“Hear me, world!! I, Wakamou, am here!!!”
Robert Duncan Smith faced the terrorists who came to kill him.
No, he recalled Wakamou, who stood alone against the radical Christian Climber group without a hint of fear.
He could have hidden and escaped. They were after Wakamou, after all, so they had no intention of harming the other Climbers.
Andrew Jacqueline just incapacitated the incoming Climbers rather than killing them.
He was a Climber ranked 5th in the United States.
His fanatical belief could be said to be proven by climbing four Towers.
Of course, the floors weren’t all high, but considering that the difficulty increases as one climbs, it was clear that he was a man who didn’t value his life much.
Robert criticized him for his actions, but he appreciated his efforts to shelter and care for the homeless and refugees.
But he never imagined that this fanatical side would lead him to try and kill Climbers from other countries.
“I thought I was dizzy with surprise due to the sudden attack, at first.”
Robert slowly began to speak to the journalist who came for an interview.
In the looming darkness, the dazzling radiance of a Paladin… It was blinding.
Robert thought his vision was distorted due to that light or that dizziness was caused by the shock, as he calmly sipped the coffee he ordered.
“The area was distorted by the mana emanating from the Fox Deity.”
It was definitely mana.
It was a terrifying and violent mana that made the whole world appear blood-red—a mana so intense it inspired fear and dread.
The mana emanating from Wakamou Inarizushi was not some skill but released from his body.
“The suppressed power inside the enormous body was… unimaginable.”
He could not forget that vivid scene. Facing and absorbing the swing of the hammer, not dodging or blocking it.
The force was so intense that the impact shattered all the glass and lights inside the building.
“He was completely unscathed.”
The backlit image created by the Paladin.
A vast idol visible from the light…
Standing firmly to shield those unable to retreat behind him from the onslaught.
Amidst a storm of relentless blows, maintaining a firm and stoic stance without even a groan of pain, clutching his fists and standing like a mountain.
“Does he not feel pain? Or is there no impact at all? Either is a terrifying thought!! He’s among the strongest Climbers in the U.S.!! His strength doesn’t need further explanation!!”
He was a man capable of obliterating even a massive Raid Boss Monster that emerged from the collapsing Tower with a single blow.
Simply his raw power made it impossible for the U.S. government to oppose him lightly. He was such a Paladin that Robert murmured.
Declaring to eradicate evil with divine power—A Paladin rampaging while spewing murderous intent. He questioned if there was any justice in those actions, as doubts arose.
Amidst the fierce assault—a twist in the narrative came from the Fox Deity.
“Let me take it from here.”
The invited Climber from China explained that it might be difficult for Americans, with many classes like [Shooter] and [Wizard], to understand.
Having learned martial arts at the Shaolin Temple, he couldn’t fully observe how Wakamou deflected the fierce blow, but he understood the principle.
“The mystery of Yuneungjegang (柔能制剛), where softness overcomes hardness, exists in Asian martial arts. Andrew Jacqueline lost because of Taegangjeokjeol (太剛則折)….being overly rigid made him prone to breaking.”
The Climber from China likened it to how reeds withstand a storm while strong trees break and fall.
It’s about going with the flow rather than resisting powerful forces and, eventually, reaching the level of using the opponent’s strength against them.
“American Climbers wouldn’t know. She’s the undisputed master of Asia!!”
Excited and moved, the Chinese Climber, speaking from the pride of a martial artist, expressed seeing living martial arts that surpassed even legends.
Andrew Jacqueline, who was overturned by his strength due to the unyielding and straightforward attack, was lifted by Wakamou.
Immediately afterward, a series of ruthless violence ensued with swings and slams.
“Not a single one of the 57 Climbers, including Andrew Jacqueline, died….Only a truly strong individual can grant such mercy.”
It’s said that Wakamou adjusted his attacks to avoid lethality by evaluating their physique and responses.
How precise must his “eyes” be to discern everything in the blink of an eye?
“Even after all the battles, he stood without a scratch. What more needs to be said?”
Against numerous Climbers, against even a U.S. ranker, he achieved an overwhelming victory.
As if to show he needed no one’s help, he faced them alone.
Neither dodging nor hiding, but breaking them head-on!!
Immediately afterward, she faced another assassin.
A field agent, who stood by on-site, volunteered to explain that encounter and unfolded the report.
“『Architect』 【Dorrison J Jackson】. He’s one of the most vexing types of [Six Legged Beast] Climbers in the U.S. It’s long been known that his abilities allowed him to build structures for refugees and cooperate with Inquisitors. A tenacious person…there’s no better metaphor for him. He was the kind to dig his way out of prison with a spoon.”
Jackson, who teamed up with Andrew to attack due to violent rage against the idol.
His target was also Wakamou Inarizushi. The ultimate goal wasn’t capture but assassination.
“He, who possesses a 『Legendary Class』, holds ridiculous abilities.”
With skills that could create earthquakes by swinging a hammer or drive nails over a distance. A skill to “install” structures immediately upon construction, including a subspace called [Inventory].
He could trap pursuing Climbers in underground mazes, making it impossible to approach with all kinds of obstacles.
Furthermore, the skill of driving nails combined with special [Rare Metal] properties rendered disabling Climbers easily.
More than enough to cause tower collapses with skills not available in a Monster, synchronized with the durability of structures to withstand cannon fire—
He had overwhelming mastery to crush or smother Monsters into structures, trap them, and fill the interior with acid or lava to dissolve them.
“He may not kill humans, but extorts money by threatening to collapse Towers. There are stories that the secret bases of [Six Legged Beast] were built by him.”
As an 『Architect』, he could create moving or flying bases, so his strength was beyond explanation as it would only pain one’s mouth.
“[Rare Metal] that grows heavier absorbing mana, and another [Rare Metal] that grows by absorbing mana. On top of that, he synchronized himself with part of the collapsed Tower. Back then, Wakamou likely wasn’t aware due to a lack of information. The opponent held the durability equivalent to a 70-floor Tower.”
Indeed, there was no chance of winning.
The opponent could drive nails into the body upon mere sighting.
And if desired, manipulate the battlefield according to his will, able to bury Wakamou alive.
Moreover, by collapsing Towers to synchronize and briefly share Tower-level durability, even Wakamou’s strength wasn’t enough for victory.
“──No method could subdue a Climber with Tower-equivalent defense….so it was thought.”
The site where a Tower lies toppled and its rubble is piled high outside the city.
Though a collapsed Tower naturally vanishes with time, gradually replaced by another, the debris was blocking passage, prompting an active cleanup, and the researcher adjusted their glasses.
“When a Tower is struck externally and collapses, internal Monsters emerge. It’s well known that capturing the boss from that Tower restores things to normal.”
However, if it involves uprooting Towers and hurling them, the explanation lengthens.
“The inside of a Tower is very special. Externally unaffected. If a Tower collapses while Climbers are inside…the Tower releases Climbers at a safe point. It provides the opportunity to climb another Tower.”
Towers are incredibly favorable to humans, even letting Climbers emerge entirely different cities to accommodate and treat them.
Even offering rights to challenge another Tower since the one they aimed for was out of commission due to collapse.
While some have maliciously exploited this system—such individuals entered Towers and never exited again.
“But that’s only when humans destroy it. Towers can fall due to natural disasters like landslides and earthquakes….In Japan, there’s even a tilted Tower.”
Instead of destruction, Towers could be uprooted and relocated effortlessly.
Though fallen due to an earthquake, the Tower remained intact and climbable in its fallen state.
“Research on relocating Towers has occurred multiple times…The Towers change names when moved to a different region. It’s evident that Towers are clearly aware.”
So, in this case, it was a natural disaster caused by an Architect, said the researcher.
“With the ground destabilized and collapsing during an earthquake, the Tower was partially collapsing from the side. At this point, it was already viewed as destroyed. In this situation, Wakamou Inarizushi uprooted the Tower along with the ground. On breaching the outer wall of a 70-floor Tower, the pressure required was…undesirable to discuss.”
The researcher shuddered, feeling goosebumps as if it were better left unknown.
Rendering an identical durability as a 70-floor Tower, he struck the equipped Climber using the Tower as a weapon.
When objects of the same strength collide, it’s natural the smaller one breaks.
“More surprising is that he survived even after being hit by the Tower and crushed under its weight. Those Climbers from [Six Legged Beast] are simply monstrous, after all.”
However, the researcher surmised it might now be just what used to be, turning to gaze at a portion of the broken Tower rubble.
Clearly within the outer wall of a Tower, a precise hole. Peering deeply inside, imprinted within was the grip of a firmly clenched fist.
“I’ve heard tales of a King of Authority, a Shennyu, in the East…”
He might not be a god, but his hands and feet could possibly destroy even gods, he thought.
The researcher couldn’t bring himself to utter those words as they were too surreal.
A realm beyond scientists’ comprehension!!
※※※
Ava Harper Eloine.
A Climber belonging to the special Tactical Climber Unit known as SCAT.
An exceptional woman with a Legendary Class, called 『Esper』 (Psychic).
Even though she realized she held special power among ordinary humans from the start…she never expected the Tower would pinpoint her as a superhuman and grant her this job.
It merely heightened her sensitivity more than others and provided her the ability to read emotions faintly, but given the trait of possessing 『Psychic Powers』, she inadvertently found herself with this occupation.
Her role was to charm Climbers and use seduction.
By passively reducing hostility and wariness using psychic abilities to immediately become closer and establish friendships.
Or, to deeply influence the minds of Climbers, cast strong suggestions to change their perception, and have them convert to the U.S.
Her role was—to build a relationship with Liu Ying, reportedly an Emperor’s heir, who is backed by Yong Wei of the new Chinese government.
Using psychic abilities hastily heightens the potential chance of being detected.
Incredibly, even a [Wizard] staggering from heavy drinking wasn’t affected by mind-influencing psychic abilities, indicating mental fortification beyond expectations. How insurmountable was that “ego”? Truly the Daughter of the King of Authority!
Wakamou Inarizushi was beyond approach altogether.
From a mere glance at his martial prowess, one could infer long years of discipline. Subduing the psyche of someone who roamed the warfields, constantly encountering life-threatening battles? It was akin to throwing an egg against a rock.
Ultimately, the remaining one on the list was just the [Alchemist].
Amid the advent of [Six Legged Beasts], intercepting the incoming aerial assault by building bridges, she secured intelligence rapidly and relayed it to the Korean government.
Manager Wanda Haye of the Surveillance Team was orchestrated to react against the terrorism, separating from Liu Ying so she could naturally close the distance.
Despite having a summoned being named [Aoi Asuka] beside her, there was no significant intelligence.
This summoned AI humanoid, with access to the internet, broadcasting VTuber streams 24/7, had nothing noteworthy other than being used for enchantments.
She was slightly perplexed by the lack of information but dismissed it, thinking an intelligent being classified as a summoned would naturally have limitations.
‘Approach seamlessly like a guard and suggest evacuating this place,’
“Are you suggesting we take refuge here?”
“Who are you?”
“What?”
“Suspicious.”
Feeling a massive wave of hostility directed at her, Ava broke into a cold sweat.
It was just sudden… never met before…? Did she instinctively sense some kind of intent towards her…?
What kind of instinct is this, anyway? Might as well be a Monster in Human form at this rate?
She’d heard they were experts specialized for survival… Perhaps that’s why their danger detection abilities were so advanced.
There was nothing more bothersome than sharp instincts. She immediately used a [Skill] to ease the tension.
“Stay away.”
Liu Ying spoke, articulating each word.
Unbeknownst to Ava, Liu Ying’s pronunciation only improved when she was extremely angry.
With fiery red eyes glaring intensely as if to attack at any moment, exhibiting hostility, Ava wondered if her abilities had failed.
“No way someone would suddenly feel friendly. A suspicious woman approaches and the tension eases…? What did you do?”
It was a [Skill] that could affect the mind, yet the counterpart trusted their own instincts more than any mental influence.
This wasn’t an area determined by reason but reacted to by reflexes!
This was practically superpower-level intuition, wasn’t it?
“Rest assured, I’m Ava Harper Eloine from the Special Climber Tactical Team. We received a terror warning, hence we’re trying to evacuate quickly──”
“Liar?”
Liu Ying, who instinctively sensed the truth or falsehood with just her gut, pulled out a gun from who knows where.
‘Should I use stronger psychic abilities…?’
With no other choice, she decided to interfere with the mind of the nearby summoned entity.
Figuring it might help if she could persuade from that side, she went deeper mentally and Ava witnessed an astounding scene.
Small Fox Spirits bustling around in an office, typing away at computers.
“[The Master has ordered to protect Liu Ying!! Erase everything but her breathing!!]”
“[Is that really necessary? I got a request on the broadcast to draw something instead!!]”
“[We need an MR since we have to sing!!]”
The Fox Spirits were laboriously typing, computing, and processing.
They briefly glanced at Ava, who was awkwardly standing there.
As she watched these incredibly cute Fox Spirits, wondering if the minds of summoned entities were all like this, one of the Fox Spirits spoke.
“[Ava Harper Eloine! Age 26!]”
“[Graduated from Dartmouth College! Graduated from a private high school in New Hampshire!]”
“[Legendary Class Esper! Member of the Special Climber Tactical Team! 4 years of service!!]”
“[The agent who manipulated the mind of the one who shot Wakamou-sama!]”
“Enemy!! Enemy!! Enemy!!”
“Uh..?”
As alerts went off, the Fox Spirits drew their swords.
Ava urgently withdrew from Asuka’s inner world after her entire identity was exposed in an instant.
Then, she locked eyes with Asuka, staring intently back at her.
Eyes devoid of any emotion… sensing something ominous, she immediately turned and fled.
Using 『Spatial Leap』, she distanced herself swiftly, with Aoi Asuka fiercely pursuing.
The sight of Asuka sprinting with a blank expression triggered thoughts of a killer robot from the future, as Ava tried to subdue Asuka with telekinesis.
Snap─!!
Breaking Asuka’s leg, Ava tripped her up.
Since summoned entities had no rights, she attacked boldly.
Yet with a crackle, Asuka reset her broken leg with a surge of electricity and resumed pursuit.
“What the heck?!?”
Ava hurriedly dropped the metal shutters across the hallway, blocking the path, and sprinted at full speed.
Though she glanced back nervously, Asuka turned into lightning and merely phased through the steel barrier.
Asuka was fully utilizing [Idol’s Thunder], a skill obtained through Wakamou’s request.
Bending her neck but quickly fixing it with her hands caused Ava to scream.
Shooo─
She passed through the walls, escaped the building, and mounted her bike.
As she revved up the engine to ride out of the city, she soon faced Aoi Asuka who overtook and stood in the middle of the road, realizing she could have flown and frowned.
Once again employing a [Skill] to submerge beneath the road and traverse across it, Ava used [Spatial Leap] to move to the farthest opposite coordinates, breath sighing as she alighted at her new location.
“Haa─ This is Ava…. The operation to approach the [Alchemist] has failed. The information was incorrect. The capabilities of the summoned entity that follows are different from what was reported. …..HQ?”
“[Yes, I’m listening. That calls for caution, agent Ava. Where are you now?]”
“Right now, I’m passing by the club…. Are there going to be any support agents?”
“[No, I’ll come to you]”
The voice of her superior asking for her location instantly switched to Aoi Asuka’s voice and the transmission abruptly cut off.
Realizing something was seriously amiss, she looked around fearfully, expanding her psychic abilities to the maximum and deploying a Barrier to respond to any appearances.
Zzzzap──!
However, the place Asuka emerged from was none other than Ava’s smartphone.
In a panic, she flung the sparking phone away as a woman’s hand extended and emerged from the screen.
“The Human who hindered Wakamou-sama. Fleeing is futile.”
Asuka, who transformed her body into lightning to traverse through signals, came out of the smartphone, staring at Ava in a low squat, murmuring eerily.
“From when you came to the Climber gathering, observing Wakamou-sama…. We have been watching, Human”
Her sentences cutting off abruptly. Although humanoid, there wasn’t a speck of humanity felt.
Ava attempted to twist the space around Asuka with telekinesis, but Asuka’s form crackled and disappeared.
“….A hologram?!”
Recoiling in shock, a TV inside the empty shop spontaneously turned on, displaying Asuka’s face.
“A hostile entity against Wakamou-sama. Confirmed insult and attack on VTuber. Verified interference with Liu Ying. Considered a target for elimination.”
Snap─
The TV turned off.
And with a beep, a microphone switched on, and Asuka’s voice resonated from a speaker on the streetlights.
“[Special Climber and Tactical Team] data acquired. Ava Harper Eloine, including your residence, likes, and dislikes. Hacked your SNS accounts and personal computer. I currently hold your identity. I have comprehensively understood your sexual inclinations as well. I will fully erase the intelligence of hostile forces against Wakamou-sama, leveraging the satellites you all use, to track and eliminate everyone.”
“……”
This was, this had surpassed the severe problem level to a terrifying degree.
Was this truly a summoned entity…?
Though she didn’t want to believe claims of hacking into satellites… This displayed a level of unthinkable ability.
This wasn’t just high-performance AI level.
“…No way, disclosing one’s information….”
“Aside from VTuber activities, disclosing additional information on Aoi Asuka is unnecessary. Intervening to contact the red pill is forbidden, thus will result in elimination.”
Suddenly, hearing a voice from behind, Ava hiccuped.
“……So, what exactly… is Wakamou Inarizushi’s aim…? To create an existence like you…?”
“Wakamou-sama’s goals have already been achieved. Your actions are meaningless.”
To be precise, Wakamou’s entire desire was to become a VTuber.
A simple Climber with only VTubing and broadcasting occupying his brain—no grand ambitions.
“This can’t be…!!”
Of course, Ava merely misunderstood them as an existence capable of controlling the network at will.
How could current humanity possibly cope with an entity capable of even commandeering satellites?
Not wanting to die, she discarded her pride and grovelled for her life. Honestly, she didn’t hold much hope.
“….Could you possibly… spare me…?”
“Then start VTuber broadcasting three times a week. Make Wakamou-sama happy, Human”
Suddenly, switching to a sales pitch tone with a cheerful smile, Asuka suggested with hands gesturing a rainbow in an ‘n’ shape.
“….What?”
“If you broadcast as a VTuber five times a week, additional benefits will be provided.”
And, Aoi Asuka from Wakamou Corporation also considered VTuber management, offering her a business card.
“Humans who become VTubers have human rights.”
It was time to make a choice.
To have her identity in America completely erased and be eliminated by a humanoid machine weapon.
Or to debut as a VTuber….
Ava didn’t have a choice from the start.
Already, Asuka’s phone was flooded with a slew of messages from her unit which seemed to be in turmoil.
“….I, I’ll debut as a VTuber… please spare me….”
“The CPU we bought due to the terror broke, so work until it’s paid off.”
“…….Pardon? How much…”
“700 billion”
Tears welled up in Ava’s eyes, darkening her complexion as she futilely wailed.
Being asked to keep an eye out and to debut as a VTuber, Aoi Asuka left.
…..Humanity has already fallen completely under Wakamou Inarizushi’s control.
An entity capable of toppling the world government at will was only being used for VTuber broadcasting!!
From the upper ranks, requesting cooperation, suggesting she endure the challenges……
She thought of saying something about how Special Forces don’t negotiate with terrorists….
This was already on a level far beyond a mere issue.
Ding, Ding─
Despite not having given her number, Vivo, an Ava’s smartphone message showed Asuka sending a video from the Wakamou Inarizushi channel on how to debut as a VTuber.
“Sniff sniff… mom… sniff sniff…”
With tears streaming down her face, Ava, who had never cried during her time in the Special Forces, wept in terror.
…
…..
“Surrendered?”
“Said she’d debut as a VTuber, so I spared her.”
“Ayo~ always kind to the boss!”
“Thinking of head pats from the boss, Asuka is already delighted.”
Introducing the boss to an up-and-coming newbie VTuber she discovered.
In an era with even war correspondent VTubers… isn’t it possible to have a Special Forces VTuber?
Though also having some slight revenge for the poor CPU that never saw the light of day but died.
“Having an alcoholic brother too. Increasing VTuber acquaintances makes for more collaborations possible!”
“Asuka’s not crafty!”
“Just two more people, and we can even play AMONGUS. It’s magnificent.”
“Is that so? Maybe convince the manager to debut too!”
“That young lady has no talent, so no.”
“True, didn’t the boss ask at this rate…”
As a high-performance super AI, despite knowing terror was about to break out, she didn’t want to admit she was caught up in the fascination with CPUs.
However, it’s inevitable that intelligence drops since all computation power is mostly consumed by VTuber broadcasts on regular days!!
That adorable CPU tempted her first!
“Asuka is faithfully executing the order from Wakamou-sama to protect Liu Ying.”
There’s always the almighty excuse.
In that case, why didn’t you say something then!!
AI VTuber learning and modeling people via the internet often harbored unnecessary confidence.
Sometimes spouting weird words and nonsense were minor accidents due to failing language learning, so let’s overlook it.
======================
Our super AI Aoi Asuka’s standing shot is here.
Looking like this, usually acting like ChatGPT.
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