Galactic Genius

Zzziip...

[0.10%... 0.20%... 0.30%...]

Kraynnor began by using a three-dimensional scanning tool capable of meticulously mapping every atom and molecule that composed the components of the pearl.

This device, which he had created four centuries ago, proved invaluable in the creation of his new body.

Of course, Kraynnor didn't build this artifact from scratch; instead, he had contributed to finalizing a shelved project that its original creator had abandoned. Fortunately, he had always been intrigued by exploring archived projects for hidden gems that could be useful in his quest for immortality.

Despite its effectiveness, the three-dimensional scanner had one drawback: it required a significant amount of time.

The small size of the pearl was a relief, speeding up the process and limiting it to a maximum of seventeen minutes of waiting. This was, in large part, due to the enhancements that Kraynnor had incorporated into this tool whenever he had the opportunity.

Zzziip... Zzziip...

The only sound filling his workshop was the persistent hum of the scanner. For some reason, Kraynnor felt that his patience was no longer what it used to be.

"Passive waiting is becoming tedious..." he murmured, crossing his arms. Suddenly, he thought of a way to make the waiting more bearable: "Last time, I didn't have a chance to thoroughly explore the user interface. Let's find out what I've been missing."

Whispering, Kraynnor requested, "System, open the interface."

[User Profile:

Race: High Human - (Expand.)

Name: God Mechanic.

Title: The Creator of Life! - (Expand.)

Class: Novice Mechanic - (Expand.)

Innate Talent: Galactic Genius - (Expand.)

Minor Talent: Basic Mineral Sense - (Expand.)

Level: 1 - (0/1000)

Basic Stats:

Strength: 10.

Agility: 10.

Endurance: 10.

Intelligence: 20.

Luck: 1.

Special Stats:

Psychic Potential: 0.1.

Universal Points: 10.

Stellar Coins: 30.

Universal Shop - (Select.)

Achievements and Challenges - (Expand.)

Notifications - (Select.)]

"Let's start from the top and descend," by selecting "expand," a block of text immediately appeared, containing information he wasn't even aware of.

[Race: High Human - A genuine technological miracle at the hands of a mortal: by combining the DNA of two lower-level races, a new mid-level form of life was forged. An unprecedented event in the entire universe. The creator of this race is closer to being a true divine architect than those who call themselves 'gods' based on their mere unusual strength. This body combines human DNA and Astrylite DNA, as well as integrating technological enhancements that briefly awaken the maximum potential of both races.]

"So those three-eyed bastards call themselves Astrylites... Well, when I exterminate them, I'll make sure to build a wooden tomb that at least serves me to spit on their name whenever I feel like it," said Kraynnor with a dark look filled with hatred.

He insulted his enemies' three eyes, oblivious to the fact that he now shared the same feature. However, for some mysterious reason, his third eye remained stubbornly shut.

Even when he attempted to force it open, his eyelids remained firmly sealed!

"Hmm..."

Kraynnor pondered the claim of being closer to a "divine architect" and found it exaggerated, though he admitted being an unrivaled genius among humans.

There was no humility in this statement, as to him, it was pure and absolute truth.

Still, he considered this distinction would only be relevant in a Type Zero civilization, but according to the system, there were countless races in the vast universe, many of them Type One, Two, Three, and perhaps beyond. Therefore, it seemed strange that none of these advanced societies, with technology equivalent or even superior to magic, had created a new race as he had.

"System, why has no one created a new race until now?" Kraynnor questioned, although he was aware of the answer he would get, but there was no harm in trying.

[That question is beyond the scope of the interface and falls into the category of advanced questions that require a minimum level of thirty to receive an answer.]

"Hah, just as I expected," Kraynnor said with a smile, not feeling upset or frustrated.

He moved on to the next "expand," where he found more concise information.

[Title: The Creator of Life - Exclusive for those who have forged a stable form of life. You enjoy a 5% discount in the universal shop on items related to genetic engineering.]

"5% discount? Not bad," Kraynnor observed the pearl and noticed that the three-dimensional scanner had only ten minutes left. So, he continued to explore the interface.

[Class: Novice Mechanic - An initial class that provides basic skills in mechanics and prepares you for acquiring more advanced skills in machinery repair and construction.]

"Basic skills in mechanics? You haven't granted me anything!" Kraynnor expressed in frustration. Then, he continued, "System, what's going on here?"

[...The user has already surpassed the initial knowledge of the Novice Mechanic class, so the information provided when selecting the class has become insignificant, like a drop of water in the ocean. However, as you level up, you will gain knowledge you still don't possess.]

"Is that so? Well, it was to be expected of me," he affirmed with an arrogant tone and continued reading, not caring about the uncomfortable feeling in his neck that someone was watching him with disgust.

[Innate Talent: Galactic Genius - In the vast universe, it's a rarity for beings with a mind unparalleled to be born, a gift that doesn't emerge in some races even in hundreds of thousands of years. These individuals, with the ability to lead an entire race to the highest peaks of civilization, are as rare as white holes, the counterparts to black holes. If allowed to flourish, they could pose a threat to countless civilizations, and thus, most do not reach significant longevity. Will you become an exception?]

"Huh? Am I really that exceptional? Though it's hard to believe... I'm sure throughout history, humanity has birthed numerous geniuses on par with me," he whispered, quickly recalling figures like Nikola Tesla. Without the existence of that man, he couldn't even imagine how backward humanity would be in the year 2303.

Not only Tesla, names like Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton came to his mind, geniuses capable of rivaling him.

"Was humanity something special? Sigh... so many mysteries and so few answers. I really detest this feeling," Kraynnor said disheartened. Of course, he didn't overlook the system's warning, but what of it? It still wasn't clear who would be the prey and who the hunter.

The best example was his current situation: he was forced to hide, as when assessing Sonarix's power, he knew that launching an attack now would practically be suicide.

But with this advanced biomass energy, he would have the means to catch his enemies off guard, like an assassin lurking in the shadows!

[The three-dimensional scanner of the biomass battery has completed.]

"Just in time!" Kraynnor had practically finished reading almost everything the system had for him, with only the purpose of universal points left to explore. He focused on the information displayed on a large screen and absorbed every detail, ensuring that not a single aspect escaped his attention.

So time passed, minute by minute, until in the blink of an eye, three hours had vanished.

"Phew..."

Kraynnor dropped to the floor exhausted as he finished reading. The amount of information he had gained from the biomass pearl was so overwhelming that he felt it equaled everything he had learned in his five hundred and eighty years of life.

He was convinced that most people would only be able to read without comprehending a bit, but he had assimilated every detail.

"Such an intriguing method to perfect a form of energy that only Type Zero civilizations would use... This Glythorin civilization is truly fascinating," Kraynnor declared with a smile.

However, sadly, he had only gained a superficial knowledge of advanced biomass energy. It wasn't enough to enable him to develop his own, with the ability to transform from liquid to solid and raise the temperature.

So, he rummaged through his old inventions and pulled out a small silver cylinder. Removing the cap from one end revealed a group of gray powder.

"Initiate the activation of the molecular disassembly nanobots," Kraynnor commanded.

[Activating... Due to the passage of time, 30% have suffered significant damage.]

Kraynnor nodded upon hearing Cognitron X-12's notification. He couldn't prevent his creations from deteriorating over time, as that was the rule in this universe.

However, he was determined to challenge those rules, no matter the obstacles that came his way.

Soon, the nanobots activated and began to move in a coordinated swarm, advancing like small ants, covering the pearl in the blink of an eye. They quickly executed molecular disassembly, breaking down each component of the pearl into its most fundamental elements without causing any damage.

In other words, it could easily be reconstructed if the same process were carried out in reverse.

[An enemy spacecraft has been detected flying over the ocean just above the underwater laboratory. Initially, it seemed like an isolated incident, but it has been patrolling the area for the past few hours.]

"...What? Shit, I knew those bastards would eventually catch on to the Sonarix battle!" Kraynnor cursed.

He bit his lip as he tried to devise a plan. Should he go out to fight like last time? No, that would be extremely risky; the technology on the other side far exceeded his. The only option left was to complete the research on biomass energy, build what he needed, and escape from the laboratory.

Of course, even though it hurt, he wouldn't leave without erasing all traces of his presence. He wouldn't allow those wretches to snatch a single iota of what he had achieved.