“Oh no!!”
A Climber from the 30th floor of the Incheon Tower watching Wakamou’s stream screamed.
Though he was in poor health and could hardly move, he urgently typed into the chat about the nightmarish scene unfolding before his eyes that he could never forget.
He wrote quickly, saying the monster shouldn’t be appearing on the 13th floor.
He desperately wished that someone would see his messages about the [Gazer].
The scene of having his chest pierced was still fresh in his mind.
Among the [Fighter] class affiliated with his guild climbing the tower, he carried a shield, leaning more towards the tank type.
He had grown by withstanding fear as much as possible to protect his body and fight to win, selecting skills to develop.
And before entering the 30th floor, known for having [Gazer], he had prepared torches in advance and received [Potions] and [Buffs] for precaution to save his life.
As he raised the torch, the surroundings suddenly became bright.
The Gazer was known as a heinous monster that detected Climbers’ locations by listening to their breathing and heartbeat and chased them until they were too exhausted to move.
Filled with tension, where was it coming from? He stayed vigilant, looking all around.
He was planning to block incoming sneak attacks with his shield right after they happened and then counterattack.
In a firm stance like Mount Tai, casting all available defensive [Skills], waiting for the enemy, he found the Gazer didn’t jump out immediately as expected from the darkness.
Listening to his wildly pounding heart, proof of his heightened anxiety and fear, it was closing in on him.
Holding his breath as much as possible and staying tense, but the enveloping darkness meant he couldn’t discern any direction.
Not to mention, the Gazer didn’t even make a footstep sound since making noise in the darkness was the most lethal mistake.
How much time had passed like that? 10 seconds? Maybe a minute? Perhaps more than 10 minutes had slipped away.
Knowing the enemy was alone, he yelled out, “Bring it on!!!” succumbing to fear.
Immediately after, he blocked the emerging creature with his shield, but the chilling grip of claws piercing through his armor to his heart.
Knowing this notorious [Heart Extraction] without dying was lucky.
Though prepared, he was nearly killed by a silent hunter emerging from the darkness but barely escaped.
That trauma remained. Despite being able to recover by climbing the tower, he gave up climbing to live.
“They have no idea…!!”
Naturally so, it was just the 13th floor.
Having been driven to the brink of death, having experienced it, shaking with PTSD from the dense darkness transmitting from beyond the screen, he desperately typed into the chat…
Along with him, other upper floor Climbers soon realized something was amiss.
That the Gazer wasn’t reacting at all.
It’s understandable not to hear footsteps.
Holding breath wasn’t impossible either.
But a beating heart?
Watching, with a smile on the VTuber inside the screen laughingly saying, “VTubers aren’t real?” could the Fox Deity stop even her own heart…?
“Haha… serves them right…”
Seeing the [Gazer] standing there, slack-jawed with a dumb expression, those painful memories started to ease a little.
The Fox Deity, as if teasingly laughing, simulated a shoulder drape alongside and peace-signed to the viewers before disappearing into the darkness.
And soon the sound of something breaking and sinister screams echoed.
The entity probably didn’t realize who was killing it till the end.
As he got up, wiping his forehead with his hand, dripping as if he’d just showered…from merely watching across a screen, this much fear was palpable.
Still, it was some sort of satisfaction, wasn’t it?
“Not bad…”
Wakamou may not know it, but her journey gave solace to the Climbers who’d given up climbing due to defeat by monsters and fear.
※※※
Wakamou Inarizushi was growing wary of the tower’s affection towards him.
However, in reality, Wakamou was hugely disadvantaged by his unique 『Legendary Class』.
Let’s take our cute 『Hajime Ichigo』 as an example.
[Status Window]
[Climber: Liu Ying]
[Occupation: Low-Grade Alchemist]
[Age: 17]
[Attributes]
Stamina: 30
Mana: 50
Strength: 2
Agility: 17
Health: 3
Intelligence: 22
Wisdom: 5
Charm: 1
You might have noticed already, but Climbers receive [Free Attribute Points] as they climb floors.
The bonus depends on how easily they strategized.
What about our high intelligence simpleton?
Wakamou Inarizushi, who only knows VTubers, is losing significantly, as understood by her journey’s believing readers.
Despite achieving the unprecedented feat of 『Complete Strategy Layer』, her job carries more ignorance as a demerit than expected.
– Attributes consist only of Mana.
– Death if that Mana reaches 0.
– Mana attributes don’t increase even if she climbs the tower.
Practically, working hard outside as an idol to gather followers, climbing the tower as an idol to gather more followers, ended up becoming some bizarre class where she has to prove herself diligently.
The tower, having given such a profession as a whimsy, lacks understanding, opening Wakamou Inarizushi’s mind to acquire information and thus providing appropriate skills accordingly.
Therefore, while Wakamou thinks, “Isn’t my job super OP?”
In reality, considering such demerits, it might also include allowing her to see [Layer’s Strategy Information].
No matter how excellently she strategizes the tower… bonus points don’t apply to Wakamou.
The difficulty just spirals erratically.
As a non-combat job, she wrings her brain with given skills to overcome situations with VTuber’s wisdom(?).
Voluntarily walking into a hellish difficulty.
A regular strategy should grant 3 points.
Strategizing without injury grants 5 points.
『Complete Strategy Layer』 grants 10 points.
However, since Wakamou has no attributes to increase, points don’t come through, Instead, enhancing the skills given as rewards, but due to being derived from idols into VTuber, the exclusive job skills are subtle emerging from Wakamou’s head info.
Even idols’ skills given by the tower, Wakamou wastes mana fighting to maintain herself, always risking her life.
As if enduring wasn’t enough, recklessly squandering mana, indeed, Wakamou is a blockhead.
The tower itself might wonder if the class even has a high point, being a bully at low points. Conceivably poorer than [Alchemist].
Believers and Wakamou cluelessly see the expense; neither realizing the loss.
Thank goodness for the 『Complete Strategy Layer』 streak hitting, receiving substantial rewards somehow.
Even after rethinking, it wasn’t a good job.
Hypothetically, if judging a high point, one could possibly acquire ample mana equivalent to Earth’s population’s number.
Thanks to the foundation Wakamou laid; otherwise, had she been a VTuber with few subscribers, she might suddenly die without understanding.
Nonetheless, the tower might also be clueless.
Crying for [Attack Skill], showing upcoming [VTuber Skills] designed for the job, trying earnestly to implement [Attack Skills], only not buying them.
Having foresighted those skills appearing, advised to choose later when relieved, but promptly snatching without thought.
Yet presumes sorrowfully lacking [Attack Skills]; what’s the solution?
Moreover, perceiving somehow wringing out given skills and wisdom, ascertaining the coveted complete strategy layer, has the tower saying, “This one’s impressively unique.”
Thus, the tower perceived.
“Oh, this kid’s dimwitted and brute.”
The tower, finding her diligent effort pitiful, cared enough to continually prepare rewards.
Hoping someday she’d collect attack skills, still reserving VTuber Skills for selection.
…..Although merely an MT nerd, obedient to desire… but, the kid’s pleasant…
※※※
[Status Window]
[Climber: Wakamou Inarizushi]
[Occupation: VTuber]
[Age: 1,000 years]
[Attributes]
Mana: 523,678
“You finally surpassed 500,000….”
The increase in subscribers felt slow… seemed like people just stopped by whenever I started the stream to watch and leave.
Should I ask the government to make everyone entering my first floor subscribe…? That sounds too selfish, though.
The condition was a 1-month VTuber subscription. Yet, viewers have the freedom to choose their favorite VTuber!! Dictatorship isn’t right!!
Liu Ying viewed my sentiment as if looking at someone lacking intelligence, “Couldn’t it work by making everyone subscribe including 1-month labeal as temple owner…?”
But that’s greed, Liu Ying!!
Yet soon, a crisis loomed.
That’s because the reward for conquering the 13th floor was oddly meaningless.
[Artifact Item [Jiang Taigong’s Fishing Rod] acquired!]
[Jiang Taigong’s Fishing Rod]
Grade: Artifact.
The straight hook pierces anything.
The line is made up of the owner’s mana.
Though bamboo, it’s imbued with mystic energy.
Written with “Taigong Fishing by the River.”
Genuine item lost in the Zhou Dynasty.
Royal Seal, fan, and a fishing rod?
What on earth does the tower see VTubers as? What does it consider me?
Is it telling me to perform fishing techniques with this bamboo..? It seemed good for whipping while maintaining distance.
When catching hold of the fishing line made of my mana, the mana yet again started trickling out.
“If I run out of money later, I’ll just put this in a museum to make some cash.”
“Boss, are you not familiar with Jiang Taigong?”
As Liu Ying looked at the item description, even though she struggled to live for ten years since she was 7, she managed to pick up wisdom by learning to read some Chinese characters she learned as a child. If she had a poor head, she would never have become an [Alchemist], so no words were necessary.
Real artifacts from the Zhou Dynasty, especially from Jiang Taigong, must mean that legendary Jiang Zi Ya…
‘Oh! Boss, you showed off your antiques!’
So how old is our boss anyway? Living for so long his brain must’ve frozen over… Liu Ying decided to concoct a potion to soften the brain.
The truth was simply that Wakamou wasn’t interested in history.
He might have learned if there were VTubers in China.
Although she wanted to ask what the real Jiang Taigong was like, knowing the legends, she might just be reminded of bad memories, so decided not to ask. Didn’t her friends tell her through broadcasts that secrets make women beautiful?
Only respect…
Liu Ying resolutely promises to take care of the boss even if he becomes senile! Never forgetting the grace she received, always fiercely motivated!
If Wakamou knew the truth, he might have been upset, thinking, “What exactly do you think of me?”
Sometimes it’s more beautiful to keep secrets between people.
“The tower seems to want to kill me. It doesn’t stop sending [Elite Monsters] every floor, or pulling in monsters from higher levels. The rewards are shabby, but the difficulty just keeps rising!”
“It’s because the boss is super strong, isn’t it? Our boss is invincible!”
“It would be convenient if they just gave me [attack skills]…”
“Isn’t it just that the boss doesn’t choose them?”
“Hey, didn’t your pronunciation just come out really well?”
“It’s the mood of the game…”
Anyway, after climbing two floors of the tower, today was Ichigo and Wakamou Duo’s broadcast.
Unfortunately, when they spun the roulette, they ended up with a joint survival horror game [Outlast: Trials].
To explain the game, it’s a horror game where you solve given tasks and escape from the pursuers in the assigned stage.
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“I don’t want to do it…”
-As soon as the broadcast started, why is the mood like this lolol
-This is a horror game, right? Yep…
-Isn’t the leader the scariest part…?
-Why are the droopy ears so cute lolol
-The leader is probably scarier to them…
With the viewers’ jokes, the game began.
Ichigo and Wakamou stood at the entrance of the lab, told to get a [vaccine], in the eerie atmosphere.
“Ooooh──”
“Yaaah!!!”
“Boss, calm down!!”
-Sweet happiness welcome lol
-This is dopamine.
-How can you be scared right from the start lol
-Why are ghosts and zombies scary lolol
-Because it’s hard to do otherwise…?
-Maybe they were tormented by ghosts fiendishly…
The VTuber model reflected on screen was already crying rivers, the ears drooping, muttering “I don’t want to, I don’t want to, scared…” as if chanting a spell.
“Boss, you gotta work. Work on it.”
“Sob sob…sniff…waaaah…”
-No, why is she really crying…my heart…
-What are you doing, Ichigo? Push the leader in.
-Keep whining, Fox Deity, and you’ll be trapped in a horror game~
-Once again, young breadwinner Ichigo finds life tough.
-Says she’ll protect you with a brick but is it even right…?
-17-year-old girl bearing too much of family’s weight.
Ichigo’s screen appeared composed, as a zombie suddenly jumped out when opening the door. But with amazing reflexes, she smashed its head with a brick and, as if nothing happened, ventured into the darkness without even turning on a flashlight. She quietly closed her eyes and listened.
“Sob sob…sniff…sobs…”
“Boss, don’t cry….dear softly….”
“Don’t leave me…boohoo…”
“Bossboss! Don’t shake me! Dizzy!!!”
Perhaps because they were right next to each other, Wakamou grabbed Ichigo’s shoulders and shook, making her character jerk wildly on-screen.
-Swaying slightly becomes a whole amusement park ride…
-Can you even hide behind Ichigo? Is there even a point??
-Meanwhile, leader took off and hid in trash can lolol
-No, just play the game lolololololol
-If you hit with the brick it dies?? Just pick up the brick!!
Using a mod to fully implement the VTuber character, even if Wakamou hid in a trash can, the character stuck out, providing comic relief on Ichigo’s screen.
-The trash can is hiding inside Wakamou!
-It takes in our life, so trash can pose no problem lolol
-The trash can can’t even hide lolol
“I said don’t come near me──!!!!”
In too much panic and unable to even throw a brick properly, Wakamou was bitten and lay cold on the floor by a zombie.
“The floor…is warm….”
-As soon as boss died, look at VTuber rep Ichigo running.
-“I’ll save you!!”
-True love dashing to save boss even from hell…
-Even polar bears hesitate whether to cry or not.
-Ah! This isn’t love but an owner taking their giant dog for a walk!
-Feels like hard orders someone will never obey.
-Isn’t it time to use a muzzle?
Lying there, rolling eyes around, Wakamou persisted to the VTuber broadcast with all the mystic followers’ sighs, while Ichigo desperately struggled, still in pitch-black darkness, trying to find the vaccine.
Maintaining barely a thread of life, keeping distance and outmaneuvering the enemies, expertly hiding… Exhibiting expertise honed from life-or-death experiences, she received praise from friends.
-Almost as if the leader doesn’t even exist.
-“Because boss is scared, I’ll do it quickly.”
-While trying hard to puzzle things out, watching other broadcast?
-During collaboration already clipping highlight scene right?
-How come multitasking works yet can’t rev the generator?
-It’s because leader doesn’t know they’re an animal for power.
-Oh lol lightning is nature’s wrath lolol
“Ultearbosswon’tturnbackiftakeso!”
Unable to spin the generator, find the vaccine, wandering the paths to avoid zombies, yelling without any help, useless as ever, Ichigo came running to save Wakamou.
A grip, beyond rarely seen in this game that requires painstaking effort to save.
She ran in with just a few bullet rounds in the pistol among zombies.
Swinging head randomly with no rules but hurling bricks and empty bottles, toppling side zombies with unbelieving aim, Ichigo annihilated zombies convincingly.
-Dying is too early.
-Such a small one can’t ever be useless.
-Invisible speed strike counter.
-This is America style.
-Just a fool knowing only the boss.
-Care for the homeowner!
-Our Ichigo knows nothing about white companies…?
“Huff huff…B-boss did it all!!”
-Is the child extra exhausted tongue tied…
-Woohoo, Hassan worked hard boss….
-Do you even need to save who clips when overwhelmed collab horror?
-Dying is strategy. Loss combat, not war.
-Society’s woe is real….
-Krr…get out my head reception golf!!!
“Really, done with the zombies? Really?”
“Ning!”
After all was done, then should they get going? The vaccine? Standing proudly, Wakamou rose.
The one thing they didn’t know was that once you obtain the vaccine and escape, zombies regenerate.
“Uwaaaah!!!!”
Demonstrating unbelievable controls and seeing through zombies on instinct with agile evasion, Wakamou escaped like the wind.
“Agh!”
Falling behind, Ichigo was surrounded by zombies and mercilessly gnawed, laying flat.
“B-boss…”
The mystical followers expected him to naturally come back for her. Didn’t the leader love VTubers a lot?
“Goodbye, Ichigo. I’ll never forget your sacrifice.”
-Of course, I wasn’t wrong…
-You knave lololol
-This outcome is the real backstab?? This is, seriously????
-Boss Living is Ichigo joy… Swear this is right, damn????
-Die boss!! How can you work and toss a child!!!
-Love VTubers, love her you said!!!
-Discard Unit 1!! VTubers can be replaced!
-That’s truly a trashy viewpoint lolol
Snatching the vaccine alone and escaping, Wakamou gleefully basked in worshipers’ stoning.
She truly didn’t want horror games and ran away genuinely terrified, leaving Ichigo behind.
Sympathetic viewers rushed to comfort with floods of donation to the left-behind Ichigo who worked so hard.
Watching, Ichigo felt moved thinking our boss had it all planned to make her earn money.
In reality, she threw it, cleared it just because she got scared.
Knowing the leader feared horror but being a coward beyond imagination had new viewers in awe, making the community pages anew with laughs.
It seemed the leader’s broadcasts were smoothly sailing.
Until an『Complete Strategy Layer』from fellow Climbers emerged unexpectedly from the upper floor.
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