The Rise of a Primitive Civilization

As the hunting party ventured into the depths of the forest, they dispersed, each adult seeking their own prey, while Luo Chong led the four youngsters in his charge. Their group, armed better than most, carried baskets, coils of rope, and long wooden poles—primarily there to assist Luo Chong rather than hunt independently.

The forest floor, cushioned with a thick layer of decaying leaves and rich black soil, muffled their footsteps. The area was dominated by broadleaf trees such as beeches, oaks, and white wax trees that stretched up to 30 meters high and about a meter in diameter. These nut-bearing trees littered the ground with their fruits, attracting a variety of nut-gathering birds and even some exotic species like guinea fowls and dodos.

Ascending a sunlit slope, Luo Chong noted the straight, tall fir and red pine trees, reminiscent of utility poles—historically used for just that purpose due to their straight growth.

These woods offered premium materials, particularly the firs, ideal for crafting longbows. However, the daunting size of these trees left Luo Chong without recourse to fell them, lacking metal tools to do the job. Rather than hunting, his expedition felt more like a survey of the land, gathering knowledge rather than game. As a skilled hunter, he knew understanding his terrain and its inhabitants was crucial.

His detailed observations may have wearied his younger followers, who were eager for more immediate action. They had spotted pearl chickens and a turkey-like bird, all within their grasp, yet Luo Chong remained focused on the bigger picture, gathering intel on the ecosystem.

The area was a complete food chain enclosed within itself. Nut-rich forests supported a variety of herbivores, which in turn attracted predators. Signs of large pythons and medium-sized felines, possibly leopards or lynxes, hinted at the forest's carnivorous residents. The tracks and droppings told stories of the animals' sizes, diets, and even their behaviors.

Luo Chong wished to find droppings mixed with plant matter, indicative of ruminant herbivores like deer or cattle, but none were present. Instead, he followed tracks of a wild boar herd, deciphering from the deep, cluttered imprints and uprooted soil that these were gregarious, rooting animals likely weighing over a ton—a formidable quarry.

His tracking led him closer to his target, finding fresher signs of their presence. As they neared the herd's location, Luo Chong motioned for absolute silence and caution, moving from a crouching to a crawling approach.

Peeking over a ridge, they spotted the open edge of the forest where only shrubs and a sparkling stream interrupted the landscape. A family of giant entelodonts, known as "hell pigs," were drinking from the stream, surrounded by younger boars foraging nearby. The alpha male was an impressive specimen with sharp tusks and a formidable bulk, easily dominating the scene.

Understanding the peril of direct confrontation with such beasts, Luo Chong opted for creating traps rather than engaging them head-on. Simple nooses made from rope tied to sturdy trees would tighten as the boars stepped into them. While primitive and relying on chance, it was a safer approach than any direct assault.

Luo Chong carefully orchestrated his followers to climb trees for safety, positioning the nooses along paths commonly used by the boars, capitalizing on their habitual routes to potentially ensnare them.

After setting the traps, Luo Chong circled around to the other side of the stream to drive the boars towards them. Camouflaged with mud to mask his scent, he prepared for a careful ambush to simply scare the boars into flight, knowing that most animals prefer flight over fight when startled.

With strategic shouts and the brandishing of branches, Luo Chong initiated his plan. His unexpected appearance and loud noises panicked the boars, sending them thundering back towards the traps. His persistence paid off when cries of distress signaled that some of the nooses had found their marks.

Approaching the caught alpha male, Luo Chong utilized his improvised spear to deliver a fatal blow, demonstrating a blend of cunning and raw survival instinct that highlighted the brutal reality of their primitive hunting methods. With the alpha male dispatched, the hunt could be considered a success, providing crucial resources for his tribe and reaffirming his leadership in this wild, unyielding environment.