I'm a VTuber, So It's Just a Concept.

It was only moments ago that she had been worrying there was no end to the problems created by an ever-growing fantasy.

Wakamo let out deep sighs. A piece of Japan's cultural heritage. In the confusion, she had inadvertently hidden the genuine article inside her body.

She had practiced storing things this way, but the fact that she felt not the slightest bit of discomfort even with a sword inside her body made her think once again that she really wasn't human.

The Fist King, Oyama Masahiko, was excitedly observing the 『Idol Shrine』 in the training hall—or rather, what he now intended to remodel into shrine grounds—as though he had received a treasure.

It looked like a miniature shrine, complete with a shrine gate, and seemed nothing more than a finely crafted, high-end ornament.

This was the moment Wakamo's common sense—that Companions were usually established by designating a 『giant building』—collapsed.

The Jujutsu Association also existed divided according to clan, and it was normal for groups to be classified by dojos, such as Shindō Munen-ryū, Hokushin Ittō-ryū, and Keishin Meichi-ryū.

That was why Japan was enjoying another golden age in many ways. More and more people were coming from overseas to learn martial arts.

Korea had some as well, but not that many, while China had so few Companion forces that it would not be inaccurate to call them virtually annihilated. Shaolin was all that remained—and put another way, everything except Shaolin had.... It was that country's own doing.

Enough of that.

If she had become the leader of a Companion, she also had an obligation to manage it.

But it was only a small shrine, and the sole requirement for joining was being an idol, so Wakamo was the only one who could join.

"Only idols can join...? It must be spiritually powerful. If I regain my strength someday, will the shrine grow too...?"

For someone who looked like that, the Fist King sure lived with an awful lot of happy fantasies.

Since she had no intention of denying his happy dream, she answered with silence.

This misunderstanding already seemed to have grown too large to undo...

Now that she'd sworn to go all-out with her RP to protect Wakamo, the fox god VTuber, she decided to live shamelessly until death—as long as she wasn't found out.

Could the Tower be poking this bastard because it's curious how long he'll keep this up?

While the disciples gathered at the shrine and seriously debated whether they should make offerings, Wakamo quietly checked the new Skill she had obtained.

Why is a Skill called 【Broadcast Points】? Our Tower is more Gen Z than I expected.

Come to think of it, the Incheon Tower is rather young...? Though I suppose it's a little early in its life to be watching VTubers.

Occupation-Specific Skill 【Broadcast Points】

-The points accumulated from broadcasting can be used to bestow a blessing upon believers.

Current Points: 542.

'I don't know whether that's a lot or a little... What kind of blessing can I bestow on a believer...?'

As she read carefully, the mention that she had opened her eyes earlier bothered her, so she discreetly tugged at her eyelids. They opened, and she silently closed them again.

So I could see even with my eyes closed.... That was how it was....

What kind of body is this, anyway.... Well, it's only been two months. I can take my time figuring it out, right?

"Let's always live positively in every way."

[There are no available blessings]

Otherwise, she might explode from stress and really reincarnate as something like the Great Yokai Wakamo.

No, you fucking Tower bastard.

You made a Skill as my reward and then made it impossible to use. What am I supposed to do?

Tower climbing is a matter of life and death over a single Skill, so are you messing with me right now?

You gave me a sword with no edge and caused a political problem. I'm already dying of anxiety because of the Imperial Seal, and now you give me a genuine Japanese sacred sword too. If they discover I have this, Japan will want to seize it even if they have to hunt me down.... What am I supposed to perform a ritual with this?

Still, thanks for making it look like such a cool Japanese sword.

Now that I think about it, since it's a blunt ornamental piece, it doesn't violate any laws either. Your thoughtful consideration brings tears to my eyes.

You didn't give it to me like this because I'm a VTuber and a real sword would be restricted by my occupation, so I couldn't wield it, did you?

"Who am I even talking to...?"

Even sitting there and complaining about her situation felt pathetic.

How long had she been sitting there waiting? Along with Manager Won Da-hye, two men she had never seen before walked up behind her, bowed, and greeted her.

She was displeased, but she had to be polite, so she returned the greeting—and then a grandmother with an extraordinary air passed her and drove a flying kick into the bound ninja. As if that were not enough, she grabbed him by the hair and slapped his cheek. Wakamo had no idea what to say.

Overwhelmed by her ferocity, Wakamo was left with a blank, stunned expression.

"I'm sorry. There are so many mentally ill people caught up in strange delusions about exorcising yokai and whatnot. As you can see, this fellow is a Legendary-class ninja, but his grasp on reality has fallen to an extreme degree. I'm Watanabe Tomoko, chairman of the Japanese Climber Association."

"It's all right. Somehow... isn't that a cosplay of 『Dragon Super Ninja』? It's made extremely well too."

The ninja recognized it at a glance, but looked up at her in shock, as if asking, You know that?

When Wakamo said she was a fan, the ninja made a complicated expression that was difficult to describe, then lowered their head deeply.

"We were comrades..... Sob..."

"It really is a great game."

"You deceived me!!!"

The ninja was furious that the councilors had called her an evil yokai and deceived them. But they should have realized it with just a little thought.... Were they really that stupid?

The chairman gestured to the disciples standing around and ordered them to drag the ninja away because they were noisy. They must have been used to the ninja coming by, because they did not even seem annoyed and followed the order obediently.

While Wakamo wondered whether she should correct her cross-legged posture because the Fist King was sitting formally in seiza, the chairman apologized first and began to speak.

"First, we received the government's permission to use the 『Tower Climbing Ticket』. I suppose they are hoping Wakamo might generate a profit. Besides, your appearance is practically guaranteed to be loved in Japan. I think it would be more natural for you to be here than anywhere else."

At the chairman's blatant attempt to woo her, Manager Won Da-hye stared daggers at the back of her head with an expression of betrayal.

The young man who looked like a councilor sitting beside the chairman also wiped his sweat diligently with a handkerchief before holding out an official approval document from the government authorizing Wakamo to enter the Tower.

Wakamo roughly skimmed it, then handed it to the manager sitting beside the chairman. For some reason, the manager shrugged and raised the bridge of her nose proudly.

Politics really was complicated. Did every insignificant thing I did seem to have some meaning to them...?

"Then... this person is...."

"Ahem, I invited him."

"I'm from the Kyoto Tourism Bureau. I came to ask permission to use the shrine built for Wakamo at the Fist King's dojo for tourism."

"Then will a lot of tourists come?"

"The number of initiates will increase too!!"

The official said that, then nervously glanced at the Fist King, wondering whether he had been too honest. To put it bluntly, he wanted permission to use it for profit.

It did not matter where it was placed. If they won her favor, she would be able to travel to and from Japan more easily.... Becoming friendly with the Fist King would bring plenty of benefits in the future. Wakamo, meanwhile, was troubled by her conscience over whether it was really all right to make money from a shrine that only she could use.

"I don't mind."

"Then, as for calculating the division of the profits...."

"Oh, I don't need money. Just hold VTuber collaborations more often, please. Honestly, rather than with me, please use the black-and-white fox duo at Virtual Live as much as possible."

"Would... that be enough...?"

"Yes."

"Understood!! Thank you!!"

She had wondered whether it was an absurd request, but the Tourism Bureau was the one that would profit from holding collaborations, so they were being deferential to Wakamo instead.

Meanwhile, the Fist King seemed so moved by her statement that she needed none of the profits that he kept sending her an uncomfortably fervent gaze.

She was relieved that none of her ugly, materialistic greed had been revealed.

If I could see frequent collaborations between the Backrooms Fox and Mio God, I would be happy.

She would spend every day dreaming about the day the collaboration was held, filled with swelling hopes and happiness—and perhaps a small wish(?) that since she was the one who suggested the collaboration, she might be able to secure a slightly better deal.

I'm glad I prayed at Inari Shrine!!

Wakamo sincerely did not want to know how other people viewed her or what misunderstandings they had formed. So she had no intention of asking.

The Tourism Bureau was discussing future plans with the Fist King, relieved that things had gone better than expected. The councilor was watching Wakamo's expression, while the chairman, barely finished with the conversation, asked which Tower she intended to visit and spread out a map of all Japan to show her.

.......No, they have tablets these days. An actual map? How analog...

She would have liked to choose somewhere near Tokyo, but she figured that would be impossible.

After all, Japan seemed to have branded Wakamo as an evil Great Yokai who had crossed over from Korea to deceive humans. It would be best to stay in her safe territory of Kyoto, then change into another appearance to sightsee elsewhere whenever a new [VTuber Model] came out.

"Since Kyoto has Inari Shrine too, would it be all right to choose the Kyoto Tower?"

"Ah... I see. I heard you were disappointed that there was no real miko at the shrine."

"Well, times are what they are. I suppose they could have disappeared."

"Even so, real martial artists still exist in this age. These days, young people mock the Fist King by saying that climbing the Tower is not a sport but a matter of life and death, and that anyone who fights barehanded must be a gorilla. It is quite troublesome."

"Maybe that's because they haven't been hit yet?"

"That must be it! This problem child belongs to that group too...."

"He failed an ambush, and he did not even introduce himself. That is a disqualification for a ninja."

"You must have a lot of experience! Haha!"

"I've seen a lot."

Wakamo exchanged words with the chairman, leisurely took a sip of green tea, and thought.

That series of conversations just now.... Our chairman of the Japanese Association seems to have completely misunderstood me.

The Fist King, the bound ninja, and even my manager were all looking at me with bright, sparkling eyes full of misunderstandings.

I meant ninjas from anime and manga. I'm just an ordinary VTuber otaku...??

But she did not let it show. She had staked her life on her VTuber RP.

"Come to think of it, some professors say the origin of Inari Shrine is connected to Silla...."

"The Nihon Shoki also says the Hata clan was descended from Baekje."

"Could you be the shrine's true owner?"

"No, Manager Won Da-hye. Many people think of Inari as a fox god, but the Inari deity itself is not a fox. The fox is the form of Inari's servant. You know the famous fox figures made of white and red, don't you?"

"But isn't Wakamo black and red...?"

"Perhaps it represents the balance of yin and yang...."

Mutter, mutter.

She was only drinking green tea, so why was this place so uncomfortable?

Did she look like a fox god sitting on the veranda and gazing at the scenery outside while recalling the moment she crossed over to Japan long ago? If the real Inari god was watching, she was so sorry that she could hardly raise her head.

The Tower is turning me into a con artist!!!

Come to think of it, con artists do count as idols!! Damn you, idol worship!

I really can't stay in Japan.

How had it happened that the last time she came, some old geezer picked a fight with her for wearing a jumper with Hangul on it and hooligans hurled abuse at her, while now that she had made plenty of money and crossed over with her head held high, they were saying she was a Climber who hunted VTubers as monsters?

Is Japan not terribly dangerous these days....

"I'll go register at the Kyoto Tower and—"

Boom.

I want to go back to Korea.

She caught the door flying toward her and stopped it, but then a crowd of ruffians who had gone beyond mere rudeness and into outright insolence began pouring through the main gate.

Since Wakamo had been on her way to the Tower, the scene made it look as though she had anticipated the intruders and come out to greet them. Had she already noticed them behind her...? As expected of a master... It was depressing to hear them say things like that. There was no upside to having good hearing.

More importantly, I have to go pick up Yu Ying.... Just leave me alone.

Manager, is it really okay to neglect our affiliated VTuber like this?

I wanted to try a luxury hotel's breakfast too!! I wanted to experience hotel service at least once!!

"Why are you defending this evil yokai?! The Japanese Jujutsu Association will deal with her!!"

"How dare you call yourself a Climber when you are merely a monster that emerged from a Tower Collapse, and claim to be a god!!"

"Before you bewitch and devour people, we will exterminate you!!"

They were old men stuffed full of righteous indignation. The elders certainly seemed energetic.

The clothes worn by onmyoji... Were they called kariginu? They had openings at the upper part where the sleeves began, with the sleeves of the garment underneath visible through them, and the sleeves were wide and flat. Seeing them in person made Wakamo feel as though she had walked onto a movie set. They suit you, old-timers.

'Um... what occupation did Manager say the jujutsu sorcerers had again?'

The [Jujutsu Sorcerer], said to be a branch of the basic class [Shaman],

was said to change occupations by joining the [Companions] known as the Abe, Tsuchimikado, Kuzunoha, and Kamo clans and receiving [Common Skills]. After that... they had the familiar feel of onmyoji, more or less. Apparently, the Tower provided [Skills] that were similar for each clan but slightly different.

Their common feature was that they specialized in [Repulsion].

Shikigami that automatically intercepted enemies by tracking their life force, flames that burned using their energy or stamina as fuel, curses that restrained and bound them while lowering their condition, and so on.

The list was endless, but Wakamo wondered why she had let Manager's explanation go in one ear and out the other.

Ah, I completely forgot because I was only thinking about VTuber collaboration merchandise.

Why had she gone so boldly even after hearing that there were attackers? It wasn't as if she'd gone crazy.

"By the authority of the Kuzunoha clan's jujutsu sorcerer, I command you! Tear the enemy apart, [Shikigami White Flame Fox]!!"

"Movement is forbidden within the solemn and sacred territory of the gods, [Binding Gold]!!"

"Be cursed, vomit blood, and collapse... [Sorrowful Grudge]..!"

Oh... They even used [Skills]. It was incredibly flashy. Should she say it was pleasing to the eyes?

Foxes leaped out of burning talismans and charged at her, golden sacred rope summoned by the jujutsu sorcerer wrapped around her, and something resembling a ghost passed through her body. It really felt like she'd stumbled into an onmyoji demonstration, and she was beginning to enjoy herself.

....No, she had learned a little about fights between [Climbers] later, after all.

There was such a thing as class matchups.

In that sense, Wakamo's matchup was so terrible that she could practically be called a [Jujutsu Sorcerer] killer.

Whirl whirl─

The [White Flame Fox] wandered around the area near Wakamo, whom its caster had targeted, circling as it searched for its target.

The fox burning all over with white flames was so pretty that Wakamo took pictures of it and tried to touch it, but it would not catch because it seemed to be incorporeal, which left her oddly disappointed.

"Why aren't you attacking?! Wakamo is right in front of you!!"

No, I needed to have life force before it could find me and bite me.

The poor fox could only circle around and around, following its master's orders.

In the middle of it, one of the disciples muttered, "Is it really right to tell a fox to attack the fox god...?" The atmosphere became extremely strange. It was almost heartbreaking to watch the fox lower its head and search diligently with pitiful whines.

"Wh-Why?! How can you move when you're bound by [Binding Gold]?!"

"My soul is bound to the gravity of this planet, you see."

Unfortunately, the thing restraining Wakamo was Earth. She delivered an iconic anime line she had always wanted to try.

It was not just a figure of speech. She was like a mana ghost fixed to the horizontal coordinate system. Since she was always bound by gravity, restraints could not bind her. She had not known that herself, but that was simply how it worked.... Binding-type restraints like this did not affect her.

"Then what about a vengeful spirit...? It doesn't work because you're an evil Great Yokai! You bastard!!"

"No, I didn't say anything. Where did that self-questioning come from?"

That was because Wakamo was always at peak condition.

Of course!! Debuffs did not work either!!

No, before that, she did not even have human organs. She had just discovered the shocking truth about her eyes today! She might not even have a brain!!!

Anyway, the [Jujutsu Sorcerers] did not even have Mana Burn, so there was nothing for her to worry about. Their class was all about extinguishing the flame of life, after all.

As she calmly approached the jujutsu sorcerers, the triumphant spirit they had shown earlier vanished, and they began backing away with looks that saw her as a monster.

"Take this exorcist sword, purified to exterminate yokai!!!"

They had not given up yet, apparently, because a relatively young jujutsu sorcerer gripped his sword and charged, stabbing like lightning. Wakamo stopped it with her fingers.

"Huh?"

She flipped the man holding the sword upside down and lifted him like a balloon with only her index finger and thumb. After admiring his astonished face, she gave him a few light swings, and he could not hold on and fell, rolling across the floor.

"Will you continue?"

Wakamo put her hands behind her back, said a single word to the gathered jujutsu sorcerers, and walked past them, ignoring them. But the jujutsu sorcerer who seemed to be their leader and had refused to give up until the end drew a dagger from his sleeve and drove it down into Wakamo's back.

But instead of piercing her, it could not even tear her clothes. The jujutsu sorcerer was so shocked that the strength left his legs and he slumped to the ground.

Wakamo grabbed the old man, helped him to his feet, brushed the dust off him, and continued on her way.

"Haa... What am I supposed to do with these pieces of trash?"

"Haha. What an unsightly spectacle they are making in front of a guest personally brought here by the Fist King."

The chairman and the Fist King then took over dealing with the jujutsu sorcerers Wakamo had left behind.

They hurriedly made excuses, their faces turning pale, and even tried to persuade them to join forces to kill that monster.

By the time Wakamo had descended all the stairs, the cries of powerless old men, so feeble they could make anyone listening lose heart, echoed through the shrine.

※※※

The Tower had determined that Wakamo was an altruistic, considerate Climber who dreamed and admired idols.

Otherwise, there would have been no reason for her not to choose a single one of the many [Attack Skills] she had displayed.

She wanted to believe that, so let us not ask.

Since Wakamo had said she wanted a Japanese sword, the Tower was proud to have given her the finest Japanese sword in Japan and believed she would love it. Even if she did not, it had given it to her, so the matter was settled. With that firm attitude, it waited for Wakamo to head toward the Japanese Tower.

"I should broadcast my climb of the Japanese Tower."

There was no need to insist on climbing while aiming specifically for a 『Complete-Clear Floor』.

She had absolutely not been won over by the chairman's promise that if she climbed many floors, he would hold many VTuber collaborations in Kyoto and turn it into a city of VTuber pilgrimage sites.

Nor had she been lured in by the Tourism Bureau official's promise that they might make the fox-duo collaboration Wakamo wanted even bigger and more spectacular, perhaps even holding a live concert.

This isn't treason.... It's patriotism...!!

'I'm absolutely not acting out of my own personal, materialistic desires..!! I'm doing all of this for VTubers!!'

I just happen to like VTubers and want to have more VTubers(?).

[You are climbing the Floor 1 World of Kyoto Tower]

-Climber, test and prove your martial arts.

[Platinum Achievement Conditions]

-Defeat 5 corpse demons with an [Attack Skill] (0/5)

-Face them with the resolve never to retreat (0/1)

-Do not suffer any wounds (0/1)

-Fight while shouting the Skill's name (0/5)

"You fucking bastard?"

Oops, sorry. I suddenly cursed at you even though we just met.

No, if entering with a Tower Climbing Ticket counts as entering the Tower for the first time, I might get a little angry if this is what I get. Maybe?

I don't have an [Attack Skill], you damn bastard. Then you should have told me to register with a Companion before coming...!!

[You have entered using a [Tower Climbing Ticket]!! An [Attack Skill] will be granted to the Climber!!]

[The Climber's achievements are being checked. Confirmed!]

[Please choose 1 Skill]

[Kukishin-ryu Swordsmanship]

-Uses [Sword-Throwing Technique].

[Karate-Kendokai]

-Karate that crushes enemies with the conviction of [Certain Death].

[Kuzunoha-Style Jujutsu]

-Jujutsu of the Kuzunoha clan.

-Specialized in the [Shikigami] line.

At last, the [Attack Skill] she had wanted so desperately.

But she had to choose carefully. It would be affected by the Climber's stats, after all.

And I have no stats.... But I could confidently say that I had the most [Mana] of anyone in humanity. So the only choice was jujutsu anyway!

[You have acquired the Skill [Kuzunoha-Style Jujutsu]!]

At last, the fox god who used jujutsu would open her eyes....!!

Tremble and fall to your knees in worship, Kyoto Tower!!

Tremble before Wakamo Inarizushi, the fox god VTuber...!

"Hehehe..... Since I've come to Japan, shall I show you what a fox god can do...?"

Before turning on the broadcast, Wakamo watched the corpse demons in human form leisurely approaching and said aloud the "incantation" that she had always wanted to try as an otaku.

"[Kuzunoha-Style Jujutsu]!!"

Beep─

[Insufficient Intelligence.]

It failed miserably!

"You son of a bitch!!!!"

Wakamo collapsed onto the floor and wailed at the top of her lungs.

She cried so bitterly that it seemed her sobs would bring down the Tower.

"Give me back my intelligence──!!!!!"

I never took it.... The Tower felt wronged.