[Battle completed. Victory! Reward: 50 EXP and $20.]
Clyde felt Harumi’s healing touch. A second later, the pain vanished, enabling him to stand.
[Your HP has fully restored.]
"Well, that happened," Clyde said. Harumi giggled.
"I should tell you the story of Toru and the goat."
Toru blurred over to Harumi and covered her mouth.
"Don’t you dare. Or I’ll unveil what happened at the beach."
She laughed as he removed his hand.
"Fine, fine, it’s a truce."
Toru sighed in relief. Clyde laughed inside. If he raised his relationship high enough with Toru, he may learn that secret. He pushed the evil thought to the back on his mind.
The party continued the patrol and encountered seven pumkos, marching like a group of soldiers.
Chapter 5: (Part 3)
[Your party has entered combat!]
"They’re all level thirteen. Good," Kitome said. "This is where you’ll haul some experience."
Clyde’s eye twitched as she donned a twenty-second transformation. For some reason unexplained reason, the enemies politely waited. When she finished, one them clapped.
"Bravo, bravo. Your naked view is appreciated," a pumko said, causing the magical girl to blush furiously. "Ah, smells so nice. So hungry. Come girl."
It wiggled a black tongue at her.
[Enemy used taunt!]
[Kitome is enraged.]
Kitome dashed toward the group and unleashed a flurry of punches that did nothing to the creatures.
"Ah shit, she’s going to end up getting raped," Clyde said as he raced forward, Toru and Harumi following. He took an internal note of the slight combat changes with a party. He’d also have to learn to fight with them properly. He struck at the first pumko with Precise slash then followed up with a roundhouse kick.
With hands outstretched, Harumi unleashed incredible magic. Clyde’s jaw dropped.
[Harumi casted Thunder streaks.]
Streaks of electricity jolted from her fingers and covered the monsters. They screamed.
[All enemies are stunned!]
[Toru used Brawl shout!]
"Kill them!" he yelled.
[Party attack boosted by 15%. Party fighting spirit increased by 20%]
Clyde felt the effect of the skill enter him, intoxicate him. He whooped with the others and soon, they were beating the shit out of group of monsters.
[Battle completed. Victory! Reward: 400 EXP and $220.]
[Congratulations, you have reached level 7! Stats increased! You have learned Scatter Shot!]
[You have earned 3 free points which could be distributed to any of your stats. Use them wisely.]
Clyde smiled, hyped. His hopes have been confirmed. Distributable stat points are the honey and sex of every gamer. He’d save these up, jam them toward one stat and see what happened.
"We’re not done yet," Toru said. "If there was a squad of these things moping about here, there’s a chance that the leader’s nearby. He’s most likely a minor official in the demon lord’s army."
"The demon lord’s army," Clyde said then sighed. "I seriously hope you guys aren’t talking about going up against an entire freaking army."
"No, idiot," Kitome said. "We’re aiming for the demon lord, but in the meantime, picking off his officials will make things easier."
"Well, it’s not the worse plan I’ve heard," Clyde said, "but if it levels me up, I’ll take it."
The party continued throughout the streets, avoided a police patrol that passed by every now and then, and slaughtered another handful of imps and pumkos.
The police especially bugged Clyde. With the increase of monsters, they weren’t accomplishing anything. What if the demon lord had roots in the city government?
Just then, he spotted a petite young woman sitting on the bench, eating a candy bar without a care in the world. The blonde hair with twin tails triggered his anime trope senses.
This scene wouldn’t be disturbing if monsters didn’t roam the city like bottomless gluttons. The news already reported missing people every now and then. Mostly the homeless, but a few late workers vanished too. Clyde put up a hand and then silently pointed at the girl. His party nodded and followed him.
"Excuse me," Clyde said to the girl. She ignored him, munching heavily at the last of her chocolate bar. "Hey, it’s dangerous out here. You may want to go inside." The girl continued to ignore him, driving his anger. He shook his head then turned to the others. "Forget it. Hell, watching her tackle that thing makes me want to chomp up the cupcakes you brought over, Harumi."
Abruptly, the girl stood, starry-eyed. Clyde turned back to her. "What’s gotten into you? Are you back to earth yet?"
"You said cupcakes," she said then wiped away what Clyde hoped wasn’t drool.
"Yeah," Clyde said. "And?"
"I want cupcakes."
"You could just walk to the convenient store—"
"Give me cupcakes," she said, well into Clyde’s personal bubble. "And I don’t have any money. My boss is lousy at paying us."
The sweet scent of perfume and…candy, surprised Clyde a little. Still, just because she had a pretty face—Harumi barged in between the two.
"Who are you?" she said. "Anyone with an ounce of wit wouldn’t be out here after dark, unless they had a way to manage."
"I want cupcakes!" the girl suddenly paused, her eyes gazing at Harumi’s chest. Clyde stepped back, feeling the tension in the air. He also pretended that he didn’t notice the girl’s lack of…Harumi’s secret weapons. The girl glared at him anyway before poking at a boob. "It’s not fair."
Harumi gave her a confused look, but Clyde figured she knew damn well what the girl implied. She stepped back.
"I am among the eyes of the great demon lord!" she said, pointing at the group. "Remember that! Especially you…you cow." She ran.
"Shit, catch her," Clyde said, rushing forward but suddenly, the girl disappeared. "Dammit. I should’ve analyzed her."
"Great job, Watermelons," Kitome said sarcastically, clapping her hands. Clyde could feel her envy too—she had nothing on the wonder that was Harumi. For once, he welcomed Toru’s blank stare. The brown-haired, blue-eyed rich boy for once didn’t comment, though he did stare just a little too long at Harumi’s chest.
The group moved on at a faster pace. Clyde picked up a stick, a piece of paper then attempted to utilize his crafting skill. Nothing happened. The interface revealed that nothing was possible, which didn’t surprise the young man. He only wanted an experimental jab at his new ability. He’d shop for a few things the next day to get started. Crafting was probably the most important ability he had—and if he didn’t master it, the Viper would wipe the floor with him.
Just then, Clyde noticed a small group of pumkos trotting around. A little further ahead stood a larger, metallic version of the creature with eyes of red embers. The group quickly dispatched the normal pumkos then started toward the leader.
[Congratulations, you have reached level 8! Stats increased!]
Clyde analyzed the obvious mini-boss.
Meta-Pumko.
Level: 25
Type: monster.
Work under: Your hostile detection isn’t high enough for this nor do you know the information to fill this in. Geeze boy, hit puberty already. Some athlete.
Special: Your hostile detection isn’t high enough for this. Tsk, tsk. You’re a disappointment
Weakness: Your hostile detection isn’t high enough for this. Big surprise.
Resistances: See above.
Secret: Your hostile detection, luck, and will isn’t high enough for this. Wimpy, wimpy, wimpy. Noob.
Ignoring the prompt that nearly sent him into a rage, Clyde said, "he’s a strong one."
"Good," Toru said. "I’ll have it no other way."
Episode 5: (Part 4)
[Your party has entered combat!]
The meta-pumko laughed.
"Damned humans, do you make light of me?"
[Enemy has activated Guiding Radiance!]
An outline of white aura surrounded it. And it stared intently at Kitome. The magical girl shuddered.
"Stop staring at me, you perv!"
"Oh please, don’t get full of yourself," the pumko said. "You have no goods I care for."
"You piece of—"
Kitome unleashed a scattered shot of heart bombs at the taunting monster.
[Enemy HP has dropped to 175%]
Clyde blinked. Enemies can have health over one hundred percent? How was this fair?
Harumi was the next to attack, discharging balls of electricity. The meta-pumko laughed.
"Is that all you got?"
[Enemy resists electric attack.]
Clyde and Toru rushed him simultaneously. The monster dodged Clyde’s attack and then bashed Toru to the ground with a single swipe of heavy claws.
[Enemy activates Wavebound.]
A glowing blue circle appeared around the monster then expanded faster than Clyde’s eyes could see. It struck the party hard enough to send them all flying backward at least a yard. The white that was around the enemy faded.
[Your HP has dropped to 50% ]
Clyde sucked in a breath, enduring the pain as much as he could. Harumi stepped forward, held up a hand, and like a fountain of joy, healing light bounded from her, joining the party in an embrace.
[Your HP has been restored to 70% and is slowly healing over time.]
Everyone stood, focusing. Clyde took aim then fired an energy ball. The monster...dodged it.
"You suck," it said.
[Your MP has dropped to 60%]
[Enemy has activated Will-o-wisps!]
Clyde barely dodged the assault of purple fireballs. He rushed the monster again, dodged its swipe then managed to get in a strong Precise slash. His sword bit deep into the enemy. When he pulled back, it roared.
[Critical! Enemy HP has dropped to 140% Enemy is stunned. ATTACK ONCE MORE!]
Clyde took heed of the prompt and activated Scatter shot. Concentrating, he directed all five energy balls to hit the stunned monster.
[Enemy HP has dropped to 105%]
[Your MP has dropped to 20%]
Clyde backed off, while Toru lurched into the fray, unleashing a series of martial art combos that connected to various points of the monster.
[Enemy HP has dropped to 80%]
"You know, you’re kind of pissing me off, you pesky humans," the pumko said. "You’re like mosquitos. You don’t quit. Let me show you something."
"Fuck, get him before he does something crazy," Clyde said, catching his breath. The loss of that much MP started to take its toll on him. He could feel a headache form.
"Too late! HA! Eat this!"
[Enemy has activated Raid ender.]
"Shit," Clyde said as the monster unleashed a lot of light. He was way too under-leveled for this. This thing was too strong for him. The semi-sphere of intense white light expanded from the enemy and engulfed the entire party in a mass of pain, shock, and agony. To Clyde they were all one in the same.
[Your HP has dropped to 1%]
[Passive skill Secret sword and martial arts combination’s defense boost has allowed you to endure this attack.]
[Danger! You are critically low on health.]
Clyde felt intense pain everywhere. Even in his eyeballs. He noticed his party, struggling to stand, most of them inflicted with stun and shocked status alignments. Harumi couldn’t even move to heal him.
"Well, it’s been fun," the pumko said. "Well, not really. Say goodbye."
It started toward Clyde, step by step, chuckling and there wasn’t a thing the young man could do. One hit and it was over. Earth…gone. Just like this. He didn’t want this. He couldn’t let it end. Not like this. This was just stupid. A party wipe by a mini-boss? Why didn’t he prepare for this?
[Your talent Main Character Stuff has activated.]
[Extremely rare random ability activated: Deus Ex Machina.]
No…way, Clyde thought. Ah shit, just let me die. He chuckled to himself. Of all clichés…damn, he really was a main character. The stone.
[Ability activated. LIMIT BREAK!]
Clyde felt strength like never before surge through his veins like raging rivers. This felt like the high of a Red Bull on steroids. He felt his capacity expand, meld with the universe and he just knew.
He took a deep breath, standing straight, light radiating around him as if he was a star on a dark night.
"Limit break," he said then aimed one hand at the shocked monster.
[Activated Limit Break Skill: Almighty von seki]
A large beam of blue and black magic blasted from Clyde’s hand and disintegrated the mini-boss. Ashes rained nearly everywhere. The air smelled tinged with burned cloth and metal and vegetation. His party remained in their places, mouths agape.
A brown chest appeared in the monster’s place, bringing a wide grin to the young man’s face. Finally. An enemy drop. He thought he’d never live to see it in this game. That or his luck stat gave him nothing.
[Battle completed. Victory! Reward: 9000 EXP and $300.]
[Congratulations, you have jumped to levels 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. This is because the enemy you defeated was of the demon’s lords social clutch. Stats increased! You’ve earned 3 free points! You’ve unlocked the skill Deep Slash! Precise Slash has increased to level 2. Hostile detection has increased to level 3! More information about an enemy will be revealed.]
[Your HP has slowly healed to 10% and still slowly increases due to ally’s effect.]
Clyde didn’t care about any of that. He opened the chest and smiled. He wasn’t the greedy type, but after what he just did, first claim should be no problem to the others. He grabbed a glowing book.
"First dibs. I claim this."
"Why…did a chest appear?" Toru said softly then walked over to peek inside. Harumi’s healing wave of warmth and relief spread to the party as they awed at the piled of cash and trinkets inside the chest.
Clyde stashed the book and the secret wad of cash he swiped, into his inventory. He’d checkout the magic book later—an amazing find! He found something else and added to his inventory. Someone would appreciate it greatly.
"Clyde, what was that power?" Harumi said, grabbing his arm. "I’ve never seen anything like it."
He shrugged. "No idea. Long story and I’m tired. Let’s call it a night."
"But—"
"I’ll explain in due time," he interrupted the pink-haired anime girl.
"You’ve got to," Kitome said as she left the chest. "Or else, I’ll have to make you in the name of love and justice."
"Love and justice these n—" he paused. "Yeah, yeah. Let’s just—"
"Here, take this," Kitome loudly blabbed. "Found it in that weird chest. Suits you."
She handed him over a silver necklace with a crystal-like charm.
[Your relationship with Kitome has changed from neutral to friendly.]
[Your relationship with Toru has changed for neutral to friendly—slight respect.]
[You received Necklace of Strength. Item rarity: uncommon.]
"Thanks for saving our lives," Kitome said. "Can’t believe we ran into something so nasty."
"The demon lord’s lackies are more impressive than I thought. We’d better to remember that," Toru said.
Clyde put on the necklace, feeling the tiny trickle of strength enter him. He nodded in approval.
"Thank you, Kitome," he said.
The blue-haired girl smiled.
"Is it the nicest thing someone has done for you?" her eyes twinkled with mischief.
He sighed.
"The second."
Kitome gave him a blank stare.
"Then what’s the first?"
"Harumi’s hospitality when I moved to this city," he said, seeming to catch everyone off guard with the declaration. "Now let’s get home. I’m beat."
"I’ll get cabs for everyone," Toru said then added. "Just this once."
[Toru and Kitome have left the party.]
[Quest completed. Reward: $50 and 150 EXP.]
"Need a healing sleep?" Harumi teased as she unlocked her door.
Clyde pulled out the item that he snatched from the chest. Sure, Kitome would probably love to do her stupid magical girl cosplay with it, but Clyde needed a better party. And since Harumi was his companion, the choice stood.
"And a hot shower," he answered her question then presented her with a pink wand, embedded with glowing gems and gold flowerily designs.
[You have presented Harumi with the Wand of Roses. Item class: Rare. This is ideal for a healer]
Harumi’s eyes widened.
"This should help with any ranged healing," Clyde said. "It probably has other abilities, but that’s for you to figure out. Take it. It’s a gift from a friend."
He winked and gave her a bright white smile.
[Your relationship with Harumi has increased from friend to friend-closer level 1. Warning, advancing further will mean effort, but could also, trigger jealousy while other women are around.]
Clyde shrugged that off. It was just level one. He figured something like level fifteen or twenty would actually be worrisome, not that he knew the max levels with relationships yet. What if it was something like five. Another thought for later.
The Anime Trope System Page 7