The Survival of the Wild Tribe

Chapter 2

The sun had just ascended to the horizon, casting dazzling beams through the dense fog over the water.

Standing before Luo Zhen, the man was backlit, his expression obscured. Luo Zhen was enveloped in a strong scent of blood as it emanated from the beast's wound, staining the man's naked torso, waist, and abdomen. He retied the animal skin, now soaked red. Luo Zhen pondered whether the blood belonged to the giant beast on the man's shoulder or seeped from the man's own wound.

"Are you... alright?" Luo Zhen's voice wavered. The man towered taller than expected, forcing Luo Zhen to tilt his head upward to meet the man's gaze. Despite any recent skirmish, the man exuded an unmistakable aura of menace. His eyes gleamed with wild arrogance, as if sizing up prey, unsettling Luo Zhen upon their first encounter.

After a moment of silent scrutiny, the man cast the items from his shoulders to the ground, revealing the entire form of the giant beast to Luo Zhen. Dark and menacing, the creature sported elongated tentacles akin to a catfish. Yet, its gaping maw revealed razor-sharp teeth, remnants of flesh clinging between them, confirming its carnivorous nature.

Though possessing gills and a tail, the beast boasted four stout legs and webbed feet. Luo Zhen was certain he'd never encountered such a peculiar creature, not even on television.

The man's grip was firm as he swiftly tore the beast in half at the abdomen wound, then delved into the cavity to retrieve a handful of orange, egg-like orbs. He presented them to Luo Zhen, one by one, offering the round, translucent treasures.

Observing Luo Zhen's hesitation, the man extended the offering once more. Seeing Luo Zhen finally respond, he tossed one into Luo Zhen's hand.

"For me?" Luo Zhen inquired tentatively, holding the still-warm fish eggs.

With the exchange complete, the man turned his attention elsewhere, his hunger evidently paramount. Kneeling beside the beast, he buried his face in the wound he'd created, tearing off a sizable chunk of raw, tender meat and voraciously consuming it.

Luo Zhen witnessed this rugged display for the first time, instinctively recoiling. Despite his apprehension, he refrained from fleeing. Having traversed the deserted island the previous day, he knew he and the man were the only living beings present.

Satiated, the man's frenzied consumption slowed. As he gazed upon Luo Zhen, still clutching the fish eggs, a furrow creased his brow, accompanied by a hint of dissatisfaction.

Catfish eggs were the epitome of nutrition. Were it not for Luo Zhen's aid in tending his wounds, the man wouldn't have shared them. Observing Luo Zhen's reluctance to consume them, he prodded, "Eat."

Though hungry, Luo Zhen hesitated to consume the eggs of an unknown beast raw. Sensing no malice from the man, he relented, tentatively accepting the offering. "Yesterday, I dried some moss. It should be ready now. Shall we make a fire and cook before eating?"

At the mention of fire, the man's chewing halted. He regarded Luo Zhen with incredulity. Hadn't this man been offered as a sacrifice to the Water God by his tribe, presumably residing near the Great Lake? Shouldn't he be familiar with catfish eggs' potency? Perplexed, the man rose, seizing Luo Zhen's wrist and chin, and forcefully inserted the egg into his mouth.

As the slippery orb dissolved in his mouth, Luo Zhen detected a pungent, fishy odor, yet the eggs swiftly filled his stomach, generating a comforting warmth.

Having devoured the eggs, the man resumed his feast on the beast, tearing off a generous portion of meat and tossing it to Luo Zhen, who declined. Sated and repulsed by the previous indulgence, Luo Zhen chose to preserve the meat for later consumption, wrapping it in silver sword chrysanthemum leaves and stowing it away.

"Brother, my name is Luo Zhen. What's yours?" Luo Zhen sought companionship in their shared plight.

Though engrossed in his meal, the man seemed unfazed by Luo Zhen's inquiry. Amidst mouthfuls of food, he responded, "Lu Zhan."

"Lu Zhan," Luo Zhen echoed, a smile gracing his lips. However, his eagerness belied a pressing concern. "Do you know where we are? Can we seek help?"

Lu Zhan turned to him, his gaze tinged with bewilderment. Seek help? His tribe had consigned him as an offering to the Water God. If he returned alive, they'd likely regard him as an aberration, subjecting him to further sacrificial rites. Moreover, their tribe dwelled far from this locale, and the vicinity of the Great Lake lay beyond their domain, precluding any chance of rescue.

"The waters nearby are shrouded in fog, and the currents are treacherous. Even if a vessel passed, it's unlikely they'd spot us. With no sustenance on this island and an active volcano behind us, remaining here is perilous."

"A vessel? What's that?"

"A vessel? It's a craft that traverses the water," Luo Zhen explained, perplexed that anyone in the modern era would be unfamiliar with boats. "Have you never seen one?"

"No," Lu Zhan shook his head. "Does it walk on water? Perhaps it's a secret tool of our tribe." Uninterested in unraveling the mysteries of foreign tribes, Lu Zhan elucidated, "Our tribe resides far from here, distant from the Great Lake. We have no need for watercraft."

"Our tribe?"

Observing Luo Zhen's bafflement, Lu Zhan issued a cautionary reminder. "Don't entertain thoughts of returning to your tribe. Should they discover your escape from the Water God's embrace, they'll seize you for additional sacrifices—perhaps not for sacrificial rites this time."

Though Luo Zhen sensed something amiss, his mind struggled to process Lu Zhan's words. "Brother, is this some elaborate ruse? Are you assigned the role of a primitive savage? Tribes, festivals—I'm not scared! Where's the camera? Enough with the charade; I have an interview to attend. If I fail, my instructor may revoke my graduation certificate. Please end this farce; I'll pretend it was all a dream. You won't be held accountable."

As Luo Zhen rattled on, Lu Zhan scarcely comprehended his words, unfazed by the rambling. He continued his repast, focused solely on the catfish.

After consuming a substantial portion of the colossal beast—nearly twice his size—Lu Zhan emitted a hearty belch, rubbing his distended belly. However, a grimace crossed his face as he prodded the reopened wound.

The moss bandage Luo Zhen had applied the previous day had washed away in the water. Lu Zhan, forced to reapply it with animal skins, grimaced as the wound threatened to reopen, necessitating further treatment.

"Hey, do you still have the herbal medicine from yesterday? Help me tend to the wound, and I

'll escort you back to shore." Lu Zhan winced as he examined the injury, knowing full well the inconvenience it posed.

Luo Zhen, still grappling with unanswered questions, was taken aback by the reopened wound. Unaware of their location, he hesitated to turn away from the injured stranger, swiftly retrieving the moss he'd gathered the prior night and applying it to the wound to staunch the bleeding.

Though familiar with moss, Lu Zhan had never witnessed its application in wound care. As Luo Zhen attended to him, curiosity piqued, he sniffed the moss before tentatively tasting it. Seeing no objection from Luo Zhen, he chewed on the earthy substance.

Before he could swallow, a sharp tap on his hand interrupted him. Glancing up at Luo Zhen, he was met with a stern gaze. "Why must you eat everything?"