Leon—or B-741, as the system called him—held tight to his fungal spore cluster, two tiny specks eating through the wet decay. Up above, the air was heavy, dripping from leaves into the dirt, but down here, it was just a faint push, a nudge moving him along. He didn't feel the damp or smell the rot—just worked on the spores, both of him focused.
"Twenty-four hours," he thought, restless. "One day, I'm four. Then eight. Keeps going." He couldn't taste the spores or feel the difference from bug shell to mold, but the system said it was better. More food, more energy. Progress, if you could call it that.
[Nutrient intake at 80%. Split in 22 hours.]
"Getting close," he thought, a small nod of satisfaction. He pushed harder, both specks breaking down the cluster with purpose.
The system stayed quiet, leaving him to his thoughts.
Time moved slow, thick with jungle noise—bugs humming, leaves shifting, water dripping far off. He didn't track hours without the system's updates, just felt the grind of eating and waiting. His mind stayed clear, split across two specks he couldn't see, always ready.
[Nutrient intake at 90%. Split in 12 hours.]
"Halfway," he thought, a quick sense of pride hitting him. He worked faster, both specks tearing into the spores. The cluster felt thinner—not something he could grab, just a sense the food was running out. "Need more soon," he said to himself. "Not drifting blind if I can avoid it."
The ground shook a little, a ripple through the dirt. He noticed it, and the system spoke.
[Something moved. New food's near.]
"Again?" He stayed calm, curious. "What is it? More mold? Dead bug?"
[Rotting plant bit. Close: 0.03 millimeters.]
"Plant bit?" He pictured a soggy root or leaf. "Better than bug guts, I guess."
[Food's decent. Move to it.]
"Move already?" He paused, not thrilled. "Just got here." The spores were low, though, and staying put wasn't smart. "Anything I need to watch out for?"
[Low risk. All clear. Go.]
"Alright," he thought. "Plant's better than this. Let's do it." He nudged both specks off the spores—smoother now, like he was getting it down. The current pulled him, a quick spin through water or muck, and he tumbled, two specks rolling through the dark.
It was over fast. He hit something stringy—tough but soft, like wet rope. The system buzzed.
[Move done. New spot: plant bit. Eating again.]
"Plant bit," he said, settling in. "Feels tougher." Both of him dug in. It wasn't as easy as the spores—harder to break down—but it was steady, enough to keep going. He didn't joke about it, just ate.
[Nutrient intake at 92%. Split in 10 hours.]
"Ten hours," he thought, a small grin. "Moving faster." He kept at it, working the plant like it was a job. The jungle hummed—something flew overhead, wings cutting the air, but he stayed focused. Just him, two specks, pushing forward.
Time dragged, but he was used to it—no stress, just the routine.
[Nutrient intake at 98%. Split in 4 hours.]
"Four hours," he said, a spark of energy kicking in. "Four of me soon." He pushed harder, both specks ripping the plant apart. The strand was falling apart now, giving way. "Almost there," he muttered, ready.
The ground shook again—harder, rattling the dirt. He stopped, alert.
"What's that?"
[Something big moved. Close: 0.1 meters.]
"Big?" He tensed, thinking fast. "Bug? Something worse?"
[Can't tell. Small problem. Food's safe.]
"Small problem?" he said, a sharp edge in his voice. "Something's out there, and I'm just sitting here." He waited, braced, but nothing came—no crush, no chaos. "Fine," he said, letting it go. "Four hours. Keep moving."
[Nutrient intake at 100%. Splitting now.]
"Here it comes," he thought, steady. The pull hit—stretching, snapping, done. No pain, just a shift, and he was four. Four specks, all him, locked on the plant, all focused.
[Split done. You're four. Evolution choice ready.]
"Four," he thought, feeling it across four minds still tied as one. "Let's see what's next." The choice appeared, clear in his head.
[Evolution choice: Pick one.
Toxin Resistance – Handle bad stuff 20% better.
Cluster Mode – Stick tight, move as one.
Quick Split – Split 15% faster next time.]
He looked it over, thinking quick. "Toxin Resistance—good if trouble hits. Cluster Mode—better movement. Quick Split—more of me, faster. What's best?"
[Pick now. 60 seconds.]
"Sixty seconds," he said, calm but annoyed. "Always a clock." He thought it through. "Toxin's safe but slow. Quick Split's numbers. Cluster Mode's control." He chose. "Cluster Mode. Let's move smart."
[Done. Cluster Mode on. You stick better.]
"Stick better," he said, testing it. He nudged all four specks, and they moved—slow, rough, but together, like a single unit. "That's something," he thought, satisfied.