Paradise of Infinity: 340

Title: Finite Time

Nik, Accu-mulet, and others discuss things quickly. Although things seem in their favor, why would the hosts assist Accu-mulet without proper rewards? And how will Accu-mulet recover his losses if he is to sacrifice his physical form to activate Will’s Collection? Is Accu-mulet so generous to destroy his body for others to have a chance at Rank 6 Mission?

No.

Accu-mulet explains, “The Scar of Infinity is bonded with the flesh and soul. Such information would ordinarily cost you AP, but these are extraordinary times. As I said, Infinity and our Paradises emphasize the importance of metaphysical AND physical. We cannot devour items with our right hand if we don’t have one. Similarly, we cannot collect resources into our Scar of Infinity if our left hand or forearm is gone. However, the loss of the left arm does not signify the disappearance of the Scar of Infinity. It rests in our souls.”

As if knowledgable in the matters of souls, Lava-Head narrows his eyes. “You created a ‘backup’ of your body and soul. When your flesh dies, your current soul will follow the connecting spiritual threads and return to your other form.”

“Yes,” Accu-mulet nods. “I shall be waiting at the Kyoto Station—”

“Why isn’t your backup here?” Duck-Tape asks cautiously. Why wouldn’t Accu-mulet consider this and already prepare a backup inside the train to kill Korosensei?

“Unlike you,” Accu-mulet smiles, “I have a distaste for controlling someone’s mind. I spent a lifetime breaking out of my bloodline’s shackles. Why would I further descend into such a madness?”

The talk of the bloodline’s shackle turns Duck-Tape’s and Lava-Head’s expressions dark. Any bloodline above the ‘Common’ rank falls into the pool of one’s respective progenitor’s space. Nik visited that space when evolving into the Twilight Spirit. However, his bond with Mokshi averted the crisis of Bloodline Shackles. On the other hand, relatively calm, Managed-Ant questions, “What’s that got to do with your backup not being here?”

“Creating backups is expensive even for the likes of me,” Accu-mulet admits. “And since I refuse to control others, I set my backup near the local party that helped me set this stage.”

“What do you mean?” Nik demands.

“This train is filled to the brim with mercenaries of my employ, save for the target, his students, and his colleagues. My backup and the collaborating party will be at the Kyoto Station.”

“That individual…” Managed-Ant’s gaze flashes, “Is he one of the remaining seats of the High Table?”

“Yes,” Accu-mulet nods.

“No wonder I couldn’t find the top boss of this country,” the boy clicks his tongue.

“So,” Accu-mulet asserts. “I need certain assurances before I use this item. Any plan has a chance to fail, and this one is no different. And I cannot control hosts like us.”

“How much?” Lava-Head questions.

“This item costs 350 AP. My homeworld is classified as Rank 1, so the World’s Will inside of the Will’s Collection will force our target to demonstrate the ability of an average human.”

“Wait,” Nik frowns. “Shouldn’t the weaker worlds will NOT have such a great effect on our target?”

“No,” Duck-Tape grumbles. “That’s not how things work. The World’s Will is on another plane of existence. Meanwhile, the target is only monstrous in the flesh. It doesn’t stand a chance against a World’s united Will even if he can physically destroy the planet.”

“I’m surprised you’re this knowledgeable,” Accu-mulet smiles. “It’s as Duck-Tape says. You can even consider the analogy of stone-paper-scissor. Stone always beats scissors, and paper always beats stone.”

‘Thank god I learned that game last time,’ Nik internally sweat drops. “So, it’s the World’s Will strength being Korosensei’s weakness.”

“Exactly,” Accu-mulet nods.

“Back on costs,” Lava-Head smirks. “You want us to reimburse for the item’s cost? 350 AP, right?”

“Wrong,” Accu-mulet jeers. “Please don’t mock our gathering with such foolish notions. The collection and extraction of the World’s Will left my previous homeworld destitute. I had to apply for a change in the homeworld. THAT costs 5000 AP for the designated rank.”

The other four deadpan at the merchant.

“The cost is too much,” Nik shakes his head. He cannot afford so much!

“But of course,” Accu-mulet smirks. “Instead, you will repay me with a Debtor’s Gratitude.”

His words alarm Lava-Head and Duck-Tape. Meanwhile, Nik and Managed-Ant look clueless.

“Our friends from the Transmigration Paradise don’t know about it, I’d wager,” Accu-mulet glances at the duo. “There are ten Rank 9 Executives of the Reincarnation Paradise. Others, aside from Auction, aren’t well-known. I’ve been fortunate to know about another Rank 9 Host—Debt.”

Accu-mulet chuckles as the train continues moving.

“Like Auction, who controls the Infinite Auction, Rank 9 Debt empowers the Debtor’s Score. It’s an organization within the Paradise overlooking the use of Debt’s creation—Debtor’s Gratitude. Debtor’s Gratitude has the specialized function of enforcing a previously indulged contract between a creditor and the debtor. You should understand that Debtor’s Gratitude is not a mind-altering item, hence the term ‘Gratitude’ in the name.”

“Since we all have partners, the terms of the Debtor’s Gratitude will affect our teammates,” Accu-mulet glances at Managed-Ant and Lava-Head. “So, the partners must be willing, too.”

“What are the conditions?” Nik raises an eyebrow. The only groundbreaking thing about Debtor’s Gratitude is its ability to induce such contracts on even the Rank 8 Executives!

“They are quite simple,” Accu-mulet hums. “I would like you all to owe me a favor that does not include anything non-fatal. Of course, for fairness’ sake, you can later reach out to the Debtor’s Score and pay the amount mentioned in the contract to nullify it—5000 AP.”

“Each?” Managed-Ant jumps in shock.

Accu-mulet nods.

“It only works IF we succeed. The Debtor’s Gratitude will revoke itself if we cannot kill our target, the former assassin of the High Table—Grim Reaper. Take a look at this,” he reveals a palm-sized platinum coin with a hand and a fist imprinted on its face.

<<<>>>

[GOTY-13: How are things looking? I’m also marked.]

[Accu-mulet: Things are moving at a favorable route. I’ve established grounds for cooperation. All you need to do is take care of things on your end, and it will be easy for us to reap the rewards.]

The figure calmly looks through the window before discreetly glancing at a pale, black-haired man sitting not far away.

[GOTY-13: I found one of the hosts outside of the meeting. He’s dangerous…]

[Accu-mulet: A trait shared by our kind. Don’t worry, I know of the one you’re talking about. Yellow eyes, right? Only he is the one incapable of being hidden.]

[GOTY-13: Why?]

[Accu-mulet: Mental issues, I suspect. Or an adventure gone wrong.]

[GOTY-13: I see. As for our agreement…]

[Accu-mulet: I don’t like repeating myself. I trade in everything material AND non-conscient. Slaves don’t fit the bill, and their value depends on one’s perception of the resource’s value. Take yourself, for instance. Your desires for Saki Yoshida… and the rest of the slaves will raise their value with no objective reasons.]

[GOTY-13: Are you calling me a pervert?]

[Accu-mulet: I’m calling you an incompetent spender. You would have gotten them without spending an AP by simply waiting and chancing into their worlds before capturing them.]

Their moods momentarily tense before Accu-mulet adds—

[Accu-mulet: Get ready. It’s about to happen.]

<<<>>>

“It’s quite something,” Nik mutters as he looks at the back of his right hand. A circular platinum brand with a palm’s imprint remains ‘inflicted’ on his dusky flesh. Others in the meeting room are the same. Meanwhile, a platinum mark with a fist on its surface can be seen on the back of Accu-mulet’s mechanical right hand.

The mark with the palm on it is the Mark of Gratitude. Meanwhile, the one on Accu-mulet is called the Mark of Debt.

Also, the mood in the compartment eased by a significant margin once such a mark tied them to the same cause. Even if Nik wasn’t keen on killing Koro, he would rather have the octopus die in his hands than others.

“So,” Lava-Head looks curious, “The World’s Will affects everyone? Won’t it come into conflict with this world’s will?”

“It will,” Accu-mulet shrugs. “It will instinctively ground the effects of Will’s Collection. It’s used once and affects everyone inside a confined space before resisting this world’s will for 4 hours. You all shall have an ample time killing our target.”

“What if he leaves the train?” Duck-Tape frowns.

“Once in contact, the effects of Will’s Collection stick. So, you can target him for 4 hours.”

Accu-mulet exhales. “I’m going to use it now. Please be quick in dealing with our target. As discussed, I shall get one Diamond and two Gold Mystery Boxes. The remaining two Diamond and Silver Mystery Boxes will be distributed amongst you four. Of course, you will also owe me 5000 Rank 1 AP or a favor.”

The other four glances at each other before Nik sends Duck-Tape a message.

[Nut-Cracking-Messiah: Let’s work together. We also have another trade later, right?]

[Duck-Tape: You got it.]

Meanwhile, Nik also received another message.

[Lava-Head: Kill Managed-Ant for me, and I’ll pay for your slaves. Do we have a deal?]

Partners cannot kill each other. So, Nik isn’t surprised Lava-Head would ask him.

Only… the level of deterioration between Lava-Head and Managed-Ant’s relationship shocks him since he got another message.

[Managed-Ant: Kill that blockhead for me. I earned a bootload of resources in my last world. I’m also willing to offer a mutated species’ egg that can be classified as Rank 3 or above.]

“Well,” Accu-mulet attracts everyone as he gently strokes the Will’s Collection’s surface. The runes on its surface glow a pale blue sheen before a formless wave of… something spreads past the group.

“This is…” Managed-Ant licks his lips.

“A World’s Will…” Duck-Tape whispers.

“Indeed,” Accu-mulet’s face steadily turns chalky grey before turning brittle. The item floats mid-air as his arms break off and fall on the floor, breaking apart into fine ash. “Well then, Gentlemen. I should warn you that modern items will be affected and forcefully stop working. After all, the World’s Will IS a form of radiation of an almost divine quality. It’s against everything in this world.”

He smiles gently before his legs give out, and the item breaks into motes of light.

However, Nik’s and everyone else’s expression changes.

“You FUCKER!” Lava-Head screeches in unadulterated rage before slamming his freakishly strong hands into the light. His fists bypass the light before hitting the compartment’s wall. However, what should have been a wall of metal no weaker than paper for the ghoulish host—

*Ping*

A shimmer of deep-red light flashes on the wall before Lava-Head grunts. Blood leaks from his eyes and nostrils as he steps back.

“Fuck!” Duck-Tape hisses before rushing out of the compartment. Nik tries sending a message to Ray and Duck-Tape before realizing it’s futile as he shouts, “Wait!” He chases Duck-Tape.

<<<>>>

Ray hides in the bathroom of the compartment occupied by Class 3-E. Nik kept her updated on everything until a few moments ago. She glances at the General Chat.

[Accu-mulet: I do apologize.]

[Finite Invoked. The Mark of Finite recognizes an enclosed space. Suppressing the available Scars of Infinity.]

Ray’s eyes widen. Meanwhile, on the seat, Koro blinks before looking around. He smiles as if nothing happened.

“So? Are we going to be killed?” Karma smirks as darkness descends into the train. The lights are out, and even the train stops in place as the outside of the train descends into an apocalyptic darkness.

“M-My phone isn’t working!”

“What’s happening?!”

“Stay calm!” Tadaomi instantly sits up before drawing his pistol and training his eyes on the group of mercenaries ahead.

“Did you do something, Korosensei?”

Koro snickers.

“No. But don’t worry. I’m here, aren’t I? I can see everything,” Koro reassures the students before musing.

‘Well, I cannot see anything. It’s… like I’m a human.’

[Success. Benefits of the corresponding Paradise suppressed. Only available function of Scar of Infinity— Transferring the Scar of Infinity from one host to another.]

Ray grits her jaws before cursing inwardly. She cannot access anything! They’ve been had.

She cannot take anything from her Scar of Infinity or even use the devouring ability from her right hand! The succubus stuffs a hand into her pocket before smirking bitterly.

‘I didn’t even take out any Limiter Ring. Others would be the same… maybe except… Fuck, I should get to those three before something happens.’ Ray slowly leaves the bathroom as she hears panicked shouts from other compartments.

Nothing good happens when cold-blooded murderers panic.

‘Even Saki is on the same train. Damn, Joseph!’ She groans. However, her priorities are different.

Meanwhile, on another compartment, “Let’s move and perform our Master’s bidding.”

Another voice grumbles. “Can you not call that woman our Master when she’s not around? You know how she became our ‘Master.’”

“... Fine. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. We’re on the same boat.”

[GOTY-13: Are you sure this plan is foolproof?]

Surprisingly, someone CAN use their abilities.

[Accu-mulet: Scar of Finite is created by one of the Rank 9 hosts—Finite. Don’t worry. Our plan will work unless our luck is bad.]

Momentary panic flashes before his eyes before he calms down and questions darkly.

[GOTY-13: What do you mean? Don’t lie. You cannot kill me according to the rules set by Paradise. We’re partners.]

[Accu-mulet: Unfortunately, yes. But rest assured, I intend for you to complete the mission in darkness while I attract everyone’s attention. As for the other part… the weakness of Scar of Finite is the same as Will’s Collection—an unknown Paradox or the source of an Outer God. We cannot be that unlucky.]

He sighs in relief. That’s true. They’d be shit out of luck if one such person is present.

And if there are two people like them—

He… no, she?

They shriek in surprise as flickering yellow-red flames consume their seat. A pair of yellow eyes with a smoky char glows intensely as the figure gazes at the unknown host.

It whispers in an incomparably hoarse voice. Pained shouts and roars fill the compartment. Everyone, innocents or mercenaries, cover their eyes, shrieking at the top of their lungs!

“May chaos…” the figure burns yellow-red. “... take the world.”

<<<>>>

“H-How can you use the Scar of Infinity?!” Lava-Head’s eyes widen as his vision quickly adjusts to the darkness through the virtue of his vampiric origins. He stares at the wave of scarabs emerging and shuffling around Managed-Ant.

“Guess,” the boy smirks. He doesn’t answer anything and adds—

“I cannot kill you… but what about an untamed mutated species? How many Limiter Rings do you have in your pockets? How long can you last? Hahaha! Don’t think I don’t know you asked Duck-Tape to deal with me. I think you extended an offer to that Nut-Cracking dude, too. So did I! Fuck you, asshole!” Several insects cover Managed-Ant as a shadowy figure taller than Lava-Head appears with a loud, chittering noise.

‘Ah… fuck.’

Lava-Head blinks before rushing out. Only a madman tackles an opponent with such disadvantages. Even if he defeats the alien species, Lava-Head cannot kill Managed-Ant. His gaze hardens with blood lust. Panicked shouts fail to move him as the creature behind him engages in a slaughter!

‘But what happens if I bring others—Hosts who will fear that little turd? Hehe! Come on, fucker. Chase me! Let’s meet my dear comrades… and fuck that Accu-mulet!’

Never trust a trader—honest or otherwise!

***

Alternate Title: Secrets About of Scar of Infinity: Flesh and Soul; The Debtor’s Gratitude; Debtor’s Score; Rank 9 Debt; Influential Accu-mulet; Planning; Relocation of Homeworld?; The Secretive Depths; Gotei 13?; An Incompetent But Dangerous Spender; The Teammate; Hidden Agendas; Surprise; When Wealth Smacks You In The Face; Accu-mulet Really Be Spending; The Capture of Space; Rank 9 Finite; Scare of Finite; The Opposite of Infinity?; Shocked Ray; Quiet Koro; Koro Taking MHA Lessons; To Be a Human Again; Only One Available Function; Hateful Team; The Weakness; GOTY-13: Surely We Cannot Be That Unluck, Right? *May Chaos Take The World* *Nik Bends Train and Bone in Mokshi*; For Once Nik isn’t… Unlucky? Impossible!; The Creature of the Dark; Calm Lava-Head; Finding Troubles; Searching For ‘Comrades’