She flashed a smile at a handsome rich boy, gaining one in return. Dressed in an expensive, almost provocative black skirt, Nuri Fuyoko lived for the thrill. And the Seth boy gave her plenty of them. Unfortunately, there was only one fatal flaw to this ordeal. Team Stone. She glanced at her Team Stone wristband, remembered she wore Team Stone panties, socks, and even a bra.
And to think one of them would be her boss’s husband. She wanted one too! But getting the leader himself was just impossible, so she’d just have to settle with watching from afar. Watching them get bigger, defend the lives of all sentient beings who just wanted to live a normal life. After all, Team Stone consisted of demons and monster girls and humans.
“Seth, I won’t let you get away,” she said softly. “For Maya’s sake.”
There was nothing she could do to deter his friends from interfering. Hopefully, they’d make up instead.
**
Cultural Festival...
Early evening …
A helicopter landed on the academy’s landing pad for some reason, but Clyde didn’t care. He and the others were just waiting for Sazuki to finally close the damn festival so they could go home. But like everywhere else, the dean could not resist having staff members, who didn’t help with the setup, give speeches. Then he forced the student council president herself to add yet another one to the pool.
Instead of sitting through anymore of that, Clyde snuck off to go check on Tessa. Being a fellow player from Earth with a level head, unlike the chuuni, he could actually discuss the game portion of this world with her. What did she know?
Satovia was home, that he would not change, but he did not want it destroyed by the Viper.
Something about what she said bugged Clyde. That look that she gave him. Almost as if she knew the young man.
Clyde knew no one by the name of Tessa. And this is what urged him to continue forward, driven by curiosity. His knowledge of Satovia sat at a piss poor two percent. Maybe the Wind’s shared knowledge would help him understand the World Map.
Clyde knocked on her door.
“Come in,” the nurse said. As he did, the nurse asked Tessa the last of a series of standardize questions required for every patient. She nodded in satisfaction, putting away her clipboard and patting the green-haired elf on her knees. “Is seems like your boyfriend’s here.”
“He’s not—”
The nurse’s phone rang, and she quickly picked up.
“Oh hey Yalla-san,” she said. “Oh I will keep calling you that until you stop worshipping that ridiculous anime. I gave you a better selection. You know what, I’ll come over right now!”
The nurse motioned for Tessa and Clyde to leave her office. She locked the door and scurried off, excited.
Clyde and the green-haired girl walked in silence for a few seconds before he spoke.
“Are you okay?”
Tessa looked at him, opened her mouth then closed it. She seemed to be struggling with something. The young man was not going to let the night end without him finding out.
“Look, if you have something to say, spill it out,” Clyde said.
“You really hadn’t changed,” Tessa said.
“Huh?” Clyde said confused. “What are you talking about?”
Clyde led her to the cafeteria, instead of outside where any one of the other girls could and would ruin his chance to find out what was going on.
“I can’t believe I missed it, but it has been ten years,” Tessa said. “I can’t reasonably expect you to recognize me like this.”
“Why is this sounding like the childhood friend cliché,” Clyde said offhandedly.
“I am your childhood friend, you idiot!” Tessa snapped. “My real name is Arisa Goya.”
Clyde froze as the familiar name rang through the dormant sections of his memories. That name. He almost fell to the floor.
A girl and playmate who moved away during either elementary school or maybe right before middle school. Back then, they were virtually inseparable. He looked at her with widened eyes. She looked nothing like the girl he remembered—reasonable for a warp to an anime reality. He silently led her to the cafeteria and they sat. He opened his mouth to speak, but couldn’t bring out the words. Ten years. The form she was in…could resemble her grown up self, just with green hair. It was hard to picture the young girl with Earth aesthetics…But he thought hard and...realized Tessa was undoubtably familiar. Her mannerisms from being sometimes easily frightened, to tough as steel.
“Holy damn,” he said softly before finding the girl in his arms crying.
“I really thought you were dead,” she cried. He hugged back, still at a loss for words. He would’ve ripped on the System for forcing a childhood trope, except that it was Venus’s doing. Coincidence or the goddess taking things too far? Honestly, Clyde just didn’t care. He…he got to see Arisa again after all of this time. When she left, a part of him vanished too. His first love, not that he ever told her. In real life, feelings like that remaining was rare.
“We have to catch up,” Clyde said softly. “Like, right now.”
The duo talked for a solid hour, reminiscing about old times, laughing about the trouble they got in and even some of the stupid things they did. While a decade of being away didn’t create the same connection…Well…The young man just didn’t know. And it really didn’t matter.
“So you’re the Stone,” Arisa…no…Tessa said a few seconds after the initial conversation died down. Clyde would respect her wishes to keep her new realm name.
“Yeah and as you can see, nobody gets a choice in the matter,” Clyde said. “Apparently I was born as the Stone.”
Tessa looked at him, as if realizing something.
“My goddess, Venus. She has done nothing but help me the entire time, saved my life from that psycho. Yet, she’s preparing something for you in Messalay. I’m not sure what. The only good thing I know is that she wants to give you something called a World Star fragment, which she made me leave behind.”
“Funny that you mention that, Selkie and the edge lord gave me one after we took you to the nurse’s office. The prompt didn’t tell me much about them.”
“You mean aside from the generic, collect them all, something special happens thingy,” Tessa said.
Clyde chuckled.
“You were a big Dragonball fan when we were little,” Tessa said, then playfully jabbed him in the stomach, exactly the same way she did back then. “Maybe if you gather all seven, a dragon will pop out and grant your wish.”
The duo laughed.
“What do you plan to do?” Clyde said.
“I suppose go back to Messalay,” Tessa answered.
“Are you sure?” he said. “You shouldn’t be forced to serve—”
“She doesn’t force anything on me,” Tessa replied. “Hell, ninety-nine percent of the time, Venus is never around. Even if I have questions. She only appears when I must do something to help…the Stone.” The green-haired girl blinked. “I think she knew this would happen.”
“Really now,” Clyde said. “I mean reuniting us, after Mortem dragged me into this world by death threat, sounds too generous for a deity type.”
“I think she made me leave behind the fragment, knowing that I’d want to help you,” Tessa continued, nodded.
“Why doesn’t she just appear now? Having an experience goddess as an ally…oh wait, she can’t directly interfere. Which means she’s associated with the Watchers.”
“Yes, I think…I really don’t know,” Tessa said, “but I’m glad she’s on your side. To be honest, the way she’s setting things up in Messalay…she may appear. Although it could be some elaborate booty call.”
Clyde laughed.
“I could only dream of being that good, but I’m just some guy in a death game.”
Tessa paled.
“You will win.” She sighed. “To be honest, I don’t want to go back to earth.”
“Me neither.”
They both l
ooked at each other with widened eyes.
“Earth sucks,” Clyde continued.
“It’s mundane as hell, I don’t have super powers, and everyone’s an asshole,” Tessa added, grinning.
“I tried not to weeb it, but it’s cool as shit living in an anime world.” He raised a hand before she could continue the back and forth game they used to do as kids when they agreed upon something. “I will admit, I’ve had some bad experiences here too. And as cheesy and power of friendshippy as this sounds, if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have survived.”
“I’ve solo’d for most of my time here,” Tessa said, “but right as a nation I liberated was about to make me queen, that psycho showed up. Venus whisked me away to Messalay, and I’ve made dark elf friends. It’s cozy, but…you’re living the school life.”
“I offer you a room at my place if you stay,” Clyde said.
Tessa sighed.
“I…may have to go, but at least I know where to find you.” She pulled a metallic badge-like object the size of an orange, from midair. Her inventory. “This allows me to fast travel to any place I’ve ever been. I can visit every day.”
“Fuck yeah,” Clyde said, pulling her into a hug, whiffing her sweet perfume.
Suddenly, Tessa kissed him.
[Your relationship with Arisa/ Tessa has never left First love. Friend, closer level 10. Cherished.]
[Your link with Tessa has been reengaged.]
“I missed you so much,” Tessa said. “And look at us. We’re actually back…” She fixed him with a stern look. “Now that I know it’s you, what are you doing surrounded by so many girls?”
“Long story,” Clyde said, attempting to shrug off the explanation, but his childhood friend refused to let him off the hook.
“Clyde, are you really apart of some anime-like harem?”
“You know what sounds good about now,” Clyde said. “An ice-cream float. Alice would love…”
He cut off his slipup too late.
Tessa sighed.
“Well, you just proved that the legend of King Solomon did happen.”
Clyde shrugged.
“At first, it felt like the system pushed the tropes onto me, but overtime upon getting to know them, things…changed. This is a different world, which do not share all of the beliefs of modern-day Earth. There are even benefits for loving many…” He sighed and firmed his gaze. “I don’t regret any of this. I am who I—”
“I’m not judging you—you know this,” Tessa said. “Don’t forget how many times we listened to my Aunt say,” the duo recited simultaneously, “the heart knows what it wants.”
“Did she ever get those two to marry?” Clyde asked.
Tessa shrugged.
“I…don’t know,” Tessa said, blushing.
Abruptly, Ruri burst through the cafeteria doors and anime-dove into Clyde.
“We have a problem. Come quick!”
Episode 44 (Part 3)
Evening…
Clyde, Tessa, and Ruri raced to the front doors of the academy. The young man swore if this was Amaterasu again, he’d break a bone, make it unfixable until she begged. He really didn’t want to do that to anyone, but enough was enough. Seriously. Why not sit back and relax? She knew he was the Stone, right? Why provoke him? Then again, he didn’t sense the woman make any significant moves. He checked his inventory just to give his brain something else to think about.
Inventory:
$ 571,295,400
-Map of Lot City, Satovia.
-Map of Libado Grasslands, Satovia.
-Map of Ashen City, Satovia.
-Map of Niyoto, Satovia.
-Smartphone.
-Key.
-Reminder for practice- note.
- Zelt’s printer. Level 1/25.
- Deed to the Ashfall estates, treasures, etc.
- Honey Potion of Healing (item class: rare.)
-Wind blade. (very rare) +16 to attack. Wind element.
- Place of Power Core (item class: Relic) (item value: priceless)- establish a place of power.
- Super health potion x3 (item class: common)
- Max MP replenish potion (item class: epic)
- bundle of materials [2 uses left]. (Item class: rare.)
- 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.
- Sharpened Crystal Dagger. Item class: uncommon
-3 rubies, 3 diamonds, 3 emeralds, 3 casper-jewels.
- 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*
He did not expect to see what he saw upon stepping outside. Clyde’s eyes widened. He couldn’t help but facepalm.
Maya rapidly gained on Seth. Clyde swore they set records at the track. A white-haired girl in a black skirt cheered the hungry toad girl, from just ahead. She turned to Clyde.
“Sorry but I can’t let you interfere,” she said. The young man analyzed her just out of curiosity.
Half-pixy, Nuri
Level: 79
Type: half-breed.
Work under: Maya Nowie, CEO of Nowie’s.
Special: Super Adorable Wink + light strike combo.
Weakness: fire and ice
Resistances: electric
Secret: she watches hentai videos for the story. She cannot stand the thought of anyone finding out this embarrassing hobby of hers.
Clyde laughed.
“Do you really watch them for the story?”
Her eyes widened just a little then she folded her arms.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Yeah sure you don’t,” he said then gave her a dismissive wave. “Ruri, just let them go. I’m not getting involved with this.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about,” the hellhound said, pulling him toward the eating area. Ashard awaited, seemingly uneasy about something. His territory prompt fleshed out the rest of the story.
[-Territory- Alert! Level: *EXTREME*. Fairy Queen Titania is entering the city! ]
[ If you were in possession of a *Heart Core,* all attack, magic and non-magic, defenses and other stats would be halved for any major power/intruders entering your city without permission.]
“You’ve got to be shitting me,” Clyde said softly.
Selkie raised a finger to protest, but was cut off. Seemingly annoyed, she folded her arms, deciding to let things play out.
“Onii-chan,” Natalia said, running up to the young man. The worried intone in her voice made him curse more. “We’re in trouble.”
“Fuck…What was your plan again, Natalia?” the young man said.
Ashard gulped.
“He was actually hundreds of miles away, but someone lied to her about him being in this city,” Natalia said.
“Then why come back?” Clyde snapped. “We could—”
“He came back to warn us,” Natalia said. “And you must understand, there is no reasoning with Titania. Not this queen.”
“Where’s Amaterasu?” Clyde said.
“She left an hour ago as the festival ended,” Tear said.
“Mother’s gone too,” Alice said.
The young man glanced around to see several students cleaning up, some just happy to be released for the night. They were among the many innocent—people who just wanted to fucking go about their lives. And yet, another supernatural entity threatened them.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he said softly. “Who told her this bullshit?”
“We’re not sure,” Alice said, “but…we…I don’t want to run.” Tears fell from her eyes as the half-demoness wrapped her arms around him.
“I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if anything happens to this city.”
Clyde racked his brain for any solution, but he simply didn’t know enough about the fairy queen to come up with anything.
“I’ve tried to ask Venus for help, but she’s not responding,” Tessa said.
“This is a Watcher hotspot,” Selkie said. “Even I don’t like being here. If Venus so much as poked her finger into this city, she’d probably bring down the entire punishment squad on her. Anyway, just let me—”
“Punishment squad?” Tessa interrupted.
“I never seen the punishment squad, but I think of them as some kind of inquisition,” Clyde told her.
Tessa nodded.
“Let’s not beat around the bush. You’ll have to turn back into—”
“I can’t,” Clyde said.
“WHAT?” everyone yelled.
“We’re fucked,” Toru said softly. “Even if I get my dad to contact the mayor, there won’t be any time to evacuate a city this big.”
“What if I hold back the strain inside of you again?” Natalia said.
Clyde slowly shook his head as he let the thoughts of his limitations remind the group that he was just as mortal as they were. Fuck this, he was going to prioritize the world objective of receiving special training.
Wait a fucking second… Didn’t Natalia instruct him? The loli-witch knew so much. He asked the system about it.
[Inquiry sent to the Watchers. You shall receive an answer within a week.]
He sighed. This obviously wasn’t enough time…
“It won’t do any good, not while I’m unable to reach the same level of power.” He turned his gaze to Ashard.
“Alright, start spilling your mother’s weaknesses. Lives are at stake,” Clyde said.
The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper, #8 a LitRPG (ATS) Page 17