Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Fox God VTuber Climbing the Tower
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Just a moment ago, I was agonizing over how illusions only get bigger and bigger with no end in sight.
Wakamo let out deep sighs as she hid Japan's cultural heritage—a genuine article, no less—inside her body on a whim.
She had practiced storing things this way, but the fact that even a sword inside her felt utterly natural left her with nothing but the thought that she really wasn't human.
King of Fists Oyama Masahiko was excitedly inspecting the 『Idol's Shrine』 in what used to be the training hall—now slated for conversion into shrine grounds—like he'd received some priceless treasure.
It looked just like a miniature shrine, complete with shrine gates and the shrine itself, resembling nothing so much as an exquisitely crafted luxury ornament.
This shattered Wakamo's common knowledge that companions were typically formed by designating 『massive buildings』.
Shaman associations existed divided by family lines, and dojos were categorized into styles like Shinto Munen-ryu, Hokushin Itto-ryu, and Keishin Myoji-ryu.
Japan was thus enjoying yet another golden age in many ways, with droves of foreigners coming to learn martial arts.
Korea had some to a certain extent, but not in great numbers, and China was effectively wiped out as far as companion forces went—you could say that without exaggeration. The Shaolin Temple was pretty much it, which conversely meant everything else... Well, that country's just reaping what it sowed.
Anyway, enough of that.
Having become the head of a companion, she now had the duty to manage it.
But it was just a tiny shrine, and the membership condition was possessing an idol, so only Wakamo qualified.
"Only idols can join...? It must be divine. Once it regains its power, the shrine will grow bigger and such...?"
The King of Fists, despite his appearance, was a man who lived for such delightful fantasies.
She had no intention of denying his happy dreams, so she answered with silence.
The misunderstanding had already ballooned beyond repair...
Having gone all-in on her RP and sworn to herself to protect the Fox God VTuber Wakamo... as long as it didn't get exposed, Wakamo decided to live shamelessly until the day she died.
Maybe the Tower's just poking to see how long this idiot will keep it up?
While he was seriously debating with his disciples whether they needed to gather at the shrine for offerings, Wakamo quietly checked her newly acquired skill.
How was the skill named 【Broadcast Points】? Our Tower's more MZ than I thought.
Well, the Incheon Tower is on the younger side, age-wise...? Seems a bit early for VTuber viewing, though.
【Broadcast Points】 (Job-Exclusive Skill)
-You can bestow blessings on believers using points accumulated from broadcasts.
Current Points: 542.
'I have no idea if that's a lot or a little... What kind of blessings can I give to believers...?'
She read it carefully, and the earlier mention of opening her eyes nagged at her, so she tugged at her eyelid—it opened, and she closed it wordlessly.
So that's it... I could see even with my eyes closed...
What kind of freakish body is this...? Well, it's only been two months, so I can take my time figuring it out.
"Let's always live positively in everything."
[No blessings available for use]
Otherwise, the stress might make me explode and reincarnate as the real great yokai Wakamo or something.
No, fuck~ Tower dude.
You give me a skill as a reward and then make it unusable—what am I supposed to do?
Lives hang on a single skill in Tower climbs, and you're messing with me now?
You give me a bladeless sword that stirs up political shit. I'm already dying of anxiety over the imperial seal, and now you hand me a genuine Japanese divine sword. If they find out I have it, Japan will want to hunt me down and take it back... What ritual am I supposed to do with this?
Still, thanks for making it a cool-looking Japanese sword.
Thinking about it, since the blade's blunt and decorative, it doesn't violate any laws. You're so thoughtful, it's bringing tears to my eyes.
Or maybe, since my job is VTuber, giving me a real sword would hit job restrictions and I couldn't wield it, so you made it like this?
"Who am I even talking to...?"
Sitting there lamenting her fate felt pathetic.
How long had she been sitting and waiting like that? Won Da-hye the manager arrived with two men she'd never seen before, following behind her. They bowed their heads in greeting toward her.
Her mood was sour, but etiquette demanded a response in kind—then an elderly woman with an extraordinary aura passed her by and delivered a flying kick to the bound ninja. Not satisfied, she grabbed him by the hair and slapped his cheeks. Wakamo wasn't sure what to say.
She was so stunned by the sheer audacity that her face went blank.
"Sorry about that. With all the yokai extermination nonsense... there are a lot of lunatics lost in weird delusions. As you can see, this guy's a Legendary class ninja, but he's so detached from reality it's severe. I'm Watanabe Tomoko, chairwoman of the Japan Climbers' Association."
"It's fine. I was wondering... Isn't that the 『Dragon's Super Ninja』 cosplay? It's made perfectly identical."
She recognized it at a glance, but the ninja looked up at her in shock, like, *You know it?*
When she said she was a fan, he made some indescribably complicated expression before bowing his head deeply.
"We were comrades... Sob sob..."
"It's a god game, though."
"You deceived me!!!"
The doctors said it was an evil yokai! raged the ninja, furious at being tricked. But anyone with half a brain could see otherwise... Wasn't his head just too empty?
The chairwoman gestured to the disciples standing around dumbfounded and ordered them to drag him away. Whether she visited often or not, they didn't complain and handled it smoothly.
The King of Fists was sitting in full lotus, and Wakamo, sitting with her legs splayed like a yangban, wondered if she should correct her posture when the chairwoman spoke first, offering an apology.
"For starters, we've gotten government approval to use the 『Tower Climb Permit』. They're probably expecting you to generate some profits, Wakamo. Plus, your appearance is just perfect for being loved in Japan. I think it'd be more natural for you to stay here."
The chairwoman was blatantly flirting, and Won Da-hye the manager was glaring daggers at the back of her head with a betrayed look.
The young man who seemed to be a congressman, sitting beside her, was wiping sweat furiously with a handkerchief as he handed Wakamo an official approval document stating the government permitted the Tower entry from the government's side.
She skimmed it and passed it to the manager beside the chairwoman, who shrugged her shoulders and puffed up with pride for some reason.
Politics is so complicated. Even my insignificant actions feel laden with meaning...?
"So... this person is...?"
"Ahem, I called him."
"I'm from the Kyoto Tourism Bureau. We'd like permission to use the shrine you've built for Wakamo at the King of Fists' dojo for tourism purposes."
"Will that bring in a lot of tourists?"
"It'll increase initiates too!!"
The official said it, then glanced nervously at the King of Fists, wondering if he'd been too blunt. Straight up, it was a request to commercially exploit it in a mercenary way.
It didn't matter where she put it anyway. Building goodwill would make coming and going to Japan easier... and getting close to the King of Fists promised plenty of future benefits. If anything, Wakamo felt a pang of conscience about taking money for a shrine only she could use.
"No problem."
"Then, about the profit-sharing ratio..."
"Ah, no need for money. Please collab with VTubers often instead. Honestly, more than me, push the black-and-white fox duo from Virtual Alive as much as possible."
"Th-that... is enough...?"
"Yes."
"Got it!! Thank you!!"
She wondered if it was too absurd a request, but the tourism bureau actually benefited from collabs too, so they were gauging her reaction.
Meanwhile, the King of Fists was sending her intensely hot gazes, moved that she wanted no profits.
Good thing my vulgar, greedy side didn't show.
If I can see frequent collabs between Blackroom Fox and MioGod, I'll be happy.
She'd just cherish dreams of collab days, happiness, and maybe a little edge since she was the one who suggested it—a modest wish(?), that's all.
I did great praying at the Inari Shrine!!
Wakamo had zero interest in what kind of looks or misunderstandings others had, so she had no plans to ask.
The tourism bureau, relieved it went better than expected, was discussing future plans with the King of Fists. The congressman was watching her expression, and the moment talk wrapped up, the chairwoman unrolled a map of all Japan and asked which Tower she planned to climb.
.......Wait, tablets exist these days, and you're using a real map? So analog...
She wanted to pick somewhere near Tokyo, but that was probably impossible.
Japan seemed to have branded her thoroughly as an evil great yokai from Korea come to deceive humans. Better to play in her safe zone of Kyoto, and once [VTuber Model] updated, change appearances and tour then.
"There's an Inari Shrine in Kyoto too, so how about the Kyoto Tower?"
"Ah... I see. They said they were disappointed there were no real shrine maidens."
"Well, times are what they are. It's natural they'd disappear."
"But true martial artists remain in this era. Young folks these days mock the King of Fists, saying Tower climbing isn't a sport and going in bare-handed where lives are at stake is for gorillas—such a headache."
"Maybe they haven't experienced it themselves."
"Exactly! This problem child is one of those types too..."
"Failing the ambush and not even introducing himself? Disqualified as a ninja."
"You've got a lot of experience! Haha!"
"I've seen plenty."
She bantered with the chairwoman while leisurely sipping green tea and thought.
That whole exchange... Our Japanese chairwoman seems totally misunderstood.
The King of Fists, the bound ninja, our manager—all looking at her with sparkling eyes full of misconceptions.
What I meant was ninjas from anime and manga. I'm just a regular VTuber otaku, you know...??
But she wouldn't let it show. Her life was on the line for VTuber RP.
"By the way, professors say the origins of Inari Shrine are from Silla..."
"The Nihon Shoki says the Hata clan is from Baekje."
"Could Wakamo be the true owner of Inari Shrine...?"
"No, Da-hye. Many think Inari is a fox god, but Inari itself isn't a fox. Foxes are the servants Inari commands. The famous white-and-red fox form?"
"But Wakamo's black-and-red...?"
"Yin-yang balance or something..."
Mutter mutter.
Just sipping green tea, yet this seat felt so awkward.
Was she coming off like a fox god reminiscing about ancient times crossing to Japan long ago, sitting on the veranda gazing at the scenery? If the real Inari God saw, she'd be too ashamed to lift her head.
The Tower's turning me into a con artist!!!
Thinking about it, con artists do fall under idols!! Damn you, idol worshipper!!
I really can't stay in Japan.
Last time I came, some old fogey picked a fight over my Korean-language jacket, delinquents hurled abuse. Now I've made bank, come openly, and they call me a climber and hunt VTubers as monsters.
Japan's way too rough...
"Let's register at the Kyoto Tower and—"
Boom.
I wanna go back to Korea.
She snatched the flying door mid-air and stopped it. Beyond rude, these ruffians were outright mannerless as they poured in through the main gate.
Wakamo had been moving to head to the Tower, so it looked perfectly like she was anticipating and greeting the intruders. Whispers from behind like *She noticed already...? True master...* made her sad. Sharp ears are nothing but trouble.
More importantly, I need to pick up Yu-ing... Leave me alone.
Manager, is it okay not to look after your own VTuber...?
I wanted to try a luxury hotel breakfast!! Experience hotel service!!
"Why do you defend this evil yokai?! The Japan Shaman Association will handle it!!"
"A monster popped out from Tower collapse, yet you call yourself a climber and a god!!"
"Before it bewitches and devours people, we'll exterminate it!!"
Old men united in righteous fury. The elders were impressively spry.
The robes onmyoji wore... kariginu, right? Sleeves start with slits showing inner garments, wide and flat sleeves. Seeing it in person felt like a movie set. Suits you well, gramps.
'Uh... what did the manager say shamans' jobs were?'
The [Shaman] basic class branch [Onmyoji]...
With the Towers' appearance, clans like Abe, Tsuchimikado, Kuzunoha, and Kamo entered [Companions] to receive [Common Skills], changing jobs. After that, the typical onmyoji vibe? Towers provided slightly different [Skills] per clan.
The commonality: specialized in [Exorcism].
Shikigami that auto-intercept by chasing life force, fires burning on opponent's energy or stamina as fuel, curses binding and debuffing foes, etc.
Endless examples, but Wakamo wondered why she'd let the manager's explanation go in one ear and out the other.
'Oh, I was lost in VTuber collab merch thoughts and totally forgot.'
Why stride in so boldly at dawn when there are assailants?
"The Kuzunoha clan onmyoji commands! Tear the foe apart, [Shikigami White Flame Fox]!!"
"Movement forbidden in the solemn gods' domain—[Binding Chains]!!"
"Vomit blood and collapse under the curse... [Lamenting Grudge]...!"
Ooh... Using [Skills]—so flashy. Eye candy?
Talismans burned as foxes lunged, golden chains from the onmyoji wrapped her, some wraith passed through her body. Felt like a real onmyoji experience—starting to enjoy it.
...Well, yeah. She'd learned a bit about climber fights later.
Job matchups existed.
In that sense, Wakamo had the worst matchup against [Onmyoji]—practically an onmyoji slayer.
Spin spin—
The [White Flame Fox] targeted Wakamo's area, wandering in circles searching for its goal.
The all-white flame fox was so pretty she snapped pics and tried petting it, but it was ethereal and ungraspable—disappointing.
"Why isn't it attacking?! It's right there!!"
No, it needs life force to target and bite me.
The poor fox just spun in circles obeying its master.
Then a disciple muttered, "Having a fox attack a fox god...?" souring the mood. Head down, whimpering pitifully—it was heartbreaking.
"Wh-what?! How can it move bound by [Binding Chains]?!"
"Because this world's gravity binds my soul."
Regrettably, Earth itself bound her. She quoted an anime line she'd always wanted to.
Not kidding—the mana ghost fixed to horizon coordinates. Always gravity-bound, so bindings don't stick. She hadn't known, but anyway... Gravity-form bindings don't work.
"Then the grudge spirit...? No good against evil great yokai! You fiend!!"
"Hey, I didn't say anything. Self-Q&A much?"
Well, Wakamo was always full condition.
Of course!! No debuffs land!!
No, first off, no human organs. She learned her eyes' shocking truth today! Maybe no brain either!!!
Anyway, [Onmyoji] had no mana burn to worry about. Life-extinguishing class.
She strolled casually toward the onmyoji; their earlier bravado gone, they backed away monster-eyed.
"Receive the purified exorcism blade to slay the yokai!!!"
Not giving up yet, a youngish onmyoji gripped his sword and lightning-thrusted. She stopped it with fingers.
"Eh?"
Pinching the blade betwixt index and thumb, she flipped the wielder up like a balloon, admired his shocked face, shook him lightly—he couldn't hold and tumbled rolling.
"Wanna keep going?"
Arms behind back, she tossed a word to the crowding onmyoji and ignored them, passing by. The apparent leader, refusing to quit, drew a dagger from his sleeve and stabbed at Wakamo's back.
But it neither pierced nor tore cloth—the shocked onmyoji's legs gave out, collapsing.
She helped the old man up, dusted him off, and went on her way.
"Hah, what to do with these vermin."
"Haha. Showing our honored guest from the King of Fists every ugly sight..."
The chairwoman and King of Fists handled the rest in her stead.
Frantic excuses, faces pale, trying to convince uniting to kill that monster.
By the time Wakamo reached the stairs' end, weak elderly pleas that could soften any heart echoed.
※※※
The Tower perceives Wakamo as a selfless, considerate climber who dreams and idolizes icons.
Otherwise, no reason not to pick all those [Attack Skills] she'd seen.
Don't ask—it's what it wants to believe.
Proudly giving her Japan's finest bladeless sword since she wanted one, the Tower believes she'll love it. Believed or not, it's given—done deal. It awaited Wakamo heading to a Japan Tower with firm resolve.
"Gotta broadcast climbing the Japan Tower."
No need to obsess over 『Complete Conquest Floors』.
Absolutely not because the chairwoman was swayed by promises of many VTuber collabs in Kyoto if she climbed lots, turning it into a VTuber holy city.
Not bewitched by the tourism staff's pitch for grander black-white fox duo collabs, maybe even live concerts.
This isn't treason... It's patriotism!!
'I'm not moved by personal, vulgar desires!! All for VTubers!!'
I just love VTubers and want more(?).
[Climbing Kyoto Tower 1F World]
-Climber, prove and test your martial prowess.
[Platinum Achievement Conditions]
-Defeat 5 ghost soldiers with [Attack Skills] (0/5)
-Face with unyielding resolve (0/1)
-Take no damage (0/1)
-Fight while shouting skill names (0/5)
"You, fucking bastard?"
Whoops, sorry. Swore at a stranger unbidden.
If entering via Climb Permit counts as first entry, pulling this shit pisses me off a tad?
No [Attack Skills], you damn thing. Tell me to register Companion first...!!
[Entered via Tower Climb Permit!! [Attack Skill] granted to climber!!]
[Confirming climber's achievements. Confirmed!]
[Choose 1 skill]
[Guigishinryu Swordsmanship]
-Utilizes [Thrown Swordplay].
[Karate-Kendo Kai]
-Karate crushing foes with [Sure-Kill] conviction.
[Kuzunoha Ryu Onmyo]
-Kuzunoha clan onmyo arts.
-Specialized in [Shikigami] line.
Finally, the [Attack Skill] she'd longed for.
But choose carefully—influenced by climber stats.
And she had no stats... Except [Mana], humanity's best—she was confident. So only one choice!
[Acquired skill [Kuzunoha Ryu Onmyo]!]
At last, the spellcasting Fox God awakens...!!
Bow and tremble, Kyoto Tower!!
Shiver before Fox God VTuber Wakamo Inarizushi...!
"Heh heh heh... In Japan now, shall I show my Fox God side...?"
Before starting broadcast, eyeing approaching human-shaped ghost soldiers, otaku Wakamo uttered the "battle chant" she'd always wanted.
"[Kuzunoha Ryu Onmyo]!!"
Beep—
[Intelligence insufficient.]
Casting failed like a dog!
"You fucker!!!!"
Wakamo crumpled to the floor, wailing throatily.
Truly heartbroken, shaking the Tower with her cries.
"Give me back my Intelligence—!!!!!"
Never took it... The Tower felt wronged.