The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper, #7 a LitRPG (ATS) Read online

  Episode 37 (Part 1): Home and Cooking.

  Last time on The Anime Trope System, Clyde and his party took down the Niyoto questline. Despite encountering crazy cultists, minotaurs, and questionable people who called themselves crusaders, the trip turned out well. They even made a new friend. A strange but adorable one.

  That aside, the saga continues. And old flames spark.

  Welcome to….

  The Anime Trope System Volume 7:

  The Stone of his Territory…

  Sunday. Week 2. Month 2. Year 1. Season: Autumn.

  Libado Grasslands…

  Home sweet home, back into his training grove. Clyde let out a peaceful breath, the late-autumn winds caressing his face like a caring mother. The quest log continued to slim and the team continued to improve…well, be overpowered, yet things were looking up, coming together for the best. He stared at the unconscious hornet woman on the ground.

  “You guys just never learn,” Clyde said. “But hey, at least you’re training.” Grinding off them didn’t help him progress as much anymore. He’d have to go discover new monster girls eventually.

  A movement in the airflow made him spin, but Chika was right there in his face—tackling him to the ground. Before he realized it, they were having wild sex on top of the hornet.

  [Ki increased! Vitality: 6. Speed: 6. Aura: 7. Bonus +1 extra increase to aura for consecutive sex with Chika. Chika’s Ki status is the highest.]

  Chika laid her head on Clyde’s shoulder. The young man took the opportunity to examine the quest log.

  Quest log:

  Main story.

  -Defeat Dark in a Real game (Stone-Token quest.)

  -Wait for Melody to come to you

  -Craft 1 complicated item. (MS)

  -Get to know Sazuki over time.

  -Take all female party members on one date.

  -Investigate the Dragon threat.

  World Objectives:

  Slay the demon lords: 3/15. Reward: *World star fragment* .

  Receive special training. Reward: Stone magic line access.

  World side objective: learn more about this world. Current knowledge of Satovia: 1.8%

  System opinion: you suck! Get on it, godling.

  Chika sighed,

  “I’d better stop stalling and tell you.”

  Clyde looked at her.

  “Is it about the—”

  “No, not that,” she said. “I told you, Alice didn’t wake up. Also, you really should stop spamming the left B attack.”

  “I was trying to do a combo,” Clyde said, laughing. He still wasn’t sure how she managed to convince him to play the Loli Saga fighting game. Apparently, it was one of the games Natalia consumed regularly, which the young man found a little amusing. He also couldn’t wait to tell Noona about her favorite author when she visited later.

  “Platia is cheap and you know it,” Chika said. “Anyway, that’s not what I want to talk about.”

  The hornet awoke, eyes teary.

  “Why do I feel so…. violated?”

  Chika casually kicked her in the face, knocking the hypocritical monster girl back into unconsciousness.

  “My mom wants to have a get-together of some sort with everyone’s parents. With all of the talk of Team Stone, it was only a matter of time. Even Maki’s parents are curious.”

  “Ah boy,” Clyde said tiredly, his memories of Chika’s mother coming to the front. That woman was dangerous. “When is she trying to do this?”

  “Possibly this Friday or next,” Chika said. “She somehow convinced my father to take the time off—even overlook…a project of mine.” She patted the grimacing young man’s back. “Oh, my father’s not so bad, once you get to know him.” She smiled sadly, nerfing his confidence. He no longer denied the harem. Way too late for that—in fact, he basked in every moment of it. What will they think when one or more of the women show affection to Clyde? Well, he supposed they could just overlook that upon seeing that they’re not living in a house of men or toxic college environments.

  He allowed himself to admire Chika’s lack of snobbiness, especially during his noobie days. She hadn’t flaunted any money whatsoever, though her clothing was always nice. Just not flashy. The same went for Alice, now head of the Hades household.

  “Let’s go,” Clyde said. “I’ve got to meet up with Seth later.”

  **

  Clyde’s house…

  Yuki stared blankly at her two workers. Sophia, ex-Viper maiden and Maki, ex-filth. The demoness’s therapy sessions, community service and volunteering, intense all-day labor, and just helping her in general had shaped this girl into a more tolerable person. She was on her way to being great.

  It sometimes baffled Yuki how Maki didn’t make excuses nor lie. Not that one could lie to a demoness. If the woman detected that, she’d bounce her back to square one. The purple-haired young woman was hers, bounded by contract, and atoning for what she did. In another month, the team will gather and vote. Oh, she’d miss making her scrub floors and do laundry. Not really. Yuki could do all of those things twenty times faster. That man wanted her to be his equal. He pushed and pushed, made sure she got plenty of time off. Made her finance manager, although he did convince her that it was okay to pursue her own goals.

  And that’s what she did. As an advanced chef with the points and qualifications to upgrade to Master Chef, Yuki could offer private cooking lessons to serious students. Well, that alongside of running a restaurant. Something to honor the Stone…her Stone. That man fought for her future and those of the others. MANY of them wanted to come back and serve him, but there was no way the demoness would deal with more annoying competition.

  Taking care of the house was her job. She’d share the spy teaching job with Chika, though the silver-haired girl would handle most of it. Harumi had potential, but she had a long way to go before she could consider taking on Yuki again. That secret cook-off they had was just pathetic, but she loved the fox for trying.

  “Maki, dust the library. Sophia, you’re on floors.”

  Sophia bowed.

  “The Great Stone be praised.”

  “Well, you’re right,” Yuki said. “But don’t do that. My Clyde’s not that kind of man. If you’re going to be a Stone Maiden or whatever, do it right. And your sort isn’t oblivious to cleaning the temple. So think of Clyde’s house as that.”

  “Where do I set the worsh—”

  Yuki held up a hand to forestall.

  “Just stop. And get on to the floors, now.”

  “Ye—yes, of course,” the maiden said, scurrying off.

  “The things I do for him.” Yuki chuckled. “He needs to hurry up and get here.”

  As the demoness walked into the kitchen, Melody caught her attention. The half-goddess, half-demoness looked depressed as she sat at the counter, hands around a half-empty coffee mug.

  “I’m a fool, Yuki,” she said. “I blew it with him.”

  Episode 37 (Part 2)

  Clare’s Café…

  Clyde laughed as Seth raised a hand, grinning evilly. A Fireside magical girl, dressed in a short-skirt maid outfit, hurried over. And no matter how much she wanted to, she couldn’t break character. There were a lot of customers. Mostly men and a few Sato Academy students, one which Clyde could’ve sworn he recognized, but had no name to put to her face. The typical observations—but Clare…she was truly a genius. After just days of renovating, she converted her shop into a café with the weapons display in the back. No oil smell—she did all of the cleaning at home. At first, the idea was temporary so that the Fireside girls could leave after ser
ving their punishments, but other girls began to apply for positions, even cooks (who wore the eye-attracting look). Apparently, the maid thing appealed to them—especially the roleplaying types. Earlier, a famous idol stopped by—the same girl who winked at Clyde back in Niyoto. Clare’s café boomed in terms of business. The young man found it hilarious that the maiden herself was the star of the show. She chose to wear her traditional Japanese maiden outfit, which pretty much gained her a cult following. The magical girls also served as security, though would-be violators wouldn’t know it.

  “How can I help you, Master?” There was only the slightly tinge of bite in the magical girl’s voice.

  Seth wiped away the nosebleed.

  “I’d like a strawberry cheesecake and a photo.”

  The magical girl probably wanted to choke Seth. She even held an impressive Gin smile. Clyde stifled a laugh. She turned to him. The young man waited for the magic words.

  “Can I get you anything, Ma—master.”

  Seth snickered. A small flickering of anger aura outlined her, yet she held the fake smile.

  “Just a photo, with Sahara,” he said. Clyde actually didn’t give a shit about the picture, but he needed to talk to the Fireside leader.

  “Are you sure it—”

  “I just need to talk to your leader,” he whispered so the others couldn’t hear.

  “She’s in the breakroom,” the magical girl said. “Just go. No need to mess with me, like this guy.” She gave Seth a micro death glare, then put the fake smile back on.

  “I’ll be back in a few,” Clyde said to Seth.

  “Take your time dude,” Seth said. “With Clare right there, I’m free to fully enjoy myself. Now let’s get on with that photo, my servant.”

  “I’d sleep with an eye open tonight,” Clyde said to Seth, laughing.

  The white-haired, red-eyed Fireside leader was indeed in the back, asleep on a sofa, in a rather compromising position. The young man could see full blue-striped panties. Drool oozed off the side of her lips as she softly snored. He silently walked over, knelt beside her, and whispered, “slackers will be punished.”

  The magical girl leader lurched nearly five feet into the air, only to see a laughing Clyde. She whacked him with a pillow.

  “Don’t scare me like that,” she said. “What do you want? And I swear if that blonde—”

  “Seth’s in the front with your minions,” Clyde said. Sahara let out a breath of relief then slammed down her skirt, realizing that the young man probably had an eye full. He pretended not to notice, but knew damn well that the white-haired girl didn’t buy it. He sat in a chair, opposite of her. “What do you know about curses? I ask because you wield strong power. That thirteen witches crap and what not.”

  “Why not ask one of your demon friends about curses?” Sahara said. “Why come all the way here to remind me that you and your annoying friend are just perverts? Even your little kid witch friend—”

  “She’s the reason why I’m asking,” Clyde said. “To be honest, I’m just asking around. If Tear, Alice, Yuki or any of the others knew anything, they would’ve cured Natalia by now.” Suddenly, an idea hit the young man like....Truck-kun. “You know what, never mind. Go back to sleep, drooly. I think I have a solution.”

  “Well, don’t hold it back, I want to know,” Sahara said, blush faint, but Clyde ignored her, hurrying out. Why go through the cliché of asking stubborn, annoying people who’d die with even the secret cure to cancer when he could simply wish away the problem.

  “Seth, I’m leaving early, something came up, bye,” he said, continuing out, not giving the man a chance to ask questions. He made the Jump to Libado Grasslands. Detective Tetra waved for his attention from afar, but the young man just didn’t have the time.

  It was time to rub one off. The magic lamp that is.

  **

  Military base…

  “Unit Sixty-eight, ATTEN-HUT!”

  The unit, composed of both men and women, shifted into attention at their lady Ace’s command. She looked right at Hiroshi. He frowned inside, not in the mood for her pestering this day.

  “Section Leader Hiroshi,” Aiki said, walking over to him. One rank above him and she thought she had the right to annoy the man all day. He stared at her blankly as if to emphasize his point.

  “Ace,” he said then whispered. “What now, Aiki.”

  She frowned.

  “What’s your status on Rodger’s visitation?”

  “That ex-marine guy?” Hiroshi said. “He hasn’t called me back. Can’t blame him. If I retired, I sure as shit wouldn’t answer any call from the—”

  “You’re just a bitter man,” Aiki said. “And you know what we face, so do your job, Section Leader.”

  “Yeah yeah,” Hiroshi said. “Look, give me an allowance and about two people, preferably those with experience and I’ll catch a flight to Lot City. Maybe debunk some of the rumors there.”

  “We know what we saw in that report,” Aiki said. “Recruit those particular gifted if you see them. The admiral has given the supreme order to—”

  “Yeah, I know, find and recruit magic-wielders,” Hiroshi said in a deadpan voice. “I was there, remember.”

  She shot him a flat look.

  “Don’t make me remind you of the punishment you received for looking up my skirt.”

  Hiroshi sighed.

  “And I told you that wasn’t my fault. It didn’t help matters when you fell on top of—”

  Aiki covered his mouth with both hands, blushing.

  “Just drop it.” She removed her hands.

  “Fine, but will you give me the greenlight?” he said.

  “I will ask the captain,” she said. “If he’s okay with it, I’ll send you by Sonic Jet.”

  Hiroshi shrugged.

  “What a drag.”

  **

  Unknown city…

  Aunder stared at the maps laid across his hotel room’s table.

  “Four so far, declaring loyalty to me,” he said softly. “As if I care about that.” He placed his finger on a highlighted point. “This is taking too long. How am I supposed to beat this game if the gods keep bloody interfering?”

  He sighed, glancing at the kid asleep on his bed, book in her hand. His annoying, bratty second-in-command. “What is up with this Loli saga gag?”

  Aunder turned to his empty mug of beer, grimacing. How could he actually end the stone-viper games if the Watchers themselves are protecting the others? Was he supposed to be trapped in this world for an eternity? Why not just give him unlimited beers? He’d retire in a heartbeat.

  His body pulsed again, the cells inside struggling to hold off the taint. The search for the witch capable of curing him brought no results. Damn that Mortem. He just couldn’t leave a man alone to his beer. The constant provocations by the Watchers…

  Aunder had to do something about this. He’d never get to relax with them around. He needed more support.

  [You have a maiden temple located 600 miles to the northeast. The spot has been marked on your map.]

  Aunder shook his head.

  “I suppose it’s progress and another annoyance to my journey. I’ll take it.”

  Episode 37 (Part 3)

  Libado Grasslands…

  Clyde made sure the area was clear before retrieving his new relic from the inventory.

  [You have found a magic lamp. Item class: * Relic *]

  “This is going to be awesome,” he said as he placed the large lamp onto the grass. “Or horribly backfire. Still, it’s an item.” He gave it a rub.

  [Would you like to summon the genie of this lamp?]

  Clyde selected yes, grinning. It shimmered repeatedly. A purple fog-like substance oozed from the open nose of the lamp, forming into a five-foot-tall shape. He almost felt like he summoned Shenron from Dragon Ball . A feminine voice spoke from the fog, which slowly was defining itself into a…person. Of course, the genie materialized.

  “Oh, I’ve b
een summoned into the human world? Wait, Satovia,” she said then...squealed in delight. “Oooh, ah. Thank heavens it was after I finished bathing. Uh-oh, I really hope I turned off the stove…”

  Clyde gulped.

  “Uhm, hey, great genie, whatever,” he said. “Thank you for coming here. I’ve got my wishes ready. I don’t want to hold you here longer than—”

  The fog vanished, revealing a beautiful tan-skinned girl with pointy ears, long purple-white hair tied in a ponytail, and Harumi-level breasts. Wearing only a black bra and panties…a bikini of some sort… the genie woman sported a range of gold jewelry: a necklace, bracelets, rings on each finger, and even star-shaped hair pins. Purple eyes stared at him with glee.

  “A man! Finally,” she said. “You know what the downside of being a virgin genie is, Master. These days, it’s being nearly powerless.” She undid her bra and pulled off her panties.

  “What are you doing?” Clyde said.

  “You…just relax,” she said. “I need spirit energy. But to make sure you don’t run, in case you’re some kind of sorcerer, I’m going to do this.”

  She aimed a hand at him. Clyde tried to move, but it was too late.

  ((Kanako triggered Halt))

  [You have been inflicted with Unmoving. You cannot move.]

  “Nothing personal, Master,” she said, pulling off Clyde’s pants. “I’ve been ridiculed by my peers. They say I’m not a real genie until I grant wishes. But you know, the Supreme Demon lord’s influence added a limit which makes it impossible for virgin genies to do anything except mundane jobs.” She crawled on top of the young man. “I was a cashier! Fallen from grace.”