Clyde stalked out of the room, his last words being, “Seriously think on this. Then come to me tomorrow.”
Melody sighed as Clyde left. Her heart went out to him. She wished she could follow without fainting of embarrassment.
“So, am I here for nothing?” Ashard snapped. “Because If I am, we’re going—”
“Silence, fairy,” Melody said, her voice cold. Pink aura surrounded her as she stood. She spoke, voice powerful. “Our team leader thinks he can do this on his own. Let’s get that annoying notion out of him, shall we?” She placed her hand in the center of the table. “Team Stone?”
Everyone except Ashard followed her lead.
“Team Stone!”
**
Smoppy Bar. Lot City, Satovia.
Matsuko laughed as she chugged her…second ale. Yes…definitely second. She smacked a Blood Hand babysitter on the back, which for some reason knocked him onto the floor. Woops, she forgot her strength.
“Oh get up, ya stupid weakling,” she said. “I told you to stay at the hotel, not to come, but you imbeciles insist on ‘guarding’ me. Well newsflash, I don’t need babysitting.” Her eyes blurred for a second as she sat her empty mug onto the floor. She whispered, or at least tried to whisper, “Lord Platus gave us a couple million human world dollars to live in comfort until we find the brat in this huge fucking city. Why are you rushing this, wimpling?”
“Lady Matsuko, with all do respect,” the Blood hand guard said, “it’s not about rushing, but making sure you don’t get yourself into a pickle while…drunk. While I do have someone I’m trying to make mine, the honor of the Blood Hand comes first before all.”
Matsuko frowned.
“You’re no fun.”
Abruptly, she waved a finger, releasing magic.
[Matsuko activated Sleep.]
She caught the idiot guard and gently laid him down, then left, but not without paying the bill. The babysitter’s name was…Nero, she thought. She shrugged, not giving one fuck about some random dumbass guard. She was here to have fun, baby, and no one would rush her back to bend the neck to some stupid dark god. Fuck ‘em.
In fact, she’d find some handsome man to seduce and show that stupid blacksmith that she wasn’t a purist. Well, maybe not… She had dignity to maintain. And more booze to acquire.
And maybe more food, after…She bent over, holding her stomach and vomited on someone’s shoe.
“Sorry about that, old chap,” Matsuko said at the glaring young man. “Let me make it up to you. I’ll buy you…a drink. And since you’re handsome, maybe…” She couldn’t bring herself to wink, nearly stumbling over. The young man sighed.
“Can we talk, fallen angel?”
Matsuko pointed at a bar ahead.
“Let’s go there. Unlike the last world I visited, the age limit here is younger. I can drink without puny natives telling me I’m too young! Twenty is not young, fuck faces.”
She vomited again, missing the shoe. “Sowwy,” she said, but when she looked up, the young man was gone. “Must be the drink and spirits. Damn that’s good stuff…or is it true that no man wants to be with me for more than a minute. Oh fucking well, I’ll drink myself!”
She started toward the bar, raising a fist, and singing drinking songs from Utopius. Of course, she modified the words to insult Platus as much as possible.
Episode 38 (Part 11)
That evening at Clyde’s house…
Click-click-click-tack-tack-tack.
“Shoot! Shoot! NO I DUCKED! I DUCKED! WAAAH! CHEATER-MONSTER GAME!”
Click-click-click-tack-tack!
Clyde closed his textbook to stare blankly at the loli sitting next to him in the library. He gathered his study materials and calmly walked downstairs into the living room to sit by Melody. They both watched the TV without emotion.
Click-click-click-tack-tack-tack.
Clyde and Melody turned to glare at her. She continued to go at it with her handheld game. In unison, the duo stood and walked all the way to the library. There was a TV in there too, normally used by Maki when Yuki permitted it.
The young man opened his textbook, just an inch then stopped himself. He grabbed a chair, took it to bookshelf row three to hide and study. Seconds later, Melody joined him in the corner, bringing the loli like sweet revenge.
Click-click-click-tack-tack-tack.
Clyde held back his tremble of rage. There was only one place he could go where Natalia’s trolling wouldn’t be tolerated. He grinned evilly, closed his textbook, and walked to his room, while humming.
Chika studied at the desk, Alice read in the bed, TV on low. He joined the half-demoness on the bed. Melody followed shortly, taking the spare chair, a romance novel in hand.
The second Natalia peeked around the corner, she was met with extremely cold looks from both Alice and Chika, daring her to disturb them. Clyde stuck his tongue out at Natalia, flipped her off with two fingers, and grinned evilly. The loli pouted then ran off.
“Harumi! Pervy-nii’s bullying me.”
The feeling of outing Natalia motivated the young man to study like never before. Even Melody seemed cheerful.
Too bad the fallen angel he tried to talk with earlier was trashed beyond comprehension. Throwing up on his shoe, slurring some speech, speaking nonsense. There was no telling how early she started drinking. He left when he felt her companion from earlier approach to presumably retrieve his boss.
And to top that off, Tear, Natalia, Melody, and Alice postponed their announcement for the next day.
Tuesday. Week 2. Month 2. Year 1. Season: Autumn.
[School: off day. Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Friday.]
Despite trying to sleep in that morning, Yuki dragged Clyde out of bed.
“Just five more minutes,” he said, but she pointed at the bathroom.
“Our team will be here with their answers,” Yuki said, although, she made no move to wake up Alice and Chika. The young man understood seconds later when she pinned in the corner. He rose to the occasion, gaining a face full of breasts, taking the demoness in a standing position. And she was amazing. Her breathing, her tightening, and longing. The duo waltzed for fifteen minutes, maybe longer before Yuki squeezed, holding onto him, covering her mouth for the climax. He pulled out to release into the toilet. Yuki hugged the man afterward.
“I don’t care about the stone-viper games,” she said. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Clyde held onto her, eyes thoughtful.
“I’m glad,” he said after some time. “I’d probably be a wreck without you.” He kissed her.
After the morning activities, which included waking up Alice, he headed into the dining room where the others awaited. Every member of Team Stone grew silent when the trio walked in, determination in their eyes. Undine sat at Yusuke’s side, cheerful. Ashard was standing, arms folded, leaning on the wall.
Clyde nodded.
“Knowing that my counterpart has the capabilities of casually wiping planets, you all still choose to stay,” he said then smiled. “Team Stone is full of nuts, led by a nut.” The team returned the smile, some chuckling. He looked at Tear. “So what’s this grand announcement you’ve been holding back?”
Tear walked over to Clyde and handed him a red scroll.
“This is the scroll of Lot City, magically translated into your territory,” she said. “No demon or any supernatural being can take root here and spawn their armies. I’m a very busy girl, so it took some time to complete.” She grabbed Clyde’s hands with both of hers. “Please accept it.”
A prompt flashed gold in his mind’s eye. What it stated, filled him with excitement, ideas, and well, blew his mind. He didn’t know such a mechanic was embedded into magic and his system.
[You have received Scroll of Lot City. Item value: priceless. Item class: *one of a kind,* *Legendary*]
[Do you wish to make Lot City your territory? You are free to accept and abandon it at will, but if you do abandon it, your reputation
will lose an entire level.]
Clyde nodded to Tear, selecting yes. A territory system? Interesting. It did make him feel a bit overwhelmed, considering the other systems. He had yet to really do much with them: the cooking and barrier. He did win a couple of duels, but he wasn’t at the point of going around and challenging card bearers. Truthfully, he just didn’t give a shit about a deathly card game. Tyrone, one of Ming’s friends, said something about a reward. He was offered jack shit. Not so much as an uncommon-class item. At least the barrier protected his home from Melody’s capturers and if he got around to cooking, the food would serve as the reward. If the women would ever let him cook.
He’d invest in a man cave, not to necessarily get away from them, but to practice crafting, cooking, magic, and other things without being pulled away or distracted. Anime girls …were distracting. Yep…his old friends at home would definitely slap the weeb—no, the weaboo title onto him, whether the situation was out of his control or not. Although, the edge lord still topped in that regard.
[You have accepted Lot City as your territory! Congratulations, Lot City is yours and any supernatural being that is currently in the city or enters will know that there’s a new power at play.]
[If your city comes under attack by anything normal humans cannot handle, you will be alerted..]
[You will be alerted if any major power enters the city. If you were in possession of a *Heart Core,* all attack, magic and non-magic, defenses and other stats would be halved for any major power entering your city without permission.]
[Current Lot City stats. Crime rate: 4% Emergency: none. Citizen happiness: decent. Current concern: Blood Hand and fallen angel. A marker has been placed within your Mental Navigation System.]
“Thank you,” Tear said softly. “With you in power, even I can sleep soundly.”
“So, this is his territory now?” Toru said. “Explain please.”
Tear guided Clyde to a chair and sat next to him like a wife.
“This is a territory in the supernatural sense,” Melody said. “No other demon lord will be able to take root. Natalia, Tear, and I forged it to be better than the standard scroll—making possible to sense any supernatural threat to the city.”
“That’s fucking awesome,” Kitome said.
“Hell yeah! Fuck demons,” Seth said. Everyone turned to stare at him. “Lords. Fuck demon lords I mean.” He grinned. “You know what I meant.”
As the stars appeared into Airi’s eyes, Harumi whacked her on the head and poked her cheek.
“You promised not to flood him with a million questions.”
The Super Druid playfully pouted, but the young man could tell she wanted to anime-dive into him or even the women responsible for developing the scroll, eager to pound in question after question.
Clyde warped the scroll to his inventory. Kanako gave him a warm smile.
“Meet here this afternoon. We’re going to come up with a plan then vote. Should we patrol against the Bloodhand, perhaps even go after them or not.”
“Is there anything that can be done about them?” Matsume said.
“Maybe, you guys should stop underestimating yourselves,” Sazuki snapped. “I’ve heard the stories, saw your powers. That’s what motivating me to push through Toru’s sadistic training.”
“Same here,” Kiko said, “though I suspect Toru’s getting revenge on me for some other reason.”
Toru hid behind a blank stare, but Airi burst into laughter. She smacked his back.
“Or maybe it’s because of that time with the goat—”
Toru covered her mouth.
“Remember what happened at the beach with you know who.”
Airi pushed away his hands, laughing.
“Yeah, yeah, I won’t let you embarrass her. Truce?”
“Truce,” Toru said.
“Are you two done yet?” Clyde said.
“Sorry,” Airi said.
“Anyway, as much as I hate to say this, but Melody, you still can’t leave by yourself, or by normal means,” Clyde said. “So if Tear’s busy, just come to me for the Jump.”
“Or me!” Natalia said.
“I’ll be going to you,” Melody said to Clyde. Natalia harrumphed like a tsundere, folding her arms.
Alice gave them both a Toru-approved blank stare. Clyde sighed.
“You’re good to go,” he said. “I’ve got a few things to take care of today.” With one hand, he grabbed the loli by the back of her collar and lifted her up. “And you’re coming with me. I’ve got a job for you.” He grinned evilly. “Can’t have you clacking your games on me, now.”
“Tear, Harumi,” Natalia reached for them. They gave her apologetic smiles.
**
As everyone parted ways, Ming watched him go. Their time to spend together…forgotten. Unnoticed. She just knew she didn’t belong here. Just as the hurt began to manifest, Clyde turned to look at her.
“Give me about five minutes to do away with this.” He held up Natalia.
“Sure,” Ming said, giving him a smile. He didn’t forget her. She hoped she wasn’t blushing.
**
Clyde shot Natalia a micro-glare. This one would for sure ruin his date with Ming if he let her run loose. Preemptive strike! The loli continued to whine, but there was nothing to get her out of being his Right Hand, unless she quit. That wouldn’t happen.
“Come on, squirt, I’ve got orders to give you. And hey, if you do well, I’ll give you any reward, within reason.”
Stars shined in her eyes and the young man wondered if he’d regret this. Still, the young man relied on Natalia, despite her desire to basically troll. And as one of the strongest members of his party hands-down, she’d be perfect for this.
Episode 38 (Part 12)
Downtown Lot City…
Hiroshi neared Rodger’s house, the ship girls on his trail. He just wanted to get away from them. They were annoying and reminded the man that he didn’t get in much action. Probably because of his job. Ayu attempted to sleep in his room with the claim of “guarding the section leader” but he bashed that idea down. First, that wasn’t in the protocol, so more than likely, Maho tricked her. Fraternization. Second, the man brought his laptop and purchased the hotel’s expensive wi-fi pass just so he could finally beat—watch off-brand shows. Maybe play a few web games to pass time.
He stopped in front of a ramen shop to look at the girls. Despite walking for miles—the military way—they didn’t sweat, pant, or complain. Ayu continued to be cheerful, initiating conversation, oohing and ahing at the things around, and got on Hiroshi’s nerves. He invited the no-fucks-given vibe back into him, but it ignored his request.
What really creeped him out was that Ayu’s cheerfulness was genuine and not faked, not hiding anything. She was even humming some anime Y-Pop song.
Maho, stoic, simply stared back at Hiroshi, face blank, unintimidated by the towering man. The short young women were either eighteen or nineteen years old, the required minimums to serve the nation. Somehow they gave off an inner vibe of seeing maybe half as much of what Hiroshi had seen. Maybe they’d seen more, being a hidden division until recently, when the supposed barrier between human and supernatural shattered.
“Don’t embarrass me,” he said.
“No worries, section leader, sir!” Ayu and Maho said, saluting. The man looked at them skeptically then continued toward the house.
“Rodger’s a no-nonsense type of guy,” Hiroshi said. “Like me, but ten-times harder. Don’t fuck this up.”
When he knocked on the apartment door, the ship girls gathered behind him. He turned to them. “Stand in attent—”
The sound of the door opening caught his attention.
“Can I help you?” a beefy man said. He was dressed in pants and a shirt that matched the colors of his old unit: black and red. The marine ball cap on his head topped off the look. Somehow, the word jarhead came to mind for Hiroshi.
“We’re from Unit Eighty-six,” Hiro
shi began. “Do you mind giving us a moment to talk with you? It’s very important.”
Rodger glanced over the crew.
“Come on in. Seeing those two out in broad daylight could only mean one thing.”
Ayu smiled, saluting.
“Danger.”
**
Clyde’s house…
With Dreaming of You, one of her favorite romance novels in hand, Melody recited some lines from it, while making exaggerated poses. The moment grasped her heart, made her imagination run wild. She replaced the prince with Clyde, the damsel with herself. And the passionate kiss approached like the anticipation of delicious food. Romantic music blossomed in her head, adding joy to the young woman’s heart, only to be cut short when she noticed Airi and Alice standing in her doorway. The blush started and grew redder and redder as the two women continued to stare at the redhead blankly. Alice even reminded her of Yuki in kuudere mode.
The duo simultaneously took two steps backward and closed the door.
“It’s not what it looks like,” Melody tried to explain, but it was too late. The girls ran off. “Why does this always happen to me?”
The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper, #7 a LitRPG (ATS) Page 10
