“Carry the will of the Emperor as your torch, and crush the shadows alongside him!!”
“Charge charge charge!!!”
“Uooooo!!!”
In the dark passageway, three Climbers boldly throw themselves towards the maze.
One of them wasn’t even a Climber, but a shikigami, but it didn’t matter.
“[Kuzunoha Style Sorcery] [Shikigami White Flame Fox]!!”
Cute, flaming Fox Spirits answer the call, roll up into balls, and start rolling down the path.
Joseph grabs one Fox Spirit and throws it with all his might, revealing the Elves positioned in the passageway.
Ichigo interrupts an incoming arrow by flicking back a potion filled with Alchemy reagents.
With a clashing sound, the liquid hardens into a stone-like substance, blocking the entrance they came from.
Then, from the other side, the sound of cold weapons battering against something resonates.
There’s no escape. They blocked it themselves.
So there’s no chance of getting surrounded, says Ichigo as she grips her sword and blossoms a plum flower.
The red petals bloom along the extended blade. And, of course, this is [theatrical performance].
The petal effect isn’t real; it’s something Wakamou decorates on.
Though similar effects could be achieved with mana-infused sword energy, it imposed a significant strain on Ichigo, being an Alchemist.
So she changed her thought process.
-It’s not plum flowers. It’s blossoming.
-Blossom (開花).
-See how the plum blossoms of volcanoes bloom! Witness it!
-Oh… a volcano here!
-I can’t stand the Emperor’s plum blossom sword technique.
Red energy flows along the blade.
With a flick of the sword, a crimson slash darts towards the Elves with a swoosh!!
“Lunar Fang!!”
-LOL hahaha
-Coming right up, Plum Blossom Technique Phase 1?
-There’s probably only one phase.
-Doing whatever sneaky moves to beat Mare…
-That petite thing couldn’t have such prowess!
Bang bang─!
“Lunar Fang!”
-Just slapping names together.
-Wow, didn’t expect that…
-It’s more like bang-bang-bang!
-Guys, help Ichigo with some naming!
-The critical flaw of Ichigo, who hasn’t watched manga.
-As long as she sings well, performs well, and is cute!!
-And she does!
Ichigo, shooting while making her viewers laugh, seemed almost giddy, but then embarrassed faced turned beet-red.
Does she have the free time to read manga or watch anime like Mare? No, she’s busy opening Korean books, trying to learn and understand each word diligently.
To a diligent student, the otaku world was too overwhelming to conquer. At least she diligently watched acclaimed Alchemist masterpieces.
How could an Alchemist not watch that!
Click, click─!
Using the [Mana Reactive Fluid] developed by the graduate student Sebastian, Ichigo drenches the blade by pressing the handle.
With this, she can unleash sharp slashes with only a small amount of mana.
As Elf Warriors break such slashes with ease, with real aura enfolded blades.”
Even shooting point-blank, all bullets are deflected, the Elf Warrior’s sword poised to slice Ichigo’s neck, but dropping to one knee, she evades, and with a slide, leaps up, with spectacular swordsmanship, she defeats Elf Warriors mercilessly and hangs upside down from the ceiling.
Thanks to her boot enchantment, Ichigo clings to walls, using a leap skill to bolt across half-blocked defense walls, slashing an Elf Archer’s neck, and rolling forward.
While reloading in that span, Ichigo’s bullets blaze, and the Elf Mage, summoning fire spirits to create a fiery barrier, has his head burst like a tomato.
A rare metal spiraling bullet, maximizing penetration.
Even if Elf Warriors block with a shield, potion-laden bullets explode upon impact.
Thermite incendiary flames spread around the shield, and Ichigo doesn’t miss the stunned moment and pulls the trigger.
Bang bang─!!
Accurately aiming the gun, she plants bullets into the warrior, leaping over thrown spears, twisting acrobatically in the air, dodging incoming arrows and charging wind spirits, sticking to walls as she dives back, and throwing her sword.
From behind Joseph, an Elf Assassin, revealed and falling with a sword in his neck.
With an empty hand, Ichigo whips out another gun, striking a deathly waltz.
With severe nearsightedness, she doesn’t dodge by sight. Using [Keen Instinct] and dispersed mana, she catches attacks, dodging just before their arrival.
Bang bang bang─!!
Rapidly fired bullets, and with a click, bombs automatically eject from her waist.
Reacting to nearby enemies, bombs armed on belts around her waist and thighs eject, flying like drones and exploding.
“[KRAWRRR!!!]”
In the unavoidable maze corridors, the Elf Druid, taking the bomb blasts with a transforming monster body, turns into an [Owlbear] and charges.
“Dum-bear!!”
Ichigo, sheathing the gun at her hip, sparks flying from her hands’ [Transmutation Glove].
Slamming the ground, domino-like walls line up, blocking the corridor; the Owlbear doesn’t stop but rushes, smashing through, roaring.
With a bear’s body and an owl’s head, the monster breaks the last wall, raising a paw to crush Ichigo’s head, and a poisonous gas spreads.
Even with thick fur melting and blindness-inducing poison, the attack persisted, but Ichigo deflected the incoming paw using Tai Chi.
Hitting the wall mightily, the Owlbear released a ghastly screech from shock and recoil.
Not hesitating, Ichigo creates a spear from the metal bar stuck to her palm and thrusts it into a weakened hide, piercing the heart, causing the Owlbear to collapse with purple foam in its mouth.
“[Found the enemy!]”
“[Defeat them! Slay them!]”
“[Don’t let them reach the core!]”
With endless reinforcements approaching from the maze’s backside, Ichigo used the Owlbear’s corpse as a shield and checked her companions’ status.
Joseph was holding firmly, collapsing walls and ceilings to block the path, while Asuka, communicating with Wakamou, was scouting the maze with [Fox Shikigami] and mapping the maze on a paper map.
The geography for battle — it wasn’t unfavorable.
The maze, narrow and limited terrain, also hindered group movement for their foes.
Earlier, the Elven Wizard had created broad-range flames, which they barely managed to block, so the situation wasn’t bad.
Everywhere was full of materials favorable for Alchemist transmutation.
And simultaneously, this was one of Ichigo’s precious few chances.
Finally, a [Mid-rank] Alchemist now proudly stamped instead of [Low rank] on her status list.
The funds used for Ichigo had long since surpassed any possible returns.
If not for Wakamou, managing the cost of materials and ingredients over potion-making and Skill mastery wouldn’t have been feasible.
Conversely, Ichigo could obtain anything that money could buy.
Being nurtured with investments from South Korea, Japan, and China alike, was in a sense, the strongest Alchemist.
Pouring out richly expensive Mana Stones for elemental synthesis, Ichigo finally took a step toward the Alchemist’s fantasy.
Including skills like [Alchemy – Metal Transformation], having [Artistic Sculpting] capabilities, [Human Anatomy Researcher], [Voyage of Deadly Transformation].
Achieving the [Mid-rank Synthesis Alchemy] skill, Ichigo crafted a [Mana Core] and hurled it toward the Elves.
“Awaken Stone Golem!!”
At her command, the Mana Core sucked in debris and surroundings, revealing its form as a humanoid Guardian.
A small 2-meter-sized giant moved silently, smashing and crushing the Elves with its thick stone arms.
The [Elf Wizard] tried using a Skill to break the Mana Core, but Ichigo wasn’t idly standing by.
Pwahaaak─!!
A neck slash erupted with a spray of blood, scattering like the petals of a plum blossom.
Amidst the encirclement and their attacks, Ichigo parried with Tai Chi’s smooth, flowing motions, creating an exquisite and perfect circle, while two guns appeared in her hands, discharging rounds.
Hovering overhead, spiraling in the air, the hilt embedded in the ceiling.
Clashing the guns together, Ichigo’s gloved hand triggered the alchemy skill, flipping her body and leaping to land gracefully atop the hilt.
Activating a [Synthesis Skill] from glove to foot, lightning spread along the blade, and a thunderstorm burst from the ceiling of the maze.
Ching─!
Kicking off the sword deftly with her leg, holstering her guns, catching the sword mid-air, Ichigo stylishly landed and struck a pose.
“Yeah, Hero Landing!!”
Applauding from behind, Asuka watched as a spirit lunged, only for the Golem to squash it firmly, approaching Ichigo.
“Oooooh….!!”
Spectacular! Brilliant! And with astonishing effects!
“Don’t cry, Glasses…”
“I’m not Glasses!! I’m White Dragon!!”
‘Ugh, so tiring…’
Synthesis skills severely overtax the brain. Even controlling the Golem was grueling. Plus, fighting by instinct instead of sight wore heavily on her mind and body.
Exhaling deeply, Ichigo’s face broke into a whimsical smile at the lively, cheering response from viewers and friends in the chat room.
See, your Alchemist has grown so much. Be proud, puffing her chest, raising her shoulders confidently.
Even though crafting the [Mana Core] for Golem production, processing rare metals into bullets, [elemental synthesis] material pricing alone meant deficits, investment—Ichigo didn’t let it show.
Most viewers aren’t Alchemist enough to know finer details.
Reflecting on that, bittersweet thoughts floated in her mind…
Rumble rumble rumble──
A tremor shook the entire maze, scattering dust from the ceiling.
Could there be a collapse gimmick? No, if so, President Wakamou would’ve said something.
“But are Mare and Lucia doing alright?”
“I can’t imagine Mare losing.”
-Ichigo, don’t jinx it.
-He’s the frailest among us!
-Oh, these insights.
-Stop saying Glasses!!
-It’s definitely White Dragon with zero presence…
-Asuka’s literally just standing there.
-She’s crazy noticeable even standing still lol
Ichigo and Asuka glance back, seeing Asuka sporting mustache sunglasses, silently dancing behind them.
Meanwhile, Asuka had neatly mapped a path straight to the boss room while subtly swaying her hips as if showing off.
“Let’s move out!”
“Yes, Emperor!”
“Why do you keep calling me Emperor!!”
“There’s a mission underway.”
“Well, can’t help that…how much was it?”
“500 Tower Coins?”
“Wait, who’s giving that?”
In a rush, Asuka spreads her wings to flee, with Ichigo following sharply behind, eyes glinting.
“Ah! I should’ve intervened at that timing…..grr….”
And having lost the chance to intervene and add a word, listening vacantly to the senior’s conversation, Joseph clenched his fists in frustration.”
-Wasn’t it Glasses’ turn to interrupt!!
-Jump in like a Naniwa Schumacher with perfect timing!
-What’s the age range of this chatroom?
-Joseph should be blamed for not reading manga.
-How does one be a sidekick, Glasses, and White Dragon but still seem invisible lol
-He fought well…truly fought well…..
“Sniff”
Fending off the rushing Elf troops, whipping away arrows and spewing fire, displaying Russian wrestling prowess…
Compounded with Ichigo’s elegant, agile movements and finally repaying comparisons and neglect daily with striking skills, Joseph’s presence dwindled into the negatives.
Simply breathing could render him invisible without actually turning invisible.
In that despair, yearning to perform better given a narrow maze corridor that restricted movements, Joseph vigorously sprinted after Ichigo.
With Ichigo’s Agility stat over 200, keeping pace was slightly strenuous for Joseph.
Only lagging a bit behind….. when entering first, Ichigo and Asuka crash into a wall, falling flat.
“I’ve caught her!!”
Thanks to Asuka hugging her and absorbing the shock of impact, significant injury was averted, but Ichigo clutched her chest moaning.
Pouring a potion into Ichigo’s mouth, Asuka helped, while Joseph darted out to engage; unveiling a vast Coliseum.
“Could all the arenas fought in since floor 52 have been part of the maze…?”
No time to marvel at its immense size, Joseph eyes a colossal Monster.
“Forest Trent…?”
Massive─tremendous.
The living tree evoked thoughts of the redwoods of California with its giant stature.
Slowly its face emerged, resembling a forest spirit, indeed haunting.
With a towering height of 30 meters, the [Forest Trent] roared and zipped with startling speed.
Avoiding its incoming punch, Joseph unfurled dragon wings, relieved.
Records claimed some Forest Trents grew up to 120 meters.
SDVIMVFoanVzY1YwSVhjamMzUkt1Uk1oK0sya3NRU1YxcUQyKzVnbkpjMkM4OUZNTFE5ZkdzNk91OEJaZng0ag
Thus, a 30-meter size meant a relatively small adversary, someone they could contend against.
Forest spirits were called forest ghosts as they seemingly teleported across woodland, moving at shocking speeds.
In the maze’s interior, as if it were a forest, punches flew with astonishing velocity.
With agile movements unbefitting its size, relentless and chaotic attacks left no room for breath.
Joseph Khan flew rapidly, spewing flames from his mouth, but Forest Trent met those flames with a powerful strike that sent Joseph flying.
“[Great Wheel of Fire]!!”
A colossal wheel of fire spun and clashed violently with Forest Trent’s back.
Ignoring the enraged Trent in agony from the flaming wheel, Aoi Asuka dived in to catch and rescue the falling Joseph Khan.
“[Binding Circle]!”
Chains shot out with a rattling sound, wrapping around Forest Trent’s body to restrain its movements.
Yet, Forest Trent tore through the chains with brute strength, releasing blue light from its body, calling upon wind spirits.
As the spirits dispersed, they unleashed wind magic like gunfire, transforming the vast arena into a shooting game battlefield.
“Just hold on for 20 minutes!!”
Avoiding the projectiles and pursuing wind spirits, Aoi Asuka accelerated, dropping off Joseph.
“Roaaarrr!!!!”
Then, Joseph transformed into a massive dragon, mounting Forest Trent and spewing fire at the spirits chasing Asuka.
“[Uwooo!!!]”
Furious with the spirits’ cries, Forest Trent grabbed Joseph by the waist and lifted him high to slam him down.
Even while tumbling to the ground, Joseph whipped his tail at Trent’s face, striking it while setting it ablaze with his fire.
Bang! Bang!! Bang!!!
Despite the barrage peeling away bark, Trent continued lifting and slamming Joseph like a berserker.
Not stopping there, roots sprouted from Trent’s arms, scratching and burrowing into the dragon’s scales like thorns.
“Kaaargh!!”
Was it a lack of stats due to a low level?
Joseph, unable to revert to human form due to cooldown, accidentally struck Tree Tendril traps, writhing in pain.
“Spit it out, you bastard─ Let go of my junior──!!!!”
Amidst the spectacle, Hajime Ichigo shouted, drawing Forest Torrent’s attention while downing a potion to recover.
“Ichigo─!!”
Asuka, casting a skill, threw a “handle” with all her strength, and Ichigo grabbed it with both hands, ready.
A camera focused on Ichigo, and the sword she held emanated a blade of light.
Concentrating her mana, the lightsaber wielded a power equal to any famed sword, cutting through the tendrils with a whoosh.
Swoosh—
Without hesitation, Ichigo plunged a syringe into her chest, releasing its contents.
Thanks to [Sturdy Body] and [Tenacious Stamina], survival skills allowed her to endure.
[Deadly Toxicity] boosted the effect with a downside offset by [Poison Resistance].
Ichigo’s eyes turned red like a berserker from injecting an almost lethal dose of a special ‘awakening drug.’
Running wild with mana, Ichigo’s hair fluttered, while gas burst from her gas mask.
Using everything up, including a 『Nerve Accelerator』, 『Adrenaline Mix』、『Combat Activation Doping Agent』, and 『Physical Ability Enhancer Potion』.
This was an extreme combat style known as 【Suicide Alchemist】 among people.
Because any side effects and backlash disappear upon climbing the tower, it was a desperate measure taken when defeat equaled death.
Ichigo, prepared for it anytime due to her resilient body, leapt in to save her junior.
Her hair turned white, shooting like a flash of white light.
Agility over 200, expanding to 500 in a moment, Ichigo sprinted across Forest Trent’s tendrils.
Moving at speeds difficult to follow by eye, Ichigo swung her sword without looking, slicing through the tendrils.
As she swung her arm wide in annoyance, a stone golem that lay in wait hurled a rock that pinned Trent’s arm movement.
Thanks to it, Ichigo found a good spot to land on, sprinting like a flash on Forest Trent’s arm.
“[───!!!]”
Trent’s head quivered as falling leaves sharpened into needles, raining down on Ichigo.
Slashing at leaves coming from both ahead and chasing her, Ichigo leapt, spun, and somersaulted, executing windmill moves with agility that would leave a pro acrobat in tears, weaving through leaves and roots to finally cut down the thick tendrils.
“Glasses are just for show, here comes the White Dragon──!!!!”
-What! Is that white one Federation’s new weapon?!
-Unbelievably monstrous performance….!
-The White Dragon is a bluff! The glasses are the real deal!!
-It’s ten times faster than the red one!!
-Go, Blue-Eyed White Dragon!!!
-Is this JEDI versus DRAGON scene real or what.
With swooshing noises, [Divine Favor] buffed Ichigo, transforming her movements into those of a war god, shredding spirits gloriously, scattering white blossoms everywhere.
The lacerations burned as if charred by lightning, infuriating Forest Trent into a frenzied rampage.
“For the Emperor!!”
Rejoicing at holding enough time, Asuka signaled and unleashed the highest tier secret art of the [Kuzunoha Style Spellwork].
“[Kitsune in the Feathered Garment]!!”
A building-sized Gumiho emerged from the summoning circle, charging at Forest Trent, intertwining viciously, spewing flames.
“[Izuna’s White Flame] burn the enemy!!”
Freely flying and simultaneously casting 『Izuna Style Sorcery』, Asuka threw more white flames, providing relentless support.
The enormous Gumiho seemed poised to trample Forest Trent into submission.
Joseph soared and flipped, hurdling over Trent before planting a centrifugal kick at its nape.
Immediately grabbing and fixing Trent’s arms, Gumiho forcedly restrained Forest’s head, winding its tail around it.
“Now, Senpai!!”
Charging in with a hug from behind, Asuka whisked her away in flight as ever-speeding Ichigo closed in.
Ichigo’s sword came smashing down, reducing Trent’s eyes to scraps.
“[Kuaaggghhh!!!]”
Even amidst agonized shrieks, Forest Trent demonstrated immense brute force, tearing the mighty Gumiho in two.
From there, pulling its arm back, it combined its power to crush Joseph’s head in one hand.
“Plum Blossom Sword Technique─!!”
But Trent’s move proved a blunder.
No matter how numerous the wind spirits or wood and leaf projectiles, Asuka’s summoned fox spirits and flames scaled everywhere rendered them useless.
“Windmill Slash!!”
At that moment, Ichigo, hurled high by Asuka, spun.
Her spinning was intense enough to liken it to an aircraft’s propeller more than a windmill, transforming her into a human blade penetrating through Forest Trent’s head, carving deeply into its form, slicing steadily downward.
It struggled momentarily, screaming in pain, but that soon subsided.
Emerging from beneath, Ichigo landed and sheathed the lightsaber as Joseph shredded Forest Trent’s body with his claws.
“Graaaaarrrgh!!!!!”
The Forest Trent split in half, inciting White Dragon’s triumphant roar as it furiously flung the dying Trent’s remains side to side in victory.
“Long live the Emperor!!”
Then Asuka received a Tower Coin from the China Tower.
“Our Emperor rocks, looks awesome.”
Whether she genuinely received it or not, only she knew, but she gave a thumbs up, grateful for seeking assistance from Wakamou.
Wakamou remotely controlled the lightsaber from afar.
“Pant…pant…. Is this the boss?”
Rumble─
“Damn it”
Contrary to Joseph’s expectations, a door began to open.
He dreaded that perhaps this [Mid Boss] was just a foretaste of an overwhelmingly difficult challenge, briefly gasping with exertion before reverting to human form.
Adjusting his glasses as he carried a sprawled unconscious Ichigo on his back, he continued to walk deeper inside.
How far had they gone?
A forest nestled within the labyrinth greeted them, with long-stretching majestic trees holding a mystery of nature.
And deeper inside, being a [Zmuy] class evolved dragon granted Joseph the sight and sense of powerful and vast life’s potency, swallowing involuntarily.
What would emerge?
Despite the fear, they moved forward, only to have moving trees reveal Forest Trent once more.
Hadn’t they just defeated it? Was another coming right after?
The trees around them began to shake as if more were about to appear.
“There are too many enemies!!”
“The Space Marine logic dictates we win since we are fewer.”
“Stop gaming!! Speak words I understand, Senpai!!”
“What kind of VTuber doesn’t game?”
“Well, technically, you’re right… But is there any way out of this…?”
Instead of answering, Asuka silently pointed behind Joseph.
Turned around, there stood a golden-haired lady with 9 wagging tails.
Wearing a VTuber Goods t-shirt, she hugged a plushie with pride in one hand.
I can’t compete with dolls… thought Joseph.
As Wakamou’s hand rose.
Middle and ring fingers touching atop her thumb, index, and pinky poised like fox ears in a shadow-play fox shape.
“Sneak Attack”
Crunch─
A colossal fox revealed itself from invisibility, devouring Forest Trent’s head whole in a single bite.
“[U…Ugh…]”
“[Ooo…]”
Occupying the space was a fox monster so large it made Forest Trents at 30m seem small.
Watchful over space was [Fox Spirit Model] skill applied to three [Fragment Bodies] “Warrior General God, Mei, Jiang Yeoul”, transforming them into [Sammiho].
Thus, the fox, having three tails, was a [Gumiho].
As Sammiho, its three-headed fox glared eerily at the surrounding Forest Trents.
Anything ingested could become mana─ Wakamo learned this from experience with collab foods.
She knew she could differentiate what to digest and what not, from several experiences.
So then.
“Decided.”
The giant fox monster eagerly eyeing its prey, waiting solely for its master’s command.
“You are dog food.”
Crunch─!!
The three heads bit into the Forest Trents, tearing and consuming them, engaging in a one-sided hunt.
With [Weight of Faith] crushing down and [Idol’s Minerals] crafted fangs demolishing tough bark to be devoured.
“Ahaha─ Hahahahaha!!”
“””Awooooo──!!!!”””
In no time, the fox monster devoured over ten Forest Trents, standing atop their mountain of corpses, howling.
“Sweet Joseph. Why are you trembling….? Want a dolly?”
“H-Heeeek….”
Trembling legs, Joseph couldn’t endure, fainting there.
A bad Russia-induced trauma resurfaced explosively.
Watching his affiliated VTuber pass out in fright, Wakamou took various emotional damages.
Truly, a crit hit delivered severe wounds to the already mana-depleted Wakamou, leaving him cold on the ground.
“Master──!!!”
The Wakamou party, half wiped out in a blink…
Would they be alright?
Meanwhile, unaware of the situation, what were the other two doing?
“See, if I’m Grandmother Ping, wouldn’t Pirate be Papa Ping?”
“I’m a woman, wouldn’t it be Mama Love?”
They bantered. Rather earnest, they were….
-No way, what the hell are you even discussing.
-How long are they gonna keep doing this?
-How did things even end up like this?
-A love story featuring Xi Jinping led to this.
-The Captain was wrong to stab with “Grandmother” first….
-Love story of Xi Jinping? Seriously now.
“Didn’t get any sex ed? What’s so embarrassing about sperm and eggs?”
“Right? You guys always watch illegal Japanese mangas anyway. Hypocritical, aren’t ya~”
“Come to think of it. Germany doesn’t need porn. It’s about sex more than romance… In a way, our fans preserving their virginity are quite noble.”
-Suddenly reconciling to slap realityㅋㅋㅋ
-Oh Pirate-shi.
-Adol is real…. This ain’t it….
-Move it!! The party’s wiped out!!
“What? Did the boss lose? Wakamou General’s presence vanished….?”
“Normally, we’re supposed to wait until we’re picked up….”
“A warmed-up chat for broadcast means it’s time to move. Shall we then?”
“To the boss room?”
“Nah, aim higher.”
Pirate, wearing funny sunglasses, led the way with a gleeful laugh and a swagger.
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