Days passed quickly.
Thanks to the recent bounty, they had enough dried fish and meat to cover Haizaki Shogo and his companions' food supply for two weeks. For the past few days, they hadn't gone hunting, instead resting at the camp to recover their strength.
Meanwhile, Falke's traps set around the camp had been triggered, catching two hyenas.
Nash gutted the hyenas, smoked the meat, and stored it as a backup food supply.
Although edible, none of the three dared try it. They stuck to mutton jerky and catfish soup.
We're not even halfway through two weeks, Shogo thought. Our food will only last until the third week. We need to hunt again if we want to complete the extreme challenge.
"Exactly. Our supplies won't last to the end of the mission. Shogo's right—we need one more hunt. If we can catch gazelles again, we can finish the mission safely."
"Brothers, let's hunt today. I'm bored out of my mind."
Falke spoke last, suggesting and wishing to head out.
Shogo didn't respond immediately. He turned to Nash.
"Nash, what about you? Any objections?"
"Nope. A walk will do us good. And if we don't, there won't be any more food."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
And so, the three left the camp once more, Falke carrying his fishing net, heading toward the pond.
A few days had passed, and the once-clear pond had dried by half. Only the center held some water; the surrounding area was thick with mud.
In the center, a large number of catfish swam back and forth. Falke's eyes lit up at the sight.
"Brothers, look! Food is right here!"
Shogo and Nash shared Falke's excitement. Together, they used the net to catch a large batch of catfish.
With the catfish secured, Shogo had a sudden idea.
What if we dig a small pool here in the mud, toss a few catfish in, and lure other animals to drink? Then we hunt them.
"My god, Shogo, you're a genius!"
"I think it's worth a try!"
Falke's eyes gleamed, already imagining how to use this trap to hunt larger prey.
Nash, more rational, simply said,
"Worth a try, I guess."
The three quickly killed the catfish, dug a small pit, added some murky water, and placed two small catfish inside. Then they returned to the nearby thicket to wait for prey.
Under the scorching sun, they said nothing, silently watching the pond.
As the sun began to set, three minutes before they planned to leave, a large warthog approached the pond.
Their hearts raced. Falke, the experienced hunter, drew his bow and fired. The arrow hit, and the warthog fled in agony, leaving a trail of blood.
Twenty minutes later, under Nash and Shogo's tracking, Shogo finished the job with a precise spear thrust.
Nash gutted the warthog, discarding the internal organs. Together, they carried it back to the pond and returned to camp alongside Falke with the catfish.
Now, they could finally enjoy a relaxed, almost holiday-like life.
With dried gazelle, catfish, and warthog meat, their small world became much easier.
Aside from nocturnal animal disturbances, life was good.
The third week passed, and soon it was the fourth, already two days in.
Nash, Shogo, and Falke lay at camp, staring at the starry sky, talking about life, careers, and women.
"Brothers, I still don't know what you all do. Can I visit someday?"
"I play basketball—street leagues with prize money. Mainly in the U.S. for now, but I'll eventually take it worldwide."
Shogo was surprised that Nash had spoken first, revealing his profession and future plans. Nash then asked Shogo,
"And you, Shogo?"
"I'm a high school student. Maybe after graduation, I'll do something like you. Or maybe not—fate's unpredictable. By the way, if you come to Japan, come see me. I'll treat you to a feast."
"I'll take you up on that!"
"Me too!"
Shogo kicked the ball to Falke.
"And you, my big brother?"
"Hahaha! Once we finish this mission, I'll have money. Pay my debts, buy a big house in the countryside… don't know what else yet."
The three fell silent, thinking about their futures.
But silence doesn't mean the wilderness is silent.
"Roar!""Roar!""Roar!""Roar!"
A deep growl echoed near the camp. Instantly, all three leapt up, weapons in hand, eyes scanning the dark.
Two large eyes appeared intermittently, reflecting cold light.
No questions were needed. The familiar low growl and massive eyes—they were facing the same male lion that had visited them before.
The growl shifted direction around the camp. Shogo, Nash, and Falke focused, carefully tracking the lion's position.
None dared relax. This was a huge male lion, and they weren't sure if their thorn barricade could stop it.
Moreover, the lion was likely starving, risking a hunt against humans by the fire.
Shogo guessed correctly. The male lion hadn't eaten for over ten days, desperate enough to risk hunting the three men.
Outside the camp, the lion searched relentlessly for weaknesses, intending to kill.
Low growls, rapid breathing, and the pounding of three hearts echoed clearly in the dark night.
"Thud!""Pfft!"
Suddenly, two unusual noises caught their attention.
Falke reacted first, voice trembling slightly:
"This lion… may have fallen into one of my traps. It's probably injured."
"Are you sure?"
"Really?"
Nash and Shogo asked in turn, their questions revealing both tension and relief.
"I don't know… we'll see at dawn."
That night, weapons in hand, the three faced the growls, never letting down their guard.
Tension, darkness, fear, uncertainty… every emotion tested their nerves.
But they endured.
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