The microorganisms now living in symbiosis with the Middle-aged Man Chief were conscious.
They could consciously optimize their own mutations.
Then the Middle-aged Man told them, "The mutations you optimize need to have priorities."
"Which mutations should I help you optimize?"
"Start with these—survival-related ones. They need to resist high temperatures and high pressure, filter toxic gases, extract moisture from the air, produce energy..."
"And they need to cure the diseased areas in my body, as well as poisoning..."
That was right. The Middle-Aged Leader's first thought was that he needed to live a long life.
Only with a long enough lifespan could he hold out until the end and defeat the Robots.
The microorganism was now in a symbiotic relationship with him. Once it heard that, it understood that only if he lived could it live as well...
Naturally, it chose to help him.
After all, a large portion of the food he obtained would go to it.
The stronger he became, the better its chances of survival.
It could also spread itself farther.
Its original consciousness had a core, and the core colony was located inside the man's body.
If it left him, it would be difficult to find another symbiotic host this suitable.
This was a partnership that greatly benefited both sides.
As their exchanges increased, the Middle-Aged Leader said, "Since you possess intelligence and you're a microorganism, I'll call you Little Wei from now on."
"Little Wei? Sure, whatever." Little Wei sounded unconcerned.
Little Wei then began helping the Middle-Aged Leader according to that plan.
No one had expected that, somehow, the Middle-Aged Leader had instead become like a protagonist who had stumbled upon a miraculous opportunity.
They were not wrong.
Looking closely, didn't this Middle-Aged Leader resemble a protagonist who had acquired some cheat device