Tokyo Psychic

Page 236

Magic? MAX

Endurance? MAX

Speed? MAX

Luck? MAX

【Megidoraon】: Deals a super-powerful, all-purpose attribute attack to all enemies;

[Healing Power]: Restores all HP of friendly units and cures all abnormal statuses;

[MAX Regeneration]: Restores 99% HP at the start of the round;

[MAX Inspiration]: Restores 99% SP at the start of the round;

[All-Powerful True Ball]: All attacks except the All-Powerful Ball are ineffective;

【Armageddon】: Deals all-purpose super damage to all enemies, but reduces the user's HP and SP to "1" — (This move, which used to require Persona fusion, can now be used without conditions due to Ferremon's parting gift and the special nature of "Messiah".)

205. Toyokawa Shoko: Say it again, who do you like? (Four-in-one)

---------------

"Wow, how grand!"

Kotone Shiomi followed Laventa into the velvet room and was immediately stunned by the spacious and luxurious cabin before her.

Outside the twelve portholes, a clear, bright sky shone, and gentle, soft light filled every corner within sight. The blue wool carpet covering the floor exuded a mysterious and noble aura, while the dark furniture surfaces shimmered with iridescent light, together creating an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere.

Opposite the sofa stood a huge television screen, and on the cabinet next to the desk were many novel game consoles that I had never seen before, with stacks of game discs neatly stored in plastic boxes...

There was also a piano, a guitar, and a potted plant with cucumbers standing in the open space.

Game consoles, comics, light novels, figurines, musical instruments... and an elegant and quiet loli secretary.

Kotone Shiomi couldn't help but think of her own velvet room. In that monotonous elevator lobby where even a comic book was hard to find, Igor often disappeared, and the only person she could talk to was Elizabeth, who loved to play pranks.

That guy was clearly wearing an elevator hostess uniform, but he was incredibly rude, making it impossible to tell who was the secretary and who was the customer.

Thinking of those days when she was teased, Shiomi Kotone felt a deep sadness and wished she could transform into a heartless capitalist and have her secretary do her homework for her every day.

But when Shiomi Kotone grows up to the point where she can defeat the demigod of the Heart Sea and make her obey her every command... by then, she will no longer need to do her homework.

Of course, there was no longer any chance to take revenge on Elizabeth.

Sometimes I feel frustrated that I'm getting stronger too slowly, and other times I resent that time is passing too quickly. I wish I could live longer so I can spend more time with the friends I cherish...

Shiomi Kotone looked down at her hands.

Stepping into the velvet room, the feeling of life gradually slipping away became clearer.

Ravenda turned around and looked at Shiomi Kotone. "You should have noticed that your body is now very different from that of a human."

Shiomi Kotone remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

Since she awoke, she has discovered that her current body, in terms of all its functions and the sharpness of its senses, down to details such as memory and reaction speed, is much better than it was before she completed the "Great Seal".

They can even use Personas at will without needing a summoner or a series of cumbersome conditions.

In her mind, only those demigods born from the Sea of ​​Hearts who served as assistants in the Velvet Room could do this—

“Yes, just as you thought…” Ravenda lowered her eyes and said in a soft, porcelain-like voice, “Compared to humans, you should now be considered a demigod like us.”

"But as you know, this is certainly not the reason I invited you to the Velvet Room."

Shioki Kotone was silent for a moment, then asked her in a low voice, "How much longer can this body of mine last?"

“One year,” Ravenda replied. “After all, you have realized that your physical body is made up of cognition that does not exist in this world, and once it leaves the sea of ​​the heart that nurtured it, it will gradually disintegrate.”

"So, Ms. Ravenda must have a solution, right?" Shiomi Kotone vaguely guessed Ravenda's thoughts.

Lavenda glanced sideways at the desk, where a glittering tarot card had appeared out of nowhere—

【magician】.

This radiance signifies that the bond between Shiomi Kotone and Kurusu Akira has reached the level of intimacy that the collective subconscious deems most intimate... This intimacy can be friendship or kinship, in short, absolute trust and support for each other.

“If it were you, you could definitely do it.” Ravenda looked at the tarot card, a hint of frustration flickering in her eyes, but more so with respect for Shiomi Kotone. So she bowed slightly, “Please become the mistress of this velvet room.”

"Huh?!" Shioshi Kotone was startled.

She had considered many possible solutions, but this was the only one she hadn't thought of.

Lavenda explained, “The sea of ​​your heart that gave you new life has evaporated due to an unknown disaster, but in this new world, you can regain your ‘existence’ from the sea of ​​your heart by using the velvet room as a medium.”

Just as Ravenda said, Shiomi Kotone has completely broken away from the human category in terms of physiological structure.

Her current body, like the secretaries in the Velvet Room, is a creation born from the convergence of cognition within the Sea of ​​the Heart. Thanks to Ferremont's gift, she has gained the same ability to act in reality as the secretaries.

Shiomi Kotone hesitated for a moment, "The mistress you mentioned..."

Lavenda expressionlessly pulled out a contract from behind her back. "After all, Ms. Shiomi's Velvet Room no longer exists, so we can only communicate with the Sea of ​​Hearts by using someone else's Velvet Room."

“Of course,” Ravenda said, “such communication comes with very strict conditions.”

"So does this have anything to do with 'mistress'...?" Shiomi Kotone thought of Kurusu Akira. The first impression that came to mind was still that little boy who used to follow her around calling her "sister" or "Shiomi-senpai".

Upon hearing this, Ravenda nodded, "You can only utilize the power here if he subconsciously treats you as someone who shares the velvet room with him."

Kotone Shiomi's expression gradually became subtly awkward. "Does that mean... I need to date Akatsuki?"

“It’s marriage, and there must be genuine feelings between husband and wife,” Ravenda emphasized. “Of course, if you divorce him, you probably won’t get half of his assets; you’ll just be kicked out of the Velvet Room immediately.”

"This is just too much..."

"The choice is entirely in Miss Shiomi's hands. After all, it was Lord Ferremon who granted you the freedom to return to life before the world collapsed. This extended period of time is worthy of respect, however you choose to use it," Ravenda said softly. "Actually, your current hesitation stems from your longing and anticipation in that area, isn't it?"

Kotone Shiomi has never been in a real relationship, so she is at a loss when faced with Ravenda's suggestion of "marriage".

More than a decade ago, on the school rooftop, Shiomi Kotone lay on Aegis's lap in the last second before her consciousness left this world—

She thought to herself, "Ah, I lived to be seventeen and died without ever having been in a relationship."

Although she often does things with Kurusu Akira, Shiomi Kotone's feelings for Kurusu Akira are actually more of a sympathy and pity stemming from herself... at least that was the initial feeling.

I unexpectedly encountered a lonely elementary school student sitting in a corner, looking like he refused to communicate.

Having lost her parents due to a traumatic event and being excluded from interpersonal communication for a long time, Shiomi Kotone thought that she should help him.

But as they went through various experiences, that initial sympathy and pity gradually changed.

I vaguely remember that it was influenced by a romance manga that made Shiomi Kotone think that the most suitable romantic partner is one that you raise yourself.

Of course, at that time, it was entirely due to the restlessness and delusions of adolescence that I made such an irrational move.

Looking back now, I not only feel embarrassed, but also a little guilty towards Akira Kurusu.

However, all these complex emotions vanished after he met Akira Kurusu in the new world.

This child has completely gone astray.

Shiomi Kotone looked down at her hands. In this space between reality and dreams, the feeling of life slipping away was clearer than ever before.

“I’ll give it a try,” she replied to Ravenda.

The savior who defied death understood the preciousness of life better than anyone else.

Despite the slim chance, Shiomi Kotone still clung to a sliver of hope, longing for the day when she could return to her original world—

But at least one must survive; only then can these thoughts be considered sparks of hope. Otherwise, they are merely the delusions of a dying person in the process of gradual annihilation.

......

December 24, 2022.

[10:45 PM]

The Mind Thieves appeared in a huge theater.

Shoko Toyokawa frowned. "The palace is actually here...it really is."

"At first, I didn't expect that the vessel for Miss Miku's twisted desires would be the entire Seibu Dome where the concert was held."

Akira Kurusu gazed at the banner hanging above the theater entrance: "Welcome to the Goddess's Stage Play."

"Goddess?" An and Subaru were puzzled by the term on the banner.

"She's probably referring to someone she considers a pillar of support," Akira Kurusu replied. "Alright, we should go in now."

Morgana had already planned a route for the Phantom Thief to avoid the shadows of the security guards in the theater as much as possible, and had even created a hidden entrance using the Persona mask.

After all, the depths of this palace are guarded by "Yuki Osamu," so no amount of caution is too much.

The Mind Thieves entered the theater through the hole Morgana had cut with his Persona, first entering the magnificent reception room.

A light blue notice board with gold lettering was clearly visible on the wall of the reception room:

Distinguished guests, welcome to the grand theater of destiny.

[Entry Notice:]

Firstly, praise God.

Secondly, they sing praises to God.

Thirdly, piety, reverence, and worship.

Finally, God belongs to the stargazers.

"Oblivionis, does Miss Misumi have a religious belief?" Anwa Subaru asked Toyokawa Shoko.

Toyokawa Shoko shook her head. "In my memory, she has never participated in any religious activities, nor has she published any content related to religion."

Akira Kurisu snapped her fingers. "Going back to the topic we discussed at the beginning, Miss Mikado must have taken someone's words and actions as a 'remedy' to support her life, which is why she formed such a religious-like spiritual palace."

Mortis looked around curiously in the living room. Morgana waved his paw and patted her knee with some concern. "Mortis, you can't wander around. We're sneaking around here."

Although Morgana had already helped the Phantom Thieves figure out a stealthy route, they still needed to evade enemy patrols and surveillance at the right time.

Akira Kurusu walked to the side of the reception room and looked at the tour map inside the theater.

The Persona "Dioscuri" appeared behind Akira Kurusu, and [Memory Reading] was activated. Morgana's route plan immediately overlapped with the guide map.

About a minute later, Akira Kurusu raised her hand, and the group, who had been whispering among themselves, immediately became serious. "Psychic Thieves, let's go."

Then push open the door to the reception room.

The five Personas made them tiptoe through the corridor.

The interior structure of this theater has many similarities to the Seibu Dome, but it has some additional walls and rooms, making the originally clear structure extremely complicated.

I had only taken a few steps down the corridor when two burly security guards, each wielding an electric baton, emerged from around the corner ahead.

They turned their heads and immediately noticed the lurking Mind Thieves, but before they could react, Morana whispered, "Morana, freeze them."

The cold wind rushed through the corridor, and the two security guards were frozen in place like ice sculptures in the next moment.

Morgana then summoned his Persona "Zorro," wielded his whip to drag the two ice sculptures, and threw them into the reception room behind him. Before they hit the ground, he swung his whip to close the door, silencing the sound of them shattering in the space behind it.

"Keep going." Akira Kurusu gestured to the group, then followed the corner the security guards had come from, exploring deeper into the theater.

Following a pre-planned route, the Mind Thieves stealthily made their way through the theater's perimeter at top speed.

“We’re almost at the first theater.” Morgana lowered his voice. “There are seven theaters in total. Only by passing through them can we reach the final stage where the secret treasure is stored…and the most terrifying enemy is there.”

Akira Kurusu nodded, then placed her hands on the theater doors and slowly pushed them forward.

......

Everything in the theater was pitch black.

Five puppets were seated in the audience.

Judging from their clothing, they correspond to the members of "MYGO" in reality.

According to the concert's performance schedule, "MYGO" was indeed the first band to appear.

Suddenly, a solitary beam of light shone on the stage.

The Mind Thieves immediately became alert.

Akira Kurusu gave a look to Shoko Toyokawa behind her. Shoko Toyokawa summoned her Persona "Ninroku," ready to use the Persona's ability to "reverse the target's direction concept" to defend against enemy attacks.

But the spotlights on the stage swept across the audience several times before illuminating the five puppets in the audience.

At the same time, the curtains on the stage slowly moved to both sides, revealing a metal door.