Rico was in for a shock as his consciousness entered the Cradle. He had anticipated finding the original Three Great Clans of insects - mosquitoes, earthworms, and ants . However, that was not what he found. Instead, he discovered that the Cradle had become the battleground for a hundred different insect groups, each vying for supremacy. The sight before him was nothing short of astounding.
As Rico delved deeper into the records, he learned the reason behind this sudden upheaval in the Cradle's insect hierarchy. The Three Great Clans had been embroiled in a fierce battle that had resulted in them acquiring an equal share of a contaminated pork. The Three Clans had consumed the pork, not knowing what it contained, and as a result, a catastrophe befell them. The contaminated pork had caused a widespread epidemic among the insects, resulting in over 95% of their members dying within a mere three days.
This mass extinction of the Three Great Clans opened up an opportunity for other bug races to rise and establish themselves as dominant forces. Rico discovered that five new insect clans, in particular, had emerged as the most powerful among them. He named them "The Five Kings," and these included the Centipede Clan, the Cockroach Clan, the Seven Stars Clan, the Grasshopper Clan, and the Meris Clan.
According to the Cradle records, the cockroach was an immortal clan, meaning that they are hard to kill. The Centipede Clan, on the other hand, was the undisputed king of all insect clans. The Meris Clan was the most feared of all, known for their ferocious fighting style and sheer strength. The Grasshopper Clan and the Seven Stars Clan were not to be taken lightly either. Despite their power, however, Rico learned that these new insect clans could not match the Three Great Clans at the height of their power. The Three Great Clans had been the most dominant and powerful clans to ever exist in the Cradle, and it seemed impossible for anyone to surpass their legacy.
The Meris Clan, which had emerged as one of the most powerful insect clans in the Cradle, had an intriguing history. According to the Cradle's ancient records, the clan's origin could be traced back to the shrubs that grew within its boundaries. The shrubs had long been a source of life and energy for the Meris Clan, and it was through their interaction with the mana present in the environment that they evolved into a more advanced insect group.
Over a period of a few thousand years, the Meris Clan had transformed from a relatively weak group into a force to be reckoned with. Their evolution had led to them using their vines to trap and kill any bug that dared to enter their territory. Their clan consisted of a diverse range of members, with the smallest being around 78 centimeters tall and the oldest and largest measuring up to 4 meters in length. These larger members possessed a high degree of knowledge and experience, making them formidable opponents.
In contrast, the cockroach group, which was the third-strongest, had a different origin story. They had appeared during the prehistoric period known as Genesis, just like the Three Great Clans. These insects had cheat-like abilities that allowed them to fly or crawl on the ground, making them incredibly versatile in their movements. Their teamwork was also remarkable, allowing them to tackle even the most formidable opponents. The cockroach clan members measured approximately 40 centimeters in length, making them smaller than the Meris Clan but still a potent force.
The centipede group was the largest group and had also appeared during the Genesis period. They were known for their viciousness and skill in poison use, making them a deadly adversary. Their members measured almost 50 centimeters in length, and their venomous bites were feared by all who encountered them.
The Seven Stars Clan and the grasshoppers were the weaker insect groups among the Five Kings, with their numbers totaling only 500-600. Their existence was precarious, and they lived under the constant threat of extinction. The smaller bug species were even more vulnerable, with their numbers ranging from 40 to 100. They lived in a state of perpetual fear and were in imminent danger of being wiped out.
This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.
The Three Great Clans, despite still being alive, were weakened by the catastrophe and had lost their power to history. They were currently hiding on the edge of the world and struggling to survive.
Rico was captivated by the phenomenon he had discovered in the insect group within the Cradle. Some of the insects had managed to develop a degree of conscious awareness, thanks to the abundant source energy that permeated the environment. The intricacies of their newfound sentience fascinated Rico, as he watched them navigate their world with a new level of understanding and perception.
However, Rico knew that these insects were not comparable to the complexity of human intelligence. Their level of knowledge and cognition was more akin to that of a human child at the age of three or four. Despite this, the emergence of even rudimentary consciousness in these insects was a fascinating and groundbreaking discovery.
Rico also knew that the Cradle itself was an enigma, with a history that extended back thousands of years. The extermination of the Three Great Clan, a significant event that took place one millennia ago, had resulted in the release of an immense amount of source energy that had been absorbed by the Cradle. This influx of energy had caused the Cradle to expand from its original size of 1,200 meters to its present dimensions of 3,000 meters.
As the Cradle grew, the concentration of source energy in its atmosphere also increased. This energy thickened the air, creating an environment that was rich with the essence of life. It was this energy that had allowed the insects to develop sentience, and it was this same energy that fueled the many mysteries that still awaited discovery within the Cradle.
In the accident that Rico had experienced, the amount of source energy he had absorbed was equivalent to that of a dozen thousand insects. It was a massive amount of energy that he could feel coursing through his veins, fueling his desire to learn more about the Cradle and its secrets.
The source energy that he had absorbed had been compressed by the Cradle into mana, resulting in ten digits of mana. This amount of mana was equivalent to one point of World Source, a powerful resource.
Rico knew that the power of mana was immense. For every unit of mana, there was at least half a ton of sheer physical power. This meant that even a small amount of mana could have a significant impact on his abilities.
As Rico delved deeper into the Cradle, he became more curious about the different insect clans that inhabited the environment. He understood that knowledge of their unique strengths and weaknesses could be crucial in his quest to become a powerful creator.
However, Rico also recognized the importance of investigating the cause of the Three Great Clans' decline. He wondered if there were any unscrupulous businessmen still selling contaminated meat in his area, and if so, he vowed to take action against them. Rico knew that the Cradle was a delicate ecosystem that need his supervision.
As he explored the different territories of the Five Kings, Rico discovered that each clan had its own unique abilities and characteristics. The Centipede Clan was known for its powerful venom and agility, while the Cockroach Clan was known for its durability and ability to fly. The Seven Stars Clan and Grasshopper Clan were weaker than the other three, but they still had their own strengths.
Rico also found that the Meris Clan, despite being the most feared of the Five Kings, was also the most vulnerable. Their vines could easily be cut or burned, leaving them defenseless. Rico knew that if he wanted to become a powerful creator, he would need to find a way to overcome this vulnerability.
As he delved deeper into the Cradle, Rico also discovered that there were many other insect species living there. Some of them were small and weak, while others were larger and more powerful.
Rico spent many days exploring the Cradle, learning about the different insect species and their abilities. He also began to experiment with different ways to harness the power of the source energy in the Cradle. He knew that if he could master this technique, he could archive his main goal of creating a new world with his own power.