I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Therefore, Amamiya spoke with great confidence.

"I understand……"

Aroo turned around and glanced at the convenience store members who seemed to be ready.

Then, she nodded solemnly to Amamiya.

"Convenience Store 68, let's start taking action now."

"We'll show Sensei... how powerful we are."

Seeing Aru's energetic expression, Amamiya hesitated for a moment, but ultimately could only choose to believe her.

Amamiya's minimum expectation of them was 'not to cause trouble when they are doing their own thing'.

If they can make a name for themselves or provide some crucial support... that would be really great.

After wandering around Gehenna for a while and learning about the local customs and culture, it was already dusk before we knew it.

Amamiya was slightly disappointed that she still couldn't find someone to help her deepen her bond at night.

On a late-night train, Amamiya embarked on his journey back to Abydos.

The train at dusk is bathed in the warmth of the setting sun in late autumn and early winter, traveling through a time frame constructed by clear skies and the setting sun.

'This way, the black market will have more intelligence channels, and it will also greatly reduce the trouble Abydos might encounter from the delinquent girls from Gehena's side...'

'Next, it's time to figure out how to approach the "Hall of Fame." I need to consider how to explain psychological phenomena like repentance to them, and the purpose of the advance notice...'

'We should even consider various ways to send out advance notice...'

With a variety of thoughts swirling in her mind, Amamiya felt as if she had suddenly become very busy.

'Oh, right... Lavenda said the Velvet Rooms are reopening soon and will be offering some new services...'

Will the Velvet Room reopen? What features will it offer?

'We should still have some time, so let's take advantage of this travel time to check out the velvet room.'

With that thought in mind, Amamiya took off the key chain hanging from his belt, which looked like the key chain used in old prison cells, and made a 'unlocking' motion in the air.

'call……'

A deep blue wave of air rippled outwards, and the train seemed to gradually slow down.

A deep blue glass door began to form in the corridor near the Rain Palace.

A sign hangs on the surreal blue glass door, indicating whether the business is open or not. At this moment, the sign reads 'Open'.

Amamiya got up from her seat and tried to push the door open.

‘Dingling bell~’

"Finally back, my dear 'My Trickst'."

Along with the sound of wind chimes jingling as the door opened, a gentle and virtuous voice, like a wife who had been waiting for a long time, greeted her husband as he returned home—a voice that was both sweet and welcoming.

Then, Amamiya could feel Ravenda's gentle gaze, so sweet it seemed to coat one with honey, fixed upon her.

After nodding slightly, Amamiya entered the 'cafe' and closed the door behind her.

What new features have been added to the Velvet Room?

Lavenda seemed to be in a good mood, or perhaps she simply preferred this particular style of 'carefree time for two'. Before inviting Amamiya to sit at the bar, she hummed a tune and began rummaging through the various utensils under the bar.

Amamiya watched as she rummaged through the items, producing a lot of 'electronic devices' in a very illogical way.

"Your 'persona' no longer needs refinement, nor does it need to be recorded in the Book of Demons. Now, they have all become a part of you."

As Ravenda spoke, she began to fiddle with a drip coffee machine and gave an introduction.

"However, the 'Complete Book of Demons' is still always available for your use... You can capture shadows in other worlds as before, and then use the coffee machine, like mixing coffee, to synthesize these shadows into more powerful special shadows."

After a pause, Ravenda chuckled softly and continued, "...You can also temporarily give these captured Personas to 'others' for use."

Amamiya found it very novel.

Would turning the Persona into 'coffee' temporarily grant the person drinking the coffee the qualifications of the Persona manipulator? That would certainly be a novel new feature.

Then, Ravenda took out a machine that looked like a cash register.

"Considering that items acquired from other worlds might be difficult to process, my dear 'My Trickst,' the Velvet Room has added a 'Cashier' function. You can directly exchange loot acquired from other worlds for the universal currency of this world called Giwatos through the cashier..."

After watching Ravenda pick up a scale from an unknown creature and place it in the cashier's designated area, and then the cashier started calculating the item's value and dispensing the corresponding amount of money, Amamiya understood the item's purpose.

"at last……"

Ravenda lifted the hem of her skirt and gave Amamiya a graceful bow.

In a flash, Amamiya found herself standing in front of the workbench on the second floor.

"Do you remember this place? This is your workbench for crafting infiltration tools and other equipment."

“I’ve added some ‘special abilities’ to it. Now, you can try operating these tools like an assistant in the Velvet Room, 'sculpting' the shadows obtained from the other world into other shapes, allowing them to perform even more unique functions.”

After listening to Ravenda's explanation, Amamiya also learned what the workbench could be used for.

It's like the electric torture in the old Velvet Room.

It can directly transform Personas into accessories, skill cards, equipment, props, and weapons (melee and firearms).

However, compared to the monotonous, fixed design of the electric torture chair, the workbench is much more varied and flexible.

Similarly... the workbench is not as stable as the electric chair. After all... the electric chair never 'mistakes' during executions.

However, mistakes can happen when making tools.

Without a certain level of dexterity, even someone like Ravenda could stumble when it comes to making tools...

"That's because I just woke up, so..."

As if sensing what Amamiya was thinking, Ravenda frowned slightly, her expression becoming pitifully endearing.

To quickly change the subject, Ravenda decisively led Amamiya down to the kitchen area.

"You can also cook some... 'special effect' food here, using the 'shadows' of another world and the materials they carry."

After explaining the functions of the kitchen in one go, Lavender seemed a little tired.

"...In short, you can explore everything here that you are familiar with on your own."

"My dear 'My Trickst,' the best man in the world. Now, you are capable of handling things on your own... You can operate all the equipment here with ease."

"Of course, you can also ask me to help you make some props and use equipment..."

The girl's voice gradually weakened, and she became shy.

"However, if you commission me... I will charge you a fee according to the terms of your commission..."

As Ravenda lowered her head and clutched her skirt in embarrassment, Amamiya casually stroked her smooth, silky golden hair. Then, as the girl gradually closed her eyes in enjoyment, he lingered beside her for a few more minutes.

"Understandable."

Feeling that she had calmed the girl down enough, Amamiya stood up amidst the girl's disappointed expression and said earnestly to Ravenda, "Thank you for Ravenda's help with these extra features in the Velvet Room."

"I will try my best to explore all the new features afterward."

After getting a general understanding of the various functions, Amamiya calmed herself down and, under Ravenda's reluctant gaze, pushed open the coffee shop door and walked out.

[The Poetry of the Soul of All Mankind] From near to far, these soft, low murmurs were eventually replaced by the noise of the train running.

Before we knew it, the train had begun to gradually slow down, as if it were preparing to stop at a station.

Amamiya, whose consciousness had just drifted away but whose body remained in the seat, got up and stretched.

'Attention passengers, we are approaching XX station... Please prepare for arrival...'

'Ding--'

As luck would have it, Amamiya suddenly received a new message at that moment.

Upon checking his phone, Amamiya's expression gradually turned serious.

The message was sent by Hoshino.

"Sensei, Serika has been kidnapped, please come back immediately...?"

Chapter Thirty-Eight: The "Sneak Attack" and Kidnapping of the 88mm Gun

At dusk on the Abydos campus, a gentle breeze stirred up yellow sand.

At this moment, a gloomy and oppressive atmosphere permeated the club activity room of the Countermeasures Committee.

Amamiya pushed open the door with a 'whoosh' and stood in the doorway, glancing around at the girls in the club room who all seemed lost and uneasy.

Ayane sat in her seat, occasionally tugging at her hair, looking worried but helpless.

Nomiya's eyes were filled with sorrow, and he seemed lost in thought, as if he were pondering something.

Bai Zi's face, which usually couldn't express any emotion, was now etched with a hint of anger.

Hoshino was no longer as lazy as before; his expression was so gloomy it seemed to drip water, and his aura was terrifying.

Hifumi also chose to stay in Abydos for a short time, trying to help Abydos and providing what she could.

Comparatively speaking, Hifumi was the most 'calm' person in the entire club room. Upon hearing the door open, she immediately looked towards the entrance. Seeing that it was Amamiya, she exclaimed with obvious joy, as if she had found a savior, "Sensei, you're back!"

"Um... I heard about it about an hour ago, that Serika-san had been kidnapped..."

Given that the members of the countermeasures committee were all rather agitated, Hifumi decided to temporarily take on the role of 'explaining the incident' herself.

"It seems that this was around the time Serika finished get off work at Shiba Seki Ramen. On her way back to school, Serika was directly attacked by 88mm artillery fire and subsequently kidnapped by the Helmet Gang members..."

At this point, Hifumi lowered her voice slightly and said in a slightly embarrassed tone, "This information is what I gathered by making a temporary trip to another world to confirm the information, and by using my [Persona] ability..."

Did Hifumi also obtain the 'Otherworld App'?

Amamiya was slightly surprised, then nodded thoughtfully.

Actually, it's not surprising that Persona manipulators obtain otherworldly apps.

This app has a special mechanism: anyone who awakens their Persona in another world and is active there, and who also has a relatively close relationship with Amamiya, will be granted access to the app.

With each version update, the security of the isekai (another world) app has improved significantly. After the incident, Amamiya asked Ravenda to add features like a standard "App Security Lock" and "Parental Mode" to allow users to verify all isekai apps.

Currently, the granting and use of the [Otherworld App] is 'authorized' by Ravenda.

Do you know where Celery went?

Amamiya pressed on seriously.

Hifumi shook her head with a slight embarrassment and replied apologetically, "I'm sorry...Sensei, my abilities are limited, and this is all the information I can gather."

“Hifumi has done enough, and done a good enough job.” Amamiya smiled and shook her head. “I didn’t mean to blame you… I was just a little too hasty.”

Then Amamiya looked at the members of the countermeasures committee: "What exactly happened? Do you have any information?"

Ayane, looking anxious and helpless, raised her hand while occasionally pulling at her hair in front of a tablet.

"Sensei... Regarding the danger that Serika encountered, we... actually made some preparations in advance. For example, we equipped everyone in Abydos with a transmitter that can work continuously for several days under any conditions, and we specially adjusted the transmission and reception in the 'no signal band coverage area'..."

"However, after the Helmeted Gang took Serika deep into the desert, the communicator she was carrying completely stopped working. We speculate that the Helmeted Gang found the communicator and discarded it..."

Following Ayane, Nomiya also provided the information he knew: "The reason we knew that Serika-chan was kidnapped is because, at the last moment, Serika triggered the emergency contact..."

After listening to Nomiya's explanation, the whole story gradually came to light.

Through Hifumi's general introduction and the subsequent supplementary information from other members of the countermeasures committee, Amamiya learned exactly what was going on.

When the Helmet Gang attacked Abydos last time, Amemiya defeated them with his "Royal Style of Fighting" and wiped them out.

But in reality, no one could be killed. The helmeted squads were simply released after all their equipment and machinery were confiscated.

Having suffered a crushing defeat, the Helmet Gang was bound to hold a grudge. To wash away their shame, they decisively devised a temporary kidnapping plan...

Then, still targeting Serika, he used an 88mm cannon to launch a long-range sneak attack, stunning Serika and taking her away.

"...It seems that things need to be resolved as soon as possible."

After letting out a sigh, Amamiya sighed. He then reached up and wiped his cheek, and a cluster of eerie blue flames spread throughout his body with the movement.

"The Phantom Thief Transforms."