NOVEL WEB Chapter 8: Chapter 008: Leadership Election (Continued)
Life, simplified into two aspects: to be born and to survive. For Luo Chong, achieving these meant aiming for the leadership role to implement new sources of food, hunting methods, and weaponry. Without the chief's position, no one would listen to him.
The election process for chief was straightforward and primitive: a hand-to-hand combat with strict rules against using weapons or inflicting serious injuries. The strongest contender would become the next leader.
The elder and the cripple did not participate, understanding their own limitations. Six-Fingers, though strong, lacked the mental capacity to lead. Feather and Stone, while cunning, lacked physical dominance. This left One-Ear, Beastfang, and Bigforce as the main competitors.
The tribe formed a large circle around the contenders, eager to witness the selection process. Even the youngest children, now clothed in simple animal skins crafted the night before, gathered to watch.
Luo Chong was among the spectators. He had no intention of intervening early in the contest. The others didn't consider him a serious candidate for chief, just an addition to the hunting team. However, Luo Chong was strategically waiting for the right moment to assert himself, confident in his ability to defeat the final contender.
The battle between One-Ear and Beastfang had already begun, characterized by crude, brute force tactics rather than skilled combat. They grappled with each other, each trying to pin the other down, resembling more a clash between two bulls than a fight between men.
One-Ear, known for his explosive strength but poor stamina, was initially pushed back by Beastfang. Just as he stumbled over a rock, he found his footing and leverage. Using the rock to propel himself, he managed a takedown, pinning Beastfang beneath him. After a brief struggle, Beastfang conceded defeat.
As One-Ear and Beastfang recovered, One-Ear eyed the green feathered headdress that symbolized leadership. Beastfang nudged him, pointing towards Bigforce, indicating the final challenge wasn't over.
One-Ear let out a battle cry, but the fight with Bigforce was uneven from the start. Bigforce's immense size and strength were apparent when he barely moved after One-Ear's initial charge. One-Ear attempted a takedown, but Bigforce quickly regained his footing and retaliated, lifting One-Ear and throwing him out of the ring with ease. One-Ear landed outside the circle, disqualifying him from the contest.
As Bigforce was about to be declared the winner, Luo Chong stepped forward, challenging the outcome. He approached Bigforce, boldly claiming the headdress, signaling his intention to compete for the chiefdom. The tribe was shocked, the atmosphere charged with sudden tension.
Bigforce, angered and embarrassed by the disruption, yanked back on the headdress, tearing it in the process. The broken feathers floating between them symbolized the fractured peace.
Facing the elder, Luo Chong articulated his challenge in the tribal language, simple yet firm: "I defeat him, I lead."
The stage was set for an unprecedented showdown. Luo Chong, a young but proven warrior, was not just fighting for leadership but asserting a new vision for the tribe's future. His challenge disrupted the traditional expectations and set the tone for a leadership contest that would test not only physical strength but the acceptance of new ideas and leadership styles within the tribe.