Clone Ascension

“If I run into someone like Zach again…

I probably won’t even need skills.

One punch might kill him.”

Evan stretched his arms and shoulders,

and the thought rose naturally in his mind.

At the same time, he had a new idea for his next extract.

Originally, he aimed for a high‑grade Tier‑3 extract—B‑grade or above.

But now?

Only a Tier‑3 S‑grade was worthy of him.

After absorbing the Mutated Upright Ape extract,

Evan was certain—

this Judgment Battle was already in the bag.

Knowledge Is Power,

combined with the Upright Ape’s massive physique boost,

had skyrocketed his strength.

Even Ant Strength and Needle Strike were indirectly enhanced.

His durability had also improved dramatically.

With Regenerator’s healing ability,

he was no longer a high‑attack, low‑defense glass cannon.

His combat power had undergone a legendary‑tier upgrade.

Evan straightened his clothes and left the rest room,

heading to Tyler Hayes’s office.

Tyler and Zach were waiting.

Both looked at him expectantly.

Evan smiled and nodded.

Tyler shot up from his seat.

“You got that skill?”

“Yep. Lucky, I guess.”

Hearing Evan say it so casually,

both father and son twitched at the corners of their mouths.

Lucky?

Drawing the strongest skill out of nearly twenty options

wasn’t “lucky”—

it was absurd.

Maybe that rumor was true—

that geniuses had a higher chance of obtaining powerful skills.

Zach suddenly relaxed.

The frustration he’d been holding onto evaporated.

This guy wasn’t just strong—

he was lucky too.

Why bother comparing himself to a monster?

In fact, Zach now hoped Evan would hurry up and reach Cocoon‑tier

so he could go beat up Leon Graves and the other so‑called prodigies,

letting them experience what it felt like

to be crushed by someone even more gifted.

Just like that,

Zach no longer needed psychological counseling.

His mental block dissolved on its own.

Tyler still couldn’t quite believe it.

He extended his hand.

“Hit my palm.

Full strength.

No skills.”

Evan knew Tyler’s strength and didn’t hold back.

He steadied his stance, gathered his power,

and punched.

BOOM.

A deep, heavy thud.

Tyler didn’t move an inch.

His expression remained calm.

“Good.”

“Alright. Since the absorption was successful,

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go prepare.

Tomorrow, you’ll come with me to Rovan.

“Zach, you too.

Don’t forget to pick the third participant.”

Evan and Zach agreed and left the office.

The moment the door closed—

“—Hiss…”

Tyler sucked in a sharp breath,

gritting his teeth and rubbing his palm hard.

It hurt.

A lot.

And his shoes…

He lifted his foot.

The sole had split open,

revealing all five toes.

To avoid being pushed back,

he had dug all ten toes into the floor

to anchor himself.

Barely managed to keep his dignity.

“This kid’s strength is ridiculous.

Is the Upright Ape’s innate skill really this strong?

Or was he already a monster to begin with?”

🛏 Back at the residence

Evan said he needed to prepare for the Judgment Battle.

His preparation method?

Sleep.

After grinding for four days

and sleeping less than ten hours total,

he was severely sleep‑deprived.

Now that his goals were achieved,

he had nothing left to worry about.

He collapsed onto the bed

and slept until the next day.

He was awakened by a knock—

Graham Sterling himself.

“Uncle Sterling…” Evan yawned.

“Wash up and eat with me.

Tyler will pick you up afterward.”

“Okay.”

Evan washed up and joined Graham for breakfast.

Dongli cuisine suited him surprisingly well—

soy milk, steamed buns, fried dough sticks.

It felt like home.

Not long after breakfast,

Tyler arrived with Zach and another young man.

“Hello, Evan.

I’ve heard a lot about you.

I’m Wang Hai, one of the participants for the Judgment Battle

and Zach’s classmate.”

The young man shook Evan’s hand enthusiastically.

Evan found it odd—

Wang Hai acted like he already knew him.

He shook hands politely,

then asked Tyler:

“Uncle Hayes, when are we leaving?”

“Not yet.

This Judgment Battle has huge domestic attention.

It concerns whether Dr. Wendy Lewis can return home.

A TV crew will accompany us and livestream the entire event.

“You three represent Dongli’s image.

Your outfits must be unified.”

Tyler handed Evan a set of clothes—

a red‑and‑white tracksuit

with a golden dragon across the chest.

The dragon—Dongli’s ancient totem.

Zach and Wang Hai were already wearing theirs.

They looked sharp and heroic.

Evan had no objections.

As for the livestream…

that meant every enemy he had—

the Zhao family, the Filth Organization, even the Shepherd King—

would know his location and identity.

But Evan had already accepted this risk

when he volunteered for the Judgment Battle.

A man couldn’t hide forever.

And he was no longer the helpless fugitive

who walked out of Panshi Prison alone.

He had allies now.

He had a nation behind him.

He changed into the tracksuit.

It fit perfectly.

Then Tyler handed him something else.

Evan took it—

and froze.

Dongli National Identification Card

Name: Evan Cole

Gender: Male

Birthdate: Evolution Calendar Year 983

Photo: His own face

It was an ID card.

A simple, ordinary card

that everyone else had

but he had longed for.

It wasn’t just a card—

it was legal identity.

It meant he could stay in hotels openly,

get internet café memberships,

buy train and plane tickets…

It meant that he—

a transmigrator, a clone—

could finally live in this world

with dignity.

Tyler patted his shoulder.

“You’re representing Dongli in this battle.

You must be legitimate.

From today onward,

you are a legal citizen of Dongli,

protected by Dongli law.”

As a transmigrator and clone,

Evan had never felt belonging to any nation.

But as he held the ID card,

he felt a faint, indescribable connection

to Dongli.

At that moment,

Graham Sterling stepped out of the house.

Everyone greeted him.

“Chairman.”

Graham nodded,

then looked at the three participants.

“General Graves and President Hale will escort you to Rovan.

I won’t be going,

but I will follow the battle closely.”

His gaze swept across the three faces—

and finally rested on Evan.

“Bring Dr. Wendy Lewis

and Minister Yvonne Hart

back to Dongli.

“Not only because they are brilliant scientists and warriors—

but because they are citizens of Dongli.”