The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper #2 a LitRPG. (ATS) Read online

  The Anime Trope System : Stone vs. the Viper, #2 a LitRPG.

  by Syr456 (Alvin Atwater)

  [Volume 2.] Episode 11 ( Part 2)

  Last time on The Anime Trope System, Clyde was just getting adjusted to the strange world, Satovia. He made mistakes, rushed into battle, had girl trouble, had GIRL trouble, learned the hard way. The struggles taught him a lesson—but the lesson isn’t over with it, not yet. Despite the battles, the boss fight, and gaining an Omen’s sphere, the journey has not even begun yet.

  The Anime Trope System Volume 2: Breaking the World…

  Monday. Week 2. Year 1.

  Clyde found himself walking on a dark path of mist and fire and golden light. On his left side was the real world. Friends and family waved at him. He tried to turn away, but their images embedded in his skull like a tattoo inside his eyelids. On the right side waved his friends of Satovia.

  Fwoosh! Went the flicker of light, then he was approaching a table with two stools. Someone in a black cloak, hood up, waited for him.

  "Let’s have a drink, you and I."

  The voice gave Clyde chills. He couldn’t see anything in the cloak, but a pair of glowing purple eyes. Two mugs appeared on the wooden table. "What’s the matter, friend? Unable to speak? Cat’s got your tongue? Looking for some pretty ladies? Or…"

  Clyde stared into those purple eyes, paralyzed. He could feel it. Overwhelming power. Absolute control of it. Death, screams of those killed, ghosts of a past all seemed to stare at him. Worst of all, he felt like he should know the man. Yet, nothing rung a bell.

  "Wake up," chanted a whisper. Something dug into the young man’s ears.

  Clyde flinched, eyes shooting open. He sat up, taking notice of the classroom. Chika retreated a finger covered in what he assumed was…saliva. She had a yandere half-smile on her face.

  "You were sleeping," she said. "Class is over though."

  Clyde felt the invasive moisture in his ear. Ugh. Wet willy. Chika gave him a wet willy. A really wet one.

  "Ugh, did you really have to," he paused his thought as the professor walked over to him.

  "I’ll see you later," Chika said, using that chance to escape, but not without winking.

  The professor, a beautiful young woman, smiled him.

  "Are you feeling okay?"

  "I’m fine," Clyde said. "Just a little tired, that’s all."

  "Alright, but don’t burn yourself out after just being here a week," she said. "It’s a tough school and judging by the high scores on your handouts and quizzes, you seem to be putting in the study time."

  Clyde almost choked on his air. The professor placed a hand on his shoulder.

  "Don’t overdo it okay. And it’s good to see you relying on a fellow high-scoring student, even if it is that one. She seems a little different lately, maybe cheerful? Stay friends with her if so." She smiled again then left Clyde to gather his things.

  Ye of the naïve professor, if only you know, Clyde thought.

  When he left the classroom, he noticed something sparkling on the ground. Something compelled him to pick it up rather than ignore it.

  A trading card. Why wasn’t he surprised?

  [You have found an Attacker card. Item class: bizarre. The Druid Karla. Power: ??? Defense: ???.]

  [The cards effect’s and abilities cannot be revealed to you until the contract is formed.]

  Clyde ignored the trading card prompt, as usual, eyes checking the area for annoyances. He’d take Chika over the annoying popular girl. In fact, he hoped he’d run into the silver-haired girl. She needed a mouthful for the wet willy, that he hoped was just a wet fully. Clyde ended up washing his ear in the restroom before marching to class.

  During lunch, he invited Naomi against Chika’s protests. She’d think twice before giving him a questionable wet willy.

  Naomi was put off by Chika’s glare at first, but Clyde kept her into the conversation until she spoke of her own accord, unfazed by the other woman. It was when Clyde felt an extreme jealousy aura from the yandere, that he ended the lunch. He didn’t want her killing Naomi or doing anything harmful to her. Not that Chika threatened anyone. She mostly controlled it, though sometimes let it slip around the young man.

  "Doing anything after classes?" Chika said.

  "Studying with Harumi," Clyde said. She gave him a glare. "Okay, we’re playing chess. She’s impossible to beat, but I can’t give up."

  Clyde wasn’t sure what changed between the first meeting and now, but he found comfort in being around the pink-haired young woman. Hell, she was the nicest person he’d ever met.

  Chika sighed.

  "I’m coming over and I'll show you how it’s done."

  "I’m not ready to embarrass myself yet. Maybe—"

  "I said I’ll show you how it’s done," Chika said. The perverted yandere look in her eyes returned. "I mean…you could come over to my place and I’ll teach you every move in the book."

  Blood gushed out of Clyde’s nose for the first time in his life. Somehow none of it touched his clothes. Chika handed him a handkerchief.

  "Just wash it before..." she paused as if regretting to tell him to wash the cloth.

  "You perv," Clyde said as he wiped his nose then stuffed the handkerchief into his pocket.

  "Says the guy who took my virginity," Chika said then smiled slyly.

  "I did? Whoa," Clyde said, forcing his ego to stay in check. Chika did him as if she had experience.

  He forced the thoughts away. Now wasn’t the time to think with his horn. He wasn’t looking forward to Harumi’s secretive glare when he brought over the insistent yandere.

  After classes, Clyde bumped into someone he least expected. He saw her with the uniform on before, but never caught her on campus. The petite redheaded girl smiled at him. Melody.

  [Volume 2.] Episode 11 ( Part 3)

  "Hi Clyde," she said, twirling her hair with a finger, like a nervous schoolgirl. Her sweet charismatic words seemed to dance in the air. "I just wanted to thank you for everything. And I’m truly sorry for—"

  "It’s fine," Clyde interrupted. He didn’t want Chika to have a reason to end her murder-free ways. "It’s good to see that you’re okay."

  That he truly meant. He looked deep into her eyes, searching. Apart of him still felt like utter shit for not having the power to help her at the time. Adventurers took huge risks when facing enemies or simply going out into the night.

  Melody probably knew that—her increased stats revealed resolve. He still didn’t forget when she tried to kill him, yet they faced the night together. Neither planned to make the same mistakes.

  "So how are your school days?" a short boy said to his friend as they passed by. Clyde almost grimaced at the unintended reference. He wasn’t a murderer, but if any yandere attempted to go stabby-stabby on him, he’d defend himself. Not that he’d want to get into blows Chika. She was that crazy friend who’d make things happen.

  He often forgot that the silver-haired girl was rich. Growing up in the lower end of the middle class, other people’s finances didn’t sway close to his mind.

  "If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask," Melody said. "If you don’t mind trading numbers with me."

  [You have received Melody’s phone number.]

  I swear this system is deciding for me, half a second before I actually respond, Clyde thought as he put away his phone.

  "The offer goes both ways," Clyde said. "If you need anything, I’m on your man."

  "Within reason," Chika said with assertiveness in her voice. She and Melody shared a brief micro-glare.

  "Well, see you tomorrow," Melody said. "I’ve got to explain to the student council president why I declined some invitations."

  She moved in a flash, engulfing Clyde in a hug. The young man shook his head when he noticed the obvious evil smirk she gave Chika. As if he’d be one of those main characters that missed the juicy cues. Still, it was on her if she wanted to pick a fight with a fucking yandere. He’d stay out of it.

  Clyde chuckled when Melody left, remembering how last week, he simply wanted to avoid the harem trope, if not all of them. He still hated harems, but only a fool wouldn’t use this to an advantage. Not that he wanted to think of any of the girls as minions to fight demons—his friendships went a little too deep for that—but solving his dilemma alone was just next to impossible, whether the system intervened or not.

  "Find something funny?" Chika said, jealousy aura flowing.

  "Just remembering something stupid," Clyde replied. "Let’s go."

  Chika gave him a brief look of suspicion then followed, cheerfulness ringing like the reverberation of a bell. He thought about stopping at Clare’s shop but one glance at his companion made him put it off to the next day. He’d finally get started on his path of the mystic. That combined with his new weird-feeling Omen’s sphere powers should tickle the gamer inside.

  A trading card awaited the duo on Clyde’s doorstep. Indignation frisked through the young man’s veins. Fine. If he was going to get sucked into this mystical game anyway, he’d get it over and done with.

  [You have found an Action card. Item class: bizarre. Wizard’s Call.]

  [The cards effect’s and abilities cannot be revealed to you until the contract is formed.]

  "What’s that?" Chika asked.

  "Some kind of trading card," Clyde replied, handing
it to her. "I keep finding them. Any idea what game?"

  "Let’s go inside and examine it." She gave the card back. He warped it to his inventory.

  Clyde opened the door without thinking. Chika entered his apartment first, pulled the young man inside, then closed the door, smirking.

  He found himself pinned against the wall before a thought could pass.

  "Don’t think you can just take me once and run," she said, yandere eyes seeming to glow. She kissed him before words could flow out of his mouth. Someone giggled, causing her to quickly pull away.

  "I was trying to tell you that I had an uninvited guest," Clyde said.

  Chika glared.

  "I swear if I turn around to see that demon girl, I’ll flip."

  "Alice is actually welcomed here," Clyde said then pointed at the white-haired catgirl lounging on his sofa.

  "Nya, don’t stop on my account," Neko said.

  "Clyde," Chika said in a deadly calm voice. "What is she doing in your apartment?"

  "Fuck if I know," Clyde quickly said but the young woman didn’t let him pass.

  "Not good enough," she said, voice still deadly.

  "Nya, I needed somewhere to sleep. So I snuck into his closet."

  "I think the real question is, how’d you get into my apartment?"

  Neko winked.

  "That’s a secret."

  Clyde frowned.

  "Yeah, no. I think I’ll get Alice to show me how to ward this place when she gets here."

  Chika sighed.

  "What are you, the harem king now? Why do you have so many girls coming to your apartment." She fixed him with an inescapable stare. That hit Clyde. Still, they had reasons to meet with him. It wasn’t like he spent his days thinking with his second head.

  "First all of, don’t forget we all fought and almost died together," Clyde said, moving past her into the living room. "Second, you know you can call me anytime, Chika."

  She flinched. "I already told you that I was willing to forget that day."

  Clyde almost gave her the welcome to barge over anytime, but quickly thought against it. Close friends or not, after the love nectar cookies, he wouldn’t dare push his luck.

  He also admitted to himself that Neko’s unwanted presence either ruined or saved his day.

  "You’re right, sorry," she said. "But I still don’t like anyone, but me, breaking into your home." Clyde gave her a tiny skeptical look—she said the, "but me," under her breath. "Why are you still here?"

  "Nya, so ungrateful," Neko said, smiling innocently. "I broke the rules set by my clan thousands of years ago to save your lives." She gave a satisfied smirk at Chika’s silence then leapt up. "Anyway, before I go, I have two warnings. One, He who contradicts the stone is on the move. Second, the demon lord of this city is now fully aware of you. By taking out one who is bonded to him, you’ve essentially called him out. Be watchful of his Middle Eye."

  She gave Clyde a long lick across his face, opened the door before anyone could say anything, and vanished, leaving the young man with uneasy thoughts.

  A knock on the open door brought him back to reality. Harumi walked in with her leather bag containing the chessboard and pieces.

  "I just saw Neko," she said. "Is everything okay?"

  "Oh you know, the usual," Clyde said. "Me being screwed and all." He stretched and allowed a smile to curl on his face. "It doesn’t matter. I don’t plan to be stomped on by the demon lord or his Middle Eye."

  He who contradicts the stone is on the move… Clyde nodded. The Viper? Someone actually told him something about the freaking Viper. Kind of...

  Also...did he ever actually introduce himself to Melody? Did she analyze him? Clyde wondered.

  [Volume 2.] Episode 11 ( PART 4!)

  Clyde failed to shake away his distractions as Harumi beat him thrice with ease. She would’ve done so anyway, regardless of the young man’s mind location.

  "You’re terrible at this," Chika said. "Move."

  He moved to the next chair nearly automatically. The young man felt like he was missing something plain, dumb, and obvious. First, why in the hell does Melody’s charisma stat function like mind control. No game alive worked that way—neither did real life. Well, it did if one counted the media and politics, but Clyde doubted the redhead did any of the sorts. Second, the way she demanded things in the beginning. Her attitude. Mind controlling men to do her bidding. And why didn’t Alice harm her? She sure as shit was ready to kill his friends but didn’t so much as scratch Melody. Third, that sword. Blade of the Red Souls. His mind raced a thousand miles per hour as he wondered what a mere girl would be doing with a sword like that.

  "Are you okay?" Harumi said. Clyde flinched at the pull back into reality.

  "Sorry," he said. "Question. Do you any of you feel strange around Melody?"

  Chika turned to glare at him.

  "What are you getting at?" she asked.

  Clyde couldn’t put this off, not like a dumbass main character. Those who said, "never mind," always end of regretting it. Besides, this mystery ate him up like a mosquito attack.

  "Something’s off with Melody," Clyde said," and I’m going to figure this out. Well, Alice is going to tell me."

  "Please tell me you’re not going to waste your last summon," Chika said. "We may need that."

  "Oh, there’s no need. She’ll be here in about an hour with the cake."

  "That girl’s got a sugar problem," Harumi said. "I’d like to force something healthy into her, but—"

  "You’re terrified of her?" Chika finished, distaste in her voice.

  "I don’t know," Harumi said. "I mean she fought with us. She’s good friends with Clyde, but I can’t help but feel like she could just kill us any time, if ordered by her father. What if he compels her or something."

  "Pssh, my father has no control over me."

  Clyde, Harumi, and Chika nearly jumped out of their skins as Alice simply appeared, unconcerned look on her face. She placed a white box on the table, being careful not to shake the chess board. "I understand it’s a human thing to be stuck in constant paranoia, but do not ever imply that I’ll betray my Clyde or his friends. Ugh, especially for my sleezy father of all people. If had the power, I would’ve killed him myself and avenged Mother a long time ago."

  She turned a twinkling gaze on Clyde and spoke in an excited voice.

  "I brought the kind you suggested. Red velvet. I can’t wait to taste it."

  A moment of silence struck the room before everyone erupted into laughter at Alice’s expense. The demoness looked confused.

  "What?"

  "You’re just too cute," Clyde said. "I’ve never seen someone so happy for cake."

  "Pssh—Cake provides meaning to life," Alice said, folding her arms. "One day I’ll write a book about the philosophy of sweets and how the body cannot live without them."

  "So, Alice, if you don’t mind me asking, what can you tell me about Melody?" Clyde said.

  Alice’s eye twitched and her cocky, but playful smile dropped.

  "Who?"

  "Melody. The redhead we fought off the other day. She used mind-controlled dudes to attack us. Do you sense anything from her?"

  "I…don’t remember," Alice said, but Clyde could see through her like a fish in clear water. Her eyes didn’t meet his.

  "You’re a terrible liar," Clyde said. He almost reached out to pull her closer but decided against it at the last second. Somehow, he couldn’t picture this going right at all with the yandere and Harumi glaring at him. "Alice, what aren’t you telling me? I should’ve thought about it back then, but why didn’t you go all bloodlust devil-may-cry on Melody? She was clearly attacking us."

  Alice still didn’t meet the young man’s eyes.

  "I told you, I don’t remember. Now who wants cake?"

  "Alice, please. This is important."

  Alice bit her lip, eyes meeting Clyde’s, twinkling. Abruptly, she waved a hand.

  The door locked, windows clicked, and the lights dimmed.

  "I risk a great deal speaking of this," Alice said softly. "So, nothing leaves this room or you’re dying with me. As much as I hate my father, there is one thing that not a single demon would cross him on and that’s revealing his hidden eye, his eye which hides in plain sight. Melody, whose real name I can’t speak, is a trickster. Daughter of the trickster demon god, whose name I won’t speak as it would draw his attention here. I do not interfere with her, she does not with me. The other day, my attack was exclusively for the human puppets. To free them."