Clyde’s eyes widened.
“You know about that, Tetra?”
Tetra shrugged.
“It’s a rumor, spoken in hushed conversations among some within the supernatural community. I can’t confirm anything, since I wasn’t there. I also never met a kitsune…other than Harumi. But you know, I’m not insensitive enough to ask a horrible question like that to her. She’s so sweet.”
Clyde sighed.
“Tell me what you know about the rumor.”
Tetra nodded.
“It’s best that I start from the beginning. You clearly don’t know much about the kitsune-dragon conflict.” She grabbed her mug from the table and took a sip. “Yuki is one fine brewer of coffee.”
Tetra looked Clyde in the eye and told him the situation.
Dragon and kitsune were natural enemies, seemingly destined to fight each other for an eternity. Their clashes often doomed everything around them, damaging Satovia, nature, and the survival of either species. The clan leaders of that time realized this and developed a treaty. A dragon and a kitsune married in their human forms to bind it. Centuries later, the largest dragon family in the world, the Soulless teamed up with some other clans to dishonor the peace treaty, under the command of someone who claimed to be the disciple of the Thousand Year Dragon. The Disciple supposedly led the charge against the kitsune, although some rumors stated he or she watched from afar. No one knew of any survivors.
During Tetra’s tale, an ability activated.
[Talent. Main character stuff: Brief glimpse into the past.]
The image was shown to him for maybe a second, but the carnage of people…of Harumi’s family burned into his brain and made him sick. The talent activated a few more times, revealing two young girls, struggling to survive on their own. The older girl received a vision ten times worse than Clyde’s—almost a real-time video. She was traumatized and refused to return to the nation. The young girl stayed. Fearing she’d be taken advantage of, the older girl doubled her work and constantly sent money to her sibling.
However, no matter how much she tried, she could not convince her to leave the nation. The fires of revenge burned strong within the younger girl.
“Do you know why they broke the peace?” Hinako asked. “The books of mythology always placed them as natural enemies, but nothing beyond that is mentioned. What is the Thousand Year Dragon?”
“I was just getting into that,” Tetra said softly, then gulped. “Every time I think of this rumor, I get nervous.”
Clyde eyed her. Tetra smiled. “I’m glad you’re here.” She reached over and squeezed the young man’s hand.
[Your relationship with Tetra has increased to Friend, closer level 5 and still has Endearment. She will never forget the time you saved her amidst powerful enemies.]
Tetra’s eyes hardened.
“The Thousand Year Dragon or as some call it, The Thousand-Eyed Dragon, was the supposed god of all the serpent bastards. A creature of evil, according to some of my peoples’ tomes. One of the original terrors of mankind, elf, and all species alike. It was so powerful that it took fifty gods to seal it. Yet…despite the seal, the rumors of it somehow killing the Nine-tailed fox, the Kitsune’s deity, spread all over the place. That apparently served as some kind of sign for the Disciple to launch an assault which ultimately led to this day.”
“But that’s impossible,” Tear said. “The dragon god is sealed. So the question is, what really happened to the Nine-tails?”
“Well, it’s not like we can communicate with the heavens and ask to speak with the Nine-tails,” Tetra said flatly.
“I do not believe the Nine-tailed fox is dead,” Noona said, gathering all of their eyes. “I think…the torch has been passed on.”
“What do you mean by that?” Clyde asked.
Noona shrugged.
“It’s speculation. I have no evidence for my words. You may even call it a feeling.” She smiled. “So let’s not worry about the Nine-tails, she’s a kind survivor.”
Something about those words bugged Clyde, but now wasn’t the time to worry about a missing deity. She certainly wasn’t there when Harumi and Liru needed her the most. The young man’s blood boiled with righteous fury. He stoked the anger in the back of his mind knowing damn well that his pink-haired fiancée still tackled each day with a smile.
“Where does the Soulless family live?” Clyde asked.
“Clyde, you can’t be,” Tetra said. “You must keep in mind that they’re dragons! And the new generation was not involved in the attack.”
“Relax,” Clyde said. “I’m not going to stupidly charge in there to attempt genocide. I just want to know more about them.” His voice darkened. “And who our enemies are.”
“The Soulless family are the owners of the Dragoon Corps,” Tetra said. “You can find Dragoon stores and colleges all over the world. As for our enemies, my guess would be the elder dragons.”
“What are the chances that this Disciple is a Soulless?” Clyde asked.
“I have no idea,” Tetra said.
Clyde sighed.
“I guess…the dragons are pretty much untouchable, until we have more information.”
“Sorry,” Tetra said.
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Clyde said. “But, thank you for filling us in on the situation. Hinako, do you mind texting a summary of this to all Team Stone members, including Harumi. I’ll send you any phone numbers you’re missing.”
“I’ve got them all, well, except you, Noona.”
Noona eagerly traded numbers with the professor. A prompt surprised the fuck out of Clyde.
[Quest completed. Investigate the Dragon threat. Reward: 4 million EXP. Alonian Chicken Soup Recipe .]
[Congratulations! You have reached level 124! Stats increased.]
[With an intellect now at 400, you can see recipe ranks.]
[CKP: 20
Recipes:
- Sweet-berry Alethian Soup recipe. Rank: C.
- Comforting soup recipe. Rank: D.
- Alonian Chicken Soup Recipe. Rank: C.]
This couldn’t be it. No. System, what the hell, Clyde thought. No replied. Then a thought occurred to him. Maybe Asu, the lich could provide him with some insight. That is, if she wasn’t pissed about being left behind.
He tossed that idea to the side. Alice’s mother would most likely have the best information, but contacting her was impossible. What about…his eyes widened. Naoko.
[Quest. Dragon business, step 2. Go ask Naoko, the entity about the Soulless family and other dragon-related questions. This quest is mandatory and cannot be refused. Reward: unknown.]
[Quest.???. Visit the capital city of Terravon. This quest is mandatory and cannot be refused. Reward: unknown.]
Mandatory main story quests. It’s been a while, Clyde thought. Why did the system want him to visit the capital city? Well, he was technically adventuring, so why not?
[System alert! You must visit the capital city first thing tomorrow morning.]
Clyde revealed to his team about the sudden trip to the capital city without giving any details. As expected, they gave him skeptical looks.
“Just a feeling,” he said. “Anyway, it’s getting late. I’ll ask Naoko about some dragon things in the morning.”
The crew nodded their agreements. He could see a full moon outside the large window, surrounded by a starry sky.
Tomorrow, they had work to do. Clyde did an inventory and equipment check while on the way to his room. To his luck, he bumped into Maki down the hall and without Sophia around.
Inventory:
$ 991,445,400
-Map of Lot City, Satovia.
-Map of Libado Grasslands, Satovia.
-Map of Ashen City, Satovia.
-Map of Niyoto, Satovia.
-Map of Ring City, Satovia.
-Smartphone.
-Key.
-Reminder for practice- note.
- Zelt’s printer. Level 1/25.
<
br /> - Deed to the Ashfall estates, treasures, etc.
-Wind blade. (very rare) +16 to attack. Wind element.
- Place of Power Core (item class: Relic) (item value: priceless)- establish a place of power. [Lot City House…]
- Forger’s hammer. Item class: very rare
- Exploding blowup doll. Item class: *One of a kind * Unsuspecting enemies will experience a nice surprise. Does dark deity damage.
- Root Tree seed. Item class: epic .
- Mysterious Harp. Item class: *One of a kind * this special harp is loved dearly by a special type of harpy called the Gandharva. Handing this to her will get you a *World Star Fragment* and another reward.
-Breast enhancement potion x 2. Item class: bizarre.
-World Map . item class: *legendary*
- Universal dungeon key. Item value: well-above standard
- Holstaur breast milk.
- Potion of Sharpness. Item class: very rare.
-Goblin dust. Item class: meh. Item value: worthless. Maybe a crafting ingredient, maybe trash.
- Book of Dark Magic. Item value: mysterious. [Requires Blood Ki to remove barrier.]
- Wind blade. Item class: very rare. +16 to attack. Wind element.
Plants and herbs:
- Uni-plant. This plant can be used in medicines and potions. An alchemist could make use of it.
Equipment:
-[Legendary Sword: Bloodlight +150 to attack. Solar element. Can fire raw magic from the weapon. Does magic damage. Lv. 5]
[Clare upgrade: Be careful with swinging this magnificent weapon. It can slash a giant mountain in two with its ability: Flood Slash.]
[Clare upgrade: Flood Blast. You can fire an enormous about of solar magic, capable of vaporizing enemies. Does Intense solar damage. Change to blind at 4% Chance to mute at 11% Chance to roast every cell in someone’s body at 1%]
-Executioner Staff of Merlin. Item class: *Legendary, One of a Kind *. Does Dragon and Volcanic damage. You may trigger its special attack: Balinor’s Havoc, after filling the weapon’s soul bar to 100%.]
-School uniform or casual clothes.
-School shoes or casual shoes.
- Necklace of Her Devotion . Item class: *One of a kind* This necklace was made with love. Unknown benefits. Has a 1% chance of triggering Enlightenment mode 1 during battle. All stats will increase by 100% during the mode .
- silver dagger- +ice and earth damage. Item class: rare.
- Bullet-proof vest armor set. Item class: very rare. +250 to defense
Episode 53 (Part 2)
Evening…
Corpolanis, Terravon…
Fifty miles from Ring City, Terravon…
Kimiko tiredly entered the code on the pin pad. The gate made an annoying screech before disengaging the lock to let her in. As she made her way to her apartment, the young woman reflected on the day. She honestly had no idea what made a kitsune threatening, but they seemed like nice people. Maybe that was why Chiyo hadn’t mention that lone kitsune this entire time. She threatened no one.
As long as Kimiko didn’t receive a summon back to the mansion, nothing would happen. She’d continue to satisfy her sisters with high college scores and awards in exchange for allowance. Well…assuming they didn’t find out that she secretly worked at a maid café during the summers. Her sisters could not discover that! It was not like they’d suddenly track her in another nation, anyway.
When Kimiko opened the door to her apartment, she was greeted by the purr of a white-furred cat.
“Yui,” she said softly, petting the feline. It hopped on her shoulder. “At least someone loves me.”
She flipped on the main lights and immediately regretted it. A woman with long white hair and the same orange eyes as her, gazed at Kimiko. Her dazzling white and silver flowery kimono only added further grace to this person. Someone who took care of her in place of dead parents.
The young woman couldn’t read her big sister’s mood. Shit.
“Chiyo,” she said. “What brings you to my measly apartment?”
Chiyo’s draconic aura seemed to shake the entire block, even though she didn’t exert any power. Just looking at her, Kimiko felt small. With just a thought, the sitting woman could vaporize her.
“Where were you today?” Chiyo asked in an even voice.
“Out,” Kimiko said simply, a spark of anger overriding any initial fear. Dragons didn’t enjoy controlling individuals. Even if the other person was the family head.
“I’ve waited for you all day,” Chiyo said, her voice still without emotion. Then her voice hardened to a dangerous tone. “Do you know why?” A little aura shimmered around the woman.
Kimiko gulped, but she was a dragon. She would not be afraid. Even if Chiyo was scarier than her deepest nightmares. Chiyo revealed a…DVD box. Kimiko nearly fell backward.
This damned Otaku woman…She held the power to destroy the world, scared the shit out of anyone that even slightly pissed her off, and…was addicted to anime like a drug.
Chiyo dove into Kimiko, her super-deadly, world-destroying mood gone, replaced with playfulness. Fortunately, Yui hopped away in time, not wanting to get involved in the mess. “I was so worried. And it’s Chiyo-neesan. Or Nee-sama.”
“Those words will never come out of my mouth, you anime addict,” Kimiko said, failing to get out of her big sister’s embrace. “Go get a boyfriend already.”
“But I want a god, like Hero-sama,” she said, pointing at the main character of the anime. Kimiko sighed. The only other person who knew this side of Chiyo was Ami. That cruel bookworm was probably asleep in the grand library.
Well, at least Chiyo wasn’t angry.
“Let me make some tea,” Kimiko said, finally managing to get away. Yui hopped into Chiyo’s lap when the woman took her place back on the couch. The TV turned on by itself. Well, at the dragon’s will. Following that, the DVD went into the player.
Her sister’s anime obsession made having normal conversations with her impossible sometimes. On top of that, her newest favorite anime, Hero-sama and his Maidens of Justice, annoyed the hell out of Kimiko. Harems were normal among dragonkin and rumored to be so among gods too. But there was a limit. And how could women possibly entertain the idea of sharing? Even if it did increase his power, which would be used to save the world, somehow.
Kimiko would never really understand anime. Maybe that was the point. Allowing the brain to enjoy its candy. She could respect that.
After making the tea, she served it alongside of mini tea-cookies and ate with her sister. The anime actually made her laugh a few times. And cringe. Yet, seeing Chiyo happy warmed her up inside.
She didn’t know when she fell asleep, but upon waking up, Kimiko was tucked in bed. A note on her nightstand read,
I Love you. Please visit more often, your big sister gets quite lonely. And call me Nee-san. Or Sama.
P.S. An elder from the Northern family will be visiting tomorrow. I’d recommend not visiting until she leaves. She’s quite the meanie to the young. I’ll do my best to entertain the stickler. So much for my Loli-saga fifth-reading binge.
Kimiko sighed. An elder dragon. She hoped Chiyo would be okay.
**
Sunday. Week 4. Month 2. Year 1. Season: Late autumn. Last week of the month.
[Satovian Universal Calendar: Nova, 46389]
[School: Winter Break. Day 2 of 30.]
[Stone mode: still recharging. You must rely on your learned strength for now…]
[Faith Store is available… ]
[You have received the Ki list for Team Stone.]
[Quest. Dragon business, step 2. Go ask Naoko, the entity about the Soulless family and other dragon-related questions. This quest is mandatory and cannot be refused. Reward: unknown.]
[Quest.???. Visit the capital city of Terravon. This quest is mandatory and cannot be refused. Reward: unknown.]
[Harumi: Life: 4. Lightning: 4. Heart: 7.]
[Kitome: Strength:2. Passion:5
. Energy: 2.]
[Alice: Soul: 8. Command: 8. *Radiance *: 8.]
[Chika: Vitality: 10. Speed: 10. Aura: 11.]
[Yuki: Heart(above), Mystery: 3. Power: 3]
Maki: Ambition: 2 Command(above), Submission: 2]
[Neko: Unpredictable: 1 Spark: 1 Rain: 1]
[ Tear: Spirit: 3 Passion (above) Love: 3]
[Kanako: Sweet: 2. Magical: 2. *Range *: 2]
[Airi: Leadership: 1, Defense: 1, Nature: 1.]
[Melody: Purity: 1, Romance: 1, Command(above)]
[Ruri: Control: 1, Agility: 1, Lust: 1]
[Matsume: Fierce: 1, Fire: 1, Composure: 1]
[Kiko: Acceleration: 1, Trust: 1, Vigor: 1]
[Noona: Light: 1 *Disguise : 1 Compassion: 1.]
[Untouched/unconsumed after Ki system introduction.]
[Ming: Desire, *Prophecy , and Focus.]
[Hinako: Wisdom, Courage, Wind.]
[Natalia: ???, ???, ???]
[Misaka: Calm, *Immortality *, *Phoenix Fire *.]
[Sophia: Poise, Discipline, Power(above).]
[Ako: Sharpness, Wisdom, Romance (above.)]
He managed to get the list from her, but Yuki quickly retrieved Maki shortly after. She was lucky the demoness didn’t catch her with breasts pressed against the young man.
Eyes still closed, and the sensation of softness on both of his sides, the young man evaluated and appreciated the crests. And holy damn were some of them intense. Radiance was always gold. Range took on the relic-silver color. Increasing them to a nice number would be amazing.
10.The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper, #10 a LitRPG (ATS) Page 12