I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

This is precisely the prerequisite for the [Personality Summoner] to summon a Persona by shattering its own personality fragments.

'Hmm... to elevate the prestige of this "weapon," let's add another fusion material...'

'Hmm, perhaps we could try using this raw material…'

'Psona! Azazel!'

【Psona - Azazel (Arcane: Death)】

[Introduction: The scapegoat in the Old Testament; the fallen angel in the Book of Enoch.]

The angel's name, in Hebrew, means "the power of God."

According to tradition, on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), people would draw lots to choose two goats. One belonged to God and became a sacrifice to Him. The other belonged to Azazel. This goat would bear the sins of all people, and it would be banished to the wilderness.

The angel of death was refined into the barrel of a pistol, transforming into a 'mysterious creation' that emitted black and red smoke and was entwined with bright red patterns.

'These patterns do look a bit like Misaki's aura.'

After picking up the Persona Summoner, Amamiya used his third eye to examine the summoner's details.

[Scapegoat Angel: A gun shell refined from the angelic body of Azazel, the 'Angel of the Scapegoat,' usable only by a select few.]

[Type: Summoner V`I Clothes ~7I Japanese Dad (IV) Dead Dad, Sheep / Weapon (When used as a weapon, the magazine capacity is 8 rounds)]

[Skill: Scapegoat / All Abilities +6]

[Scapegoat: This angel bears the brunt of humanity's sins and can condense negative emotions into this weapon. (The wielder will not suffer any mental or control effects and will actively help other companions remove such effects.)]

When seven or more negative emotions are absorbed, the user can unleash 'Sinful Bullets' to counterattack the target, dealing massive all-around damage to all enemies and returning all inflicted negative effects.

['A rebellious bullet formed from the seven deadly sins of mankind, capable of piercing even the gods.']

"However, the seven deadly sins of an individual are insignificant. But they are enough to be condensed and used against an enemy."

[All Abilities +6: Increases the holder's all abilities.]

"Well... let's leave it at that for now."

After completing the final assembly of the gun casing, which was condensed from the scapegoat angel, Amamiya held the divine weapon and tested its feel.

—Besides being used as a Persona summoner, this gun can also be used as a super-powerful pistol with unlimited ammo but periodic reloading.

After leaving the fog with Arius's four-person team, Amamiya also took the opportunity to get the 'brand new' gun.

He solemnly handed the [Scapegoat Angel] to Misaki.

"Misaki."

"you……"

Do you have the courage to face your own 'death' with equanimity?

Chapter 55 Misaki's [Personality Mask]

Amamiya's 'sudden action' really startled the four members of Arius's team.

After a moment of confusion, Saori's first reaction was to become alert.

She wanted to say something, but out of trust from their previous interactions, she didn't do so immediately. Instead, she frowned, moved closer to Misaki, subtly protecting her as she asked in a low voice:

"Sensei... what is this...?"

"As I've said before... I'll help you awaken your 'persona'."

Amamiya calmly said, "There are multiple ways to awaken a Persona... The intensity and effect of awakening may vary slightly depending on the method of awakening. Like this... shooting yourself in the temple, summoning a Persona by facing the fear of death and temporarily shattering your own personality..."

As she spoke, Amamiya also demonstrated how to summon this Persona.

He pressed a gleaming silver pistol against his temple and slowly pulled the trigger.

'call……'

A series of whirlwinds gathered instantly with Amamiya's movements, forming an invisible aura around her feet.

"Person, Character, Face, Tool".

'P - so - na.'

As Amamiya uttered "Persona" word by word, Saori seemed to sense a particularly rhythmic instrumental melody playing.

[BGM: Mass Destruction]

'boom--'

With the roar of the gun barrel and the violent tremor of her wrist, Saori did not see the terrifying scene of 'red and white splattering' that she had expected. Instead, she saw streams of dark blue, almost transparent fragments flying out from the other end of Amamiya's temple, which had been blown open.

It was a deep blue color, semi-liquid, and resembled shards of a mirror...

There is an elegance in which life is frozen in that one moment.

'call……'

The azure beam of light condensed into a circle, instantly reaching the heavens and the earth.

Amamiya, whose pupils were shrouded in clusters of bright blue flames, maintained an exaggerated pose as if his brain had been shot, chanting the name of the Persona he had summoned.

"Azrael".

【Psona-Yazlar (Arcana: The Trial)】

[The "Angel of Death" in Islam; or the "Angel of Death's Annunciation."]

According to legend, God sent four angels—Michael, Gabriel, Samael, and Yanar—to create humankind.

Azrael is the angel who records human life and death, and also the angel who blows the second trumpet during the Last Judgment.

(PS: Regarding the prototype of Misaki's divine name, there is a theory that it is 'Samael', and Azrael corresponds to Samael.)

call……

The black flames burned into the wind, and the blue pillar of light gradually subsided, transforming into an angel that was about ten meters tall, with an astonishing wingspan, gray wings, and a thick black halo. The whole being exuded an ominous aura.

He held a branch made of leaves from the Tree of Life, which recorded the names of all the people in the world.

When the leaves corresponding to a name wither and fall, it means that the name being recorded is nearing its end and is beginning to decay.

"This……"

Saori opened her mouth, looked up blankly at the 'giant angel' that had suddenly appeared behind Amamiya, and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Is this... the power of Persona?

She had thought that shadow angels, which were often two or three meters tall, were already exaggerated enough...

Unexpectedly, there are still masters.

The appearance of this angel, which appears to be tens of meters tall, means that among those shadowy enemies, there must also be beings as large as small mountains.

"Persona... Angel..."

Akiko looked up at the 'angel' above her head, then turned her gaze to Amamiya.

What would it be like if I were to awaken my Persona?

More than being shocked, the girl was curious about her 'future'.

“Sensei…it suddenly became so dazzling…”

Amamiya released the Persona from its summons, and the aura of the highest-ranking Angel of Death vanished completely.

He turned his expectant gaze toward Misaki.

“Misaki, in my opinion, you are a very promising girl... You shouldn’t underestimate yourself.”

"If you have the courage to face death... then give it a try."

Misaki remained silent, subconsciously glancing at the 'pistol' in her hand, its unique paint job bearing a striking resemblance to her own aura.

'...If it could end everything once and for all, it wouldn't be such a bad choice?'

'But...it doesn't end with death...'

The concerns and expectations surrounding me... I haven't had a chance to respond to any of them yet.

For the first time, Amamiya sensed such delicate and complex emotions in those dark red eyes, as if they were dried blood.

The girl did not immediately follow Amamiya's example and point the summoner at her temple. Instead, she trembled and gently stroked the summoner in her hand, while looking up again to meet Amamiya's gaze directly.

'...Alright then.'

If I could bear the pain alone…

Is this also the only thing I can do for them?

After a brief silence, Misaki's jaw twitched slightly—it was hard to see through her mask, but Amamiya could deduce from the change in her facial muscles that she was smiling.

An extremely genuine smile.

Then, under Saori's worried gaze, and under the even more complicated gazes of Azuko and Hiyori, she slowly pressed the muzzle of the gun against her chin.

“Psona…”

After quietly reciting the 'summoning incantation' through her mask, she pulled the trigger without hesitation.

'boom--'

The scarlet linear paintwork suddenly shone brightly at that moment, followed by wisps of red flames shooting out.

"Misaki..."

Just as Saori was about to ask what was wrong, she saw wisps of blue light emanating from the back of Misaki's head.

Immediately afterwards, these streams of light transformed into a halo surrounding the pillar of light.

"I am you, and you are me..."

The sound, accompanied by reverberation and echo, came from the gushing beam of light.

"Heh... Your courage is truly commendable."

"I am born from the sea of ​​your heart... I have come in accordance with your will to die and your desire to live."

"Your characteristics are truly complex..."

"However, since you have summoned me here by vowing to die for your cause... then I shall become your ally..."

"Remember this well, my name is..."

"Battle Angel, Camael..."

After the blue beam of light subsided, an angel, two or three meters tall and also exuding an aura of death, appeared behind Misaki.

Saori, who was about to say something, suddenly fell silent: "..."

Misaki actually awakened her own personality through the unique method of 'shooting herself'...

Of course, Saori wouldn't be so foolish as to think that 'you can awaken your Persona by doing whatever you want in another world'.

First of all... the reason Misaki was able to awaken must be because she possesses a special 'aptitude' that Sensei can recognize.

Secondly... the pistol that Misaki received from Sensei might be the most crucial element for awakening...

"This...is this...my...persona...?"

Still somewhat shaken, Misaki turned around and looked at the archangel standing behind her.

For a fleeting moment, she truly felt the instinctive retreat and fear that 'death' evokes in living beings.

Those who 'intend to rush towards death' can only clearly realize, at the moment when they are infinitely close to death, that they still have many things they cherish.

"Kamel... a powerful battle angel, he certainly fits the bill..."

【Psona-Kamel (Arcana: Death/Judgment)】

[Introduction: A battle angel in Jewish folklore.]

He commands the Archangels, serving as the commander of the angels of destruction, punishment, and death, and is also said to be the ruler of Mars.