“Today’s broadcast is~ everyone watching xPeace together!!”
With that said, Pirate turned on Wapiece.
– No, why are you turning this on, damn it.
– Don’t show us Korea’s disgrace!!!
– Where did you even find this!!!
– It’s amazing you found just the first episode, hahaha.
“But hey, aren’t they called the Turtle Ship Pirate Crew?”
– Ah.
– Ah.
– Ah.
– Seriously? Was that the setting??
– I wish I didn’t know, damn it, haha.
“Wow! We’re copycats too, then! But I’m with the navy so it’s okay!”
– There are tons of issues.
– It’s a problem even if this is the navy.
– Why do you say that with your head tilted and tongue sticking out?
– Watching this broadcast lowers my IQ…
“Hmm, wait a minute…..Is this correct?”
Watching Pirate confidently search and play the first episode on YouTube, the Manager logged into a site where they could watch the anime officially and played the original version. With subtitles included, there wasn’t much inconvenience for the crew watching.
“[You, I’m gonna blast you away?]”
“Wow, what’s this guy doing climbing in an orc barrel? I like the boldness!”
Watching it stretch like real rubber, Pirate clarified to prevent misunderstandings─ Hajime Ichigo’s potion only lets you stretch freely, but the elasticity to bounce back is due to Pirate’s own [Skill], so she warned not to copy it.
– I wouldn’t try it even if you told me to, haha.
– No one would ever try that!!
– But, kids might watch and try it themselves, you know?
– Right, if kids watch this and become [Alchemists], it would be South Korea’s loss.
– The captain should be responsible and apologize.
“Not becoming a Wizard is because of one’s lack of talent?”
– Captain says “Ichigo has no talent”
– Shocked by the brazen statement…
– National Alchemists’ tears.
– Really, it’s just a fine line between not being able to use magic and being like a witch with a cauldron in the modern era, is this right…?
“Anyway, this is fun! Smoky? The navy rival character is totally cool! My type! Hmm… does he have a huge moment later? Crew? Why is everyone silently laughing?”
Initially having a significant presence, but over time becoming a joke and, recently, losing his presence entirely, the method of a certain vice admiral’s ability got Pirate thinking it might be useful, rubbing her chin.
– No, is it right for someone with the most cartoon-like ability to think this?
– Do not underestimate 20,000 years of otaku history!!!
– At least watch an X-man show….
– It’s amazing how she uses her ability without even watching it all.
“Why does everyone act so stubborn, I wonder. Oh right! I told Ichigo to watch the classic alchemist movie with me, right? I watched it. It wasn’t fun… The CGI was bad. Japanese movies all feel similar. I wondered why it’s a classic.”
– Damn, I told you not to watch the live-action!!!
– Ah, haha!
– Look at the crew losing their minds haha
– Watching their enlightenment drops in real-time, oh boy.
– No matter how you see it, watching a live-action adaptation and criticizing it…
“Still, pirates are bad. I searched online, and the Straw Hat Pirate Crew? I heard they make money by trafficking people.”
– Not even listening to the crew!!! Only trusting the internet!!!!
– What are we to the captain!!!!
– No no no no no.
– Haha, this room’s on fire today.
– Every single word is precious…
“Speaking of illegal things, do you know Kabukicho? As I was walking there, a host club… promoter invited me. Wanting to try various experiences, I went, but… it felt like a total waste of time. Being pampered by a man at a host club… isn’t quite thrilling.”
– What?
– No, what is she even saying. I don’t get… any of it.
– Promoter?? Why use such words…
– Is the captain really part of the navy??
– Why on earth go to a host club out of curiosity!!!
– A super sociable captain even visits Kabukicho.
– Didn’t she just go because there’s a pachinko nearby?
– Surely not?
“I did go to pachinko? Being pampered doesn’t quite release enough dopamine. The thrill you get at life’s brink… As your money dissolves, even your brain melts… That one big hit is the best feeling. Better than, you know. They don’t even give out marbles anymore, just cards, which is disappointing. Building a mountain of them and watching those who lost is fun.”
– Th…that’s fascinating…
– Shuddering at the depths of darkness unraveled.
– The brain is immersed in dopamine, isn’t it?
– To perform [Shape-shifting], you need this level of mentality.
– Talking with her, the crew’s losing their sanity.
– Nobody can out-crazy this character.
– Astonishingly, this VTuber is government-affiliated.
– Korea’s doomed. I should go to Japan.
– Including the Japanese government. Go to China, buddy.
– I’ll just re-enlist.
– Haha, hahahahahahahahaha
Once you plunge into Mare Pirate’s indescribable madness, the crew preferred her chat broadcasts.
Not really talking about the pain or struggle she endured while learning karate and getting beaten up─ but rather talking about the legitimate right to hit back after being hit made one realize that climbers just have a different mentality.
“It’s a pity women can’t join the military. Hearing about the tough training my dad went through in the Self-Defense Forces makes me want to try it too… During the week I circled Mount Fuji three times. Drinking alcohol when your body reaches its limits is the ultimate. I really got shocked and was hospitalized.”
– What.?
– No, I just… just…
– Please, don’t say any more…
– Never seen a madwoman wanting to join the military.
– Wanted to be a warrior like her father…
– Are you already…craving to drink more?!
“Every day would be okay…!”
Tsssk─
With those words, Pirate took a drink.
Claiming she wouldn’t get drunk on something as trivial as beer, she turned on her brother’s account to start an adult game, only to be stopped by the Manager.
Bubbling─
Today, Hajime Ichigo was conducting an alchemy hand-cam broadcast. She was diligently crafting various potions.
Rolling pills around, playing hand games─ also sorting potions based on efficiency.
One can see the description of made items without drinking them, but knowing exactly how they work requires tasting them first.
While the [Sweet Flame Grenade] explodes when thrown and doesn’t matter whether it’s a pill, the [Sweet Flame Potion] was better drunk as a potion.
Drinking it caused issues with the burning of the stomach and esophagus, but Wakamou used it nonchalantly for its fire-breathing purposes.
Pills did not act as rapidly as potions, leading Ichigo to sort them.
As long as a living being consumed Ichigo’s poison, it would be effective in most cases.
However, being in a potion bottle meant it had to break, a fundamental issue.
With the advent of pills that could cover such drawbacks, she was experimenting with turning potions like [Rapid Freezing Potion] or [Rapid Metal Reshaping Potion] into throwable pills.
Items like the [Concrete Expansion Potion], [Magma Fire Powder], and [Blind Moth’s Poison Dust], etc. could even be converted into dynamite-like explosives, so after the broadcast, Ichigo planned to practice sniping with a rifle slingshot she purchased.
“Hmm….”
Using a recipe provided by the Climbers Association, Ichigo crafted [Petrification Potion] and wrapped up her broadcast with the test-made [Mana Leak Potion] and [Rainbow Luminous Potion].
“This would seriously look amazing at a festival, huh!!”
Pirate, invited for drug testing, downed the [Rainbow Luminous Potion], glowing wildly in colorful hues.
The potion was designed to provoke monsters, as the luminous glow was almost blinding if stared at directly, prompting Ichigo to offer the antidote.
The [Mana Leak Potion] continuously discharged mana until its effect wore off, suggesting various uses.
When Wakamou tried it, smoke akin to a sauna emitted, prompting a hurried antidote from Ichigo.
Meanwhile, Pirate engaged in a statue mimicry with the [Petrification Potion].
Despite drinking the [Extreme Chocolate Poison Potion] whimsically and experiencing muscle liquefaction, she capitalized on it to turn her arm into a sword humorously.
Adhering to safety, Ichigo punched Pirate while clutching her throbbing neck, only for Pirate, taking advantage of her liquefied muscles, to split her head in half like water, ducking the blow, and laughing in a grotesque manner.
“Isn’t this like that parasite guy…”
“Shinichi! A compatriot! Have you seen the movie? It was fun!”
Pirate recreating the horror by crafting eyes and a mouth on her palm and performing ventriloquism using her missing facial features.
From a distance, when Wakamou hid in the corner, Pirate consumed the antidote, returning to normalcy.
Of course, it was the domain of Pirate, an expert in [Shape-shifting]. Normally, these human experiments would be deadly.
Naturally, Ichigo wasn’t to blame. Pirate drank them on her own because they were tasty!!
“How can you shape-shift like that?”
“I’m a super elite navy, of course.”
“Ryoukai!”
Mingling with Pirate briefly and checking the coating potions she bought for use, Ichigo, too, prepared herself, contemplating strategies for the next level. In a studio’s corner, Pirate sat cross-legged, meditating.
And Wakamou pondered several issues.
As always, she sought more useful applications for the [Skill] she possessed.
‘When I transform into a Turtle Ship, the mana consumption is extreme.’
Even the use of the [VTuber Model] skill required mana.
While transforming into the [Loli Wakamou] model reduced mana consumption, it was overwhelmingly unfavorable for combat.
Having short limbs offered absolutely no advantages, to be frank.
Though reducing the hit area and lightening the body could mean an advantage by trying harder─ when in [Turtle Ship] form, it was absolutely dizzying.
There was no knowing where her limbs began or ended. Distinguishing her head was just as confusing.
She could move as she liked, and it was possible to breathe fire from the dragon’s head, but frankly, that was all.
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Moreover, mana drained heavily even when stationary, and transforming didn’t grant additional defense!!
Receiving damage when a rider landed on the deck said it all, didn’t it.
While [Idol’s Body] allowed free transformation with focus, the [VTuber Model] couldn’t. It was fixed to the [VTuber Asset] form, unchangeable no matter what.
‘Then what if one of the [Idol’s Body] avatars comes with armed gear from the start?’
Right now, she could transform her hand to a sword, but wouldn’t being armed be advantageous?
Considering the ability to control cut-off body parts with remaining sensation and movement, she contemplated developing multiple models in advance.
‘I shouldn’t have made the [Dual Disk]. I regret it.. It was a mistake made in the heat of the moment. Where would I use this? Should I hold a duel tournament at Incheon Square by projecting with the [Idol’s Form]?’
To make the best of the [Idol’s Messenger], wasn’t it wise to invest heavily in [Stats]?
The inevitable answer was ascending Kyoto Tower in Japan.
‘With the Kyoto White Fox & Black Wolf collaboration event, it seems a must-go soon.’
Cross-checking her schedule, checking the VTuber broadcasting timetable─ Wakamou booked her plane ticket in advance, informing her manager of her plans before launching the VTuber broadcast.
She hoped to tackle up to the 30th floor all at once tomorrow, if possible.
‘Whoa… There’s already an article titled [Is it really okay to overwork a minor climber on livestream]?… Considering the threatening aspect of climbing to life, should I let Ichigo know…?’
Relaying her concerns to the manager, within just three minutes, all related articles disappeared.
Oh? She only wanted a consultation.
Shortly after, upon learning through the manager’s message that “the reporter” was handled well, she wanted to ask if it was just a typo but lost the courage to do so.
I wanted to ask if there was a typo in the story, but I didn’t have the courage, so I stopped.
“Hey, Otsuya-yo~”
A three-person collaboration taking their own versions of what they thought were cool poses in front of the camera commenced.
Mare Pirate sported a navy coat of unknown origin with “justice” emblazoned on it. Hajime Ichigo was, well… standing in a pose that seemed to express something or other. And in the center was Wakamou, standing with arms crossed. It was a spectacle where no one seemed to be in their right mind.
In the previous level, Mare Pirate had learned a new [Skill], and Ichigo had gathered materials to make potions. Wakamou, deciding that heading out empty-handed was not a good idea, brought along [Chain Devil’s Chains] and wrapped them around their arm. On their back was also [Silver Moonlight], in case it might become unusable.
– You’re well-prepared, unlike before…
– Why are you carrying a rock? lol
– No other choice since there’s no inventory…
– No wonder even [Alchemist] delves into optimization.
– Can’t you just throw it?
– Haha, that’s also an option!
“Now, everyone, don’t forget the safety chant before heading in.”
“”Yes””
– Wait, was this something we always did?
– Isn’t it obvious? Are you a jobless bum?
– Would you prefer to call me the King of Beasts?
– This place needs a Fox king, so get lost.
– Haha, that’s refreshing!
– Not barging in recklessly is what makes it “professional.”
– Of course, we’re professionals.
– What if you get hurt?
– That would be considered collateral damage, unavoidable sacrifices for military purposes.
– “Always incident-free.”
Chanting the safety spell and clapping three times, the Wakamou party completed their preparations.
Come what may—be it the sea, drop from the sky, or roll like a glacier—Wakamou advanced with confidence as a battlefield enveloped in phone screens opened before them.
Skulls clad in armor sprawled all around, alongside endlessly burning trees. The sky was red as blood, and the clouds were dark.
Viewers, shocked by the grotesque and alien scene, were not alone in their surprise; Wakamou and Ichigo were also stunned. Mare Pirate, however, wore a firm expression as if familiar with it.
“The boss on the 50th floor of Osaka Tower that even the King of Authority struggled with…!『Warrior of Restless Spirits』!!”
Standing too corpse-like to be considered human, clad in traditional Japanese samurai armor, carrying three katanas at its waist, wielding a naginata, and even bearing a matchlock gun.
Realizing they spotted a firearm only when its muzzle was pointed at them, they reacted quickly.
[Currently climbing the Incheon Tower, 28th Floor]
– A trial befitting strong climbers awaits.
– Overcome the challenge by joining forces.
– Defeat the [Elite Boss Monster]!
[Platinum Achievement Condition]
– Defeat the [Berserk Warrior of Restless Spirits] (0/1)
Clink—
The opponent was a boss monster that the King of Authority had struggled with, as his daughter had said. Though not sure about King of Authority’s encounter, here it was an Elite.
Chains shot from Wakamou’s sleeve to parry bullets, and as they continued to soar, the Warrior of Restless Spirits wrapped them around the naginata, intending to pull Wakamou closer.
However, unfazed, they dropped the naginata and drew two katanas from their waist, one in each hand.
Whoosh, whoosh—
Ichigo fired explosive pellets from a slingshot, but despite the fierce explosions, the Warrior of Restless Spirits remained unscathed.
She switched to freezing bullets to ice the surroundings, yet the scorching field melted the ice, bringing a frown to her face.
[Lava Fire Powder], formed into a pill, flared fiercely as [Molten Flame] burned and dripped, but the Warrior of Restless Spirits advanced indifferently.
“The monster’s immune to fire-type attacks, can’t be status-affected, and immune to magic attacks!!”
– I’ve never seen such a messed-up SOB.
– Ridiculous combination.
– Seriously, is that even possible? Why so messed up haha
Turning to mist, Mare Pirate charged forward, only to have Wakamou catch her with a chain and pull her back.
Simultaneously, a swift slash passed, splitting the space.
“…..!”
As Wakamou pulled Mare Pirate, whose face turned pale, they gripped [Kusanagi’s Sword] and charged.
Against the charge of the massive fox giant, the Warrior of Restless Spirits discarded their gun and drew a sword with both hands.
Raging flames surged between their armor, and blazing-fast sword trails loomed towards Wakamou.
Pulling on their Mana, Wakamou charged to meet them.
The Warrior of Restless Spirits, despite appearing undead, moved swiftly, swinging blades at Wakamou with elegant precision, while Wakamou met each slash with equal precision, beginning their defense.
To an outsider, it seemed the swordsmen were in a deadly duel of skill!
In reality, Wakamou’s Kusanagi’s Sword bore no edge, rendering it incapable of slicing!!
But it mattered not as Wakamou was merely biding time.
Several dozen unknown attack skills rained down but were ultimately swordsmanship attacks.
Ignoring those they couldn’t parry, Wakamou tenaciously clung on like a berserker.
“Now!”
In [Alchemy – Metal Transformation] and [Alchemy – Artistic Formation], clad in an [Silver Moonlight Armor].
Mare Pirate inside took a fighting pose with all their might.
“Ichigo! Signal!”
“Give it a go! Attack!”
“Dive, Mare Pirate! Go! Ugoogo!!”
The prospect of intruding upon a deadly skirmish among swordmasters seemed impossible, yet Mare Pirate charged forward in their silver armor. Behind them, Ichigo, crafting a spear with remaining Silver Moonlight, gave chase.
Throwing [Concrete Expansion Potion] and newly made [Rapid Terrain Transformation Potion] between the armor’s legs, the Warrior of Restless Spirits attempted to slice them, only to be thwarted by another chain from Wakamou’s sleeve.
As they moved to draw another sword, the square pillar, formed from the earth, surged up to restrict the Warrior’s movement, concrete swiftly enveloping it.
Flash—
Despite its confinement, blinding sword slashes swarmed Wakamou like echoes.
With each clash, the [Strengthening Skills] possessing [Passive] abilities inherent to the Elite Warrior of Restless Spirits became faster and deadlier.
Unseen and therefore untouchable slashes loomed, forcing Wakamou to take the strikes directed at Ichigo, using their shoulder to intercept.
“There’s no counter for attacks from above!!!”
The descending kick aimed at her head dodged nimbly, piercing her breastplate. Another blade struck Mare Pirate’s head and yanked it out.
“….!!”
Yet, what was revealed was an empty suit of armor.
Without a moment for surprise, the headless armor moved, seizing the Warrior’s blade with [Metal Transformation], transferring it to its arms.
“Magic doesn’t work on the body, but it does on the weapons!!”
Through [Fusion Assimilation], Mare Pirate herself merged with the armor.
In reality, the Warrior of Restless Spirits had merely pierced an empty suit of armor.
While reaching for their remaining sword, Wakamou cut in to parry, prompting the Warrior to discard the swords and assume a martial stance.
As they evaded, freed from Ichigo’s trap, Mare Pirate’s launched kick was deftly dodged, countered by a hand-slicing gesture almost like wielding a blade, halving the armor.
“Zehahaha─”
But it was just a hull cast aside.
From within the shadows, a hand emerged with darkness, clutching the iron pole Ichigo had tossed. In a blink, Mare Pirate absorbed it, forming steel gloves to deliver a hard strike, hitting the Warrior’s waist.
As they lifted, Ichigo’s spear slammed into the Warrior’s head.
She caught the spinning spear in the air and slammed it down vertically—
Boom!!
“Hoo…”
Letting out a sigh of relief, Wakamou threw aside the mangled spear and stood over the crumpled Warrior of Restless Spirits.
[Stats]
Magic Power: 25,321.
[Extra Stats: 35]
Even blocking [Attack Skills] from combat-based classes was painful, and getting hit there was excruciating… Unlike the climbers, it moved in set patterns, making this much manageable… Wakamou, reflecting on what wasn’t quite enough against truly strong opponents like the King of Authority, loosened their shoulders.
[Incheon Tower 28th floor clears the Platinum condition and opens to all humanity!!]
[Calculating rewards for Platinum Tower Strategy]
‘I really hope it doesn’t mistakenly seem easy.’
A harmony of supposedly lowered difficulty—because of Wakamou’s class (?)—and mercilessly high difficulty (?) birthed an unusual balancing act. Maybe that Wakamou naturally received fewer rewards compared to other climbers played a part in it too.
Could the tower think, why bother if the rewards are so meager…?
“Yahoo! Yahoo!!”
Ichigo gained the [Alchemy – State Transformation (Poison)] skill, and Mare Pirate bragged about having a new [Magic Skill] (which they couldn’t use either) bringing their total up to 10! Possibly because there wasn’t anything to choose from, or the tower simply gave it…
Granting each of them 5 points, the satisfied duo happily invested it in their stats.
Viewers in the community lamented in envy, wishing they were among the climbers watching.
Similar to VTubers, it seems those with strong positions or from major corporations climb higher too.
“Shall we head to the next floor?”
Acknowledging the need to be mindful of [Fields] now, they set foot toward the next floor.
With gleaming light, ready to counter any surprise attack, Wakamou stood in front to protect Ichigo and Mare Pirate and witnessed the rising giant from the darkness.
[Currently climbing Incheon Tower 29th Floor]
– A trial befitting strong climbers awaits.
– Overcome the challenge by joining forces.
– Defeat the [Elite Boss Monster]!
[Platinum Achievement Condition]
– Defeat the [Swamp Rock Spirit] (0/1)
– Overcome the [Infinite Regeneration Mechanic] (0/1)
“Uh, well─”
Everywhere was a swamp, and dirt continued to rain from the sky.
The Rock Spirit absorbed the dirt, gradually growing larger.
“Isn’t having a healing factor a bit unfair?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Wakamou was buried under the swamp as the Rock Spirit swung a blow.
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