Tokyo Soft Rice King.

"So when I was resurrected by a being that called itself a god, I was actually terrified. At that time, I didn't trust gods or Black Tail. I felt that it wanted to enslave me, which is why it gave me the 'temptation' of power. That's why I refused to serve it."

"So that's what you were thinking..."

Mr. Kobayashi is far too cautious!

"Kuroba-kun, you and I are the same, aren't we?"

"Huh? But I'm using my ability? I never thought it would be this complicated..."

He gave a knowing smile and interrupted Kuroba Akira.

“Abilities are a benefit given to agents, but Kuroba-kun, you have been ‘using your abilities for others’ all this time.”

Kuroba Akira slowly opened his eyes, his expression becoming much more serious, and asked in a solemn tone.

"...How did you know?"

"I apologize for reading your mind without your permission, but it seems to be a basic ability of gods, especially in this space, where they can easily read people's thoughts."

In this otherworldly space, Kuroo can speak without being close to Kuroba Akira's ear. In reality, she doesn't actually make a sound, but rather she projects her thoughts outward.

"Really... So you knew all along?"

"Yes, you and I do have some similar ideas, so Mika must really like you."

Kuroba Akira scratched his head, a helpless smile curving his lips. The smile didn't reach his eyes; instead, it revealed a hint of self-mockery.

He never actually used the ability properly after acquiring it.

He didn't use the borrowed ability to frantically increase his 'proficiency'.

Only when facing exams, in order not to disappoint Mr. Kobayakawa, did she borrow the class president's ability to quickly improve her grades, but it only restored her to 'a level similar to her previous life'.

He could have used this ability to become an all-powerful person like Leonardo da Vinci.

By simply copying S-level or A-level talent, one can become a genius in a field in a short period of time, and then, as if cheating, dabble in various fields and become a superior person.

But he didn't do that.

It wasn't because of an overly strong sense of morality, or some childish excuse like not wanting to work; it was simply that when he discovered this ability, he immediately thought of...

'If this ability is taken away, will the proficiency points gained through this ability also disappear?'

To gain something and then lose it is like falling from heaven to hell; a person will instantly collapse.

Therefore, he only used this ability to be a "talent scout," not to become a "BMW" (a famous Chinese car brand).

"Actually, Kuroba-kun, your concerns are not wrong. Gods can indeed take back their agents' abilities at any time and unilaterally 'dismiss' them. Moreover, once dismissed, the 'experience' accumulated through their abilities will also disappear. I once saw an agent who used the god's abilities to become a grandmaster, open a dojo, and recruit many disciples, but because he killed someone, he was abandoned by the god, lost all his martial arts, and was even punished by the gods, having his limbs stripped off."

"Is killing a taboo for this god...?"

"In fact, most gods are very averse to killing, since humans are the source of their faith and the source of their survival, so they are basically human protectors."

"On the contrary, it is even more 'people-oriented' than people themselves."

"This is also one of the reasons why I believe that humans can 'coexist' with gods, but we should seek a breakthrough in the way gods interact with humans... The reason I mention this is actually related to the 'system' I mentioned. I believe that the way gods interact with their agents can be applied more widely."

"But the gods have conditions for choosing their agents, right? For example, Black Tail can only choose those she resurrected as her agents..."

“There are indeed limitations to the choice of agents, but that’s because the gods need to restrain them. Only in this way can they punish the agents when they break taboos. However, ‘granting power’ is not limited to the agents, and the gods can subjectively take back the power.”

So, gods can actually lend out and take back abilities at will... huh?

Kuroba Akira felt like he was about to grasp something.

"At the same time, another reform will be carried out, which is to 'concretize,' 'quantify,' and 'monetize' faith."

Kuroba Akira was instantly enlightened, as if a sudden awakening had struck him. Countless scattered fragments automatically pieced together in his mind, forming a clear framework.

The sudden realization sent a shiver down his spine, and he even paused for a moment, his breath catching in his throat.

"I get it! 'Commodify' abilities! Then let people 'buy' abilities with their faith!"

It's not about helping people fulfill their wishes, but about giving humanity the very ability to fulfill those wishes!

"To be precise, it would be more appropriate to say 'renting ability.' If the terms of use are violated or the faith is insufficient for renewal, then the rented ability will also 'expire.'"

Good grief, it's become a membership system!

"In addition, if one's faith is insufficient, one can also choose a 'one-time service,' which of course has a time limit."

Mr. Kobayashi, you're so fashionable!

But isn't this idea a bit too capitalist?

"Of course, this will also create more problems. For example, there will be a clear 'hierarchy' among the gods, which may cause new conflicts... In addition, the 'wish services' that can be 'listed' will also need to be 'approved'. For example, dangerous abilities cannot be lent out at will. Of course, a black market for abilities may also emerge..."

Tokuman Kobayashi shrugged. Despite the many drawbacks, he believed that this was a reform that needed to be implemented.

It can solve the problem of the 'position' of gods in human society.

"But there will always be problems, as long as we solve them one by one in a down-to-earth manner."

However, his vision is currently missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.

"Of course, these are just ideas. The first problem to solve is how to make the gods appear in the public eye with low consumption... My initial idea was to have the gods appear on television, but television stations themselves have limitations, and if we want to record a program, the gods have to come to the scene, which will still consume a lot of faith in the end, and the Divine Alliance will most likely refuse..."

"Regarding this... I do have an idea."

Akira Kuroba felt that this might be some kind of 'fateful encounter'.

Actually, he only had a very superficial idea before, but after listening to Mr. Kobayashi's idea, he felt that this was the final piece of the puzzle.

"I think we can use live streaming to bring deities into the public eye."

　"Live streaming?"

This is the limitation of Grandpa Kobayashi's era. He traveled to a time too early, and although he was very knowledgeable, he did not know what the future era would be like.

But Kuroba knew it.

Moreover... he is already building such a future.

He briefly explained to Mr. Lin the working principle of live streaming, which is essentially a more personalized, real-time broadcast.

"I see, live streaming... that's an interesting idea!"

"The problem is, can the signal be transmitted to another world..."

"It should be possible. In this other world, there are some special places, such as the Lost City and the Vanished Station. Although the principle is not yet clear, since signals can be received, I think... live streaming is also feasible!"

With a new breakthrough, Dewan Kobayashi became visibly excited and finally revealed a temperament that matched his current appearance.

"I'll take charge of this! I'll set up the live streaming facilities here and try to persuade the other gods to participate! Then we'll broadcast the gods' interdimensional live streams through your live streaming platform, Kuroba-kun!"

Kuroba Akira swallowed hard.

This is incredible... This is truly ahead of its time.

Let the gods broadcast live, then rent out their abilities to gain faith and achieve self-sufficiency.

Human society will then witness the advent of extraordinary abilities.

Chapter 382 The New Year's Gift is My Daughter

Akira Kuroba had no idea what the world would become after such a change.

Perhaps it will become a world like Blood Blockade Battlefront's Helsarem's Lot, where a new order is born from chaos?

Or it might turn into one of those global horror-themed worlds... but forget about that, it's too dangerous.

In any case, this is the point of divergence, and it is likely that this world will completely deviate from the historical trajectory of another world.

However, it will be a long time before we can welcome that era. We need to wait for Grandpa Kobayashi to persuade the gods to join us and to build a stable live streaming platform in this other world. All of this will take time to work out, and we don't know when it will be done.

Anyway, Kuroba Akira is already a resident of this world, and no matter how the world changes, life will always go on.

Eight characters: Go with the flow and be content with whatever comes your way.

Instead of worrying about what the world will become, let's focus more on our own future.

Akira Kuroba is now really looking forward to the 'New Year's gift' that Kuroo mentioned.

Kuroo should be well aware of what his agent's most pressing problem is right now...

That is the problem of getting along with women!

With his body nearing its limit and even sleeping fraught with the risk of swordplay, Kuroba Akira desperately needs to replenish his energy through mystical means to avoid being drained to death.

So, Kuroo, you definitely won't disappoint, right?

Since you saved my life, you'd better take full responsibility for it!

The shameless Kuroba Akira has started demanding that his god use his unique magic formula to solve his messy love life.

At this moment, Kuroba Akira suddenly remembered the past stories that he had heard from Granny Kobayashi. It seemed that when Grandpa Kobayashi was young, he was also a man who was very popular with women. Granny Kobayashi became the last and only victor after going through countless battles.

In reality, he's just a very endearing, gentle, and warm-hearted white-haired little boy. Although people know that he's actually an old man, humans are still visual creatures after all, and even Kuroba Akira thinks that the current Kobayashi is just too cute.

Even setting aside physical appearance, a man like Mr. Kobayashi, with his immense personal charisma, great achievements, and historical legacy, would surely have attracted the attention of many women.

Although he was a little embarrassed, Kuroba Akira still wanted to shamelessly ask him for advice on this matter.

"Um, Mr. Lin..."

"Kuroba-kun, from now on call me 'Mitsuru'. After all, we should be heading out now. Once we're out, don't reveal my original name."

Wan and Man are homophones in Japanese, and Man can also be pronounced as Michiru. It is actually a somewhat feminine name, but it suits him very well now.

"Speaking of which, Kuroo seems to have called you Shiroko? I guess that's a nickname Mika gave you, right? I'll call you that too."

Thus, Kuroba Akira's title jumped from Akira to Kuroba-kun to Shiroko, completing a three-level leap.

"Okay, let's go with 'Xiao Man' (小满) instead, it sounds better."

The two men are calling each other by feminine nicknames, but in essence, they are an uncle and an old man, which gives off a strangely disgusting feeling of them trying to be cute.

Perhaps Grandpa Kobayashi… Kobayashi himself realized this, and after a slightly embarrassed fake cough, he asked with a worried expression.

"Ahem... Speaking of which, Shirako, do you think Mika will recognize me if I go to see her looking like this? But it would be really awkward if she did recognize me... It's definitely not going to be a touching reunion. Mika and I are like a grandmother and her grandson right now..."

This hesitant look... it's just like my past self.

So even Grandpa Kobayashi gets nervous?

That makes sense. After all, being resurrected as a young boy and having to meet his life partner with whom he's spent most of his life, he'd definitely be nervous.