If that wasn’t enough, Harumi’s friend, Airi, hid her true self beneath words unspoken. Good thing the adventurer-nut was friendly. Pervy-nii seemed to attract quite the variety of beings.
“Go ahead and spill it,” Tear said when the duo entered her bedroom.
Natalia took a breath, let it out, and then looked her precious friend in the eye, serious. That made Tear listened carefully.
“The notice-me-senpai girl somehow managed to link with me—a feat that’s supposed to be impossible,” the witch started. “But two seconds after she did, she collapsed, saying that she’s worried for Melody. That’s why I’m back so late. I watched for hours, but nothing happened. Which means something is approaching. And we both know who.”
“He who we cannot name wouldn’t show himself,” Tear said. “No, he’d send the Blood Hand first, led by the bitch-of-the-hour.”
“I bet she’s still afraid of turtles,” Natalia said, wagging her finger. Awkward silence, then they laughed, remembering good times. When she first dropped Melody off to live with the Hades family.
“I bet she’s still a virgin,” Tear said. “All of that angelic beauty, but gets so shy when a man touches her. She’s purer than Melody. At least Melody has hope.”
Natalia giggled.
“I love our pure demi-goddess.”
“I know, right?” Tear said. “But she’ll never blossom into her true power until she gives her virginity to a god that she loves.”
“Pervy-nii,” Natalia said then shook her head. “Why can’t she find some other way to unlock her powers. That’s just stupid.”
“She can,” Tear said. “Just the act of first-time sex is the easiest—her body will be in a state to break all the locks without even trying. Who wouldn’t go the easy way out, it’s just sex?”
“Still,” Natalia said.
“You humans and witches, making a big deal over biological necessities,” Tear said then pat the witch’s head.
“Easy for the succubus to say,” Natalia said. “I’ll never lose my…never mind. I’ll get him eventually—I’ve got a plan. Anyway, now’s not the time for that. If the prophet girl’s vision is correct, the fallen angel will more than likely be in the city tomorrow morning.”
“Damn,” Tear said. “I hate to admit it, but she may be too strong for me.”
“I’ll summon the fairy boy for some extra help,” Natalia said. “He owes me a favor anyway.”
“How did you get a favor from Titania’s son?” Tear said, eyes wide. “Never mind that—you know the risk of bringing him here. If Titania discovers that he’s in Lot city, none of us will stand a ghost of a chance. We’ll have to run.”
“Pssh—we’ll just give him up right away if she somehow comes here of all places,” Natalia said.
“That’s betrayal,” Tear said.
“Ah who cares,” Natalia said. “It’s either him or us, along with the entire city.”
“You’re more ruthless than me,” the succubus said.
Natalia laughed.
“The things I do to protect those that I care about. Besides, what good am I as the Right Hand if I can’t make tough decisions.”
Tear nodded.
“You know, come to think of it, if we train her enough, Sazuki will eventually learn a skill that could enable Clyde to bind the fairy queen to him.”
Natalia shook her head.
“I don’t want that burden on him. Not my pervy-nii.”
“Controlling the fairy queen without using any of his magic is not a burden,” Tear said.
“Ohhh, you mean THAT skill,” Natalia said. “That’s really hard to learn. She’d have to specifically train with the pervy reaperess.”
“Way ahead of you,” Tear said. “They’ve actually started to become friends. Although, I think Sazuki kind of hates Yusuke.”
“Dummy-ninja?” Natalia said. “He’s not so bad. Somewhat. If he continues on his new leaf, he’d start becoming attuned to chakra.”
Tear gasped.
“Are you sure? Because that’s one of the hardest essences to obtain.”
“Indeed, but what’s weird is that pervy-nii can’t learn it until he marries us,” Natalia said. “Sadly, that includes the prophet girl—she’s the one that’s actually going to turn on his capability through…the nasty.” Natalia grimaced.
“How do you even know all of this, my little bloody?” the succubus said.
Natalia giggled.
“You keep forgetting that I’m a witch of the lost path. It’d be an insult to my covenant if I didn’t know this basic information or how to sense a few upcoming skills. Well, the skill sensing, I copied from you then modified it.”
Tear sighed.
“It’s not really reliable, but better than nothing. Anyway, let’s work out the plans to protect our Melody. We’ll worry about declaring husband and all that stuff later.”
“Are you really going to do it?” Natalia said.
“I’m kidding,” Tear said. “Do I look uncivilized to you?”
“It’s not whether you’re uncivilized or not—it’s just current demoness and monster girl culture,” Natalia said. “Actually, we’re already pervy-nii’s, so it doesn’t matter.”
Tear shrugged.
“Did you know that his heart already considers me a wife?”
Natalia grimaced.
“It’s not fair.”
“You’ll be fine, Nattie. His right hand, right? Virtuous life?”
Natalia fell backward on the bed.
“Pervy-succubus monster.”
Tear laughed, scooping Natalia into an embrace.
“I remember a time when I would fall apart without you, Nattie.”
“That was a LONG time ago,” the witch said. “You’re so strong now. If they came after you again, all of our friends would step up to fight with you. Maybe kick their butts before you knew it.” Tear smiled. Natalia yawned. “I still don’t understand why they put supposed Supreme demon lord heirs in stupid battle royale trials like that.”
“The brutality is supposed to harden the next ruler or so they say,” Tear said. “Make them live in cages, fight each other to the death, live in the wild without magic, beat them, break them. Five years consecutively. If you hadn’t rescued me with the summon…I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
Natalia wiggled out of Tear’s embrace.
“Let’s not think about those old times anymore. Melody first.”
Tear nodded.
“Sorry. I’ll call for a servant to make us some tea and cookies. This is going to be a long night.”
Episode 38 (Part 4)
Clyde’s house…
Clyde held Melody in his arms, staring at a cute face. A young woman with an average bust and beautiful tomato-red hair. In a pink nightgown—skin so soft and well taken care of. The young man was ready to take her if not for one glaring issue.
“She actually fainted,” he said softly. His eyes stared at lips that were probably soft and amazing. They seemed to pull him in. He needed her awake. What did Alice and the others have planned? No matter how much he shook and called her name, the redhead just would not stir. Her breathing served as the only indicator that she still lived. He ended up carrying the girl to bed, tucking her in. At this rate, he’d never progress with Melody.
And Clyde didn’t mean sex. Trying to get her into a conversation or on a date was a chore. What made her so elusive? She surely wasn’t like this before. The answer popped into the young man’s head instantly, though he didn’t give credit to his intellect stat.
Melody was afraid of her own bad luck. Or what she perceived as bad luck, since everything seemed to fall to pieces around her—at least during dates and alone time. The redhead failed to realize that all of the happenings emerged from her own clumsiness.
Even with the sinkhole back in Niyoto. There was a sign clearly warning them—but the young man couldn’t stop her in time. Back on the balcony when she attempted to “seduce” Clyde, sh
e didn’t take in the low railing behind them. She dove too hard out of nervousness—maybe even anime-dove.
He observed her room of fluffy pinks and decorative stuffed animals. There was a lot of personality and cutesiness in the large room. Neatly stacked school books with completed assignments tucked into folders, a cellphone on the charger next to her bedside with missed texts from Tear, a closed laptop, and a romance novel on top of a tablet. He wondered if the women hosted some kind of secret reading group.
Clyde gazed at Melody once more before stepping out of her room, quietly closing the door behind him. A feeling of determination surged through the young man as he headed to his room. He’d improve his relationship with the redhead—no matter what it took. A barrier to break.
In his own bedroom, Chika was sleep, but Alice signed and stamped papers under lamp light. She smiled upon noticing the young man, quickly putting away her House Hades workload.
“Test results come out tomorrow,” Alice said. “Who do you think will be number one?”
Clyde chuckled.
“To be fair, I hadn’t been in this world my entire life.”
He stripped to tank top and boxers. Alice gave him a once-over.
“You may want to take the rest off.”
He shrugged, easily complying, then joining her in bed. He kissed his life mate while shoving two fingers inside of her. The satisfying moisture set his erection to maxed heights. He brushed aside blonde hair, staring back into glistening pink eyes. When he entered her, she squeezed and softly moaned.
The aroma of Alice’s flowery bath soap hugged his nose as he plowed harder and harder. The faint blush on her face grew redder as the endgame approached. The two were one, friends, soulmates, and lovers. A feat that people in the modern era rarely reached. Then again, Satovia couldn’t be fairly compared with mundane Earth. Well, not everyone lived a boring life, but the majority…kind of did. Survival depended on it.
Abruptly, Chika woke up right as Alice climaxed. She seemed to strip instantly, pushing the half-demoness to the side and stroking Clyde. The young man grunted.
“To think you two would go at it with me right here.”
Alice shrugged.
“You were sleeping so peacefully.”
Chika mounted, riding. Alice continued to kiss him. She grabbed his fingers and plunged them inside herself.
He…was taking on two. That night, he released at least six full loads before ending the activity. They changed the sheets and showered while talking about the tests.
[Ki increased! Soul, Command, Radiance from Alice. Vitality, Speed, and Aura from Chika.]
[*DOUBLE BONUS*]
[Secret quest completed: Have sex with two or more women at the same time. Reward: 1.2 million EXP. Combat level increase and random skill level increase. Your combat skill has increased to Skilled! Note: you must attend the dojo 3 more times to shift from intermediate to Advanced in combat rank.]
[Quest: visit the dojo. You must take either Kitome or Melody with you . This quest is mandatory and cannot be refused.]
[Congratulations, you have reached level 91! Stats increased.]
**
Monday. Week 2. Month 2. Year 1. Season: Autumn.
[You have triggered exotic sleep! All stats except paranoia and hidden stats are boosted by 10% You received an endurance boost of 50% for the day!]
The sound of…loud…anime music? No… J-Pop burst through Clyde’s room like a cross between a tornado and multiple crates of exploding dynamite. The young man and his two bedmates jumped nearly a foot into the air. Their eyes glared down on a smiling Natalia. The music flickered off.
“It’s time for scho…” her voice trailed off as Alice’s aura covered the entire room.
As the loli ran, the half-demoness chasing, Clyde shook his head.
“Harumi! Alice is bullying me,” Natalia yelled.
“She gets a kick out of provoking us,” Chika said tiredly, before rolling on top of the young man. “How’d she get in here anyway?”
“You know, I don’t remember actually locking the door last night…or closing it fully,” Clyde said. He let out a breath as Chika mounted him, wet. Fifteen minutes of wild riding later—something she named a Chi-quickie—they were in the shower.
[Ki increased! +1 to all of Chika’s attributes.]
Everyone sat at the dining room, chatting and smiling. Clyde was involved in nearly all of the conversations, his attention almost demanded, even by Matsume. Alice and Tear surrounded him in terms of seating. Harumi was in his lap, playfully feeding him and teasing his mountain.
He could swear his stimulation reached a new level since the previous night. Ah, this world’s poison . He no longer denied the harem—the sex and relationship levels and the fact that they chose to live with him made it clear. However, the young man could not help but wonder what they felt. Was it a competition for his heart or were they okay with sharing?
The answer to that was obvious—Clyde knew that just by observation, but the question became: how? Maybe because they fought, slept and ate together—and truly enjoyed each other’s companies?
[The relationship between most of the women is fairly high. Yes, that includes Natalia.]
[There are still a few that must catch up such as Ruri, Ming, etc.]
Etc.?
[Airi, Hinako, Neko, Matsume, Maki, and Kanako are wild cards. Meaning they have no determined place in your harem, but you may go after them. Increases to your power makes this idea a win-win.]
At least Melody wasn’t a wild card. Wait…Melody’s not a wild card. That’s right, she’s in love with me already , Clyde thought. When Harumi got up, to help put away the dishes so that Sophia and Maki could wash them under Yuki’s supervision, the young man hurried after the redhead. She forgot something in her room. When she turned, eyes falling on him, Clyde made the gamble. Well, he tried to, but the flushed demi-goddess squeaked, startled, and then teleported to the front room.
“Melody, I just want to talk—”
“It’d have to wait,” Alice said. “We’re going to be late. Jump us.”
Clyde sighed.
“Fine, but Melody, we have to talk. After classes, maybe on a walk.”
“We actually need to speak with Melody as well,” a familiar voice said. The front door opened before everyone could step out and Tear walked in.
“And it’s very important,” Natalia said. “You know what it is, Melody.”
“Alright, let’s stop the cliché right here,” Clyde said holding up a hand. “None of this secretive bullshit and jumping around with the pronoun game because it will end up with one of us killed. So what’s going on?”
He quickly pulled Melody to his side, promptly causing her to faint.
“Sheesh Clyde,” Tear said, “you have to be gentle with her. She’s hopelessly in… Never mind. Just be nice to her.”
Tear waved a hand over Melody’s head, jolting her awake. Her eyes met with Clyde’s first before realizing everyone was present.
“Sorry,” she said, the apology seemingly meant for everyone, but her eyes were locked with the young man’s. He offered her a hand, smile warm. She blushed, accepting it.
“Tear, if you don’t mind telling us what’s going on.”
The succubus nodded.
“It’s nothing that shouldn’t keep you from going to school,” Tear said, “but one of us has to guard Melody.”
“Is it my father?” Melody said. “And I don’t need guarding.”
“You do,” Tear said, voice stern. “Matsuko’s coming with the Blood Hand.”
Clyde noticed the blood drain from Melody’s face.
“I’ll guard her.” Airi emerged from the hallway, dressed in designer jeans and shirt. She handed Melody a metallic one-inch statue of what looked like a dragon. “Keep this on your person. The minute you’re in trouble, I will be able to teleport to you instantly. It was in that chest last night.”
“Chest?” Natalia said.
&nb
sp; Melody examined the object, but didn’t pocket it.
“You shouldn’t have to get involved and possibly killed over our problems.”
“You really don’t know who I am, do you,” Airi said, placing hands on her hips. She smiled. “I’m an S-class adventurer for a reason. I live for this.” She winked. “Besides, I like you. You’ve got some good tastes in books. Oh and thanks for lending me the one about the prince—”
Melody covered her mouth, blushing.
“L—let’s stay relevant here.” She turned to Tear. “Are you sure? How do you even…”
Abruptly, Clyde felt a strange presence—a multitude of them—smash into the city right as Melody’s voice trailed off. Her eyes widened. He mirrored her.
“Matsuko’s strong,” Tear said. “Even for me.” She looked at Airi. “Are you sure you can handle this? The moment you sense fallen angel energy, get her here. The barrier around the house is a little weak, but it’s better than nothing. Sure we have Yuki’s aura, but it won’t help us here.”
[Your relationship with Airi has increased to friend level 5, very interested and curious.]
“Whoa whoa, whoa, slow it down,” Clyde said. “Fallen angel? What exactly is going on here?”
“With Uncle gone, Melody is no longer serving her unfair punishment time,” Tear said. “Her father is sending elite guards to probably retrieve her. Maybe even punish our girl on the spot. I won’t stand for it.”
Clyde nodded, feeling cold inside. He’d fuck up anyone that tried to harm Melody.
“I’ll increase the barrier’s strength,” Clyde said. “I’ve been neglecting that.”
He recalled the first prompt about the Power Core System.
[You can utilize power core points (PP) to create automatic guards that will engage at your order and keep intruders out. You’ll need PP to level them up, give certain abilities and specialized commands, and increase damage capability. You’ll need barrier points to increase the strength of the barrier. Use MP to pay the daily maintenance cost. Do you wish to have this done automatically?]
The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper, #7 a LitRPG (ATS) Page 6