At that instant, Irvine points his index finger to his own face with a stupid look. "You think it was me? Is this why you called me out here, holding me responsible for this madness? Because I swear, I didn't touch these guys! You saw it yourself I was just sleeping back there!"
Aezel did think about that possibility. But then she glances at Irvine's frail build and…
"What a dork! I only called you here to help me clean up this mess so we can actually move our truck, not to pin the blame on you!"
Irvine laughs awkwardly, scratching his head. "Right! There's no way you'd think a useless guy like me could be the culprit. I mean, I can barely handle my own laundry!"
He feels a bit relieved, but that relieve is short-lived. He remembers how far he had to run from those Spiky-spine White Fangs that night. The thought of cleaning the highway of their carcasses makes him want to curl up in a ball. He knows that they'll be crawling along at a snail's pace, stopping every few feet to shove the monsters to the side, like they're playing a particularly gruesome game of Tetris.
They waste a few hours only for clearing the road from the dead monsters. And sadly, they've also wasted too much fuel just to keep the two vehicles stuttering for too long. Because of this, they fail to reach the Reflecting Valley before dark, and get stuck in the middle of a desert known as the Waterless Frontier, talk about a bad vacation spot.
Both vehicles are actually fueled by hydrogen obtained from the electrolysis of water, which means they're about to make some tough choices. They are forced to sacrifice their drink water to keep the truck running while leaving the bus behind, which is basically like choosing between hydration and a working vehicle.
"This is the last gallon we have. I don't think we can reach the Reflecting Valley with this?" Irvine doubts.
"Well, if the truck breaks down, the two of you have to walk there," replies Elea, her tone as casual as if she were discussing the weather.
The two Elea mentions here are actually Aezel and Irvine. The plan is for them to leave with the truck to the Reflecting Valley and come back with some gallons of water to refill the midibus.
They had actually gone through a heated debate before this to decide who should go, and Aezel, being the team leader, volunteered. However, the other guys forced Irvine to go with her, as they considered him the most useless member to protect the camp in case of a monster attack.
There are still more than 30 miles to the Reflecting Valley. While the others are resting at the campsite, Aezel and Irvine still have to drive in the middle of the night.
"Why don't we just do this tomorrow morning?" Irvine whines.
"It's too risky," Aezel retorts. "We might be in the desert, but there are still Gnoll Muckfangs lurking around."
"You mean, the Hyena-like monsters? What do they even do in a barren place like this? Play poker?"
"They don't necessarily live here, but somewhere high in the hills. They are known for their love for hunting, even just for kicks. If they spot us from afar, we could be their late-night entertainment. If we stay on one spot for too long, some of them will come and keep us busy all night. And we will be too exhausted to go to the Reflecting Valley to get some water in the morning."
Less than an hour into their drive, the truck starts to stall and finally gives up. Aezel tries to turn it on multiple times, but it's as stubborn as a mule. But somehow, she manages to keep her cool.
"Go grab the empty jugs from the back! We'll continue on foot, and back here to refill this truck."
Right now, the truck bed is empty of food supplies and weapons, leaving only a few plastic jugs for this mini-adventure. Irvine grabs two, convinced that will be enough to power the truck all the way to the Reflecting Valley.
However…
<< Can I ask you a question? >>
"What?"
<< How long will it take you to get to that said valley? >>
"Maybe an hour and a half on foot. Or it could take longer if we stop for snacks."
<< So, it'll be at least three hours round trip, right? >>
"More or less. Why?"
<< Well, I can sense the presence of some beasts nearby. And you know what, where there is a group of animals gathered in one place in the middle of this barren land, it is very likely that there is some source of water there. >>
"Where?"
<< At your two o'clock. If I can sense them, it means they are not too far. There's no harm in checking it for a moment. >>
Irvine, excited by the prospect of adventure, quietly leaves the truck without telling Aezel. It isn't for long, but it is too long for Aezel to wait for him when he is supposed to just take some empty jugs from the truck bed. Curious, she goes to check, only to find the truck bed empty from anyone.
"That useless idiot! Did he think he could just ghost me here?"
Thinking that Irvine has chosen to abandon this important task, she finally takes two empty jugs and decides to continue the journey solo.
But before she gets far from the truck…
"Hey, wait!"
She turns to the right, and sees someone in the dark running with a flashlight. Knowing full well that it was Irvine's voice, she immediately yells at him.
"Where have you been? Don't tell me you went to answer nature's call?"
"Well, I had no choice but to answer it, did I? By the way, I just found an oasis not far from here."
"Are you sure you were not just seeing a mirage? They said this often happens when people get lost in the desert."
"It's night time. You don't see a mirage in the dark, unless you got high after mistaking some funny mushroom for a marshmallow."
"So? Did you eat that mushroom?" Somehow, Aezel still shows doubt.
"Come on! Am I that stupid to you?'
"Well, let's check it out!"