I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

But whales have a limited lifespan.

Death due to various reasons is called "whale fall".

The death of a whale can benefit a large number of other aquatic organisms, which in turn attracts other marine life to gather together.

This is what is known as "one whale falls and all things come to life".

Right now... the Caesars Group has that feeling.

After the Kaiser Group ceased to manage the black market, the black market's 'ecological environment' indeed resembled a 'whale fall'.

—It's a bit odd to use such poetic language to describe the black market...

But this is indeed the best way Hoshino could think of to describe it.

"Is this... another world?"

Unlike Hoshino's feelings, Hina was visiting this dangerous "lawless zone" for the first time, located in the "city of sin" in another world.

Hina was curious about the feeling that inexplicably evoked a sense of tension and subconsciously boosted her spirits, as well as everything the world around her presented.

After observing the surroundings, Hina noticed that Hoshino had changed into a black outfit, similar to an idol's performance costume.

So this is the Phantom Thief's outfit...?

After a moment of doubt, Hina stopped paying attention.

She looked at Amamiya: "Sensei... what should we do next?"

"Let's go check out those cities."

After a moment's thought, Amamiya handed Hina a tricorn hat with a mask, featuring a touch of classic German style.

"Sensei, what is this...?"

Hoshino, from the perspective of a 'senior', answered Hina's question before Amamiya could speak.

"There's a special rule in this other world: wearing masks... Wearing a mask reduces the risk of being exposed."

Amamiya nodded, without explaining in detail.

In fact, Hoshino's understanding of the 'mask' is a little different from the real situation... but it's very close.

"Is this so..."

Hina no longer had any doubts and put on the hat, which was the same style worn by Okumura Haru and could, to some extent, cover up the flaws of her large forehead and hairstyle and enhance her temperament.

Amamiya pinched his black and white smoky makeup mask, and together with Hina, who was already wearing the disguise, and Hoshino, who was already wearing the Persona, they entered the "City of Sin".

The situation was almost exactly as expected...

With the Caesars Group ceasing control of the black market, the shadows roaming the "City of Sin" have become noticeably more chaotic and disorderly.

Standing in the open street, Amamiya could see with just a quick glance that shadows of extremely varying intensity were wandering around the streets.

These 'otherworldly dwellers' share the common characteristics of having predominantly black bodies and wearing masks... depending on the intensity of their aura, the sense of danger they exude is also quite distinct.

A powerful shadow, surrounded by a blackish-red smoke that is noticeable even without observing with a "third eye".

A few 'otherworldly inhabitants' have halos above their heads, and their behavior is completely different from that of ordinary shadows.

Aside from having clearer appearances, they are more like 'lifelike, flesh-and-blood' beings—except for the occasional black aura emanating from their bodies, they look no different from the students I know.

Even among the 'student shadows,' there are outstanding individuals... They, too, exude a powerful aura that is easily noticeable, much like a strong shadow.

This other world, even its ecosystem is so strange...

Summarizing his observations, Hina maintained a reserved silence, adhering to the fundamental principle of 'speak less and learn more'.

"The average intensity of the shadows has increased, but the upper and lower limits have also been further stretched..."

After carefully observing the 'ecological environment' presented by these shadows, and combining it with his accumulated experience as a phantom thief, Amamiya roughly understood the changes in the Impression Space.

The 'collapse' of the Kaiser Group's empire will indeed have an 'unpredictable' impact on the black market region.

"Um... Sensei?"

Hina's voice, filled with doubt or perhaps surprise, suddenly reached his ears. Amamiya, interrupted from his thoughts, immediately looked up at Hina: "What's wrong?"

"...Look over there."

Hina pointed in a direction.

Amamiya and Hoshino followed Hina's gaze and then witnessed a scene that they found somewhat 'unbelievable'.

Hoshino narrowed his eyes slightly.

"That uniform... if I'm not mistaken, it should be Valkyrie's uniform, right?"

"They...are negotiating with black market distributors?"

It's no wonder that Hoshino's words gradually became heavy and cautious, because the situation at hand was being exaggerated.

Several shadowy figures dressed in Valkyrie Public Security Bureau uniforms were 'negotiating business' with several other tall, shadowy figures who looked like hired bodyguards from the black market.

After a brief conversation, the black market bodyguards brought in some supplies and placed them in the open space in front of the Valkyrie Public Security Bureau students' shadow, then gestured for them to enter.

The student shadow from the Valkyrie Public Security Bureau didn't stand on ceremony and went forward to open the supply box to take a look.

After confirming that everything was correct, they began loading the supplies onto the truck.

"Does this count as... witnessing a bribery?"

Hoshino's voice was playful, but his expression remained perfectly calm.

Hoshino wasn't the only one who became vigilant.

Amamiya, relying on his keen sense honed through his extensive experience as a phantom thief, engaged in deep reflection, 'seeing through appearances to the essence'.

'The shadow of the Valkyrie Public Security Bureau students has appeared here...?'

Is this directly related to the recent 'arrogance and domineering' of the black market operators derived from the Caesars Group...?

'Is the recent takeover of the convenience store's office related to this?'

'It seems necessary to investigate this...'

Bounty Results

Well... obviously, I'm just a nobody who offers a bounty but no one urges me to update.

As of May 7th, the data was still dismal, and there was absolutely no need for further calculations.

Looks like I won't be able to update this much...

However, for me, this is indeed a good thing?

(Also, I haven't been able to get any recommendations lately... It's so frustrating.)

Chapter 55 Hina, so small and fragrant...

After investigating the impression space of Abydos, Amamiya finally came to a conclusion.

The Kaiser Group... seems to be plotting something.

It's not a huge event, but it's not insignificant either... but if it really happens, it will definitely have a profound impact on the entire city of Kiwatos.

People can lie, but there's no reason for someone to lie about their inner world.

The same applies to the mapping of the collective unconscious—this is the space of impressions, the depths of the collective unconscious.

The shadows that roam here all wear 'masks' of their inner world; they never lie.

Impression Space's Caesar Group has already begun operations, including the transportation and advance preparation of large quantities of supplies.

What exactly are they plotting? Amamiya could sum it up perfectly with a line of classical Chinese from his own knowledge.

—"Sima Zhao's intentions are obvious to everyone."

However, based on the information currently available, it is not yet possible to fully confirm the intentions of the Kaiser Group, or the mastermind behind those intentions.

After completing the initial reconnaissance, Amamiya, along with Hoshino and Hina, who were still full of energy despite having fought several battles against the shadows, returned to the extraction point.

"As a 'Masked Wielder,' Hoshino is as reliable as ever."

With one hand in his pocket and the other holding a bag of spoils, Amamiya praised Hoshino's commendable performance in the other world before taking out his phone to leave.

"Hmm~~"

The pink-haired girl immediately squinted her eyes slightly in satisfaction: "To receive Sensei's approval and praise, I, this old man, feel my trip was worthwhile~"

【~???~】(Hoshino)

Amamiya then turned to Hina, her tone even gentler: "Hina's performance was also quite outstanding. Even though it was her first time in another world, fighting these 'monsters' that defy common sense, she was very reliable."

【~???~】(Hina)

With her arms hanging slightly at her sides, holding the "Destroyer" that glowed with a bright purple light in one hand, the white-haired girl, who not long ago had acted like a "petite young demon king" and was able to gain the upper hand in battles against high-intensity shadows even without her Persona, was now blushing slightly with embarrassment.

"...I'm glad I could help Sensei."

Seeing Amamiya place the bag of loot on the ground and take out her phone to start using it, Hoshino, who was already familiar with the process of the other world, asked softly with lingering interest, "So...Sensei, are we going to retreat for now?"

"The information that needed to be gathered has been collected. Staying in the other world any longer would just be a waste of time."

As Amamiya spoke, she activated the 'Exit Navigation' function of the otherworld app.

[Returned to the real world.]

【Thanks for your hard work. 】

After the mechanical navigation sounds faded, the dark sky seemed to be twisted together by some force, rapidly shrinking into a ball.

The spectacular sight of the sky turning upside down and the stars and moon hanging upside down vanished into the air in a beautiful way, as if a mirror had shattered.

Beneath the desert, the cloudless blue sky stretched out like a curtain, instantly enveloping the scorching heat of the real world along with a sense of security.

Hina, carrying the "Destroyer," was momentarily dazed when she saw the sky above her turn blue in an instant.

The moment she returned to the real world, enveloped by its tranquility, she even had the illusion that everything she had just seen and felt was a bizarre dream.

If the loot bag hadn't been still there intact, she would have found it hard to believe that... such a fantastical world 'filled with all sorts of mysterious creatures' could actually exist in people's minds.

"Then what happens next..."

Hoshino squinted, her gaze shifting slightly. She glanced at Hina, who was still in a daze, with a hint of hostility. Then, she suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Amamiya's arm.

"Sensei~ How about we stay in Abydos to rest at noon?"

"Why don't we invite everyone from the countermeasures committee to get together..."

She paused, and a hint of expectation, easily understood, flowed from the girl's heterochromatic blue and gold eyes.

"Or, shall we find a place to take a nap together?"

Amamiya: "..."

Feeling like you can't beat Hina alone, so you want to "call on your friends" and "keep the good stuff in the family"?

Hoshino's stealthy, predatory behavior amused Amamiya.

Hoshino felt that his competitiveness was not as good as Hina's, so he thought of 'gathering the rest of the countermeasures committee'.

Amamiya did not answer Hoshino, but instead packed up her bag of spoils, then stood up and turned her gaze to Hina.

"Today is Hina's time, so the decision still rests with Hina."

Hoshino's eyes darkened, and he gritted his teeth inwardly.

'As expected... when she mentioned "going on a date" with Sensei before, Sensei didn't respond...'

'Could it be that Sensei has really already... with Hina Sorasaki of Gehenna...?'

At that moment, Hina had already snapped out of her reverie, which was filled with both the beauty and danger of the other world.

"what……"

"Sensei, let's go look around somewhere else."

"Then..."

Amamiya turned around and gave Hoshino a helpless smile: "Excuse me for now."

As soon as he finished speaking, Amamiya could clearly sense Hoshino's almost overflowing resentment.