People’s assessments of Goblins have changed significantly since the appearance of the Tower.
If just one or two show up, it’s not a big problem, but they often emerge in hordes.
Furthermore, they are intelligent enough to apply poison to weapons or set up traps strategically.
They are the least intelligent and weakest humanoid Monsters, yet their numbers are maddeningly great.
Although Goblins can be easily killed with a single blow from a properly skilled warrior.
The Tower plunges Climbers into caves or forests where they can’t see anything when they encounter them.
They are cunning and clever hunters.
They dig tunnels and hide, hang from trees, camouflage, then ambush and kill Climbers.
Although you can escape if you keep your wits about you through [Tower Exit], if one faints, they might get eaten alive or dragged off to face horrors.
Even if one manages to escape, their hunting method is filthy enough to cause trauma.
Among the Monsters that burst out due to the Tower’s collapse, Goblins are a headache for these reasons.
The ones outside actually know how to shoot firearms.
With their small bodies and robust stamina, they can climb walls or dig tunnels to raid civilian homes.
Thus, Believers were worried about Wakamou.
She was too large of a presence to be seen anywhere.
That overwhelming presence. As a VTuber, there’s nothing you can do about the flamboyance, but she responded to the Believers’ worries with a nonsensical remark.
“Believers should know. VTubers don’t exist in reality!!”
It seemed like yet another absurd statement. Who doesn’t know that? Everyone understands but plays along and enjoys the broadcast with laughter.
Some Believers, though, retorted, “But aren’t you here in reality, as a VTuber?”
-What? What’s happening??
-???? Is this a spell????
-Wh-what Skill? Like a thief Skill?
-[Log] says there’s such a Skill, but…
-Did Ichigo make a potion?
-Ichigo can only make poison.
They couldn’t understand what was happening inside the Tower through the screen. Furthermore, since Wakamou remained tight-lipped, the Believers were left staring at the camera showing empty space.
The camera started showing [Elite Monsters] evolving from ordinary Goblin hordes to ones with much stronger armor wandering in the forest.
From makeshift crossbows to spear-wielding Goblins, even Goblin riders on wolfback. With armor including leather and shields, believers whispered among themselves that it’s no wonder they got the Elite title.
“Kiik, Kiruk”
Three Goblins, possibly on a reconnaissance mission, started rummaging through the grass that grew as tall as themselves.
Listening intently with ears on high alert, feeling something unusually sinister today rather than the usual, a Goblin walks along the patrol route with a comrade, checking carefully that nothing has tripped the traps and snares they’ve set up.
Fwoosh─!
“Kiek! Kieek!”
“Kirik Kirik!!”
And quickly two Goblins draw poisoned swords upon hearing a trap being triggered and rush to the sound.
What they enthusiastically see, anticipating a trap hit, is a horrifically impaled Goblin who fell into their trap, having started with them.
“Kiek?”
“Kieeuk?”
Did he trip, or did he not know the trap’s location and fallen?
But one Goblin, sensing something ominous as he stares at his dead comrade’s terrified face.
The eerily quiet forest felt uncomfortably artificial, thwarting any dismissive feeling. As the Goblin tries to tell his comrade to return to the settlement, he meets the eyes of his comrade, who is looking backwards.
Is there something behind? They look over their shoulders together.
Only to realize too late that it’s not about looking back but the comrade’s head is turned around as the Goblin tries to blow the whistle hanging around his neck.
Thunk─!!
The comrade’s hand swings and precisely pierces the goblin’s throat.
“Kick, Kiik..?”
With a whistling breath, the bewildered Goblin who pokes his comrade with a surprised expression on why he attacked him
Understands nothing as he saggers, eyes rolling, and crashes to the ground.
The three Goblin scouts fell silent in an instant.
The camera catches this horror movie scene, and viewers hesitated even to chat.
Simply sensing some déjà vu as if they had seen it somewhere before while fearing that the 『Fox’s Hunting Method』 the Leader showed seemed terribly wrong.
And for the unaware Goblins, a dark cloud loomed.
Rustle rustle.
The Goblin at the settlement’s entrance pointed his weapon straight at the rustling from the bushes. But seeing a rabbit jump out, he laughed, “Kirk.”
“Kiek! Kiek!”
Elbowing the patrol buddy beside him, he pointed at the rabbit that stared dumbly at them. And then, bursting into excitement at the thought of delicious meat, the other Goblin threw his spear.
As the rabbit dodged the flying spear and fled behind a tree, the two Goblins supposed to guard the entrance chased it down to eat it.
“Kkiik!”
During the chase, a Goblin looks back once when his buddy trips over something and falls, sniggering at his foolishness, then turns behind the tree to find the rabbit.
Only to lock eyes with the fallen comrade Goblin.
Seeing his companion’s head on the ground, the Goblin stood frozen, realizing something was wrong.
Woooosh—
Unable to scream.
The Goblin lifted into the air wasn’t screaming; he was caught mid-air as if by some invisible force.
What’s visible on the Believers’ screen were the struggling legs of a Goblin…. The desperation as it struggled for its life came across vividly.
And soon.
Crack.
With the sound of something breaking, the listless legs disappeared from the screen.
Still, nothing visible was reflected on the screen.
“Kiek! Kieek!”
“Kirik Kirik!!”
“Kiek! Kiek!”
And accompanying the cries of Goblins. Three Goblins emerged from the shrubbery.
The recently departed scouts naturally walked into the settlement.
Holding hands and linked together, appearing almost as a single mass.
Seeing a large animal carcass they dragged in, the Goblins rushed out.
At this moment, every Goblin in the settlement gathered in one place.
At that point, the screen dimmed, seemingly as a protective setting for the viewers’ view, then a blinding flash exploded from the screen.
The brightness cutback was a relief; otherwise, the concentrated viewers might have been blinded by the intense light.
Of course, the hapless Goblins were clutching their eyes, writhing in agony.
By that point, the scouting Goblins had vanished.
In their place, like a mirage or haze clearing, Wakamou burst forth, charging like a beast.
With ghostly elongated movements leaving afterimages, Goblins were swiftly hunted and knocked down.
“Didn’t get caught, right?”
No rash responses came to Wakamou’s casual chuckle. The Believers were too busy trying to comprehend the situation.
With the word to begin, Wakamou’s figure disappeared.
Or rather, to say she became invisible would be more fitting.
They thought the camera was continuously showing the scenery, but it was showing Wakamou’s figure to the Believers.
Creating a spontaneous ‘Rabbit’ that shouldn’t exist inside the Tower, to lure Goblins.
Bringing back to life the supposedly dead Goblin scouts to animate.
“Believers. This is how you hunt, after all.”
-I see….
-Understood why gets bitten by a snake on a climb…because they can’t see…
-No, but you seriously can’t see this.
-Is this what it means to be spellbound by a Fox? What is this?
-Think I’ll sleep with Mom today, haha…
-Invisible Wakamou is damn strong….
-No witnesses left, seems like an assassination alright.
-This is true Invisible assassination…?
-It’s true we lost because the support didn’t ward.
-Blaming support here???
Feeling satisfied with the performance amid the passionate reaction, Wakamou is self-satisfied.
Through the broadcast, the idea arose to conceal weaknesses by creating “illusions.”
The form created by the Skill [Idol’s Form] is merely a mirage incapable of dealing damage, yet there’s utility in that, isn’t there?
Of course, showcasing a model within seconds of seeing it repeated the arduous challenge. Wakamou tirelessly worked behind the scenes for fulfilling broadcasts, even if she’d never tell the Believers.
Moreover, utilizing [VTuber Asset], she could create light. Even the finale’s flash was made visible.
Much like how magicians never reveal the tricks behind their illusions, Wakamou alternated between using these two Skills.
Despite the downside of limited movement, she blends into surrounding landscapes by projecting them back, gathering Goblins as a merged entity with the carried body, in real form crawling forward.
Increasing in size, he actually crawled by lying down.
The cries of goblins were recorded using and played back using [internet connection].
If he had something like [invisibility] or [transparency], there would be no need for such hardship, but it was a so-called “show-off” category.
‘Honestly, it was damn close….’
He freaked out thinking about what to do if caught!!
But he did it. As long as he did it…!
‘Seriously…I’m glad for this body…’
Always in full condition. No matter how much he focuses, he doesn’t feel tired.
Therefore, making a mistake is even more unacceptable. The pros always show perfection on this stage, right?
He thought several times how lucky he was not to sweat coldly, trying to maintain a forced smile.
“No, even though I’m a Fox, I can at least do this even if I can’t use magic. If you can’t hunt, you’ll starve, Believer..?”
He crossed his arms and boasted calmly, as if this were natural, without revealing any emotions, not giving Believers any room to doubt or think.
-Surely the children of the Fox Deity won’t starve.
-I heard foxes have many cubs, the stomach must be huge.
-Woo woo…I forgot everything that happened….
-I’ll go hunt something by buying from the convenience store.
-You’re paying for it, right?
-Right…?
-Hey, streamer…?
-Is it so wild you have to hunt while invisible?
“Exactly. Then what will you do if you meet the mountain king, a tiger? Shape-shifting is essential!”
-Haha, right, haha
-To avoid the king of the mountains, you need to learn transparency too haha
-Is it because you are scared of ghosts that you avoid ghoul?
-What’s ghoul?
-A monster tiger in Joseon times.
-Stealth is a basic skill for junglers.
He naturally kept his role-playing while waiting for the reward to come out.
Honestly, even though he wasn’t visible, he was aware of an “enemy attack” and wondered if he would be exposed, but the judgment was quite generous.
[Incheon Tower Floor 12 has achieved Platinum conditions and will be open to all humanity!!]
‘Hoo……’
As if expecting this to happen, he stood with a relaxed posture, hands on his hips.
He did a double peace sign and shook it, trying to distract viewers from thoughts off to somewhere else.
[Rewards increased due to Platinum attack on the tower]
[Please select one reward]
[Idol’s Flame]
-Consumes mana to create flames.
[Weight of Faith]
-Can become lighter or heavier relative to the number of Believers.
[VTuber Model]
-Same function as ‘Virtual Chat.’
-The number of ownership increases with the number of floors attacked by [Climber].
-[Registerable models 0/1]
“……”
Is [VTuber Model] not a job-specific skill…? I can’t tell the difference.
Thinking he should choose [Attack Skill], he placed his finger on it…model…model….. Does this mean you can cosplay like a game character in reality?
Can you completely transform into another VTuber character?
Not like a fantasy illusion of [Idol’s Form]…?
Well, that’s a hassle, but wouldn’t it be better than this huge physique?
He covered his mouth with his hand and deliberated carefully.
“I can’t resist cosplay…”
[You have acquired the skill [VTuber Model]!]
‘Loli Fox Deity Wakamou mode or Furry Fox Deity Wakamou mode can be possible too…right?’
There really was no option not to choose.
“Now, Believers! Since this broadcast hasn’t shown much, it’s time for another floor. Let’s have a date with the Fox Deity!”
-Aren’t you overdoing it?
-We love it, haha
-Indeed, we saw nothing…
SDVIMVFoanVzY1YwSVhjamMzUkt1Y2VIUWZiVkQ1UHFPVnhKWjVSVlBpeW1FdGtSdVhYQ3MzaUtHSlBHaUtjMA
-But really, how did you do the transparency???
“Uh? Didn’t you invisibility the avatar in 『Virtual Chat』. VTubers do not exist in reality!! No excessive immersion!!”
-?
-?
-Ah, yes.
-That’s, is it a concept?
-If that’s so, then it must be….
-That’s why the Leader doesn’t breathe!
-Haha, knowing it’s a VTuber broadcast, haha
-If a wild fox existed in reality, they’d be reported immediately.
-You’d be taken away for knowing too much.
-Welcome back to re-enrollment, Believer!
Humming with relief that everyone was enjoying it.
“Shall we go up then?”
Bringing small talk with Believers for about 5 minutes, he climbed to the next floor without hesitation.
Then, suddenly darkness closed in, and Wakamou reflexively lit his fingertips.
This time there was no torch, so he couldn’t see anything in front of him.
-It’s pitch black…can’t see anything…
-No torch? A cave? Perhaps???
-This is “that guy” isn’t it? Haha?
-Ah, probably not haha… It would be a big deal.
-Leader, when you kill it, you better make the light big.
-Now truly the Leader is in a different league alone.
-These guys giving advice are gross without even climbing.
-Leader’s life hangs in the balance, would you not give advice, jeez haha
Though Wakamou hadn’t noticed, viewers realized it and were making a fuss.
[Climbing World of Incheon Tower Floor 13]
-With [Wakamou Inarizushi], the difficulty increases based on the climber’s achievements!
-[Defeat the Elite Monster]!
-[Defeat the Gazer in the Hungry Darkness].
[Platinum Achievements]
-Do not take damage from [Gazer in the Hungry Darkness] (0/1)
-Defeat [Gazer in the Hungry Darkness] (0/1)
Where the eyes should be was covered with hide, alongside long ears like bats and thin arms and legs. Though humanoid, the grotesque and twisted fiend like something out of a horror film quivered as it nodded its head side to side.
-Leader, don’t speak. It’s really despair.
-Why is a creature appearing that comes out on the 30th floor?
-Gazer tracks like it has radar, following sounds and heartbeats.
-These bastards are vile, nothing but darkness lighting up ㅇㅇ..
-If you’re dazed because it’s dark, your heart will immediately be pulled out.
-They aim for where the sound is, specializing in stabbing hearts.
Believers were giving earnest advice as Wakamou might speak a single word.
Wakamou floated [No advice] in the air with light, making Believers dumbfounded, but she shrugged her shoulders as if to say what’s the problem.
[Gazer] spawning on the 30th floor is highly dangerous with the ability to penetrate metal with mana wrapped around it.
On top of that, with nimble movement, they track the climber by breath and heartbeat.
Like hunters of the darkness.
But similarly, by judging from their revealed appearance when hit by light, even one lethal strike could defeat it.
Much like a reversal of Wakamou’s act of hunting goblins through stealth.
As viewers worried whether the tower was trying to kill the Leader.
Then, a viewer expressed doubt.
-But why isn’t it moving?
A person’s heart doesn’t stop even if you hold your breath.
Therefore, it’s nearly impossible not to get detected by Gazer when approaching close enough to match breath.
However, Wakamou stood behind Gazer, like making a shoulder pat, waving at the camera.
The light source above the camera began to sway gently.
Whoop──!!
Snatching Gazer’s head, Wakamou disappeared into the darkness, and a chilling crunching sound resonated.
[Incheon Tower Floor 13 has fulfilled Platinum conditions and is now open to all humanity!!]
Although the joyous news spread through the tower, the Believers stayed frozen in a scene that kept echoing with phantom squeaks.
A scene relying on a single light bulb in a basement.
A creepy static-like moment when time seemed halted.
In the darkness, a beautiful woman’s hand slipped out, waving to the screen.
“Believers, thanks for watching. Dream of me?”
Her voice was joyful, the Fox Deity, as the light phff! turned off.
A well-timed, blood-curdling scream played by Wakamou resounded, concluding the broadcast.
-Haha…..haha….
-Going to sleep with mom haha….
-I think I peed a little.
-I’ll be an obedient Believer to Fox Deity!!!!
-The black suit fetching you is humane considerate…
-What might an urban fox hunt…? I don’t want to know…
At any rate, today’s broadcast seemed successful in many ways.
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