"I am a small single-celled organism."

  "I have no eyes, so I cannot observe."

  "I have no ears, so I cannot listen."

  "In fact, I cannot perceive anything around me. At least, that's the case using conventional methods of perception."

  "Because I am just a little cell, perhaps a special one."

  "I don't know when I started thinking. Maybe just now, or perhaps it's been a long time."

  "Though I still don't have brain cells."

  "What puzzles me is."

  "What exactly is a brain cell?"

  "What are eyes and ears?"

  "Oh no, I feel my cytoplasm is overheating, and the nucleus is starting to complain."

  "Uh-oh, what are those things again?"

  "I can't think anymore..."

  In the dim aquatic environment, a tiny cell wiggled its cilium, its round body swaying slightly. Surrounding it, gigantic, dark meteorite fragments floated silently.

  Just then, a piece of organic matter drifted by the small cell.

  As if sensing food, this simple cell, devoid of any sensory apparatus, instinctively lunged at the food, swallowing it with its oral groove (let's not dwell on how that works).

  [One point of nutrients gained]

  A mysterious voice emerged.

  The small cell seemed to shiver uneasily.

  Though it had no sense of hearing, somehow it could "hear" this voice.

  However, when cell fragments floated by again, the little cell resolutely ignored the earlier sound.

  "Food is the most important thing!"

  "Wait, am I thinking again?"

  Having consumed three more cell fragments, the small cell felt satisfied. Although the strange voice echoed three more times, the cell completely ignored it.

  Even though it had no vision, it somehow "saw" the objects within a certain range around its body.

  Wiggling the cilium behind itself (if that could be considered its backside), the cell continued on its aimless journey, pondering strange thoughts.

  Time is a peculiar concept.

  Without something to define its length, it wanders like a playful child.

  Sometimes speeding up, sometimes slowing down.

  During this journey, the small cell consumed eight more pieces of organic matter and five more cell fragments. What these quantities meant was another thing the cell briefly pondered but remained ignorant about.

  Ignorance—what does that mean? The small cell wouldn't know, would it?

  Ignoring these meaningless thoughts, the small cell swam vigorously forward.

  In the distance, something appeared—something that felt incredibly important to the cell and perhaps its entire lineage. It emitted an enticing scent, like the most delectable food, attracting the cell, though it lay beyond its peculiar sensory range.

  It seemed like a short distance, yet the cell took a long time to reach it.

  This time wasn't defined by human standards but by the cell's perception.

  During its journey to this important thing, the voice announced twice, [One point of nutrients consumed to meet bodily needs].

  Meanwhile, the cell devoured another piece of organic matter blocking its path.

  Although it puzzled the cell how it could "hear" this singular voice without ears, an inexplicable sense suggested that these sounds were beneficial and harmless. Thus, according to its inherent habit, the cell dismissed it without concern.

  Finally, the important thing appeared within the small cell's distinctive perception.

  It was a chain-like substance, smaller than the cell itself, surrounded by floating meteorite fragments.

  Following its instinct, the small cell engulfed this unknown substance into its circular body. It then felt the unknown material merge with a similar substance already inside.

  Once more, the background voice echoed.

  [New DNA fragment acquired. Prepare for division and reproduction, and enter the biological editing space.]

  Suddenly, the cell felt its blocked thoughts clear up.

  "I must have chosen 'yes'," the cell thought.

  In the dim space, a tiny material appeared, quickly merging into a mass of translucent, unknown material.

  [Entering biological editor, main consciousness restrictions lifted]

  "......"

  [......]

  "I am a little cell, haha..."

  After a brief silence, a booming voice echoed in this peculiar space.

  "What on earth is this! How did I suddenly transmigrate? And turn into a messed-up single cell!"

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  No response.

  In this seemingly void space, only a blob of strange translucent matter quivered, emitting complaints, yet garnering no reply.

  Feeling somewhat relieved after venting, Jaal realized that only his voice echoed within the space.

  A sense of lonely fear welled up.

  "Is anyone there?"

  [......]

  Still no response.

  In this near-void space, without eyes, ears, or a body, only a clear consciousness remained. Jaal felt as though deprived of sensation, nearing the brink of collapse as time passed.

  "Anything, come on, let something appear."

  "Even a little cell will do."

  In the dark space, a cellular form suddenly manifested at his words, and Jaal's peculiar awareness quickly sensed its presence.

  It seemed the strange perception from his cellular form was still active, not through sight, but akin to a mythic full-sensory awareness centered on the translucent mass.

  Jaal focused all his attention on the three-dimensional image of the cell. To escape the fear brought on by the void space, he concentrated intensely on the image, leading a menu-like translucent frame to pop up.

  [Single Cell (Unnamed)

  Primitive single-cell organism, early biological evolution species.

  Life: 3/3

  Attack: 0

  Speed: 1

  Nutritional Value: 16

  Body DNA Components: Primitive cell oral groove, cilium

  Newly arrived here, transformed from a human to a single-cell organism, you feel overwhelmed by the "great leap backward." Yet, as a single cell, you often don't understand what troubles you.]

  "What is this? A description of the previous cell?"

  "Seeing" shouldn't be possible for a mere mass of matter like Jaal, lacking any photoreceptive organs or a brain to process such signals. Yet he clearly perceived, or "saw," the text on the menu frame, written in familiar characters.

  "Looking" at this game-like attribute frame, Jaal felt a sense of helplessness. "Could I have transmigrated into a game world? It feels like a game I've played before."

  Examining the attribute frame, Jaal noticed the DNA components, which emitted a slightly brighter glow than the surrounding light.

  [Primitive Cell Oral Groove

  Primitive biological nutrient absorption component

  Food Type: Omnivorous

  Absorption Speed: Slow

  Attack: 0

  Cost: 5 (Nutritional Value) (Purchasable Equipment)]

  [Cilium

  Microbial mobility component

  Speed: +1

  Cost: 10 (Nutritional Value) (Purchasable Equipment)]

  Focusing his attention on these components, much like before with the attribute frame, additional information popped up in the space.

  However, these details weren't as important to Jaal now.

  His attention had shifted to a larger item display panel, or rather, the 'Help System' at its bottom—four softly glowing words that drew him in.

  Help

  Help was what Jaal, feeling trapped and unable to resolve his predicament, needed most.

  "Ha, I found you even though you were hidden. Gotcha." Eagerly focusing his attention on the words, Jaal engaged them as if clicking a mouse button—a skill quickly mastered in this short time.

  [This is Biological System No. 8051. What questions do you have?]

  "8051? Are you a primitive microcontroller?"

  [No, System 8051 responded coolly, finding the person rather rude.]

  "Uh, that didn't count just now. Your number is so special, that's why."

  "Wait, how can you hear what I'm thinking!"

  [......]

  "Hey, 8051."

  [What questions do you have?]

  "Uh, do I have to call you by your number to get a response? I mean, how can you hear my thoughts? 8051."

  [8051 is not just a number; it is 8051's name. Currently, only when addressed with 8051's name can responses be given within the system's allowed range. 8051 corrected the person while answering.]

  [As a consciousness entity, you do not "speak." Our interaction is based on consciousness communication, so I can "hear" what you think. Your experiences of seeing and thinking are psychological effects from having been human. System No. 8051 succinctly concluded, believing the answer was adequate.]

  "Um, a consciousness entity? So this blob of matter is my main form, this consciousness entity? What about my body? 8051."

  [Correct, you exist as a consciousness entity akin to what you call a soul, and your body has been removed, or to use your term, "harmonized," by the system. System 8051 replied.]

  "......"

  It felt like a swarm of lines appeared over the consciousness entity.

  "Is this the legendary soul transmigration?"

  Jaal wasn't too bothered about his body; existing was enough. It simply felt unfamiliar.

  "I see. By the way, 8051, do you know Yuban-chan?"

  [I do not, System 8051 responded, puzzled.]

  "Your tone is suspiciously similar."

  "Wait, it might overhear."

  "You didn't hear anything; you didn't hear anything..."

  [8051 isn't interested in exploring your deeper thoughts, as that is not permitted. System 8051 casually responded, amused by the person's sensitivity.]

  "Amusing..."

  "Well, ignore what I just said, 8051. Thankfully there's someone to talk to here; otherwise, I'd probably collapse."

  [Your consciousness is protected by the system, so collapse is not an outcome. Furthermore, System 8051 is not human, it clarified, assuring the person.]

  "That's a relief."

  "8051, you're not human, so what are you, an alien?"

  Jaal had never considered humans the sole intelligent beings, especially after experiencing transmigration. Humanity's belief in being the only intelligent species stemmed from lack of discovery and some arrogance.

  [System 8051 is not an alien, as it is not from a planet. It is a virtual life form created by the system's architects to maintain and assist the biological editor space, System 8051 explained.]

  "......"

  "Forget it, this could go on forever. Let's get to the point. I'm still completely in the dark here."

  "So, 8051, what is the 'system'?"

  [The system is not a "thing," System 8051 corrected, puzzled by the person's rudeness.]

  After a somewhat cheeky response, a new illuminated information frame appeared before Jaal.

  Multi-window operation, huh.

  [Biological Evolution System Current Overview:

  This system originates from the guidance document "Thirty-Sixth Research Initiative on Transmigrator Management Methods."

  Due to the recent surge in transmigrators causing significant damage to original worlds, the Endless Worlds, through sixty-seven discussions, proposed 135 management strategies. In accordance with the thirty-sixth strategy, Management Division established Intermediate Universe Space No. 1739, incorporating the Biological Evolution System for standardized management of transmigrators.

  The system's main theme is evolution.

  The process of life form generation and development is called biological evolution.

  The life known to transmigrators evolved from non-cellular structures to prokaryotic cells, then to eukaryotic single cells, progressing along various paths leading to fungi, plants, and animals. Animals evolved from primitive flagellates to multicellular creatures, from mollusks to chordates, and further into advanced vertebrates. Within vertebrates, fish evolved to amphibians, then reptiles, giving rise to mammals and birds. One branch of mammals developed into highly intelligent beings, the original species of transmigrators—humans.

  The system focuses on biological evolution, allowing transmigrators to partake in life's evolution from a single cell, shaping species and civilizations unique to themselves.

  Transmigrators will experience stages: single-cell, soft-bodied, aquatic, terrestrial, primitive civilization, primary planetary civilization, and intermediate cosmic civilization.

  The first four stages focus on species' own evolution. During this time, transmigrators use biological components to uniquely evolve species. The last three stages focus on racial civilization evolution, allowing free control over civilization direction.]

  [Overview of Current Single-Cell Stage:

  Single-celled organisms, consisting of one cell, can perform life functions such as nutrition, respiration, excretion, movement, reproduction, and regulation. Transmigrators begin their biological evolution at this stage, progressing from single-cell to multicellular. At this stage's start, the planet coincides with the origin of species.

  During the single-celled stage, after integrating a component DNA chain, corresponding nutritional value is needed to evolve relevant components, which are then distributed to the population through cell division.

  Component DNA chains can be acquired by attacking and eliminating stage-matched organisms, assimilating their DNA fragments, or integrating meteorite DNA chains.

  Nutritional values are acquired by consuming surrounding organic matter and cellular debris. Additionally, survival activities deplete nutritional values.]

  [Biological Editing Space Overview:

  The Biological Editing Space, facing transmigrators' main consciousness, involves trading mutability for the ability to edit biological components, enabling transmigrators to acquire other components and mutate biologically.]

  "Is that what the system is?"

  ......

  "So it's like a game?"

  "According to the design, I should be able to equip these components onto the cell, right?" After reviewing the overview twice, Jaal focused on the previously revealed item display panel.

  Many slots were empty, except for the first three filled with items. Having already noted the first two—the primitive cell oral groove and cilium—Jaal's attention naturally turned to the slightly dimmer third component.