Chapter 191: 189: Mutualism

Similar to the relationship shared between the oxpecker and the buffalo, there were also Frenzy Beasts that lived together for their own respective goals.

In the case of the oxpecker and the buffalo, the oxpecker feeds on the ticks and other insects harming the buffalo, getting a steady stream of food. The buffalo in return experiences a pest control, prolonging its life. They share a symbiotic relationship that is mutualism in nature.

The relationship the Hunter Clams and the Lava Turtles share is closer to a bond. Lava Turtles have innately hot bodies, existing at temperatures that other organisms can't hope to survive. They have bulky bodies that are difficult to move around in.

They were capable of changing the terrain they live in, turning it into a boiling swamp thanks to their body temperatures and the substances they secrete. A special fluid is secreted through their shell, one that reinforces and grows them. The prime material involved in its production is water and the various minerals dissolved in it.

If left unchecked, the size of the shell spirals out of control, growing beyond the withstanding capacity of the Lava Turtle. This was where the Hunter Clams came into play. The special fluid was the prime food the Hunter Clams desired.

It had the effect of both satiating their hunger and increasing their Nurturing speed. Also, their consumption kept the growth of the Lava Turtle's shell in check. Due to the size differences, a group of Hunter Clams lived on the Lava Turtle's shell, treating it as their home.

This in turn led them to defend against any attacks, protecting the Lava Turtle.

Since their movement speed was really slow in comparison to the numerous Frenzy Beasts out in the Wilds, the Lava Turtles welcomed such an offer. Also, the excreta produced by the Hunter Clams reinforced the sturdiness of the skin of the Lava Turtles, which was another added benefit.

They helped each other in hunting prey, defending themselves from attacks, and also supporting each other's growth. A Tier 2 Lava Turtle generally had one Tier 2 Hunter Clam and 15-20 Tier 1 Hunter Clams.

There were few exceptions of more than one Tier 2 Hunter Clams living over one Tier 2 Lava Turtle. Also, due to their genetic makeup, only Warriors were produced in the Hunter Clam race. Not one Esper had ever been produced in their history.

"It's hot!" Vishen Walta screamed, flailing his hands over his armour, breaking all the extra Floating Spider body parts. He continuously retreated until arriving beside Hruna Bone, lifting her. The moment of physical contact made Hruna Bone scream in pain, with sections of her skin peeling off as a result.

He concentrated the effect of his Tier 2 Skill on defence, not daring to retract it any time soon. Despite the Skill in an activated state, he still felt his skin burn. Small patches of skin on his face cracked, on the verge of peeling off. They were stuck to him, like wet paper that was moved a little, now forming wrinkles.

Carrying her heavy war hammer, Shimika Doppler gazed at the swamp, watching many other mounds begin to move towards the shore. Others further south made a beeline towards the rock pillars in contact with the swamp, their intention unknown.

"We have to hurry and head deeper into the land." She shouted, wincing at the pain as she habitually tightened the grip around the handle of her heavy war hammer. She paused for a second, gazing at her palm, watching the skin peel off like the skin of boiled potatoes.

Her arms began to shiver, trembling under the heat she had faced earlier. The moisture in their surroundings was extremely hot, thanks to the steam dispersed by the Lava Turtle. There were large puddles on the ground, the water similar to the swamp water.

She took a step forward, wincing at the pain that originated from all over her body, her skin peeling off the moment her armour shifted due to her movements. Her eyes turned red, the air she breathed in being extremely hot, burning up her insides. She felt difficulty in breathing, not to mention her vision being affected.

Vishen Walta carried Hruna Bone, running towards the other team members, the shouts of his and Hruna Bone echoing in the air. Shimika Doppler trailed after them, emitting a shrill shout in pain but still gritting her teeth and persisting in the run.

When they had created a distance of about 100 metres from the swamp, they stopped, beckoning for the team members to form a defensive perimeter. He gently laid Hruna Bone on the floor, motioning for Shimika Doppler to take care of her, also signalling some of the girls to stand around her, to shield her from prying eyes.

Most of the cloth worn underneath her tattered armour had been damaged, coming off from the Lava Turtle's attack, leaving her in an almost naked state. Considering her current state, with her skin peeling off, no one would be willing to glance at her. Even then, he at least wanted to save her from the embarrassment.

"Heal yourself first, followed by Shimika and finally me. I can still move around; I will scout a suitable hiding spot while you heal." He made eye contact with Hruna Bone, swerving his head upon saying his piece.

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He glanced at the rest, commanding them to observe the surroundings to ensure no sneak attacks happened. Still retaining the effect of his Tier 2 Skill in defence, he sprinted on the ground, his pace unamplified.

Proceeding 20 metres towards the south, he came across a couple of thick rock pillars, their diameters crossing two metres each. The point worthy to note about was an arching rock that connected the two, hovering two metres from the ground.

'It would be risky if this were to fall on top of us but…' He glanced around, sporting numerous rocks, immediately concocting up a plan. He returned and called for the rest, watching Hruna Bone create a psychic arm.

Sensing his gaze, she replied with a wry smile, masking the pain she suffered from even though it was apparent by how much her body shivered, "I won't have enough psychic energy to heal if I condensed my second psychic arm."

He nodded, motioning for the team members on the lookout to follow him. He made eye contact with Shimika Doppler, exchanging information without the need for words. Shimika Doppler sighed once, her face morphing at the pain her habitual actions brought forth. She bent and gently picked up Hruna Bone, following behind him.

"Everything changes with the situation," She sighed, "Otherwise, given our strength, we wouldn't have even been injured facing a Lava Turtle."

"We would have lost most, if not all our teammates if we hadn't covered for them." Hruna Bone winced, the nerves along her neck and forehead prodding due to the pain she endured.

"We would encounter similar situations in the Wilds often. Let us consider this training; isn't that why they copied the terrain to mimic the Wilds." Vishen Walta stopped, pointing at the two rock pillars as he described his plan.

"That is a feasible plan, it is also easy to finish and guarantees safety for the time being." Shimika Doppler nodded, motioning for her teammates to begin the construction process. She sat on the ground beside Hruna Bone, watching them proceed with the work.

Their only task was to align rocks underneath the arching section that connected the two rock pillars, creating a pillar to support the structure from collapsing. While at it, they also wished to cover its two sides and layer it with dirt, making it resemble the surroundings and shield them from sight.

Many rocks littered their surroundings, an array of shapes and sizes. All they had to do was pick the right ones and chisel the remaining to suit their agenda. While they were busy with the process, Vishen Walta gave them instructions to ensure the sturdiness of their construct, also ensuring not too much noise was made, lest it attracted the attention of the Frenzy beasts.

"I see the Floating Spiders moving towards the west." A Cadet informed, massaging his brows to ease his strain.

"Good, what about the rest?" Vishen Walta nodded, looking at another cadet that had his ears placed on the ground.

The Cadet replied after a couple of seconds, "I only feel a disturbance in the underground north-east and south-west of our location. Our immediate surroundings are currently clear of any Frenzy Beasts."

"Still, pay heed to every movement. Inform me every 15 seconds of their status." Vishen Walta nodded, continuing to instruct the construction. In the meantime, Hruna Bone sat up, having made a full recovery.

She heaved a sigh of relief, "Thankfully, they were only surface level burns. Even the damage to the lungs wasn't severe."

"It is good that the damage is not severe." Shimika Doppler relaxed, handing her an intact armour. Seeing the armour, Hruna Bone paused in confusion, turning around to notice her teammates lacking some parts each. It seemed they had each pooled a part to assemble a whole for her.

Just when Hruna Bone intended to thank them, Shimika Doppler whispered, "Don't bother, they didn't do it voluntarily. Vishen Walta gently hinted at them while sporting a bloodthirsty gaze. Only then did they tremble in fear and arrive with such a method. This put together armour is only useful for covering your body and doesn't provide much defence."

"I never knew Vishen Walta was such a gentleman. His armour too had broken into pieces while he shielded the Lava Turtle's attack for us." Hruna Bone smiled, turning her psychic arm pale blue and seeping it into Shimika Doppler, beginning to heal her.

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