"Alright, system, it’s time we had a good talk. I have a few things I want to know."

[The host may ask. However, please note that the host’s clearance level is currently too low for detailed information.]

Clearance? The word made Kain feel the need to ask another question. But he was almost certain he wouldn’t get an answer. Still, after tossing the question back and forth in his mind, he decided to ask.

"Why don’t I have clearance? Is someone blocking the information?"

[The host’s clearance level is restricted; an answer cannot be issued.]

He expected that. But not answering tells him a lot. For now, he can only go with the flow. He hasn’t even completed the first task it gave.

"Then how about this. Why did you choose me?"

[The host is the parent of Three Terrors. The Three Terrors have the potential to be the only power capable of killing the Pantheon.]

"Who is the Pantheon?"

[An answer cannot be issued.]

Kain rolled his eyes. He could be told there was a Pantheon, but not who the Pantheon is? Well, he got another answer. His kids are apparently a nightmare to deal with. He wondered if he could quit being a parent before he found them.

"Okay, you don’t seem to be able to tell me anything useful. So let’s keep the questions simple. What does the Nurturing System do?"

[The Nurturing System helps the parent to foster the child’s growth through physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual care.

Physical nurturing: providing for the basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. Emotional nurturing: providing comfort and validating the child’s experience. Intellectual nurturing: engaging curiosity and offering opportunities to learn. Spiritual nurturing: instilling a sense of purpose.

Please note that such activities should continue well into adulthood. A parent nurtures until they die.]

Yeah, because that’s not morbid. Did it need to add that? Rubbing his hand over his face, Kain wondered if this system planned to work him to death. Or was it expecting his death?

Regardless, it didn’t matter. He could go through the motions.

"So what happens if I train them to be useless?"

[The system monitors all interactions. No reward will be given for nurturing the child into a waste. Possible punishments may be imposed. Punishments are varied and can range from minor shocks to sudden death.]

Hitting his head against the bedboard, Kain wondered again what he had gotten himself into. Wait, he didn’t get himself into anything; it was the system that decided that he, a person with questionable morals, should raise children.

One thing he did appreciate was the word ’reward’. He wanted to know what kind of rewards he could get. He still remembered that nurturing station. It sounded like a place to change diapers.

He shuddered thinking about having to change diapers in the collapse. Hearing babies cry when a mutant beast is nearby. He could see himself fighting every day to stay alive. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

He didn’t want to die suddenly, so he retracted the thought of having them grow up to be useless. But raising them to be powerful isn’t so bad. They can protect him.

He can live a life of luxury when they finally grow up. Retiring in the New World, hearing them come back with stories about the mutant beasts while he stays relaxed somewhere, not having to fight. It sounded like heaven.

As long as he wasn’t expected to raise them to become the saviour of the world. He had no problem. Being saviours is a thankless job. He won’t do it, and he doesn’t expect the people around him to do it.

As for the Pantheon, whatever or whoever that is. That isn’t his problem. He just needs to raise them, and they’ll take care of the rest. As long as they don’t sacrifice him ’for the greater good.’

As for lifetime nurturing, he didn’t think about it. He refused to work himself to death. After 18, they should be more than capable. If they aren’t, then they always have their mother. She can take care of the rest and whip them into shape.

Kain continued his musings for a while. At some point, he began to think about whether it would benefit him to build a powerful faction or live in obscurity and let the kids be in the limelight. Shaking himself out of his revelry, he asked his next question.

"Did the system know about the impending doom before it bound itself to me?"

[Yes.]

He waited for the system to continue, but that was the only answer he received. He was becoming irritated by the system. The next few questions he asked either got a single word or that he didn’t have the clearance.

It wasn’t until he got frustrated that the system, as if feeling his ire, decided to drop this statement.

[Should the host have any further questions, please locate the children as soon as possible. Complete answers may be given after the first task is completed and the system has access to new information.]

Seeing this, Kain almost choked himself to death. He sat on the bed coughing, his expression incredulous as he saw the statement.

He could finally understand why he wasn’t able to get anything other than one-word answers. Besides the use of the system and the possible punishments, he got a few minuscule words about the kids, and that was it.

Refusing to dwell on it, Kani decided to get ready for bed. The day seemed long, but in the end, it was too short. He spent the day with a beautiful woman and eating as he pleased.

Despite the system’s irritation, the only thing he had an issue with was not getting Amelia naked. He knew she would have wanted it. Hell, he wanted it too. But he decided he would be a good guy. Give her time to deal with everything.

It would also give him time to sort out the necessities of the next month. After not ’eating meat’ for so many years, another month wouldn’t kill him.

He hoped not.