I Can Assimilate Everything

Life is fickle! I

Outside a hospital room.

A young man stared at his phone like it had personally betrayed him, the screen glaring back at him with an utterly awful number of a recently updated bank balance.

$19.

A measly number that wouldn't be enough even for a decent lunch, but he continued to look at it as if staring enough might magically cause a zero or two to appear.

And yet it remained that way no matter how much time passed. The bright light from the phone only further illuminated his widening eyes and showed helplessness, anxiety, and fear.

"Hey, are you listening?"

Near him, a doctor in a white coat sighed as he saw the phone screen and balance in the corner of his eye, but he repeated himself regardless.

"We can only keep her here another three days. That is how long the payments that have been processed will last her. After that…"

He didn't finish his words as he sighed again, as if even he hated the ending of his sentence.

The doctor in a white coat looked at the chart in his hands that showed a picture of a beautiful young woman in her 20s.

It was starkly different from the woman in the hospital bed inside the room who looked to have graying decaying skin with her stomach folding in itself.

A victim of an Evolutius Leyline Fracture that allowed nightmare fueled Evolutius Beasts to spill out and hunt everything on their path.

Even though the Advanced Humans reacted quickly, there were always casualties whenever this occurred.

This woman happened to be wounded by a beast with a particularly nasty poison that required a great deal of money to heal.

He either had to buy a Synthesized Potion or hire an Advanced Human with a Healing Factor.

But for an Unawakened Human, unless they were working for the Government or a son or daughter of someone wealthy…

It was impossible.

The doctor shook his head as he knew very well the price of the treatment required for this woman, and he thought he could ease the heart of this man before him as he spoke.

"Achilles, right? I see you don't share her last name, so you may not be related to her. Realistically, she doesn't have a chance with the means available to you as I would not keep torturing myself if I were you. Pull the plug. Go live your life. Just-…!"

One second he was talking, and the other, his back smashed against the wall as he felt the full force of the man he was just talking to clash into him!

Achilles' eyes were bright red as he looked at the doctor with anger.

And the doctor looked back at him with the same emotion as he pushed him away.

"You stupid shit, I was just trying to help you! She dies in three days. What possible thing could someone like you, who has not even awakened to become an Advanced Human, do?! Fuck off from here before I call the guards on you for attacking a physician."

…!

The doctor glared at Achilles angrily as the latter could do nothing but walk away.

His steps were heavy and without any direction, but he found himself outside of the large hospital soon enough.

Outside, it was raining. The type of rain that would soak one's clothes and just make them feel more miserable.

The dark skies of the night were bright as Aerieal Evolutius Vehicles flew above, with even more Modified Evolutius Cars zipping through the streets.

Skies that glimmered gorgeously with neon lights of technology and fantasy.

Flying cars that hummed with burning purple or blue engines radiating light below and floating across the skies. The hums had made way for a cacophony of noises that Achilles was now used to, noises that everyone in the Colony City of Neon got used to.

Aerial Vessels constantly streaked back and forth as they carried Advanced Humans from one place to another.

The hospital was just one among the many high-story buildings filling up this small section of the Colony City of Neon. 

A Colony City under the jurisdiction of the Lunaris Colony Overseers.

Here, Achilles stood alone, soaked, and broke. Here, Achilles lived in the Slums with the only person close to him whose life was not claimed by Evolutius Beasts.

"Rose…"

He called out her name weakly as he felt the powerlessness to help her.

Even if he worked for a whole year, he would still not have enough money saved up for the required treatment. Unless he pulled off a miracle. And yet his budget wouldn't allow for even the cheapest miracle.

He cursed himself for his weakness. He cursed that, unlike so many others that he knew, he had never awakened to become an Advanced Human.

He always knew that life was not fair, but did things really have to end like this? 

Did he have to lose everyone close to him?

He stood there amidst the rain and the neon lights flashing all around, as he felt like the brightly lit night could consume him whole. He cursed himself. He cursed fate. He cursed every glowing vehicle zooming overhead like life was just business as usual.

CRACK!

A booming crackle of thunder and lightning split the skies and shook him as he nearly stumbled back.

It wasn't some natural phenomenon, with his gaze rising up to see an Advanced Human that seemed to be covered in blue lightning descending from the skies while carrying another injured Advanced Human in his hands.

All around him, other people observed this as they only stared briefly with amazement and awe before they went about their business.

Yes. This was the norm for them. Just another day.

Their world, Ethemia, was an unfathomably vast one for as long as history could remember.

Their world was also on the brink of destruction dozens of years ago in the hands of Evolutius Beasts that lived throughout the Evolutius Catacombs stretching out across Ethemia.

But it was saved by none other than the Advanced Humans. 

Cities were rebuilt.

Governments were rejuvenated and became more powerful.

Colony Cities were built at the top of Evolutius Catacombs that stretched out like a maze down below.

But in these Catacombs filled with danger, there was also the singular reason why all Advanced Humans clustered within Colony Cities.

Evolutius Crystals.

The one thing that every Advanced Human needed in order to advance their power to even more ridiculous levels. The type of currency that translated to a great deal of money to normal humans!

But…such a thing was far out of his reach.

Found in the depths of the Evolutius Catacombs, the Evolutius Crystal were lined up and hidden in places where, more often than not, powerful Evolutius Beasts gathered.

For a normal human, it was simply a death sentence to come across such a beast.

Such a type of beast was the one who injured Rose in the first place after an Evolutius Leyline Fracture- a breakage in the Catacombs that manifested above and released Beasts into the Colony City.

All of these thoughts coursed within Achilles faster than even the traffic overhead, as he thought of what he could do.

Selling organs?

Unless he was an Advanced Human, no parts of him would be worth much.

Loans? Such things were strictly regulated for Advanced Humans.

Family? None.

Friends? Who?

It was only himself and Rose.

She had taken care of him when he had lost his family, when he was at his lowest.

And right now, was he truly not going to do anything for her?

"…"

His gaze of helplessness slowly changed and became firm.

Yes, life was unfair. 

But he couldn't just whine about it.

If Rose was thrown out from the necessary care that kept her alive, she would die soon after.

If she died, what else was there to live for in this world? 

He clenched his fists as he thought of the only thing that could be obtained to save her.

Evolutius Crystals.

The Evolutius Catacombs where Advanced Humans roamed!

His eyes flashed with decisiveness as he looked at the hospital one last time, and he then walked along the neon streets toward a certain location. Neon puddles of water reflected the lights all around as rain battered down his body.

He pulled out his phone and opened the app released by the Lunaris Colony Overseers years ago to every single human within their many Colonies.

The front of the app asked a single question.

[Have you awakened to become an Advanced Human? (Y/N)]

A simple question on the screen.

And today, he would give it a different answer!

Life is fickle! II

The streets were brightly lit like a rave party sponsored by a glowstick factory, with the sidewalk filled with bands of purple light.

On the city lines, banners with names and arrows pointing to different things could be seen, and Achilles passed throngs of people in this bustling region of the Colony City of Neon.

He looked above and saw a banner that read [Evolutius Catacomb Entrance #55].

A banner which pointed towards a certain direction where a lot of traffic of people constantly flowed in and out!

Advanced Humans were always given way as the closer one came to the region around an Entrance of an Evolutius Catacombs, the busier it was there.

Hotels. Restaurants. Entertainment Centers.

Anything that the Advanced Humans could want to enjoy after surviving the dangers of the Evolutius Catacombs.

It was a hub of business and money as the street he currently passed showed Advanced Humans getting out of luxurious Aerieal Evolutius Vehicles that made their descent, and they were received by normal humans who led them wherever they wished to go.

Achilles passed all of this with his head down as after all this time, he had made up his mind.

To obtain the money he needed for Rose's treatment, he would enter the Evolutius Catacombs to obtain Evolutius Crystals.

He had not even an ounce of power as an Advanced Human- not a drop of Advanced Human juice running through his body, but he had heard of instances where Humans scoured the catacombs. Sneaking in. Scouring the edges, and remaining lucky enough to not come across any Evolutius Beasts. 

He was making a bet with his life on the line at this moment. It was a stupid plan, but it was the only one.

Enter the Catacombs.

Do not go too deep in.

Stay in the periphery, and see if he could come across and mine Evolutius Crystals.

If he came across an Evolutius Beast, he would be shredded to nothing and turned into a meal.

If he survived…the one person that made his life worth living could be saved.

"Please…"

He breathed out heavily as, on his phone, he selected [Y] to the question of whether he had awakened to become an Advanced Human.

Moments later, the page lit up with brilliant lights and fanfare as new words and a barcode popped up.

[Your selection has been saved. Proceed to the nearest Advanced Human Evoluation Center shown below to have your current rank verified and assigned.]

The page showed directions for a place less than a mile away from where he was currently before it was minimized, and the screen showed the words…

[Pending Evaluation.]

Pending!

This was the golden ticket for him- sort of. This was the page he wanted and needed to pull off entering Evolutius Catacombs and bluff his way through if he was lucky.

Unless accompanied by verified Advanced Humans, very few normal Humans entered the Catacombs.

To enter, one had to show their status as an Advanced Human, but occasionally…some normal humans slipped through the cracks!

Achilles neared the most bustling area in this region where an Entrance of an Evolutius Catacomb was, and he saw the neon gates that were surrounded by Guards- normal Humans holding Modified Weaponry as massive guns lighting up with red and blue lights were held in their hands. Big guns, lots of lights, and absolutely no smiles.

They stood straight while guarding entrances that once passed, one could see a radiant blue portal in the distance that acted as the entrance into the endless maze of the Evolutius Catacombs! A blue portal that glowed like a magicsl whirlpool of doom.

Advanced Humans passed in and out every few minutes from this entrance.

For those entering, some held massive Swords or Hammers, others held Modified Weaponry that looked like plasma cannons and guns as they went through without even bothering with the guards.

Others who weren't so high profile received a stare from the Guards as they pulled out their phones to show a display screen that showed their ranking!

Achilles…would need to be like this.

Even as on the display screen, it stated that he was Pending Review.

He made his expression that of confidence and arrogance that all Advanced Humans held, and he sauntered towards the gateway with his phone in his pocket and his eyes kept ahead.

DUM!

He felt the beat of his heart.

It felt heavy at this moment as if he was turned away…

No, he wouldn't think like this.

He had to go through. 

He had to obtain what he needed!

His steps gained even more confidence as he neared the Guards, two on either side of this particular Gate.

He continued forward without looking at them.

Just when he was about to pass.

"Uhh, Sir? Could we please see a Verification Page?"

One of the Guards, who looked like someone in his 30s, spoke.

He was looking at the build of Achilles- his dark hair and eyes that didn't reveal much, and even the clothes he wore weren't as flashy as many of the Advanced Humans!

Achilles looked towards this Guard without even stopping as he took out his phone and flashed it towards him.

"Don't even waste my time when I'm already pissed today- those assholes are already taking their time updating my Evaluation. A mere Guard isn't going to try and be a somebody today, right?"

…!

His voice was filled with annoyance as the Guard saw the Pending Evaluation screen on the phone, and he looked towards the other guard, who raised his shoulders as if saying to not even look at him.

Many Advanced Humans were troublesome to deal with, and some had blatantly nasty dispositions as cases of violence between Advanced Humans and normal Humans were many.

One had to choose their battles when faced with Advanced Humans. Some were jerks. Some were dangerous, and some were both. This one had a hint of crazy in his eyes that looked ready to light the place on fire.

And as Achilles continued walking forward after flashing his phone…

The guard chose his battle today…to be a peaceful one as he sighed and continued standing in his position!

DUM!

Achilles felt the booming beat of his heart once more as he maintained his expression, quickly going towards the massive portal of blue light that looked to be connected to a cave.

A portal that he was possibly entering to never leave again.

But he had to leave it safely.

No matter how low the chances were.

He truly couldn't live with himself if he allowed Rose to die!

With a heavy heart and an abundance of fear that he was suppressing, he, a normal Human, entered the blue portal leading to a small area within a vast network of maze-like Catacombs…

On the Brink of Death! I

Evolutius Catacomb Entrance #55.

Achilles passed through it as his body only felt like light flashed around him, and he then found himself in an entirely different place.

It was…inside what looked like a long and dark tunnel.

It was lit up with dim purple stones embedded in the walls, and the blue portal he had just come from was right behind him.

Ahead of him, he saw the single tunnel he was in branching into 9 paths, and there was only darkness within those paths as he couldn't make out anything. Just darkness. Pure, soul sucking darkness.

It could be throngs of Evolutius Beasts, or it could be paths that were recently cleared by Advanced Humans and no beasts were roaming.

Either way, there was nothing to give him any possible sense of protection as he only felt a sense of fear of anything that might pop out.

No matter how tough he tried to make himself, he still could not wipe away this fear. 

He only turned 21 this year.

Working in construction jobs to make a living, he was somewhat fit, but nothing compared to Evolutius Beasts.

He would entirely and completely be shredded the moment that one appeared as what he prayed and relied on at this moment…was sheer luck and chances. 

Luck to not come across Evolutius Beasts.

Luck to find Evolutius Crystals.

He looked at the dim purple stones that lit up the nearby paths as he knew an Evolutius Crystals would look like a genuine purple crystal that shone with a bright radiance.

Nothing like these stones.

So he had to go deeper.

He looked at the nine paths, and without thinking too much, he walked towards the rightmost path. No strategy. No gut feeling. He just walked!

He may come across Advanced Humans. He may come across Beasts.

But unless he actually moved forward, he wouldn't obtain anything!

His steps were light as he delved into the darkness.

The purple stones that lit up the path behind him seemed to be getting fewer and fewer.

He pressed on the flashlight icon on his phone as he proceeded across.

Very soon, he came across another fork. This time only four paths were visible as once more, he took the rightmost path. Because obviously, consistency was the best strategy in a death maze.

The fear within him only increased as he found nothing and felt nothing, but he constantly expected a monster to rush out at any moment.

In such a state of stress, he didn't know how long passed as he went further in. It could have been five minutes or an hour as the stress made seconds feel like centuries.

He didn't come across anything- even though it was common knowledge that over time, Evolutius Crystals naturally form within Catacombs!

He hoped to come across newly forming Evolutius Crystals without having to delve too deep.

But with every passing second, this hope seemed further and further away.

Until…

BOOM!

He felt distant vibrations that caused even the hard earth around him to shake.

Vibrations that caused him to pause with a sense of trepidation!

Up ahead, the tunnel he was walking through curved as there, he could see flashing lights as well as hear distinct roars.

Roars of beasts that caused his heart to beat faster.

Danger.

Every part of him screamed danger and told him to turn back, but he stuffed this feeling as far down as he could and proceeded ahead slowly!

He came across the corner of the winding path as he peeked in.

And there…

"Ah…"

Was a scene that caused him to nearly gasp as he held himself back.

A scene of blood as two Evolutius Beasts that were shaped like spiked Lions lay dead- one having their fur frozen and skewered by spears of ice while the other was nearly burnt to cinders!

And three Advanced Humans with a suffocating sense of pressure were facing a third, much more massive Evolutius Beast that was burning with red flames around it at this moment, its body filled with injuries as it opened its mouth to release a ring of flames and then…turned around and ran.

"Shit! Do not let the Pack Leader run away!"

The Advanced Human at the very center of the three- a woman wielding a spiked icy mace, roared out while shooting ahead.

Behind her, two male Advanced Humans who both had their fists burning with flames looked at each other before they also shot ahead!

They left behind two dead Evolutius Beasts and a pathway filled with blood!

"…"

Achilles looked at all of this breathlessly for a second as he also knew another critical factor.

Evolutius Beasts…held Evolutius Crystals inside of their heads.

Different Evolutius Beasts held different variations of Crystals, but even the lowest tier Evolutius Beasts made Advanced Humans very wealthy!

If he could obtain the Evolutius Crystals from even a single Evolutius Beast…

DUM!

He stopped thinking.

He knew he had to move fast.

Mainly because at this moment, he wanted to steal from Advanced Humans. He wasn't a thief, but well...he was also about to be one.

An action that, if the Advanced Humans caught him doing, would kill him without even a shred of hesitation.

But since he decided on it, he moved quickly!

He stifled the fear of the terrifying Beasts twice his size lying lifelessly ahead as he ran towards the one that had its body skewered by ice spikes.

Across its head, there was an ice spike that pierced through as inside of its skull, a sparkling radiance was leaking out!

Achilles felt a mixture of fear and relief from this as he looked around, grabbing a shard of ice that caused his hands to feel a horrid freezing sensation.

He used this shard of ice to stab into and enlarge the wound on the skull of this Beast as slowly, it enlarged!

He saw three dazzling purple Crystals the size of half his fist lying beside brain matter, and he reached out to grab them quickly.

When he pulled his hands out, he found himself holding three dazzling purple spiked crystals.

Evolutius Crystals!

DUM!

He felt the beat of his heart clearly once more as he controlled himself.

He knew there was little time left as he didn't know when those Advanced Humans would return, so he wouldn't even bother trying to dig out the Evolutius Crystals on the burnt Beast opposite him.

Greed killed.

And he had already gotten far too lucky already as he wouldn't test the limits of his luck!

So he would-

GRR!

…!

A low, heavy growl echoed out and froze him in place.

It…was too close.

He barely had the strength to turn around as he saw it.

It was the dead Evolutius Beast that looked charred beyond recognition.

And…it seemed that it could not at all be presumed dead.

It rose from where it stood weakly, but the ferociousness within it still burned brightly, its right paw with charred claws already raised up as it swung down!

Achilles felt a rush of terror and adrenaline as he could only raise his hands to defend by instinct!

On the Brink of Death! II

BOOM!

The impact was so heavy that he felt like every bone within his body creaked and nearly shattered.

He felt his back smashing onto the wall of the wide tunnel behind him, his mouth opening to gasp for breath as he felt pain all around!

But worst of all, the sharp Evolutius Crystals he held in his hands had pierced into his skin as his blood flowed freely from the open wounds.

His head buzzed.

His ears rang!

He felt the stifling threat of death as in the face of it, he was unwilling!

He knew what he was doing was stupid. 

He knew the chances were low!

But truly.

He didn't want her to die.

She was the only one left.

When he was at his lowest, she was there for him. He wanted to be there for her!

He felt the shooting pain across his body as he used this pain and focused, opening his eyes to see the scorched Evolutius Beast making its way over to him.

It was also wounded just like him.

In its state, it may not be able to chase after him if he could outrun it!

He just had to secure the Evolutius Crystals and…

"Huh?"

He stared dumbly at his bloodied hands where the Evolutius Crystals were.

Three of them.

At this moment, they were gone.

They had disappeared!

…!

The little hope he had left within him dwindled as he stared at his hands blankly.

They were there. They were just…

"GRR!"

The low growl of the scorched Evolutius Beast rang out again as its ugly scrotum-like burnt appearance was right ahead of him.

It raised its claw again as Achilles looked towads it with a sense of fear and defiance.

He thought he didn't fear death.

But when it was right in front of him…it turned out that he was a liar.

He felt his insignificant life flash before his eyes as the claw of the Evolutius Beast thundered down, and he couldn't help but scream out in defiance!

"AAH!"

BOOM!

The heavy claw came down.

Achilles closed his eyes as he waited for the burst of terrifying pain and darkness that would follow. For oblivion. 

He waited.

He…waited?

The pain didn't come.

He felt a strain, yes, and he could swear that he felt a burning sensation across his body, but it wasn't...pain? 

"…"

He opened his eyes hesitantly once more as he saw the injured Evolutius Beast pulling away and licking its wounds- even this Beast undoubtedly believed him to be dead.

After all, what normal Human could survive two strikes from an Evolutius Beast? Well, apparently him.

Achilles blinked at this as fear and confusion mixed in with a sense of hope, only a single thought in his mind.

He didn't know what happened, but if he could use this chance to escape…he would take it.

His mind became firm.

He felt his injured body as at this moment, even though he knew it would be a weak effort and extremely painful, he had to move!

So he screamed towads his torn muscles.

He screamed at the burning pain he felt.

He told it to move!

And…

BOOM!

His figure shockingly erupted out from the slight caving of the wall that the Evolutius Beast had smashed him into as he moved at high speeds to smash diagonally onto the opposite wall!

…!

"…"

The Evolutius Beast that was just starting to lick its wounds was stupefied.

What the hell was that?

Achilles himself was stupefied!

His injured body. That heat that he felt. What…?

He could not fathom what the hell was happening when suddenly, in the corner of his eyes, he saw a flashing blue box of light.

Within this box, there were words that only became amplified when he focused on them.

In a second, it became extremely clear.

[Achilles Maxwell]

[Assimilation]:: Organic Crystal(Evolutius Crystals)(3%)- Obtained qualities of Regeneration, Energy Conversion, Flexibility, Light Manipulation 

[Existence Corruption Value]:: 0%

[Complexity]:: Negligible

…!

He stared at the panel of words blankly for a full ten seconds before he even reacted.

This…

He checked his body to be sure.

He still found blood on his hands, but the wounds he had sustained…

"Holy shit…"

They were gone.

He touched himself all over.

He didn't feel any pain.

He still felt that burning sensation as at this moment, he realized that it seemed to be a source of strength!

His mind flashed quickly as he may not be a genius, but he quickly went through what may have just occurred.

The disappearance of the three Evolutius.

The panel showing the words [Assimilation] and listing Evolutius Crystals there!

He had…absorbed them? Assimilated them? 

He had…awakened?

The burning sensation and course of events were utterly surreal as, at this moment, he didn't even have the luxury of time to think about it too much.

There was an injured Evolutius Beast nearby, and the Advanced Humans he was effectively stealing from could return at any time!

He dug himself out of the manmade hole on the wall as he looked towards the burnt Evolutius Beast that had been staring at him in shock, but now roared towards him and lunged once more.

But this time…

It didn't seem as terrifying.

Even its speed felt manageable to him!

His mind still had the same fear as before, but he did his best to put it aside.

Since he had already survived to strikes of this beast, what was a third one?

With a sense of trepidation welling up within him, this time he struck back.

As the claw swiped from left to right, he brought his right hand down like a hammer seeking to play whack-a-mole toward the head of the scorched Evolutius Beast!

His hand…he could swear that it glowed a faint purple at that moment.

The same purple light that Evolutius Crystals gave off.

And once more…

BOOM!

A heavy impact echoed out.

But it was not Achilles feeling this impact!

His hand, covered by that purple light, had become faster as it smashed onto the head of the Evolutius Beast first, causing a heavy boom as blood and brain matter exploded out!

…!

The coming claw of the Evolutius Beast fell down weakly thereafter as Achilles remained frozen in place.

His hand dripped of blood from the Evolutius Beast, and he only became unfrozen when he saw the Evolutius Crystals peeking out through the shattered head of this Beast.

He looked at them cautiously before he reached out and took three Evolutius Crystals just like last time.

He was scared they would disappear and be absorbed into him again, but it didn't seem like they did this automatically as he carefully placed them in his pockets, and he then looked at the surroundings without much further ado…

He turned around and sprinted out towards the direction he came from.

He did not want to wait for any more surprises, and he would not push his luck any longer!

Evaluation! I

His luck was always poor.

Achilles knew this far too well as the few friends he used to have had one by one Awakened, and contact was broken off over time as they entered entirely different places.

His family was taken from him by a Catacomb Leyline Fracture, and now, the only person who had taken him in was also hanging on by a thread after another Leyline Fracture nearly destroyed her.

Luck was not by his side.

Death followed him all around as he just…wanted to turn his fate around if he could!

"Huff…"

He breathed out his fears while he ran, realizing that he was covering distance rapidly as he didn't feel a sense of tiredness.

In fact, the burning sensation of power within his body felt even brighter as he felt like he could run a whole marathon!

The reason for all of this was the panel he had been staring at as he ran away.

[Achilles Maxwell]

[Assimilation]:: Organic Crystal(Evolutius Crystals)(3%)- Obtained qualities of Regeneration, Energy Conversion, Flexibility, Light Manipulation 

[Existence Corruption Value]:: 0%

[Complexity]:: Negligible

He still couldn't believe it.

But he would understand it later as finally, he followed the same path he came through as the blue portal of the Catacomb Entrance #55 showed itself ahead of him.

He didn't let his guard down even now as he sprinted towards it, and at this time…

SAA!

The portal flashed as four Advanced Humans appeared from it, their expressions calm and smiling amongst each other.

Two men and two women.

They had just entered when the body of Achilles rushed past them, with him not even turning around to exchange pleasantries!

WOOSH!

Their calm gazes changed rapidly as he passed them, all four getting into battle stances as they only captured his face as he ran past them.

And the blue portal flashed once more.

"What the hell was that? He seemed bloodied all over."

An Advanced Human adorned in a golden set of armor spoke out.

"He is fast. A Physical Reinforcement Advanced Human? He should not be bloodied in a place like this with Low Tier Body Modification Evolutius Beasts…"

Another voice perked up as they all looked at each other.

Of the four, one of the young women who had waves of frost emanating from her body blinked in surprise as she took out her phone and scrolled down to pictures from a few years back in her album.

There, she found a few pictures as she clicked on one that had a group of 5 friends within it posing near a college dorm.

She blinked further as she honed in on a young man with dark hair who was none other than Achilles.

Beside her, the other Advanced Human nudged her as she saw her actions.

"What is it, Lana?"

"Hmm? Oh, I just thought I saw someone I knew. But…it shouldn't be."

She put her phone away as even though her hands were emanating frost, the phone was entirely protected by a cover reinforced with Evolutius Crystals.

"Let's go, I need to make at least $10 Million by next week to be able to afford an Upper Tier Modification Body Suit. We may have to delve much deeper into the Catacombs today…"

Lana voiced out with a determined gaze as forgetting the Advanced Human that had just rushed past them, they proceeded deeper into the Catacombs.

—

Outside of Catacomb Entrance #55.

A blue light flashed as Achilles appeared, his eyes bright as he didn't know he would feel so glad to see the bright lights of the Colony City of Neon.

He moved away from the entrance and towards the gate as the two Guards there initially only spared him a glance, but after seeing his bloodied figure, they were stupefied as the one who had allowed him through less than an hour ago nearly reached out to stop him!

But Achilles didn't stop for anything as the Guards only looked at each other before shaking their heads.

Many Advanced Humans were too absorbed in themselves with eccentric personalities as they wouldn't bother.

They only saw the bloodied figure of Achilles mixing in with others as he was heading towards a certain direction with purpose.

He ignored the gazes of any throngs of people who bothered enough to turn towards his direction, passing many tall and brightly lit buildings as he pulled out his phone that currently had a cracked screen and followed its instructions to arrive at…

The Advanced Human Evaluation Center.

It looked to be five stories tall as it was bigger than a football stadium, with a crescent moon of the Lunaris Overseers enacted brightly above it.

This was an important place for the Colony City of Neon as here, Advanced Humans entered routinely to be evaluated and assigned their rankings.

Rankings that changed constantly as they elevated themselves in power by utilizing Evolutius Crystals and the Resources found within the Evolutius Catacombs!

Achilles was here to just get the distinction of an Advanced Human and be able to gain access to the easiest way to sell Evolutius Crystals- to the government of the City of Neon itself.

After that, he could use that money to ensure that Rose continued to receive care, and then understand exactly what he needed to obtain to fully cure her.

He-

"Sir?"

He was stopped by the glass doors of the Evaluation Center as a woman in a suit stopped him in place, her hands holding white clothing as she pointed to Achilles.

"I see your clothing was ruined during your recent bout in the Catacombs. The Evaluation Center likes to keep things clean and official, if Sir could follow me to a changing room before you proceed ahead."

"…"

Achilles looked at himself as he saw his shirt and pants were ripped and filled with blood.

It seemed routine for Advanced Humans to appear here with blood and guts around them as the workers here were prepared!

Achilles nodded at the woman holding a new set of white clothes as for the first time, he experienced how different the treatment was for Advanced Humans.

Evaluation! II

After being led into a hallway and pointed towards a wide collection of bathrooms, showers, and changing rooms, Achilles washed the blood away from his body before he put on the white shirt and pants; the three Evolutius Crystals smoothly transferred into the pockets of these new pants before he stepped out again.

The Attendant of the Evaluation Center was waiting for him with a smile outside the changing room as she asked.

"Where would Sir like to go?"

The temperaments of Advanced Humans could change at any time as when normal humans dealt with them, there was always a level of care and respect- whether forced or not.

"I need to have my ranking evaluated."

"Oh?"

Surprise arose in the eyes of the attendant as normally, one would have to obtain their rank first before entering the Catacombs!

So how did this Advanced Human have so much blood on him?

She shook her head soon after as this wasn't her business, and Achilles was led across the winding halls of the Evaluation Center.

He saw other Advanced Humans moving about. Many Attendants held clipboards as they watched for anyone who needed help.

And eventually, he was led into a wide auditorium where the Attendant pointed him through with a smile.

He nodded at her and entered as within the wide auditorium, explosions resounded ever so often.

Reinforced walls were seen all around as at the very forefront, Advanced Humans in suits holding shining tablets looked towards Achilles.

A man with a shining bald head locked onto Achilles as he entered, his expression calm as he asked.

"Initial Evaluation or Re-evaluation?"

"Initial."

The procedure was fairly simple.

Achilles pulled out his phone as the barcode that had popped up since he selected the yes option was scanned, his information rising up on the tablet as the Advanced Human Examiner in front of him was surprised.

"Achilles Maxwell, 21…you're a late bloomer. But, better late than never."

His information was processed as he was led into the auditorium, passing through multiple white reinforced hallways and walls before he was led into one of the many isolated rooms within this wide auditorium.

There were cameras in all corners of the white room he was in- along with multiple test dummies made of tough materials.

Achilles was called a late bloomer as normally, by the age of 18, those who would awaken did so.

Rarely did those older awaken if it didn't occur then.

On one of the walls to his left, he saw his profile laid out as currently, a section with [Evaluation Pending] could be seen.

"The Evaluation for Advanced Humans is simple. Most newly awakened humans fit into the category of Low Tier Body Modification. Your cells become increasingly active towards change as your innate ability develops, gradually changing your body- modifying your body."

As he spoke, the Advanced Human Examiner raised his left hand, and a clump of brown earth slowly formed on his palm until a sharp stone formed!

"You are made stronger, faster, and depending on which innate ability you awakened, you can even gain elemental qualities early. Above Low Tier Body Modification, your body takes a qualitative leap when it takes a step forward to become an Advanced Human with Middle Tier Body Modification, and above that, an Upper Tier Body Modification Advanced Human. After that, Body Modification reaches a peak as past it is the Stage where those who delve deepest into the Evolutius Catacombs to help humanity clear Evolutius Beasts- Advanced Humans at the Meridian Transformation Stage. Anything past that is too far for people like you or me so…which ability did you awaken?"

"…"

Which ability did he awaken?

He looked at the panel visible only to him in the corner of his eyes.

[Achilles Maxwell]

[Assimilation]:: Organic Crystal(Evolutius Crystals)(3%)- Obtained qualities of Regeneration, Energy Conversion, Flexibility, Light Manipulation 

[Existence Corruption Value]:: 0%

[Complexity]:: Negligible

He was assimilating Organic Crystals as they actually gave him four things.

He did not know the extent and power of all of this, so to be cautious, he kept it simple.

"Body Reinforcement."

He could reinforce his body. Make it stronger.

"Oh?" The Evaluation Examiner had a light of disappointment flash as he pushed up his glasses and selected a few things on his tablet.

"The Dummies behind me have the hardness of Low Tier Evolutius Beasts. If you can dent or tear through them, I'll be able to assign you a Low Tier Body Modification ranking right away."

Dummies.

Achilles looked at the Dummies that had angry faces drawn on them, their humanoid figures stationed in place as he nodded!

He just came for the official ranking of an Advanced Human.

Everything else would follow after this.

He went forward and stood in front of one of the dummies, breathing in and out as he remembered the scorched Evolutius Beast that his hand had crushed the skull of.

He remembered the burning feeling of power in his body.

The cameras on the corners of the room focused on him as in the next moment, a purple glow covered his body as his fist shot out like a snake!

…!

BOOM!

A heavy impact echoed out as the chest of the dummy had a gaping hole in it; the dummy itself pushed back and smashed onto the wall as wired and electrical impulses spazzed out!

"…"

The Examiner raised his brows at this as Achilles looked at the Dummy with a surreal sensation.

It was real.

It was truly real.

"Fairly powerful to be able to explode with power like that. A Low Tier Body Modification Advanced Human Evaluation is yours."

The disappointment in the eyes of the Examiner faded away entirely as he made some selections, Achilles feeling his phone buzzing as when he opened the Lunaris Advanced Human application, he found his profile had changed from white to green, and under his name, in bold green letters…

[Low Tier Body Modification Advanced Human]

A ranking was assigned to him.

Him!

He controlled his emotions as he turned to the Examiner.

"Where can I go to exchange Evolutius Crystals?"

"Oh?" The surprise on the Examiner was evident, but he tapped his tablet a few times as he spoke.

" The Evaluation Center has a Trading Hall Branch where Evolutius Crystals, Evolutius Armaments, and other Resources can be exchanged. I have enough authority to even do an exchange with you right now. Are you exchanging for a specific resource or cash?"

The attitude of the Examiner entirely changed towards him after the power he displayed, and he was even doing something he didn't need to do right now as Achilles followed along.

"Cash."

The Examiner nodded at this.

"That makes things even easier. How many Evolutius Crystals are you exchanging?"

…!