Paradise of Infinity: 354

Title: Operative Time

The setting sun glazes the sky dark amber. It’s been a day since the Nippon Speed Line NP435’s freak accident, with the resulting survivors humanely questioned by the authorities save for the exceptional few. Unlike Nik and Revy bunking with Balalaika, Ray secluded herself in her Scar of Infinity… until now.

“It won’t take long,” Ray promises, smirking as the twins pout. She wouldn’t ordinarily leave Hansel and Gretel to their devices, but Ray doesn’t want the twins killing her intended targets for her.

So, for the time being, she’s away, Ray rented an apartment for the twins in Tokyo’s heart.

“But we can help, Big Sis,” rebels Hansel.

“Yes!” Gretel hugs Ray’s arm, prompting Hansel to flank the succubus. “Please let us come. We’ll be good. I promise!”

Momentarily speechless, Ray flicks their foreheads. “I told you, I won’t.”

Ray didn’t bother with the investigations since she understood it was mostly a sham. However, Tadaomi and others would be confused since Nik erased… no, suppressed their memories using an overpowering suggestion. Honestly, it reminds Ray of Genjutsu from Naruto’s world.

‘Ah… Naruto… I wonder if I’ll be lucky to enter it. I’d conquer the Hyugas and set all those restrained Hyuga women onto the world like insatiable wenches!’ Ray snaps out of her fantasies before saying, “I asked Nik to take care of you two. You two like him, right?”

“Well, we do~!” Trills Gretel.

“Hmm. We also tried to use the lessons to seduce Nik. But… he saw through it.”

An ordinary big sis would chide the twins. However, Ray’s a healthy Succubus. Ray tilts her head. “Well, you two are almost grown-ups, even if you look young. Remember how he reacted to Irina nearly kissing Nagisa? All I can say is Nik doesn’t like others forcing themselves onto him and doing stupid things to clueless children.”

“So…” Gretel’s grey pupils glimmer. “We make Nagisa-kun… drug Nik!”

“Very good, my sister~!” Hansel pats his sister’s head.

“Ah,” Ray deadpans. “That won’t work. But keep trying if he allows it.” She smiles at the duo. “Remember to behave and prioritize your assignments from Koro-Sensei above all else.”

“Yes~!” The twins respond with resurfacing pouts.

However, a knock on the apartment doors interrupts Ray. Frowning, she instinctively equips the Limiter Ring on her middle finger.

She’s more than cautious now. Why?

There’s still one host in this world besides Nik and Ray.

But the familiar voice slightly eases the tension inside the apartment.

“I hoped to discuss something with you, Ray-Sensei,” Koro’s cheerful voice travels into the apartment. “Oh, and I’m here. That knock was a formality.”

Ray’s head whips towards the kitchen, finding Koro’s yellow face squished against the window as he waves his tentacles from the outside. Ray rolls her eyes with twitching lips before sliding the window open.

“Ah… it looks cozy inside,” Koro compliments with a cup of tea as Ray blinks. ‘Is that my cup?’ She looks at the cupboard, finding a cup missing.

“Why are you here, Koro-Sensei?”

“We have a week-long break, remember? We were SO traumatized by the experience!” Gretel smirks impishly.

“So,” the twins giggle together. “You cannot give us any assignments~!”

“Yes,” Koro beams at the twins, patting their heads with his padded tentacle limbs. He looks at Ray, requesting, “I was told that you possess someone. I would like him… in any condition he’s in.”

Ray is confused. She instantly understands who Koro is talking about… but how did he find out?

[Smexy-succu-succu: Did you tell Koro I’ve got White Death?]

[Nut-Cracking-Messiah: Hmm? Oh, yeah. We were talking since I wanted to know about good restaurants for takeout. We got to talking… like how you forgot to mention there’s a week-long break for Class 3-E and Saki from Class 3-D. It happens, right? Stuff gets out of the mind. Anywho, he wondered where White Death might have gone. He didn’t detail his needs… but I think you two can work things out.]

Ray smirks. She DID want to prank Nik by making him go to school for nothing. Oh, well.

“Can you tell me about it?” Ray candidly admits. “I need to kill that man and the other leaders of the High Table—”

“I killed them,” Koro’s smile remains unchanged as he reveals. “I killed them all. Only White Death remains.”

Ray gapes before questioning, “That’s what you were doing for the past few hours? No wonder Tadaomi couldn’t contact you.”

“Indeed,” Koro sips the tea. “I need to perform something. Could I have White Death’s body once you’re done, Ray-Sensei?”

“Just to be sure… the High Table—”

“I cut off its legs and burnt it to ashes, metaphorically, of course,” Koro smiles. “Only one man with the authority remains.”

Ray nods, beaming, “Great! Just give me a moment!”

She disappears from everyone’s view.

And just like that…

Ray completed the mission she’s been planning for several days.

‘Lucky~!’ She giggles—a feeling Nik doesn’t relate to.

<<<>>>

Nik burps loudly, resting against Ignit’s warm, scaly body. The dragon is akin to the gentlest furnace in the night as she rests her head on the back of her folded claws.

“Tonight’s meal was delicious, wasn’t it?” Nik questions, licking his lips. Now, he won’t have to worry about going hungry. He can also provide for everyone inside the Scar of Infinity. Ignit grunts at his words, too full to care about anything, as she closes her golden eyes.

‘Still… should I have told them the entire truth?’ Nik muses before shaking his head. He’s felt guilty about several things, but not telling the complete truth isn’t one of them. Others think that [Twilight Thief] works by Nik controlling or suppressing their minds. It’s somewhat true. But the essence of this skill is to plant suggestions into another’s mind. However, the people affected will never know the truth. Nik left out this part for his usual concerns.

He still believes skills of this nature will irreparably impact his relationships.

It’s got nothing to do with making others accept him, but…

Nik knows there will always be slight doubt in his family’s mind.

In Iroh’s words, not every truth is fruitful. But Nik also wasn’t going to break their trust.

‘I would have spilled the beans if I were the same man before dealing with spiritual shit, right, Mokshi?’ Nik smirks. He isn’t born cautious. It was never in his nature.

This nascent cautiousness is built by his experiences. Perhaps he was wrong about not telling the complete truth when he had a chance… but only time will paint the consequences of his decision.

‘As for the other thing, let’s get it done before scouting Saki’s situation.’

Nik thinks of something as a panel emerges in his view.

[Do you wish to execute Promotion Order 66?]

Nik recalls the first time he was promoted sometime after fusing with Mokshi.

Yes.

The interface changes.

[Executing Order 66.]

[Records Matched. Requirements met. Capability to survive post-intern rank—99%]

‘Oh? It was 73% before.’ Nik smiles. It proves his choices have been beneficial to his growth and survival.

Information about the benefits of the next rank fills his head. But as Nik expected, there wasn’t much or anything different. The jump from a recruit to an Intern was critical since it was like taking the first step within the ‘Company.’ However, entering Rank 2 wasn’t considered groundbreaking. His status screen did not change, unlike when he advanced to Rank 1.

[Execution completed. Rank Benefits updated.]

[Name: Nik Faran

Age: 20 (65)

Code: GC—EHG—98034

Authority Rank: 2 (0→10/100)

Paradise: Reincarnation

Title: Reincarnation Operative

Bloodline: Twilight Spirit (Uncommon)

Physique: 7 (~1.5 Tonnes)

Mental: 8.3

Energy: 305]

[Stats are relative to the most common species in the Multiverse—Humanoid Homo Sapien.]

[Authority Rank: 2

Benefits:

1) Chat Module Unlocked.

2) Additional reincarnation vacation: 504→1848 hours.

3) Reincarnation Trading Facility

4) Reincarnation Chamber

5) Dignity Transportation (New)]

Another tab pops to his gaze.

[Congratulations on completing the hidden trial. Here’s a bit of an incentive.

— Reincarnation.

This message is auto-generated and cannot be replied to.]

[10 AP {Rank 2} added.]

‘10 AP this time? That’s a lot. It’s like 1000 Fire Nation battleships~!’ Nik smirks. ‘Does it mean getting Rank 3 in the following travel will get me 15 Rank 3 AP? Or… 20, if it’s going off on the multiples of 2.’

‘Also, I can spend 12 weeks in the homeworld. That’s nearly 3 months.’

Nik exhales, more than satisfied.

But the main reward for the promotion is… Dignity Transportation. Nik can now travel with his clothes on for the ‘cheap’ price of 5 AP of his current rank. To that, Nik says—Fuck You. He’s more than happy traveling butt-naked than spending 5 AP of his corresponding Rank. AP is hard to come by, even with his Kopi Kopi no Mi!

Who needs dignity at such an expense?

‘Nah,’ Nik scoffs, unknowingly entering a certain lobotomy. ‘I’d be an exhibitionist.’

Nik pats Ignit for the umpteenth time before smiling, “I’m off, Ignit. Sleep well.”

*Hrrrrr*

She ‘purrs’ as Nik disappears.

<<<>>>

“Sorry, I can’t divulge anything further,” Gouki Onaka replies to his subordinate, Tadaomi Karasuma. Despite being his superior, Gouki Onaka cannot help but feel passive. There’s a difference between him and Tadaomi. Gouki was always on the executive side of things, while Tadaomi rose to the ranks of the Ministry of Defense from the Airforce. Class 3-E’s P.E. teacher narrows his sharp gaze, schooling his expression as he utters through the video call.

“You do not know how the train the Ministry of Defense prepared to deal with Koro-Sensei was ruined beyond belief, its passengers dead? Will you also claim ignorance on how none of us can remember anything?”

Gouki sweats. He truthfully did not know anything about this. Like Tadaomi, Gouki is an intermediary. The World Leaders above and below the table hold all the decision-making powers.

“Look, Tadaomi—”

“Sir,” Tadaomi interjects. “It doesn’t matter what happens to me. I knew the risks all along. But the target does not take kindly to anything happening to his Class. You should know what he’s capable of more than me. Not to mention, the School is outraged by the death of an entire class except for one survivor.”

“Saki Yoshida, I know,” Gouki feels worse. “As I revealed, all the seats were booked for assassins and mercenaries. It’s still a mystery how some ]tickets were shared with Class 3-D. Still, Nippon Speed Line will compensate the families. After all, the train must have faults to cause such a disaster.”

The man meaningfully informs as Tadaomi purses his lips. It’s the official statement from the Government that Tadaomi must stick to.

“... I understand,” Tadaomi nods, determined to question other suspects like Nik, Ray, Revy, and Koro. But it can only happen a week later.

“Hmm?” Gouki looks at something else. “I will contact you with further instructions later. Inform Chairman Asano that the school will receive adequate subsidies.” The man ends the call before accepting his superior’s call.

“Yes, Sir,” Gouki answers respectfully.

“We’ve been breached, Gouki. Stop all immediate countermeasures against the target.”

“W-What?” Gouki gasps.

“The target breached into Prime Minister’s residence, leaving a note… and White Death’s decapitated head. Not just that, other World Leaders are facing the same thing.”

Cold sweat drenches Gouki’s forehead as he feels a chill run down his spine. “Doesn’t this make the target more dangerous, Sir?”

“And?” The supervisor snaps back, agitated. “The bastard has stopped his usual Maintenance strategy. Didn’t he also remove the nearby submarines? This mission was a failure. We must temporarily step back, understand?”

Gouki gulps as the supervisor regains his composure.

“And… we’ll move in to arrest White Death’s gang.”

The man blinks, finally realizing the ‘intent’ behind stepping back.

It’s a valuable chance. How can the grand organization—The Government—not take this chance?

<<<>>>

“You did well,” Sofia smiles at Bando. The man lowers his head as Sofia returns to look at the folder on her table. She looks at several images, including the shot of a peculiar dusk-skinned youth with a yellow creature.

Tsugio Bando glances at the ‘monster.’ He never expected her to end White Death when he called for Hotel Moscow’s assistance. He only wanted the Washimine Group and the Kosa Council’s conflict resolved.

Now?

The Underworld is destabilized, with almost all powers eyeing the power vacuum. Nobody cares about their former conflicts. New alliances are being formed at this very moment. It’s not like there’s the High Table to maintain the chaotic order. The situation is common in every part of the world.

If anything, one Nippon Speed Line incident will lead to the greatest conflict between the worldly powers hidden from citizens’ eyes.

“We’re done, Tsugio,” Sofia exhales, dismissing him. “Oh, and that pub is ours. Make sure others know. Tell others and your friends from the Government we have someone who can do them worse than this target that has everyone scared.”

She taps at the Yellow Creature.

This creature was supposed to be a confidential secret.

Who knows who exposed him and Class 3-E to the rest of the country’s underworld.

Oops.

‘How will I kill such a creature?’ She turns to look at the creature. Koro-Sensei had been her actual target since she arrived in Japan. However, her superiors died one after another. She’s still curious enough to try killing the man…

But not now…

“I see,” Tsugio leaves Hotel Moscow, encountering a peculiar youth.

“Yo!” Nik smiles at Tsugio, passing the intimidated man before knocking on Sofia’s door.

“What is it?” She calls out as Nik answers. “I’m going outside for a while. Do you need something?”

“... come inside.”

Nik enters the office, nodding at Boris before looking at Sofia.

“Yeah?”

“Did you just ask if I wanted something as if you’re going grocery shopping?” Sofia doesn’t bother hiding the folder on her table as Nik glances at the images before looking at the woman.

“I sure did,” he grins. “Did you enjoy the steak?”

“It was adequate,” Sofia smiles.

“And?” Nik questions. “Want something else? I’m going outside for a while.”

“This doesn’t bother you?” She taps at the folder.

“Koro and I realized we were being followed,” Nik shrugs. “It doesn’t matter, does it?”

“Then why did you screw around with my men?” Sofia narrows her eyes. She interlocks her fingers and waits for his reply as Nik looks at Boris.

“Well, I told you what happened,” Nik replies. “Wait. It’s actually easy to resolve the issue.”

Sofia soon knew Nik suppressed her men’s memories, gravely annoying her. But it was just that—annoyance. They weren’t harmed in any manner. If anything, Revy’s and Ray’s accounts admit how Nik basically burnt his ass to save the few survivors.

Nik’s violet eyes appear midnight blue as he glances at Boris.

“You recall everything that happened on the train.”

Boris frowns before blinking.

“That’s it?” He questions.

“That’s it,” Nik shrugs.

“What is going on?” Sofia frowns.

“He… suppressed our memories because we saw his ass, and Dom may have seen his tool, Kapitan.”

“Hey,” Nik scoffs. “I suppressed the students’ memories since it wouldn’t do them any good recalling all the corpses they saw. I did the same to Tadaomi because he’s a hardass, and his superiors would annoy me to death. As for you guys… yeah, I did that because you guys saw my ass, which is exclusive for Sofia within your group.”

“And you can bring their memories without any problems?” Sofia continues.

“Yep.”

“Good,” Sofia smiles.

“You… aren’t afraid?”

“Of you? Hardly.”

Nik feels offended and glad at the same time. He smirks at her words as Sofia questions. “Where did you say you were going?”

“Oh,” Nik nods. “I’m going to meet Saki. I figured I’d ask if you want anything—”

“I want to see that,” she points at his left arm as Nik tilts his head. “Now? I’ll be busy, and others are mostly asleep.”

“Not now,” Sofia smiles. “But soon. Oh, and what can you tell me about this Koro-Sensei. He’s not confidential now that almost every gang knows about him, right?”

“If you ARE serious about killing him…”

Nik works his jaws, offering, “I think the best way is through chicks. Your men would give you out from miles away.”

“Women?” Sofia smirks.

“With big breasts,” Nik nods, more serious than ever. “The perkier, the better.”

Boris gazes at the duo, noticing how Nik’s gaze would often sneak down Sofia’s collars… similarly, Sofia’s gaze would invade his clothes.

“Should I leave, Kapitan?” He grunts. No point in staying and watching them fuck. He’ll probably ask Nik to suppress that memory were that to happen. No wonder Nik did that before. Boris never needed to know how Nik’s ass looks.

“No,” Nik leaves his chair. “As I said, I’m going out.” He waves at them while leaving the room. “Have fun planning how to kill Koro-Sensei. He loves ideas outside the box.”

“That bastard…” Sofia’s smile turns colder. “He’s enjoying every moment of it. What do you think, Boris?”

“You wouldn’t be different, Kapitan.”

“And that’s annoying, yes. He has my gun, too.”

Ah, yes, the lifelong excuse for their sexual sessions. Boris notes how Sofia never cared for a gun in particular in her entire life until now.

***

Alternate Title: Ray—Lucky~ Nik—Un…; The Dramatic Twins; Nik Doesn’t Fall For Traps Unless It’s Ray; The Supportive Succubus; Ray: Look At Them, Trying To Charm Incubus *Sniff*; The Big Sister Is Happy; The Failed Prank; Koro’s Here; Another Mission Fulfilled; The Change in World; Angry Tadaomi; The Freak Accident Report; Nobody Knows The Truth; Joseph Really Got People Killed For That Hentai Pussy; Down Bad GOTY-13; The New Mission; Power Vacuum; Koro’s Stunt; Scared Officials; Excited Officials; The Great Struggle; Shameless Sofia; Sofia: I Wonder What Will Happen If I Release Confidential Info; The Images; Scared Tsugio; Boris Now Envies The Ignorant Boris; Nik Being a Good Multiversal House Husband; Stunned Sofia; The Gun Excuse; Ratting Koro Out; The Next Rank; Operative; Reward For Hidden Trial; Upgraded Rewards; Dignity? Nah, I’d Humiliate—Nik; The Lobotomy Kaisen Expands; Even The Freedom Paradox Isn’t Free From The Brain Rot; Rot? I’m Malenia, Blade of—; Going To Meet Saki; A Table Destroyed; Week’s Vacation!