Chapter 230
Chapter 230
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 230
Chapter Title: New Year's Chaos and Zombie Survival
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The new year had arrived.
"Over the past two years, so much has happened. What stands out the most to you, Wakamo?"
"Solo live? Group concert?"
"No, something more impactful than that?"
"Do I need to remember anything besides VTubing? Wasting brain space."
At Wakamo's quip, even when asked if she remembered the name of the organization hostile to us, Wakamo just made a dumb face.
Won Da-hye was so exhausted she couldn't even stand and slumped into a chair with a sigh.
Thanks to Amelia firing some unknown wave cannon (or was it gravity blast?) from her mouth in Antarctica, several satellites above the continent had been smashed.
Fortunately, they had the money to pay for it and the tech, so they promised to launch replacements into orbit, barely containing the fallout.
Given the circumstances, there was some understanding.
The US and Russian governments joining hands to research rocket tech for space again—the news was buzzing with headlines about a new era of space development.
And the "Awakener Risk Theory" espoused by the Iron Man, the former president whose name was still coming up, was back in the spotlight.
But the threat level of these unidentified entities—capable of wiping out a country in a day if they wanted—had sparked yet another boom in Ascender training.
Tower exchange students flocked to the East Asian Federation to climb the Tower, and the long-forgotten "Magic Tower" group was inviting 3rd job-change Wizard Pilot as a professor to ramp up Wizard training.
The world buzzed busily upon realizing greater threats existed, changing through events, accidents—and greater international exchanges and politics.
And no matter how the world turned, ordinary people(?) just focused on their own lives without a care.
"I have no idea how many times my house has been smashed to bits, Jackson."
"Wakamo, sorry, but even an architect couldn't fix this. Whoa! Hey! Not that side!!"
Wakamo, rebuilding the house with the VTuber crew, couldn't care less about world events.
Amelia had shattered space, flown into the space with Wakamo's house, wrecked it, and then headed to Yu Ying's location.
Wakamo didn't sweat it, but she realized [Skills] operated on incomprehensible principles beyond perception, even if invisible.
Becoming Amelia meant others could do the same, so while checking [Facility] add-ons, she pondered bolstering defenses.
"Is this how we start the new year?"
"Shut up and saw, Sa-ssi."
Sadako sawing lumber and Aiba telekinetically moving paint cans with her mind.
Unlike Adelheid happily designing expansions for their enjoyable mansion life, Olga rummaged through the debris, salvaging intact items.
"At least the damage isn't too bad."
"Asuka's precious baby parts!!!"
"We can just buy new ones."
Next to Olga, Asuka wailed over the wreckage of her dearly bought computer parts and gadgets, insisting it couldn't be.
Thinking of the Italy incident, Yu Ying had bought reinforced storage for Wakamo's VTuber merch and figures—tough enough to survive a nuke.
True to her [Collector] class, Yung Wei had a skill for making storage boxes; Yu Ying paid a fortune for one that withstood Amelia's attack.
"Sorry..."
"Kids grow up causing trouble like this."
"You too, President?"
"Yeah, yeah. At 8, I was beating up middle schoolers."
"What a psycho."
Nanna, chiseling mystery marble, shot back in disbelief at Wakamo's words.
"What're you doing?"
"I built my own shrine with these hands. I'll show you real Greek style—idols need a temple."
"I've got companions, you know?"
"Think about your size!"
Amelia watched Wakamo bicker with Nanna while opening her textbook to study.
The power of the god borrowed through the mask, faint memories of the idol within.
Amelia wondered if Wakamo was just human after all but brushed it off.
If anything, she was curious if it was true that, as a kid, she'd pummeled and beaten her much older master...?
※※※
"This is the greatest masterpiece of my life!!!"
Wakamo's [My Worlds] was enormously vast.
Exaggerating, it rivaled the size of Wakamo Floor 1, yet housed fewer than 10 people.
Bathhouses, dressing rooms, dining halls, bunkers, game rooms, and every facility needed for VTubing.
No need to stack upward—like assembling Lego blocks, facilities expanded block by block.
New debuting members? Jackson could just attach a residential wing.
It ended up a labyrinth where you'd get lost without a map, but it was a new home for all members!
"Bad structure for defense if enemies invade."
"With this body here, what better guard could there be?"
"I've always wanted to say that line."
Great for free living, privacy-respecting, and work right nearby—no reason to go out.
Separate training room too.
Too vast for no security? Asuka's words solved that.
With sleepless idols aplenty, what worry?
Exit to "Wakamo Floor 1" by the shrine, another to "Wakamo Floor 2"—completion celebrated with a New Year's altar.
"Uh, is this right?"
Wakamo sat cross-legged on a mystery podium, face full of genuine doubt.
New Year prayers for VTuber success and health—fitting for an [Idol] to sit there.
Even Professor Sebastian and the visiting Korean Association President agreed, leaving Wakamo speechless.
"East-four-west-six and red-east-white-west?"
"Just put the boss's favorite foods."
"You know her favorites?"
"Knew you'd ask—got some from the VTuber collab cafe."
"Whoa, Amelia's scarfing down injeolmi and dried persimmons."
"Mmgh! Mmmph!"
"What? Kids can eat a bit? You stop eating, Asuka."
"Called her to grill, and she scarfs and flops."
"Look at my cute dumplings!"
"No dragon dumplings!!"
"Doughnuts okay?"
"Is this Eastern ritual? So mystical."
"Sigh, the prestige of the Land of Propriety and Rites!! Human sacrifice is standard!!"
"What? 'Neshtlaualli'? Been ages for that fond custom. Fetch a fresh Ascender; I'll rip out the heart."
Everyone they knew gathered for the New Year's rite.
Wakamo's clones—May, Kang Yeo-ul, Rias, two White-Faced Golden-Furred—bustled cooking for guests.
Others threw together an altar from half-remembered rituals.
Amelia ate two dried persimmons and two injeolmi while Dad and Uncle worked.
Beside her, Asuka shoveled hot jeon like a beggar and got punched by Sadako.
Adelheid artistically arranging food; Olga horrified by uncontrollable dumpling dragon flying about.
Of course a dragon—stuck to Olga like hell.
Aiba, American excuse, plopped doughnuts; Robert subbed orc head for pig.
Shao Liang on idol blood offerings; Nanna loving it, slaughter knife ready.
'Chaotic~'
Just two years ago, holed up alone quietly—how'd her connections explode into influencer life?
"Grant us lots of fortune this year."
"Who grants mine, then?"
"[Uh—Korean Tower?]"
Everyone bowed for New Year's blessings, drew fortunes from the idol's box, enjoyed the food, and housewarmed.
Drunken elders tangled on the living room floor—a mess, but when else to unwind?
"Here's to a peaceful year."
Wakamo tidied post-bedtime wanderings.
Unlikely visitors, but with walls up—a sign planted front:
【Wakamo Corporation Member House】.
"Will 3rd gen ever debut?"
One by one—Wakamo listed names.
Yu Ying (Hajime Ichigo).
Oyama Sadako (Mare Pilot).
Aoi Asuka.
Adelheid von Bismarck (Adolf Lucia).
Olga Romanova (Iosif Khan).
Aiba Harper Eloine (Pipkin Mami).
Russian Tower Lord (Rusalka Anastasia).
Amelia Claire Mason (Maya Kinichi).
Nanna (Nanna=Chronos).
Names under one roof.
Hand paused beside one, engraved another.
For VTubers, graduation equals death.
Even new lives—no return to the VTuber fans loved.
Thus, a special name last.
Wakamo Inarizushi.
※※※
"Wakamo, remember? You said invest big in VTubing."
"Did I?"
"Latest VR gear's out!! Also, Jackson built a Russian launch site. Shooting sats skyward so even severed undersea cables won't cut Nutube streams."
"Ah~ that 'Mars-bound' guy's tech?"
"Yep! Stocks skyrocketed—know that?"
"Sell my related stocks and coins then."
"?"
Wakamo pulled her smartphone, showed Won Da-hye glowing red profits.
Idol-level passive money-printing; Won wailed if only stock streams lived!
Hers tanked miserably.
"Looks weird, anyway."
Bike helmet? VR?
Per Won, mic and headset in one; shield recognizes face—high-tech.
Wear it, easier VTuber LIVEs.
Tech too fast? Wakamo recalled investments, nodded.
But 11-point full tracker and gear pile—manager's plan?
"Promo new VR too! Brought multiplayer game!"
"Walking Death"—zombie series (dramatized) as game.
Wakamo's [My Worlds] had vast plains—use for immersive play, content prepped.
"Manager!!! No horror with my investments!! VR especially!! I'll piss myself!!"
"Figured at your age."
"Not that!!"
Wakamo freaked; Won drew line—must do.
"But promo for new VTuber gear—even afterlife idols use? Succeeds, Korean VTuber market booms—[PUBG: Players' Battlefield] to metaverse? Hate VTubing now?"
"Hand it over!! Doing it now!!"
Scared? Wakamo: Scared!!—collapsing idol.
VTuber future at stake? Wakamo unbreakable.
Heavily invested, pricey; cheap to others via her earnings, but promo via streams best.
Korean Ascender Association site turning VTuber promo? Imagination.
'Separate site—why query there?'
"Hate horror!!"
"[Technically 2 years old?]"
"Asuka said that—give up, Tower."
"[Why? All humans agreed?]"
"Zombies boring~ Know why undead in records? Want real plague taste? Kids these days—grateful for peace, yet—"
"Quiet!"
Thus began the "traditional" zombie survival collab—zero successes.
0th gen full troll chaos ended it.
Even other games exploded from Asuka's antics.
Time passed, 2nd gen debuted—collab resumed.
Amelia, young-minded, opted out—peaceful world, bug-hunting with animal pals via VR.
Rest faced apocalypse!!
Nanna griped past plagues turning nations undead; Wakamo shushed.
"Manager, heart attack? This my will."
"C'mon, really die?"
"Feels like safety-blind spot."
Wakamo balked; Won forced VR on.
Wakamo Corp members spawned vast plain.
Viewers: game screen + corner character.
Real-time expressions—donators plotted menace.
"Everyone, glad—Wakamo Inarizushi! Dona closed—good. Opened, now—"
"Kyaaaaaaa!!!!"
"Yeah, video terror incoming."
"No, this XXX!! XXXXX??!?! XXXXX!!!!"
-Grandma's got pipes.
-Mami's face done for lololol.
-Nanna curses self to death lololol.
-Maya's with animal pals—why here?
-Says 8 too young.
-Put Maya with penguins.
-New VR promo, right???
-Boss hand slip lololol.
In-game separate spawns; reality close—voices crisp.
"All to school!!"
Members replied, streamed solo.
External voices blocked—Wakamo plunged silent.
"No, Manager!! Voices on!!!"
-Stockless boss revenge.
-No tormenting Maya who spooked polar bear?
-Manager prepped? Knows VTubers finally.
-Just bully boss?
-Voice shaking lol.
-Boss ears do that???
"Wakamo scared!! Wanna go home!!!"
Fox ears over eyes, wailing pitifully.
Zombies thudded doors at cries.
"Eeee—"
[Your role: [Chef]! Cook with ingredients to survive!]
"Hate it, boo-hoo."
-Chef job lololol.
-Lol, boss? Why cleaver?
-Chopping natural—why?
-What chef preps ingredients personally?
-Fresh ones walking in.
"Mommmy!!"
No stat buffs, but Wakamo hurled kitchen knife like dagger—zombie forehead pierced.
Kicked drawer open, knee-flipped chopsticks/forks drawer spilling.
"Don't come near!!!"
Snatched falling utensils, flung wildly into zombies.
Not enough—shielded with frying pan, cleaved necks/heads with cleaver.
Pinpoint vitals, master swordsmanship—viewers awed.
-Asian in US zombie flicks: eternal mystic master!
-Karate black belt martial arts? Mystic!
-VR uses real stamina—boss tire?
-Fear triples speed.
-Zombies endless tho.
"Where even am I!!!"
Bursted kitchen—top-floor luxury hotel realized.
Pondered, charged window—leapt!
"I'm free!!!"
-Normal escape?
-Not dumb beast!!
-Dying to flee?
-Ditch stream too lololol.
-Just climber habit—won't die falling.
-Horror—don't jump!!
"You know nothing!! Hate horror—damn!! Log out, watch!!"
Absurd from start—zombie-packed building escape.
Asphalt neared.
Legs hit—body ducked instinctively.
Reflex 5-point landing!!
Windmill spin to road—HP down, injuries frowned.
"Damn, no suicide."
-lololololololololol.
-Legendary 5-point landing!
-Told not to—does it.
-What life teaches landings.
-Info: Boss survives falls even normal.
-Master...?
Weapons gone, bare fists—no zombie damage.
Bare hands can't kill! Shove ok—Wakamo shoved, bolted.
Zombies trailed.
Classic zombie chase—thrilling, breathless!!
Narrow alleys, building hordes roaring pursuit.
"Hate this—skip zombie flicks!! Why me!!!!"
-Boss outrun?
-Game speed cap.
-Hide somewhere.
-No weapon=dead.
"Waaa!! Hate ghosts!! Hate zombies!! Hate Manager!!!!"
-Boss bawling rare.
-Big body tantrum cute.
-Manager handle aftermath? Lololol.
-Boss, scream energy to run.
-Dead end? Screwed?
"No wall climb!! Just jump!!"
Game limit blocked wall; trapped.
Glance back—zombies shoving, overlapping buggy grotesque.
"Don't come near me──!!!"
Cornered, panic scream.
Can't punch-kill, bite incoming—Wakamo felt "power" surge.
"【Die】!!"
【Authority】-infused word.
Ether drain weakness; 【Death】 struck horde.
No warning—zombies in view poofed.
"Huff, huff—fear maxed, unconsciously powered..."
-???????.
-Practiced to death, nada.
-Fear unlocked eyes.
-But game influence?
-WTF did I see??
-Bug?
-Fear=instant kill...
Wakamo shocked.
Fear pulling fragments? Unknown!!
Even game-affected? Wow.
Power kills unkillable pursuers?
"Any horror—erase!! No problem!!"
-No awakening in horror lololol.
-This right? Real?
-Sorry if rude.
-Don't nuke game data.
-Threat? Smash first.
"Won't activate!! How'd it work?!"
Relaxed—gone again.
Spared time—loot shop, supplies.
Meet school, barricade, survive!!
"Boss jumped?"
"What now."
"Don't ask Asuka."
0th gen peered hotel window below.
Clustered for Wakamo—didn't expect jump.
"Even normal stats no-death fall, but this?"
"Train hard."
"Abnormal."
Pilot grabbed bricks/driver, exasperated—escape prep.
"Time to show driving skills."
"Turning pirate daily."
"Shut up, grab booze, Asuka."
"Hahat! Done."
"Sigh."
Ichigo checked map—rubbed chin.
Four schools?
Tragedy foreseen—shook head.