The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper, #6 a LitRPG (ATS)

by Alvin Atwater

  “So, crazy cults, they’re a thing now.”

  Ruri shot him a blank stare. Alice glared at Yuki’s chest.

  “Cow,” Alice said softly.

  Yuki’s expression remained neutral, but her eyes twinkled with smugness. The civilians ignored them as they walked the streets, drove, jogged, and enjoyed the sunny day. An airplane soared through the sky, its sound just barely muted. A few people strolling on Ridout-brand boards showed off to their friends.

  “Alice, Tear said something about you committing to your household duties today,” Ruri said.

  Alice flinched.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Alice,” Ruri said, giving the young woman a firm look. The half-demoness hid behind Clyde, wrapping her arms around him.

  “I go wherever my life mate goes,” she said then stuck her tongue out at the hellhound.

  Ruri smiled, danced over to Alice, and actually hi-fived her. They giggled, ignoring the blank stares from Clyde and Yuki.

  “I don’t want to go back to my clan,” Ruri said. “I don’t fit in and duty sucks.”

  “I’ve been meaning to ask about that,” Clyde said to his life mate. “Are you a demon lord?”

  Alice sniffed.

  “No way—I’m just a house head and nothing more.” She stepped in front of Clyde, fixing him with a determined look. “Don’t spout some nonsense about me having to tend my duties. I’m not getting involved in demon realm politics.”

  Clyde waved that off.

  “I’ll let Tear do that,” he said then whispered, “but that won’t stop me from trying to have you all to myself.”

  Alice blushed. Ruri narrowed her eyes.

  “You have to take me too,” she said. “It’s only fair—”

  Chika released her stealth in front of the young man.

  “I’m back,” she said, then kissed him. “You’re especially not leaving me out of this.”

  Most men couldn’t remain so composed under the gazes of four beautiful women. And anime glistening eyes choked the best of them.

  [Your marriage system continues to vibrate with joy. Remember it is still in play. It is strongly recommended to marry all of the female members of your party that harbor feelings toward you. So far, you have done a good job increasing the relationship levels; however, try not to leave any behind.]

  “So did you find anything?” Yuki said to the silver-haired young woman.

  “I found a safe there, which surely contains it, but the strange thing is, there are wards on it. If triggered, they’ll do something strange then summon a monster girl.”

  Clyde nodded.

  “At least you didn’t pull a Yusuke and try to take it on yourself,” Yuki said.

  Chika laughed.

  “I know right? What if it turned out to be something with a super high power level? Besides, I’m not dumb enough to trigger a ward. What’s if it’s triggered to steal the soul of someone or whatever demons do when they eat you.”

  “Let’s go ahead and get this out of the way,” Clyde said. “How are the numbers?”

  “There are only six cultists present in there,” Chika said. “Two hundred were deployed across the city.”

  “Two hundred?” Yuki said. “How are so many woman buying into this nonsense?”

  “Who knows?” Clyde said. “Let’s get this out of the way. I’ve got other things I want to get done today.” He pretended that his hand wasn’t firmly on Alice’s ass. This world continues to poison me , he thought. Maybe one of the cliché waterfall meditations would expand his capacity.

  [Meditation beneath a specialized waterfall has unknown benefits. You must find one through world exploration.]

  [Warning: you are about to enter a dungeon. Dungeon type: Headquarters. Difficulty: Normal, varies .]

  Normal difficulty? Yes! Varies? No! Maybe this mystery monster girl, the dungeon boss, was just another minotaur. Maybe… He led his party into the building.

  **

  Hotel. Alice’s room…

  Tear found Natalia back-first on the floor, groaning. Beside her was a leather bag, turn to its side, emptied. Candy wrappers were scattered all over the floor.

  “My tummy hurts,” Natalia said softly.

  “You didn’t,” Tear said, eyes widened, picking up the bag. “Oh hell, she’s going to kill you. How did you even find this stash?” She looked at the witch, shaking her head.

  “Uhhh,” Natalia reached toward Tear. “You have to help me, Onee-chan.”

  “If you call me that again, I’ll Jump you right to her with the bag,” Tear said. The amount the girl ate... “Damn, that was over one hundred, maybe two hundred variants of candy bars. This is what happens when you force the house head on a diet to protect her health.”

  Natalia groaned again.

  “It’s not fair. Demonesses can eat whatever they want without consequences.”

  Tear sighed.

  “Says the witch engulfed with demonic energy. You know Alice is going to toss you on a spit and roast you.”

  “You’ve got to hide me,” Natalia said.

  Tear left the room without saying another word, ignoring the girl’s protests. What could’ve possessed her to eat ALL of Alice’s candy bars? Stash three? She was just glad that Clyde left Yuki in charge of his finances. Her irresponsible cousin couldn’t rely on cuteness to explain a chocolate budget.

  **

  Cult Headquarters…

  They followed Chika at a jogger’s pace and best of all, there wasn’t any resistance. At least not at first. One of the women caught sight of them and attempted to order the group out. When they ignored her, she resorted to teary begging. Yuki forced her to tag along to unlock the safe.

  **

  Outside of the Cult Headquarters, rooftop….

  Leon saw a woman that matched the description of the rumors enter the cult building. A Viper Maiden and in the city. Just what was this world coming to? He put away his binoculars and motioned for a guard.

  “Gather the men, we’re leaving,” Leon said. “Make sure that maid do her job tonight, serving the great demon lord’s dinner properly.”

  “Oh, the new hot one—”

  “Yep, she’s an intense chef,” Leon interrupted. “Patrol the guards around six or so. The demon lord could use a quiet dinner. And if you want, I can set you up on a date afterward.”

  The guard straightened.

  “Yes sir!”

  He saluted then carried out Leon’s orders.

  **

  Headquarters…

  A strange presence, one which felt wrong, struck Clyde like a bucket of ice water. He felt revulsion, sick, but also murderous. Why did he feel this? Who or what was this new person he sensed? This couldn’t be his imagination, right?

  Chika kicked open the door to the destination room and ordered the cult member to disable the wards.

  “What’s a ward?” the woman said, teary-eyed.

  “Don’t joke around with me,” Chika said, voice deadly. She pointed at the tag on the safe. “Disable it or I’ll disable you.”

  “Please—I really don’t know,” the woman cried. “I can open the safe—Please don’t hurt me.”

  Before they could say anything, the woman fidgeted around with the safe, triggering the ward. She screamed and cried as it distributed what looked to be an intense electrical shock. Purple smoke emerged, surrounded the screaming woman, and then…devoured her into nothingness.

  “I see I’ve got some fools to deal with and a man to mate and declare husband,” a voice said from the smoke. “Thanks for freeing me!”

  Episode 34 (Part 6)

  The monster girl wore overconfidence and certainly like a cloak on a freezing winter night. So when she found herself bound by Clyde’s blue tendrils of magic, trapped in Yuki’s cage made of dark magic, staring at Ruri in hellhound form growling with white flames flowing from the sides of her eyes, punched in the nose by Chika, and Alice’s glowing Hellbreake
r in her face, she fell into a bow so deep, her face hit the floor, crying.

  Arms stretched out wide, she said, “Please don’t kill me! I’ll do anything. How can I serve my new master?”

  Clyde continued to glare down at her, eyes glowing. The intimidating group could make even wild lions subservient. He folded his arms, observing her silently.

  Holding with the natural anime girl beauty, she was a pointy-eared woman with silver hair and red eyes, a large chest to go along with a curvy figure. Her elaborate clothing brought more questions than answers. He could only describe it as a nun going gothic. Her strange black dress revealed a bit much. A nun-like purple hat gave off a soft, but dark aura. The young man wasn’t sure how he knew that, so he analyzed her.

  Dark Priest- Saki.

  Level: 103 (sealed)

  Type: Monster

  Work under: willing to change sides in desperation. (Last master: The Fallen God .)

  Special: Lustful Lecture. [She will spread the “good” word about her master, ensnare the man in a charm. A draining of spirit energy occurs afterwards.]

  Weakness: all light elements. Purity.

  Resistances: dark.

  Secret: she was once a human many many years ago, before the Supreme Demon Lord took over. The corruption from the monsters and the Supreme Demon Lord changed her into a special type of succubus.

  [Talent, main character stuff: Second Insight.]

  [The monster girls today are a result of the Supreme Demon Lord’s global corruption and demonic energy. Due to this, all female monsters have succubae traits, appearances, and intense lust for men and sex. Many of them cannot control it. This event was covered up by a lecherous dark god. Not even the heavens know this anymore. The Wise One knows…but you may end up being vigorously raped by her before she tells you how to anything. She’s somewhere out there, living a hermit’s life. It entirely optional to seek her out.]

  Clyde took a moment to allow that to process then pushed it aside.

  “If you want to live, release that woman’s soul or whatever you did to her.”

  “She’s actually hiding behind the door…waiting for you to leave, master,” Saki, the dark priest said. “I faked her death and teleported her there.”

  Clyde materialized a paper fan and almost smacked her but let it go. At least he tried to but Alice grabbed it and smacked away.

  He blinked.

  “Wait, you can grab that?”

  [Your life mate can utilize any weapon or object created by your skill. Anyone else must be married to you.]

  What a harsh restriction, the young man thought. It wasn’t as if he could jump right into marriage after only being in the world a month, right?

  You know those are human thoughts , a part of him whispered.

  “What should we do about her?” Clyde said. “Clearly dangerous. And you can come from behind that door now.”

  “I’m sorry!” the cultist cried, tears trailing. She snatched a Kleenex from a nearby table and blew her nose into it.

  “Put her under the contract,” Yuki said.

  “I really don’t think we should have a monster girl roaming anywhere near us,” Chika said. “She’s too dangerous and I know you’re thinking it, Clyde.”

  “No, fuck it,” Clyde said. “I’m doing it. No time for indecision. Besides, I don’t want her used against me.”

  “You mean you won’t kill me?” Saki said.

  Clyde placed his hand on her forehead, but nothing happened.

  [Warning, her level is too high for you to enslave her. Get to grinding, scrub.]

  Scrub? Clyde wanted to grind his teeth. His low level was finally starting to bite him in the ass.

  “I change my mind,” Clyde said. Saki began to wail, tears seeming to fly everywhere.

  “Please I don’t want to die. This ordeal isn’t my fault.”

  [Ironically being trapped inside that ward had significantly weakened her.]

  If only he had another collar. No, I can’t be thinking like that , Clyde thought. His ancestors would probably frown, maybe roll their eyes at him. What could he do about this monster girl?

  “Alice, call Tear,” he said. “As for you, Saki, destroy the contract inside the safe.”

  “Yes master,” Saki said then actually obeyed without questioning him. His confirmation was a text from Ming half a minute later. The son of Titania confused and wondering what was going on.

  [Warning! Saki wants to declare you husband. Pay attention before you’re raped.]

  Clyde turned to her, eyes glowing. She collapsed back into a low bow.

  “Stop doing that,” he said. “Do I look like some rich arrogant aristocrat to you?”

  “I…need spirit energy,” she said softly. “I’ve been a ward guard so long before you—”

  “I suggest you keep quiet,” Yuki said. “Unlike our lenient Clyde, I will kill you without hesitation.”

  The cage reformed around the monster girl briefly. She trembled.

  “Tear will meet us outside,” Alice said. Clyde nodded.

  “Let’s go,” he said to Saki. He materialized handcuffs and slapped them across her wrists. “There’s only one place you’re going and don’t worry Chika, it’s not with us.”

  Chika’s eyes were on the cuffs.

  “You’re able to create objects now?”

  “Yeah but it has its downsides,” he said. “They don’t last very long at this level and is a huge drain on my magic.”

  Chika looked thoughtful.

  The teary cultist led the group down the halls, toward the exit. As they passed one of the rooms, Clyde felt that strange presence again. He internally debated if it was worth checking out or not, but in the end, they came to the place for one objective.

  Still, the group needed to deal with the minotaur situation somehow. Maybe blow up the cult headquarters to fucking smithereens? No, they couldn’t be labeled as terrorists. That left killing the demon lord and utilizing Chika’s connections to fix the city government. He hoped the Prime Minister wasn’t a demon lord. What a randomly morbid thought.

  Tear took one look at Saki and narrowed her eyes.

  “She’s a succubus. Leave her to me.”

  “Adding her to your network?” Clyde said.

  “If it were me, I’d send her to the futas,” Chika said, poking the young man on the nose.

  “That was my previous idea but if Tear has some use for her, then have at it,” Clyde said. His memory of Tear’s massive stats revealed itself briefly. Overpowered. “Also.” He eyed Alice, Tear, then Yuki. “I think it’s time we start discussing the Supreme Demon lord.”

  The women actually averted their gazes. Clyde gave them skeptical glares. “What haven’t you told me?”

  “Well, don’t let me hold your time,” Tear said quickly, smiling sadly, “I’ll be taking this one off to the hotel.”

  “Tear,” Clyde said, giving her a firm look. She looked down.

  “Can we talk about it later?” Tear said.

  “To be honest Clyde, the Supreme lord is a touchy subject for all demonesses and monster girls,” Yuki said. “Especially since she’s responsible for the uncivilized…”

  “I don’t care,” Alice suddenly said. “I’ll tell you whatever I know.”

  Just then, Saki collapsed, gagging. She lurched into the air, as if pulled by invisible strings.

  “This was a nice catch,” a man’s voice said. They turned to see a middle-aged man with a short beard walking toward them at an easy pace. “I think she did me in at least twice before I sealed her. To think she almost escaped.”

  The brown-haired man was well-dressed in a suit and tie, sunglasses on top of his head. He smiled.

  “Who are you?” Clyde said.

  “Don’t worry about who I am, kids,” he said. “Just be glad you didn’t fall for any of her desperate tactics. Now if you don’t mind, I’ll be taking her off to be resealed, hopefully for an eternity.”

  Clyde and the man briefl
y locked eyes.

  “Are you the one in charge of the minotaurs?” Clyde said.

  “No, but I’m the one who failed to keep the demon lord out of power,” he said. “I’ve been trying to clean up this mess for years.”

  Saki began to cry loudly. She fell from the air. Somehow her head didn’t smack the concrete.

  “Please, master, don’t let him come near me. He’s bad news!” She cried harder. “He’ll lock me away again, in that dark place. Please.”

  The man shook his head.

  “I’m not the one who turned to the darkness,” he said. “I’m okay with natural born demons, but when a human goes corrupted, we have a problem.”

  “I did nothing wrong!” Saki screamed.

  “Except rape and probably killed a bunch.” The man continued toward her. Tear blocked his path.

  “I’ll be taking this one into custody,” she said.

  The man smiled.

  “I don’t know your name, miss, but I know your reputation and I bet you know mine. Do you really want to stand in my way or get involved with the crusaders?” He smirked then moved past the succubus. “I thought so.”

  Saki tried to move, but couldn’t. She howled and cried and begged for Clyde’s mercy. The young man saw no reason to care. However, when Melody tried to kill him, he still helped her and while it seemed quite idiotic to be filled with morals during the time, he earned a powerful ally. However… Tear not standing up to these so-called crusaders was a huge deal.

  “Crusaders,” Yuki said softly. Her fists clenched then unclenched.

  The man shook his head at Saki then chuckled.

  “Let’s see. A dark priest. And…” he turned to Ruri. “A hellhound. The rest of you are free to go.” He looked at Clyde and then his eyes widened. Maybe the surrounding aura, maybe the glowing eyes accompanied with a dark expression did it. “Ooh boy, I goofed. Great stars…that vast holy energy from you is enormous. You’re a Great One.” He bowed. “Are you here to convert these lowly souls?”