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Chapter 32
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Just a moment ago, she had been wondering if things would get out of hand if the illusion grew too big.
Wakamo let out a deep sigh and tucked away the cultural relic of Japan, the genuine artifact, inside her body in a daze.
Though she had practiced storing things this way, the fact that she could hold a sword inside her body without any discomfort only made her think, “I’m really not human.”
Fist King Oyama Masahiko was in the training hall, or rather, what he excitedly declared he’d soon convert into a shrine site, observing the Idol Worship Shrine like it was a treasure.
It looked just like a miniature shrine, complete with a shrine gate and building, seeming more like a well-crafted, high-quality ornament.
It was a moment that shattered Wakamo’s understanding, as she had always thought Companions involved selecting a “large building.”
The Sorcerer Association also had different branches divided by family lines, often categorized by their dojos, like Shinto Muneyuki, Bukjin Ittō School, and Kyōshin Meijiryu.
Japan, for various reasons, was currently enjoying another Golden Age in its martial arts. Many people were coming from abroad to learn.
Though South Korea had some influence in this field, it wasn’t as prominent, and in China, it had almost completely disappeared to the point where you could say Companion influence was non-existent. The only remaining stronghold was the Shaolin Temple; otherwise, the rest… Well, it’s a matter of their own making.
But that’s a topic for another time.
When one became the head of a Companion, they also took on the duty of managing it.
However, it was just a small shrine, with a single joining condition of being an Idol—meaning Wakamo was the only one eligible to join.
“Only an Idol can join… It must be divine. Someday, if you regain your powers, the shrine might grow along with you…?”
Fist King, despite his intimidating appearance, sure does indulge in a lot of happy fantasies.
Not wanting to shatter his joyful dreams, she chose to stay silent.
The misunderstanding seemed to have grown beyond correction…
Having sworn to uphold the image of Wakamo, the Fox God VTuber, with a fierce commitment to roleplay… Unless she got caught, Wakamo decided she’d live shamelessly until the day she died.
Could it be that the Tower is testing her, poking her just to see how far she’d go?
While the disciples gathered around the shrine, discussing if they needed to perform offerings, Wakamo quietly checked the new skill she had gained.
How is the skill called Broadcast Points? Looks like our Tower is more MZ than I thought.
Come to think of it, the Incheon Tower is relatively young… Isn’t it a bit too soon for it to be watching VTubers, though?
Job-Specific Skill: Broadcast Points
- Grants blessings to believers based on accumulated broadcast points.
Current Points: 542.
“I’m not sure if that’s a lot or a little… What kind of blessings can I grant to believers…?”
As she read carefully, the mention of opening her eyes earlier bugged her, so she tugged lightly at her eyelids, only to confirm they opened, which she then quietly closed.
So, I could see ahead even with my eyes closed… That’s how it was…
What kind of body is this… Well, I’ve only been here for two months, so I can learn about it gradually, right?
“Let’s always stay positive in life.”
[There are no blessings available for use.]
Otherwise, I might explode from stress and reincarnate as an actual Great Yokai Wakamo or something.
Damn it, Tower, you bastard.
You give me skills as a reward and then make them unusable—what am I supposed to do with that?
Skills can be a matter of life and death in Tower Climbing, and you’re playing games with me now.
You hand me a sword without a blade, just to stir up political trouble. I’m already troubled enough with the Imperial Seal, and now you give me Japan’s genuine sacred sword. If I get caught with this, Japan would hunt me down just to take it back… What kind of ritual am I supposed to perform with this?
But thanks for at least making it look cool like a Japanese sword.
Come to think of it, since it’s a blunt ceremonial decoration, I guess it doesn’t violate any laws. I’m so touched by your thoughtful consideration that it brings tears to my eyes.
Could it be that, because my job is VTuber, giving me a real sword would trigger a job restriction, so you made it like this instead?
“Who am I even talking to…”
Sitting there, lamenting her fate felt pathetic.
How long had she been sitting there, waiting like that? Along with her manager, Won Da-hye, two unfamiliar men approached from behind, bowing their heads in greeting.
Even though she was in a foul mood, she maintained her etiquette and greeted them in return—then, an elderly woman with an unmistakable presence passed by her and suddenly kicked the tied-up Ninja. And that wasn’t all; she grabbed his hair and slapped him across the face, leaving Wakamo momentarily speechless.
She was so overwhelmed by the intensity that her expression froze.
“I apologize for the trouble. We have a lot of mentally disturbed individuals caught up in these delusions of Yokai extermination. As you can see, this one here is a Legendary Class Ninja, yet he’s severely out of touch with reality. I am Watanabe Tomoko, the Chairman of the Japanese Climber Association.”
“It’s alright. I figured… Isn’t that a Super Ninja of the Dragon cosplay? They really nailed the look.”
The Ninja’s face was filled with shock, as if asking, “You know this?” at her recognition.
When she mentioned being a fan, he seemed to wear a complex expression, then lowered his head deeply.
“We were allies… Sob…”
“It is a god-tier game.”
“You deceived me!”
He ranted about being deceived by Assemblymen who had labeled her as an evil Yokai. But, really, he could have figured it out himself… Is he really that dense?
The Chairman signaled the disciples standing idly by to drag him away, and they did so without any complaints, as if this was a regular occurrence.
As Wakamo sat cross-legged, trying to decide if she should adjust her seating posture when Fist King sat formally, the Chairman was the first to speak, offering an apology.
“First of all, the government has granted permission to use Tower Climbing Rights. They’re probably hoping Wakamo-sama can bring in some profit. Not to mention, your appearance is quite popular here in Japan. Honestly, you seem so natural here.”
The Chairman’s overt attempt to curry favor made her manager, Won Da-hye, glare at her back, feeling betrayed.
The young man beside her, who seemed like an Assemblyman, nervously wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and presented Wakamo with an official approval certificate from the government, permitting her Tower Entry.
As the manager next to the Chairman glanced through it and handed it over with a shrug, she raised her chin confidently.
Politics is really complicated. Does every little move I make hold some kind of significance…?
“So then… This gentleman here is…”
“Ahem, I called him over.”
“I’m from the Kyoto Tourism Agency. We’d like permission to promote Wakamo-sama’s shrine at the Fist King’s dojo as a tourist attraction.”
“Would it bring in a lot of visitors?”
“It’ll also increase disciples!”
Then, as he looked at Fist King’s reaction and pondered if he’d been too straightforward, the official hinted at his real intentions of monetizing the shrine.
It didn’t matter much to Wakamo. If she earned favor, she’d be able to come and go from Japan easily… Getting close with Fist King would bring plenty of future benefits. Actually, she felt a bit guilty about profiting from a shrine only she could use.
“No problem.”
“Then, the division of incoming profits…”
“Oh, I don’t need money. Just collaborate with the VirtualLive VTubers as often as possible. Honestly, there’s a black-and-white Fox Duo on VirtualLive that would be perfect.”
“That… That’s all you want?”
“Yes.”
“Understood! Thank you very much!”
She wondered if her request was absurd, but the Tourism Agency official actually seemed more concerned with profiting from the collaboration.
Meanwhile, Fist King, touched by her lack of desire for material gain, was giving her a deeply emotional look.
Glad I didn’t let any greedy desires show.
If I could see more collaborations with Backroom Fox and Mio-God, I’d be happy.
Thinking of the days to come, filled with anticipation and joy—and maybe hoping for a small personal gain, since I’m the one who requested the collaboration.
I made my wish at the Inari Shrine well!
Wakamo didn’t genuinely want to know what others thought or misunderstood. So, she didn’t intend to ask.
While discussing the future plans with Fist King, the Tourism Agency official was reassured that things went smoothly. The Assemblyman kept watching her with concern, while the Chairman immediately pulled out a map of Japan, asking her which Tower she wanted to climb.
…Wait, aren’t there tablets these days? Going analog, huh…
In her heart, she wanted somewhere near Tokyo, but figured that might be pushing it.
It seemed that in Japan, Wakamo had been thoroughly branded as an evil Great Yokai who had crossed over from South Korea to deceive humans.
It would be safer to stay in my territory, Kyoto, and then, if a new VTuber model came out, I could change forms and do some sightseeing with a different appearance.
“Since there’s the Inari Shrine in Kyoto, why not register at the Kyoto Tower?”
“Oh… That’s right. People were disappointed because there’s no real Shrine Maiden there.”
“Well, times have changed, so I suppose it’s only natural for some things to fade away.”
“But real warriors still exist in this era. These days, youngsters mock Tower Climbing as if it were a sport, saying it’s nothing but gorillas fighting barehanded when life and death are at stake. It’s quite a nuisance.”
“Maybe they think that because they’ve never been hit?”
“Right?! This troublemaker here is one of that kind…”
“If you attempt a sneak attack and fail, yet don’t introduce yourself, you’re disqualified as a Ninja.”
“You seem experienced! Haha!”
“Just seen a lot.”
Wakamo sipped on her green tea, exchanging relaxed conversation with the Chairman, and thought quietly.
This whole conversation… It really seems like our Japanese Chairman is totally misunderstanding.
The Fist King, the bound Ninja, and even my manager were all looking at me with shining eyes full of misunderstanding.
What I was talking about were Ninjas from anime and manga. I’m just an ordinary VTuber otaku, okay…??
But I don’t show it. I’m devoted to my VTuber roleplay.
“Come to think of it, some professors say the origins of the Inari Shrine trace back to Silla…”
“The Nihon Shoki also says the Hata Clan is descended from Baekje.”
“Could it be the true owner of the Inari Shrine?”
“No, Miss Won Da-hye. While many think of the Inari God as the Fox God, Inari isn’t actually a fox. It’s the fox-shaped messengers of Inari that people know. The white and red fox form is quite famous, isn’t it?”
“Aren’t Wakamo-sama’s colors black and red…?”
“Something about balancing yin and yang…”
Muttering.
While just drinking my green tea, I felt increasingly uncomfortable in this place.
As I sat on the porch, gazing outside, did I really look like some Fox God reminiscing about when I crossed over to Japan long ago? If the real Inari God were watching, I’d be too embarrassed to even lift my head.
The Tower is turning me into a fraud!!!
Then again, even frauds fall under Idols in a sense! You’re an impudent idol worshiper!
I really can’t stay in Japan.
Back then, when I first came over wearing a jumper with Hangul on it, some old man picked a fight, and delinquents hurled insults. Now, I come over proudly, making lots of money, only to be hunted as a Climber and VTuber Monster.
Is Japan always this ruthless…?
“I’ll just go register at the Kyoto Tower─”
Bang.
I want to go back to Korea.
I caught the flying door and stopped it mid-air as a gang of unruly men with no sense of decorum barged through the front entrance.
Since I was on my way to the Tower, it looked as though I had anticipated the intruders and come to greet them. Hearing comments like “Did she already sense us… a true master…” from behind me was rather disheartening. Enhanced hearing really brings no joy.
And I still have to go pick up Yu Ying… Just leave me alone.
My manager kept complaining about whether it was okay to neglect our agency’s VTubers~
I wanted to try a luxury hotel breakfast, too! I wanted to experience hotel service just once!
“Why do you harbor this evil Yokai?! The Japanese Sorcerer Association will handle this!”
“How dare you, a mere Monster that escaped from a Tower Collapse, call yourself a Climber and proclaim yourself as a god?!”
“Before you can deceive and consume humans, we will eradicate you!”
These elderly folks, full of righteous zeal. Quite impressive how fit they are.
Their attire was that of Onmyoji… I think it’s called Kariginu? The garment with open upper sleeves showing the inner clothing and wide, flat sleeves. Seeing it in person made me feel like I was on a movie set. It really suited them, those old gentlemen.
‘Um… What did the manager say Sorcerers were again?’
The Sorcerer class, known to belong to a branch of the base class Shaman.
When the Tower emerged, the Abe, Tsuchimikado, Kuzunoha, and Kamo families were revived as Companions and gained Shared Skills which changed their occupation. After that… they felt like the typical Sorcerers one would think of. The Tower apparently provides Skills that vary slightly across families.
A common trait was their specialization in Exorcism.
They used Shikigami that automatically targeted and intercepted the opponent’s life force, flames that burned by consuming the opponent’s energy or stamina as fuel, curses that bound, restrained, and weakened the opponent.
The list went on, but Wakamo pondered why she’d let the manager’s explanations go in one ear and out the other.
‘Oh, I was too busy thinking about VTuber collaboration products and forgot.’
What on earth made them boldly march in here despite knowing there was an intruder?
“A Sorcerer of the Kuzunoha family commands you! Tear apart the enemy, White Flame Fox!”
“I order you to cease movement in this sacred land of the gods, Binding Gold!”
“Be cursed, cough up blood, and fall… Bitter Grudge…!”
Oh… even using Skills makes it spectacular. Should I say it’s visually delightful?
Foxes made of flaming talismans leaped forward, the golden cord summoned by the Sorcerer wound around me, and a ghost-like apparition passed through my body. It felt like a live Onmyoji experience, and I was starting to enjoy it.
…Then again, I did learn a bit about combat matchups among Climbers.
Certain job classes have strengths and weaknesses against others.
In that sense, Wakamo’s class could be called a Sorcerer Killer because of the terrible matchup.
Swirling, swirling─
The White Flame Fox circled the area around its target, Wakamo, searching for its target.
The fox, its whole body ablaze in white flames, was so pretty that I wanted to touch it while filming it, but since it seemed incorporeal, I felt disappointed.
“Why isn’t it attacking?! It’s right in front of you!”
Uh, I’d need to have life force for it to bite me.
The poor fox just followed its master’s commands, endlessly circling around.
Meanwhile, one disciple mumbled, “Is it really right to order a fox to attack the Fox God…?” making the atmosphere awkward. Seeing the fox’s dejected search, straining and huffing, was almost pitiful.
“H-How is it that you can move despite being bound by Binding Gold?!”
“I’m bound to the gravity of this star, you see.”
Unfortunately, the only thing binding me is the Earth. I finally got to use that iconic anime line I’d always wanted to say.
No joke, but it’s like being a Mana Ghost fixed to the Geocentric Coordinate System. I’m always under the effect of gravity, so binding techniques don’t work on me. I didn’t know this myself at first, but anyway, that’s how it goes… These types of binding spells don’t work.
“Then, could it be that… curses don’t work on such an evil Great Yokai?!”
“Hey, I didn’t say anything. Where’s this self-dialogue coming from?”
That’s because Wakamo is always in perfect condition.
Of course!! Debuffs don’t work on me!!
And besides, I don’t have organs like a human. I even made a shocking discovery about my eyes today! I might not even have a brain!!!
At any rate, as a Sorcerer, there was no Mana Burn to worry about, as it’s a class that feels more like extinguishing the flame of life.
When I calmly approached the Sorcerers, they began backing away, their previous confidence nowhere to be seen, looking at me as if they’d seen a monster.
“Take this purified, exorcising blade meant to vanquish Yokai!!!”
Yet still not giving up, a relatively young Sorcerer grabbed a sword and lunged, thrusting it like lightning. I halted the strike with my fingers.
“Ah.”
Using only her thumb and forefinger, she grabbed the person holding the sword and flipped him upside down like a balloon. She then casually shook him, watching his shocked expression, until he couldn’t hold on and fell, rolling across the ground.
“Are you going to continue?”
With her hands behind her back, she addressed the Sorcerers who had gathered, before ignoring them and walking past. However, one Sorcerer, who seemed to be their leader and was unwilling to give up, pulled a dagger from his sleeve and tried to stab Wakamo Inarizushi in the back.
But the dagger didn’t even pierce her clothes, let alone her body. Stunned, the Sorcerer’s legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.
Wakamo simply helped the old man to his feet, brushed the dust off him, and continued on her way.
“Hah, what should I do with these vermin?”
“Haha. To think they’d show such disgraceful behavior to a guest personally invited by the Fist King.”
And so, the Chairman and the Fist King stepped forward to deal with those Wakamo had left behind.
They hurriedly made excuses, their faces pale, trying to persuade the others that they should band together to kill that monster.
By the time Wakamo reached the bottom of the stairs, the frail cries of the old men, their voices weakening, echoed behind her, enough to make anyone listening feel pity.
※※※
The Tower perceives Wakamo as an altruistic, considerate Climber who dreams and idolizes others.
If not, there would be no reason for her to avoid choosing even a single Attack Skill despite having had the opportunity countless times.
The Tower wants to believe this, so let’s not question it.
The Tower was proud to give Wakamo the finest Japanese Sword in Japan simply because she expressed interest in having one. It believed she would be genuinely pleased, and even if she wasn’t, they’d already given it to her, so it was settled. With that firm stance, the Tower awaited her arrival at the Japanese Tower.
“I’ll have to do a broadcast while climbing the Japanese Tower.”
There was no need to insist on climbing in the Complete Conqueror way.
This wasn’t because she was easily swayed by the Chairman’s persuasion that climbing the Tower more would result in more VTuber Collabs in Kyoto, turning it into a holy city for VTubers.
Nor was she entranced by the Tourism Department official’s suggestion that the fox duo collab she wanted might become a large-scale live concert.
This isn’t treason… it’s patriotism…!!
‘I am not acting on my own selfish, materialistic desires! It’s all for the sake of VTubers!’
I simply love VTubers and want more for them (?).
[You are climbing the first floor of the Kyoto Tower World.]
- Climber, prove your martial prowess.
[Platinum Achievement Conditions]
- Defeat 5 Ghosts with Attack Skills (0/5)
- Face them with unwavering resolve (0/1)
- Remain unscathed (0/1)
- Shout the skill names while fighting (0/5)
“What… the hell…?!”
Oh, my bad. I didn’t mean to curse on our first meeting, but.
Didn’t they say they’d recognize this as my first time entering the Tower since I used the Tower Entry Permit? Why would they do this…? I’m kind of angry… maybe…?
I don’t have any Attack Skills, damn it. Then maybe they should have registered me as a Companion first…!!
[You have entered with a Tower Entry Permit! Attack Skills are now available to the Climber!]
[Checking Climber’s achievements… confirmed!]
[Please select one skill.]
[Old Ghost Style Sword Technique]
- Uses Throwing Sword Technique.
[Karate-Kendo Hybrid]
- Crushes enemies with a belief in Certain Kill.
[Kuzunoha-Style Sorcery]
- Sorcery of the Kuzunoha family.
- Specializes in Shikigami techniques.
Finally, an Attack Skill I had longed for.
But I had to choose carefully. The skill’s effectiveness would depend on my stats.
And I don’t have any stats… but I can boast that my Mana is second to none in humanity. So the only choice was the sorcery skill!
[You have acquired the skill [Kuzunoha-Style Sorcery]!]
At last, the fox god who wields sorcery awakens…!!
Tremble in awe, Kyoto Tower!!
Shudder before Fox God VTuber Wakamo Inarizushi…!
“Heh heh… since I’m in Japan, maybe I should show off my fox god powers…”
Before starting the broadcast, Wakamo took a moment to savor the approaching Ghosts in human form, savoring the chance to finally perform the chanting she had always wanted to do as an otaku.
“[Kuzunoha-Style Sorcery]!!”
Beeeep─
[Insufficient intelligence.]
Failed to cast, like a dog.
“Goddammit!!!”
Wakamo collapsed onto the floor, wailing.
She wailed so pathetically that her cries echoed throughout the Tower.
“Give me back my intelligence──!!!!!”
But she had never had it to begin with… The Tower was innocent.
—
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