He shook his head, pushing away hilariously disturbing thoughts. He checked his inventory, frowning when he spotted a certain item.

“Fuck! I forgot to read the mystic book.” He looked at the time. “Is it technically night? Or just evening?”

[Yes. It is 7:55 PM. You cannot read Path of the Mystic at this time.]

Clyde shook his head again. “That’s so stupid.” His new magic skill turned his frown upside down.

[Spirit wave. Type: spiritual. Class: mysterious. Description. Shoot a wave of concentrated spiritual energy. Chance to cause spiritual blight at 3%. Chance to do double damage on dark creatures: 15%.]

He set off into the cool night. The crisp wind refreshed him, almost better than the shower he took earlier. The others were waiting at the usual spot, Chika included. Toru immediately pulled Clyde off to the side.

“How?”

“What?” Clyde said.

“How did you convince…her to join?”

“I asked her to be reasonable,” Clyde said. “Everyone wants to be able to go outside at night again.”

Toru shot Clyde a blank glare.

“Harumi and I couldn’t get that girl to budge for months.”

“Look, it’s a long story, Slimeo,” Clyde said. “She’s here and it’s time to kick some ass.”

Toru sighed then nodded.

“Fair enough. You see, this is why you’re the leader.”

“Pssh, you just don’t deal with the complicated bull,” Clyde said. “In fact.”

He announced aloud, “as the leader, I now declare Toru battle trainer and strategist.”

Toru glared at Clyde as everyone nodded, approving. Clyde smiled.

“It only makes sense, dude,” Seth said, hands clutching a baseball bat. “He drilled me like hell yesterday on battle formations.” He shook his head. “To think we have…. things crawling around our city at night. Are the cops not going to do anything about this? Maybe bring in the military.”

“Only those with the gift can fight them,” Harumi said.

“It’s kind of unfair for all of that to get lopped onto us,” Kitome said.

“Speaking of unfair, how far are you with convincing your brother?” Toru said, giving the blue-haired anime girl a fixed look.

“He’s at least listening,” Kitome said. She gave a brief longing expression then sighed. “I’d love to fight with him. See who’s better.”

“You really love your brother, don’t you?” Chika said.

“Of course,” Kitome said, cheerfulness in her voice.

Clyde tried not to facepalm as his anime trope senses tingled. He’d not look into that grim path.

“Perhaps a little too much,” he said under his breath, then aloud, “alright, let’s do a simple patrol, get Seth and Chika used to the rhythm. And mow down a little of the demon lord’s forces. We’re a team. Watch each other’s backs. Remember that.”

That got a nod of approval from everyone.

[Toru, Seth, and Kitome have joined your party, companions to fight with you even to the end.]

[You have unlocked the passive skill, Party Loyalty. Your companions will be able to sense if you’re in danger whether in or out of battle. Anyone nearby will be given a boost in stats to provide assistance.]

The first encounter of the night faced the party against grey humanoid squid-like creatures with large black eyes the size of grapefruits and brown spots that dotted across their faces like freckles. The squid-like heads seemed elongated. Rippling muscles engulfed their chests like bodybuilders. They hosted six tentacle arms, each equipped with jagged daggers.

One of them smiled at Kitome, revealing a mouth of razor-sharp teeth.

Krakkedon

Level: 18

Type: Monster

Work under: demon lord spawn.

Special: Ink slash. [Chance to stun at 3%].

Weakness: Your hostile detection isn’t high enough for this.

Resistances: See above.

Secret: Your hostile detection, luck, and will isn’t high enough for this.

[Your party has entered combat!]

“Toru, you double up with Kitome,” Clyde said. “I don’t like that look. Battle formation three. Go!”

Clyde couldn’t believe those words came out of his mouth but just rolled with it. He bolted toward his squid target, sword out, and engaged the creature. He started off with a Precise Slash. The krakkedon blocked it with two daggered arms then slashed across the young man’s chest. Clyde’s armor barrier blocked physical damage, but the pain made him grit his teeth. He swung at it once more, his level three combat forms driving him forward. The monster blocked every strike, then slashed through Clyde’s barrier with an ink slash. A shallow cut with blood oozing set the young man to his defenses. He allowed himself to briefly check his health.

[Your health has dropped to 79%]

“Enough of this,” he barked. “I will not be held up on one enemy. Especially one cheating with six arms.”

Clyde dashed toward it, kicking on a Deep Slash, but missed. The krakkedon laughed.

“Pitiful human.”

The monster backhanded him to the ground hard enough to solicit a brief moment of dizziness.

[Your health has dropped to 72%]

It bolted for Clyde in an attempt to finish it. The young man smiled, aimed a hand at it, then allowed the energy ball to flow.

[Your MP has dropped to 88%]

The monster squealed as the ball bashed him to the ground. Clyde didn’t hesitate to get up and stab the krakkedon in its neck. When the light left its eyes, he turned to see Chika staring at him. He shrugged then observed the street. His judgment call to double up on the monster that smiled at Kitome was spot on. Harumi electricity fried her foes—Clyde noted it as a possible weakness. Not that it mattered now, since most of his magic was of the spiritual element.

“What was that?” Chika said. Clyde did not let her silent sheathing of her knife go unnoticed.

“Just another form of my gift,” he said then addressed everyone as a whole. “Let’s get going.”

Harumi healed them all before they set off.

[Battle completed. Victory! Reward: 2300 EXP and $100.]

They rounded the corner as a group, searching for monsters and police. What Clyde noticed about this predicament is that the cop cars seemed to avoid areas that contained higher level monsters. Dick move, Clyde thought. Way to leave your citizens to the frenzy. He needed power but didn’t fool himself into thinking it was possible to take on the demon lord alone. Parties were there for a reason.

Clyde noticed a shadow standing on the rooftop, looking right at them, but by the time he opened his mouth to warn the others, it was on top of them. On top of Toru.

“Agh! Get it off, get it off!”

He was struggling with a woman? She appeared to be a busty frog-like humanoid creature with short green hair, green skin, and some kind of slime covering her body. Clyde analyzed her.

Mucus Toad girl- Imba

Level: 26

Type: Monster

Work under: N/A

Special: Special Kiss. [Chance to cause lust and stun.]

Weakness: Your hostile detection isn’t high enough for this.

Resistances: See above.

Secret: Your hostile detection, luck, and will isn’t high enough for this.

“Another goddamn mutant, dude,” Seth said. “Well, she wants to bang Toru. I say we just go and come back after they finish.”

The monster girl gave Clyde and the others a thumbs up then ripped off Toru’s sweatpants.

“All in favor?” Clyde said, raising his hand, grinning evily.

“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 lovemaking, 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 ragtag 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 rode 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, the 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.]

Name: Clyde.

Level: 19

Type: Main character/ Stone.

HP: 100%

MP: 100%

Attack: 38 (+6)

Defense: 36 (+5)

Speed: 42

Luck: 35

Will: 40

Intellect: 41

Form: 0

Special: ???

Special Abilities:

Flash Step: Briefly move at the speed of light. A high, speed stat will increase the critical chance of any attack combined with this ability.

Hidden stats revealed:

Special Defense: 31

Paranoia:

Charisma: 29

Composure: 28

Evasion: 18

Reputation: Lv. 1. Noob- Never heard of that guy.

Endurance: 36

Misc:

Free points: 9.

Skills:

- Athlete: 10% bonus to speed and Will. [Passive].

-Hostile Detection 3: detects hostiles within a certain range of you. Detects enemy information. [Passive].

-Heart Protection 3: you’re 34% less affected by unwanted mental magic or skills from enemies. You gain a 17% bonus to your ability to convince others to do anything that would protect their hearts. [Passive]. 11% chance to break from any magic or charismatic hold.

- Secret sword and martial arts combination. Random unknown increases to speed, defense, and will during battle. Chance to critical increases by 2%. [Passive].

- Crafting 3: enables you to craft items using everyday objects. [Passive].

- Dagger combat 1: does physical damage. Enables dagger combat. Chance to critical at 1% [Passive].

-knife throwing 1: does physical damage. Enables knife combat. Chance to stun at 1% [Passive].

Trap Detection 1. You will be warned by the system automatically on things your mind would consider a trap. Your will stats dictate this! [Passive]. Range: 5 meters.

Party loyalty: Your party will know if you’re in danger and need help. A boost of stats will be provided to anyone who’s able to provide you assistance.

Unarmed attacks:

-Round house kick. [Attack] – does physical damage. Change of knockdown at 5%.

Sword attacks:

-Precise Slash 3. [Attack] – does physical damage. Chance of critical at 9%

-Deep Slash 2. [Attack]- does physical damage. Chance to cause bleeding at 8%. Chance to stun at 2%.

-Spirit Slash 1. [Attack] – does physical and spiritual damage. Chance to cause dizziness at 1%. Chance to cause spiritual blight at 2%.

Combat level:

Basic 3. Combat style: somewhat skilled.

Magic:

-Energy Ball. Type: spiritual. Class: mysterious.

-Scatter Shot. Type: spiritual. Class: mysterious. Description: Shoot a flurry of energy balls at multiple enemies. 1% chance to stun an enemy.

-Spirit wave. Type: spiritual. Class: mysterious. Description. Shoot a wave of concentrated spiritual energy. Chance to cause spiritual blight at 3%. Chance to do double damage on dark creatures: 15%.

-Binder’s hand 1: 20% chance to bind 1 enemy. Does no damage unless you will it. If willed, will do 1% damage per second.

Talent:

Main character stuff.

Bonus:

10% boost to relationship stats with Harumi and her friends.

+5% damage for a physical attack.

Inventory:

$ 1420

-Map of Lot City, Satovia.

-Map of Libado Grasslands, Satovia.

-Smartphone.

-Key.

-Reminder for practice- note.

- Path of the Mystic (book) (item class: mysterious).

- Enemy attractor. (25% chance of attracting a small force of enemies).

- Natzo hand bomb. (Does Fire and Metal damage on enemies caught within the blast. 40% chance to cause burns, 20% chance to deafen. 30% chance to stun.)

- Zelt’s printer. Level 1/25.

Equipment:

-Beginner’s sword- +5 to attack.

-School uniform or casual clothes.

-School shoes or casual shoes.

-Necklace of strength. (Uncommon)- +1 attack +1 defense.

-no rings.

- Basic armor set. (Uncommon). +4 to defense.

>Cards:

Attackers:

The Sorceress Amina. Power: ??? Defense: ??? Effect: ??? Type: ???

Wizard Otus.

Action cards:

Fever Draw. (Action card)

King’s Last Hold. (Action card)

Classes: (year1).

-Satovia History 1.

-Romance Literature 1.

-Sciences 1.

-Crafting 1.

Phone numbers:

-Chika.

-Harumi.

-Naomi

-Toru

-Seth

-Kitome

Quest log:

Main story.

Investigate the mysterious cards. (MS).