Lin Mu sat on a worn wooden chair, his gaze fixed on the shimmering, invisible boundary of the Azure Shield Array. Inside, years were passing in a blur of motion; outside, the world was still and silent.
"System, open the Codon Records. I want to see the genetic readout for the current hybrids."
A translucent screen manifested before him, displaying a rotating double-helix strand that pulsed with a faint gold light—the visible signature of human integration.
[Codon Records: Formicidae Sapiens (Gen 1)]
Designation: Worker (FSW-001)
Biological Integrity: Stable (82% Ant / 18% Human)
Estimated Lifespan: 1 Year.
Status: Healthy.
Lin Mu's eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned the data. "One year?"
Ordinary worker ants usually lived for a few months at most. By introducing human longevity markers, he had effectively increased their life expectancy. This was crucial; a civilization couldn't advance if individuals died before they could pass on their experiences or develop complex skills. Knowledge needed a vessel that lasted longer than a season.
However, as he looked at the layout of the yard, Lin Mu began to calculate the ecological risks.
"The current environment is too safe," he mused, tapping his chin. "With this birth rate and extended lifespan, they will overpopulate this ten-meter radius within a few 'years.' Without external pressure, they will become stagnant. They'll just consume the aphids and fungus until the local resources collapse and they starve in a paradise of their own making."
He needed to turn this backyard into a true testing ground. He needed predators—biological hurdles that would force the Ant-Humans to sharpen their logic, craft weapons, and develop tools. To him, this wasn't about cruelty; it was about ensuring the species didn't hit an evolutionary dead end. A god who only gives bread creates a weak race.
He scrolled through the System Store, his eyes landing on a utility item perfect for his logistical needs.
[Patrol Robot (Scout Model)]
Cost: 10 Karma Points per unit.
Description: A mini-drone equipped with optical camouflage, high-strength capture pincers, and a genetic sampling probe. Operates on a frequency undetectable by current Bluestar technology. Capable of travelling at supersonic speed.
Link: Can be synced with a Primary AI Unit for autonomous collection and monitoring.
"I'll take four," Lin Mu decided. Forty Karma Points vanished, leaving him with a thin balance of 10.
Four mechanical drones materialized in the air around Atlas. They were sleek, crafted from a dark, non-reflective alloy. They were flying around quietly.
"Atlas, these are your eyes and hands outside the array," Lin Mu commanded. "Link them to your core processor and begin reconnaissance."
Atlas: "Linking complete. Patrol Units 01 through 04 are active. Stealth systems engaged. Awaiting mission parameters."
Lin Mu stood up, looking toward the distant trees at the edge of his property and the damp, shadowed corners of the neighboring gardens.
"The Ant-Humans are currently about one to two centimeters tall. I need predators that represent different types of challenges," Lin Mu said, his tone analytical. "Atlas, dispatch the units. Search for corresponding organisms—spiders for ambush, beetles for armored combat, perhaps a centipede for overwhelming speed. We need to test their environmental awareness and pressure their defensive coordination."
Atlas: "Orders received. Commencing collection mission."
The four drones blurred, their optical camouflage turning them into mere ripples in the air as they shot over the fence, disappearing into the vast world of the Bluestar.
Lin Mu sat back down, watching the fast-moving world through the system window. The little creatures were currently huddling, communicating with each other using their new, complex antlers—a primitive language of touch and vibration.
"The world is about to get much larger for you guys," Lin Mu whispered, his reflection ghosting over the holographic display. "And much more dangerous."