The Art Style of This Chat Group Is a Bit Different Chapter 22

② The descendant of Amaterasu, Japan's new emperor, has decided to enroll at Moon Forest Girls' Academy.

③ Tanaka Time-Price Shopping Network has been voted the No. 1 most popular shopping website of the year.

④ After learning that her groupmates had transformed into Magical Girls, Hiiragi Tina expressed deep regret over missing the Ursus Blitz operation and insisted she be called for any future activities.

⑤ Moon Forest Girls' Academy, Shujin Academy, Suguru Gakuen Academy, Gekkoukan Academy, and other prestigious high schools are holding a joint entrance exam. To secure good results, each school has added one extra morning class and two evening classes, halving daily available actions...

Most of the above news had little to do with Qianyi. Only the fifth item mattered—the joint exam was a big deal, forcing him to set aside numerous distractions and focus on studying. He didn't even have time to retrieve the Persona Summoner he'd left at Xiangzi's place.

In truth, after acquiring Heracles' Divinity, Susanoo-no-Mikoto could already be freely used in reality. The Persona Summoner was now optional for him. But firing a gun to summon a Persona was just too stylish and trendy. Unless he found a cooler summoning method, Qianyi had no intention of giving it up.

Besides, this approach could mislead his enemies. They'd think losing the Persona Summoner meant losing his combat ability, making it their primary target. By the time they realized the truth, it would be too late.

Enemies, don't blame me for being underhanded.

???

Shujin Academy.

At the podium, the teacher enthusiastically explained complex mathematical formulas. The blackboard was densely packed with symbols and diagrams. Students sat neatly in their seats, appearing focused—eyes fixed on the teacher, occasionally nodding in response. But a few individuals quietly lowered their heads, using upright books to hide their faces, fingers deftly swiping across phone screens.

Qianyi wasn't one of them. He didn't need to pull out his phone to browse the group chat.

This is the confidence the Dimensional Chat Group gives me.

I want to eat Mei-flavored instant noodles: Great news, everyone—I successfully sold Rita's weapon!

Lower District Flying Head Barbarian: Sold it?

I want to eat Mei-flavored instant noodles: Yeah, I asked my sister to negotiate with Schicksal. I was fully prepared for them to just take it by force, but surprisingly, they agreed to a deal.

Talulah: How much did you sell it for?

I want to eat Mei-flavored instant noodles: Like I quoted before—one hundred million~!

Customer Service Xiangzi is at your service: One hundred million! Yen? Did you sign a contract? Is it a standard form contract? Or post-performance contract review? Is the execution method representative-based or joint?

I want to eat Mei-flavored instant noodles: Calm down, Xiangzi, no need to get so worked up.

Customer Service Xiangzi is at your service: Sorry, I got too excited.

I want to eat Mei-flavored instant noodles: But your excitement is understandable, because I'm excited too. I was only expecting one hundred million yen, but the Schicksal negotiator said it was one hundred million in US dollars. Damn, I guess that's what they call a fat cat.

Customer Service Xiangzi is at your service: One hundred million! US dollars?!!

Talulah: What's US dollars? How is it different from yen?

Customer Service Xiangzi is at your service: The difference is huge! Even though both are one hundred million, their purchasing power is worlds apart. If one yen can buy a catty of rice, one dollar can buy over a hundred sixty catties. Converting one hundred million US dollars to yen...

She didn't calculate it until she did, and the result nearly scared Xiangzi stiff.

Nearly sixteen billion yen!

That unremarkable scythe was almost worth all the money her father had lost. Didn't that mean she could pay off all her debts to her grandfather and the Toyokawa Family in one go? Then her father could pull himself together, and the family could start over?

But then she realized she was being too naive. She had retrieved that scythe, but ultimately, it was a collective effort. Without Qianyi and the others holding off Durandal, without Artoria and Hiiragi Tina defeating Rita, she could never have touched something like that on her own.

That credit belonged to the Dimensional Chat Group—a Community of Shared Destiny.

I want to eat Mei-flavored instant noodles: But my sister's maid said that one hundred million US dollars is a huge sum and needs to be paid in multiple installments. They might use supplies, gold, or cash as payment methods.

Lower District Flying Head Barbarian: Supplies too? How thoughtful. Schicksal really is a good organization.

Hiiragi Tina: Can I cash out in Valkyries? I don't need my share—just let some of Schicksal's Valkyries become Magical Girls, then show me videos of all kinds of Magical Girls fighting monsters and evil forces. That would be more than enough for me.

Tina, you disgrace!

Customer Service Xiangzi is at your service: Gold, huh. That's a hard currency. Even though it's US dollars, the money from Kiana's world might not work in ours. But converting it to gold removes that worry.

At the thought of possibly acquiring another large batch of gold, Xiangzi couldn't help humming softly.

Life is getting sweeter.

Steel Prison Big: That old bastard Otto is testing us.

Talulah: I feel it too. Cash, supplies, and gold—it's like he knows we need all of them. Kiana, be careful. That Otto is no easier to deal with than Koschei. He might be eyeing your body or abilities, just like Koschei, trying to use you for some purpose.

I want to eat Mei-flavored instant noodles: No problem. With the power of the Herrscher of the Void, the Kaslana physique, and Heracles' body, I'm invincible. Not to mention the Magical Girl power. Little Otto? I'll crush him with ease! Even my sister doesn't scare me!

Child of Prophecy: Really? Kiana is so amazing!

Lower District Flying Head Barbarian: ...

Customer Service Xiangzi is at your service: ...

Steel Prison Big: Lilia, don't believe her nonsense. She just got new power and is riding a high. In a couple of days, she'll be begging the group for help.

On paper, Kiana might have the edge. But during the Second Eruption, the six-core Herrscher of the Void also had overwhelming paper strength, and she still got kicked into the dirt.

If Kiana were surrounded by Valkyries led by Durandal, with Otto using Void Archive, Sanyate blood-modified spikes, and the God-Slaying Spear for a surprise attack, her chances of flipping... were surprisingly high!

Thinking about it, the problem was pretty serious.

I need to find a chance to kick Otto to death, or I won't be able to sleep peacefully.

Chapter 44: Xiangzi: Hehe, I'm Going to Live

Otto is no good. It's best if everyone doesn't play with him.

This was common knowledge among everyone, but when the enemy lobbed sugar-coated cannonballs, you still ate them—just made sure to throw the shells back afterward.

A hundred million dollars was no small sum. With that money, everyone could strengthen themselves, boost their power, and then pick an auspicious day to go beat the hell out of that bastard.

Until that auspicious day arrived, it was best to lie low for now.

And after absorbing Heracles' Divinity, Qianyi could faintly sense that Susanoo-no-Mikoto was undergoing some kind of change. He couldn't quite describe it, but based on his speculation, it was similar to a Stand touching a Stand Arrow or completing some ritual, evolving toward a Requiem or Beyond Heaven.

But Susanoo-no-Mikoto wasn't an ordinary Persona. Its original source was one of the creator gods in Japanese mythology. Just this bit of divinity wasn't enough to fully push it to that level.

Still, fortunately, he could enhance his Persona's power by forming bonds and contracts with others. Given Susanoo-no-Mikoto's current evolution progress, perhaps forming a contract with just one more person would trigger an evolution.

Who would be the next to contract with him? He was looking forward to it.

???

Haneoka Girls' Academy.

In front of the vending machine that always jammed.

Qianyi watched in despair as five cans of his beloved Sugar-free Fanta got stuck in a row. The hoped-for trick of using the force of subsequent drinks to knock the stuck ones loose didn't happen.

"Calm down. At this point, there's only one option—ORA!"

He spun and slammed a roundhouse kick into the heavy, cold, merciless machine, as if rewinding a broken clockwork. It let out a pleasant clunk.

Obtained item: Sugar-free Fanta x5.

"Here." Qianyi handed one can to Shoko.

"I'm really sorry for making you come all this way." Shoko, fully embodying her craftsman spirit, bowed and offered the Persona Summoner with both hands.

"You're still as serious as ever. By the way, you haven't used Heracles' Twelve Trials, have you?" Qianyi took the Persona Summoner and asked casually.

"Yeah. Do you want to use it? I can give it to you." Shoko flinched, then lit up with joy.

"No, that's not necessary. That thing suits you better." Qianyi refused.

Toyokawa Shoko fell silent. The fizz of the Sugar-free Fanta bubbled away, making the quiet even more pronounced.

"Twelve Trials (God Hand)"—the immortality granted by a god's blessing and curse. This Noble Phantasm had no form as a weapon or armor; if pressed, the body itself could be called the Noble Phantasm. It nullified all attacks of rank B or below, and also had the effect of automatically reviving the body after death. As long as one wasn't killed twelve times, they wouldn't die.

For an ordinary person like Shoko, a Noble Phantasm with such effects could be called the strongest. But precisely because it was too fitting, Shoko couldn't bring herself to use it.

Qianyi understood immediately. It was that girl's so-called pride acting up—thinking she was being pitied, that her efforts didn't deserve such a reward, that this thing should go to the one who needed it most.

Youthful mistakes, huh.

Maybe now was the time to pressure Shoko hard, make her realize that if she couldn't keep up with the team's strength, she'd be eliminated, spend her life as a benchwarmer, and eventually get kicked out entirely—spurring her ambition?

No, that felt like it would cause Shoko to explode on the spot. Next time they met, it'd be in the morgue, or as Shoko-chan.

Luckily, he had a knack for dealing with these EVA-piloting god-kin. All he had to do was be more god-kin than her, pilot the EVA better, and have a stronger AT Field.

After mulling it over, he spoke decisively: "Shoko, I fell in love with you at first sight. Could you entrust the rest of your life to me?"

"?" Shoko slowly typed out a question mark.

What the hell, are you crazy?

You're the brain and pillar of our chat group. If you go crazy, won't we all follow?

"No, I'm serious. You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. Can you form a Dimensional Chat Group with me for life and go on missions for life?" Qianyi grabbed Shoko, pulling her close. Sunlight shone into the girl's eyes.

"Ah... this..." Shoko, suddenly yanked forward, was flustered beyond words. "Wh-why are you saying all this?!"

"Because Miss Shoko is about to die. If I don't say it now, I might not get the chance."

"Huh?"

"Next, we're heading to Kiana's world to march on Schicksal. Without the world mission buff, Miss Shoko, being just an ordinary person, might get too close and be eroded by Honkai energy into a zombie. No, Shoko, you have zero Honkai Energy Resistance—you might even turn to ash on the spot. Then, when the battle's over, everyone will have to collect your ashes and mourn you with dirges."

Qianyi, like a poet on an opera stage, grandly painted a heart-wrenching opera titled "The Death of Toyokawa Shoko" while watching her expression stiffen. "But it's okay. Even if Miss Shoko dies, we'll keep your ashes with us, letting you fight alongside us. I'm sure your spirit in heaven will bless us."

"..." Shoko was nearly scared unconscious by the gravity of it all. She could only weakly say, "Can't you give me a better ending?"

Qianyi thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "Of course. I can have Talulah find the Sarkaz Absolutionists and ask them to revive you from your ashes. Though that Shoko wouldn't be the real you—just a program with your memories—at least you'd still be in the Dimensional Chat Group. But a substitute like that... I can't accept it. Oh, I've got a great idea. How about we stuff your soul into Victoria's Steam Knight and turn you into a fearless-class Titan to keep fighting with us? That way, you'd be the authentic Shoko."

Shoko: Scary?

What kind of authentic is that? Why can't they even let her rest in peace?

What kind of group is this?!

Oh, and she's even an admin, one of the first members. How utterly pathetic!

Why did our Dimensional Chat Group end up like this?!

"I'll use it! I'll use it, okay!" Shoko decisively abandoned her pride, determined to use the Twelve Trials no matter what.

Hehe! She was going to survive!

She felt her pride and resilience rapidly fading. At this rate, what kind of monster would she become?

No idea, but it didn't matter anymore.

Bond with Qianyi has greatly increased???

Courage has greatly increased???

In that instant, Qianyi felt a shift in his Persona.

Susanoo-no-Mikoto → Susanoo-no-Mikoto: Thief God

Chapter 45: Do You Need to Kowtow When You Find Out Your Friend Is a God?

It was Friday afternoon. Friday students were the most polarized, split sharply between morning and afternoon. In the mornings, they shuffled around like zombies from a siege, faces sagging, bodies moving stiffly as if buried for centuries. But once school let out in the afternoon, those same zombies and mummies transformed into national-level athletes, radiating youthful hormones from every pore.

Even the shops that usually closed early rarely chose today to stock up extra supplies and keep their doors open. Girls in wooden heels clacked across the asphalt, often surrounded by guys with a certain playboy aura, discussing the day's plans. But no matter the activity, hot springs and inns were probably unavoidable.

After retrieving the Persona Summoner, Qianyi had planned to go home and dig up a small plot in the yard to plant some cherry tomatoes and vegetables. But Toyokawa Shoko insisted that since he'd returned to Tokyo after a year away, they had to welcome him properly—she wanted to take him out for some fun.

In truth, Shoko just thought Qianyi was way too heavy. The moment she heard he was going home alone to figure out how to grow vegetables, with zero social life, her heart nearly jumped out of her chest.

Would she end up being turned into seeds and planted in the ground after she died?

Just thinking about that possibility made Shoko break out in a cold sweat. There was no way she'd let Qianyi slip away. She had to drag him somewhere crowded, let him soak up the sunny, youthful atmosphere.

And when it came to sunny vibes, nothing beat a band.

Along the way, Shoko racked her brain for topics. "By the way, when I went to your place before, I didn't see your parents at all. Are they working somewhere else?"

"Yeah, overseas," Qianyi said.

"Overseas?" Shoko marveled. "That's impressive. But since both your parents are abroad, why do you stay in Tokyo instead of going with them?"

"Because I don't like flying, and the high-speed rail can't go overseas," Qianyi answered honestly.

"That's true. Japan's an island, after all. Unless they build a future undersea tunnel for the bullet train, you'd have to rely on planes to leave the country. If you don't like flying, there's no helping it." Shoko recalled that Qianyi had been in a plane crash before, then quickly changed the subject. "Where do your parents work?"

Qianyi thought for a moment. "I think it's called Bethel. I never really looked into it."

Shoko let out an "oh," then tried to remember if her parents or grandfather had ever mentioned that company. But after a second of thought, her eyes flew wide open.

Wait. Where do your parents work? Bethel?