[To support the needs of a more complex bodily system, the brain has evolved further.]
...
In the dim space, occasional flickers of electricity streaked by.
“I didn’t expect my brain to evolve just like that.”
“Come to think of it, I never noticed when the brain first appeared. That's something to reflect on.”
Waving the two flagella on its back, which still seemed juvenile, the seven lightning bugs were now clearly visible through the evolved pair of lens eyes of the Thunder Bug.
“This is the colorful world I remember. Indeed, lens eyes are the most suitable for me.”
After long surviving in perpetual darkness, the Thunder Bug could finally open its eyes to the world.
A pang of hunger from its body interrupted Thunder Bug's contemplation. A swarm of nearly a hundred Thunder Bug larvae rushed forward, using the instinctive leap and motion of their species, towards piles of pre-chewed food from the seven lightning bugs. They dodged, collided, and electrocuted, each little one displaying its vigor.
Swallowing a piece of meat to fill its stomach, Thunder Bug finally felt relief from hunger. It continued eating while contemplating the future.
“Daytime is dangerous, but opportunities are far more abundant. Despite the multitude of emerging species now, nocturnal prowling only reveals a few similar creatures, offering limited components and evolution points. It’s been quite a while since arriving in the shallow sea, yet I can't track time. However, the variety of species during the day should be vast by now.”
Taking another bite and nudging aside a queue-jumping young Thunder Bug.
“The main goal now is figuring out the bone issue, but…”
Twisting its body, it surveyed the surroundings. Upon leaving the biological editing space, Thunder Bug noticed that the range of its mental sensing hadn't increased much. Although factors like water flow limit visibility far more at sea than on land, the range of its vision now exceeds that of its mental sensing, naturally demoting the latter to a secondary line of defense.
Currently lacking hearing, smell, and taste, the latter two can wait for the accumulation of evolution points to install a chemical sensing system. The first will depend on luck, and creatures with hearing will likely be difficult to handle.
“Well, let's take it one step at a time.”
Over a hundred small Thunder Bugs squeezed into the narrow crevice, vying for food, and feeling satiated, Thunder Bug decisively withdrew from the fray.
“They fit now because they're larvae, but they won't when they grow up.”
Observing the congested small Thunder Bugs in the tiny cave, Thunder Bug had to consider the nest issue.
“Maybe it's because of the brain evolution, but aside from sensing some budding emotions, my absolute control over these creatures has lessened somewhat. Not sure if that's good or bad.”
“Ultimately, they need to develop self-awareness for better evolution.”
At this moment, Thunder Bug looked forward to further brain evolution within its species, waiting for fully autonomous consciousness to emerge. Although it wondered if the individuals would still heed its commands by then.
“The question now is whether to continue the small squad activities from before or gather hundreds together.”
Seeing that the satiated small Thunder Bugs gradually left the crevice to forage outside, as it was nighttime and the Thunder Bugs’ feeding time, Thunder Bug chuckled. The little creatures had fought fiercely over food, but in the end, most of them filled up while actually consuming limited food. Had they not automatically moved away when crowding near it, Thunder Bug might not have eaten its fill.
“Gathering hundreds gives a sense of scale, which might deter small predators and offer me, as the primary creature, some safety. But it does nothing to intimidate large predators, only attracting them more. It’s not like the single-cell stage where large clusters were everywhere. Now, most aquatic creatures live in small groups scattered about, making food hard to find for large clusters.”
As Thunder Bugs gradually left to forage at night, Thunder Bug pondered.
“Operating in small groups of a dozen or so reduces attraction to large predators while posing a threat to small predators. While it appears risky, it’s mainly for the group under my control that needs new component hunts. Ordinary Thunder Bugs, with their current capabilities, should survive and reproduce without much issue, else the leader rating would be pointless.”
This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Thunder Bug noticed that the retreating lightning bugs, returning from foraging, blocked the crevice with rubble, preventing curious young Thunder Bugs from escaping. It seemed they've learned Gar’s larvae protection strategy from both Lightning and Thunder.
“The plan could have groups of dozens or so for daily activities, but a larger grouping around a central nest, wherein they live and aid each other during breeding. Large group foraging should wait until evolution creates a spine for swift swimming like fish shoals. Yes, that’s the plan.”
As it firmed up its strategy, the seven lightning bugs had sealed the crevice, and several young ones expressed dissatisfaction with the blockade by discharging some electricity. Thunder Bug selected a few less active individuals to follow it while organizing the rest into groups.
This method was strange, one that Gar couldn't fully understand. Previously, Gar had noticed that although its absolute control over the group had reduced, it could issue simple commands, and the creatures would comply, likely a benefit of evolving brains and slight memory. These commands were issued using the mental powers Gar honed to direct individuals.
“This must be a racial main consciousness ability. Yet, when I asked 8051 during downtime, it again said 'please explore on your own'. Tch, I use it well enough without your guidance.”
While internally grumbling, Thunder Bug used its racial main consciousness privileges to divide the leftover hundred or so Thunder Bugs into six groups, appointing the livelier bugs as optional leaders. The young ones clustered, circling their designated leader bug.
“Convenient indeed. Despite reduced control, this ability saves me from managing each one individually.”
Through gaps in the sealed crevice, chilly moonlight indicated it was still night outside. After lively activity, one by one, the little bugs entered dormancy.
“With daytime operations ahead, utmost focus is essential. It seems the lightning bugs will remain nocturnal.”
Feeling fatigued, and with growth time ahead before being able to venture out, Thunder Bug drifted into hibernation.
※※※
Sunlight spilled through the crevice, draping the nearly transparent Thunder Bugs in a faint glow.
“Hmm?”
“Is it morning again?”
In a distinctly human-like manner, it waved its appendages to stretch, starting a new day.
“I’d love to sleep in again. How do eyelids develop? Getting awakened by light is something to get used to.”
With wide eyes, Thunder Bug scanned its surroundings.
“Eyelids probably develop during safer times. Nights aren’t safe yet, keeping watch against surprise attacks.”
The bright light slowly roused Thunder Bug's companions with open eyes. Releasing a small electric current to dispel lingering drowsiness, it also nudged its sleepy companions awake, then wriggled its soft, translucent body vigorously.
Post growth, the prior crevice cramped its hundred Thunder Bugs. Hence, with its matured companions, Thunder Bug left the original nest just as lightning bugs returned to forage, sealing the crevice with rubble to protect the seven hibernating lightning bugs from daytime predators.
Leading a hundred Thunder Bugs away from the nest, Thunder Bug, with the morning sun's arrival and amidst the stillness of many creatures, discovered a rock cluster near the lightning bugs' nest. This area boasted numerous suitable nesting crevices and rock gaps, facilitating stealthy Thunder Bug ingress and egress. After eliminating a dozen hiding creatures, Thunder Bug and its cohort seized dominion over “the mountain”.
“Time to get to work.”
Accompanied by a few Thunder Bugs, Thunder Bug set out from the nest, advancing surreptitiously among rock gaps. All Thunder Bugs adopted this post-adjustment exit style, significantly reducing the chance of their communal nest being discovered by predators, though Thunder Bug knew detection was only a matter of time. Therefore, pursuing evolution to complete this stage and better ensure the species’ survival was imperative.
“Now that Thunder Bugs, although still somewhat at risk, have achieved basic survival stability, it’s time to address the bone issue.”
Wielding its muscular appendages with enhanced force and long-term training, the Thunder Bugs' speed improved, giving Thunder Bug a thrill akin to playing "Need for Speed" while navigating rocks.
“‘Accumulating minerals on the back to form a primitive shell,’ the only method I recall from the snail. But how to accumulate? What minerals? These remain questions.”
“Experimentation is essential; a solution will arise.”
Contemplating briefly alongside a method devised over recent days, Thunder Bug decided to visit the prior Thunder Beast's hibernation sandy area.
Uncertain which minerals to accumulate and unfamiliar with what mineral calcium appears like, the conductive minerals witnessed at the Thunder Beast’s site seemed an excellent choice, given Thunder Bugs’ bioelectric offensive nature.
Thunder Bug realized it shouldn’t be confined to former human thought in developing this racial path, seeking a unique developmental road in species advancement. Though deeply frightened by the Thunder Beast during its electrifying nocturnal awe, Gar’s greater emotions were admiration and curiosity towards its might.
With its companions in tow, Thunder Bug cautiously dodged more numerous predators than at night. Through extended predation avoidance, Thunder Bug observed that civilian-level creatures acknowledged their lot in the shallow sea, living peacefully to reproduce before inevitable consumption; soldiers gained experience, living cautiously; leaders, though top-tier regular predators, needed to be wary of super predators to survive; creatures above this level, like those enormous predators, might rank as bosses; so what rank was the Thunder Beast? Occasionally, Thunder Bug pondered such thoughts.
The sandy area where the encounter with the Thunder Beast occurred gradually appeared in the distance. With lens eyes equipped, Thunder Bug’s mental sensing downgraded to an all-around short-range alert mode, with vision assuming primary forward reconnaissance duty.
The shallow sea world hadn’t achieved the vibrant, life-rich state of Earth’s past shallow seas. Mud-gray dominated, with life’s splash of color brought only by the occasional creature passing through.
“Curious about the current state of land, once this stage concludes, I should head ashore.”