Chapter 2: Dark Matter

Dark Matter!

Han Meng knows too much about what this means. Not because he is an aspiring physicist or astronomer, but because Dark Matter contains too much mystery to Humans that even the average person starts to have wild imagination about it.

To know about Dark Matter you have to know how it was first found. Which was through astronomer observing a galaxy far away.

The astronomer theorized that a galaxy is basically a giant black hole that have gravitational force, which makes it able pull billions of stars to its orbit. But the astronomer thought that as stars goes more near to the black hole, then their rotation speed around the black hole should get faster than the stars at the edge of the galaxy. But after observing the stars at the edge. A mind blowing sight greeted them, which was the fact that stars at the edge had a discrepancy in speed with their theory.

After multiple observation, they theorized that in the universe there is some kind of "Matter" that exist, and it's amount far surpasses the actual observable Matters which are stars, planets, black holes, etc.

But this Dark Matter was able to affect star rotation speed with its amount, and able light produce by stars by bending them.

And these were the only clues about the dark matter known to scientists so far:

1- They exist

2- They aren't observable

3- They form around 25% of the whole observable universe, while known matter only form around 5%. But the rest of the universe is formed through Dark Energy, which although sounds similar to Dark Matter, they are totally different.

The only similarity between them is the fact scientists know absolutely nothing about them.

So you can imagine the Humans frustration at this unknown element, yet at the same time their excitement to explore the unknown.

Han Meng started to theorize that Dark Matter or Cosmos energy is a type "thing" that exist in a universe with a higher dimension, probably the one where they made him a lab rat.

"Cosmos energy is a universal existence and all of it's usage is highly mysterious. For example, the reason you are able to preserve your consciousness while in the form of a bacteria is related with Cosmos energy"

Guide started to explain.

"One of the main goals of this Trial is discovering anything related to Cosmos energy. And any subject who discovers anything about Cosmos energy will be rewarded with the highest level of rewards."

"Rewards?!" Han meng asked in excitement, after all, that is something from a higher "level" civilization.

"Yes, there are rewards for different type of achievements. From the basic thing of inventing simple tool to surviving a life-threatening encounter. But the highest form of reward comes from any contact with this world Cosmos energy."

Han Meng started to get excited. At the same time, he realized the importance of Cosmos energy to the "Observers".

"So, what should I do next?" Han Meng asked.

"Evolve to the highest lifeform possible from a Cyanobacteria. To have contact with Cosmos energy, a higher-level lifeform is required. Keep in mind that Humans were at a level that weren't able to let them observe the Cosmos energy."

Han Meng felt a heavy pressure finally. After all, that was basically telling him to surpass the evolution path of humans, which might be short compared to the lifeforms on earth alone. But those lifeforms were mostly a pre-requisite to Human existence.

"To assist Subjects in completing the Trial, each subject was injected with a Cosmos energy at a subconscious level, which provide them with a random ability. And having this ability is a requirement to being a Subject. But this ability is random and impossible to predict. So, you have to figure your ability by yourself."

Han Meng was surprised for a second, then remembered when the guide told him at the beginning that his Speciality was unknown.

Han Meng was confused as how would his ability manifest itself through his bacterial form, and how would it perform if he evolved to a Human for example.

Han Meng wanted to ask more questions, but at this time something suddenly happened!

Han Meng heard a screeching around him, he was shocked for a second then transferred his "sight" to his surroundings. And he was able to observe that his body was floating in a surface of a greenish liquid. Which should be the Sea at the Hadean Eon, and he figured his ability to see everything around him should be related to Cosmos energy. But he didn't have time to think about that right now

In front of him appeared a giant monstrosity which scared him shitless. It looked like a worm with a straw for mouth, but it had six legs. And was using only two of it's hind legs to saunter around, which reminded him of a bear in the woods. This monster then started to munch on the anaerobic bacteria around him.

Han Meng realized to his horror what this organism is!

Tardigrade! The most resilient lifeform on planet earth. And this is by modern earth standard, which had some scientist nickname it immortal for it's ability to survive even in vacuum space.

"Impossible! Tardigrade shouldn't exist in right now!" Han Meng exclaimed in disbelief and horror. You couldn't blame him, Tardigrade favourite food was cyanobacteria.

"Guide!! What should I do now?!!" Asked Han Meng in a flurry. He never felt his life so threatened like now.

"Subject encountered his first life and death encounter. I advise you to survive it, there will be a reward for that" Guide answered mechanically.

"@£$%%£" Han Meng started to shout vulgarity at his guide.

"if I were able to survive it would I have a need for a useless guide like you??!!!" Han Meng shouted at the top of his non-existent lung.

" The only thing I could do right now is to urge you to figure your Special ability faster, as it is the only way to be able to overcome this situation." Guide reminded calmly.

"ah?!" Han Meng remembered finally that he should have a super power of some sort, but he had no idea what it is and how he could use it.

He started to try every function of his body while the Tardigrade was feasting on anaerobic bacteria not far away. Which only resulted in producing more oxygen only.

And this caused the tardigrade attention to be drawn on his body, which resulted in more panic from him.

The Tardigrade started to inch closer to him, and he tried to wriggle his body away, but he was unfamiliar with his body, and even if he was, it would be useless as the tardigrade was faster.

Han Meng instinctual reaction caused the Tardigrade to react more violently, and ignore the surrounding bacteria.

"F**k!! Why are you chasing me you stupid worm-bear??! Don't you see the surrounding food is more obedient??" Han Meng cursed as he was trying to run, but to his despair the Tardigrade was getting closer and closer.

When Han Meng saw it open it's mouth in attempt to chomp on him.

"scheee!!!!"

He was surprised to see it started screeching and wriggling in pain. Then he realized, it was reacting to the oxygen that was produced from his body!

This tardigrade still hasn't evolved in oxygen filled environment yet. So oxygen should be toxic to it.

But Han Meng didn't have enough time to be happy, only to see the tardigrade turning its eyes to his direction, and it started to glow with a streak viciousness.

Han Meng had a bad feeling all of a sudden. Only to see the Tardigrade body shining with purplish sheen on its carapace and its body started squirming in pain, then its tubular mouth grew two strands of hair and started to settle down!

It evolved! Han Meng instinctually knew what had happened as it chilled his mind when he thought what about to happen next.

Sure enough. The Tardigrade started sucking the oxygen around Han Meng bacterial body, and was enjoying the taste as if it was the most delicious thing in the world!

"F**k!! That's totally unscientific! How can it evolve in the blink of an eye?!!" Han Meng cursed in despair as he foresaw what would happen to him once the Tardigrade finished it's appetizers.

"Interesting. These are some type of void creatures that have adapted to the usage of Cosmos energy, but why are they here?..." Guide exclaimed, and for the first time her voice had a change of tone to one that was full of interest.

But Han Meng didn't have the mind to pay attention to her right now as he was desperately trying to run for his life, but he couldn't run far before the tardigrade managed to catch up. And have used it's four forearms to catch his body, then pierced its mouth on Han Meng's body and started sucking.

"Ahhhhh!!"

Han Meng felt a severe pain like he never did feel before, and his conciseness started to become blurry for a second.

Aiii….. my short lived bacterial lifeform.

Han Meng felt like crying. He had tons of question to ask guide and a lot of interesting mysteries about the history of earth is appearing in front him, yet he was about to be sucked for dinner by a water bear.

When Han Meng conciseness was about to fade, and the Tardigrade started to suck on his Nucleoid. A sudden change happened.

Han Meng's Nucleoid which was in the shape of a sphere that was made of a bunch strings like a rubber band ball, but instead of rubber band, it was made of genetic materials.

Han Meng's spherical Nucleoid surprisingly jumped inside the Tardigrade mouth, and entered its body. Han Meng was surprised to see that, and he felt his conciseness become clearer and his body had a different feel to him than when he was a Cyanobacteria. He felt his Nucleoid invade Tardigrade and started assimilating it's genetic material with tardigrade and enhancing them.

The Tardigrade finally felt danger strike it, as it, as it tried to run away from Han Meng's Cyanobacteria body, but he halted soon after as Han Meng felt his conciseness fighting this lifeform conciseness for control over the body. Han Meng got excited as he finally saw a hope for survival.

He was suddenly surrounded by a pitch dark void, and he saw himself in his human form, but he looked corporeal and not whole.

He had a handsome chiselled face along with a white skin and a black hair that grow into a shaggy appearance. He had sleepy eyes, but his pupils always filled with curiosity to his surroundings. Which made people think that he always closing himself in a room full of books, which was partially true.

Han Meng was first surprised, but it didn't take long for him to notice The tardigrade in front of him, only now it was the size of a household cat.

"Interesting. Your ability seems to be absorbing and assimilating life forms, but not just the cellular level, also on the genetic level. Which was unheard of before!" Guide exclaimed in surprise. And no one can blame it.

After all, there is a difference between absorbing something relying on a single cell and a Nucleoid of DNA. Imagine that if Han Meng managed to evolve to become Human. Then he would be able to assimilate a whole human by only relying on a single DNA strand, which human are full of. And he will be able to take control of everything that human had from memory to appearance to potential and talents. Just thinking about it made Han Meng full of fear even though he was the owner of such a break-the-game kind of cheat.

"What do I do now?!!" Han Meng asked in a panic.

" You are now in a conciseness space that was formed by the Cosmic energy inside the Tardigrade body, which will absorb the weaker conciseness and assimilate it into the space. Which will nourish the residing conciseness in the long term.

Usually the host of the body has the home advantage of defending his conciseness and making the space attack the invader, which will make it easier for the defender to win" Guide explained as-a-matter-of-fact.

"ISN'T THIS BAD??!!" Han Meng is going to go crazy by Guide's calm attitude when dangerous thing happens to him.

"Don't worry, the tardigrade size is a lot smaller than you in the conciseness space, which makes you mentally stronger than it. And that's all matter in a fight of ownership in this space. Mental Fortitude."

"Then that means I have the ability to kick it out of his body and claim ownership to this body??" Han Meng was excited as he glanced at the Tardigrade in the distance that was eyeing him full of hostility, vigilance, and fear while retreating.

Han Meng was excited about claiming ownership to the Tardigrade's body, which was a lot more advanced than the a bacterial body. And it wasn't just because the Tardigrade is the most resilient lifeform on Earth, but also because it should be the only current lifeform that had managed to develop a brain at this current Eon, along with a pair of simple eyes that had only a single light receptor to each eye! Such a complex lifeform managed to develop early at this inhabitable Earth is confusing to Han Meng, but he thought it should have something to do with the Cosmos energy.