CHAPTER 88: UNDERSTANDING GRAVITY

While he had not yet reached the level to use his gravity manipulation ability in the advanced applications way, which includes creating gravitational wells, anti-gravity fields, gravitational crushing forces, and all those complex techniques, he was currently able to use it to increase or decrease gravitational pull on objects and living beings.

This capability had been made more clear and realistic when Riven had told him to use his gravity manipulation ability to control the weight of Mub. When he had done so, it had actually worked, and afterward he had slowly wondered about the full extent of what he could do.

When he first got the ability, he had been able to move objects, like how he’d used his gravity manipulation powers to move some jagged rocks on the ground and kill some brutenecks by aiming for their exposed, vulnerable, and fleshy necks.

Technically, that application was more like telekinesis than gravity manipulation, but it wasn’t really telekinesis at all.

He had only used his ability to affect the trajectory of the rocks... although his particular case was unique because it involved him moving the rocks while they were already in the air, which required affecting their weight, movement, and trajectory simultaneously.

MOVEMENT!

This meant that it was still fundamentally gravity manipulation, although he would say his specific application was more unique than the standard use.

Now this wasn’t the main reason for thinking deeply about this right now.

His reason for dwelling on it was because earlier, when he first started using his gravity manipulation ability back at the wastelands where the spaceship was located, he had only used it for moving objects, like the rocks and the large stones that had threatened to fall on him back at the canyon. He’d only used it to affect their trajectory and movements and redirect them away from him.

He hadn’t exactly used it to directly affect a living human being before, not until now with what he’d done with Mub.

The only other time he remembered using it on himself was when he’d wanted to leap high onto the Mauler’s back, he had used it to reduce his own weight and propel himself onto the beast much faster.

Then he felt like a large rocket being launched into space.

He’d also used it against the shadow goblins in various ways... and that was it, really. He honestly hadn’t thought of entering into any battle with the conscious intention of using gravity manipulation as his primary combat strategy.

Gravity manipulation was genuinely a really good ability if one knew how to use it properly and creatively. To some humans on Mars, it was their only ability, and they had trained extensively to know how to use it exceptionally well in combat.

But in Tatehan’s case, he didn’t have that training or experience. He had no real knowledge of how well and efficiently he could use his ability in actual fights. And he couldn’t be blamed for that gap.

The ability had been very low in level back when he first got it, so he could only use it on very small objects and not on larger targets like humans.

But at Level Six, his gravity manipulation ability was significantly much more useful than before... to a considerable extent, at least. On Mars, one couldn’t be straight-up overpowered without serious limitations, and he knew that. This was made more evident when back at the cave Kael had told him that his phantom leap ability had been capped at a particular level.

When he’d used the ability to control the weight of Mub during their earlier exchange, it had taken him tremendous effort and concentration. If he hadn’t poured more willpower into maintaining it, he wouldn’t have pulled that off successfully.

But that application was likely his only real chance at winning now against the transformed beast. Gravity manipulation was one of the most valuable and powerful abilities anyone could possibly have on Mars. And yet, coupled with his other abilities, he was still being feeble and weak and easily beaten by Mub.

’Easily beaten’ because without the constant instructions from Riven feeding into his ear, he could have been crushed to death long ago, even when Mub was still in his normal, untransformed form.

And that was genuinely pathetic for an enhanced human with multiple abilities and fancy, high-tech armor like he possessed.

No matter how naturally strong Mub was, Tatehan should be matching that energy level, not being defeated this easily.

He should be putting up a much more real, competitive fight against Mub.

"And I thought you earlier boasted about us not knowing your ability!" the guard who had led Tatehan to the medical room where Lyra was being treated suddenly shouted mockingly from the crowd. "Where is this great power now?"

The commander watched silently, not saying a single word. They could shout all they wanted, it was tradition. And a battlefield wasn’t where strict rules were typically set or enforced.

Mub laughed loudly, hitting his axes together with a resounding clang. An act that had clearly turned into his signature intimidation move.

’They think me weak,’ Tatehan thought from beneath his helmet, a grin slowly forming on his face. ’They think my earlier words to be nothing but bluff and my reputation of killing the mauler to be a complete hoax. They think Mub is the stronger one, an unstoppable man-beast ready to reduce me to bloody shreds.’

His hidden grin widened considerably.

He was no expert fighter with years of training. Neither was he some naturally talented guy who fought with inherent charisma and precision. Instead, he was a person (a kid, really) who relied primarily on knowledge and understanding.

He remembered the words of the Spaceship AI when he had wondered why his system didn’t have the normal stats that others seemed to have— strength, agility, speed, and all those conventional measurements:

[Knowledge is the key on Mars, and frankly in life as a whole. Strength without knowledge of how to use it properly is almost useless, and abilities without understanding how to apply them effectively is completely useless.]

It was finally starting to make complete sense to him.

In a sudden flash, he saw glowing words appear across his retina:

[Understanding how to use your gravity manipulation more efficiently has granted you knowledge points]

[Your knowledge has been increased]

[Your Gravity Manipulation level has been upgraded]

[You have leveled up!]

[HOST STATUS]

Name: Tatehan

Level: 6 [NEW!]

Species: Human (Enhanced)

Knowledge: 80/100 [+ 7]

Repair points: 28/100

[ABILITIES]

• Gravity Manipulation - Level 7 [NEW!]

• Regeneration (partial) - Level 4

• Enhanced Durability - Level 0.7

[Inventory:]

[Shadow goblins core: 2]

[Chakrams]

[Map]

[Sharp sword]

[Knight armor]

[Your Backpack]

[Pistol]

Tatehan couldn’t hide the satisfied smile that spread across his lips inside the helmet.

He hadn’t even defeated Mub yet, and he had already leveled up significantly.

Fighting him at this point would be considerably much easier, even with the aching pain he was currently feeling in his ribs.

He mentally willed the helmet’s sound systems to activate so that what he was about to say would be clearly audible to everyone. The external speakers came back online, and now he spoke with unmistakable viciousness laced in his amplified voice, directed at Mub:

"You should have killed me when you had the chance."