I Can Assimilate Everything Chapter 2: Life is fickle! II
Previously on I Can Assimilate Everything...
Brilliant lights illuminated the streets, with the sidewalks awash in bands of purple radiance.
Banners bearing names and directional arrows dotted the cityscape, and Achilles navigated through throngs of people in this vibrant district of the Colony City of Neon.
Glancing upwards, he spotted a banner proclaiming '[Evolutius Catacomb Entrance #55]'.
This sign pointed towards an area teeming with a constant flow of individuals entering and exiting!
A marked deference was always given to Advanced Humans, and the closer one approached the vicinity of an Evolutius Catacombs Entrance, the more pronounced the activity became.
Establishments catering to hotels, restaurants, and entertainment centers abounded.
Everything an Advanced Human might desire for enjoyment after braving the perils within the Evolutius Catacombs.
It was a nexus of commerce and wealth, as vividly demonstrated by the scene on the street where Achilles currently stood. Advanced Humans disembarked from opulent Aerieal Evolutius Vehicles, their descent met by attendants who guided them to their chosen destinations.
Achilles moved past this spectacle, his gaze lowered, his resolve solidified by the passage of time.
He had made his decision: to secure the necessary funds for Rose's treatment, he would venture into the Evolutius Catacombs in pursuit of Evolutius Crystals.
Possessing no inherent power as an Advanced Human, he nonetheless recalled accounts of individuals who had scoured the catacombs, fortunate enough to encounter few, if any, Evolutius Beasts.
At this moment, he was gambling with his very life.
Enter the Catacombs.
Venture only to the outskirts.
Remain in the periphery and hope to discover and mine Evolutius Crystals.
Should he stumble upon an Evolutius Beast, he would be brutally torn apart, becoming a meager meal.
But if he persevered… the one person who gave his existence meaning could be saved.
"Please…"
He exhaled deeply, his phone displaying a selection of [Y] in response to the query regarding his awakening as an Advanced Human.
Moments later, the screen erupted in dazzling light and fanfare, accompanied by the appearance of new text and a barcode.
[Your selection has been recorded. Please proceed to the nearest Advanced Human Evolution Center, indicated below, for verification and assignment of your current rank.]
The display then presented navigational directions to a location less than a mile from his current position before minimizing, revealing the words…
[Pending Evaluation.]
Pending!
This was the status he desperately needed to gain entry into the Evolutius Catacombs.
With very few exceptions, normal Humans did not enter the Catacombs unless accompanied by substantiated Advanced Humans.
Entry necessitated the presentation of one's Advanced Human status, yet, on occasion… some normal humans managed to slip through the system!
Achilles approached the most active zone in this sector, where an Entrance to an Evolutius Catacomb stood. He observed the neon-lit gates, flanked by Guards – normal Humans armed with Modified Weaponry, massive firearms glowing with red and blue lights.
Maintaining rigid postures, they guarded entrances that, once traversed, revealed a shimmering blue portal in the distance, serving as the gateway to the boundless labyrinth of the Evolutius Catacombs!
Advanced Humans passed through this portal at frequent intervals, both entering and exiting.
Those embarking on their journey often carried imposing Swords or Hammers, while others wielded Modified Weaponry resembling plasma cannons and firearms, proceeding without so much as a glance at the guards.
Conversely, individuals of a less prominent profile drew a scrutinizing gaze from the Guards, prompting them to present their phones, displaying a screen that indicated their respective rankings!
Achilles… would need to present himself in a similar fashion.
Even though the display screen indicated he was 'Pending Review'.
He adopted an expression of confidence and arrogance, characteristic of most Advanced Humans, and strolled towards the entryway, his phone tucked away and his eyes fixed forward.
THUMP!
He felt the forceful beat of his heart.
It pounded heavily at this juncture; what if he were denied entry…
No, he refused to entertain such thoughts.
He *had* to pass through.
He *had* to acquire what he needed!
His stride became more assured as he neared the Guards, two stationed on either side of this specific Gate.
He pressed on without acknowledging them.
Just as he was about to pass.
"Excuse me, Sir? May we please see a Verification Page?"
One of the Guards, appearing to be in his thirties, inquired.
His gaze assessed Achilles' build – his dark hair and eyes that offered little insight, and even the attire he wore lacked the ostentatious flair common among many Advanced Humans!
Achilles turned towards the Guard without halting, producing his phone and presenting it to him.
"Don't waste my time when I'm already infuriated today – those fools are taking their sweet time updating my Evaluation. A mere Guard isn't going to try and act important today, are they?"
…!
His voice dripped with irritation as the Guard observed the 'Pending Evaluation' screen on the phone. He then glanced at the other guard, who responded with a shrug, implying he preferred not to get involved.
Dealing with numerous Advanced Humans proved to be a real headache, and their inherently malicious natures often led to outright brawls between them and ordinary Humans. One had to be judicious about which confrontations to engage in when facing an Advanced Human. As Achilles continued his advance, his phone now displayed, the guard opted for a conflict-free day… sighing, he resumed his post! Achilles' heart pounded forcefully once more as he kept his composure, hastening his steps toward the colossal, shimmering blue portal that seemed to open into a cavern. It was a gateway, one he might be passing through to an eternal absence. Yet, a safe return was paramount. Even if the odds were infinitesimally small. He genuinely couldn't bear the thought of Rose perishing! With immense reluctance and a significant, suppressed wave of dread, he, an ordinary Human, stepped into the cerulean gateway, which led to a confined space deep within an expansive, labyrinthine structure known as the Catacombs...