"I should throw you off the cliff," she snarled then stormed off. "I want him there no less than one hundred fifty years. Make sure—"
A beautiful woman with large angelic wings appeared from nowhere. She was wearing a long white dress that seemed to cling to every curve. Long pale blonde hair fell to her back. Something about her seemed familiar.
"I’m afraid this one will be ours to put before trial," she said in a voice pure enough to shatter Clyde’s rage. His transformation regressed, but the pain of strain seemed suppressed. "Human souls are a precious thing."
Alice’s eyes were wide then she dove into the angel’s arms, crying.
"Mother, where have you been? What happened? How did you become an angel?"
"Mother?" Clyde and his friends said with exclaimed voices.
What the fuck is going on? Clyde thought. From the gazes of the others, they wondered the same thing. Hades was paler than snow. From the pure terror in his eyes, he looked as if he’d rather go to the futas.
[Volume 3.] Episode 19 (Part 1): Pressures.
Lot City Parks….
Maki’s smile widened as she watched the journalist take pictures of birds. At first, she considered ruthlessness, but even with her connections, doing that to a journalist wasn’t exactly the smartest of ideas, not without cornering her first. She couldn’t let her lust make her stupid, else she’d never surpass the silver-haired demon on the test boards.
A bird landed on Maki’s leg. With lightning speed, that not even she could understand, the young woman caught it. She fed it a few bread crumbs and pet it. The bird seemed to purr. She released it, smiling. Animals never got in her way. They lived care-free lives, on instinct, except for the ones captured by scummy businessmen and sent to who-knows-where.
She turned to the journalist ahead. A useful tool. Maki had plenty of money to keep the broke college girl motivated.
She approached her on silent feet, wetness already emerging in a certain spot, but that was due to lingering thoughts of Clyde. Not because she accidentally peeked into one of her cousin’s BL books. Totally not the reason!
"Such a peaceful Autumn," she said. Naomi jumped. That startle made this worth it—she forced herself not to cum off that alone. "Take it easy, we go to the same school, remember."
She sat by the journalist, picturing her naked and tied in hundreds of positions. To Naomi, Maki seemed perfectly fine, that kind girl that paid her for an administration job.
"Oh…hi Maki," she said. The purple-haired woman gave Naomi an easy smile.
"Your caring of the birds and nature is admirable," Maki said.
"Thank you," the journalist said with a faint flush of embarrassment. Maki wondered if the girl just knew how gorgeous she was. A life of journalism—what a waste. Did she not get approached by men? She needed deflowering so bad.
"Naomi, let’s make an employment deal," she said. "You see, I want you to spend more time doing what you love, which is apparently appreciating nature’s beauty. I’ve seen your photos, you’re great, but they’re so few because you find yourself wasting time on poorly-paying jobs to buy necessities."
Maki smiled when Naomi’s eyes brightened. She had the journalist just where she wanted her. Sheesh, no challenge, how disappointing, Maki thought. If Naomi didn’t resist, getting into her panties wouldn’t be fun. All it took was one word, one action of consent, even if had a different meaning. Maki could easily manipulate things into her favor, but decided to just let this one be.
A real challenge would be to…try of one Clyde’s friends. His female friends of course. A risk—if he got seriously angry with her, she wouldn’t be able to live with herself. Of course she’d move on, life was too short to be clung to some guy, but…he was the only man who didn’t obey her. Her equal and she had to have him. If only he was approachable and not guarded by sluts. "Naomi, starting tomorrow, I’d like you to work for me with a simple job. Here’s some advanced pay. I’ll pay you more and bonuses for success. Your fail or success won’t matter as long as you remain under my employment." She handed the girl a wad of cash before she officially agreed. "I want a picture of him—any kind. I can’t find him on any kind of social media nor in any records, which is strange. Your job will be to dig up his info. I want to know much about my future boyfriend as possible."
Naomi blushed then handed the money back to Maki.
"I can’t do that," she said. Maki’s eyes widened at the sudden backbone. "Clyde is my friend and I won’t violate his privacy." She stood up and gave Maki a condescending look. "You tricked me for his address, didn’t you?"
Maki stood too, excited.
"Like I said, administration work. You know of my boring school-relating activities. And you have no proof of anything else."
Naomi’s face reddened with raw anger.
"He’s not your future boyfriend and if you do anything to him, I’ll sink your reputation, right into the ocean."
Naomi shoved Maki to the side, storming off. Full of ecstasy, Maki grabbed the unsuspecting journalist and heaved her into a wild kiss. She pulled her to the ground, but didn’t expect a well-placed fist into her face.
Maki grinned at the snarling girl, giggling hysterically.
"You’re fucking crazy," Naomi said, wiping her mouth. "I don’t swing that way."
She attempted to kick the laughing woman, but Maki caught it with a single hand. Playtime was over. She pulled Naomi close.
"I tried to be nice, offer you employment."
"I don’t need your fucking charity," Naomi snapped. "I work hard and build character. I don’t need some spoiled brat looking down on me." She shoved at Maki, but it was useless. The hold Maki had on her was unusually strong.
"You’ve obviously forgot whose reputation is too big to be sunk," Maki said in a dark voice. "In a phone call, I’ll have your club shut down, your pitiful paper banned, you expelled, and rumors all over the place, speculating. I’ve tried to give you a break because you’re one of Clyde’s friends, his minor ones of course. Don’t make me look like the bad guy. It’s a simple picture. Simple information. Don’t overstand against people who could shatter your life. Especially me." She licked Naomi’s neck. "I’m in the mood—so much and you will be my meal, unless...."
"No," Naomi said.
"Fine, fine," Maki said. "Accept my employment or I’ll do more than what I just stated. It’s for the good of the administration if we find out more about…my future husband."
Naomi shook her head.
"You’re crazy. You’re absolutely—"
Maki slapped the insolent girl, drawing blood.
"How disappointed will your family feel when they hear about this?" she smiled widely. Naomi looked crestfallen, defeated. "Let me take off some of that stress."
She shoved her hands into the journalist’s panties, massaging. Maki had her in checkmate. There was no one that could possibly save her new tool. No one had a reputation bigger than Maki nor more connections.
She pulled off both of their clothes and eagerly mounted, grinning widely at the defiant glare. The ride gave her bliss and a climax that sealed the deal in her mind.
"Now let’s talk about your assignment in a more civilized setting—your room of course," Maki said, casually dressing. She handed the wad of cash back to the girl. "Lack of payment is not an option, my tool."
She grinned. Naomi’s face was a volcano of anger. Maki hoped she’d attack—rough and humiliating sex topped as one of her favorites. To her disappointment, the journalist didn’t. She only remained silent, listening, which was good enough.
Maki gave her the orders, expecting no mistakes.
[Volume 3.] Episode 19 (Part 2)
Cliffs near Hades’s private estate, Lot City…
The tearing angel hugged Alice and kissed her forehead. The resemblance could not be denied. Alice’s mother was really one of them. Clyde shouldn’t be surprised that angels existed in this world, but his eyes were wide. Until this moment, not a single holy-typ
e being appeared, unless one could really count Selkie and Mortem. Clyde didn’t. He wasn’t sure what entities were, but they were no angels. If he had to be honest, he didn’t know much about angels either.
Hades, chained up, trembled. He looked as if he wanted to crawl away, maybe even die, but the succubae rooted him in place. Sucks to be you, Clyde thought.
The young man wanted to blend in with his friends, draw no attention to himself, but there was no way the angel missed his efforts. As if to confirm his thoughts, she looked right at him, smiling.
"So you’re the one who stole my daughter’s heart."
All eyes turned to him, making it so much worse—not that Alice hid her affections. Everyone knew something. Still, Clyde said nothing at first, but he felt a little burn of embarrassment. He decided introductions always made off for a decent start.
"Mother, don’t embarrass me," Alice said, a little pouty, a little cute. She still didn’t let go of the angel.
"I’m Clyde," the young man said. "I—"
"Oh, I know who you are," she said. "Your inner aura has enough holy in it to put some deities to shame." The angel turned to Hades. "Before I take him away, let’s talk about a wonderful thing called the truth. And hidden things, shall we? I would keep this conversation private, but the Hades family was ruined long before today."
An intense white aura suddenly surged around the angel. Her voice, a song, carried with it hurt and honey, love and sadness. "One could say it all started when we met. An injured angel and a merciful young demon. Part of the blame will go to me. I should’ve known things would go south when Tomin told his family and friends that I was simply a demon that favored the light. A good demon. He even urged me to keep my true form hidden even from those closest to us. He was a wise man with a valid point. Besides, I was no stranger to how demons felt about holy beings in general.
"Yet, I couldn’t help but be drawn to him—it was a thrill, being his wife among demons.
Most of them were friendly while others were all about seduction, money, and of course power. Tomin didn’t care about any of that, which infuriated his family. Some of his family members began to resent me—after all, we were inseparable. Best friends and lovers. We chose the human way, marrying and while I personally don’t have much of an opinion on the life mate multiple partners thing, I wanted him to myself. He wanted me to himself. We had Alice and my eternity was set. The handsome fun man of my dreams, a beautiful daughter with hopes of more children, and a nice palace in the human world. We even had friends that were human, some demon, some mixed.
"The problem occurred when Tomin’s brute brother came along and started filling his head with terrible ideas and talk of glory. His brother was known for having a golden tongue. Like an idiot, my husband went from denying him, to listening. And soon, he started playing the game of houses. His brother even told him about a truly dangerous object, the Omen’s sphere. There’s a reason why they’re named that way." She gave Hades a dark glare.
"One day, Tomin found one and sacrificed nearly a fourth of his new guard to get it. To celebrate, he unveiled a new decree. He said he wiggled agents into the city leadership and the government. His demons were now free to roam the city at night—find their own food. We got into an argument on the spot. That’s when a few of his close guards stood in his defense, eager to go soul-hunting for innocent people. It became a beratement and I was tempted to smite them all, but I loved my husband. He didn’t know of the dangers pertaining to the Omen’s sphere and that only certain beings had permission to use it. Without knowing, at least I’d like to believe he didn’t know, the thing activated in his hands. It beamed forbidden stands of magic in all directions. Since we were face to face, there was no way I could’ve avoided it. It was like death, sadness, ice, and a sword’s edge all at once—powerful stuff. It undid my disguise, revealed to all of the guard my true form. Hell broke loose as half the guard tried to defend me, believing that it was the sphere’s doing, that I was still me. The other half wanted blood." The angel sighed.
"The injury from the sphere was just too great. With the last of my energy, I ascended, though it pained me to leave it all behind. Of course, I was in trouble when I arrived in Celestial. They sensed residue of the sphere on me. The magical injury took five months to heal, even with the best of our healers. Even after being able to move freely again without the pain, I lost my world-traveler’s license for five years. I had to faithfully serve the region deity to regain it. Then join the Purifiers just to solidify my position and gain permission and trust to travel without eyes watching. So many years out of my daughter’s life. The Rift God wouldn’t let my letters go through. Had I not been very secretive about the existence of my family, they would’ve taken Alice, killed Tomin, maybe both." She gave Hades a sad look. "And the first Satovian assignment I receive is this.
"Arrest or purify, Tomin Hades—he’s responsible for the loss of many souls—but what got their attention of course was the Omen’s sphere giving out his location. Demons consume on a daily basis and the deity realms don’t bother to organize to protect humans, thus numbers are pitiful. The archangels tacked on just one deed to give the Purifiers an excuse to go to Satovia regardless of whether the stone-viper games were going on or not. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised to return to a lech of a husband, chained down, and defeated." The angel sighed. "There really isn’t much else to say here except that I will be taking Hades under the authority of Celestial. I won’t be going near the Omen’s sphere—I’ll tell them the Stone absorbed it. For some reason, they’re fine with that. Just not with this man having it." She glared volcanoes at Hades.
"Mom…are you really leaving again?" Alice said.
Tears dropped from the angel’s eyes.
"In order to keep you from their gazes, my daughter, I must go back. I could take you with me…but I truly don’t want to risk it. The deity that rules the region where I live is very strict. Don’t look down. With my license, I can visit now. And in a year, I will be free of my contract and able to come back. If you can give me a year, my daughter, I will be back." She smiled. "Besides, I’d like to have words with my future son-in-law." She looked at Clyde. The young man flinched. "Suiting that my daughter ends up life mate with the great Stone of legend. And the only one born."
"Born as the Stone?" Alice said.
"That’s a story for another time. There are some here who know it, but cannot tell."
Everyone looked at Neko. Melody and Tear sneezed. Clyde gave them skeptical looks but let the matter drop. He already knew he was the Stone. Maybe being born as it was more metaphorical than literal.
"Don’t do this," Hades said to the angel, voice barely above a whisper. "Alena…please. I…I didn’t—"
"Silence," Alena snapped. "Retain any shred of honor left to answer to your crimes."
She hugged her daughter again. "You’ve grown, become more than just beautiful but with a mind absent of your father’s taint. A woman. And with friends." She gazed at Clyde and his party. "Thank you truly for taking care of my daughter."
[Alena has given you the EXP and rewards as if you killed Hades.]
Clyde minimized the prompts. Now wasn’t the time.
The angel let go of the tearing Alice.
"You just got here," the half-demoness said. "Do you really have to leave now?"
"Hmm, good point," Alena said. "Take him to the futas and I’ll pick him up in a few hours."
Clyde’s eyes widened—he anticipated the cliché but it didn’t happen.
"Alena no, I need to talk to you," Hades pleaded. "Just talk with me please."
"Get him out of my sight," the angel said coldly, though Clyde noticed that she quickly wiped away more tears. The succubus agents rushed to obey.
"Now, take me to your living quarters…unless you live there," Alena said, pointing at the destroyed palace. "I should be able to reverse time for building itself, but can’t help anyone who died in there."
"I live with C
l…" Alice paused, but it was too late. Alena had her gaze fixed on her daughter.
"Let’s go now," she said, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
Chika muttered something under her breath, something that sounded too close to jealousy.
"Let me Jump us," Tear said to Clyde. "You still need practice."
Clyde knew the translation. Don’t fuck it up or the angel might do things to us.
[Volume 3.] Episode 19 (Part 3)
Eight that night…
Playing host to Alice’s mother was tiring. After finishing his dinner—Toru ordered fancy Japanese—Clyde, stepped outside to check on the prompts. Many of the others left, except Tear and Natalia. They needed Alena to fix the palace. Yuki seemed fascinated with the angel, eagerly taking in her stories.
Little did the young man know, a purple haired woman sat on the rooftop of his apartment, grinning down at him, undetectable.
It was a cool night with a crescent moon and winds that carried whispers. Shadows stood taller, exaggerated. Despite the demon lord being deposed, no one walked the streets. Chika’s connections would have to take care of that.
[Battle completed. Victory! Reward: 999,999 EXP and $1 million.]
[Congratulations! You have reached levels 61,62, and 63. Stats increased!]
[You have earned the title Millionaire and Again.]
[You have learned the charge skill, Power Up. Once per cooldown, you may recharge 30% of your MP and slightly increase attack and speed.]
[Unknown benefits gained from the Omen’s sphere. Collecting a certain amount will unlock new possibilities. Remember, the more you absorb, the more you change you make to your natural essences. Two more needed for the next ability.]
Power Up was perhaps one of the best skills he learned yet. To be able to recharge MP during battle for once may turn out to be the difference between life or death. Not that he planned to end up in anymore situations of the sort. He also couldn’t be naïve, not if he’d one day face the Viper.
The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper, #3 a LitRPG (ATS) Page 10