There are so many items in front of them. Some of it was things that he had not seen yet. Some of it was items that he is familiar with, but cannot point out the connection.

  The items were from mud to ash, and the new yellow item Civ brought. Also, some other tools.

  “Inspect these items and tools Vel. You will need to be familiar with all of it.” Civ brought a jar with water in it.

  “What are you going to do with water? Are you thirsty?” Vel gazed away at the items and pondered why Civ was bringing this jar with water.

  “Here, I’ll teach you how I created this Jar.” Civ put the jar next to the mud.

  Then Civ detailed with Vel on what to do. From moulding and mixing the mud with grogg, to the coiling method, and some finishing touches. He let Vel follow through and do the same thing. Even though he already expected it. Civ was still surprised by how Vel was able to understand quickly what needed to be done. For this test, Civ decided to create a bowl. It's easier and faster to make. This can be done within a day.

  Civ and Vel were happy with what they were able to create. But a question still comes into Vel’s mind.

  “What will be the purpose of this item that we created? It was much smaller compared to Jar.” Vel tried to compare the two items side by side.

  “This thing that we created has more purpose than you think. Now let’s dry this in the sun.” Civ and Vel walk to a big flat stone and rest bowls there.

  “Let’s leave it for now here. I’ll call you later once we need to dry it in the fire.” Understanding the process, Vel smiled from ear to ear while nodding

  “Yes Civ. Let me work on the other thing for now.” Vel cheerfully left, and Civ went to the north side of the camp.

  Now that he has time, he carefully inspects the walls. The walls were almost fixed now from all sides except the west side. Recalling the damage, they need to improve their defenses.

  The first thing they need to do is to fortify the walls. By Civ’s instructions, he requested the team to add a horizontal log onto the top and lower part of the wall as rails. Civ wanted to add this to the initial plan. Due to time and resource shortage, he needs to set it aside.

  He also added some wood braces against the wall to add additional strength. In case there is a strong animal or monster that will try to charge head-on into the wall. This makes sure that the walls are stable and have less chance of being breached.

  The braces and additional rails were added on the west and south. Civ wanted to apply these fortifications to the north and west sides. Once he had already had enough materials for another feature of the wall. For now, the only entrance to the camp is in the west, and a ladder for emergencies.

  It’s been almost two hours since the inspection and assistance in fixing the wall. He returned to the campfire near the cave where the bowl was drying in the sun. Vel was waiting for him while knapping stones.

  Next thing Civ inspect was the bowl. It was dried already. Ready to fire it in the campfire. The bowl was brown in color and had a smooth surface.

  “This looks good. Now Vel, next is we need to put this into the fire.” Civ placed the bowls next to the campfire.

  “You mean we burn this?” Vel stopped knapping and sat in front of Civ between the campfire.

  “No, tsk. Let me explain it to you after.” Civ let Vel observe how they can pre-heat the bowl before firing.

  A couple of minutes later. “This is good. Let's put it in the middle and keep placing firewood.”

  Civ placed the bowl's rim down and stoked the campfire to start firing. He instructed Vel to take care of the fire and keep stoking the campfire for the whole day. Civ left Vel to check some materials he needs for the next item he plans to create.

  While looking around. The firewood team just arrived, and Horm immediately looked for him. They brought wood and palm leaves for cordage.

  “Civ, we just went from the east. But we noticed something.” Horm sat on the ground. His face was serious.

  “Tell me Horm.” Civ also sat next to him.

  “We saw boar footprints. But we did not see a boar.” Horm has a tense look.

  Civ looked at Horm while tapping the ground.

  “Are the footprints big or small?”

  “Well, big. If I guess, it’s the footprint of an adult.”

  Civ paused for a second. ‘So only one, and an adult.’

  He is also confused about the situation. The boars that they are monitoring were already far from them. But seeing footprints in the east gives him a headache.

  “I got it Horm. Thank you for telling me. I’ll check with my Father about this.” Civ does not have a good feeling about the footprint, but he hopes it's not that serious.

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  After resting, both of them walk in separate directions to work on their task. Civ went back to Vel and instructed him to stop stoking the fire and let the fire die. Next, Civ looked around the camp and was able to find the materials he needed. Then he went back to Vel. His conversation and gathering materials consume him for almost an afternoon.

  Returning for the last time for today, the fire had already died down, and the embers were the only ones left. Using a stick, he moved the ashes. There, the bowl they fired was already finished. He picked up the bowls using two sticks and placed them on a flat stone. The result was better than he expected. The insides were brown, and the outside had a faint black on the bottom due to the charcoal. It now has cracks, and the insides are also smooth.

  When he flicks the bowls -

  TING

  TING

  TING

  A recognizable, sharp ring was heard from the bowl. Civ smiled.

  Seeing the smile from The Chosen One, he was also happy. But he feels that there is something not right.

  “Great! For the last test-” Next to him was a jar full of water.

  The bowl is still warm but manageable to hold. He placed the bowl next to the mouth of the jar and filled it.

  He placed it, poured the second bowl, and filled it. They wait for a couple of seconds, and nothing spills below.

  “Great job Vel. Now you know how to do this!” Civ was satisfied that they were able to finish it in a day and also make it with Vel.

  “Since we created it, how can we use this?” Vel was still confused about why they created it.

  “You’re right. I should explain it to you.” Civ throws the water and pours the bowl again. Rinsing it. Then he poured another.

  Then he drank from that bowl.

  “Ahhhh. Like that!” Civ looked at Vel, feeling refreshed.

  “Ohhhhh. Looks like I get it now.” Vel nodded. From his perspective, he sees the bowl as a tool to hold water. Since the jar is heavy and hard to drink from. He can use the bowl to get the water he needs from the jar. Looking at the bowl, he thinks of other ways he can use or improve it.

  “Since the Sun Goddess is going to sleep, let's continue tomorrow. Please rest, and I’ll talk to my father about your new task.” Civ maliciously smiled.

  That smile sends shivers down Vel. Right now, he knows that Civ has a plan that he will not like.

  They conclude, and Civ heads straight away to the Shaman’s hut, where his Father is waiting. When he arrived, he saw his Father and the Shaman eating. So he takes one of the dried meats and starts eating it also.

  After the dinner, Civ reported what they saw earlier. Based on the series of events, this also gives Kivrah confusion. His head aches more when Civ also mentioned the footprints spotted on the east side.

  “Haaaaah looks like we need to start looking around our surroundings more.” Kivrah heavily sighed. He wants to help the team check all of these issues. But managing the camp and the additional improvements needed in the camp hinder it.

  “I advise you to check first the footprints on the east. Then, if you can, check the north to see if you can see anything that will lead us to the reason for the horde showing.” Looking at the current situation, it feels safe. But this does not mean they need to treat it as the end of the battle.

  Kivrah and Civ left the Shaman’s hut. They did not discuss the mystery about these boars. Instead, they talk about the improvements needed in the camp.

  But listening to the ideas Civ suggests, he can't help but scratch his head. Still, he listened carefully.

  Before Civ left sleep for today. He killed the campfire in front of them by putting a bunch of dry sand until all of the wood was covered. He stepped on it, making sure it was compact.

  The camp slept early today since they were already deprived of sleep for a few days.

  The next day, the scout group prepared early. While waiting for the others, Civ talked to Vel and instructed him on what to do today. Same with Kivrah. Both of them were already overwhelmed, but still wanted to fulfill their duties. After meeting with the Tribe leader, the group left the camp.

  Their plan was to move to the east and then walk to the north. Based on the description from Horm, he saw it further east. Almost half an hour later, they were able to discover some tracks. It was not fresh, but still visible.

  “An adult boar!” Luk blurted.

  All of them tread carefully from this moment. They need to know where this is. Otherwise, it might endanger some of their tribesmen who are gathering materials.

  From here, the following and the track lead them going north. Deeper section of the northwest. It was the section of the area where trees and vines

  wrap each other. The middle and east side of the north was a fairy tale-like place. Full of beautiful trees and green grass. But on this side, this is straight from a horror movie. If you went inside, you don’t know if you can leave.

  “Do we need to go there?” Yan asked.

  Everyone tried to inspect everything in front of them.

  “We need to. Else we might get another horde sooner.” Civ also tried to stay calm. But the fear of the unknown starts creeping into him also.

  The vines looked back. It feels ominous. They hesitate to move forward.

  “I think we need to spread. Try to see if you saw any footprints in other areas.” Civ instructed.

  They only saw one pair of footprints. So Civ thought they might see the footprints from the horde in this area. The group carefully looked around to see any entrances.

  But then -

  “Ahhhhhhh!!!” Someone shouted. Everyone ran towards the sound. Holding their spear in battle mode.

  When they arrived, they saw Kes was slumped on the ground. Shaking.

  “I-I-I saw someone. It's looking at me. Its eyes looked like ours!” Kes were still shaking

  Arsh immediately sat next to Kes and comforted her.

  But suddenly, a foul, unbearable smell glued to their nose.

  Everyone tried to cover their nose. But the smell was still seeping, and they could smell it.

  “What was that?!” Safi cannot help but feel nauseated by this smell and back off a little.

  The part of the forest where the smell was coming from, the vines were already tangled up like webs.

  Luk and Civ slowly walk towards the source of the smell. Instead of using spears, they use their knives. As they get near, the figure starts getting visible.

  When they saw the figure. Luk was also visibly shaking.

  “What is that Civ?” Luk nudges Civ, who is intently looking at the figure.

  Those eyes were eyes of despair and struggle. That figure has human-like eyes!

  “How did this happen?!”