Chapter 46
“Today’s broadcast is~ Watching X-Piece together!!”
With those words, Mare Pirate turned on W-Piece.
-Why are you showing this, damn it.
-Don’t show us the disgrace of South Korea!!!
-Where the hell did you even find this!!!
-You actually managed to get just Episode 1, LOL.
“Huh? But they’re called the Turtle Ship Pirates, aren’t they?”
-Oh.
-Oh.
-Oh.
-Seriously? That was their concept??
-I didn’t want to know this, damn it LOL.
“Wow! So, we’re copycats then! But it’s fine because I’m with the Navy!”
-There are so many problems with that.
-Even if this is the Navy, it’s still a big problem.
-Why are you saying that while tilting your head back and sticking out your tongue?
-Watching this broadcast is lowering my IQ…
“Hmm, hold on… This is the right one, right?”
The manager, watching Mare Pirate confidently search YouTube and play Episode 1, logged into a streaming service and paid for the original version, complete with subtitles, so the crew could watch without any major inconvenience.
“[You’re going down!]”
“Wow, what is this? Did they climb into a barrel to get launched? I like their boldness!”
Seeing the character stretch like rubber, Mare Pirate added a disclaimer, saying that while Ichigo’s potions only allow things to stretch freely, the elastic rebound effect comes from her own [Skill], so no one should try to replicate it.
-As if anyone would, LOL.
-Seriously, who would even try that!!
-But kids might watch this and want to become [Alchemists].
-Yeah, and if they do, it’ll be South Korea’s loss.
-Captain, take responsibility and apologize.
“They didn’t become Wizards because of their own lack of talent!”
-Captain: “Ichigo just has no talent.”
-Chillingly bold statement…
-Nationwide [Alchemists] are crying.
-She’s one tiny step away from being a modern witch, stuck with a cauldron. Is this fair?
“Anyway, this is fun! What’s it called, Smoke Smoke? Even the Navy rival character is awesome! Totally my type! Hmm… Do they become super active later? Crew, why are you all just laughing?”
Despite starting out as a significant presence, the Navy vice admiral character becomes a joke over time, and lately, they’ve faded into the background. Watching their power usage methods, Mare Pirate rubbed her chin thoughtfully, saying she could use this.
-Says the person who already has powers straight out of a manga.
-Don’t underestimate 20,000 years of otaku history!!!
-At least watch X-Men, for crying out loud…
-The fact that she’s using these abilities without seeing all this is even more shocking.
“Why does everyone complain so much? Oh, right! Ichigo and I were supposed to watch that famous Alchemist movie, weren’t we? I saw it. It was boring. The CGI was bad, and all Japanese movies feel the same. I don’t get why it’s a masterpiece.”
-Damn it, don’t watch live-action adaptations!!!
-LOL, just LOL!!!
-Look at the crew losing their minds, LOL.
-Watching their enlightenment bar drop in real time, OMG.
-How do you even get to the point where you judge it based on the live-action adaptation…
“Anyway, pirates are bad. I looked it up online, and the Straw Hat Pirates? They apparently made money through human trafficking.”
-The captain doesn’t listen to the crew!!! Just the internet!!!
-What even are we to her!!!
-No, no, no, no, no.
-Ha-ha, the chat is on fire today.
-Every single word she says is gold…
“Speaking of illegal stuff, do you know Kabukicho? I was walking there, and a host club scout approached me. I wanted to experience something new, so I went in… Ah, I immediately felt like I wasted my time. Having a guy pat my head… isn’t satisfying.”
-Uh, what?
-What is she even saying? None of this makes sense.
-Scout?? Why is she even using words like that…
-Is the captain really in the Navy??
-Why are you curious enough to visit a host club!!!
-Super extrovert captain, walking around Kabukicho.
-Bet she just went there for the pachinko.
“You guessed it. I did go for pachinko. The pleasure you feel… it’s all dopamine. The thrill when you hit the jackpot in a life-or-death moment. Watching your money disappear while your brain melts… It’s better than masturbating, honestly. Nowadays, they use cards instead of giving out marbles, which is disappointing. There’s something about seeing a mountain of marbles and watching losers walk away empty-handed.”
-I… see…
-I trembled at the darkness that has no bottom.
-Her brain is soaked in dopamine, LOL.
-Is this the kind of mentality you need for [Morph Wizard]?
-The more she talks, the crazier the crew gets.
-I don’t think I can out-crazy this VTuber, so I’ll stay quiet.
-Astonishingly, this VTuber is government-affiliated.
-South Korea is doomed. Let’s move to Japan.
-Japan’s government is included. Go to China instead.
-I’ll just re-enlist.
-LOL, LOL, LOL.
Once you get hooked on Mare Pirate’s indescribable madness, the crew preferred her chat streams.
Even when recounting moments of learning karate by getting beaten up, she didn’t talk about the pain or suffering. Instead, she proudly claimed she could now legally beat people up just as much as she’d been beaten.
It was truly impressive how different Climbers’ mentalities could be.
“I wish women could enlist in the military. My dad was in the Self-Defense Forces, and hearing about his tough training made me want to try it too… Like when they had to circle Mount Fuji three times in a week. The alcohol you drink when your body is pushed to its limits? Nothing beats that. I actually ended up hospitalized from the shock.”
-Uh, what?
-No, stop… stop talking about water…
-Please, just stop talking…
-This is the first time I’ve seen someone so eager to enlist.
-She wants to become a godlike warrior like her dad…
-Wait, you don’t mean you want to drink again, do you?!
“Every day would be fine…!”
Sizzle─
With that sound, Mare Pirate took a drink.
Claiming that mere beer wouldn’t make her drunk, she once again tried to turn on an adult game using her brother’s account but was stopped by her manager.
Bubble bubble─
Today, Ichigo was conducting a handcam alchemy broadcast.
She was diligently creating all sorts of potions.
While rolling pills around and playing with them, she was also categorizing effective and ineffective potions when converted into pill form.
Although one could see the description of an item without drinking it, the actual effect wasn’t clear until consumed.
[Sweet Flame Throwing Bottle] could be thrown to explode, so there wasn’t much issue turning it into pills.
However, for something like [Sweet Flame Potion], it was better to drink it in potion form.
This potion, while effective, caused the stomach and esophagus to burn, yet Wakamo casually used it as a means to breathe fire.
Since pills didn’t act as instantly as potions, Ichigo was busy sorting them out.
For any living being, Ichigo’s poison would likely work if ingested.
The issue was that the potion’s glass bottle needed to break first, a significant drawback.
With the introduction of pills as an alternative delivery method, Ichigo began experimenting with making throwable forms of [Rapid Freezing Potion] and [Rapid Metal Transformation Potion].
Items like [Concrete Expansion Potion], [Magma Fire Powder], and [Blind Moth Poison Dust] could also be transformed. She even managed to create dynamite-like explosives.
Ichigo planned to practice sniping after the broadcast using a rifle slingshot she’d purchased.
“Ugh…”
After making a [Petrification Potion] using a recipe from the Climber Association, she ended the broadcast with [Mana Leak Potion] and [Rainbow Radiance Potion] as test subjects.
“This is so flashy! Perfect for a festival, don’t you think?”
When Mare Pirate drank the [Rainbow Radiance Potion], she lit up in vibrant colors.
True to its purpose, the potion provoked monsters with its blindingly bright flashes. The light was so intense that looking at it hurt one’s eyes, prompting Ichigo to hand over an antidote.
The [Mana Leak Potion], on the other hand, continuously emitted mana until its effect wore off, making it highly versatile.
When Wakamo tried it, steam poured out at a sauna-like level, prompting Ichigo to rush over with another antidote.
Meanwhile, Mare Pirate drank a [Petrification Potion] to play statue games.
She also recklessly consumed a [Chocolate Deadly Poison Potion], causing her muscles to melt and liquefy. Instead of panicking, she used this state to transform her arm into a sword.
As Ichigo followed proper safety protocols during her experiments, Mare Pirate casually ignored them, laughing while dodging a punch with her melted, split head.
“This reminds me of that parasite movie…”
“Shinichi! A fellow being! You’ve seen the movie, right? Wasn’t it fun?”
Mare Pirate crafted eyes and a mouth on her palm, performing ventriloquism.
Using her actual eyes and mouth to do so on her face made it outright horrifying.
Wakamo, hiding in a corner far away, watched as Mare Pirate returned to normal after drinking the antidote.
Of course, this was only possible because Mare Pirate was a pro at [Morph Wizard].
For most people, these human experiments would have been fatal.
Naturally, Ichigo bore no responsibility. Mare Pirate was drinking them because she thought they were tasty!
“Why do you think I’m able to adapt so easily?”
“Because I’m a super-elite Navy officer.”
“Good grief!”
After sparring a little with Ichigo, Mare Pirate checked the coating potions they’d purchased and began preparing for the next layer.
Ichigo also took the opportunity to meditate in a corner of the studio, strategizing for the upcoming challenges.
Meanwhile, Wakamo was deep in thought.
As always, she pondered how to use her [Skills] more effectively.
‘When I transform into a Turtle Ship, the mana cost is too high.’
Even using her [VTuber Model] skill required mana.
Transforming into the [Loli Wakamo] model reduced mana consumption but was far too disadvantageous in combat.
Short limbs offered no advantage.
While it reduced her hitbox and made her body lighter, she’d have to work much harder to fight effectively.
When transformed into the [Turtle Ship], the experience was dizzying.
She couldn’t distinguish where her arms and legs were or where her head was located.
Although she could move at will and breathe fire from the dragon head, that was about all she could do.
Even standing still consumed mana rapidly, and transforming didn’t even improve her defense!
She still took damage when a rider landed on her deck, so what was the point?
While [Body of the Idol] allowed her to freely transform based on her focus, [VTuber Model] was fixed to predetermined [VTuber Assets].
‘What if the transformed parts of [Body of the Idol] were already armed like a sword?’
Although she could currently turn her hand into a sword, having pre-equipped weapons would be more advantageous.
Considering the sensory feedback in severed body parts, she resolved to pre-design multiple models.
‘I regret making that [Duel Disk]. I got carried away with the atmosphere. Where can I even use it? Should I host a duel tournament at Incheon Square using [Idol’s Form]?’
She also thought of trying out [Idol’s Lion] and wondered whether investing heavily in [Stats] was the way to go.
This would necessitate climbing Kyoto Tower.
‘They’re even hosting a Kyoto White Fox & Black Wolf collaboration event. I should head there soon.’
After reviewing her schedule, she carefully planned her flights and informed her manager of her itinerary.
Tomorrow, she hoped to ascend to the 30th floor in one go.
‘Whoa… An article popped up: [Is it okay for internet streams to exploit underage climbers?]. It’s risky since climbing is life-threatening, but should I tell Ichigo?’
As she worried and texted her manager, all related articles disappeared within three minutes.
Huh? She just wanted to consult someone about it.
Then her manager reassured her that the “journalist” had been dealt with, leaving her too intimidated to ask further.
※※※
“Good evening~”
The three-person collab began with each of them striking a pose they considered stylish.
Mare Pirate was wearing a Navy coat with “Justice” emblazoned on it, Ichigo stood in an ambiguous pose expressing something, and Wakamo crossed her arms at the center.
To any observer, none of them looked remotely sane.
From the last layer, Mare Pirate had learned a new [Skill], Ichigo had gathered ingredients to make potions, and Wakamo had wrapped [Chain Devil’s Chain] around her arm while carrying [Silver Moonlight Ore] on her back in case she couldn’t use it.
-Prepared so thoroughly this time…
-LOL, why is she carrying ore?
-No inventory system, what else can she do?
-Alchemists are all about optimization for a reason.
-Just throw it, wouldn’t that work?
-LOL, true, that would work.
“Everyone, don’t forget the safety mantra before going in.”
“”Okay!””
-Wait, do they say this every time?
-Of course. Are you unemployed?
-Please call me the King of Beasts.
-This place needs a Fox as the King, so buzz off.
-LOL.
-Not rushing in recklessly is what makes them “pros.”
-Naturally, because they are pros.
-But what if they get hurt?
-That’s just collateral damage, an unavoidable sacrifice for military objectives.
-“We’ve always had zero accidents.”
Chanting the safety mantra and clapping three times, Wakamo’s party completed their preparations.
Whether it’s the sea, sky, or glaciers—bring it on! With this determination, they advanced, and the battlefield, shrouded in turmoil, unfolded before them.
Scattered around were armored skeletons, and endlessly burning trees surrounded them.
The sky was blood-red, and the clouds were pitch black.
The grotesque and alien landscape shocked the viewers, as well as Wakamo and Ichigo—but Mare Pirate’s face stiffened as if she knew what was coming.
“The boss of Osaka Tower’s 50th floor, which even the Fist King struggled against…! 『Wandering Ghost Warrior』!!”
It was something far too corpse-like to be considered human.
Draped in traditional Japanese samurai armor, it had three katanas at its waist, held a naginata in one hand, and a matchlock rifle in the other.
Realizing it was a rifle only when its barrel was aimed at them, they barely managed to react in time.
[Currently climbing the 28th floor of Incheon Tower World.]
- A trial worthy of powerful climbers awaits.
- Join forces as a trio to overcome the challenge.
- Defeat the [Elite Boss Monster] to proceed!
[Platinum Achievement Condition]
- Defeat the [Frenzied Wandering Ghost Warrior] (0/1)
Rattle──!!
The boss was an elite version of the monster the Fist King’s Daughter had mentioned her father struggled against.
Chains shot out from Wakamo’s sleeve, deflecting the bullets flying toward her.
Without hesitation, Wakamo’s chains shot forward, but the Wandering Ghost Warrior countered by using the naginata to entangle and pull her in.
When Wakamo didn’t budge, the boss discarded the naginata and drew two of the katanas.
Swish, swish─!
Ichigo quickly fired pills from her slingshot. Explosions erupted, accompanied by roaring flames, but the Wandering Ghost Warrior was unharmed.
When she switched to ice-based attacks, attempting to freeze the surrounding area, the flames engulfing the battlefield instantly melted the ice.
The [Magma Fire Powder], crafted into pill form and ignited, created streams of lava that blazed fiercely, yet the boss walked through them unfazed.
“Fire-type attacks don’t work on it, and it’s immune to status effects and magic attacks!!”
-What kind of absurd monster is this?
-They really combined every annoying mechanic.
-Seriously, why is it so ridiculous? LOL
Mare Pirate shouted as she transformed into mist and charged forward, only for Wakamo to yank her back with a chain wrapped around her waist.
Simultaneously, a quick slash cut through the air.
“…..!”
Mare Pirate’s face paled as Wakamo pulled her back, gripping the [Kusanagi Blade] and rushing forward.
The Wandering Ghost Warrior discarded its rifle, grabbed the remaining katana with both hands, and faced the massive fox giant bearing down on it.
Flames erupted between its armor, and its sword strikes left blazing trails as they targeted Wakamo.
Pouring mana into her blade to strengthen it, Wakamo met the attacks head-on, blocking them.
Thanks to her unyielding stance, the Wandering Ghost Warrior was the one being pushed back.
Though undead in appearance, it displayed intelligence, opting for swift, agile movements instead of brute force.
It danced as it swung its swords, but Wakamo followed each movement, countering with her own blade.
To an untrained observer, it appeared as if two swordmasters were dueling to the death.
In reality, the tragedy was that Wakamo’s [Kusanagi Blade] was blunt and incapable of cutting.
Still, Wakamo didn’t mind not being the star of the battle; her goal was to buy time.
Even after unleashing countless unknown attack skills, the Wandering Ghost Warrior’s strikes remained within the realm of swordsmanship.
Wakamo ignored the hits she couldn’t block and clung to the boss with berserker-like persistence.
“Let’s do this!!”
Inside a silver armor crafted using [Alchemical Metal Transformation] and [Alchemical Artistic Sculpture], Mare Pirate struck a fighting pose.
“Ichigo! Signal me!”
“Boom, pow! Here we go!”
“Let’s charge, Pirate! Wooo!!”
The silver armor charged toward the vicious swordfight, with Ichigo following behind, gripping a spear she had crafted from the remaining [Silver Moonlight Ore].
Ichigo threw the [Concrete Expansion Potion] and the newly crafted [Rapid Earth Transformation Potion] between the legs of the silver armor.
The Wandering Ghost Warrior tried to cut them down, but another chain from Wakamo’s sleeve wrapped around its sword, forcibly pulling it away.
As the boss reached for its third katana, rectangular stone pillars emerged from the ground, restricting its movement. Expanding concrete covered the legs of the Wandering Ghost Warrior.
Flash─
Even immobilized, the boss left afterimages as it unleashed a storm of sword slashes.
The more it fought, the faster and stronger it became, empowered by passive [Reinforcement Skills] and [Berserk] mode.
Its strikes tore through the air, slicing at impossible distances. Fearing the attacks might reach Ichigo, Wakamo took the blows with her body.
Using Wakamo’s shoulder as a springboard, Mare Pirate leapt into the air.
“There’s no martial art to counter an attack from above!!!”
The Wandering Ghost Warrior easily avoided her descending kick, driving its sword through her chest and striking her head with another blade.
“….!!”
Revealed beneath the armor was an empty shell.
Before it could react, the headless armor moved, grabbing the boss’s sword and transferring it into its metallic arms using [Metal Transformation].
“Magic doesn’t work on its body! But weapons are a different story!!”
Using [Fusion Assimilation], Pirate had merged with the armor itself.
The truth was, the Wandering Ghost Warrior had only pierced through an empty suit of armor.
As it attempted to swing its remaining sword, Wakamo intervened, blocking the strike. The Wandering Ghost Warrior boldly discarded its weapon and clenched its fists, taking a stance.
Breaking free from Ichigo’s restraints, it moved swiftly to launch a kick, only to have Pirate dodge fluidly and counterattack with her sword.
Sliding across the ice Ichigo had created, she hurled a metal plate from her waist.
With a crackling sound, the plate elongated and transformed midair into a long spear. Although it didn’t pierce through the target,
Thunk!
It was enough to prevent the Wandering Ghost Warrior from swinging its arm toward Ichigo.
As the incoming kick was delayed by a mud wall Ichigo had raised by reshaping the ground, she leapt nimbly into the air to narrowly avoid it.
The armor charged toward the Wandering Ghost Warrior mid-kick, but the monster swung its hand like a blade, slicing the armor into two.
“Jahahaha─!”
However, the discarded armor was a decoy.
Emerging from the shadows with darkness coiling around her, Pirate grabbed one of the steel rods Ichigo had thrown at random.
Absorbing it into her arm in an instant, she transformed it into a steel glove, which she raised overhead before striking the Wandering Ghost Warrior’s torso.
As it was momentarily lifted into the air, Ichigo’s spear shot forward, striking the Wandering Ghost Warrior’s head.
Wakamo, catching the rebounding spear midair, drove it downward in a vertical thrust──
Boom!!
“….Phew.”
Standing atop the crumpled remains of the Wandering Ghost Warrior, Wakamo let out a sigh of relief, tossing aside the completely mangled spear.
[Stats]
Mana: 25,321
[Bonus Stats: 35]
Fending off attacks from a combat-class job’s [Attack Skills] hurt even when blocked, and hurt even more when hit.
Unlike climbers, the monster moved in predictable patterns, which made it manageable to this extent… Reflecting on her inadequacies against truly powerful foes like the Fist King, Wakamo rolled her shoulders lightly.
[The 28th Floor of Incheon Tower is now open to all humanity upon achieving Platinum Conditions!]
[Rewards are being calculated for conquering the tower at Platinum level.]
‘Hopefully, it didn’t look too easy to others.’
The difficulty was supposedly adjusted—lowered somewhat to accommodate Wakamo’s class, but still brutally challenging.
Perhaps this adjustment contributed to Wakamo receiving fewer rewards compared to other climbers, no matter how much effort she put in.
The Tower might even be wondering, “Why is she trying so hard when her rewards are so low?”
“Yoo-hoo, yoo-hoo!!”
Ichigo proudly announced that she had obtained the [Alchemy – Poison Transformation] skill. Pirate, meanwhile, gloated about gaining yet another [Magic Skill] she couldn’t even use, bringing her total to ten. Whether the lack of options was to blame, or the Tower simply handed it over indiscriminately, was anyone’s guess.
Wakamo handed five points to each of them, leaving the duo ecstatic as they invested their new 15 points into their stats.
The climber community watching this grumbled enviously.
Whether it’s VTubers or corporations, those with advantageous positions always seemed to rise higher.
“Shall we move on to the next floor?”
While fretting about the [Field] they would have to contend with, Wakamo took her first step toward the next level.
Anticipating an ambush in the blinding light that followed, she positioned herself at the front to protect Ichigo and Pirate. Emerging from the shadows, she caught sight of a giant.
[Currently climbing the 29th floor of Incheon Tower World.]
- A trial worthy of powerful climbers awaits.
- Join forces as a trio to overcome the challenge.
- Defeat the [Elite Boss Monster] to proceed!
[Platinum Achievement Condition]
- Defeat the [Swamp Rock Spirit] (0/1)
- Disrupt the [Infinite Regeneration Mechanism] (0/1)
“Uh, hmm─”
Everywhere around them was a swamp, and dirt continually rained down from the sky.
The Swamp Rock Spirit absorbed the falling dirt, growing larger and larger.
“Isn’t a healing factor a bit unfair?”
Wakamo shrugged before the Swamp Rock Spirit’s massive blow buried her beneath the swamp below.
—
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