Ang and Roel were escorted by the hunting party along a forest path. Ang quickly sensed the hunters' hostility toward him. Their cold stares, hostile words, and even their deliberate attempts to make the journey harder all made him keenly aware of their deep animosity toward outsiders. Even so, the captain's authority kept the members from openly acting out, though Ang could still feel the unfriendly atmosphere. The hunting party treated Roel even more coldly, their eyes full of contempt and scorn, as if they did not recognize his identity as one of the Guanda people.
Along the way, Ang observed the hunting party's way of life and cooperation. The Guanda people's hunts involved strict divisions of labor and seamless coordination. Everything they hunted belonged to the tribe, and no one kept anything for themselves. Ang admired this profound tribal cohesion. Watching their silent cooperation and unspoken trust during the hunt, he felt deeply that although these Guanda people had crude equipment, their unity and trust had forged them into a powerful fighting force.
As night fell, the group camped in a clearing. The hunting party members quickly divided up their tasks: some gathered wood, some built the camp, and others stood watch, all moving with practiced efficiency. Yet despite sharing the same camp with Ang and Roel, these Guanda people kept their distance, especially from Ang, their hostility plain to see. Even when Ang offered a friendly smile and tried to speak with them in simple Guanda dialect, he received only indifferent replies. Some even deliberately spat on the ground, their eyes filled with contempt and disgust.
Roel was even quieter. He understood that his identity made it difficult for him to fit in. Though he was descended from the Guanda people, he had never truly experienced tribal life.