"Imitation multicellular organism, activate!"

  With Jal's self-entertained commentary, the large construct began to move forward as the flagellum behind it started waving, pushing the body forward. Jal felt a bit tense as the motion caused the cells to press against each other, but thankfully, apart from a few cells loosening, nothing major occurred.

  Overall, it lost fewer parts than a first launch of a space station.

  After some movement, the organism came to a halt. Though Jal wanted to leave the area quickly, staying in one place was dangerous if the control wasn’t precise, which would render all prior efforts useless.

  Jal adjusted the loose cells and ensured no new issues arose before commanding the flagellum to wave once more.

  "Multicellular unit, reactivate!"

  The massive body moved once more, the peripheral cells tightly compressed. Although it seemed like it might collapse like a child’s stack of blocks at any moment, with Jal’s meticulous adjustments and the microcells’ habitual coordination, the structure steadily moved out of that space.

  ...

  [Entering Biological Editor, Main Thought Restrictions Lifted]

  "I'm back."

  Jal, now drained, mumbled as he entered the editing space to rest.

  After propelling the body forward with the flagellum and confirming there were no threats, Jal returned to the biological editor space.

  Controlling a simple multicellular organism turned out to be more complex than Jal anticipated.

  Beyond moving the flagellar cells to propel motion, Jal had to maintain the structure, ensuring cells didn’t fall apart. When cells occasionally lacked nutrients, Jal initially tried managing nutrient distribution manually. However, finding it cumbersome, he set up a system where the nutrient fluids flowed throughout the entire structure, allowing cells to absorb as needed. This eliminated the need for constant manual adjustments. Additionally, Jal constantly rearranged problematic cells to prevent disintegration during movement.

  The fact that the structure hadn't collapsed by the time Jal returned to the biological editing space seemed like a miracle to Jal.

  "It seems I underestimated the complexity at first. Right now, the only thing I can manage besides maintaining cell alignment and nutrient flow is controlling one flagellum’s movement, thanks to the system's blessing."

  "Should I remove the other two flagella?"

  "No way, even as decorations, I refuse to look like a tadpole. Maybe once I'm more adept, I’ll control them too and won’t have to rearrange later. Yes, that's the plan."

  "This is a one-step process."

  "I’ll keep practicing until this control becomes habitual—more accurately, until my subconscious can handle the details, relieving my main consciousness. I hope the remaining nutrients can last throughout this period."

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

  "Alright, back to practice. See you, 8051."

  [...]

  [Biological Editing Completed, Main Consciousness Enters Microcell]

  [Main Consciousness Opts for Non-division]

  "Move the flagellum, advance."

  The large structure started moving again, with the side flagella dragging limply along.

  "A cell is nutrient-deficient. Why hasn’t the flow reached it? Damn, some cells clogged the path."

  "The lower left epidermal cells have been dislodged by the current; control the cells to heal."

  "Digestive tract cells, it’s not your turn to be active; stay put."

  ...

  "Let's try opening the mouth?"

  "Oral cavity cells, prepare to open."

  As the massive structure moved slowly forward, the front cells began to sluggishly writhe, as though something was about to open, but—

  "What’s happening with the oral cavity cells? Why are they dispersing?"

  After some quiet writhing, the front cells abruptly spread out, failing Jal's control, and the front cells collapsed inward with the current.

  "Damn it. Stop, stop now!"

  The structure gradually halted. Using the electrode cells, Jal finely sensed the collapsed section at the front. Initially tightly arranged into a hemispherical shape, the front oral cavity and epidermal cells began dispersing upon receiving the open command. The sudden loosening led to chaos among the single cells, which, in their instinctive clustering behavior, jammed together as water movement pushed them inward.

  "This is maddening."

  "We need to change the mouth's design."

  Frustrated, Jal, sandwiched among electrode cells and unable to move, imagined being the consciousness of the large "body" rather than just a microcell. Clearly, realizing this integration would take time.

  "Let’s switch to a jaw-like setup. Although lacking bones and biting force, it should suffice to trap a cluster of single cells."

  After a quick session in the biological editing space for some brief considerations, the front of the odd, improvised entity protruded and split (think a smooth, miniaturized duckbill, though soft).

  "Open the mouth again."

  This time, there were no significant issues. Through the skin cells pulling apart and the stability of the internal cell layer, the protrusion parted at an angle, revealing the densely packed spikes and electrodes of the oral cavity.

  "Close it quickly."

  After adjusting cells that loosened during the opening, Jal commenced the all-important "close mouth" action trial.

  Single-cell organisms have limited perception; often, unless they are touched or their environment drastically changes, they won't react much. So approaching a large group of single-celled organisms slowly with an open mouth wasn’t troubling, but if closing the mouth took too long, prey might escape before closure.

  Fortunately, combining the flagellum's movement with this action, the "close mouth" was successfully executed.

  "Repeat and master."

  Thus, amid the curious perceptions of solitary passing single-cell organisms unnoticed by the "busy" microcells, the large "multicellular organism" continuously repeated its "open mouth," "close mouth," and flagellum movements. These clumsy actions dragged the side flagella and slowly trudged forward in a peculiar cycle.

  ※※※

  Time flowed once more.

  From the distance, a massive form swam closer through the silent, dark space.

  The front exhibited a long mouth opening and closing, the rear flagellum worked diligently, while the side flagella occasionally twitched, altering the direction of movement before drooping again as if malnourished.

  After extensive practice, sporadic single cells and organic matter barely sufficed to sustain the structure's consumption. Finally, the microcells stopped evading responsibilities by abruptly stopping their duties.

  The nutrient flow within formed a continuous, self-looping circuit, circulating through internal cells as the structure moved, meeting the cells’ needs.

  Flagellum motion and oral cavity opening also became second nature.

  Although Jal noticed some body functions appeared to operate autonomously without manual control, this development was set aside as it significantly conserved Jal's mental energy, allowing focus on controlling the side flagella.

  "Multicellular status isn’t far off."

  Enveloped in the center, a long-still microcell exclaimed. This wasn’t mere hope but reality. As the large organism’s coordination and internal cell regulation improved, its movements became fluid, integral. Jal's sensory range expanded alongside.

  As the microcell enjoyed its food, unaware, the multicellular transformation quietly took hold.