Chapter 220
Chapter 220
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 220
Chapter Title: The VTuber Fans' Climbing Party
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"Am I too early for our appointment?"
The beautiful Asian beauty checked her watch, wondering if an hour early was a bit much, and lightly tapped her shoulder with her fan.
Back in the days when her ancestors insisted that true strength lay in knowledge, not just martial prowess, and made her attend twelve academies to study academics.
It wasn't for nothing that she was called a genius; within a single year, she had mastered most things to the point where she could even assist Yung Wei.
As the leader managing warriors in the 【Black Society】—a group created by 【Martial Supreme】 whose members rivaled ordinary weapons in lethality.
She was a woman living in the shadows for the peace and stability of the 【East Asian Federation】—also the boss of the underworld.
『Xiao Liang』 observed the bustling crowds with an amused gaze.
Just by looking, she could tell their class and what weapons they favored.
This was a skill honed through years of training—thanks to her ancestors who would visit whenever they had time and drill all sorts of martial arts into her head, she had developed a habit of scrutinizing others.
It wasn't quite at the level of her ancestors, who could master techniques just by seeing them, but she had reached the realm where she could analyze and counter by observation alone.
Being exceptional came with its own burdens, in a way.
Having a living benchmark to compare herself to meant constant worries about how much harder she needed to push when looking at that person.
Her sworn sister 『Yu Ying』 was making a name for herself as the 【Emperor』, earning praise and support from the Chinese people, so for the sake of the future, she needed a solid foundation of support.
In other words, Xiao Liang herself needed to build up sufficient personal strength.
To that end, she planned to climb 【Tower of Babel】, and as a bonus, since her ancestor mentioned a Christmas party with everyone, she intended to grab some 『gifts』 on the way up.
It had been twelve years since the tower's appearance.
The world had entered the era of great climbers.
With two federations in existence, towers of all kinds popping up everywhere, and Asia seeing endless climbers drawn by the idols—related merchandise was flooding the market.
Artisan-made items were nice, but would the young emperor, raised like a daughter under her ancestor's wing, be satisfied with anything ordinary?
She planned to climb to the 90th floor, gather materials from there, or just buy whatever with 【Tower Coins】.
Chairman Yung Wei had gone off to Egypt's pyramids to find pharaoh's treasures and vanished.
Xiao Liang understood her feelings, but she didn't want to worry others, so she waited for her 【party members】.
"Whoa, hope I didn't keep the lady waiting too long?"
"I arrived an hour early, so no issue. How about we wait at a nearby café?"
It wasn't like they were using Wakamo Corporation's East Asian network; flying in from a distant foreign land, she could forgive any delay.
A warm, kindly man appeared before Xiao Liang.
Dressed like a cowboy straight out of a Western film, with a bear-like build that looked like it would be incredibly soft to hug.
But the most striking feature was probably the fluffy beard that perfectly suited the upcoming Christmas.
Though it was rude, Xiao Liang stared openly at the impeccably groomed beard, tempted to bury her hand in it.
"Go ahead and touch it, miss!"
"What a magnificent beard..."
"The kids love it! Ho ho ho!"
『Robert Duncan Smith』—an American shooter ranked in the top 100, a skilled man who became famous through ties to Wakamo Corporation.
Even Xiao Liang had only heard good things about him from her little sister Yu Ying, who tended to be sharp-tongued and venomous toward most.
He seemed reliable and trustworthy, with instincts as sharp as her own—if she ever felt confused, just ask Robert.
For some reason, Yu Ying always insisted on hearing any ghost stories or rumors Robert mentioned.
Was he just an entertaining guy? Xiao Liang decided to think positively of him, given the recommendations from her sister and ancestor.
She didn't buy into the martial artists' talk that relying on guns meant inferior skill.
A top-tier [Shooter] could snipe across an entire city—what could be more foolish than judging by weapon type?
"So this Christmas, I'm dressing as Santa! Wakamo and I are hitting the orphanages to hand out gifts, but the schedule's packed."
"How packed?"
"We're touring Japan, Korea, and China in five hours. Seems doable, but I might not survive it."
"Ah, our ancestor does tend to be a bit too superhuman..."
"More importantly, I heard a rumor: Germany's rearming because they're collaborating with Nazis hiding in Antarctica."
"Heh~ Total nonsense, obviously. Nazis in this day and age? It's like Korea suddenly declaring martial law out of nowhere."
"Right? There's talk that the [Guardians] aside, the last battalion is prepping their ace move to conquer the world, haha!"
The two sipped their coffee while exchanging light banter.
Mostly about Wakamo Corporation, the time sharing climber intel turned out more fruitful than expected.
With about thirty minutes left until the appointed time, a man approached leisurely, drawing a crowd.
"Hey, Jackson! Long time!"
"Well, if it isn't Officer Smith!"
『Doris J. Jackson』—a former [Six Freaks] member, second only to Wakamo in fame within the East Asian Federation, and a legendary class 【Architect】.
From Japan and Korea to China and even Russia, he had built all sorts of structures across that vast land—factories, residential zones, and listing just two years' achievements would stretch like a receipt.
Thanks to Wakamo, he reclaimed his dream in construction, becoming a boss employing so many he could claim to be Asia's top.
The epitome of job creation innovation, perhaps. In his work clothes, he waved to Robert—another American he knew by rumor and had crossed paths with during his criminal days.
Starting with iced americanos pre-ordered, they asked about each other's recent lives, then chatted endlessly, leaving Xiao Liang aside.
"You like the Black Society HQ? Even built the underground passages."
"It's great—the bunker too. Just the training room already needs repairs."
"Give it time. Wakamo Corporation's building got wrecked recently."
"Priorities matter for busy folks. You still made it to the party?"
"I'm a climber too. 【Authorities】, right? Interested, and more architecture skills might let me build spaceships!"
"Ooh, that's badass! Underwater bases too?"
"You bet!! Ocean hotels! Epic, right?"
"Underwater hotels... What about sky-floating buildings?"
"Won't know till I try!"
No impossibles for climbers, Jackson grinned, rambling about buildings he wanted to erect.
Xiao Liang couldn't relate without a legendary class, but she warned about 【Authorities】.
"【Martial Supreme】 was a cool-headed, rational man, but the Authority changed him so much it was like a different person."
Of course, he never wielded ether or Authorities himself, but commanded a unique, unparalleled 【Demonic Qi】.
That was probably his special trait. Still, Xiao Liang remembered him seeming like a completely altered "other."
"—Ether is the power of gods. Even for climbers, not something to handle lightly."
Soon, the "choice" Sadako mentioned would come for her too.
Thanks to Wakamo, climbers' growth had boosters, closing gaps quickly.
'While we're on the topic, Ancestor seems off too.'
【Martial Supreme】 had transformed into a superhuman in an instant, displaying inhuman power.
Sudden power surge came with wavering mind and self—symptoms showing in Wakamo too.
To Xiao Liang, though, Wakamo's felt more ambiguous and hazy than Martial Supreme's.
So she held her tongue, just observing for now.
"I'm still green, but I've heard plenty. Authorities can shape you, be shaped by you, or both. Usually, you meet conditions and adapt to the Authority, but if it adapts to you—then the Authority itself might gain a will like the person's."
"Where'd you hear that, Smith?"
"They say past users' egos linger in Authorities. You mentioned chatting with one, Miss Dragon. Can't ask them directly, so it's my guess, but...
The 【Authority of the Beginning】 might have a distinct ego."
"Heh~ That's a fun conspiracy theory. So if you could use someone else's Authority, would its ego adapt to you instead?"
The three delved deep into 【Authorities】, the hottest climber topic.
As Wakamo Corporation affiliates, including [Guardians], they had access to plenty of intel.
Xiao Liang pondered, listening to Robert: if Ancestor's power rampaged uncontrollably...
"—Authorities are godlike power. The idols themselves! Even as the first, can a human climber's ego withstand that immense force without erasure?"
"""Whoa?!"
A sudden vagrant's interjection startled the three into jumping up, then plopping back down.
It was an [Oracle] from [Six Freaks], recently released from Wakamo's third-floor prison as a model prisoner, back to his usual lounging.
Clutching his crystal ball, grinning like he knew futures others didn't, the group eyed him coldly.
"【Authorities】 vary in power too. With all the restrictions to draw it out, special 【Artists】 like from the start won't change much ahead."
"Excuse me, what about our Ancestor then?"
"No one knows! What happens when 【Ether】 piles endlessly without fixed form? Only the 【Mediator】 knows."
The 『Oracle』 blabbed that past towers ended in ladders for some reason.
So chatty even Jackson and Robert grimaced, but Xiao Liang listened closely to the key points.
"Heard from Aiba-yang he's a guy who only says what he wants."
"Yeah, pervert crawling from closets. Some kinda molester."
"My skill ain't like that!! Better than from under the bed, right?!"
""True!""
On whether closet or bed was lesser evil, the two men agreed, but Xiao Liang wondered if emerging from a lingerie-filled closet wasn't worse for a woman.
"Anyway, back on track: 【Ether】's like the tower's 【Cost】. Towers allow near anything, right? Climbers too—but human limits via Authorities. Even controlling it eats at soul and personality."
The 『Oracle』 cited Adelheid's drastic change; knowing her new extremism versus before, Jackson nodded.
"Also, some 【Authorities】 exist fully independent. But can I join this?"
"Ooh."
"Eh, why not?"
"We've known each other forever."
A white-suited man popped up, chiming in cautiously.
Robert freaked at the outfit, glancing at Jackson and Oracle, but as fellow [Six Freaks], they knew all and brushed it off coolly.
He wore it not by choice—the tower gave it as class item, and he had to for controlling his 【Devil】.
"【Satanist】, Elisei Bon."
Xiao Liang gasped in awe at the legendary ranker—no. 4 powerhouse joining their already lavish party.
Why would such a strong solo climber join a party?
The reason was surprisingly human.
"Truth is, no one calls me out otherwise..."
His teammate 『Witch』 was swamped crafting items including alchemy everywhere; 『Voodoo Priest』 buried in ritual treatments for Wakamo's hit 【Card Packs】.
Satanist helped but just summoned 【Devil】 for labor, leaving him idle and awkward.
"The [Artist] changed beyond recognition."
Poor Adelheid, suffering terminal cancer, starving, barely clinging to life.
Floor 1's no-companion rule meant impossible climbs without proxy kills—unfair.
—Yet the class boasted performance wondrously disproportionate to that flaw.
An idol-misdesigned class, the Artist.
Thus, climbing altered Adelheid: her will and intent intact, but to others, like a changed human.
"Even with 【Authorities】, feeling only your own 【Ether】 shows human limits in control."
Thinking you can control it is hubris, said the Satanist.
Past records vanished? Worst case, civilization reset to start over, he claimed.
"Records exist, so classes do. As tower functions unlock, special legendaries emerge, ambient mana rises, environment shifts—'god's power' natives might appear too?"
Maybe devils really existed long ago, he quipped meaningfully, downing coffee.
Xiao Liang's eyes widened at the mouthless drinking scene.
Snapping to, she confirmed all requested 【Tower of Babel】 party members gathered and stood.
"Shall we? To the Tower of Babel?"
"To the top!!"
"Oracle, got combat skills?"
"Fewer restrictions than you, devil worshiper."
"It's my family, not me—I'm innocent!"
"Lucky you're an Architect."
"Envied it once, but your lives are rough up close."
Eager Oracle, grumbling Satanist counting offerings.
Jackson, relieved at his own class, tallied gold coins.
Robert pitied the duo counting gear, shaking his head—while checking his ammo.
※※※
Digression aside—this party's five shared something.
They were all VTuber fans watching VTubers!!
From hardcore to newbie dippers, they bonded over VTubers enough for easy chat.
"Water's depth at a thousand fathoms is shallow in martial terms if known; human hearts at one fathom deep if unknowable."
Xiao Liang advanced, slaughtering monsters with her sword, inspecting the spotless blade contentedly.
"In short, knowing yet not fully knowing my sister makes fandom profound!!"
Beaming proudly, confidence oozing, Xiao Liang strutted smugly.
She entered VTubers late, missing Ichigo's concert, but hyped for this one, chattering energetically.
Jackson prepping the venue thumbs-upped it would be great.
"That captivating charm, cuteness is the appeal. I scour archives, galleries, edit wikis—fandom duty!!"
Xiao Liang was a diehard stan.
She watched Hajime Ichigo and Mei Shaolongbao, but favored Ichigo, bragging her merch and fan activities.
Overzealous fans risk huge heartbreak quitting VTubers upon graduating.
But family? No worry—meet IRL!
"I hunt redpill scum spilling beans and smash 'em."
Again, extreme fan.
She'd call Asuka with community links on sister slander, turning rest days into keyboard warrior.
Robert chuckled at her cute looks hiding fierce love, sharing his take.
"I make memories with the kids. Cute, right? Pretty to watch. In this accessible era, kid-friendly VTubers without swears are gold."
Robert was the parental fan watching with children.
Kid-show style? Kind words, no curses—『Iosif Khan』 mainly, waving a white dragon plush.
His personal fave was Pipkin Mami, but too mature for kids, so solo viewing.
Rough talk, curses aplenty, but fun voice, American songs galore—Robert praised.
"Yeah, sure. But job-wise, Lucia's streams pull me."
Concept affinity aside, Architect Jackson steadily followed Artist Adolf Lucia.
Loved her cultural artifact talks, painting streams, work showcases—near educational.
Recommended to all anytime, educational even; Robert countered gore scared kids sometimes.
"Life's for fun! Free chatter's best, right?"
Oracle floated [Mare Pirates] on his orb—surprisingly Pipkin Mami no, booze streams his taste, laughing.
Pulled cologne from coat she advertised, boasted collected merch.
Reseller suspicions flickered unspoken.
Xiao Liang, firm stan, drew line: uninterested unless Ichigo-endorsed.
"I watch Lucia too, but as Wakamo devotee—chill music streams good, no games but chatty ones suit."
Satanist, learning via top star, was a Wakamo fan.
"Still, cutest is Ichigo!"
"2nd gen debut Maya cuter?"
"Sexy? Iosif."
"Nah, Jackson's clueless. That's Mami—missed the ad?"
"Pretty smile Rusalka tho?"
Five VTuber fans naturally sparked oshi debates.
Starting with others' faves, they confessed true biases, comparing passions.
"Look at this cute doll!"
Robert pushed kid-friendly cute Maya over Ichigo; Xiao Liang drew sword growling Ichigo cuter.
Jackson and Oracle sat debating 1st gen Iosif vs. Mami hotness, ignoring hunts.
Satanist auto-farmed via 【Devil】, mumbling Rusalka... pretty..., glancing nervously.
They bickered subscription months even.
True fans never touched redpills amid it.
Know excluding Oracle, all top 100 climbers?
"See Ichigo's cute eye smile! Songs great too?!"
"2nd gen full idol team!! Maya dances well!"
"Tail love ain't lust. But tails exist?"
"Boss pushes her—company's token girl?"
"No Wakamo stan here amid this?"
Even fights bypassed Wakamo unmentioned.
"You, that gallery troll!"
"You daily archive memer!"
"Rich furry comms pushing!!"
"Can't trust prophet? Mami boom coming?!"
"No, Lucia's slim not flat!"
Otaku herds clash opinions.
Harmonized on VTubers, then taste diffs sparked squabbles.
VTubers chaotic gathered; fans moreso.
That VTuber, that fan?
Bickering scarred, they lit campfire for rest.
Promised no imposing tastes, respect—yet heavy silence.
Nearby parties saw, sparked VTuber rows, internal fractures.
Accidental party destroyer.
"Came for Christmas gifts, right?"
"Yup."
"Resources for flashy builds."
"Year-end manpower needs demons—costs resources."
"Wandering life. Gifts need cash."
勉强 patched rift: unite for year-end party funds/gifts, Wakamo ties mindset.
"US-Korea chairs partied to 83? Tough."
Towers sponsor-renovated with themed costs.
Gimmicks, environs, monster variety per floor—East Asian Babel popular.
Fewer climbers higher; scouting 80th after hard hunt—
Unmissable figure climbed ahead.
"Gauti Bor Warden?"
"Shit!"
Robert naming triggered aerial runes blasting lightning.
Oracle's foreseen orb glowed, twisting future—bolt missed party, cratered ground exploding.
Insane power; Jackson hammered nail, blocked by invisible shield.
"Burn it, [Flame Demon]!"
Satanist's call: flames erupted under 【Crow God's】 feet, birthing fire giant.
Giant mercilessly engulfed boy alive in pyre; Robert yelped.
"Uh, this okay? No need for murder."
"Opponent's 【Authority】 user!! German state-backed super climber!!"
Flame giant froze mid-act, ice devouring 80th floor.
"【Éᛚᛃúðᚾᛁᚱ】!!"
Helheim myth incarnate.
Ice fortress spawned dead pouring out.
Legendaries vary wildly—too much?
Jackson smashed hammer raising party wall; spear pierced aiming him.
Xiao Liang slotted sword perfectly, slashing spear divine, vaulted wall, slashed at Gauti.
Fierce sword barrage full killing intent at blinding speed; he space-jumped away sweating.
"Huff huff—shit, chased me here?"
"EU fed defeat, fled—wrong Babel, loser?"
"Climb top, wish more power!! Damn worm!!!"
Rage yells warped environs: dry sky thunderbolted.
Cascading lightning, cracking ice flames/lava leaking, ominous sky hue.
'Same climber really?'
Tower updates spawned specials—but excessive.
Lower floors yet vast gap below Xiao Liang despite support.
Sword slashes no wounds. Use Demonic Qi?
"Like VTubers to corps, climbers want legendaries."
"Weird analogy?"
No ether/Authorities in five: couldn't win Gauti.
"Wait, Satanist—you got Authority?"
"Takes five hours."
"Damn."
No-use win schemes or retreat.
But he blocked escape, intent on no witnesses.
Now noticed: minions wore climbers' gear.
"Ha, damn—[Six Freaks] useless."
Grumbling Oracle lifted orb hopefully.
"【Path of Fate】!!"
Ultimate skill: massive scales projected behind.
Tipped scales balanced by his power; Gauti's strikes whiffed party.
"Can't null Authority?"
"I'd die?! Just tilts luck for escape—"
Blinding blizzard.
Through snow-blind beyond, Oracle narrowed eyes at something.
Christmas party, but first Wakamo VTuber fest.
For full enjoyment? Money.
Many climb for cash—strong hit highs.
(Harmonica melody)
Piercing nether blizzard—distant horizon, lone climber's melody echoed.
Prophet skill-altered future birthed—possibility!
VTuber fans draw each other.
Synced thoughts same time/place: natural.
"Ha! God chose me in this war! None matters!"
"I never chose."
No god choice reply; woman pocketed harmonica in coat.
Self-proclaimed god ruining merry year-end fest.
Won't forgive tower-climber wrecking smiles.
VTuber fandom pinnacle.
24/7 grind for concert tickets—ogre realm.
Solo 【Duelist】 to 80th for merch cash faced him.
"Who're you?"
"Reaper."