I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

A strange feeling flowed through my heart.

At that moment, Ayane suddenly felt a sense of clarity, as if she had 'understood everything'.

"I think I... understand."

[...I sensed the unwavering will emanating from Ayane.]

I am you...you are me.

Here you receive a new covenant.

[As the saying goes, "Break through destruction to find the wings of resistance."]

Here you bask in the light of hope and find blessing. You obtain a fragment of the ultimate mystery of the "Moon"...

[To further propel us toward the future...]

-

The cooperation agreement has been changed!

[Assistant: Ayane Okusora]

[The cold, dark moon in the yellow sand → The newborn new moon shrouded in the yellow sand]

Arcana: The Moon (XVI. The Moon)

[Coopetition restrictions have been lifted!]

【Ayane Okuzora (Moon) ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

[★1 Ability Unlocked!]

Chapter 59 Ayane's Resolve and the "Persona"

[Assistance Ability: ★1·New Moon, Full Moon]

[New Moon, Lunar Phases, and Ascending Moon: These are the four phases of the moon, which can also summarize the waxing and waning of the moon. The 'new moon' is called '朔' (shuo). At this time, the dark hemisphere of the moon faces away from the Earth, and from an astronomical perspective, only a crescent moon can be seen.]

[Cold, mysterious, and ever-changing are characteristics of the lunar phases themselves. However, the new moon always symbolizes rebirth, happiness, new beginnings, initial light, and new times.]

[An unfathomable sense of mystery: You can become mysterious in anyone's eyes if you want. You can more freely 'show other sides of yourself to different people'.]

[Waves and Lunar Cycles: Increases the sense of reluctance felt by the person being said goodbye to during farewells.]

[Mysterious Charm: Increases your charm only on nights with stars and a moon.]

[Assistant's Profile: The secretary of the countermeasures committee, a girl with an extremely serious personality who values ​​principles and rules. For her, a brief period of confusion might become a stepping stone to a new beginning... Go for it, girl. Even if you only have shattered wings, you can still spread them to embrace your dreams and gain hope.]

'The title changed from Cold Dark Moon to Newborn New Moon... This must also signify a change in mindset.'

"It seems that Sensei's touch is really reassuring..."

"Hmm~ Seeing how comfortable Ayane is being touched, I'm getting a little envious..."

...?

Hey?

Was I just... lost in thought?

Suddenly sensing something was wrong, Ayane's pupils widened slightly in shock. Then she realized—she seemed to still be in the Countermeasures Committee's club activity room.

And in public, being watched by others!

【~???~】

Realizing what had happened, Ayane instinctively tried to hastily make up an explanation: "Um...everyone..."

"Hehehe... Ayane-neechan doesn't need an explanation~"

"That's right☆~ We all understand, we all understand~~"

"...(envious glances)"

"...(envious glances *2)"

"Haha... (envious glances *3)"

Amamiya withdrew her hand, decisively clapped her hands to attract attention again, and at the same time, eased the awkward atmosphere.

"Today's goal is singular... to explore the area where the treasure is located and confirm the infiltration route."

"lets go."

After a brief and somewhat 'special' operational meeting, Amamiya activated the Isekai App.

After infiltrating the exhibition hall using the old method, Amamiya led his group to explore higher levels.

Perhaps due to the Caesar Group's inadequate security, Amamiya and his group did not encounter any further crises along the way and soon arrived at a core piece of equipment that looked like an elevator.

"Huh? In another world... do we also have to use elevators to go upstairs?"

Seeing that Amamiya had confirmed there was no danger around, he went over and pressed the elevator button. Ayane was surprised, but also slightly astonished.

Now, she has gradually become familiar with the adventure style of this other world and with the absurd rules of this world.

She was prepared for unusual ways of going upstairs, like 'riding a monster'... but unexpectedly, in this other world, you still have to take the elevator to go upstairs.

"The Caesars Group's 'Tower of Babylon' doesn't have stairwells, at least not on the floors we've touched so far. Perhaps this floor is a relatively independent area compared to the other floors, like allocating storage space for a hard drive."

As Amamiya pressed the down button for the elevator, she explained, "And the reason there's only a 'separate elevator' is because..."

Hoshino narrowed his eyes slightly, adding a hint of hostility in his voice, "Caesar... doesn't want the secrets of this floor to be known by others?"

"Yes, it is like that."

"No one would want to expose their inner 'sin'...or at least the kind of sin that is absolutely shameful to outsiders. This 'magnificent' exhibition hall is just a 'private area' that Caesar prepared for himself."

While they were talking, the elevator descended and the elevator doors opened.

"Let's go!"

Ayane, who was about to follow, suddenly felt that Amamiya's voice was being stretched out endlessly.

Immediately afterwards, the world began to shake violently, and extremely heavy 'double images' appeared in my field of vision.

A mysterious voice suddenly appeared, swirling, drifting, and lingering around Ayane's ears. Along with the sound, it instantly poured the heart-wrenching pain into her mind.

I heard your resentment.

'Heh heh heh... O recorder and judge all along, do you crave power?'

'The power to break free from the ordinary, the power to be unconventional, the power to help others even if it's just through "writing" and "recording."'

"Well……"

A buzzing headache resounded in her ears, but Ayane was unaware that her trembling pupils were being ignited by a ray of brilliant gold.

"Balance?" Don't be ridiculous... Don't you understand the "fabrication" of those "nobles"?

'The scroll of immortality, the record of life and death... the balancing scales. Are you truly determined to write with impartial strokes, knowing its injustice? Heh...'

"Don't... joke around..."

Ayane gritted her teeth and forced herself to stand up, instinctively trying to tear off the mask that had appeared on her face without her noticing.

Using justice to write about injustice is itself...

This is an act that is even more abhorrent than distorting history!

'It seems you are qualified to complete the record of wisdom and to deliver a just judgment.'

'In that case, let's conclude the contract.'

'I am you, and you are me.'

Clutching the edge of the mask tightly, her hands trembling slightly, and blood seemingly streaming down her cheeks, Ayane murmured, repeating the seemingly magical words.

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

Hahaha... Very good, very good.

Use your eyes to bear witness, use your pen to record! Dispel the falsehoods and reveal the true reality behind the scenes to the world!

With a "whoosh," Ayane's mask was forcefully torn off her cheek.

"PSONA...The Book of the Dead".

Instead of a fierce burst of energy, endless fragments of withered yellow pages spread out as Ayane tore off her mask, only to be blown away and scattered by an invisible wind.

A giant book, as tall as a person and big enough to sit on, appeared behind Ayane, accompanied by clusters of eerie blue flames. It looked like it was made of two huge stone slabs and countless pages of parchment.

【psona - The Book of the Dead (Arcana: The Moon)】

[Introduction: Also known as the Book of the Dead or the Book of the Dead. It is a book placed in the tombs and sarcophagi of ancient Egyptian kings for the deceased to read. It is one of the most famous documents and earliest literary works left behind by humankind.]

The Book of the Dead contains mostly hymns to the gods and spells against demons, while also preserving rich and vivid ancient Egyptian myths and folk songs.

In mythology, the "Book of the Dead" was written by Thoth, the god of wisdom and writing. It is said that the Book of the Dead, written by Thoth, contains spells for eternal life, enabling the deceased to overcome difficulties in the afterlife.

According to the "Book of the Dead," in the legendary "heart-weighing ritual," if the heart is lighter than a feather, the scales balance, and the person will be reborn. However, if the heart is heavier than a feather, the person will have their heart eaten and will never be resurrected.

Ironically, however, because of the Pharaoh's power and the nobility's wealth, the 'Necronomicon' we see today is perfectly balanced. This blatant "forgery" is perhaps a form of blasphemy by royal power and money against the "gods."

[Personality Base Resistance (-- for Normal)]

[Physical/Shooting/Fire/Freeze/Lightning/Gale/Telekinesis/Nuclear Heat/Blessing/Judgment]

【----/Patience/----/----/----/----/----/Ineffective/Ineffective】

Amamiya immediately noticed Ayane's unusual condition and stopped the other members of the countermeasures committee from going over to check. He observed Ayane's awakening process with his third eye, pondering the situation.

'Oh...it's a mask similar to Futaba's "NAVI" type...'

'While their direct combat strength isn't particularly high, they possess abilities in support and healing magic.'

'Since they don't need to participate in combat, they don't have any obvious weaknesses... Gun resistance should be an innate attribute of the students of Giwatos, and the reason why the Blessed Curse is ineffective is because this book symbolizes a fair judgment and is not influenced by interests or intimidation, so these two attributes would be ineffective...'

The vibrant, dark blue flames did not fade; instead, they continued to gather around Ayane, dressing her in a unique outfit with a predominantly black base that looked exceptionally dazzling.

"Eh~"

"Has Ayane also awakened her Persona...?"

Immersed in the change of mindset of 'persona awakening', Ayane did not respond to Nomiya and Hoshino's words one after the other, but instead remained steadfast in her own beliefs.

I must keep up with everyone else in the future.

We can't fall behind... nor can we let our seniors wait in front of us...

With this unique power... I'm sure I can...

A slight pressure suddenly came from above my head.

"Hey?"

Ayane awoke from her reverie of 'encouraging herself' and felt a reassuring pressure on her head, but she immediately fell into a slight daze again.

"……Why?!"

Suddenly, without even realizing it, I gained... the power of Persona?!

"Ayane, are you alright? Do you feel tired?"

After Amamiya leaned over and promptly patted Ayane's head, Hoshino also came over, carefully observing Ayane's expression, trying to find a hint of "exhaustion upon awakening" in her micro-expressions.

Having also experienced awakening, Hifumi and Serika were already starting to worry.

That overwhelming feeling of exhaustion can easily crush a person's fatigue... No one knows better than them how uncomfortable it is when that feeling comes and is inflicted upon them.

"Ayane has awakened her Persona... Considering her mental state, should we stop our exploration today...?"

"Should we find a safe house quickly, prepare for evacuation, and regroup before continuing?"

Although everyone expressed their concern in different ways, Ayane was deeply moved.

"Thank you all for your concern... but I'm really fine... I'm just a little tired."

"Perhaps because my awakened persona has almost no combat power, I'm not as tired as you imagine..."

"Let's continue exploring. Time is of the essence... Let's try to complete our exploration goal today."