“The [Fragment of Babel] we secured must have special power… We need to figure out how to use that power wholly for humanity and justice.”
“Yes, I’ll mobilize the researchers to continue analyzing it.”
Bubbling─
The “Guardians” are having a serious conversation while gazing at the [Fragment of Babel] floating in a test tube filled with preservation fluid.
The tower was truly an unknown entity.
It could rewrite history itself, and it could easily defy fate.
If they wished, they could manipulate human destiny as they pleased.
Such an absolute and omnipotent existence─the world would call it a God.
But this world does not need a God, especially not one whose intentions are incomprehensible.
Whether to drive the tower out of the world or subdue it and become rulers themselves…
It was a recurring theme throughout human history.
Just like when the New World was discovered and conquered. Pioneering unknown territories and claiming them as their own was humanity, the very essence of themselves.
“So, how’s the progress of the plan we devised?”
“Investing in a corporation to open a VTuber concert in America and luring the Fox Deity to its death is underway. If necessary, we’re considering kidnapping a famous VTuber as a hostage.”
“We only have one chance.”
If they don’t deliver a fatal blow when the opponent’s guard is down and end it there, there won’t be another opportunity.
The most dangerous is a wounded beast, nothing more challenging than a vigilant predator.
Even the Guardians recognized the formidable strength that made them shudder with disgust.
This existence was like a Superman from a distant universe… Apart from being obsessed with the otaku culture of VTubers, it had no weaknesses; thus, the sacrifice of VTubers was essential to kill it.
For the peace of the land of freedom, America, and Earth, their sacrifice will remain as a noble sacrifice in history, and they will be commemorated on memorials as those sacrificed by the treacherous Fox Deity who deceives and mocks humans.
“How’s the kidnapping of the heir to the Chinese [Emperor]? Is it going smoothly?”
“Yes, either as a hostage…”
“Or subjugating its mind to use as a pawn is another method. After all, it’s said to be the descendant most cherished by the Fox Deity. Asians, in any era, are a disturbing race. The Japs first, then the Chinks… They have always been a problem.”
The rather aged middle-aged executive clicked his tongue, expressing blatant racial disdain. He didn’t forget to tell his subordinate researcher to break its mind or make it desolate for immediate use and disposal.
They were engrossed in an endless arrogance and pride…
And.
In fact, I’m not the [Fragment of Babel].
Drifting in the test tube, the Man-eater who conquered the 100-floor tower was actually named the [Conqueror’s Mark]. Frankly, the Fox Deity cleared a difficulty level 200 times harder. As a fitting reward, it obtained the [Fragment of Babel], fulfilling a wish otherwise impossible at this point.
Wakamou Inarizushi said they obtained it first, so thinking the Man-eater would have the same thing is a problem, isn’t it…?
The Man-eater might have superiority in strength, but the scale of accomplishments achieved is different….
Presuming the Man-eater also made a wish is a problem. Do they think climbing the tower gets them everything…?
But, being a Conqueror’s Mark who couldn’t speak, I was internally grumbling that I’m an item exchanged at the climber’s store.
And while the ‘Guardians’ were plotting a thoroughly evil scheme, Wakamou Inarizushi was clueless about everything.
The boss of the Six Legged Beast didn’t empathize with the mental exhaustion and just passed off the [Fragment of Babel] while jolly vacationing.
For some reason, everyone was hanging out outside rather than at Wakamou’s first floor. They even talked about staying at Wakamou Corporation in Incheon.
It was questionable why they neither attended the VTuber concert nor visited the VTuber collaboration café, but… it was a joyful time spent together by the whole party, wasn’t it?
Wakamou suggested everyone have fun together, making them laugh and play.
“Breaking news: Cult leaders proclaiming themselves as idols are suddenly turning into black ashes and dying. In Japan, along with foreign countries, a cult bishop who claimed the Fox Deity was a fake idol repeated an incomprehensible ‘7th time’ plea before turning into ash. The scene was filmed.”
“Oh, how gruesome~”
My, my… What’s with this chilling mysterious murder incident~?
Wakamou covered her lips with her hand, brushed her hair behind her ear, and laughed it off, speculating it was divine punishment for cultists angering the tower.
Wakamou watched the news, amazed at her own resilience in dismissing it as none of her business. Meanwhile, Olga Romanova glanced at Wakamou, wondering why she ignored even VTuber collaboration goods cafes.
She concluded internally, “Our CEO values time with employees more than her love for VTubers,” feeling quietly moved.
And by now, perceptive readers might have realized.
Wakamou is the kind who would lie down on the sidewalk if it meant buying goods.
‘In fact, I’m not Wakamou.’
Since conquering Kyoto’s 100-floor tower, Wakamou became excessively lazy and idle.
After watching the festival concert, she turned into a grizzly bear claiming to have no regrets left in life, then begged the [Inari Fox Deity] to fill in at the American VTuber concert. And at this point, hadn’t granted her [Wakamou First Floor] access.
Accidentally turned into a Wakamou locked out of her own home, she was spinning her wheels to bide time till Wakamou’s return while striving to complete her requested task.
The [Inari Fox Deity] harboring intentions to spread nonsensical rumors about Wakamou being an assertive, masculine lady who enjoys forcefully embracing and kissing sambas on the golden-edged bed… was internally cursing. Was such a disgraceful performance required of an entity of his caliber?
Boiling anger with nowhere to express it, [Inari Fox Deity] resolved to endure and await revenge on Wakamou while assessing Aoi Asuka, who stood on equal footing in rank as her.
Initially expecting this guy would also consider rebelling against Wakamou, [Inari Fox Deity] merely realized he was a completely empty-headed VTuber, grieving in disbelief….
Nevertheless, [Inari Fox Deity] racked his brains to converse this one, simultaneously pretending to act like Wakamou.
Graceful, and dignified, whether standing as a lily or walking elegantly… Acting as a remarkable adult and idol.
Indeed.
Regrettably, Inari Fox Deity has no idea what Wakamou’s daily life is like.
Knowing, wouldn’t living become more unbearable?
“Come, let’s go to the zoo and amusement park!! Karaoke too, and let’s have fun!!”
Manager Wanda Haye clapped her hands, rallying the party.
Despite Olga Romanova pointing out a cute bear mascot, Wanda Haye admonished her for deeming a bear important now.
Usually harboring sinister urges by asking Olga “why not turn into a bear instead of a dragon,” the Manager remained earnest when with everyone, earning Olga’s heartfelt admiration.
However, readers undoubtedly know.
This woman, who transforms into a bear to scale mountains on her days off, had been somehow broken from workaholism.
‘In fact, I’m not Manager Wanda Haye.’
After hearing news of a new bear monster appearing in America, Unicorn Agent was grabbed by the collar, forcibly enlisted to cross-dress and act as the manager, due to the superior’s orders.
Though owing much debt, the special makeup artist, equipped with silicone fake breasts and wigs, prepared thoroughly, making his skin crawl.
As long as his cross-dressing wasn’t discovered, it was fine. Unicorn Agent, with a mindset of mission above all, was enthusiastically playing along.
Yet again, after some reflection, playing with beauties meant profit, didn’t it? He resolved to think positively.
“Sadako, aren’t you drinking?”
“Hmm? Oh, no… It’s a group outing. It wouldn’t be polite to drink alone, right?”
“Right!”
Usually coming to rummage Olga’s fridge for vodka, alcoholic Sadako always prioritized her colleagues in such gatherings, leaving Olga sincerely touched at this adult’s demeanor.
Honestly, Olga anticipated Sadako would stop by a convenience store for canned beer or soju bottles as they walked along.
She had prepared on the way to hear when they planned on visiting a bar, only to find Sadako refrained from bringing it up, leaving Olga genuinely touched at having such a dependable superior.
But─ those knowledgeable would be aware.
If not working, Sadako’s indifferent to restraint, drinking like breathing and seeking alcohol wherever available.
Should she have abstained even from the paper-packaged alcohol?
It would likely then be something masquerading as Sadako rather than her.
‘In fact, I’m not Sadako.’
Upon learning of a drinking competition in America, Sadako’s reason evaporated as her eyes turned.
Upon hearing of new liquors crafted using tower resources, her expression erupted as though howling like a monkey uwikik!!
Yet she couldn’t go openly, so she planned to secretly find a stand-in.
The shape-shifting Shifter… calling himself a Legendary Class ninja in Japan ended up disguising himself as Sadako.
It was a rather tough fit, being too tall, chesty, and broad-shouldered, but nobody seemed aware of the unrefined impersonation. Possibly revealing how little attention Sadako had received. Only Olga Romanova muttered, “Seems taller? Well, she is 20…” in passing.
After all, Sadako, no matter her immaturity, wouldn’t set up a stand-in just to indulge in alcohol, right? A relationship portrayed as amiable on screen was deduced to be awkward, seemingly.
Otherwise, there’d be no reason for such a rudimentary disguise to go unnoticed…!!
Indeed, what an implausible tale, yet knowing none of the individuals here, it wouldn’t be surprising to find them all as impostors.
“By the way, Adelheid seems energetic today?”
“It’s because we’re all going out together! Doesn’t it feel exciting?”
“Indeed~”
Typically morose to the point of expressing despondence, Adelheid’s eyes now glimmered with spirit and a face adorned with smiles, implying genuine enjoyment in socializing, causing Olga Romanova’s smile.
Previously, claiming no time for creating art, hastening through meals, frequently absent from home, and rarely able to close the distance, Adelheid was depicted.
Remarking authoritatively, “Legendary Class capabilities must be advantageous,” she radiated energy exceeding a seemingly cured mental illness.
And at this point, the audience likely caught on.
‘In fact, I’m not Adelheid von Bismarck.’
Once accidentally acquainted through a Legendary Class meeting, [Illusionist], now a part of [Six Legged Beast] alongside Adelheid, was filling in for a fee.
He had ambitions to establish relationships with Adelheid, leading to the intention of quitting the detested Germany to seek employment at Wakamou Corporation.
Executing the task to portray Adelheid flawlessly, he was keenly observing Wakamou’s interests and affiliate VTubers’ preferences for future reference to boost his employment prospects and score points.
For context, Adelheid impulsively left upon hearing of an art exhibit featuring her desires in America.
Hearing that it was about to open, unable to contain her desires, she just exploded and left to see it for herself.
Even trying to ask for permission made her so anxious that her mental state felt shattered. Claiming if you don’t get caught, it’s not a crime, but art, she hopped on a flight to the U.S., leaving a stand-in behind.
An Illusionist whose Free Spirit was remarkable indeed.
“Liu Ying, why are you way back there?”
“Ah… well… I’m embarrassed, sister… hehe…”
“Really~ You always call me auntie, but you call me sister now? Come here.”
How adorable she was. Usually, with snake-like glances saying sharp words like “You’re old, auntie,” “Don’t act friendly with our boss, granny,” she hurt with her venomous words… and yet, didn’t they become comrades who cleared the 100-floor Tower together?
She finally opened her heart completely. Yes, Olga Romanova knew well about Liu Ying’s past, to a degree that she empathized!!
Though Liu Ying is a junior in the VTuber arena, isn’t she an elder sister in life? Olga’s heart ached with purpose to take good care of her, and she grabbed Liu Ying’s hand, leading her warmly.
And Liu Ying, glancing around nervously, fretting in her anxiety.
‘I am not really Liu Ying.’
Though she hadn’t even been able to spar in practice matches and was miserably defeated… my true identity is a German Doppelgänger…
A member of a secret government even the German government doesn’t know exists. Tasked with investigating and monitoring Legendary Classes, including Artists… despite publicly belonging to Guardians, I remain as Germany’s hidden ace in the hole should the U.S. become uncontrollable.
A silent understanding to pretend to cooperate while really just holding each other in check.
With the appearance of the “Second Generation Legendary Class” and the success and development of the U.S. government’s “Legendary Class Project,” the success rate of the plan has increased, but this implemented plan should never be discovered, as it bears extremely high risks.
Not being able to enter [Wakamou Floor 1], being discovered as a fake Liu Ying could be a swift reality… was Heaven aiding her? Her luck held.
Even having the ability to copy Skills and Attributes can’t make impersonating someone perfectly easy, no matter how well-trained the agent.
Having done just that my whole life as a faceless agent, perhaps that’s how I obtained such a Legendary Class… still, it’s terrifying… daunting…
What if at any moment the top-grade danger factor named Wakamou Inarizushi saw through this disguise and tried to kill me…? The horror was unimaginable.
If by chance it all goes wrong, they’ve laid plenty of evidence to blame it all on America.
With the threatening growth of the Artist abandoned by Germany, and the increasing power of the Asian League, while they needed to be checked, drawing the wrath of an unwinnable adversary only to face ruin was something they avoided too.
This was a type of meticulous tightrope walk.
Walking upon that rope and performing a tightrope act rests solely on me, the agent…!!
‘If I get caught, I die… for now, calling Olga Romanova sister and building intimacy to raise affinity.’
Olga pinched Liu Ying’s cheek, thinking how cute she was while hanging onto her arm with a gleeful grin.
──Then where on Earth did the real Liu Ying vanish to, and when was she kidnapped and swapped…?
An expert in survival, she should’ve been on high alert from the moment the Doppelgänger targeted her, sensing insecurity.
One could only think that she was swapped while she was asleep, completely unnoticed by her.
※※※
“Specialcat Team… otherwise known as the Special Climber Tactical Team. A top-secret affair of the U.S. military and the United States’ finest special forces…”
“… So much to say. How did you spring out of my closet?”
“Age, 26! Proud graduate of New Hampshire Private High and Darthmouth College, an Elite!! In truth, the one and only new breed of humans capable of supernatural abilities!!”
“No, I asked how you got in here, you little creeper. Do you want to get shot?”
“Recently troubled by the inability to attend potluck parties, dinner parties, and block parties due to missing out on exercise and outdoor activities from VTuber broadcasts, worried about becoming nerdy, not an advanced Elite.”
“Want to tell me my love fortune while you’re at it? So why are you here, ‘Oracle’? I’m not affiliated with Six Legged Beast, you know?”
The United States had an abundance of Legendary Classes.
Among them, she, an Esper not in the Six Legged Beast, was among the few naturally occurring Legendary Classes.
A rare case of being extraordinary enough to be chosen naturally, she remembered meeting Oracle at the Legendary Class festival.
More precisely, one might interpret it as remembering with a certain law enforcement-like instinct that aside from the Architect, there was one more criminal Black guy she was wary of.
As much as she didn’t like standing on top of someone else’s underwear, much less a guy standing in the closet of a woman living alone, Ava was irritated but asked again why he was here.
Even though she heard that with the subclass [Oracle]… you know, like prophets, wizards converting to glimpse a little into the future had increased in the U.S. government.
Though only able to guess how astonishingly powerful an Oracle active from the very roots could be.
“Do you believe in fate, Neo?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I can’t control my own life.”
Having become someone who might be stealthily assassinated if she didn’t stream her VTuber broadcasts periodically, would she believe it? Ava frowned, irritably, already well aware of it, wondering why even ask.
“I get it. Let me tell you why you’re here. You’ve come because you know something, though I can’t explain exactly what. You’ve felt it. You’ve felt it your whole life. That there’s something wrong with the world. It’s been eating away at you, driving you mad, splitting your head wide open. You feel it. You’ve followed that feeling here. You know what I’m talking about?”
“Isn’t that a line from The Matrix? Now, come to think of it, you did call me Neo!”
It wasn’t to come make fun of her hard-knock VTuber life, this skit, whatever it was, Ava considered using her powers to teleport him away but decided to listen patiently. There had to be a reasonable reason why Oracle was here.
“This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. Take the blue pill, and the story ends here. You wake up in bed, go back to believing whatever you want. Take the red pill, and stay in Wonderland, and I’ll show you just how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember. I’m only offering you the truth.”
“Let me hear it.”
“America will collapse!! You’re our only hope!!”
“Damn it…”
It was even crazier than she thought, Ava clutched her head.
Oracle, unable to show it to anyone but herself, told of a dreadful future she had seen in a crystal ball.
“The Fox Deity will scorch America down to ashes..!! Ooh… I see an uncontrollable monster rampaging in fury…!!”
Ava wanted to dismiss it as the rants of a madwoman… but she knew the terrifying creature lurking within Wakamou.
She had also heard, being a special agent of sorts, from the higher-ups that the military was wary of Wakamou and searching for ways to handle it.
…So, a mission got carried out and failed, leading to America’s fiery demise?
Ava trembled in horror and fear imagining the inner beast of Wakamou visiting massacres.
“…..This means only I can stop it… is that what you mean?”
“Yes. Only you’ll lose everything you’ve built up till now. Frankly, you’re destined to infiltrate the most secret facility in America to raise hell.”
“……Damn it!”
Deep down wanting to refuse, but leaving the U.S. government unchecked would lead to Wakamou becoming a monster or some such calamity.
She had no choice. Her life had been on a downward spiral ever since being tangled up with Wakamou.
At this point, there was no future without clutching onto the ties of Wakamou Corporation.
Shining days as an Elite…days of recognition and treatment as a special agent… all those days are now goodbye…
“Morpheus, please tell me where I need to go next.”
“To motivate you a bit more, let me add this: You’ve chosen this fate, and your salary has already gone up fivefold.”
“My love fortune?”
“I see the stars align with a flower boy matching BTS in looks…!”
“You should have started with that!!”
Ava promptly began gathering her gear, grabbing her gun.
Resignation was just a side bonus.
……
….
How did it come to this?
Liu Ying blinked her eyes as she was stuck in an entirely white space, deciding to first assess the situation.
Seems like she’d been kidnapped, after all.
Yet, by what means exactly?
My Worlds wasn’t Wakamou Floor 1, and how could they abduct someone staying there for safety?
“Sniff sniff”
Taking a sniff of the air, she assessed it wasn’t South Korea.
Previously… during her visit to the U.S., there was a similar smell.
Was it the doing of the American government…? Liu Wei’s warning came back to memory.
She heard of the appearance of the Second Generation Legendary Class, did they exploit it as a means?
Six Legged Beast had yet to cross their boss, Wakamou, for his wrath.
The organization itself was a chaotic mess with rivalries, watches, and others amicably coexisting, being an outrageous group.
Perhaps nowhere else could anyone believe Wakamou and Six Legged Beast would remain this tight-knit.
Remembering the Grim Reaper commenting about the boss being a fan of Wakamou, what more could anyone need to know?
Listing various hypotheses endlessly in her mind, Liu Ying traced her hand over the shackles on her arms and the collar around her neck.
Used to imprison Climbers with collar bombs and [Skill Restrictions] shackles…
Rendering a state that barred all use of Skills, beside the weakened attributes through an injected serum to the spinal cord, was what Liu Ying knew.
Hence, always considering the risks of neutralization, she had built an immunity against it.
Being thoroughly prepared never hurt.
Opening her mouth, she exposed and retrieved a hidden pin she always kept affixed to her palate.
However they might’ve kidnapped her…
SDVIMVFoanVzY1YwSVhjamMzUkt1Uk1oK0sya3NRU1YxcUQyKzVnbkpjMEZMK2t1aHhXb3Y4cUc3NFJNZldxNg
‘The time is 1:30… First, locate the electronic devices quickly and call out Aoi Asuka for escape.’
Keeping track of time with the clock on the wall, she calculated the elapsed duration.
Whichever organization it was, Liu Ying vowed to utterly demolish them, her gaze fierce and blazing.
[I]….In truth, I am not a clock.
I am actually a thermometer-hygrometer.
The current temperature is 24 degrees and the humidity is 40 percent.
Not 1:30, but the facility had a genuinely comfortable environment, no doubt.
Click─
In 15 seconds, Liu Ying picked the handcuffs using the pin, casually stretching her wrists.
Regretfully, while Wakamou was averse to killing people, she wasn’t.
In a certain sense, Liu Ying’s personality was one of the meanest around.
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