He took a brief moment to catch his breath, then pressed forward—running, cloaking his body with wind mana to lighten his weight, and channeling gusts beneath his feet to launch himself faster.
On the other side, where Gamble's group had stopped, they stood near a spring of clear, drinkable water. The wagon rested a short distance away, but they had remained close. Harris leaned lazily against a great tree, watching the others. Cable crouched by the water's edge, trailing his hand through the surface, while Noel sat beside him, her eyes quietly following his. Gamble, as always, stayed seated inside the wagon.
Noel dipped her own hand into the spring. The water was unexpectedly warm despite the winter air, and so she asked in surprise:
"Why is it that spring water feels warm in winter, but cold in summer?"
Cable turned toward her and answered calmly, "The secret lies in the depth. Spring water rises from deep underground, where the temperature stays almost constant, untouched by the heat of summer or the chill of winter.
In winter, when the air may be five degrees, the spring emerges at eighteen or twenty—warm by comparison. In summer, when the air scorches at forty degrees, the same water feels refreshingly cold.
The spring doesn't change… it's our perception that shifts. Simply put, it remains the same in every season."
His explanation caught Noel off guard. She blinked at him, impressed.
"Hmmm… you know quite a lot, Cable."
As she withdrew her hand, Harris pushed off the tree and strode over. Without a word, he plunged his hand into the water as well.
"The reason it's warm," he said with a grin, "is this."
A flare of fire mana surged from his palm, heating the spring in an instant. Steam erupted as the water boiled violently. Cable's hand, still submerged, burned as though pressed against open flame. He recoiled in pain, his face twisting with fury.
"Why would you do that!?" he shouted, his voice edged with anger.
Harris only laughed at the sight, ignoring his outburst. He glanced at Noel instead.
"Come on, we should return to the wagon. Time to move."
Noel hesitated, then gave a short nod. "Alright." Rising, she followed her brother.
Cable bit down hard, his frustration unspoken, then stormed back toward the wagon as well.
Inside, the group sat in heavy silence. Only Cable muttered under his breath, cursing quietly while nursing his scorched hand. The wheels creaked as the wagon pushed onward.
Moments later, Gamble tugged the reins and brought it to a halt.
"Out. Now."
They exchanged confused glances, uncertainty in their eyes. Gamble's expression tightened as if sensing something unseen.
"Quickly!" he barked.
The group leapt from the wagon—just as jagged stone fangs burst from the ground, ripping the vehicle into shreds. Dust and splinters filled the air. From beneath the shattered wreck, it emerged: the Fang-toothed Earth Tiger, a beast of stone and soil, its roar splitting the silence.