Lone Cultivator In Another World

Michael wanted to push his future company to be innovative. Granted, with people like Anna and Dimitri, it would be difficult for them to stay on the sidelines.

About 45 million people bought the games, bringing in well over 100 million dollars for Michael. The number of all players exceeded 200 million. Of those people, maybe a tenth knew the name North Gaming, and even fewer knew about Michael North.

Now, Michael needed to publicize his actions, create a positive image of Alters and their impromptu spokesperson. Heading up a company synonymous with progress would go a long way.

The current Dimitri couldn't invent whatever Michael told him to, but he might soon. Michael suspected that Alters were going to evolve further, and their Mental Power and Life Force would increase. Only a strong body and mind could support great amounts of Qi.

"Maybe it's something I should ask the infofield about," he mumbled, turning on the computer.

The week was so full of surprises, Michael didn't have time to contact Buddy Earl, the creator of cancer medication.

The man was working for a think tank in California, but his identity wasn't a secret. Michael found his e-mail online and offered him good money to come to Switzerland. For $15,000 a week, Buddy was sure to agree.

Michael used his go-to strategy of offering the valued employees incredible amounts of money. Among people like Dimitri, Alex and Buddy, which one wasn't a super-talent? Michael ensured their financial stability, and in return they could concentrate on the work without worries.

On the other hand, the outsourced programmers received an above average pay, and that was enough.

With the e-mail sent, Michael opened his video again. The comments came like a flood: praises, gratitude, scorn and questions were all mixed together.

"How do I push the Qi out?"

"How do I know if my power is dangerous?"

"Can I still live a normal life?"

"How strong will I become?"

This was one of the reasons Michael needed a week off school.

He had to become a well-known Alter not just to the governments, but to the people, too. He had to act as a leader and a counselor, explain the situation and quell their fears.

"In order to release Qi, you need to…"

"Here are a few measures you can take to ensure your safety…"

"I believe your best chance at a normal, quiet life is to take control…"

"It depends on you! There are no limits as long as you believe in yourself! First of all…"

Comforting. Encouraging. Guiding.

That evening, Michael wrote tens of answers and composed a FAQ for Alters. He didn't forget to put his name there to make them remember it.

Soon, a comment caught his eye and made him freeze.

"Good evening, Michael! Thank you very much for the explanations. I have to say, with the games and lessons, and now this, you're the most exceptional person my age I've ever seen. Next year, I hope to get to know you better at EIS. See you soon!"

The user's name was Alice Blackwood.

Michael stared at her avatar with longing. There, the most beautiful girl in the world was smiling brightly, showing her white teeth. Her natural black hair was parted in the middle and framed her face, creating a charming image of a young woman full of life.

"Alice."

His throat felt parched, his limbs restless. Unable to contain himself, Michael jumped up and measured the room with his steps.

"She will be here in a few months, so soon! I have to do something, I have to…"

"Ding! Quest completed," notified him Glory. "Host has done much good and earned million glory points in under three days. Reward: 50,000 glory points, one inquiry from infofield."

"Ah!"

Was it a million already? There was so much he could do with these points! Get rid of his old disorders, learn Tai Chi or another technique, even finally heal Anna's mom!

Since the day Anna learned about his powers four months ago, she's been waiting for him to help her mother. With a million glory points, wasn't this an easy matter?

"Host, please ask question."

Michael was alarmed. Did he have to do it now? He looked at the computer screen and saw the picture of his beloved.

"Alice…"

'Is she the same person as in my old world?' was his first thought. But he didn't open his mouth.

Michael sat down and opened her YouTube profile. There, he looked at the picture with higher resolution. Alice was a young girl. She was not the same person.

How hard was it to forget her? For ten years, he endured Leon's torture because if he didn't, she would suffer. Every day he made the choice not to fight back, every day for ten years.

That was an unbreakable love, an undefeatable love!

None of Leon's cruel attacks held any meaning. Michael endured. On that day, Leon sent him a note that his suicide would set Alice free. Otherwise, Michael was prepared to freeze to death on the streets with a smile on his face.

But wasting his question on chasing a dream?

Old Michael could do that. The new Michael had responsibilities. He needed to guard against the governments, to protect his family and friends.

Asking the infofield about Alice was tempting but useless.

There were two things that had the potential to give Michael an edge. One, the full truth about the Chaos comet. Two, the knowledge of his hidden enemies.

On the day the comet passed by, Glory informed Michael about genetic potential stimulation. It led him to think there were organisms of a higher order on that comet. If multiple worlds existed, it wouldn't be surprising if the comet originated from one of them. It could be an artefact, a living being or a spaceship.

On the other hand, Michael surely made a lot of enemies with his maneuvering. The governments presented a direct threat, one he had to know about in advance if he wanted to survive.

His position was at its most fragile point. He made himself known but had no safety net to fall back on, nobody to trust. In a week, he wanted to solidify his place among Alters. The UN wasn't going to allow a mass genocide, right?

Alters were Michael's people, his source of strength. They came from every walk of life. There were men and women, old and young, villagers and millionaires, hot-headed and cold-blooded people. They had no unity or leader, but they needed an advisor. Someone to defend their interests.

A person in search for a group, and a people in search for a symbol.

As a cultivator armed with knowledge, with his public image as the first Alter, he was the perfect fit.

But this week, Michael was at his weakest. He could only rely on himself.

"Host, please ask question."

"I got it! Let me formulate it."

He steadied his breathing and took out a pen and paper. If he managed to combine the two questions into one, that was like killing two birds with one stone.

He had only one attempt. It had to be perfect.

"Host, please ask question."

"All right! Can I postpone it?" he exclaimed.

"Infofield cannot keep open for long. Host, please ask question."

Michael panicked, "How much time do I have?"

"Host, please ask question."

His incredible Mental Power was 40 times greater than an average person's. Michael constructed an inquiry under Glory's relentless reminders that got louder and louder. Soon, every word rattled his brainbox. Sense of Balance was overpowered by the insistent program. The young man's body shook with Glory's every word.

Michael couldn't take it anymore, "I'm ready!"

Glory quietened down immediately.

Now or never.

"My question is…"