I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Clearly, Hanako wasn't asking a silly question like 'Have I arrived in another world?'—that kind of question anyone with a bit of sight and self-awareness could answer with a simple yes or no.

Amamiya pondered for a moment: "If this is the 'World Tree'... then we should be in 'Midgard' right now?"

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone clearly heard a series of hissing sounds, like the hissing of snakes or the roar of dragons, coming from the distant horizon. They could also vaguely see fine, smooth scales that blotted out the sky.

Midgard, also known as 'Midgard', is the realm inhabited by humans in the mythology of the World Tree.

And here, a giant snake lies coiled.

It is said that it is so large that it can encircle the entire Midgard, and is therefore also known as the "Mortal Python" or the "Serpent Encircling Midgard".

The enormous scales and the sheer size of the body, seemingly reaching to the heavens and earth, their colossal form appearing and disappearing in the clouds, filled the girls beside Amamiya with awe and wonder.

"That...that powerful monster...do we have to fight it too...?"

Even Hifumi, who had Satanyel as her trump card, was already somewhat intimidated by the sight of the giant serpent from afar.

"Don't be afraid...we might be able to use it to some extent."

Amamiya smiled and waved to the stunned girls, thinking to himself that he had fought those 'scene objects' more than once.

It's just for show; if you throw magic at it, it will still lose health.

'use……'

Hanako pondered Amamiya's seemingly meaningful use of the word.

At that moment, she thought of the legend of Ragnarok—that if the black dragon under the roots of the World Tree gnaws through the roots and Hati and Skul devour the sun and moon, then Ragnarok will come.

The cause of Ragnarok is ultimately the resentment accumulated by both sides (giants and gods) over many years of war, which is destined to trigger an unprecedented final battle between the two.

Considering the current situation of Gerina and Trinity...

And the apocalyptic record of 'Ragnarok'...

Does Sensei mean that... they are not hostile to all the goals of this world?

If you encounter a race of giants, or Loki, the god of deception, could you try cooperating with them...?

The thoughtful girl silently noted these guesses in her heart.

"Alright, let's stop looking at the distant view for now. Our next goal is to complete the three elements of the 'Ragnarok Language'—"

Amamiya turned around, clapped his hands to attract the girls' attention, and then began to explain the operation plan directly.

"The prophecy of Ragnarok foretold that the poisonous dragon Nidhogg gnawed through the roots of the tree; Hati and Skul devoured the sun and moon; and the great ship Nagilfa was completed—these three prophecies have been fulfilled, and are the key factors determining whether we can conquer this temple..."

Sure enough...

Hanako nodded gently, as if she had expected this.

Hifumi and Azusa only understood a little bit of what they were hearing, especially Hifumi, who was somewhat surprised when she realized that Hanako actually understood it better than she did.

Hanako-san… how come she seems to know more than I, her 'veteran phantom thief'?

Adhering to the principle of 'asking if you don't understand,' Azusa saw Hanako's knowing expression and decisively leaned over: "Hanako-san, can you tell me more detailed information about the battle plan?"

Hanako hesitated for a moment, about to speak, when Akira's voice rang out first: "Sensei's 'Hall of Conquest' method is based on this... the mythological prototype of the 'Hall of Conquest.' If I'm not mistaken, this myth should be stored in Trinity's antiquities library right now."

Xiaochun, who was also racking her brains but still couldn't figure out what these strategies meant, got a little agitated and raised her voice, asking, "You... how do you know so much?!"

“Because I’m a ‘phantom thief,’” Jing chuckled. “A phantom thief not only needs a unique appreciation for art and a distinctive aesthetic… but also a wealth of knowledge.”

Xiaochun: "..."

The small wings on her back and head drooped down at the same time, and the petite and cute pink-haired girl made a reluctant "kuku" sound, silently retreating back to Amamiya's side.

Everything my friends are talking about, but I just can't understand a thing about it...

At that moment, Xiaochun deeply felt the shame of being 'despised' because of her lack of knowledge.

Amamiya looked around again and asked, "Regarding the 'operation plan,' does anyone have anything to say?"

In the silence, Jing slowly raised her hand.

"I'd like to see the special abilities of the 'Persona'..."

“Okay.” Amamiya nodded. “In fact… the next thing we need to do right away is try to awaken your Personas…”

Amamiya's gaze fell on the 'true phantom thief' Akira and the 'rebellious spirit burning brightly' Azusa, and he was filled with curiosity.

Who will be the first to awaken their Persona...?

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Clash with Valkyrie

"Next... is the other world exploration part!"

The blonde girl, trying to project a 'captain's aura, took several deep breaths to calm her increasingly restless mind.

No problem... Hifumi, believe in yourself...

As a 'veteran master thief,' you need to bring out the aura you learned from Sensei...!

The mature aura of the ace player gradually fermented and took effect, giving rise to a strange and incredible sense of security from within.

Close your eyes, then open them.

After completing her transformation, Hifumi cleared her throat and offered her suggestion: "Based on my experience in other worlds... to awaken a 'Persona,' it's simply a matter of facing battles in other worlds and using those battles to awaken the self within..."

[The Ace's Third Eye] suddenly opened, and streaks of light yellow, bright blue, and blood red smoke appeared in his field of vision.

"Everyone, come with me... We'll go find the Shadow and familiarize ourselves with the fighting style of this other world."

A dark blue flame erupted from the girl's body, accompanied by the sound of flames surging and swirling with wind and fire. A dazzling, idol-like, and very approachable outfit replaced the girl's original bright and white school uniform, which resembled a sailor suit.

'A phantom thief's outfit...?'

Jing watched this scene thoughtfully.

'A one-second transformation...what a simple and effortless design!'

After turning her gaze to Amamiya and receiving a look from Amamiya that seemed to say, "Let her try to give it a shot," Akira didn't say anything more. She smiled and nodded to Amamiya.

'Then let me see... the aesthetics of the "phantom thief."'

Led by Hifumi, the group followed her as she meandered through the vast plains and forests for less than ten minutes.

"……stop!"

Upon spotting the shadow, the girl immediately hid near a hiding spot indicated by the "Third Eye".

Everyone hid themselves, and then they saw... a figure wearing a brand-new, bright silver suit of armor, with fluttering angel wings, patrolling the vicinity in near-ground flight...

An angel-like "monster".

That's the only way to describe it... because this pitch-black creature, dressed in bright silver armor, although it looks like a human, has its features covered by a thorny 'mask,' and its expression is even more abstract than Van Gogh's 'The Scream.'

With nothing else to do, Amamiya promptly activated the "Ariadne" team voice chat, allowing Hifumi to continue performing normally.

“That walking ‘monster’ is the shadow… We can’t just rush at it. We have to hide in the shadows and ambush them when they’re not paying attention, tear off the masks on their faces, and make them reveal their true forms… That’s the only way to effectively harm them.”

As Hifumi spoke, she bent over, like a hawk about to hunt, aiming at the armored shadow that had approached, its face covered by a mask.

"Everyone, get ready for battle!"

As everyone tensed up, the eerie blue flames surrounding Hifumi began to stir.

"CHANCE!"

Hifumi's method of removing her mask certainly doesn't contain the kind of 'arrogant and dashing' violent aesthetics like Amamiya's.

In comparison, she is much more 'normal'.

The phantom of the Angel of Power appeared behind her and then punched the shadow in the face.

Imagine you're walking down the street and a muscular man over two meters tall suddenly punches you in the face. If you don't fall down, how would you react?

Anyway... this shadowy figure on patrol was completely stunned by the beating.

Slurred and disoriented by the sudden punch, it didn't even have time to utter a mundane line like "Who is it?" before Hifumi, who had rushed in front of it, grabbed its cheek while it instinctively bent over.

With a whoosh, the sound of skin and blood being torn apart came from Hifumi's face in the shadows as she suddenly raised her hand.

"BGM: Reach Out To The Truth"

(Note: This is the battle theme for the first encounter with the enemy in Persona 4.)

Koharu, Hanako, and Azusa watched the scene with tension, interest, or seriousness, while Akira stood beside Amamiya, equally ready for battle.

"Ugh...that damn guy...!"

"Are they intruders into the temple?!"

"Never...forgive..."

Hifumi withdrew in time; the gushing, viscous, dark red liquid barely grazed her, splashing onto the ground like a spring and forming a small, dark red gurgling stream.

Amamiya stepped forward, straightened up, and stood beside Hifumi, ready to take the lead in the battle.

If the commander is Hifumi, then Amamiya should be the one to analyze enemy data and report on the battle situation.

"The enemy is the 'Valkyrie'... or you could call them 'Valkyries'. Yes... they might indeed have some connection to that academy that everyone knows."

"Blessed by Odin, they are immune to attacks with the attribute of blessing, are good at melee attacks, and have almost no ranged magic."

'Is your preferred attribute physical attack...?'

Feeling that the enemy wasn't too strong, Hifumi gradually felt relieved.

She also happens to have a personality that excels in strength—

"Come out, Merkitseid!"

With mechanical wings and an Ultraman-style purple appearance, the "Heretical Savior" suddenly appeared behind her as she called out.

"Clang——"

The mechanical angel indifferently parried the Valkyrie's swinging sword, then disdainfully deflected it.

The Valkyrie, who nearly lost her balance during the confrontation, turned her horse around and decisively moved away from Amamiya and Hifumi.

To Hanako and her group, as well as Akira, her voice sounded like a jumble of incomprehensible ramblings.

However, Hifumi gleaned a key suspicion and a sense of apprehension from this voice.

"You guys are not to be underestimated... You really are here for the secret treasure... Are you that 'legendary team'...?"

"We... will absolutely not allow this 'Garden of Eden' to form!"

Having entered battle mode, Hifumi drew her cane sword, revealing the sharp edge within the cane.

The speed of the slash was so fast that a sword light appeared, and a Z-shaped arc of light was outlined by her light and graceful figure, like that of a dancing idol.

'laugh--'

The 'sticky' sensation of the blade piercing her body was fleeting, and the Valkyrie abruptly reined in her horse, filled with shock and anger: "Damn thief... not only did you launch a sneak attack, but you also dared to resist..."

The effect of [Tragedy of Knowledge: Forgetting] was triggered, and the Valkyrie, furious and ready to charge back, suddenly forgot how she had unleashed her sword skills—so she could only slash aimlessly in response.

However, this attack, which lacks any speed or skill, can be easily dodged by Hifumi in her 'phantom thief' form. In fact, given her current 'equipment strength,' even if she were to stand still and take the hit, it wouldn't be a big deal; she might not even suffer a scratch.

After dodging with a backflip, Amamiya switched her Persona to [Bagus (The Fool)].

"When facing an enemy in a state of mental abnormality... the 'Telekinesis' attribute will be especially effective—Sydane!"

"Podyne: Deals massive psychic damage to one enemy."

The battle took place in the blink of an eye. From the moment the Valkyrie began her charge to Hifumi dodging the Valkyrie's counterattack, it seemed like a long time, but in reality, it was only a moment.

Only then did Hanako and her two companions, along with Akira, belatedly realize what was happening and begin to raise their weapons and aim at the Valkyrie to fire.

However, by sheer coincidence... the "Valkyrie" has gun resistance.

After all, neither the gleaming silver armor nor the steed beneath him could inflict that much damage.

A single attack, striking the Valkyrie's armor and her warhorse, was less effective than Hifumi's seemingly effortless basic attack—at least Hifumi actually shattered a large chunk of the Valkyrie's armor.

"The enemy is now down. Take advantage of her loss of balance to attack her—do not use firearms, as she is resistant to them."