"Understood."

"Before evolving, I need to ask something. I encountered the Steel Jaw again and noticed that its movement seems to be driven by the entire body rather than independent external components, correct?"

[Correct. It uses muscle contractions to propel itself. Its speed is not very high, only 3.]

"Size."

"I remember that upon entering the multicellular stage, organisms exhibit significant size differences. Can this evolution space also change sizes?"

[Of course. In the current soft-bodied organism stage, you can adjust body size within reasonable limits and slightly alter component shapes to better suit survival and evolution. When the main consciousness discovers this method, the system automatically activates this feature.]

"How extensive is the range?"

[You'll find out when you attempt to make changes. The system will notify you if you exceed the limits.]

"So it seems the system has many hidden functions."

"Let's spend those 100 evolution points first."

Focusing again on the 3D model, Jal began contemplating how to equip components from the display box. Muscle fibers, the chemical sensing system, and the electric jaw were too expensive for now, so there wasn't much to consider. The stomach sac and intestines were essential for improving feeding efficiency and reducing the time between meals, increasing survival chances.

"Only by surviving can we think about better evolution, or perhaps evolution itself is for better survival," Jal thought to himself.

[Simple Digestive Tract

Capable of digesting only small food items

Cost: 30 (Evolution Points)]

The previously unseen details of the digestive tract were now visible. Removing it from Lightning's body returned 30 evolution points.

"Only 30 points, while the stomach and intestines cost 100 points. The original digestive tract was inadequate."

For Jal, improving Lightning's digestive system was paramount. The stomach and intestines were installed, and Jal used focus to enlarge the stomach slightly.

"You can indeed change the shape."

This change involved merely adjusting the number of cells in different areas.

After altering the stomach's size to satisfaction, Jal turned his attention to the intestines. Though uncertain if longer was better, lengthening them seemed acceptable, considering creatures often have winding intestines.

Next was adjusting the body's size, which caused other components to grow proportionately.

"Size adjustments affect the whole body. Let's see how large I can go."

The 3D model of Lightning expanded until it doubled in size, at which point the system indicated the limit.

"So double is my current system allowance. Yet, being too large without better defenses or reflexes, and without the drastic size difference between multicellular and single-cell organisms, just makes me an attractive target and a moving meat locker."

Carefully resizing, Jal increased the body size by about a third, transforming it from a rotund form into a streamlined shape, wider at the front and narrower towards the back. Soon, a sleek form appeared.

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The rear flagella became shorter and flatter, arranging into a cross with the streamlined body. Now more like a fish's tail than a flagellum, any propulsion power was minimal. Jal no longer intended it for speed, instead using it as a rudder when Lightning's tentacles propelled it forward.

The two electric tentacles were moved to the mid-lower body and made thicker at the base to increase pulling strength, facilitating movement along the seabed, positioned like a fish's front fins, though without bones.

"Wait, bones!"

Jal realized something.

"The mention of soft-bodied organisms—8051, could the key to the next stage be bones? Or rather, a skeletal system? How simple, how did I not realize this before? Maybe my brain's rusted from being here too long? Speaking of which..."

The translucent consciousness wiggled slightly.

"This consciousness lacks a brain, so what am I thinking with?"

[You hit on the mention of soft-bodied organisms, but I'm restricted from confirming your theory by the system.]

"Oh. But it seems right—soft-bodied organisms gain bones, enabling them to support bodily functions better, transitioning to land where air is less buoyant than water."

Realizing this delighted Jal. "But how do I acquire bones?"

"I should try to hunt bony creatures next time, even if it seems tough. Maybe by ambushing?"

"With 31 evolution points left, let's add another electric tentacle." Jal equipped a tentacle on the upper back to guard against rear attacks, thickening the base similar to airplane wing blends. "Looks decent; aside from the awkward mouth, it vaguely resembles a fish."

After some fine-tuning, the formerly rounded Lightning was gone, replaced by a mini-transparent soft-bodied shark, with an oversized mouth and rear-located electric tentacles.

"Great, that's the shape! A quick rest before venturing out."

"Hehe, 8051, let's talk about life and the world."

[Give this organism a name first. 8051 remains unfazed.]

"Name? Isn't it just Lightning?"

[Lightning was the previous species name. Principally, different species shouldn't share names. Post-evolution, you're a distinct species from Lightning.] 8051 clarified.

"A different species? So after evolving, it's a different organism?"

[Indeed. You no longer resemble a Lightning Bug.]

[In early stages, species are few. Biological and environmental factors drive differentiation from proto-cellular life to diverse species, like branches on a tree. Later, species diversify more, though many branches—due to scarcity or poor adaptation—are culled. Survivors branch further.]

[You may eventually encounter predatory descendants of Microcells or Lightning Bugs. They evolved like Earth's Haikouichthys, an ancestor of all vertebrates, including yours. You needn't fear, though. Synchronous or subsequent spores will evolve into your edited species, supporting this organism. The original Lightning Bug species will persist until it evolves or nature eliminates it, unrelated to you. You're the species' main consciousness.]

"It feels like a life tree, constantly growing and branching. If my species' branches dominated the tree, it would be truly fulfilling."

"So, later, species multiply."

"What name suits it? My naming skills are dubious. 8051, how about a suggestion?"

[I can't assist. 8051 is speechless at the main consciousness’s laziness.]

"Don't be mad."

"Lightning's upgraded—how about Thunder? Thunder Bug sounds good."

[Thunder Bug

Multicellular Organism, Soft-bodied, Early Biological Evolution Species.

Evolution Points: 1

Life: 25/25

Attack: Electric Jaw (15) (Biting), Electric Tentacle (5) (Contact) ×3, Electric Burst (35) (Area)

Defense: Bristle Skin (10) (Enhanced Electric Defense)

Movement: 2—7

Vision: Cluster Eye

Reproduction: Asexual Spores

Body Information: Digestive System, Nervous System, Nutrient Circulation.

Species Rating: Leader

With recent evolution, the newly formed Thunder Bug boasts a sleek shape and greater attack power, significantly boosting survival. Beware of creatures with bones—they're stronger and tougher.]

"Electric Burst improved, likely from additional electric tentacles. Still a leader level." Regretful. "8051, how are levels rated?"

[Current system-provided ratings: Commoner level—no active aggression, low in attack, defense, and mobility; numerous, mainly prey. Minion level—active aggression, mediocre in strength, frequent predators, though some are herbivores. Leader level—special attack, high survival capability, food-driven; generally secure. Boss level—powerful individuals, thriving regardless of attack specifics. Due to unfamiliarity with Underworld and Epic levels, system abstains from rating.]

"So, was that shelled creature a Boss?"

[Correct. But levels above Leader easily demote if stronger species arise. Lower levels are stable, so demotion isn't immediate. 8051 joked.]

"…"

[Confirmation complete.]

"Yes, no issues. Let's evolve quickly. Confirm."

"See you, 8051."

[Species editing complete, exiting biological editing space.]