The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper #17 a LitRPG (ATS) Page 3

  That statement seemed to get a smug twinkle from the kuudere catgirl’s eye.

  [Your relationship with Ako increased to Endearment, level 10.]

  [Your current relationship with Neko is Cherished, level 6.]

  Well, he had known Neko since the beginning, so of course her relationship level would be higher. He was certainly glad to see Ako reach the max of Endearment. Remembering his date with Airi from the previous night, the young man formed an idea.

  “Airi, could you dress Ako in some casual wear?”

  “Huh?” Ako asked in a surprised manner.

  “I’m going to take you to Noona’s restaurant in Niyoto,” Clyde said. “Selkie said they’ve got the best sushi she’s ever had in her life. Especially tuna.”

  Ako’s eyes actually went starry for just a second, before she quickly shook herself.

  “Lord Stone, we do not have—”

  The next interruption came in the form of colorful wordplay.

  “Oh great ten thousand million baby maker, lord of impregnating, lord of whip cream-spraying fountains, good morning!” Asu twirled into Clyde’s embrace, pressing her body in a manner that threatened to raise the young man’s tower of… impregnation. “Have you gotten around to testing—I mean sampling—my gift yet?”

  [Potion of God Tier Horniness: Item class: bizarre, legendary. Only drink this if you’re insane.]

  “I really appreciate it, but I’d recommend going back to the drawing board with it,” Clyde said. “It’s really, really potent.”

  “I will happily allow you to use me, my lord,” Asu said, almost causing the young man to anime-fall to the side.

  “Asu,” Clyde deadpanned.

  “Lord Stone, what are you two going on about?” Ako asked.

  “Ako, either come with me or be Asu’s test subject,” Clyde said.

  “That’s not much of an—”

  “I’ll treat you well,” Asu interrupted Ako. “You’ll have maybe one hour of sunlight, but that’s—”

  “Go ahead and abduct me, Airi, nya,” Ako said, tired. Airi gleefully grabbed the catgirl’s arm and started toward the house, eyes starry.

  “I cannot wait to see you in casual clothes,” Airi said.

  “Nya, what a shame,” Chesire said.

  “I wouldn’t say that,” Clyde said, then grinned evilly. “I’m sure you’d make a better subject for Asu.”

  Asu chuckled. “Great One, surely you have a request for me to fulfill. My lap—I mean lab, laboratory is in full operation.”

  Clyde tilted his head, thinking. “What about a potion that can cancel out the effects of all other potions?”

  Asu shot the young man a blank stare. “That’s kind of boring. A nice challenge, but no fun.”

  “I only ask just in case a certain potion in my inventory gets on me somehow. Or worse, someone else consumes it,” Clyde said. He shot a mental glare at a certain blonde cosplayer.

  Asu sighed. “Noona?”

  “Noona,” Clyde confirmed. “And Natalia.”

  “Fine, but you owe me a date too,” Asu said. And as she walked away, Clyde almost had a glance at her backside, only for a pair of breasts to block his view.

  “Nya, isn’t she cute?” Chesire asked, shoving her phone into Clyde’s face. He shot a blank stare at the cat video.

  “Catgirl watching cat videos,” Clyde said. “By the way, why are you floating in midair like that?” The catgirl landed. “Never mind. What’s the latest news on your… queen? She never got back with us about the visit.”

  “Well, she’s a queen,” Chesire said. “She’s busy.”

  “That’s not the right answer,” Clyde said.

  “Nya?”

  Clyde plucked the catgirl up with his telekinesis. “Off to Asu’s lap—lab you go, then.”

  “Nya, wait! It’s true. I wasn’t supposed to reveal this information, but a Bright One infiltrated our realm and had been living among our people for weeks. Maybe longer. They caused unrest and now the queen is dealing with random rebellions. She believes they’re after something… more valuable than the Super Omen’s Sphere.”

  Clyde let the catgirl down. “Was that so hard? Let us know when she cleans the house.” He sighed. “We’ve got enough of them to deal with on this side.”

  He started into the house. Kitome’s angry muttering was the first thing he heard.

  “But she’s your mother,” Noona told her. “There’s nothing wrong with a shopping trip.”

  “It’s Mom we’re talking about,” Kitome said.

  Clyde considered not getting involved in a conversation that had anything to do with Kitome’s mom, but it was too late. His magical girl fiancée was already in his arms.

  “If I tell Mom I’m out with you, maybe she’ll back down,” Kitome said.

  Clyde shot her a blank stare. “Do you really want to make things worse?”

  He looked at Neko, seemingly exhausted as she laid on the couch. Yuki’s sword unfortunately was nowhere to be seen.

  “She actually satisfied Yuki?” Clyde asked.

  “Somehow,” Kitome said after the young man released her from the embrace. She didn’t move.

  “What’s this about a date with Ako?” Tear emerged from the hall. And of course that sparked Kitome’s interested glare. “And in Niyoto? You’re taking her to the place owned by Noona’s family.”

  “Listen, Ako needs to get out more,” Clyde said. “Other than a few shopping sprees, she’s always in here, doing… well, whatever the maiden and samurai shit is. I figured sushi—”

  “Nya, sushi?” Neko anime-dove into the young man. “What’s the big idea? You never invited me anywhere.”

  “I want sushi,” Kitome said. “Why should I be stuck going on a miserable shopping trip with Mom when my fiancé’s heading out on an elaborate date with an outsider woman?”

  “Pervy-nii! I’m coming!” Natalia darted from upstairs and, with elaborate acrobatics, almost made it onto the young man’s back. Alice somehow nonchalantly walked into the room and snatched the loli out of midair with just one hand, dangling her in the air. She grinned at the teary-eyed loli-witch then pulled her into a backwards mother’s hug, as if holding a doll.

  Clyde sighed. Even if he wanted to tell them no, the young man knew that wouldn’t fly.

  “I’m going to shower first,” Clyde said. “Try not to take all day getting dressed.”

  Sure, all of his fiancées and Neko were coming along, but hey, Ako would still be there in normal clothing. He decided to let Airi know before showering.

  “What? Everyone’s going?” Airi asked when Clyde explained things to her. Both of their eyes were glued to a blushing Ako, dressed in normal clothing. He noticed other clothes scattered around, revealing how much fun the super druid had. “Well, I guess I’ll join you in that shower.”

  “I don’t think so, nya,” Ako said, placing a hand on Airi’s shoulder. “Lord Stone, please proceed to the shower. Airi will use one of the many on this floor. There shall be no indecency, nor any increased wait time to the sushi restaurant.”

  “It’s not a sushi restaurant,” Airi said. “It has—”

  “Shower, Lord Stone,” Ako interrupted. “I do not see a problem with the others showing up as long as they don’t get in my way.”

  Clyde chuckled. “She drives a hard bargain, Airi.”

  “Maybe,” Airi said.

  Unknown town…

  Aunder walked at an unhurried pace toward the foolish goddess that challenged him.

  “Your name’s Freya, right?”

  He aimed his hand, chuckling. It glowed a brilliant crimson, almost like a sea of blood and fire. The stale midnight air seemed to hum and vibrate as the terrible magic brightened. “Nobody can save Thor from his fate.”

  [Aunder activated Antigod Tier skill: Essence Eater.]

  “I think it’s time I start making examples out of those who believe they can double-cross me,” Aunder said. “And I know the perfect two Venus s
isters to start with.”

  There were two replacement reapers already in mind. The Bright One’s leader and…

  He Jumped back to his castle’s rooftop. The least he could do was allow them to die honorably. Even if the traitors didn’t deserve it.

  Aunder purposely took things easy, even with the rushing power of taint coursing throughout his body. His easygoing attitude enabled the two idiots to forget they were soul bound. He knew their moods and magic—memorized them. Venus’s intrusive magic gave him all the clues the man needed.

  Then again, this was only one of many scenarios he expected. After all, they weren’t organically on the team. The Venus sisters were nothing more than tools that had fulfilled their usefulness.

  Aunder had planned to release them back to their lives after he declared their involuntarily jobs completed, but the information gathered from Freya changed everything. The things deity-types told one in exchange for their lives. Not that he spared her. Allowing himself in the open to be a decoy was one thing, but letting the goddess go back to update Asgard or Celestial would put his grand operation in trouble. And if they knew to go after Thor, break his soul bond, or even found out that the thunder god had allied with him, things… would get interesting.

  Thor knew he’d read through the lines of the multi-corporation idea. He wasn’t interested in controlling the world and the thunder god knew that. Thor was using Aunder just as much as Aunder used him. He believed that the Viper could take down Celestial, end its system or even gain control of it.

  Sad that things had come to this.

  He already tried to ignore the stone-viper games, but Celestial even at that very moment continued to hunt him. Ever since the beginning. It made the man wonder if it was because the Stone simply lacked the power to give him a proper fight.

  Oh, Aunder missed those days where the drink, battle, and the pretty ladies were all that mattered to him and nothing else. Now he’d gone from owning life to being a general, waging a war on Celestial that would certainly write a history book of its own.

  [Current quests: 1. War on Celestial: destroy them. 2. Kill the Venus sisters for betraying Team Viper. 3. Bring—]

  He closed the prompt as Terrance’s astral projection appeared in front of him.

  “So you decided to do it,” Terrance said.

  “Of course,” Aunder replied. “And do not pretend you didn’t know their motives the moment Su Yang left the party.”

  “Gut feelings with no evidence will get me nowhere when it comes to this oddball of a party,” Terrance said. “We won’t win this war with guesses.”

  Aunder chuckled. “Good attitude; however, speaking to me like that just earned you a bonus.”

  “What?” Terrance asked.

  “You will be marrying the Fairy Queen to solidify an alliance,” Aunder said. “And any other—maybe even the Supreme Demon lord.”

  “Wait—what the fuck?” Terrance said. “I didn’t agree to this shit.”

  “All political marriages,” Aunder said. “The same will be for your partner too. The only reason why I can’t marry off Dire is because she’s a runt.”

  The door which led to the rooftop opened and an adorable woman peeked out, eyes curious.

  “Don’t complain, or you’ll make Athens upset,” Aunder said.

  The cute Entity took a seat on the edge railing of the rooftop. Well, hovered a foot above it as if slightly unaffected by gravity. Aunder couldn’t help but find her fascinating, from the moment she pretended to be Fatalus to now. He turned to her. “You may want to go inside. Things are about to get quite ugly.”

  Athens shook her head.

  Aunder shrugged. “Don’t blame me if you’re traumatized.”

  Two flashes of light appeared before the man. Momo and Olivia stood, seemingly confused.

  “You needed to see us?” Olivia said.

  Kaymen burst through the door. “Aunder! What’s the big fucking idea?”

  The muscular man fixed a furious glare on Aunder. “You do know that’s my partner. And that we were in a middle of a fucking mission. What is the meaning of this? What do you mean it’s time to pull the plug?”

  Aunder’s glowing purple eyes brightened, but his words came out calmly. “Silence, Devourer. You do not have the soul bond.” His voice shifted to a sharp harshness. “So I suggest you shut the hell up, or I’ll make you. This is not a moment for the easygoing side of me.”

  Kaymen’s eyes widened as he sensed the furious bloodlust in Aunder.

  “What is going on?” Momo asked.

  At that moment, Julius entered the rooftop, sword drawn, eyes deadly.

  “So you didn’t give them that mental message,” Julius said, “but if—”

  He dropped the sword as the soul bond held him and took away his voice.

  “It’s Team Viper or death,” Aunder said. “Here, you will witness what happens to those who play double agents. Venus’s watchdogs will be no more.”

  Aunder could feel Julius’ feeble strain against the bond, but it was useless. Even with his incredible strength, Julius was but a whelp before the Viper.

  Alarmed, Momo and Olivia took defensive stances.

  “Good. You understand that you cannot deny the accusation,” Aunder said. “You now realize that you somehow let your guard down. And it wasn’t just feeling Venus’s touch through the bond, but one of Venus’s own dear friends sold her out. Too bad she died anyway. A lovely lady, that Freya. The scorn she directed at me was quite unpleasant to say the least.”

  Aunder unsheathed his sword. “Dire, hurry the hell up.”

  “She’s not coming,” Terrance said, still in astral form. “She’s not in the right state of mind, ever since Su Yang left. Let her continue to cry in her room.”

  Aunder sighed. “I need a new successor. Maybe one of my blood. Don’t get frightened, I won’t stain my name with that kind of dishonor. And especially not for dead women. Now defend yourself. For betraying Team Viper and even humiliating us—who knows how many goddesses know our secrets?—you are sentenced to death.”

  “No… no—this is madness,” Olivia said.

  “It’s no use,” Momo said to her sister. “We must fight together.” In a lower voice, adding, “And get away.”

  “There will be no escape,” Aunder said, eyes intensifying. His pressure harshly coated the area. Even the Entity of Fear felt uneasy.

  Sol finally showed up, landing from the sky, Aunder’s last reaper witness. The presence of the Bright Ones emitted from him.

  Episode 80 (Part 3)

  Afternoon…

  Clyde’s house…

  [Woof-Woof Tablet. Item value: luxurious. You may access additional menu options.]

  Clyde felt Ruri’s tail tap against his leg at seemingly hundreds of miles a second as she watched him use the tablet, in his lap. The others were taking their sweet ass time getting ready, even Yuki who didn’t object to eating out, despite knowing her food was ten times superior.

  Instead, she said, “We’re out of gloves, anyway.”

  While he knew the demoness took food safety very seriously, the young man knew the real reason was that she didn’t want fishy hands. Even though she made sure everyone washed their hands a lot, but especially before dinner, Yuki still wouldn’t prepare sushi without gloves.

  “What do you think? I had it custom-made,” Ruri said. “If you press the red button, it takes you to the best meat delivery services, open at that moment. It even barks if you tap it twice.”

  A drop of sweat fell from the back of the young man’s head. He still petted Ruri anyway, despite the bizarre button. Ironically, Yuki would have more use for it than him. Then again… this button could allow him to get the ingredients he needed to practice his cooking skills.

  “This is a really nice tablet, Ruri,” Clyde said. “You know, I could get meat delivered, practice cooking, and then you can taste it for me.”

  The hellhound’s eyes went starry. “That’s a splendid
idea.”

  Alice, asleep on Clyde’s right, woke up in time to shoot the young man a blank stare.

  “Encouraging her—”

  “You can be a taste tester too,” Ruri said to Alice. “Especially for the non-meat stuff.”

  Alice closed her eyes again. “The dessert then.”

  [Your relationship with Ruri has increased to Cherished, level 9.]

  [Would you like to access the Woof-Woof menu?]

  Clyde clicked yes, curious. Many options were completely grayed out.

  [1. Meat delivery. 2. Spend 500 Free Points to decrease pregnancy time for anyone. (Gray.) 3. Spend 400 Free Points to increase dragon blood by 2%. (Gray.) 4. Spend 12,000,000 faith points to summon a random goddess into your bed. (Gray. Dangerous.) 5. Spend 150B to unlock more menu options.]

  Clyde flinched. His sweet hellhound woman hadn’t a clue about the insane options her tablet provided the young man. Seriously, pregnancy reduction time? That would most likely be considered a moral issue, one he didn’t want to get into, even if he asked.

  Clyde sighed, wondering if he’d made a mistake. Impregnating the others before they were ready…

  Maybe he was the worst.

  Well, there wasn’t a point in moping about it, the deed was done and there would be no takebacks. He’d be the best fucking dad in the world. First, he needed to do something about the Viper problem. Then again… he’d never met the guy. If it weren’t for Dire, Clyde wouldn’t feel so threatened by him.

  He kissed Ruri and Alice. “Is everyone ready yet?”

  “Are you really rushing us?” Chika asked.

  Seeing her sitting at a chair and brushing her hair while looking in the mirror, Clyde shot the silver-haired girl a blank stare.

  He shook his head. While waiting, the young man decided to stop building the item suspense for himself and open the damned relic chest sitting in his inventory.