Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Wakamo Inarizushi's Tampa Tower Conquest
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Wakamo Inarizushi's conquest of the Tampa Tower's 60th floor became known worldwide.
It had taken just three days to clear a tower with a whopping 60 floors.
Even better, she'd skipped climbing on the second day to do a VTuber stream instead, meaning she'd effectively conquered the 60-floor tower in only two days.
"The Stars and Stripes fluttering at the top felt great. She's a good person, Ms. Kang is."
After finishing the conquest, Kang Yeo-ul had wiped the Tampa Tower off the map, handed Robert a pouch of gold coins, and left without so much as an interview.
With no chance to speak to her directly, the American reporters had no choice but to interview Robert, the man who'd handed her the flag.
She'd sharply criticized American towers, calling them so boring they made her yawn, saying climbing them was just something she did for fun.
And indeed, she'd displayed utterly overwhelming prowess while ascending the tower.
She'd showcased all sorts of abilities in flashy performances tailored to thrill Americans.
From hero movies to the blockbuster series and animations they loved, the packed footage rocketed to three million views in no time, just as her followers had predicted.
Of course, midway through, the American tower had failed to grasp Wakamo Inarizushi's class properly and tried ramping up the difficulty.
It had unleashed doppelgangers that she'd smashed repeatedly like ragdolls, shown over and over.
Thanks to that, her weakness to Mana Burn became known in America too.
But she'd turned her body to metal, phased through attacks like a ghost, and even after being reduced to ash by Kang Yeo-ul's strikes, she'd revived multiple times.
Even if her weakness was Mana Burn leading to explosion, anyone could see the blast would engulf the user too—practically mutual suicide.
And even if you landed it, Kang Yeo-ul in the American tower footage kept infinite-reviving and ultra-fast regenerating endlessly, so there was no guarantee Wakamo would survive.
Sniping her? That was a nightmare for shooters—the elf sniper's bullets were dodged blind or batted away with weapons, so it wasn't even worth citing as an example.
The mysterious climber from Asia, a living idol called a legend, the Fox Goddess.
Her use of martial arts—now a relic of the past unfit for real combat—to go on a one-woman rampage looked just like a Jedi from modern times, delighting some fans.
Her lightsaber rampage was especially spectacular, pushing popularity to its peak.
Naturally, Asians laughed merrily watching Westerners subscribe to Wakamo cluelessly, only to get hit with Nutube terrorism.
Her fan cafe finally expanded beyond Korea, China, and Japan to include English speakers, birthing a truly multinational fan community unlike any other.
Against the Free Souls, she'd shown ultra-high-speed combat and flashy teamwork where the three moved as one.
She'd summoned a massive divine statue, wielded a world-overpainting domain just like the boss monster's, and capped it off with a finale of dropping the sun from the sky.
Praise for fighting in earnest—not messing around—only fueled needless misunderstandings, but to believers, this was everyday stuff.
Believers gleefully shoved Incheon Tower climb footage at clueless Americans, thrilled yet worried about more rivals... but...
"I already have this-person rights?" Some traitorous believers who'd received them started egging fights among themselves. Even the gallery wristband holders were aggressively promoting that they'd gotten theirs too, so it was no use—communities had devolved past inferno into hellscapes.
"Man, she rides well."
Believers explained the sources of everything Wakamo had shown while climbing, dubbing them rip-offs, while younger ones teased.
They gathered reminiscing, saying they should ship the leader to Hollywood for a movie, only to get cursed at for not knowing VTubers.
Debates raged on rewards from the conquest and whether Mrs. Kang still counted as a widow. Experts chimed in unnecessarily, dissecting it all—Sadako burst out laughing.
The fan art board became unrecognizable—was it for fan art or aspiring webtoon artists?
Parodies from comics and anime flooded it.
"So, how long is our leader gonna keep abstaining from food and sleep...?"
Who was the highest-ranked climber in Wakamo Corporation? None other than Mare Fillet... yes, Sadako, daughter of the Fist King.
Wakamo didn't particularly care about how other climbers developed.
No, because growth methods were up to each climber.
"For Wizards, it's about unlocking skill lines. Mine too—with Shape Shifting getting + add-ons and such."
Yeah, normal climbers didn't stockpile skills like Wakamo.
Sadako had poured massive enhancements into just Shape Shifting alone—mana efficiency, multi-element handling, increased element capacity, etc. Metal Transmutation always stayed the same color but expanded the range of metal types.
Ooyama Sadako's class showed in her status window as [Class: Shape Shifting Line Wizard] among Wizards.
Meaning she'd invested everything into core Shape Shifting. Her other skills were basic utility magics from the start—no enhancements—and everything else supported Shape Shifting.
Yu Ying was similar.
As an Alchemist, she had more skills than Sadako.
Scrap Synthesis, Extreme Poison Creation, Lethal Toxicity, Sturdy Body, Robust Stamina, Lethal Metamorphosis, Poison Resistance, Human Anatomy Expert, Alchemy-Metal Transmutation, Alchemy-Artistic Sculpting, Elixir Production, Alchemy-Property Transmutation (Poison), etc... as you can see.
She had zero attack skills!!
Including throws, she left all combat needs to her climber stats, not skills.
Thanks to that, Yu Ying had grown enough to brew corrosive solutions that melted monsters.
Climbers had to give up something to gain something; true growth meant pouring all resources into one goal.
Manager Won Da-hye, a Shifter who'd cleared the 50th floor, revealed she had only five skills even after.
Meaning she'd massively enhanced those five.
So Wakamo Inarizushi could grasp the issue now.
Wakamo's skills barely synergized or linked.
No—they all just did their own thing!!
From VTuber Assets to VTuber Model to Idol's True Form clones... normal people couldn't even operate clones simultaneously, let alone assets or models requiring expert modeling tweaks.
Wakamo could because she was that climber.
With stats only in Mana, she was effectively statless like an architect or artist.
And that stat tied to HP—drop it and you die? Ridiculous.
Monster fights, bullet-batting, snap judgments in crises... all Wakamo Inarizushi's own talent, not provided by the Idol class.
When had her growth gone off the rails?
With trembling hands, Wakamo opened [Know-How on Climber Cultivation].
Ding.
[This class's growth progress is 7%. Incompatible, forced development has wasted 93% of the class's strengths.]
"I didn't ask, you bastard!!!"
Wakamo hurled herself onto the bed, sobbing with notebook in hand.
The tower called me a failure~
Muttering the tune, Wakamo ground her teeth to at least see how dynamically she'd screwed up her growth.
※※※
[Wakamo Inarizushi Climber's class is [Legendary Class Idol (VTuber)].
This class is classified as [Non-Combat Job]. Considering the sharp drop in Korean tower climbers, it created [Idol].
To meet conditions, it lowered hurdles, adding a high-risk, high-reward penalty of death without [Faith]. Growth speed is the lowest, but growth potential is the highest among Legendary classes, specialized in [Cultivation].]
"Hmm, seems screwed."
Usually you spot the screw-up reading along, but the opening job intro hit her with instant doom vibes.
Death as demerit? Risk was filthy high, yeah. Low returns? True. Wakamo felt it.
She slowly read the first page.
[Layers 1-9 teach survival [Knowledge]—most importantly, fire-starting and weapon-making. Korean tower chose [Internet] as the best way to grow Idol believers. Referencing modern idols [VTubers], the job supplies faith via broadcasts.
Ideal skill tree: Acquire [Video Recording] on 1st floor, use [Internet Connection] to live-stream climbs inside the tower. Secure minimum subscribers while minimizing difficulty for survival guarantee.
As a virtual entity, it aids grasping layer virtual info, acquiring 『Perfect Clear Layers』.
Reach up to 10th floor, build domain, secure Idol safety, form base with believers—that's the basics.]
Wakamo knew this much.
Good thing she had subscribers from five years of streaming...
Desperate days climbing to avoid death flashed back.
Ten Perfect Clear Layers make Wakamo Layer 1 into a domain.
Live there as Idol, have believers faith-farm... that's what the tower planned.
So where'd it go wrong?
Modern VTuber + ancient Idol = new-era class [Idol (VTuber)].
Korean tower, steeling resolve as Korean climbers dwindled, created it!!
And now its cultivation method was revealed...!!
Ideal tech tree: [Video Recording] -> [Internet Connection] -> [Worshipped God]. [Worshipped God] from 2nd floor is the "most important skill"—rapid mana drain recovery, Idol lifespan extension. Any thinking, cultured climber would've picked it.
"This fucker's picking a fight suddenly?"
Wakamo picked [Worshipped God] on 11th floor. Way too late.
Acquire [Worshipped God], get [Idol's Protection] skill. Even without it, it appears—don't worry. [Idol's Protection] unlocks true [Idol] skill tech tree. Idol's most "core," fundamental, basic skill.
Acquire [Idol's Protection], generate [Faith] stat.
Wakamo got [Idol's Protection] on 50th floor.
"Ha, hahahahaha! Ahahaha! Khkhkh..."
Absurdity leaked laughter; Wakamo smacked her forehead.
From acquisition, she'd sensed it was crucial—not just a buff, but tech tree unlock? Her gut was spot-on.
Calm down... stay cool...
Next, [Reward of Faith] unlocks. Acquire it to properly create [Climbers].
It can appear earlier, but without climber buffs, no faith gain—lower priority. Then build basics in architecture/operations climbing.
Unless demanding [Attack Skills] or [VTuber Skills], from 7th floor: reward item [Know-How on Climber Cultivation] for cultivating climbers.
This item auto-provides upon [Idol's Protection].
For picky jobs, follow the book's guidance.
Wakamo got this after conquering 60th floor.
So [Idol's Protection] at 50th, reward at 60th—utterly mismatched structure, massively screwed.
Plus, Reward of Faith at 31st. Way, way too late...
Next, acquire [Idol's Symbol] skill. Architecture line—build Idol symbols; tower grades results. Then get [Idol's Territory].
[Idol's Territory] enhances Wakamo Layer 1 from Perfect Clears. Special buffs on livestock/crops inside to attract believers.
Build companion [Idol's Shrine] atop it.
Now proper climber cultivation begins. Acquire [Idol's Blessing], upper skill of [Idol's Protection]. Costs [Faith]. Its sub-skill [Class-Exclusive 【Broadcast Points】] is lower-tier—not recommended. Appears without [Idol's Protection].
[Idol's Blessing] spends [Faith] for extra stats; buy [Blessings] to directly empower [Climbers].
Acquire [Returned Offerings], buy skills for cultivated [Climbers].
Key here: Not [Idol's Blessing]—alpha-and-omega [Idol's Protection]. Faster acquisition = better; later = more loss. Caution.
"Hmm."
Reading along, it was all unknowns... though she recognized a few.
Anyway, Korean tower's Idol expectations? Wakamo got it. Ultimately increased Korean climbers—mission accomplished!! Tower probably thinks OK?
[Idol] has all stats as [Mana]. Mana body enhancement possible, but repeats lifespan drain—insane.
[Idol] class, same floor as other Legendaries, has lowest combat among non-combat—tons of weaknesses, penalties unfit for battle. All skills cost mana; 0 mana = death. Never forget.
Tower rewards info penalty at 30%; use [Returned Offerings] to cultivate climbers, buy [Skills] from them, gain [Extra Stats]/[Faith] for 70% rewards.
Buy skills make unique climbers unlike normals. Higher climbs = more rewards, sparks climber competition.
Follow [Idol's Protection] to [Idol's Mercy] recovery—heal climbers. [Summoned Believer] ignores climb penalties; summon mid-climb to fight proxy.
Another support: [Idol's Apostle]. Omega skill: [Class-Exclusive 【Manager (Shaman) Recruitment】].
[Idol's Protection] and [Class-Exclusive 【Manager (Shaman) Recruitment】]—must-have before 10th floor.
Manager (Shaman) ignores [Class] limits, uses all skills Idol bought via believers. Send cultivated Manager (Shaman) climbing for more faith/extra stats.
Grow climber numbers to build faction—that's [Idol (VTuber)] strength.
Cultivate believers safely, conquer tower, build vast nation possible.
Again: Idol far from combat. Climb unlike normals—only 30% rewards.
Gainable stats only [Mana]/[Faith]—climb all you want, no stronger. Mana caps too—remember.
Tower may provide [Attack Skills] per climber demands, but mismatches job.
Skills cost [Mana]—powerful sure, but life's shaved same as suicide.
Assume sensible climber reads this guide, heeds warnings/cautions.
...
...
For reference, Wakamo got [Idol's Apostle] at 24th floor.
"Fuck your formulas!"
Yeah, Wakamo knew Idol was climber-cultivating type!!!
But she'd begged for attack skills!! VTuber skills!! Wheedled tower for wrong ones.
Mana caps? Forced climbs overcame.
Class combat-irrelevant, but personal talent filled gaps.
Idol growth: actual 7%.
Far, far from Korean tower's vision.
Protested no items? Proper climb = crops/livestock/building materials?
Irrelevant to current Wakamo—tower held back.
What shocking truth...
No, climbers fight up towers!!
"You're saying picking VTuber skills was wrong?! Climber climbs free!!! My choice of skills!!!
More infuriating: [Idol's Protection] has enhancement tech tree.
Like other classes' cores!!
[Idol's Protection] = Idol's core skill! Heart! Soul!!
To Shifter: beast transform; Wizard: magic!!
......
"Let's sort this..."
Idol creates climbers. Born climbers can't climb if Idol dies.
Wakamo Layer 1 initial size... declare territory, build shrine, recruit believers, safely grow faction.
Diverse climber classes—buy [Skills] as extra stats.
Teach to others: stronger than normal climbers.
Limited resources spark climber rivalries.
From there, cult priestess worshipping Idol—constraint-free all-class skills climber, cultivate her.
Use apostles, priestesses, believers to climb, grow Idol power; even nation from climbers possible, though time-consuming.
In a way, cheat-class terrifying.
Of course, handling people—no easy guarantees.
Tower worried too—gave safe spot first.
Yeah.
To save vanishing Korean climbers, Korean tower made Idol to save Korea's humans.
Result: Korea saved.
Far from original design.
Despite lifespan drain per skill, undaunted—fought fierce through trials, thanks to that climber.
Dreaming bigger than anyone, VTuber for VTubers' VTuber-only climber.
Purely pursuing streams to delight viewers/believers, unbowed by weaknesses, forging own path.
Next second-gen: hand this item at start, Korean tower resolved.
"Huh, what. Suddenly feels fucked."
Hypersensitive gut past beast senses—Korean tower silently cheered Wakamo with warm gaze.
Did everything.
Gave everything you wanted.
...Actually, some skills: flawed sub-variants of originals.
Wakamo won't know till death.
Dressed as VTuber just in case.
Mana-cost [Attack Skills] = suicide anyway—didn't wanna give, but you begged, so Korean tower obliged.
Seeing her beam happily hurt conscience though.
Your choice!!
Korean tower innocent!!
"Korean tower, you bastard watching and mocking me?!"
Vaguely pissed, Wakamo huffed, slamming notebook shut.
Regret-reading, soaked pillow with tears (mana).
..
....
Korean tower with zero VTuber knowledge + climber with zero Idol knowledge.
First Legendary fulfilling basics—went way too far astray.
But hey, kid's thriving—Korean tower won anyway? Savored victory.
This day, minor US tower difficulty hike happened.
Rewards upped too—good for climbers, no?