Chapter 237
Chapter 237
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 237
Chapter Title: Tower-Climbing Fox God VTuber Episode 237 (237/483)
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In "Wakamo Layer 1," there's an absolutely massive 【Gallery】 that spans every conceivable genre.
Even famous Japanese artist VTubers have visited and praised the cafe food here.
Of course, there's the minor issue of its average rating being only 3.8 stars, but back in the day, an exhibition run by a genius artist hailed as the one to usher in a new era in Germany had a class all its own.
For starters, thanks to Wakamo's endless support, it's a seven-story building so vast that you'd get lost without a map.
If America's got those cornfields where people vanish, then Wakamo Layer has this place, the subject of "jokes" about how twelve people go missing here every month because it's just too damn big.
Art-starved and thirsty souls flock here to unleash their creativity, display their works freely, and plenty of buyers snap them up.
In a way, you could call it a massive art market for painters.
Of course, the key floors are managed solely by Adelheit, the gallery owner, curator, and docent all in one.
Today, they were set to tour Adelheit's gallery with the A-Team—who lost in "Hoping We're Friends" game—and the viewers.
Stepping through the entrance revealed a pristine, impeccably organized expanse of museum space with a sleek design that defied easy description, drawing awed gasps right away.
-It's really well-built.
-Architect's masterpiece of a lifetime.
-Don't artists and architects usually hate each other?
-LMAO fr.
-But you could just build it like that design.
-Skilled architects and artists are soul partners.
-I've been here before, and yeah, it's impressive.
"Alright, everyone! I'm Adolf Lucia! Today, we're touring Adelheit's gallery! And here are the three A-Team members who lost the verbal showdown~"
"Exploded Asuka here. Is it true you ran away, Honey'S Pipkin Mami-chan? New year, new you—time to find some love~"
"Friends, have a prosperous year ahead. Gloomy Hajime Ichigo here."
"Let me run away from here. The air itself feels ominous!! Every sense in my body is screaming at me to flee!!!"
-Mei, introduce yourself lol.
-The instincts of a beast and spirit are screaming.
-Her thousand-year survival instinct is yelling danger lol.
-Wanna see the gallery's ancient rules steeped in history?
-Neapolitan Gallery's holy pilgrimage site lol.
-I've heard people actually go missing here. For real?
-Nah, no way.
-Then they're just treated as "never existed," no problem.
-Might be on display somewhere.
-Lmao.
"Before we go in, make sure you have your ID cards. Our guards sometimes mistake people without one for artworks and haul them off."
"Pardon?"
-Ears playing tricks on me.
-You? No ID? Then you're art?
-A gallery with living artworks wandering around.
-Didn't see any last time I was here?
-Better not run into them.
-Fr lol.
"It's fine, it's fine. Worst case, our Mei will protect us, right?"
"Yeah, yeah. Foxes are canines, aren't they? With a sturdy guard dog by your side, what worries could there be?"
"Hehe."
-Such a reliable expression~
-Ready to scream and bolt the second something jumps out?
-You gonna trust your back to a Sapa master?
-Emperor, you're really putting faith in Dalki?
-Hands down the funniest face we've seen lol.
-No, why are you so scared lol.
-You won't run, right? Right?
Far beyond mere doubt, Mei Shaolongbao was utterly cowed, her eyes darting every which way.
She clutched the gallery map pamphlet like a treasure, her gaze pitifully analyzing escape routes.
Bonds with comrades? Friendship? Pfft—if a ghost popped out, she'd scream and bolt without looking back.
Not a word was spoken, yet the trust radiating from her expression spoke volumes.
Mami and Ichigo, fully aware of Wakamo's cowardice, said nothing and resigned themselves.
"[Whimper]"
An executioner in guard uniform spotted the trio, tipping his hat in greeting.
"No worries about thieves in our gallery! Best part—no eco-activists sneaking in to sprinkle cornmeal everywhere?"
"Then what's that blood dripping from the executioner's slaughter knife, Lucia?"
"Paint? Artworks sometimes wander off pretending to be people."
"That's even scarier."
Artworks mingling with the visitors?
Rather than explain, Lucia pointed at Adelheit, who was gesturing animatedly to guests, explaining a piece.
Questions arose among viewers and the group—why is she wandering, and who's this Lucia in front of us?—but no one asked.
"Shall we head straight to the sixth floor? Security's tight, by the way. Unauthorized folks get shipped to the 66th by the 'Elevator Corps.'"
"Elevator Corps?"
"Isn't this a seven-story building?"
-"Elevator Corps"
-Are those mouths on the elevators just for show?
-Why's the elevator breathing?
-Uh, stick your tongue in.
-Fuck, it's mimics, not elevators lol.
-Anyway, boxes?
"Mimic elevators! We feed them regularly! Though they sneak junk food sometimes."
"I-I see."
She laughed off "junk food" as rogue artworks that bolted from the gallery—nothing to worry about.
Lately, artworks were multiplying unchecked—ones she didn't even make popping up—and she brushed it off as a minor headache.
Probably self-spawned from her own creations or ones left by visitors, but either way, isn't that a problem?
"On the sixth floor, ignore anyone but us trying to talk or follow you—no guards up there. If they pester, say Lucia's coming? They all scatter from me. I'm hunting them during breaks to display as fine art, but they hide so well."
"Caught any?"
"Nine Adelheits yesterday? They keep multiplying somehow, so I smashed and fused 'em into art."
A massive, chaotic—yet artistic—tangle of crumpled, mangled Adelheits made from machines, clay, glass, paint, and more greeted viewers and the group at the sixth-floor entrance.
"Adelheits who won't obey Wakamo-sama aren't needed, right? We make art for Wakamo-sama, who enables our art—what's the complaint?"
"I-I see."
"Mami, you okay today? You look drained."
"Lost, that's why."
"We've got such strong competitive spirits."
"Yeah, true!"
Giggling, Lucia opened a body bag on the floor, pulled out a wooden Adelheit, hacked it apart with an axe, and wove the pieces into the 『Adelheit's Remains』 sculpture.
"Gulp."
Despite hearing only four people on the sixth—including Lucia—Mei, Mami, and Ichigo broke into cold sweats from the hundreds of presences sensed everywhere.
They knew her art was special, but between VTuber duties and respecting privacy, they'd ignored it.
Now, reflecting on how much "art material" she'd gathered solo-climbing, group-climbing, and amid endless incidents...
Gazes from everywhere, uneasy breaths, frantic footsteps—but no heartbeats.
"Think about it—this is the first time inviting everyone like this, right? You should visit often!!"
-Not often, maybe at retirement.
-Haven't even started and wanna go home.
-Got one at my place, time to light a fire and check.
-Too scary, can I leave?
-Who knows what happens if you try.
-This is an artist's madness???
"But why's this a punishment?"
"Who knows? Would be nice if others came next time."
"Yeah, yeah."
-Lolololololol.
-I can't die alone.
-Can we get out alive today?
-You can get out, just might not be you.
-Saw this in a horror flick.
-Watch the mirrors lol.
"Oh, chat mentioned mirrors—our sixth floor has none? Heads up?"
"No mirrors?"
Lucia explained they'd designed the eerie space from the start to avoid reflections.
Indeed, walls were covered in her abstract paintings, forms hard to discern.
"How horrific must the taxidermy gallery on the fourth be?"
"Don't wanna go."
"Yeah, that's... Sixth is warm with my fan memories!"
Yes, VTubers have fans.
Fans love VTuber-drawn or crafted items, just as VTubers cherish birthday gifts, fun clip tributes, fanart.
Tangible proof of love.
(Done fits there too, but for screen-bound VTubers, visible affection is priceless.)
Following Lucia, hallways and ceilings brimmed with 『Adolf Lucia』 fanart.
From sloppy sketches to teasing doodles, all treasured and framed as art.
Introducing 『Proof I'm Loved』, she declared she'd never craft anything so ecstatic and beautiful.
"Art made just for me, by those who love me pouring precious time into it! Its value, known only to me, makes it all the more special!!"
"My folder of fanart feels like trash now."
"Waa—pretty."
"Mine's here too?"
"Someday, I'll invite fans as 『Fox Spirits』 to tour the gallery!!"
-Just do it now?
-Fr, full horror experience?
-Sounds fun lol.
-VR vibes~
"But mess up, and you might get eternally taxidermied as spirits, no body return."
-Whew, I'll pass.
-Let's stay friendly from afar.
-Fanmeets outside only.
-Some fanmeets are one-way.
-Trapped as fox spirits forever? Immortality?
-Instant death, dumbass lol.
Every word dripped dread. Mami and Ichigo gripped weapons, tense.
Towers allowed exits; here, only stairs from entry—and warnings about nonexistent floors if rushing down.
Felt like the 『Tower of Ascension』.
Nanna's ancient instincts screamed "death trap"—she'd never gone near.
"Ahh, never thought I'd show this—I'm an 【Artist】, right? Used monsters as materials, weaving mediums—like making practical effects in that movie instead of CG. Gave it a shot."
Showing 『Our Fun First Collab』 exhibit.
Inside: an Alien-like killer beast scuttling alive on the walls.
"How's that? Memories vivid, right? Made it move for fun."
"Probably shouldn't move."
"Yeah."
"[SKREEEEEE!!!]"
Tiny inner mouth erupting acid, thrashing wildly.
Lucia gestured "no need," and it meekly toured us.
-That shouldn't be out?
-Crazy lol.
-Memories best as screenshots, ffs.
-Scary lol.
"See that diorama? Sculpted tower moments! Wanted to show viewers—remember 『Pmun』 game's 『Experiment Corporation』 you all suggested?"
Another exhibit: grotesque humanoids shambling.
Exposed muscles, massive greatsword in hand, mouths and eyes sprouting everywhere—a horrific monster addressed us.
"[HELLO]"
"Even popular Nam-mung too! Memories flooding back, SS viewers?"
-V-Vividly, yes!
-If not, it'll make you.
-Wasn't a fan then, spare me.
-Wtf is that abomination alive for lol.
"You loved it, so I made undying lizard Hexapod from that weird foundation too."
A whale-skull-headed whale-reptile hybrid splashed and roared inside.
"Later, as fox spirits, fight 'em game-style! Regenerates too—chase fun, right?"
-S-Sounds fun.
-Canceling fanmeet now.
-Too late, no button.
-No wonder spots were open!!
-Sacrifice for the idol, SS viewers.
-Artist's art perfected by fan hearts.
-Too scary!!
"Saving viewer tributes for later—introducing Ichigo-senpai's 'Emperor Enthronement' moment!"
"Nice work."
"Monster mimicking you was great material."
"Pardon?"
Regretting only one or two more, Lucia eyed Ichigo on the throne in imperial garb.
Seemed sculpture, but blinking eyes made Ichigo avert gaze hastily.
『Monsters』 taxidermied: mimic exteriors if few, or near-perfect originals if plenty.
While Russian scientists slaved and guardians tapped tower tech, Lucia just Artist-class powered through.
'Is this 【Authority】 power?'
Heard from Nanna, but seeing it firsthand awed Mami.
【Artist】 constraints were insane: impossible for normal climbs.
【Can't kill】 + 【Only art skills】—even Wakamo struggled teaching her.
Plus 【No stat gains on climbs】: near-civilian strength.
'—From German tower, like Amelia.'
Amelia: US Tower Lord's 【Tool】.
Adelheit: earned 【Authority】 via conditions—but...
—Planned to use corpse if killed.
[Mediator] + [Six Evils] support blocked assassination; they'd watch her die?
Towers don't make unclimbable classes normally.
Rebound from constraints: aiding Wakamo's climbs unleashed her as a runaway climber.
Why recall: 『Art's terror lies in lacking form or completion』?
Self-proclaimed artist psychos/serial killers see it as art.
Lucia truly artists, but a slight deviation... Mami shuddered imagining.
'No wonder guardians itch to kill our President.'
Ruins plans constantly—eyes roll inevitable.
'—So what's my Authority?'
Then, doubt hit.
Sadako: whiny voices nagging choices.
Olga: dragons test in sleep-dreams.
【Authorities】 annoyingly assert presence.
But Mami/Ichigo: nothing odd—same as Wakamo type.
【First Authority】: self-discover, define form/concept, instill will.
『Tower』 might know, but Rusalka shrugged on Russian lord.
'What Authority does 【Emperor】 hold?'
Ichigo pondered identically.
【East Asia Federation】 bound by her presence, not Wakamo.
System checks crowned/official king Ichigo.
Kings rule freely, but skills yielded no grasp despite climbs.
Unlike Mami blasting blindly, Ichigo shelved unknowns—now vortex deepened watching Lucia.
"Come this way! My displays are messy—lots of collab materials."
Last collab materials? Zombies, obviously.
Piled/dissected corpses paled the group.
Life-size dioramas—even cityscapes ripped into gallery.
" wanna go home, Mami."
"Been here ten years older already—shut it."
"But they won't chase if they move, right?"
"No way."
"Oh, forgot some movers—zombies might wander, so hurry in!"
Zombies lurched from halls instantly.
Winnable fights, but overwhelmed, they fled.
"Total horror game."
"Relax! Locked doors with puzzle keys! Elevators need fuses too."
"So we can't escape even running."
"Got spare ammo?"
-Saw this as arcade shooter.
-Zombies? VR game?
-Wakamo zombie drawing moving lol.
-Wtf museum, this is ruined lab basement.
-Why zombie monkeys, ffs.
-Lololololol.
-If mismanaged, Wakamo Layer 1 dooms????
"Fine! No issue! Prof said book-making skill improved lately."
Opening a door revealed a vast library on fourth—explanation followed.
Blue-haired librarian bustled books beside diligently writing Prof.
Sixth messy but prettifying; inquiries flooded, so showing revamped fourth.
"Used to display nasty criminals like Satyros Legendaries as pics/sculpts. Thefts, swaps—big issues."
Gallery losses intolerable—she puffed cheeks angrily.
Doubled security with Prof help.
"I make art; Prof catalogs art/nonliving into 『Books』."
"Indeed, folks! Rest easy! Climbers committing crimes now neatly booked!"
"Oh, librarian's Tin Can-kun from our game with fans."
-Why tin can lol.
-Has a fine name! Right?!
-Gorgeous prison.
-Sweet smile, insane words.
-Heard climber crimes punished harsher.
-More importantly, those film directors/writers??
"Books hold life experiences—learn serial killers'/Satyros thoughts for art inspo. Many visit fourth library."
"Waa~ Amazing~"
"Heard they handle it, didn't expect this."
"Friends, no crimes."
Via stream, Lucia hyped future viewer collabs(?), gallery promo, crime deterrence lessons(?), beaming proudly.
"No need nagging truths—book 'em, solved!"
"Teaming up enables so much—proud!"
Maya-caught Antarctic [Guardian]'s Antarctic life/experiments in one book—she beamed it to viewers.
Prof added: no expiration(?) = eternal display. No crimes.
Mere touring near-fainted them on Authority terror.
"See our members central? Carved personally from marble!"
"Phew."
"Relieved?"
"Material intact."
Blasphemous, but Mami noted marble statues' beauty realization.
"As VTuber, we craft fun streams/memories for fans—but fan works infused with heart/love empower us!! Someday, greater love repaid!! Expect much!!"
-Spare us spare us spare us!!!!
-Please separate us, please!!!
-Bad luck, we're exhibits?
-Fan's eternal love proof.
-Lolololololol.
-No!!!
-But could make us cute girls?
-Wanna go suddenly.
-Please figurine my soul.
-Crazy bastards lol.
-Partner-making principle?
"Stream smashed today!!"
Beaming Lucia pitched "Fun scammer life?" via reading.
Screw reading—check beds for Adelheits—they waved smiling.
Group farewell capped punishment stream when global notice popped.
【Climber info with tower entry records updating worldwide!】
【Rankings including 【Authorities】 public!】
"—Tch, suspicious."
Mami tilted at "entry record climbers" limit.
Authority haves/don'ts split rankings sharply.
【Climber Ranking】
1.【Idol】 Wakamo Inarizushi. 【Authorities: Death, Time】
2.【Artist】Adelheit von Bismarck 【Authority: Creation】
3.【Man-Eater】Amelia Clear Mason 【Authority: Cannibalism】
4.[Fist King] Oyama Masahiko 【Authority: Martial Arts】
5.【Emperor】Yu Ying 【Authority: Dominion】
6.【Zemmu】Olga Romanova 【Authority: Dragon】
7.【Esper】Aiba Harper Eloine 【Authority: Psychokinesis】
8.【Satanist】Elisei Bon 【Authority: Demon King】
9.【Holy Swordsman】Alexander Doherty 【Authority: Holy Sword】
10.【Crow God's Priest】Gauti Bor Warden 【Authority: Mystery】
"......"
"......"
Ranked by floor + Authority strength, seemingly.
First glance: fair if true, thanks—but...
Non-Legendary Fist King boldly 4th; Mei shook head.
Not strong Authority—climber just OP.
Conquered four towers, as said last meet.
"No wonder Sadako job-hunted."
Dad too strong, burdensome.
Shared sentiment likely unanimous.
"Guardians truly fucked."
How's their pushed hope bottom-ranked?
" Dominion what?!"
Ichigo plunged into chaos.
Fitting Emperor, but what even is it?