Lone Cultivator In Another World

"Glory, explain to me, how does educating others help me become a cultivator?"

"Host can earn glory points by doing so."

"Ah. Starting with a joke? You know full well what I mean."

"Analyzing speech patterns… Host, by helping others in a variety of ways, you make their life more fulfilling. That counts as a good deed."

Michael sighed, 'Analyzing speech patterns, my a.s.s. You scolded me before, don't pretend like you're a simple AI.'

He turned to the list of abilities and checked them one by one. First, there were Mind Lullaby and four Enhanced Senses. Three of those were still untouched while hearing had been maxed out to 200%.

Next, in place of Awareness whose effect he still barely understood, was a cool-sounding Danger Sense.

"Spider-sense? Glory, how much for this one?"

"Danger Sense. Top mental technique. Precognition of potentially harmful events. Cost: 150 glory points."

That was expensive enough to make Michael wince. Still, with more points on the way, he was seduced by the description "top mental technique," and bought it immediately.

After concentrating on his sensations for a while, Michael couldn't figure out if anything threatened him.

'I guess we'll have to wait for that object to come closer to Earth, Glory.'

For advancing to 1-stage, 4-star, he opened Enhanced Sense of Balance that cost 60 points. It was chump change for him now, but Michael preferred to look at everything before making the final decision.

The next one was "Mind acceleration. Speeds up thought processes by a tenth. Cost: 40 glory points."

"Hey, Glory, is this one upgradable like the four senses? What's the limit?"

"Yes, host. Upgrade limit is 250%."

"With how you're preparing my nervous system, I'm really excited for the second stage of cultivation," he smiled.

Finally, there were two abilities that appeared only after Michael reached the 6th star. Both of them upgraded memory and cost 30 points. One was called Active Memory Enhancement, and the other Passive. The difference lay in concentration: when people try to memorize something, they use the first one, but if they casually read or hear it, they utilize passive memory.

With a bit over 300 points left, Michael first bought the Balance ability. The backlash was practically nonexistent with his higher cultivation. His brain used to always go in a state of shock after buying abilities, but not anymore.

After putting a point in both Memory perks, Michael realized that both could be upgraded further. However, Glory refused to answer his questions about them.

"What do you mean you can't tell me their limit?"

"Host, please figure it out by yourself."

"But you gave me all the information about the four senses and the mind speed-up thing!"

"That is impossible in this case."

"Is there a secret? Memory is different from the others?"

Silence.

"You know what, I'm tired. Why can't I see how much the abilities cost and have to ask you? Why can't I see the 'upgradable' keyword?"

"Host can change these settings in Customization menu."

"I can't open that!"

Silence.

Michael collapsed on the bed and sulked. His studies, friends and cultivation – everything was great. He was the happiest he'd been in years. Angry Birds would earn him enough money to kickstart several other projects and allow his mother to stop working. However, one thing loomed over him, the object from another world that was seeking out his planet.

"Glory. Chances of collision?"

"23% with 17% possible error."

"Right, I already asked you yesterday."

Young cultivator was very aware of his own irritability. Even after a whole month of living peacefully in this new world, his mood was jumpy. And he threatened Zhao the day before, same as with Apoll in front of Jones. Did he have to do that? Was that the right thing to do?

Michael glanced out of the window. It was already dark. He stood there for a while, elbows on the windowsill, remembering Alice's face.

His father's voice.

His mom who was supposed to come back soon.

His only university friend Pavel.

The taste of authentic Russian pelmeni and wonderful pastries of the ex-Soviet Republics.

Those Marvel movies and fantasy literature. Wasn't Iron Man already on DVD?

Alice's mansion in England.

His small apartment in Russia.

He laughed, reminded of how simple the AI developed in 2021 was until Dimitri was invited on the project.

Playing Jurassic Park in full immersion virtual reality.

Addictive processed foods of the 2020s.

The buzz in his ears during the fall to his death…

"I'm sorry, Glory."

"Host?"

"It's just so hard to come to terms with my new life. I've been going through the motions all this time. To think, I even tried to jump again after traveling here. What was I doing? I think… it's time to accept that I'm here to stay."

He was content with Splendid Glory's lack of response as if they were sharing this moment. Just the two of them.

The phone rang.

"Yes? How are you?"

"Hi!" was Anna's excited voice. Was the girl still riding the high from several hours ago up to now? "I'm sorry to call so late. Old Zhao and I just finished for the day. He left home, but I'm a bit worried to go by myself."

"Can't he walk you to the dorms?" asked Michael confusedly.

"Well, he already left…"

"Ah! Of course! I'll be right there!" the young man finally grasped Anna's genuine worry.

"N-no, it's all right. I'm still cleaning up."

"And I'm already putting on my shoes."

"Thanks," she whispered and ended the call.

Michael looked at the night sky through the window and added, "Glory, give me five Mind Acceleration upgrades." He shuddered. Just as he said it, a nauseating feeling brutally attacked him. Taking big gulps of air, he imagined his head expand three times in size – that was how much it hurt. After the sickness faded in a minute, Michael gnashed his teeth, "I meant in a row, Glory, not at once."

Now that his glory points were almost used up and his mind surpassed that of common men, Michael went down the stairs and headed to the laboratory. His thoughts were still somewhat jumbled, but he was in a better place.

Suddenly, there was a stiffness in his neck. He stopped and rubbed it, looking around. He was in the middle of a forest-like park area. There were roads that led to every building, but, seeing as he wanted to arrive before Anna finished sweeping, he chose a shortcut.

The stiff feeling refused to go away. Michael rubbed it again with confusion when he heard, "Come out, guys!"

Several youths appeared from behind the trees. They were all dressed casually, in jeans and T-shirts or sleeveless shirts. Each held a baseball bat or a heavy branch in his hands.

Michael only knew one of them, Marco Reed. Thinking faster than before, he came to the conclusion that Marco likely wasn't the instigator. Instead, such petty revenge was typical for Donald.

Also, Kamyshov's son didn't have the resources or the influence to gather five hoodlums and make them fight someone. On the other hand, who but a teacher would have the authority to allow these five on the school grounds.

"Marco, tell me, why are you doing Donald's dirty work?"

The boxer looked at his rival in bewilderment.

"Oh please, this is so obvious. Donny paid them, and you used some method to get them here. Are you not afraid of this coming to your father? He might get in trouble!" Michael sang.

"Shut up! You humiliated us and you're going to pay!"

"Us? So, I was right, Donald's in on this. Thanks for telling me."

"Don' worry, Marco," said the thug closest to Michael, "this pipsqueak won' talk if he's in a coma."

His associates grinned, playing with their makeshift weapons. They looked a couple years older than Marco and seemed athletic. Five armed thugs against one empty-handed younger boy.

After hearing their plans, Michael got serious.