Unlike East Asia, machoism culture is much more developed in America.
There was a time when people lived by pioneering the rugged wilderness, and each independent state had its own sense of belonging and pride.
This means it’s a culture different from that of Korea, China, and Japan.
America was a country that adopted the most balanced and neutral federal system between the federal and state governments in world history.
The U.S. state and federal governments have their own unique powers as specified in the U.S. Constitution, which are in a mutually respectful relationship that cannot infringe upon each other.
It’s a nation where there was a major war like the [Civil War] by the United States and the Confederate States.
However, the internal division didn’t happen thanks to the existence of Climbers, and that was a relief for Wakamou.
Well, if America fell, other countries would be affected too, so it’s good that it’s alright.
Since it’s alright, VTubers can debut and thrive in America, right?
Returning to the beginning─what might be representative of that macho culture?
While there are sports genres, isn’t it the Western when you think of America?
It’s a theme set in the American West, where the pioneering spirit and surrounding conflicts are the main attractions, and it lets you feel the purest spectacle!!
The moment when gunslingers face off and showdown in the wilds is a staple of Western movies.
In that sense, Wakamou didn’t care if the rewards from the American Tower were trash.
The goal was to [conquer the tower] anyway.
As long as the visuals were good enough to satisfy the believers, that was sufficient for the current Wakamou.
“Draw.”
Upon reaching the second floor, two [Goblin Gunmen] surrounded Wakamou from front and back and placed their hands on their holstered guns.
Since they wouldn’t attack first, only after Wakamou spoke of yielding did the goblins target Jiang Yeoul, aiming their guns and pulling the triggers.
In Western movies, drawing and shooting first wasn’t Wakamou’s style.
The protagonist, drawing later, nonetheless shoots through the enemy first.
That’s romance, and that’s how gunslingers were supposed to be.
But with guns like these… they don’t even provide a holster.
Would [Ordinary Revolver], when it’s not even an ordinary revolver, be some American pun Wakamou didn’t get?
What of it.
The bullet passed through Jiang Yeoul’s body and pierced the forehead of a Goblin Gunman.
Due to the structure where they faced each other directly, [Idol’s Reality] allowed passage.
-Oh, what? How did you do that?
-Can’t even see it move, that’s so cool.
-In the wind of the wild fluttering sleeves, a lone flower standing firm….
SDVIMVFoanVzY1YwSVhjamMzUkt1UldJZnZQemRwemdmYmdPWi9jUUx4MWhNaGxUYzh0T2xFbExVU0RFUFMxdA
-This is the martial arts world lol
-In awe of Jiang Yeoul, the warrior’s skill!
-Really, an absolute master…
-Not a demon lord?
-Slay!!!
[Conquered the 2nd floor of the Tower]
[Reward: [Poisonous Plant], [10 Gold Coins], [Leather Holster], 3 additional attribute points provided]
‘Lame’
These gold coins helped to understand why Jackson kept climbing the tower.
They were pure gold! Solid, real gold!
Wakamou had tears at the corner of his eyes, realizing how Jackson, who claimed to need money to use his abilities, amassed his fortune.
Climbing the tower repeatedly due to resets, farming gold coins, and using them for [Skills] to scale the tower…. A poor black man living a slave’s life in the 21st century!!
‘Confusing.’
As for the poisonous plant, when obtained on the 1st floor, it was like “Oh, I see.”
But on the 2nd floor, surprised to find it different than the previous, having heard of items with overlapping names, but not expecting this.
[Poisonous Plant]
Grade: Material.
Effective when crushed and applied.
Induces major bleeding from wounds.
[Poisonous Plant]
Grade: Material.
Effective when crushed and either applied or ingested.
Causes [Excitement] and [Poisoned] status.
Perhaps the poisonous plant from the 1st floor was meant to be applied to a gun barrel or bullet…? Unsure.
‘Let’s head to the 3rd floor.’
The [Leather Holster], nothing special, didn’t match the outfit, so it was casually tossed into [My Worlds].
Although Wakamou didn’t know, and wouldn’t have known.
Typically, Climbers would have the chance to select skills by the 9th floor.
Usually, they entered the tower with a defined [Class]. There was no manual for [Idol].
Wakamou, having chosen [Shooter] skills, meant he was fighting the monsters typically faced by [Shooters].
Even being a [Shooter] meant they were scored on “how well they used guns.”
As for Wakamou’s rewards, they might as well be trash. No expectations for improvement.
Upon reaching the 3rd floor, three [Goblin Gunmen] surrounded Wakamou again.
“Seems like they’re not even trying.”
-True lol
-Seriously? Just increased the numbers?
-Well, up to the 9th floor, it’s a newbie difficulty.
Rubbing the gold coin he held, Wakamou looked around at the goblins that watched him.
Amid the empty wasteland with evidence of past inhabitants, tumbleweeds rolled along as an eerie silence prevailed.
In his mind, Western movie OSTs were playing, providing copyright-free BGM whenever he liked.
Wanting to sing with an acoustic guitar and whistle, but it wasn’t that simple.
‘Even with steady practice, while my singing improved, I don’t know why my gaming skills don’t.’
Wakamou had steadily improved his singing, reaching the level of “tone-deaf,” but game skills, curses seemed to hold.
Liu Ying fixed her pronunciation, Asuka learned about humans and developed, and Wakamou had to sing well and be good at games.
However, the games were hopeless; only a curse could explain it.
Guns were just a complete mismatch for Wakamou.
Ironically, if it was hitting targets by throwing things, Wakamou could do it expertly.
Just couldn’t shoot a gun.
Could it be some penalty for being an [Idol]…?
Damn it, Korean Tower… can’t forgive you…!!
“Yawn~”
With an unrefined yawn and a stretch, Jiang Yeoul voiced her boredom.
It was because the challenge was too trivial, with no threats causing concern at all.
Despite streaming, the insignificant tasks allowed Jiang Yeoul to idly flick a gold coin.
“Drop it, and it’s a duel?”
The goblins seemed to understand Jiang Yeoul’s words, as they all took aim simultaneously.
Everyone, including the believers, had their focus on the coin as it fell towards the ground.
The goblins all drew their guns.
But by the time they had drawn, blood ran down their noses, turning the desert red.
Thud.
Simultaneously, the goblins fell, and Jiang Yeoul raised her hand.
Showing the coin wedged between her delicate fingers, she performed a hand trick, making it disappear effortlessly and gracefully tucking her hair behind her ear, drawing cheers from the believers.
[Reward: [Copper Ingot X3], [15 Gold Coins], [Goblin Revolver], 3 additional attribute points provided]
“Hmm?”
The weapon used by the [Goblin Gunmen] appeared as a reward.
Thinking that with the 3rd floor being like this, the rest might be disappointing…. Wakamou decisively decided to advance.
“Kinda disappointing, right? Not what I expected from the American Tower….”
A provocative jab directed at the American Tampa Tower added to the charisma.
With an expression of clear disappointment, “Well, noted on the American Tower’s level. Ah, so dull it makes me want to die,” was elegantly yet harshly criticized.
Keenly aware of the rare opportunity, the believers matched Wakamou in mockery.
Just like fish in water, they cheekily taunted, “Is this the American Tower? Were Americans good at self-promotion because their guns were powerful? The tower’s so trivial it’s yawn-inducing, right?”
Of course, in reality, even a single shot could be dangerous.
Given class balance, it seemed peculiar to have goblins shooting guns from the beginning.
Jingle jingle—
The sound of gold coins clinking was pleasant.
Using them as ASMR tools of wealth and greed, Jiang Yeoul advanced.
Skillfully spinning a gold coin on a finger, upon reaching the 4th floor, Jiang Yeoul encountered four [Goblin Gunmen] hiding and using cover.
Casually flipping a gold coin, waiting for its descent, moved more swiftly than any gunfire to lodge the coin into a goblin’s head.
“I think that’s enough for Charon’s obol.”
-How extravagant lol
-A life for a gold coin.
-More saddening, being Wakamou=Jiang Yeoul means even being shot doesn’t kill.
-Not even bothering to dodge, just a plaything lol
The 5th floor featured five [Goblin Gunmen].
On the 6th floor, [Dwarf Gunman] appeared and aimed a shotgun at Jiang Yeoul.
At this point, in a common path, one might switch from handguns to other weapons or sell procured materials to purchase arms.
While Wakamou couldn’t gain [Skills], the American Tower provided some level of bullet supply to [Shooters], but Wakamou didn’t even receive that.
For her, the gold coins from the tower were merely for ferrying the monsters to the afterlife.
It was akin to throwing riches on the ground, complaints of envy and accusations of item waste piling up.
Even on the rare occasion, the believers pounced, labeling such comments as mere disturbances.
Even adding the element of gallows, a minor hangman’s event, can’t be omitted from a Western.
“This seems so… boring…”
In unison, the two [Dwarf Gunmen] on 7th floor fired shotguns, belching flames.
The bullets passing through Jiang Yeoul harmlessly.
Ting—!
A clear sound was complemented by a coin flipped from a thumb, piercing a Dwarf Gunman’s head and staining the floor red.
On the 8th floor, three [Dwarf Gunmen] appeared, and four appeared on the 9th floor.
Wielding a [Coin Pouch] while shaking it playfully, coins loaded like bullets in hand, shot thumb-like in jest as they dispatched monsters.
Each ting, ting sound resulted in monsters falling headshot.
Then, at the 10th floor… an underground passage revealed itself, with a mob called [Goblin Gang] armed with guns and bombs, howling as they tossed sticks of dynamite at Jiang Yeoul.
Here, a typical [Shooter] would’ve shot down the explosives or dodged using evasion skills, or employed special ammo or gun skills to kill the gang pre-arrival.
──♬♩♪
A clear, pleasant wind sound resounded.
Sounding like a whistle, it was refreshing as a gentle breeze by the ear.
Feinting whistling, it was [Idol’s Storm] manipulating internal wind to produce a natural whistle.
Soon enough, Jiang Yeoul was holding an [Jade Lute], plucking its strings lightly with her fingers.
Ting—
With a sound much softer and more quavering than a coin, ten members of the gang within Jiang Yeoul’s view were decapitated simultaneously.
Following an ensuing massacre.
With every stomp and slap of the ground, sound from the broadcast imbued with tap dance sound, exaggerated.
Whistling as if singing a Western movie song while strumming a lute unrelated to the era resulted in monsters’ heads flying.
If concealed behind cover, both the cover and the hidden monster were sliced away.
No exception even for those hidden within buildings.
Using [Idol’s Storm], Wakamou cleaved everything within Jiang Yeoul’s sight into pieces.
On the 11th floor, 15 [Goblin Gang] appeared and were torn apart. On the 12th floor, their numbers increased to 20, yet total obliteration took less than 3 seconds.
Inserting piano keys into the broadcast, Jiang Yeoul delighted the believers’ ears ever more.
She offered a refreshing breeze akin to going for a leisurely stroll, quenching the believers’ thirst with a soda, metaphorically.
An overwhelming triumph, absolute victory, overflowed with vicarious satisfaction!!
The disappointment was beyond words, as it was much easier than anticipated.
Wakamou slashed through [Corrupt Dwarf Marksman’s] bullets with her sight when she reached the 8th stage of the Incheon Tower.
Indeed, by now, throngs of monsters were a sheer waste of life.
On the 13th floor, imposing figures called [Orc Gunners] emerged.
Bearing not only automatic rifles but a range of firearms, it was a minor error caused by Jiang Yeoul not choosing any particular tech-tree path.
Five Orc Gunners had their heads blown off without even squeezing the trigger.
“Tear apart the drumstick~”
-Can’t resist the drumstick lol
-South Korea’s drumstick killer is coming!!!
-Shit, is this even a tower?? Are these monsters just bringing guns?
-America has lost to Wakamou Leader!!!
-But then isn’t it tough with all gunners around?
-That’s why they climb in parties, Americans.
-Wussy guys….
-Fact) Climbing the tower is safer together.
-TMI) You only have one life.
-Leader’s the weird one, most of us struggle over a single bullet lol
Dining leisurely on her climb, Jiang Yeoul skewered 10 appearing [Orc Gunners] on the 14th floor with a strike using the drumstick in her hand, not even using an actual weapon.
Even more, wielding a lute in one hand made it seem purposeless, dull, and a tedious spectacle as she toyed with them.
It was an invisible spectacle.
15 [Orc Gunners] on the 15th floor had their heads lopped off by the sharp wind blades of the [Idol’s Storm].
“[Iyoooo!!!]”
“[Choohaaa!!!]”
On the 16th floor, 10 [Dwarf Assault Team] members emerged. 5 Dwarves drew axes and swords and charged courageously, while 5 Dwarf Gunners aimed their weapons at Jiang Yeoul.
The comments from viewers began to mix haphazardly, indicating that this was a breed of climbers one would never meet “alone.”
“Aha, hahahaha!”
Jiang Yeoul passed through the daring dwarves like a ghost.
Even though there was a minor mistake where the pipa Jiang Yeoul was holding dropped to the ground when using the [Idol’s Form], it didn’t matter.
Jiang Yeoul raised the camera to show believers the effort of 5 dwarves swinging their stubby arms with axes and swords, trying to kill with all their might.
As the skill was dispelled, Jiang Yeoul parried flying weapons with sword hands, deflected them with the back of their hand, and pushed them away with the palm, knocking down dwarves with their own weapons.
Right after, bullets fired, but Jiang Yeoul was already behind the dwarf shooters, standing with folded arms as lightning struck.
Turning their upper body while the lower half couldn’t follow, resulted in 5 dwarves splitting in half. Jiang Yeoul leisurely pulled out gold thread and covered their mouth.
‘The reaction is great.’
Jiang Yeoul’s appearance was inspired by Dalki of the 50th floor.
It meant they were imitating a “genuine master” whose martial skill had engraved itself strongly in viewers’ minds as they overwhelmed the seemingly invincible Wakamou.
Thus, trampling and oppressing enemies overwhelmingly, bullying them, and massacring them made viewers naturally accept it.
People also prefer heroes winning moments in movies. Anything visually spectacular and thrilling is enjoyable.
Though parts of the machoism couldn’t be shown, it seemed like something was about to happen.
– Why can’t they hit a body that has no form?
– You should read wuxia novels for that.
– A master at manipulating different forms….!!
– These dwarves seem to know no martial arts at all. Not a hint of inner power.
– I often see this in fantasy novels.
– Dwarves getting clobbered by martial artists, I’m familiar with this~
– Bwoong chwa chwa, I’m losing it lol
On the 17th floor, 20 [Dwarf Assault Team] members rushed in simultaneously to kill Wakamou.
Easily dodging bullets fired by rear-line gunners with just upper body moves, Jiang Yeoul saw heavily armored Dwarf Assault Team members finally pouring [Mana] into their weapons, then infused mana into their fan too.
Axes and fans collided, and cracks appeared on the axe’s edge as the Dwarf’s wrist collapsed together with the arm.
Jiang Yeoul crushed a dwarf mid-air with brute strength.
Even after swinging arms, the dwarf was slowly being pushed to the side in slow motion.
Crackling─popping──
Then lightning burst forth fiercely.
Puhwaak─!!
To viewers, Jiang Yeoul’s golden eyes seemed to emit a blinding light.
10 charging dwarves were scattered in all directions, and the din arose as their metal armor clashed.
Dwarf gunners who fired while headless had no awareness of Jiang Yeoul’s presence behind them, still pulling the trigger at empty air.
– How are they firing without heads ㄷㄷ…?
– Doesn’t this mean the moment they applied force to pull the trigger, their heads went flying?
– Witnessing something fit for Superman in reality lol
– Is this how it feels running at lightning speed~~
– Seriously, those who pick fights with this person, what are they doing?
– In case we need human sacrifice, let’s stockpile them?
– Aha!
– What “Aha” seriously lol
Feeling it might come off a bit brutal, Wakamou did on-the-fly mosaic processing and flagged it as an adult channel and walked with a folded gold thread with no worries.
Capturing a decent shot in passing, like a hermit master sweeping through fallen dwarves, they headed to the 18th floor.
Then their ankle sank in.
Believers anxiously watch Jiang Yeoul as they fell into a lake wondering if Jiang Yeoul possibly couldn’t swim.
Startled at the water’s touch, Jiang Yeoul jumped up, stepping on water with a playful smile, winking at viewers.
-“Idol’s Waterwalking Entrance”
– Believer, must I walk on water for you to believe in me?
– Someone who has mastered leveling land walking to an extreme…
– Wouldn’t it have been easier to just learn swimming in all that time?
– Doesn’t this imply they’d never want to wear a swimsuit even if it kills them?
– Kyaaak!!! But why!!!!!
– Despising water so much she’d walk on it….
– Seeing a lake must remind them of Jiang Taigong.
– Solemn…
“What nonsense are you spouting believers. Jiang Taigong and I have A~bsolutely nothing──”
Puwaaah!!!
Suddenly, from beneath the lake, a [Blue Poison Lizardman Warrior] from the 18th floor appeared and ambushed Jiang Yeoul.
With sharp knives in both hands, bizarre tattoos covering its body, and war paint on its lizard face.
The Lizardman Warrior, carrying multiple spears on its back, opened its maw wide and spewed poison smoke.
As the poison smoke engulfed Jiang Yeoul, she staggered, but the viewers weren’t worried at all.
Kaang─!!
Sparks flew.
Sharp blades made from beast bones infused with mana failed to slice Jiang Yeoul’s neck.
A metallic sheen wrapped around her neck and then disintegrated into powder, scattering into the air.
“Chu”
A light blown kiss.
And an elaborate explosion followed.
As the [Idol’s Flame] sparked and touched, a brilliant firework bloomed with dazzling light.
Not missing a beat, Jiang Yeoul strolled to the 19th floor as if taking a leisurely walk. As they ascended, they were confronted by 5 [Blue Poison Lizardman Warriors].
Violently spewing poison mist.
Weapons that weren’t made from beast bones but sharp ones fashioned from [Rare Metal] swung amidst the spewing poison.
Tung─!!
Yet, from within the poison mist, the noises weren’t of typical bodily harm.
“In a contest, neither strategy nor tactics are needed. Simply preparing adequately to win is enough.”
With a kiseru in her mouth, wearing a languid expression, Jiang Yeoul smiled at the 5 Lizardman Warriors within the mist.
As she noticed burning believers in the chat questioning if smoking was alright, silently laughing, she blew air through her kiseru.
Then a greatly inflated soap bubble appeared.
However, no soap bubble in the world reflects an image like a mirror.
This is what Mare Pirate conjured through [VTuber Assets].
[Liquid Mercury] flowed from the kiseru form into Jiang Yeoul’s hand.
As long as there’s enough mana, it can be extended ─ бесконечно.
Pooling below her feet started rippling and spreading.
Then as she lightly stomped, the liquid mercury, with spikes formed by Hajime Ichigo’s alchemy, shot up like sharp thorns, skewering the Lizardman Warriors, sending them soaring off screen.
As the remaining mercury gathered, reflecting a smooth silvery light like winged clothing.
Striking a pose obliviously as trash-like rewards appeared, ruining the mood.
‘No way, what are we supposed to do with Lizardman skulls?’
Laughing with a dumbfounded expression, Jiang Yeoul noticed the believers laughing as well.
Well, wouldn’t it be a good opportunity to make shorts out of such unintended broadcast accidents?
Finally, the 20th floor.
Wakamou had reached that point in under two hours.
Contrasted with how typical climbers would carefully climb, changing equipment to prepare for the next level despite recovering from mental strain.
To be honest.
Compared to the myriad hard difficulties Incheon Tower showcased, the American Tower honestly felt like a vacation.
It was akin to returning to an early stage in a soul-like game after maxing out stat points in subsequent playthroughs.
Even getting shot by bullets wasn’t lethal, poison didn’t work, and I wasn’t at risk of drowning. It was the perfect playground.
Kuguguung…!!!
Irritated at the monster variety only increasing in numbers, I waited restfully, watching a giant monstrous statue unfurl its wings as it roared.
The familiar [Gargoyle], typical in fantasy movies, revealed its fearsome form, flaunted its chiseled muscles, and finally, it soared at a speed disproportionate to its size, swinging a fist.
Caught in reflex, there was almost the instinct to counter with Tai Chi. Startled, dropping forearm to guard, mercury gathered, adopting a round shield shape.
Tung─!!
– American shield lolol
– Ah lol, couldn’t miss the superhero movie lol
– Skillful transformation… indeed this is Godly Craft!!
– Could this be Qin Shi Huang’s immortality secret…?
Swinging with all strength in the reinforced idol form, the Gargoyle, perhaps 7 times Jiang Yeoul’s size, staggered backward after being pushed.
Spinning from the momentum, the shield hanging from her hand flung directly at the Gargoyle’s head.
With a clear and ringing sound, despite barely piercing, the shield returned to Jiang Yeoul on its own.
Reaching out, it transformed into a hammer as it gathered into a handle in her grasp.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh──!!
Grasping the string attached to the mercury hammer and swinging it fiercely, a sandstorm kicked up.
“[Kraaaagh!!!]”
Roaring in anger over its attack, the ferocious Gargoyle charged, Jiang Yeoul brought the hammer to the chin with a fierce uppercut, the hammer’s edge causing the scream to shatter in all directions.
Following her swung trajectory, [Idol’s Thunder] emitted lightning as it shattered the cracked interior of the Gargoyle’s body.
Because even if derived from [VTuber Assets], they were made of mana. Turning them into lightning was always possible.
As the hammer morphed into a kiseru clutched in her hand, the viewers could only laugh at Jiang Yeoul’s playful service to her fans.
– So this is our Captain Korea lolol
– No way, Captain LMAO!!!
– You do everything, using a shield to a thunder hammer.
– Only the pure can wield a hammer. Therefore, the Leader is a virgin.
– Snap out of it, believers. Don’t get bewitched!!!
– Showing all the fun stuff lolol
The kiseru was transformed into a hairpin and then a bracelet as Jiang Yeoul nonchalantly yawned from boredom.
Then picking her ear, addressed for the American Tower to hear, she blew on her finger and chanted an incantation.
“This American Tower is so much EZ mode─ Do you not have elites like in the Korean Tower!!!”
Ting.
[You are climbing the 21st floor of Tampa Tower]
– Overcome the trials of the tower and reach the 60th floor.
– It’s a matter of life or death, win the duel!
– [Brutal-league Monster] Acheri appears!
Provoked and scratched in no time, the difficulty skyrocketed.
If so, would the reward also rise?
Wakamou stared at the unnaturally gaunt girl with blackened eyes gleaming with sinister light.
Acheri… known from American indigenous folklore, a spirit causing [Various Plagues] to afflict people fatally.
Studied quite a bit, just in case.
As Acheri saw Jiang Yeoul, she violently released black mist from her mouth, casting poison, curses, and diseases as it tainted the world dark, wildly lunging with claws raised.
Within the tower filled with potent poison capable of causing sudden death, the fight seemed surely in Acheri’s favor!!
Acheri, convinced of her victory, dove into the black fog──
Only to face a crimson glow.
A straight line of vivid red light cut diagonally in the darkness.
Buzz.
Gently swung, producing an incredibly familiar sound effect.
Once upon a time, Wakamou Inarizushi frequently played the [VR Rhythm Lightsaber] game in 『Virtual Chat』.
Naturally, the motif from that game came from a franchise beloved by Americans, the [Star Wars].
What comes to mind with the mention of lightsabers?
A space martial arts cherished by Americans and folks globally!!
Yes, a particular [VTuber Asset] crafted to exhibit while ascending the American Tower.
Jiang Yeoul, holding a red lightsaber, walked out from the shadows in pristine form, slicing the bewildered Acheri’s neck in one clean motion.
The severed part blazed crimson, soon collapsing.
A contest settled in one swift strike!!
“Did Acheri shoot first?”
Jiang Yeoul delivered a phrase akin to an inside joke only die-hard fans would recall and silently tucked away the lightsaber.
“Then believers? May the force be with you.”
With that famed line, the broadcast ended─ and just like that, Jiang Yeoul’s climb up to the 21st floor in merely 3 hours concluded.
Viewers, who had already clipped plenty, bolted to communities like a pack of dogs.
Well, it was only expected.
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