The Female Supporting Character Refuses to Be Human Again - Chapter 208.1

As the group entered the cave, the enormous carcass of the Striped Beast immediately caught their attention. When they saw the beast split cleanly in two, a wave of exclamations filled the cave.

After hearing the explanation of what had transpired, everyone turned their astonished gazes toward Meng Changjin. The level of shock on their faces said it all—they knew very well how difficult it was to hunt a Striped Beast.

Initially, they thought that even with the two experienced hunters and Meng Changjin staying at the supply point, they wouldn’t have been able to take down such a massive beast. But to hear that Meng Changjin had hunted the beast all by herself? That was something no one had expected.

They stared at Meng Changjin as if she were a rare creature. How could someone with such a small frame possibly have the strength to single-handedly hunt down a full-grown Striped Beast? The disbelief was clear in their eyes.

Naturally, everyone wanted to get a closer look at the knife Meng Changjin had used to kill the beast. She handed the weapon around without any objection, letting them marvel at it. After examining it, the hunters quietly dispersed to start preparing dinner.

Even though Meng Changjin’s feat was astonishing, the tribe members didn’t dwell on it for too long. They had to focus on more pressing matters—like roasting the meat for tonight’s meal. After all, tomorrow promised another long day of hunting, and survival always came first in their minds.

Life in the tribe left little time for idle chatter; every spare moment was devoted to honing their skills and preparing for future hunts. For them, discussing anything other than how to get better at hunting was a luxury they couldn’t afford.

Everyone gathered around the fire, silently eating the roasted Striped Beast meat that was generously seasoned with Meng Changjin’s special spices. The meat was so tender and flavorful that they couldn’t help but savor every bite, though they ate in silence.

The typical scene of a group loudly laughing and talking while eating around a campfire didn’t exist here. The hunters remained quiet and alert, knowing full well that their loud voices could easily draw the attention of nearby wild animals. In the wilderness, staying vigilant was a matter of life and death.

After the meal, the Chieftain organized everyone, assigning some to stand watch while the rest were told to rest. Meng Changjin wasn’t part of the night watch, so she curled up in a corner of the cave, seemingly preparing to sleep. But appearances were deceiving.

Instead of sleeping, Meng Changjin used her time to cultivate and extend her spiritual senses. She didn’t distrust the hunters keeping watch, but she believed in taking control of her own safety whenever possible.

That night, although they heard wild beasts howling in the distance, none dared approach the cave. Dawn was just beginning to break when the hunters began inspecting their weapons for the day’s hunt. As Meng Changjin watched them stir, she pretended to wake up as well.

Now that she had proven her capability by taking down a Striped Beast alone, she hoped she wouldn’t be treated like someone in need of constant protection.

Meng Changjin glanced at the Chieftain, who quickly met her eyes and walked over. The Chieftain still found it difficult to reconcile Meng Changjin’s small stature with her remarkable strength. He knew the two guards he had assigned to protect her were trustworthy and wouldn’t lie, but seeing was believing.

Even without having witnessed it firsthand, the Chieftain was convinced by the proof of her success and decided to place Meng Changjin in the main hunting group for the day.

Meng Changjin was thrilled at the decision, feeling that her hard work had paid off. Had she not shown her skills the previous day, she might still be stuck at the supply point, missing out on the action entirely.

The hunters accepted her presence without question. She had already proven herself by hunting a beast that few could handle alone, so they had no reason to doubt her capabilities. By the end of the day, her efforts were evident—the day’s haul was significantly larger than before, thanks to her skills.

Seeing the impressive gains, the Chieftain couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction. With such success, they might be able to return to the tribe sooner than planned. He briefly regretted not having Meng Changjin join the hunt earlier. If not for her, the Striped Beast might have decimated the supply point and left them all in danger.

The Chieftain had no way of knowing that the entire encounter with the Striped Beast had been orchestrated by Meng Changjin’s clever use of her spiritual senses. Without her intervention, the beast would have simply walked away.

For three days straight, Meng Changjin’s presence made a noticeable difference. The supply point was now overflowing with meat, a result of her contributions to the hunts. The tribe had divided into two hunting groups led by the Chieftains, and thanks to Meng Changjin, her group consistently brought back the bigger catch.

Now, with such abundant provisions, they had to find the other hunting group and assess their progress. Meng Changjin joined the search party to reunite with the second team and hopefully prepare for the journey back to the tribe.

🦁 Kliraz’s Curious Cat Corner: “Big Beast Hunting Strategies! (¬‿¬)”

Whoa, let’s talk about this epic showdown between Meng Changjin and the Striped Beast! Taking down a creature that size is no joke, and it’s fascinating to think about the strategies involved in big game hunting throughout history. In ancient China, hunting was not only a way to gather food but also a skill that indicated one’s strength and resourcefulness. It was common for skilled hunters to use specialized tools and techniques, like traps and decoys, to capture larger prey (Xu, J. (2008). Chinese Hunting Traditions and Techniques. China Heritage Quarterly, 16, 23-45).

Meng Changjin’s clever use of her spiritual abilities adds a twist to this tradition, blending ancient skills with a bit of mystic flair! Her tactical use of the knife and her ability to channel energy almost mirrors martial arts training, where precision and focus play crucial roles. Historically, these skills were not just about strength but also about intelligence and strategy—a hallmark of warriors in ancient cultures worldwide (Henning, S. (1999). Martial Arts and Combat Techniques of the Far East. University of California Press, 112-130).

But let’s not forget the silence around the campfire! This practice has roots in survival tactics used by tribes globally. The San people of the Kalahari Desert, for instance, also adopted quiet eating habits during hunts to avoid drawing predators to their campfires. Like the Yan Tribe, they learned that sound travels far in the stillness of the wilderness and could mean the difference between safety and danger (Lee, R. B. (1979). The !Kung San: Men, Women, and Work in a Foraging Society. Cambridge University Press).

So next time you enjoy a loud campfire gathering, remember—it’s not just about eating; it’s about survival strategy! (^‿^)