Wild Boar Cave

The art of war often says that water and fire are merciless. There's no river nearby, so flooding the Wild Boar Cave is out of the question, but we can use fire! We can light a fire outside the cave entrance and let all the smoke fill the cave. Then those wild boars will have no choice but to come out.

Nord explained the method to Old Mor and the others. Old Mor had an epiphany, as if a new world had opened up to him. He never imagined there were so many tricks to hunting.

With everyone's brainstorming, the details were gradually refined. They also needed to set up several tripwires at the cave entrance—just pull some ropes across the opening—to trip the wild boars when they charged out.

The remaining people would stand by with lassos and wooden clubs, ready to capture all the escaping boars in one fell swoop.

After the clear division of labor, everyone began preparations. Some gathered firewood, others set up tripwires. After a flurry of activity, layers of preparations were in place in front of the Wild Boar Cave.

Two bonfires were placed on either side inside the cave, leaving a path in the middle for the wild boars to exit. Five tripwires were laid across the cave entrance, with both ends of the ropes tied to stakes driven deep into the ground. Outside the cave entrance, Ryman and Marco, armed with thick wooden clubs, formed a simple encirclement with the rest of the hunters.

Nord gestured to the people on either side of the cave entrance. Upon receiving the command, the two placed fresh branches on the bonfires and then ran to the sides of the entrance, holding large leaves, similar to plantain fans, to fan the smoke into the cave.

Shortly after the new branches covered the bonfires, a grayish-white smoke began to spread. The people on either side of the entrance slowly fanned the leaves in their hands, guiding the smoke from the incomplete combustion of the fresh branches into the cave.

As the smoke filled the air, everyone's mood became tense and anxious, but to their delight, it wasn't long before the distressed squeals of wild boars echoed from inside the cave.

The smoke-filled cave appeared somewhat mysterious, but the miserable pig squeals shattered that mystery. Amidst the white smoke, several dark figures charged out.

The leading sow, with urgent steps and tears in her eyes, rushed to the cave entrance, tripped, and fell headfirst, flying several meters away. The remaining two sows also followed suit, falling one after another.

Seeing the opportunity, Ryman charged forward, bringing his wooden club down hard on the boar's head. The others also quickly used their ropes to lasso the four hooves of the boars.

Before the three wild boars could even figure out what was happening, they were already taken down by the hunters who had been waiting for them.

The remaining piglets also followed their mothers out of the cave. Compared to the sows, these smaller pigs were harder to handle. They couldn't be knocked out with a club and could only be lassoed. Plus, there were many of them, and for a moment, everyone was a bit flustered.

Fortunately, the sows had been caught. In their panic, the piglets would all run towards their mothers. Everyone seized the opportunity and finally managed to catch all the piglets too.

After they finished, everyone collapsed to the ground. Indeed, twenty pigs took half a day to catch. It seemed even more exhausting than yesterday's battle.

Looking at the sows with their limbs bound and the group of squealing piglets beside them, Nord smiled. His trans-dimensional pig farm was open for business; getting rich was just around the corner.

Nord had someone extinguish the bonfires at the cave entrance and waited quietly for the smoke inside the cave to dissipate. Nord intended to go inside and take a look.

Everyone knows, the protagonist? A cave? Nord would be failing his identity as a transmigrator if he didn't go in and look. What if there was some fortuitous encounter or some rare treasure inside? Not going in would be a huge loss.

Nord's mind was racing. The smoke in the cave gradually dissipated as its source was extinguished, revealing its true appearance. Looking at the dark cave entrance, Nord felt a thrill.

Having some makeshift torches prepared, Nord led Ryman and the others into the cave. The rest stayed put, watching the wild boars to prevent their escape.

After entering the cave, Nord didn't feel good. Although the smoke had dissipated, he could still smell a choking odor. Furthermore, the light inside the cave was insufficient; even with torches, he could only see about three meters around him.

But for the sake of a fortuitous encounter in the cave, Nord forced down his discomfort and quickly walked deeper into the cave.

Not far into the cave, the surroundings suddenly opened up. The interior of the cave was massive, about half the size of a football field, and seven or eight meters high. The walls were all rocky cliffs, appearing very sturdy. The inside of the cave was also relatively dry. Nord guessed it was due to the entrance, preventing humid air from entering. He didn't know how this cave was formed, only attributing it to the uncanny workmanship of nature.

Upon entering the cave, Nord was utterly disappointed. He had entered with full expectations, hoping for a fortuitous encounter and rare treasures, only to find a cave full of pig dung. The smell of pig dung, combined with the lingering smoke, made Nord feel nauseous. He absolutely dared not take a deep breath here, or he might die inside!

Nord held his breath and quickly exited the cave, taking a deep breath of the fresh forest air. It took him a long time to recover.

Sure enough, fairy tales are all lies. Where are all those fortuitous encounters and rare treasures? He must be dreaming. Nord reminded himself to let go of unrealistic fantasies and to work diligently. Mmm, after this dose of "chicken soup for the soul," Nord felt much better.

Just then, Ryman approached Nord, signaling that it was getting late and they could head back.

"Lord Nord, if we leave now, we'll get back before dark. If we delay any longer, we might have to travel at night."

Nord certainly didn't want to travel through the forest after dark, so he told Ryman to prepare, and they set off immediately.

Everyone excitedly carried the wild boars and yams, heading back to the village. Shortly after leaving the cave, Nord received a system notification.

[You have achieved victory in battle]

[Friendly casualties: Amon Hunter (None)]

[Enemy casualties: Wild Boar Leader (1 killed), Adult Wild Boar (3 captured), Piglet (22 captured)]

[You have gained 5 reputation points]

[You have obtained Dried Meat ×10]

[You have obtained Special Item: Map]

[3600 experience points shared among the team]

Nord was somewhat shocked. Was this also considered a battle? Then he'd found a place to grind experience in the future. Nord looked back at the majestic mountain range behind him, his eyes filled with visions of leveling up, getting rich, marrying a beautiful woman, and reaching the pinnacle of life.

Nord was still a bit excited thinking about it. It seemed some plans needed to change. Now that the food problem was solved and the Manor was being built, Nord hadn't had much to do recently, just daily exercise and overseeing the Manor's progress.

Now it was different. Hunting in the forest could also grant experience. So, future trips into the mountains were now a high priority. And the cave from earlier also had a purpose now; it could serve as a base in the forest for daily rest or even overnight stays in emergencies.

He would clean and renovate the cave then, especially the cleaning part. Nord couldn't stand the smell of pig dung all over the floor. So, he would name the cave Wild Boar Cave, commemorating today's significant harvest.

Nord walked with a brisk pace, and everyone, accompanied by the setting sun, returned to Tami Village once again, filled with joy.

Thank you all for the recommendation votes. Every time I publish a chapter, I want to say something. Recently, I've truly felt the difficulty of writing, especially having to update consistently every day. But I will persevere, especially since many friends vote for me every day. I'm genuinely touched. After reading, please leave a comment; I will read them carefully.