The Tower is a place with bizarre environments.
You can bring anything you can carry, whether it’s guns or tanks—but modern weapons can’t be used inside the Tower.
You can only use items created with [Skills] or crafted using resources gathered directly inside the Tower.
For the former, there’s a restriction based on your job, and for the latter, the items you can create are limited. If it’s not related to a production role, you’ll be lucky to make a stone axe.
Even if you bring bombs or gunpowder, they won’t explode.
Unless you’re an [Alchemist] or [Shooter] who can use such things without much restriction.
The Tower is a place that tests Humans.
Eventually, the easy ways up will always be blocked.
※※※
…I always thought.
Always, always…
Because I have a body that doesn’t sleep, I always pursued what I liked…loved…wanted as long as I could be happy.
When I resolved that happiness was myself—and when I decided to walk properly, after floundering about becoming a VTuber against my will.
Physical fear from death lurking in the Tower, and mental fear of the possibility of ruining it all with one slip of the tongue during a VTuber Broadcast.
Facing those things, I didn’t show it.
Maybe I had a knack for being a Climber.
Shaking off all those countless fears and worries.
Like many pioneering VTubers before.
Jumping in to do a project no one else dared to do first.
A professional VTuber once said.
The most important thing is life, that living hesitantly isn’t good if your life doesn’t sparkle.
Broadcasting is a once-in-a-lifetime meeting; once it’s done, you can’t go back.
I want to ask the Believers.
Am I doing my best with the VTuber Broadcast?
But I don’t ask, because saying so would mean admitting my fears and insecurities.
The moment I expose my own weakness, my heart’s immovable mind shakes.
I even burned down my own house.
Erased my existence in the past as something fake.
The “self” known only to me, the red pill called Wakamou Inarizushi, a VTuber, will never be revealed to the world.
To become the ideal VTuber, I even abandoned men.
Are you watching, Tower…? This is my resolution.
It hasn’t changed for a moment, from when I decided on the Tower climbing content as a VTuber Broadcast.
Behind me is a cliff. If I retreat, only death awaits.
With readiness to fight to the death, whatever may come in the Tower’s layers—even if I can’t achieve the Complete Strategy Layer.
Death during a VTuber Broadcast in the Tower will never happen.
“I can do it!!!”
Bang─!!
Slamming the ground hard, the contents inside spilled out.
It’s understood that the [Mana-Immune Hard Steel Golem] would be completely unaffected by Wakamou’s attacks made of [Mana] itself.
Not even a kick infused with 10,000 Mana shook it. Yet increasing the weight itself and crushing it could be one way.
– [Using] no [Skill] against “Mana-Immune Hard Steel Golem” (0/1).
Is the Tower trying to kill Wakamou!!
Can’t use it!! No Skills!!
All attacks relying on Mana have no effect on Wakamou’s attacks.
Even if they did, an ordinary blow unenhanced by Mana could never destroy that pure metal body.
A counter layer targeting high-level Climbers you’d find at the topmost layer.
A situation as if intended to kill Wakamou before reaching barely the 20th layer.
As if declaring to run away right now, announce the [Tower Exit], and never return to the Tower again, with oppressive and unreasonable combat—keeping the sleepless body busy watching VTuber Broadcasts and considering all possibilities through 20,000 years of otaku history of Idol worship.
[My Worlds] can’t be used.
No, it won’t be used yet.
-What is that? A baseball bat?
-No, damn it. Isn’t that a shell!!
-What kind of shell?
-A tank shell!!!!
-An armor-piercing shell!!
-No, what is he up to? Could it be?
Dodging the golem’s swing by deeply bending his waist, he caught the armor-piercing shell in his hand and threw it high.
The golem doesn’t watch. Gathering Mana into a single point in his fist──he focuses.
When the rotating armor-piercing shell appeared to slow down, coming to a halt.
Boom─!!!
Striking the flat part, accompanied by a loud noise reminiscent of a tank firing a cannon shell, the armor-piercing shell was launched.
Attacking a pure steel golem with sheer brute force, the shell flew through the air; it directly hit the Hard Steel Golem’s body and embedded itself.
Sound of cracking and splitting body.
-Is he trying to smash it like this!
-This is the victory of modern civilization, right?
-If there’s no tank, I’ll become the human tank!!
Having a body that can’t feel pain, without the slightest flinch, the Golem swings its enormous arm at Wakamou with immense force as it scratches the ground.
Again, throwing the armor-piercing shell with his toes while flipping his body, he snatches it with his hand.
Rising skyward spinning like a top defying gravity, Wakamou lands on the golem’s arm.
A camera moving smoothly like it’d slipped in the sky turns toward the golem and captures Wakamou standing firm on the arm.
Boom─!!
A camera smashed by the armor-piercing shell.
The intended target wasn’t the golem.
A poor golem caught by a second armor-piercing shell through the shattered camera.
Resummoning the camera by consuming Mana and showing Wakamou rushing atop the golem, the angle from above catches the opposite arm swinging sideways toward Wakamou running—
At that instant, Wakamou getting close enough to touch viewers kicks off the armor-piercing shell, landing on it.
A miraculous scene disregarding physical laws.
Still upside down, Wakamou sticking to the rotating shell spun half a rotation, kicked off the shell with all her strength, and leaped once more.
When the arms intersected, the piercing shell struck the ground, veiled by the arm, with visible cracks splitting the ground.
Screech, screech──
Three cameras rotating exquisitely around Wakamou.
One camera perfectly positioned for the right angle, other cameras flew toward Wakamou.
The growing surprise among the Believers at the emergence of 『Four-hooked Anchor』 on Wakamou’s trembling tail.
Whoooosh──!!
With menacing speed, the carbon-fiber cable struck the camera, twisting sharply.
In the viewer’s eyes, it appeared to curve in midair by itself.
The anchor tracing a semicircle suddenly changed its course, hooking onto the arm, past the golem’s back around, and then projecting above his shoulder.
─Only then did Believers realize why the armor-piercing shells were thrown.
Click─
The anchor precisely hooked into the crack.
Pull with force? Regrettably─it’s not elegant.
The skin of Wakamou’s arm, hidden within dark sleeves, spun rapidly. The cable coiled around and reeled in.
From that state, he kicked off the camera serving as the foothold, soared powerfully once more.
As if a rocket, trailing after Wakamou, the golem lifted from the ground─
[Stats]
Mana: 512,332 -> 371,246.
The golem was flung far above Wakamou in an instant.
The advantage of its massive size and weight to crush smaller beings vanished, with no long-range attacks in its arsenal.
[Stats]
Mana: 371,246 -> 200,056.
Vrrrrm──!!!
Faster than a track and field hammer thrower.
[Stats]
Mana: 200,056 -> 127,541.
In the air, fixed tightly to the golem with the anchor, it spun so rapidly it left an afterimage forming a circle.
A force like it’s thrown into a blender.
The centrifugal force was so strong it propelled upward rather than letting drop!!
[Stats]
Mana: 127,541 -> 36,552.
“Baekdu Mountain─!!”
And finally—
“Drop!!”
With a shout that echoed from the throat, the hard steel golem collided with the ground.
The shock created cracks throughout the body, a strong sound echoing of breaking metal, as the body shattered and scattered everywhere.
[Using] no Skills “on” the Hard Steel Golem—a giant slam!!!
“A harmonious blend of artful muscles and skillful techniques! Exceptional and elegant, truly!”
-Do you understand the artistry behind this brutishness?
-The muscle to nullify any spell has been created!!
-Does the Leader use Shaman magic?
-The ultimate shaman who uses muscles instead of Mana…
-Isn’t that just plain brute force?
-Something an Alchemist somewhere might do….
[Incheon’s Tower 18th Floor achieved Platinum conditions and opens to all Humanity!!]
[Due to the Tower’s Platinum Strategy, rewards are being calculated]
[[Video Shooting] Skill gains [Additional Camera Summon] function]
[“Worshiped God” Skill gains [Mana Recovery Rate Increase] function]
[[My Worlds] Skill is enhanced to [Single House with Garden]]
[[VTuber Model] increases the registerable models]
[[Broadcast Points] 10 points acquired. Current: 14]
‘The Skills?’
Seems broadcast points surpassed negative due to the broadcasting.
Are skill upgrades the only reward? Yet, it’s far more than usual.
Does reward increase with difficulty? Even when they impose unfair difficulty, the Tower would provide rewards if Wakamou wins?
“Heh─”
Wakamou stepped toward the next layer.
It was an impulsive action driven by emotions.
As if to abandon the Tower climbing content of Wakamou Inarizushi, the VTuber Idol.
With dissatisfaction at the Tower’s taunting to quit the Complete Strategy Layer, Wakamou dared it.
[Ascending Incheon Tower 19th Floor World]
-Based on [Wakamou Inarizushi] Climber’s achievements, difficulty increases!
-Defeat the [Elite Monster]!
-Defeat the [Mana-Immune Orc Shaman].
[Platinum Achievement Conditions]
-Defeat the [Mana-Immune Orc Shaman] (0/1)
-Suffer damage from [Mana Burn] of [Mana-Immune Orc Shaman] (0/1)
Old and ugly—yet as burly as any professional bodybuilder.
Holding a staff made of beast and Human skulls, wielding an ax in the other hand.
Before the Orc Shaman’s eyes could flash, Wakamou triggered a flash, robbing its vision.
[Mana Burn] is a [Skill].
Manager Wanda Haye explained to Wakamou the method of how that Skill manifested through a favor.
Magic is characterized before it’s used. Thus, one must be vigilant not knowing what spell will emerge.
It could manifest through the hand or weapon—thus, never enter the swinging range of those arms.
Your quad-hook anchor had already been smashed against the golem. With no hesitation, you unloaded armor-piercing shells, leaving it with a single leg.
In a dire situation, was the dopamine exploding? Or was the fury against the tower keeping the excitement alive?
Feeling as if his reverse scale had been provoked, Wakamou did not stop.
Fwooosh──!!
Flames burst from his mouth towards the shaman, but a [Mana Shield] absorbed it as the incantation of the orc shaman shot lightning that grazed Wakamou’s shoulder.
The believers’ excited chats accelerated, witnessing Wakamou dodge the lightning with his reflexes, though Wakamou’s cognitive ability rose to the point where he could read each chat crystal clear.
Pushing bodily limits and testing the possibilities.
Even though bent at the knees and leaning back, instead of falling, Wakamou stood firm without a tremble, deflecting the incoming spear of magic with his hand as he launched an armor-piercing shell.
Boom─!!! Despite keeping his eyes shut, the shaman seemed to sense the upcoming shell’s trajectory and deflected it with an axe.
Both the axe and shell shattered and broke into pieces on impact.
That the axe withstood the shell implied it wasn’t an ordinary weapon.
A ripple in space.
With a short-range spring skill, the orc shaman closed the gap to Wakamou in an instant, and Wakamou blocked with his hand holding down the shaman’s foot.
Gently controlling his flowing long hair with [Mana Manipulation] to ensure it didn’t interfere, he launched a hidden spear from within his sleeve.
Twisting his arm like rubber and spinning like a drill, his flexibility allowed Wakamou to perform a technique that pierced his opponent with precision.
The brutal blow ripped open the side like a gnawing bite, and though the orc shaman moaned, it wasn’t a cry of pain but a roar as he buffed himself.
The green skin turned reddish, muscles slightly bulged, and the orc shaman’s elbow slammed into Wakamou’s shoulder.
Avoiding the grabbing hand, Wakamou shrunk into a small form, widening the distance again, yet the orc shaman’s eyes sparkled as if anticipating the movement.
[Abilities]
Mana: 593,002 -> 592,002.
A curtain of illusions crafted through [Form of Idol].
As the massive phantom, boosted to a thousand mana, was swept away in [Mana Burn], everything in sight turned white with an explosive roar, pushing Wakamou with wild flames.
Despite being airborne, Wakamou understood the full power of the [Skill] meant to destroy him.
[Abilities]
Mana: 592,002 -> 174,562.
‘Is this for real….’
The [Mana Burn] that spread through his illusions broke through his [Form of Idol], reaching Wakamou even though a substitute had been used.
Once Wakamou’s mana, it set the atmosphere, land, and surroundings ablaze, viewed from being flat on the ground.
A direct hit would’ve been instant death.
This was lessened by covering.
The [Mana Burn] caster, with closed eyes, seemed untouched by the explosion, as if ignoring its damage but not the light…?
The body felt severe fatigue.
Vision blurred into two, accompanied by tinnitus and vertigo. The entire body felt submerged in water.
Understanding how vulnerable a being entirely composed of mana was to [Mana Burn]…!!
A life-and-death contest… It can’t always be one-sidedly favorable.
A glancing blow took 420,000…!! Contact would be instant death!!
Yet.
Without a second of hesitation, such a technique can be used on me!!
Rising and crouching in a determined posture.
As the orc shaman, recognizing Wakamou’s intentions, went to act, there was no time given, and Wakamou quickly closed in.
The orc shaman glared with burning eyes, ready to incinerate Wakamou, but where there had been her presence was now empty.
Using ghost-like movements to slip behind, the orc shaman found his attempted grasp’s wrist was caught.
Attempting to turn in surprise was futile.
“……I’m lucky.”
Hearing Wakamou’s snickering voice from behind.
“Without caution, you throw a punch at a master… how rash… thanks for being a monster.”
Realizing the tactile feel of their backs touching.
“Can’t use this on a golem.”
A technique absent in Taekwondo.
Giving no chance for breakfalls, gripping the arm and wryly swinging it to slam the head against the ground.
A technique called 『Throwing』 learned from the King of Authority!!
Crash─!!!
Though the head was driven into the earth with full force, something translucent in Wakamou’s vision.
Protected by a [Mana Shield].
As expected of a shaman.
But even that showed cracks and broke under the [Mana Burn]’s shock.
The head obscured by Wakamou’s body as it dangled, dislocated.
A death where showing a moment’s vulnerability to a master allowed no second chance for revival.
Crack─!!
[Incheon Tower’s 19th floor achieved Platinum conditions and opens to all of humanity!!]
[Rewards are being calculated from Tower’s Platinum conquest]
Dusting off his shoulder.
A clean, flawless finish without excess.
Though still dizzy as if intoxicated, Wakamou stood tall.
Facing the tower, standing defiantly against its failure to kill him.
A silent protest, a demonstration.
[Select 1 reward]
[Idol’s Favor]
– Grants buffs to believers proportional to the floor number.
[Companion Buff]
– Believer recovery speed +50%.
[Grace Acquisition]
– Believer disease resistance (Small)
“Heh…..”
[Grace [Believer disease resistance (Small)] has been acquired!]
Exclusive skill 【Broadcast Points】
– Accumulate broadcasting points to grant grace to believers.
Current points: 37
[Believer disease resistance (Small) – 1 point per believer]
“Not much, Tower.”
Of course, since an idol isn’t a god, it’s only natural.
There were no [Offensive Skills].
Even on the cusp of climbing to the 20th floor, what message does the tower want to convey to me?
Is it that since you didn’t choose, you have to bear your own foolishness?
The one most eager for victory─dominates the competition.
The determination of who desires victory most in this competition.
Undoubtedly, it leads to further climbing.
“Shall we go”
Hair fluttering, Wakamou stepped forward without hesitation.
-Freaking hell, am I seeing this right…?
-Why is the level 50 boss from the British Tower here??
-Leader, quit the tower quickly. You’re gonna die, seriously.
-Why is today so scary… Leader… take it slow…
-Something’s wrong. I’m scared, Leader…
[Climbing Incheon Tower’s 20th Floor World]
-The difficulty increases based on [Wakamou Inarizushi]’s achievements!
-Overcome the [Elite Boss Monster]!
-Defeat [Mana Burn’s Flesh and Spirit Devourer].
[Platinum Achievement Condition]
-Defeat [Mana Burn’s Flesh and Spirit Devourer] (0/1)
What emerged was a colossal ghost.
An undead monster resembling a wailing sheet-covered entity, it could only be damaged by [Sacred] skills.
Ultimately, an idol is just an idol─not a god, so an unbeatable entity for Wakamou appeared.
Being a ghost, physical attacks were ineffective.
The blazing [Flesh and Spirit Devourer] was ablaze with its mana due to [Mana Burn], and touching it meant certain death for Wakamou.
The strategy involved leaving the tower to request support from England for supplies.
[Kusanagi’s Sword], though legendary, lacked [Sacred] properties, rendering it ineffective.
But Wakamou merely smiled.
This time, there was no [tower exit] penalty.
Realizing the purpose of the 19th floor upon reaching the 20th floor.
─Even if irrational, the tower always leaves open a possibility for victory.
All choices must be made by the climber.
[My Worlds] stays out of the camera’s view, while Wakamou turns to the audience.
“Thanks for watching my broadcast─ 600,000 subscribers! I love you all~”
Climbing three floors consecutively, subscribers skyrocketed in both Korea and Japan, finally reaching 600,000.
Though unrecognized by the tower, having the believers celebrate was enough victory for Wakamou, making her happy.
Therefore─ however irrational it seems.
There’s no intention to give up either VTuber broadcasts or tower climbing.
[Abilities]
Mana: 605,321.
Exhausting all mana to the limit, using it in a claw strike.
The actual power wasn’t significant.
It was simply charged with a large amount of mana.
Wasn’t the average mana of a [Wizard] reaching the 20th floor around 2,000?
Then… what about my 600,000 mana?
[Abilities]
Mana: 605,321. -> 112.
As the claws burned with mana burn but before the light spread, the portal closed.
Sipping tea prepared by Liu Ying, while the mana depleted, though it was poison made by Liu Ying, mana was restored as Wakamou waited calmly.
And finally.
[Incheon Tower’s 20th floor Platinum condition achieved; it opens to all humanity!!]
[A world-first 20 consecutive Platinum floor conquest succeeded]
[『Wakamou Inarizushi 1st Floor』 area is additionally provided in the Incheon 100-story tower in South Korea!]
[This area combines all districts from floors 1 to 20 into a new environment spanning an area of 630㎢]
Reopening the portal and crossing over, Wakamou admired the catastrophic scene of the 20th floor, reduced to an unrecognizable hellscape.
Before a scene only likely covered by a nuclear blast, Wakamou activated the camera and began recording.
“Oops, who’d have thought [Mana Burn] would result in self-destruction. That British Tower’s 50th-floor boss… what a pathetic ending♠”
To make a good impression on the believers. Cheekily smiling, even intending for the tower to hear.
“What this means is… the victory is mine because I’m still alive♣”
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
