Chapter 18: The Enigmatic Map

Sam arrived home after a long and eventful day, feeling a mix of triumph and exhaustion. The deals he had struck with Apex Biotech and BioEssentials were significant milestones, and he couldn't help but feel proud of his accomplishments. However, the constant buzz of activity and negotiation had worn him out.

As he walked into his apartment, he set his bag down on the kitchen table and began to unpack. He carefully placed the signed contracts in a drawer and took out the remaining deeds. Finally, he pulled out the map, which he had kept carefully folded at the bottom of the bag.

To his surprise, the map had changed once again. Gone were the lines and landmarks that had previously marked the locations of the various lands. Instead, the map now displayed a series of details written in a neat, elegant script. Sam leaned in closer to read it.

```

[Name: Sam Walker

Age: 28

Currently Owned Lok: Pushp Lok

Current Income: $50,000,000,000

Current Wealth: $50,000,000,000

Welfare Value: 100 / 100,000,000,000,000]

```

Sam stared at the information, trying to make sense of it. His name and age were correct, and it acknowledged his ownership of Pushp Lok. The income and wealth figures matched the immense value of the resources he now controlled. But the "Welfare Value" intrigued him the most. 

"Welfare value," he muttered to himself. "What does that mean?"

Before he could ponder further, a flood of information entered his mind, as if someone had uploaded the answers directly into his brain. He understood that the welfare value represented the number of people or creatures who had benefited from his actions, directly or indirectly. The target value to unlock the next Lok was a staggering 100 trillion.

Sam was initially pleased to discover that there was a way to unlock the next Lok, but his happiness quickly turned to despair. He had only accumulated a welfare value of 100 from feeding stray dogs, cats, and helping a few people. Even with his newfound wealth, achieving a welfare value of 100 trillion seemed utterly impossible.

He slumped into a chair, feeling overwhelmed. "How am I supposed to reach 100 trillion?" he said aloud, frustration seeping into his voice. "Even if I used all my money to help people, it wouldn't be enough. There simply aren't enough people on Earth to generate that kind of welfare value in a hundred years."

Just as he was sinking into his despondence, Pushp's voice echoed in his mind. "Sam, you might want to look at the other side of the map."

Sam blinked, a spark of hope igniting in his chest. He turned the map over, and what he saw took his breath away. The map depicted an enormous landmass, so vast that even the entire area of Earth would not cover 0.1% of it. The sheer scale of the map was beyond comprehension.

He traced the lines and contours of the map with his fingers, marveling at the immensity of the territory. "This is incredible," he whispered. "This place is enormous."

As he caressed the map, a sudden flash of information entered his mind. He realized that the map was not just a representation; it was a gateway. The map could act as a teleportation portal to the world it depicted—a supermassive continent in another universe.

"This is a map of another world," he realized, his heart pounding with excitement. "A world far beyond Earth."

The implications were staggering. If he could access this new world, the possibilities were endless. The welfare value needed to unlock the next Lok might still be achievable if he could help the inhabitants of this vast continent. But first, he needed to understand more about this world and how to navigate it.

"Pushp," Sam called out, his voice filled with anticipation. "What is this place? How do I use the map to get there?"

"The map you hold is a gateway to a world known as Maha Lok," Pushp replied. "This world is immense and filled with countless opportunities and challenges. By focusing on the map and willing yourself to travel, you can open a portal to this new land."

Sam's mind raced with possibilities. The despair he had felt moments ago was replaced by a renewed sense of purpose. He had a way forward, a path to unlock the next Lok, and it lay in exploring and aiding the vast world of Maha Lok.

"Thank you, Pushp," he said, gratitude evident in his voice. "This changes everything."

He spent the next few hours studying the map, trying to familiarize himself with the geography and the potential points of interest. The map's intricate details began to reveal more about the land—mountains, rivers, forests, and sprawling cities.

As night fell, Sam felt a deep sense of awe and wonder. The sheer scale of Maha Lok was almost too much to fathom, but he was determined to explore it and unlock its secrets. He knew the journey ahead would be filled with challenges, but he felt ready.

"Tomorrow," he said to himself. "Tomorrow, I will begin my journey to Maha Lok."

He folded the map carefully and placed it beside his bed. As he lay down, his mind buzzed with anticipation and excitement. The possibilities were endless, and for the first time in a long while, he felt truly alive.

As he drifted off to sleep, the image of the vast continent of Maha Lok lingered in his mind. The adventure of a lifetime awaited him, and he was ready to embrace it with open arms.