Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2085: All kinds of strange lifeforms

During the initial day, I came across a peculiar fish gliding effortlessly through the molten lava.

The fish's appearance itself wasn't what made it odd, as it resembled an ordinary koi.

What struck me as bizarre was how it navigated the lava without charring to nothing.

Without question, this creature, much like the plant, had evolved to thrive in such an extreme setting, adapting perfectly to the lava environment.

For such an adaptation to occur, there must have been unique qualities to this fish.

Being mobile, it was simpler to discern the nature of this fish's evolution.

In truth, it was straightforward: an affinity for fire elemental energy.

This trait enabled the fish to draw in the intense heat from the surrounding lava, allowing survival amid the scorching flows.

Beyond that, it granted the fish the power to manipulate fire elemental energy by generating flames.

This mainly served as a defensive measure above all else.

As I drew near, the fish abruptly faced me and unleashed a burst of flames in my direction. My protective barriers ensured the flames couldn't penetrate, lacking the strength to do so.

Still, it took me by surprise to have a fish hurl flames my way.

Yet, to the flame elementals, this was utterly unremarkable.

Composed entirely of flames themselves, the flame elementals effortlessly shrugged off the fish's fiery assault. The heat wasn't nearly sufficient to injure them.

All that resulted was their amusement as the flames washed over them.

Another observation I made was the flame elementals fervently netting these fish with wild abandon. They devoured them as if starved for ages.

A portion of me even pondered if their rampant fishing might deplete the population entirely.

Nevertheless, the flame elementals assured me this wouldn't happen.

"Just yesterday, there weren't nearly as many fish. It's thanks to the ceremony we performed that revitalized our rivers."

Having dwelled here forever, no one understood this realm better than they did.

Still, one question lingered for me: "And what of the offerings you brought to the ceremony earlier? If numbers were low then, how did you manage to use them?"

"We must honor those who grant us this existence. Life hasn't always been simple for us in the past..."

"That's what the ancestors have always said."

A wry smile crossed my lips upon hearing this, though I held back further inquiries.

...

On the following day, I noticed land-dwelling creatures beginning to populate the area.

It felt like each day unveiled fresh wonders.

However, given the advancement of these terrestrial beings, it seemed implausible they'd emerged so recently. Prior to now, no traces of them existed, and the flame elementals firmly confirmed this.

Reflecting on it, it appeared more probable that these creatures had secluded themselves in their dens, waiting for a viable habitat. Otherwise, their swift appearance made little sense.

These varied land animals mirrored the lava river fish in their adaptations.

Each possessed the capacity to wield fire elemental energy, just like the fish.

Without this, survival in such a harsh domain would have been impossible.

Thus, every one of them could expel flames akin to the fish.

The spectacle of these beasts breathing fire was astonishing, yet the flame elementals handled them adeptly.

"What sorts of things do you consume?" I inquired, watching them pursue the land creatures too.

The flame elementals regarded me with puzzlement, as if my question baffled them, before providing concrete instances.

"We can consume anything we can incinerate."

To demonstrate, they seized various items and cast them into the fires that formed their visages. Upon entry, those objects swiftly reduced to cinders within the intense blaze of the flame elementals.

In a sense, it resembled consumption...

Yet it struck me more as incineration and elimination, given their method of 'feeding'.

Still, I realized the true essence being drawn from these burned items was the accumulated fire elemental energy.

As entities born of elemental energy, it followed that the flame elementals' sustenance derived from elemental sources as well.

Merely, the manner in which they acquired it felt unusual.

It also evoked the broader capability shared by flame elementals—or all elementals—which explained our need to shield them from Destruction's forces.

Such a power indeed appeared overpowered, absorbing energies of all varieties.

But I recognized one type they couldn't assimilate, or else divine safeguarding wouldn't be necessary.

"Divine energy truly stands apart."