I Can Assimilate Everything Chapter 5: Evaluation! I

His fortune had always been dismal.

Achilles understood this all too well; the few companions he once possessed had, one by one, Awakened, and contact dwindled as they ventured into vastly different realms.

His family was claimed by a Catacomb Leyline Fracture, and now, the sole individual who had harbored him teetered on the brink after another Leyline Fracture nearly annihilated her.

Good fortune was not on his side.

Death seemed to trail him, yet all he desired was to alter his destiny, if it were at all possible!

"Huff…"

He exhaled his anxieties as he fled, noting with surprise the rapid ground he covered, feeling no trace of exhaustion.

Indeed, the fiery sensation of power coursing through his body appeared to burn even brighter, as if he possessed the stamina for an entire marathon!

The source of this transformation was the interface he had been intently observing while making his escape.

[Achilles Maxwell]

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

[Existence Corruption Value]:: 0%

[Complexity]:: Negligible

He still struggled to accept its reality.

Yet, understanding would come later as he finally retraced his steps, the azure portal of Catacomb Entrance #55 materializing before him.

He maintained his vigilance, not lowering his guard even now, as he dashed towards it. And at that precise moment…

SAA!

The portal shimmered, and four Advanced Humans emerged, their expressions serene and tinged with smiles as they regarded each other.

Two males and two females comprised their group.

They had barely stepped through when Achilles’ form surged past them, without him even pausing to offer a word of greeting!

WOOSH!

Their calm visages shifted dramatically as he zipped by, all four snapping into combat stances, their attention captured solely by his retreating figure.

And then, the blue portal pulsed once more.

"What in the world was that? He appeared to be covered in blood."

An Advanced Human, clad in resplendent golden armor, inquired.

"He’s incredibly swift. A Physical Reinforcement Advanced Human? He shouldn’t be so grievously wounded in a place like this, facing Low Tier Body Modification Evolutius Beasts…"

Another voice chimed in, prompting them to exchange glances.

Among the quartet, one of the young women, from whom waves of frost emanated, blinked in astonishment. She retrieved her phone and scrolled through images from several years prior in her gallery.

There, she discovered a few photographs and selected one depicting a group of five friends posing near a college dormitory.

Her eyes widened further as she focused on a young man with dark hair – none other than Achilles.

Beside her, another Advanced Human noticed her actions and nudged her.

"What is it, Lana?"

"Hmm? Oh, I just thought I recognized someone. But… it couldn’t possibly be."

She put her phone away. Though her hands radiated frost, the device itself was completely shielded by a casing reinforced with Evolutius Crystals.

"Let’s move. I must earn at least $10 Million by next week to afford an Upper Tier Modification Body Suit. We might need to venture much deeper into the Catacombs today…"

Lana declared, her gaze firm. Forgetting the Advanced Human who had just streaked past them, they proceeded further into the Catacombs.

—

Outside Catacomb Entrance #55.

A cerulean light flashed as Achilles materialized, his eyes gleaming. He found himself surprisingly relieved to behold the luminous cityscape of Colony City Neon.

He moved away from the entrance towards the main gate. The two guards there initially cast only a cursory glance his way, but upon witnessing his blood-soaked state, they were dumbfounded. The guard who had permitted his entry less than an hour ago almost reached out to halt him!

However, Achilles pressed on, undeterred. The guards simply exchanged bewildered looks before shaking their heads.

Many Advanced Humans were excessively self-absorbed, possessing eccentric personalities that made them indifferent to such matters.

They merely observed Achilles’ battered form merge with the crowd, heading purposefully in a particular direction.

He paid no mind to the stares of the throngs of people who bothered to look his way, passing numerous tall, brightly illuminated structures as he retrieved his phone. Its screen was cracked, but it guided him, leading him to…

The Advanced Human Evaluation Center.

It stood towering, at least five stories high, its scale surpassing that of a football stadium, with a luminous crescent moon emblem of the Lunaris Overseers emblazoned above it.

This was a vital establishment within Colony City Neon, where Advanced Humans routinely underwent evaluations and were assigned their official rankings.

These rankings were in constant flux as individuals enhanced their power by harnessing Evolutius Crystals and the myriad Resources discovered within the perilous Evolutius Catacombs!

Achilles' objective here was simply to secure the formal designation of an Advanced Human, thereby gaining access to the most straightforward method of selling Evolutius Crystals – directly to the governing body of Neon City itself.With that sum, he could guarantee Rose's continued care and then thoroughly investigate what was necessary to fully restore her health. He- "Sir?" A woman in a suit halted him at the glass doors of the Evaluation Center, white clothing clutched in her hands as she gestured towards Achilles. "I noticed your attire was quite damaged from your recent excursion in the Catacombs. The Evaluation Center prioritizes a neat and professional appearance. Would you kindly accompany me to a changing room before proceeding further?" "…" Achilles glanced down, observing the tears and bloodstains adorning his shirt and trousers. It appeared to be a common occurrence for Advanced Humans to arrive here covered in gore, as the staff were evidently prepared for such eventualities. Achilles acknowledged the woman offering a fresh set of white garments. For the first time, he recognized the stark difference in treatment afforded to Advanced Humans.