The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper, #12 a LitRPG (ATS)

by Alvin Atwater

  “This day just keeps getting better and better,” Tiffia said sarcastically.

  Nation’s Seat, Alon…

  City square…

  “The queen… she’s on the rooftop,” someone said.

  “I’m still angry! That girl was full of shit. Let’s get the queen,” another idiot yelled. Some agreeing with him, advanced toward the weakened gates.

  “Mother!” Kaguya said.

  At that moment, Clyde’s annoyance with these people had maxed out. He teleported in front of the crowd and the raging god chant erupted from his mouth.

  “IF ANY OF YOU DARE MAKE A MOVE AGAINST THE QUEEN, YOU WILL DIE. I WILL MAKE SURE YOUR DEATH IS AS PAINFUL AS POSSIBLE. So, go on, try me.”

  Buildings shook, winds raged, billboards fell to the ground, and cars flipped to the side. Clyde’s pressure was so strong that unbeknownst to him, the Viper felt it fifty miles away. Even if the citizens were stupid enough to want to move, they couldn’t. The young man released the pressure and continued to speak in a normal voice. “As Tessa said, the Black Mask was just a puppet. A figurehead. The real person behind the strings is a man named Maverick, along with the corrupt province mayors.”

  Clyde turned to the queen to see her hardened expression. Then he noticed a woman behind her, raising a dagger.

  “Palona, please don’t!” Princess Kaguya cried, revealing herself.

  Clyde Jumped in front of Palona and delivered a swift backhand, spiraling the traitorous woman into unconsciousness.

  [HYPER-CRITICAL! Palona’s HP has dropped to 1%.]

  The crowd just stood, frozen in silence, stunned at the princess’s appearance, an assassination attempt by someone they had trusted for a very long time, and Clyde, someone who clearly was not just some man.

  “Guards, take her into custody,” the queen said after taking a second to restore her bearings. Frustrated tears fell from her face and she seemed to struggle with her next words. “Prepare her for execution.”

  Clyde walked over to the unconscious woman, taking notice of the cross symbol on her left breast.

  “Crusader. Sorry, Queen Tarine, but I’ll have to take the burden for you.”

  He aimed a hand at her, charging it with magic. Palona’s eyes suddenly snapped open. She vanished a millisecond before Clyde’s magic could make contact with her. The energy blasted a large hole in the roof. “Son of a bitch.” He examined the hole without moving. “Just how fucking low will these Crusaders sink?”

  Kaguya appeared before her mother. As they shared a hug and teary moment, the young man motioned for Team Stone to join them on the rooftop. The human guards began to clear out the people, some with weapons drawn. Many of them wanted to stay for the scene, they wanted answers for the princess’s appearance. Her ghost.

  Clyde turned to address the queen. He nodded, as Natalia, the person missing from the rooftop, easily eliminated the fleeing wizards by herself. Naoko watched her back, even though the loli-witch didn’t need the support.

  On a helicopter nearby for her annual visit were Maya and her half-pixy assistant, Nuri. Her friend Tarine had invited her, but even Maya couldn’t miss the chaos below. Fortunately, the guards seemed to be finally doing their jobs.

  Maya’s eyes spotted a familiar group. Team Stone. A spark of pain ignited in her chest, but she forced it away. She didn’t have time to think such things. She was a freaking billionaire after all…

  Except riches didn’t make people happy, especially the lonely.

  “Nuri, go check us into the hotel.”

  “Sure thing, Lady Maya,” Nuri said cheerfully. Despite her perky attitude, Nuri’s eyes hardened as she scanned the area, aura surging around her. She grinned at the sight of Seth from afar.

  Episode 62 (Part 3)

  “I’m Clyde, the Stone,” he said, gaining the wide eyes of the queen. “Let’s just say I’m here because destiny, fate, or whatever, is kind of a cryptic douchebag. If you don’t mind, Your Highness, let me deal with Maverick.”

  Flustered, the queen nodded. “Th - thank you, Lord Stone.”

  “Mother,” Kaguya said, “I cannot live in the city anymore, as I’ve joined Team Stone. There is a bigger quest, and I’d like to see the greatest threat in the world stopped.”

  The queen looked at her daughter for a long time before giving her a nod of approval. “I understand. But… how are you… are you dead?”

  Kaguya chuckled. “Maybe I’m neither dead nor really alive.”

  “Undead,” Ruri said.

  The queen shifted her gaze to Clyde. “Then the Stone will receive a ring of promised marriage.”

  Everyone’s chatting immediately ceased to stare at the queen in shock. She winked.

  Kaguya turned to stare at her mother incredulously. “I don’t want him to be my stepfather. That’s so embarrassing.”

  “Then you’ll have to take it yourself,” the queen said, her smile small. Clyde could tell she was looking for something to distract herself from the current crisis.

  “Don’t I get a say in this?” Clyde said.

  Alice harrumphed tsundere-style. “And we’re not approving. He’s already taken. Go away.”

  The queen smirked. “Kaguya, you’d better join in the harem.” She laughed at her daughter’s blushing and pouting. The queen’s expression became serious as she addressed Team Stone. “If you can blow Maverick’s head off, like that girl, that’d be great. This Nation will be thankful.”

  Seth shuddered. “I’m still surprised she did it.”

  “Nya, that’s only one pain-in-the-tail down,” Neko said as she joined them on the roof.

  “Shouldn’t you be with Support Team, cat?” Alice said.

  “Nyyyaa, we’ve got to go. I sense an Omen’s sphere,” Neko said.

  Kindas Headquarters…

  Maverick’s office.

  Maverick tossed the Omen’s sphere in his palm repeatedly as he pieced together a way to salvage his ruined plan. So many years of planning to oust the royal family out of power permanently, gone, but he was a patient man. Killing the king had taken years, but he’d done it. His forces hadn’t found the princess’s sister yet, but really, that didn’t matter. Adventurers rarely stayed in one place. He doubted she’d return to Alon to claim the throne.

  Abruptly, a flash of light emitted at the center of the man’s room. Palona fell to the floor, gasping for breath. A large smile curled on Maverick’s face as he observed her condition.

  “Well, well, look who’s joining the failure club.” He snickered.

  “I was caught off guard and my barriers were all down as I approached the queen,” Palona snapped. “Unlike you, I actually made the attempt to get my hands dirty.”

  Maverick grinned. “And failed. This is why you hire professionals to get certain jobs done.” He tapped his fingers against his new desk, eyes thoughtful. “The least I can do is let you rest here before you resort to abandoning our agreement.” The man chuckled. “I’ve lived for a long time and can patiently wait for another window of opportunity. It is not like the queen can spout out any truthful accusations without any evidence. Come, Palona, join me on a walk outside. We could use some fresh air.” He picked her up, starting a slow heal. Why wasn’t she able to heal herself? “I think you may enjoy hearing my new offer.” He puffed his cigar and blew smoke into the air. Palona groaned.

  “I targeted the Stone in the name of the Pillars and it backfired,” Palona said softly. “His destruction will produce the core.”

  Maverick shook his head. “You still believe in that nonsense about godly or legendary figures turning into cores after death? How childish.”

  Palona could only sneer.

  Attincusburon, Nation’s Seat of Alon…

  Near the wizards’ headquarters…

  Clyde held up his Executioner’s Staff, charging a risky spell. “Fuck, this casting time sucks. Come on!”

  “Nyyyaa, please listen to me - that is dangerous,” Neko said.

  “And I
said trust in Tear and the others,” Clyde told the catgirl. “Alice will contain it.”

  Neko looked at him and then the building nervously.

  “Besides, Yusuke confirmed it was absent of any innocents, with pictures of every floor. Seth and Airi did the same. Three different minds, capable people.” He nodded. “We can rely on the others you know.”

  “Nyyya,” Neko said, her ears sagging. “I know I said the Omen’s sphere left the building, but skipping the raid… do you not feel that some people will be disappointed? The Watchers. You know, those who are reading your life and dictating the stone-viper games.”

  “Remind me to find the fucks I left somewhere,” Clyde said. “I’ll give them to the Watchers one day. Maybe.” He petted Neko. “But thank you for looking out for me. I really enjoy having you on the team.”

  Neko purred. “Flattery won’t get you out of my lecture. I heard about the Viper’s arrogance. Don’t become like him.”

  Clyde laughed. “I can only hope it’s not too late. Now stand back, this is going to be nasty.”

  Neko hid behind Clyde’s back. “Nyyyaaa.”

  [All buffs activated.]

  [Noona’s buffs activated.]

  [Noona activated Tier 1 skill: Honed Sharpness!]

  [Alice’s containing barrier is drastically boosted by Tear, Noona, Airi, Harumi, Matsume, and Yuki.]

  *[Clyde activated Silver tier skill: Meteor!]*

  [Silver tier skill: A powerful skill with highly destructive capabilities. Send down a giant meteor to destroy your enemies. Just… don’t accidentally blow up a city with it. Does cosmic, colossal fire, explosive, and earth damage.]

  A giant, flaming meteor erupted from the sky and slammed into the building. Clyde thought this was overkill at first, but Naoko had, surprisingly, convinced him to send a message. If anything, Neko should be lecturing the kuudere loli, not him.

  The giant headquarters exploded, threatening to launch shrapnel in all directions, but Alice’s barrier contained all of the energy and physical matter inside, as well as the gases and pressure.

  “What a dangerous barrier,” Misaka said. “She’s… amazing. I wish I could be like her.”

  Clyde chuckled, feeling pride in his soulmate.

  “Me too,” Kaguya said, emerging from the ground. Once again, Clyde was reminded that he no longer feared anything. He hadn’t for a while, but only recently noticed.

  The young man froze as his eyes widened. There was another barrier inside of Alice’s barrier. The remaining wizards fell to their faces, magic drained.

  “Take care of them, Naoko,” Clyde ordered as he turned around. The man from before stood there with Palona at his side, shaking his head. Dressed in decorative wizard attire, his eyes glowed yellow as he puffed his cigar and blew a smoke cloud into the air.

  “Was that necessary?” Maverick said.

  “That’s pretty much what you’ve done to this Nation,” Clyde said.

  “Such interference from meddling outsiders,” Maverick continued. “Years of planning. I think it’s time we settle this. I don’t know how you disabled the barrier to my b-”

  “That was my doing,” Airi said cheerfully. “No hard feelings, right?” She winked.

  Maverick puffed his cigar one last time before putting it out and tossing it to the side.

  “I hope your guard is up, Palona,” he said. The Crusader woman rolled her eyes.

  “I am a Pillar,” she said. “He won’t catch me with the same trick twice.”

  Fog began to ooze from the wizard leader’s mouth. Clyde analyzed them. Maverick’s eyes widened.

  “Ka - Kaguya…” He laughed. “You’ll watch your faith in them get shattered from beyond the grave.”

  The ghostly princess stuck her tongue out at him. “They’ll make you eat those words,” Princess Kaguya said.

  Maverick, Demon Warlock Leader of Kindas.

  Level: 400

  Type: ancient demon.

  Work under: N/A.

  Special: ???

  Weakness: ???

  Resistances: ???

  Secret: blocked. Something isn’t right about this one…

  Palona, Fourth Pillar of the Crusaders.

  Level: ???

  Type: Entity.

  Work under: The Order. An Entity… in the Crusaders.

  Special: ???

  Weakness: ???

  Resistances: dark.

  Secret: blocked by a barrier created by The Order.

  Clyde needed the experience points…

  [Your party has entered a BOSS fight!]

  [stone-viper games]

  “You won’t catch me off guard again, Stone!” Palona yelled, energy charging. “I am Palona, Fourth Pillar of the Crusaders. You will pay for your disrespect! I will do everything it takes to kill you.”

  [Entity Palona has accessed Forbidden Magic.]

  [Warning! Accessing this magic could attract the Punishment Squad.]

  “Naoko, stop that,” Clyde said. “I’ve never met the Punishment Squad and I’m not trying to.”

  The kuudere nodded without saying anything. Natalia harrumphed, chasing Naoko to assist her.

  Maverick gestured to Clyde. “Come on, boy. Or will your entire team attack? I can take you all.”

  Chika’s stealth undid itself as she almost nailed him with an upward dagger strike. Maverick blocked it with a cigar…

  [Maverick activated Void tier skill: Absolute Death Hand.]

  Clyde’s fist met his face, stopping his void magic, but the demon warlock held his ground.

  [Maverick’s HP has dropped to 300%.]

  Warping Bloodlight from his inventory, Clyde sliced toward Maverick, but was met by a block. An electric sword materialized from nothing into the demon’s grasp. He chuckled.

  “Is that all you got?” Maverick taunted.

  “Clyde, what are you doing?” Yusuke said. “Kill him! Now isn’t the time to mess around. Go god mode already.”

  “No, I can’t rely on that,” Clyde said, “I need the experience points.” The amount of rewards he could potentially get from this fight couldn’t be passed up. How would he touch the Viper if he let massive gains like this slip through his grasp?

  Clyde switched to a Shatter Strike, surprising the demon warlock. He didn’t stop there. The young man kept him on the defensive, switching to Precise Slash into Spirit Slash, into Deep Slash, and then finishing the combo with a Sound Slash.

  Maverick’s sword trembled, just barely blocking the moves.

  [Maverick’s HP has dropped to 210%.]

  Suddenly, Maverick blurred to Clyde’s side with demon speed, stepping into his guard. Clyde grinned evilly.

  [Ruri activated Silver tier skill: Atomic Face Crusher.]

  Clyde winced as the hellhound smashed her magic-powered fist against the demon warlock’s face. And away he flew, twenty yards before gaining his footing. Bat-like wings emerged from his back.

  [Maverick’s HP has dropped to 135%.]

  The man calmly dusted himself off, yellow eyes glowing brighter. “Let’s call that the end of the warm-up.”

  Clyde just happened to turn Palona’s magic tracking back on for a second just in time to catch her upcoming skill.

  [Palona activated ENTITY TIER SKILL: Great Crash of Goliath.]

  And she had that aimed at Clyde. The young man Flash Stepped, but wasn’t able to dodge all of the gray magic.

  [Clyde’s HP has dropped to 350%.]

  [Harumi activated HP damage shield.]

  [Clyde received a damage shield.]

  “God, I love you, Harumi,” Clyde said. He figured she learned this skill recently from all of the experience they’d gained.

  The grazing of Palona’s skill burned and stung a little. But one attack of that power took out half of his health. Holy shit.

  “Okay, fuck this,” Clyde said. Palona was too much of a risk to keep alive for the grind. That attack wouldn’t be the end of it. And since when did Entities have tie
r magic?

  “Alice, Chika, Ming, hold off Maverick. I need to deal with Palona. Tear, make sure she can’t teleport. Harumi support her.”

  “Already ahead of you,” Tear said, her magic spanning the area.

  [The God of Life and Eternity is Awakening…]

  Clyde became one with time and space, aura and power surging around him. Instead of the red and gold colors, the aura was blue-white this time, almost like electricity.

  [Warning! While in Stone Mode, your rewards and EXP will be dramatically reduced. Use this state ONLY when you need it.]

  [Awakened Stone Mode…]

  Clyde teleported next to a surprised Palona.

  “No, no, no, you can’t do this,” the Crusader woman said.

  [Palona desperately activated Jump.]

  [Palona has been muted by Tear.]

  She sneered at the succubus. “You will rue the day!”

  Maverick laughed. “You claim to be one of the four Pillars, but you’re the weakest. Even as an Entity.”

  Naoko nodded. “She’s still strong, onii-chan. But… compared to you, she’d be better off committing seppuku.”

  “I won’t-”

  Palona’s words never spat out of her mouth. Clyde’s finger created a spark as it made contact with the woman, hurtling her backward at millions of miles an hour.