Zaboru was completely flabbergasted. He had just gained a new ability again, and like usual, it came out of nowhere without any clear trigger. For a brief moment, he tried to connect it to something recent. 'Is it related to Yuki coming back to ZAGE?' he wondered. That felt like a possible reason, but at the same time, it wasn't something he could confirm.
He had experienced this too many times already. The pattern behind his abilities was still unclear. Sometimes they appeared after important events, sometimes after emotional moments, and other times with no obvious cause at all.
Zaboru let out a small breath and decided not to think too deeply about it. Trying to force an explanation never worked. Whether it was a completely new ability or an upgrade to an existing one, the process always felt random to him.
At this point, he simply accepted it as part of himself, something he could use, but not fully understand.
Zaboru frowned, then let out a quiet sigh. "Still… what kind of name is this…?" he muttered to himself. As usual, whenever he received a new ability, he instinctively understood what it did and what it was called. That part never changed. But this time, something about it felt… strange.
The name alone made him pause.
"Blessing Words."
It sounded simple, almost harmless, but at the same time, it carried a weight he couldn't ignore. Unlike most of his other abilities, this one felt less like a tool and more like something that could directly influence others. Not through force, but through something more subtle just like Aura of Influence but this Blessing words feel like Active ability instead passive like Aura of Influence.
Zaboru narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking about it more carefully. The meaning of the ability was already clear in his mind, but the implications… those were something else entirely.
Those words that Zaboru always said as his signature catch phrase "You are Very cool" had now become the trigger for this ability. Whenever Zaboru said it to someone, that person's spirit, ability to learn, motivation, and even their hidden potential would increase by an insane margin. It wasn't just a simple boost, it felt like something inside them was being awakened or pushed forward. Zaboru also understood that the effect wasn't equal for everyone. It depended heavily on how close he was to that person and how genuinely impressed he was with them.
If he said it casually to a large group without focusing on anyone in particular, the effect would still exist, but it would only be temporary and much weaker. However, if he said it directly to someone with intention, like he did with Yuki Ryonaku, then the effect would stick permanently and become part of that person. It was no longer just a compliment, it was something that could shape their growth over time.
In his mind, there were already a few individuals who stood out as the "Blessing Words" told him. Right now, the number was still small, but he could clearly feel it. There were four people that he unconsciously recognized as his "disciples." This ability itself seemed to acknowledge them, mapping them as something like "God of Games Disciples."
Zaboru snorted lightly at the name, clearly not a fan of how grand it sounded, but at the same time, he couldn't deny what the ability was showing him.
These people would receive a permanent enhancement from this buff. Their ability to learn would improve significantly, along with their motivation and overall potential. On top of that, there would be slight improvements to their physical condition and health, a small but noticeable boost to memory, and an increase in creativity, especially in areas related to video game development. None of these effects were temporary. Once applied, they would stay and continue shaping the person over time, almost like a constant, quiet push forward in their growth.
Zaboru exhaled slowly. "Sigh… God of Games? Like I said, I hate that nickname… and now it shows up as one of my abilities?" he muttered under his breath, clearly not amused.
Even so, the list appeared clearly in his mind, as if the ability itself was presenting it to him without room for doubt: Ayumi Renkonan, Zenshin Renkonan, Sanika Renkonan, Hidetaka Miyazaki, Yugo Kanai, and Yuki Ryonaku.
He stared at the names for a moment, recognizing each of them not just as people he knew, but as individuals who had been deeply influenced by him in one way or another.
'Hmm… it seems these are the people I truly taught properly. But why Just them?' Zaboru thought. 'And why someone like Hideo Kojima, Shigeru Miyamoto, Satoru Iwata, John Carmack, or John Romero? I've worked with them and taught them many things too, so why aren't they on the list?'
As that question formed clearly in his mind, new information surfaced almost immediately, as if the ability itself was responding to him.
The answer was not about skill, time spent, or even contribution. It was about perspective. It depended on how those people viewed Zaboru himself.
To be included, they didn't just need to respect him. They needed to see him as something beyond a normal person. Someone extraordinary. Someone they held in extremely high regard.
Not just respect, but deep admiration. Not just acknowledgment, but genuine awe. A level of gratitude or belief so strong that it shaped how they saw him as a person.
Zaboru narrowed his eyes slightly as he processed it. 'So that's the condition…' he thought. It wasn't about how much he gave, but how deeply it was received.
Those who simply worked with him, even closely, would not qualify unless that emotional connection existed. Only those who truly looked up to him, almost instinctively, would be recognized by the ability.
Zaboru sighed. 'This ability is convenient… it even explains things to me. So that's why it's only this list… because they really adore me that much.'
He leaned back slightly, letting that thought settle, then began going through the names one by one in his head, trying to make sense of it more deeply rather than just accepting it at surface level.
'Ayumi… well, she really does adore me. She's my wife, so that's natural.' He paused briefly, a faint warmth crossing his expression. 'But even beyond that… she's always believed in me more than anyone else. So yeah… that fits.'
'Zenshin… he's still not even three years old, but he's a genius. And more than that, he knows I have knowledge far beyond normal. As my son, it makes sense he would look up to me like that.' He narrowed his eyes slightly. 'Kids like him… they don't just admire, they absorb everything. That influence probably runs deeper than I think.'
'Sanika… She's my little sister. She's always been like a fan of mine since she was a kid. That hasn't really changed, has it…' He let out a small breath. 'If anything, it only got stronger as time went on.'
He paused slightly at the next name, his expression turning more thoughtful.
'Hidetaka Miyazaki… Sanika's boyfriend… well, I've taught him a lot, and he clearly respects me deeply. Maybe more than I realized.' He tilted his head slightly. 'He's the type who internalizes everything. Quiet, but intense. That kind of admiration doesn't show on the surface, but it runs deep.'
Then his expression turned a bit more amused.
'And Yugo… that guy already thinks way too highly of me. I even heard someone say he carries my picture around his neck like some kind of good luck charm. That bastard is really obsessed… though he's also a bit insane, so I guess that checks out.' He almost laughed under his breath. 'Still… his belief in me is probably one of the strongest.' Zaboru chuckled. Whenever he and the developers debated, Yugo always sided with him, even when he was wrong. In the end, Zaboru would still admit his mistake, which made the whole situation oddly funny. Even so, Yugo remained a very talented and unique individual.
Finally, his thoughts settled on the last name, and his expression softened again.
And Yuki Ryonaku… that one is simple. It's pure gratitude. But it's not shallow, it's something he truly holds onto.' He paused. 'That kind of feeling… it doesn't fade easily.'
Zaboru exhaled quietly, having gone through the entire list more carefully this time. The pattern was clearer now, not just logically, but emotionally.
'So in the end… it really is about how they see me,' he thought. 'Not what I did… but what I became to them and also I need to have a close relationship with them apparently .'
Zaboru chuckled. It wasn't just "You Are Very Cool." Another one of his catchphrases, "Just Buy It, Okay?", had also been enhanced by this ability. If Zaboru said it to a large group, the desire for people to purchase ZAGE products would noticeably increase. However, it wasn't brainwashing. It didn't force anyone to act against their will. Instead, it amplified their existing trust and interest in ZAGE products, making them more inclined to buy, almost like a strong but natural suggestion rather than direct control.
Zaboru chuckled. 'This can be used really well… but the ability also warns me not to say nonsense with these words anymore. They actually have effects now,' he thought. He rubbed his chin slightly. 'Well… there goes my original plan. I was thinking of just playing a recording of myself saying "You Are Very Cool" throughout ZAGE offices, but doing that now would probably just make it annoying… and maybe even mess with people more than I intend.'
He let out a quiet laugh.
Then another thought crossed his mind.
'But… I can probably spam "Just Buy It, Okay?" in ZAGE stores, right?' he muttered, clearly amused. 'It feels like the requirement for these two phrases is different. "You Are Very Cool" needs intent and connection… but "Just Buy It, Okay?" feels more like a suggestion type effect. Less personal, more… general influence.'
Zaboru leaned back slightly, still thinking. 'Yeah… that one might be safer to use in public settings.'
Zaboru leaned back and thought, 'What if I start saying other phrases more often to the public? Would they become Blessing Words too?' He paused for a moment, considering the idea more seriously. 'No… I don't think it works that way. There's probably a condition behind it. Better not risk it. For now, "You Are Very Cool" and "Just Buy It, Okay?" are more than enough.'
He grinned slightly, his thoughts drifting into something more playful.
'Still… what if I could influence other catchphrases? Like those random meme lines…' he thought, amused. 'What if something like "Why Are You Gay?" or "It Ain't Much, But Honest Work" or even "Well… That Escalated Quickly" actually carried effects?'
He imagined it for a second, letting the idea play out more clearly in his mind. Each phrase taking on a strange kind of power, affecting people in subtle or ridiculous ways. The possibilities felt both absurd and oddly intriguing at the same time.
What if one line made people more honest? What if another made them calmer, or more confident without realizing why? Or worse… what if the wrong phrase caused confusion or chaos instead of something useful?
Zaboru narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking it through a bit more seriously now.
'Yeah… this kind of thing isn't something to mess around with lightly,' he thought. Even if it sounded funny at first, the consequences could be unpredictable depending on how the ability interpreted those words.
Still, the idea lingered for a moment longer, sitting somewhere between curiosity and caution.
Then he shook his head lightly.
'Yeah… that's probably just me overthinking. And honestly, that might cause more chaos than anything useful.'
But then, suddenly, Zaboru remembered something from his previous life, and it made him cackle softly.
A certain game mechanic came to mind. In Skyrim, there was an illusion spell called "Frenzy" that could make people lose control and attack everyone around them, turning even allies into sudden threats. And then there was "Calm," a spell that could immediately pacify them, returning them to normal as if nothing had happened, sometimes even letting them talk casually again right after, like the chaos had never existed. The contrast between those two effects was ridiculous, yet strangely fascinating, like flipping a switch on human behavior with perfect control.
Zaboru leaned back a bit, amused by the thought. 'That was such a meme masterpiece…' he muttered in his head. The way those two spells worked together, one creating chaos and the other restoring order, felt almost absurdly elegant. .
He imagined it more clearly for a moment, how a simple word or trigger could shift someone's state so drastically. 'If something like that could be replicated through words alone…' he thought, the idea lingering longer than before.
Then his expression shifted slightly, becoming more thoughtful. 'If my "Blessing Words" can evolve… then theoretically, it might reach something similar. Not exactly the same, but… influencing emotions, behavior, or mental state through words alone…'
He tapped his finger lightly on the armrest. The idea was both interesting and a little dangerous.
'If that's true, then I need to be careful with how I use it,' he thought. 'This isn't just a simple buff anymore. Depending on how it grows, it could become something much more powerful.'
Zaboru thought that phrases like "Welcome To Dark Side" might make people more aggressive or push them toward more violent tendencies, while something like "It's me Carl! Chill Chill" could instantly calm people down and ease tension. And a line like "You Underestimate My Power!" might create a strong sense of intimidation in the opponent, shaking their confidence or making them hesitate in critical moments.
Still, after a moment, he let out a quiet chuckle again, shaking his head slightly.
In the end, it was just an amusing thought for now, something interesting to consider, but not something he needed to act on immediately.
Zaboru smiled, then quickly returned to playing "Yuusha Monogatari." Getting a new ability was cool, sure, but right now he just wanted to enjoy the game a little more. For a moment, he set everything else aside, the thoughts about abilities, disciples, and strange conditions fading into the background.
His focus returned to the screen.
"Yeah… let's play a bit more," he murmured quietly, leaning slightly forward as he continued.
To be continue
Please give me your power stone and if you want to support me and get minimum 60+ advance chapter and additional 1 chapter a week for 4$ considering subscribe to my patreon patreon.com/Zaborn_1997
Or buymecoffee https://buymeacoffee.com/Zaborn_1997 which same with patreon
current Patreon/buymecoffe chap 1127
Also Join my discord if you want https://discord.gg/jB8x6TUByc