CHAPTER 132: CHAPTER 131: PETRACYST EVOLUTION PHASE

As the sky outside started turning orange, the door creaked open again, and Owen popped his head in. "Axelius," he called, floating in with a small frown. "We need to go back."

Axelius blinked, then looked out the window. "Oh, already?"

Owen crossed his arms. "You forgot, didn’t you?"

"...A little," Axelius admitted, scratching the back of his head with a grin.

Axelius stood and gave the dwarf a small bow. "Thanks for your time, Tarn. I’ll come back soon."

Tarn waved a hand without looking up. "Go on then, kid. I’ll get started on the list—see what we’ve got, what we need."

Axelius grinned, but before turning to go, he whispered to the shadow "Nyx."

A faint shimmer appeared, and the skeletal hound poked his head out quietly.

"Stay in his shadow," Axelius said, glancing back at the dwarf. "If he tries anything... betray me or screw us over..."

He raised one finger across his neck. Nyx let out a low bark, eyes glowing faintly, then sank into the shadows again—disappearing seamlessly into Tarn’s own as if he was never there.

"Good boy," Axelius muttered with a half-smile. With that handled, he turned and walked toward the door. Owen floated beside him, arms still crossed.

"You really forgot, huh?"

"Hey, I was focused," Axelius shrugged, stretching a little. "This project’s important. I need it."

Owen glanced at him, then sighed. "Well, good thing I reminded you. Let’s go."

As Axelius stepped out of the small workshop the sun already sinking low in the sky casting long shadows across the streets he saw Millie waiting quietly outside, standing near the corner with her hands folded, and when she noticed him she walked up without saying much, only giving a small nod.

as they started walking together through the winding streets of the city. After a few more turns the familiar sound of water splashing reached Axelius’ ears and as they passed by the large stone fountain at the plaza.

He saw a familiar group gathered around, and right there, with water glistening behind them, stood Cedric, Cyruz and Ellory is asleep, Cyruz was carrying her on his back like some proud older brother who finally won a prize.

"Finally!" Cyruz said loudly, "Where have you been?!"

Axelius only gave a light shrug and muttered, "Hmm... somewhere."

"Let’s go, it’s getting dark," Cedric added, more focused on the time than the conversation, and with that simple call, the group began walking together, leaving the plaza and making their way back through the stone-paved roads toward the grand duke’s estate as the city slowly quieted with the setting sun.

Once they arrived at the grand estate, the guards opened the gates, and everyone split toward their rooms, while Axelius went straight to his, not bothering to talk more or explain anything as he opened the door.

And walked into his room, where the first thing he did was fall face-first into the bed with a long sigh, burying his face into the pillows.

"You should take a bath, young master," Millie suggested gently, standing by the door as always, calm and proper.

Axelius rolled over and looked at her before getting up slowly, stretching as he moved, and without a word, he followed her to the bathroom just like usual Millie walking just a few steps behind him, as the two disappeared behind the door.

Meanwhile, in the now quiet bedroom, Owen—who had been completely still since earlier—finally bounced a little, his gooey form wobbling oddly as he bounced to the mirror.

"I’ve been like this since earlier... what’s going on?" Owen mumbled, watching his own reflection with squinted eyes as his body started glowing faintly, his form jiggling uncontrollably.

He floated closer, and then a sudden flash of light popped in front of him. A semi-transparent blue screen appeared.

『Evolution Path Detected. Conditions Met.』

Owen blinked. "I’m evolving?" he muttered, eyes wide as he stared at the menu.

Then below, another screen expanded, showing a small list:

〔Faint Slime Baby〕✔—〔Faint Slime Juvenile〕✔—〔Faint Slime Adult〕✔—〔Faint Slime Max Level Reached〕✔

Then two choices appeared below. One glowed with a golden egg shape labeled.

〔Unknown Evolution Egg〕

〔Bogbelly Glutton〕

Below each choice was a smaller icon labeled:

[Details]

Curious, he mentally tapped the [Details] under Bogbelly Glutton.

[Evolution Path: Bogbelly Glutton]

Type: Mutation-Class Monster

Rank: C

Status: Permanent Form (Irreversible)

Appearance: Your slime body mutates into a massive, dark blue creature, resembling a giant, slimy frog. Thick, mucus-coated skin protects against physical and magical attacks. Eyes shift to the top of the head, and a long, sticky tongue is developed for mid-range capture.

Traits & Skills Gained:

Endless Devour I: Anything swallowed will be digested over time, converting into energy or stored mass.

Hardened Core: Your core becomes highly resistant to piercing and magic damage.

Tongue Whiplash: A retractable tongue attack that pulls enemies into your body.

Territorial Gullet: You can mark a territory to boost your digestion and defense while inside it.

Passive: Constant Hunger – stamina and regeneration rely on feeding.

⚠️ Warning: Choosing this evolution will lock your path. You will no longer qualify for core or divine-type evolution branches.

"What? If I choose this ’Bogbelly’ thing, I’ll be stuck as a frog-like monster forever?!"

His gooey body shook aggressively. "Na-uh! No way."

Then he looked at the egg option and tried to press for details...

[Details Unavailable]→ "This path cannot be predicted. Are you prepared for the unknown?"

"What? I won’t even know what I’ll become unless I pick it? What kind of nonsense is that?!"

He started spinning in place. Just then, Axelius voice came from the bathroom door as he returned and sat on the bed, with Millie calmly behind him, now combing his wet hair gently.

"Hey, what are you mumbling about in there?" Axelius asked with curiosity.

"I’m evolving," Owen replied, floating a little higher, "and this time I have options,"

"Ohh? What kind of options?" Axelius asked, interested.

"It’s either become a Bogbelly Glutton forever or start over as some random egg where I don’t know what I’ll become," Owen said, still unsure.

Axelius blinked, then laughed. "Wait, you’re gonna end up looking like a frog forever?"

Immediately, Owen hit the confirm button. "NO! I choose the egg! No way am I becoming a frog! Those things are always starving, that’s gonna endanger my whole life!"

Axelius grinned wide. "Yeah, like how you couldn’t stop yourself from eating that Nargacrypta egg 5 months ago."

"Ahh! Don’t make me remember that!" Owen groaned as his body started glowing brighter.

"I’ll be entering my stone phase, so take care of me, okay?" Owen said seriously.

Axelius gave a short wave. "Yeah, yeah... I wonder how many days this time? Last time was three days."

Evolution path selected: [??? – Randomized Egg Evolution]

Beginning transformation...

You have chosen the Hidden Path.

Initiating Petracyst Evolution Phase...

⚠️ Warning: This phase is not listed in any known evolution records.

🪨 Status: Core sealed inside Petrified Shell.

Movement: ❌ Disabled

Magic Output: ❌ Blocked

Duration: Unknown

Owen didn’t answer as his body began to harden slowly, shrinking into a smooth, faintly glowing blue stone.