Lone Cultivator In Another World

Michael opened the Notifications menu.

Every day, he earned thousands of glory points, most of them through his games and YouTube channels. The videos were more helpful than games, often bringing 2 or even 3 points. In comparison, games only lifted players' mood, so 2 points were the limit.

"2 glory points earned for making a stranger smile."

"4 glory points earned for helping a person understand a complicated topic."

"6 glory points earned for persuading a stranger to begin working out."

"2 glory points earned for helping a person kill time on a trip."

It was true! Michael received double rewards! With this, his daily earnings would exceed 10,000!

"Perhaps more constricting rules could bring more benefits. Glory, can I try again?"

"Moral code is already formulated," answered the program.

"No? OK, more freedom for me." Michael was already happy with what he got. One simple rule, and the rewards were very generous.

He thought the school would calm down after the eventful day, but more accidents like with Alex followed, and not just at EIS. The world was going crazy. The panic escalated. Almost one person in five witnessed an unexplainable event sometime in the past week.

Michael's parents returned home three days later. It was Sunday, so Michael was in the apartment instead of the dorms. He ran to meet them outside and helped with the bags.

For the first time, Nadezhda was agitated after coming back. Vladimir's expression was unusually sullen. It looked like their trip wasn't as pleasant as the ones before.

"Did something happen, mom, dad?"

Vladimir didn't say a word as he walked to his room.

"It was terrible, Misha. Do you watch the news?"

Michael nodded, leading his mother to sit on the couch. She needed to get something off her c.h.e.s.t.

"You see those horrible things on TV, and you never think they might happen to you. We were on our way to the airport in Athens when our hotel caught on fire. We didn't get far, so we saw it ourselves. The traffic stopped. Your father told me to stay inside the car and ran to help."

Nadezhda sobbed, clutching onto Michael's hands, but continued, "I watched the flames escape from the windows on the bottom floors, and I froze. It was so frightening, you can't even imagine…"

"Nadya!" Vladimir exclaimed, attracted by the loud sounds. He held her in his arms, allowing the woman to cry her feelings out, reminding her that she was safe.

"Mom, nothing happened to you two. Everything will be all right!"

Vladimir cleared his throat, "It was over when I arrived. There was no one I could help." He looked Michael in the eyes and mouthed without using his voice not to disturb his wife further, "Just bodies."

Michael shivered. If his parents stayed in the hotel lobby five minutes longer, they would have…

He looked at his mother, still sobbing in father's embrace. There was no way to know whether that fire started naturally or due to an evolver. But this time, it hit too close to home. When the next incident happens, how many people will get hurt? What if it's Anna or Sofia? What if it's Alice?

"I… I need to talk to you. I know what is happening. The reason for all the recent catastrophes. But I'm struggling whether to tell people or to keep it to myself."

The old couple frowned. Vladimir asked, "Are you certain your information is true?"

"100 percent. People are developing superpowers because of the comet, and they can't control it."

Nadezhda paled and bit her lip. Her husband spoke up again, "Are you afraid of the government?"

Michael nodded. His father got rich in the 90s' Russia, smuggling illegal goods, and knew about shady government practices firsthand.

"But it's 'governments', plural. I imagine they will all want a piece of me. I really want to help, but it goes against everything I believe in. The people close to me might get hurt."

"How…" his mom began, but her husband interrupted her.

"Do it."

"What?!" Nadezhda yelled, "Are you tired of living? You think Russia is bad, wait until the Middle East sends its people after us! I won't let you talk Misha into this!"

"He might save lives, woman! Millions of people!"

"The only lives I care about are ours! The three of us. What if something happens to me, if I am kidnapped? Who will you blame then?"

Vladimir opened his mouth to retort but fell silent. The couple turned to Michael, only to see him tearing up.

"I held it in for so long. I'm so sorry…"

"Misha? It's not your fault!"

"If only somebody else could do it, I would get rid of this responsibility in an instant. But there's no one I can trust. The newspapers, the journalists, the politicians – none of them will tell it as it is."

"Maybe your principal?" Michael's mom suggested, but he shook his head. How could he trust a spy with this information?

"I'm so sorry. I can't decide by myself. Tell me, what should I do?"

Even at 35, Michael had very limited life experience. After he finished school, he returned to Russia to live with his mom and attend university. Back then, LZD1 was already in full swing, so he had no energy left to find work. He knew every textbook, but they didn't prepare him for a decision like this.

Even his unrivaled Mental Power didn't help. Michael saw a hundred ways the situation could develop, with some good and some bad, but lacked the knowledge to predict the correct one.

Luckily for him, in this world, he was a child and had parents to help him out.

Vladimir and Nadezhda exchanged glances. They both realized how much was at stake and felt out of their depth. Normally, at times like this, Nadezhda would step back and let her husband decide, but now…

"I think you should do the right thing."

Vladimir's straightforward words irritated the woman, so she bit back, "The right thing is to protect this family!"

"Nadya," he took her hands in his, "we always knew it would happen. When I smuggled furs, you prayed for me but agreed. When I set up a second-hand store, you told me it was dangerous but agreed. We always knew the government was going to come for our freedom or our lives. So what if a few more do?"

He c.a.r.e.s.sed his wife's cheek. Her skin wasn't as smooth as the day they met, but he never wanted to touch another woman's face since. "I won't let you get kidnapped. I'll fight for you."

"It's not me I'm scared for," she whispered back.

"We'll protect him, together. Look at him. If we stop Misha now, it'll eat him alive."

Nadezhda looked at her son. He was so smart, so handsome. He had a bright future ahead, and a girl who was secretly in love with him. What was the best thing in this situation for him? How could she help him as a mother?

She sighed, "Let's listen to your father one more time. Do the right thing."

Michael gasped. He remembered the words he told his mom some months ago, "how far you and I will go to keep this family safe." It was the reason he held back from announcing the truth. But now that mom and dad agreed…

He heard their conversation despite the whispering. They thought they would have to protect him? No. Instead, he was going to protect them.

His parents would live a long, happy life this time. He could protect everyone. As long as his body has a drop of blood, a wisp of Life Force, he will protect everyone!

Michael clenched his fists, feeling the scar itch, and smiled without worries for the first time in days.

"Thanks, guys. It means so much to hear you say that."

"Ding! Quest issued…"