She kissed Clyde. He pulled her close and returned the kiss with passion. And soon they were at again. Alice was still the best, hands down.
[You’ve already accepted that Alice is your life mate as the heart knows what it wants. There are unknown benefits and consequences. It is up to you and her to resolve this together, even if you are fated to be sent back to Earth.]
[You’ve unlocked Soul Link. Unknown benefits. You will always feel the presence of your life mate.]
[Warning: Do not forget, impregnation is possible and especially between human and demon-kind. Especially man and demoness. Practice safe sex!]
Oh get out of here System, I know, Clyde thought. Alice’s breathing slowed as she slept. It would be him to find someone in another dimension. But…she’s been to earth. That meant she’d have to follow the rules of his home world. What did she look like? He could picture a young woman, like a model with blonde hair done into twin tails. WAY out of his league. She wasn’t from earth, but world traveling was possible.
Maybe one day he’d get the opportunity to do so. There were probably other places that also had anime rules. Maybe some with the rules of his home world. He fell asleep with that thought. Level fifty was still a low level, so he still had a way to go before being able to take even deities.
The following morning after everyone brushed up and took a morning hot spring dip, they prepared to leave. He made sure to call Melody. The trickster was disappointed but very insistent on talking to him. So much that the system generated a quest.
[Quest: Talk to Melody. Accept? Reward: unknown.]
He accepted then did a quick headcount. Someone was missing.
"Where’s Seth?" Clyde asked.
"He...left during the night by cab," Kitome said.
"Nya, apparently couldn’t handle the excess amount of loving," Neko said, laughing. "I think Maya left to contact her network and locate his address."
Clyde shook his head.
"That guy. I hope she catches him."
Alice yawned, at his side. She looked too tired to give the usual morning scowl to Chika. In fact, the silver-haired girl looked down albeit for twisted reasons.
"My wasted bag of tools…so much I had planned," she said sadly. Clyde spared just a micro-glare. He hoped the clamps were at the bottom of the hot spring. Tear returned to them, confirming the checkout.
Within minutes, they were warped out there and going their separate ways. He motioned for the remaining women to join him at the table. Alice, Natalia, Yuki, and Neko.
Suitable that Neko is here, he thought. She probably knew his next words.
"Alice, it’s time we talk about your father," Clyde said then showed her Melody’s texts. Indignation flashed into her eyes. "We’ve got to do something about the demon lord before he kills me."
Neko nodded.
"Nya, nya. He also has an Omen’s sphere."
Alice sighed.
"Will you talk to your dad?" Clyde said. "Because realistically, I’m not about to go to every goddamn city to kill off demon lords. That’d take years. But this territory Alice, it’s time for us to take it from him."
Alice smiled.
"I’m with you, you know that. If you think talking to an ancient demon lord who only knows control will get him to surrender the city, then you are wrong. You’ll need to take away his will to fight. It is then he’ll back down."
[Quest: Defeat the Demon Lord of Lot City once and for all. This quest is mandatory and cannot be refused. Optional alternative: proclaim your love for Alice to him and see what happens.]
Clyde gave the system a mental middle finger. It was preparation time. Once Lot City gained its freedom, he’d focus his attention on his obtained Ashfall goods and using some of it to buy himself a mansion or palace. He would’ve renovated the existing Ashfall estate, but it smelled of rape and torture. Two things the young man detested. He hoped Nezerath had sores in his ass as he took it. He hoped his eternal prison sentence for the thousands of lives he brutally took would be the worst pain possible. Pain that made him wish for death only a daily basis only to be healed and then bamboozled again. Tear told him that his captures had plenty of healing magic to spare.
Clyde took his mind off the ugliness and nodded at the others. It was time to defeat Hades. Only then could he start the fun things. Like blowing all of the Ashfall money.
[Volume 3.] Episode 18 (Part 4)
Monday. Week 3. Month 1. Year 1. Season: Autumn.
Elsado grew weary of his searching, but a chance to impress Demon lord Hades couldn’t be passed up. He needed that promotion. Done were the days of being someone’s shadow. He was a better commander than both Zeth and Lady Alice. He should be titled, True Eye. Not Shadow Eye.
His break came when he saw them. A large group of people appearing out of nowhere and out of sight. Alice, Tear, their little witch pup, and even that Ashfall maid. What was she doing there? Well, it didn’t matter since Ashfall fell. A wise move to dedicate her service to Lady Alice.
He watched most of them enter an apartment with a man he’d never seen before. Something about that one was off, otherworldly. Could it be him? That had to be the Ashfall destroyer. If Elsado brought Lord Hades his head and his daughter’s weeping form, he could ask for the promotion.
He walked in that direction.
Within fifty meters, a tingling sensation made him stop. Elsado was no fool. If he moved closer, that inherent barrier would toss him backward like a ragdoll. This man…he was more powerful than Elsado thought, not that it would save him.
Elsado had many abilities and his favorite, Shadow-walking landed him higher on Hades’s hierarchy scale. An easily breached barrier for those with his skills; however, another thing came to mind. There was no way Lady Alice wouldn’t ward that man’s living quarters. Even shadow-walking had its limits.
He needed to lure them out. A classic trap that everyone fell for. Once the man came out to investigate, his life would cease to be. Elsado chuckled to himself. The first thing he’d do with his promotion was reorganize and retrain the troops so that they’d actually be competent. Then he’d thank Tear for making this easy for him before gutting her like a fish. Lord Hades may like his niece, but she was too dangerous. Succubae were powerful—and were the reason why most of these detestable monster girls existed. Some once called themselves Demon lords or Demon queens. Tear needed to die eventually as a precaution. Priorities, priorities.
Inside Clyde’s apartment….
Clyde and the others wrapped up the attack plan, voiced last-second suggestions or warnings. It wasn’t going to be treated as a raid since, well, it wasn’t—but the young man wouldn’t take it any less lightly. Alice still argued about the power of her father.
"We’ll have to come up with something other than brute strength then," Clyde told them. "You know, making a demon lord lose his will to fight doesn’t sound possible."
Alice sighed. "Not that I’m trying to be hardcore on killing your father, but I will do what must be done to free this damn city. No night-life my ass."
"Oh, I don’t care about that," Alice said. "For mother, I would’ve killed him myself if I could. It’s just…I feel like there’s something I’m missing. Father’s elite guards and those three sluts he kept around him and…who?"
As if answering her question, the apartment shook violently as if taking a missile attack.
"What the fuck?" Clyde snapped.
"Something strong hit the wards," Alice said.
"Yeah, that’s an obvious trap," Clyde said, "and an annoying cliché. As if we’re dumb enough to just walk outside into an ambush."
"Nya! It normally works," Neko said. "Why do you think he or she did it?"
"Can you do something from here?" Clyde said.
"Pervy-monster why are you asking her when you have a fully capable witch right here," Natalia said. "I’ll not only locate the attacker, but get rid of his stupid trap."
Without any prompting, the loli-witch sat on
the floor and closed her eyes. A pink aura surrounded her in a show of concentration.
[You activated Trust Bond Skill Mimic.]
[Random skill obtained: Harumi’s Tier 2 skill: All mighty shield.]
[Skill stored: Tier 2 skill: All mighty shield.]
He sent a text to Harumi, urging her not to go outside until he called for her. She complied. Apparently, she was on the phone with her sister anyway.
"Oh he’s good," Natalia said, "but not good enough. He doesn’t know my skill."
"Who?" Alice said.
"The creepy-monster," Natalia replied. "You hardly see him at the palace, always in the shadows and stuff. What’s his name again, the shadow guy?"
"Shadow guy?" Alice said then thought for a second. Recognition dawned in her eyes seconds later and she cursed. "My father doesn’t know yet—which means we’ll have to kill him, but it won’t be easy. Shit."
"Language, your Highness," Natalia said.
"Oh shut it," she said, pacing back and forth. "Elsado, of all demons. He scares even other demons sometimes."
"Is he even killable?" Natalia said.
"I don’t know," Alice said. "But he’s no fool. The man’s a shadow-walker. Cocky shadow-walkers would’ve waltzed right into the heart of my wards only to die horribly. He’s not dumb enough to do so, but it’s insulting that he believes we’re going to fan out and fall into his trap."
"Clichéd to the letter," Clyde said softly.
"Got him!" Natalia said. "Everyone ready your weapons. Let’s beat down the creepy-monster."
"Don’t let your guard down," Alice warned then looked at Neko. "Observer, we’re going to need your help. He doesn’t particularly like monsters girls nor beast kin. You’ll be his first target."
"Nya—you could say please," Neko said, innocent smile on her face.
Alice sighed, but before she could say anything, Clyde interrupted.
"We don’t got time for this, let’s go."
[Volume 3.] Episode 18 (Part 5)
Clyde was taken aback at what he saw. A…thing. A pale-faced man, covered in flowing and oozing blackness, ripped himself out of a giant glowing gold net. That had to be Natalia’s doing. Her smug smiled confirmed as much.
So, this was Elsado. Clyde analyzed him. People around cleared the area, walking on other streets, not looking. This phenomenon still unnerved the young man.
Elsado, Shadow Eye of House Hades.
Level: 80
Type: unknown.
Work under: demon lord.
Special: Shadow-walk.
Weakness: holy x 2, spiritual, light x56.
Resistances: dark, shadow x infinite.
Secret: was once human before dying and being sent to a place of torment for committing great crimes. Drinking from a cup of shadow brought him a dark rebirth.
"I’ll make you suffer for playing games with me, pup witch," Elsado snarled. "And you, Lady Alice, Lord Hades requires your presence at the palace."
"You watch your tone," Natalia snapped.
"Likewise," Elsado said. "Perhaps this isn’t the time for talking."
The creature formed a scythe from pure inky blackness. Black aura poured from him to form wings of shadow. The thing looked damned intimidating.
"This has been one hell of a Monday so far," Clyde said. Alice laughed.
"Come on, my heart, Father has challenged us. Just wait till he finds out who’s my life mate."
Elsado frowned.
"You crashed the ceremony, which was wise. But without a ceremony, you’re free for the taking. And I shall arrange you to someone of honor. Maybe your childhood playmate."
A flash of panic rushed into Alice’s eyes.
"And that traitor will be reminded that I don’t swing that way," Alice said with ice in her voice. "Anyway, you won’t get the chance to summon her."
Elsado’s laugh rang deep, evil. Clyde wondered if the thing that stood before them was actually Satan himself.
"Prepare yourself, especially you, disgusting beast kin."
[Your party has entered a death sentence!]
"Are you shitting me?" Clyde hissed. "Alice, I’m not sure about this. You know I can see extra properties. And this guy is bad news."
"Natalia, don’t hold back—this rides on you," Alice said softly.
Elsado oozed forward, an unnerving glide with wings that didn’t flap. He simply hovered, if one could call it that.
"Come, worms. Make the first move."
[You invoked Mystic wrath!]
[Your transformation has been cancelled.]
[Elsado’s presence negates all transformations!]
Clyde’s eyes widened. Fine, he didn’t need it anyway. He unsheathed Ludacris.
"Ah, the Ashfall legendary sword," Elsado said. "Come."
[Neko activated Holy lance.]
[Elsado activated Shadow-walking]
The man merged into the shadows of a street light. Neko’s blade of pure while light sailed past him. Natalia chanted line after line, golden aura surrounding her.
[Party loyalty has triggered. Any companion in the area will be notified. Bonus stats will be awarded to them if they’re able to provide assistance.]
"Shit," Clyde said. He didn’t want Harumi to join at the wrong the time. He’d have to keep Elsado’s attention—the pink-haired girl would surely rush from her apartment.
The shadow man returned from the ground, smug grin on his face. But Clyde immediately knew that the shadow ability wasn’t as broken as it seemed. He had a time limit. Thank god he had limits.
Clyde rushed forward, Alice flanking to engage the demon. He blocked both Clyde’s sword and Alice’s then bashed them backward with a black light. Painful black light and hot wind. So much blackness—there was no way they could’ve seen such a quick-casted attack coming. The yelling of Neko and Yuki sounded very far away.]
[Elsado used Tier 1 skill: Silent Reaper Dark wave.]
[Your Hp has dropped to 1%]
[You’ve been inflicted with Death blight.]
[You are dying…]
Clyde fell, blood gushing out of his mouth. Here we go again, he thought. Take one step forward, then fall five steps back.
[Alice’s HP has dropped to 0.5% Warning, your life mate is dying. Warning!]
Alice…dying…even though she had a natural shield. Demon Lord Hades was stronger than this? This shadow man was level eighty. Much higher than him—yet…he began to reach for the power. Sudden warmth stopped him.
[Harumi activated skill fusion: Double Grand Heal + Refresh.]
[Your HP and MP returned to 75% All status alignments, hunger, and thirst, and exhaustion removed.]
[Alice’s HP and MP returned to 75% All status alignments, hunger, and thirst, and exhaustion removed.]
Clyde looked toward Alice, but the demoness was already standing. He turned to Harumi.
"You saved our asses."
"Who is he?" Harumi said.
"Hades’s dog," Yuki said.
Elsado chuckled.
"It is remarkable to see the wheel of luck spinning for such fools. To survive that, I’m impressed. Your power level must be at least over forty or so. Well, it doesn’t matter. Come, the dance has just started."
"This is not one of my better ideas," Alice said with a chuckle. "Nobody in the palace would’ve guessed he was this strong."
Elsado held up a hand. Pools of his blackness began to ooze around pale fingers.
Clyde didn’t hesitate, not wanting to fall close to death again. He’d have to keep the fear out of his head, think of this as simply a super challenging boss fight and not a death sentence.
[Clyde activated Spirit wave.]
Elsado clearly had no idea what was coming for him as he simply laughed.
"Your weak and path—agh!"
[Weakness exploited! No damage dealt due to Shadow shield.]
"He has some shadow shield," Clyde said.
"Natalia hurry up," Alice urged. The loli continued to
chant, faster with more passion and song. That only pissed off Clyde—the worst trope at a time like this. The attack move that took fucking forever to launch.
Elsado looked pissed as he recovered. Clyde and Alice had no intention of going near him again.
"So you know of holy and spirit," Elsado said. "Too bad magic is useless. If only you had something else. Oh what’s that? Don’t want to rush headstrong for a pathetic physical attack?"
[Elsado activated Shadow blast.]
His aim was at Natalia, rightfully so. Clyde hopped in front of her and put up a Spirit shield. The attacked rocked him, but he held his ground.
[Your HP has dropped to 44%]
[Your MP has dropped to 60%]
He panted a little, catching his breath from such power. A prompt remained on the corner of his eye—one he forgot to check the previous night. Battle wasn’t the right time—but he did so anyway without taking his eyes off the stationary opponent.
[Ki increased! Strength is at 1. Passion is at 1. Energy is at 1.]
[Ki increased! Soul is at 1. Command is at 1. Radiance is at 1.]
Oh, Kitome and Alice. Now wasn’t the time to think about that—he just didn’t have enough Ki or any Ki-based skills to make use of the gains.
Natalia continued to chant, her voice seeming to be coming to a conclusion. If this failed, they were through.
Clyde won a death sentence before. He’d win again. The Fireside girls should be dressed up sexily and painfully smiling as they served food to their customers.
The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper, #3 a LitRPG (ATS) Page 7
