Paradise of Infinity: 349

Title: Harem Takeover Time (2)

While Nik and Faye conversed, Yor had changed out of her black dress. So, Nik meets a rather tame-looking Yor after sending Faye off. Though she wears a headband to contain her long hair wrapped around her head, it's not tied into an elaborate braid. Similarly, Yor is in a surprisingly pleasing red sweater with a slightly open back and black tights. She sits across Nik, offering a polite, professional smile…

—which looks weird on her bruised face.

Roberta and Yor did a number on each other.

Noticing his gaze, Yor explains, “Please don’t worry about my face. It will heal in a few days.”

Nik nods before glancing at the jug of water alongside other snacks on the table between them. He waves his hand as the water floats from the jug, surprising Yor. She glances at Nik, slight wariness appearing in her eyes.

“It’s to heal you,” Nik smiles.

“Truly,” Yor resists. “It doesn’t hurt.” She eyes the blob of water reaching for her, instantly covering her face and expertly leaving her eyes, nostrils, and mouth uncovered like a face pack.

Yor feels surging warmth traveling through her face as the water visibly glows. She can’t help but question, “I-is this magic?”

Nik shrugs.

“Between you and me… even some machinery feels like magic. So it’s probably anything you want it to be. But what I’m doing is called elemental bending from the world I learned it.” Nik retracts the water and refills the jug before questioning. “How does it feel?”

Humming, Yor feels her cheeks. “It feels pleasant,” her smile brightens. “Thank you.”

“Hmm,” Nik returns the smile. “So, Yor. What can you tell me about yourself?”

“Yes!” Yor suddenly becomes more attentive, exclaiming, “I’m Yor Briar, an assassin!”

‘Then why do you sound like a soldier?’ Nik blinks. “Oh, right. You are quite strong. I didn’t expect anyone to have such a jump on Roberta.”

Mentioning Roberta dampens Yor’s mood instantly. Nik wonders what is with Roberta and other ‘killer’ women hating on each other. Roberta and Revy were the same, but they were more than enthusiastic at ‘night.’

‘Could these two be the same?’ Nik idly wonders, observing Yor. His mind can’t help but imagine Yor, Roberta, Revy, Sofia, and Azula on their knees—

Wait, Azula? Why is she there?

Oh, right. The Guzzler often occupies Nik’s fantasies due to her sadistic, masochistic, greedy tendencies.

“What about your world, Yor?” Nik continues the conversation as she appears thoughtful. “Um, I never found anything different. I guess there are a few talented people I know.”

“Oh?” Nik perks up.

“Yes!” Yor beams. “My younger brother is super intelligent! That has to be a power, right?”

“Eh? Sure,” Nik nods as Yor continues. “But I don’t know much. After all, I’m from a small city. I don’t even understand why Denny or others would think much of me when they have superpowers.”

“I see,” he exhales. “Do you have anything to do? Any expertise?”

“Yes,” Yor nods. “I’m really good at killing others!”

Nik chuckles wryly. From Faye’s expertise in stealing/sleight of hand and Yor’s expertise in killing, he can’t find much work inside his Scar of Infinity.

“And you don’t mind living in here?” Nik continues as he suddenly thinks of something.

“Well,” Yor’s mood fluctuates before she deflates. “We don’t have a choice.”

“No,” Nik shakes his head. “I meant, you don’t mind living according to my arrangements? Because you do have a choice to reject.” He confirms things off the bat, unwilling to create any misunderstanding. “I’m not like Denny, and I don’t like forcing others if possible. You should already know what I can do but won’t.”

He points at his eyes as Yor’s lips part, recalling the scene of Nik controlling almost everyone’s mind.

She hesitates, “I’ll… like some time, if possible.”

“Of course,” Nik smiles.

“Um,” Yor glances at the man, straining a smile. “As for the arrangements you mentioned, Nik… does that mean…”

“I’m not asking you to sleep with me,” Nik snickers. “I have a family of my own, and I’m stretched thin as is.”

But Nik also knows the truth that he’ll probably try cucking Denny beyond her grave.

“Thank you,” Yor smiles in relief.

“Can you send in Shuuko Komi?” Nik questions as Yor stands and nods. “I will. Thank you again for being so understanding.”

Nik nods and idly waits in the room until the subsequent individual enters. The woman has a motherly air about her. Her neck-long dark-purple—almost black—hair primarily parts to the left. She’s dressed in a yellow top and brown pants.

“Hello~!” she chirps the second she enters. Taking a seat, she continues cheerily, “I’m Shuuko Komi, 17 years old. Please look after us.”

Nik falls into a daze before questioning, “17? You?”

Her cheeks inflate instantly, “How rude! Faye and Yor said how sensitive you were to them. Of course, I’m 17!”

Nik grows silent before sighing. “I see. I’m sorry about my earlier words. I didn’t know being with Denny took such a toll on you. I’ll ask my family to be more accommodating to your needs.”

Shuuko’s lips twitch, “Nik-San… are you saying I’m retarded?”

“Of course not,” Nik breezes past the topic. You don’t call retards just that. It’s in bad taste. Yet, Shuuko frowns, appearing vexed. “Please don’t think I’m mentally challenged. Sigh… It’s… my heart.” She speaks seriously. “My heart will remain Forever 17!”

“Oh!” Nik nods. “I get it. Sorry about before.” He snickers. “I’m Nik Faran, 18 Years Old.”

Shuuko’s gaze brightens. “Yes. That’s the way.”

They smirk at each other before Nik continues. “Faye tells me you looked after others, including Denny. She says…” Nik audibly gulps. “Your cooking is superb.”

“Indeed,” Shuuko smiles. “You’ll know all about me if you read the ‘media’ I’m from.” The moment she says this, Shuuko finds Nik’s expression stiffening. The room descends into silence before Nik sighs.

“I’m sorry, Shuuko-san. Faye told me a few things about everyone. Your husband and children… it’s fucked up.”

“You shouldn’t use dirty language, Nik-san,” Shuuko smiles, yet sadness tinges her gaze. “I know it’s wrong to feel repulsed by Denny just because she purchased us, but she was nice to us… in her way.”

Shuuko glances away. “She never forced us, you know. It’s just… hard.”

Nik thins his lips. “Did Denny never offer to help you reunite with your family?”

Shuuko appears visibly shaken. “I could never—”

“I can tell, Shuuko-san,” Nik smiles. “Chances are, you and others never once thought of making Denny purchase others. But did you wonder why Denny never tried to ‘save’ your entire family?”

Shuuko looks at Nik.

“Denny purchased you all—that’s a fact.” Nik never lost his cautiousness around this group. Faye and Yor hold enough ill will against Denny, so Nik doesn’t need to change their outlook. However, Shuuko appears to be more understanding. After all, it would be foolish to incorporate a group of ‘fated’ individuals from different media into his Scar of Infinity if they have a shred of compassion for Denny, making it possible for them to somehow hold a grudge against Nik.

So, Nik doesn’t hold back any punches.

“She only had one use in her mind.”

His words bring a wave of silence into the room as Shuuko’s complexion pales.

“It’s not like…”

“Would you say the same thing if Denny purchased your daughter?” Nik remarks as Shuuko chokes on her words. “There are a few girls in your group. Why did Denny not purchase your daughter right away but only you? Would you not have wanted to be with your children?”

Seeing Shuuko trying to form a defense for Denny, Nik pushes, “Just think. Denny isn’t like me. I’ll never deal in slaves for any reason unless it’s to save someone I directly know, not a multiversal copy. Why wouldn’t Denny just save a family if she was feeling kind? Why separate all of you?”

“She could be out of funds…” Shuuko appears distressed. Even she doesn’t believe her words.

“You…” Nik exhales, shaking his head. “Denny and you shared some intimacy, right?”

Shuuko lowers her head. “Did Faye-san—”

“She didn’t tell me about such things,” Nik sighs. “I’m sorry for making you go through all this. However, I want you to see things objectively.”

“Why?” Shuuko glances at Nik. “Don’t we appear like trouble to you? Why… help us?” She clenches her fists, feeling her throat turn dry at the thought of a possibility. Nik could be thinking about that—

“I try to not leave things half-baked,” Nik informs. “Be it helping someone, courting others, fulfilling objectives, trying to seek skills, training, and everything else… it doesn’t sit right with me to not accomplish everything I can. I intend to help because I can. I suppose that’s about the reason I truly need.”

Shuuko stares at Nik as he chuckles. “I hope you don’t poison my food, Shuuko-San. Because I might just not let you rest if you’re as good of a cook as Faye claims.”

Shuuko’s eyelids jump before she smiles. “Ehm,” she clears her throat. “A youth in his prime needs all the nourishment he can find. You can count on me to feed you full!”

Shuuko shall come to modestly regret such a boastful claim.

Nik snickers. “Right. That’s good. Oh, and Shuuko-san?”

“Yes?” Shuuko blinks.

“Seeing that you’re 17, a year younger than me, it’s not rude to call you by your name, right?”

Shuuko brightens slightly despite her earlier complicated feelings.

“Of course not. However, I will have to seek you out often, seeing you’re a senior. Girls my age often make the stupidest mistake. We need someone looking after us~!” She winks in Nik’s direction before leaving.

“Send the other four,” Nik remarks as Shuuko understands Nik’s words.

Soon, a group of four girls enter the room.

The tallest, around 170 centimeters, sports neck-long, slightly unkempt red hair that matches her red irides. Unlike the other three, she possesses a sturdy build despite a woman’s physique. She also appears the most cautious of the quartet.

One of them is a fair-skinned, black-haired girl with an indifferent, almost bored look in her black eyes, like Mai. Unlike the stoic girl, the dark-skinned girl sports a cocky smirk despite the guarded nervousness in her dark amber irides. She has a metal piercing on her right ear.

Finally, perhaps the least cautious and the most airheaded of them is the blue-eyed blonde with wavy locks and possibly the most prominent bust of the quartet.

Tomo Aizawa, Misuzu Gundou, Carol Olston, and Hayase Nagatoro.

“Have a seat,” Nik smiles. This group is perhaps the hardest to tackle due to Nik’s nature. A slightly crueler host, like Lava-Head or others, would have sold them. A more ‘malleable’ host like Ray, or in this case, Denny, would do anything for them.

Nik comfortably sits in the middle of the spectrum.

“Hello,” Carol breezily smiles as she sits and picks the cookie from the table. She’s the first girl to indulge in a snack during the conversations. Despite his politeness, others before the group were tense in their own rights. Faye only chose to smoke to calm her nerves.

“Hi,” Nik smiles at Carol. “I’m Nik. Nice to meet you.”

“Me, too,” she chirps. “I’m Carol, she is Tomo, that one is Misuzu, and she’s—”

“Hayase Nagatoro,” Hayase introduces herself before sitting beside Carol as Tomo and Misuzu sit reluctantly.

“Hmm,” Nik smiles. “Unlike others, you four are young and have only graduated high school. While I sympathize with your situation, I would like to move past the topic because speaking empty words won’t help us.”

There are different ways to tackle Denny’s budding harem. It only works for Nik that Denny never got enough time with everyone to set a foundation.

Case in point—Nik has yet to sleep with the Ty Sisters because they are happy to take things slow. Similarly, Nik finds time to spend with Kya before putting a glamorous choker around her neck.

“What?” blurts Tomo.

“You four are young, and the Japanese society has higher education after High School, right? If Denny’s ability to take others out is reusable and practical, I would like the four of you to continue your studies and build yourself the way you like.”

The four blink in surprise. Even Hayase, who planned to tease and test the waters, remained silent.

“That’s all,” Nik smiles comfortably. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I hope we can get along in the future.”

“Wait,” Tomo slams her hand on the table, shouting, “You’re a no-good scum like Denny! Why are you helping us?!”

‘Way to go to not antagonize someone who can kill us?’ Misuzu rolls her eyes at her friend as she tugs Tomo’s hand.

“Because I’m a no-good scum, unlike Denny. Don’t put us in the same stock,” Nik replies drily. “Besides, it would be a waste for you guys to not study further. I coincidentally live in Japan, so there isn’t a difference in language.”

“Can we get… materials to study for entrance exams?” Misuzu questions.

“I’ll get the materials from the current world before having you guys consult a friend of mine once I return to my Homeworld. She knows more about colleges and universities.”

“Oh?” Hayase smirks. “You’ve got female friends, Senpai?”

“If you’re implying I sleep around, the answer is yes,” Nik replies in a monotone. He feels the worst about this group. After all, he can’t imagine the students of Class 3-E or Saki being sold off to others.

‘Toph should be around their age,’ Nik muses. ‘Maybe they can get along. Though the difference of culture might be hard to tackle.’

The quartet shows different reactions to his words as Carol bites into the cookie, letting the crunching sound fill the silent room.

“Again,” Nik smiles. “All of this feels a little too rigid for my taste. I just want to exchange a few words before helping you guys settle. I’m more than happy to chat on a later date once things calm down for me.”

“I- I see,” Tomo and others stand as Hayase drags Carol with her. Still, the tanned girl tosses Nik a sidelong glance before beaming cattily at him as she leaves the room.

‘Did Denny really let a Hayase peg her?’ Nik shakes his head. In Denny’s harem, only Faye, Shuuko, and Nagatoro slept with Denny. Shuuko used to share some intimacy with Denny. However, Faye only did it for convenience’s sake to get out once in a while.

Meanwhile… Denny actively sought Hayase to do things TO Denny.

Not that Nik can find anything wrong with that.

To each their own.

‘Now only Samus and the other one… I wonder why Denny gave the last one such free reigns…’

Nik wonders if Denny has a thing for dark-skinned women. Then again, a primary portion of Denny’s Harem consists of Japanese women, so he can be wrong.

***

Alternate Title: A Depressing Harem; Yor Thinking Everything is Magic FR; Yor: Intelligence Must Be Magical; Healing Yor’s Face; How To Tackle Harem 101; Nik is Forever 18; Nik 1000 Years Later Finding a Harem World: Ah, How Good It Is To Be 18 Years Young; Similar-Minded People; Destroying Denny Beyond The Grave; The Ugly Truth; Guilty Shuuko; Shuuko Promises The Devil; Shuuko Shall Continue Cooking For Years; Never Let Nik Into Toriko World; Appeasing The Mother; Nik: I’ve Been Known To Manipulate Others… Sometimes; The Troublesome Quartet; Tomo Is The Vanguard; Misuzu is The Dark Mage; Carol is The Slutty Nun; Nagatoro Is the Ally Demon-Kin; Nik… Is The Demon Lord; Nik: You Thought You Can Ignore Studies After Being In a Harem? How Foolish; Nik Singlehandedly Raises Two Harem; Nik Outshines EHG Nik? Impossible *Also EHG Nik: Lol, Female Ignit Goes Brrrr*; The Remaining Two; Denny The Simp; No Wonder Hayase Pegs In Every Verse; Nik Shall Have The Reversal

***

A/N: The final one was either going to be Cersei (an Au, less fucked up one, like the Azula in the Harem), or ???. However, I realized that Cersei is best left for an actual plot like an Au of Elden Ring/Witcher/Berserk X A Song of Ice and Fire. So, we’ll go with ???, whose narrative value for Nik in said verse wouldn’t change as meeting him right away.