The enemy was dragging a tentacle Ga-Ga Beast carcass, nearly the size of its own body. It seemed to have observed the herd for a while; adult tentacle Ga-Ga Beasts never left their nests, and the juveniles posed no threat to it. The only concern was other predators, so it brazenly dragged its meal, ignoring the four small beasts approaching it.

"I’m going to kill you," Ga Ga thought, trying to calm its nerves and dispel the dizziness in its head. It maintained control over the four bewildered small beasts, keeping vigilant for any potential threats.

The three other predators, separated by the entire herd, hadn't yet noticed the situation.

As they drew closer, the intruder glanced curiously at the approaching quartet but still did not relinquish its grip on the large chunk of meat in its jaws, perhaps thinking these four were just following their kin.

"Charge!"

Ga Ga controlled the small beasts to accelerate using their body's electrical discharge, bypassing the dragged adult tentacle Ga-Ga Beast corpse. In its hesitation, they avoided the intruder's tail, one after another leaping onto its back and head, with two biting into the fleshy ridge on its spine.

The agony jolted the greedy intruder into releasing a roar, dropping the carcass from its jaws. Thrashing furiously to dislodge the bold attackers, Ga Ga refused to grant it such a reprieve.

As soon as two of the small beasts latched onto the intruder’s spine, Ga Ga instructed another to cover its eyes with electrified tentacle paws while the last one bit into its neck. Even though the shock's power was diminished on land and mainly used defensively, it was still potent, especially against vulnerable areas like the eyes.

Blinded, the intruder felt nothing but searing pain, followed by sudden darkness and flashes of agonizing light.

With a mighty roar, the intruder collapsed, the four small beasts cleverly leaping aside. After a brief pause, it staggered back to its feet, blood streaming from its eyes, attacking its surroundings blindly.

Ga Ga ordered the small beasts to encircle the intruder, waiting for exhaustion to set in before delivering a fatal blow. The battle seemed won.

"Phew, that was tiring. I was too careless before."

But just as Ga Ga began to relax, a flicker of movement caught its eye—three predators, previously lurking beyond the herd, were now racing towards the frenzied battleground where the small beasts and the blind enemy clashed.

"Drawn by the noise? Damn it, can't catch a break, huh?"

Ga Ga had hoped to exhaust the intruder before finishing it off, but circumstances demanded swift action to prevent others from taking advantage.

"Lure it into the herd."

Ga Ga directed the small beasts to position themselves between the blind intruder and the herd, using their juvenile calls to capture its attention.

The intruder reacted more aggressively than expected, charging recklessly toward the source of its pain upon hearing the sound.

There was no longer a need to attract its focus; the intruder sprinted headlong toward a robust adult tentacle Ga-Ga Beast.

Momentarily stunned, the small beasts scattered at the sight of the charging enemy before retreating into the protection of the adult beast’s territory under Ga Ga's guidance.

Ga Ga! Ga Ga!

Following Ga Ga's instruction, the protected small beasts cried out as the enemy drew near, prompting the adult tentacle Ga-Ga Beast to adopt a defensive stance against its eyeless foe.

With a resounding thud, the two massive bodies collided. The prepared adult beast sank its teeth into the intruder's nape, while the attacker, unable to turn and bite its assailant, continued to flail futilely.

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Running out of stamina, its blood slowly drained, the intruder succumbed after a desperate struggle.

[Command squad has eliminated a Long-Spined Dragon. Long-Spined Dragon hunting mission now unlocked.]

"Hmm?" Ga Ga's mind was jolted by the return of a system prompt.

[Long-Spined Dragon Hunting Mission

Objective: Hunt 20 Long-Spined Dragons (1/20)

Reward: 100 (Evolution Points)

Thermostatic Fan Spine]

The mission interface that Ga Ga hadn't seen since its unicellular days appeared once more, prompting it to refocus on the present.

"The mission finally appeared. 8051 said it's not mandatory and has no time limit, meaning I can take my time, though I shouldn’t waste it."

"But in my current state, I can’t even leave, let alone complete tasks. With my current growth rate, it shouldn't be long before things change."

[Initial task triggered; main storyline mission activated.]

"What?!"

[Main Storyline Mission 1: Breeding Point

Objective: Establish a stable breeding point.

Content: Reproduction is vital for species survival. A secure breeding point is foundational for species growth, providing necessary nutrients and protection from threats.

Reward: Brain Upgrade to Level 2]

"A breeding point... I'll need to find an electro-stone mine first. Establishing a territory around it would eliminate the constant fear of attack," Ga Ga mused, glancing at the scattered nests. "This strategy of an adult protecting each nest isn't sustainable, like a sandpile ready to scatter."

"But I’m dizzy... I’ll take a nap first."

Leaning against the adult tentacle Ga-Ga Beast guarding it, Ga Ga allowed itself to relax. Soon, its steady breathing blended into the surroundings. Meanwhile, the small beasts under Ga Ga's command—except the sleeping ones—diligently kept watch.

The previously lurking predators vanished into the night once the Long-Spined Dragon was eliminated.

"Is this child labor?" Ga Ga chuckled sleepily.

...

As each day passed, the small beasts grew, and the adult tentacle Ga-Ga Beast herd that ventured out returned after several days.

"Fewer of them returned. Is it dangerous outside?" Ga Ga noted the reduced numbers and the injuries many carried, sensing the outside world’s threat.

Understanding the prowess of tentacle Ga-Ga Beasts, Ga Ga knew they were formidable, even previously rated boss-level.

Thud!

A chunk of meat, oozing with white blood, landed in Ga Ga's nest. The liquid and the bones indicated its original owner was an electro-stone-based, energy creature.

Observing the fresh meat, Ga Ga refrained from hastily devouring it like its peers. Standing almost two-thirds the height of a mature tentacle Ga-Ga Beast, it surveyed the surroundings.

Every nest seemed to receive a similar piece of meat, some noticeably older. For the young energy-based creatures, these were sufficient to meet nutritional needs. "Indeed, I nearly forgot—preying on energy creatures also satisfies the electro-stone and energy requirements. But it's far riskier."

"No gain without risk."

The guarding adult female tentacle Ga-Ga Beasts, however, received large chunks of ordinary meat. Their dietary needs were met from standard food, and they seldom moved. Consequently, their nutritional reserves remained substantial.

After assessing the situation, the predators that had been lingering fled into the shadows upon the herd’s return. "Quick to retreat, aren’t they?"

"Seems I'll need to find some omnivorous options—plants are nutritious too," Ga Ga realized, tearing off a small piece of meat. Being carnivorous, its sharp teeth made chewing difficult, necessitating small bites.

"The current carnivorous diet is insufficient for the clan. Hunts take too long."

"Once I upgrade with thermostatic components, operational time and food needs will increase. However, available food in any area at a given time is fixed."

Looking at the hundreds of beasts, each on its own would be a hunter's match, but their combined presence demanded extensive resources. While powerful, the food-related challenges were daunting. "Not something outsiders would understand."

"Ha... lucky I don’t have hair, or it would've fallen out by now. Really, having no hair would make things fairer. Ha ha, Ga Ga!"

"8051 mentioned the tentacle Ga-Ga Beast species has tens of thousands..." Ga Ga reminisced.

"Overall numbers need to grow, but group sizes must be reconsidered." Swallowing another mouthful of tender meat, Ga Ga surveyed the area—rivers to the west, mountains to the east, endless deserts north and south.

"First, find a breeding point and assess the surroundings. Until then, prioritize group safety." Ga Ga!

With a full belly, enough to sustain for days, Ga Ga stood and leaped, continuously exercising to ensure peak physical condition upon reaching maturity. However, as for mental and spiritual training, Ga Ga found no method, often falling asleep in its attempts, only to wake and try again, repeating the cycle.

"When will I find a method?"

Currently, Ga Ga and its companions were by the river, filling their empty water pouches.

"I can influence adult actions now. In a few days, I should be able to control them again. Independent thought is troublesome, though it's necessary for civilization's progress. I can't build a civilization alone, or as just one beast, nor do I wish to. Ga Ga Ga."

And what about after achieving independent thought? Ga Ga didn't bother contemplating. "I'll know when it happens." (Such an exasperating personality...)