"Charge energy, fire!"

  A faint spark of electricity suddenly lit up the dark space.

  As soon as the electric current generated from the small cell dispersed, the entire small section of the water was enveloped within the range of the discharge. The poor test subject cell was completely immobilized, and even the un-evolved small cell companions were affected, displaying symptoms of mild electrical paralysis.

  Yet, it seemed the small cell was unaware of the nearly lifeless test subject and the somewhat clumsy movements of its companions. It appeared as if the small cell itself was paralyzed by the shock.

  In the aftermath of this brief discharge, time seemed to freeze within the small gathering of cells; it was as if time itself had paused.

  The small cell wasn't paralyzed by its own shock; it ceased movement and ignored its surroundings simply because, in that instant of discharge, the previously disregarded ocelli reacted to the faint light generated by the electricity. In that moment, the ocelli saw a flicker of light.

  Imagine a person who has been in the dark for a long time suddenly seeing a flash, no matter how weak; what would their reaction be?

  Since crossing over, Gale had become a consciousness without a physical body—lacking vision, hearing, touch, and all sensory abilities dependent on a physical form.

  Despite the presence of psychic sensory abilities, Gale's indifferent temperament, and system adjustments (mainly the latter), he avoided the breakdown a normal person would face upon losing all senses. Yet, when the simple light-sensing ocelli detected that electrical flash, it reminded the part of Gale's consciousness inhabiting the small cell of the long-buried loneliness he'd felt since transmigrating.

  The group was getting larger, more of his kind were appearing, but they were still just ordinary single cells without intelligence, incapable of communication. The eight-zero-five-one (8051) in the biological editing space only responded occasionally. Was it due to a lack of intimacy? Gale sometimes wondered. But this wasn't a dating sim (GALGAME).

  The dark and deep biological world offered Gale no warmth—it only brought an increasing competitive pressure.

  Suddenly, the racial burden pressed down, bringing suffocation, making his transmigration seem far from the imagined wonder.

  But these were inescapable. Only through distraction and forgetting could Gale continue to persist, or at least that's what Gale thought.

  Yet, the unexpected light made Gale feel an urge to confront his reality directly.

  Light.

  A faint light.

  A powerful light.

  “So tired.”

  The space had long returned to darkness, the tiny small cell gently swayed its cilia.

  Now it seemed to recall the feeling of facing death for the first time.

  Darkness, fear, loneliness.

  That was the feeling back then, but isn’t it also the feeling this world gives Gale now?

  Light, communication, friends.

  Humans are social creatures; no one can survive normally in isolation, deprived of communication.

  Even as Gale no longer counted as human, he stubbornly held onto the human will, resisting the erosion of human memory over time.

  Because losing these memories meant no longer being himself.

  And what would that be?

  What am I?

  In the editing space, Gale would sometimes ask himself this question, as if he were a small cell with restricted thinking: knowing nothing, understanding nothing.

  The true species' main consciousness?

  This was one conclusion Gale contemplated, perhaps what the system expected, for the betterment of the species.

  But...

  I don't want to let go.

  Gale thought bitterly.

  Companions, intelligence, civilization.

  He no longer wanted to remain silent; the voice that suddenly emerged seemed to offer a path—a suitable path for the present.

  “Yes. Evolve.”

  “Develop intelligence.”

  “Create civilization.”

  The small cell seemed to regain some clarity, though it didn’t understand. The main consciousness seemed to comprehend something.

  Wiggling its cilia, stirring a small whirlpool, the still slightly puzzled small cell realized that the test subject had already been devoured by its awakened companions, even the remnants shared among them, and two other small cells had begun evolutionary division, soon creating four electric cells.

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  “Eat well, grow up fast.”

  Gradually, other cells in the group gathered around, encircling the small cells like vigilant guards, patrolling habitually.

  Upon calming down and reflecting on the prior events, the small cell realized that the electrode component could be used even without an enemy target, although as seen earlier, the discharge affected friend and foe alike—at least until better control over the electrical attack was achieved.

  At this point, two small cells had completed division. Surveying the surroundings, the group boasted five cells equipped with electrodes, including itself—a formidable force for small cell communities.

  “Light, I want to see it again.”

  Guiding the un-evolved companions to a safer distance to avoid being caught in the crossfire, the small cell and its four electrified partners took turns discharging.

  Electricity flared through the water, bringing a faint touch of light to the dim space.

  “Light is beautiful.”

  Though the ocelli could only sense the presence or absence of light and not see shapes or outlines, the emergence of such light only brought delight without adverse effects.

  The small cell knew the space would soon return to darkness. But it steadfastly believed that continuous progress would one day bring it into the warm sunlight.

  When would that be?

  “Who knows.”

  “If we’ve survived billions of years, what's a few billion more?”

  Evolution does not stop.

  Greedily enjoying the brief illumination, the small cell was content with its ocelli's mere ability to sense light’s presence.

  However, evolution's world is also a harsh one. The restless signals from the outer companions shocked the small cell and served as a reminder not to let its guard down.

  Immediately halting the electrical discharges, the small cell enhanced its perception through its companions’ augmentation, feeling a tinge of fear again.

  Another multicellular organism.

  “Such great luck, huh.”

  “When did it appear?”

  Instinctively swiveling, the small cell turned around.

  Confusion swept over the group, as a multicellular creature abruptly stopped its charge toward them and swallowed a few nearby small cells in one gulp.

  “Can't run.”

  At a critical moment, the small cell recalled the once vast, oppressive space.

  “Let the other small cells distract it, so I can escape.”

  “I won’t.”

  “If companions perish, they’ll just divide again, as long as I survive.”

  “No.”

  “Run away again?”

  “No!”

  “I am the species' main consciousness.”

  “I'll lead them to continue evolving.”

  “I’ll make them my true companions.”

  Halting its imminent retreat, the small cell quickly organized surrounding cells through psychic control, dividing them into three groups. The largest, farthest from danger, swam swiftly in one direction, with a middle group following closely, while the remaining engaged in guerrilla tactics using speed to evade. Though it wished to test eliminating the threat, the small cell’s spiked attacks failed even to breach the creature’s exterior, prompting all cells under the main consciousness to swiftly withdraw.

  ...

  Gathering once again with its companions, the small cell felt relieved that all had three cilia, allowing agility and speed that outmatched the multicellular predator. The electric cells, initially targeted, fortunately kept their distance, suffering no losses, and only a few other cells were caught and devoured.

  “We need light.”

  Reflecting on the initial sighting of One-eye, where the inner layer’s electrical discharge cells were its target, the small cell concluded.

  “Never lower your guard.”

  Summarizing its experience, the small cell sensed One-eye hadn’t pursued them. In reality, avoiding drawing its attention with light reduced the likelihood of detection at their current distance.

  Reintegrating the group, the small cell led them back into the darkness, intent on evolving them into true companions.

  In the pitch-black waters, a massive cluster of single cells moved slowly. Their numbers perhaps reached one or two hundred, considered a medium-sized cluster in this space. While each cell haphazardly wiggled its single cilium and randomly pointed its spike, the cluster maintained a cohesive direction.

  Not far off, a few small cells’ figures flickered in and out of view.

  “We can probably overcome them.”

  “The smallest cluster we’ve encountered lately.”

  Encircled by over ninety companions, the small cell assessed its largely electrode-enhanced group. Recently, most single cells had formed medium to large groups of dozens to hundreds, beyond the small cell’s clear perception, though it lacked the concept of counting.

  Encounters with multicellular organisms also increased, yet escape was aided by agile speed and reflexes.

  While these would be considered bad news, there was good news too.

  Notably, the small cell discovered that as its perception expanded through the augmented group, control over its cells deepened, and the number of electrode-equipped cells grew, seemingly enhancing cognitive ability.

  Though neighboring cells couldn’t drift too far apart, lest the psychic links break.

  With a general understanding of this, the small cell expanded the number of electrode-enhanced cells, boosting its cognitive capacity and perception range, greatly improving the group’s alert capabilities, hunting, and escape successes.

  However, an enlarged group increased food demands.

  Moreover, the small cell observed the electrode component’s significant nutrient drain.

  It seemed then, as in the past civilization, that many things could be bought, yet sustainability remained a big challenge.

  Now, the occasional floating organics and cells no longer sufficed for the group's needs. Large inorganic clusters were sparsely distributed, making them improbable finds for a small cell. Other cell groups might curtail activity or hibernate to cope, but the small cell wouldn't do so.

  “Waste of time.”

  This was the small cell's thought.

  Thus, the small cell resolved to focus primarily on actively hunting weaker cell groups to secure ample food. The non-aggressive cluster ahead was the smallest they’d encountered.

  Naturally, it became the current prey.

  Assessing the group, prey, and surroundings, the small cell led its group closer. In reality, the distance was minor, separated by just a cell’s length, undetected unless contact disturbed the water—one of the small cell's major advantages and a key to its success.

  Upon nearing, the small cell ordered an electrode-equipped team to charge through the prey’s center, splitting their group; a mixed team moved to block and converge, encircling the segments, while the remaining cells joined in attacking.

  Under the influence of electricity, those not surrounded would scatter instinctively, mirroring the small cell’s past escape.

  The surrounded cells, outnumbered and outmatched, faced systematic destruction.

  This was the plan.

  And reality unfolded accordingly.

  Commanding the elimination of this half, the small cells swiftly consumed the debris. Yet, they deferred division, the small cell leading a prompt retreat, wary of attracting another multicellular predator due to electrical activity.

  Eliminating one might be feasible; multicellular organisms’ large size and high defense posed challenges. The small cell, or Gale, couldn't afford companion losses, even if eradication required time and many sacrifices.

  “I can't risk the group.”

  Reflecting on its companions, though victorious, it lost about a dozen to spikes. Fortunately, the group gained much-needed nutrients from half the prey.

  Storing nutrient reserves across all cells, even unevolved ones, the small cell sought a seemingly safe locale to re-enter the biological editing space.

  It needed to contemplate strategies for handling large cell groups and evolving into multicellular organisms.

  These were considerations beyond the small cell's current cognitive ability.