Buzz──
A Russian climber, thought to be dead, rises from a pile of insect corpses that seemed like a mountain.
The reason Wakamou was stopped from ensuring their survival.
Wakamou intended to retrieve the bodies because if left, monsters could feed on them in such a dangerous place.
But of course, he wasn’t dead; he was merely pretending to be.
Still, just in case, he had also taken a drug developed by the Russian government’s alchemists that induced a suspended state.
Wakamou only suspected, but never found out he was alive since he was practically in a state of suspended animation.
“This is [Chithri], the fox has entered the den as planned.”
“[Confirmed]”
──A Russian agent, referring to himself as ‘Number 4’, removes his gas mask, revealing a face resembling a reptile.
His true identity is the successful outcome of a new humanity experiment using monsters and a government-affiliated climber subjected to human experimentation.
Russia is filled with resentment and hatred towards climbers.
Despite being treated as a privileged class, many Russians derided them as the modern-day ‘nomenklatura’ for causing a situation where social and economic equality collapsed, reminiscent of Soviet times.
In reality, they were nothing more than ‘holop’… akin to slaves, or perhaps even domesticated livestock.
With their freedom stolen and families held hostage, even as all injuries healed during climbs, they remained at the mercy of the Russian government because of the bomb or poison vial installed inside their bodies.
There’s no knowing how they would be disposed of once deemed useless.
A Slavic colleague lamented, calling himself a ‘sakhalava’, but still held out hope for a change in treatment and eventual freedom.
But he lost his humanity, turned completely into a monster, and died being used as expendable fodder to sabotage South Korea’s Seoul recapture operation.
The current Tsar of Russia, origin of [Six Legged Beast].
As a Legendary Class ‘Scientist’─a madman self-proclaiming to challenge the realm of gods, likening himself to a modern-day Prometheus.
Even before becoming a demi-monster through human experiments, [Chithri], a first-generation climber, had seen him become a Tsar firsthand during his military service.
The self-proclaimed boss of [Six Legged Beast] used the excuse of “it seems interesting” to gather all Legendary Class members and place a mere scientist on the throne.
No one dared to oppose them.
They had the backing of an entity capable of making anyone a country’s president on a mere whim.
Though he wanted to flee to another country, all climbers under his command, which included those in the military, had long been tampered with.
From poisons that prevented the use of [Mana] initially to bombs that explode if orders are disobeyed.
A madman who didn’t see humans as humans─ his comrades cursed him, calling him ‘Frankenstein’.
Kiing──
A climber, or rather a monster, with drill arms continues drilling a passageway.
Behind it, what once were humans gather and line up.
Every one of them had been modified to adapt to radiation, bizarrely mutated, no longer resembling what they once were.
And that included [Chithri] himself, modified with monster genes.
His name and records from birth and military days had been expunged… he merely resigned to following orders, unable to let his family in Russia die.
If the Tower is like a god, he wished it would smite that madman.
But for that madman climbing by sacrificing test subjects in a frenzy, the Tower merely rewarded him for climbing and gave him [Skills].
‘Seems like it’s the end for Korea too.’
Artificially collapsing towers and having succeeded in research to use human genetics to allow captured monsters to escape the tower’s domain.
Furthermore, they even converted their citizens and climbers into outrageous monsters to bolster their forces, emitting even [Radiation]; if Russia fully engaged in warfare…
‘Russia has already expanded over China’s land. The only variable is the Fox Deity who can produce climbers.’
With the revelation that climbers could be made, the Russian government proceeded with their plan in haste.
Though the radiation levels were high inside the underground facility, they had disseminated a specially crafted drug called [Slime Mutation].
Ordinary climbers were unaffected, but if [Mana] reacted, they would melt and eventually… transform into a [Slime] type monster.
They planned either to kill Wakamou Inarizushi or turn him into a [Monster] to use as a new weapon.
The [Boss Monster] waiting underground was also made to kill [Wakamou Inarizushi], and the four Russian climbers had been remodeled solely to kill Wakamou.
In his case, he was a reptilian type capable of venom and stealth. With a naturally low body temperature, he was given the role of feigning death.
Originally intending to use the top material of the Korean Association President, they found an even superior material.
Besides, the vulnerabilities were clear─ within the domain meticulously prepared by the [Scientist], the fox would be hunted and face its end.
Having sealed off the escape route, his remaining role was to destroy the facility if things soured.
Clang… clang…
“By the way, what is that sound I’ve been hearing for a while now…?”
Inside this factory, everything was a monster created by the Tsar.
They should be following his orders to kill intruders…. But could it be, was there a monster that regained its self-awareness?
Opening his rocket belt, he looked at a family photo to calm his mind.
To maintain one’s humanity, one needed something strong and personally significant to cling to.
In that sense, [Byaejji] involved in this mission was in the most pitiful situation.
Even a young 24-year-old young lady was being used as a tool for this mission.
“….Hey, over there… did you perhaps regain your self-awareness?”
Occasionally, there were rare instances where a partner turned monster regained their self-awareness.
In most cases, they’d plead to be killed, but if they dared to hope they were alive, he wanted to tell them to run away.
“Roar.”
“….It’s a bear…?”
What was tapping and thumping on the wall with its forepaw was a huge bear.
Although Russia had many bears, he couldn’t quite imagine how a wild bear managed to get inside the factory.
“Whew… What a vain hope…”
Lowering his head in disappointment, [Chithri] was soon struck by curiosity and raised his head again.
“Moon bear?”
Why was there a moon bear in Russia, where they didn’t even live…?
It was only then he realized the bear was standing on two legs.
“Chuchupu─!!!”
“Argh!!!”
[Chithri], who was knocked flying by a single strong paw strike, hurried to grab the gun from his waist, but felt no texture in his hand.
As he hastily lifted his head, there was a bear aiming his gun at him opening its mouth.
“What is this? You look like you’re seeing a bear for the first time. That attire doesn’t seem like a Russian military climber’s. Who are you?”
“…A bear speaking…? Darn─!!”
Convinced that it wouldn’t move due to its size, [Chithri] extended his arm in an ambush. He never expected a person’s arm would extend.
Despite such a flying ambush, Wanda Haye took a stance, quickly compressing and retracting her plump fur.
Having transformed from a moon bear to a sleek sun bear, she closed the distance at once, grabbed his neck, lifted him, and slammed him to the ground, subduing him in one swift move.
“….This person. A climber collaborating with Russia, indeed. As expected.”
After checking his belongings for any means of communication, she scrutinized the face that defied description… being closer to a monster than a [Shifter] or human.
Realizing that what Asuka had diligently investigated and brought to the Climber Association was indeed true.
It meant that this massive facility was essentially a trap designed to lure and kill Wakamou.
While it was good to have subdued the agent, they probably believed he had been taken out as he’d lost contact, so who knew what tricks they’d pull.
“Sigh, it’s not Wakamou’s fault. Originally, the Association President was supposed to be the one dragged here… truly bothersome.”
Informing the Chinese government about Russia’s internal monster army, they should have been fortifying their lines just in case.
What she had to do here was rescue Wakamou and escape if things went south.
That was the plan Wakamou and she had made together.
The plan to open a portal through a [Camera] and secure an insertion point was superb.
Realizing that it became challenging to use skills inside the factory, Wakamou immediately opened a portal, allowing her to locate and make loud noises by tapping in circles…
Having secured a map from the subdued agent, Wanda Haye quickly scanned it and used a scroll to extract the subdued agent.
Though killing was the surest way to avoid trouble, having a living witness to pressure Russia would be the best.
“Truly, bears are the best.”
Despite being attacked by radiation without a protective suit, Wanda Haye smiled, unharmed.
Bears, the ultimate creatures!! Ever since childhood, she’d been immensely fascinated by them.
She developed a strong desire to know more about the powerful and beautiful creatures.
Though becoming a literal bear was a somewhat unexpected outcome.
Thanks to putting all her skills towards becoming a powerful bear, she wasn’t affected by the radiation at all.
“At any rate, the best course of action is to subdue the Russian President, but that’s easier said than done…”
While grumbling, since all the electronic devices lost their taste, she used an [Magic]-enchanted item.
Communicating the current situation to Asuka, she began advancing towards the center of the facility.
※※
‘Shooo…’
There’s something off with my insides.
Though I don’t breathe, maintaining and strengthening my body using [Mana Manipulation], it showed no sign of stopping.
Even with a portion of my body turned to minerals and concentrating enhancement only at the joints, my arms and legs stretched like rubber.
Having no choice, I downed a [Soft Milk Potion] after quite some time.
Its effect was much stronger now, a chill encompassing my entire body.
[[Monster Mutation] skill acquired.]
[[Monster Mutation] skill removed.]
“…?”
What was that just now?
It flashed momentarily then disappeared, far too quickly to properly catch. I was sure it mentioned something about monster. An ominous feeling lingered as I trailed the Russian climbers advancing upfront, stealthily diverting the climber following me on either side.
Being in a situation where I could still use [Skills], I forcefully used [My Worlds] to send them to a safe place.
Though they looked surprised as they fell, staring back… the feeling wasn’t good.
How far in had they descended by then…?
A vast space awaited Wakamou. Too many human-made touches for it to be called a cave.
And at its center stood a streetlamp-looking… no, it was a bizarre monster, standing silent on a single leg.
A simple structure of just one leg and one body, the monster opened its eyes revealing dozens of eyes of various colors.
[[Silent Hypnosis] seals the use of [Skills].]
[[Lacking Hypnosis] seals the use of [Items].]
[[Meditative Hypnosis] seals the use of [Equipped Items].]
[[Rigid Hypnosis] applies [Restriction] state.]
[[Forbidden Hypnosis] drains [Mana].]
Wakamou hadn’t heard of the existence of such a monster with dozens of eyes and hypnioses.
Even the [Accessory] given by Wanda Haye was forcibly disabled, not to mention that the skill [Mana Manipulation] became unusable as his whole body started melting rapidly.
It was only then did Wakamou realize that the facility was filled with an unknown mist.
The enormous eye was emitting gas.
[[Slime Mutation Drug] mutates you into a [Slime Monster]!!]
“What…?”
Far from joking, his body was melting. Looking on with a feeling of desolation, four Russian climbers turned towards Wakamou.
They seemed not to be affected by the boss monster’s skill as if they were the same [Monster].
“Choose. Die by our hands as is… or…”
Removing his gas mask revealed a metallic face. The other three were similar.
With animal-like heads, yet their fur retained a silver hue, or reminiscent of a dragon, yet their scales were metallic. The woman’s face Wakamou was most curious about looked more like a different species due to her skin tone than a human.
“Become a half-baked monster like us…”
“[Dva], according to the Tsar, she will become a complete monster unlike us.”
“Was it, [Azhin]? A pity. Either way, there is no way out. This is the underground nuclear missile silo of the former Soviet Union.”
“…Just one question. Those monsters outside… aren’t they monsters? They feel similar to you guys.”
“…Right.”
Azhin, Dva─ each called the other No.1, No. 2.
Even if pronounced differently, they sounded like ordinary numbers to climber Wakamou.
Could it be names given for this operation? Or perhaps codenames for agents hiding their real identities? Judging by their apprehensive expressions, the situation was all too clear.
“No thanks to being a slime. An inhuman VTuber is too niche!! Maybe if it were a monster girl!!!”
Wakamou propelled off the ground with a yell, but the three kept their distance while one blocked his punch by crossing their arms.
What he felt was─a texture similar to that golem that disregarded mana.
“Your body is turning to slime. Idol. It is known that your weakness is [Mana]. With [Skills] unusable, the odds are─ none!!”
The man called [Dva] swung his arm turned into a blade, severing Wakamou’s arm.
He leaped back hastily but a “tail” cut off his remaining leg.
The left arm and right leg plummeted to the ground, soon turning liquid with a splat and wiggling like a [Slime].
“Tri, open the silo. Byaejji, amputate the limbs to incapacitate.”
He knew his climbing life was spectacular, that reality had become like fantasy…
But turning a climber into a monster… changing from man to woman wasn’t enough, now treated as a fox deity, to slime…?
Even excessive settings should have limits.
Attached to him were just his right arm and left leg.
Unable to use [Skills] and his body continued to melt like slime.
He felt either drowsy or powerlessly enervated. At least he had the potion he drank just in case, maybe the coldness would let him endure a bit longer.
‘These climbers are [Mana Nullification] or [Mana Resistance].’
No wonder the equipment seemed so lacking and they had no intention of using items from the start.
Even if he threatened with [Mana Burn], it probably wouldn’t work.
While absorbed in contemplation, [Byaejji (Number 5)]’s tail shot out from his waist like a spear.
Kiiing──
Through the silo opening overhead, monsters… or rather once humans, began pouring through.
“I don’t want to battle VTuber fans.”
Joking as he tried to get up, but his waist was ripped away by the tail.
With a splatter and a jelly-like bouncy elastic tint, the flesh.
“Not every day can be good. That’s life. Acceptance and moving on is the best─ as the octopus priest said.”
Yang Yimo wrote a song with the hope of eventually becoming a great soul, drawing sharply and strongly the outline of herself.
The words [Someday I’ll leap, revealing magnificent ripples, today’s tears alongside, high into the sky]─ overcoming any ordeal to shine.
In virtual idol’s brilliance, unfaltering, showing desperate effort.
Those aspiring to be VTubers must walk in line with what their idols said.
“Sorry, but I risk my life every time I work as a VTuber──!!!!”
His rotating arm twisted.
Lost muscles, lost strength, had he only lost…?
No! He gained!! Elasticity!!
The attribute of slime being stickiness and elasticity!
Seamlessly embracing the incoming tail, flowing without resistance.
Like space bending, Wakamou’s figure wavered, and the massive tail smashed into [Tri], operating the silo, blowing their head off.
Unable to use [Mana Manipulation]─ that’s because it’s a [Skill]?
That I am made entirely of mana… [Incarcerated] not applying meant [Idol’s Body] still functioned.
Not dependent on skills, I control my body entirely, move mana!!
Koooong─!
Holding his body back forcefully, his legs contracted stiffly like rubber stretching.
The three climbers, each drawing their weapons, charged at him, but Wakamou shot forth like a shell.
Certain the attack wouldn’t work.
“Cry, Yama Sword!!”
The spewing elastic [Kusanagi’s Sword] from wide-open jaws!!
Unable to equip items?
Doesn’t matter at all!!
Swinging swiftly as he propelled forward, Wakamou’s spinning form kicked the sheath into Azhin’s shoulder, shattering and embedding it.
Wakamou turned fluidly, accepting and receiving attacks from all sides like water.
Dodging an incoming claw, Dva and Byaejji’s dragon-reminiscent slashes merely grazed the slippery liquid.
“Our attacks don’t work!! Ignore and keep attacking!!!”
With Azhin’s command, Byaejji took a breath, exhaling flames and Dva’s jaw split, spewing corrosive liquid.
With a snap of Dva’s jaw, acid spewed forth as flames erupted from his mouth.
Whoosh!!
And Wakamou’s hair lashed the ground like a living creature, lifting his body.
When the acid and flame collided, an explosion ensued, and smoke billowed out─the acidic mist was so intense that it could dissolve eyeballs, causing Dva and Byaejji to leap back to gain distance.
“Dva!!”
Byaejji shouted urgently.
SDVIMVFoanVzY1YwSVhjamMzUkt1UldJZnZQemRwemdmYmdPWi9jUUx4MnJ3MDBESkIwTmEzZUh6T3J4dnUxQQ
At that moment, he glanced up, but it was too late.
Thin, narrow, and dangerous.
Using part of the spewed acid as if it were slime, he swung it like a blade using its elasticity.
Caught off guard, Dva’s body was slashed diagonally, and blood gushed from the wound.
Then, as Wakamou plunged his hand into the wound and inhaled deeply, Dva’s wound widened as if inflated like a balloon, causing him to scream in agony and roll on the floor.
And then came the incoming radiation beam.
In that instant, Azhin saw it.
Wakamou Inarizushi transformed into something thin and transparent.
Looking like a convex lens, Azhin tried desperately to dodge, but the beam attack from a monster with a headlight for a head refracted through Wakamou, piercing Azhin’s leg.
“Kyaaaak!!!”
“Woooooot!!!”
Seeing two of his comrades fall, Byaejji sharpened his claws and pierced through Wakamou’s head.
It burst with a pop, leaving only the neck behind.
Seeing the liquid flowing from the torn neck, Byaejji tried to feel reassured that he had killed it, but at that moment, the hair moved, wrapping around his face and starting to enter through his nose and mouth.
“!!!──!!!!”
Moving even though the head was decapitated? Shocked, he struggled, trying to pull it off, but it not only stretched like rubber but also clung stubbornly to his hands.
“Byaejji!”
And when Dree, who was rushing to help, a severed leg grabbed him by the ankle, causing him to trip.
As he fell with a thud and a scream, the severed arm clung to his face, suffocating him as it had done to Byaejji.
Severed body parts moved with their own will.
“Has it already turned into a monster…!!”
Seeing this, Azhin took out an item aimed at capturing monsters.
He used the containment tool developed by the scientists, targeting Byaejji’s head.
[The target is not a monster]
“….What?”
Limping, he urgently dodged as the severed waist fragments bounced like rubber balls, aiming for his face.
As he leaped in to save Byaejji, the mass resembling Wakamou fell and rolled, collecting all the severed body parts just before he was about to suffocate.
Tangle tangle─
Limbs barely attached to the body, forming a grotesque mass that was hard to recognize.
Furthermore, the head was entirely blown and evaporated, making restoration impossible.
“──I got it, is it like this?”
But the slime Wakamou spoke.
Creating a mouth in his palm, which turned into a face, and the arms turned into hair, unraveling and forming the appearance of a small Wakamou, he stood on his two legs, smirking at them.
A dire…extreme moment!!
Something that can only be seen just before reaching death.
Pushed to the extreme moment, only after everything was stripped and bound, can one see.
The King of Authority, who became [Fox Spirit], did not express joy at being able to test his skills?
It showed itself.
It dawned on him.
At this very moment when my whole body is melting, I have instead… reached it!
“I understand it!! The principle of [Idol’s Body]!! I see the flow!!”
When Wakamou tries to use [Mana], [Mana Manipulation] is automatically activated.
But there was a time when Wakamou focused the [Mana] on [Idol’s Body] before mastering [Mana Manipulation].
Since he couldn’t use [Skills], he used his body directly to realize what “all physical abilities are 100% based on mana” meant.
Only [Spirit] embodies [Idol’s Body].
Even without eyes, one can see; without ears, one can hear; and without a mouth, one can speak.
The balloon-like inflated Wakamou restored his shell without substance, casually adjusting his shoulders as if nothing happened, and smiled at the four Russian Climbers.
“Sorry. For I’m not human.”
“…This can’t be….”
Even a [Scientist] couldn’t fathom understanding such an unscientific existence.
To begin with, Climbers aren’t defined by science.
As long as mana doesn’t reach 0 and disappear, it won’t disappear.
As long as Wakamou’s mind remains clear.
Even if her current body becomes a [Slime]-like monster, it doesn’t matter.
Ultimately, the control remains unchanged!!
At this very moment!! Even though the monster status was accomplished, Wakamou became able to execute [Skills] without [Skills]!
By surpassing a leap of mere strength, it uses a rubber-like elasticity, clears out its insides, compresses air, releases it, and accelerates with propulsion!!
Faster than sound could reach their ears, three Climbers collided with the wall and ceiling, bouncing off.
Boom─!!
“Oof…!!”
“──Is it Blacksmith Penguin from the West? Or perhaps a Zombie Young Lady?”
“Wooooooo!!!”
Accelerating and grabbing Byaejji (Number 5) naturally by the neck, Wakamou queried.
Although he thought of them as just Climbers, the bizarre movefulness beyond human capacity induced fear, causing her to shout with a rallying cry to dispel her dread and strike Wakamou’s head with all her might.
Slime fragments scattered down onto the ground.
Yet, a portion of the hair attached to the neck and back rose, coalesced into a round shape, and once again revealed Wakamou’s face.
As long as there is [Mana], recovery and regeneration are possible.
[The [Liquidize] function is added to [Idol’s Body]!]
The body of the current Wakamou is [Slime].
It was indeed a monster, but the tower ruled it as a [New Power] of [Idol’s Body].
Wakamou had complete control over it, and like with [Dispersion], it had freedom.
No one could take away Wakamou Inarizushi’s body.
Already, it proved possession, brainwashing, even enchantment impossible.
Turning into a [Monster] was only beneficial for Wakamou.
“…….Sa, save me….”
Unable to bear Wakamou’s gaze as he held onto her neck, Byaejji (Number 5) begged for her life.
“Rest assured. I’m not a villain who takes away someone’s precious VTuber fan…”
“….Even though I tried to kill you…?”
“Is it not meaningless to speak of it since I can’t be killed?”
Although spoken kindly, it was a harsh statement.
Her spirit already completely broken, as if realizing something, she spoke urgently.
“If the operation fails… the facility will collapse….”
Crunch─!!
“That won’t happen”
Manager Wanda Haye, smashing the core monster with a dive strike, answered as she brushed off something dirty from her fur.
“Roaaaaaaar!!!!”
Then, with all her might, a [Roar] sent the monsters into panic and fleeing.
In contrast to a provocation, she cast a skill that induced [Fear], clearing them out cleanly as she grinned at Wakamou.
With a look that said, “How’s that? Am I amazing?”
“Uh, are you, like, naked…?”
“Of course, I’m naked. We’re both women, so it doesn’t matter, does it? Ask if I have six boobs, and you’ll die.”
“Gulp….”
“Manager, if you have any potions left, please heal those people over there.”
“I said I’m naked. Gosh.”
Even as she said that, she deftly pulled out a potion from under her neck fur.
Just as she prepared to administer treatment, Azhin spoke in a tone of despair, as though everything was over.
“The Tsar… watched the battle through us… if we lose, and the plan fails…..”
“Stand still, or your wound will open.”
“He’s going to drop a nuclear missile…!!”
“…What?”
Finally, Wakamou and Wanda Haye urgently glanced at the sky through the open silo.
Something was tracing a line, heading towards them.
“Wakamou-san!! Quickly!! Open a portal!!!”
“It’s not working!!”
Trying to open it forcefully was harder than it was just before.
[Due to the transformation into a monster, [Climber] skills cannot be used]
“Oh, darn!!”
It made sense that the skills were becoming increasingly erratic.
Strengthening the body and transforming with mana was something he could do without skills, so he hadn’t noticed!!
[The original state will return as [Mana Recovery] proceeds over time]
There was no time to be impressed by the annoyingly kind service.
The missile’s descent was faster than transporting goods with an item.
Faced with the nuclear missile stopped right in front of them, time seemed to flow slowly─ Wakamou worried about surviving the impact.
“…….”
“…….”
“…..What?”
“My body, it won’t move….”
After a few seconds, Wanda Haye and Wakamou realized that it wasn’t an illusion─time had truly stopped!!
Although Wakamou and Wanda Haye could communicate, not even a finger could move.
Alongside Wakamou, neither could the Russian Climbers move.
Soon─
[The Russian Tower confirmed it has crossed the line with ‘Excessive Human and Ethnic Eradication’]
The voice of the tower resonated.
It spread across all of Russia for everyone to hear.
Wakamou wondered why [Six Legged Beast] committed numerous crimes yet some maintained civilization, protected public safety─adapted to the state while living.
Especially, Germany’s [Engineer] being a representative, made them all the more curious about their motives.
Jackson claimed it was merely a gang of free-living criminals…
Now, in this moment, Wakamou understood why, despite the existence of Climber superhumans, human civilization neither collapses nor sustains.
All Climbers, including Wakamou, had an unknown subconscious line they kept.
[The Russian Tower erases the [Climber Rights] of all Climbers belonging to Russia]
In an instant, Climbers in Russia ceased to exist.
Precisely, the Climbers modified into monsters reverted into ordinary people.
[Enactment of the complete evacuation of all towers within Russian territories]
Subsequently, all towers in Russia vanished simultaneously.
[The conclusion regarding the value of existence for Russia has been made]
A beam of light vertically sliced the nuclear missile in half.
Sawing it before their eyes, as it dissolved into dust particles.
Scattered fragments revealed a warrior holding a giant axe over his shoulder.
A [Monster], its neck and face covered in chainmail, eyes covered by a nasal guard─an extraordinary presence was felt.
[The Tower dispatches an Apostle to execute Russia]
A ruthless sentence of execution was declared.
The “only rule” that Jackson forgot must be adhered to by every [Six Legged Beast].
Strong Climbers may be hunted; people may be slain based on whims.
Establishing countries for personal beliefs and acquiring followers was no issue.
Acting in accordance with the [Legendary Class] granted by the Tower posed no issues.
Their leader merely conveyed, “Do not endanger human survival.”
Thus, [Six Legged Beasts] live by doing whatever they want but without crossing excessive boundaries.
The human race is numerous, so killing about a hundred doesn’t matter. Hunting strong Climbers is a career, so it’s fine.
However, the Tsar of Russia crossed that line this time.
[A country trampling on human freedom and dignity is not needed]
There is no unknown entity that surpasses human cognition like the Tower.
Nonetheless, for the first time, it explicitly presented its will.
Eliminating a nation becomes trivial if it threatens the continuation of the human race… the scale was different.
‘Can’t win’
Even if the President of Korean Association arrived, this could not be won. It was essentially something from another dimension.
Manager Wanda Haye was already pervaded by fear and dread, having knocked all the wind from her sails.
Feeling the overwhelming presence, it was a miracle she didn’t faint.
Perhaps, confused shock was the only reason she remained conscious.
“A VTuber is a tough occupation. A streamer with fewer restrictions is one thing, but success is challenging, especially for males without exceptional talent who struggle to gather fans.”
Confronting the 『Apostle』 before him, Wakamou instead approached it.
“If you want success, joining a corporation is the ideal method. A VTuber doing that kind of work is… Entering a bloody-red market of tears and sweat─waltzing into a blue ocean of ease with cheats to become a famous VTuber. Honestly, my VTuber success rests upon a singular peculiarity. I can’t sing, my gaming skills are trash. My very existence is an insult to other VTubers….
In any case, that’s my stance.”
Uncertain whether it was lament or sigh, Wakamou in a regular state─ recovers mana and lifts the debuffs, reverting to [Climber].
“Barely fighting for your life climbing the tower─ you neither need worries nor complicated thoughts… Neither distress nor loneliness nor confusion about what to do…. There was never an instance of feeling joy at being successful. I only acknowledge doing VTuber well. Pride corrupts, especially for someone like me who easily succeeded. You can’t develop arrogance… Broadcasters dealing with people shouldn’t belittle them.”
“…Where is this easily successful!”
“Merely walked comfortably on the path paved by predecessors!! I’m just a half-baked VTuber, and even half believed by believers – what’s a VTuber with that!!”
Wakamou angrily retorted beyond irritation, leaving Wanda Haye clenched closed lips.
She only wanted to do her VTuber Broadcast but had become entangled in troublesome business in Russia…
Frankly, it would have been understandable for her to explode with rage, yet Wakamou restrained himself.
Wakamou always found Wakamou Inarizushi disagreeable.
Perhaps, until death, Wakamou would broadcast wholeheartedly as a VTuber but never recognize himself as Wakamou the VTuber.
“As you see, I’m stifling and hopeless. ──Nevertheless, being able to risk life for dreams you love is life, isn’t it?”
“….No way?”
“How many VTubers and fans are there in Russia. If you’ve got to kill, blame the guilty ones alone instead of lumping them together…I can’t stand it.”
Lifting his hand up.
Dismissing Wanda Haye’s cry to stop, Wakamou pointed skyward declaring.
“Swore under this sky. To obliterate anything threatening VTuber extinction”
“[Climber, you’re uninvolved in this execution. Cease futile struggle]”
The Tower’s Apostle incredulously summoned Wakamou.
“What, are you deaf?”
But anyone who tolerated advice wouldn’t have risked lives for VTuber broadcasts in this way.
“I’m not climbing to be a VTuber. I’m climbing since I’m a VTuber”
Taking a deep breath, gathering mana, and igniting determination.
“[Idol (VTuber)] faced with a believer (fan) being threatened with death, should I let it pass!? Come on─!!”
Bellowing, Wakamou charged in, and the apostle hefted its axe high, showing admiration.
“[That spirit challenging the impossible!! Excellent, Climber!! Show your resolve!!]”
The collision of fist and axe blade resounded with a loud roar.
The one knocked away was Wakamou. Unable to hold his ground, he was thrust back, scratching the floor, then smashing into the wall, becoming buried.
Yet he emerged.
Despite the significant blow, he couldn’t even maintain his clothes and had shrunk in size.
In reality, with a single hit, eight-tenth of Wakamou’s mana had dissipated.
Still, his fighting spirit never wavered, instead, it intensified.
Driven by emotion, mana visibly raged within Wakamou, to the point his murderous intent was visible to the naked eye.
To such an extent that he stirred from this vast killing intent shaking the world red.
“Good, I’ve decided.”
“Live streaming resolution. I’ll make this a spectacle for the believers, damn it!”
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