Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The Red Pill Leak Erupts
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[Author: IchigoIsCute]
[Title: Ichigo's song is so healing...]
Even while living in such a dangerous zone and suffering endlessly.
She never gave up and kept pushing forward steadfastly...
Now Ichigo's living happily with her friends, studying Korean together.
She has to keep being happy from now on too...
-Songs with lyrics like "smile smile" – haven't heard something like that in ages.
-It's like a nursery rhyme, so bright and pure... Ahh... so purifying.
-This is... a mother's warmth...? This warmth must be...
-Hey, they say Ichigo's red pill got leaked?
What the fuck?
ㄴVTuber suckers lol, serves you right lololol red pill all over the place lmao
ㄴ? Won't you get sued for posting that?
ㄴWhat bullshit, you won't get sued for crap like this, idiots.
ㄴlololol agro troll. Didn't you see the notice?
ㄴCrazy bastard, come on in lolololol
ㄴOne guy's going up! Wakamo-nim!!!
[Author: Anonymous]
[Title: Your fave's face got leaked lololol]
(Photo of Yu Ying registered with the Climber Association)
Says she's 17, looks fucking young.
This is the face you simps are into.
Your sandcastle just crumbled, huh?
-She's a real agro troll apparently.
-Huh? Looks exactly like Ichigo no matter how you slice it?
-For real, asking cuz I don't know – what's different? I genuinely don't get it.
-Bangjang's stream is the best. Gonna exterminate all you internet-dwelling losers lololol
-This place doesn't always say nice things, especially not to you lot.
-Check the notice, saying it three times now.
-No way, a corp sponsored by the Korean gov got doxxed?
-Digging up climber info is a crime, gayboy...
-Intelligence so low it's making me doubt if you're even human.
[Author: Wakamo'sFootTowel]
[Title: The gal's a total shitshow. Summary like this, right?]
(GIF of Wakamo summoning a giant)
This big shot's the president. Korea's top climber to boot.
She reclaimed Seoul with gov backing from the Climber Association too(?).
And the agro idiots are twisting it like her dox got leaked.
Riding the wave hard. Burning brighter than the Ireung Forest fire.
So, China's bullying the princess raised by Moon Rabbit now?
-Yes, you nailed it.
-The mighty Middle Kingdom falls like this...
-Moon Rabbit from Romance of the Three Kingdoms incoming..? Sent by Nüwa..?
-Watching the armband stream right now, all the agros vanishing.
-No need for lawsuits, just lolololol
-Original song drops and this shitstorm hits, wtf.
-Pilot posted that Pirate got so scared of pissed-off Wakamo Captain he bailed.
ㄴFor real?
ㄴYeah, said he saw hair standing on end for the first time?
ㄴWe're fucked for real.
ㄴBut Korea didn't do shit wrong, right?
ㄴThat's why we're offering up agros to calm her rage.
ㄴAha! Let's hunt down agros and string 'em up!
ㄴRight on, good job. Welcome to the influx.
-Blue site and green site in full agreement too lol.
ㄴRight now, we're all comrades!!
ㄴChaos descends on the realm, heroes rise!
ㄴNot heroes, more like soothing an angry god...?
[Author: Incheon 56th Floor Climber]
[Title: Kids, your bro's a climber. Quick intel roundup.]
Item appraisal results – that famous item's description is roughly this.
【Sword and Seal of the King of Han】
Rank: Relic.
Restrictions: Descendant of the King, Royal Blood of Shu Han.
The imperial seal of the one who was king of Shu Han.
Those who can wield this relic.
May rightly claim the title of sovereign.
Intelligence +30
Charisma +50
[Summon Troops][Cooldown: 3 days]
Summons troops equal to Charisma stat x3.
Composed of infantry, cavalry, archers.
[Summon Generals][Cooldown: 7 days]
Summons generals stronger than troops.
1 per 50 Charisma, they command the troops.
[Deploy Stratagems][Cooldown: 14 days]
Deploys [Torrent], [Fire Arrows], [Falling Rocks], [Gale].
You can see it's fucking insane.
Relic-grade items from the tower always have batshit performance.
But the restrictions are notoriously a pain in the ass too lol.
Wakamo-nim's Kusanagi probably has something similar.
That giant's prolly a relic effect too?
Bet the slash she skipped last time was on cooldown.
Anyway, China's chairman got his hands on this.
Tried forcing it on his side to counter [Collector].
But as you see, China's crumbling?
Begged US and UK for help, called in wizards.
Scanned Shanghai for restriction matches, range too wide, hit Korea.
As we know, Shu Han = Liu Huangshu.
But recently, a naturalized Chinese climber named "Yu Ying."
Sole person who's Liu Bei descendant AND climber.
So China prolly pressured the president politically?
Problem is, this girl's guardian ain't human lololol
Drops original song, debuts it day one, and they leak her red pill?
I'm too scared to dig deeper...
-Gonna reclaim the legitimacy of the Three East Asian Nations by conquering China.
-Time to go claim it...? China's legitimacy.
ㄴTime to go get it, "Jade Throne"
-Fox God off to reclaim vast Manchuria-grad.
-Most dangerous corp to leak a red pill on.
ㄴBetter to get sued. Might get cursed to death.
ㄴLeave her be and she's a quiet Fox God, please.
-"Moon Rabbit" time.
-Moon Rabbit's like Wakamo's disciple? They got that vibe, figures.
-Does China not know Korea inherited the Han ancestor's line?
-Time to fulfill the dream of reclaiming the Central Plains?
-But Collector just sitting pretty?
ㄴAte the first punch, so it's fine lololol
ㄴLegitimacy vibes even in the barracks (whisper)
-Well... well... ruining my VTuber's original song! I'll kill you, Collector!
ㄴCollector (did nothing).
ㄴConquered Sichuan, claims Liu Bei heir... total bullshit...
-If it's Moon Rabbit, bloodline's legit regardless of anecdotes.
ㄴThen what if Bangjang uses it?
ㄴWhat else, time to invade Liaodong.
ㄴAh lololololololololol
[Author: OmenOfRuin]
[Title: Making a fuss over bloodline lolololol]
Compared to the dragon's death, three years later...!!
The pain our Kiryu Association endured...!!
-Killing reasons? Overflowing.
-How many folded after Bangjang's Chinese VTubers got faces leaked?
-No path to survival in sight...
-Wipe 'em all? Could slit throats so they never speak again...
-We got the Imperial Seal too, and Moon Rabbit – ain't we the legit ones?
ㄴIs King of Han above the Emperor? lololol
ㄴYeah... Moon Rabbit's a no-go...
-What can China do without Taegong Mang in this era?
The unprecedented red pill scandal exploding right after Hajime Ichigo's first original song.
Climber personal info's protected, so the leaker got fired on the spot, and Ichigo's fandom – her friends – took the red pill hit straight-up but like blind mice, dragged out the VTuber character and suffered asking "What're you doing?"
Amid it, some viewers boldly claimed "It's basically the same as the VTuber anyway, no damage right?" but Wakamo's heart ached.
Losing 200 million? Whatever.
Just...
The VTuber she created and raised.
The song she composed herself, lyrics she wrote and handed over.
The MV she'd anticipated every day, heart pounding with dreams of its release.
Ichigo's [original song] finally faces the world, not even a minute in – perfect timing for the red pill bomb.
Crowds of randos from news asking "Is this real?", Chinese users flooding in, YouTube adult channel ads, agro comments piling up, turning Ichigo's debut original into a filthy mess.
Seeing that, Wakamo lost her reason.
Rage peaking, hair standing on end, eyes bulging, fists clenched, trembling.
Mana surging, warping the air with heat haze – Manager Wanda Hye desperately calmed her.
Contacted Climber Association in panic, response quick, but wounds don't vanish.
"You okay, Yu Ying? Didn't get hurt...? Sorry the song you worked hard on lyrics for got ruined 'cause your president's incompetent."
"G-Gangster... N-No sea b-bother!"
Yu Ying truly unscathed.
Just embarrassed uploading her song in front of friends, that's all.
She worried more for Wakamo, up all night composing to Yu Ying's lyrics.
"P-President... y-you okay?"
Yu Ying's hesitant worry brought tears to Wakamo's eyes. No, no tears – mana flowed.
Droplet hit floor, so dense it nearly melted it; Pilot cautiously stepped back.
How can a kid be so lovable and kind? Wakamo hugged Yu Ying, rage subsiding.
Mental blow too great. Mind and body shredded to rags.
[Mana Manipulation] rampaged with emotions, draining Wakamo's mana pool massively.
[Stats]
Magic Power: 653,231 -> 252,835.
[Bonus Stats: 35]
Studio stifling, even breath steaming mana – opened windows for air, Wakamo sat cross-legged in meditation.
More like struggling to quell rage.
Debating hoisting Merhen Kingdom flag, north for queen, conquer Liaodong, seize Manchuria, restore Goguryeo glory(?) – clearly not sane.
Trying to cool off for clarity, but steam rising from body – Sadako sweated bullets.
"Captain loves VTubers, knew that, but not to this extent."
Heard from bro how vital red pills are, but Pilot shrugged "Same face as VTuber anyway, whatever!"
Ichigo as Yu Ying, Wakamo as Wakamo(?) – all using their real faces for models anyway.
Thought it'd be fine, puzzled why so furious.
"If I may presume... Wakamo-nim raised the king's descendant like forbidden fruit from monster-infested lands. Now China demands her back as 'our citizen' – that piss her off?"
"Needing her now and demanding her back? Hilarious. Naturalized = Korean, no?"
"That's part too...."
Manager Wanda Hye wanted to stab the president.
Bowing to China like they sinned, demanding handover of climber with 5 full clears from Association? Insane?
What if Wakamo flips and bolts to Japan?
Japan PM already messaged Association prez offering to take Yu Ying too – chaos.
Scraping Korea's top two climbers.
'Fucking rotten country....'
Climber status weak in East Asia already – should be threatening back, not opening gates.
'And dealing with [Collector] is trouble too...'
China's national power tanked hard. Karma from past rampages.
Tower as natural resource hub, climbers as super-soldiers – plus grads struggling for jobs grab climber power for rags-to-riches... vast land = total mess.
'One or two climbers shot dead? Fine. Dozens? Can't control.'
Suppressed grudges exploding at once.
China bombed Beijing tower – collapse spewed monsters, capital to Shanghai.
Then Hong Kong climber faction declares independence, claims Guangdong. Taiwan snags Fujian across sea. Russia takes Heilongjiang. Tibet & Xinjiang fully independent.
Meanwhile, Sichuan – Collector conquers, claims Liu Bei heir, calls self emperor.
Conspiracy theories of US backing – China's in tatters.
North Korea gone 10 years, Jilin & Liaoning monster wastelands – Russia eyeing Jilin advance, no allies – shows how many enemies internationally.
Can't maintain nation, civil wars splitting, refugees & unemployment soaring – climbers fetch tower resources, but.
Under chairman's dictatorship, state pathetic.
China attacked tower, but blaming climbers like Shen Yang incident – "plot by vile classes", push democratic revolution, seize leadership... anyway, ruined.
One China principle crumbled, heaven's mandate broken.
Can't cling to People's Republic anymore.
"Second Xinhai Revolution fits. Like endgame Qing – gasping, yielding rights to powers, warlords rampant. US pumping cash & democracy into warlords. Boldly stations troops in Taiwan for 'tower monster aid', provoking China. Humanitarian aid on side."
"I don't get hard stuff!"
Great affairs of the world: long divided, must unite; long united, must divide.
[Collector] spouts that to usher new China, new era─ ...
To Wakamo? So what?
If "China splits so VTubers hide red pills safely"? Tempting, madwoman.
"Pheasant pheasant pheasant~"
Situation dire, unnerving turn – Sadako worried, half-resigned manager on how to stop Wakamo rampage – then metallic clang like banging bucket echoed loud.
Flushed face, vibrant dizzying colors – a 『pheasant』 flapping wings.
Wakamo's eyes flashed seeing it.
"Manager."
"...Yes."
"Two tickets to China okay?"
"Y-Yes sir."
Draped incoming pheasant over shoulder, swapped to flashy garb – bloodshot eyes glaring, manager submitted.
Not Moon Rabbit... not...!!
※※※
Rewind time─ back to 30th floor rewards.
Wakamo off-stream, awaiting tower message, unsure of reward.
[Incheon Tower 30th Floor achieves Platinum, opens to all humanity!!]
[Settling rewards for Platinum clear.]
[『Wakamo Inarizushi 1st Floor』 zone added to Incheon 100-floor tower!]
[Combines all zones 1-30 into new environment. 830㎢ area.]
[Cheers to Climber Wakamo Inarizushi's future climbs!]
'Sea too?'
Curious, Yu Ying & Sadako panicked – no rewards, not even base +10 bonus stats. Wakamo tilted head – error?
Choice popped up.
[Select Reward]
[1. Lower companions' tower difficulty]
[2. Mythic item from settlement]
[3. Job-exclusive skill from settlement]
No hesitation, picked 1 instantly.
Full clear zones meant harder tower for them – obvious.
If it kept them safe, Wakamo fine with nothing – but tower differed.
[Climber Wakamo Inarizushi's selfless act for companions earns high tower praise.]
[Tower settles joint-floor rewards for Wakamo Inarizushi.]
[Idol-related relic held by [【Collector】Rong Wei]. Can't provide matching gear; items not scaled to mythic/relic stats; confirms only 30% rewards vs other climbers.]
Huge loss structure. Wait, makes full clears easier... easy..?
[Tower reviews Earth history. Provides most fitting idol gear.]
[Item granted considering idol's current fame.]
"Suddenly fucking anxious"
[Acquired Mythic item [Divine Bird Luan (神鳥 鸞)]!]
What even─ before question ends, phoenix unfolds wings from sky.
Radiant rainbow bird fades flames, sheds skin.
Soon pheasant-like, perches naturally on Wakamo's arm.
[Divine Bird Luan (神鳥 鸞)]
Rank: Mythic
Bird said birthed by phoenix.
Famed for birthing all birds.
Heralds peaceful era.
Shares mana equally with owner.
Held Mana: [653,231]
[Egg of All Birds][Cooldown: 7 days]
Can lay any bird's egg.
Hatching/raising fully owner's responsibility.
[Phoenix Scion][Cooldown: 90 days]
Transforms to phoenix, blesses owner.
Magic recovery +1,000%.
Duration varies by believers.
[Duration: 65 sec]
"Whoa! E-tank!"
Cheapest metaphor ever?
Luan shot horrified "What'd you call me?" glance at Wakamo.
Flapping wings... total pheasant sub-species, but item..?
No tamer skills, so item form maybe.
Anyway, Wakamo finally got what she needed most.
Messages piled on like "and we're just starting."
[[Kusanagi Sword] reinforced]
Simple message. Drew sword – [Magic Recovery +50%], plus skill.
[Mythic Recreation][Cooldown: 30 days]
One swing summons wind.
Extinguishes all flames.
Wtf use? Forest fire maybe...
[[VTuber Assets] max registerable assets increased]
[[VTuber Model] max registerable models increased]
[[My Worlds] skill upgraded to [Small Fief] level]
Tower giving Wakamo exactly what she needs.
Yu Ying & Sadako's rewards rerouted to her seemingly, but no complaints.
She lowered their diff, yielded rewards forever? Greedy here'd be weird.
"Captain! Name for the pheasant?"
"Cute..."
Stroking tamely in Ichigo's hands... er, luan – Sadako asks, Wakamo rubbed chin.
"Nothing springs to mind, later?"
Meant call it Luan for now, but China stabbed Wakamo.
So she'd oblige.
Crush the [Collector] sparking this mess.
※※※
Many tourists disembarking Korean ferry.
Chinese officials, cops, even soldiers greeting them... weirdly huge crowd, tense.
Following orders from above, but reluctant af.
Soldiers aim weapons, cautiously approach woman checking climber luggage.
Gaudy red coat, fox tail swaying – non-human glares displeased.
"Need permission to enter China?"
Overly irked reaction, but complies with search, sets down [Imperial Seal] as "luggage."
Climbers can check item info – they flinched.
Deceptively modest effects – but mismatched restrictions, they misunderstood as unseen.
No way real one's this weak!!
Hesitant, confirm her items just that & manager's luggage – "We'll escort" – Wakamo blatantly ignores.
"Hohimi, come here."
Calls name – sky flaps, vibrant bird lands on arm.
"All these nasty stares – gouge eyes?"
"Please hold."
"If manager asks, no choice."
Slitted eyes memorize faces – they bowed heads fast.
Uncharacteristic Wakamo. Obviously acting.
"I'm so pissed and furious right now." World calls her Moon Rabbit nonstop – time to go full Moon Rabbit.
Won't actually mass-slaughter like real one.
Told manager act like she's mad at her too.
They look "that's her real feelings!!" – kinda hurtful.
Scoops hesitant Yu Ying preciously, 2m50cm towering giant strides ahead, all crane necks.
Gov climbers & soldiers got threats from chairman: "Don't defy the great nation."
But this guy's confident picking fight with this monster?
'Hohimi's Moon Rabbit's sis yokai...'
'Collector'd hate us poking this...?'
Legit worry – needs united forces to subjugate – gov folks trembling.
As feared, Wakamo shamelessly changes destination.
"Yu Ying wants tasty food, heading restaurant. Deal with it."
"Ch-Chairman summons you. Important matter..."
"Sichuan that way? Down is Taiwan, right?"
Face-to-face threat: piss me off, we go elsewhere.
Politically disastrous, but.
No one dares oppose.
What if real Moon Rabbit?
Everyone treasures their life.
=================================
Always AI-corrected.
But raw sketch like this.
P.S. Half-done cuz tablet died mid-draw.
30-min service cut for readers....