Chapter 43: The Pig Slaughter

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Chapter 43: Slaughtering the Pig

It was an unspoken rule in the Great Wilderness that hunting followed a first-come, first-served principle, though conflicts over prey were not unheard of. Thus, every hunt required vigilant sentries, just as now.

“Be careful, someone’s coming—it’s the Lang Tribe. They’re here to steal our prey again.”

Even as the Lang hunting party just appeared in the distance, the sentry posted by Li Li had already sounded the alarm.

Li Li immediately ceased the encirclement, leading his group to switch from a hunting formation to a defensive one, shouting fiercely at the members of the Lang Tribe.

The opposing party stopped their charge, advancing slowly instead, their ranks spreading out in a loose formation.

Without hesitation, Li Li turned and roared to his people, “We’re withdrawing.”

No one hesitated. They abandoned the prey that was almost within reach, quickly retreating and soon vanishing from the Lang hunters’ sight.

Excitedly, the Lang hunting party encircled the wild boar, beginning their own hunt.

“See? I told you—even though they look big and strong, they’re cowards. If someone tried to steal our prey, we’d fight to the bitter end. But those people always choose to run away. This time’s no different. They didn’t even put up a fight this time, not like before. Hahaha!”

Laughter erupted among the Lang team, though Big Oxhead frowned, gazing thoughtfully in the direction where Li Li had disappeared.

“What’s wrong, Big Oxhead?”

“It’s nothing. I just feel uneasy. Something’s off. They retreated without a fight this time; it’s not like before.”

“Oh, come on. They’re just scared. We chase them off every time. This time they didn’t even bother resisting. Stop worrying and get hunting!”

Big Oxhead shook his head, dismissing the uneasy thoughts. Though he respected Li Li’s skill, he still considered himself superior. Perhaps they simply didn’t want a beating this time.

He steadied himself, pounded his chest, raised his spear high, and shouted, “Hunt! Hunt! Hunt!”

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Those around him did the same, shouting loudly to embolden themselves and to intimidate the prey, stirring unease in its heart.

Meanwhile, Li Li had led his people on a long detour, shaking off the Lang scouts and returning from the direction they had first come, now hiding behind the roots of a giant tree to secretly observe the Lang Tribe’s hunt.

Above, two storm eagles circled the clearing, yet none of the warriors or hunters below spared a glance at the sky. Even if they had looked, they’d have seen only indistinct black shapes, for the rain had thickened again.

The downpour obscured much of the view, drumming against people’s bodies and slowing every movement.

“Huff… huff…”

The wild boar grunted, asserting its presence.

“Name: Wild Boar

Rank: First Tier

Information: A fierce beast of the Endless Wilderness, found in all regions, with varying ranks. Shoulder height no less than four meters; an adult’s weight can exceed five tons. Noted for thick hide and immense strength, it yields abundant meat, though the smell is strong. Can be domesticated—castrating boars before sexual maturity effectively reduces their odor. Feeding them red grass excites them, boosting stamina and promoting mating, useful during breeding seasons.

Weakness: After charging, it cannot turn quickly. Attack from behind or strike through the anus to spill its entrails.”

This information panel appeared before Li Li’s eyes. After awakening at the altar, warriors could now summon such data panels at will. The data compiled here came from the knowledge and memory stored within the altar’s Lord’s Heart.

What was once a crude display had become much richer since the arrival of the Mammoth Shaman, offering the warriors more detailed insights.

The wild boar had pressed its back to a massive boulder, shielding itself, its head lowered and tusks angled toward the Lang hunting party, poised to defend.

The Lang hunters attempted to tighten their encirclement. The wild boar, agitated, stamped its feet and shook its head, looking for a gap to break through.

When it began scraping the earth with its forehooves, Big Oxhead’s pupils contracted and he hurled his spear at the beast.

The boar could not dodge in time; the spear gashed its cheek and buried itself in its flesh, but most of the force was absorbed by its thick hide, leaving only the tip embedded.

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Big Oxhead’s action was the signal. The twenty-strong hunting party split into three concentric circles. The inner circle closed in, hurling their bone spears, while the middle and outer circles spread out, ready to block any escape.

The wild boar soon resembled a porcupine, yet it remained vigorous, squealing shrilly and charging back and forth within the inner ring, only to be driven back each time.

Its eyes reddened, breath steaming in the rain, the boar suddenly swung its head, sidestepped Big Oxhead, and charged full tilt in a single direction.

Its speed was astonishing; it broke through the inner ring at once. Two Lang hunters failed to dodge and were knocked to the ground, then trampled underfoot, their lives hanging by a thread.

“Damn it, why is this boar so difficult? It wasn’t like this before—how did it become so fierce?”

Ignoring Big Oxhead’s doubts, the wild boar barreled toward the outer ring. Warriors from the middle circle rushed to intercept, hoping to halt its advance.

One warrior leaped in front of the rampaging beast, thrusting his spear at its head.

“No! Get out of the way!” Big Oxhead roared, charging up behind, but it was too late.

The spear did not pierce the boar’s skull as the warrior intended. Instead, the boar smashed it in two with its head. The warrior was tossed into the air, his belly gored by the tusks, entrails spilling out as he crashed heavily to the earth, dead before he hit the ground.

“Damn it!”

Big Oxhead was furious. This was their first hunt since leaving the tribe, and already several had fallen. How was he to face his father, the chieftain, now?

He drew his Tier Two spear from his back and hurled it at the boar. But just then, the beast turned, and the spear pierced clean through one side and lodged in the other, the boar carrying it as it ran for the outskirts.

(Begging for everything: collections, recommendations, monthly votes, comments, reviews, corrections, advice—anything at all, I want it. I’m not picky, really, anything is welcome.)

(End of chapter)