Jaal, as a consciousness entity, focused his attention on the dimly glowing third component.
An attribute window popped up.
[Bioelectrode
A component capable of generating electricity through bioenergy
Attack: 3 (with paralyzing effect on organisms unable to generate electricity)
Cost: 50 (Nutritional Value) (Insufficient nutrients to equip)]
“Ah, it looks so tempting, but why is it so expensive?”
Jaal felt a tearless frustration...
“Well, according to usual settings, such desirable yet expensive things must be my current little goal.”
“At this moment, I should long for the beautiful component while equipping something practical.”
“Damn, I really want it. This little cell currently has no attack power at all.”
Focusing on “practical equipment,” Jaal looked at the primitive cell oral groove and cilium occupying the first two slots like obedient children. He glanced again at the nutritional value noted in the first attribute frame.
“16 points.”
“Such a small amount.”
“It seems the organic matter and cell fragments consumed earlier were worth a point each.”
“So, the earlier notification about consuming nutritional value to meet bodily needs suggests nutritional value isn't just for equipping but akin to stamina points in games.”
After imagining the primitive cell oral groove that required only 5 nutritional points for a while, Jaal decisively focused all attention on the cilium.
Daydream…
A small cell slipped out from the dim waters, opening its mouth-covered surface to pounce on a shivering prey.
…Daydream ended.
The consciousness entity shook violently.
“I definitely don’t want to become a creature covered in mouths.”
Muttering to himself, Jaal swiftly and smoothly placed the cilium onto the small cell's 3D image. It was as if an arm (or tentacle?!) formed on his consciousness entity, taking the cilium from the component display and installing it on the 3D image flawlessly.
He carefully adjusted the positions of the two cilia so that they were slightly towards the rear of the body's midline on both sides, allowing small angle turns without relying on body twisting.
“Okay, done.”
Jaal nodded in satisfaction at the little cell before him.
At this moment, a new information window popped up.
Simultaneously, a historical commemorative tune played jokingly in the space.
[Through unwavering effort, you have achieved your first evolution on the path of a single cell. The additional cilium grants you faster movement speed, and the reasonable adjustment of the two cilia's positions gives you, as a single cell, a certain degree of maneuverability. These changes distinguish you from basic single cells, marking a bright new evolutionary branch in your biological history. Now, quickly name your first evolved single cell.]
Although somewhat discontent with the system's single-cell focus, Jaal didn't dwell on it. Appreciating the music, he thought, “Why not call it 'Little Cell'?”
Isn't that a cute name?
“Well, I’m not good at naming.”
Faced with the three large characters on the pop-up, Jaal self-deprecatingly remarked, clearly having little confidence in his naming ability.
If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
“How about Jaal Cell?”
Daydreaming again…
“What’s the name of your first cell, Jaal?”
“Um, Jaal Cell.”
…Daydream ended.
“Ah, forget it.”
[Little Cell
Primitive single-cell organism, early species in biological evolution.
Life: 4/4
Attack: 0
Speed: 2
Nutritional Value: 6 (needs replenishment soon)
Body DNA Components: Primitive cell oral groove, Cilia x2
After your first evolution, you are now an evolved single cell. However, the pressure isn’t any less, especially now that further evolution is halted due to insufficient nutrients. But being a single-celled organism, you still don’t know what pressure is.]
Other attribute frames disappeared as Jaal shifted focus, except the primary attribute frame menu reappeared after confirming Little Cell's name.
Ignoring the ostensibly disdainful remarks in the introduction, Jaal continued his actions.
“So, typically, after editing a creature, what should I do?”
“I should click finish and then gather more nutritional values and components, right? Haha.”
[Biological editing complete, main consciousness entering Little Cell]
“Yes, as expected. But it feels like I forgot something. Strange?” Jaal thought, hearing the prompt after selecting “Finish”.
…
“No, 8051. I haven’t asked about the inability to think, and many other deta…”
A “mournful” voice echoed.
In the void space, a tiny blob separated from the semi-transparent consciousness entity, gradually vanishing.
[As the main consciousness has left this space, your questions will be answered next time, System 8051 responded.]
“…”
[Consume 5 nutritional values for evolutionary division]
In the dark waters, the quietly still Little Cell suddenly convulsed violently. It split into two, seemingly birthing a new being. In a short time, two new Little Cells emerged.
“I am Little Cell.”
“Though I don’t understand why that’s my name.”
A round little cell wiggled its two cilia, stirring the water slightly.
Alongside, an identical Little Cell mimicked the action, like a shadow in a mirror.
“Why do I feel regret?”
“What is regret?”
“Wait, did I just do something?”
[Nutritional value is below 6 points, unable to enter the biological editor]
“I am Little Cell, and I feel quite helpless.”
“Oh, who’s this next to me?”
Only now did Little Cell notice another cell in its perception.
“Why does it feel so familiar?”
“Hmm, cannot think…”
Little Cell took an interest in the nearly identical cell beside it.
It swam around the other cell, gently nudging it.
The other cell mirrored the action, as if receiving the same instruction.
“Why are you copying me?”
After a while, curiosity satisfied, Little Cell returned its attention.
Then, the two Little Cells resumed wandering aimlessly.
…
In Little Cell's strange perception, another piece of organic matter appeared ahead. It started swimming toward it, but just as it reached the organic matter, the sensation vanished.
“Where did it go?”
Both Little Cells seemed puzzled.
At the same time, Little Cell sensed another single-cell organism swimming by, distinct from itself and its companion. Curious, Little Cell approached it, but upon nearing, it suddenly hit something sharp, a jolt of pain coursing through, and it bounced back, colliding with the other Little Cell.
[Life -1, consume one nutritional value to recover]
The mysterious voice (which everyone knows is the system prompt) announced, and the damaged area on Little Cell quickly healed as if nothing happened.
[Warning, nutritional value is 0, replenish immediately]
Two alerts followed, but Little Cell had no mind for listening or pondering their meaning, ignoring the swift healing.
“What was that, it hurt so much.”
Moving away from the recent encounter, Little Cell pondered.
“Seemed like something sharp.”
“But starting to feel hungry.”
Wandering aimlessly resumed. Its companion mimicked Little Cell’s every move, which Little Cell didn’t mind. The warning sound echoed again, but Little Cell hadn't found anything to replenish nutritional value. Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, it felt energy draining, even struggling to wiggle its cilia. Its companion mirrored its fatigue.
“Am I going to die like this?”
“What is death anyway?”
Even as it stopped wanting to move, Little Cell's thoughts soldiered on, albeit accelerating nutrient consumption.
The current ahead seemed faster. Little Cell felt it clearly but drifted into the current's pull without resisting.
Thus, the two Little Cells began drifting along the current.
“This seems dangerous”
Little Cell thought, but its body refused to move. Its companion, ever-present, vanished into the current.
“Maybe this will lead to food.”
“Did it find food?”
[Failed to obtain nutrients, life -1]
The voice chimed, Little Cell’s once plump body seemed to shrink, its cilia stilled, thoughts nearing a halt.
Yet Little Cell ignored it.
“Food! So much food!”
A burst of energy awakened in Little Cell.
Ahead, it felt an abundance of cell fragments. The temptation was overwhelming, especially for the starving Little Cell. Pushing through the current, it reached a heap of food fragments.
The food mound ahead seemed heaven to Little Cell.
[Gain one nutritional value]
[Consume one nutritional value, life +1]
[Gain one nutritional value]
[Gain one nutritional value]
[Gain one nutritional value]
...
Not ignoring these sounds now, Little Cell found them delightful.
“Though I don’t have ears.”
Engaged in its feeding, Little Cell didn't notice the nearby single-cell swarm or the increasing cell debris. The growing debris might excite Little Cell, though it didn’t understand quantity.
Nearby, a swarm of single-celled organisms moved, wide mouths consuming food, slowly advancing toward Little Cell.
