Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Vol. 8

by Ryo Shirakome

  “Haaah... Haaah... Hajime I feel... strange... I need you.”

  “Hey, Yue. This isn’t the time for... Yue? What’s wrong?”

  Yue’s breathing was ragged, and her eyes were brimming with desire. Had this been night and the two of them safely tucked in bed Hajime wouldn’t have minded, but this was hardly the time. Nor could he imagine Yue getting this aroused in the middle of a labyrinth. Something was wrong with her.

  Hajime’s expression grew serious, and he pulled Yue off him. His touch alone was enough to send shivers down Yue’s spine, and her whole body flushed with heat. Unable to control herself, Yue tried to press herself against Hajime. Still unsure of what had happened, he held her at arm’s length and tried to discern what was wrong. Just then though, a shadow fell over him. He looked up and saw Shea.

  “Hajime-san... I... I can’t... Haaah... Haaah...”

  “You too, Shea?”

  “Haaah... Haaah, I think there’s something wrong with me, Hajime-san.”

  “Wait, hold up.”

  Shea ignored Hajime and wrapped herself around his right arm. She held it between her cleavage and thighs, making it impossible for him to escape. Even her bunny ears wrapped around his neck. Like Yue, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes blurry with desire. She rarely acted this sexy, and Hajime nearly found himself overwhelmed. Whatever had happened to Yue, had happened to Shea too.

  “Wait... don’t tell me...” A possible cause sprung to mind. And if his guess was right, it wasn’t just Yue and Shea who’d been affected. Alarmed, he looked over the rest of his comrades. As he’d feared, Kaori and the rest were suffering from the same symptoms as Yue and Shea.

  “Hajime-kun, I—” Kaori crawled over to Hajime and looked up at him with pleading eyes. Tio, on the other hand, was just sitting there spacing out. However she didn’t respond to Hajime’s calls, so he assumed the worst. Even Kouki and the rest weren’t exempt from the strange transformation.

  “U-Ugh... What is this?”

  “Uwaaah...” Suzu crouched down and hugged her knees, while Ryutarou had a vacant look to him. Kouki, however, watched Shizuku with bloodshot eyes. He then suddenly got to his feet and reached out to her.

  “Fufufu... Like hell I’ll lose here.”

  Shizuku alone appeared to have any control left. After writhing for a few seconds, she bit her lip so hard she drew blood. Then, she used the pain to anchor her consciousness and sat down with her back ramrod straight. And after that, she closed her eyes, as if concentrating on something.

  Hajime guessed she was attempting to meditate. That, or she knew some special Yaegashi-style focusing technique. Whatever it was it appeared to be working, as her blush receded and she regained her composure.

  However, she also seemed to be having a difficult time maintaining that state. Even the slightest lapse in concentration seemed like it would cause her to relapse. Because of that, she didn’t notice Kouki reaching out to her. He continued muttering her name in a deranged manner as he staggered forward. At the same time, Ryutarou started toward Suzu, who was still kneeling and holding her head.

  “Goddammit... So this is what those slimes were for.”

  Hajime pulled three bolas out of his Treasure Trove, then flung them all with a quick snap of his wrist. Each found its mark, and Kouki, Ryutarou, and Suzu were all immobilized. The bolas’ weights pulsed red and the spatial magic stored in them fixed them in place. After struggling fruitlessly for a few seconds, Kouki and Ryutarou once again stretched their hands out, looking for anyone to grab onto. Meanwhile, Suzu gazed at Shizuku with unrestrained lust. Fortunately, Hajime’s bolas were powerful enough to have even restrained one of God’s Apostles for a few seconds. A group of half-insane students had no hope of breaking free.

  For the present, Hajime had prevented them from doing something they would later regret. Hajime tried to think of a way out of this situation while he kept Kaori from climbing any further up his left arm, Shea from climbing any further up his right arm, and Yue from sucking the blood out of his neck. While he was racking his brains, Tio suddenly called out to him

  “Master, are you alright? It appears those monsters’ fluids contained a powerful aphrodisiac.”

  Not only was Tio’s expression normal, her gait was measured and even. More importantly, she was processing their current situation.

  Is this really Tio? Hajime thought to himself. Regardless of whether Tio realized what Hajime was thinking or not, she continued her explanation.

  “The pleasure delivered by the aphrodisiac is so extreme that it has rendered everyone incapable of using magic. Furthermore, the more time passes, the stronger its effects will become. Worst of all though, the aphrodisiac doesn’t affect one’s body, but one’s mind. In fact, it would be more accurate to call whatever special magic these monsters had a form of hypnosis than an aphrodisiac. There are creatures capable of such feats.”

  Tio’s observations were perceptive and well-reasoned. Upon seeing such a level-headed Tio, Hajime thought,

  Yeah, there’s no way this is Tio.

  “The reason you were likely spared the hypnosis’ effects was because after the first few drops of rain hit you, you activated Lightning Field to keep any and all bits of slime off of you. The few drops that did make contact with your skin were not concentrated enough to pierce your natural defenses.”

  “I-I see?”

  “Indeed, this would be our only silver lining. That being said, this trial has still proven itself quite arduous. It is hard to imagine any normal challenger escaping from that mass of slimes completely untouched. And if the battle dragged on, said challengers would find themselves eliminated. Even if they were able to overcome the deluge of slimes, they would still end up driven to intercourse by the effects of slimes’ hypnosis.”

  “Y-Yeah, you’re right...”

  “I imagine that was this part of the trial’s aim. Whether you can overcome your desires and press onwards with your comrades... Or perhaps it was to test whether you and your comrades could maintain trust with each other even after committing unsavory acts... Regardless of which it may be, this labyrinth’s Liberator is quite the troublesome one.”

  “Uh, Tio.”

  “Mmm? What is it, Master?”

  While all of Tio’s points made sense, there was one thing that didn’t. Hajime looked from Yue and the others, who were still trying to fling themselves at him, to Tio, who appeared perfectly calm.

  “I understand everything you said, and your hypothesis makes sense. I pretty much agree with all your points. There’s just one thing I don’t understand. How come you’re fine? I’m pretty sure you’re the one who got the most soaked out of all of us. You practically looked like an actress on a JAV cover.”

  “I did indeed. In fact, the hypnosis is affecting me even now. It’s because of the pleasure coursing through my body that I still cannot properly use my magic. Do not underestimate me though, Master. Who do you think I am?”

  “Tio...”

  Hajime’s eyes widened in surprise as Tio puffed her chest out proudly. He couldn’t help but be impressed. She was able to maintain her sanity through such a crippling onslaught of pleasure. It was times like these that he was reminded that despite her extremely perverted nature, she was a wise dragon who’d lived for centuries. A paltry toxin like this was nothing for someone of—

  “I am your servant and your servant alone, Master! Such tepid pleasure cannot hope to compare to the exquisite pain which you grace me with on a daily basis! Please do not think of me as some loose woman who’ll let any old sadist slap her arse!”

  “Oh.” Hajime’s expression changed in an instant as Tio shot a fist into the air and declared her undying loyalty. He once again gazed at her like she was trash, which made Tio blush and shiver in excitement.

  “I guess I should have expected as much from you, Tio-san. Or perhaps I should call you Clarence-san. You really are something else. Now I’d like it if you didn’t get any closer.”


  “M-Master’s being polite!? And calling me by my last name!? I can’t believe you would act so distant toward me now of all times! Haaah... Haaah... Th-This is not good. I can feel myself giving in to the pleasure...”

  Though she’d been fine until now, Tio suddenly started slipping. She fell to all fours and struggled to retain her sanity. Hajime turned to Yue, Shea, and Kaori, and pointedly ignored Tio.

  He gave them a look of absolute confidence and spoke his mind.

  “Yue, Shea, Kaori. There’s no way you guys actually got done in by these weakling monsters. You’ve all managed to keep your sanity, haven’t you?”

  Still flushed and panting, the three of them looked up at Hajime with clear eyes and said simultaneously, “Mmm... Of course.”

  “Ugh. Of course I have.”

  “Th-That’s right! Haaah... Haaah, I’m just fine!”

  As expected, the three of them were able to fight back against the pleasure that assailed their senses. Though they had to grit their teeth to do it. Hajime gave each of them a quick look over, then smiled in satisfaction.

  “Listen up, this is another one of the labyrinth’s shitty trials. I refuse to believe that you can’t overcome something like this. Look, even Yaegashi and our resident pervert were able to control themselves. Imagine how embarrassing it would be to lose to that perverted dragon.”

  At Hajime’s provocative challenge, Yue grimaced and forcibly pulled herself away from him. She then gave him a fearless smile reminiscent of his own.

  “Seeing as restoration magic couldn’t fix Yue’s goblinification, I doubt it’ll do anything here either. Besides, it’s not like any of you can use magic right now anyway. However, I still have some Ambrosia left. I bet even Haltina didn’t expect us to have that. I know the slimes’ poison is mental, but Ambrosia’s the legendary cure-all. Do you guys think you need it? If so, it might be worth a shot.”

  There was no telling if it would work or not, and Hajime had scant few vials left. Still, it meant there was a chance they could be freed from this unbearable pleasure hell. Despite that, the three all shook their heads immediately.

  “Mmm... I’m fine.”

  “I don’t need any.”

  “I’m good.”

  They were determined to overcome this trial with their own strength.

  “That’s what I thought,” Hajime said with a warm smile.

  They returned his smile, glad that Hajime had that much faith in them. He put some distance between himself and them, thinking it would be easier for them to resist if he wasn’t around. Contrary to his expectations though, Yue and the others crowded around him again.

  “Hajime, hug me.”

  “Won’t that make things worse?”

  “Absolutely not! There’s no one this world who’d feel worse after being hugged by you, Hajime-san!”

  “Shea-san’s right. If anything, it’ll help us calm down... Please.”

  Hajime smiled ruefully and wrapped the three of them up in his arms. He scooped Shea in with his right, Kaori with his left, and squished Yue between the two of them. The three of them trembled for a few seconds, then relaxed and slowly calmed their heavy breathing. They closed their eyes, focusing on maintaining their sanity. Soon enough, their temperature returned to normal, and their heartbeat slowed. Hajime closed his eyes and smiled. He then lifted them up slowly, careful not to stimulate them too much. Just then, Tio called out to him.

  “Master, could you embrace me as well?”

  “Surely you jest, Clarence-san.”

  “No... I won’t be able to resist without youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!”

  Her anguished scream echoed through the quiet forest.

  Some time later. The liquified floor had cooled and hardened, and the smoldering embers had all died out. A single shiny, metallic pathway cut through the barren wasteland that remained. It made a straight line to the giant tree in the distance.

  “...Mmm?”

  “Huh?”

  “Oh?”

  Yue, Shea, and Kaori all opened their eyes.

  “Hm? Is... it over? Are you guys alright?” Hajime looked worriedly down at the three girls still in his arms.

  They all looked at each other, then nodded confidently.

  “...Mmm. It looks like we weathered it.”

  “Yep! All that pleasure I was feeling is totally gone now.”

  “I don’t feel anything anymore... And it looks like the rest of my senses are back to normal.”

  Sounds like they’re good. They’d overcome pleasure so overwhelming it could drive normal people insane through willpower alone. Once it passed a certain threshold, pleasure was no different from pain. Hajime could only begin to guess how much the three of them must have suffered. Chances were, it was the hardest trial any of them had faced thus far. He looked proudly down at them and spoke.

  “I knew you could do it. Good work, you three. I had faith the whole time, so I wasn’t really worried... but it still must have been tough.”

  “Mmm....”

  “Ehehe, you’re making me blush.”

  “Fufu, thank you, Hajime-kun. It was thanks to your support that I was able to pull through.”

  There was no reason for them to keep hugging Hajime any longer, but none of the girls seemed willing to pull away. Instead, they hugged him tighter and looked happily up at him, blushing. The pleading look in their eyes made it clear they wanted to hear more praise. In all honesty, he found it harder to resist their earnest approach than their advances when they were under the influence of the slimes’ hypnosis. He’d unconsciously begun to let them go, but now hugged them tighter as well. They stayed like that for a few seconds, until Shizuku awkwardly interrupted them.

  “Ahem! Sorry for interrupting, but could you leave the flirting for after we’re out of here? Also, you can release Kouki and the others now.”

  “Hm? Oh yeah, sure Yaegashi. You were pretty amazing too, you know? I guess I should have known a swordsman of your caliber would have no trouble resisting. Was that meditation something you learned at your dojo?”

  “I knew you could do it, Shizuku-chan! Even though you don’t have the body of a God’s Apostle like me, you were still able to resist! That’s really amazing!”

  Shizuku’s irritation faded and she blushed as Hajime and Kaori heaped on the praise. She looked away in embarrassment and muttered something.

  “Th-Thank you. My father and grandfather taught me how to still my heart since I was young, so while it was close, I managed to overcome it somehow... Also, did you restrain Kouki and the others to protect me? I wouldn’t have been able to do anything while I was focusing on meditating, so thanks for helping me out, Nagumo-kun.”

  “Don’t mention it. Anyway... it looks like Amanogawa and them fainted. They probably couldn’t hold out against the pleasure. Yaegashi, I’ll prepare a change of clothes and make a changing room for you guys, so wake them up for me. I’ll leave explaining everything to you.”

  “A change of clothes? Changing room...? Oh.” Shizuku tilted her head in confusion, but then realized what Hajime was getting at when she looked down at her clothes. Shizuku blushed to the tips of her ears.

  A trial of pleasure was terrifying in more ways than one. Though she hadn’t moved an inch, Shizuku’s clothes were soaked through with sweat. She wasn’t the only one either, everyone else was drenched as well. No doubt it was uncomfortable to be walking around covered in sweat.

  Of course, sweat was all it was. There weren’t any other liquids mixed in there at all. At the very least, that was what Shizuku’s silent glare seemed to be implying as she blushed and sat down to cover her lower half. Since anything he said would probably only make it worse, Hajime decided not to meet Shizuku’s gaze.

  Yue and the others stepped back and sat down as well, looking almost as embarrassed as Shizuku.

  “All the clothes I have are made in my size, so they might be a bit too tight for Sakagami... Maybe some of my looser clothes will work, though.” As
he said that, Hajime pulled out some spare sets of clothes he’d bought in town a while back, and transmuted a covered hut from the earth. A simple but functional changing room. He also disengaged the bolas tying Kouki, Ryutarou, and Suzu. Without anything to support them, the three of them crumpled to the ground. Shizuku caught Suzu as she fell, but Kouki and Ryutarou had no one to help them so they hit the ground with dull thuds. Considering their sturdiness as the hero and his companion, it was probably fine to leave them be.

  “As for Taniguchi... I imagine only Yue’s stuff would fit.”

  “Mmm... I have a few outfits like this, so she can wear one of those.” Yue pulled a spare change of clothes from her own Treasure Trove and Hajime looked over at Shea and Kaori. Always the helpful one, Shea stepped forward.

  “In that case, Shizuku-san can wear one of my—”

  “Please no.” Shizuku got on her knees and knelt before Shea.

  “What’s wrong with my clothes!?” Shea exclaimed, her bunny ears hopping back and forth.

  “Nah, I get where Yaegashi’s coming from. The only clothes you own are those super revealing ones... Do those even count as clothes?”

  “What do you have against my clothes!? Stop laughing at them!”

  Even though she was a close-combat fighter, her clothes barely even covered the places they needed to.

  “U-Umm, Shizuku-chan? It’s okay, I have some clothes that you might like. I bought them last time we were in the capital because I thought they’d suit you, so please don’t look like you’ve resigned yourself to death.”

  “Kaori! My friend! My soulmate!”

  She really doesn’t want to wear Shea’s clothes, huh? Hajime had never seen Shizuku look so happy.

  “I don’t understand...” Shea muttered, her bunny ears drooping. Naturally, everyone ignored her. Having narrowly avoided wearing an outfit that would have revealed her arms, legs, belly, and most of her chest, Shizuku slapped Kouki and the others awake, then explained to them what had happened and headed to the changing room.

  Yue created warm water with magic for them to shower in, and Shizuku sighed in exhaustion as she washed herself down. Hajime kept an eye on their surroundings and recalled his Arachnae while Yue and the others cleaned themselves.