I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

The other girls in Abydos also noticed that this doll didn't seem like an ordinary doll; it was a bit strange.

Nomiya, however, suddenly came over with great interest.

"Wow~☆ It's MomoFriends! I love it too! Little Pelolo is so cute~ I'm a fan of Mr. Nicola."

After a moment of surprise, Hifumi immediately revealed an expression of excitement, as if to say, "Finally, I've found a kindred spirit!"

"Right? Right? Mr. Nikolai's philosophical air is really cool. I even bought his recently published philosophy book, 'Beyond Good and Evil,' and it's a first edition!"

Amamiya rubbed her temples, paused for a few seconds, and then carefully spoke: "So... Hifumi-san, you came here to look for the surrounding area, and then you were targeted by those wanderers from the No Man's Land?"

"Um……"

With her head down and lips slightly pursed, Hifumi gave a shy "Mmm".

Compared to other cases of various 'illegal transactions' taking place on the black market, and the battles that arise from disagreements... Hifumi's reasons for coming here, and the reasons for being targeted, are exceptionally simple and straightforward.

"Be more careful in the future. The black market is a true 'lawless land,' teeming with unseen dangers."

【~???~】

"Um... I'll be more careful next time."

I did not mean that……

Amamiya wanted to say, "There's going to be a next time?!", but then she thought better of it.

After thinking for a moment, Amamiya decided to change the subject.

He sat down next to Hifumi and, noticing the girl's slight awkwardness, asked in a gentle voice that tried to be as friendly as possible, "Hifumi-san... what do you know about the 'black market'?"

Chapter Twenty-Two: Hifumi: Oh no, I'm on a pirate ship now!

"Huh? If you understand... what direction does Sensei want to know?"

"For example, the security capabilities of the black market, and landmark buildings, etc."

"Well……"

Hifumi, who hadn't expected Amamiya to ask such a question, frowned slightly, pursed her lips, and pondered for a while.

"As far as I know... the black market's security forces seem to be composed of mercenaries living in the gray area, PMCs, and the influence of some large corporations... I've heard that the black market's security forces are on par with the elite-level combat capabilities of various universities..."

"Oh my... In that case, Sensei's choice not to have the battlefield cleaned up, but to retreat immediately after the battle was the right one..."

Hoshino interjected thoughtfully.

Hoshino, who often appears with a lazy expression and a nonchalant attitude, actually has the most 'belligerent' personality among the countermeasures committee members.

If it's about having a "fun battle," the other members of the countermeasures committee might consider it, but Hoshino would definitely be the first to grab her weapon and join the battle.

Hifumi then continued, "Regarding landmark buildings... I've heard that there's a bank in the heart of the black market that controls the flow of funds throughout the entire black market..."

Hifumi's tone gradually became serious, even carrying a sense of 'seriousness': "I've heard that 15% of the stolen goods from all the crimes that happen in Kivotos end up in that place."

"Money obtained through various crimes such as embezzlement, robbery, and kidnapping flows there and is then exchanged for illegal weapons used in other crimes. This forms a vicious cycle of criminal profit chain..."

"Wait!" Serika raised her voice, interrupting Hifumi incredulously, "Doesn't that mean... that bank indirectly facilitated the crime?!"

"Hmm... I've heard that the bank itself is a criminal organization..."

"And its mastermind is the Kaiser Group..."

Hifumi thought for a moment, seemingly considering whether she should say what she was about to say.

After a slight hesitation, she still told Amamiya what she knew.

"They operate their business skillfully in the gray area between legality and illegality, and they are expanding relentlessly, growing rapidly in our Trinity area as well. Because we are concerned about the negative impact they may have, the Tea Party has been keeping a close eye on them."

Hearing Hifumi's words, Amamiya raised an eyebrow: "So... it's a purely extra-legal organization?"

"Ah ha ha……"

Hifumi smiled awkwardly and gave an uncertain reply: "I-I guess so... at least that's what I know."

"Abydos Idea King," Hoshino suddenly suggested, "whether it's an evil, illegal organization... why don't we investigate and find out?"

Her gaze swept over Amamiya before she continued, "The 'bank' that Hifumi-san mentioned... I have a bad feeling about this. Sensei... don't you think we should investigate this strange 'bank'?"

Amamiya nodded seriously, agreeing with Hoshino's idea.

This image, which almost overlaps with that of 'Junya Kinjo,' is worth investigating by Amemiya.

"But we just came from the black market... wouldn't it be a bit...?"

Hifumi seemed somewhat caught in a dilemma.

"Hehe... Uncle... no, to be more precise, Sensei has a special way of conducting investigations~"

Hoshino smiled mysteriously.

Serissa then exclaimed with a sudden realization, "Ah...right, and that world too!"

Nomiya pondered: "Investigate using 'another world'...?"

Ayane, her index finger lightly tapping her chin, tilted her head slightly, brainstorming.

“Hmm… ‘Bank,’ Abydos’s debts… illicit assets… the source of evil… it seems we really should investigate…”

Bai Zi was eager to try: "Go to another world, fight against the evil dragon, and obtain information and spoils from its mouth."

Hifumi: "...???"

She was somewhat puzzled as to why the girls of Abydos had suddenly become so enthusiastic.

What does "another world" mean?

'Another world'...?

Fight evil dragons? Obtain intelligence and loot from their mouths?

Was she listening to a fairy tale?

Hifumi, whose eyes were already starting to bulge like mosquito coils and were about to become 'mosquito coil eyes,' was just like Ayane, who knew nothing about the other world before. She couldn't keep up with the pace of the girls' discussion in Abydos at all, and even receiving messages was very difficult for her.

Unable to understand what they were saying, Hifumi could only look to Amamiya for help.

then……

Amamiya, who was as warm and gentle as the 'sun' in her eyes, nodded seriously and took out her phone after being half-encouraged and half-excitedly suggested by the girls on the countermeasures committee.

"Since everyone agrees, let's go and investigate the 'other world'."

As Amamiya spoke, under the expectant gazes of the girls on the countermeasures committee and the bewildered look of Hifumi, she took out her phone and opened the [Another World App].

After clicking on the keyword "Impression Space", everyone felt a slight dizziness, and then the world in front of them seemed to be covered and distorted by a black and red ripple.

As she walked out of the station with the others, Hifumi, who was a little confused a moment ago, immediately saw a scene that made her wonder if she was still asleep.

The sky seemed to darken in an instant, with countless stars and a bright moon hanging high. The profoundness of the deep sky gave people a subtle sense of illusion.

'call--'

Jet-powered advertising airships flew overhead, their surreal, full-color banners displaying the slogan, "Welcome any criminal to the capital of sin," with a striking design.

The iridescent light created by the interplay of neon lights and searchlights added a touch of psychedelic charm to the distant city, but also imbued it with a sense of malice and danger.

"Hey? Hey hey hey?!"

"This, here is..."

Chapter Twenty-Three: What is the personality mask that Hifumi awakened...?

"Hey? Hey hey hey?!"

"This, here is..."

Holding her face in her hands, Hifumi was shocked, confused, and couldn't believe what she had just seen. She was on the verge of a breakdown.

"Oh~ seeing this Tower of Babylon up close, the feeling of its sinister core suddenly becomes so clear~"

Is the Tower of Babel... referring to that tower that's so close by?

Following Nomiya's voice and her raised eyes, Hifumi also gazed at the towering tower that reached into the clouds in the distance.

"Hmm... the shadows lingering here are no longer the Helmet Group."

"Those outfits make them look like bank employees..."

Following Ayane's voice, Hifumi looked towards the vicinity of the checkpoint, which might be the entrance to the Tower of Babel, not far away.

There were many... uh, 'monsters' guarding the place, dressed in suits and carrying rifles?

Hifumi really didn't know how to describe this thing that looked like a human being, but whose naked limbs were actually dripping with black mud.

"It seems... this tower corresponds to the Tower of Babylon in the black market to some extent."

After surveying the surroundings, Amamiya pondered for a moment before looking at Hifumi, who was in a daze.

The Arcana of the Fool signifies courage, boldness, passion, and a future full of infinite possibilities.

Previously, he himself was also an owner of an Arcana... Amamiya felt it was necessary to help this ordinary girl, to help her 'transform', and to make her truly 'no longer ordinary'.

"Sensei... are you going to 'extort' me this time too?"

"Wow☆~ What kind of 'monster' will we face this time?"

"We are ready for battle. Please give further instructions, Sensei."

"Hmph... They're all bad stuff anyway..."

As Amamiya turned his head, he saw the girls who had gathered around him, eagerly preparing their weapons. Some of them had even started wearing numbered woven headgear, mimicking Amamiya's method of covering his face with a mask.

They seemed to have been prepared all along, just waiting to fight and knock the enemy to the ground before launching a three-pronged attack: "murder for money," "extracting intelligence," and "ruthlessly killing the hostage."

Having previous experience fighting the shadows, they truly understand that these 'shadows,' as long as you can defeat them, are an inexhaustible treasure trove.

Besides... they are not human beings, nor are they 'good things'. They are a complete collection of negative consciousness, so we have absolutely no psychological pressure in robbing such targets.

"I suspect this black market bank might be related to the debt problems suffered by Abydos Higher School..."

Amamiya sighed and waved to the eager girls, "To avoid those guys recognizing you, Hifumi and I will go over there."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shirako, who was wearing a blue hood, looked visibly disappointed. She took off the hood in a dejected manner, then took a step back without saying a word.

"..."

Ayane, who wasn't wearing a hood yet, quickly offered words of comfort: "Shirako-senpai, don't look so down! It's true, just like Sensei said... if we go there, we might not be able to gather any information..."

Hoshino, who had also removed his hood, gave Hifumi a "good luck~" gesture: "Well then... I'll leave it to you, Hifumi-san~~"

"Hey? Me, me?"

Hifumi pointed blankly at herself, seemingly only now coming to her senses.

Bai Zi shook his head and emphasized in a corrective tone: "Don't worry, Sensei is here."

Hifumi: "...?"

So what exactly is the situation now?

What exactly is this place...?

"Okay, alright..." (Emu Ling Er Er 1 (Part 3) Ling Ba Er)

Overwhelmed by the expectant or pleading looks from the girls on the countermeasures committee, she finally pursed her lips, lowered her head, and accepted the 'request for help'.

……

"Halt! Who...who are you?"

With a group of dark gun barrels pointed at him, Amamiya arrogantly surveyed these 'ungrateful' security personnel and snorted heavily: "What... have you all grown up? Don't you know who you are?"

"Does nobody even recognize me, the new bank advisor?"

The security personnel looked at each other in bewilderment.

A moment later, they put down their weapons, and one of them, who looked like a minor leader, stepped forward respectfully.

"So it's a big shot sent from the Mystic Arts side... And who's this person behind you?"

Numerology?