Bab 2: Different Races
A century ago, when the Gods first arrived on Earth, they displayed not only absolute strength but also unmatched, dream-like technological prowess to the Earthlings of that time.
Arriving in a colossal mothership, they immediately hacked into the internet and television channels, broadcasting their presence to every intelligent being with access to technology.
Any sensible Earthling could comprehend that their guests were showcasing their universally imposing power, and it should be taken as a warning.
Gods had the technology of civilization between Type 2 and Type 3, in accordance with Earth's Kardashev Scale. They had massive motherships, laser weapons straight out of sci-fi movies, and many aircraft that could defy gravity and stay in the air like flying saucers, typical UFOs of the time.
Despite their advanced technology, the Gods warned people about Neutron Stars and Black Holes, the two absolute predators of the universe. To Earthlings, not even close to reaching Type 1, these cosmic entities seemed distant and non-threatening since they couldn't even visit the nearest planet.
The Kardashev Scale classifies a civilization's technological advancement based on its energy utilization and divides it into three types.
A Type 1 civilization can harness energy from every single energy source on their planet, inner core included. Type 2 civilizations can harness the other planets' and stars' energies. Lastly, the mind-blowing Type 3 civilizations can harness energy from every single source revolving in their galaxy, Black Holes included.
Gods not only possessed the technology and knowledge equal to their mighty title, and also were willing to share it with Earthlings.
In the initial years of their arrival, they showered Earthlings with many new technological advancements every single month, year, that Earthlings, the ones best at adaption, got accustomed to flying cars and spaceships high above in the speed of light.
As always, Earthlings were quick to adapt, so quick that it was worrisome.
The golden opportunity to ascend to higher civilization levels was at Earth's doorstep but vanished like thunder, revealing its mighty appearance and voice only briefly.
There were many reasons as to why Earth was stuck in a funny situation; on one look, people were living just the same as a century ago, but then again, they had the space crafts stationed on Earth.
Those who are high in power, like clans who swore absolute obedience to Gods, can use those crafts to visit other planets, while ordinary people could barely afford to see another world maybe once or twice in their lifetime.
The current Earth was precisely like a stew. However, a poorly, more like in a funny way, made one. Earth became a Type 1 civilization with tons of technology coming from straight the source of a Type 2 one.
Yet, people's reckless bravery and stupidity were the two streams that washed away their golden chance into the depths of bottomless oceans.
Virtual reality capsules, the fantasy of most people who like to play games, were a hot trend in the past. Then, this trend got a new name: 'The trend that vanished like never existed.'
At first, people thanked the Gods they never had thus far. However, they indulged in playing games or hanging out in virtual reality so much that the number of people who went to prayer diminished by more than half.
And this was just one of their stupidity.
Flying cars were also a trend at some point in history, yet there are almost zero on Earth now. Only people with the highest authority can use them, but not whenever they wish to.
However, Introducing flying cars was a mistake on the Gods' part.
People can't even drive properly, so how the hell can they use flying cars? Bumping into birds, other cars, and even buildings also became a hot trend, just the same as those cars.
Naturally, Gods could have prevented this, but they did not even bother.
As people were stupid, they also were weak as hell. The only exceptions to this were inner energy users at the time, which is what people call universal energy.
To fly a car, they had to emit a certain amount of gravitational wave from below. This gravitational wave wasn't harmful to most children, adults, and even the elderly.
Only people who were affected by those were born with weak conditions. Making the newly born, or weakly born altogether, equal with those born as they should be was a problem Gods could have easily solved with their powers and technology.
However, many lives passed away in the heat of realizing the dreams of others, only to have those dreams taken by the hands granted them.
The foolishness of the people and the indifference of the Gods were the reasons why Leon observed regular cars, only slightly different in shape from the past, across the street. Moreover, they couldn't use any of them for the sacred pilgrimage, which had to be done on foot.
That is also one of the reasons why no one uses wheelchairs, even the elderly, on the day of prayer. If an elderly is in a situation where they must use a wheelchair, the Gods' Guards would just take them from their house and carry them to the prayer site by force.
In a neighborhood without too many houses, the average being two-story ones like theirs, lived in a cozy atmosphere, the Rastia family of two.
One of their routine on the pilgrimage was meeting up with the family living next door up on the left side of the road, where their house was in the middle.
And to the back of their home, approximately one kilometer away, stays the green pride of their city, the Harbinger Forest.
Hardly passed any time appeared one beautiful black woman, her curly hair amplifying her middle-aged but forever young face to higher heights.
She wasn't alone. Alongside was a cute girl the same age as Leon, who took her hair and cuteness from her mother.
"Mary, you are stealing the spotlight."
"Haha, the same goes for you, Jane."
While the two beautiful mothers greeted each other, the kids also did the same. Fidgeted a little bit with her cute fingers, then after a deep breath, "You look handsome today as well, Leon."
"I know, right?"
Leon's nonchalant response elicited laughter from Jane, taking the smile on the face of her daughter.
"Hahaha."
"Leon, is that how you should be answering right now?"
"It's all about perspective, I think."
"Do you know what perspective means though?"
"Do you think I was born yesterday, Maria?"
"Hmph."
If someone let these two on their own, they would just not stop fighting, even until the end of time. That was how their friendship, which had been going on as long as they could remember.
Of course, their mothers also were aware of this fact, and that was the reason why Mary glanced at her God Watch.
Everyone living under the Gods was required to wear a God Watch. Though technologically advanced, it primarily functioned as an ID card and a regular watch.
Despite having technology far beyond the need for credit cards, for some reason, the Gods did not integrate this feature. Therefore, the God Watch served only as an ID card and a regular watch in practical terms.
"We can talk on the way."
All of them readily agreed with her since they couldn't be late for the prayer. In this case, they were just like the people, people who were entirely different from them, more like aliens, approaching from the horizon.
They were Tayirians, just the same as the newscaster, but some had owl faces while some had vultures.
"Hey, yellow head."
"Did you mean mighty golden hair?"
Unperturbed by his comment, "Since you will be starting high school next Monday, start counting races with their traits."
"I thought we were both in the same boat."
"Will you count or not?"
"Seems like you want me to answer for you."
"Then, why don't you kids do it one at a time?" Suggested Jane.
"Sure."
"I just wanted to test this guy, but whatever."
Without further ado, Leon pointed at the family of three coming from ahead.
"They are Tayirians."
Not a second passed before Maria pointed at the couple on the opposite side of the sidewalk from the Tayirian family. Even though the sun was high, this couple walked with shadows beneath their feet, long, wide, and thick shadows swinging left and right.
"Aqrabians."
Aqrabian was the name of the race that can be described as humanoid scorpions. And since they are scorpions, one of the racial features, but of course, having a tail and sting.
"Alright, let's turn back and continue on the way," Mary urged since the nearest Goddess Statue was stationed at the south of the city, next to the left end of Harbinger Forest.
"I don't have to say what his race called as, do I?"
Leon pointed at a man with the head of a shark. It was quite a sight with his 2.50-meter height to walk around. And someone from the race that is called the smallest was walking just ahead of him.
"Yeah, and the guy right under him is a Zeta."
Zetas, the race called the smallest. They have an average height of 1.35 meters. The biggest ones could only be around 1.50 meters, nothing more.
However, this race also wasn't exactly new to the Earthlings with their gray skin, night sky eyes, ears that almost didn't exist, and four short fingers. This was the race people of the past called aliens.
"We have to keep up with others. So, just tell us the names of other races and—Cough!"
"Mary, are you okay!?"
One cough was enough to instill fear in the hearts of the two kids and their good friend.
"Yes, there's nothing to worry about."
"Are you sure?"
"I am, so let the kids keep going."
She shot her forceful smile to Jane. Since they were close friends for a long time, they obviously could understand each other's intentions up to some point.
Worry changed places with a motherly smile on Jane's face, "Kids just keep going, alright?"
"Sure…"
Yet it wasn't that effective in Leon's case, until…
Pow!
"What the f—"
"Ehem!"
"That wasn't a cough, right, Mary?" A giggle followed her words.
"Haha, it wasn't."
Her smile changed into a pout, "Hmph, I did hit him, but you girls took all the credit."
"Life is sometimes like that, Maria."
"Thank you for relieving me, mother."
"Always, my dear."
"Leon, keep on counting."
"Sigh," a few seconds passed with pondering, "Vampires."
"Werewolves."
"Agarthas."
"Yuorians."
"And Reptilians."
Clap! Clap!
"Good job, kids," Jane clapped a tiny second, "However, do you know what's the most important thing when it comes to other races?"
Both Leon and Maria's eyes widened and shone with stars.
""Knowing their special traits!""
"Indeed so," Mary, "And do you kids know them?"
"I know that we are, humans, are shit."
"Ehem!"
"Not really, Leon. Unlike the other races, humans can learn three types of magic."
"Yeah, sure. While a Yuorian can use their Emotion Power to double their strength."
"Well…"
"Every race has its own advantages and disadvantages. Never forget that."
"Alright, alright."
The chatter didn't leave the air until they got closer and closer to the prayer site, the Goddess Statue.
Hadiah
-- Hadiah diterima Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone