Chapter 34
[Author: God-Tier Game God]
[Title: Boob-Sword Plagiarism Exposed]
(GIF of the Fox God drawing a sword from her chest and swinging it around).
The Imperial Seal... Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi....
The very embodiment of legitimacy for the three East Asian countries.
Our Fox God possesses all the genuine national treasures that China and Japan are searching for.
Our Fox God has the national treasures of both countries.
She has the Imperial Seal lost around 937 and the sword lost during the Battle of Dannoura in 1185.
Our thousand-year-old Fox God whose homeland is the Korean Peninsula.
Do you understand now? We have never been a small country....
-But isn't the boob-sword a ripoff of that other god-tier game?
ㄴThe original is from the god-tier anime Crown's OST, though?
ㄴRevolutionary Girl Utena came first, you brats....
ㄴCan you even get it up, old man?
ㄴWhy are all you old farts fighting hereㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-Doesn't Mazinger pull a sword out of its chest too?
ㄴOh, you know Super Robot Wars!
ㄴThere are combining super robots too....
ㄴGet out, you brats who don't even know Voltes V's Sky Sword!!
-Remember Arise too....
-If it's Korean-made, isn't it Dokkaebi, you fucking idiots!!
ㄴThe entire nation's otaku really gathered here. What a sign of the end times.
ㄴThere's also X's Exorcist....
[Author: Anonymous]
[Title: Why the Hell Are They Calling Our Boss a Monster?]
(Photo of the boss's internet history)
A boss who can't live without pure-love stories, yuri, and villainess stories....
A boss who even wrote posts about girl-on-girl yuri romance at an all-girls school....
A boss who practiced drawing so she could draw her favorite ships....
A boss who still consistently loves pretty VTubers....
A boss who thinks the bigger the butt and breasts, the better.....
A boss who gets turned on by the triangle between a woman's thighs....
A boss who was online and shut in at home even before the Tower Collapse, making her incredibly relatable.
Her identity is the Fox God, but what's the problem?
Are you discriminating against her because she's a black fox?
Are you saying our Wakamo-sama is a fucking Asian nigger now?
-Why did this suddenly go completely insaneㅋㅋㅋ
-Japan has more white foxes... The boss was the one being discriminated against.
-Does Japan bully even animals now...?
-The Inari god was the only one who treated her well....
-But seriously, how did she get a real ID? Was it a replacement? We still need to be worried.
ㄴAre you slandering our boss, who raises the nation's prestige more than the president does?
ㄴThe government is the one that's fucked either way, not usㅋㅋㅋ
ㄴIs the Fox God going to rule us? Protect us from monsters? Isn't that a good thing?
ㄴHuh...? You know, you're right....
ㄴIf she regains her divine power, won't she predict natural disasters for us in advance too? What's the problem?
ㄴNo, she's still dangerous because she isn't human....
ㄴYou little bastard, you're a commie!!
ㄴGet out of Korea!!
[Author: Anonymous]
[Title: Upvote If You Were Honestly Fucking Terrified]
I was worried that our boss liked VTubers so much that she might go to Japan and never come back.
If she climbs the Japanese Tower too, does she even need to climb Korea's?
On top of that, when I heard she had built a shrine at the Fist King's dojo, I thought, Ah... she had become a rocket launchpad.
But that wasn't what happened.
Our boss didn't abandon her believers.
(Picture of Wakamo going, “Uwoo, ttu-ttya-i... I want candy...”)
Wakamo simply loves Korea....
Fuck, China and Japan are trying to kill her, so what the hell is our government doing?
The foxes in our country are a protected species, you know!!!
-The government should reflect on itself for not even giving the boss a rabies shot, uwoo.
-Let's just make the boss queen, shall we? Let's return to monarchy.
ㄴOoh~ An idea only the British would come up with.
-We've only ever been invaded. Can't we invade someone for once?
ㄴ(Picture of Wakamo holding the Imperial Seal) There is a tradition in the Chinese imperial court.
ㄴ(Picture of Wakamo holding Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi) She's the owner of Japan's sacred sword.
-If our 500,000 subscribers raised an army, we could reclaim Goguryeo's territory too....
-These idiots have all gone completely insaneㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-But the Chinese government is demanding the Imperial Seal too. Isn't the Japanese government going to do the same?
ㄴThe monster has it. If you're so mad, try taking it from her.
ㄴMonster (friends with the Fist King).
ㄴFox God... you've become too popular....
As always, the community caught fire whenever Wakamo showed them something.
Because of her age, the fans gathered in enough different generations to bicker over the source of the breast-drawn sword, creating a small commotion. And although it had been raised from time to time before, the biggest topic was, of course, Wakamo's identity.
At first, there had even been slanderous(?) claims that she was merely a fox-fucker who had obtained Legendary Class by being some kind of fox beastman.
Some people said that since there was a record of her appearing on broadcasts and working as a clipper, she was simply a VTuber streamer. But as the days passed, she showed more and more inexplicable traits, possessed bizarre items, and demonstrated all kinds of skills, making it impossible to determine what her profession was, so people were gradually becoming convinced.
It was already absurd enough that she possessed the Imperial Seal, but now she had proudly drawn the [Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi], the most famous sacred sword in Japanese history. Naturally, that led to the shocking conclusion that the sword kept by the Japanese imperial family was a fake.
As stories spread that she had existed since before the Tower Collapse, the believers' opinions increasingly shifted toward the certainty that she was truly the Fox God.
Once they reached that conclusion, opinions split in another direction. It was certain she was not a monster, since she had existed before the Tower Collapse, but what exactly was she? Some argued that she had emerged from the Tower Collapse and was lying about everything.
There were even conspiracy theories that the government already knew because Manager Won Da-hye, known to be the next chairman of the Climber Association, was serving as her manager.
In the end, everything would be resolved if Wakamo simply told them, though.
Wakamo only replied that she was the Fox God. Her bold, head-on approach—if people would not believe the truth even when she told them—left many believers speechless.
Since she was the country's only Climber who had repeatedly cleared Complete-Clear Floors, even the media was lying low, waiting for the day she caused some kind of incident. But if she really was a godlike being, there was nothing to gain from making her an enemy, so even when opportunities arose, they were inclined to tread carefully.
A VTuber doesn't reveal the red pill. I am a professional VTuber.
She shamelessly added that she was merely a country bumpkin of a fox(?) and did not know much about history.
"Political problems are for politicians to solve! I'm just a VTuber! Climbers only need to climb well!!!"
Could there really be a fox this shameless in the world? As posts that crossed the line a little too blatantly vanished without a trace, and notorious troublemakers who frequently appeared on the board disappeared one by one, the believers could do nothing but applaud Wakamo for creating a clean internet culture(?).
The viewers had long since settled into the mindset that the government and the associations would handle everything themselves, so they simply indulged in patriotic pride.
※※※
Immediately after Wakamo left, saying she was returning to Korea.
The Fist King, dissatisfied with absolutely everything about the situation, made no attempt to hide his displeasure as he asked the low-ranking official standing beside the chairman.
"So, what does the Japanese government think? Did they ask our Wakamo-sama to hand over the things she possesses?"
The unfortunate Councilor Tetsuya, caught between the Fist King and the chairman, glanced nervously at both of them while wiping sweat with a handkerchief.
Even in the modern era, Japan still had an imperial family and members of the imperial household. Under those circumstances, with a Japanese sacred regalia lost long ago suddenly appearing, claiming ownership was perfectly reasonable.
They were not fools. They had finished calculating which side would benefit a long time ago.
That was because the president of South Korea had been telling the Japanese prime minister that Fox God Wakamo was a monster and a threat not only to Korea but to all of Asia.
The prime minister, on the other hand, thought they would benefit by taking her side. There had even been talk of praising the chairman for handling things well and presenting Wakamo, who had created a 『Complete-Clear Floor』, with a commendation.
Wakamo had refused, saying that as a VTuber she could not show the red pill and therefore had no intention of going to receive it.
The other side had been so friendly that they offered first to let her manager accept it in her place.
And, of course, they had hung the Jujutsu Association out to dry, asking how they could cause trouble for a Climber from another country. The media condemned the Jujutsu Association so fiercely that the entire nation criticized them, and even the Fist King gave an interview saying they had demolished the building and barged into his dojo. As a result, the four Companions were devastated in an instant.
They had been Japan's largest [Jujutsu Sorcerer] group in their own right, but many Climbers came from overseas to learn martial arts, and many Climbers had immigrated to Japan. The situation was escalating into a political battle precisely because people wanted to diminish their influence.
And as she watched this spectacle, the chairman of the Japanese Association was filled with admiration.
'She truly is the Fox God of Wisdom! She showed that she could obtain a 『Complete-Clear Floor』 in any Tower, then took the initiative to offer that floor in its entirety to the Japanese Climber Association. Since the Jujutsu Association caused trouble in that situation, she is the one in the stronger position.'
Perhaps the Fox God had been drawing up this grand design from the moment the man called the Fist King came looking for her.
Naturally, no normal person would have gone outside at dawn after being told by Manager Won Da-hye that there might be an attack.
Had she not sensed that the Jujutsu Association was coming and headed toward the entrance? She had clearly noticed a powerhouse like the Fist King coming to see her at dawn and gone out to meet him.
She had won the favor of Japan's strongest Climber through exceptional skill.
She had taken pity on the lack of disciples at his dojo and gifted him the 『Fox God's Shrine』. She had shown that she was not entirely fed up with Japan as a country—and had calmly dealt with the attacks by the ninjas, including the Jujutsu Association.
What she showed next was a display of force that seemed to say she would demonstrate what 『true jujutsu』 was.
'If Wakamo Inarizushi's profession is [Jujutsu Sorcerer]....'
Her identity was effectively no different from that of the real Fox God!!
And if she was not even registered with a Companion, then she was effectively the 『Origin』...!
'Could it be.... Is she Kuzunoha, the legendary onmyoji Abe no Seimei's mother?'
But Kuzunoha was a white fox, wasn't she? Perhaps they had merely been friends(?).
If that was true, it was even more terrifying.
She could show illusions, so had she imitated what the [Jujutsu Sorcerers] displayed and deceived the public into thinking she was a jujutsu sorcerer?
Because she could use genuine [Kuzunoha-Style Jujutsu] regardless of her profession!
'How long has it been since something this terrifying happened to me.... I have been dancing in the palm of her hand....'
Clearing only the tenth floor as a Complete-Clear Floor had been a sample. It could be said that she was testing the country, letting it judge for itself how valuable she was in an age when the new human species known as Climbers held the upper hand.
'Even a single floor could be used as a shelter in the event of an earthquake or natural disaster....'
In truth, the floor where the monsters of Kyoto Tower appeared did not contain many useful resources. Wakamo had probably taken that into account and conquered the tenth floor, a boss floor with one of the largest territories.
It was an unspoken demonstration that if Japan continued to consider her interests and take her side, she could give the country even more in the future!!
'Heh heh heh.... You old bastard.... Where on earth did you find such a monster....'
The man who had once been her comrade had always been rather sinister and wicked, but Wakamo was such a formidable figure that even the chairman felt cold sweat run down her back and could not keep her hands from trembling.
Holding a cigarette she had thought she had quit, she gazed at the Kyoto Tower, whose color had changed once more, half worried and half excited about how the new era would change.
"....But it seems she really does like people."
Before Wakamo left, the chairman had asked whether she truly did not need any of the benefits that might come from the Complete-Clear Floor.
"Just deal with the black companies. A VTuber I know is having a hard time."
She had said it like a joke—but it must have conveyed her sincere wish for people not to suffer.
If more resources could be obtained from Kyoto Tower.... Japan would become that much wealthier, and life would become easier for its people.
Could her departure without setting a date for her return also have been a kind of plan to make people look forward to her arrival?
"Good grief. I liked it when there was no one here."
The chairman turned to the man who had been treated with contempt as a gorilla of this era, while he endured days of misery and frustration despite his reputation as the Fist King because he had no disciples.
A steady stream of people had gathered to see the Fox God's Shrine.
If Wakamo continued behaving this way, even more people would come to his dojo in the future.
"I don't want to cry at my age. She really is a kind person."
The Fist King's voice trembled, and he squeezed his eyes shut, but... in the end, tears gathered in them.
"Whenever I was suffering, I would climb the stairs of Inari Shrine every day, pass through the shrine gate, and pray for my wish. It seems the god really did grant my wish."
The sight of initiates among the people who had gathered made him feel as though all his hardships had finally been rewarded.
It felt as though the Fox God had come because she believed he deserved a reward after doing his very best for his dream.
"Damn it... I'm not supposed to cry...."
The Fist King could not suppress the surge of emotion erupting from the anguish he had kept buried deep in his chest. He berated himself for still being so immature despite needing to have complete control over his body and mind as a martial artist, while the chairman silently held out a handkerchief.
The chairman said nothing.
Instead, the chairman gazed into the distance as though she had not seen anything, smiling as she exhaled cigarette smoke.
As though it would sweep away at least half of the worries that had remained.
※※※
Regardless of how many people misunderstood Wakamo.
VTuber Wakamo, who forbade anyone from asking about the red pill, was looking at the rewards for conquering the tenth floor of Kyoto Tower.
[The rewards have increased due to a Tower Platinum Clear].
[You have acquired the Relic-grade item [Ritual Bronze Bell]!]
[Ritual Bronze Bell]
Grade: Relic.
A sacred object symbolizing the authority of the ruling floor.
Also called the Hachiju-rei (八珠鈴).
Ritual bonus +33%
Jingle, jingle─
"Isn't this an octopus massager...?"
What was it called... It kind of looks like the thing used to press down hotteok....
Wakamo held the handle and shook it with a jingle, lamenting why she had been given such trash.
I got nothing else.
Job-Exclusive Skill 【Broadcast Points】
-You can use the points accumulated from broadcasting to bestow blessings upon believers.
Current Points: 551.
[There are no available blessings]
She had absolutely no idea what she was supposed to accumulate all these points for, either.
[Status Window]
[Climber: Wakamo Inarizushi]
[Occupation: VTuber]
[Age: 1,000 years old]
[Stats]
Mana: 583,402
[Bonus Stats: 27]
Since she had conquered the tenth floor as a Complete-Clear Floor, it had not even given her any stat points.
I want to raise my Mana with these... but Wakamo did not possess a stat that could raise Mana.
It only increased with the number of subscribers!!
Tremble, tremble....
I can endure it....
Being able to endure it little by little means.... being able to endure it forever......
It's only... only this much anger!!!
Don't obsess over climbing the Tower, Wakamo.
What's most important to a VTuber is the viewers.
Were the believers happy? Wasn't that enough to satisfy me?
I was satisfied. Then that was enough.
She let out a deep breath....
Even after returning from Japan to Korea, her anger did not subside easily, so she poured cold water over her head and meditated to regain her composure.
Keep your mind clear and still, Wakamo.
If today's broadcast went well, there would be tomorrow's broadcast, and then even bigger content after that....
She sat down where she was, calming her anger and refusing to be toyed with by the Tower.
The profession of VTuber had chosen her... The thing she loved had become her profession.
Since Wakamo, the VTuber, also carried the same love for a dream that the Fist King had shown, she had to devote herself fully to everything she did....
"I've got enough of a foundation."
For now—let's think about reality rather than the dream and romance of being a VTuber.
Japan's 『2D and 3D』 scene contained all kinds of VTubers. There were VTubers who sang death metal at a professional level, and legendary 3D-video VTubers who led such groups and were called emperors, transforming the VTuber trend from 3D video content into livestreaming centered on Live2D.
Corporate talents belonging to groups... It probably varied from company to company, but what was the main source of income for Japanese VTubers?
On YouTube, there were Super Chats, members-only streams, and voice packs.
Even that poor, hated Shiba VTuber had asked people to buy her voice packs, hadn't she?
'It is still too early to study the eighty voice packs I bought from the VTubers I know and make one for Yu Ying... So is it membership streams after all?'
Doing ASMR would be nice too.... But first, let's think slowly and calmly.
Right now, I was thinking about my affiliated VTuber, 『Hajime Ichigo』, as the president of a company, not as a VTuber.
I mustn't be swept away by anger. I need to show anger solely for the sake of entertainment.
I must control my anger and discipline myself like a martial artist.... How many streamers had ruined themselves after making a slip of the tongue because they suddenly lost their temper?
Always speak seriously and carefully. And wield jokes that will make the believers laugh like a sharp sword.
Seize the flow of the moment, shatter expectations with karate-like unpredictability, and create an entertaining broadcast.
Constantly agonizing over what an ideal VTuber broadcast should be....
"I've thought of some good content."
"Boss... Yu Ying... can I take a shower too?"
Just as Wakamo, who had turned on the shower in the bathroom and was practicing waterfall training, seemed to have realized something, Yu Ying cautiously asked for permission.
Were you watching me this whole time?
This is mortifying as hell. Damn it.
"WAZZUP!!! OHAKOS!!! I'm Wakamo Inarizushi!! You've all been waiting long enough, right?"
-I want to see the boss's red pill!!
-Show us the loli. Loli.
-The homegrown fox is finally back!!
-There goes my dopamine!!
-She really is diligent and works so hard at streaming...
-Hey, but is this really today's title?
-Isn't the boss an expert, though?ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
The believers came rushing in excitedly the moment she started the broadcast. Some newcomers bombarded her with questions about what she had shown in Japan, but Wakamo paid them no attention.
She merely pointed toward the top of the screen, where it said to read the broadcast rules.
The rules were that the boss's red pill was taboo, that viewers should not cause trouble for other VTubers, and that harsh comments about VTubers were forbidden!
Since Wakamo did not accept donations anyway, the believers laughed at the newcomers and told them to adapt on their own, then took another glance at the broadcast title the boss had written.
[The Fox God's Proxy Gacha. I'll Do Anything for You!]
She placed the [Imperial Seal] where it could be clearly seen.
Behind her was a banner reading [I Guarantee It's the Real Thing! The Fox God of the Homeland!], creating a scene that radiated a certain madness.
Wakamo held the [Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi] in one hand and jingled the [Ritual Bronze Bell] in the other, while Ichigo beat a drum beside her in time with the rhythm.
-Is this really right...?
-It does seem like I came to the right place.
-The boss is probably the only person who would do this kind of content in the studio.
-Aren't you going to do the blade-walking act?