Zento: The Prehistoric journey

Chapter 20: The scouting days

Ten days had passed since Ragna began his exploration of the forest. In that time, the landscape had become familiar, its secrets slowly unraveling as he scouted every corner within reach. He knew the territories of beasts, the paths of roaming animals, and the places to avoid. He learned where to hunt, where to hide, and where the beasts' rhythms would allow him to tread safely.

Ragna had spent every spare moment crafting spears. His hands grew deft as he carved, balanced, and sharpened each weapon. He practiced throwing them at moving targets, taking advantage of high ground whenever possible.

He wasn't perfect, but progress was undeniable. Over the ten days, he managed to strike four running animals with his spears—an impressive feat for someone who'd had little experience with precision hunting before arriving in the forest.

The beast meat, rich and potent, had transformed him. His body grew stronger and more defined. His shoulders broadened, and his muscle tone was sharper, a testament to the energy he consumed and the work he put in. Even his detection skills had sharpened dramatically; he could now sense beasts from their faintest movements, distinguish their sounds, and gauge their proximity with startling accuracy.

But Ragna wasn't the only one who had changed.

The little wolf pup, once small enough to fit comfortably in his lap, had grown to reach his knee in height. Its sleek frame hinted at the powerful predator it was destined to become.

On the fifth day, Ragna decided to bring the wolf along on his scouting missions. At first, it was chaos. The pup—still untamed—rushed at animals indiscriminately, barking or growling at the worst possible times. Frustrated, Ragna resorted to carrying the pup by the scruff of its neck whenever it misbehaved. Slowly but surely, the wolf began to mimic Ragna's behavior, learning to stay close and quiet during their outings.

Realizing the pup needed a name, Ragna thought carefully before settling on one. "Woffu," he decided, meaning scout in his language. The name was a reflection of the wolf's growing role in their partnership. He spent time calling Woffu, making sure the pup understood its name. Every time he said it, he stared directly into the wolf's eyes, building a bond that grew stronger by the day.

By the tenth day, standing atop the hill with Woffu at his side, Ragna felt a quiet confidence settle over him. The forest was still vast and unpredictable, but now it felt like something he could navigate, conquer even.

As the sun rose, casting warm light through the dense canopy, he tightened his grip on his spear and allowed himself a small smile. It was time to hunt.

The plan was simple: to target a specific beast he had observed during his scouting. Ragna had chosen carefully. This creature, though small by the forest's standards, was a predator—a test for his skills and a learning opportunity for Woffu.

The beast stood about as tall as Ragna's hip, with wiry, wolf-like legs supporting a fat, hairy body. Its fox-like face bore rounded ears, and its shaggy coat was a mottled brown that blended with the forest floor. It preyed on smaller animals and the young of larger creatures, its agility compensating for its lack of size.

Ragna had studied its behavior and recognized the distinct, sounds it made while tracking prey. As he approached the right side of the cave, where weaker beasts roamed, he heard it—a low, sharp call in the distance.

The two crept forward, Ragna scanning for the source of the sound while Woffu followed close behind. As the call grew louder, Ragna spotted the beast sniffing along the ground, its sharp nose twitching.

Ragna motioned for Woffu to stay quiet, crouching low into a bush for cover. To his relief, Woffu mimicked him, crouching beside him in silence.

The beast moved closer, oblivious to their presence. Ragna tightened his grip on the spear, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

"Grrr..."

A low growl escaped Woffu.

Ragna pressed a firm hand on the wolf's back, silencing it. The beast paused, ears twitching, its nose lifting to the air. Ragna held his breath.

But before he could act, Woffu bolted.

The wolf launched from the bush, barking furiously as it charged at the beast. The creature turned and fled, its thin legs carrying it away in an instant.

"Woffu!" Ragna shouted, frustration bubbling over as he sprinted after them.

The wolf, undeterred, chased the larger beast with relentless energy. Though the beast was taller, it lacked the raw determination of its pursuer. Ragna, racing to keep up, felt his mind split between exasperation and admiration.

This hunt had not gone to plan, but perhaps there was still a chance to salvage it. Gripping his spear tightly, he sprinted after Woffu, determined to finish what they had started.

In the back of his mind, Ragna knew this moment would be a lesson—for him and for Woffu. Whether it ended in success or failure, they would both come out of it stronger.

The forest was not forgiving, but it was a relentless teacher.