Civ ignored the foul smell and got near it. It still stared at him. But he was familiar with this smell. A smell of decaying corpse.

  Using his spear, he tried to push aside the plants. When the sunlight hits the figure, everyone holds their breath. It was an adult boar that was in the process of decaying. The face had visible insects and other stuff that was crawling. The white bone was almost visible. By checking the position in which this boar died, it seems it was entangled in the vines and unable to escape.

  “This might be the boar where the footprint came from.” Based on the body of this boar, it was already an adult, which matches the description from Horm’s report.

  “Let's leave this area and look around. Once you see multiple footprints, tell me immediately.” Civ and everyone leave this area and spread out their search more.

  A couple of minutes later. Luk was running towards Civ.

  “I saw many footprints on the west.” Luk was catching his breath. He was sweating due to running, but because he saw something bad.

  Civ recalled everyone first and then followed Luk. Luk guided them where he saw the footprints. Upon reaching the location, Civ felt heavy. The footprints they saw were not only multiple but also overlapping.

  “If we are correct, this is where the horde came from.” Civ's body shivered. If he were a day or two late on creating the tools he needed, they might not be able to prepare for the horde. This location is on the edge of the forest. It will be hard to notice with the naked eye, unless you intentionally search for it.

  ‘Isn’t too precise of a timing.’ Civ shakes in his heart.

  They inspected the entrance, and it was 4 ft in height right now. If they go inside, they might need to bend forward to walk. It looks like a tunnel made with vines as walls. From the looks of it, the leader of the boar might bulldoze the vines to force his way through. The tunnel was also dark going inside. It's like a danger calling them to their demise.

  “Should we go inside Civ?” Luk smiled while asking.

  “NOOOOO!!!” Everyone collectively replied.

  “They are right Luk. We need to report this to Father.” Civ has a bad feeling about this. He wanted to go inside. But if necessary, he will not go inside unless he and his team are prepared.

  “Let’s return to the camp.” Civ decided to leave this area. Without proper tools and a plan, it’s better to return than to force their way through the other side.

  The scouting team returned to camp early, bringing some materials on their way back.

  Civ looked for his Father. He found him learning how to knap stones from Vel, who is working on pottery.

  “Father, how was learning that?” Civ sat in front of them.

  “It was harder than I imagined. I can’t believe Vel and our other tribesmen are able to make spears and knives out of these stones.” Kivrah was still trying his best to chip out some small chunks of stone flakes for his stone knife.

  Civ just smiled. But he also cannot believe it. A few days ago, they are a camp that will almost be wiped out from the world. But now, his tribesmen were starting to look healthy. Everyone in the tribe was trying their best to contribute to improving the lives of one another.

  But before Civ went off topic, he started reporting to his Father.

  “I think we already found where the boar was.” Civ went serious and respectfully started.

  “Proceed, I’m listening.” Kivrah, on the other hand, stopped his knapping and sat in front of his son.

  The report started from the confirmation of the footprints to the decaying boar. Then, how the tunnel was found.

  Hearing the location where the horde came from, Kivrah was visibly shaken.

  “What do you think Father? Will there be a problem?” Civ stared at his Father without blinking. Trying to see any unexpected reaction.

  “N-no! Nothing! I just remembered something. But ignore it.” Kivrah dryly laughs as he organizes his thoughts. But then his face becomes serious.

  “Right! About the passage. Please look into it. If you can, try to check where that passage will lead us.” Kivrah clasped his hands tightly.

  Civ noticed these subtle changes from his Father. But decided not to push through and inquire about it.

  “I understand Father. I’ll make preparations.” Civ bowed and left the hut after some discussion about the improvements of the camp.

  After Civ left, Shaman Mashu stared blankly at Kivrah and asked. “Why did you not mention it to him?”

  Kivrah heavily sighed. “I do not think we can tell it to him. It was my assumption that they are still there, but we cannot confirm it.”

  Kivrah stared blankly at the sunlight that entered the hut.

  When Civ was outside of the hut, he was greeted by Pil and Ras, that was already recovered.

  “Good to see you both doing fine right now!” Civ hold their shoulders.

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  “It was not that serious. A day of sleep will make us recover. But the shaman insists on letting us rest for another day. Ras scratches his head. Helpless with the shaman's persistence.

  “There is nothing Ras and I can do about it. By the way Civ, I heard from Luk that you found where the boars came from.” Pil's eyes were filled with excitement.

  Knowing these two, Civ sighed in his heart.

  “Let's talk about it with the team. Follow me.” Civ gathered the hunting group. Then they went to the back of the cave.

  He let the group sit in a circle. Standing in the middle was Civ.

  “Good that we are complete right now. I just talked to our Tribe leader. The plan is to enter the tunnel and see where this tunnel will lead us.”

  Everyone felt silent.

  “Don’t you think that is dangerous?” Arsh looked worried.

  “It is, but we need to prepare. Even prepare for the worst.” Civ felt the worry in the group.

  “But do not worry, I have a plan. If you also have a plan, please share it with the group, and let’s think of the best way to do it.” Everyone agrees.

  The group collectively understands what they need to do. If they do not do it, they might have the same problem in the near future if they leave it unknown. It is better to inspect that area instead of being afraid of thinking about it.

  The discussion progresses smoothly. Everyone shared their thoughts and was able to come up with a plan that will ensure everyone’s safety.

  “Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts. I’ll let the Tribe leader know, and tomorrow we’ll leave early.” Civ felt the worry he felt was lifted a little more.

  The discussion lasted for almost an afternoon, and they dispersed. The Tribe leader also mentioned that the hunting group was allowed to take a rest for the whole day. Some of the group practice their spear-throwing skills. While some learned cordage making and stone knapping. Everyone wants to avoid slacking off. They want to continue improving the camp by improving themselves. Civ was touched on how the people in their camp were diligent.

  Next thing Civ did was to look for his apprentice. He immediately found the back of Vel, who was sitting, busy and in deep focus on molding clay.

  “Veeeel!!!” Civ called Vel

  “Oh Sun Goddess!! Civ!” Vel jumps.

  “Hehehe. You easily got scared. How was the progress?” Civ teasingly smiled at Vel, whose face was dirtied with the mud.

  “For the one you requested, I was able to make it. I’m drying it right now next to the cave.” Vel meant on the other side of the cave.

  Civ peeked where the pottery was placed, and he was satisfied. It was two jars already made and was twice the size of the jar he created.

  “That jar looks good! Once we were able to make more of that bigger jar, we could store more water!” Civ was excited for the future.

  Vel was almost finished on his third jar.

  “Once you finish that, I’ll teach you something again.”

  Hearing that the Chosen One is teaching him something new. He was exhilarated and quickly finished the last jar for today.

  Once finished, Vel looked for Civ. When he looked for him, he found Civ in front of the campfire, digging. Besides Civ, there were the bowls they created and some of the tools he saw last time.

  “I’m finished with the last jar Civ. What should we do next?” Vel sat next to Civ, observing what he was doing.

  “Great timing! Nice! It came out fine!” Civ picks up a black item in the pile. His eyes were sparkling.

  “What is that?” Vel leaned forward a little bit. Hoping to understand what he is seeing.

  “Hmmmm, this is Charcoal!” Civ enthusiastically introduced it to Vel.

  “What does this do?” Vel also picked up from the pile. When he held it, the black color stayed in his fingers. He tried to smell it, but there was not much.

  “This, not much right for now. But I try to show you is - Hey Vel! Do NOT LICK IT!” Civ was startled to see Vel's tongue almost touch the charcoal.

  Eating the charcoal for him is not much of an issue. But he was caught off guard by how unpredictable the sequence of events was.

  Vel stopped and smiled shyly at Civ.

  ‘Aarrrgghh this kid.’ Civ wants to scold Vel, but it's not that he made a mistake. It was only out of curiosity.

  “Focus and look at this Vel. If you have questions, ask immediately.” Civ prepared his ingredients and then lit the campfire again.

  He divided it into the yellow substance and then put it in the bowls. After that, he let it rest next to the campfire to warm it up. While waiting, Civ disassembles his spear. He removes the cordage and the stone spearhead. After a couple of minutes, the yellow substance started melting.

  “Oh it turned into water?!” Vel was confused more than curious.

  “Great. Vel follow what I will do.” Civ picked one of the bowls, and Vel followed. The bowl was hot, but it was manageable for their fingers.

  After that, Civ crushed the charcoal and sprinkled it into the bowl. He mixed it using the stick, and once he mixture had turned black, he added the last ingredient.

  “The final part, a dried fiber from the palm leaves.” Civ rubbed it between his hands and and it was cut into pieces since it was a bone-dry fiber. He sprinkled it also in the mixture

  Vel carefully followed Civ's steps and mixed the substance. When it turned goey, he noticed Civ was smiling.

  “It worked! I can’t believe it is possible!” Civ do the next step. He smeared plenty of the black substance in the shaft and in the bottom of the spearhead. Next is he carefully places the back of the spearhead into the shaft. Then immediately tied it tightly with cordaded. Then applied some more on top of the cordage. Vel also follows it.

  After a couple of minutes, the back substance cooled down.

  “Vel, try to tug the spearhead.” Civ smiled while teasing Vel.

  Vel followed Civ’s instructions and tried to tug it. But his eyes widened.

  “It did not budge!” Vel's mouth was wide open. He tried it in different directions, but it did not move.

  “This is amazing Civ! What should we call it?” Vel was excited.

  “Let’s name it…. Black glue!” Civ revealed.

  “Black glue. That sounds easy to remember. This is great Civ. I’ll let the team know to apply this to the spears we currently created.” Vel was really impressed with this item.

  “Please do. Please also tell them my apologies that they need to remove and reattach it.” Civ was feeling sorry about it, but it was necessary.

  “Do not worry Civ! They will understand.” Vel also wants to apply this as soon as possible.

  One thing Vel learned last horde was that their spears were easily removed from the boar's body. Most of the boars he inspected had only a spearhead attached to the body. If not for the barricades, they would have a hard time killing those. Having this black glue makes it hard to remove and will cause more damage to the boars.

  After this, Vel did not continue applying more glue. Instead, he tried to learn more about pottery by self-studying. Civ, on the other hand, did the same thing he did last night by creating more charcoal for future use.

  The next day, the hunting group planned to leave the camp early. But before they brief.

  Kivrah stood up straight. Looked at the hunting group and said. “It's time for you all to change your covering!”