The dark god came with an intention to help him, even if at a price, the Viper still wanted to go home. He could’ve turned the god away…but he took it one step further. Julius knew what it was like to do what must be done to further yourself, but he’d never wiped out all life on an entire fucking planet. Those people didn’t deserve to die because of the ruling god acting on his own accord. At least Julius believe it was on his own. He never heard of a dark god giving a shit about what their people thought. They…didn’t deserve that.
Julius observed the group, the Forgotten Party. A stupid, insulting name. The adventuring community couldn’t forget someone as impactful as him. It was Fuyoko’s fault for acting as if her own party was some kind of cult. Such a bossy bitch with a goal that the man wanted no part of. He did for himself. A real adventurer.
Julius knew that many of them vanished over the years, snatched up by militaries, a few cults, and other toxic groups. Just like he was currently. The rumor that they were taken by monster girls was just stupid. Any competent adventurer could deal with a single monster or even a group of them. This is why they are seen as higher tier than gifted. Gifted, who don’t go out to put their abilities to use. Idiots.
Princess Dire perhaps frightened Julius more than Aunder. At least the Viper had a sense of humor and honor, which insured the group that he wouldn’t suddenly backstab the party. The kid on the other hand, was virtually unreadable. That cheerfulness couldn’t be real. Did she not know what the Viper’s existence meant? He knew the kid that was not a kid had real power, but come on. Then again, the general public really had no idea about the stone-viper games.
Adventurers travelled the nations, some the globe, learning and exploring, discovering treasure. They pass important information through the community. This included the title known as Hero. The hero’s the ultimate adventurer and the only one capable of taking on the Supreme. Too bad no one wanted to do so anymore. With the numbers dropping, it was no surprise that speculation of the Supreme having something to do with it, floated around.
He painfully wished for anything to happen. Squeezing and holding, face red, he wiggled a bit then finally, the man just couldn’t take it anymore.
“Fuck! Aunder, can we pull over,” he snapped. “I’ve got to take a piss.”
Aunder looked at him with a blank stare then chuckled.
“Alright, but next time, hold off on the cola. Driver, pull off at the gas station.”
“Yes sir,” the man said, obeying the order.
Julius strained to not roll his eyes.
“Food! Food!” Dire chanted then hopped into Aunder’s lap. He tossed her back to Momo with a single hand.
“Buy her whatever she wants,” he said. “And of course that goes for anyone else who’s hungry. Then again, there’s a fancy restaurant fifty miles from here.”
“Do you have a problem with my cooking?” Olivia snapped, eyebrow raised. The Viper put up two hands, laughing. A bead of sweat fell from the back of his head.
“Not that I don’t appreciate the healthy living, but where I come from, meat is a must,” Aunder said then poked the woman’s stomach. “Red meat. Not fish. There aren’t any Norosaurs or Horus birds or Death-Slitters in this world to make a good meal.” Everyone cringed, giving him the disgusted stare, even Su Yang. “You outsiders wouldn’t know a good meal even if it bit you in the ass. Which Double-bladed Flying Octo-gators are known to do.” He laughed. The party continued to stare at him blankly. “Oh get out of here and take care of your business. You’ve got fifteen minutes.”
Julius dashed to the bathroom, Momo following him for some reason. He almost made it inside, but she grabbed the back of his shirt.
“I will piss all over you if you don’t let go of my shirt,” he said darkly.
“Judging by the way you’ve been acting all morning, you know what he did,” Momo said.
“So what,” Julius snapped. “It’s not going to change anything.”
She shook her head.
“We’ve got to make a getaway while we have a chance,” Momo said.
“We can’t, idiot,” Julius said. “Do you have any idea how difficult it is to bind me. I’m one of the best when it comes to mental magic, yet this guy stole my will like it was nothing. And we won’t be able to drift off more than a mile from him.”
He shook her hand away and almost took a step, but Momo’s next words halted him.
“Do you not know where we are?” Momo said.
“In a gas station wasting precious minutes,” Julius said.
“No, moron, we’re in the dead zone,” she said. “Feel closely. His contract is dormant, magic is at its weakest. I locked the soul bind in a secluded corner of our magic to deal with later. We can always find someone capable of dissolving it.”
Julius forked everything he had into activating a Jump. He’d finally be free. Eat whenever he wanted, sleep whenever. No one over his head. No Fuyoko, no Aunder, no one! He could catch up on some missed shows, browse the internet for off-brand shows—whatever. HE was done with this shit. Out! No more magic, nothing. As soon as he got Aunder’s mark erased, he’d throw in the towel, become a normal human. Find a job. Ironically, he had a degree in teaching, for science…Nothing happened, his heart breaking. He almost wanted to howl. Momo flicked his nose.
“What part of magic at its weakest do you not understand?” she said. “Let’s go, now! You can pee later.”
“Are you leaving your sisters?” Julius said as he bolted for the back exit, Momo trailing.
“They’ll be fine,” she said. “I’ll have to find the Stone and get him to help.”
Julius said nothing. He knew the location, but had no intention of revealing it. This group held him hostage. Well, two can play at that game.
When they were outside, the two noticed Dire, picking daisies. She looked right at them, innocently smiling.
“I’m getting her out of this,” Momo said. Julius saw the trap or at least what seemed like a trap and sprinted with all of his might.
“Only the fools divert their own goals,” he said, spotting his query ahead. A man starting his motorbike. One quick kick later, he hopped on, laughing. Someone got on the back of it.
“You ass, leaving me behind like that,” Momo said.
Julius shrugged.
“I play for myself.”
He was annoyed as they drove off with a kid who kicked and cried, calling for her master. Just what kind of sick shit was this. She…actually brought her. Fuck! The idiot.
Well, it didn’t matter. He…he was finally free. And they had to get as far away as possible.
Aunder chuckled.
“They took the bait.” He sighed. “This is what happens when you try to do everything in the name of honor.”
**
Clyde’s house…
Melody covered her face with the pillow, stomach full of butterflies. She was so happy, so nervous, but so happy. Now if she can just break her own shell…She felt thankful that Clyde didn’t bring up the embarrassing thing she said. Marriage. They still had to give each other soul-oaths. If only her mother could be trusted, she’d go to her for advice. Tear. But what if she told her to do something weird again. Melody was no good at the seduction thing. Maybe Yuki. Maybe the demoness could teach her everything she needed to know about making a man happy. And best of all, her goddess powers overrode her trickster side. She’d be so useful to the team, bettering herself. Goals, goals.
To spend so long with him, even hold his hand. She blushed.
She’d love to indulge in her happiness, but the bad feelings she got could not be ignored. Were her friends okay? Toru, Matsume, Ruri, Nina? Clyde sent them to trail them as a safety measure, but what if they encountered Matsuko? The fallen angel could go toe to toe with Tear, a candidate for the Supreme demon lord, and win. Melody…just wanted everyone to be safe. This was her family.
She crawled out of bed, unable to take the nagging feeling any longer. Her active goddess hal
f came with so many senses. Despite being born from her father, Platus the dark god—he who people are afraid to name and her mother, She Who Dawned Time, Melody didn’t carry any dark alignments. Maybe traces of it in some of her magic. But the dark element didn’t mean evil. Even the Leaf carried way more of the dark element than she did. Same for Harumi, though…the fox entity—maybe borderline deity—carried many mysteries that she herself probably didn’t know. The kitsune were a well-respected race of deities and entities, all flowing with the bloodline of the Nine-tailed fox.
Melody hurried to the living room, where Clyde said he’d be. He wouldn’t sleep until Matsume, Tear, and Ruri returned with the news. The redhead hoped it’d be good, but her gut told her something happened. Her goddess senses were tingling. If only the prophet was at full power. She’d befriend Ming, let her know that she was loved too. Maybe then, she’d open up to everyone.
What she saw in the living room confirmed her bad feelings ten times over.
Episode 39 (Part 2)
Clyde paced back and forth, nervous. His party members were strong, which is why he trusted them to do things without him around. His policy from the beginning treated everyone as adults—they weren’t a perfect party. Although…the power gains.
It came as a shock to see Ruri, Matsume, and Tear return with Toru and Nina. Melody emerged at that moment, worry in her eyes.
Clyde saw an eternal blankness in Toru’s eyes and flinched. The loli vampire was asleep.
“I’ll go get Alice,” Melody said then hurried off.
“What happened?” Clyde said.
“They were attacked by that man from before,” Ruri said.
“Toru’s uncle,” Tear said.
Clyde’s eyes began to glow.
“What else,” he said, sensing that the worse hadn’t come.
“Hideo…” Ruri’s ears sagged. “Hideo killed Fumi.” Tears fell from the Hellhound’s eyes. Clyde…felt himself freeze over within. Toru found his love and bothered no one. Fumi was a girl, from another species, but with the heart of a saint. Everyone enjoyed her company. She didn’t like fighting nor participated in any violence whatsoever and made Toru happy. A positive, hard-working woman, a civilian. And an example toward peaceful coexistence between human and nonhuman.
The glow fell out of his eyes as he looked at his friend. Blankness wasn’t the only thing off, but something stirred within the noble.
Eventually Melody turned with a hard-eyed Alice. The half-demoness wasted no time, casting All Calm on everyone. Matsume relayed the news after the entire household gathered.
The party looked at Toru, who stared at the wall, despite being cured of the poison. Clyde opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly the noble chuckled.
“I suppose this is what I get,” he said. “Before I met you Clyde, I had the typical one-sided view against monsters, demons, you know, paranormal things. The gift was always there, but I truly had no idea what to do with it. Airi was perhaps the first I met who knew about the abilities. She introduced me to another magic user, that is Harumi. Chika didn’t want anything to do with the supernatural at the time so that left us, not doing much but going on with our lives, Airi deciding to leave. Eventually I lost interest in the gift, bogged down with my father’s companies.” He locked eyes with Clyde. “When you came along, carrying out patrols, the thrill returned, and I decided to become a new me. Decided, but not pushed forward. Not until I met Fumi. An accountant…well, more than just an ordinary accountant. I…” He snarled, tears trailing. “It’s my fault. Knowing what I fight, I should’ve taken in the possi—”
“It’s not your fault,” Clyde interrupted, voice soft. “I honestly don’t understand why someone would want to harm…but…” Time and space shimmered briefly around the young man. Toru’s hurt seemed to merge with him. “I fucking swear man, that motherfucker will not get away with this.” Red aura outlined Clyde and didn’t show any signs of vanishing. He looked at the others. “Do—”
A hand rested on his shoulder.
“Clyde, it’s okay,” Toru said then smiled. “It’s fine. Do you mind lending me a room? I can’t go back. I’ll have one of my trusted maids secretly bring me some clothing and belongings in the morning. Just a temporary stay in case he’s still there.”
Clyde nodded.
“You’re welcomed here anytime, man,” Clyde said. He…saw the fire in Toru’s eyes. He could only support his friend, back him up. And the aura that raged inside of him… It was like Zen mode switched to a new setting.
**
Toru finally understood Fumi’s teachings. Zen in his martial arts represented peace, calm, and harmony. His lost love…always coached him to use it defensively, not offensively. Its full power was for protecting others, protecting the peace. If only he realized it sooner. Now…he reached for Zen’s other half, pandemonium or Zang, the Alethian term for it.
Fumi only told taught him Zen and warned him of Zang. Zang was supposed to be lost but Toru secretly researched it behind her back, out of curiosity. He…wanted to be the first to balance the raging sides. Zen and Zang were a direct concept of Yin and Yang, adopted by some unknown group.
Now, Toru just wanted to crush him. Even if using Zang would cost him his life, he’d break every bone in Hideo’s body before killing him. He’d rip his throat out. Maybe force him to beg for her forgiveness before death. To…kill Fumi for no reason at all.
Crusaders…They all needed to die.
Toru wondered just how he was going to live with himself, with the young woman’s death on his shoulder. He appreciated the words of Clyde, but could not push the responsibility elsewhere. He would make this right, even if he had to die trying. No, that wasn’t going to be enough. There can be no rest until Fumi’s avenged.
The young man gave his thanks to Yuki for showing him the room and the showers. Nina volunteered to sleep at his side or even at his door, but he turned her away. The maid demoness plucked the kid by the back of her collar and took her to her sleeping quarters.
After making the phone call, he laid back and stared at the wall. His eye color shifted from blue to yellow, pulsing, capturing light. The room felt too large without…
He clenched his fists, snarling...Don’t go charging blindly, Toru. Plan. Be patient. She’d scold you for charging in, guns blazing. She’d…scold you for using Zang over Zen.
Tears slipped from his eyes…he missed her already. What was he going to do with his life? Someone who didn’t see him as a bank account, the rich man’s son, or the rich pretty boy. That’s why he had a deep respect for Chika, daughter of the most powerful man in the city, and didn’t flaunt riches whatsoever. Sometimes he wondered what Clyde did to attract someone like that.
His thoughts rolled back to Fumi. She may have been Suraimu , the official name of the slime girl race, but she was no doubt wise, denouncing all stereotypes, possibly a queen slime. She talked about her hometown every now and then, somewhere hidden in the monster kingdoms.
So much he wanted to learn about her…He wanted to create a legacy with her by his side. All of it taken away from him because of someone else’s flawed beliefs.
**
Kitome and Yusuke’s house…
11 P.M…
A knock on the front door, took Yusuke’s eyes off the TV. Undine was about to get up, but the young man beat her to the leap. Just who the fuck could be at the door this late? His mom and dad were out of town until Thursday—everyone in their circle knew that. Delinquent persona switching on, he walked to the door, scratching his balls a little along the way, as if enhancing the effect. He opened the door, intending to give venomous words to the uninvited guest. A woman with long silver hair and purple eyes stared at him. And she had large black angel wings.
Yusuke smiled then closed the door, locked it, shook his head. The fallen angel kicked it down.
“How dare you close the door in my face,” she snarled, almost comedically, fist raised at his face.
“How dare
you break down my door, you lousy robber,” Yusuke yelled back, radiating his delinquent attitude for all it was worth. “Do you have any idea how much it’s going to cost for repairs? Well, do you?”
Matsuko waved a finger which instantly repaired the broken door.
“There, happy now?” She shoved past him.
“Why are you here?” Yusuke said.
Undine emerged, eyes intense. The ninja looked at her.
“Well, well,” Matsuko said, grinning. “I didn’t take you for the settling type.”
“Someone who’s never had a man inside of her wouldn’t,” Undine said.
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Yusuke said. “She’s her own woman.”
“What he said,” Matsuko quickly said, placing her arm around his shoulder. “A human with real intelligence. First time for everything.”
Undine shook her head.
“Purist.”
“I’m not a,” Matsuko started to say but then sighed. “If you still remember that stupid nickname, then you hadn’t lost the vigor to drink with me. Old rival.”
Undine laughed.
“Yusuke, bring us what’s in the third cabinet. Two cups. You have class in the morning.”
He sighed, muttering to himself as he marched to the kitchen.
“What’s up with the noise?” Kitome said, emerging from her room, dressed in nightwear.
Yusuke snapped back to himself, realizing who was at the door.
The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper, #7 a LitRPG (ATS) Page 14