The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper # 1, a LitRPG. (ATS)

by Alvin Atwater

  "You motherfuckers! You better help me. She’s strong as shit."

  Harumi gave Clyde a no-nonsense look.

  "Alright, alright," he said, smiling. He wasn’t sure how to stop this monster girl anime trope. Maybe kill the demon lord?

  "Wait!" Imba, the monster girl said. "We’ll find a hotel."

  Clyde heard Chika mutter under her breath, "must be nice to not be bonded by human rules."

  He shook his head. Crazy yandere girl.

  The monster girl seemed to be seconds from starting her business when streaks of electricity showered her in a yell of pain. She turned to them, eyes glowing red like embers.

  [Your party has entered combat!]

  The toad girl stood up. A purple aura blasted around her in a tornado-like outline.

  "You interrupt the love making, you die," she said, then blurred toward Harumi. The pink-haired anime girl wasn’t prepared for that kind of speed, one which was a half leap, half run. She knocked Harumi down then aimed a hand at Clyde.

  [Secret sword and martial arts combination activation. Speed.]

  Clyde dodged the bubble of slime…or mucus? He returned fire with an energy ball but missed. The monster girl was just too fast. Kitome’s heart bombs missed too. Clyde shook his head, sensing that this fight was going to be another cluster fuck when Chika made her move. She hurled a knife so fast, fire trailed from it. The monster girl didn’t see it coming, however, something strange happened. What should’ve been a piece right through the stomach was instead caught into a river of slimy armor.

  [Enemy HP has dropped to 189%]

  The toad girl ignored Chika, maintaining eye contact with Clyde.

  "You know, I tried not to go for the handsomest one in the party. I was pretty sure no one really cared much for the pretty boy, but I’m wrong."

  "Man, what is up with you creatures and rape," Clyde said. "Toru has a thing for monster girls anyway. You—"

  He paused at Harumi’s glare and smiled apologetically. He supposed someone in the party had to fully care about everyone. The healer. The gentle spirit.

  "Anyway, I’m not in this," Clyde told the monster girl, except to kill you.

  She laughed.

  "You say that now, but once we’re in the act, you’ll never want to stop. You humans are too caught up in your shells. Let me break yours—fitting for the leader of this rag tag group of puny humans."

  Clyde blinked and Imba was there. And he stood, ready—no point of being the next Toru. He didn’t get the chance to activate his magic.

  The monster girl pushed him to the ground with lightning speed, back first, sword flying away.

  "Let me show you what—"

  The words never came out.

  [Enemy HP has dropped to 43% CRITICAL!]

  Chika kicked the toad girl to the side, knife still the monster’s neck, then attended Clyde, worried look in her eyes.

  "Are you okay? She didn’t do anything weird to you."

  "No—you saved my ass just in time." He laughed. "She’s not dead yet, so keep your focus."

  When he got up, the toad girl knocked Seth to the group. Toru’s punches did nothing to her. Seth struggled, yelling curses, and maybe even a beg for mercy.

  [Enemy used Special Kiss]

  "Uh oh," Clyde said. "Harumi you’d better fire some lightning or something."

  "My magic’s low," she said. "I’ve been healing and casting at the same time."

  Clyde shook his head, knowing that the attacked succeeded at its status effect. The toad girl road him wildly and Seth sounded as if he enjoyed it. The sexual rhythm was so loud, the young man swore the entire city could hear it.

  "These creatures must all be rapists," Clyde said as he stood. He did his best to tune out the moans and grunts. He thought he saw a jealous look in Toru’s eyes, but dismissed it. They only teased him about monster girls. There was no way he truly had a thing for them…right?

  "I’m ending this," Clyde then took aim with a hand.

  [You activated Spirit Wave.]

  The blue-white energy erupted from his hand as a large beam. Imba, the toad girl, ended on a happy climax.

  [Battle completed. Victory! Reward: 12000 EXP and $500.]

  [You have reached levels 18 and 19! Stats increased!]

  [You have learned Binder’s hand 1. Precise Slash has increased to level 3. Deep Slash has increased to level 2.]

  [You have received 3 free points. Total FP: 9]

  Clyde let out a breath.

  "Well, we all know what the real threats are."

  His grin brought shamed frowns to Seth and Toru. "It’s cool. Nobody but us will know. Harumi." He emphasized her name. "Kitome, myself, and you guys."

  Seth sat up.

  "For a mutant…" He stopped his sentence. "Never mind."

  Toru gave him a look showing that he understood. There was also a remembrance in those eyes. Clyde’s laughter dropped in his throat when Alice came to his mind. She may look one hundred percent human, but technically…He waved that off. It didn’t count.

  He let his thoughts drift for a bit. Maybe they were ready to start seeking out the eyes of the demon lord. Shouldn’t that deal a major blow?

  Were there other cities with demon lords? Could this be how things worked… Fight and train at night, then take on the demon lord’s army when ready. Or were there main story quests that were on the way.

  The fact that the system started classifying the quests this way alarmed him.

  Maybe the demon lord’s eyes needed to be challenged too. Maybe some kind of letter of challenge… He’d ask Alice to deliver but not until his team fully agreed. And trained.

  That night, Clyde reviewed his stats to see his improvements. He felt stronger and faster and surprised himself by maintaining this nightly city crawling.

  Form, a stat, was still at zero. What did it mean?

  [Form is the number of transformations in reserve. Upon gaining a transformation, it’s details will be listed. Transformations are special states, each with their own perks, but they can vigorously drain your magic. Maybe someday you’d obtain one.]

  Clyde’s stat sheet. You may skip to the next chapter.

  Spoiler: Spoiler

  Episode 9 (Part 1): The Stone vs. the Chuuni ....sigh.

  Somewhere….

  "I SAID CALL ME DARK, YA VILE WOMAN!" Dark paid for the sushi then stormed out into the streets of Lot City. Selkie followed, laughing.

  "You’re such a chuuni."

  Suddenly, heavy rain blasted from the mouth of the sky as if mocking the young man. As he reached shelter, someone bumped into him. Good thing he had enhanced stats, or he’d be flat on his back, humiliated before these extra dimensional buffoons.

  His glare set on a girl with brilliant red hair.

  "Great sacred power, power that chose me, analyze," he whispered.

  Name: Melody

  Level: 17

  Type: sweet talker.

  Relationship: Neutral.

  HP: 100%

  MP: 100%

  He dismissed the prompt. What in the great void’s name was a sweet talker? The girl gave him an apologetic smile.

  "Sorry," she said in a voice that made his heart skip a beat. Maybe two.

  "It—it’s fine," Dark said, his blush covering his face from ear to ear.

  "Stop ignoring me," Selkie said, ruining the moment of eye contact. Dark glared at her. "C-h-ar-l-es." She enunciated every bit of his name, as if trying to seduce him.

  Dark shook with anger then took a deep breath. When he let it out, his calm returned.

  "I hate you," he said.

  She whispered in his ear,

  "You could try to lose your virginity from that girl."

  "I’m not a virgin," he whispered back in a hiss. Selkie gave him a skeptical look.

  "Yeah yeah, Mr. Dork of the chuuni."

  "It’s Dark! And stop calling me that."

  "Chuuni, chuuni."

  "You stupid—"


  Melody’s laughter cancelled the banter. The redhead wiped a tear from an eye.

  "Dark?" she said, malicious grin on her face.

  "Tell him it’s a dorky nickname," Selkie said.

  "It’s an alias," Dark said. He decided not to talk about the dormant power stored deep within his right hand. This mortal girl wouldn’t believe him anyway.

  "I see," Melody said. "Are you from out of town, if you don’t mind me asking."

  "I’m from the great—"

  "Of course," Selkie interrupted. "We’re just passing through."

  Melody nodded, still smiling. Dark felt like his face would fall off from his own blush. Not only was she the most beautiful girl he’d seen in his life, her voice was heaven. He wanted her to dive into his arms and stay with him. He’d dive into her arms!

  [Selkie has forcefully activated your Balance Establisher. The effects of maximum charisma have worn off.].

  Dark flinched. The girl before was still incredibly attractive, but her voice didn’t have that strange, unnatural effect on him. He glanced at Selkie. There was a twinkle in her eye.

  He felt humiliated a little, but also fascinated. That power. If only he knew how to be smooth with girls! He’d maybe get Melody’s phone number. Or…get laughed at. The usual. Not counting the annoying teasing girls that called him unmanly things like, "cute." He wasn’t cute!

  He shook away that thought. He was the great, Dark. The future conqueror of this miserable world. The one who’d put this Viper in his place. And Selkie would stop picking on him as he’d be exalted. The greatest of all words.

  The rained came to a sudden stop.

  "I’m Selkie," the green-haired young woman said, offering a hand.

  "Melody." The redhead shook it then looked at Dark. "Should I continued to call you Dark?"

  "You could call him Charles. Or Charly."

  Dark glared daggers at Selkie.

  "What’s the point of having an alias if you’re going to throw my name into the wind?"

  The second the two began to bicker, Melody laughed.

  "Can I give you my number?" she said. "I’d like to talk with you again sometime. Can’t remember the last time I had a good laugh."

  "Really? I mean, sure," Dark said, nearly cursing himself. Why did he have to be such a loser in front of pretty girls. Hell, if he didn’t know Selkie, he’d probably find himself babbling like an idiot just to get one word out.

  He forced himself to remain composed when they traded numbers. He also tried not to react when she traded with Selkie too—if they got buddy-buddy behind his back, he’d be ruined.

  "You’ve been nice company," Selkie said, "but it’s time I take this chuuni-for-brain off."

  She pulled Dark along.

  "Why do you insist on embarrassing me in front of women?" Dark said when they were out of sight.

  Selkie shrugged.

  "It’s painful to watch," Selkie said. "You should be thanking me anyway. Besides, girls would devour a pure boy like you, turn you into an obedient dog or an attached idiot."

  Dark nearly spat.

  "As if I’ll let that happen. I’m Dark for a reason."

  Selkie let out an exasperated sigh.

  "Let’s just get this search done, so we can go on. I…I can sense someone. Whoa." She stopped and pulled Dark into an alleyway. "Someone of the true power is in this city."

  Dark nearly leapt into the sky.

  "Is it the Viper?"

  "I don’t know. We’ll need to track it. Then Analyze."

  "Then I’ll kick ass and the glory of Dark will reign forever!"

  Selkie rubbed off the cringe.

  "Charly, you need to focus on losing your virginity. Then talk adult plans."

  She started forward leaving the young man standing, glaring.

  Present…...

  Sunday. Week 2. Year 1.

  Clyde frowned at the chessboard and then at Harumi. She grinned.

  "Checkmate."

  He almost flipped the table. Invite her over, he thought, spend more time with her, he thought. She was a pleasant sight and person to be around. He had to work very hard to look her in eyes, not at the melons of the heavens. And to think his alarm ruined the chance to—Clyde pushed away the dirty thoughts. This damn world was starting to poison him. He wasn’t sure if minded…

  "I suck at this," he said. "Pretty sure a grandmaster like yourself was pretty bored."

  Harumi shook her head.

  "Your expressions made this so much fun," she said then laughed. "Try not to flip the table."

  "That obvious?" Clyde said.

  "Maybe." She walked over to the young man and pulled him up. "Up for an after-storm walk?"

  "Sure."

  [Your relationship with Harumi has changed from friend closer level 1 to friend closer level 2!]

  Episode 9 (Part 2)

  Clyde felt something during the walk with his friend. He wasn’t sure how to label it—the feeling wasn’t the chill of a monster, but something else. Someone who felt out of place.

  He shrugged the thought to side and focused on his conversation with Harumi. That is until she brought up romance and the future.

  "Do you ever think about getting married one day?" Harumi said. Her pink hair fluttered softly in the afternoon wind.

  Clyde wanted to die. He remembered cringing every time his mother brought up anything about getting a wife one day. He was a freaking first-year college student!

  "Maybe someday," Clyde forced out as naturally as possible. Harumi gave him a look, twinkle in her eyes, as if full of hope.

  [You have unlocked the Marriage System. There are many perks here, should you tie the knot with any romantic interest. You may marry as many as possible. It is risky but sometimes the reward may be worth the risk.]

  The hell it is, Clyde thought. Why did the system give him this? He had no intention of marrying anyone—and an anime girl? There was a limit of weebing one could do and get away with. He internally chuckled at the option of gaining a waifu, then promptly shoved the red flag thoughts into the abyss of his mind.

  "Will you stay in the city after finishing your degree? The academy offers the best jobs for those who do."

  "Maybe, maybe not," Clyde said. He wished he could tell her that he was from a different world. Telling half-truths to his first companion felt wrong.

  Just then, Clyde felt a twinge of…something again. A feeling of wrongness, maybe, but not like the monsters. It housed an air of intrusiveness but technically, so did he.

  That’s when two people stopped in front of them, vigilance in their eyes. Eyes that knew more than the average person.

  One of them was a thin young man with short brown hair and golden eyes. Besides the eyes, there was nothing remarkable about him. He looked like that adorable kid brother that older girls teased. Especially about virginity.

  The beautiful green-haired young woman that stood next to him gave Clyde even more chills. He…felt the air of Mortem from her. While less intense and didn’t feel as dark, she was dangerous. She wore a blue cheongsam decked with golden dragon decorations. Her hair was done in one perfect tail. Clyde analyzed them, starting with the young man.

  [Warning, this person is an intruder upon the stone-viper game.]

  Charles "Dark.".

  Level: 20.

  Type: chuuni, dimensional interloper. The leaf.

  Relationship: neutral. Suspicious.

  HP: 100%

  MP: 100%

  Stats: Relationship isn’t high enough.

  Special abilities: Relationship isn’t high enough.

  Skills: see above, idiot-head.

  Magic abilities: see above, dumb-dumb.

  Secrets: see above.

  [Warning! Alert! DO NOT ENGAGE THIS ENTITY! Warning, DO NOT ENGAGE THE ENTITY!]

  Selkie

  Level: ???

  Type: ???

  Relationship: supreme neutrality.

  HP: 20,000%

  MP: 20,000%
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  Clyde halted the prompt, his eyes widening. His suspicion about that Selkie chick was spot on. He needed to try for an exit.

  Clyde nodded but as his foot moved to walk around the two, the green-haired woman was already in his path. Behind her "harmless" smile lied real power. Old power.

  "Can I help you?" Clyde said, trying to seem as casual as possible.

  Selkie continued to smile at him a little longer before speaking.

  "To think we’d come across the stone," she said softly. "So, the games really have started. And you’re pretty cute." She winked.

  Clyde took a lesson from Toru and gave her a blank stare.

  "Not a virgin like my chuuni friend here," the girl continued.

  "Who are you?" Clyde said. "You know what’s going on—I need—"

  She raised a hand to cut off the young man.

  "Charly—"

  "It’s Dark! Dark! You stupid woman," the brown-haired young man said.

  Clyde’s eyes widened then he burst into laughter. Harumi covered her mouth, hiding as much as her amusement as possible.

  "What the hell man, Dark?" Clyde said. "Are you serious? You know, this is the last place you should be going weaboo at."

  Selkie sighed.

  "You, this is why I tried to call him by his realm name," Selkie said.

  "No offense man, but Dark? What are you, five? Let me guess, you make Shadow the hedgehog fanart in your spare time."

  "You dare insult me?" Dark yelled. "My name is cool. Better than your stupid normie name."

  Clyde and Harumi laughed harder.

  "I’m not trying to be a dick," Clyde said. "I just want answers. Maybe you could tell me what’s—"

  "I’ll give you something to laugh about, you fucking normie! You’re beneath me. I’ll be ruling this world, unleashed by the power of my right hand."