Chapter 232
Chapter 232
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 232
Chapter Title: Fox God VTuber Climbing the Tower
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"What do we do about this?"
"Don't ask me."
Manager Won Da-hye broke into a cold sweat as she looked down at the scene, where only the VR headset remained abandoned.
Inside the game, [Zombie Wakamo] had suddenly burst out, wielding a divine authority and declaring death upon them. Mei Shaolongbao had exploded in rage.
Of course, since it was just an avatar, even instant death could be fixed by resummoning it. But even the real Mei Shaolongbao in the real world had exploded.
【Divine Authority】 was, after all, a power close to that of a god.
The will produced by human souls called 【Ether】 taking conceptual form...
Even the [Professor] had said it was something beyond human science's ability to explain.
But still, dying in real life just because you died in a game? Wasn't that dangerous?
"Um, could it be that we're right at the starting point of the apocalypse storyline?"
"The resurgence of human civilization alongside the emergence of the towers, only to be destroyed by the occult through scientific advancement..."
Had they invested in creating the latest VR gear, only to make it too damn good?
Manager Won Da-hye pondered with the other managers how to handle this crisis.
"Uh, what do we do about Wakamo?"
"She's passed out."
Producer Rias had lost consciousness from sheer terror, foaming at the mouth.
Beside her, Kang Yeo-ul, who was supposed to be working with her, lay face-down on the floor with a smiling expression, completely motionless as if asleep.
Even shaking and slapping her didn't elicit a response—it was like the connection between the game world and outside had been severed.
Manager Won Da-hye, who knew this hadn't happened even inside the 【Tower】, racked her brain for the cause.
"At least Wakamo won't get bitten and turn into a zombie, right?"
Would an idol without a physical body really get infected by a zombie virus?
Even if everyone else turned, she held onto hope that Wakamo could just climb one floor of the tower with her and it'd be cured.
That was before Zombie Wakamo popped out.
★★★
"[I feel weird... My stomach's acting up, senpai...!!]"
"Isn't it evolving or something?"
The two who had lost sight of [Zombie Wakamo] while chasing after her in zombie makeup had hidden in a safe spot, disguised.
Then Rusalka started whimpering about inexplicable pain in her gut.
It was hard to describe, but as tower lord, this unfamiliar agony was a first—she was sweating bullets.
"[It feels like the pain you get from entering someone else's tower without permission.]"
The Russian tower lord couldn't freely go anywhere.
Limited to the 【East Asian Alliance】, and near the influence of Wakamo's [My Worlds], that's the extent she could roam.
Stray too far into another tower's domain, and excruciating pain hit. Enter an enemy tower uninvited, and the 【Tower Lord】 functions would shut down.
If that happened, she'd have to be recovered and rebooted for the 『Russian Tower』 to run again.
It was no different from her 『brain』 wandering without its body—she bore great risk as the representative.
So she understood this pain wasn't from unauthorized entry into a tower's domain.
This was... what was it? Like rejection symptoms from a body transplant?
Lucia hoisted the feverish, boiling-hot Rusalka on her back and rushed to a pharmacy, feeding her antipyretics.
The fever subsided like magic.
"—Game items actually work?"
Why?
★★★
"The civilization I lived in barely scraped by with a few million, tops ten million. Now humanity's at eight billion."
"You're dragging this out."
The truth Nanna knew precisely: the 【Tower】 aimed to turn humans into gods.
Humanity's will, wishes, obsessions piling up from ancient times formed the massive towers, she said.
Even as one called a god, she'd tried investigating the towers' origins. She inferred that today's towers weren't one but sprouting worldwide "nation"-sized based on modern ones.
"It must seem ancient. Honestly, after dropping meteors or plagues—who'd think older civilizations survived? Think about it: Earth runs civilizations like seasons."
"That's pretty amazing."
"No humans, no towers. So current towers favor humans, climbers included. Those that don't are from the past-knowing side."
The 【East Asian Alliance】 towers slowly built records, nurturing climbers to ascend—nothing grandiose like making gods.
They just got climbers to climb; that was their purpose.
"Then cases like the Vatican or US tower lords taking over bodies to climb themselves?"
"Uh... well, originally all will converged on one 【Ascension Tower】, but it scattered every which way? Nations have different vibes, right? Probably that."
"So ultimately, you're the cause of this mess!"
"I worked to preserve human civilization? Praise me?"
"You did great!! So, calmed down now?"
"You'll never get how I lived. Wanna see?"
"No thanks on the empathy."
Either way, stealing human bodies meant nothing for towers.
Human bodies were vessels for souls; the form didn't matter.
The US tower lord knew that, merging with Amelia to control—but it backfired spectacularly.
"Reach the tower top, actually become a god?"
"No one knows."
Nanna stubbed her nearly finished cigarette on the ground, answering firmly.
Gods were omnipotent saviors—vague, hazy even back then.
Called gods, but full of mere idol-like figures. Now? No idols, just clearer philosophies on gods.
-What're they talking about?
-Smoking that cig like it's delicious.
-Hard-boiled as fuck.
-Criminal and cop handcuffed—movie vibes.
-Do this in a zombie flick, lose a hand ㅇㅇ.
-Day 2, let's survive hard.
"It's only day 2, pissing me off, so I vented."
"Nah, it's like watching Naughty Dog's new game trailer—heart sinks. Cute friends? Whatever spawns, that's enough."
"Damn, you say the hardest-to-get shit. No wonder you're single."
"Your son Zeus."
"Ah, oof? Call me a bitch instead, you damn cop."
"Dragging you home like this, you'd beg for home cooking and cheese sticks on the side like a mom."
"Can't talk short sentences? Got a disease?"
"Writing diaries on rocks, thought you were a monkey!"
They grabbed each other's cheeks, stretching them out and growling.
-Your son Zeus is savage;;;
-Family disgrace.
-Tsk, thunder gramps has style.
-Greeks fuck men too!!
-Hood's no exception.
-Their bickering's so refined lol.
Bickering briefly aside, they had to survive five more days in this hell, so they moved.
Unknown grotesque monsters roamed the city. Secure food, then weapons, set up a safe base.
Her wrist bore an old geezer unfit even for priority seating, but Mami planned meat shield duty if needed.
"Sorry to say it, but as fellow VTubers, let's keep minimum loyalty."
"Why the sudden change?"
"Nah, you just eyed me as meat shield."
"Nanna, are you an esper right in front of me?"
"Viewers think so too!!"
-Eyes scary af lol.
-Saw this in a movie lmao.
-Ah, don't wanna lose an arm~.
"Anyway, let's head outside."
Caught, no choice—she groaned, prying open the sewer lid and climbing out, only to lock eyes with waiting zombies.
Aggro even underground? No escape, her head got properly bitten.
"Kyaaack!!"
"Haa."
Mami got snatched skyward by zombies in a flash, Nanna dragged along, squeezing out power in resignation.
Zzak—
"Anyway, let's head outside."
"Wait wait, wouldn't sewers be safer?"
"Didn't ask the criminal—Kyaaack!!"
"Haa."
Ignoring Nanna, Mami psychically rocketed up, only to get swarmed and bitten flat.
Zzak—
"Anyway, let's head outside."
"Hey! No future-sight powers?!"
"Nope? If I did, no way I'd play this—Kyaaack!!"
"Oh, please."
Zzak—
"Anyway, let's head outside."
"Climb and die. Rewound time, ya know? Exhausted, listen?"
"Why trust you?"
"Your viewers."
-lolololololol.
-Wtf how???
-lololololol.
-Retry 3 times.
-Time power gag only.
-Just pain? Lolol.
-Aw, Mami.
-Criminal or not, teammate!!
-Robin in One Piece is criminal but teammate!!
-Fr lol.
"Rewound a limited area?"
"Game world, how's that possible?"
"Don't ask me!!"
"But sewer lid's open?"
"Uh."
Zombies poured in belatedly.
Nanna and Mami? When'd we fight?—they gripped hands tight, bolting without looking back.
Zombies chased the duo sprinting through sewers at breakneck speed.
Barely surfacing, they kept running nonstop.
"You fight well, fight some!!"
"Got an idea!!"
Mami pointed at the hardware store ahead; Nanna dove in for weapons first.
From hammers to saws, tools galore—Nanna snatched a short scythe, handing it to Mami.
"Remember, Mami. Don't break form! You're the 'scythe'!!"
"Get a lawyer! I'll sue!!"
Nanna lifted Mami gripping the scythe two-handed into position.
Too short? Using me as the handle? Ridiculous—but Nanna was dead serious.
"Got it...!! Your name is... Myeong-gyeom 'Yankee Storm'!!"
"Not time for cool names—!! Iosif!!! Lucia!!! Anyone, help!!!"
"Chronos Chapter 7!!"
"Move name too?!"
"VTuber, so I named it!!"
"Speechless, damn it!!"
Nanna swung Mami like a massive scythe, slicing zombie necks.
Swept horizontally, Mami's belly shoved a lunging zombie's chest, thigh-tripped it, finished.
"Thick body's perfect offense-defense!! Best weapon!!"
"Respect women's rights!!"
"Dieter, why so heavy?"
"XXXX!! XXX!!"
-lololololol.
-lololo.
-lololololol.
-Wtf lololo.
-Shooting a skit? Lolololol.
"Mom shield!!!"
"Kuhk! It's Mami?!"
"Esper shield!!"
"Damn criminal bitch!! My name's form's gone!!"
Nanna flawlessly swung Mami to guard and repel zombie attacks.
Viewers would applaud her stunning rotational defense—on asphalt, she massacred.
"See old folks surviving this era? Think 'survivor'!!!"
-Wow, insane aura!!
-Menopause aura?
-Crazy bitch lolol.
-Spews random shit???
-Both mid-20s.
-VTubers mid-20s = old!!
-Say that, room mod wipes you!!
※※※
"Asuka smiled watching pediatric hospitals, didn't expect to experience this."
"Nah, trapped in a game—life's full of wild shit."
"What do we do about our president?"
Managers must hold massive grudges against us.
No other way this happens.
"Asuka's stats boosted by owner's buff patch."
"So, what're you seeing?"
【Wakamo is climbing Tower Floor 1】
Tower of the 【Idol】 receiving countless faiths.
Treated as 【Ascension Tower】 via faith.
Exists by 【Korean Tower】's [Cost].
Holds [Ether] from all believers.
Cheers your [Ascension] journey.
※Conditions met.
-[Ascender] exists.
-[Tower bestowing trials] exists.
-[Idol]'s faith exists.
-Holds 1+ [Babel Fragment].
[Platinum Achievement Conditions]
-Eliminate boss monster summoned by [Russian Tower] (0/1).
"We're climbing a pseudo【Ascension Tower】now."
Understood 【Tower of Babel】, but mediator's struggles against 【Ascension Tower】—wasted?
Conditions not just tough, but "don't meet them"—yet Wakamo Corp nailed it.
One climber with believers, faith, idol status, personal ownership layer, 3 Babel Fragments.
Plus Russian tower lord, sole living [Ascender] Nanna.
Know conditions, who'd question how?
"So Wakamo Floor 1 is tower interior, VR 'entry' counts as floor—and Rusalka summoned boss?"
"Then we're inside tower? Who gives rewards? Wait, can't use skills?"
"Difficulty's bullshit."
"Shoulda listened to grandma, treated her like demented old hag."
"Hey."
-Pyret lololol.
-Viewed Nanna like that? Lolol.
-Wow! New tower!! New gimmick!!
-Every day more fucked shit.
-Skills(sealed), gear(sealed), boss(strong).
-lololololol.
-No wonder all die ffs lolol.
-Same as barehand T-Rex.
Anyway, made tower-like floor inside, conquer it? Didn't expect.
Armed meagerly, sighed at puny gear.
Pyret lucked knuckles, Ichigo fire axe, Asuka tiny hammer.
Three regretted why Nanna freaked over no 【Divine Authority】—now got it.
But hard(?), unknown, can't get—what to do?
"Survive 7 days steadily."
Must be [Gimmick]. Had to believe.
Gazing at majestic white dragon soaring, escaped hotel day 1 trio headed school.
"Take pic!! No president!! Give up????"
"Necessary sacrifice."
"Crew!! Chart course!!"
-Nearby school?
-No need far.
-We'll pigeon ㅇㅇ.
-lolololol.
-VTubers trapped in VR.
-Survival content?
-Membership vids multiplying!!
"Rapode had 4 too!!"
"Game, no kung fu skills?"
"Different zombie game!!"
0th gen trio fought pure physique with crude weapons.
Days with Wakamo taught martial arts—not useless, unleashed musou.
Asuka smashed zombie skulls with hammer in narrow alley.
Pyret jabbed faces upfront, crumbling encirclement.
Ichigo axed window-breakers, rooftop fallers, trippers.
Perfect sync like one person—Oldboy one-take vibes.
Asuka hurled belt driver like shuriken aiding Pyret; Pyret shield-dashed trash lid guarding Ichigo.
Ichigo's instinct pointed shattered window.
"Jump!"
Blind trust, dove through; Ichigo followed, axed wall—debris sealed it.
-Zombie movie vibes.
-Not normies, different classes lolol.
-Karate blackbelts this strong!
-Survival pro Ichigo-sensei.
-So prez's school?
-No map, no streets.
-Fucked lololol.
Rest slow, confirmed mart entry—barricaded door, looted ate.
Started VR sensation, now tasted canned food, fatigue quick.
"Stats, but tire fast—weird?"
"Mental strain?"
"Canned crab ok for Asuka?"
"Worried about nothing?"
"Lightning form, network escape if needed?"
-Fuckin bitch lolololol.
-Survival struggle with tourist player.
-Just log out.
-Fine! It's a dream!
-Ah lolol instant get.
-Aw Asuka plz!!!
-Why no friendship in this VTuber group???
-Climber group.
【Day 3 arrived】
"..."
-?
-???
-Why, we visible?
-Wtf?
【Raises difficulty befitting 7 ascenders climbing.】
【『Wakamo Inarizushi: Grand Master』 confirmed.】
【『Nanna Chronos』: 『Ascension Tower Top Conquest Record』 confirmed.】
【Reads ascenders' deepest fears—】
【Deploys 2,000 undead monsters incl. Executioners.】
【Acid rain corrodes buildings day; undead 3x stronger night.】
"Gimme weapons!!!"
"At least guns!!"
Got why Nanna said your tower's easy-mode.
7: Wakamo, Pyret, Ichigo, Lucia, Iosif, Nanna, Mami ascenders/climbers.
Rusalka/Asuka exceptions, still problematic.
Shwaaaaa—!
"Cars melting."
"Real acid rain."
Umbrella for acid? Nah.
Cars formless in 30sec. Ceiling melt audible.
Bag food weapons, huddled planning survival desperately.
No joke, die before day 4!!
【Idol's Dance Ban stops acid rain!】
Some hope.
Murderous intent to crush—vicious floor.
9 together, winnable!!
....
"Why no one here!!"
Wakamo, bag in empty school, desperately called members.
Sudden pseudo-Ascension Tower floor.
Vowed never VR at home, dual chairs smashing zombies.
Anything grabbed = weapon miracle—pencils pierced two at once.
No skills sans authority, near-normal body—insane, but did it.
-Wtf crawling floor 3 teacher.
-Pencil skull-pierce possible?
-Scythe gum off neck ok?
-Anything = weapon.
-John Wick? Lolol.
-John Wick'd flee prez.
"Rooftop base, rain fucked it!!"
Floor 3 melting, rushed down to cafeteria for food.
Ingredients probably spoiled, but mop handle gripped—no choice.
【Idol's Dance Ban stops acid rain!】
"Huh? Mei's alive?"
Felt connection at login, snapped later.
Thought doll unconscious, auto-moving via skill?
No skills, yet method—brushed off.
Spotted beast dancing field from 2F window.
Acid-tattered clothes, melting flesh zombie.
"Wtf that?"
"【Die】!"
Invisible death strike—mop cleaved it.
Data-fading mop tossed, quick decision.
Bounce.
Zombie Wakamo's flaming hands—sped up.
No warn, idol flames blasted—leapt opposite 2F window.
Falling Wakamo stomped zombie heads, ninja-dashed.
No grab chance, somersaulted across, spring-legs vaulted school wall landing.
-Plumber? Triple jump.
-Zombies dumbfounded lololol.
-Didn't expect head-stomp run.
-High skill movement stays.
-Just instant obituary.
Chopsticks stuck wall, stepped climb to roof escape.
-????
-Wtf ninja ffs.
-Zombies can't chase.
-Zombie prez dumbfounded??
-Zombie prez can't wall? Lololol.
-Joints ache.
-Tears.
-But escape pro af lolol.
-Fight pro = escape pro.
-3rd rate as woman?
-Prez wrecked countries?
-Oof.
-Crazy bastards lolol.
"Bye, shitheads!! I'm free!!"
Mooning rooftop, mocking can't-catch cripples—acid-soaked Iosif crashed atop.
Kwaang—
Collapsing building.
Deafening roar everywhere.
"Retard?"
Zombie Wakamo's quip.
Scriptless reality unbelieve—sigh viewers.
Provoke, heavenly dragon punishment timing—Won Da-hye forehead-slapped watching.