There are many kinds of people in the world.
Some choose not to follow the beaten path and forge their own way forward.
Wakamou Inarizushi may not have wanted to be thrown into a scene where he had to open new paths of royalty if he had no choice but to walk.
Oyama Sadako.
20 years old this year.
More famously known as the Daughter of the King of Authority, she honed martial arts—not violence—under her father’s tutelage.
As a child, she’d flatten boys with the notion that women grow faster, and as she got older, she simply became powerful and never lost.
She longed to be as strong as her father. She wanted to be the strongest in Japan!
Yet, despite her dreams, she found herself in the [Wizard] class instead of [Fighter].
Honestly, she couldn’t help but wonder why? If you asked if she was smart, well… she wasn’t bad.
Despite cramming for her studies while training, her grades were always near the top.
Though she put in effort, she wasn’t particularly interested in anything except body training.
Anyway, being a Climber, she ascended towers, leading to a fateful encounter with the [Shape-shifting] system.
The demerit of risking permanent loss if she altered her body severely.
And the critical downside that if she fully shape-shifted her body, she’d never return, and her existence would vanish!!
But Sadako dashed joyfully into this bizarre career that required great investment in physical abilities, even as a wizard.
Turning her fist into steel and delivering powerful punches.
Having mastered true iron fists, she jubilantly climbed towers and conquered the 30th floor.
And through the recommendation of Japan’s Association President, she met the miraculous president of the Wakamou Inarizushi, her new job.
She wasn’t familiar with VTuber, so she learned the ropes through her brother at the last minute.
After debuting as a VTuber, she lived leisurely, chatting about alcohol or cars, occasionally gaming, and making waves on Wakamou’s Climber broadcast.
Earning a lot and living shamelessly, she told her father she was living off money from unknown men.
But with juniors emerging, and upon watching her colleague Liu Ying’s desperate efforts, she started doubting if she should be that relaxed.
Sailors were asking if she had plans to release an album, and while Wakamou didn’t push or ask forcefully, he practiced instruments daily out of a desire to sing well.
Asuka, being AI, could easily release anytime she wanted, but it wasn’t easy to gain recognition.
Even with Adolf and Joseph working hard, would it be okay to become a senior without releasing a single song…?
“So it went like this! Liu Ying, I want to sing, but how should I do it?”
“Eeh… Seriously, Sadako? That… song… I mean, I listen sometimes but…”
Liu Ying was at a loss for words, astounded by Sadako’s sudden determination to release an album.
Meanwhile, Sadako, looking genuinely clueless, expressed her desire to make music and seek advice since Liu Ying had released three songs.
Was this woman underestimating the recording industry?
“When it comes to music, it’s all about art!! Please leave the design of elegant clothes for the music video to this Adelheid!!”
“I can take care of the video editing.”
“In that case, I’ll play the instruments… You don’t have a plan, right?”
“Thanks everyone for the help, but I’ll hire an external company to handle it. It’ll work out somehow!!”
Clueless about composition, she just wanted to go with her feelings and even tried her hand at writing lyrics, grinning joyfully.
Wakamou had worried if going into the first album head-first was too reckless.
Even with many allies willing to help, Sadako planned to hire an outside company, thinking they would be picky during production.
Still, with the idea that having the flying Asuka would be convenient for on-site shooting, she took her along.
“It’s going to flop, no doubt.”
“Not to be rude, but diving into it thinking it’s easy often leaves one burned and in tears.”
With three songs released, Liu Ying knew well that music was never easy and that her friends and Wakamou Corporation’s subscribers merely boosted her views.
Adelheid, though familiar with instruments and diverse music as an artist, knew she couldn’t compare to a “real musician.”
If trying and succeeding in something was as simple as wanting it, wouldn’t everyone be making music?
Sadako was carefree, living day by day, training and fighting aside. Liu Ying hoped she’d realize the truth this time.
And, a few days later…
[VTuber Mare Pirate from Wakamou Corporation. New song [Blue Bubble] tops Billboard Korea.]
[First place on 2024 Oricon weekly combined singles chart! Also first place on the new artist limited charts of Japan’s Billboard chart!]
[What’s the number one trending song on YouTube Music?]
[Reviving City Pop! Returning with nostalgia together with the comeback idol, along with the sea breeze!]
“Yes, the [Blue Bubble] trending these days. It really is a massive sensation, isn’t it?”
“In Korea, they play old records, yet the song by the Korean VTuber who climbed in Japan is being aired.”
Turning on the TV, music experts and professors were engaged in a heated discussion about the current hit song.
“It has a very broad spectrum. The bass has a very nice beat. It encompasses various colors in a sophisticated, modern melody. When you combine that with the vocal tone, its refreshing atmosphere, and excellent lyrics, it’s a song that evokes memories and is simply outstanding.”
“It’s a song you can listen to in any emotional setting. A great song to listen to on a cool night. It seems cynical but is sweet, lingering in your ears. It evokes nostalgia from the past, provides an escape for those weary from living in the present.”
“There aren’t complex techniques involved, but expressing emotions genuinely along with the bass cleanly is impressive. There are reviews calling its captivating and enchanting vocalization, which softly whispers yet embodies an itching sensation, fantastic.”
“It feels like forgotten memories and dreams are intertwined. Even though we grow older, we can’t forget the moments we shone the brightest. Those memories flood back, making me emotional and happy. It has a wild freshness and subtlety, making the song very charming, and the unique playfulness of the video was so refreshing.”
“A Climber can communicate in all languages. That means the song isn’t bound by language barriers. In some way, it could be called art.”
The youthful zest of the brightest epoch, the freest and most passionate moments.
Riding a car through a neon-lit night, trying to capture the sea in a champagne glass, looking up at fireworks and laughing. Walking barefoot on the sunny sand, stepping into clear sea water, turning back and smiling, the girl in a white dress.
Boldly singing without a care in the world in bustling streets, humming a tune riding a bicycle, standing in an empty baseball stadium singing—a City Pop video expressing vividness yet void, overflowing love, and freedom that felt pleasing even without the music.
Just the video was on that level, so naturally, the song completed by Sadako, sung freely as she liked, became a massive hit.
“Whoa, 100 million views.”
Since people worldwide could listen without language barriers, coupled with Wakamou’s fame, it naturally reached such heights.
But even if it was easy, it had to be compelling enough to draw people in!
“I made it with great effort, but maybe I was just lucky?”
-Captain lolololol
-Don’t say crazy things!!!
-What the crap!!! Where’s the girl in the music video?
-Where’s the pure white dress girl…?
-Return my first love…please…..
-Swallowed by alcohol….
-Song is insanely addictive lololol
-It’s being broadcast in Korea and Japan too.
-It’s heard even in the US.
-Translator’s performance is insane lololol
-Itchigo’s combined three songs got beaten by the Captain, seriously.
-Combine the membership videos of Seoul Recapture, and the Captain still wins.
-No way, seriously lololol
“When I said I was releasing a song, my dad told the people at the dojo to buy the album. It’s a nuisance. So I went to autograph it for those who bought it.”
-So enviable.
-Conveeeenient isn’t it?
-Crazy Premium lololol
-Why does Kyoto gain so much advantage?
-Truly insane talent…..
-This is what a true genius is.
-In the end, “those who enjoy” triumph.
-Isn’t that too much lolololol
“I admire you, senpai!! Please teach me how to sing better…!!”
“Eeh…? My breath capacity developed through training… My dad’s old-fashioned taste just rubbed off… I never sang poorly, so I don’t know how to improve?”
“Oh….”
Despite her huge success, Olga asked Sadako for advice, but all Sadako did was sing joyfully in high spirits until she shattered 50 versions and rebuilt them until satisfied.
Once satisfied, she released it, which just happened to go viral.
“Seriously, it’s too much.”
Despite tirelessly practicing and training, Wakamou gets teased being called the king of laughter during singing streams, while Sadako is now regarded as an outright songstress.
Excelling in VTuber streams, combat, skill management, with 100% job aptitude, and now she’s a great singer too….?
Even Liu Ying felt unfair, helplessly watching Sadako’s overwhelming natural talent.
“Indeed, Wakamou Führer personally recruited the 0th generation members, bound to be unbelievable talents!! I lacked faith!! Foolish Adelheid couldn’t grasp her situation and shamefully said music is hard in front of a true genius!! Ashamed, infamous Adelheid will hang herself now!! Thank you all so much!!!!”
And as Adelheid cried in shame, trying to hang herself from a tree branch, it was up to Asuka to barely stop her.
“Jahahaha──!! Everyone, it’s just flowing along with good fortune, right? I’m successful thanks to connections!! I mean, who wouldn’t be popular as the Daughter of the King of Authority and as a VTuber of Wakamou Leader?”
“Then what does that make me…”
“Much more attractive than Mei’s numbers, so cheer up.”
Sadako gave a cheeky wink to Liu Ying.
Feeling on the brink of bursting, Liu Ying realized the incredible song and video quality, experiencing firsthand the barriers of true talent before lowering her head.
Despite her overflowing talent, Sadako had a unique knack for demoralizing allies to terrible extents as well.
“Boss… I’m climbing, you know… I’m getting…overshadowed!!”
“There’s no beating that insane German, so there’s nothing to be done. At least you’re better off than Mei.”
Having given up, Mei Xiao Long Bao opened the new age of VTuber Mukbang.
Utilizing Asuka’s oddly sophisticated functionality, she made various models, advertised them, offering free models for VTubers, and broadcasted about it.
In essence, it was like producing countless materials for those aspiring to try VTubing, including fresh broadcasting ideas.
Creating diverse food, changing into various outfits for fashion shows, and randomly playing some VR games— Mei was running rather an extreme broadcast.
There was no choice to avoid overlapping with Wakamou’s broadcasts!!
As if to say ‘not so fast,’ the iron cage beneath their feet erupted, launching the party into the air.
“I saw this in a game!!!”
A 3D fighting game known for having quite the lifespan…
This exact kind of cage used to trap players for one-on-one duels in the arena!
“Lol, Mare Pirate saying this is a one-on-one duel from a game!” she laughed, while Joseph Khan looked anxiously down at the arena from his iron prison.
[RULES: Immediate loss if you leave the arena!]
[The first side to get three wins is the champion!]
Rules that as simple as they could possibly be.
The Tower kindly suggested that you could always step outside the ring if you think you can’t win, as though it didn’t plan on killing Climbers.
And simultaneously, Wakamou saw the info light up before his eyes.
[Climbing on the 52nd floor of Incheon Tower]
– Challenging trials for the mightiest Climbers will be presented
– Difficulty increases based on the achievements of [Wakamou Inarizushi] the Climber!
– Overcome the trials with your companions!
– Achieve victory in the [Coliseum]!!
[Platinum Achievement Condition]
– Win without being defeated even once (0/1)
“No losing to get Platinum, huh!!”
With that, all eyes turned expectantly to Wakamou. They’d figured as much—but Wakamou, honest as ever, briefly muted the broadcast and urgently explained the condition to his comrades.
Now, someone among them had to singlehandedly take down three opponents first, holding a great responsibility!
“Please!! Let me go out there!! Let me fight!!!”
Joseph Khan, hanging desperately from the cage, begged earnestly.
Even the Tower itself had betrayed her.
It was hilarious and tragic at the same time, a situation anyone would find comical.
– The glasses are the real protagonist, LOL
– Despite being a Red Dragon, there’s close to zero presence…
– The leader has such a massive presence nothing else even matters.
– So, who will be the first challenger??
While fretting and feeling uneasy, the floor of the cage opened up with a boom, and Pirate crashed down into the arena.
– Haha, LOL
– The world sides with the Captain!!!
– Is this even fair? Really???
– Joseph’s got that ‘I’ve seen it all’ expression…
– Give the rookie a chance!!!
“I didn’t do much last time either!!!”
– Trying to hog all the fun…
– The Captain just desperate for highlight moments…
– You did that Three-Sword Style, showed us everything.
– You even used Yi Sun-sin’s Armor.
– Oh, Captain, please!!
The crew, along with the viewers, couldn’t quite grasp the situation since they hadn’t heard Wakamou’s words.
“Ugh…seriously… I’m so sleepy. Why me, of all times!!”
Pirate couldn’t really throw the match even if she felt sorry for Joseph!!
Having decided to vent some frustration by taking the hits, Pirate awaited her opponent.
And then, a bull shrouded in what seemed like hellish flames stepped out from the darkness, facing them with a menacing air.
In his hands, chainsaws revved ferociously, spewing molten lava.
And on his back, he even carried a massive axe, clad entirely in armor…
Out came the [Hell Chain Executioner Taurus] on the 52nd floor.
– Oh, that one punch.
– Genuine Serious Punch.
– Just shows how insane the difficulty with the leader is.
– How is it that a guy from the 22nd floor shows up on the 52nd floor, LOL
– Info: Normally, yeah, this kind of guy shows up in this tier.
– Hahaha
– Isn’t the Captain’s body gonna get wrecked?
“Ugh…. I’m so sleepy, I see two enemies… I’m exhausted, just come at me….”
Grumbling, Pirate tilted her hat and gestured with her fingers, eyes half-closed looking up.
“[MooOOOO──!!!]”
With a signal to come at her first, Executioner Taurus charged, breathing fire from his nostrils and swinging chainsaw-wheel-like decapitation blades toward Pirate.
She deftly dodged one incoming attack, grasping the molten lava-spewing chains to snatch the blade deftly.
Though skidding sideways from Taurus’s force, Pirate braked hard, glancing with a sneering grin.
Sensing trouble too late, Taurus tried to drop his weapon.
“Ice Age”
[Shape-shifting] plus [Elemental Transformation],
with [Forced Mutation] and finally [Property Change].
Pirate enveloped the blades in raw mana, in an instant freezing them entirely to ice where she touched.
Indeed, after a lengthy climb, she finally reached that pinnacle.
To be fair, by steadily clearing the Complete Strategy Layer thanks to Wakamou, she barely attained those rewards.
The skill [Property Change] she just used was something she got on the 51st floor!
Crk… Crack─
The ice sculpture collapsed, too weak to bear its own weight, with Pirate’s half-frozen body puffing out frozen breath.
– Wow, LOL
– This is….the power of the Navy Captain…!!
– On a different level…
– Pirate has bloomed…!!
– Here it comes! The high point arriving for our Climber..!!
– Captain, who’s walked one path, has awakened!!
A breathtaking ability freezing the entire arena white.
Wizards of the [Shape-shifting System] have an explicit limit, no matter their efforts.
Including the downside of not being able to use equipment, just like Wakamou.
Actually, the only ones using gear freely in Wakamou’s party were Hajime Ichigo… and Liu Ying.
Even Adelheid had only the carving knife given by Wakamou, due to the limits as an [Artist].
That’s why they climbed to reach the summit, while Pirate gained the power to break that limit.
To put it bluntly, without fear, she could now utilize more daring abilities.
The only weakness of the Shape-shifting System wizard… had been her body’s erasure coupled with the simple fact [mana]-based attacks worked.
But the reason those attacks hit was the need for reconnection to restore one’s [body].
“Yawwwn~”
Utterly indifferent as to the next opponent, Pirate sat down with head bobbing, starting to nod off.
“I couldn’t sleep composing a song… Zzzzzz”
– Really sleeping???
– Just joking, right?
– What’s up with the snot bubble, LOL
– Why just a cartoon character!!
“No way, is she actually asleep?!”
Skeptical, Ichigo yelled at Pirate to wake her up, only for Pirate to start snoring like she seriously was sleepy.
Meanwhile, the next opponent emerged.
“What?!”
“No, wai─!”
Stepping from the darkness was a sharp-eyed swordsman drawing their blade.
Blood-red hair flaring wildly, the worn sun hat soared skyward.
With a twisted grin, the swordsman unfurled wings, darting like the wind.
Unexpectedly, the [Crimson Night Courtesan Gohwaekjo] lunged, stabbing Pirate’s sleepy head with a sword.
Witnessing the horrific sight unfold live, Adolf and Joseph shouted in horror, while cold sweat ran down Wakamou and Ichigo went pale.
Yet, Asuka looked like she knew something the others didn’t.
Spark─!!
Soon, intense voltage traveled up the sword hilt, leaving Gohwaekjo violently shivering, as she foamed at the mouth and collapsed with weak limbs.
“Sorry, nodded off there…. You seem to be in agony”
“[…!!….!!!]”
“One wouldn’t jab metal into lightning…”
Completely electrocuted, quivering Gohwaekjo watched in terror as Pirate grasped her blade, her entire form transforming into electrified brilliance, glowing azure.
With thunderous claps, the arena was filled with vibrant light—to the point of blinding vision—and everyone squinted.
Once the light faded, standing with Gohwaekjo’s pierced sword in her head was Pirate—and nothing but burned residue where Gohwaekjo had been.
“Sorry, I forgot my own strength”
– ….No way, just too strong.
– What even happened?
– Is this…the fruit’s awakening…?
– How can anyone beat this?
– Was there mana in the stab? Didn’t she get stabbed in the head?
– Yes…normally, you’re a goner.
– Then why is she still standing?
– I have no idea.
The viewers were flabbergasted, and so were the members of Wakamou Corporation.
Only Asuka, someone with the same skill as Pirate, knew the truth.
Through a slightly different path from [Idol’s Flesh], Pirate was undergoing full-form transformation.
Indeed, in a bad way, she could always stay in constant [Shape-shifting] mode in battle, rid of the fear her being might vanish.
The skill Wakamou gave her was [VTuber Model].
Returning to [Mare Pirate] was available.
Thanks to the model’s setting, her body shape didn’t change.
Free of fundamental fear her being might not restore, she became effectively invincible.
Feeling no tension was natural.
As long as her [mana] allowed, Pirate became a formidable and difficult-to-face monster!!
In what Wakamou’s original body couldn’t achieve, [Mana Burn] couldn’t even cause her demise, becoming an absolute superior counterpart.
──Of course, being a non-combatant, Wakamou’s [skills] only grew in strength relative to his mana capacity, with no evolution in abilities!
– It’s to the death or victory; triumph in the duel!
-[Ultra Hardcore Level Monster] [Champion Vampire Boxer] enters the stage!
“Uh?”
– Isn’t that the American Tower?
– Why’s there an announcement showing up in the Korean Tower?
– What is this, LOL
– Wow~ Flashy~
Accompanied by flamboyant announcements—stepped forth a pale muscular giant with crimson eyes.
Standing at 3 meters tall, Pirate looked like an elementary school student in comparison, a sheer difference in size.
As an almost undead vampire, it was tirelessly resilient with rapid recovery, with a plethora of skills in boxing categories including faster speed and more powerful impacts the more it fought.
The [Fighter] system’s boxing skill type, known for top-tier speed achievable only in America, was entering.
As Pirate cringed, she received a punch in her face, flying backward as she shakily got up.
Stepping quickly, the vampire boxer delivered a powerful blow to Pirate’s gut, pressing down on her into the ground.
Even though Wakamou could barely visually keep track, the instantaneous acceleration was beyond imagination.
The effect of the [skills] meant skipping the process straight to the outcome of taking hits through seemingly unrealistic high-speed strikes.
While Pirate crashed face-down toward the arena floor, the vampire boxer followed, slamming his elbow with merciless intent into her face, aiming to break her neck.
The absurd destruction of punching through her head and piercing the arena floor shocked viewers.
As Pirate stayed head over heels, her legs fell limp on the ground.
Boing.
And bounced like rubber.
“Hohoho──”
Boing─
“Rubber doesn’t work here!!!”
No sooner had she finished speaking, then the vampire boxer retracted his fist from being surrounded by mana, thrusting his next move towards Pirate.
Barely blocking it with both arms, Pirate scowled, fending off the strike.
Gathering mana, she formed an electrical spear to throw, only to see it destroyed with a punch as the vampire boxer burst in, unleashing continuous blows to her head, chest, and abdomen, hitting relentlessly to send Pirate flying out of the arena.
With her entire body converted to rubber allowing her to bounce back, Pirate was letting herself be pummeled to the amusement of Ichigo, closing his eyes tightly.
Thunk─!
A devastating punch to her head stretched her neck out as she collided with the arena wall before her head bounced back with an attempted kick from Pirate, only to see it severed mid-air by the boxer.
Had she not been rubber, she would’ve likely fallen already, seeing the scene that way.
The blows came so hard, her metallic transformation under [Dual Transformation] was cracking with a screech.
Targeting her vulnerable spot, her opponent executed a fatal strike.
“Knew you’d do that!!!”
Having generally taken hits, she predicted the last moment as she split her body in two, dodging away.
Leaping high into the sky, Pirate vanished from sight, prompting the vampire boxer to search with his eyes.
What soon caught his eye was a giant foot.
Kaboom!!
Before it fully stomped back to normal size, Pirate had reverted her foot.
“Navy Karate!!”
With her rubbery arms swinging wide while aloft, Pirate carried momentum into her strike.
Utilizing the [Model Adjustment] skill by Wakamou, she maxed out the size of her fists, so nowhere in the arena could one escape the giant’s smashing fist.
“Colossal Straight Punch!!”
The blow, carrying the weight of steel and the elasticity of rubber, struck down, shattering and compressing the arena below as the [Vampire Boxer] fell powerlessly where the ring had once been.
Despite its strong vitality and unyielding spirit, coupled with numerous [skills] it possessed…..since the arena no longer existed, there was no judging required for a flawless ring out!!
“Hooray─hahaha!! The skill given by the Captain is incredible!!!”
“Uh, yes… I see…..”
“Climbing’s become so much more fun!!”
Hopping around on the [Property Change] made rubber trampoline of a floor, Pirate laughed, hands locked behind her head.
“Well, there wasn’t even any need for our batch rookie to step in, these guys are so puny.”
Boing Boing─
– What’s up with those sound effects, LOL
– Captain, is there anything you can’t do!!!!
– Completely awakened, reaching a state of enjoying everything….
– Glasses girl is crying….
– It’s glasses girl! Repeat after me! Joseph Khan!
– Glasses.
– Hahahaha
– Hahaha
A fanfare of triumph echoing the success of the 52nd floor climb.
Alongside, the nickname for Joseph Khan being cemented.
With a sorry expression, Pirate received Joseph’s resigned smile, showing acknowledgement.
After all, life doesn’t always go as smoothly as one hopes…..
================================
With that, a drawing of Joseph Khan.
Featuring a tail designed like stained glass.
Standing impressively tall at 190CM.
Including a handle of sorts.
From today on, glasses are her actual form.
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.
