Chapter 22
People’s perception of goblins has changed significantly since the appearance of the Tower.
If only a few appear, it’s not much of an issue, but they tend to pop out in groups.
Moreover, they possess intelligence, using tactics like applying poison to their weapons or setting traps.
They are the weakest and least intelligent humanoid monsters, but their sheer numbers are incredibly annoying.
A goblin is weak enough that if a combat-related occupation lands a solid hit, they can be killed in a single blow.
However, the Tower drops climbers into pitch-black caves or dense forests whenever they encounter them.
They are cunning and clever hunters.
They dig tunnels to hide, cling to trees, or camouflage themselves, ambushing climbers and killing them.
Although using [Tower Exit] is possible, meaning one can escape if they stay alert, if someone faints, they might be eaten alive or dragged away to face a terrible fate.
Even if one manages to escape alive, their hunting methods are so dirty that it leaves a trauma.
Goblins are considered one of the most troublesome monsters that poured out with the Tower’s collapse for this reason.
In reality, those that emerged outside have even learned to shoot guns they acquired.
With their small stature and sturdy bodies, they climb up walls or dig tunnels to raid villages.
Because of this, the Believers were worried about Wakamo Inarizushi.
She had a body that was overwhelmingly large and stood out wherever she went.
Her overwhelming presence—though it’s inevitable given that she is a VTuber—led her to make an odd comment in response to the Believers’ concerns.
“Believers, you should know this. VTubers don’t exist in reality!!”
It seemed like another nonsensical statement. But who doesn’t know that? Everyone understands while enjoying the stream in line with the setting, laughing along.
Some Believers, however, teased her, saying, “But you exist in reality as a VTuber.”
– What? What’s happening??
– ???? Is this some sort of spell????
– W-What skill is this? Like a Thief skill?
– [Log] says there’s a skill like this…
– Didn’t Ichigo make a potion?
– Ichigo can only make poison.
They couldn’t understand what was happening, even as they watched the Tower’s interior through the screen. And since Wakamo kept her mouth firmly shut, the Believers could only watch the camera showing nothing but empty air.
The camera started filming the scene of [Elite Monsters], which had evolved, roaming the forest, now more heavily armed than the usual goblin groups.
From crude crossbows to spears, there were goblins riding wolves. Some were even equipped with shields and leather armour, making the Believers whisper that the “Elite” title wasn’t just for show.
“Kiiik, Kirrrk.”
Three goblins, seemingly on a reconnaissance mission, started moving through the forest, pushing aside the tall grass that grew as high as their bodies.
Unlike usual, a particularly eerie energy lingered in the air, making them tense as they pricked up their ears and walked along their designated patrol route, checking the traps and snares they had set to ensure nothing had been caught.
Thunk─!
“Kiek! Kieeek!”
“Kirrk Kirrrk!!”
Hearing the sound of a trap activating, two goblins quickly drew their poisoned swords and dashed toward the source of the noise.
Excitedly thinking a trap had been triggered, they ran forward, only to find one of their companions, who had set out with them, impaled on stakes after falling into the trap.
“Kiek?”
“Kiiirrk?”
Did he trip, or did he not know the trap’s location?
But as they stared at their dead companion with a terrified expression, one of the goblins began to feel a sense of dread.
The unusually quiet forest carried an unsettling, artificial atmosphere that they couldn’t shake off. Just as one goblin turned to suggest returning to the village, he made eye contact with the back of his companion’s head.
What’s behind him? As he glanced over his shoulder together, he realized that the head wasn’t looking back—it had been twisted around.
He belatedly tried to blow the whistle hanging around his neck, but…
Thunk─!!
The twisted companion’s hand moved and pierced the goblin’s neck with precision.
“Kikk, Kik…?”
With the sound of air escaping, the goblin fumbled with the knife that had pierced him, unable to comprehend why his twisted companion had attacked him.
Or rather, how he was even moving. Eventually, with a final wheeze, the goblin flipped his eyes and collapsed to the ground.
In an instant, the three goblins who went on patrol had lost their lives.
The camera captured a scene reminiscent of a horror movie, leaving viewers too afraid to even type in the chat, glancing nervously.
They couldn’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu, as if they had seen something like this before.
They also sensed that the 『Fox’s Hunting Method』, which the host intended to show, was seriously wrong.
Meanwhile, an ominous shadow loomed over the goblins, who were unaware of the situation.
Rustle, rustle.
A goblin guarding the entrance of the village immediately pointed its weapon at the rustling sound from the grass but laughed when a rabbit jumped out.
“Kiek! Kiek!”
Elbowing his fellow guard at the waist, he pointed at the clueless rabbit staring at them. His companion goblin, eager at the sight of a tasty meal, excitedly threw his spear.
The rabbit, startled by the spear whizzing past, fled behind a tree, prompting the two goblins to abandon their post and give chase to capture their meal.
“Kkiiik!”
During the chase, one goblin glanced back to see his companion tripping over something, laughing at his clumsiness. But when he turned around the tree, he froze at the sight of his fallen companion’s head.
Realizing something was terribly wrong, he tried to scream, but…
Whoosh─
He couldn’t make a sound.
The goblin, suspended mid-air as if something was holding him, couldn’t move a muscle.
On the Believers’ screens, the sight of the struggling goblin’s legs, desperately flailing for survival, was eerily vivid.
And then—
Crunch.
With the sound of something snapping, the goblin’s legs went limp and vanished from the screen.
Still, the screen revealed nothing visible.
“Kiek! Kieeek!”
“Kirrk Kirrrk!!”
“Kiek! Kiek!”
And then, the cries of goblins echoed through the air. Three goblins emerged from the bushes.
The goblins that had gone on reconnaissance naturally walked into the village’s interior.
They held each other’s hands, clasped together, almost looking like a single mass.
Seeing the corpse of the huge beast they had dragged along, the goblins rushed out.
In that moment, all the goblins in the village gathered in one place.
Immediately after, the brightness on the Believers’ screens dropped sharply, as if some setting for eye protection was enabled, followed by a blinding flash bursting out from within the screen.
Had the brightness not been reduced, the concentrated viewers might have gone blind from the intense light.
Naturally, the poor goblins clutched their eyes in pain, writhing in agony.
And before anyone noticed, the goblins that had gone on reconnaissance had disappeared.
In their place, as if emerging from a mirage, a wavering shimmer, Wakamo leaped out like a beast.
Her movements stretched out, leaving afterimages, swiftly taking down the goblins that collapsed in an instant.
“I didn’t get caught, right?”
Wakamo spoke with a casual smile, but none of the Believers dared to answer hastily. They were too busy trying to understand the situation.
With a signal that she was starting, Wakamo’s figure vanished.
No, perhaps it would be more accurate to say she became invisible?
The viewers thought the camera was continuously showing the scenery, but in reality, it was showing Wakamo to the Believers.
She suddenly conjured a ‘Rabbit’ that shouldn’t exist within the Tower, using it to lure the goblins.
She even recreated the three goblin scouts who should have died, making them move again.
“Believers. This is how you hunt.”
– I-I see…
– Now I understand why people get bitten by snakes while hiking… Because they can’t see them…
– No, but this is really invisible.
– Is this what it means to be bewitched by a fox? What is this really?
– I think I’m sleeping with my mom tonight, haha…
– Invisible Wakamo is so strong…
– Since there are no witnesses left, I guess it’s indeed an assassination.
– Is this the real stealth assassination…?
– This failure is because the support didn’t place wards.
– You’re blaming the support for this???
Wakamo seemed pleased with the intense reactions and was proud of the direction the show had taken.
Through the broadcast, she thought, why not try creating a “misconception” while hiding her weaknesses?
The form created by the skill [Idol’s Form] couldn’t deal any damage, being nothing more than a mirage, but it still had its uses, right?
Of course, it had a challenging aspect of needing to recreate and model a figure on the spot. Although she never mentioned it to the Believers, Wakamo was always working hard behind the scenes to deliver a satisfying show.
Moreover, she could create light using the [VTuber Asset]. Even the flash used in the final scene.
Like a magician who never reveals their tricks, Wakamo alternated between these two skills.
While it had the disadvantage of not being able to move too abruptly, she blended into the surroundings by projecting the nearby scenery, increasing in size by merging with the bodies that the goblins were dragging along, and actually crawled forward.
The goblins’ cries were recordings extracted through [Video Recording] and played back using [Internet Connection].
If she had had something like ordinary [Stealth] or [Invisibility], she wouldn’t have needed to go through such trouble, but it was considered part of her “bravado.”
‘Honestly, it was ridiculously nerve-wracking…’
She had been scared, wondering what she would do if she got caught!!
But she pulled it off. That’s all that matters…!!
‘Really… I’m glad I have this kind of body…’
Always being in full condition. No matter how focused she was, she never felt fatigue.
That’s why she couldn’t afford any mistakes. Professionals always deliver perfection on such stages, right?
She was relieved that she had a body that didn’t sweat from nervousness, as she tried to maintain a forced smile.
“Well, I’m a fox after all. Even if I can’t use spells, I can do this much. If I couldn’t hunt, I’d starve, Believer…?”
She coolly masked her emotions, crossing her arms as if this was only natural, giving no time for the Believers to harbour doubts or suspicions.
– Certainly, it seems the Fox God’s children won’t go hungry.
– I heard foxes give birth to many offspring; it seems their food stash is pretty big.
– Uuugh… I forgot everything that just happened…
– I’m going to the convenience store to hunt for snacks too.
– You mean you’re going to buy them, right?
– Right…?
– VTuber fan…?
– Is survival in the wild so tough that you have to hunt while invisible?
“That’s right. What if you encounter a mountain king, like a tiger? Shapeshifting is fundamental!”
– Haha, that’s true haha.
– To avoid the king of the mountain, you need to master invisibility too haha.
– Does the host fear ghosts because of something like the Chang-gwi?
– What’s a Chang-gwi?
– It’s a tiger monster from Joseon, yeah…
– Stealth is essential for a jungler.
And naturally, she maintained her roleplay while waiting for the rewards to be displayed.
To be honest, although the enemies couldn’t see her, she thought they might sense the “enemy’s attack,” but the judgment turned out to be quite lenient.
[Incheon Tower’s 12th floor has achieved the Platinum condition and is now open to all humanity!!]
‘Phew…’
She stood confidently, placing her hands on her hips as if she had known this would happen all along.
She even made a double peace sign and waved it to distract the viewers, trying to keep their attention from wandering elsewhere.
[Due to the Platinum achievement in the Tower, the rewards have increased.]
[Please choose one reward.]
[Flame of the Idol]
- Consumes owned mana to ignite a flame.
[Weight of Faith]
- Can become lighter or heavier in proportion to the number of Believers.
[VTuber Model]
- Has functions identical to 『Virtual Chat』.
- The number of owned models increases with each conquered floor by [Climbers].
- [Registered models 0/1]
“……”
[VTuber Model] isn’t an occupation-exclusive skill…? I really don’t understand what the difference is.
I thought I should choose an [Attack Skill] and hovered my finger over it… model… model… Does that mean you can cosplay as a game character in reality?
Can you completely transform into another VTuber character?
Not just an illusion like [Idol’s Form]…?
No, that would be a nuisance, so I shouldn’t do that… but wouldn’t it be better than this giant body?
She covered her mouth with her hand, pondering seriously.
“I can’t resist cosplay…”
[Skill [VTuber Model] has been acquired!]
‘Would it allow modes like Loli Fox God Wakamo or Furry Fox God Wakamo…?’
There was really no option but to choose this.
“Alright, Believers! Since I haven’t shown you much in this stream, let’s go up one more floor. Let’s have a date with the Fox God!”
– Aren’t you overdoing it?
– Sure, we’d love that, haha.
– We really didn’t see anything…
– But seriously, how did you turn invisible???
“Huh? I just made my avatar invisible in 『Virtual Chat』. VTubers don’t exist in reality!! Stop getting too immersed!”
– ?
– ?
– Ah, I see.
– I-Is that the concept you’re going for…
– I guess that’s what it is…
– Our host doesn’t breathe because of this, huh!
– Haha, of course, it’s a VTuber stream, I knew it all along haha.
– If you existed in reality, we’d report you as a wild fox right away.
– Do that, and you’ll get dragged away for knowing too much by the government.
– Welcome back to the army, Believer!
Mmm, I’m glad everyone’s having fun.
“Alright, let’s go up!”
After chatting with the Believers for about 5 minutes, she headed to the next floor without hesitation.
Then, darkness suddenly engulfed her, and Wakamo reflexively lit up her fingertips.
This time, there was no torch, so she couldn’t see anything in front of her.
– It’s so dark… I can’t see anything…
– No torch? Is it a cave? Could it be???
– This isn’t “that guy,” is it, haha?
– Nah, that can’t be, haha… If it is, we’re in trouble.
– Host, if you’re going to light it, you might as well make it brighter.
– Now, it’s really like the host is on a different level.
– These guys don’t even climb but act like they know everything from reading wikis.
– It’s a matter of life and death for the host, wouldn’t you backseat too, damn it?
Wakamo hadn’t realized it yet, but the viewers seemed to have caught on, making a fuss.
[Currently climbing Incheon Tower’s 13th floor world.]
- [Wakamo Inarizushi]’s achievements as a climber increase the difficulty!
- Overcome the challenge against [Elite Monsters]!
- Defeat the [Underdweller of the Hungry Darkness].
[Platinum Achievement Conditions]
- Avoid taking damage from the [Underdweller of the Hungry Darkness] (0/1)
- Defeat the [Underdweller of the Hungry Darkness] (0/1)
Where eyes should be, a leathery covering stretched over, with bat-like elongated ears, and emaciated limbs. It had a human shape, but its grotesquely twisted figure looked like something out of a horror movie, trembling and swaying its head side to side.
– Host, don’t say a word. We’re screwed if you do.
– Why is that thing that’s supposed to appear on the 30th floor showing up now?
– The Underdweller tracks you like it has map hacks, using your breath and heartbeat.
– The worst part is, there’s no light underground. None at all.
– If you’re clueless and zone out in the dark, it’ll rip your heart out.
– It targets any sound, and its specialty is piercing your heart.
The Believers were frantically giving advice, fearing that Wakamo might accidentally speak.
Wakamo, in response, wrote [No Backseating] in the air using light, and the Believers were taken aback, but she just shrugged as if she didn’t see the problem.
The [Underdweller], known to appear around the 30th floor, is highly dangerous, with an attack power that can pierce through even metal armour imbued with mana.
Not only that, it moves swiftly and tracks climbers relentlessly by listening to their breathing and heartbeat.
It’s a hunter of the dark.
But on the other hand, as you could tell from its revealed appearance, if you could land a critical strike, it was a monster that could be killed in a single blow.
It felt almost like the roles were reversed, as if the Tower wanted Wakamo to experience being hunted, just like she had hunted the goblins while hidden.
While the viewers worried that the Tower might be trying to kill the host—
One viewer raised a question.
– But, why isn’t it moving?
Even if one holds their breath, a human heart never truly stops beating.
That’s why, even if you got close enough to be within breath’s reach of the Underdweller without making a sound, it’s nearly impossible not to get caught.
Yet Wakamo, standing behind the Underdweller as if draping an arm over its shoulder, waved at the camera.
The light source on top of the camera began to sway gently.
Whoosh──!!
Grabbing the head of the Underdweller, Wakamo vanished into the darkness, followed by a spine-chilling crunch!!
[Incheon Tower’s 13th floor has achieved the Platinum condition and is now open to all humanity!!]
The joyful announcement echoed through the Tower, but the Believers remained frozen, feeling as if they could hear faint, eerie creaking sounds echoing around them.
It was like a scene illuminated by a single light bulb in a basement.
In the unsettling stillness that felt like time had stopped.
A beautiful woman’s hand slid out of the darkness, waving toward the camera.
“Believers, thanks for watching the stream. Dream of me?”
With the joyful voice of the Fox God, the light went out with a pop!
And as the perfectly timed scream replayed, the broadcast ended.
– Haha…..hahaha….
– I’m really going to sleep with my mom, haha….
– I think I might’ve wet myself a bit.
– I’ll be a good Believer and listen to the Fox God!!!
– Being caught by the men in black suits would be more humane….
– What would a fox hunt in the city…? I don’t want to know…
Anyway, today’s stream seemed successful in many ways.
—
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