"Self-awareness?"

"Hmm... better head back to the space and ask 8051 about it." Ga Ga.

"Alright, system, initiate breeding period." (System breeding, Ga Ga =.=)

Ignoring the now restless herd, Ga Ga left them to their own devices. Finding a rocky outcrop on the mountainside, it nestled into the shadow of the plants, remaining motionless to keep watch over the herd below and wait for the transition back to the editing space.

Fidgeting slightly to quell the restlessness, Ga Ga mused, "Damn it, civilization must come with an aesthetic transformation, yes."

"Maybe I should consider switching to a gender less affected, perhaps female... I'm starting to feel it too, ugh..."

…

【It's been ten days, are you still not planning to start editing? 8051 commented, observing Ga Ga lazing by the lake.】

"Hmm... Ah... It's just so comfortable here."

"8051, sing me a song."

【Are you still groggy, or have you been influenced by the laziness of the cold-blooded creatures? 8051 wondered, observing the motionless tentacle Ga Ga Beast.】

"Well... not really... It's just there's no danger in the space, and there are thirty days anyway. Why not enjoy this peaceful life?"

【Peaceful life? 8051 echoed, puzzled.】

"Yes, outside even resting requires constant vigilance. It might seem relaxing, but you have to be alert every moment, always scanning the surroundings, mentally on edge."

【Oh, then continue your rest. But won't this reduce your editing experiment time considerably? 8051 expressed concern.】

"I'll start after a bit more rest, yes."

【...】

…

"So, I've accumulated a total of 980 evolution points this time. Surprising how the mission mode seemingly reduced the number of creatures eliminated but increased the gains significantly."

"Components include: Kol Beast's fat component, Long-Spined Dragon's thermostatic fan spine, Greenification Seed's scent temptation ability, Razor Beast's sharp claw component. Not too bad."

"Hmm. What should I install?"

Looking at the holographic image of the tentacle Ga Ga Beast, Ga Ga considered the legs, which were adapted from amphibian limbs, stretched and thickened under the skeletal architect ability, and further refined by the system to their current form.

Thigh, shank, foot.

Perhaps due to human memories, Ga Ga had adjusted the appearance to match its aesthetic sensibilities, except for the large foot.

Yet overall aesthetic coherence was crucial, and Ga Ga found the upper limbs particularly frustrating.

No matter the adjustments, using reptilian thighs as a base rendered the upper limbs unable to transcend the foot limitation, failing to transform into hands.

"Why is that? 8051, this hand, no, just the upper limb."

【The skeletal architect ability can easily shape it into a hand, but do you still remember how to use one?】

"How to use a hand? Isn't it just like... hmm."

【You've forgotten, haven't you?】

"Impossible, I seem to remember, but it's hazy. What's going on?"

【Utilization depends on your knowledge. Humans may halt hand use for years yet remain adept through practice because they remain human, always retaining hands. But you've ceased being human through long-term evolution adaptations, adjusting to your evolved body. Look at your consciousness form; though untrained and below three hundred points, it already assumes a rough form. What does it resemble?】

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"Tentacle Ga Ga Beast." Ga Ga noted the long tail trailing from its consciousness form, with clearly defined tentacles behind its head.

【Editing a hand is simple enough; after completing the next main mission, the brain will evolve further, automatically developing hands from those upper limbs. For now, consider shaping them into claws.】

"You mean the current electric tentacle claws?" Ga Ga observed the holographic display of its three-electric-tentacle integrated claws.

【That composite is an improvised semblance due to fragmented hand memory. I'm suggesting claws designed entirely for attack, not this decorative form...】

"Weren't they capable of attack?" Ga Ga internally questioned but rejected this notion upon deeper consideration.

"Fine, I'll set the hand issue aside for now and modify it later."

"So 8051, what does self-awareness mean? Didn't we already have independent consciousness? How is it different?"

【The names reveal the difference, 8051 replied.】

"Uh."

【Independent consciousness is foundational; self-awareness signifies the emergence of 'I' in individuals, considering themselves beyond merely following the primary consciousness.】

【In fact, Ga.】

"Hmm?"

【What do you perceive as primary consciousness?】

"The primary consciousness is the species leader's awareness... Uh, main consciousness? Like they act according to my consciousness, based on my lead."

【It's nothing so intricate. Initially, primary consciousness provides awareness seeds to encourage independent consciousness emergence among individuals or descendants. Eventually, those with independent consciousness sustain the primary consciousness, simple as that.】

【Your perception of primary consciousness controlling the herd, its commands, is largely system-supported.】

【With the development of self-awareness in individuals, primary consciousness commands weaken over time.】

【Ultimately, as species independence solidifies, primary consciousness binds with the species. Without individual awareness supply, the primary consciousness dies with the species, negating later resurrections via system backups.】

"So primary consciousness fully integrates with the species?"

"Yet the primary consciousness retains greater awareness than regular individuals, no?"

【That's true, but so what? 8051 questioned Ga Ga.】

"Primary consciousness, the species' collective awareness; isn't that meaningful?"

"Guiding species development with the primary consciousness, reflecting collective will—shouldn't it be that way?"

【That's your perspective. Though the system doesn’t limit such ideas, it hopes for diverse species development. You can pursue these within reality’s framework. 8051 supported Ga Ga.】

"How do I proceed?"

【...】

【Beep—, 8051 replied.】

"Alright, alright, I get it."

"First, let's edit the biology. Starting with body size, epic creature proportions are unattainable now, so we’ll scale down to two meters."

"Integrate fat components for longer nutrition retention, and added insulation against cold and falls, alongside power supply benefits."

"Hmm... So, 100 points spent."

"Thermostatic fan spine, though previously desired, isn’t essential now. It can await civilization's advent; more advanced systems may arise."

"Sharp claw components—one at 50 points—could install individually or as triple sets like Wolverine. Let's explore other options."

"Lastly, Greenification Seed..."

"Skip..." (Huh?)

"Scent temptation—essentially a group-wide taunt. Why attract hordes to devour me? Not suitable now."

"Thus, even with Wolverine claws, 591 points remain..."

"So 8051, assistance."

【You're direct. 8051 responded, mentally exasperated.】

"Of course, given our billions of years of camaraderie, hehe."

【To you, only a few decades, 8051 precisely calculated.】

"Well, overlook that. Any good suggestions?"

【Beep—】

"…"

"That's blunt."

【So don’t ask me, since I don't know, hence beep—.】

"Uh."

"Seems like component upgrades are straightforward now; vocal cords need no replacement, just enhancement. Upright beast legs hold potential for enhancement, even pre-civilization foot modification—speed is paramount."

【Upright Beast Legs (Level 2)

Upgradeable to Level 4, enhancing speed and load-bearing.

Primary influences: foot, skeleton, heart, brain, muscle

Speed: 30 (current) — 50 (next level)

Next level requires: 1000】

"Upgrading legs twice uses 400 points, leaving 191 for vocal cord upgrades."

Ultimately, the tentacle Ga Ga Beast became a speed-oriented, sharp-clawed specimen.

Remaining 41 points added an electric tentacle, symmetrical now with four, covering back and sides, and relocating the horn to above the forehead (like a unicorn's, albeit shorter =.=).

Claws transformed into three central blades with side tentacle fingers.

【Tentacle Ga Ga Beast

Land Creature

Evolution Points: 11

Health: 250/250

Consciousness: 13/160

Primary Consciousness: 280

Attack: Electric Horn (40) ×3, Fanged Mouth (80), Electric Tentacles (5) ×4, Sharp Claws (40) ×2, Focused Electric Attack (310)

Defense: Thin Scaled Waterproof Skin (80) (Enhanced Electric Resistance)

Speed: 30

Perception: Touch, Sight, Taste, Smell, Hearing, Magnetic Sense

Reproduction: Egg

Species Evaluation: Carnivore

Group Evaluation: Military Unit

With a brain upgrade to Level 2, self-awareness development begins, diminishing your perceived primary consciousness authority; perhaps, someday, individuals may defy your orders. How will you respond to this potential crisis? Keep in mind, nature presents not only foes but also friends.】

"Friends? What does that mean?"

【Nature isn’t pure conflict; some species can coexist peacefully.】

"Huh?"

【Nature functions this way, with symbiosis representing peace. Not necessarily seeking symbiotic partners, but other coexistence methods exist, which you must beep—.】

"Oh, symbiosis could be interesting; perhaps I already harbor symbiotic bacteria."

"But those considerations await future encounters."

"Well, enough rest, approximately time, let’s continue."

【Confirm editing completion?】

"Yes."

【Species editing complete, exiting biological editing space.】

…

"Again with the eggshell!"

"I forgot to ask 8051 about this—what a tragedy." (And the female issue =.=)

Ga Ga—