Birth Of The Crafts-God

When humanity was exposed to traces of alien civilisation during the space exploration era, they realised their weakness and had to utilise the Dark Forest theory to survive. However, humanity still didn't pause their space exploration as curiosity got to the better end of them. It was also for a fact that they couldn't remain in the dark forever while a threat existed.

Humans were just like that.

During this time, they eventually encountered some alien races —both peaceful and violent— and finally realised what they lacked; the ability to manipulate the mysterious energy of the universe, stellar energy.

Eventually, a decision was reached for the general advancement of the human DNA. With the aid of alien technology, humanity's brightest minds and a combined effort of all global powers, a new human was born; the first generation hyuman.

However, hyumankin was still with a limitation. Unlike alien races, their growth was highly dependent on their genes, with the concentration of one's m(o)DNA being the major factor.

Until the tenth level of the Apertures Opening stage, hyumans only possessed the ability to manipulate stellar energy and store it in their body. Even the extent they could manipulate this energy was highly limited and was mostly used for physical strengthening.

It wasn't until the tenth level that hyumans generally unlocked their superpower. However, there were exceptions.

These exceptions typically unlocked a tiny bit of their abilities, which was known as a 'hint' of their superpower. Those who were able to unlock their hint were very rare and usually talented with great potential.

In Baylands City, there were two such individuals: Nafir of the Red Fangs, and Laura Mertens, Russell's daughter.

Compared to the true form of one's superpowers, a hint was barely usable. Most times, it was just an indication of one's potential and talent. It could also give one an idea of the superpower they would unlock at the tenth level.

For instance, Nafir's hint, which he named 'Instinct Guide', allowed him to sense when someone was lying. From this, one could surmise that his latent superpower was mind-reading. It could also be mind manipulation, both of which were more useful compared to being a moving lie detector.

Some hints could offer an advantage in battles.

Laura Mertens' hint allowed her to drop the temperature within a fives metres radius around, down to -10°C (14°F). This highlighted that her latent power would be related to ice, which was further confirmed by the Mertens family's history. Although this was useful when facing average hyumans, it only gave a slight advantage against most desolate beasts and stellar practitioners. But compared to being a lie detector, it had more value in combat.

Nonetheless, there were still other hints that possessed a stronger edge compared to others. Even in the form of hints, they were so powerful that one might mistake them as a true superpower.

"Down."

The princess pointed her left hand at the effeminate man.

Out of nowhere, the man felt an intense pressure surrounding him as he was being forced to his knees. He immediately exploded with his true power as he tried to resist this mysterious force. Somewhat similar to the princess, he was also the equivalent of a seventh level stellar practitioner, albeit not at the peak.

Only by utilising his full power would the effeminate man be able to prevent himself from kneeling.

His two knees bent slightly while he slid his right leg half a foot behind.

Although his position was quite awkward, the man had managed to resist the force and remain standing upright.

"You really are an Oklo."

The effeminate man stared at the princess and grinned. He seemed to have returned to his usual playful self with this comment.

What he felt from the princess wasn't just a simple release of one's stellar energy which would cut off movements, just like the middle-aged man had done earlier. Instead, it was a strange and mysterious phenomenon that drew power from the natural laws by mimicking a natural physical occurrence.

It was the superpower of the Oklo Dynasty's bloodline; Gravity manipulation. However compared to the real deal, the princess' utilisation was much weaker. It was clear that what she demonstrated was nothing but a hint of re superpower, which made sense considering that she was only at the seventh level.

Nonetheless, to be able to tap into her latent superpowers and possess a hint of it, it showed that the princess was very talented.

"Unfortunately, a hint is only a hint." The effeminate grinned bewitchingly.

Underneath the helmet, the princess frowned seeing as her attack was neutralised.

Although what she had could only be termed as a hint of her latent superpower, it allowed her to be able to increase the gravity around or exhibited by a target by up to three times for a short while. She could increase the duration by expending more stellar energy, but the princess didn't go ahead with that. It was pointless considering that the opponent was not a simple figure.

"It doesn't matter. Like I said before, you will die today."

The princess suddenly lunged at the man at a speed that seemed to make no sense.

The man was slightly surprised but still prepared as he was already in battle mode.

*Clang*

The dark purple spear the princess held clashed with a short sword the effeminate man drew out.

Sparks flew out from the short sword as the spear pressed forward; its weight abruptly increased as it did.

The man frowned slightly before jumping towards the side and dodging the spear.

"How naive." The princess muttered as she moved her spear towards the man.

Just as he prepared to retreat once more, the man felt a strange force of attraction from the spear which slowed down his movements.

With eyes wide open, he managed to move his head towards the side and dodged the tip of the spear that pierced right through his previous position.

"Down."

The spear's weight abruptly increased again as the princess slightly let go of it. This caused the weapon to strike directly on the man's shoulders, cutting right through it like a hot knife through butter.

"Ahh."

The effeminate man gritted his teeth in pain as he used all the strength in his legs to escape the attractive force and create distance between him and the princess.

His opponent wasn't in a rush to strike him down as she gripped her weapon tightly once again and stared at him.

"For someone who claims to have faced an Oklo, you're pretty stupid." The princess said.

Gravity manipulation.

When many saw this ability in action for the first time, they usually presumed it was simply just increasing the force of gravity one experienced, or in simpler terms, increasing one's weight [1]. However, gravity wasn't weight but an attractive force that existed within an object with mass [2].

What this meant was that all objects possess gravity, and the amount of gravity and object had was dependent on its mass.

The Oklo Dynasty's bloodline power was Gravity manipulation, which allowed them to increase or decrease the force of gravity on a body. This ability wasn't limited to living beings either.

The princess' spear, despite looking light, was actually a unique Grade 4 vestige known as the Purple Sun spear. The 'Purple' in its name was due to its dark purple colour, but the 'Sun' was actually a reference to its weight. The spear, when activated, was so heavy that compared to other regular weapons, it was a 'Sun' in terms of weight [3].

With such a large mass, the Purple Sun spear's gravitational force was naturally more than other weapons. Although it still wasn't worth talking about when compared to a planet, but within close range and under the effect of the princess' hint, it became more pronounced.

It was the same for the other members of the direct Oklo Dynasty; all their weapons were incredibly heavy. As for how they were able to handle such weapons with ease, they trained hard and were pros when it came to weightlifting. For the Oklos who were above the ninth level and had unlocked their latent superpowers, they wielded true gravity manipulation which allowed them to increase and decrease gravity. As such, they could decrease the effect of Eretre's gravity on their weapons and handle a 2 tonnes (2000kg or 4,409 pounds) weapon with the same ease as with a stick.

Against a true Oklo, the worst mistake one would make is to engage in physical combat as due to the mass of their weapons and their superpower, it was difficult for an Oklo to miss an attack.

"My bad. Hehe. I didn't think you would be so proficient with your ability." The effeminate man chuckled.

*Crack*

The man tore his clothes into shreds as a crack appeared on both arms and extended all over.

His two arms suddenly split apart, with each arm splitting into four parts. The exposed insides were now filled with white teeth that lined up in an eerie manner. Corrosive slimy liquid dropped from the insides of the split arms, generating a sizzling sound along with a translucent smoke as it landed on the ground.

However, the effeminate man wasn't done with his transformation.

The man's face also split into four, with skin peeling apart to form four tentacles. A bizarre eye appeared in the middle of the opening giving off an eerie vibe. The eye had a star-shaped pupil and a blue iris that stared at the princess.

The previous face that could make women jealous was gone. In its place was now a monstrosity that could give one sleepless nights.

"Let's go again."