“─You’re not really trying to trick us, right?!”
“I’ll make a pledge!! It’s a request through the Mediator!! My life is at stake!!”
“You can trust it, certified by the Six Legged Beast boss!”
“How can we trust that?!”
Robert, Ichigo, and Mami snapped in annoyance.
The Saint was sweating nervously as she made her excuses.
Leading them on a safe path, not sacrificing them, holding back the Holy Knight Order, really giving a buff.
She insisted that she was genuinely surprised and not like someone who was naive to the ways of the world.
“I’ve never set foot outside the Vatican! Please understand, I’m just an uneducated woman!”
“So, you don’t have parents or something?”
“I do…..”
An angel meekly answered Ichigo’s question in her stead.
The Saint, too, was exasperated, pounding her chest, but the misunderstanding arose from her anxious and hasty actions.
However, if there really was a [God] behind the Pope, there was little a lowly Saint could do.
It was a request given to the Oracle through the Mediator to seek help from the [Idol], whom the Vatican feared most.
There exists, following the believers, an impossible creature behind the Pope that bestows a sacred sense.
The saint feared it might be [Evil].
“My class transition condition is devoted faith and purity. Basically, naive lambs with faith in God are chosen.”
The saint gestured to her face, saying that she would gain the [Perfect Body], completely altering her appearance.
The saint who knew nothing would believe she was chosen by God and lead the believers joyfully up the Tower.
She even wrote in a journal, left for the next saint, about witnessing the Pope talking to God.
“I’ve seen it too. The Pope, talking to someone in the prayer room alone.”
He was not a [Climber]. He was just the master of the [Companion].
Even when the saint asked, it was apparently a conversation with [God], so there was no reason to doubt or deny it.
Despite being fully prepared to continue the saints’ self-sacrificing lifestyle, on their 7th generation.
At the Legendary Festival, she met the [Mediator] and heard that [God] was nonexistent.
And the much-dreaded [Idol], though she personally fought against it, she realized─it had pure light.
Possessed a white soul, filled with dreams and aspirations.
The saint’s faith began to waver with the inhumane experiment started under the pretext of justice on the newly joined [Angel], based on research obtained at the Russian Tower.
What stopped this was the class of [Idol], which seemed to fall as if punishment from God.
In the uproar of demons emerging from underground and attempting to drag sinners down, the [Saint] met the [Oracle].
“I know it’s pointless to apologize, but I’m sorry!! It all happened too fast!! I’ve never been to school to be groomed to become a saint!!”
“──Do you think that’s an excuse to try and deceive everyone!!!”
“Yes, indeed!! It’s my first time seeing it too!!”
The supposed [God] was, astonishingly, the [Tower] itself!!
It led the believers to become stronger by making the [Saint] sacrifice her life willingly.
In fact, no matter if the Champion lost once to a [Pirate], it indeed had some annoying skills.
She thought it to be simple following escort, but it was actually meant to prevent the saint from acting foolishly, gave her chills.
“Damn! The conspiracy theory I saw online was true after all!”
“Send us conspiracy theories next time.”
“Isn’t it a little unseemly for an older man to be sending such messages to young ladies?”
“As an Oracle, I could send every prophecy I receive?”
“”Shut up!!””
“Ugh.”
Even though everyone understood the grave and urgent situation, Ichigo didn’t stop Oracle from broadcasting on membership mode.
Feeling used to amplify and highlight the seriousness of the situation added to Ichigo’s frustration.
Understandable urgency, but to exploit people like this…?
Once it’s over, Ichigo vowed to slam their faces into a chair and break their noses.
Rumble──
“One more question, Saint. Was there a particular reason for this sudden mission?”
“Because the Pope announced an arena hosted by the Italian Tower to gather the world’s strongest Climbers.”
“That explains why nobody’s here!!”
No matter how much they contacted, neither Wakamou nor Sadako was responding.
Unable to discern the Pope’s scheme, the famous climbers of the world were utterly trapped in the arena.
Even the [Mediator] is currently there, and only those outside know what’s happening, Oracle lamented.
The members here needed to resolve the issue.
“Damn Italy!! Didn’t they learn anything from getting beaten by Ethiopia?!”
Italy behaves like an empire infamous for alliances turning into disadvantages.
Even Asuka was rendered speechless in disbelief.
Rumble Rumble Rumble──
“Our boss might be interested in watching such a match. Perhaps the Italian Tower tricked them into attending!!”
“Royal Oracle nearly lost their mind realizing it was the Tower itself interfering with their predictions.”
Though an Oracle has fought various foes, battling a [Tower] itself was unforeseen.
“The Vatican itself is classified as the 【Vatican Tower】 by their nation….”
Robert muttered, drawing everyone’s attention.
Vatican, inside Italy, is treated as a separate nation with its own tower.
Standing with grace near the Vatican, the Vatican Tower had never collapsed.
If the Italian Tower didn’t act alone?
If alliances between towers were possible, forming alliances themselves?
“Why even ally with Italy if there’s not a single worthwhile tower?!”
The silently annoyed angel shouted.
They allied with Italy, one of the top 5 countries you shouldn’t ally with?
Rumble Rumble Rumble──!!!
-What’s going on???
-They can’t enter the arena right now??
-Wow, is the tower going wild???
-Knowing about tower apostles is insane, isn’t it??
-Russian Tower Lord) Wow, we’re screwed!!
-??? Truly the Tower Lord??
-Yes, borrowing a phone beside me to chat.
-Hahaha
-Fast adaptation to new tech, impressive.
-Russian Tower Lord) Run!! They’re summoning the apostle!!
-Yes?
-What?
Ichigo was broadcasting this situation live.
A record-breaking live broadcast was watched by 400,000 viewers.
They were too far for the [East Asia Coalition] to help, helplessly waiting.
With the Russian 【Tower Lord】 understanding the situation and urgently warning of the danger while watching Ichigo’s broadcast.
The [Italian Tower] that forcibly emerged in Wakamou’s personal space and home made no move, staying silent.
It was to extend its influence across this entire space.
[The climbed are given trials by the Italian Tower!]
[The Apostle of the Tower『Etruscan Tinia』appears!]
“Escape now!!”
Mami used telekinesis to create a barrier, shielding against incoming lightning bolts, and shouted.
Though protected temporarily, the Saint hurled herself forward, raising a divine barrier.
“I can’t die before killing the Pope!!”
“You really think letting others do the killing is okay?! Even someone with no education or social skills knows that’s wrong!!”
“Geez!!”
Ichigo, unable to retort a valid point, was annoyed.
Whether it was true she used [Lifespan], the saint’s nose started bleeding.
Despite staggering, with eerie eyes, she stared menacingly at the Apostle.
“Just seeing her face made me think she’s the main villain!!”
“Begone, evil demon!! [Chains of Binding]! Ichigo! [Light’s Sword]!”
With the saint’s skill, golden chains emerged, binding the Apostle before its top half could be torn off.
They began to crack within less than three seconds, the Apostle’s emitted lightning rampaged wildly.
Even grazing would cause the ground to melt.
Touching it was surely lethal like the angel’s death by electrocution.
Yet Ichigo gripped the [Sword of Light] made of pure [Divine] essence, gifted by the saint through her skill.
The buffs cost [Lifespan], raising stats over tenfold.
Additionally, [Alchemy – Hyper Adrenaline] boosted stats further by tenfold.
As they compounded separately, it didn’t result in a 100-fold increase but was still useful.
Her agility exceeded 5,000.
Ichigo closed her eyes and relied purely on instinct, her sword slash became a streak of black slicing through the Apostle.
“Ugh…!!”
Even barely cutting the faint thread connecting the Apostle’s upper and lower half, both her arms broke, dangling limply after swinging her sword.
“[!!!!!!]”
The hastily crafted Apostle, unable to communicate, merely flailed wildly, scattering lightning.
When an elephant runs wild, ants are trampled.
“You’ll die for real!!”
Hearing Oracle’s foresight of lightning targeting Ichigo, the saint extended a hand, creating a divine barrier.
The divine wall blocked the lightning, letting the saint cough up black blood from the backlash.
The saint’s complexion was ashen, barely alive, in a horrific state.
“Haah…haah… Father in heaven…please have mercy on us…”
Rumble Rumble Rumble───
The tower trembled as if mocking the praying saint clutching her heart.
Did it deceive itself as [God] behind the Vatican?
Only the Pope knows the truth.
The final boss of everything was perhaps the Vatican Tower?
What was certain was all here will die before learning that truth.
[The Italian Tower gives trials to the climbed!]
[The Apostle of the Tower『Imperial Concubine and Villainess Dalki』appears!]
“…..Did the tower absorb the equipment stored at our house to create the Apostle….?!”
It wasn’t impossible, theoretically; it seemed plausible.
Yet no tower has ever stolen rewards given to climbers.
The Italian Tower crossed that line!!
It even seemed to have absorbed the job item given to Liu Ying by the Chinese Tower.
Descending.
“Jiang Yeoul….”
Pipkin Mami muttered her name quietly.
How could a VTuber’s end be direct execution by the boss?
“Boss…”
Wielding a pair of Liu Bei’s swords, she donned an Emperor’s crown─clad in the [Golden-Red Dragon Robe] adorned with a dragon motif.
Not merely wearing Dalki’s winged dress and earrings, she held an imperial seal in another hand with pink hair flowing behind her.
Dalki, notable by her golden eyes, gazed upon them slowly drawing her sword.
“Beside you!!”
Seeing Dalki approaching to kill her, Ichigo blankly stood, losing her will.
“[Seeing an enemy and blindly charging is your greatest flaw, Hajime Ichigo]”
What kind of feeling is it when an enemy speaks with a loved one’s face and voice, approaching to kill?
The Apostle’s lightning charged at Ichigo who stood defenseless.
Clang─!!
-?!
-What, what just happened?
-It deflected it!
Ichigo’s head was warmed by a gentle hand.
“[Hmm, what’s going on here?]”
Bearing a lazy expression, speaking with a languid voice, and effortlessly deflecting the Apostle’s lightning with one hand, Jiang Yeoul’s sword stroke parted its body.
It was almost embarrassing to call it a fight: the overwhelming martial prowess resembled a martial god descending, utterly one-sided.
The dancing blade tip bloomed into radiant plum blossoms, storming silently and crushing foes.
“What’s happening now?”
“…The Apostle was created using the items it absorbed. Summoned through the history recorded by those items but….”
─Presently, if you mention [Dalki] anywhere, everyone says [Wakamou Inarizushi].
It’s not limited to East Asia; globally, perceptions are set.
Moreover, all those items belonged to Wakamou; this is Wakamou’s domain.
Though the Italian Tower cost to summon Dalki, it housed something fundamentally different from what the Korean Tower created.
“[Yes, I suppose I looked like Dalki?]”
“Boss…?”
“[You’re prepared to pay for harming my darling VTubers, right?]”
[The Italian Tower, attempting to exercise authority as the Tower Lord───!@$@!@%@%]
Crackle─!!
“[A mere tower shall not command me?]”
Even if it wasn’t Wakamou, what Dalki, historically known, was an evil woman.
Dalki, bearing a twisted smile, ignored the Italian Tower’s commands with sheer mental strength and distinct ego as the Tower Lord attempted to exercise power.
“[Ichigo, it must be frustrating…Ichigo─your fury. I understand it completely…There’s no reason the effort you put in should be trampled by a mere tower.]”
Pushing off from the ground, Dalki’s blooming swordsmanship collided with the tower’s apostle, creating a fierce noise and sparks.
Each wound dealt to Ichigo meant tearing it apart, as Dalki’s relentless assault shredded the Apostle in an instant with a demonic smile.
“Strong, unbelievably strong…!!”
“[AAAAAAHH!!!]”
Even while dismembered, the Apostle regenerated with lightning and retaliated with a storm of lightning, but the incoming bolts were sliced apart.
Seizing those bolts, Dalki transformed them into lightning spears, piercing the Apostle and nailing it to the Italian Tower’s wall.
“[Secret Technique─Countless Fragrant Plum Blossoms]”
A dazzling flash.
And quietly, the sword returned to its sheath.
Of the two swords, one remained unsheathed, as Dalki turned slowly, cleaving the Italian Tower, causing it to collapse.
The crumbling Italian Tower vanished through the now opened portal.
“Quickly, to the Vatican!!!”
Supporting the recovering saint, Robert urged, but they were blocked by monsters from inside.
Everyone’s eyes turned to the Apostle made by the Italian Tower, Dalki.
She smiled tenderly, handing over the crown and dragon robe she wore to Ichigo.
“[Everyone’s looking forward to today’s broadcast, right?]”
“….Yes!”
“[Don’t look back]
With a push and Ichigo turning around, the sound of a blade making compulsory decisions and falling filled the air.
Ichigo’s eyes reddened, intuitively knowing what decision she made but didn’t cry.
Others, however, were struck by various emotions.
For the love of her VTubers, ready to die if required…!!
If I have to die, I will…!!
Pipkin Mami, witnessing this madness, dropped her cigarette from her mouth.
“That’s not even the original but a transformation by the original.”
“I guess I’ll submit my resignation letter once I’m dead.”
With a fed-up expression, the group once again dashed toward Italy.
What caught their eyes was the Vatican Tower, towering high with a clear view of the Vatican Obelisk.
“…Something’s different…?”
The Vatican Tower was glowing in a different color than usual.
Unlike the Complete Strategy Layer existing in South Korea that gleamed silver, the Vatican Tower was emanating a radiant golden light, like a divine miracle had descended.
But what was the truth?
“Sister!!”
The Paladins were fiercely fighting in formation.
Although there was a [Champion] on the opposing side, it seemed that the climbers, who were visiting Italy for tourism, outnumbered them.
“You guys are…”
“We saw it live!!”
“Damn Pope!! How did you fall so low?!”
“Is it really true? Isn’t the tower brainwashing him?”
“The angels over there are fighting as if completely brainwashed! They’re fanatics!”
“If I knew this would happen, I wouldn’t have done this Companion thing. I only did it because the healer was a noble!”
“…Is the Pope inside?”
Past St. Peter’s Square, the Pope, the absolute ruler of the Vatican, was thought to be inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Climbers launched an assault on the Vatican Tower standing behind the Basilica, but the attacks which returned amplified several times over, had reduced the entire square to a war zone.
“We will fight to the end!! Ichigo’s friends, assemble!!”
“Show your guts if you’re VTuber fans!! Take down the ones threatening our oshi!”
“Track the enemy!!”
Heading towards St. Peter’s Basilica, climbers and clerics who realized the Pope’s misdeeds turned and were fighting fiercely.
Among them, there were groups fighting while waving Mare Pirate and Wakamou flags, unsure why they brought those items.
When Pipkin Mami waved her hand with a decaying expression, they cheered and became even more rampant.
Even before becoming a VTuber, they were climbers representing their own country…there are always some fanatical fans among the idol enthusiasts!
“Korean molotov cocktail, here it comes!!”
“See the rooftop Koreans’ fury, you bastards!!!”
“Wakamou Leader desires Italy!!!”
“Bloody revenge for Italy allied with Germany!! Long live Adolf!!”
“Throw in Lucia, come on!! Doesn’t it sound strange?!”
It seemed too intense, but anyhow!!
Watching the fierce fighting paladins, the saintess glared sharply at the champion, seemingly a crony of the Pope.
She asked Ichigo if she still had the dagger.
“Plan to open a path straight to the Vatican. The bishops should be inside too─”
“Leave it to me, I’ll send you right in”
Pipkin Mami, planning to send them through [Teleportation], encouraged them to handle the rest on their own.
Asking everyone to prepare as the saintess clasped her hands and offered a prayer to the heavens.
“[Cross the Red Sea on dry land]!!”
Descending.
A streak of light pierced through the clouds, forcibly opening a path towards the Basilica.
‘Saintess’s skills are too odd.’
Starting with the necessity for a party, she even had skills considering special gimmicks or terrain.
There were countless inexplicable things, but Mami urged everyone to run as they sprinted on the path of light.
When the Champion attempted to pursue, Oracle, who remained alone, held up a crystal ball high.
Then, with the aurora unfolding in the sky, a star shower began to rain down.
The explosions caused by the showering stars swept the Champion’s side and started neutralizing them.
“Shouldn’t we evacuate the citizens?!”
“No, they can’t evacuate now!”
Caused by the climbers, this war.
Normally, it would be an issue that warranted the tower’s intervention, but the tower itself had caused this uproar.
Furthermore, the tower was doing something even more horrific.
[You cannot exit the Italian border. Conquer the tower]
They completely sealed the border, blocking any means of exiting to the outside.
When Asuka showed a shocking news clip of a plane crashing mid-air and blowing up because of a wall, killing all tourists on board, Robert was furious.
“This would completely annihilate humans!”
While Robert’s anger was understandable, the changes in the Vatican Tower, glowing more radiantly, were no trivial matter.
[The Vatican’s border will be sealed!]
[Conquer the Vatican Tower!]
At that moment, a dazzling golden wall rose, enclosing the Vatican.
“A secondary barrier…!!”
Not stopping there, light burst forth from the Vatican Tower, and angels began pouring out.
Climbers immediately recognized them. They were the tower’s monsters.
Moreover, everyone who was fleeing began recklessly awakening as climbers.
One climber even had a [Breathing] skill, useless for climbing.
As notification windows popped up saying they would be assigned a class upon entering the tower, aiding climbers were left speechless, staring at the sky.
It looked as if the world was facing God’s final judgment.
The display of the tower wielding its power unchecked was enough to send chills down everyone’s spine.
Boom─!!
Ratatatata!!! Dadadada!!!
Time was running out. In this urgent situation, Robert volunteered to hold off the angels approaching from the sky single-handedly.
Pipkin Mami and Hajime Ichigo, who burst through the Basilica doors, fired away without hesitation.
Seemingly opposing the Pope, they created a barrage protecting the bishops with barricades made of chairs.
“[Fortress of Idols]!!”
“Was such a skill there?! Poor Master!!”
Asuka shouted, dumbfounded, witnessing the Pope summoning a fortress made of magic.
Why couldn’t they give some of those to Wakamou, who always had to take hits without defensive skills or evasion skills!!!!
“──Veronica. I suspected that you, in all your purity, would never follow my intentions. Has Angela perished?”
“Yes…! Living all those years as a pope for others, why are you doing this?”
“This is God’s──”
“An opening!!!”
Simultaneously luring him into conversation, Pipkin Mami teleported behind the Pope.
With a dagger infused with resentment and malice, she received from Ichigo, the saintess stabbed the Pope’s heart without hesitation.
“[Destroy the Skill ‘Body of Idols’]”
[No skill to destroy exists!]
“What the…?!”
“You’re too late, Veronica!! Did you think I didn’t know of your plan? With the tower overseeing everything, did you think you could hide it? From the moment the tournament commenced, everything was too late!!”
“Wow, tossing it out already.”
“I learned from 【Pirate】’s demise.”
“That dead bastard was useless to the end!!”
Cursing, Pipkin Mami grabbed the despairing saintess and hurriedly teleported away, widening the distance.
If the tower was truly the villain from the start, there was no hiding it once the saintess became a climber.
“You know when St. Peter’s Basilica was built? 『You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it』”
“…And I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven…that’s from the Gospel of Matthew 16”
“The absence of God in the celestial seat was whispered to me by the 【Tower】 the day it appeared.”
The Pope’s shocking bombshell left the saintess speechless.
If true, what value did the deaths of her six predecessor saintesses, who died for their faith and belief in God, hold?
Additionally, Mami and Ichigo were left speechless, stunned by the notion that it had been “since the day the tower appeared.”
“No one occupies His place─I was told to take that seat myself…!!”
Golden light pouring in, collapsing the ceiling.
With the radiant light emanating from the [Vatican Tower], the [Idol] was ascending.
No─ that existed long gone from being called an idol.
【The Apostle of the Vatican Tower ‘The Last Pope’ appears!】
“[Behold! My physical restraints dissolve!! I, who have ascended, no longer need a body!!]”
The old, decrepit body completely crumbled as a young prince emerged once again in its place.
Adorned in papal robes, wearing a crown on his head, as he raised his staff to bless, climbers were suddenly pressed on the defensive.
“His entire body is made of [Mana]…It resembles a…[Human]…”
Able to see with the [Alchemist]’s eyes, Ichigo trembled, stammering.
“…Is this real…”
The emergence of a [Human] from the surroundings got ever more ominous, and Mami began to worry more about the future than the present.
The [Tower] had picked one [Human] and issued a prophecy, preparing until the moment this came to fruition.
Could it really only be outside the Vatican? Maybe there were others in other countries?
Boom─!!
“Damn it, no time to think…!!”
“[Come forth my Champion!! Engage them!!]”
Bursting through the door, the [Champion] suddenly fell forward, collapsing.
And standing behind that champion was [Wakamou Inarizushi]─someone who should have been trapped in the arena, yet how did he arrive here?
“The cries from the precious treasures I gathered summoned me!!!”
With [My Worlds] opened, hearing strange sounds suddenly emitted by [Jiang Yeoul] summoned through [Body of Idols], Wakamou assessed the situation.
As the portal Asuka had opened in front of the Vatican wasn’t closed, climbers streamed through, pushing back the front lines.
Smashed figures, unrecoverable goods, carefully stored unarchives, even concert tickets purchased in advance.
Having lost all these precious things, not just some but all at once.
In the heart of Wakamou, a silent fury and a fierce desire for revenge burned quietly.
But more important than such things remained.
Fans residing in Italy, the VTuber who had declared a broadcast in Italy today─all were in peril.
“[Idol’s Inferno]!!!”
With gathering mana in hand, Wakamou unleashed flames that set the ceiling of the Basilica ablaze, consuming it completely, leaving not even ashes.
But neither the Pope bathing in those flames nor the towering figure behind was left with even a scorch mark.
“[──If you’re the high-ranked idol I’ve heard of, I’m disappointed, I feel nothing from you now]”
No matter how weak [Sacred Power] was attempted, it was ineffective. Attacks made of [Mana] were no exception.
Declaring he was now an 【Apostle (Idol)】, having ascended one step further through the tower, didn’t the presence before them understand?
“There’s no way-ascension without climbing the tower? It doesn’t make sense…”
“[【Companions】, what do you think they were for?]”
“Damn, you conniving bastard…”
Not only the saintesses who died climbing the tower, but the innumerable humans who perished climbing the Vatican Tower.
He readily admitted their sacrifices all served the idol they believed in at this very moment, the Pope confessed smoothly.
With flames bursting forth from the Pope’s fingertips.
Wakamou released mana to counter, preventing the climbers behind and those nearby from being swept away.
By the immense firepower and output, Wakamou gritted his teeth, squeezing out strength, yet over 3 million mana was depleted.
Without Nansei, merely blocking would have resulted in instant death from the monstrous power.
“What kind of firepower is this Idol’s Inferno…”
“[Idol’s Inferno? These are Idol’s Flames. Did their strength deceive you?]”
Gasping for breath, Wakamou—the opponent was a [Climber] standing with the power of 【Tower】.
The distinct power gap was evident, judging from mana being used lavishly like water without constraints.
From the [Equipment]-even those amassed while climbing the tower, the Italian tower devoured them all, leaving only Nansei and Tenchong Ungum as exceptions, without arms.
“….I’ll sacrifice myself. If it can weaken─”
[The Vatican Tower strips Veronica of the 【Saint】 class!]
“Ah….”
The Vatican Tower drove the final nail, declaring it a futile resistance.
With her strength as a climber gone, she turned into a time-limited invalid, spewing black blood for only using her lifespan.
As with the Russian tower, the tower could steal classes freely if it wished.
The [Brand of Resentment] that the saintess dropped rolled on the ground.
With the [Body of Idols] completely shed, free from all constraints, the Pope.
And the Vatican Tower rampaging wildly, taking things into hand.
The sight of the tower resonating and crying out seemed to reflect an obsession to raise the climber Pope to the 【Peak】.
“President….President?”
Wakamou holding the fallen [Brand of Resentment] grabbed the sword in a reverse grip.
“Asuka, evacuate to a safe place. This is an order.”
“Yes”
“What are you planning?!”
Without answering, Wakamou gripped the [Brand of Resentment] firmly.
Asuka took Ichigo and withdrew, while Mami hurried out with the former saintess and bishops.
Upon emerging outside, what caught their eyes were monsters pouring from both the Vatican and Italian towers, pushing them to fight to survive or perish powerfully.
From the Vatican Tower, angels were pouring out, while from the Italian Tower, demons from hell erupted.
A hellish scene, as if humans were caught amidst the war between heaven and hell.
“[Shall I wait for longer?]”
A voice overlapped. It wasn’t the Pope speaking─the will of the tower was sensed.
That being was an apostle, a tower lord, and simultaneously a climber.
“As a former idol, let me say something…. idols without fans hold no value. Fans don’t exist for the idol. What do you think of people’s pure love and sentiments?”
“[What use are they in climbing?]”
“……I pledged under this sky”
One sentence was dialogue enough. Ignoring any warnings, Wakamou stabbed the [Brand of Resentment] into his chest.
“I vowed to annihilate anything trying to erase VTubers”
Coldly spitting out one line.
It was unnecessary to ask the past tower what humanity was to it.
An idol who exists to be worshipped, taking sacrifice for granted, was unneeded in this era.
The idols meant to exist in this era are the shining idols people look up to and yearn for.
[[Brand of Resentment] destroys the [Body of Idols]!!]
The body disintegrates, everything feels so far away, like it’s vanishing, dimming the consciousness.
The [Body of Idols], which had been a lifelong partner as a climber, peeled away like a shell, melting down, and everything evaporated.
And witnessing all of it as if third-person, Wakamou focused his mind in silence.
When mana hits zero, the [Body of Idols] vanishes.
Even if the skill disappeared, it didn’t mean Wakamou’s existence would vanish or die.
The mana remained.
Across the globe, with the advent and awakening of towers, mana filled the air more abundantly.
Focusing his mind, Wakamou drew Mana with a gaze, forming a focal point and gathering it.
[The Korean Tower is astonished!]
Skills can be [Created]. Having done it once──there’s no way it can’t be done twice.
Additionally, it’s possible to [Acquire] without climbing.
Free from the restrictive concept of [Skills]──broader and infinite.
Men can be women, women can be men.
Desiring it allows for anything, living liberated and joyfully.
──VTubers are freedom, happiness, longing, and dreams.
The decision to attach meaning to something ultimately lies with the heart of the one declaring it.
Wakamou put the love of his life into VTubers.
The formation of the human shape took no more than the blink of an eye.
The shell that melted away, encapsulating Wakamou’s feelings, reflected a myriad of things, sparkling beautifully.
“Ah─!! Thanks for the good view!!”
Having grasped the certainty of transformation while watching the ascendant [Pope], Wakamou laughed mockingly.
The transformation of a similar [Idol] means Wakamou can do it too!!
“Soon after the 1st-anniversary broadcast, it’s almost the 2nd anniversary─I’ve made my believers wait, haven’t I!”
Grabbing the draping fabric of the [Body of Idols], Wakamou tore and flung it with all their might, as if shedding a shell.
[A nonexistent [Skill] is created!]
[Appropriate [Skill] is named to match the creator’s class!]
[Acquired 【True Idol Form】!]
Ignoring the loud ringing of notifications.
Beyond the fabric fluttering away was a [Giant].
Muscles showing all over their body beginning from their back existed to smash the opponent.
Much like the [Fox Deity] of Inari, except with crimson and white cords wrapped around waist, arms, and neck.
Having grown to a towering 3 meters with a form even more resembling a [Fox Deity] than before.
“Is it something like this?”
The very presence itself was completely transformed.
Once black hair cascaded downward now shimmered with red.
Like secret dual-tone dyeing─visible black outside, while red hair lay within.
“A new model you say─while I supposed [Korean Tower] did the design? Feels like getting scammed here”
“[….What are you…? What have you done?]”
Having focused solely on creating a new body and not having thought about the design, Wakamou explored their own form.
And the apostle stammered seeing Wakamou, who seemed to transform as if chosen by the tower.
It wasn’t just unbelievable; it shouldn’t be possible.
It was an impossible feat!!
They had completely deconstructed and reconstructed their body from scratch!!
Drawing [Mana], they crafted a more complex body similar to that of a [Human] alone.
Without the tower’s aid, single-handedly!!
Crack─Creaaaak──!!
The body was controlled─compressing.
Willingly compressing to their original height, becoming somewhat slenderer.
With VTubers, being pretty in appearance is necessary, otherwise, believers wouldn’t take delight, Wakamou joked with a smile, opening his eyes to face the Pope.
“Claimed you learned from pirates, didn’t you?”
“──I will turn you into fireworks to commemorate the new model”
A declaration of intent to kill.
With a newfound confidence──Wakamou’s mana surged.
Endlessly…keeping rising as if knowing no bounds.
Breathing through the VTuber, the organs inside continuously generated mana, energy, and sacredness.
[Status Screen]
[Climber: Wakamou Inarizushi]
[Occupation: VTuber]
[Age: 1,001 years old]
[Dedicated Manager (Shaman): Olga Romanova]
[Stats]
Mana: 66,534,297
Sacredness: 3,000,000
Inner Count: 3,000,000
Mana filled the body in proportion to the pure number of subscribers.
The body creaked, and skin fissured as if ready to burst at any moment but only briefly.
Strengthening and repairing, tearing down, and──fully completing the [Skill].
──Gathering.
Flowing together into Wakamou’s hand, the surging mana compressed into a single point, swallowing light.
“Let’s see which 【Faith】 has the upper hand.”
Embark on a fight, showing off a skill to commemorate the new model──returning to basics like against the Elf Sage──the flame ignited.
“[Idol’s Fire──]”
“Laugh Ahaha!! Korean Tower, are you watching? Filthy fire!! ──Do it like this, see?”
“【Idol’s Flames】”
A pillar of blazing flames erupted.
Swirling and towering, the flames bloomed beautifully like cherry blossom trees.
Scattering embers like cherry petals, it ignited angel wings aflame.
Overcoming the Vatican, sparking through the Italian barricade, fiery infernos raged.
“Tower or regardless if it’s a God, does it concern me?”
Smash them all down!!
“I’ll continue to pummel as many VTubers as I know about….!!!”
And beat them down until they drop dead!!
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