Amon carried a pack on his back, with a holster on each side of his waist. He wore a black, form-fitting combat suit and a pair of non-breathable rubber shoes.
The hunters' outfits varied in style, but their functions were largely similar: rainproof, waterproof, highly sealed, and designed to minimize exposed skin. Their cuffs and trouser legs were tightly bound... reducing the chances of mosquito and insect bites.
The group crossed the streets carrying bags and exposed weapons. The people on the street were not overly alarmed by this team that looked remarkably like terrorists; they merely kept their distance and made way for them.
They arrived at a dock and boarded a somewhat weathered fishing boat. The captain was the Thai young man who had picked Amon up from the airport earlier. When he met Wang Xu's gaze, he smiled warmly, pressed his palms together before his chest, and offered a greeting. Wang Xu copied his gesture and returned the salute.
"Wusen is an excellent hunter. He has entered the rainforest many times and will be our guide on this trip." Wang Xu patted his shoulder as he introduced him. "Sand Scorpion, you can also take Wusen's advice into account."
Sand Scorpion nodded slightly.
The fishing boat slowly left the dock and traveled along the river toward the rainforest.
Brother Jie took a sip of snake wine and stared into the distance with hawk-like eyes, a slightly excited smile on his face.
As time passed, signs of human habitation along the banks grew scarcer, and the houses were replaced by towering trees dozens of meters tall.
At noon, the fishing boat turned into a tributary. The river narrowed, and branches from the giant trees along the banks occasionally stretched over the water, sweeping over their heads.
The surroundings became