Wakamou’s latest broadcast was an explosive event in every sense of the word.
The community was inundated with posts, reaching the point where even those uninterested in the VTuber found themselves voicing complaints, only to check out the content and jump into the discussion.
In academia, the question of “What is the Tower?” continued to be a subject of extensive research.
The Tower possesses a consciousness.
And it selects its Climbers.
The common trait among the Climbers is their lack of fear for Monsters, their willingness to fight, and their indomitable will.
Of course, they are still human in the end.
Some are discouraged and break under the unfamiliar pain encountered during their journeys. There are even Climbers traumatized with a phobia of Monsters.
However, once someone becomes a Climber… they ponder whether to ascend the Tower but seldom question fighting the Monsters within it.
While it may have seemed that the Tower was twisting people’s perceptions, it was long accepted that the Tower only selects “such people” from the start.
It grants them a ‘Class’.
It understands human civilization and accordingly crafts suitable ‘Items’ and ‘Skills,’ even creating summoned creatures like those for Summoners.
The Tower is not a force trying to annihilate humanity.
On the contrary, scholars theorized that it aspires for humanity’s survival, hoping for both development and evolution.
And then there are the so-called ‘Legendary Classes’—bizarre, twisted, and in some situations, incredibly magnificent and noble.
But, truly unexpected and inexplicable… a class that only one Climber can ever receive.
There are countless quirky classes, but currently, researchers and scholars are most focused on the existence of Wakamou Inarizushi.
It wasn’t a Monster from outside the Tower.
Evidence overwhelmingly showed that she existed even before the Tower.
Thus, she changed species due to her job as part of the ‘Legendary Class.’
While most opinions converged on that side… the moment the Kyoto Tower on the 30th floor spoke to Wakamou, everything was overturned.
The Kyoto Tower summoned its “emissary” to duel with Wakamou Inarizushi.
Pacifying through battle to enforce submission. A class that forces such compliance could only be [Summoner].
However, Summoners usually researched the Monsters they wanted to tame, signing summoning contracts and working hard to make them into [Skills]—such an emergence to enforce submission in this way had never been reported academically.
Of course, it might simply be undisclosed.
Those who wish to “monopolize” information about the Climbers may know about it.
With the splendid sword dance fought between the Fox Deity and the Tengu continuing fiercely, Wakamou exhibited alarming movements and combat prowess akin to unleashing her strength, eventually claiming victory.
Immediately afterwards, as the story of achieving the Complete Strategy Layer emerged, a screen appeared for viewers to see.
[Kyoto Tower surrenders the [Idol’s Emissary][Izuna-Style Onnatengu] to Wakamou Inarizushi!]
—Yes, the Tower granted Wakamou Inarizushi a Monster from the 30th floor as a reward.
Humanoid Monsters are notoriously difficult to tame.
Their high intelligence and strong animosity towards Climbers are the reasons.
Choosing death over submission as a radical action remains unexplained to this day.
While not impossible, some Summoners indeed managed to summon [Humanoids].
Even then, they possess almost no intelligence, merely exhibiting a mechanical adherence to commands while sharing abilities with the summoning Climber.
For a Humanoid Monster of remarkable ability like the one Wakamou fought to emerge from the 30th floor was virtually unprecedented.
Why on earth?
Even now, ten years after countless deaths caused by Monsters emerging from the Tower… Monsters remain objects of dread and fear.
Simultaneously, everything related to them is a subject of research.
If it’s correct that the Tower even creates Monsters—what indeed is the Tower?
The Tower was now directly offering a glimpse of its nature through its declaration.
“【The [Kyoto Tower] challenges the [Idol] by sending an emissary! O revered Idol of South Korea, let’s see you subjugate and make them submit!】”
What is an [Idol]?
It means a likeness of a God.
That would imply that Wakamou Inarizushi is akin to an Idol of a God.
And she always introduced herself as a Fox Deity.
──Essentially, she was the last mystical being and the only living Idol in modern East Asian mythology.
Then, what about the Tower? The Tower that sent an emissary to that Idol…?
Some claimed the Tower was an act of alien invasion, yet at this moment, it seemed almost conclusive.
The Tower reduces battle stress for production or non-combat-oriented professions.
Conversely, it raises the difficulty of trials for strong combat roles.
So then, Wakamou?
Her strength and remarkable conduct hardly seemed that of an ordinary Climber. Her abilities, impossible to deduce even remotely, revealed her Legendary Class status without doubt…. yet she would often laugh and say she was weakened by her own account.
It was said she climbed the Tower under a Legendary Class due to the Tower’s enforcement making her an [Idol].
Unwillingly or not, she climbed because of the Tower, perhaps privy to its truths?
“Actually… I don’t know either….”
“Is that so…?”
Accompanied by a journalist, Wakamou replied with true difficulty to the Japanese Association President and King of Authority during the interview.
The only living Idol in modern time!! A Fox Deity fashioned after a God!! A revered existence climbing the Tower to save humanity!!
“So are you saying you are an Idol?!”
“Oh yes, I am! I, the Idol, exist here!!”
“Knew it, as expected!! Apprentice!! Get some sake for the shrine altar!!”
“Yes!!”
“No, that’s a joke; please don’t take it seriously!”
It was a mistake. No matter how much Wakamou might insist, nobody would believe otherwise.
Especially given how Kyoto Tower unilaterally surrendered the [Idol’s Emissary], leaving him in a quandary.
Broadcasts spread word that the Tower itself challenged Wakamou Inarizushi to a duel with the “Idol.”
And topping it all off was Wakamou’s heartfelt sobbing about the kind of reward given.
“It’s really difficult! I’m just an ordinary Climber, okay? I’m not some God or anything, just an Idol!”
“What a modest person…..”
“Isn’t it time to schedule more VTuber collaborations, Association President?”
──Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and you weep alone.
Why did this phrase flash through Wakamou’s mind?
Though she wanted to sit and bawl, proclaiming she was just a VTuber, she held back.
Felt like demand for hiring Wakamou would insanely increase, so she refrained.
It’s alright if they’re coming to kill Wakamou. But mentioning VTubers might encourage lunatics to use them as leverage in threats.
All Wakamou could perceive was whether the Tower deemed him capable of raising an emissary, so it granted him one.
“……”
Blankly──
The [Izuna-Style Onnatengu], who kept her wings hidden, didn’t utter a word even when brought outside.
It was as if existence or sense of self was utterly absent. No matter what Wakamou asked, there were no replies.
“So… Association President… if it’s not too much trouble, is this what [Taming] a [Humanoid] as a Summoner feels like…?”
“Generally, it’s like that. To add, Summoners often feel a sense of self in regards to their tamed Monsters, you see. Some Climbers ascend the Tower with a desire for beautiful Humanoid Monsters for peculiar reasons, such as sexual intent.”
“I wasn’t keen on knowing the last part….”
A deep sigh intuitively emerged.
The journalist asked numerous questions, but the Onnatengu didn’t react to any external stimuli.
“Can you smile?”
With that, the Onnatengu gave a faint smile.
Though no words were exchanged, she tilted her head, smiling as if demonstrating full compliance with Wakamou’s command.
Despite her smile, soulless mechanical indifference akin to a weapon devoid of emotion weighed profoundly.
Her blue hair and robe with blue sleeves significantly leaned toward bold exposure.
Especially surprising… her underwear was shockingly a thong. One couldn’t help but wonder if it was the Tower’s taste.
Her peerlessly pale, porcelain-like skin.
The Tengu, more mannequin than human… no, something imitating a human, expressed its cuteness by gently swaying its hips.
The decadent allure was excessively felt—broadcasts might face restrictions.
“….[Idol’s Emissary]”
[Idol’s Emissary]
[Name: None]
[Mother: Kyoto 100-Floor Tower]
[Owner: Wakamou Inarizushi]
[Class: Idol (VTuber)]
[Skills Held]
-[None]
[Stats]
Health: 1
Mana: 1
Strength: 1
Agility: 1
Health: 1
Intelligence: 1
Wisdom: 1
Charm: 1
‘Tower, you damn piece of….’
Sure, a VTuber is technically an Idol, but not like this…
With genuine words, if lightly pushed, she’d surely die. Cold sweats flooded instinctively.
After all, Wakamou was left with no choice but to check the subscriber count.
[Wakamou Inarizushi]
Subscribers: 2.45 million.
‘Just endure it for a day…?’
Give it a try…?’
But if this idiot trips and dies, a perfectly good skill will be permanently gone.
This tower bastard, trying to save good skills for the late game to get freebies? No way, LOL, deploying countermeasures now! If it looks like I’m sneering at it, it’s just your imagination…?
‘I will permanently invest mana… Wakamou will bow his head to the tower… Please have mercy….’
[Status Window]
[Climber: Wakamou Inarizushi]
[Occupation: VTuber]
[Age: 1,000 years]
[Stats]
Magic Power: 700,000
Lion of the Idol: 1,750,000
[Additional Stats: 154]
‘Is it right for a pet to be stronger than its owner?’
[Additional Stats: 1,750]
[From now on, additional stats can be used to grow abilities]
‘Ugh…’
Subscribers I worked hard to gain are being ripped off by the tower…!! Everyone!! I’m being scammed by the tower!!!
Nowhere to vent, Wakamou swallowed his sorrow inwardly.
‘…..What was it that boosted when I assigned stats…?’
Poor Wakamou had never assigned bonus stats in his life, so he didn’t know what improved when they were assigned.
He didn’t even know that [Idol] had different stats because Wakamou, being an [Idol], had never assigned one.
‘Can you reset stats…?’
[Stats]
Health: 510
Magic Power: 1
Strength: 1
Agility: 1
Vigor: 51
Intelligence: 1
Wisdom: 1
Charm: 1
Additional Stats: 1,700
“……..”
He boldly invested in the most important stat, health. About tenfold, maybe? Then what about magic power?
[Stats]
Health: 510
Magic Power: 5,100
Strength: 1
Agility: 1
Vigor: 51
Intelligence: 1
Wisdom: 51
Charm: 1
Additional Stats: 1,650
“….?”
Why is this guy’s magic power shooting up so high?
He originally had no intention of boosting charm… or is it better to balance things out on average?
[Stats]
Health: 510
Magic Power: 5,100
Strength: 51
Agility: 51
Vigor: 51
Intelligence: 51
Wisdom: 51
Charm: 51
Additional Stats: 1,450
‘Hmm… Skill Purchase Menu…?’
[Available Skill List]
-[Learning Ability]: 10 Stats.
-[Exceptional Thinking]: 10 Stats.
-[Izuna Style Sorcery]: 10 Stats.
-[Kuzunoha Style Sorcery]: 10 Stats.
-[Internet Connection]: 50 Stats.
-[Video Recording]: 10 Stats.
Almost let out a swear word in a moment of anger… then again? If you have stats, you can use [Skills] normally?
How come this guy can use it and not the owner? Curses on [The Flesh of an Idol]…
Feeling a peak of inexplicable unfairness, Wakamou trembled visibly.
With eyes tightly closed, he spent all 100 stats to purchase every skill available in the list.
‘But, I can’t see the skill descriptions, can I?’
Should I ask the Association President to get the Shaman Association to tell me what skills are available?
He had courageously invested stats, but there was no particularly dramatic change.
“So from now on, it’s like Wakamou’s ‘Divine Food’ or something?”
“How about naming it? It’s blue… Aoi… The name is… hmmm…”
“Aoi Asuka”
Catching the surname mumbled by the King of Authority, Wakamou uttered a name.
He didn’t want to think too deeply about it. It was once ranked number one as a girl’s name in Japan.
Even if a VTuber’s name has to be a bit unique and distinct, something plain is fine too.
“Description”
“Huh?”
“The name ‘Asuka’ refers to the first capital, ‘Asadal,’ of ancient Joseon. While ‘dal’ meant ‘mountain,’ ‘Asa’ refers to Japan’s old capital ‘Asuka,’ and ‘Asu’ means tomorrow in Japanese. In ancient times, it meant ‘the next morning,’ being a word used in both ancient Korean and Japanese, with complicated meanings.”
“…..Did you just say that?”
“‘Asa’ (あさ) also means morning, and in Korean, it could mean ‘exciting!’ as in ‘a-ssa.'”
Suddenly, with increased intelligence, it began spewing unnecessary TMI I didn’t ask for. Isn’t the last part misinformation?
Looking as if a robot was speaking, the reporter pushed the microphone towards Wakamou to ask.
“Were you able to speak? How did you acquire this ability? Are you an intelligent monster?”
“I speak because my master, Wakamou Inarizushi, endowed me with intelligence. Currently, I am connecting to the internet through Wakamou-sama’s ability to learn and answer. I am a kind of biological AI, more of an Idol Covenant’s messenger than a monster, akin to a divine messenger in Japanese culture.”
“Stop talking…”
As if no words could stop it, Asuka spewed words fluently.
Concerned allowing it to continue would amplify the issue, Wakamou told her, and she immediately shut her mouth.
Nevertheless, it left viewers gazing at him as if he were a godlike being able to grant intelligence even to a divine messenger was overwhelming.
Rather than that, is it really learning from the internet…? Really…?
Didn’t think much about the skills in the list, but was there malicious intent hidden?
“…King of Authority. For now, I will add buffs to the companion and return to South Korea…”
“Well then, could you make it a fox bead or Inari’s dew?”
“Impossible.”
Asuka suddenly spoke as I was about to check the companion section to purchase something.
Not even pressing the buy button, Asuka firmly declared while looking at Wakamou.
“Aoi Asuka, Wakamou-sama’s divine familiar, has been configured by the requirements of the owner to have an appearance suitable for a VTuber within Kyoto Tower. Capable of 24-hour streaming, she effectively functions as a delegate through communicating with believers and engaging with them, thanks to the learning she gains. Therefore, regarding [Attack Skills], point allocation was pointless. Consequently, none of the mentioned categories can be bought.”
“Shi…shi..shi..t…Why…didn’t you…mention…this before?”
“It is presumed that the tower did not consider Wakamou Inarizushi-sama’s lack of intelligence.”
Should I hit? Endure…
With fists trembling in anger, Wakamou suppressed his fury with superhuman endurance.
One cannot just spew curse words in front of a reporter, right?
Even though there was a great swear in the broadcast earlier, there are still disciples here.
As I tried to purchase, each requires 60 stats.
If only I hadn’t bought any attack skills, I could’ve gotten one!! Who knew!!
I was so thirsty for [Attack Skills] that I made such a mistake!!
‘Should I destroy Kyoto Tower…? No, endure, my inner Dalki…’
Clutching collaboration goods, Wakamou decided to go back home, he no longer wanted to stay in Japan.
Told the King of Authority he’d add a companion buff next time…
Boldly opening his wallet to pay himself, but turned back only to display the embarrassing situation of having no money.
How embarrassing…
“Well, that’s great!! Having a beauty do the promotion also has its own significance!! How about making it about the divine familiar promoting his master’s goods? Here, the Wakamou Tail Feather Pillow!!”
And welcoming Wakamou returning to South Korea, was a tireless and hardworking Manager.
The fluffy and rich tail feather pillow, despite selling it for a high price, Wakamou sought luxurious materials because he had wealth.
Thinking of it as a gift to the fans, he had no choice but to sell it cheaply!!
Already, the community was filled with viewers eagerly waiting to see when the divine familiar would start streaming.
As there could be nothing as intriguing as a talking monster(?).
Wakamou initially introduced it in the announcement not as a monster, but as a divine familiar VTuber.
The era revisited, not just ancient but even bringing back primitive AI, believers simply laughed, “Ah, I see, LOL.”
“I have a first mission for you… to sell products…you got it?”
“Understood.”
“Then, study how to market products on the internet and give it a try.”
Half anxious, half expectant… but it’s a divine familiar given by the tower.
It’s the [Lion of the Idol] given directly to Wakamou by Kyoto Tower!!
Created to align with Wakamou for VTuber activities, custom-designed divine familiar(?).
Believe in you, my Aoi Asuka!!
“I am here today to introduce a truly essential product to you…”
The screen turned on as a blue-haired woman with an expressionless face and tone started speaking nonsense, holding the tail feather pillow.
“Let’s look at the product. There is fur on the pillow. In professional terms, it is called a good. Made in Korea. Don’t mind whether it is from the north or the south, really reasonable price. At a bargain price, only! 39,800 won per piece.”
“Get out.”
Gripping his fan, Wakamou smacked the back of Asuka’s head.
I was a fool to trust a divine familiar VTuber learning from the internet.
I won’t let this one debut… I’ll have to add her as plus one…
“I will attempt it again.”
“Alright.”
“Inferior creatures, purchase this.”
“Get out.”
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