Chapter 193: Fire Elementals (2/2)

Ever since we met that salamander, we stopped attacking any salamander we met, choosing instead to hunt Demon Fire Worms and Fire Devouring Fishes. Like always, the meat went to No.3 and Big 4 while Mo Na and I absorbed the souls.

Our journey continued like that for over a week till finally, we came upon a giant pond that cut off our path forward.

Faced with such a giant body of lava, we either had to fly or take a very long detour around it.

Devils were able to fly thanks to their wings. However, that didn’t mean they were able to fly well. Ever since No.3 and Big 4 evolved into Flame Demon Childes, they gained a pair of flesh wings. They would often practise flying with those wings but even so, their turning flexibility was still lacking. Most likely it had to do with their large bodies placing a lot of stress on their meaty wings.

The giant pond in front of us had a markedly different color from the lava lake. While the lava lake, in general, was colored like a dark shade of magma, and seemed almost bloody at times, the pond in front us was a lot purer in color to the extent that it almost had a surreal beauty to it.

Even more amazing was that I could see a bunch of humanoid flames leaping about at our distant flanks. Each of them had a look of joy as they frolicked about. Their bodies were made entirely of flames and they largely resemble humans except for the lack of their finer features.

Because they didn’t communicate in the language of the devil, I couldn’t understand a word they said. However, it was still clear to me that they were having the time of lives, running on top of the pond.

‘Are those the fire elementals from my inherited memories? Come to think of it, isn’t it natural for Purgatory to have such creatures since it’s basically a plane made of fire?’

Yet just as I was pondering how to face these elementals, the elementals discovered us. A shrill cry echoed across the lake for a few deafening seconds, and the mirror-like surface of the pond stirred in response. A mass of bubbles began forming all of a sudden, as if something was about to come rushing out of lava pond.

‘Maybe we can still make it if we run now…’

It was too late. A fiery pillar burst into the sky from the center of the pond and a horde of fire elementals came rushing out of it. Their numbers were so numerous, my eyes began to swim just from trying to count them.

“Mama, they’re coming towards us!” Completely unfazed by their numbers, she flew in front of me and with a flick of her wrist, summoned a long whip made entirely of dark energy. “Don’t worry Mama, Mo Na will protect you!”

“Master, we’re here too, don’t worry.” Big 4 and No.3 rushed out in front of me, weapons readied and spirits high.

Needless to say, those weren’t the same weapons they used in the Prison of the Dead; new weapons for a new place and all that. The new gear set was named “Fire Devouring Claws”, crafted by Mo Na under my strict supervision, and shaped to resemble fist weapons.The gauntlet-like portion was crafted using the sturdiest portion of the fish’s scales, and further enhanced by magical tempering. The claw section of the weapon was crafted using the teeth of the fish which, after going through Mo Na’s skillful transmutation, had its killing power boosted by several fold.

The design, in general, was that of a medieval knight’s gauntlets, with allowance made for finger movement. Still, there was no helping the fact that there would still be some performance loss. Naturally, it wasn’t practical for them to put it on at all times so I had a bone chain affixed to the gauntlets for easy storage on their waist.

These black claws were specially designed by me with this environment in mind. Although No.3 and Big 4 were Flame Demon Childes, they couldn’t spend all day in the lava lake either. Plus, their opponents would most likely be fishes and worms so I decided on claws instead of the usual weapon designs I had. After all, I couldn’t expect them to go fishing with a bunch of maces or swords…that won’t do at all.

Upon assembling, the fire elementals didn’t rush at us as expected but instead maintained some distance between us as they exchanged gazes with each other. Even so, their aggressive stance was more than enough to put us on high alert. For all we know, a simple provocation might end up triggering a violent response from them.

Thankfully, the worst never came to pass. The moment they realized that we were just four lonely souls, they seemed to heave a sigh of relief. Naturally, they didn’t actually show relief on their faces. After all, the majority of their faces were a fuzzy mess and there’s no way anyone could discern a thing from that.

Right ahead of us, the elementals continued talking to each other in their own unique language while we simply stood there watching, unable to leave but also unable to stay.