There were seven of them, average levels around thirty-one and above. Clyde didn’t have time to fully analyze all of them and it wasn’t like they considered him a threat. But he stood just close enough to hear the conflict.

“You are a coward!” a girl with curly bright orange hair said. Zera. “You’re the reason why your sister won’t join Fireside.”

Yusuke folded his arms, glowering at the group. He was a blue-haired young man with a runner’s build, dressed in the school uniform. Clyde analyzed him.

Yusuke.

Level: 30.

Type: ninja.

Relationship: stranger.

HP: 125%

MP: 75%

He ended the analysis early and watched, sure that Kitome would probably kick his ass for allowing her brother to bite it.

“If you won’t use your powers for good, then we’ll have to teach you the hard way,” a slim girl named Ila said. The chocolate-skinned young woman was the only one of them that carried a weapon, a sheathed katana. A tiny red aura flowed around it.

One girl held a hand up, silencing the entire group. She was by far the most graceful of the group, her movement, her poise, calm, and cool, collected expression. Long silver hair draped to her back, piercing red eyes seeming to engage the worth of Yusuke’s life. She spoke with a musical, cool voice, without anger, but expectancy. Expectance of an answer. She was definitely the leader of the Fireside magical girls. The analysis stated her name as Sahara.

“Why do you not fight?” she said. “You have the power to help stop the demon problem in this city, yet you do nothing. People are dying each day, going missing, losing their souls and yet you do nothing. Your sister has joined some other group right, fighting and increasing her strength. Her power level’s higher than yours. She declined our invite because of you. She foolishly promised the leader of her group that she’d—”

“If I don’t want to get myself killed, then it’s my business,” Yusuke said. “If the police, who clearly know what’s going on won’t do anything, why should I?”

“You have the gift,” a pink-haired girl named Marin said. “You have a destiny.”

“Fuck destiny,” Yusuke said. “I do what I want.”

He started to walk past the group of young women but they blocked his path.

“Capture him,” Sahara said. “You’ll learn to put the needs of the city, the world, before your own selfishness. Even if it’s the hard way. We didn’t bother Kitome with anymore invitations because she’s fighting. She makes us proud. When you’re trained, maybe she’ll leave her current group and be our eighth.”

“You bitches,” Yusuke said shaking his head. “You won’t drag me into this shit. Ninja transformation!”

Transformation hell broke loose as all of them dawned twenty-second sequences.

“Love-love, caring, transformation!”

“Peace, harmony, transformation!”

“Sex, futility, transformation!”

Clyde tuned out the rest of the chants as he raced toward Yusuke. The normal population was already walking on the other side of the streets, not looking at the approaching cluster fuck.

“Hey man, I’ve got your back,” Clyde said to Yusuke.

“You’re that…fine whatever, I hope you can fight,” he said. “Sahara’s dangerous.”

“Level thirty-nine,” Clyde said. “Of course.”

“Ah, an uninvited guest can see us and jump to your aid,” Sahara said. “No transformation? Girls, capture him too.”

Yusuke’s outfit changed into full black ninja garb. He didn’t cover his face like the warriors in the movies. A white aura of some sort surrounded him. It radiated a slight heat that made Clyde curious about it. Questions for later.

Sahara, Ila, Marin, Akane, Fusako, Machi, and Zera, the Fireside group faced them in their fully transformed states. The outfits reminded him of something Sailor Moon wore in the animes, orange, and red uniforms: shirts and shirt with fiery symbols on them, white scandalous boots.

Clyde wasn’t sure why he found himself grinning, his eyes locked on Sahara, hers on him, uncertainty deep within. He was an unknown factor to them. Awesome.

He took a quick look at the beginning of his stats page, calculating. His extra MP could save him. He activated all of the buffs possible then cleared his mind of everything except the fight ahead.

[You have joined forces with Yusuke. Your relationship with Kitome has increased to Friend- Closer level 1 for defending her brother.]

Clyde.

Level: 30

Type: Main character/ Stone. Mystic.

Title: The Man Who Shatters the Balance.

HP: 100% (+10%)

MP: 100% (+30%)

[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.]

[Your party has entered a death sentence!]

Thanks for the faith in me, System, Clyde thought sarcastically.

[Sahara activated Wit of the thirteen witches!]

A giant pink magic circle of many symbols appeared underneath her feet. The magical girls donned pink auras, smirking.

“Who’s first?” Clyde said. Yusuke looked at him with widened eyes.

“You have no idea, do you?”

Clyde shook his head.

“I said I have your back. It’s too late to back down. And I have tricks of my own.”

“Whatever dude,” Yusuke said, shaking his head doubtfully then lurched toward the nearest magical girl.

“Look who’s going forward anyway,” Clyde said then followed suit.

[You activated Scatter shot.]

All the magical girls dodged, except Sahara. She simply swatted away each energy ball with a single hand. He wished he had a way to exploit their weaknesses but knew no ice magic whatsoever. All of them were weak to ice.

[Machi activated Fire spear!]

Clyde dodged the attack. Yusuke engaged in hand to hand combat with Ila, dagger in hand.

[Yusuke activated Sonic Combat.]

Clyde couldn’t pay attention to that fight, but before the three women that approached him stole his attention, he shouted,

“Heads up man, two more are coming.”

Only Sahara look as if she didn’t plan to participate in the battle. She observed her magical minions like a general.

[Machi activated Fire spear!]

[Fusako activated Flame strike.]

[Zera activated Flame smite.]

Clyde knew that if he didn’t do something, he’d get cooked alive. And Roasted Clyde was no fun.

[You activated Spirit shield.]

[Your MP has dropped to 101%]

[Fire spear’s piecing still delivers a small amount of damage past your shield. Sahara’s spell increases damage output!]

[Your HP has dropped to 92%]

Clyde rushed forward, a little nervous now, but followed the airflow and moods. He easily dodged punches, countered with a roundhouse kick, then jumped, dodging Zera’s fire punch.

[Machi’s HP has dropped to 95%]

Despite utilizing the airflows, breathing, and moods, it just wasn’t good enough. The women were trained fighters, outnumbered him, and knew he had limits. As he regained his bearings, dodging a flurry of kicks from Machi and Fusika, an exploding blast of fire struck his past his invisible barrier, opening the young man’s chest to some heated pain. The blast propelled him backward twenty yards.

[Zera used fireball.]

[Your HP has dropped to 45% Sahara’s spell continues to increase damage output.]

Clyde sneered as he stood. The spirit shield’s cooldown felt cruel, not that it would do him any good against the fire spears. And they truly were shaped like long spears. And that fireball: holy shit. In the games, that move was always the weakest of attacks. Here, Clyde swore it hurt like a motherfucker and did a ton of damage.

“Give up,” Sahara said, still standing in place, arms folded across her chest. The smug smile on her face infuriated Clyde. Why did he involve himself in this fight anyway? It had to be the effects of this world—making him cocky. He wasn’t always like that. Hell, if he even showed a hint of smugness at home, his momma would gift him with a fat lip.

He glanced over at Yusuke only to see him struggling as well, battered. A bleeding status accompanied him, but the wounds across his arm and chest made that obvious. The ninja’s combat log had many techniques, but the magical girls were not only strong but outnumbered him. To think the crazy fool planned to face them all alone. Sahara continued as if she’d already won, a matter of fact in her tone. “You can’t win. This battle was over before it began. All we wish to do is chat. And you will tell us about your gift.”

“At least take me out to dinner first,” Clyde said.

Sahara sighed.

“Knock him out. Make sure you tie with the anti-magic rope. I think tonight’s torture is going to be a long one.”

“That was a joke. And what’s with the torture?” Clyde said. “What are you, a medieval lord lady.”

The magical girls began to charge up their spells again. Fire spells. His bane. Time to roll his luck of the dice. He thought of his Alice, Harumi, and Chika.

[You’ve activated Trust Bond Skill Mimic.]

[You’ve invoked Alice’s Raid Ender? Do you wish to use, store, or discard it? Warning even if you discard it, the cooldown rule still applies.]

Clyde laughed, his hands glowing bright white. Everyone looked at him suspiciously.

“It’s over!”

[You activated Raid Ender.]

Light contracted then quickly expanded from his hand. And there was no way they could dodge him. He eagerly awaited the damage and incapacitated prompts. When the brightness cleared, his mouth went agape at the sight.

The magical girls were gathered around Sahara. She had a hand raised. Surrounding the women was a translucent pink semi-sphere.

“Zera, you hold Yusuke down. Everyone else, focus on that man. Capture him at all costs,” Sahara said. “I want him. He’ll make a fine attack dog with a skill like that.”

“That was a borrowed skill,” Clyde said, raising his hands. “How about we just talk. We’re all on the same team anyway—this fighting’s pointless.”

“So, are you willing to let us take Yusuke?” Machi said. “Unlike you, he’s not leaving without the proper training.”

“So kidnapping,” Clyde said. “What are you going to tell his family and college?”

“I’ll have that taken care of. People tend to submit to the government for important causes,” Fusako said.

Yusuke gave him an intense look of pleading. The proud ninja, pleading.

“He’s coming to my team,” Clyde said, almost reluctantly. “I’d appreciate it if you let him go.”

“You have no claim on…” Sahara paused. “Wait. You’re him? That changes everything.”

“No, no, it doesn’t,” Clyde said. Her eyes changed from its neutral cold to pure interest.

“I’ve heard so much about you—no wonder why you were able to so-called do the impossible and borrow someone’s skill as you say. That attack you just used. Teach us.”

“Teach you?”

“Join our team,” Machi said.

“And having a guy on the team would be a needed....” Akane said, voice trailing off, nose bleeding, eyes…full of lust?

“You slut,” Zera said, glaring at the blonde woman.

“No,” Clyde said. “I’ve been hoping to get him on the team for a while, but not by force. The man has a life.”

“Take him down girls,” Sahara said. “We’ll torture him to sunset.”

“Akane could strip for him. Get him at the bridge of climaxing then let it wilt,” Marin said. Akane glared at her.

“I’m not—”

Clyde drowned out the rest of their words as he tried out his newest special ability. Skill fusion. He selected the two skills he wanted to combo.

[Clyde activated skill fusion: Flash Step + Spirit wave]

[Your MP has dropped to 64%]

He was right behind Yusuke’s captors. The large beam of blue magic engulfed them all, spitting them at least twenty yards away. Unfortunately, Clyde wasn’t prepared for Sahara’s attack. All he saw was her hand aimed at him before being covered head to toe with an enormous wave of pink and white energy.

[Sahara used Wrath of the thirteen.]

[Your HP has dropped to 4%]

Clyde coughed out a mouthful of blood. He had no intention of going down so easily.

[You have invoked Mystic Wrath.]

Clyde stood up, engulfed in his transformation. Some of the women had surprised looks on their faces, others were openly intrigued. They still believed the fight was over. He aimed one hand at Sahara. Green electricity danced from his fingertips. Sahara put up her shield, confident in its power, but these women had no idea of the destructive capabilities of the Mystic Wrath.

[You activated Mystic Lightning.]

All of the women suddenly put up smaller shields, working together as a team to ensure the failure of Clyde’s attack.

Mystic Lightning was an unblockable ability—Clyde could tell when it simply went through their bubbles as if they didn’t exist. The screams felt as if they’d shatter glass.

[Ila’s HP has dropped to 1%. Ila has lost the will to fight.]

[Marin’s HP has dropped to 1%. Marin lost the will to fight.]

[Akane’s HP has dropped to 1%. Akane lost the will to fight.]

[Fusako’s HP has dropped to 1% Fusako has been inflicted with spiritual blight. Fusako is paralyzed!]

[Machi’s HP has dropped to 1% Machi lost the will to fight.]

[Zera’s HP has dropped to 1% Zera has lost the will to fight.]

[Sahara’s HP has dropped to 42%]

Sahara looked horrified as she watched her friends fall one by one.

[Your MP has dropped to 31%]

The cooldown was a pest to Clyde right now—as he really needed another shot to finish off the leader. She dusted herself off as she started toward Clyde, leisurely, as if he was just another tiny pest of her busy day.

His mystic wrath flickered, threatening to snuff out. He was just too damn tired and in pain to move much. Everywhere hurt.

“I see why this is a death sentence. Fuck, you’re strong.”

Sahara smiled. SMILED.

“You’re cute. I want you to remember this defeat for a long time.”

[Sahara activated Eternal Pain.]

[Harumi activated Tier 2 skill: All mighty shield!]

An invisible barrier protected the exhausted young man from a torrent of black fire that looked as if it could even hurt God himself.

[Harumi activated skill fusion: Grand Heal + Refresh.]

[Your HP and MP returned to 75% All status alignments, hunger, and thirst, and exhaustion removed.]

Clyde wanted nothing more than to kiss Harumi. She was more than just a pleasant sight, holy shit did she save the day. The cooldown on that probably meant no more large-scale healing.

Sahara looked terrified. A fully healed Clyde. His Mystic wrath’s aura flared up to full brightness again.

“You’ve got some explaining to do,” Harumi said.

“I know,” he said. “God, Harumi, I could hug you right now. Fuck, I thought I was going to die.”

“What were you thinking, taking on this many people, by yourself?” Harumi said.

“Good question. Got a little overconfident. It was mainly to help Kitome’s brother,” Clyde said.

Yusuke was standing again, glaring furious daggers at Sahara.

“Not so tough now, bitch. Now I don’t have to worry about your cronies blocking this.”

[Yusuke activated Flash Jump.]

He teleported beside a wide-eyed Sahara.

[Yusuke activated Smash breaker.]

Sahara ducked under the glowing punch that would’ve sent her to LaLa-land, then elbowed Yusuke in the neck. She placed a hand on his chest as he fell backward, fury in her eyes, preparing to truly mess up the young man.

[Clyde activated Binder’s hand. Sahara is inflicted with Bind! Bind holds strong!]

The tendrils of magic held her in midair, nearly spread-eagle. Clyde willed them to damage her. She howled in pain.

“Surrender,” Clyde said. “Or I’ll make you wish I’d kill you.”

Sahara deflated but the defiance remained in her eyes.

“Fine, I give up. I surrender.”

He increased the pain and held it. She howled, HP dropping slowly. “I need you to mean it. Stop making me do this.”

The message he wanted finally appeared, confirming the truth.

[Sahara has lost the will to fight.]

[You have ended the battle.]

“Please, I’m sorry. I surrender.”

Clyde nodded then released his binding. Harumi healed Yusuke.

“Harumi, call Kitome. No, call everyone. Before we have our meeting, we’re going to chat with some lovely magical pests.”

All of this work for no rewards, Clyde thought. He wished Alice had a freaking phone. Dammit, Demon culture. Not worth wasting his last summon over.