Wilderness Survival with Druid System

Chapter 356: Chapter 27: Perfectly Roasted Crocodile, Injured Hippo

Early morning.

Entering the third day of survival.

The most critical point of survival is about to arrive.

This is when most contestants will see if their early strategies can be realized.

But Chen Wen is not among them.

He leisurely gets up, rubs his eyes, and picks up the drone to take a look around.

Everything around the shelter is normal.

”Good morning, everyone.”

Chen Wen says, jumping down from the treehouse.

After landing steadily, Chen Wen says, ”Today’s task is simple, just to add a waterproof roof to the shelter. I’ve decided to use leaves and some plants from the wetlands to cover the top.”

”Besides adding the roof, I will be processing long spears. While food is abundant, I plan to quickly make the shelter and some small survival tools.”

”Once the wooden javelins are made, I plan to hunt some medium to large prey, like buffalo or something.”

While speaking, Chen Wen says, ”But before starting today’s tasks, let’s check on the crocodile we slow-roasted yesterday.”

It’s worth noting that this is also Chen Wen’s first time handling food this way.

He is somewhat nervous about it.

On the ground where the crocodile was slow-roasted, the soil is just like yesterday.

Chen Wen touches it, and there is no residual heat.

He goes straight to work, digging up the soil.

As Chen Wen removes the surface soil, the mud wrapping the crocodile appears before him.

”Hmm, it seems the slow-roasting temperature was sufficient, this mud is already very hard.”

Chen Wen says, knocking on the mud, which makes a thumping sound.

The mud becomes a very hard shell.

He continues to dig.

The full appearance of the Nile crocodile gradually emerges.

Chen Wen touches the lower part, and it’s still a bit warm.

”There shouldn’t be any major issues.”

Chen Wen says, using force to break the mud shell, as fragments of the shell fall away.

A faint aroma of meat begins to drift out.

The smell is quite nice, and there’s no burnt scent.

Chen Wen feels reassured.

Not burning or charring the meat is already a success.

After all, if it’s not cooked enough, it can always be cooked again, but if it’s burnt, it’s completely ruined.

As the mud shell is broken, the leaves wrapping the crocodile come into view.

It’s like unboxing a surprise as he removes the leaves, revealing the thick scales of the Nile crocodile.

Chen Wen pinches the scales with his hand.

Unlike their previous hardness, the scales now feel surprisingly soft.

Chen Wen no longer hesitates.

He pats the dust off his hands and washes his hands with the remaining water.

He removes all the leaves, revealing the full appearance of the crocodile.

”Should be successful, right?”

Chen Wen says, unable to resist the aroma of meat mixed with the scent of spices.

He flips the crocodile over, poking the meat on its belly.

The poke goes right in.

”It’s a success!”

Seeing this, Chen Wen is completely relieved.

After a whole night of slow roasting, the crocodile meat becomes very tender.

Even the connective tissues between the bones are the same way.

Chen Wen goes straight to work, tearing off the remaining three legs of the crocodile.

After storing the three legs in the treehouse,

he twists off the crocodile’s tail, breaks the body in half, splitting it into two parts.

He also roughly splits the head in half.

”Perfect!”

Clapping the grease off his hands, Chen Wen looks at the crocodile meat on the ground, quite satisfied.

The sense of achievement is full.

This crocodile meat is his most important food for the days to come.

It must be properly stored!

Crocodile meat is transported by Chen Wen in batches to the treehouse and covered with leaves.

It barely hides some of the meat scent.

Additionally, Chen Wen moves the campfire closer to the tree to prevent certain tree-climbing creatures from stealing food while he’s away.

In Caprivi, preventing food theft is also crucial.

The vultures, hyenas, even leopards here, will all steal food.

After setting up security measures, Chen Wen, carrying a javelin, begins today’s survival tasks.

The first task is to go to the river to fetch water and gather plants.

...

Upon reaching the riverbank.

Chen Wen first observes the Nile crocodiles.

These guys, having feasted earlier, relax with their mouths open, basking in the sun by the riverbank.

Good, it’s safe.

Thinking this, Chen Wen is about to move forward.

But...

Accompanied by a burst of hissing.

Chen Wen notices that something extraordinary appears in the river.

Hippo!

And the hippo quickly notices Chen Wen standing on the riverbank.

Man and hippo lock eyes.

Chen Wen turns his head and runs, without hesitation.

The hippo emits a hissing sound, seemingly mocking Chen Wen’s timidness and feebleness.

Of course, this is simply a one-sided feeling.

After running about a hundred meters away from the riverbank, Chen Wen stops and looks back at the suddenly appearing hippo.

”Damn, when did this thing get here?”

Chen Wen can’t help but curse, ”Having this thing in the water is a hassle!”

Hippos, being creatures with a strong territorial consciousness.

They have caused more bloody incidents in Africa than lions.

Most of these incidents result from humans inadvertently entering hippo territory and being attacked.

You can even find videos online.

Some people drive boats near hippos, and the hippos immediately chase the boats, exhibiting a strong aggressive instinct.

Living next to such creatures, except for the armored Nile crocodiles, most animals can’t withstand their antics.

Humans are among them.

Chen Wen looks at this hippo, feeling doubtful inside.

Actually, avoiding an encounter with hippos is simple, just walk a hundred meters more, away from the hippo’s territory, to a further place to fetch water.

This way, there would be no reason for conflict between Chen Wen and the hippo.

However, Chen Wen notices that this hippo has many wounds on its body.

”Everyone can see, this hippo has many bloody wounds on the side of its head and body.”

Chen Wen suggests, ”This indicates that this hippo might be a driven-away male hippo.”

”In a hippo’s social structure, a dominant male hippo is the leader of the group with mating rights. However, the leader position is not permanent, as external, stronger male hippos may take over.”

”The hippo in the river in front of me could very well be a driven-away male leader or a male hippo that lost a challenge.”

Chen Wen says, ”No matter what, this kind of lone male hippo is very dangerous. Its territory is not fixed, it wanders around looking for new territories and groups, and has a very bad temper. More importantly, with injuries, it’s more alert than the average hippo.”

”Therefore, I recommend everyone not to provoke such male hippos, or even stay far away from them. Even I, a man who has hunted Nile crocodiles, dare not easily provoke this creature.”

”In conclusion, it’s still better to take a detour and prioritize completing today’s tasks.”

After saying this, Chen Wen wisely detours a little.

He doesn’t want to start hunting hippo-level challenges just yet.

It’s better to wait until preparation is complete.

Besides, this hippo is badly injured, and if luck is on his side, this hippo might die because of its injuries.

Chen Wen would be happy to play the role of a hyena in that case.

As for healing the hippo with the ”Animal Doctor” and attempting to tame it.

After a brief consideration, Chen Wen gives up.

This kind of aggressive male hippo is too hard to tame, unless it’s a special animal.

If it’s not a special animal, taming it is nearly a hell-level challenge.

Chen Wen doesn’t want to take on that challenge right now.