[Acquired Job Exclusive Skill 【Motion Capture】!]
“Aren’t you even giving me options now?”
I felt something patched, but now it’s just giving me skills without any options.
Even Wakamou had a lot of complaints, and now the believers climbers were grumbling about not receiving good skills.
“It’s the inherent limitations of [Idol’s Body], so there’s no helping it~,” I brushed it off, but it seemed like something needed to be done soon.
Well… being 100% non-combat class and not following the normal growth route of the Idol class, my class suitability is still below 30%.
…..Alright, I had to admit.
The 【Legendary Class】 had peculiarities different from other classes but also had clear limitations.
Inherent limitations can’t be overcome easily….unless you wish upon the 【Shard of Babel】, but who knows if that will change anything.
Frankly, if Wakamou got enchanted by the Shard of Babel again, he’d probably wish something like “Please restore my broken figure!”
It’s a bit wasteful to squander a wish like that….. If we keep climbing, an answer is sure to emerge.
Job Exclusive Skill 【Motion Capture】:
– Can capture motions and output them by consuming mana.
‘So, how do I use this?’
Trying it out as an experiment, a notification appeared: “Please capture motion!” with a screen projected in front of me.
……Hmm, I haven’t really done much with MMD stuff, so I guess I’ll have to study a bit.
‘I haven’t even tried [Ascension of the Lion] yet.’
Asuka was expectantly watching with sparkling eyes, believing her Master would use it at the most magnificently awesome moment ever.
“I don’t have anything special.”
“Me neither.”
“Uh… isn’t there anything good?”
Since everyone is in the 【Legendary Class】, the 1st generation students didn’t seem to have anything special besides some skill enhancements.
Meanwhile, Ichigo was riding on something unknowable, exuding an air of authority.
Didn’t they say even an Emperor needs to manage their expression? Wakamou briefly considered sending Ichigo to multiple academies like Xiao Liang, but Xiao Liang insisted her sister didn’t need it, so he dropped the idea.
In these modern times, having an Emperor around didn’t seem necessary.
As long as Xiao Liang, who was expected to become the next chairman, studied hard, it should be fine.
“So, why did Pirate end up with a bow? Wouldn’t a Wizard usually have a staff?”
“I don’t use a staff. Maybe it’s because my sub-class is transformation, and my third job advancement influences it.”
Pirate was holding the bow with a despairing expression.
How could the Korean Tower give a Wizard an item like a bow?
Even for a VTuber like me, not giving at least a microphone was an absolutely outrageous choice.
Darn monkey-bastard… I’ll definitely beat them up someday.
“If it’s [Juyeong], isn’t it the horse Cao Cao rode?”
[Juyeong]
Grade: Unique.
Limit: Emperor Exclusive Item.
Does not fall off under most attacks.
Runs so fast that its shadow can’t be seen.
It was a famous horse known as the warhorse Cao Cao rode in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
It was a much-needed mode of transportation for Liu Ying, who had no movement speed whatsoever.
Just the question remained─ Was it always intended that such a horse would show up suddenly?
Though she was riding it, Liu Ying looked extremely uncomfortable.
Was it because it was Cao Cao’s horse and not Liu Bei’s?
“I’m not used to relying on equipment….”
“Ah….”
Ichigo had always fought using her intuition, trained martial arts, and self-made potions.
Now, with the appearance of the Russian Tower, Alchemists were producing potions more comfortably and easily, and Ichigo’s position might be diminishing, so class transformation was a good choice.
Despite having an incredible option like [Ranged Ignore] on the dragon robe she wore, she was desperately busy defending against attacks.
She could have stayed behind instead of advancing, but she intentionally entered the castle at a slow pace, concerned about being left alone at the rear.
Old habits die hard.
They say those who have tasted good meat know its flavor, so Ichigo would have to slowly adapt.
While the Tower might have seemed malicious by giving her equipment with a penalty where the agility stat was practically zero, and forcing her to use a horse, surely there was an intention behind the China Tower’s expectation.
“So, the bow Pirate received…. oh…”
Many people complained about returning General Yi Sun-sin’s artifact to the museum.
SDVIMVFoanVzY1YwSVhjamMzUkt1Uk1oK0sya3NRU1YxcUQyKzVnbkpjMzhNWmJSR2YzTjhoOXcrSm1Nc0s2Rw
“This is troublesome indeed.”
[Famous Bow Yeogunggugoo]
Grade: Artifact.
Limit: [Strength above 300]
A bow used by Taejo Yi Seong-gye.
A bow that cannot be used by ordinary people.
Archery Skill +2
Accuracy +50%
[Great Shout Sound Arrow] [Cooldown 5 minutes]
A mighty bow that shoots with a loud sound.
[Energy Core Arrow] [Cooldown 30 minutes]
A powerful shot infused with mana.
No matter what, wasn’t the original bow of the Joseon founding king, Taejo Yi Seong-gye, said to have vanished after the 6.25 war when it was stored?
Pirate was half out of it. Although she tempted to chuck it into the museum…
But all monsters on the current floor, like it or not, could use [Mana] at least at a high level.
Attacks infused with [Mana] would still damage Pirate even if she transformed her body into mist.
Of course, if made with things like lava or lightning, while Pirate would also take damage, it would hurt the enemy too.
Not really knowing what skills to use, she was using Yi Sun-sin’s armor without any other choice.
On top of that, she wielded three more blades and Taedo contributed six more swords as a skill…. One more bow might not make much difference.
“I can make arrows with Elemental Mana, but isn’t that a bit off?”
“You’ve already strayed quite far from being a wizard.”
“Damn it.”
Wouldn’t calling it a mutant wizard be more accurate?
Wondering how to use their newly acquired skill, the party wasn’t particularly fatigued or exhausted so they decided to ascend to the next floor immediately.
[Climbing the 56th Floor World of the Incheon Tower]
– Trials befitting strong climbers are presented.
– Difficulty increases based on Climber [Wakamou Inarizushi]’s accomplishments!
– Overcome trials with your fellow companions!
[Platinum Achievement Conditions (Relaxed)]
– Defeat 56th Floor Boss (0/1)
– Destroy 56th Floor Facility Core (0/1)
“Huh?”
Beep Beep─
Members gathered deep inside the massive research facility bewildered, looking around.
After the dwarves following the orcs and elves, they expected something like lizardmen to show up, but lo and behold, a futuristic city sprung up, surprising them.
The intricate design with all the mechanical devices scattered everywhere made it resemble a space colony from the movies.
-What the heck with the sudden genre change??
-Golems might appear or something?
-It feels like some research facility environment.
-Research…Russia…Ugh…my head…
-The tower sometimes spawns golem monsters, isn’t it that?
“No, no, this is just over the top.”
Even in confusion, there should be a limit…..
Several doors everywhere were a headache. Perhaps it might turn out to be maze-like? For complete conquest, Wakamou explained to the members the two conditions to achieve.
Even if they found the boss, penalties would be applied if captured immediately.
Moreover, the serious issue was the unpredictability of whether a monster appearing from a hallway might be the boss or not!!
Creak, Creak─
“A mannequin?”
“Android?”
“Droid?”
“Finally opening the new era of love dolls, huh?”
“Mami?”
Seemed like a new partner category might be added to the Russian Tower.
A mechanical human never seen before appeared. The interior of the mannequin was filled with equipment, equipped with a red-hot glowing metal sword.
It lightly swung it, slicing cleanly through the walls as smoke puffed out with sizzling sparks.
That led to an explosion, cutting off the light in the hallway as the red emergency lights turned on.
[Facility Damage 98%….If damage worsens, the facility will self-destruct.]
“Wow, damn it.”
It was like saying don’t fight for those like Pirate who shape-shift or Adolf who could transform the terrain completely.
“Cutify, yap─★”
Of course, it did not apply to Pipkin Mami.
With an adorable phrase, she clenched her raised hand and a piece of scrap metal dropped to the ground with a thud.
“Oh─ Need some Nicotine♬”
“With an insanely refreshing and cute smile and sparkling eyes, don’t smoke.”
“Do you know the dark side of showbiz? It’s not even marijuana, but tobacco is an elegant and noble rich man’s hobby.”
Replying with a loud laugh to a displeased Joseph, she inhaled the cigarette in one puff and swallowed it wholly.
The cigarette turned to ash in an instant and scattered as Pipkin Mami exhaled steam from her mouth.
Watching her, Wakamou glanced at the group for a moment.
There wasn’t enough room for Ichigo to swing her sword, the space was so cramped.
Even Wakamou was almost bumping his head against the ceiling.
“Not enough space to swing a sword….?”
In any case, discomfort was rampant.
For safety’s sake, Wakamou extended a camera forward to lead the way.
He clicked his tongue, astonished at the numerous turrets set in place, as well as the numerous unfamiliar mannequin robots appearing here and there.
They all had the same appearance and identical form, but those wielding swords were now suddenly equipped with unfamiliar gear around their necks.
“Asuka sees it appears that they are learning.”
“Learning?”
“In Asuka’s eyes, an electromagnetic field is filled within this facility.”
“Mami can see it too─★”
“Please keep that foul mouth shut for a moment. This is Asuka’s time to shine at what she can do best. Do you know how it feels to be treated as invisible compared to the White Dragon, human?”
“I apologize…being compared to the White Dragon is a bit much.”
“Mami?”
Hopefully, the sound of fissures forming in the 1st gen’s friendship is just my imagination.
Asuka explained that surveillance cameras were installed throughout, including in the corridor and the entire facility, and that all mannequin robots were linked and learning from the attacks they were destroyed with, devising countermeasures and updating themselves accordingly.
Testing if Wakamou and Mami could pass through walls, unfortunately, it was impossible due to high voltage current and high concentrations of mana flowing within.
Honestly, the trick being countered instantly brought a small laugh from Mami.
-Climbing the tower really is hardcore.
-They usually don’t respond immediately like this.
-You guys just ruthlessly overran the dwarves…
-Damn you Korean Tower…!! Offer services for VVIPs!
-(Info) The Korean Tower fella forcefully made Wakamou a climber.
-Whimper… He’s truly a loathsome bastard…!!
-Wonder if this fella’s just salty it can’t be like the other towers.
-China Tower, please, if you’re reading, help us…
-Russian Tower Admin) Quaking in fear now? LMAO
-Geez, why’s this admin so MZ age.
-Adaptation to the internet is eerily swift.
-Russian Tower Admin) Adapt to tempt your partners a bit.
-Can I gift you books from Comic Market?
-All manner of deviant lust, in Russia.
“Russian Tower Admin. Could we at least know the name of the monsters appearing now?”
-Russian Tower Admin) It’s [Android] which [Scientists] or [Engineers] would make. Looks like it’s a low-grade one? Slightly resembling those crafted in the Russian Tower’s record that the Korean Tower sneakily adopted, huh? Seeing as the Partner Creation feature has been added now, it’s probably kept under wraps to avoid information leaks!
“Seriously, what amazing ability do they have to consistently astound people like this?”
Did this fella’s learning ability evolve specifically to mess with Wakamou Inarizushi?
……Upon reevaluation, it suddenly seemed plausible.
Isn’t it the case that since Wakamou relentlessly wrecks and ascends the tower, they simply research Wakamou every day?
“Wakamou Corporation!! Adolf, step back for a moment. Everyone gather around.”
Now, monsters akin to companion summoners a 【Legendary Class】 could create were cropping up.
Responding to Wakamou’s call, everyone gathered around to exchange opinions.
“Ah, I get it now. Well… wasn’t there something similar at our nuclear plant? Modified humans?”
“Ah…. that system line, it modified them that way?”
“Seems like it. It looks like the current [Android] is at the lowest tier. If the battle drags out, it may become a nuisance, right?”
“Then could it be jewelry granting resistance to mental psychic power attacks? Since telekinesis affects space, it could be that.”
“If I respond by [Shape-shifting], they might use that? Then should I fight with a sword….?”
“Doesn’t that mean I can’t fight? Can’t even summon the generals?”
The group’s noisy meeting showed no sign of ending anytime soon.
Joseph Khan, even without transforming into a white dragon, was strong enough but the facility couldn’t handle it.
Additionally, if Ichigo indiscriminately summoned subordinates to clash weapons and fight, they might retaliate with overwhelming numbers.
The more defeated, the higher resistance to attack they gain, so Ichigo’s generals were not good options either.
Wakamou was the worst off here.
The [Idol’s~] series genuinely had nothing to use.
“In this case, it falls on Asuka, human.”
“Have a good idea?”
“I’ll transform into electricity, traverse the circuits, and destroy where the core lies.”
“If Asuka destroys the core up there, that should do it.”
“Then we need to lure the enemies… There’s only one person who can use a skill as useless as [Resistance], right?”
Seeing Asuka thumping her chest confidently, Wakamou mentioned the most advantageous member in this situation.
Adolf Lucia, who stared blankly at them without any particular thought.
Her [Art] skill rendered any resistance pointless on the other side.
But the problem might be that her stats are no different from ordinary people.
“Um… What if I get hit by a stray bullet..? I’m not that strong.”
When Wakamou mentioned Adolf as the key to clearing this level, she mumbled nervously.
Unlike the intelligent Dwarves, the Machines, simply [Androids], required her to close the distance to use her skill.
She hated pain, especially being so close to ordinary people that she wasn’t physically strong.
Adolf’s group helping to deal with that many numbers seemed impossible.
Wakamou pondered briefly, then reluctantly whispered the 【Victory Spell】.
“They say those are minions made by the [Engineer].”
Even a Virtual Character’s expression changes like that…
Lucia, who uses neither brush nor carving knife, gazed at the henchmen engineers could make effortlessly.
Crude imitations mimicking humans.
Junk seeking practicality without capturing any art.
“Mannequins shouldn’t be handled like that.”
Lucia’s [Mannequin Art] skill unleashed puppets crawling out of her bag.
A bizarre silver-haired mannequin, nailed and blood-stained like a corpse dragged from a coffin, stood upright twisting its joints as if cursed.
“Farewell, my blissful love that stayed with me, my true love!”
The mannequin, reciting lines from the opera [City of Death], threw itself at the enemies from her hand with full force.
Performance art, like humans without wings yearning to leap skyward.
A mannequin named [Adelheid’s Corpse] leading the charge, began a solo ballet on the stage.
Pipkin Mami used telekinesis to catch and stop the bullets pouring from all directions.
“Asuka, go!!”
With Wakamou’s shout, Asuka transformed into lightning and vanished into the walls.
Declaring confidently to resolve everything within ten minutes, factoring in the detection of facilities and firewalls.
And in the meantime, Adolf’s rampaging mannequin smashed ten Androids.
Taking the sword-armed limbs and attaching them to the body, it moved like a tree with its torso fused.
While her companions helped Adolf against the overwhelming numbers, enduring seemed impossible.
Even as Android reinforcements arrived in seconds, they fully absorbed [Adelheid’s Corpse] attacks.
“Did they change the exoskeleton?”
The darker color indicated a change in alloy for sure.
Moreover, armed with weapons keeping [Mana Blades] active despite being drained from [Heat Blades].
The turrets on their shoulders even fired [Mana Lasers] at Lucia.
“Even using [Magic]?”
Mami, bewildered, opened her [Trump Card], to counter all the incoming magic.
Powerful enough to burn each card with a single use, Lucia might be in mortal danger with just a graze.
Yet her face bore no fear nor terror.
Instead, the pervasive smile on her lips resembled one Wakamou wore closely.
A fearless grin from warriors who never lose the upper hand…!!
Puhwaaa─!!
With a spray from its mouth, [Adelheid’s Corpse] extended sticky liquid from its joints, pulling in [Androids] and adhering them with a sloshing sound.
Forming a mass of human-like beings stuck together.
“Adhesive…!!”
Joseph, noticing the unmistakable scent, shouted.
“[Assemblage]!”
It looked like a spider forming a sphere with its gathered young.
The art piece birthed from fingertips rampaged furiously.
Crushing Androids underfoot and assimilating them if they endured, expanding and coiling itself.
“Ahahaha!! Wonderful, this art piece!! Desperate yet never becoming human… Shall I name it [Mechanical Centipede of the Sheep]?”
The mannequin-made centipede landed with a thud, grotesquely moving and absorbing everything in sight.
[[Automatic Android Production Function Is Stopped!]]
The announcement echoed throughout the facility.
Asuka had succeeded.
[To Protect the Facility, Initiating [Gear Wheel Golem]]
Thud─ !!
[Facility Damage at 72%…. If Damage Worsens, the Facility Will Self-Destruct]
A golem made of spinning gears roared, crushing the centipede creation from Adolf while emitting lightning in all directions.
The Gear Wheel Golem, rampaging as if to obliterate the entire facility with shock waves.
Though seen with the naked eye, invisible energy swirled around it, which Pipkin Mami recognized as electromagnetic fields.
Kiiee──!!
Rotating gears sparked, emitting lightning that struck Joseph black.
Unable to counter fast enough, Pipkin Mami created a telekinetic barrier only for lightning to pierce her chest like a serpent as it warped through space.
“Gyahh…!!”
Two foaming mouths fell in rapid succession.
Ching─!
“Striking for the King right off”
And turning into lightning alike, Pirate intervened ahead of Adolf, wielding a sword charging at the Gear Wheel Golem.
Thud Thud─
A thumping sound akin to a heartbeat launched the “shot” hand.
Struck by a barrage of rapid punches fired like pistons per second, the Pirate slid down the wall with blood, unable to block.
“Son of a…”
Attempting to cast [Shape-shifting] instantly dispelled.
No response in a mere blink. A gap between machine and human too vast to close.
Tatattatatadu──!!!
And then, the Golem unleashed rapid punches over 700 per second toward Wakamou.
Seeming to nullify all attacks related to [Mana].
Facing an awkward [Mana Immunity Hard Steel Golem] alone.
“The most dangerous expression belongs to the boss after all.”
Beside him, eyes piercingly sharp, [Engineer] wondered how to dismantle this as Adolf’s hand, blackened, crumbled.
Electrified but she thrust her hand with madness intending to smash it.
Hajime, pulling her back and supporting Adolf, knew even an [Emperor’s] summon couldn’t defeat this mechanical beast.
If it were [Alchemist], the structure could be corroded or disabled, but with the [Alchemy Skill] unavailable, she could only watch.
Attacks don’t work.
Outmatched in speed and strength, overwhelmed.
Pushed as if to demand using [Idol’s True Body].
[Idol’s Body] couldn’t keep up, reaching its limit.
All the unfairness.
The accumulating stress of inequality, oppression, and discomfort─
Pressed further into disadvantage──
Can you really smile so easily?
Figuring out how to conquer and smash it, how to defeat it.
Wakamou awaited while memorizing the attack pattern within a situation pressing as if the tower forced her to learn, knowing she could win.
[Facility’s Core Destroyed!]
[3 Minutes Until Facility Self-Destructs!]
Utterly unjust warning echoed.
‘If Climbing the tower alters climbers’ characters substantially─would the most changed be the boss, or is it her true nature emerging’
Hajime watched without a worry while having Lucia drink a potion.
“Aah─！！”
With a roar, stopping the incoming punch with a captured Wakamou’s arm.
Her arm’s structure beneath the sleeve began to morph. Casting [Idol’s Mineral], embedding the metal as it reconstructed ─ with steam hissing, lightning and rapid punches erupted like a submachine gun.
High-speed rush, difficult to follow with eyes.
Casting [Idol’s Light] left only explosive strikes ignoring processes, clashing fists with the Golem.
No doubt dealing no damage, something Wakamou knew too.
“Squashing ants without crushing them….requires careful control”
Through [My Worlds] the Golem’s punch swung around to precisely strike its own back.
“Isn’t something as precise as a machine”
And through the portal opening behind, firing [War God’s Arrow].
Even if it couldn’t inflict damage, the explosion sufficed to sever debris.
With [Origin Wizard’s Stone Staff], thrusting it into a creviced gap, Wakamou.
Seeing flowing Mana, she grinned fiercely, aware the internal materials differed.
“[Idol’s Thunder]”
Spending all her remaining Mana, decreeing heavenly punishment.
With a deafening roar, darkness enveloping and the Golem shattered completely with the interior destroyed, collapsing.
“Predictable patterns, obvious weaknesses, lacks learning ability. Korean Tower?”
The intuition is completely gone.
Now the enemy completely nullifying attacks related to [Mana] transcends tediousness to utter boredom.
Wakamou, saying that, her eyes gleamed fiercely red in the dark.
“You’ve gone soft? Lost your touch?”
Descending alongside the unabashed taunt was Wakamou.
[Incheon Tower’s 56th Floor Achieved Platinum Status, Opening to All Humanity!]
[Rewards Increased Due to Tower Platinum Strategy]
And the victorious announcement echoed.
Believers, spectators, fellow climbers all felt it.
The difficulty no longer seen as fitting for the 56th floor.
──That the tower could no longer handle the 【Idol】 before them was beyond doubt.
==================================
For the readers, one picture.
That’s Dongtan Wakamou for you.
Here are some emojis created additionally.
Although not yet colored, there are currently 6 made in this style.
Planning to create highly recommended comments, so please participate actively, dear readers.
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