“I just hope we don’t run into any high-tier mutants,” Kaia said grimly. “The moment we start fighting, we’ll give ourselves away. If that snake catches our scent again, we’re screwed.”

“Rosaline,” Axel said, “Make an ice sphere big enough for everyone. With a bit of luck, we can sneak past without a fight.”

Rosaline didn’t argue. Her hands moved, and a hollow ice ball over two meters in diameter began to take shape. Inside, seats formed from sculpted icicles.

"And then?" she asked, glancing at Axel.

“You all get in,” he said, transforming mid-sentence. “I’ll push you. Just hold on.”

Rosaline understood his plan immediately, ushering the others into the orb.

As Axel shifted into a medium-sized beast and began rolling the ice sphere forward, Millers blinked in disbelief. “He’s turning into that now?! What the hell kind of talent is this guy working with?”

Kaia bit back a laugh, but Millers wasn’t done.

“His transformations are so detailed. So big—working parts, too.”

That earned him two unamused glares.

Both Rosaline and Kaia stared at him, stone-faced.

“If you don’t shut up, I’m throwing your ass out,” Rosaline warned coldly.

Millers raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. I’m just sayin’—the guy’s a freak of nature. In a good way!”

A few curious mutant beasts appeared along the way, drawn by the strange sight of an ice sphere gliding silently through the jungle. But now that Axel's strength had reached the level of a fourth-tier awakened, the aura he gave off was enough to make lesser beasts keep their distance.

After several tense minutes, the ice orb rolled into a familiar gully.

Now out of the main danger zone, he reverted once again—this time into a sharp-toothed winged wolf.

“Look at the muscle structure… he even has wing joints! Man, I swear.....”

Rosaline and Kaia both turned to him again. “Not another word,” Rosaline warned.

Millers grinned but zipped his lips.

The interior of the ice sphere was crystal clear from within, though it looked like a dull blue orb from the outside. They could observe everything.

Suddenly, the trees ahead rustled—and out stepped a massive white wolf. It stood over five meters tall, its fur like freshly fallen snow. Behind it followed a pack of sharp-toothed winged wolves, their eyes glowing with primal hunger.

Every muscle in their bodies tensed.

"Awooooo\~\~\~!"

The White Wolf King raised its head and howled, its deep, resonant cry echoing through the forest. The surrounding sharp-toothed winged wolves joined in, their chorus chilling yet majestic. And at the center of their circle—stood Axel.

The wolves had encircled him.

Kaia’s voice echoed directly in Axel’s mind through a subtle mental link. “Axel, if anything feels off—just give the signal. We’ll fight our way out if we have to.”

“Relax,” Axel responded peacefully. Then, he threw his head back and howled in response.

The reaction was instant. The wolves quieted… then began to approach.

To everyone’s disbelief, the pack didn’t attack. Instead, they pressed their bodies against Axel, rubbing up against him affectionately. A few even lowered themselves to the ground and wagged their tails like excited dogs welcoming home a favorite sibling.

“What the hell is this…?” Millers muttered under his breath, face scrunched in disbelief. Then, as if struck by inspiration, he added, “Wait… did Axel turn into a female wolf? Is he seducing them?!”

The sharp glares Rosaline and Kaia shot him in unison were practically lethal.

Still, Axel remained composed. He gave the White Wolf King a respectful nod, then began pushing the massive ice sphere once more.

The wolves parted for him obediently.

The White Wolf King trailed behind, letting out a final, mournful howl as Axel moved on. It seemed almost… reluctant to let him go.

Kaia raised an eyebrow. “Looks like it didn’t want to say goodbye.”

Once again, the team moved forward—safe.

And from that point on, what should have been a dangerous journey turned almost routine.

Every time they entered a new territory, Axel would quietly shift into a new mutant beast and win over the local pack like some kind of shapeshifting beast diplomat. Wherever he went, beasts bowed, growled in recognition, or simply gave way without a fight.

The others, at first stunned, eventually stopped questioning it.

“Unbelievable,” Kaia muttered.

“So fucking unbelievable,” Millers echoed, watching Axel in awe. “This guy’s a damn socialite. With fur.”

Vince had been quiet for a long while. Now, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “...I think I understand how he found us.”

.......

Several hours later…

“Turning again?”

“What’s Axel doing this time?”

The others watched through the translucent shell of the ice sphere as Axel, now in beast form, suddenly left the gully and began pushing them in a different direction.

“I’m going to pick someone up,” Axel called back, his voice tense.

He was worried. Swallowing the fire spirit had taken time—far more than he’d anticipated. And in that time, Killian had been left alone.

.......

In a dark wooden hut miles away, a small figure packed two worn bags. Killian glanced sadly at the wilted herbs in the corner—dozens of rare plants he and parents had risked their lives to gather. Most were dead now.

Only two bags’ worth were salvageable. He hefted them quietly.

Taking a piece of chalk, Killian scratched another line onto a worn slate wall.

Another day gone.

“I wonder how Axel’s doing…” he murmured.

His stomach growled, loud and pitiful.

There was almost no food left. The boy had long since rationed every scrap. Though he could faintly sense the scent of nearby mutants, he knew he couldn't risk leaving the cabin.

Knock…

His ears twitched.

Killian’s nose wrinkled—he sniffed.

That scent… it was strong. A mutant beast. And it was getting closer. Fast.

With a snap, he extinguished the lantern and crouched down, pressing his back against the corner of the room.

Shit…

It hit him all at once—he’d left the wooden door cracked open earlier. He’d gotten in the habit of peeking out, checking if Axel had returned. But he must’ve forgotten to fully close it.

The scent of his body had leaked out.

Now it was too late.

He heard the soft, scraping sound of insectoid claws against wood. The door creaked under pressure. Something with a dozen twitching limbs was trying to force its way in.

His breath caught. He knew what this was.

A corpse-eater.

A cruel, twitchy mutant that dissolved flesh slowly—so it could feed while its prey was still alive.

And now it was less than five meters away.

Killian squeezed his eyes shut and held his breath, curled up and trembling. There was nowhere to run.

Bang!

A heavy thud came from outside—then the sound of something massive collapsing to the ground.

Killian froze, breath caught in his throat. He didn’t move. Couldn’t. His whole body was locked in fear.

Then—

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The wooden door shook under a familiar hand.

“Killian, it’s me—Axel. Are you still in there?”

“Axel?!”

Relief hit him like a tidal wave. Tears welled up instantly, spilling down his cheeks as he scrambled for the door. He yanked it open and threw himself into Axel’s arms.

Axel exhaled hard and pulled him close. The boy felt light as a feather. Malnourished. Weak.

A massive, two-meter-long centipede had been clawing at the door moments ago—Axel had crushed it before it could get in.

“It’s alright,” Axel whispered, steadying Killian’s trembling shoulders. “You’re safe now. I’m taking you home.”

Killian nodded hard and ran back into the cabin, grabbing two worn bags stuffed with the last salvageable herbs.

When they returned, the boy stared wide-eyed at the massive ice sphere. Then his gaze locked on the group of strangers inside.

“Wow, look at this cutie.” Kaia crouched beside him, reaching out and pinching his cheek with a smile.

Killian flushed and lowered his head, mumbling shyly.