Chapter 10

"It's gone.""Hm?"I lifted my head to look at Lux thoughtfully.He looked at me irritably and pointed to the ground."The water has disappeared."I followed his finger. The ground. Indeed... the water suddenly vanished into the earth. I'm not sure if "disappeared" was the right word... it just continued to flow underground. Nevertheless, I must have had a rather specific expression on my face because our new companion slightly grimaced with disapproval."What are you standing around for?"As joined us just a moment later."Because Lux's water disappeared, even though it's still there."My words seemed to slightly ruffle the boy, but I didn't give him a chance to show it as I confidently continued walking."Well, obviously the water doesn't just disappear..."I wasn't sure, but As seemed to be smiling to himself, as if this was some kind of point for him or something... Men..."So, how exactly do you pinpoint its location? I don't see you casting a spell or anything..." Lux didn't finish because suddenly my hand covered his mouth."Shh!" I whispered and pointed ahead.Beyond the trees loomed the side of a mountain. At first, everything seemed calm and natural... to the point that I felt my less perceptive companions might want to complain that I was exaggerating.A few moments later, suddenly something emerged from among the stones. It looked at least strange, as there didn't seem to be any holes, burrows, or caves there.[Skill Upgrade: Observant I upgraded to Observant II]... Seriously? Was it that hard to notice? Was it because I earlier sensed the movement through the vibrations in the earth and assumed something was there?[New Passive Ability Acquired: Intuition I]... I won't comment.I was snapped out of my thoughts and debate with... probably myself, by a touch on my shoulder. I turned my head and for some reason, my heart sped up for a fraction of a second when I saw piercing light blue eyes."It's a Tarks*..." his voice was very quiet, but seeing that he knew what he was talking about and still allowed himself to speak up made me feel a bit more confident and stop holding my breath so fiercely.[New Passive Ability Acquired: Breath Holding I]Stop messing around!"But what's a Tarks doing on the surface?" Lux also seemed surprised.With a hand gesture, I indicated that we should retreat. Once we were a bit further away, in a safer distance, I finally could ask..."What the hell is a Tarks?"Lux stared at me as if I had just asked what a horse or a tree was."Geez, someone must have been raised under a rock if you don't know what a Tarks is... One of the most annoying pests that are sometimes sent after Guild novices. They are nuisances and pranksters, not worth dirtying a blade for."I could hear clear contempt in his voice for these creatures. Yet, something didn't sit right with me... It couldn't be a coincidence that in a place where I expected water problems, a creature appeared that, according to the boys, was behaving unnaturally."Could they have concocted a plan to poison the water or something?""Tarks? You kidding? First, they are loners, and second, they're as dumb as a box of rocks!""Would you bet your hand on it?"My question made Lux freeze for a moment and look at me more attentively and uncertainly. As immediately reacted."What are you saying, Omora. Why even ask?""Because I sense many more traces of such creatures under the ground."I tried to sound as calm as possible and, considering the seriousness of the situation, not to burst into laughter at the sight of their dumbfounded faces.