The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper, #8 a LitRPG (ATS)

by Alvin Atwater

  [Your crafting level has increased from 5 to *5+* Congratulations! +1% extra chance to successfully craft a complicated item.]

  He presented her the ring with a beauty that he just didn’t know how to describe. It glowed, with a diamond-like stone in its center, creating the engagement ring template. Magic…or something that resembled it, rotated through the silver and gold band. A part of the ring was even transparent, its color being magic itself and the surrounding area.

  He began to wonder if this was simply too much… If anything nasty sensed the ring, Alice could be in danger. Who would predict that he’d create something this impressive? Still, it was too late to back down now.

  “Alice, will you marry me?”

  Her eyes widened, clearly caught off guard. Then tears streamed as the half-demoness hugged him.

  “Yes!”

  He delayed all of the annoying system prompts as he put the ring on Alice’s finger. They passionately kissed.

  The red cloaked being wiped tears from his eyes. He just happened to pop in to see such a heart-felt proposal. The Stone wasn’t even his spy target—he did that during the day.

  “I’ll let them have their alone time,” he said, making the Jump. “Damn maidens…they don’t pay me enough for this.”

  Episode 42 (Part 1): A Clusterfuck of a Day

  Somewhere…

  Aunder gazed at the giant white mansion-like building and then the scene as a whole. He couldn’t comprehend any of it. In front, a woman tended to a rose garden, humming peacefully. To the right were more cheerful women handing out fliers while dressed up in maid outfits and with either cat ears or some other animal. More maidens, cheerful and carefree, dressed in pinks and whites, came and went. There was even a sign—these idiots were giving out his location! It stated…the Viper’s Temple of Peace, Harmony, and Love.

  “We’re definitely at the wrong place,” Aunder said, but before he could turn around, a woman dove into him.

  “Nooo, you can’t just look at the building and leave,” she whined. Olivia, Su Yang, and even the driver nearly fell backward.

  “I’m pretty sure I’m at the wrong place,” Aunder said, struggling to get the pink-haired woman off him. “Just let me be, woman.”

  “But wouldn’t you like to come in, maybe enjoy lessons from our great Arch Priest?” She said her next words quietly, “and maybe leave a donation.” She continued in her cheery voice. “Someone of your status with a limo and three servants has to be looking to improve his life. Surely you would want to know about the hero who liberates nations, but also has a fist iron enough to keep the bad guys fearing him.” Aunder started back toward the car.

  “Who is she calling a servant?” Su Yang and Olivia muttered.

  “Come on. Please—we’re going broke here. You must at least come inside,” the teary-eyed girl said as she held onto Aunder as if for dear life. “Please!”

  “Let me go woman, I’m at the wrong place,” Aunder said.

  [You are at the correct location.]

  [About two hundred years ago, the Viper Maidens received new leadership, which ultimately divided them into two factions. You are at the main, larger section known as ML. Maidens of Love…The small section, which calls themselves the True Poison are in an unknown location, which may be known by the leader of ML, the Arch Priest. ]

  “I see,” Aunder said softly then looked at the groveling girl. “Take me to this Arch Priest.”

  The clinging girl smiled.

  “Sure! Right this way.”

  She hummed an unfamiliar happy tune as she led the way down a stony pathway with pink roses on the sides. She struggled to open the main building’s doors for a few seconds before it gave in.

  As they approached the main hall, they heard a passionate voice deliver her message to a small crowd which ranged from a few elderly men, a dozen or so young women, including a college girl with her kid sister or maybe daughter, cousin?

  Something about those two made the man pause for just a second. The kid had pointed ears for one—an elf.

  “Do not listen to the lies about he who saves lives,” the Arch Priest preached. Aunder tuned her out to admire her beauty. Long white hair, glistening red eyes, perfect breasts. She had a nice voice, but on the edges of it was desperation. He analyzed her.

  Name: Viper Maiden Yuriko, Arch Priest of the Maidens of Love

  Level: 325

  HP/MP: 100%

  Spirit sign: passionate soul.

  Useful: yes.

  He turned, deciding to analyze the college girl and her kid elf…whatever, too.

  Name: Fuyoko, “Master of Stars,” leader of the Blood Seekers.

  Level: 98

  Spirit sign: unknown.

  Useful: unknown.

  Insight: she has the ability to petrify opponents.

  Aunder evaluated the kid elf too.

  Name: Naoko, Blood Servant of the Master of Stars.

  Level: 450

  HP/MP: 3000%

  Spirit sign: directionless

  Useful: very, but she is devoted to the Master of Stars.

  Insight: immune to physical and most magic attacks.

  Aunder smiled. Somehow, he was sure these two led Julius’s former cult. He was right to input the need to flee into Julius’s head. His number two recommended giving Momo the same suggestions, so that there would be double the chance of them stumbling into something interesting. Plus, Momo being far stronger than Julius as a Venus sister increased his chances of not doing something stupid and dying. Dire of course would report any findings through telepathic means, including a way to get out of the stone-viper games.

  He’d remove the anti-god miasma and allow the planet to be revived if the Watchers let him go. A harsh but necessary bargaining chip. Too bad he had no way of directly contacting them to make the deal. And if they kept him waiting, Aunder would consider doing something so much worse. No one contained him.

  He was about to take a seat, but the pink-haired girl, Ran, held his arm. The murder he felt from Su Yang was palpable.

  Yuriko, the Arch Priest grew silent as her subordinate took Aunder to the VIP guest chair. Her pale face spoke volumes. She knew what the others didn’t.

  “Don’t stop on my account, Arch Priest,” Aunder said. “I am but another guest, insisted by your lovely servant here.”

  Yuriko looked as if she was ready to cry, but took a deep breath and pushed on with her message of complete and utter bullshit. Well, it wasn’t untrue, but the Arch Priest probably made everything up for the sake of donations. His maidens…were desperate for money and decided to profit off his title. Not that he cared for it. He already determined at least six of them to bed, including the Arch Priest.

  Without Dire to keep Su Yang away, bedding would be even more of a challenge. But those rewards would come later. First, he’d fix what the poor excuse of a leader, Arch Priest, had done. Viper Maidens were supposed to be anything but this… This was like Satovia’s sweet food called cookies and cream. In his world, non-fruit sweet food was consumed only by the royal women once a month. That being a tribute to the goddess…

  Too much on the pinks and kindness. One would never be able to tell this is a temple of the Viper. Maybe that was the point, but…this….this just couldn’t be the answer.

  Aunder pulled out a flask and drank in front of all of the wide-eyed people.

  “Ah!” he hissed, “hits the spot.”

  Su Yang softly facepalmed.

  “Master, you really should consider respecting holy grounds.”

  Aunder took a second swig.

  “I am the holy ground.”

  When Yuriko ended her lesson, a few donated, bringing her a hopeful smile. It dropped when she forced herself to look at Aunder.

  The man noticed that Fuyuko, and the kid remained in their seats, watching him. He allowed himself a grin.

  “Please allow me to introduce myself,” Aunder began. The pink-haired girl, who had no idea, leered at him, almost
as if stars were in her eyes. She probably saw a huge funding opportunity. “I am Aunder. Let’s just say, someone in a high place sent me here. And I am not pleased to see…what this is. So…” He stood. “I want an explanation. And then Su Yang will be taking over from here because you clearly have no experience in real leadership.”

  All of the maidens stared at him, open-mouthed.

  “Sir…you can’t—”

  Yuriko held up a hand.

  “It’s him.”

  They all paled, dropping to a knee, bowing. Aunder sighed.

  “Now don’t start that, get up,” he said. “And Yuriko, start explaining why my temple is…in shambles. Olivia, you’ll be in charge of redecorating it.”

  “I like it,” Olivia said. “It’s so cute.”

  She laughed when Aunder glared at her. “Fine, fine, I’ll get started. You!” She pointed at Ran. “You’ll be showing me around. And send one of your minions to start up my bath.”

  Aunder teleported by Fuyuko, gazing into a smug face.

  “Do you want to trade information over some nice love-making?”

  Su Yang blushed furiously.

  “Master, learn some manners.” She smacked him with a paper fan.

  “Ow,” he said, chuckling. Fuyuko burst into laughter.

  “You know why I’m here, but I don’t see him in your group,” she said. “Fine, let’s make a deal.”

  “You’ll make a deal with the Viper?” Aunder said.

  Her eyes only made the slightest twitch, but she nodded.

  “Julius belongs to me,” she said. “And no matter where he goes, I will find him, even if it takes forever.”

  Aunder smirked.

  “He can’t have two masters,” Aunder said, tilting up Fuyuko’s chin. “And no matter how much you want to turn me into stone, you know it won’t work. Now, joking aside, we will discuss this matter over a drink.”

  “What, no love-making?” Fuyuko said, smirking.

  He took in large breasts, blue-green hair, and knew he’d definitely bed her, but his real mood wanted no games.

  “The Arch Priest and your kid sister will be joining us,” Aunder said. “We’ll drink right in here, so my companions can get a grasp of the situation.”

  Episode 42 (Part 2)

  Clyde’s house…

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

  [School: Cultural Festival day. Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Friday.]

  [Current declared fiancée(s): Melody, Alice.]

  [Your fiancée, Alice’s current mood: heart-fluttering happiness.]

  [Base HP and MP bonus from Alice: +100%]

  [Perk bonus on hold until you marry her: GOD tier skill: God Omen’s Complete Obliteration. Does Super Extreme Damage to foes caught in its blast. Does deity, demon, angel, and all base elemental damage. This is an unblockable and undodgeable skill. Has a 0.5% chance to instantly kill a foe and reincarnate that soul into a human incompatible with magic. Chance to inflict deity, angel, or devil blight at 1% Chance to inflict super burn at 1%]

  [Warning, God tier skills will drain a tremendous amount, maybe even all of your MP upon use. This attack will drop all of your stats by 25% after using it for eight minutes, unless you trigger Mystic wrath, assuming you have the MP to pay for it. Use sparingly. You do not have to train this skill.]

  [In Alice’s culture, the fiancé will continue to be known as life mate or sometimes love mate. Demonesses will crave more sex from here on out, even when married.]

  [Ki increased! Alice’s crests: Soul: 7. Command: 7. *Radiance *: 7.]

  [Your aura now contains the radiance attribute. All defenses increased!]

  [Card bearers in the immediate area: 2. Ming, Unknown.]

  [Cook-off opponents in the city: 122. Harumi, Advanced chef Yuki, Alice, Kitome. The rest are unknown.]

  Bickering awoke Clyde from his incredible slumber. For some reason, Alice and Melody were arguing.

  “I told you, I’m going to iron his shirt first!” Alice snapped. “You’ve already made his bathwater.”

  “Why don’t you attend to his needs tomorrow, while I do today,” Melody argued back. “You’re in the way! And I must greet my Soother with a morning kiss.”

  “Well, he’s my love mate, and he needs my morning kiss more,” Alice growled.

  “Ugh, shut the fuck up!” Chika snapped then nailed them both in the face with a single pillow. She snuggled into Clyde.

  “Up-up-up.” Yuki swiped the blankets. “You’ve got a cultural festival to attend.”

  Yuki kissed Clyde, gaining sags of defeat from Melody and Alice.

  [Yuki would make a fine wife. Picture it, a morning brea—]

  Clyde cut the system off. The universe was enjoying this too much. He couldn’t lie, so was he, but in a different way. Waking up to a morning like this…

  Before he could move, Alice and Melody anime-dove into him, giving the young man a flood of love.

  Chika stared at them blankly.

  “What the hell’s gotten into them?” She asked Yuki.

  “I suppose they decided to step it up,” Yuki said.

  Clyde thought about the prior night, realizing that…Melody slept with them too. In fact, the redhead was on top of him before he moved her to the side. Three bedmates now…uh oh. If this kept up, all of the rooms would be empty. Yes, the bed could hold another, but it sure as shit wouldn’t be the best sleep for them. For him, he’d be a king every night—but that was beside the point. Fortunately, Melody didn’t move her stuff into the room, but he wouldn’t be surprised to see it happen.

  When Clyde went into the bathroom, his bathwater was indeed ready and toothbrush with toothpaste on it. He first brushed his teeth, showered, then entered the tub. The Japanese method of cleansing oneself before entering a body of water was also used in America, typically at any public pool. It only made sense when sharing a giant rich person’s bathtub.

  Although…he felt like the water was too goddamn hot. The young man didn’t bother complaining and just relaxed. Chika entered first, followed by Alice and Melody—but he already expected that, hearing the shower run, the women switch from normal conversations to bickering, and of course the highlight: Yuki massaging the young man’s sore shoulders and then offering to wash his back. The kuudere demoness defeated his fiancées, even against Clyde’s protests of her not being a maid, not his servant, but a complete equal. And as usual, she ignored him and acted as a head maid, anyway. Long dark hair, glistening purple eyes, and Harumi-level breasts—perhaps even bigger, Yuki ran the household with perfection. Her magic even coated the giant house with her protection.

  “So, about that family meet,” Clyde said to the group. Melody groaned.

  “I hope Mother forgot.”

  “She’s…actually sitting at the table, being served by Maki and Sophia,” Yuki said. “While she wanted it to be a surprise, for Master Clyde’s safety, I’m spilling the beans.”

  Melody looked as if she wanted to die. Alice and Chika gave her looks of sympathy.

  “Well—”

  “Alena’s also downstairs,” Yuki said, interrupting the half-demoness. “Apparently she’s an old rival with your mother and knew enough people in high places to get the message passed.”

  “Great…two scary mothers,” Clyde said, then laughed. Chika didn’t say anything as if it would trigger Yuki to interrupt her too. But it didn’t matter.

  “Chika, your mother was hellbent on waking you up, but the other women managed to convince her to sit.” Yuki switched to washing Clyde’s back with two soft…He felt bliss. His horn was already maxed, so even if the others looked, no one would react to the demoness being amazing. He wanted to rip her clothes off and—Clyde shoved away the thoughts, focusing on the conversation. “They raised an eyebrow when your mother demanded to see her son-in-law.”

  Chika slumped, face reddened with embarrassment.

  “Look, Chika’s blushing, it’s so cute,” Melody said then sighed, joi
ning her in the position. “I can’t believe Mother’s here.”

  “So three scary mothers,” Clyde said. “Well fuck. I knew this meet was coming but damn.”

  “And let’s not forget that Chika’s father will be at the cultural festival,” Yuki said.

  “And he’s probably going to be in one of his Yakuza-like moods,” Chika said. “My parents are so embarrassing.”

  “No use wasting time, finish bathing and let’s go.” Yuki nibbled Clyde’s ear. “Your clothes are waiting for you. Hurry, you don’t want to keep your mothers waiting, now do you?”

  As soon as the others were gone, the demoness stroked Clyde in a way that made his load hop a foot into the air before crashing back down. All of this done while making out with him.

  She wasn’t satisfied. As soon as he pulled the level to drain the water, Clyde stood and was immediately pinned to the wall.

  Yuki guided Clyde’s horn to her insides, initiating a quickie, while standing. The young man wasn’t sure how the demoness managed to keep the others distracted for fifteen minutes, but somehow, she did. He came very close to filling her up like a balloon, but pulled out at the last second.

  “Come, you will be late too if you don’t hurry.” She kissed him.

  [Your relationship with Yuki has increased to cherished, friend closer level 10.]

  The last relationship gain Clyde remembered was cherished level nine. That’s when it hit the young man. The real reason why Yuki insisted on being his maid, despite his protests and what being one meant. He didn’t want to think arrogantly, but it made sense…