The cave was vast, with towering rocks and rugged walls, yet the tens of thousands of people inside didn't feel crowded. Some sat on the ground, while others found seats on clean stones. Some formed small groups, murmuring in low voices about matters, while most remained silent, their eyes revealing their worries.
In the distance, a few children were still playing joyfully. Their teachers, responsible for their care, continued as usual, engaging them in games. For the children, this was like an extracurricular lesson.
It had been a few hours since the shimmering light had subsided. As the administrative structure remained intact, people quickly settled down after a brief panic and began to habitually follow the government's arrangements.
A figure that seemed like a leader, accompanied by a few others, ascended to a higher area within the cave. The crowd's attention shifted, and they focused their gaze on this person.
Even the playing children quieted down under the soothing guidance of their teachers, resembling little adults, waiting for a meeting to commence.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my surname is Mi, and I'm the dean of the research institute. I was among the first batch of people to arrive in this small town. I believe you all have some guesses about the current situation. There are suspicions. Here, according to confidentiality regulations and in special circumstances, I can reveal some information that needs to be shared."
"Firstly, let's dismiss any conspiracy theories. However, I admit that this is most likely a scientific research accident."
Upon hearing "scientific research accident," the crowd started buzzing with discussions.
Someone shouted, "Quiet down, everyone!"
The crowd hushed again, allowing Dean Mi to continue.
"Our work involved simulating the birth of the universe at the microcosmic level, and we made significant progress. However, a few hours ago, one of our experiments delved into an incomprehensible scientific domain."
"The uncontrollable factors brought us here and caused immeasurable consequences. I say 'immeasurable' because some brave individuals sacrificed themselves to protect us."
Tears welled up in the eyes of some women in the crowd, while others exchanged bewildered glances.
The dean surveyed the crowd before proceeding. "We honor the fallen heroes and carry on with their hope. Now, I will share what we know and ask you all to remain calm."
"We were mysteriously transported to this cave, all metallic items vanished from our bodies. We can't determine our location for now. Additionally, two gigantic creatures appeared, and we've confirmed them to be enormous ants. It was these ants that took the lives of several of our warriors."
"Initially, we believed that our experiment had caused the ants to grow incredibly large, simultaneously causing the disappearance of metals, leaving our warriors defenseless. However, just now, a brave team of warriors explored and ascertained that it's not the ants that grew larger, but rather, we've become smaller!"
Many speculations had circulated among the people before this, triggered by the massive boulders in the cave, unfamiliar gigantic grass seeds, and rotten wood that looked like tree branches but were thicker and taller than humans. Among the crowd were accomplished zoologists, biologists, physicists, and geologists who had long harbored suspicions about these occurrences. However, their rigorous scientific demeanor and exemplary ethical values kept them patiently waiting for further information.
"Our exploration team has returned, and according to our geologists and biologists, this place is no longer where we originally lived. In other words, we don't know where we've been transported."
"But we can be certain that the government is exerting maximum effort to uncover the truth and will resolve the crisis as soon as possible. However, before that happens, we need to ensure our own survival."
"We, without any weapons, cannot physically overpower insects of similar size. Furthermore, this cave isn't safe, and there's a lack of drinking water. Our biologists have determined that this is a cave where various species coexist. Thus, at nightfall, nearby insects and predators will seek shelter or prey within the cave. We must find a safe and defensible place before darkness falls."
The dean paused briefly, then continued, "Given the urgency, we've decided to implement a wartime state. The research institute and military personnel will collaborate to distribute tasks and personnel. We request cooperation from the administrative staff of the original town."
At this point, the dean glanced at the mayor of the small town, who nodded. Having arrived in the town not too long ago, he understood that many matters required the involvement of the research institute. He was also grateful that both the institute's personnel and the military were present. In such circumstances, relying solely on the town's police force and administrative staff would have been insufficient to ensure normal operations, let alone maintain order.
"Our cautious plan involves sending out exploration teams to gather information, while the main force will proceed after they report back. However, time is of the essence. Our sentries have noticed an abundance of insects in the vicinity. Even flies, usually harmless to us, could inflict significant harm with their sudden dive attacks. Not to mention the beetles that are several times larger than us. Therefore, evacuation is imperative."
"Alright, teams one and two on the flanks, team three in the center to protect women and children, and team four guarding the geology and biology groups at the front. Let's depart immediately," ordered a middle-aged military commander.
Instantly, people began to hustle and bustle, forming lines. Some soldiers held children, while women followed beside them, their expressions grave.
Xiao Guang was also in the crowd, his stature not tall, rather slender. As a human, he was around 1.6 meters tall, relatively short. At the moment, he was trying to console a crying child, saying, "Don't cry, okay? When we get back home, uncle will get you an ice cream."
After speaking, Xiao Guang himself felt somewhat desolate. He wasn't sure why, but he had a gut feeling that the dean hadn't told the whole truth. Simulating the birth of the universe? Cutting-edge physics experiments? Despite not being highly educated, Xiao Guang considered himself experienced in the ways of the world, especially imagination.
So, when the dean, on behalf of all the scholars, concluded with a lofty and noble summary of the accident's cause, Xiao Guang's eyes flashed with an expression that said, "I might not be well-read, but don't try to fool me." Nonetheless, this expression quickly vanished. After all, there were tech geniuses, administrative heads, and the military present. If the sky were to fall, someone taller would hold it up, and he would just follow along with his small frame.
Xiao Guang walked within the crowd. A woman, carrying two children on her own, had the older one walking and struggled to hold the smaller one. Seeing this, Xiao Guang immediately scooped up the little child. After the woman thanked him, she fell silent, her expression somewhat melancholic. At this moment, no one could muster a smile.
About ten minutes later, Xiao Guang emerged from the mouth of the cave. As he stepped outside, he froze. It wasn't just Xiao Guang; everyone who had just walked out was frozen in place. Even the children in their arms stared wide-eyed at this familiar yet surreal world.
Tall wild grasses stood like towering trees before them, dewdrops on them larger than a few people combined. Dandelions shorter than the grass appeared unattainably tall, their fluffy seeds seeming like they could carry people like parachutes when blown by the wind. Massive rocks lay scattered like mountains, and beneath some rocks, vague tentacles longer than a human could be seen. One could only imagine they belonged to some insect, and the sight was hair-raising.
Occasionally, beetle-like creatures as large as airplanes flew overhead. Slender-waisted wasps, resembling fighter jets, crawled on wildflowers the size of houses.
Looking at the endless expanse of trees in the distance felt like entering a mythical world. Each tree was so colossal that hundreds of people would be needed to encircle them, reaching up to the sky. Vines hung from them like sky-reaching ladders, entwining the trees. Even from a distance, one could see the fruits on the trees, immense in size. If they were edible, each fruit could feed dozens of people for an entire day. Occasionally, a massive bird flew across the sky, reminiscent of prehistoric dragons from science fiction movies.
This was the breathtaking world that Xiao Guang, a person the size of an ant, beheld. If not for the ever-present danger of imminent death, it could almost feel like a fantastical journey.
"Keep moving, don't stop," a soldier responsible for safety approached, urging everyone to keep up with the group.
The stark contrast necessitated an adaptation process for each individual, but it wasn't a time to linger. Danger could strike at any moment. With such diverse ecosystems, predators had to be present. As tiny humans, they now occupied the lowest rung of the food chain.
Half an hour later, with a child in his arms, Xiao Guang began to follow the group with some difficulty. It wasn't that he lacked agility, but after a while, his stamina couldn't keep up. The child, six or seven years old, was chubby and quite heavy. Moreover, the terrain was challenging.
What seemed like an inconspicuous grain of sand usually felt like a brick now, and what was once a mundane mud path was now a series of large and small puddles. Bare patches of ground devoid of vegetation, the kind of unpleasant mud holes people despised, were now the norm.
After not traveling much farther, Xiao Guang was already gasping for breath. At that moment, a robust soldier took the child from his arms. Xiao Guang's arms trembled, feeling sore and numb. He gratefully smiled at the soldier, then apologetically at the young woman. She smiled in return; she was tired as well. Everyone continued to move forward with determination.
After a few hours of trekking, the group's formation started to loosen. The soldiers were running back and forth tirelessly, and most of the older individuals, obviously struggling with their energy, were now being supported or even carried. Several officers' faces bore evident signs of concern. Dean Mi and a few key figures had remained at the forefront, continuously observing their surroundings with worried expressions. The sun would soon set.
A small group of rigorously trained scouts were forging ahead, further away. Regrettably, these elite soldiers were probably no match for a colossal ant in hand-to-hand combat. It was only after people had shrunk that they realized how formidable these creatures were. These insects, foraging everywhere, had a broad diet, attacking anything non-toxic and edible. Though other insects might be fearsome, even centipedes, despite being generally despised by people, weren't as formidable. While centipedes might be venomous and colorful in the human world, they were only fatal if disturbed indoors. However, as long as you didn't provoke them in the wild, they posed little threat.
Voices from up ahead grew louder, causing Xiao Guang and those nearby to tense up and look ahead. A soldier ran over, shouting, "Incoming report from the front! An hour away from the direct path ahead, we've found a sturdy rocky cave surrounded by dry soil. It's suitable for habitation. Everyone, pick up the pace."
Finally, a place was found, and spirits lifted considerably. People quickened their steps. Just one more hour; they could hold on.
The group maneuvered through the immense grassland, yet they weren't attacked by predators. Massive insects were frequently spotted—caterpillars the size of buses, snails as large as small houses, and spiders with menacing gazes lurking on webs far away. Of course, these estimations were based on their current dimensions. The group's luck was surprisingly good, perhaps because the predators were already full or maybe, like the lions and tigers of the world they'd known, they preferred attacking solitary individuals rather than groups.
Nearly there, the sound of gurgling water could be heard up ahead, but the ground beneath their feet was strangely less moist.
Xiao Guang looked up to see a slope made of compacted yellow soil. It lacked vegetation, but streams flowed down its sides. If seen from a normal human's perspective, it resembled a particularly large stone with many holes on top. Because the stone wasn't thickly covered with soil, it looked like an area devoid of vegetation, similar to a clay slope.
Coincidentally, the stone had grooves, and some spring water trickled down through them. This made it an ideal dwelling place for the diminutive people. Here, the damp and uncomfortable mud was absent, and the small holes in the rocks were interconnected.
The first soldiers to arrive had already begun contemplating how to utilize the existing entrances, designing small mechanisms to defend against insect invasions.
Supporting each other, people ascended the slope made of yellow soil, their formation becoming somewhat disorganized but still maintaining discipline.
Dean Mi, some scholars, military and political leaders stood together, discussing matters concerning weapons and food.
The arduous journey was nearing its end, and people's spirits were slightly relaxed. The journey had gone quite smoothly. Just as the atmosphere was becoming more jovial, suddenly, a sentry from a higher vantage point shouted.
"Be careful! Spread out! Quickly, run into the cave!" The soldier's voice, amplified through a makeshift leaf megaphone, strained with urgency.
Simultaneously, the ground behind them rumbled with a tremendous noise. A colossal wild rodent burst out of the underbrush, charging straight toward the crowd on the yellow soil slope.