Zachary blinked slowly, his brain momentarily short-circuiting.

It was over?

The plague that had tormented his brethren for so long... The vile illness that made the felines incapable of cultivating, creating a rift of separation between them and the unaltered humans, was healed just like that?

The child stayed motionless for a few moments. He knew it was true. The spiritual energy indeed traveled through his body like normal.

Without hesitation, he reached forward and grasped Michael’s hand.

"Please, you have to help the others!" Zachary pleaded.

"Of course, lead the way." Michael said calmly.

In the younger’s mind, Michael was a deity sent from heaven to save them.

While Zachary made haste to Lily’s room, Nicole glanced at Michael.

"Care to enlighten me on how the procedure works?"

Even though she was a Supreme Lord, she wasn’t able to solve the plague issue without further study.

Michael didn’t find a reason to hoard the information.

"It’s foreign chaotic energy that spreads throughout a cultivator’s bloodstream like spiritual energy, taking root deep. It seeps into bones, organs, and blood vessels, allowing it to evade detection. It tricks the victim’s body into thinking it’s normal spiritual energy, preventing the cultivator’s soul from channeling any more power."

He paused briefly.

"The way I cured it was by expelling the chaotic spiritual energy... Essentially, it’s the polar opposite of cultivation. Which is hard to achieve since everyone is taught how to absorb energy but not expel it. My role is to guide them during the process."

Nicole was intrigued. "Guide?"

Michael nodded.

"There are two ways. Insert a portion of your spiritual energy deeper than the plague has managed to seep, and then command it to gently expel the foreign energy from within. Think of the illness like small creatures in your body that you push out. It’s the gentler method, one that shouldn’t lead to further complications."

By all accounts, Nicole was impressed. "So there is another method?"

Michael’s eyes darkened.

"Yes. The plague essentially tries to mimic the end result of people with my father’s condition. When the chaotic energy has rooted itself in the very core, the only way to rid it is to draw it out with excess energy. The energy output is of vital importance. Hence, only a Titan tier alien is capable of emitting enough to cleanse it quick enough."

Michael had gained the insight after being infected by the Hreh’tar.

Unfortunately, the thesis only confirmed his intimate assumption. He would need to get his hands on a slain Titan to cure his father of the illness that had plagued him for so long.

"..."

Nicole remained silent, the memory that she had seen in Michael’s mind resurfacing.

She knew that his father had been ill, but this was the first time hearing that only the corpse of a Titan could help.

’Did I make a mistake?’ She pondered anxiously.

Had she known ahead of time, she wouldn’t have offered Michael to join the hunt for a Titan. Given that he required one to help his father, it was only natural he was going to agree, even if he didn’t feel confident enough to face one.

Nicole worried that she had indirectly forced Michael to agree to her suggestion.

"Did you accept my offer because you felt obliged to help your family?" She asked, preferring to ask the man himself rather than endless worry about his reasons.

Michael cursed at his slip-up. He didn’t intend to mention his father until it was too late.

"Partially." He admitted somberly. "But I also believe that it’s within my capabilities."

Michael focused on Nicole’s piercing eyes.

"Don’t worry... I am not going to be a liability."

’That’s not what I was worried about...’ Nicole heaved a deep sigh.

"In that case, you can rely on me." She declared with unwavering determination. "Your father will not be bedridden for much longer."

A faint smile spread across Michael’s face. "I appreciate it."

Regardless of the timeline, Nicole was always the person he remembered. She was ready to fight for justice even against opponents far more powerful than herself. The more he interacted with her, the more he was reminded why he had loved her so much in his past life and why he still did.

"Oh come on!" Devil scoffed with a sigh. "At this point, you two lovebirds should get yourselves a—"

Not letting him finish, Michael stored Devil in his soul before he could ruin the moment with an idiotic remark.

"Did the mascot say something?" Nicole tilted her head to the side, crimson hair spilling over one ear.

It was unclear whether she had missed his words or was acting.

"Did he?" Michael chuckled, happy to get the opportunity to tease her like she did last time. "Don’t worry about it."

"Lily!" Zachary exclaimed, going over to the little girl who seemed especially weak. "Don’t worry, Michael is back, and he has devised a cure!"

"Michael?" Lily’s eyes began to sparkle amidst the exhaustion she felt.

Not lingering, Michael healed the girl in a flash.

"Thank you so much!" Overflowing with vitality, Lily pounced on Michael, hugging him tightly.

It didn’t take long for Michael to help the others in the soup kitchen.

Surprisingly, even Anya, the owner of the charity and part-time streamer, had become infected by the plague and needed his assistance.

"With you having saved us for the second time, I don’t know how we will ever be able to repay you!" Anya bowed deeply in appreciation.

Ruby prompted her to raise her head, indicating that there was no need.

The silver lining was that those who were cured by Michael gained the ability to dispel the illness as well. Just like him, having experienced the plague once instinctively gave them the insight on how to heal others.

The soup kitchen opened its doors once more. However, this time it was providing healing services free of charge.

Given the good nature of the staff, Michael didn’t need to worry about spreading the knowledge of the cure any further. He could leave them to deal with the rest.

It was only a matter of time before the plague was eradicated for good. With the most pressing threat over, Michael headed to the crew.

While he had been underground cultivating in the hollow valley, the crew, along with the surviving felines of the camp, had extinguished the remaining upper branches of the cultist operations.

It was time to regroup, hold Cyberfang’s funeral, and discuss their plans for the near future.