Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Ambush at the 63 Building
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Our ultimate goal was to take down the "Black Imugi" and restore Yeongdeungpo-gu to normal.
It was exactly what Manager Won Da-hye had warned us about.
There were plenty of factions, including the Six Freaks, that didn't want Korea regaining control of the capital and expanding its influence.
That's why she said there would be lots of people trying to sabotage our plans.
The assassinations carried out by hired climbers were a brutal reality, no matter how much we wanted to ignore them.
Deep down, I just wanted to drop everything and focus on peaceful VTuber streams...
But Yu Ying and Sadako were already "prepared" for it.
They acknowledged that Wakamo's worries were natural since they were people she felt responsible for, even before being VTubers.
But then didn't that mean Wakamo had to handle everything alone?
Even with foreign interference, Wakamo would keep climbing the tower anyway.
They said they'd climb too since they were climbers.
Fighting monsters or people—same difference.
Wakamo couldn't quite buy that logic. But she couldn't stubbornly refuse what they wanted either.
Wakamo mobilized everything: massive funds to import gear for climbers from overseas, plus all sorts of consumables developed in research facilities.
This was a life-or-death issue for the Korean government too.
"Everyone, check if the defense systems on your gear are working properly."
"This thing? It's worth 200 million each, boss? Whoa... too scary to use."
"More precious than your life? Think of it as an investment in VTubing. Asuka, help with video editing later."
"Got it. What about the attackers' lives?"
"Asking not to kill them is my selfish wish. But they can bail anytime, so don't worry."
Before heading up to Yeongdeungpo-gu, they opened a portal, returned to base, and reworked the plan.
Safety was always the top priority.
Wakamo spread transparent cameras everywhere, focusing on spotting any hidden climbers.
Even transparent, flying them blatantly might get spotted by certain classes, so she moved them as stealthily as possible. She searched with all her might, but the enemies were no pushovers.
The area was just too vast.
If they were hunkered down waiting to strike, even Wakamo would struggle to find them.
"What do you think about that sniper shot just now?"
"Shooter class, probably. Wasn't the speed of a Wizard's magic."
The support team aiding Wakamo Corporation was inferring enemy intel.
The shot targeting the turtle ship was from a Shooter class.
Meaning the enemies would come at them with modern weapons.
"If specialized in sniping, they're weak up close. If one-sided, their tower floor might be low too."
"Is Mana Burn standard or common against climbers?"
"Yes. Most skills require mana."
"Hmm—"
Climber vs. climber meant Wakamo was always at a disadvantage.
The enemy could blindly fire Mana Burn to block magic, even if it backfired on them.
Imagining it, it wasn't funny. One slip could be a disaster.
Minimize outings as much as possible... Come to think of it, she rarely went out anyway.
"Here's the plan: Rush to the 63 Building—take the shortest route up to gain the safety of the interior. If bombs are pre-planted, your attached defenses will protect you. Then at the 63 Building..."
"Lure the Black Imugi and cause chaos. Right?"
The agent nodded at Pilot's response. That was enough.
Everyone did one last check and boldly stepped out of the portal.
"You two okay?"
"Mm-hm."
"Scared of this and how to be the strongest?"
"Worry about me too."
"I'll open a personal channel when we get back."
"Woo-hoo!!"
Asuka hopped with joy.
Wakamo still looked worried as she watched them.
She just wanted normal VTuber streams, but climber life dragged her here... What would they all do after quitting VTubing? Already wondering.
But that was far in the future.
"Shall we go?"
She shook off distracting thoughts that could break her focus.
For "Plan B," Wakamo stepped forward.
※※※
Tududududu—!!
Ichigo and the Unicorn Agent sprayed bullets, toppling monsters.
Wakamo blasted Idol's Flames to incinerate them, while Asuka summoned foxes with shamanism to draw monster aggro and shoot down those diving from the sky.
Meanwhile, Pilot just ran hard since she couldn't do much else.
Piiing—!
Missiles flew at them, but Ichigo and the Unicorn Agent shot them down simultaneously.
Pilot raised a wall to block secondary damage from the massive street explosion, but a building-shattering giant mecha emerged.
A round design with gorilla-like arms longer than its legs... like a submarine. It popped up in central Seoul, making Ichigo mutter in shock.
"Gotta mong that too...?"
"It's Engineer Mayer Hildegaard from Germany! Only one Legendary class climber makes stuff this wild!"
"Who?!"
"The Six Freaks!"
Ichigo slammed the ground to reinforce Pilot's steel wall, thickening it, but bullets pierced straight through, smashing into the party's shields and crumpling.
"[Wakamo Inarizushi!! Surrender quietly and come with us!!]"
The woman with a shrill, excited voice was pretty hyped.
"Go!"
Wakamo pointed at the building and charged the mecha.
She clenched her fist and swung hard—thunk! The alien yet familiar sensation made her frown.
Definitely made of mana-resistant metal alloy.
"Come with you? You the Six Freaks Pilot mentioned?"
"[She's our president. As you see, I'm just an errand girl!]"
"Then send a polite email invite!"
"[Regrettably, it's a request from higher up.]"
Keeeing—
Clank clank—
The mecha's engine roared louder.
The unidentified errand girl atop the steam-spewing, beeping mecha pointed upward.
'Damn, shoulda looked her up.'
Just a staffer from the Legendary-class Six Freaks who built human-shaped killing machines.
If even "higher up" than her boss sent this... Wasn't that the shadowy figure behind the Six Freaks who wanted to see Wakamo Inarizushi, by force if needed?
"I just wanna do quiet VTuber streams. Of course... crazy bastards are everywhere...!!"
"[No need for eight limbs!! Prepare yourself!!]"
Wing robes blocked the barrage.
Clicking her tongue at mana drain, Wakamo leaped back for distance.
The accelerating mecha scraped tires screeching, chasing her.
Not stopping there—sniper shots flew at Wakamo too.
But she figured being bait was better, so she tried staying away from buildings—but an explosion rocked the 63 Building.
"[Oh—and we have a collaborator unrelated to our ops! Someone with a grudge against Fist King?]"
"That guy... has so many enemies..."
Wakamo snatched a sign, swung it, kicked cars flying, hurled poles—fierce melee ensued.
Meanwhile, she checked the party's status via shared vision.
Ichigo's party raced up buildings to pinpoint the sniper.
Before Wakamo's cameras reached, Ichigo halted and yelled.
"Keynome angay ssalam tteol deo ijjeo!!"
The shout revealed the attacker, who smashed through the ceiling.
The impact collapsed the floor under Ichigo's party with a boom. Ichigo grabbed Pilot and agilely tossed to the lower stairs.
Unicorn Agent on the other side was snatched by Asuka, escaping through shattering glass to outside the 63 Building amid collapse.
Bang—!!
Then, a shot pierced Asuka's barrier in one hit, punching a hole in her wing.
Unicorn Agent caught the falling, unbalanced Asuka, hooked her waist, fired a grapple gun upward.
Clank—rope zipped, Unicorn Agent soared, released mid-way to smash back inside through glass, rolling with Asuka.
Landing, arm shield deployed—bang!! Dozens of armored plates detached reacting to bullets.
Plates shed like rain from impacts.
"Coming from below!"
Before Asuka spoke, helmet radar detected heat, vibration, heartbeat—Unicorn Agent rolled back dodging the climber smashing up floors.
A spearwoman blocked stairs, leaped amid falling debris and dust.
"Die, Chinky!"
Spear thrust straight at Unicorn Agent's head.
Despite speed, Agent read shoulder, swept circular arm-shield parrying blade, scraping shaft, big arm spin flinging spear aside.
"Impressive... defense..."
"Too bad. Didn't learn in Korea to watch pink-clad zombies, Yankee girl? No yellow monkey slur means you're young."
"Monkey shit who ain't even a climber acts cocky after one block!"
Spear blades multiplied to seven instantly—Asuka flame barrier blocked, counterblasted flames.
Fighter sub-class Spearman: spun spear deflecting flames, back-hit flames shrugged off by magic-resistant gear.
"Tricks from spell-slingers are predictable. Right?"
Dust cleared—woman revealed.
Flowing blonde screamed origin, clanking plate over body-hugging suit for curves.
"You lot are disposable kills. Die without hassle?"
"Man, Seoul's the best. Call girls show uninvited."
"Damn, Unicorn Agent. Mom said no home visits to work."
"Who you callin' whore!! You fuckin' Chink shits!! I'm a pro!"
"Tent pro? Pay big for pro stripper lap dance lessons."
"I dance better, pay me."
Stunned assassin at open taunts despite kill intent.
But feigning rage, she coldly distanced, spear tip counting down on Asuka, not Unicorn.
—Same for the two.
Fsssh...
Cracks spread like infection through building from shock.
Asuka and Unicorn okay? Gunshots—sniper hit? No barrier shatter?
Fine, prepped five each just in case.
Calm, cool Pilot focused on the creepy-smiling thug.
Familiar face, unfortunately.
"Haa... long time, kiddo."
Rubber-band pants about to slip, bare torso scarred thick. Twisted face oozed inhuman killing intent.
"Fierce Tiger, Kano Kyohei."
One of Japan's notorious criminal climbers, serial killer who slaughtered any climber with rep.
"Three-time loser to my dad who fled abroad, coward."
"Daughter like father, same bratty mouth. Think you can say that with limbs torn off?"
"I'm a martial artist too. Bullying the weak is rat-coward shit, so I hold back. Can't beat dad so picking on weak daughter? Cut your balls off?"
Bold taunt—cannonball kick at Pilot's eyes. Hand-knife parry, Pilot countered kick—Fierce Tiger kneed it away.
Mid-air gap: Ichigo tossed potion behind.
Boom—floor froze; boom!—lava boiled, flames spread.
Poison fog blinded—lungs rot, muscles paralyze on inhale... but Fierce Tiger charged unfazed.
Clang—!!
Metal-arm Pilot smashed face-charge, but Fierce Tiger grabbed and ripped.
Pre-tear mist-Pilot turned flame, rammed—Fierce Tiger roared both flying.
"Grrooar—"
Body shifting slowly.
Stepping lava, poison-drenched Shifter became tiger-human monster.
Not full Wizard Shapeshift or Druid change—Shifter partial only.
Not Legendary race-swap, but beast strength + human smarts + tech class.
Raging Fierce Tiger swiped claws at Pilot.
Pilot both arms to blades, parried power struggle.
But Wizard Pilot, stats not all STR, size gap—pushed back inevitable.
Full metal body desperate—but kick sent stumbling, barrier cracked, cold sweat.
Then sniper at temple.
Barrier break-repair gap: straight punch Pilot dodged—but feint, Fierce Tiger yanked arm, slammed ground, full kick to wall.
"Grooh..."
"Heh heh... Rip your limbs, feed to monsters. Wonder what face that guy makes..."
"Losing to weakling, picking fights, now big mouth... Menopause?"
Protecting Ichigo limited big shifts—Ichigo knew Pilot disadvantaged, tossed chain-explosion potions: useless.
Drew gun, sprayed: blocked by his gear.
"Don't worry, Ichigo mate. Captain's karate unbeatable... won't lose."
Sniff—Pilot nosebleed-splattered, rolled shoulders, stood.
Fierce Tiger charged seeing Fist King grin—Pilot dove in.
Kagagak—!!
Sparks flew, sign crumpled.
All Wakamo attacks useless, naturally.
"[Your patterns cracked long ago by our analysts! Collector fight data too!]"
Mecha chased sliding Wakamo relentlessly, bullets/SOIs firebombing streets.
Drizzle mana drain to neutralize—intent clear.
Crackle—
Idol's Flames scorched area huge wall—but mecha pierced unscathed, arm smashed down.
Side-dodge pre-impact.
Gloating pilot victory-high. Class? Alchemist: poisons, smooth unnatural shifts screamed transmutation.
Not combat class... makes sense?
No limits on such mecha? Six Freaks invaded East Asia already.
Wakamo not recalling meant low threat.
"[Quit struggling, give up!!]"
"Yeah, surrender!! No more running!"
Hands up, plopped down.
Mecha halted approaching.
Really capture? Attacks ceased, observing. —Not bluff.
Confirmed, Wakamo opened portal over her head, unseen angle.
To foe: object dropped from sky.
"[Gayageum?]"
Drew something, gun aimed—instrument? Pilot froze—shifted tide.
Ting~♪
Plucked string melody rang beautiful.
Sudden instrument, no song-attack data—then screen flames, damage alarms blared body-wide.
Not front—all space sliced like blades, scratches appearing.
Small first, deeper after.
Desperate distance from Wakamo—but nonstop slashes worsening damage.
Even behind building—damage mounting.
"[What?! What is it?! What attack!!!]"
Durable vs physics, but mana resistance key.
Blocked most spells direct. —This invisible not magic/mana!!
German Alchemist no kungfu sound attack; relic instrument deduced, fled building.
Kwagagak—!!
No end.
Smashed outer wall fleeing—still chased!!
Doomed to shreds, released engine limiter.
Red-hot vibrating mecha monster-screeched.
Shed hand-cover, drew hidden weapon frantic—max beam blasted.
Precise Wakamo spot melted building, pierced gayageum destroyed.
One-shot? Barrel melted off—but drill-arm charged.
"[It's over—huh???]"
Locked eyes laughing Wakamo—bad omen.
Climber crisis sense—!
Drill thrust—no hand follow lever.
Instead, Wakamo mid-air slash.
"[Uwaaaah!!]"
Saw now: severed mecha arm!
"[Wha—]"
How? Such power?
—Unknown natural: new skill from Incheon 35F.
Idol's Storm.
"Consume mana to control wind"... surprisingly.
Wakamo used "mana" to move "wind".
Unlike Idol's Flames mana-flames.
Useless underwater/space fatal flaw.
Elsewhere: sliced mana/magic-immune foes.
"[Don't think you won!! [Full Repair]!!]"
Cast—mecha restored instant.
Wakamo arm-blocked drill thrust, pushed back.
Full power needed bird mana borrow—extreme cost.
Alchemist full-heal victory-laugh... Wakamo meaningful smile.
"[...Why smile...? ]"
"......Staging crisis, clean counter for viewer catharsis..."
Shadow loomed.
"Thanks~!! Good fight—!!!"
Bigger than mecha shadow.
"Libera Deraila."
"...What?"
"Full dox via net. 24yo, awakened 5yrs climber girl. Quite the rap sheet. Phone msgs say drug money gig. Trust Germans?"
".....Dox threats—"
"Bank accounts frozen."
"What?"
"Upgraded phone plan priciest. Doxed signups everywhere. High-perf AI does this easy if knows me. Didn't believe, fought human? Wakamo-level IQ?"
Disbelieving, checked phone—Libera paled.
"Crime?"
"Criminals got rights? I got none anyway."
"Kya."
"I'll kill you!!!!!"
Fortune blown on Asuka's custom PC—berserk Libera foamed charge.
Flame barrier blocked spear; predicted sniper—Asuka yanked Unicorn back dodged.
"What'd you do with my money!!!!!"
"She's pissed solid. Plan, girl?"
"We just run~ Bye♡"
Doxed world pre-goodbye, smoke bomb up fleeing Asuka.
Libera ignored mails, monster-raged smashed up chasing.
"Yo, Yankee welcome."
Not Asuka—Unicorn ahead.
Rage-cooled reason hesitated—sank.
Not jumping down. Vanished before eyes. Not fallen hole.
Dropped through floor!!
"What...?"
Fox-bewitched stare empty floor.
Then neck pressure—resisted, but tightening choked coughs.
Something coiled neck. When?
"Gotcha."
Asuka never went up.
Realized trapped, fading consciousness flailed—but line dug deeper.
Asuka smoke below first.
Wakamo Idol's Form: Asuka-disguised Unicorn up, fooled.
Then portal under feet, strong fisherman's rod ceiling-pierced snagged neck.
Thrashing climber: Asuka reeled taut line humming tune.
Sniper aimed Asuka—shot.
"Mission done, protect team. Both... tough for 'special forces'."
3km distant building.
Voice behind—sniper turned: trap side empty floor, Unicorn ceiling-phased up.
Camera [My Worlds] long-link.
Asuka pinpointed sniper, shaman-bound camera zipped transmitted.
Unicorn vanish: floor portal.
"Ready? I am!"
Prone shooter drew pistol shot—waist dagger deflected headshot. Body-shots tanked, smoke bomb charged.
"Shadow clones!"
Mysterious yell, dozens footsteps.
Black suits shields surged smoke.
Center: pink Unicorn, suit torn exposing exosuit, charged.
"Use item blind, moron!!"
Sniper barked pathetic real pink freak.
Stun guns from black agents zapped trembling.
Not clones—all real twist.
Waiting support portaled in, 8 surrounded beatdown.
"Kids!! Stomp!!!"
Batons out, pummeled unconscious.
"Unicorn here!! Sniper down!!"
"Asuka notice. Big fish captured."
Kidnapped knockout climber recovery.
Unicorn instant lifted sniper gun, aimed scope Pilot's floor.
Fighting.
Intensely.
"Power speed lacking you said—!!"
Ichigo chain-blast potions mixed poison: fireworks to Fierce Tiger.
Power/speed outmatched Pilot gritted, sniper-down radio reset stance.
"Then fill it!!"
Arms ballooned bigger torso.
Crossed blocked kick, Ichigo-passed potions filled arms lifted.
Ichigo-mouth potion gulped, roared.
"[Metal Transmutation]—!!"
Full-body metal.
Repeated show scoffed Fierce Tiger.
"[Alchemy-Metal Morph]—!!"
Ichigo grabbed arms, [Alchemy-Artistic Sculpt] + skills transmuted.
Elbow: exhaust "pipes."
Kwaduduk—!!
Shattered vials compressed arms slender.
"Rocket Pistol!!"
Boom.
Bang!!
Face crunched back-flung Fierce Tiger.
No breather—continuous booms, iron fists hammered huge body random.
Internal arm blasts, elbow-flame jets.
Recoil + rubber bounce: hyper-speed barrage frenzy.
Grunted center-hold random punches hammered.
Overpowered Pilot pushed—Fierce Tiger red-mana fist thrust.
Mist-scatter dodge—Pilot refaced smashed nose-flat.
Beep—
Unknown prep bomb hurled Ichigo-ward from thrust.
"Coward shit still calls you martial artist!!"
"Fight for life—where's cowardice, brat!!!"
Halt attack, propulsion hugged shielded Ichigo.
Blast—shields shattered shock, rolled friendly floor.
Glass shards crunched, ragged trembling Pilot.
"Damn... true...!!"
"Pilot!"
"No whining!!"
Glass-shard arms/back/cheek yanked wild, neck-crack glared Fierce Tiger.
Ichigo unscathed. Good—Pilot raised fist.
"...Know? Win's one decisive. Fight lose, flee to weaker... world's loser?
"Want clean death... retract, kid."
"Mock ally weak. Not pissed?"
Growl warning—Pilot stronger mock.
Filth ice-fire room, Pilot whispered Ichigo-hear low.
You're never weak.
Building-wide: Ichigo freeze-potion ice sucked to Pilot, white orb formed.
"[Element Conversion: Ice]"
Nearby flames sucked, fiery orb shaped.
"[Element Conversion: Flame]"
—Shapeshift tree [Magic].
"Slightly violent fun?"
Wakamo once asked use—Pilot showed, hand out.
"Magic? Martial artist?"
"Life on line—where's cowardice?"
Piiing—!!!
Fire/ice elements clashed devoured expanded huge.
"[Element Conversion Magic: Elemental Force]"
63 Building outside visible blinding light burst—wall-freezing "flame ice" spread insane speed, boom explosion scattered frozen "fire-blades" everywhere.
Loosed magic.
Direct tiger-monster crossed arms froze posed.
Flame-burned then instant-frozen.
Lifelike ice statue front: Pilot dusted cap readjusted, inaudible but...
"I'm not martial artist—[Wizard]?"
Which lacks brains? Muttered winner's smile.
"Ee-jjogeun Ichigo! Pilot win!!"
Ichigo joy like own—Pilot patted cute.
Suggested Ichigo learn karate since here—flat refused.
Now, only Wakamo Inarizushi cornered.
...Or two?
63 Building nester head building-sized "Black Imugi" overlooked two.
Snout: slash scar.
"Fanmeet email please~ Busy bye."
Floor portal quick escape Wakamo.
Stunned Alchemist screamed fled.
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Service cut for readers.
Wakamo Inarizushi made by the AI corrector.
FYI, I couldn't draw this dead or alive.