
The Russian Tower Lord was wise enough to simply reply, "Understood!"
Don't question, stop thinking. Acceptance is easier than understanding.
"I want the name Maya Kinichi…"
"Now that's an avant-garde name."
"It's combining the nicknames Dad and Mom called me…"
"What a heavenly angel name!! Right, Tower Lord!"
"[This is so absurd, feels like ice cream's gonna come out my mouth! Want some?]"
"No, why's it actually coming out? Hygienic?"
"[It's magic.]"
"Why's the Tower Lord doing magic…? Can't you just condense mana like this?"
Wakamo genuinely questioned as she condensed mana with an ice skill in her hand to make ice cream.
The Russian Tower Lord thought, what the, how'd she do that? Does that even work?
More than that, how'd she flavor it with mana?
It tasted normally like milk, making it even more mysterious.
Is this… Wakamo's taste given by Wakamo…?
The not-so-picky interview passed smoothly.
In the absolute safe [Wakamo 1st Floor], she prepared living space for uncle, dad, and daughter together, and assigned Producer Lias to prevent rampages from the class penalty.
It's a story not easily put into words.
The dad threw himself into the [Guardians] to save his daughter, committing inhuman crimes without hesitation.
The US government valued his abilities and covered his crimes, but he told Wakamo he couldn't face his daughter proudly as a father.
Conversely, Amelia said she believed the Tower's words that climbing would eventually free her and let her control the class, so she climbed.
In truth, the US Tower Lord had just molded her into a vessel for his use.
It was all the more tragic because the parent and child loved each other.
"Gave items to suppress abilities and seal skills, made sure the [Tower Lord] bastard can't force control, confirmed she can suppress it with reason intact."
Plus, since she's a VTuber anyway, no worries if power leaks by mistake!!
The severe scars all over her body, skinny arms and legs, emaciated frame showing ribs.
VTuber activities? No problem at all!!
Truly worry-free— though it's creepy as hell when I say it.
"Kukuku, got two genius researchers… Shall we overwork them to advance VTuber tech…?"
With daughter as hostage and proper pay for labor, Wakamo grinned sinisterly in anticipation.
She was even aiming for drone-projected outdoor VTuber streams.
Turning the imagined VTuber future into reality!! Why bother with Tower climbing!!
"By the way, is the [US Tower Lord] dead?"
"[You're asking that after the interview, buying and setting up broadcast gear, finishing character design??]"
For 2nd gen debut, after making PPTs, adding to the homepage, and posting announcements on the fan cafe, Wakamo finally remembered and asked.
In the final moment, she hadn't hit Amelia but the Tower Lord possessing her body with 【Death】.
She saw it peel off and shatter, but it didn't feel definitively dead.
"[Half the US Tower is non-functional now. Instead of making a new US Tower Lord, the [Mediator] seems to plan proxying it to the Korean Tower for management and training.]"
Dragged into hardship, now dumped with all the troublesome crap at once.
But could the Mediator steal or ban Tower authority itself?
Wakamo knew the [Mediator] directly intervened in the US to resolve the Tower-caused issue.
Probably some contract keeping a proper line between them?
"You lose a ton of Kost in fed fights once you lose once? Seems like it'd snowball, you ok?"
"[That's why I went VTuber line.]"
When Korean Tower incompetence peaks, transfer to [Korean Tower Tower Lord], collect tons of [Kost] next to capable top climber Wakamo Inarizushi.
With bigger picture and clear goals than expected, Wakamo looked forward, saying hope exists for the Russian Tower Lord.
Me too, he'd probably be better as Korean Tower Lord.
"[Wealth redistribution. Lose? No big hit. Fed disbands? Pres is there.]"
"Russia talking wealth redistribution is a bit…"
Watching Amelia's smile bloom while chatting variously with uncle and dad from afar, Wakamo shrugged it off.
Whatever.
"People should smile, after all."
Is there anything more painful than living without smiling?
And so, the 2nd gen announcement went public.
A girl who dreamed of becoming an idol worshiping idols, and a girl boldly throwing her hat in to become the Tower's idol.
The believers all guessed their identities but kept quiet out of respect for the red pill.
It wasn't fear of rumors that the artist tames and walks around with an ancient Man Eater!!
Of course, Wakamo the guild master beating Tower Lords and Man Eaters alike was reality, not even a rumor.
Reality always hits harder.
"Whenever you accept members with bad past records, smear artists always pop up."
So she wrote in the announcement that she'd beat them personally.
"Believers, behave."
-Long time no broadcast, this right?
-They behave normally?
-Ah, can't tolerate smears lololol
-But didn't she go around killing people~? Speaking my mind~
-TL controlled her, kinda creepy.
-More than, guild master emailing the mind-speaker?
-Truth never vanishes!!
"Then the believers can vanish."
-Rethinking, vanishing fine.
-Can bury a truth or two.
-Kids! Life's precious!
-Vanishing doesn't always mean death.
-Isekai transfer (3F) too, friends!
-Our guild master's true nature coming back more and more.
-Just play Roll?
-Guild master's game skills the real problem, fuck.
"Aah— this familiarity, I missed it during vacation."
Wakamo smiled warmly at her believers and pulled out an instrument.
"So, time to pluck some ants."
Long time no broadcast, viewer count spiked again.
Gotta redistribute fans, so go watch other VTubers.
Right after the 2nd gen debut announcement, the believers cheered at Wakamo's long-awaited merciless killing voice.