Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo.
Unfortunately, it was a parliament hosted by the Prime Minister of the Liberal Democratic Party, who was not a climber.
With the appearance of the tower and the emergence of climbers, the influence of politicians drastically decreased.
As long as there was a tower and climbers to handle it, the government’s existence was only necessary to the point where it was just there.
Still, the group that had dominated Japan for so long in just a decade couldn’t topple so easily.
Thus, riding on the support of climbers and citizens, they were bolstering their influence and taking over the political world.
No matter what, they were doing everything slowly and steadily over time.
Even after the Prime Minister’s term ended and he stepped down, hadn’t he prepared his successor to control Japan from behind, even enticing the Deputy Prime Minister?
Unless a natural disaster occurred, the current head of the Japanese Climber Association would step down, and the climber who was his subordinate would take that position, putting Japan in the hands of politicians rather than climbers.
Didn’t he obstruct that old ghost of the Japanese Association from finding a successor with all sorts of schemes?
He even used the media to flaunt the power and position of the King of Authority, blocking the chairman from taking a dual role.
The next famous climber, the “Ninja,” was also confirmed to have no interest in politics or the association’s presidency.
But the world is unpredictable—indeed, a real human disaster… or rather, an enraged Fox Deity manifested in Japan.
Denying that it was the white-faced golden fox from the Killing Stone, it naturally and instantly took over Japan.
It captivated hearts by digging into genres like VTubers, which appealed to the younger generation.
Simultaneously existing as the “Idol” of the Fox Deity, the elderly were lining up to offer tributes or worship at the King of Authority’s shrine.
Alongside the Japanese Association’s president, even the strongest climber, the King of Authority, was under its command, and it was rapidly grooming the King of Authority’s daughter.
Watching live broadcasts showcasing martial prowess sent chills down the spine.
It was a form of warning.
By transforming into the form of a “white-faced golden fox,” it devoured monsters, deceitfully claiming it had never tasted the likes of living humans when no one would believe it.
The shaman families, who supported and cooperated with it, were heading straight toward ruin because of this presence.
The four shaman companions known as Abe, Tsuchimikado, Kuzunoha, and Kamo appeared to keep each other in check on the surface, but in reality, they were all in cahoots.
In the end, this was all part of politics. Couldn’t allow the scenario where the climbers’ force overshadowed the government.
Take the Chinese government, which collapsed due to a rebellion led by a Collector, losing their prime territories and completely crumbling.
And yet, the entity supporting that Liu Wei was none other than the Fox Deity, Wakamou Inarizushi.
The white-faced golden fox, who emerged from the seal, lured people’s hearts with cunning ways, turning many into believers rather than seeking revenge against humans as it once cursed.
If you look away for even a moment, its power would grow so formidable that it became uncontrollable.
Bringing together legendary classes from various countries wasn’t enough; it even replaced Russia’s president with a subordinate bending to its will.
It had made the governments of China, Russia, and South Korea its puppets!! Could anyone not be afraid?! Japan’s government was the only one left.
It didn’t take deliberate actions; merely establishing its shrine, [Idol’s Shrine], intending to make Kyoto the capital, naturally amplified its influence.
By enduring disgrace and humiliation, it was showing through actions, proposing Japan willingly submit to South Korea, even suggesting the nation proffer itself to become a gift.
“This wretched fox demon…!!”
But engaging in a head-on battle was a lost cause.
Even if Abe no Seimei returned alive, it was doubtful whether he could win.
In such a situation, planning something sneaky was impossible as it had completely dominated the modern network with its AI messenger, necessitating secret meetings on paper.
“Not a white-faced golden fox, but a Fox Deity or whatever…. It’s seducing humans! Everyone’s deceived!! Damn it!!! Just a little more and Japan… could have risen again as a strong nation…!!”
It was the Japanese government that actively encouraged Korean climbers to naturalize.
It was a plan envisioned long-term back when he was a legislator before becoming Prime Minister.
Should South Korea not cope with the tower and collapse, they could claim it was for the sake of Japan’s security to seize territories, and could also negotiate unfair treaties benefiting Japan.
That was until the Fox Deity, Wakamou Inarizushi appeared!!
“What on earth… what on earth should be done….”
“So, it would be nice if you make the decision soon.”
At this rate, the Japanese government would also fall into the Fox Deity’s hands. Proud Japan could not crawl back under Korea, a former vassal. Surely the Fox Deity knew how shameful and disgraceful it would be, which is why it babbled nonsense about being a fox from Korea!
Thus, the Prime Minister groaned while looking at the agent who came to propose a “deal.”
They were special beings belonging to numerous international coalitions.
If the Six Legged Beast consisted of legendary classes, wouldn’t these individuals mostly be considered ordinary climbers?
Frankly, the Prime Minister thought it was just an attempt to cut the “ladder.”
However, even so, the power of the Fox Deity was growing so unmanageable that it necessitated a choice.
“Is it even possible to assassinate?”
“It needs to be viewed long-term.”
Due to possessing an absolutely safe space called [Wakamou 1st Floor], assassination or terrorism was neither feasible, nor was internal infiltration possible as spies were perfectly screened.
Even trying to financially bribe the settled immigrants resulted in immediate loss of residency rights once deemed betrayal, indicating shocking thoroughness.
Moreover, possessing a super AI messenger that monitored and eavesdropped on even closed networks including satellites 24/7 globally made it a transcendent being.
Unless conducted with absurd caution, including the decentralized networks, existing before even the Fox Deity could crush them by the Six Legged Beast’s boss.
“I’ll say it again. We don’t want the power of climbers to surpass the nation. For mere humans gaining special powers to shake long-historied countries? Look at Russia and China. What’s become of them? We need to maintain balance as Guardians of humanity.”
“You had killed 48 legendary classes─ it’s something fitting to believe…”
“You’ve made an excellent choice. As long as we, the ‘Guardians’ exist… No newly elected humanity chosen by the tower shall take over the world.”
So, climbers aren’t new humans? The Prime Minister seriously wondered.
He knew legendary classes were special, but just how special are they to be called “new humans”?
But upon seeing the idol, certainly, legendary classes were the apex of humanity chosen by the tower.
Their mere existence would undoubtedly pose a threat to humanity.
There were those who claimed to be heroes unknown to, but existing beyond the world.
Even Asuka couldn’t uncover the thoroughly hidden secret, they had been operating in shadow for very long.
※※※
“So, this bag can also serve as a shield if necessary. It can deflect bullets. Got it? Always be on alert… understood?”
“The manager worries too much!! How safe is Japan, anyway? It’s not even Korea. There’s only a swordsman like murderer.”
“That’s the problem!!”
After Pirate’s sensational awakening broadcast, and with some side effects from the awakening elixir made by Ichigo, Wakamou forced a few days of vacation.
Manager Wanda was worried about Sadako, who insisted on going to Japan alone without any escort, even tried to send her with a bodyguard, but Sadako was too laid-back.
Confidently saying she could knock them out if anything emerged, she had no choice but to forcefully give her a special bag that could double as a shield if need be.
“I’m gonna fill this bag with lots of gifts and come back~”
Sadako flew off to Japan with nothing but an empty bag, saying she had clothes at home, while Manager Wanda hoped nothing would happen.
Even Liu Ying, summoned by Liu Wei, went to China with several escorts.
She wasn’t sure if it was really for leisure… anyhow, a climber like Sadako should be fine despite assassination threats, right?
‘It should be fine, right?’
Whether aware of Manager Wanda’s concern or not, Sadako, as soon as she sat on the plane, donned an eye mask and started snoring away.
It would barely take 2 hours to get to Japan, but she had drunk five bottles of liquor before boarding, and was dozing off in a drunken slumber.
And in the seat next to her sat a man who quietly grabbed Sadako’s neck, twisting it with all his might until her vertebra snapped.
The human’s spine contained all the nerve networks like a motherboard.
The neck, being connected to the back, would spread the signal through the spine, but if broken midway, death was assured!
With the fracture of the vertebra, the entire bundle of nerves shattered, even if she survived, a life in full paralysis would be worse than death!!
The agent, ensuring thorough termination, injected a poisoned syringe into Sadako before going to the restroom, tearing a scroll for warp escape.
A brutal murder in the blink of an eye…
Mare Pirate met her end so meaninglessly ─
“Nom-nom-nom… Oh… isn’t there any in-flight service?”
Sadako, drooling, straightened her neck which had bent at 90 degrees, and blinked her eyes.
Being so used to [Shape-shifting] that her body was half like rubber, she rotated her neck like an owl and stretched herself languidly.
“Uhhh… The harsher, the better it is for strong liquor. As should be said against Yu Ying’s nagging… nothing beats wasp liquor or snake wine… hehe…”
Living life recklessly, drinking dangerous potions made by Yu Ying, and ridiculously potent liquor, she held that even if her liver burst, regenerating it would suffice, developing immense resistance against poison─ thanks to it, the poisonous alcohol she consumed coincidentally triggered a neutralizing reaction within her body, causing her merely faint dizziness, Sadako wondered, swinging her head about, was she feeling light-headed from only drinking five bottles?
“Indeed my homeland is the best!!”
Sadako, arriving in Japan, downed warmly heated sake, giggling that this is life.
The agent disguised as a waiter had poisoned the sake and inserted bacteria into the snacks─but unfortunately, no matter if Sadako’s liver burst or her throat corroded, she merely took it for strong liquor and recovered through shape-shifting.
Even after drinking 6 bottles made with potassium cyanide and red deer antlers.
“Whew!! This liquor is deathly good!!!”
With her face turning purple, Sadako detoxified with a click using [Shape-shifting], remarking that the sake in this shop is top-notch, rating it 5 stars, and casually exited.
With the certainty that poison couldn’t kill, the agent flung a knife made of synthetic metal known as [Wizard Killer], secretly developed by the government, aiming accurately at Pirate.
“Oh, a newspaper.”
Catching it with six different newspapers stacked together, Sadako looked around nonplussed at the fallen knife.
She glanced at the dropped knife, wondering what it was about, scrutinized the newspaper indifferently.
“Goodness? Is a prank played? There’s a hole in the newspaper…. well, never mind. No mucking about as long as there’s nothing grungy!”
Enjoying 12 cans of beer bought at a convenience store at a bus station while checking out Japan nowadays, a [Shooter] set up a sniper sight from a overlooking alley.
The government agent, leveled up with a skill tree specializing in killing methods, and replete with assassination-suited [Sub Classes] would shoot invisible, undetectable, silent bullets aimed to pierce and kill Sadako.
Even boasting a penetration effect after hitting, the heart alone would burst and vanish, passing it as happening due to heart failure.
“Heheh~♬ Oh, a new season of Doctor Who is coming out. That sounds fun.”
Taan─!
The gunshot only audible to Shooter echoed, the bullet passing through the newspaper, puncturing Pirate’s chest, pinpointing her heart area, exploding.
“Ugh..!!”
“Target, heart… accurately hit….”
“Feeling terrible…. Is it indeed a little excessive to drink that much? Oh, my chest feels tight.”
Despite saying that, Sadako, downing the cans, tossed them into the trash.
Perpetually casting [Shape-shifting] for practice, advised by Wakamou, internal shifts were affected by moving organs about and changing directions. Shouldn’t she be alright without organs since she could split her body wholly?
Isn’t it okay too?
To challenge that domain, the Mare Pirate’s heart was racing wildly inside her chest.
“I’m going to destroy your brain!”
Immediately, the Shooter altered the plan and fired a bullet towards Sadako’s head.
“Sneeze!”
Unfortunately, with her Critical Hit Skill on cooldown, Sadako dodged the fired bullet with a sneeze, sniffing as she got to her feet.
Absurd as it was, the plan still had a backup.
They had already scouted her routine and knew she was planning to board a bus that would soon arrive.
There would be numerous casualties, but it was a necessary sacrifice. The bomb planted under the bus was ready to detonate at any moment.
“Now that I think about it, I have money, so I’ll just take a taxi.”
Watching the bus approach while waiting, Sadako decided to indulge in a little luxury since she had plenty of money and opted for a taxi instead.
“FUCK!!”
People say a woman’s heart is fickle, but Sadako’s whims were transcending imagination.
“Oh~ The bars are closed in the morning~”
Due to taking a taxi all the way to Kyoto, the agents couldn’t even make a move ─ But since this was where she was headed, a lot of agents were waiting, ready to assassinate her.
There was no way the plan to eliminate Wakamou Inarizushi’s closest associates ─ starting with the seemingly deadliest VTuber ─ could fail from the first step.
“When’s our otaku guy going to show up~”
Planning to meet with her brother, exchange some advice as a VTuber, catch up on what he’s been up to lately, and then visit their father together, Sadako entered a café and ordered a coffee.
“One iced Americano, please.”
Never imagining she’d order something other than alcohol at a restaurant, an agent brushed past Sadako, lightly bumping her as she was about to drink her coffee.
“Sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Guiding her attention with an apology while swiftly lacing the coffee with drugs with his other hand.
Upon drinking it, muscle spasms would occur due to mana backlash, and agents disguised as rescue personnel planned to quietly deal with her.
As Sadako was about to drink the coffee.
“Oh dear… Is that Sadako?”
“Oh, grandma. It’s been a while.”
“My, you haven’t changed a bit… My eyes aren’t what they used to be. Can you check the time for me?”
“It’s 9 o’clock… Whoops!”
“My goodness… So scatterbrained…”
A local elderly lady, recognizing Sadako as a Kyoto native, struck up a conversation.
Habitually checking her watch at the elder’s question, Sadako spilled the coffee all over the table.
The local grandmother remarked that she was still such a tomboy upon seeing that.
Hiss──
Because of the poison within, a pungent smoke rose from the table.
“Wow, I heard caffeine was bad for you, but didn’t know it was that severe. Guess I’ll switch to decaf. Stay healthy, grandma!”
“Oh, okay dear.”
And so, leaving the café and visiting a convenience store, Sadako walked off, downing four bottles of Budweiser she carried with both hands.
Agents, trailing a Sadako shoving alcohol down her throat and chugging it in broad daylight, were starting to feel worn out.
They were wondering if she actually knew everything and was just toying with them.
Upon passing a momentarily parked vehicle, agents made a decision to assassinate her by shooting at her and began moving quietly, stealthily in the car.
While she was unaware of the impending threat ─ agents simultaneously pulled their guns and fired, only for Sadako to change direction last moment and enter a pachinko parlor.
“FUCK!!!”
“Oh…?! Did I do it unconsciously…? Not that it matters, right?”
The agents went on to slap their foreheads, frustrated that nothing was working out.
Upon entering the pachinko parlor, Sadako casually stretched before cashing in to reload balls.
“Please give me 9 more bottles of alcohol to start with.”
“Oh, look who it is. Our regular Sadako!! I’ll give you a free one as a bonus.”
“Awesome!”
Sitting at a random machine, Sadako downed two bottles, burped loudly, and gleefully pulled the pachinko lever.
Quietly, agents sat on either side of her, cautiously raising their guns. Oblivious to their presence, Sadako kept smiling, focused on pulling the lever.
Just in case, another agent sat at the back, hiding his gun under his clothes.
Ba-bam~~!!
“Wow!! The jackpot!!!!”
Clapping at the huge win and watching the raining balls, Sadako grabbed the bag she had carelessly laid down.
With the jackpot announcement, a bullet fired by an agent on her left ricocheted off the bag and bounced, a bullet from the agent behind her deflected as she rotated the bag to open it, and a bullet from the agent on the right missed as she absentmindedly packed her bag with pachinko balls.
“Hehe… Jackpot balls have luck in them!! I’ll bag them and share some.”
Plop plop─
“Hmm?”
Seeing the three people suddenly topple off their chairs, Sadako quirked an eyebrow but wasn’t concerned.
After all, how many times have people fainted from shock after wasting their wealth on pachinko? The store manager would handle it, she figured and leisurely continued her game, sipping her remaining drink.
“Really, Manager Wanda Haye worries too much. How dangerous Japan could be, she says? Even if there’s an assassination attempt, I’ll just knock them out~”
Humming a tune with a bag filled with balls, Sadako began heading up to the dojo where her father was.
There was a bomb installed on the step she was about to take on the stairway leading to the dojo.
“Come to think of it, I wonder if that beehive in the forest has grown? I should check.”
Unbeknownst to that, Sadako veered off into the forest, considering the idea of making mead by collecting the beehive instead of using the stairs.
The agent, prepared to detonate the bomb, hit his forehead in frustration.
“Father~ Your daughter’s here.”
“You’re back! No sorcerer wretches bothering you on the way, right?”
“Not at all? I actually learned some sorcery from the leader. Why don’t we try a magic company together?”
“Sounds fantastic!! But can you teach it?”
“Somewhere at the [Idol’s Shrine]… Oh… Forgot the rest. Maybe it’ll come back if I have a drink?”
“Sigh.”
Casually arriving at her father’s dojo, Sadako, bearing a bee’s nest in her hand, wildly chewed it as she removed her shoes and stepped inside.
“Peaceful times are nice.”
Sadako laughed heartily, thinking her manager’s worry was completely unfounded.
※※※
“Are you doing well in Korea?”
“I’m doing well… Feel free to speak casually.”
At the tomb of Liu Bei of Shu Han in Chengdu, Liu Ying, who had come to visit with President Liu Wei, smiled as she replied.
Frankly, not needing much power or politics, she figured connections would be useful for the boss and thus came along for a visit.
Having mentioned plans to build an additional [Idol’s Shrine], Jiang Yeoul bestowed blessings upon believers, while Mei was examining artifacts that the Collector had recently acquired, hoping to find something of use.
Meanwhile, the Collector and the Alchemist were side by side, touring Liu Bei’s tomb.
Though she had yet to become the [Emperor], it seemed many, including the Tower, were eventually pointing to her eventual ascension.
From impending future threats to the increasing difficulty of Tower climbing… She took out the item received as the reward from the 54th floor.
What Liu Ying handed to Liu Wei, who already had the [Spear of Guan Yu], was…
“A gift for you.”
“My goodness…!! Is this authentic?!”
A pair of swords with the grand name [Double Orbs Sword “Ziu-Male and Female One Great Sword”] bestowed by the Tower.
Honestly, she wasn’t even interested in whether they were real, as they seemed to be personally crafted by the Tower, and Liu Ying wasn’t able to use them.
But surely Liu Wei? Receiving the swords used by Liu Bei as a gift, Liu Wei couldn’t help but shed tears.
This joy… couldn’t be adequately expressed!! He wanted to cry out in happiness but suppressed his emotions in the presence of the young emperor.
Thinking that once she ascends to the emperor’s throne, they might hold a week-long festival, Liu Ying was slightly worried.
“──Killing intent”
That said, Liu Wei rapidly took out [Marco’s Wolfskin Coat] and [Spartacus’s Shield], adopting a defensive stance.
“Which direction?”
“…30KM?”
In the instant a sniper’s crosshair aimed at her, Liu Ying’s [Survival Instinct] reacted sharply.
Reacting to the raw, savage senses rather than any skill, Liu Ying swiftly turned her head and faced the direction, startling the agent ready to snipe by raising his gun.
“…A trained agent’s scent….”
While the Unicorn Agent and China’s agents were intensively trained soldiers imbued with distinctive scents.
Mixed among the tourists?
A climber might be among them.
“Footsteps aren’t consistent… They’re armed.”
Suddenly holding guns in both hands, Liu Ying’s crimson eyes scanned the area, seeking out the hidden agents.
Firing into the empty air, a person dropped from the wall with a thud.
A concealed agent, exposed as the disguise fell, was instantly killed by a shot through the head.
“Opening the gate….have they planted a bomb?”
“How did you know?”
“Hmm… Instinct?”
Liu Ying replied, expressing her hard-to-define feelings, while Liu Wei was enraged enough that his beard seemed to bristle.
“How dare they!! Plant a bomb in Emperor Liu’s tomb!! Block off this district at once! Find them!!!”
Upon his stern command to cordon off the area, the guards began moving fervently.
However, Liu Ying’s reaction was quicker than their actions. She had already aimed her gun at the fleeing agents.
Bang bang bang─!!
Confounded tourists ducked at the sound of gunshots while a few slumped to the floor amidst the chaos.
With impeccable intuition, Liu Ying shot and killed the camouflaged agents, leaving Liu Wei awestruck, praising her lineage from the emperor.
Swish.
And she managed to avoid an invisible bullet, not through hearing but through her body’s unconscious reflex.
Looking at the earth where it struck, Liu Ying clicked her tongue.
“Three snipers…five….seven?”
Sensing ominous murderous intent from guns pointed at her, Liu Ying scowled deeply.
Responding to the oncoming invisible bullets with a flourish of her gun-mounted plum blossom swordplay and swiftly evacuated along with Liu Wei.
The agents too found this unbelievable and could only feel despair.
Is she really human? Not a Legendary Class, just a mere climber?
Their suspicion was proven wrong, as it wasn’t merely some VTuber company.
Trained meticulously by the Fox Deity, she was indeed a select human weapon…!!
Hearing that they had failed even on the Japanese side, the agents could only feel despair.
Having been exposed at this point, failure meant─ it was a declaration of no escape for them.
“Oh my, you gave up already?”
Smiling as she removed her felt hat, the Mediator laughed.
The boss of the [Six Legged Beast] chuckled, looking down at the sniper.
“Amazing, right? Finding raw potential talent and polishing it into a gem. That’s a true Idol… In contrast, it’s really pathetic.”
Before the gun could be fired, it shattered into pieces.
“【Declaration of Death】”
The Grim Reaper loomed behind the boss, swiftly snuffing out the sniper’s life.
Taking all leisurely strides while receiving reports that the situation in Japan had been handled too, she gazed at…
Not Liu Ying, but the emperor candidate, smiling.
“Dirty politics, Fox Deity hates that. But knowing one’s nature doesn’t mean they aren’t afraid, isn’t it?”
To her question, the Towers could only reply that there were no solutions.
Listening to the gratitude from China Tower and the bewilderment from the Japanese Tower, the Mediator tilted her head.
“Great. Since we’re in China, it’s Sichuan cuisine time. Let’s go eat, everyone.”
With that, the Legendary Class that had quietly gathered around her showed varied reactions to her statement.
But since it was on the boss’s bill… it was a free meal, so they all tagged along.
It was so fiercely spicy that it ended in a major disaster, but isn’t that also an experience in itself?
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