*SQUEAK*

  *SQUEAK*

  *SQUEAK*

  The green rabbits start showing from the bushes. Civ, the hunting group, and Horm encircle the Tribe leader and the rest of the firewood team. Protecting them.

  “I-I-i thinking these rabbits are angry Civ.” Vel, who followed them in the last minute, was sweating beads as he was in the middle of the group.

  Civ and Pil held the arrow in their bow while the rest handled their spears.

  These rabbits were small, but there were more than 10 of them.

  “Father, we will make a way going back to the camp. Once you get the opportunity, run away and call the rest of the Hunting group.” Civ doesn’t know yet how strong these rabbits are in combat. But but retreating is the best option right now.

  But before Kivrah replied, Horm and Pil pulled out their spears.

  Then Horm smiled. “Civ, I was excited to show this to you when we get back. Looks like you will see this in combat.” Horm and Pil step forward to the group.

  *SQUEAK*

  *SQUEAK*

  *SQUEAK*

  The rabbits were angered by the provocation that there were only two humans who wanted to face them. Within split seconds, the rabbits, one by one, ran towards Pil and Horm.

  Then-

  *WHOOOSSH*

  *WHOOOSSH*

  They both swing the spears.

  *TTRAAAAKKK*

  Hitting the rabbits either blew them away or split them in half.

  “Amazing!” Vel was in astonishment, looking at the two.

  Civ could not help but smile.

  ‘I am not alone. Remember?’

  He moved forward and shot a few arrows at any rabbits that were able to skip the defenses of the two.

  The sequence happens so fast that before the rest was able to regroup, the fanged green rabbits were already wiped out!

  “Hahahaha Arsh will be jealous if she knows it later.” Horm could not wait to tease Arsh the whole day about it.

  Civ looked around to make sure there were no rabbits that were hiding.

  When he was sure. He commanded. “It seems that it is safe now. I think we can collect these rabbits. What do you think Father?”

  Kivrah walked to one of the rabbits that had been hit by an arrow.

  “I think we can. We just need to make sure this is safe.”

  Civ nodded. “Everyone, please pick up the rabbits that were not that damaged.”

  The group started checking the carcases. They were able to collect five intact rabbits.

  They continue their travel to the place where onions and garlic are.

  Civ placed leaves above the rabbits to avoid contamination and placed the herbs.

  “This is really convenient Civ. We are able to gather more of this garlic using this.” One of the firewood team gladly praises this basket.

  “I agree with Kasha Civ. If we have this, we can gather more of those materials you requested.” Horm followed up.

  Seeing the appreciation from the firewood team made Civ smile.

  “Thank you! I will make sure to make more items to ease your gathering in the future.” Civ replied.

  They returned immediately to avoid unnecessary encounters with the other rabbits if there were some of them around.

  Reaching the camp, someone was waiting for them at the south wall. It was Safi.

  When Safi saw them, she immediately left. A few seconds later, she returned with Arsh.

  “Welcome back Tribe Leader and everyone.” Arsh bowed to the tribe leader.

  “Thank you! Has any unusual happened while we are away?” Kivrah asked while they were walking to the middle of the camp.

  “Well, there is a boar that is walking around here. It did not come near the camp. But it was showing again.”

  Civ and Kirvah acknowledged.

  “The boars were much careful recently,” Kivrah commented.

  “I agree Father, but let's be careful still.” Civ reminded.

  They went to the north wall to see if the boar was still there. It was still there.

  Just grazing and lazing around.

  “Unfortunately, we cannot return to the north. But we still have food stored. It should last a couple more days.” Kivrah lamented but stayed positive.

  In fact, in Civ calculations. The food supply will last for 3 or 5 more days. Unless they have another food source.

  Civ remembered that they had hunted fanged green rabbits.

  ‘Maybe.’ Civ pinched his nose bridge.

  ‘It's hard to gather food if you have a limited area to explore.’

  Civ looked at his Father and replied. “I’ll check another way to gather food. Hopefully, it was much easier to gather.”

  Kivrah smiled and replied. “Thank you for your hard work Son. I hope you will be successful.”

  The duo left the north wall and went on separate ways. Civ is going to the harvested materials, while Kivrah checks the condition of the camp in general.

  Organizing the content of the basket, Civ inspected the rabbits they hunted.

  Aside from the sharp fangs in front and green fur, this rabbit has the same features as the rabbits on Earth.

  Civ carefully skinned these five rabbits. After skinning it, he tried to smell the meat. It was the smell of a subtle, sweet, and earthy aroma.

  “It’s edible. I guess?” Civ's mouth is watering now that he smells it.

  If this is edible, they can have other avenues to gather food. Rabbit might be an alternative.

  After skinning all of the rabbits, he started boiling the water and cutting the herbs.

  He washed the meat and then put all of the rabbit’s edible meat.

  Once it starts boiling, the aroma fills the camp. The smell draws everyone's attention to the center of the camp.

  “Right, it's already time to eat!” One of the firewood team members excitedly went to the center of the camp.

  When they arrived, they saw Civ was cooking two jars of this stomach growl-inducing smell.

  Civ was planning to stand up to call everyone. But he noticed that almost everyone is already here.

  “Great! Everyone, please have a seat. Let's wait for the Shaman and the Tribe leader. Then we will start the feast.” Civ asked the crowd. The crowd cheerfully followed and sat in five rows same manner as the last time.

  The Tribe leader and the Shaman just arrived.

  “This smells amazing Civ! Shaman Mashu, please bless this food.” Kivrah asked the Shaman.

  Shaman Mashu nodded. She kneeled, clasped her hands, and prayed to the Sun Goddess.

  Understanding a bit of the words right now, Civ felt a familiar feeling when he silently recited the passage. While reciting, Shaman Mashu’s closed eyes quickly opened and stared at Civ. He quickly stopped following the Shaman's words and quietly listened.

  After the prayer, the rabbit soup was just finished simmering. Civ tasted it, and he felt relaxed. A comforting yet flavourful meat.

  Kivrah was starting to distribute the bowl, but he noticed it was the rabbit meat!

  He immediately looked at his Son. “Civ did you not say on the way back that we need to check this if we can- ”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Looking at his Son, it is already gobbling a mouthful. He breathed a deep sigh and continued to serve the crowd. He also got a bowl and tasted it.

  The crowd, after receiving the soup, was confused.

  “Tribe leader, what is this meat?” One from the tribe asked.

  Kivrah, who was enjoying his meal, took a moment to reply and finish the rest of the soup.

  “That is from a fanged green rabbit.” Kivrah revealed.

  “What?!” Everyone who was not aware of the green rabbit was shocked.

  The fanged green rabbits, as the old people tell, it is an agile creatures that attack if provoked. You can rarely see it in the wild. But when someone from their group dies, it will prompt the whole group to seek revenge for their fallen kin.

  Looking at Civ and Kivrah, everyone felt a chill.

  Hearing their murmurs, Kivrah smiled and replied. “You are right, we were attacked by the rabbits. But it was Horm, Civ, and Pil who defeated them.”

  Arsh looked at Horm. He was smiling from ear to ear, looking at Arsh's reaction.

  Her eyes widened. “So you both showed it to Civ?!”

  Horm tried to push back Arsh.“Listen Arsh, we do not have an option. We were being attacked from all sides.”

  Arsh sighed. “Alright, I forgive you.”

  Seeing these two, Civ was a bit betrayed.

  “Hey you two. What do you mean that you should not do it?” Civ asked.

  The movement both Pil and Horm did was not a coincidence. It was like they tried to learn it.

  Horm was going to explain it, but she was interrupted by Arsh. “Let me explain it Civ.”

  So what happened is that in their first exercise, after they arrived in the south. When they arrived there, Arsh proposed an idea.

  “Hey guys, what do you think we can contribute to the tribe and Civ?” Arsh asked the team, who were exhausted.

  “I think we work harder. Harder than before.” Ras replied.

  “How about hunting by ourselves. So Civ can focus on other things.” Safi suggested.

  Everyone has a reasonable response. Then Horm raised his hand.

  “How a bout if we try to find another way to fight boars?”

  The group felt silent. Horm is correct. Right now, they are only fighting them by throwing spears. If they ran out of throwing spears, what is next?

  A resounding nod from the group, they agree to the suggestion of Horm.

  After the discussion, they decided to see how they can use a spear, without throwing it.

  Some advise making a longer spear for stabbing, others say make a double-pointed edge spear.

  Looking for all of the possible options, Horm again suggested.

  “What if we use it the same way we use stone axes?”

  “You are right!” Arsh picked up a long stick and started swinging it.

  “Ohhhhhh!” Everyone saw the vision.

  After that, in their free time, they start practicing the swinging. If they came across Horm or Arsh, they ask for pointers. Both of them gladly assisted anyone who asked for their help.

  The group wanted to show it to Civ in the next couple of days, once everyone is confident in using the spear. But due to the incident today, the surprise was spoiled.

  Arsh finished her story with a disappointed sigh.

  “So that's what happened.” Civ smiled.

  “Thank you Horm, Arsh. If you did not prepare for it. It might be a dangerous adventure for us.” Civ sincerely thanked his friends.

  He did not expect that his group was already trying to find ways to fight the boar. Inspirations will really take you to another height if you know the purpose. Since they already have the idea. Might as well help them achieve it.

  “Alright, Horm, the swing you had earlier was too much-” Civ stated to nag Horm. Correcting some of the way he uses the spear. The nagging ended when they finished their lunch. After that, Horm quickly left. Avoiding the lesson from Civ since he was already full.

  Arsh laughed and asked, “Will you follow us tomorrow to practice spear swinging?”

  “Yes, I need to see how everyone is doing. Also, I want to practice it.” Civ confirmed.

  ‘I guess it’s time to know how to use a spear properly.’ Civ, think about it. He originally designed the spears for atlatl. If they need to make the spear a pure handheld weapon. He needs to do a little bit of upgrades and customization.

  With that, he left and looked for Horm first. He saw Vel on the way, making pottery bowls for the rest of the crowd.

  “Hey Vel, find me at the back of the cave when you finish here.” Civ commended Vel. Vel replied with a nod as he was focused on his pottery.

  Looking at Horm, he saw him at the south wall. Checking his spear.

  “Hey Horm, I came looking for you!” Civ called.

  Horm straightened up his body. Trying to hide his spear. “Oh, why are you looking for me?”

  Noticing that his friend tried to put the spear behind his back, he ignored it.

  “Yes, about the spear swinging. Can you show me how you usually do it? I need to confirm something.” Civ asked.

  “Sure!” Horm happily replied.

  But when Horm wanted to demonstrate his spear swinging, Civ swiftly grabbed his spear.

  “Let’s see what you're hiding! Oh no!”

  When Civ eyes looked at the wood near the spearhead, it was full of bitemarks!

  Footnote - Day 20

  *********************************************************************************************************

  Improving the Spear

  Seeing the bite marks, Civ's face went serious.

  ‘If those rabbits were able to reach us.’ It was a good thing that Horm and Pil were able to manage fending off most of the rabbits.

  “What is it Civ?” Horm nervously asked.

  “Well, you didn’t mention that this was already going to be broken soon.” Civ looked Horm in the eyes.

  “I-i-i was going to when I saw those marks!” Horm tried to reason it out.

  Civ did not further tease his friend since his purpose is really to check the spear he is using.

  “Alright, I believe you. I'll make you one later.” Civ left Horm, bringing the almost broken spear with him.

  However, they heard a shout from the north wall again.

  “Boar! The boar is attacking!” Luk shouted.

  Horm and Civ quickly ran towards the north wall.

  “Everyone in your positions.” The rest of the hunting group assumed their designated guarding post and climbed on the ladders.

  *REEEEEE*

  Hearing it while climbing. Civ tried his best to climb to the top of the wall.

  When they saw it, its eyes were burning with determination while its mouth was frothing.

  The same thing happened as last time. The boar was impaled on one of the barricades.

  “Shoot! Aim for the head.” Civ commanded the group.

  The group quickly stretched their bows and shot the arrows at the boar's head.

  This time, they only shot three times each before the boar was killed. It was better compared to the last attack.

  After confirming that the boar was dead, the firewood team collected the boar. The rest of the tribesmen processed the boar.

  While looking at the butchering process, Kivrah sat next to Civ.

  “What do you think? How are those boars running aggressively recently?” Kivrah was quite puzzled by the behavior.

  Civ looked up and then looked at his Father. “When I was above the ladder, I noticed something.”

  “What is it Son?”

  Civ looked at the jar that was still at the fire. “Smell.”

  “Smell?” Kivrah continuously tapped his knees with his pointy finger.

  “Yes, especially that smell.” Now he pointed at the jar.

  “The soup! Right, it was so smelly that the boar was attracted to the smell.” Kivrah concluded.

  But Civ has a different take. “I don’t think it is right. We might do more testing tomorrow.”

  “Hmmm I think we can hide that smell Son.” Kivrah contemplated. He tried to think of a solution. The boar might be one only for now. But if a group of boars starts ramming into their walls, it will be a big problem for the tribe.

  “If we could put a cover on the jar.” Civ looked at the jar again.

  “Well, we can make that right now.” Civ's eyes brightened.

  “Really Son?! Tell me how?” Kivrah was excited too.

  “It's not about how. It’s about who.” Civ's smile was a bit chilly.

  “Wh-wh-at you mean who?” Kivrah steps back once. Trying to compose himself.

  “We can ask Vel!” Civ smiled ear to ear.

  Vel, on the other hand, felt his right ear was itchy.

  “Aruggh, why now! I’m working on this pottery!” Vel washes his hands to scratch that itch.

  After he finished scratching, he closed his eyes, smiling. That anyoying itch went away.

  Then someone whispered in his right ear. “Hey Vel.”

  Vel jumped like a rabbit when he heard it.

  “WHO IN THE RIGHT MIN-. C-c-civ. Oh it's you.” Vel calmed down a light speed.

  Civ smiled but inwardly laughed as he saw the expression on his apprentice.

  “Sorry if I startled you. Getting straight to our purpose of looking for you, the Tribe leader said that the boars were attacking us because of the soup’s smell.”

  Noticing the Tribe leader, Vel turned serious and asked Civ. “That is scary Civ. Do you think we need to stop cooking that soup?”

  Vel felt it was a waste not to make soup. They are starting to like the taste of it.

  “Not really, but the Tribe leader has a solution.” Civ looked at Kivrah, and Kivrah nodded.

  “We need to cover the jar. I’m thinking that if we can limit the spread of the smell. The boars might not detect it and stop attacking us. But I cannot confirm yet if the cause of the attacks was the smell. But it is better to be safe.” Kivrah explained.

  Vel nodded, acknowledging the suggestion from the Tribe leader. For a few seconds, he is staring at the drying jars that he recently created. A question came into his mind.

  “How can we make it? What do you think Civ? Any idea?” Vel was trying his best to think of an answer to this problem. The solution that he thinks is covering the top with fresh leaves, but given that the jar is heated to cook the soup, it is not the right solution.

  Civ shrugged. “I don’t know. That is why we reach out to you right now. If you can come up with an idea.”

  Civ seriously answered it with all honesty. He feels that Vel can figure this out. He just needs to observe to know, and a little push.

  Helpless, Vel believed the words from Civ.

  “But do not worry, if you feel that you are not progressing, you can call me and we’ll talk about it.” Getting the assurance from Civ gives Vel confidence to tackle this challenge.

  “I understand Civ. I will try to make this soon.” Vel starts working on it. Seeing that Vel is focused on finding a solution, Civ and Kivrah left in separate ways.

  The spear Horm was using is in Civ hands left hand right now. Upon further inspection, it was a really deep cut.

  “I think we need to reshape the stone spear.” Civ think of a way that, in case they encounter some of the fanged green rabbits again, they have a weapon designed to beat these agile creatures.

  In a long silence, Civ's eyes brightened.

  “We can try and test that!”

  Civ looked for longer, bigger stones. Then he knapped an elongated spearhead.

  After that, he looked for a drier stick to make a shaft for the spear. Then he created a smaller fire at the back of the cave. After the fire was crackling hot, he slowly rotated the shaft in the fire. Making the wood color brown to light char black. Getting enough fire treatment for the shaft, he attached the spearhead. Then add a reasonable amount of black glue and secure it with sinew strips.

  When the black glue was dry enough, he started swinging the spear to see if the balance was right. He was happy with the balance.

  “Now for the final detail.” Civ grabs the boar hide and cuts enough material.

  Next is he wrap it in the shaft. Wrapping it in the place where the spearhead and shaft are connected. Then, with sinew, he secured the hide by tying it.

  “This should be better.” Civ was more than satisfied with this spear. This is almost waterproof with fire-hardening and designed for slash and stab. For the hide, the only way to prove its function is to test it in battle.

  Civ tried to familiarize the spear by doing some of the swinging techniques he remembered from his past life. So far, he can sing the spear smoothly.

  He created two more of this kind of spear. These spears will be used as handheld spears designed for combat.

  But before he finished his second spear, Vel appeared.

  “Civ! I think I created what the Tribe leader requested! Come with me!” Vel enthusiastically asked.

  Without talking to each other, they went straight to the front of the cave.

  “Here Civ, please have a look.” Vel pointed to the cone-like clay mold in the flat stone.

  Civ sat in front of it and checked the exact features of the mold. It was a straight cone, had a smooth surface, but nothing else.

  “Yes, we can try to use it. But if we put it at the top of the jar to hide the smell, how can we remove it?” Civ asked and looked at Vel.

  Vel's eyes widened, and he smacked his forehead. “Right! I forgot about it. I’ll check this cover and will call you later.”

  “Alright, if you are having a hard time, please talk to me or to our tribesmen. Maybe there might be another suggestion.” Civ reminded Vel.

  “Yes, Civ. I will.” Vel crumpled the cone he created and started from scratch.

  While walking back, he came across Horm, who had just come from the east.

  “Hey Horm, you already returned. Come with me, let me show you something!” Civ walked back to the back of the cave, and Horm followed.

  “Tell me Civ, what are you going to show me?” Horm asked.

  Civ grabbed a spear that was resting in a tree and gave it to Horm.

  “Try to swing this spear and tell me how it does.” Civ handed the spear to Horm.

  “You already made it? Thank you Civ!” A teary-eyed Horm hugged Civ.

  “Alright alright, stop with the hugging. I'm getting suffocated.” Civ pushes back his friend with all of his arm strength.

  Horm smiled and walked forward, giving space between him and Civ. Then he starts swinging the spear. A wide smile appeared on Horm’s face.

  “This feels good Civ, much better and lighter compared to the spear I used last time!” Horm swings the spear more, enjoying the feeling.

  “I’m glad it is easier to use. It is yours now. You can start practicing with that spear if you like.” Civ smiled and enjoyed watching his friend happy.

  “Really, thank you-”

  “Again! Stop hugging me!”

  Horm laughs as he walks back and continues to get familiar with the spear he is using.

  When Horm was practicing the swinging of spears, Civ was working on creating the handheld spears. It was a more meticulous process, but it is worth it if they were able to make it more durable.

  Surprisingly, Vel did not return for the rest of the day.

  Arsh came looking for them, so Civ gave Arsh her spear. Arsh had the same reaction as Horm. Civ and Arsh joined the practice the spear swinging. Then all of them spend the rest of the day mastering the bow and arrow.

  The night came and they finished the day by making a rabbit soup at night. Everyone had their fill and rest for the night.

  The next day, the same thing, they did their exercise. After finishing it, Civ and Vel quickly went to their own working plan for today.

  Vel is for the cover for the jar. Civ went straight to the cave.

  He opened the boar hide and then pinched the hairs. It's separating now like butter.

  Civ wide smile appeared. Then he brought it out of the cave.

  Luckily, there is already a big, flat, scalene triangular stone in the area. He just put braces on the side to make it stand.

  He placed the soaked boar hide on the stone. Using a half-moon branch that he split earlier, he started scraping the skin.

  As he scraped it, the hair was separating from the skin like it was nothing. Kivrah, who had just woken up was immediately opened his sleepy eyes to see what his son was doing.

  Arsh and Vel also stopped what they were doing and walked toward Civ. When the three of them noticed what was going on, their mouth fell to the ground.

  “Civ, w-w-what is going on?!” Kivrah could not come up with his words.

  All of them cannot believe what they are looking at right now. How is that possible?!

  “Sorry if it startled all of you. I’m trying to remove the hair and see if it's possible.” Civ tried to talk to them while he was scraping the rest of the hair.

  Vel silently observed and asked Civ. “But why do we need to remove it?”

  Civ stopped scraping and looked at them directly with an excited smile.

  He pointed his body and said

  “To protect our body!”