Snapshots of moments where he felt a little off while the old man talked flashed in his mind and he had a startling realization.

Taking a breath, he asked, "Grandfather… Uncle Mark and others, they also don't have a chance of undergoing the awakening, do they?"

Robert's eyes snapped open and he looked at him in surprise.

"You are a very sharp kid." He said, a bitter smile on his face. Then, he shook his head and said, "They can undergo the awakening, but that's only if they have enough time, at least a few days, to acclimate with the Mana. However…"

The old man didn't finish his sentence, sighed and closed his eyes once again.

Max didn't need him to because he understood. Before they were done acclimating with the Mana and were ready to undergo the awakening, the radiation would have claimed their lives.

Max was silent for a while, his eyes flickering in thought.

Then, he curiously asked, "Grandfather, earlier, how did you determine that I was not an Awakened?"

Though he would not assume all the things written in the fantasy novels were true, but in every one of them, unless the other person wasn't an awakener himself or had some special ability, it was very difficult to tell whether someone was an Awakened.

"Because when I was young, I visited a place that still had some Mana and underwent a partial awakening," Old Man Robert answered.

"I see. So, you won't need much time to acclimate and will directly awaken when Mana reaches this place?" Max asked.

Without opening his eyes and without any particular expression on his aged face, Robert shook his head, "No. Since my awakening was interrupted, I won't ever awaken."

Max furrowed his brows and asked, "You can still awaken via an artificial awakening, no?"

"No. Because I have failed my natural awakening, the chances of me successfully awakening via the artificial one are less than one-tenth." The old man murmured in a low voice before adding, "Don't bother worrying about me, son. I have lived a long enough life. I just wish… Sarah could get better and my family line would not end here."

Seeing how hopeless and helpless he sounded, Max said, "Grandfather… I may have a way to save everyone. However—"

Before he could finish, the old man's eyes snapped open and he shouted out in disbelief, his voice trembling with hope, "W-What did you say, little Max?"

Max calmly repeated his words, "I may have a way to save everyone." Then, giving the old man no chance to say anything, he added, in a decisive tone,

"However, for that, it's important that I be the person in charge here. If this is acceptable to you, I will do my best to make sure none of the Foster Family died, neither to Samuel's goon's attacks, nor to the radiation."

The old man stared at him for a few moments before his lips curled up into a smile, "You are indeed your father's son."

The sudden compliment took Max off guard and he looked at him in surprise.

What was wrong with the old man? Didn't he hate his father more than anything? Why was he suddenly complimenting him?

For a moment, he had even thought it wasn't a compliment but an insult. However, his expression told him it was the former.

"What do—"

"From this moment onwards, you'll be the person in charge. Everyone, including me, will listen to your orders. If anyone disobeys, you can punish them as you see fit." Robert solemnly declared, interrupting him.

Max looked at him in surprise. While he knew the old man would agree in the end, he had expected him to ask him a few questions at least.

Robert smiled, no trace of the earlier gloom on his face, "No need to be surprised. I have long been unfit to hold the reins. The only reason I still haven't given my position to someone else is because no one could handle the pressure.

However, you can.

Besides, given the responsibilities you are accepting, you naturally need the corresponding authority."

Saying this, he stood up, "Now, come with me. Let's make it official."

…

Half an hour later, all the people living in the Governor's Mansion were gathered in an auditorium, looking at Robert and Max sitting on the sofas on the podium with curiosity and unease while talking amongst themselves in hushed voices.

A gathering in these troubled times would not be about anything good.

In the front row, Mark, Peter, Evans, Sunny, Alex and others were feeling confused and apprehensive.

Robert hadn't said anything about the gathering earlier, meaning it wasn't supposed to happen. But since it was happening, something urgent must have come up.

"Husband, why do you think father-in-law gathered everyone?" Mark's wife, Penelope, asked.

"No idea, but we'll find out in a bit. So, just be patient." Mark said.

"Look, Grandpa is about to speak." Alex cried out and everyone became silent, fully focused on the old man.

…

Robert swept his gaze across everyone before he began speaking.

"Everyone, as you may have already heard, my grandson here has resolved the situation outside." He said while glancing at Max.

Then, his expression became grim, "However, the danger isn't over yet, and I'm not talking about the danger of people… It's the danger of nature…"

He explained how the radiation will permeate the New Island in a matter of a few days.

By the time he finished speaking, everyone was panicking, scared out of their wits.

Mark and others frowned, not understanding why he informed everyone. Did he not know people would panic and would cause chaos?

On the podium, Max looked at the old man, impressed.

…

A while ago…

While they waited for everyone to gather, Robert looked at Max and said, "If I break the news to them as is, many would be dissatisfied and might not listen to you. I'm sure you don't want that, right?"

Max nodded. "You are right. I need everyone here to obey me without any hesitation or question."

"I know a way to make it possible, but first, you tell me… Can you save others too?" Robert asked,

Max frowned, "You want me to save people who mean nothing to me?"

"That's not what I meant." Robert shook his head, "However, if it's not too much trouble, I would advise you to save as many of them as you can because while the chances aren't too high, some of them might be able to awaken."

With a serious expression, he said, "Believe me when I say this, unless you are omnipotent and omnipresent, you will definitely need others' assistance in your future endeavors. If you save them now, they will be very loyal to you and you can rely upon them."

However, if it's too troublesome, forget what I said." Robert casually added.

Max furrowed his brows. While what he said made sense, it would cost him a very significant amount of Harem Points to buy the Anti-Radiation Potions needed.

'Do I really need more people to burden me?' He thought and began imagining how it would be if only his family, Martinez family, and the Foster family were alive in this city.

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