Paradise of Infinity: 343

Title: Combat Time

Everything changed in a second. On the fourth compartment from the last, Saki could not register the magnitude of such changes as she heard a massive explosion from the next compartment. Pale yellow flickers in everyone’s eyes before splashes of yellow fire melt past the door and hit one of the dark-suited men. Though intimidated by the group of men beside her classmates and Senseis, Saki never wished for any harm to befall the strangers. Yet, the man screams, burning alive under her terrified and shaken gaze.

None could scream for a moment. Yellow flickers on everyone’s expression in the finite darkness before one of Saki’s classmates stumbles back, yelping, “A-Agh—!”

Sitting in one of the last seats, Saki is the most distant from the burning men as the only source of light reveals other strangers hurriedly standing, pulling out—

Guns?

“What are you doing?” Near Saki, their P.E. teacher, who’s been rather uncomfortably staring at her, stands. “Let’s settle down—”

*Fwp*

A soft sound follows a warm splash atop Saki as one of the men merely glances at the falling P.E. teacher before pointing his gun at another strapped individual.

“Nobody moves!” one of the men shouts at the witlessly scared group as horrified screams echo from the next compartment, followed by bursts of yellow flames. The temperature within the compartment rises under the burning yellow flames that don’t die out despite the corpse’s bones melting away.

Saki gently touches her cheek, feeling the warm, wet liquid dripping down her chin.

“S-Sensei?” one of the girls sitting beside the P.E. teacher softly cries before screaming, “AH! Sensei!”

“Shut up!” The men scowl while their Literature Sensei hushes the girl, who cannot keep her wits.

“No way…”

“You killed Sensei! Killer!”

Saki quietly shudders.

Is it blood?

Is there blood on her face?

The girl shivers, tears brimming in her eyes as no other process is left inside to cope with the situation.

“You killed him!” Was it courage or something else that made the previous girl, Hina, stand? Saki will never know the answer. However, Hina charges at the man who killed their P.E. Teacher. Her irides glow a disturbing yellow as she yells rabidly.

“I’ll kill you—”

*Fwp*

The man expertly ends Hina’s life, frowning, “The fuck? Stand down!”

“Hina-Chan!” A boy cries mournfully—

*Bang*

Another stranger kills the previous man. “It’s fucking annoying! C-Chaos! Hahaha! Let’s spill more blood!” Yellow taints every man and woman’s eyes, including Saki.

Their lust, anger, fears—everything they’re feeling grows more pronounced!

*Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang*

The men with guns swiftly die out. However, Saki sobs loudly, ducking under her seat.

‘What’s going on?’ Fear multiplies in her heart as she thinks of things she’s never imagined, “Quickly die! Please, die! I’m scared!’

Unsettling yellow glimmers in her once teary blue eyes. Her eyes hurt. It’s as if her eyes are burning!

‘Please, die—’

“There you are!” She hears a rough grunt. An assertive hand pulls Saki from her crouched position before pushing her against the wall. “The fuck do you think you are?” Another hand presses her face sideways into the wall. Saki’s body shudders as she feels the familiar youth taking a long sniff of her neck.

“A-Arata-San?” Saki gasps as the youth growls, “Shut up! You slut. Do you think I would have given a fuck about you if not for you dangling your tits out these days?” He roughly grabs her left breast enough to hurt until—

“You bastard!” a girl hits Arata with a book’s spine near his neck. She stomps Arata’s ass before turning her cruel yellow eyes to Saki. The only source of light flickers behind the girl, casting a long shadow with scorching eyes set on Saki. “You… it’s all your fault!” The girl lunges at Saki, who shouts, “How is that my fault?!”

Saki suddenly slaps the girl before clawing at the girl’s hair and pushing her on the ground. “It’s not my fault!” She screams. “I wanted to be your friend! Just a friend! I want one!” Saki pulls one fist before smashing it into the girl’s face. Her fist hurts more than the girl’s face as Saki yells, “Be my friend! Die—”

“Get away from her, bitch!” A kick suddenly throws Saki away, breaking the latter’s nose.

“Ugh?” Saki groans. Civility momentarily settles in her gaze before blazing fury fills her heart, replacing all her sanity—

“It’s that fire. Don’t look at it.”

“What about the rest?” Another voice questions reluctantly as a dark figure pulls Saki back, closing the door to her former compartment as chaos descends.

“Not much we can do without getting affected… sorry,” the previous voice mutters.

Saki tries struggling—tries.

She fails.

“Calm down,” the voice whispers gently. “Whatever is affecting you is temporary. Master… desires you—”

“See? That isn’t the smartest way to word things,” a quiet giggle fills the silent compartment as every passenger is knocked out. Alarmed, the duo looks back, finding a group of four. One of them gently strokes an unconscious man’s face, whispering huskily as a sweet scent saturates the room.

“Fight for me, everyone~!”

“Ugh,” under the duo’s stunned gaze, everyone wakes up while Saki calms down. Her expression shifts from shock and fear to pain as her nose continues bleeding.

“Why don’t you back off?” Ray tilts her head, glancing at the duo’s bracelets. “I can try and free you.”

The duo falls silent as everyone glances at them.

“You can?” one of the duo removes her hood, revealing short purple hair. Ray’s eyes momentarily widen as the woman smiles bitterly. “So, you know me, too.”

Ray nods before sighing, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t trust them just yet,” the other woman whispers, setting her cold stare on one particular woman behind Ray.

“Damn,” Ray mutters as she recognizes the duo. “I know about Auction and those binding bracelets.” The duo’s gaze shifts as the purple-haired woman replies, “We cannot go against our master. She wants this girl, Saki Yoshida.”

“Of course she does,” Ray scoffs. “Wait, woman? Isn’t Joseph a man?”

Saki’s gaze grows alert despite the pain. Joseph-Sensei?

“We cannot divulge further,” the red-eyed woman whispers as the purple-haired woman grits her teeth.

“Miss Ray,” a cold voice echoes behind Ray. “Are they the ones responsible for Young Master?”

Ray blinks before narrowing her eyes, “Did Joseph target anyone other than Saki?”

“We cannot say further,” the red-eyed woman locks her gaze with the blue-eyed devil.

“Calm down, please,” Ray clears her throat. “You promised Nik, didn’t you?”

The woman grits her teeth before growing silent.

“Look, there are others like you untouched by hosts,” Ray mutters. “So, I think Joseph wasn’t the one behind Garcia and others from Roanapur. However, I won’t let Joseph make a slave out of Saki and others. It goes for you, too. Is there anything you can tell me about Joseph? To help you get out of those bracelets?”

The duo fall silent. The duo tries speaking several times to say something. However, the bracelet flashes red, flinching them.

“Can’t you control them?” Revy frowns.

Ray grows silent. She tried. However, Saki’s already under something eldritch’s influence. Meanwhile, the duo cannot be controlled by anyone else but their ‘master.’

“It’s fine,” Ray mutters. “I think trying to go against Joseph is hurting you two. Everyone, follow Revy to the next room and hear her commands.”

“What? There’s no way—” Revy snarls as Ray sharply interjects, “I’m going ahead.”

“Hey!”

“Nik will have my head if something happens to you,” Ray glances at the woman. “You’re unneeded for things ahead. Or rather, even I’m not confident if we will live.”

The woman decisively steps ahead as the duo blocks her path. However, the two women beside Revy flicker, stopping their opponents.

A sharp kukri clashes against the back of a pistol. Meanwhile, a golden needle accurately stabs into the pistol’s muzzle aimed for the head.

“Try not to kill each other,” Ray offers. “After all, you guys aren’t enemies.” Ray crouches over Saki before muttering, “That’s all I can do for now. Here, put it over your nose and stop the bleeding.”

Saki grips the towel against her nose, jerking at the pain.

“Don’t worry,” Ray gently smiles. “Everything will be fine.”

“How?” Revy snorts. “You just said you’re not sure if you’ll live.”

“Will you make yourself useful and clear out the last compartment?” Ray snorts. The succubus calmly enters the next compartment before locking the door.

Saki leans against the toilet’s door as she hears the two locked in combat.

“Introductions, please,” one of them speaks in a rough accent. “I’m Shenhua.”

“Ah, the language packs are useful,” the woman against Shenhua giggles. “I’m Faye. A pleasure.”

Unlike Shenhua and Faye, the other two remain locked in quiet coldness.

“She is Rosarita. You also call her Roberta,” Shenhua pushes Faye back as the latter delivers a swift knee into the former. “Hmm, my partner is Yor. She sometimes calls herself the Thorn Princess.”

Rosarita and Yor grunt in acknowledgment as Revy puckers her lips, muttering flatly, “Fuck. That Yor looks strong.”

“Hey, slut!” Shenhua cries out in offense.

“Exactly. I’m plenty strong—” Faye frowns. However…

*Clang*

Yor’s and Rosarita’s hands jerk back as the latter pulls the trigger, destroying their weapons. The duo only step back for a moment before attacking each other. Their instincts chime all possible warning as Yor stabs her other needle into Rosarita’s face, only for the latter to tilt her head and bite into the length, letting her jagged teeth do the rest.

*Crack*

Shock fills everyone as Rosarita shatters the long golden needle of unknown material with a bite!

Revy shudders. That mouth was too close to her intimate bits in Lovelace Mansion.

“They’re going all out…” Faye mutters, evidently stunned.

“Crazy…” Shenhua grumbles. How she wishes Nik to be here. He seems to know the right ‘codes’ around Roberta, unaware that only something crazier and more chaotic tames something less crazy.

‘That woman looked familiar. Did she talk about Nik?’ Saki recalls the earlier conversation. ‘I didn’t see incorrectly. That man under the hoody was… Nik…’

<<<>>>

“Answer me, damn it!” Joseph screams, his right arm cut off to the base as he’s temporarily lost connection with his Scar of Infinity. “Accu-mulet sent you, didn’t he? That bastard wants to kill me!”

Yellow fire flickers in different spots as Joseph ignores the burnt corpses. Instead, he glares at the ‘anomaly.’

Pale face, black eyes, average build, and…scorching yellow eyes. The unnamed host ignores Joseph as he picks one of the incapacitated mercenaries.

“A-AGGGHHHHHH!” The man shouts, his eyes suddenly erupting into yellow flames the moment he meets the host’s gaze. Fear grows inside Joseph’s eyes as he glances at the yellow fire burning at the destroyed exits. Under Joseph’s shocked gaze, the unnamed host leans and eats out the scorched eyes from the corpse’s head.

Joseph’s stomach churns with disgust, yet he glances away as a surge of ‘crazy’ stirs his mind.

‘Only Accu-mulet can allow a host to use limited functions beforehand or…’ He recalls Accu-mulet’s words.

‘A paradox or a God’s influence.’

All three situations spell trouble for Joseph since he’s left stuck with the rest. The worst part is this unnamed host targeted his Scar of Infinity! Joseph cannot access his Scar of Infinity before recovering his arm!

‘I only have one Limiter Ring. Fuck! Who would have thought this would happen?’

Regret fills Joseph’s heart as the unnamed host continues ahead, picking another poor survivor before scorching their eyes and swallowing them.

*Swish*

Several corpses suddenly fill one of the exits before a white-haired figure jumps through. The corpses swiftly catch the maddening flames, burning endlessly.

“Phew,” the figure beams, wiping sweat off her forehead. “Fire that affects the mind? Scary~!” She glances, locating the two hosts. “Ah. Hello. Am I interrupting something?”

“Y-You’re a host?” Joseph sputters in shock, recognizing Ray as Class 3-E’s nurse.

“You’re one-armed?” Ray blinks before glancing at the other host, who ignores Ray to grab the last survivor. Ray watches in slight shock as the survivor’s eyeballs burst into yellow flames before being consumed by the host.

‘That’s no paradox,’ Ray grows alert. ‘Yellow flames… and burning eyes. Even my uncultured ass in games recognizes something so iconic.’

‘Flames of—’

Ray ducks as the figure suddenly lets loose a snarl, releasing a beam of yellow, fiery light that slams into the wall behind Ray.

*Ping*

A light shimmers on the wall before the yellow beam is reflected to the host, who accepts it as is.

The man looks at Ray and Joseph before tilting his head. Intense amusement flickers in his scorched yellow irides as Ray frowns. “Can you do something, Joseph? Anything?”

“I have four Limiter Rings,” lies Joseph. “This bastard caught me by surprise.”

“I have a few, too,” lies Ray, having no Limiter Ring. “We can work together. However, I want something.”

“Why would I give you anything?”

“Because you’re half the host you used to be,” Ray shoots back, using the unnamed host’s amusement and ‘grace’ for letting the duo communicate.

Joseph grits his teeth, questioning, “What do you want?”

“I encountered your slaves,” Ray reveals, alarming Joseph. “If you hurt them—” he growls as Ray cuts him off. “Release them,” Ray demands.

“What?” Joseph frowns.

“Killing you won’t release those bracelets. I want you to release them,” Ray narrows her eyes. “Now.”

“Fuck off!” Joseph shouts, surprising Ray. “They’re not my slaves! I care for them!”

“Some caretaker you are,” Ray sneers. “You would have released them if you cared for them, not keep the leash around them like pets. Ah, so you’re the delusional type, eh? Fantasizing your slaves reciprocating your ‘kindness’ and love you back?”

“Shut up!” Joseph frowns. “I don’t need your understanding.”

‘Damn,’ Ray sighs internally. ‘Things would have been easier if he thought of them as ‘products.’’

“Done?” The unnamed host whispers hoarsely.

Ray and Joseph grow silent.

“How lovely,” the host looks at Ray. “Your eyes… so conflicted. Accept the frenzied… flames.” Yellow flames burst around the host, flaring at Ray as the succubus barely felt it in her thoughts.

“Sorry,” Ray shrugs. “The influence of the deity is there. However, you are a weak host. Frenzied Flames, the Outer Chaos won’t affect me all that much.” She presents a strong exterior, hiding her weaknesses. The reflection of yellow flames flickers in her hazy, steady pink eyes.

Enraged by her blasphemous words, the host snarls and suddenly lunges at Ray. He smashes his fists into Ray, who quickly backs away, kicking a corpse between them. Yellow flames melt the corpse as Ray swiftly nears Joseph.

“Stay away,” Joseph avoids the yellow flames burning near the exit as Ray giggles, “Make me~!”

She releases a sweet scent, concentrated enough to create pink ‘clouds’ around her that burn into nothingness once they contact the yellow flames.

‘A succubus?’ Joseph grows relieved instead. He sneers internally, ‘Another one fallen into the schemes of those Bloodline Deities.’

The unnamed host chases the duo, firing streaks of yellow flames. He purposely turns the duo into a corner as a flicker of intelligence flashes in his scorched eyes. “Liars…” he accuses. “You two are weak.”

Ray and Joseph are clear by now. The other party either has no Limiter Ring or merely a single one, unwilling to use it until the last moment. So, the duo feels bitter. Even Ray doesn’t want to touch the Frenzied Flames, unaware of how it might affect her despite her superior physique. Meanwhile, Joseph has his considerations, too, as he stands within the pink cloud of pheromones, unfazed.

“So, you’re a woman,” Ray mutters.

“Not the point,” Joseph whispers. “How do we deal with him?”

The unnamed host reveals a malicious smile before releasing a twisting laser of fiery yellow flames—

He watches the two hosts burning, their flesh melting!

No!

Primal, unhinged rage builds within the man. Something guides him, snapping him out—

He glances around, finding the duo sneaking away through the rare paths untouched by frenzied flames. It was an illusion—in some parts, at least.

“Damn, he’s already awake?” Ray hisses. “Illusions won’t work on him. Do something,” she urges Joseph, who grits his teeth.

The limiter ring doesn’t shift.

“You do something,” Joseph persists, more than cautious of Ray.

“Die!” The unnamed host roars furiously. Frenzied Flames grow intense, rushing at the duo like tidal ways as the duo grit their teeth.

Ray directs her cloud of pheromones at the rushing flames. Meanwhile, Joseph picks one of the corpses. Ray notices a bluish, mapped pattern emerging from Joseph and entering the corpse, making it sturdy. Meanwhile, the cloud of pheromones spread out—

*Boom*

The pheromones turn into a tremendous explosion, momentarily drowning out the frenzied flames!

“Devil fruit!” gasps Joseph.

“Magecraft,” Ray glances at the surprisingly preserved corpse.

*Shing*

Deviated by the sudden explosion, the fiery laser explodes between the surprised duo—

“Ahh!”

“Ughh!”

“Who?!”

Three pained shouts echo amidst the crackling flames.

Ray’s and Joseph’s ears momentarily buzz as a massive shockwave bursts apart the sea of yellow flames. Ray’s left side stings. However, her body is truly impressive. Unlike Joseph, Ray merely has a light burn. ‘That’s it?’ She blinks. For some reason, that explosion FELT more threatening. She quickly glances at Joseph, finding her reasonably uninjured, too.

‘The flames took her arm before. How can they do such light damage now?’ Ray frowns before glancing at the third figure standing from the destroyed seats. It’s the unnamed host.

“Yo?” A familiar voice echoes past the buzzing noise as Ray recovers, glancing at the smirking figure. Yellow flames reflect in his unbothered purple orbs as he walks over to her, depositing a few things into her hands. “These should be enough, right? He feels strong… but you’re stronger. I’ll take care of the weak one.”

Ray blinks. She feels something different about this… carefree Nik. Yet, she looks down, eyes widening in surprise at the sight of three Limiter Rings.

“How?” Ray gapes.

“Scammed ‘em,” Nik shrugs before pulling Ray to her feet. “What do you know about Joseph?” He glances at the alarmed host.

Ray regathers herself before glancing at the cautiously growling Nik as if encountering his natural enemy. Similarly, Nik avoids the creature as if unable to handle the host.

“Possible shapeshifter and uses magecraft. It’s a versatile power system, so keep cautious. Joseph also has two other slaves, and he is eyeing Saki. Oh…” Ray suddenly smirks. “He’s Accu-mulet’s partner. I heard him cursing the latter.”

Nik nods as Ray glances at the unnamed host. She smiles sweetly, yet fatal intentions flicker in her gaze.

“Let’s take this elsewhere, Mister Frenzied Fucker.”

For some reason, the unnamed host glares at Nik before walking to the next compartment, obediently following Ray.

Meanwhile, Nik settles his quiet violet orbs with Joseph’s bitter brown ones.

***

Alternate Title: The Chaos; Saki’s Fears; Killed; Against The Wall; The Worst Comes Out; Saki: I Want a Friend. *Also Saki: All I Can Offer is Death*; The Kick To The Nose; All-Out Brawl; The Saviors; The Hidden Duo; Backups; Revy’s Angry… and Happy; Chaos Do Be Taking The World; Roberta’s Mouth Are Industry-Grade Chopper; Full-On Assault; The Slaves; Faye and Yor?; Shenhua and Faye: A Walk In The Park *Roberta and Yor: Yonko Assault*; Crushing Teeth; Bitter Joseph; Delusional; Buying Slaves and Expecting Love; Joseph Do Be Simping; Cut Connection; Accu-mulet’s Plan?; Focused Fire; The Succubus Is Here; The Succubus Is Too Hot For Frenzied Flames; The Weak Host; The Elusive One; Devil Fruit Meets Magecraft; The Surprise Bomb; Nik and the Frenzied Flames Glance at Each Other: Disgusting Asshole; Strong and Weak; FREELY Suppressing CHAOS; Roberta and Yor: Monster Knows Monster