◎ Climbing Rules, Chapter 2.
Even if information about the Tower is known, the Tower is a place where life and death intersect, so do not forget to prepare even if you distrust the association.
◎ Climbing Rules, Chapter 3.
The Tower is adjusted so that one can climb to at least the 5th floor and at most the 9th floor on their own, but for the 10th floor climb, be sure to consult the association or your affiliated guild.
※※※
“Well, hello there! Little Brothers!! Hmm! The martial world has been quite chaotic lately!! Hmm? What about the top-class martial artists of the MZ era, you ask?”
A proper VTuber who never breaks character and emphasizes their strengths while broadcasting.
Today, he received a donation video of the Fox Deity running amok.
“You say the nobleman called it monstrous? Do you think it produces an elixir if captured? Hmph, as a righteous hero of the orthodox martial world, how could one harm an innocent lady!! Move!! I am certainly not scared!”
Viewers spread the video everywhere.
Even those indifferent to VTubers became subjected to YouTube’s algorithm. It became a viral success due to its rising popularity.
It didn’t stop there, spreading and thriving everywhere. And most importantly, there were no channel rules in place, so it roamed like a wild horse since the Fox Deity herself didn’t prohibit it.
Naturally, some were displeased as unrelated broadcasters appeared.
The grand spectacle of battling monsters one-on-one within the Tower naturally drew attention.
Dazzling guitar riffs accompanying the magnificent fighting of the Fox Deity, concluding with a breathtaking bullet cut. Folding an open fan with a crisp snap and throwing it to pierce the enemy’s head was reminiscent of martial arts from wuxia novels. It spread not only among VTubers but other broadcasters too.
Hence, the so-called YouTube scavengers began spreading it.
Extracting videos, adding effects, or attaching AI voices and turning them into shorts.
Once something gains popularity, such occurrences are inevitable.
Especially if the target is a highly promising Climber, a potential holder of the ‘Complete Strategy Layer,’ who might genuinely be the Fox Deity.
However, most people scoffed at such actions.
Why scoff? Because those shorts started disappearing naturally, and in some cases, the channels vanished too.
No matter how skilled, the Fox Deity was only famous domestically. Despite being promising, she was still at the lowest level.
Even so, there were too few Climbers in South Korea.
Naturally, the rising stars received government support, even if they weren’t aware of it.
※※※
Regardless of the world’s happenings, Wakamou Inarizushi was watching his broadcast today.
Already on his 4th day of broadcasting. A fledgling career, even if one could call it that.
Even for long-term survival, becoming a VTuber was necessary, so reflecting on himself as a VTuber, Wakamou identified one issue while watching his fierce battle footage.
Descending back to the 8th floor and taking down a Dwarf head with two cameras at the optimal angle.
Isn’t it too one-sided? A battle that overwhelmingly dominates certainly provides viewers with a hefty dose of refreshment and dopamine.
However, VTubers Wakamou observed often struggled with games, paused in confusion at in-game elements, screamed in disbelief, and marveled at even the smallest details, all while delivering entertaining antics.
Even the shark from across the ocean in Atlantis captivated with pure, innocent voices and behavior, loved for their childlike curiosity.
And within that, they included professional remarks and showcased impressive singing skills as VTubers, leaving no room for viewer boredom.
There’s a reason they’re at the pinnacle of the vast American continent as a VTuber.
Yet, with this massive build… There’s nothing to flaunt except the chest. Boasting finesse like a blue whale while teasing followers with sophisticated vocabulary is nearly impossible.
Being a VTuber is a character. The ability to change and decorate outfits freely is an advantage, but in the end, he is male. It’s difficult to perform the feminine acts inherently possible for a woman. Even speaking gently and treating followers kindly doesn’t compare to the nurturing energy exuded by a married VTuber!
“My broadcast lacks crisis!”
He was chosen as a VTuber, setting his house on fire and vowing never to return.
On the second day, renewing his resolve and conviction as a VTuber.
Wakamou, who showcased superb content through Tower climbing and the performance of action, realized the problem was in the battles being too one-sided.
Even in fighting comics, isn’t it more popular when the protagonist faces challenges and overcomes them, rather than winning one-sidedly?
Of course, there are cases where everything is dealt with in one punch, but if that pattern becomes fixed, Wakamou might find himself powerless as he scales the Tower, disappointing the followers.
As humans, one eventually encounters limits.
Even VTubers burn out, passionately streaming.
Of course, at just 4 days in, they’d laugh if Wakamou claimed burnout.
He had all the intelligence needed for climbing the Tower without even being a VTuber.
Be amazed, because most VTuber viewers likely possess it too.
“There’s the Venus of Willendorf, a relic of ancient idolism from at least 22,000 years ago… Thus, the history of otakus is 20,000 years! Even if fantasy became reality due to the Tower, it’s merely been 10 years!”
Tell me, followers… what happens when a Korean otaku, who understands everything about Tower climbing, is empowered?
Ordinary monsters, ordinary magic, ordinary gimmicks, ordinary situations──all grasped and learned through animation powered by imagination.
On top of that, movies exist, and so do dramas! If manga is hard to follow, isn’t there the option of animated series filled with intense action?
“Eat, watch movies, and sleep. For a man, that’s enough training!”
Saying it with gusto!!
This model, Wakamou Inarizushi, was capable of it all.
As mentioned before, he didn’t tire. He didn’t even need to breathe before that. Conversely, it’s a drawback because he can’t sleep, hence unable to restore mana through rest.
If mana conservation is out of the question, then not watching VTuber broadcasts is absurd….might as well die.
The weight’s determined somehow, but he could perform feats like handstands on one finger or supporting the body with a big toe.
If I become proficient in [Mana Manipulation], wouldn’t a variety of ingenious things become possible?
“And so, after much pondering, I registered.”
Initially, I wanted to integrate items like guns or lightsabers, but I decided to prioritize effects needed for footage first.
Even in this country, VTuber models packed with all sorts of functions, like the tank VTuber Randolph, emphasized effects. Firing beams from eyes or mouth should entertain viewers, shouldn’t it? Adding little touches like flashing eyes would likely be fun.
[VTuber Assets]
– Same features as 『Virtual Chat』.
– The number of owned items increases according to the cleared floors as a [Climber].
– [Registered Asset 1/1]
– [Dazzling Luminescence (Color changeable)]
Now, I could perform a rainbow barrage from my hands.
In return, the mana consumption was severe. It drained mana like a leaky circuit.
In pure terms, it was merely 『light』 so there was no damage whatsoever. Temperatures didn’t rise, yet color changes and shape transformations were flexible. I wondered if I could create a Wakamou clone hologram, but lacking proficiency made it more challenging than expected.
Projecting vague yet plausible afterimages or forms was the best I could manage.
Belatedly regretting not adding it as part of the VTuber model features for convenience. I thought about where the modeling features like removing outer garments or retracting and releasing the tail went.
The tail released with a 2D live model, why can’t the main body release it… Is it due to low floors?
“O, O… Swoosh, Swoosh…”
While watching boxing footage, practicing here and there, I tuned into a VTuber broadcast.
Some watching might accuse me of flaunting talent…
Daily, VTubers claimed they lacked extraordinary skills, but now was the time to commit fully.
“Nice to meet you, tail! How have you been! It’s Wakamou Inarizushi!”
-Nice to meet, sea cucumber.
-Thought it was a foreigner’s broadcast, haha;
-Indeed, you’re also a creature.
-Finally climbing the 9th floor today?
-What’s on the 9th floor?
-Orc Fighter.
-Came to give the boss a massage?
-Ahaha, not wrong haha
“Today, I plan to quickly climb the 9th floor and try [Dark Ring], including the latest DLC. Honestly, I’ve never played this kind of game…. but it’s trendy! Gotta keep up, right, followers?
-Trendy?
-Makes sense since the DLC just came out, but isn’t it a bit late now?
-Isn’t the leader cursed with the knowledge of everything?
-I’ve heard over 40 VTubers broadcast [Dark Ring] games, leader.
-For the leader who watched the 24-hour show of the Taishan marathon in 48 hours, anything’s possible!!
-Memorized every pattern in his head lol
-Are you playing games when you’re a trendsetter? Climb to the 10th floor!
-Followers…without preparation, climbing Incheon Tower to the 10th floor equals doom…
-Who? The leader?
SDVIMVFoanVzY1YwSVhjamMzUkt1Y2VIUWZiVkQ1UHFPVnhKWjVSVlBpeTB6ZDJlZ0pJQ1lnVTIvZzhYV1h2SA
-Need time to mentally prepare for the 10th floor boss….
-Ahahaha
Attentively observing followers who seemed delighted by the 4th consecutive broadcast, chatting while viewer numbers rose, he shared casual stories about watching boxing movies today. Laughingly claiming he watched Chinese films to learn how to throw a punch, reactions varied.
-“I want to learn martial arts”
-Daily, I distance myself from emptiness a few times.
-Followers Wakamou goes to the Tower to become strong!!
-Endlessly devouring to grow stronger!
-That’s the human limit of martial arts….
-But leader, even if Bruce Lee hits, does it register any damage??
-Can you call something slower than a bullet a punch?
-The lowest-level Climber matches UFC-level strength…Humans do, anyway.
“Hey, stop teasing. I got my black belt in taekwondo from Cheongdogwan. Hmm! I am quite proficient!”
-What’s Cheongdogwan?
-Taekwondo dojo, where it first started in the 1940s.
-Kid, how do you know that?
-If learned from Cheongdogwan, reached original master status?
-Think of it as Marine Corps class 0.
-Is the leader class 0 or participated in the Korean War?
-Was it the Red Team?
-What’s this lunatic saying haha
In truth, he merely learned taekwondo from a regular academy, but claiming that for the character’s sake, everyone played along nicely, making him pleased. After about 30 minutes of chit-chat, he announced it was time to climb the Tower, engaging [Enter Tower] to delve straight into the 9th floor.
According to the neglected Incheon Tower information, the emerging monster is an [Orc Fighter].
According to the information about the Incheon Tower I neglected, the monster that appears is [Orc Fighter].
In fact, it was the first proper humanoid monster I encountered. The corrupted dwarves were so short they were almost treated like goblins.
A dazzling light brightened the view, and as I dodged a shadow looming over my face, a green skin standing about 1.7 meters tall and muscular was huffing as it swung its fist. Is it true that climbers sometimes die from surprise attacks by monsters while climbing the tower?
To be attacked in an unguarded state right after coming up—had I not known, I might have been caught off guard.
-No, surprise attacks are really unfair.
-They say climbers die because of this kind of ambush.
-This is why Incheon Tower, despite being in the capital, isn’t popular LOL
-Right, unless you’re in close combat, you get punched and start off with a hit.
-When I got punched by it, I was reminded of the trauma from being hit by bullies.
-Don’t cry, buddy… What’s your job…
-Alchemist.
-Cry harder, your life is ruined.
-I’m already crying.
The chat window, left open on one side, quickly filled with messages as viewers who heard the rumors gathered. Was the talk broadcast not particularly popular?
Even though an Orc Fighter suddenly ambushed in front of him, no one really seemed worried about Wakamou. Did they believe that he wouldn’t get hurt even if he got hit? Clearly, the danger was lacking.
Well… since he can even cut through bullets, what’s there to worry about?
[Climbing the 9th floor of Incheon Tower World]
-Get used to combat! Practice against the [Orc Fighter]!
[Platinum Achievement Conditions]
-Dodge attacks from [Orc Fighter] (1/5)
-Block attacks from [Orc Fighter] (0/5)
-Do not receive any damage from [Orc Fighter] (0/1)
This is another set of bewildering conditions.
No, even though it’s a proper humanoid, having a sparring session on the 9th floor is… Most climbers, taken by surprise, would be too flustered and fight to win, and the ones who know would quickly take them out without concern.
“Fists, huh? Bring it on.”
With a leisurely smile, I beckon provocatively while one hand is placed behind my back.
Observing sharply as the fist flies through the air, I lean my neck back, narrowly dodging it.
An exceptional skill possible only with hardware capable of utilizing a software equipped with outstanding kinetic vision to 200%!
“Krarrak!!”
Swinging a fist nervously but following its trajectory, I bring my leg forward, ducking my body. The arm of the standing Orc Fighter swings so wildly that it grazes past my chest, but I had bent low enough to come just as close as my waist.
Despite missing the attack, the Orc Fighter kicks with irritation, but I lift my foot, propelling myself vertically from a prone position with the impact of my heel striking the ground.
Without looking at the punch flying at me as I stand with my back turned, I dodge sideways, weaving in graceful motion like a dance move, quickly slipping behind the Orc.
Even as it swings a hand back to grab my hair, I evade using [Mana Manipulation], securing a position behind the Orc and lightly kicking its leg’s hollow, making it stagger.
“Can’t you try a bit harder?”
One camera set up behind me.
I had an incredibly hard time adapting to the additional function of [Viewpoint Sharing] in [Video Recording], but thanks to that, I could see the ambush from behind without actually looking.
And that implied that even the audience watching through the camera could see the back of the Orc from where I stood.
Verifying that the angle of the video was being shot favorably with [Viewpoint Sharing], I chuckled.
Understanding it as a provocation, the Orc Fighter roared in furious rage, charging with bloodshot eyes.
Deflecting a flying punch with the back of my hand and pressing down a kick with my palm, as though a master of martial arts, I block and redirect the Orc’s fists and kicks. As the kind of martial arts scene one might see in a Hong Kong movie unfolded, the chat was abuzz with reactions. They exchanged blows deftly as if they were choreographed, knowing well that this wasn’t an act made them even more thrilled.
With keen eyes, using an incredible body to strain [Mana Manipulation] to accelerate demanding movements, I parried the attacks.
As a result, mana was depleting rapidly.
Without revealing my concern over how to handle the predetermined crisis act, I laughed outwardly, jumping up to evade what seemed like an ultimate front kick from the Orc.
Once airborne, there was nowhere to dodge.
-No, where do you run if you dodge up!
-Look at that disgusting smile on the crazy Orc.
-Did he jump by reflex? Is he screwed???
Viewers and believers alike understood that Wakamou had made a mistake and that Orc Fighter had lured him.
Even from the horrid smile on its ridiculously ugly face, one could tell!
“Kreeeek!!!”
The killing intent was palpable in the fist it launched.
And towards that punch, a hook slipped in.
-Wow!
-Is it stopped midair?
-No, not stopped, stepped on!!
-With just the tip of the toes????
Wakamou’s airborne foot curved its toes, hooking into the Orc’s wrist, immobilizing it.
Subsequently, as if sucked in below Wakamou, the Orc got tugged along, forcibly spinning three times mid-air, following Wakamou who had attached itself as a whirlwind.
Bam!
Buried into the ground with Wakamou’s foot alongside, the Orc’s head plummeted as its entire being crushed down.
“Ta-da! Did you see?! Tried copying a move from a martial arts movie I saw today, isn’t it neat?”
-Recreated after watching (for real).
-Lured into the air, countered while mid-air, then nailed down…?
-I felt great watching the pig that punched my face get smacked, but suddenly I feel sorry for it.
-This isn’t a climber’s battle!!!
-Where is the harm in the strong trampling the weak?
-Since he used fists, I responded in kind.
[The 9th floor of Incheon Tower is opened to all humanity with Platinum conditions achieved!!]
“Yeah, V V! Wakamou wins”
Beaming sweetly at the viewers, shaking a V-sign with both hands, Wakamou celebrated.
The believers were delighted at the cuteness, while the viewers cheered the 9th floor being fully攻略.
“Well then, everyone, let’s have a brief break! See you during the [Dark Ring] broadcast!”
Even though the crisis act was a bust, relieved I somehow managed to cover it, I paused the broadcast, displaying another screen.
The tower conveniently(?) provided攻略 conditions, allowing me to shoot a suitable action movie scene!!
No doubt, the physical prowess is so insanely good that it feels like I can do anything I think of. What if I get better at games too…?
Am I slowly becoming an inevitable VTuber due to this gradually blossoming hidden talent?
“Am I secretly talented at VTubing after all?!”
Grinning ear to ear, I fell into a happy daydream.
Uh huh~ Wakamou collaborating with famous VTubers…. That’d be annoyingly tall…
[Due to Platinum攻略 of the Tower, rewards are increased]
“So what will the 9th floor reward be..?”
With a carefree shoulder shrug, brimming with a “Wakamou is awesome!” vibe, biting the lower lip in unchecked happiness, I checked the reward.
[Please choose one reward]
[Idol’s Form]
-Creates a form consuming possessed mana.
[Idol’s Protection]
-Provides a buff to believers in proportion to the floor level.
[Weight of Faith]
-Allows to get lighter or heavier in proportion to believers.
“There’s no… attack skill…?”
What are these skills anyway? No matter how I see it, two are given for director effects, and one is for the believers’ benefit.
[Skill [Idol’s Form] acquired!]
At least it seemed somewhat applicable for intimidation…? Wait… then was [Asset]… not necessary for the light…?
The happiness from earlier felt completely forgotten, replaced by an inexplainable sadness.
Why, no attack skill…. Give me back my Flare Flare Fruit…. Give me back my Chidori!!!
“Well, they’ll give one on the next floor….”
Some things are simply inevitable.
Since the believers are waiting, I used [My Worlds] to return to my personal space and prepared the game.
With just [Internet Connection], don’t I essentially not need a computer? The ability to operate anything with mere will felt like living in a different future… Certainly, allowing my thought process to react directly made it feel like I could master any game.
I already studied [Dark Ring] by watching numerous VTubers.
Amidst the audience’s anticipation, I instantly chose the [No Item Cheat Route] that only veteran players dare to take.
-Oh man, what’s with the leader’s confidence.
-Hard agree, acknowledged by the Association, LOL
-Just you wait!! The primitive from the ancient VTuber will take the stage!!!
-Upon launching, instinctively chooses the partner from back in days… unable to resist nostalgia…
-Our leader just loves his Uga Uga…
“Uga Uga”
Entertaining the believers’ jokes, Wakamou advanced the character bravely towards [Tree Guardian], also known as the [Refund Guardian] due to making countless streamers and VTubers refund in frustration—a field boss encountered as soon as one enters the first field.
“I have all your patterns crammed in my head! I’ll one-shot you!!!”
And after 17 agonizing hours.
“Ahhh!!! Please!! Why can’t I dodge it!! Why can’t I dodge this!!! I rolled!! I dodged!!”
Endlessly getting pummeled without even dust flying off from Tree Guardian and dying and dying again.
“Huh? Why did that hit? Doesn’t it not hit? Why does it hit! It didn’t touch!!”
Repeating “Oh! I get it!” (Didn’t get it) infinitely, displaying tenacity with relentless retries, Wakamou persistently.
“Waaah!!”
Ultimately, conceding to a disgraceful defeat at the 18th hour, vowed to watch VTuber broadcasts and fled.
Tree Guardian repaid the Orc Fighter’s grudge.
And the leader’s horrendous inability at gaming was exposed, becoming the believers’ laughing stock.
Truly, an innate extreme lack of talent!!
A gamer with complete inability, almost as if of different species!!
Some follower later shared news on Wakamou’s [Dark Ring] play duration and achievement records, revealing that he tried for 7 more hours behind the scenes but couldn’t win, lighting up the fan café with laughter.
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