60: Inari Shin Uka

The reason he sought out Mr. Long was due to a strong intuition—this mysterious, knowledgeable Senior, who seemed all-knowing, had likely long since discerned the deeper meaning behind the three missions pushed to him by the Special Affairs Department's System.

Recalling those three missions: resolving the Tōtsuki crisis was a life-or-death situation for Senzaemon, but it wasn't truly a threat to him; investigating Hanako's anomaly had encountered the unexpected variable of Kongō Masarao, but the overall difficulty remained within controllable limits; only this third mission, involving the levels of 'Deity' and 'Rules,' was evaluated as 'a bit troublesome for him, but not much.'

The evaluation itself was quite interesting. 'A bit troublesome' indicated that high-level powers were indeed involved, while 'but not much' suggested it wasn't unsolvable—it might even be within his capabilities, or... Mr. Long believed he possessed the key conditions to resolve the matter.

Mr. Long had previously hinted that the third mission involved a deity; looking at it now, everything seemed to be within some sort of expectation. What Lin Luo wanted to know was how he should leverage the 'Rules' at the divine level for the next step.

After sending the message, he didn't expect an immediate reply. However, almost the instant the message showed 'Delivered,' the prompt 'The other party is typing...' appeared at the top of the chat box.

Soon, Mr. Long's reply popped up, concise and to the point, consisting of only one word:

「Game Console」

Lin Luo looked at those exceptionally specific words on the screen, slightly startled. After the initial shock, his mind began racing. Fragments of his previous conversation with the White Fox Divine Emissary instantly connected in his mind.

The Emissary had said: 'The Great Deity has not... responded to prayers much lately. Perhaps some special "fate" or "offering" is needed to regain Her attention.'

And Mr. Long's current reply pointed precisely toward a product of modern technology—a 'game console.'

That Great Inari Deity, that ancient god—is Her current 'interest' or rather 'weakness' a game console? Has a deity integrated into modern society and started playing games?

This thought gave Lin Luo a strong sense of incongruity and absurdity.

But on second thought, the forms and preferences of deities might inherently exceed human imagination. Since faith changes with the times, it didn't seem entirely impossible for a deity to encounter and become obsessed with creations of the new era. This was perhaps the true meaning of the 'special offering' the Emissary mentioned—not traditional silks or livestock, but a 'personal favorite' that catered to Her tastes. The logic became crystal clear at that moment.

Lin Luo's gaze swept over Mr. Long's reply again. He felt a sudden realization, along with a trace of ridiculous absurdity. As an external consultant for the Special Affairs Department, the core of his next mission was actually to prepare a latest-model game console, plus a bunch of popular game cartridges or download accounts, for an ancient deity who presided over fertility and wishes?

It sounded like some unreliable joke, but combined with the Emissary's meaningful hint and Mr. Long's never-wrong, precise guidance, it seemed to be the most logical—and perhaps only—path forward.

He put away his phone and glanced at Mai, who was sleeping peacefully on the bed. Her quiet, sleeping profile looked much softer in the dim light.

It seemed tomorrow's primary task wasn't to go to some spiritual mountain or Secret Realm or perform an ancient ritual, but to first take a trip to Akihabara or a large electronics mall to carefully select a 'special tribute' that could move that 'gamer' deity.

The next day, sunlight spilled into the room through the gaps in the hotel curtains. Lin Luo briefly informed the newly awakened and still somewhat sleepy Sakurajima Mai of his plan and Mr. Long's instructions.

“So... we're not going to the shrine today, but going... shopping? To buy a game console and games?” After hearing this, Mai's face was full of confusion and disbelief. She even instinctively touched her forehead, wondering if she was still dreaming. Using this method to solve her 'existence crisis' sounded even more outrageous than being forgotten by a deity.

“Exactly.” Lin Luo's tone was calm, yet carried a logical force that compelled belief. “The Divine Emissary explicitly stated a need for a 'special offering,' and Mr. Long precisely gave the answer 'game console.' This only shows that we aren't facing a deity who follows rigid dogmas, but a 'target client' with distinct modern hobbies. Catering to their interests is the most efficient communication strategy.”

He paused, looked into Mai's eyes, and added, “And, you're paying.”

Mai: “...?”

Despite her heart being filled with giant question marks and a suspicion of 'am I being scammed,' Lin Luo's unquestionable analysis and composure—combined with her own desperate situation of having no other way out—eventually led her to follow him to Tokyo's famous electronics and otaku culture Holy Land, Akihabara, with a 'treat a dead horse as if it were alive' mindset.

The next few hours were a fantastical journey for Mai, during which her worldview was continuously bombarded. She watched Lin Luo weave through major electronics malls and game specialty stores with startling efficiency and precise targeting.

“The latest console, handhelds too, the best performance models.”

“Otome Games, from classics to the latest releases. Take the top twenty from the rating and sales charts and pack them all up.”

“And these popular RPGs, action-adventures, simulation management... yes, get some of every genre.”

“Get one of that limited edition console color scheme as well.”

Lin Luo commanded with certainty, while Mai was responsible for following behind. As she watched the shopping cart (which later upgraded to multiple baskets and even cardboard boxes requiring staff assistance to move) fill up at a visible rate with various electronic devices and colorful game discs and cartridges, her expression shifted from confusion to shock, finally settling into a numb heartache as she watched her bank account balance rapidly evaporate.

To ensure the 'feeding' was sufficient in one go and avoid needing another trip due to insufficient 'offerings,' Lin Luo practically scoured the stores for every type of game. The range and quantity were enough to open a small game rental shop.

When the final bill came, the long string of numbers made the corner of Mai's eye twitch slightly. She silently pulled out her wallet and completed the payment. Carrying large and small bags out of the mall, she deeply realized that the price of resolving supernatural incidents included not only terrifying mental shocks but also very realistic and heavy economic pressure.

“I hope your 'special tribute' is actually useful...” Mai looked at the heavy, expensive 'hope' in her hands and couldn't help but mutter softly. But on second thought, as absurd as it was, it was the last straw she could grasp while drowning. Moreover, Lin Luo's professional attitude of clear goals and maximum efficiency throughout the process gave her a strange, faint sense of confidence.

Lin Luo calmly checked the spoils, ensuring nothing was missed. “Don't worry,” he said steadily. “According to the 'tip-off,' this should be the most effective 'stepping stone.' Now, I just hope the Great Deity's gaming preferences aren't too niche, and... that She will be satisfied with this 'sincerity.'”

The two stood once again before the solemn Main Sanctuary of the Inari Shrine. Only this time, their feet were surrounded by shopping bags printed with various game characters and electronics logos, creating a peculiar contrast with the surrounding solemn environment.

Following Lin Luo's signal, Mai, with an indescribable mood, carefully placed the brand-new game consoles, handhelds, and the mountain of game software on the clean stone steps in front of the worship hall, just like offering traditional tributes.

The White Fox Divine Emissary standing to the side was now utterly dumbfounded. For the first time, a nearly frozen expression of shock appeared on his face, which usually maintained an air of profound mystery or a kind smile. His gaze moved back and forth between the pile of 'offerings' and Lin Luo and Mai, his mouth slightly open as if he wanted to say something but didn't know where to start.

In his long career as a Divine Emissary, he had seen offerings of gold and silver, new rice, fine wine, and even entire trading companies, but he had never seen anyone bringing the latest electronic game consoles and a massive pile of game software to worship Inari Okami! This was simply... simply... eh?

The Emissary suddenly sensed an extremely faint but clearly joyful and curious ripple of Divine Power coming from deep within the shrine. The rest of his words were stuck in his throat, eventually turning into a deep sigh full of powerlessness. He silently stepped back half a pace, deciding no longer to interfere. The Great Deity Herself seemed... very interested?

“Pray devoutly and call upon Inari Okami,” Lin Luo said to Mai in a low voice. His tone was calm but carried an unquestionable power.

Mai took a deep breath and slowly knelt before the massive pile of gaming equipment, pressing her hands together. Despite how unconventional the 'offering' was, her heart was incredibly sincere. She closed her eyes, discarded distracting thoughts, and concentrated all her mind on communicating with the deity who held her fate.

“Ukka-no-Mitama-no-Kami-sama...” she murmured in her heart while also softly chanting, “Your believer, Sakurajima Mai, sincerely prays... I beg for Your mercy to withdraw or correct the effect of the previous wish regarding 'no longer being dazzling.' This was not Mai's true intention, and I have suffered deeply for it. I am willing to use these... these 'sentiments' to exchange for a chance to start over...”

Her voice was soft and devout, echoing in front of the silent shrine. Almost the instant her prayer ended—

The space in front of the worship hall rippled softly. Golden particles of light appeared out of thin air, gathering from all directions like awakened fireflies, circling and intertwining in the air before finally condensing into a hazy figure.

The light faded, and an exquisitely beautiful woman dressed in a red and white Miko Outfit quietly appeared. The pure white Kosode paired with the bright red hakama outlined her elegant figure, creating a strong visual contrast with her flowing silver-white hair. Her aura was noble, as if she were a goddess stepping out of an ancient painting.

However, in sharp contrast to this elegant attire and divine aura—this descended deity was slightly frowning, her head lowered, staring intently at the screen of a smartphone that was clearly a modern product.

On the screen, the colorful illustrations of 2D handsome men were clearly visible, accompanied by melodious background music and text dialogue boxes. Her slender fingers slid quickly across the screen, her proficiency in operation creating a strange sense of temporal displacement against her ancient Miko Outfit.

“Hmm... this option clearly should have increased favorability, so why did it enter a friendship line ending? Save, load, and try again...” she muttered softly, completely immersed, as if the worshipers, the Divine Emissary, and even that pile of special 'offerings' around her had nothing to do with her.