Chapter 238
Chapter 238
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 238
Chapter Title: Fox God VTuber Climbing the Tower
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The memories of that day were still vivid.
The tower had appeared, China's capital had collapsed, and in the chaos, she had lost her parents—whose faces she could no longer even recall.
She had become a first-generation climber, wandering a hellish place solely to survive.
Days when her body broke down, yet she clung to life by climbing the tower just to stay alive.
She didn't want to die. To live, she had killed, chewed on poisons and garbage, and endured.
Occasionally, she wondered if it all was just a dream, but those memories remained as sharp as ever.
Was it PTSD? Just seeing a tower in the city made her anxiously worry it might collapse, and she felt more at ease prowling alleys than wide sidewalks.
The gazes from people, the emotions she occasionally sensed from the crowds.
Was it a good thing to grow accustomed to countless stares?
She couldn't read, could barely speak, clenched her teeth to survive, and wandered aimlessly.
The 『Korean Tower』 had led her—a girl like that—to the 『Idol』.
It had merely randomly selected a partner necessary for climbing, but reaching the safe Korean tower after ten unrelenting years was something Yu Ying had achieved herself.
She hadn't even relied on the existence of hope or the light shining in the darkness.
She never expected any reward for it all.
Staring into the bathroom mirror, she reminisced about the days when she had arrived here at age 17.
It had been too sudden, partnering with what seemed like a non-human, and she had felt intimidated.
The Idol, the President, the woman she could call Mother, had chosen her.
The tower had selected her, they had debuted together on VTuber streams, and after hearing her story, she had extended her hand, saying it must be fate, so let's go together.
If she had wanted to refuse, she could have politely declined right then.
Life inevitably brings pain and suffering.
Even millionaires, even children born to a nation's king, can't escape suffering.
For them, even trivial things could scar the heart, making comparisons laughable.
Yu Ying loved the poem 『Prayer for Loving Suffering』.
Her childhood lost entirely, days filled only with agony.
Suffering had been faithful to her, unchanging even now.
Even when her soul wandered the depths of the abyss.
Suffering always sat beside her, watching over her.
How could she resent suffering?
Oh suffering, you never leave me, and so I have come to revere you.
"I understand you now. You are beautiful simply by existing."
The suffering that would never vanish had shaped who she was today.
Compared to ten years, these mere two years of happiness made her anxious and fearful.
Someday, would it all vanish like a dream, a fantasy—leaving only wistful memories, soaking her pillow with tears?
The Idol, who listened to her childish whines and slept beside her in bed without needing sleep herself, gave her strength.
She wished she could stay a child forever, though that too was painful, but it seemed time for graduation had come.
Dreaming of those days, standing before the mirror as always, she realized just how much she had grown.
Now, suffering would change form, arising not from environment, others, or the outside, but from within.
From various worries to anxieties about the future and human relationships.
Well, training to grow stronger—to protect what was precious—was suffering she didn't mind.
"What is this?"
The 19-year-old VTuber 『Hajime Ichigo』.
She touched the halo floating behind her back with her hand.
It was just light, floating there, impossible to grasp, but the crown-shaped halo flaunted its divine glow brazenly.
A sparkling golden halo so bright it was a nuisance anywhere she went—she sighed, wondering what to do with it.
Was this what happened right after realizing what the 【Authorities】 accompanying the ranking notification were?
As if offended by her previous ignorance, the radiant, iridescent halo demanded attention as Yu Ying stroked it once more.
"I get that it keeps you up at night with the lights off, but walking around with a mood light on your head? That's a bit much, isn't it?"
Sadako, scratching her belly while wearing only panties, complained that it was too bright to even brush her teeth.
Though they aged together, Sadako truly seemed to have stopped growing entirely.
Asuka, running around naked like a large dog without panties, hadn't changed a bit either.
"Towel rub!"
Slap!
"Towel rubs are for the back, not the crotch, okay?"
"But in Crayon Shin-chan, they did it like this?"
"The anime's ruining kids, seriously."
Seeing her unchanging companions despite the years, Yu Ying inwardly muttered that she hoped her own growth would stop now that she had caught up to Asuka's height.
In the old days, she could ride on the Idol's shoulders, get piggyback rides, and be princess-carried, but now with her bigger size, maybe no more.
"So, what exactly is this 【Dominion】?"
"Ah, you don't know?─It's not time to explain yet."
"Ask Rusalka."
"I did."
The 『Tower』 was paradoxical, perhaps—nothing impossible with enough 『Cost』.
And with the Korean tower's help, the 【East Asian Federation】 was born alongside the 【Emperor】 class.
"Countless kings existed, but they became kings because they held Authorities. They didn't gain Authorities by becoming kings."
Nanna said that in the mythic era, including the founding king, the ancestors were Ascenders with 【Authorities】.
She stated it definitively: Yu Ying was the only one who held royal authority because of an Authority.
The primordial kings who founded nations became kings because they possessed Authorities as Ascenders—so grasping that power was Ichigo's own responsibility.
Climbing Incheon Tower to floor 70 alone, able to climb other towers too, Yu Ying visited Yong Wei while also climbing lower towers in China.
Her other companions could climb other towers simultaneously, so she slowly ascended to 70 while tackling others.
She reviewed her possessed [Skills].
As the king's privilege, using exclusive items to summon soldiers and generals, buff them, and command them—that was her ability.
If they charged directly, she ignored ranged attacks, sliced with her sword, and dodged like plum blossoms in bloom.
"[Skills] aren't everything listed. You can create new ones too─and you're the owner of the 【East Asian Federation】 to begin with. It's weird if you, the greatest Ascender with tower privileges, and the companion owner Wakamo managing the shrine, can't do anything, right?"
As Nanna said, she had simply streamed as a VTuber and climbed.
She hadn't actively done anything as a king since the Vatican Tower war.
Would she be a sage king walking the path of benevolence, or a tyrant on the path of hegemony?
"The path of the pedo sucking off loli master, Yuingmaru-nim."
"I'm gonna kill you for real."
"Or conversely, Emperor becomes the ring! Master is a dog, so dumb!"
"No, seriously."
Deciding to think slowly about how to use the 【Dominion】 Authority, Yu Ying changed clothes.
Everyone was gathering for a meeting about the newly revealed rankings.
They couldn't discuss Authorities or Ether anymore—but after conquering 100-floor towers, the restrictions unlocked; once the tower started providing info, they could speak freely.
Climbers could earn qualifications to select existing Authorities, but everyone was shocked by the absurd brutal conditions.
No one would sacrifice 10,000 lives just to grow stronger.
Conversely, some ridiculous, absurd Authorities existed, and people aimed for those.
Somewhere, someone fervently confessed, "Authority, you're my new master!!"
"Ah, don't bother me while I'm eating."
Sadako waved away the notification visible only to her and poured liquor into her rice bowl, scooping it with chopsticks.
Asuka averted her eyes from the madness of water, rice, soup, sides—all in liquor form—and quietly ate.
"Aren't liquor and alcohol basically the same Authority? With so many talented drunks in the world, why me?"
"How much booze have you had this week, Sadako sis?"
"Dunno, counting while drinking is weird, right?"
She knew Adelheit loved freely creating art with glass bottles.
Architect Jackson was thrilled to build with liquor bottles too.
Rusalka could make glass golems with them──wait, a bit much.
"Everyone ready? Time to head out? We'll eat together."
"Guh, booze is best at group dinners."
"─? Then what was that you just ate?"
"Rice."
It's booze.
The entire 0th generation stared at Sadako in bewilderment.
Sadako joyfully claimed that needing nothing but booze for a healthy body was the best.
Yu Ying sighed watching her crack open a canned beer.
※※※
It was revealed.
No—the tower had announced it itself!!
They must have taken pride in it, for the climbers ascending them!
Was it to demand reverence? Or to etch their strength worldwide?
Even Guardians receiving tower aid and their backers ultimately needed to climb to grow strong.
The tower never granted them free power—even the tower lord who seized bodies couldn't escape that law!
They had to climb—stake lives, surpass deadly trials, shatter and overcome, advance.
Varying by individual or group, even changing content on the same floor—that was the tower.
Unimaginable what awaited, instant death by ambush upon entry possible.
Facing endless limits to reach the 『summit』, climbing the bottomless tower.
—Thus, perhaps the Guardians intentionally revealed the rankings.
To shock and terrify with their strength and Authorities.
For ten long years, they hid in the world's shadows, operating in darkness while disguising in the light.
Trained rigorously, equipped lavishly, yet how far had they climbed?
Of course, diligently enough to choose Authorities.
But the bonuses from 『Perfect Clears』, far exceeding normal rewards, were an advantage ordinary climbers couldn't match.
If they pursued them, continuously claiming those rewards was like flying.
Thus, the gap widened naturally.
Combined with sky-high floor difficulties, Idol's job easing achievements but spiking risks due to her feats.
Ample rewards, doubled difficulty—Ether accumulation differed vastly.
Thus, expectations of Guardian climbers dominating rankings were pipe dreams.
"World, behold!! These are the fiercest climbers──!"
Ranking 1 through 8 were 【East Asian Federation】 climbers!
And undoubtedly the strongest among them!
Excluding solo climbers Kwonwang and Satanist, the remaining six were VTubers.
Even furthermore, if 『Oyama Sadako』 gained an Authority, rankings could shift.
At least 9th or 10th would lose their spot.
Strong.
Simply too strong!!
And how so reassuring? Fans cheered, citizens cheered.
Having honorable, empathetic people as top climbers was this comforting!!
Rest easy, East Asian Federation citizens—we protect you!!
Though unsaid, their ranking names conveyed it.
Naturally, communities blazed hot again from this event.
[Author: NoMoneyUnsubbed]
[Title: So reassuring, upvote lololol]
(Wakamo Corporation VTuber group photo)
Ask who the top VTuber agency is—Japan says Virtual Live.
Korea says Netherworld Idol or Stellar Miss.
But ask "strongest" VTuber? Yu Ying, upvote lololol.
-Ahem, use honorifics.
-VTuber with god-like power.
ㄴLol anyway it's a concept~
ㄴSuperpower concept (real), dragon concept (real).
ㄴA VTuber whose self-intro concepts are all real??
-Can't she just debut as a streamer lololol.
-These are the folks dancing and singing at year-end shows?
ㄴOur White Dragon dropped a new song, listen up.
ㄴWhat, new songs every quarter from this girl?
ㄴDon't wanna be forgotten.
ㄴLololololololol.
-We took 1-8? Untouchable??
ㄴLol if jealous, come at us lololol.
[Author: KraaakHeavenlyWhiteDragon]
[Title: "I'm Not a God"]
"I'm not a god, don't worship me."
"I'm just a normal Idol."
"I cherish, love, and support my believers."
"It's all a concept, just a VTuber."
【Authority】 ruling time and death, but anyway an Idol concept VTuber.
Always truly loves and cherishes her followers.
What she did in myths? Better off not knowing the red pill.
-Thought she was White-Faced Golden Fur, fuck lololol.
-Time and death in myths? Aging too?
-No, this is insane right? Fuck lololol.
-Why two Authorities solo???
ㄴCuz she's the Idol.
ㄴBorn with them lololol.
-Handling death/time, what mythic tier?
ㄴTop five fingers.
ㄴLife's opposite seems shit lololol.
-Why VTuber for real?
ㄴSome VTubers act and sing.
ㄴAnd some climb towers.
[Author: ArmpitExplorer]
[Title: Company Still Insanely Wild]
Korea, China, Russia, Japan unified.
Petty squabbles but tight-knit alliance.
Idol (real), Emperor (real), Dragon (real), Chronos (real), Superpowered (real).
All "concept"-matching as VTubers, but they can actually do it.
Plus tons of affiliated climbers off-ranking.
Can evil org shadows handle this lololol.
-"Split in half and die."
-Actual concert threats all died.
-Why Japan gov still crawling?
ㄴQuiet since ranking reveal.
ㄴ"Real god."
ㄴDon't wanna see insta-kill? Don't test patience limits lololol.
ㄴSome Diet member hired samurai for duel, pure gold.
ㄴNews fun lately lololol.
-Guys, watch the fucking news lololololololol.
ㄴ????
ㄴWtf is this lolololololol.
ㄴGuardians fucked, upvote lololol.
Worries about individuals gaining god-like 【Authorities】 abounded.
But most reacted: Climbers already superhuman like in movies/comics, expected.
And now, the East Asian Federation's most famous—practically core—figures gathered for a meeting.
Naturally, most complaints targeted the tower reading and revealing climber info.
"I get 【Superpowers】, but why this absurd Authority for me?"
"Think of yourself as humanity's evolved result after eons. Sole new human?"
"New human rep is me…?"
Eva wore a grim "that's dark too" expression.
Exhausted Xiao Liang from 12 academies chimed: Then our cute lovable pretty adorable─.
"Too wordy."
"No, my turn too!"
"Self-control, you."
"Loyal heart for Emperor!"
Nanna sharply cut off hyped Xiao Liang's praise; Yong Wei beside her signaled quiet.
Even [Six Freaks] leader present—the Korean Association President just grinned happily.
Never imagined this from first seeing Wakamo—but reality reached here, so pure joy.
【East Asian Federation】 alliances would solidify further from ranking reveal; enemies shrink back more.
"You know those sinking-ship Diet rats betraying Guardians to cling to me now that our great Wakamo-sama's revealed as an even grander god?"
Inari Fox God cackled about fear-struck politicians jumping ship.
Asking how vile humans can be, Adelheit beside her laughed along.
"So I made it a book."
"Hehe, pour you booze?"
Fear wasn't far—right beside.
Her own 【Fear】 Authority [Reaper] silently grilled meat; Inari poured for Adelheit's glass.
"Looking at Yu Ying's other skills, mostly summoning with buffs."
Using [Idol's Lion] skill from Wakamo to wield [Bogartri], summoning [Generals] tied to her bloodline/affinity via imperial seal, fighting.
Plus summoning fans as soldiers—what more needed?
She hadn't even properly used [Pharaoh's Mask]—a subtle item.
[Pharaoh's Mask]
Rank: Relic.
Restriction: Chosen by a god.
Cannot draw true power without owner.
Charm +10
Reason Yu Ying held but never used it.
Fiddling with the mask, recalling pharaohs themselves chosen by gods, she thought even Yong Wei couldn't use it—pointless.
"Don't know 【Dominion】 but─by Emperor's authority, I command!!"
"Nothing happened."
"Info window!!"
Ding─
"National rule indeed."
Recalling Wakamo's thought of separate info like companions, Yu Ying shouted—truly a national governance info window appeared.
As Emperor, explanations popped: proclaim edicts based on loyalty from subjects, including [Tower Coins].
"─[Proclaim Edict]?"
Not in skill list but shouting info window skill name summoned visible window for all.
Rusalka/Wakamo handed Tower Coins; Inari pulled pocket change too—absolute power wieldable.
Structure made sense: low Emperor Authority if subjects' [Loyalty]/[Happiness] dropped.
No new Emperors after Yu Ying, no such federation likely—so test freely.
【【East Asian Federation】 Edict proclaimed! 『Violators of national laws via [Crimes] forcibly teleported to 『Wakamo Floor 3』』—hoping Emperor's subjects obey!】
It worked—everyone stared in shock.
Inari grabbed Yu Ying's hand, drafting new edicts eagerly.
But only Yu Ying could proclaim; others couldn't interfere.
【【East Asian Federation】 Edict proclaimed! 『Hostile Climbers/Ascenders banned from entry』 applies!】
"Can't do extreme coercive stuff, but crime/invasion counters cost few Tower Coins."
Tower Coins scraped from all nearly depleted from Cost, but effects absolute.
No crimes; hostile climbers/Ascenders barred from Federation.
Immediate effect? Rusalka said several Russian tower climbers vanished.
Asuka satellite-confirmed border climbers teleporting, burst laughing.
"But isn't this the end?"
Olga spoke, arms crossed.
—By august Emperor's Authority, no hostiles could invade till her death.
Even secret infiltration fully blocked.
"Then, fair climb battles?"
Target outside Federation, or pure climber prowess if not.
As Sadako said, no more interference, assassination, even terrorism attempts possible.
Pure life-staking tower climbs to compete.
"VTubers risking lives for viewer dopamine unbeatable."
Indeed, lower-rankers couldn't win.
"I, first time acting imperial as Emperor, got a [Skill]."
Yu Ying, shocked at Authority-spawned skill from first emperorly act, shared.
"【Imperial Divine Right】?"
Skill meaning monarch granted authority from gods.
Seemed Yu Ying's path neither sage nor tyrant.
Chosen by gods via 『Idol』's existence—divine king.
"【Death】 Authority recognized her, unlocking [Pharaoh's Mask] restriction."
"Guardians truly fucked."
Yu Ying read mask description: one more [Summon].
Long-reigning but busy VTubing Emperor finally wielded fitting power.
"Then dual-stream Egypt content."
"Shall we?"
But regardless, our young Emperor treasured fans more.
In a sense, a fine king cherishing subjects.
Post-shocking climber rankings, famous 【Emperor】 climber revealed power—communities rioted.
Hajime Ichigo's stream swarmed annoying viewers with question barrages.
[Friends] just laughed at inflows, enjoying the stream.
"By Emperor's authority~ I ban thee~"
-Understood!
-Emperor's command! What're mods doing?!
-Behead trolls!
-Asuka) Fountain show too?
-Mangnani biggest troll lololol.
-Lolololol.
-Chosen by gods Emperor~ lololol.
-Bloodline/proof solid~
World changes or not, they VTubed.
Evil orgs aiming tower dominion wept at successive bad news.
Their fault? Climbed towers less stubbornly than VTubers.