Many people wondered.
Calling Wakamou a Dalki was almost a foregone conclusion.
There were even rumors that the Black Fox was the mother of Seimei and that it was closely tied to the Inari Fox Deity, leading to the narrative that the legend of the White-Faced Gold Fox was something the Japanese arbitrarily modified.
If that’s the case, then it would seem necessary to discuss Seimei’s disgraceful acts.
It’s like helping defeat your mother if she really is the White-Faced Gold Fox.
There were speculations that they might not be the same person, but since the Korean Tower branded it as Dalki, it was nearly confirmed.
Because of this, many were curious about “How strong is Jiang Taigong?”
And they were seeing that firsthand.
Employing sorcery, using treasures, and possessing martial prowess that never fell behind against Wakamou.
A handsome youth who was so charming that even the believers watching were spellbound just by his smile, filling the chat with cheers.
Among them, some shouted to wake up, saying he’s the enemy, but didn’t Seimei still gather a fan club?
Historians were shocked and couldn’t believe the claim that Seimei had fox ears, yet somehow they understood it to be expected.
Living among people probably required hiding his fox lineage.
Unexpectedly, the battle at the Kyoto Tower turned into a tragic tale of a mother and son trying to kill each other.
And─it seemed as another tragedy was about to be born.
“[Not the kind to enjoy being beheaded? Feel free to run. I can’t chase you anyway.]”
Did he have memories of being beheaded at the China Tower? Recent climbs had been so intense that his memory was foggy.
Jiang Taigong told Wakamou that he wouldn’t be able to chase him if he gave up the climb and fled.
-They’re belittling him after just one win.
-You’re just a nobody~
-You got completely wrecked!
-No seriously, whose side are you on?
-No way Wakamou would lose!!
-Wait, wait, you don’t know anything!
-You guys lack faith LOL
In the form of Mei, Wakamou calmly assessed the distance with Jiang Taigong.
The treasure which created the blade of light ignored “armor” and cut through flesh effortlessly.
This meant it couldn’t be blocked by conventional means.
It was time to make a choice.
Whether to manipulate [Ki] to explode vitality into a berserk state.
Or to leverage speed with [Thunder of the Idol] and press the attack.
The deliberation was brief.
Silent as a shadow, Mei charged with her sword, and in response, the treasure met the sword’s strike.
Clang─!!
A sound like glass clashing with glass accompanied the repelling blades.
It didn’t cut… rather, it simply couldn’t pass through.
Jiang Taigong seemed surprised, showing a marvelous smile and altering his grip on the sword.
“[Truly! You see once, learn, and adapt! Such a disgraceful talent!! Cunning fox young lady!]”
“Then you should’ve been born a genius!!”
The grasp wasn’t like holding a sword but more like holding a fan.
Watching Jiang Taigong’s posture as he aimed with his arm while clasping his hands behind, Mei adjusted her sword stance too.
Golden light stunningly glistened on the Celestial General’s Sword as it traced the air.
It dropped golden grains like stardust, streaming down the blade.
She covered the blade entirely with [Sacredness] to counter the treasure.
During the moment of striking, she injected mana between the sacredness, creating a strong reactive force.
The expanding mana caused the sacredness to respond, imbuing explosive power in the downward strike, making Jiang Taigong severely stagger.
“[Could it be!]”
She engulfed her body in [Thunder of the Idol], turning her body into lightning.
Then, using [Mana Manipulation], she substituted [Sacredness].
Partially [Liquefying] the [Body of the Idol] to let mana flow through.
She made the liquid mana explode with [Fire of the Idol], stimulating the sacredness─ expel.
When the detonation propagation speed exceeds the speed of sound through the medium, producing a strong shockwave, it’s called 【Detonation】.
With the ability of 【Lightning Speed】, Mei assumed a sprinting stance.
Although Mei herself claimed lightning as the speed of light, it was actually only about 33% of the speed of light.
In that state, she added propulsion exceeding the speed of sound, effectively moving.
The glittering lightning-like sword strike of Mei sliced vehemently toward Jiang Taigong, evoking a radiant streak of light akin to a beam of lightning.
Only after Mei passed did the grass underfoot realize they had been cut and then fell apart.
Clang, clang, clang──!!
Lights shattered into fragments in the empty sky.
Lightning sparked, and shattered shards of light cascaded like pieces of a mirror.
Continuously retreating, Jiang Taigong moved hands busily and engaged Mei, who ferociously pursued him with intent to chop him down.
──At this point, it was certain.
While clashing against 【Inari Deity】, Wakamou surmised and, upon confronting 【Mujon】, came to realize.
When ascending high floors and battling powerful entities, unforeseen variables might slightly tilt the scales.
But against the true strongest entities, purely “ability” determines everything.
“[You seem in a rush, Wakamou!]”
“Don’t call me by that name!!”
“[Should I call you Dalki instead?]”
-Trashes him even while fighting.
-Jiang Taigong’s talk is nuts indeed.
-Wow, I can’t see anything. Is it because I’m just a regular person?
-Even climbers can’t see it.
-This is truly the fight of experts…!!
The heated ongoing combat didn’t seem to lean toward either side.
“Sadako!! Boss can win, right?!”
“Shape-shifting has a fast spell-casting speed. Surely much stronger than me…. But the fact it needs to connect and remains magic doesn’t change. It’s tricky to deal with when it’s a [Sacredness]-coated sword…”
Despite Liu Ying’s urgent question, Sadako, observing Jiang Taigong, found it unpredictable how this closely matched battle would unfold.
Each step causing the ground to ripple as if the seemingly meadow surface was turned to liquid.
It seemed intended to sink and trap her, yet Mei easily walked over the liquefied surface as if it were solid ground.
The blades of grass cut by wind currents drawing up and the leaves fading in color.
Weaponizing air into poison, Jiang Taigong was employing every trick conceivable.
For an ordinary climber, they might unwittingly asphyxiate or succumb to oxygen poisoning and fall unconscious.
However, even Jiang Taigong’s level of shape-shifting Wizards couldn’t create something too complex.
In that case, a variable could be the treasure….!!
“[Treasure! Six Souls Banner (Liu Hun Fan)!]”
As the fluttering sleeves scattered steel to block Mei’s sword just in time, Jiang Taigong activated another treasure.
Though Mei cleaved the bursting light with a swing, the light didn’t vanish upon the treasure’s destruction, piercing through Mei.
A sensation of the [Spirit] being drawn from the [Body of the Idol]─ a distancing consciousness.
The body remained, but something within was being siphoned, as the swordswoman Mei was left limply slumped.
“Ancestor!!”
Though Xiao Liang jumped up to block the finisher, his qi-coated sword shattered immediately upon contact, as if it turned into wood.
“[The treasure extracts soul from the flesh causing unconsciousness. Even your vaunted tricks won’t work.]”
Loss of control over the Body of the Idol.
Yet Wakamou’s mind remained awake. Even with the faintly unreal sensation, he could endure this much.
Not something Xiao Liang could withstand.
──Though wanting to use [Idol’s Messenger], Liu Ying and Sadako, as well as Aoi Asuka, were observing from beyond the barrier.
Unexpectedly not being able to summon due to close proximity was unforeseen.
So then, it was an inevitable choice.
Clang─!!
A sharply honed sword absorbed and skillfully diverted the treasure while pointing its tip at Jiang Taigong.
The wielder of that sword bore snow-white hair and sharp fox eyes: a Fox Deity.
[Idol’s Messenger] serves as a familiar. It doesn’t recover even as climbers ascend floors.
Hence, Wakamou tried to use it sparingly in combat, but there was no choice.
“Don’t be overpowered by such a lowlife. Can you call yourself an idol…a warrior!!”
-Is the main heroine here?
-Wow, nuts LOL
-“Prime Minister of Japan descends”
-In a crisis, here to protect Mei is the Fox Deity…!
“[Is it sorcery!?]”
Inari Deity, warding off attacks with [Sorcery] on her blade, didn’t respond to Tai Gong’s question.
The flaming white blaze engulfed the dual swords she wielded. Fueled with mana, Inari Deity charged at Jiang Taigong.
Vastly different in movement, she stepped forward and froze the plain instantly.
As she skated across like an Olympic skater, Jiang Taigong executed a teleportation technique, countering her movement with a treasure strike at her waist.
But transforming into afterimages and multiplying to nine through clone techniques, she unleashed [Sorcery] imbued with fire, ice, lightning, and wind simultaneously at Jiang Taigong.
Surrounded by attacks pouring in from all directions, Jiang Taigong retracted his treasure and wrapped fluttering sleeves around the spells, changing them into four elemental orbs.
Even Sadako, despite reaching her third job advancement, could only handle two at once; yet Jiang Taigong attempted to synthesize four.
“[How about a little rough play! ‘Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain’!!]”
“Like I’d let you!! [Seimei School Sorcery Five Elements Seal]!!”
Already surrounded by talismans forming a pentagram trapping Jiang Taigong, he was caught off guard, bound by the golden rope.
Squish─!
Inari Deity, poised to decapitate Jiang Taigong, had her sword bounce off the air barrier he shape-shifted into, repelled.
Repelled by the resulting force, she took distance while eyeing her sword and wrinkling her brow.
“[Hmph─ rather a pitiful end for one claiming to be a god]”
“Are you in a position to mock for a shoddy weapon? For someone so conceited, it seems the bottom is already visible?”
“[Weakening has made comprehension difficult? First want to die and see off, is it? Your attitude has shifted quite a lot, no?]”
“Naturally. The one who owns my everything is Wakamou Inarizushi. I am entwined in this bond unto death.”
-Oh.
-Polar bear…!
-There is a zoo…it’s okay!!
-Aren’t the unicorns dying?
-They’d probably be more pissed about not leaving fox-eared beautiful girl descendants.
-What is even happening here???
Openly declaring the contract of the [Idol’s Messenger] in such convoluted terms, Inari Deity responded leisurely to Jiang Taigong.
Witnessing the miserable end of one who was once the lion of the tower, Jiang Taigong scoffed, determined that couldn’t be him.
“[I have a nasty personality, you see. Not suited to something like servitude.]”
“No wonder the country’s in such a state with that attitude.”
“[──One speaks as if they did better…?]”
Bickering about the levels and conditions of climbers in the Chinese and Japanese towers.
Inari Deity pointed at the very nation of China, while Jiang Taigong countered citing the fact that the majority of their 【Legendary Class】comprised heinous criminals.
Yet it appeared to others as if they were squabbling over Wakamou!!
As Inari Deity unleashed an ornate sorcery, countered by Jiang Taigong’s adept dispelling magic.
It could be called a pride battle between Japan and China, with the intensifying exchange.
Employing all skills and boosted attributes earned from Wakamou, Inari Deity fought daringly.
“I have given everything to Wakamou!! Your defeat is certain!!”
─Haha, invested all stats into Wakamou. Surrender.
“[Your downfall was assured by that foolish choice, Fox God!!]”
─Prideful under Korean Tower, what did you even learn?
“Aren’t you getting nervous despite saying that?”
─Haha~ Already trashed once~ are you scared?
“[Since it’s in front of Dalki…. Sorry, I need to maintain appearances!!]”
-Some things got through to Wakamou watching the battle for whatever reason.
-Get lost from my Wakamou~
-Oh, making out like real lovers~
-Even unicorns accept pure love, you know…
-But won’t there be a scandal if a VTuber is married?
-Would you call it “Wakamou’s maternal love?”
-Move, move……
-Seriously, these guys never give a serious moment.
And to the believers watching, it appeared as if the Inari Fox Deity, body and heart fully dedicated to Wakamou, declared absolute love.
Fighting fervently, protecting her beloved from harm was a display of true love.
Whereas Jiang Taigong seemed like trash who’d ruin that love and run off with Dalki.
“[【Reality Marble】]”
Jiang Taigong, widening the distance, finally played his strong card after the prolonged battle.
With the landscape shimmering away, it transformed─ appearing a celestial haven where immortals reside, with lofty cliffs towering above clouds.
Despite the beautiful scenery, the essence was a realm in which every part belonged to Jiang Taigong.
Manifesting a domain allowing free【Shape-shifting】 akin to Sadako, he blanketed the territory.
The surrounding [Mana] around Jiang Taigong transformed into [Sacredness], flaunting its golden presence.
The [Mana] undulating above transforms into the [Sacred] and begins to display its golden majesty.
In the end, the existence of Jiang Taigong will be fatal to the idol, the Inari Deity!!
”[【Fengshen Yanyi】!]”
In a flash, Jiang Taigong’s thrilling shape-shifting engulfs the [My Worlds].
Sadako, too, struggles to maintain that realm, as it swallows the vast world of Wakamou all at once.
“Honestly, I’m a bit surprised!”
“[What’s this? Surrender?]”
”Wrong, you scoundrel!! I’m surprised at your brain for thinking that you could defeat me with just this!!”
A dazzling halo appears behind the Inari Deity, entwining fingers into a sign, and begins to emit light.
Though blades of light whirl and scatter, they lose power and turn to shadows as soon as they enter Jiang Taigong’s domain.
However, this was merely a delay tactic.
”【World of Idol】!!”
The tremulous space quivers like a portal being opened by Wakamou, and the entire ‘layer’ transforms.
”O tranquility,” “In the winter that seeps,” “Fox’s cry”
“Noooot…poet!!”
Asuka admires the excellent ‘haiku’.
Reciting the haiku, the Inari Deity conjures winter in an instant, blanketing the world in white.
Though everything standing in the raging snowstorm freezes, Jiang Taigong repels the cold wave with his shape-shifting.
The Inari Deity’s attire billows like a snow woman’s garb in the churning wind.
With an ice sword clenched in each hand, she becomes a storm.
The scene of them pushing against each other’s domains was not at a level where a Climber could interfere.
“Amazing… Even though they’re the same idol, why is there such a gap between them and Wakamou…!!”
”That’s because they’re an [Idol] of the [Combat Class]”
“Huh?”
“To be precise, things like the [Flame of Idol] that Wakamou uses are similar to that category.”
“…..There’s a combat class? Why am I only hearing this now?”
“Well, it’s not something a human can do. Mr. Wakamou is an idol (VTuber), isn’t he? Characters can captivate fans with their looks. Sometimes, the content doesn’t really matter.”
“Nyarubi has three personalities in one model!! Don’t underestimate VTubers, you fool!!!”
“Asuka can’t understand why Master can fight without any combat skills!!”
Somehow, even though they’re the same idol, it seemed strange that Asuka and Inari Deity were strong while Wakamou was odd…!!
”I thought they were in the same class, but you fooled me!!”
Separated by a transparent barrier, Mei and Xiao Liang were watching the battle, with three observers behind them.
Clang─!!
As the power struggle between [Reality Marble] and [World of Idol] reached its limit, they both shattered and disappeared.
As garments returned to normal, the Inari Deity grasped the half-broken sword and landed.
On the opposite side, Jiang Taigong, coated in frost, brushed off the snow.
”Now, Wakamou!!!”
”【Light of Idol】One million power!!!”
While the Inari Deity fought to buy time, Mei compressed mana to the extreme with [Light of Idol] at the corner, reinforced with [Sacred] to prevent it from breaking, and held tight.
No sooner was the signal given than Mei launched the light with all her might at Jiang Taigong.
Clasping her hands together, she thrust her palms forward with all her strength, sending a thick beam of light silently blazing toward Jiang Taigong.
Even if blocked, the mass would push him to the edge of the domain and burst him open, a sure-kill strike!!
But Jiang Taigong retrieved his treasure and unfurled it against that attack.
“[I anticipated that, Dalki!!]”
The [Light of Idol] was sucked into a barrier created by the light from the treasure, absorbed, and then released back at Mei.
“[I’ll return it threefold─!!!]”
A treasure that multiplies the [magic] employed by an opponent several times over and returns it!!
The space was filled so thoroughly with blinding white light it was all that could be seen ahead.
Escape was not an option.
The transparent barrier enduring this fierce battle was beyond concern now.
Behind Mei lay her house, where she lived, and it stored the collection of goods she had amassed all her life.
“Whoooaaa──!!!!”
Mei’s hair turned crimson, igniting in flames.
Releasing red mana with all her power, compressing the mana drawn from [Nan Zai] in an instant, Mei fired [Light of Idol] once more.
“Tripled this time!!!”
Beyond one million to three million!!
As mana continued to pour in, the white light tinged red, rampaging like an unleashed bull in fury.
Seeing the reflected Light of Idol unable to withstand the oncoming light and seeing the treasure shatter, Jiang Taigong pulled out 『Iron Whip』.
With a single massive swing, the rampant light beam broke as if its neck was snapped, striking the innocent barrier, making the entire [My Worlds] shake as if an earthquake had hit.
“Master!! If the fight gets any rougher, your figures won’t be safe!!”
“Ugh….!!”
-The most dangerous warning to an Otaku.
-My figures, more precious than my life!!!
-You scoundrel! Holding hostages in battle!!
-Jiang Taigong! Don’t fight dirty like Wakamou!!
-LOL
-Just buy the figures again! Request a reprint!!
-Not easy….
-But isn’t that thing?!
-It’s the Taishin Pyeon!!
With her hair ablaze in red, Mei recovered mana and circulated qi.
Passing Tianzhong Cloud Sword to the Inari Deity, she prepared to fight, wielding the [Elongating Staff].
“[You know what it is without needing to say, right?]”
And with just an iron whip pulled from his sleeve against them.
A weapon revealed with confidence exuded an unusual aura.
How could they not know!
『Taishin Pyeon』!
The most famous treasure Jiang Taigong has wielded!!
With the iron whip called 【Iron that Strikes Gods】 in hand, Jiang Taigong’s momentum shifted dramatically.
Just seeing the overwhelming mana made cold sweat trickle involuntarily.
And simultaneously, they locked eyes, crossing glances.
”[【Fengshen Yanyi】!]
”【World of Idol】!”
”[Domain Expansion – Path of Hell (惡道奈落)]!
At last, perfect harmony between them, deploying skills that changed the field simultaneously.
Swallowing everything the mana touches with [Shape-shifting] was Jiang Taigong.
Exhibiting the influence to overhaul an entire layer, the expertise from his past as an Apostle of the Tower was fully displayed by the Inari Deity.
And caught in the middle was Mei Xiao Long Bao, merely a climber feeling the pressing weight.
But amidst the devouring and repelling domains, the strongest force was Wakamou’s!!
“[Enveloped in Sacredness?!]”
The main disadvantage of [Virtual World], a job-exclusive skill used by Wakamou, was that the entire domain was treated as Wakamou’s body.
Hence, if the inside was overlaid with [Sacredness], the entire space would be filled with [Sacredness]!!
The fierce reaction of [Mana] led to the cancellation of both Jiang Taigong’s and Inari Deity’s skills.
“Hang in there for just 30 seconds!!”
In a rush, the Inari Deity sprang back, creating distance, while Jiang Taigong utilized a teleportation technique like Shrinking Distance.
With [Holopause] exploited within his domain to teleport, Mei moved back just before reaching Jiang Taigong, delivering a powerful kick with all her might.
As his stance crumbled, Mei didn’t miss the moment, shifting sideways to land a punch.
Pummeling the spine with blows led to Jiang Taigong staggering backward, amid unseen assistance in raising his arms through transparent strikes.
Another assault employed [Elongating Staff] and [Dragon General God], and activating an invisible support by deploying [Vtuber Model] of Bai Mian Jin Mo, made with [Projection Setting] to be transparent.
Combining with the two unseen allies, Mei relentlessly pressed Jiang Taigong with constant teleportation.
Meanwhile, the Inari Deity was binding signs and gathering energy.
“【Heroic Advent】…!!”
“Though I don’t know what that is, it looks impressive!! Seeing from beyond the wall, it’s clear you’ve grown stronger! Why not use it when fighting the boss?!”
“If the casting time is 30 seconds, how many hits could one endure! Even the ice skills were counterproductive, resulting in loss!”
“Spectators, please be quiet!!”
Focusing, the Inari Deity prepared to embody [Heroic Spirit].
Despite joining forces, three of them pressuring Jiang Taigong with an intense combined effort, even that didn’t last long.
Despite reduced power and diminished stats due to the [Sacred], Jiang Taigong was formidable.
To put it precisely, Taishin Pyeon was an absurdly overpowered item.
Each strike landing on the idol body inflicted severe mental damage, causing a blurred vision realistically.
“Arrrgh!! It’s still far off, Inari!!!”
“Upon reflection, wielding Sacred swords and crafting virtual reality games. Pursuing romance. Engaging in climbing with a deliberate concept. Doesn’t that make you Kayaba Akihiko?! Show some grit!”
“Asuka──!!”
Truly, in her life, Mei had never been hit like this, shrieking until her voice broke.
Meanwhile, Asuka, under the illusion it was encouragement, was kicked by Sadako, tumbling over.
Thus passed what felt like an eternity in a mere 30 seconds, as the Inari Deity opened her eyes wide.
”Switch!!”
Then, as if announcing that the casting of the [Ritual Skill] was ready, the Inari Deity charged in response to Mei’s plea.
”【Niten Ichiryu, Formless Sword Drawing and Sheathing】!!”
Only one sword, yet Tianzhong Cloud Sword, sheathed therein, gleamed as it sliced through space.
Though Mei was amidst, the intent was solely to cleave what the Inari Deity wished, an intent-infused strike.
Moving at the speed of thought, embodying insight, transcending distance, and crossing to descend in reverse once more.
From a single slice, leaving X-shaped wounds bleeding on Jiang Taigong, Mei didn’t miss it, thrusting forward to pierce the heart.
Watching Jiang Taigong’s form collapse, bleeding profusely, Sadako cheered out joyously.
“Although, many means remain to be employed, faced alone, this isolated and grievously injured Jiang Taigong against a captain has manufacturing sluggishness and suffered a serious blow!!”
“…This is”
”Indeed! It’s the captain’s victory!!”
Detonating the hand impaling the heart, Mei blasted away half of Jiang Taigong’s upper torso.
Though one arm was carried off in the blast, Mei, undeterred, twisted her body sideways, and Tianzhong Cloud Sword hurled with full force by the Inari Deity, shot straight to pierce Jiang Taigong’s forehead.
Spouting blood as a fountain─ crimson streamed down from the head.
Even as Jiang Taigong’s body fell backward holding tightly to Taishin Pyeon.
Submerging into a puddle created by his own spilled blood as if about to drown, gasping heavily, Mei finally caught her breath.
“Did they finish it off?”
The Inari Deity said, also appearing considerably tired.
Having been demoted from the Boss of the 100th floor to merely an idol’s envoy, the burden was significant, unable to fight overwhelmingly as before.
Therefore, all the more.
“Is this for real?”
”[Oh yes! Indeed it is real!! Alive, and kicking!!]”
He’s getting up.
Jiang Taigong was rising.
With the vanished treasure evaporating into light, the aura emanating was exactly identical to the effect [Dalki] had showed after being defeated by Wakamou.
Although not seen because she was killed right away. Now, it was verified what it meant.
As the wound in his head miraculously healed, Jiang Taigong casually tapped it with a finger as his forehead opened up step by step.
“[The mistake was not taking my head and not destroying the treasure]”
Swoosh─!!
The iron whip swung directly, sending Mei flying backward.
With the domain gone, Mei, genuinely fainted with eyes open, displaying only the whites, did not stir in the least.
The [knockout] effect from the psychic damage inflicted by the iron whip that struck the [mind] severely rather than the physical body.
“[Incomparable and unmatched! I told you! The strongest!]”
“……Was that how I was on floor 100?”
“Shall I play the recording?”
“Asuka, could you please shut up, I’m begging you.”
“Watch your tone with your senior!”
Drawing the [Tianzhong Cloud Sword] that had fallen to the ground, the Inari Deity gripped the handle firmly.
This was China Tower’s 98th-floor boss. ──Undeniably tedious, but.
The initiative hadn’t vanished yet!
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
