Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Fox Immortal Mei Xiaolongbao
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Wakamo had received an invitation to the Climbers' Gathering in America.
It was a banquet hall that only the most prestigious and qualified famous climbers in America could attend.
The fact that they'd built an entire city—including a luxury hotel—just for climbers gave a sense of America's scale.
With their vast land came plenty of collapsing towers and climbable ones, overflowing with resources. This city was part of ongoing land development.
They even produced all sorts of versatile gear usable by climbers and civilians alike.
It was only natural that people said going to America was the best way to gear up for tower equipment usable regardless of class or job.
Watching Hajime Ichigo get teased every day—"He's the leader, but isn't he kinda weak? Can't be helped 'cause he's from Hawk China"—was stressful for Wakamo too.
She planned to splash serious cash there for Yuing's sake.
She'd scraped together every material needed for alchemy and invest it all in Yuing's growth, load up on weapons and armor... Wakamo earned a ton even from the first floor, and the bonuses from recapturing Seoul were huge, so budget wasn't an issue.
Plus, she wanted to stock up on VTuber collab cafes and merch in America.
It was an overseas trip, after all. Plenty of delicious food to look forward to.
But at the same time, Wakamo had a lot of worries.
What if they criticized her as some East Asian climber who'd only reached the 35th floor of one tower, barging in without knowing her place?
She was midway through full clears, but climbers' strength was measured by the number of towers conquered and floors cleared.
In terms of pure climber prowess, her company teammate Sadako was like a senior veteran.
It was just that her Legendary Class's unique traits highlighted her strengths... Wakamo herself had plenty of drawbacks and glaring weaknesses; she didn't think she was particularly strong.
"Streaming is a problem too..."
Thanks to climbers who'd analyzed her combat data from videos and come at her with counters, she'd edited out key parts.
Like escaping restraints via rapid transformations, or charging as a three-tailed fox.
Or using the two portals from her [My Worlds] skill to hop through space in battle.
She'd made it look like it was the unicorn agent's ability, not hers.
People already knew she could summon domains and such, but it was smart to hide a few trump cards.
And on that note, Wakamo worried her believers might be getting bored with her routine.
She streamed hard, but VTuber broadcasts always chased that fresh thrill.
She tweaked her appearance and outfits periodically, but it still felt lacking.
Most believers were too mesmerized by the mole on her chest to care about clothes.
"This build has its uses,"
The overwhelming destructive power from her massive frame and weight. A body that was a weapon itself!! Movements no one could call human!!
But the downsides were huge too.
Her body was just too big.
Little Wakamo was too small, though.
"So it's time to put all that observation and research to use."
Even the [Heroic Divinity] made from her idol's flesh incarnation came with a sword and armor set.
Of course, it was just cosmetic. No defense boost or anything—just more tools.
The sword being part of her body meant she could repair it if broken, which was a plus.
"First... shrink the body size, stretch the limbs... contrast with Wakamo.... Aha! Yeah! Put this here like so... inside the tail like this...? How about fox ears from hair? Mouth, clothes, even shadows—all weapons."
Tap-tap—Wakamo hammered the keyboard, crafting a new model.
Her 35th-floor reward had given her not just a skill, but a skill upgrade too.
What to hide.
[[Idol's True Form] skill gains [Additional Incarnation Creation] function.] This one.
She'd planned to save it for later, but battling climbers during the Seoul recapture video had highlighted too many mismatches.
Little Wakamo was inconvenient for outings in too many ways. She needed a standard build.
But just making one plainly would be boring.
"Kurokami!"
Like creating another Wakamo, she borrowed wisdom from Japan's VTuber [White Fox] today too, diligently designing the character.
She didn't forget to enlarge the head a bit. VTuber characters needed that charm!!
Next, she ditched all her martial arts—er, wuxia skills—she'd shown so far and studied new ones.
But honestly, nothing changed much.
She just watched anime and movies like always to study.
A climber's strength came from otaku knowledge!! (No it doesn't.)
She had one slot left each in [VTuber Model] and [VTuber Assets].
Since she was giving it wildly different traits from Wakamo, why not hand it 『that weapon』?
She could even pass it to Pilot or Ichigo, which earned her mental applause.
She finalized the concept, double-checked the design.
Confirmed the tail and shadows one more time... then Wakamo named her new self.
[Fox Immortal Mei Xiaolongbao].
"Xiaolongbao is tasty."
Might as well commit—she headed to the nearest dumpling shop for concept research.
※※※
"Shao hao, shao hao. Welcome to Wakamo Inarizushi's stream, friends."
-?
-Who are you?
-This is our boss's channel, right!?
-What? Newbie? We got a newbie?
-Look at those sharp eyes; bet she roasts us good.
-Totally fox-faced.
-Eye makeup's on backward or what?
-Three tails?
"Regrettably, Wakamo's out hunting scalpers selling fake concert tickets with her bat, so I'm subbing in."
-Sounds super menacing.
-If it's the boss, yeah, she'd do that.
-(Wakamo wailing over unsold tix meme)
-If she catches 'em, they're done for.
-Law can't bind me!!!
-Surrender quick is the only way to live lololol
-So who are you really?
"If you're asking who I am, manners demand an answer. I'm [Fox Immortal Mei Xiaolongbao]."
Fox Immortal was the title for foxes who cultivated for thousands of years to become immortals.
A pure-white fox-tailed girl with three tails, claiming to be an immortal.
She greeted Wakamo's believers like that.
Black boots, a black wraparound skirt like office wear, puffed-sleeve white blouse.
Chinese-style ornaments as neck buttons, fox ears simulated by hairband updo.
Even twin tails for extra flair.
Sharper eyes than Wakamo's, a sleazy smile, lower-lid eyeliner.
A normal-sized beauty, but her presence was on another level.
"My existence...? Yeah? Another Wakamo? Like a clone."
-Ahh~ Got it~
-Kitsune tail clone or whatever.
-But Wakamo's got one tail. Isn't this higher rank?
-Maybe she doesn't pull out all nine?
-Nine tails would be terrifying to walk around with.
"Quick on the uptake, nice. Believers! Truth is, watching Wakamo fight daily gets stale, right? Freshness dips.... That's why I'm here!"
-Fresh enough to freeze us solid already.
-Who'd get bored of those 35-floor feats?
-Boss's love showing us new stuff every time—I'm crying.
-Just don't suddenly go "hangman" tho....
-She eats so cutely amid the chaos lololol
-Definitely hits different from Wakamo.
-How's the personality split work?
-Wakamo, Asuka, Mei.
-Who's the rational one?
-Aren't they all beasts??
"Watching you chat without me even streaming is fun! Admire my pretty face. I'll admire you too."
-Zero streaming motivation!
-We monkeys to you?!
-Ukki kki! Ukki kik!!
-But yeah, fun to watch lololol
-Hiya~ Modern life's wild~
-Suddenly exhibits; should we do something?
-Endless chain words are peak. Kick it off.
-Star.
-Star kid.
-...Beauty?
-Spitting nonsense.
-Gtfo.
"Kyahahaha! You guys are a riot!"
-My joke landed.
-Feels like Iljin laughing at me.
-Otaku-friendly gal sis!!
-Sis....?
-Girls watching this stream now!!
"Yeah yeah~ Don't get too violent-obsessed.... Virtual mukbang sound good? Or just wing it?"
-Already scarfed 7 dumplings mid-talk.
-Boss said she doesn't need food, so growing girl?
-Boss rips raw meat ㅇㅇ
-Cheeks so puffy, wanna poke.
"Alright, everyone! Intros done. Time to climb the tower?"
[Climbing Incheon Tower Floor 36 World]
-[Wakamo Inarizushi] climber's achievements raise difficulty!
-Defeat the [Elite Monster]!
-Take down the [Mana-Immune Mightscandium Golem]!
[Platinum Achievement Conditions]
-Don't use any [Skills] against the [Mana-Immune Mightscandium Golem] (0/1)
-Block the [Mana-Immune Mightscandium Golem]'s attack (0/1)
-Destroy the [Mana-Immune Mightscandium Golem]'s weak point [Core] (0/1)
-Defeat the [Mana-Immune Mightscandium Golem] (0/1)
'Fuck.'
Mightscandium: rare metal light as aluminum, tough as titanium.
Defying its giant bulk, the golem charged at insane speed, slashing with sharp claws.
She spun, roundhouse-kicking the incoming strike away—shit, shouldn't do that!—and backed off appropriately.
How do they keep slapping on no-skill restrictions...? Fine for her, but now she got why others couldn't full-clear.
Needed to show something new—so Wakamo reached into her tail, pulling a three-section staff her size.
-Three-section staff???
-No martial arts?
-Wow! Chinese kung fu!!
Metal rod coiled at her waist, two more in hand.
Linked by chains: a three-section staff, wielded and posed like a master by Mei.
Camera eliminated blind spots, dynamic vision tracked, sturdy body powered it—pure mimicry at its peak!!
Acrobatic flair that looked legit with good form!!
Real climbers' swings would spark effects, but Mei's staff seemed plain.
Or so it appeared.
One chain whirled, staff circling; the next built centrifugal force, smashing down.
Whip-crack menace, and the charging golem's arm crumpled—KABOOM!!
Custom-made universal weapon too heavy for even strength-maxed Pilot.
Ore-carved chains and segments woven one by one—a [Rare Metal] weapon not certified for climbers.
That's why Wakamo... no, Mei handled it like her own.
Mana-resistant, skills useless? Just bludgeon harder.
She flipped sideways over the floor-slicing handblade, spinning lithely.
Full-body centrifugal smash to the torso sent the giant golem staggering back.
Its caved chest tore open, exposing the glowing core.
"No repair function, scrap heap?"
She snickered, her sleazy smirk curling; believers begged to be stepped on, roasted... insane requests flooded.
"Ah... roasting nerds is tedious.... Too harsh? Sorry? Nah, no need. Pigs don't get human talk, right? ──That what you want?"
-Yesssss!!!
-Aqua phewk hiem.
-Buncha crazies.
-Can't resist that contempt face.
-ASMR too!!
-(Aroused fox con)
"But I like believers like Wakamo does. Won't say mean stuff. Love hearing otaku anime tales."
-What?
-Wut?
-Otaku gal sis in reality?! No way!!
-Bocchi pls Bocchi!!
-Anime watch party too?!
"Hmm── Fan cafe recs? That cool?"
-So sweet...
-Wakamo mama, now Mei eyes...
-Looks fierce but this kindness...
-Consistently believer-loving...
-That's our idol.
-But uh, fighting okay?!
"Fine─Whoa"
Half-crippled already, she started to say.
The fallen golem's arm detached a hand, revealing a massive barrel aimed at Mei.
No time to flinch—ratatata!! Barrage of ore projectiles.
"Three-section ultimate!!"
Mana-boosted idol flesh, eyes tracing trajectories, she twirled the staff frantically.
Believers awed by her wuxia display, like [Beat Saber]—spinning in place, batting ore dazzlingly.
Reality: graceful swan on lake, paddling like hell below.
Camera-eye-view chaos, instinct-guided blocks scattered hundreds of shots everywhere.
"Raaagh!"
Ki-yell, hurled staff hit core—clunk.
Second staff hammered the first's end like anvil.
She leaped, twisted, third staff smashed second's end.
Cha-ching cha-ching!!
Metal shrieks, core shattered; giant toppled backward.
Whirr whirr!!
Landed, spun staff showily—snap snap snap!—folded it, tossed to tail. Mei Xiaolongbao clasped palms in prayer pose.
"Good match!"
-Literal kung fu master.
-Golem, try your ore toss!!
-Makes boss look brute-forced af.
-Fr real lololol armor-piercing go.
-Seems weaker than Wakamo...?
-Weaklings use weapons, canon...
-Body forging is true strength!!
"Obvious, but I'm not brute-strong like Wakamo! Technique type~"
Winking eye-smile fan service; viewers went wild.
Worried as she was... they dug the "another Wakamo" concept. Inner relief.
[Incheon Tower Floor 36 achieves Platinum, opening to all humanity!!]
[Tower Platinum clear boosts rewards]
[Climber gains extra 10 stat points]
[Choose 1 reward]
[Idol's Thunder]
-Convert held mana to lightning.
[Object Interaction]
-Consume mana to lift objects.
[Companion Buff]
-Believer recovery speed +50%.
[Model Adjustment]
-Shrink/expand model size.
[Projection Settings]
-Adjust model transparency; max is spirit form.
'Huh...?'
Blinked at unfamiliar [Idol's Thunder].
Recall: [Idol's Lightning Strike] spent mana on "lightning spears."
This converted mana to lightning.
Subtle diff, but lightning's cool?
Perfect contrast to Wakamo.
'Got prep; can milk Mei Xiaolongbao to 40...!'
Even she smirked at her cunning.
Expressive model—viewers: why suspicious grin?
Wakamo's closed eyes hid emotions; Mei showed everything.
"Nah, plotting to steal Wakamo's stream..."
-Asuka too; why so serious about VTubing lololol
-Wanna hear scalper chase updates.
-Drum on sea; open to check?
-Got bonus AND blessed~
Smoothly passed. No misunderstandings.
Sigh of relief; believers: why sigh? Cold sweat.
Can't hide emotions this model!! Too artisan....
[Acquired skill [Idol's Thunder]!]
Grabbed skill, stretched.
"Let's go!"
[Climbing Incheon Tower Floor 37 World]
-[Wakamo Inarizushi] climber's achievements raise difficulty!
-Defeat the [Elite Monster]!
-Take down the [Plum Blossom Sword Sturdy Jiangshi]!
[Platinum Achievement Conditions]
-Defeat the [Plum Blossom Sword Sturdy Jiangshi] (0/1)
-Subdue the [Plum Blossom Sword Sturdy Jiangshi] with technique (0/1)
-No ranged attacks vs. [Plum Blossom Sword Sturdy Jiangshi] (0/1)
'Huh...?'
Scenery shifted abruptly.
Plum orchards in full bloom.
Mei Xiaolongbao on stone arena amid heritage-beauty architecture, gasped in awe.
Wuxia movie sets.
Dizzying heights; forests below clouds.
Yung Wei said Chinese towers had views and sights.
Felt like immortals' realm.
Unseasonal perfect plum petals scattered.
Before her: blood-smeared black uniform corpse, talisman on forehead, gripping sword.
'Sword ghost?'
Heard monsters could spawn [Fighter] sword variants.
Wakamo fought a similar idol foe.
But this? Never seen.
Red sword aura gathered.
Swing trailed petals slashing branches, gouging arena into flying slashes.
-Plum Blossom Sword!
-Hwasan swordsmanship!!
-Nah, jiangshi doing that ok?
-Wuxia master-to-jiangshi cliché!!
-Never-seen skill tho lololol
-Where'd it learn?!
Tower promo to viewers: climb to learn skills.
Romance-obsessed viewers hot-debated how-to.
Attention off her to jiangshi; Wakamo frowned.
Tower pulls every trick—she drew a broadsword from tail.
Widening blade to tip: classic Chinese dao.
Famed for cleaving power from tip-heavy balance.
Mei gripped, cleaved incoming petals.
Mana-clad charge, clashed—kagang!! Sparks, red-hot sword mark smoked.
"Hwasan's Plum Blossom Sword—pretty, nice.... But flashy rules. Right, believers?"
Crackle crackle—
Blue currents raced her palms.
Along blade, turned azure thunder, engulfing sword like gripped lightning.
"Crushing with霸道 power is best!!!"
Kwarung!!
Deafening thunderclap; dao vs. sword collided.
Rampant bolts scorched all petals.
Arena flipped, cracked, exploded—power struggle looked like she yielded, but leaping high, two-handed smash cleaved sword and jiangshi in one.
Mid-fall, weight-boosted strike landed; no cheer time—grabbed neck-chop handblade.
Her shadow shoved its leg, toppling balance.
Seized floating moment, twisted wrist, head-slammed, dao'd the waist.
-Combo insane...
-True masters' level different.
-Wtf idk but badass lololol
"Haa...."
Unlike Wakamo, relieved exhale, pure joyful grin—believers cooed cute.
No one guessed same person!!
Fist-pump joy inside, but face showed; all exposed.
-Why so cute winning happy.
-Won fight! Praise me! Face screams it lololol
-Wanna pet so bad...
-May I ask if Haibei Peng Clan??
-Plum-blooming Wakamo, thunder-wielding Mei...
-Dao master's霸道 splendor witnessed...
-Pedo?
-Dao, idiot.
[Incheon Tower Floor 37 achieves Platinum, opening to all humanity!!]
[Tower Platinum clear boosts rewards]
[Climber gains extra 10 stat points]
[Acquired relic item [Jade Pipa]!]
[Jade Pipa]
Rank: Relic.
Pipa of jade.
Boosts skill effects via user's playing.
Idol skills +30%
Ritual bonus +30%
Skill effects +30%
"Eung."
Mei clutched the dropped jade pipa, stunned.
No strings left, giving instruments; crestfallen face.
World-despair expression vivid!
-What is this.. trash...
-Face shows it all lololol
-Girl can't hide shit lololol
-Prob can't play either lololol
-Must've skipped music for wuxia to beat Wakamo lol
"I can play! Perfect... one tune."
Disappointment brief.
Smiling, plopped down, strummed pipa.
'Post-stream: watch wuxia vids, practice instrument, emotion control...'
Always effort, effort, effort!!
Better streams meant longer reflection time today.
Usually "did good!"—but new char.
Review footage: uphold [Mei Xiaolongbao] concept.
All-nighter research/practice planned.
Busy hands never faltered, unlike busy mind.
Anyway! New concept success... good enough!
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Today's the moment the author's raw, unfiltered shameful art skills shine through.
Fox spirit here. Cute mascot scampering about like this.
[Fox Immortal Mei Xiaolongbao].
Unlike Wakamo, weapon master concept; three-tailed fox.
Too complex design for AI polish; sad tale..
This girl's quality stays this level going forward.
Showing the concept sketch I drew.
Thanks always to readers!!