Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Wuxia Has Returned to the Modern World
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[Author: Anonymous]
(Video of Ichigo using Taijiquan and Plum Blossom Swordsmanship)
Wakamo Inarizushi, the sect founder, has decided to take on disciples again...
Of course, martial arts are only passed down to the disciples of the sect.
(Photo of climbers protesting in front of the Climber Association)
And these guys are screaming to be taught just like that...
Making them start from the beginning...
Can people who haven't even read a wuxia guide discuss martial arts?!
- LMAO, what do these guys who know nothing about martial arts or heroes know anyway!
-Wakamo the Great Hero is a righteous knight!!
-He's bringing it back to the modern world, the passion of the long-dead murim warriors....
-Tell us, Wakamo Guild Master. Just how much have we lost...?
-They say you can learn skills if you put in the effort, damn that's insane lololol
-But only Chinese and Japanese get to learn? No Koreans?
ㄴWakamo Corporation will probably do a second generation...
ㄴManager Won Da-hye seems like she'd teach.
ㄴPlum Blossom Swordsmanship is Korean!!
-By the way, our Guild Master succeeded. Even got invited to the climber gathering in America.
ㄴBut why open it three months early?
ㄴDunno. They said they're inviting everyone from around the world?
"....."
Today too, Wakamo sat cross-legged in the courtyard, meditating.
─Ever since teaching Ichigo a [Skill] the other day, Wakamo had been lost in various thoughts.
The Tower accommodates climbers, treats them accordingly, and rewards their efforts.
But then, why did the [Mana Manipulation] that Wakamo had personally mastered through effort become something she could wield freely with just her will?
Why did the Taijiquan, learned by moving her body, observing, feeling, and taking hits, impose restrictions saying she lacked the [Stats] when trying to execute it as a [Skill]?
If reversed, even without the [Stats], if she understood the principles, flow, and subtleties of the movements, could she use techniques of the same power?
Ichigo explained that knowledge entered his head, his body moved naturally, and the mana inside circulated.
The Tower turns ordinary people into superhumans in the simplest way possible.
And naturally, among those climbers, some must have had [Skills] from the start.
'My Taekwondo must be somehow lacking, right?'
In Kwonwang's case, he had his lifelong honed [Karate] as a [Skill].
Wakamo hadn't desperately delved into instruments, Taekwondo, or drawing to a professional level, so the Tower must have deemed her conditions insufficient.
'It's not that I can't understand why it's so contradictory. It's about grasping the Tower's intentions in doing this.'
Simply infusing mana into an idol's body for a strike brings massive recoil.
But using [Mana Manipulation] for the strike delivers greater power and a clean hit... with even bigger recoil.
There's a difference somewhere.
And Wakamo had reached a realm where she could distinguish that subtle difference based on whether she used it or not.
So, for Taijiquan, if Wakamo actively utilized [Mana Manipulation] and controlled her body, always maintaining peak condition—
──She could execute a technique even more perfect than Ichigo's.
Taking one step further from there.
Even without [Intelligence] stats, Wakamo could use [Shamanism].
'[Skills] themselves can't be used, but I understand and grasp their principles.'
The direction, subtleties, martial comprehension, forms of [Plum Blossom Swordsmanship (梅花劍法)] and [Ethereal Taiji Divine Fist (虛靈太極神拳)]—imagining the [Skill] naturally brings up how to move—but without the [Skill], the body doesn't move on its own.
But if Wakamo moved according to those thoughts...?
Wouldn't that be no different from using the [Skill]?
The [Seimei-style Onmyodo] and [Kuzunoha-style Onmyodo] were... a bit more complicated.
For body movement types, if visualized in the head like photos.
This was like math filled with xyz alphabets—if you don't know the basics, you can't even approach, let alone understand.
"So the foundation of shamanism lies in comprehending Yin-Yang Five Elements, understanding nature's flow, and the mysteries—"
As a special measure, she tried learning from Aoi Asuka but Wakamo cleanly gave up.
It's like knowing only mountains and rivers, then suddenly being told to learn physics— no clue how many years that would take.
Better to just train the body to death and put in bloody effort!!
The [Idol's Body] feels no fatigue or pain and always maintains peak condition!
Thus—on the contrary, Wakamo gained "enlightenment" in the opposite direction.
'If I can learn by seeing and effort, isn't it good to learn a lot?'
Kwonwang's [Karate] or... there are plenty of martial arts.
Ask Collector Yung Wei to learn directly from [Fighters]... but they'd probably ask why learn basics now, so awkward not knowing what excuse to make.
'First, acquire stats via [Faith], train climbers with them. Form a hierarchy with worshiping climbers. Grow believers that way, dominate an era, and truly reign as an [Idol]—that's the ideal use of a 『Legendary Class』.'
Absorbing, feeling with the body by repeatedly getting hit by the martial arts shown by a [Heroic Spirit]-ranked jiangshi, replaying videos, observing from various angles—that was Wakamo Inarizushi's own capability.
'Maybe that's why even the Tower is troubled by this?'
If it were a [Fighter] instead of Legendary Class, they'd lament it was a genius who could have achieved great success.
'Am I actually a true grandmaster talent?'
Yes, though Wakamo Inarizushi didn't realize it.
The Tower granting [Skills] to climbers is no different from indicating that climber can use that [Skill]. She complains it doesn't auto-execute without [Stats]—but in reality, this crazy VTuber means if she grasps and understands the principles regardless of [Stats], she can use it.
While other climbers do automatic driving, Wakamo has to turn the key, press the clutch, shift manual gears clunk-clunk, with no navigation so she unfolds the map herself—desperate days.
"Ey~ too much~ hehe... Just doing VTuber streams would make me happy... What grandmaster. Wakamo, your bravado's grown. Tsk tsk..."
Saying that, she diligently read [Blade of the Wind] with samurais, researching if she could use that swordsmanship.
"If I can master it, of course I want to use manga techniques!! Dual Extreme Points would be so cool!! Energy waves or whatever!!"
Not at an age full of dreams. Just envious of Pilot doing Gum-Gum Navy Karate!!
I wanna do fun-looking stuff like that too!!
VTuber stream-wise, it'd be huge content!!
Damn, Pilot... not only fun streams but flashy cool skills too. In this cold VTuber industry, talent to freeload off— so jealous!!
"Plus doesn't watch anime so we watch together, fun reactions make lots of clips... Jealous of that talent!!"
Pondering external collabs, whether to recruit 1st gen beyond 0th gen.
Opening [Build Craft], wondering if to make [Wakamo Corporation Server] like other VTuber groups for free collabs...
For Wakamo, biggest worry was how to make fun VTuber streams.
She still had no idea what awaited in America.
※※※
"Welcome to New York!!"
"Wow.... Living this long, finally hit America. I wanna go Paris too, Boss!!"
"Buy lots of souvenirs!"
"I'm off to deal with the bastard who sold me mining GPUs, join later."
"Hey, stop right there."
Manager Won Da-hye intervened, dragging Aoi Asuka away.
Wakamo Corporation's group had just arrived in America by plane. Passports, ID checks as climbers, showing invites... tons of checks and inspections, so exiting the airport took longer than expected.
"......"
"What's up, Yu Ying?"
"Weird, right? More Asians than white people?"
"Cause it's an airport?"
"Opening three months early is sus...."
Having lived a harsh life, Yu Ying scanned surroundings for suspicious things right upon landing.
Even ready for sudden assassins. Sadako patted her back, telling her to relax.
What could happen? America invited climbers, landed at major city airport—trouble en route would be the real issue.
"Certainly, opening three months early caused controversy. Other climbers have schedules, so many American climbers said they can't come. Some hadn't even gotten invites."
"Hmm......"
"Adding one thing. Korea, Japan, China—the unprecedented East Asian alliance is what America's focusing on most. There was an era claiming America guards world peace. Suddenly matching America's weight class brings political checks."
From trade halts to various interferences—but with the Tower providing resources, a country that conquers it easily becomes abundant without food worries, so America can't help but be anxious, explained Manager Won Da-hye to Wakamo.
"At such timing, suddenly advancing schedule to invite many climbers? Maybe to show America's superiority to climbers? Universal gear, treatment overwhelmingly better than any other country?"
"Hence many climbers switching nationality to America...."
Manager Won Da-hye anyway begged them not to relax too much.
Still, America wouldn't terrorize in downtown, right? At worst, cops demean Asians and falsely arrest to jail? Thinking about it, that's problematic too.
VTuber in jail. Broadcast material.
"There's war reporter VTubers. Jail inmate VTuber fits too!"
"No such thing should exist!"
Wakamo folded in half at Sadako's rational tackle. Sneaky facts...!!
Still, really nothing'll happen..?
Waiting Chinese climbers to escort Yu Ying, plus Japanese and Korean association bodyguards—group swelled hugely.
Asked to scout meeting place first, no need to rush, so decided to leisurely tour American streets.
Megacity built for climbers.
『Tampa Tower Town』 in Tampa—odd name for new city, but modern design from roads to buildings stood out.
Miami below too, if meeting goes smooth, beach trip not bad.
"Got to hit a bar in America. Wow, so many bars! German beer place too!!"
"Taco Bell, Wendy's, Chipotle, Denny's... tons of muggle stuff, let's go!!"
"Computer parts, game consoles, games too. VTubers gotta hit there first!"
Proper first(?) group overseas trip.
Japan/China don't count fully as "overseas."
As unplanned opinions clashed wildly.
They turned to Wakamo, their President, Boss, Owner, to decide.
"Nope?"
Wakamo, who was behind, had vanished.
A 2m40cm+ giant in long trenchcoat, chest exposed, fox ears and tail—impossible not to spot, yet gone.
"Ms. Wakamo? Where'd you go?"
Asuka startled, scanning with Yu Ying and Sadako.
Saw a monster flattened on the ground.
"Sniff sniff"
"...???"
"???????"
Couldn't grasp situation, but Wakamo crawled on floor, tail swishing wildly, ears perked, senses sharp—tracking by smell.
Party speechless at shocking sight.
Amid it, embarrassed Manager Won Da-hye pretended not to know, staring afar.
"Boss!! What're you doing!!!"
"Smells like a VTuber somewhere!!!"
"What kinda nonsense is that?!!"
Thanks to recent 40th floor battle enlightenment, senses sharpened.
Thus Wakamo Inarizushi's VTuber sense transcended common sense...!!
"Sniff sniff sniff..."
"No Boss. Why're you a dog.... no booze either!!!"
"It's VTuber instinct. Our babies! Won't miss!"
"Don't try to justify..!! Leash and muzzle won't fix this normally!!"
"No choice, I'll be clueless parrot too..."
"Don't make it worse!!"
Only Sadako rationally arguing!!
Even cockroaches/spiders don't move that fast. Wakamo quadruped-crawled streets at insane speed to a toy shop. Toys displayed, used collectibles piled for collectors...
"Pupu Moe Train's Otaku Moe Figure!! Nutube debut Family Group's goods lingering...!! Debuted 2018, thrived in barren English VTuber scene!! Cynical, unfiltered swears, sex joke master...! My first greeting 'Hi idiots!' was imitating this VTuber...! 2023 grad's goods here!!!"
"C-calm down Boss..."
"VShojo face fusion, VirtualAlive EN goods galore!! See that? Time traveler our British detective hat goods!! VirtualAlive EN 1st gen completer, founding hero VTuber!! T-shirts too, Eternal Sana who graduated!! I'm buying that!!!"
"No... lining up here takes all day Boss.."
"....."
Plop.
Sadako calm, meeting more important... act mature, Wakamo flopped to floor.
"Uuu... uuuu..."
Sadako had bad premonition seeing Wakamo trembling like about to cry.
"Gonna buy..! Gonna buy!!!"
Sadako sweated like post-shower seeing Wakamo tearfully flailing Gonna buy!!! tantrum.
"Can't buy now, other collector'll snag!! Gonna buy gonna buy gonna buy gonna buy gonna buy──!!!"
"Boss wants it! Why not go buy!!"
"Here hood-style smash glass, loot? Implement French Revolution here, Vive la France right?"
"Am I only sane one!!!"
Head throbbing Sadako detoured convenience store, chugged canned beer one-shot, calmly assessed.
Wakamo floor-flopped whining Eeeen!! Wakamo!! Buy goods!! No meeting!! Goods shopping!! sobbing like that often?
Sadako knew her excessive VTuber love bordering unpleasant.
Still, 1,000yo acting childish... meanwhile Yu Ying/Asuka ditch plans to baby her— all wrong.
Only rational judge here is me.
Amid, Manager Won Da-hye fled to scout meeting.
Experienced OL response different... heh... learned something?
"Hey ladies. Climbers invited to gathering? First time in city?"
"Uh.... who're you?"
"Robert Duncan Smith! As you see? City sheriff. Think concept like that, cute ladies."
W-shaped mustache, classic cowboy cosplay, potbelly friendly-faced American approached.
"No, all guards contacted—emergency at toy shop. Suspect 243cm, black hair, huge height chest beauty, rushed here."
"Sorry....."
"City mostly climbers. Rowdiness headaches. This cute. My daughter 7yo does same at dress shop for princess clothes!"
Wakamo Inarizushi compared to 7yo daughter.
Shame head-down Sadako, unyielding Yu Ying saying our President cute, Asuka always Wakamo side.
Thus, Sadako had to resolve.
Karate punch to face finally quieted Wakamo, who rose depressed.
"My goods....."
"Calling dead stock, miss? Tell ya, I'll contact to sell?"
"Dead stock...? Retract that!!!"
"Why pick fight with sheriff!!!"
Pilot's steel fist to Wakamo side!! Yu Ying punched Sadako's gut yelling don't hit President.
Anyway minor commotion, Wakamo swept all VTuber goods.
Sadako stared vacant, resigned seeing blissfully happy Wakamo.
"Wahahat!! Lady's that famous Fox God!! Heard rumors but wow insane!! Asia's mystery? Know karate black belts tough!! Kung fu!! Asian climbers love cold weapons/body arts. Buddy uses spear awkwardly!!"
Robert Duncan Smith—call Robert, Duncan Smith surname—stuck to build ties with celeb Wakamo, explaining stuff.
Easy local guide good for Wakamo group. More joke than leech, warned off dangers, gave tips.
"Normally America's 『Man Eater』 top rankers come, but sudden 3-month advance. Only idle like me 177th. This gathering probably smallest ever!"
Looks aside, Robert thumped belly loudly, Tampa 50th floor conqueror.
"Asia has Fox God, Russia raises climber from kid human weapon mods real? Heard nothing? Curious. US too—conspiracy on artificial 『Legendary Class』 experiments. Artificial climber experiments real though."
"If that's real, former too...?"
"No Russia intel researched. But conspiracy on net."
"VTuber streaming so dunno..."
"Mister. Guide to booze place...."
Ate at Robert-recommended restaurant, drank at popular bar he said, leisurely time.
Asuka's game shop skipped... meeting first?
Robert kindly explained gatherings: climbers share info, trade/sell items—in designated areas against illegals, called "gathering."
"Oh, rumor: climbers suddenly defecting to America? Like possessed...?"
"Possessed..?"
"Yeah. Asian buddy said fox possessed. Climber abandons overseas family, 4 full clears, quits climbing for America. Fits conspiracy."
Anyway, Robert warned: Wakamo super famous among climbers, expect question swarms. Watch for thieves/scammers/kidnappers.
Of course, he'd personally mark—eyes sparkling.
This guy's too nice?
"Waaah─!!"
Entered huge building, department store-like space welcomed Wakamo party.
Like Japan's Comiket but... more refined?
Empty spaces: climbers set stalls selling, bartering.
Info sharing too, truth scales (item?) on tables.
Unimaginable unseen sight in Korea, Wakamo party gawked village-like.
"No climber fights... right?"
"Huh? Relax! We mediate. No western showdowns. Crazy to pick fights anyway."
Robert stroked mustache at cautious Sadako, no worries.
Even fights verbal at most—intent to kill escalates damage, all climbers know, rare issue.
"Hmm~ Got more stories for VTuber stream to believers."
"Hah, VTubers. What's good about nerd shit losers watch anyway."
".....Hah?"
Casual mutter, but slacker dude mocked Wakamo, bashed VTubers.
No reason, stranger talks like that?
──Can't rampage, so endured.
"Hide ugly faces, weird voices. Creepy nerds fantasize pervert-like. Face-showing streamers better?"
Snap—Wakamo's reason thread broke.
Stranger trash-talk like that okay?
America's free, overflowing speech?
Half-reason evaporated Wakamo glared murderously approaching—slacker drew gun.
No way really shooting? Wakamo glanced down.
But sneering bang! muzzle flash.
Bullet—unreinforced by mana—blew half Wakamo's head.
Sudden climber murder.
Onlookers screamed shock, guards rushed at gunshot.
"Ehh! Sheriff! Saw? This giant monster threatened first? Self-defense?"
"What bullshit!! Weapons banned here!! How smuggled!!"
Even Robert panicked, gun out yelling hands up surrender!! at slacker.
Acquaintance climber.
Fierce racist but not murderer.
Boom─!!!
Then lightning pierced ceiling.
Falling debris incinerated to ash by lightning.
Struck, Wakamo's body blazed pure white flames.
Flames climbed body wrapping head—
Inside, fully regenerated head, reverse-spiked hair fluttered settling.
".....Huh?"
"Shot first?"
Half head gone yet not dead, lightning-flame-wrapped regenerating Wakamo stared red murder eyes.
Slacker terror-struck, couldn't even shoot held gun, backed fleeing.
Ironically, ran to Sheriff begging save.
But Wakamo merciless.
....
......
.........
That day Robert recalled scene:
"First time seeing human crumple like crushed can flying."
Thrust blow twisted limbs, spun top-like crashing—true martial art Asian buddy meant.
But after, sighed asking smoke okay? Lit lighter politely.
"Looking back, should've felt off then."
Sudden provocation trying kill Wakamo Inarizushi—odd climber behavior.
Racism exists in America—but blatant drag-in murder.
"Climber barely survived, woke ICU clueless why shot."
Watching cigarette burn, smoke rising, Robert grimaced.
"Like conspiracies but post-incident, ignored them."
If let buy VTuber collabs/goods freely.
NY Broadway VTuber ads, concerts— no incident.
"Hope they see that girl's good person."
Outside window 『Tampa Tower Town』 view.
Tower that should stand—collapsed, Robert stubbed cigarette in ashtray.
"America won't lose to one climber.... I thought so too once."