"Wow, he’s got it bad," Clyde said. "Is he really from earth?"
Selkie looked as if she wanted to be anywhere that wasn’t near Dark. Clyde felt kind of bad for her.
Just then, Dark aimed a hand at Clyde.
"Great power, power that is just for me, Dark Vanishing Scale!"
Clyde dove as a black bolt of energy stuck where he was standing. The people around didn’t seem to notice them, just like his other daytime scuffles. Maybe the system was behind this.
[Your party has entered PVP combat!]
[Dark’s defense is temporarily down from using a powerful skill.]
"Dude, what the hell?" Clyde said, but the chuuni was no longer listening.
Clyde looked at Selki, nervous, but to his surprise, she was facepalming.
"I won’t interfere," she said. "Calm him down if you can."
This was not how Clyde envisioned his Sunday. He should be nestling in between Harumi’s boobs. The young man shook away the thoughts. Not that Harumi was pure. Kind but definitely not shy to advancing.
Clyde aimed a hand at Dark, but Harumi forced the chuuni to dodge her electric bolts. Dark ignored her to dash toward Clyde.
Clyde put up his guard and easily blocked the punches. He returned a large smash to the chuuni’s face. The anime impact hurled the brown-haired young man at least five feet away.
[Dark HP has dropped to 87%]
[Dark’s passive skill activated. Pain to power!]
Clyde’s eyes widened too late. All he saw was Dark’s grin and the flash of red light before the painful impact spiraled him back into a rack of bicycles, knocking them all over.
[Your HP has dropped to 51%]
If he took another attack like that, he’d be dead for sure. Half of his health! Clyde felt stupid for underestimating him. He held up a hand to Harumi.
"Let it be one on one," he said. "I got this."
She harrumphed anime girl style then folded her arms.
"Men and their stupid pride."
Clyde stood up right as Dark made the next move.
"Great power—Si—"
"Dude, shut up," Clyde barked as he roundhouse kicked the chuuni. "Don’t yell out your attacks before using them."
Dark hit the ground hard.
[Dark’s HP has dropped to 77%]
[Dark’s passive skill activated. Pain to power!]
"Ah shit." The super fast beam struck him like lightning. He was surely dead—this stupid cheating move.
[Passive skill activated: Secret sword and martial arts combination. Defense! You have endured the attack.]
[Your HP has dropped to 12%]
Dark laughed.
"Look at you, pathetic. When I take over this world, I’ll have them throw apples at you on sight. Every girl must point, scream and run."
Clyde shook his head.
"You really are messed up in the head."
"Pssh—you haven’t seen the power of my right hand yet. The power that is dormant. You shouldn’t be the stone—I’m more suited. But that’s fine. Prepare to…what are you doing?"
[Activated Binder’s hand.]
[Binding successful.]
Blue tendrils of magic shot from Clyde’s hand and wrapped around every limb of Dark’s body.
[Dark is inflicted with Bind. Bind still holds!]
Dark struggled and struggled to no avail. Clyde smirked, aimed his right hand at the young man then hummed a victory tune from his favorite RPG video game.
"Let me show you the power of my right hand."
[Activated Spirit wave.]
The beam jolted from Clyde’s hand mercilessly. He made sure to time a dive to the side just as the power struck Dark. His instincts didn’t fail him. The red beam quickly poured from the chuuni and hit the spot Clyde abandoned.
[Dark’s HP has dropped to 3%]
[Dark is inflicted with Spiritual Blight!]
"Alright, enough is enough," Selkie said with little enthusiasm as she stepped in between the two. "I declare Clyde of the Stone, winner of this duel."
[Battle completed. Victory! Reward: 10200 EXP and $200.]
[You have reach reached level 20! Stats increased!]
[You have received one of Dark’s items and $500 of his dollars for defeating him in PVP combat.]
[You have received Loli Saga Issue #4 from Dark!]
[You have received 3 free points!]
[For repelling an intruder, one random skill has been leveled up. Spirit Slash has reached level 2! Your combat level has reached basic level 4.]
Clyde immediately pulled the book from his inventory and tossed it on the ground.
"Harumi, burn that please. That’s what I received from beating him."
"No!" Dark said. "That’s priceless rarity."
Selkie glared at the chuuni, shaking her head. She raised a hand. It briefly glowed with enough power to shake the bones throughout Clyde’s body. A small torrent of energy leapt from that hand and hugged the book, causing it to burst into flames that nearly put the sun to shame.
"Noooo!" Dark howled.
"You…" Clyde sighed then looked at Selkie. "Can I please have a word with you? Alone."
Harumi gave him a skeptical look, but Clyde waved it away. She sighed then walked over to Dark. The chuuni blushed furiously as the pink-haired young woman healed him.
That’s when time froze for everyone except Clyde, Seiki, and Dark. Mortem’s voice pierced the air like a cobra’s bite.
"So much nerve, my dear Selki. You will explain yourself."
Episode 9 (Part 3)
Mortem appeared in a brief flash of crimson light. The light became his aura as he hovered in the air, angry eyes locked on the smirking green-haired woman.
"What’s up, Pipsqueak?" she said. Mortem shuddered, furious, but calmed himself with a deep breath and exhale.
"What are you doing in this world?" Mortem said, tension oozing from his voice like lava. "We have rules for a reason. And breakers of those rules are shown no mercy by the masters. Remember what happened to the Iron Maiden?"
Selkie’s smile dropped. Clyde and Dark remained in place, hoping to make their presences as small as possible.
"Do not speak of that name in my presence, Pippy." Anger briefly flashed into her eyes. "There are no rules against third parties. You know five of them are allowed into this realm."
"But only the stone and the viper matters," Mortem spat. "Why do you think it’s called the Stone-Viper game?"
Selkie shrugged.
"You know some of the others have gotten secret approval from the masters. Other than my Leaf, there is—"
"We are simply guides, you reckless idiot," Mortem interrupted. "I don’t have time to babysit you or the others—don’t make my overseeing job harder than it needs to be." He gave Selkie a stern look. "They’re watching every battle, tuning in every now and then with a careless eye. But when the Stone and Viper cross paths, all of their eyes will be there. Do you really want to be seen?"
"So what? I’m not breaking the rules," Selkie said.
Mortem let out an exasperated sigh.
"Watch what you say because if you say too much, they will order me to kill you. Out of respect, I’ll make it quick, but it will be under compulsion. Do you hear me? Compulsion. As much as I’d like to enjoy death, yours, old friend, old enemy, will not be fun. You continue following the Leaf at your own risk but as long as you don’t interfere."
"I know," Selkie said. "But my mission is important. For my sister."
"Iron—" Mortem paused at Selkie’s severe glare. "Don’t make me kill you."
Clyde’s chills finally emerged as Mortem looked at him with the red-eyed gaze.
"You’re doing okay with the night-crawling in the city, but it’s way too little," he said. "Use your increased intellect. Or lack of." He shook his head. "To think you were number one in your college, yet your actions aren’t that smart. Nowhere near the potential the masters saw within you. So, start using your h
ead or you won’t stand a chance when time comes to face your counterpart."
The creature gave one last look of warning to Selkie before vanishing. Time returned to the world. Clyde allowed himself a breath of relief. Harumi stared at him.
"Are all of you alright?"
"Just a little post-fight exhaustion," Clyde lied.
"Get up, chuuni, we’re leaving," Selkie said then eyed Clyde. "I’m going to let this one join your little city night outing. I hope you don’t mind."
"Oh god," he said then sighed. He lowered his voice. "At least tell me about this place. I was simply sent here with hardly any information. Mortem…he’s right. I’ve played with my life without using my head. If this keeps up, I’ll end up losing my soul or whatever demons do when they eat you."
Selkie gave him a long stare.
"There are things I cannot tell you," Selkie said, "but…I’ll tell you want I can about this world. Meet me Tuesday at the Maid Café. The one on Twentieth Street." She turned to Dark. "Meet with them at…"
"Eight," Clyde interjected. "The bus stop about a block or two from here. Near the ramen shop."
[Your quest log has been updated!]
Demon Lord’s Estate….
Zeth, Left Eye, knelt before his great master. Demon Lord Hades, father of the beautiful, yet infuriating Princess Alice, stood in front of his throne, arms folded.
He was a tall and handsome man with long snow-white hair, piercing red all-knowing eyes, and a perfect white beard. Three half-naked demonesses surrounded him, ready to attend his every need, even if in public. Two of them gave Zeth looks of scrutiny, as if he imposed on them. The third liked to wiggle her tongue at him when the lord’s back was turned.
Zeth himself was on the tall side, just a few inches beneath his lord’s Six feet, eight. Long black and silver hair dropped to his armored back. His blue skin seemed to glow in the dim lightning of the throne room.
"Report, my eye," Hades said in a voice that could command every army in the world.
"It is still not found, my lord, but at least, we have a lead," Zeth said. "A beast kin girl, by the name of Neko. I’ve mobilized some of my Hidden Lotus’s to catch her. She’s a dodgy one."
"Good," Hades said then nodded. "Make her talk by any means necessary. You may have your way with her, but do not kill. If he voluntary speaks, she may be released. But we both know it will be the hard way.’
"Yes lord," Zeth said.
"How is Alice doing with her cousin?" Hades asked, catching Zeth a little off guard. The demon lord rarely asked anything that wasn’t about duty.
"She’s fine, my lord. Although the succubus is kind of a troublemaker," Zeth said.
"My niece has always been energetic," Hades said. The demon lord gestured for his three demonesses to leave. They bowed deeply then complied. "I need you to locate some bold humans. Pesky gifted. Kill them all. There are two that don’t belong in this world. One of them in particular has a troublesome reserve of power. I’ll need him dead before he learns how to use it."
"On my honor, my lord," Zeth said.
"Rise! And serve me well."
Present….
Clyde grudgingly answered the knock on his door. Can’t a guy practice his crafting in peace, he thought.
Alice smiled when he answered.
"Alice, pleasant surprise," he said as he let her in. "Chocolate’s running low?"
The demoness stuck her tongue out at him.
"Nope—but I do want pie," she said.
"You’re not showing your cousin around?" Clyde asked.
"She’s...busy. Stay out of the city for another hour and you’ll be fine." Alice pulled the untouched pie out of Clyde’s fridge. One muttered spell later, it was hot and warm as if freshly baked. "Sex would go nicely before this." She poked the young man’s chest. "Too bad my cousin’s in town. She’d sense us and ruin everything."
Clyde allowed himself a small moment of loss and anger before shrugging.
"You’re not going to eat that alone."
"I totally am going to eat this alone," Alice said with a smug smile. "You could lick the blueberry off my lips."
Before Clyde could return with a quip, his phone buzzed. A text from Toru? Now that was odd.
Toru: weakling, you’ve got to come see this.
Clyde: Look dude, I’m not interested in your porn collection.
Toru: ….
Clyde: I’m kidding. What’s up?
Toru: I think she’s a demon. Part cat. Apparently wants to know where you live. Just come here. And be on guard.
Clyde’s anime trope senses let out a rang that was almost palpable. He was hoping to finish up his backup plans. The plans that were there in the case of not going home. He looked at Alice.
"Even after someone dark said to use my head, I’m going in the city anyway," he said. "Want to come with?"
Alice sighed.
"At least you’re smart enough to ask me for protection." She placed her hand on his forehead then spoke as if addressing a baby. "Don’t worry. Whittle Clyde will be safe all behind Awice. That meanie succubus won’t steal your life."
Clyde’s glare sent the demoness into a spiral of laughter.
"On second thought, stay here," Clyde said, but before he could leap toward the door, Alice grabbed his arm.
"I don’t think so," she said. "Can’t have you embarrassing me."
Episode 9 (Part 4)
Hotel…
Dark thought he’d be lost in a minefield of self-debt and humiliation after facing defeat, but his mind couldn’t drift away from the encounter with that other guide. The words he spoke made Dark wonder about his purpose in this world. Selkie promised him glory, power, and the works—all better than his old life. He had no intention of going back to earth, ever. He also didn’t want to get stuck doing the dirty work of some pseudo entity.
He checked his inventory for his other three mangas. Too bad Selkie wouldn’t go to her own room. She stared at the young man with amusement in her green eyes.
"Jiiiiiiiii."
"GET OUT OF HERE YA VILE WOMAN!" Dark tossed a pillow, nailing her in the face. "Oh shit, thought you’d dodge. Tha—that’s what you—"
She dove on top of Dark, pinching his cheeks.
"Stop that," Dark said. "I will not be treated like a…"
He became all too aware of her curvy, incredible body. The young man’s blush put a tomato to shame. Selkie grinned.
"I just want to eat you up," she said cheerfully then nipped his ear a little with her lips.
Dark nearly fainted. "There’s nothing more fun than watching the virgins squirm." She placed her hand on his chest. "You’re hard enough to put diamonds to shame."
Selkie caressed Dark’s face.
"Say what’s on your mind, Charly, or I’ll reach deep inside of you and pull things out…Are you really bleeding out of your nose?" She spawned a tissue and handed it to the young man.
"Go kill yourself," Dark said as he wiped his nose clean. The tissue leapt from his and then burned in midair without leaving ashes. "And it’s Dark! That earth name is dead."
Selkie shook her head.
"So, what’s on your mind? I know you’ve got something to say."
Dark found himself eyeing Selkie’s breasts, pressed against him in a cruel tease. He reminded himself that she was some kind of ancient deity, keeping him around for her amusement…right? He forced the question out.
"What did you really bring me to this world for?" he said. "All of this talk of power and glory—why me anyway? You could’ve chosen someone else, someone stronger."
"Didn’t I tell you," Selkie said. "You’ll see and accomplish great things. The power, that is what’s inside of you. You’re the Leaf. Someone with a destiny of his own. I didn’t select you, I am simply your guide." She kissed Dark’s cheek. "My mission won’t get in the way, nor can it be done by you. It’s something that may be completed eons from now, so you can stop thinking I’m using you."
&nb
sp; Selkie smirked as Dark’s tension loosed. She sat up, still straddling the bashful young man.
"Start preparing your inventory for tonight. I cannot go with you as it against the rules."
Dark sighed.
"Good. Maybe you’ll stop acting like you’re baby sitting me."
He tried to free himself from Selkie, but she held him in place.
"There will come a time where you’ll have to step it up. Do not take the title of the Leaf lightly. The stone-viper game is their entertainment. The main event. There can be changes to what leads up to it. Your own marks."
"Why do you not disappear like the guide?" Dark asked. "Why live in this world?"
"It’s fun," Selkie said. "Everyday, I look forward to seeing what kind of nonsense you’ll spout and get yourself into. You must try and fix your temper, chuuni. The Stone played you like a fiddle, using it to his advantage. Relying on that passive skill won’t do you any good, especially against demons that are unaffected by it."
"There are demons unaffected by it?"
"Obviously," Selkie said, "besides the demon lord himself. Now enough—oh!"
Dark’s manhood, though clothed by sweatpants, still pushed a little into Selkie.
"You naughty boy," she said then stood. "You should’ve done me in on the first night I’ve tried, but such a shy human would definitely release too early." She laughed as Dark’s blush returned. "I would make you go again and again until I’m satisfied. You’re not ready for that." She caressed the young man’s chin then walked out the room, last words being,"be there by eight."
The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper # 1, a LitRPG. (ATS) Page 16