The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper, #6 a LitRPG (ATS) Read online

  “Are we patrolling?” Toru asked.

  “I think we have no choice on that,” Seth said. “When a demon lord’s there, monsters spawn at night.”

  “Which means, Detective Tetra may be there too,” Ming said.

  Clyde blinked.

  “You’re absolutely right. There’s a chance. If she is, put off her questions as quickly as possible.” He stood. “So who’s going?”

  Everyone raised their hands. “Excellent. Start packing. Tear and I won’t have time to Jump you here, so don’t leave anything.”

  “I’d better ready my bag of tools,” Chika said, soliciting a blank glare from Clyde.

  Episode 32 (Part 5)

  Ashen City…

  Momo muttered a nearly endless banter of curses under her breath as she walked away from an abandoned mansion. Some stupid, braindead woman suggested she Jump all the way to this part of the world for additional funding that just wasn’t there. Not a trace of these supposed Ashfall people remained…

  Oh, she wanted to choke-slam Lord Aunder. How dare he treat her like some maid. She was a Venus sister, the most respected women of her nation. Among the wise women, often looked up to, called upon, rulers in all but name. Now she babysat a kid and bent her neck for a lousy drunk who had the most irritating grin while under the influence. He spoke of honor in everything, but herded the Great Venus Sisters like slaves. Said it himself…

  Momo wanted to howl. Her idiot sister Su Yang fawns over the man. Olivia acted as his attack dog. And the recruit, Julius or whatever, is the only sane one she could talk to. He clearly wasn’t happy to be there. No one entered the Forgotten Party of their own will, except perhaps the kid. If Momo couldn’t make contact with her goddess, she’d at least show her that she wouldn’t let the poor little girl become like that stupid drunk. Honor her ass. If he needed to put down the alcohol for once!

  She wondered if her goddess has forsook her servants. Can she not see them? Why wasn’t she doing anything? Was it a test? Or…maybe there was no goddess Venus. Ludicrous thinking. Aunder told them clearly that he blocked all paths to the goddess. He couldn’t risk her interrupting his stupid plans.

  She herself gave the Venus sisters the powerful magic in a dream. “Use it in my name. Love and sex. Kindness, peace, harmony, and fertility.”

  Momo tried for the umpteenth time to force her way past Aunder’s magical chains—anything that could get even a faint cry for help out. Nothing. Another failure…

  “Well, well,” a masculine voice said.

  Momo turned to see a man walking toward her, grinning.

  “A beauty like you, alone, trespassing on sold property,” he continued. “If you want me to keep quiet, you’d better bend over. I’ll need to plug your naughty drain.”

  Momo felt outrage pour into her. This lowly, scum of Satovia, dare talk to her that way? He dare show such disrespect. She felt like…she felt murderous for the first time in her life.

  “We can take this behind—agh!”

  Momo smashed a fist into his testes and watched him drop. He wasn’t worth killing after all. Just some pathetic thug.

  “You will pay for this, bitch,” he wheezed then pulled out a handgun. Momo gasped, sensing the silver bullets inside. She was going to die this day. Killed by a lowly thug. No…she couldn’t let it happen, even if she’d welcome death. Not like this. Besides, someone needed to take care of the Princess Dire. And no one was better at it than her.

  Momo teleported right as the man pulled the trigger. Standing on his back, she shook her head. The man trembled.

  “Why couldn’t the Stone find us?” she said softly. “Bounded by a lousy drunk of a Viper—our goddess as surely forsaken us. We who dedicated our lives to her service.” A tear dropped from an eye. “I will be killing you in her name. In the name of Venus, who forsook her most loyal subjects. Your soul…will be a gift.”

  She placed a hand on his back.

  “No—no, no,” the man pleaded, but the paralysis was still in place.

  “I will sacrifice you in her name,” Momo said. “She who left us to this fate. You…filth.”

  **

  Clyde’s house…

  That evening….

  Clyde flinched as he heard Airi laugh at one of Seth’s bad jokes. All the way from the living room. Who thought it was a good idea to let her get so out-of-control drunk? He kind of felt bad for Harumi—and so much for not being backed up. A shame, because he didn’t get the chance to pick her brain. Someone like that was a goldmine for him, a man new to Satovia. Knowledge locked behind a drunken paywall. Clyde would ask at the hotel the following day.

  He sighed, half-glaring at the women that piled into his room.

  Ruri claimed she needed to protect her ears. Neko made the same excuse.

  Alice was in his lap, reading a novel. At the desk, Chika switched back and forth from studying to reading an issue of the Loli Saga. Natalia shut off her handheld game to repeatedly poke Clyde’s arm. He tried to ignore her, even abandoned the light novel on his tablet, but the loli persisted. Alice moved every once in a while, to engage his erection. Tear flanked his left, also reading. It suspiciously looked like the sequel of a novel he hid from Alice.

  “She still has the yarn,” Chika said offhandedly. Neko purred, ignoring the silver-haired girl.

  “Shouldn’t all of you be getting some rest? We’re leaving first thing in the morning,” Clyde said.

  “Would love to,” Tear said, placing her hand on Clyde’s chin. “Even if you could get Harumi’s friend to quiet down, I’m too comfortable here.”

  “Tear, don’t test my patience,” Chika said. “When I’m done here, I will be taking back my spot.”

  “Fine, I’ll just sleep on top of him,” Tear said.

  “I don’t think so,” Chika said. “We all agreed not to.”

  “First come, first serve,” Tear said. “And I’m not moving.” She grabbed ahold of Clyde’s arm. Chika’s jealousy aura flickered.

  “Let’s not start that tonight,” Clyde interjected. “Or I’ll kick everyone that isn’t Alice, out.”

  Alice gave them a smug look, then tuned back to her reading without saying a word.

  “You shouldn’t favor her so much,” Tear said. “I want spoiling too.” She moved over to kiss Clyde, only for Neko to place her ball of yarn between the two. Clyde felt her tail grab his horn. His fists clenched.

  “Neko,” Tear said in a deadly calm voice. The catgirl removed the yarn, smiling innocently.

  “Nya, let’s play a game.”

  Tear raised an eyebrow. Clyde grunted when Neko stroked. Somehow Alice didn’t notice. What could he say? Tear gave him a suspicious look. Ruri suddenly sniffed the air.

  “Ruri, I think Matsume needed you for something earlier,” Clyde lied. “I forgot to pass the message.”

  “I can smell the lie,” Ruri said. “Neko, what are you doing to him?”

  Alice looked at her, eyes of ice.

  “Nya, both hands are right here.”

  The stroking increased. Neko suddenly licked his face. Alice’s phone rang.

  “Hi Harumi,” Alice said when she answered. “Velvet cheesecake? I’m in.”

  With a flicker of magic, Alice’s nightgown changed into a dress. She put on some shoes, kiss Clyde then scurried off. That’s when Neko pounced.

  Episode 32 (Part 6)

  Clyde felt as if Neko had twenty hands as he struggled to deter her from stripping him in front of everyone. Her breathing became husky, eyes lusty. The others seemed stunned, borderline fascinated, as they watched a normally composed catgirl, give in to her monster girl instincts.

  He supposed it’s been a while since he last had sex with Neko. He debated on what to do.

  “It must be fascinating to stand there and watch your team leader—oh damn, that tail,” Clyde said.

  “I was kind of hoping this was a part of the game,” Tear said then raised Neko into the air using the force. The catgirl flinched, lucid
ity returning to her eyes.

  “Nya, how embarrassing,” she said. Juices trickled down her leg. Chika snapped out of her shock.

  “It’s like she hit us with some kind of stun,” the silver-haired girl said, surprisingly without anger in her voice.

  Clyde quickly covered his super-boner with a blanket. Natalia was in the room.

  “Alright, showtime’s over. Out. Except Neko. We need to have a chat.”

  His firm tone prevented any objections. When the young man was sure they left, he turned to the cat girl. Her ears drooped.

  “Nyaaa…that never happens.”

  Clyde locked the door then sat on the bed.

  “You may lose control this once,” Clyde said, knowing damn well that he looked forward to the embrace.

  [Your relationship with Neko has increased to Friend-closer level 8.]

  Neko pounced him again, wildly kissing. She licked the young man’s face while pulling away his clothes.

  “You sure?” she whispered. Clyde pulled off her shorts and panties. Purring, she wasted no time mounting and starting the wild ride. Monster girls often seemed starved of sex.

  “You should visit more often,” he said. Neko licked his cheek.

  “Nya, the more reason why I can’t abandon my duties,” the catgirl said. “I want to do whatever I can to make sure you succeed.”

  The dance rolled on for more than fifteen minutes, ending with them laying next to each other, chatting.

  One shower later, Clyde opened the door. A plethora of anime girls fell on top of him.

  “Scatter!” Natalia shouted. “No, kill the cat!”

  Clyde let out a soft sigh.

  “So much for going to bed. Chika, doublecheck on Sazuki and her sister. Make sure they’re ready in the morning. I’ll send a text to Clare. Natalia, text Nina. We’re not going to let Toru forget his gothic loli assistant.”

  Chika narrowed her eyes for just a second at the catgirl sitting innocently on his bed. The faint blush on Neko’s face wasn’t missed.

  [Ki established from Neko! Unpredictable: 1 Spark: 1 Rain: 1]

  **

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

  [Current quest: Investigate Niyoto (multi-step quest. Required to defeat demon lord).]

  [This is a major quest with a Raid at the end of it.]

  “A raid, huh?” Clyde said softly. A flash of light through his eyelids, followed by a crash of thunder made him open his eyes. Chika held his arm rather hard. Alice walked from the window, annoyed look her on face.

  “I missed the Yusuke torture session,” she said.

  “The what—Oh the training,” Clyde said. “I hope Harumi doesn’t kill him.”

  Alice crawled back into the bed. A flash of lightning made her duck beneath the covers, pulling Clyde with her. The thunder clap shook the house.

  “When I was a little girl, I used to hide from the storms with my stuffed dragon,” Alice said. The young man smiled.

  “My grandmother sort of believed in what we called on earth, superstitions. Although with what I know now, she was probably right. When we were kids, she’d tell us to sit still and let God do his work. My uncle Lenny always joked about Thor smashing his hammer on something to make the lightning appear.”

  “She sounds nice. My grandmother’s…scary,” Alice said.

  “Mine too,” Chika said suddenly. The duo chuckled.

  After morning activities and dressing, the trio joined everyone at the dining table. The entire party was present with roller bags and extra things Clyde did not want to get into. His firm guidelines were ignored by the women.

  One glimpse at Yusuke’s tired eyes made Clyde whistle. He noticed a few bruises too—nothing new with Toru’s training, but definitely more. The young man couldn’t imagine what kind of hell Harumi put him through.

  Kitome smiled at Clyde, maybe noticing the necklace, maybe not. The young man sat by her. Abruptly his phone rang. Hinako? He gulped. His absolute favorite professor, ever. The source of his most secret daydreams.

  He squeezed Kitome’s hand, causing her to blush.

  “I’d better take this,” he said. “It’s from the academy.”

  Seeing that the storm passed, he walked outside and answered his call. “Hello—”

  “You’d better not have left yet,” Hinako said. “The assistant dean may buy into your work, but I’ve got to see it for myself. I’ve packed somethings already. And don’t try to talk me out of it—I made up my mind. The assistant dean will only allow you to take this time off if I’m there to verify as a chaperone.”

  “Hinako, are you sure about this?” Clyde said. “You’re a professor at the most powerful academy in the world. We’re headed into danger. It’d—”

  “Don’t try to talk me out of going,” Hinako said. “Remember the note.” She paused. “I mean it. I’d really like to spend time with you.”

  “Alright,” Clyde said. “But you can’t go anywhere near the hotspots. We’re used to fighting…the hostile supernatural and we’re equipped to do so.”

  “Pssh, I’m a ten-year black-belt,” Hinako said.

  “Hinako.”

  “Fine,” she said. “No supernatural. But you can teach me some of the basic magic if possible, maybe so I can defend myself.”

  “We’ll see,” Clyde said. “Can you meet us at the address I’m texting you? Try to be here within ten minutes or so.”

  “Sure,” Hinako said. “I can’t wait to—I mean, bye.”

  She hung up, seemingly cheerful. Clyde sighed. What a persistent woman. He dialed Clare.

  “Hello?” she said.

  “Hey Clare,” Clyde said.

  “Clyde, well, way to remember that I exist. How are you?”

  “Pretty good,” he said. “Remember that text last night.”

  “Sure do and we’re packed,” she said.

  “You’re bringing the magical girls?” Clyde said in a disheartened voice. “Look, eyes are going to be on us, especially with the amount of women—”

  “Get over it,” Clare said. “Women are more attuned to magic, so it can’t be helped that you’ve met more of us as gifted than men. And you know you’re happy about it.”

  “That goes without sayin—I mean, that’s not the point,” Clyde said. “Never mind, I’m being immature. We’re going to save lives. Just make sure they don’t go bugging Kitome or Yusuke.”

  “That sounds like the man I know,” Clare said. “I’ll handle the Fireside girls and you handle your party. People won’t suspect a thing. We’re still hanging out though. I know a nice sake place in Niyoto. And I’m not taking no for an answer.”

  Clyde laughed.

  “Fine.” He wanted to speak with Sahara as well, but that fell on his lowest priority list.

  Eventually everyone arrived at Clyde’s house. Sahara insisted on joining the quick tour he offered to Hinako and Clare. They were baffled that the young man owned such a large house. Matsume and Neko’s bickering over what movie was better: Dog Dominator or Cat Diva ended the tour on an odd note.

  “Clyde, we’re pretty much bringing a fucking army to Niyoto,” Kitome said when he rejoined the group outside.

  “I guess we are,” he told her. “The demon lord’s going to shit himself.” Two parties and two noncombatants . Clyde turned to Tear. “Are you ready to start the Jump?”

  “You’ll have to kiss me first,” she said.

  Clyde began to wonder if he was just in over his head—he wondered that due to all of the eyes on him. Airi saved him by clearing her throat, though the faint blush didn’t go unnoticed.

  “Let’s stick to decency here,” Airi said. “We’ve got hotel rooms to check into and less time for banter.”

  “Says the virgin girl,” Tear said.

  “Y—you….how do.. I mean…” Airi glared at the succubus’s breasts. “Evolution is bullshit.” She harrumphed anime-girl style. Tear smirked.

  “Next time, try not to speak out secrets whi
le drunk,” Tear said. “I did enjoy the story about Toru and the goat though.” She snickered. Toru glared at Airi. Airi smiled sheepishly.

  “So, Maki’s also a part of this?” Hinako said, eyeing her. “Any explanation about the girls ripping off their—”

  “Later, Hinako,” Clyde interrupted. “Let’s get this Jump going.”

  Alice and Chika both let out annoyed sighs.

  Tear released an impressive amount of magic, which carried them to a pre-decided destination, out of sight but close to the hotel.

  They were in a city of flowing autumn leaves and roses matching the colors. Less traffic than Lot City, but still as impressive. The hotel building ahead looked to be about ten stories or so tall—Tear pulled that straight out of the Ashfall funds. A gentle breeze caressed the group as they walked. They were two parties, Clyde and his, Clare and hers—but the young man intended to arrange his own even further. The city looked full of life, traditions—and not just the Japanese, but Satovia-themes were everywhere. Mostly of the nation.

  Clyde was finally in new territory. A demon lord lurked, with minions that spawned at night and this time, the young man stood more than ready for them. Not that he knew much about this world’s version of minotaurs. He’d end up raped if not careful.

  [Area unlocked for Jump: the city of Niyoto.]

  [Quest updated. Step one: investigate Niyoto.]

  **

  Unknown city…

  A knock pulled the Viper from the maps he studied.

  “Master.”

  “Ah, Su Yang, come in,” Aunder said. He rolled away his maps and smiled at her. “Have a seat, next to me, my sweet.”

  While drunk the other night, he was a little angry with her for interfering with his potential bedmates. He still didn’t allow it—but Su Yang’s jealousy just could not be helped. A pretty lady for sure, one beaming of Stockholm, and very useful. His favorite, even if she pissed him off from time to time. He wasn’t sure if the anger counted while drunk.