Africa, with stars filling the sky, is clearly visible.
At this moment, Shōgo had already picked up a long stick in his hand, and the other end of the stick had been sharpened by Nash, impaling a large catfish.
By the side of the bonfire, Nash, Friedrick, and Shōgo each held a wooden stick, roasting the catfish they held.
Nash and Friedrick had already been tanned black by the scorching sun, their faces covered in a layer of ash from plants, looking no different from black people.
Of course, Shōgo was no exception, his face covered in dirt and ash. Just a day, and all three of them were covered in dust and sweat.
Their stomachs were even more famished. Each of them looked at the catfish in their hands, swallowing saliva continuously.
It was around 8 pm at the moment, and the catfish had been half-cooked over the fire. The completely darkened grassland began to fill with all sorts of strange and eerie sounds, sending shivers down the spine.
At first, the three of them were concentrating on roasting their fish, afraid of burning them.
However, after half an hour passed, Friedrick, who was losing focus, began to talk about random things.
"Hey, guys, what do you all do? Why did you come to participate in this challenge?"
Nash, nonchalant, replied:
I'm just bored and seeking excitement, and there's money to be made, so why not?"
Then Friedrick and Nash looked at Shōgo, who also chimed in:
"I'm also bored, just here to play around. I've never really explored this world, just curious."
"Hahaha! It looks like you're all idle, rich people. I'm different, I still owe our school tuition, so I'm here to win the prize money."
"Good luck!"
"Good luck!"
In response to Friedrick's answer, Shōgo and Nash both offered their blessings, hoping this enthusiastic young man could fulfill his wish.
Time passed quickly, and the large catfish in their hands had been fully cooked. Each of them was only half full after eating a catfish, but none of them suggested continuing to roast more. They all understood their goal was to survive for a month, and not saving some food would be foolish.
"Let's move the bonfire aside later and spread some ash from the plants around us. It might offer some defense against snakes, insects, and scorpions."
"Will it work? I'm afraid of scorpions."
"It has some effect. Let's do it."
So, the three of them moved the bonfire and spread plant ash around them. After completing these tasks, they felt quite tired.
Then, the three of them gathered around the bonfire and laid down together.
Lying down, Shōgo looked at the stars and suddenly felt that the fishing net might be useful. He turned to Friedrick and said:
"Friedrick put the fishing net on the thorns. Would it make us safer from above?"
"Shōgo, great idea!"
Having said that, Friedrick had already gotten up and adjusted his fishing net, hanging it on the thorns. Now, even Nash felt that their safety had increased a notch.
The three of them chatted about various topics, all new and fascinating to them in the African grasslands. Unconsciously, Shōgo drifted off to sleep.
In the middle of the night, terrifying low roars echoed outside the thorns, awakening the sleeping trio.
Without hesitation, Shōgo picked up the spear he had been holding in his arms, its tip aimed towards the front.
At this moment, Friedrick's reaction was also swift. He had already strung his bow and aimed an arrow, closely watching the area beyond the thorns.
Nash gripped his machete, standing in front of the other two, his expression tense as he stared outside. His emerald eyes had turned into two sparkling rings, Nash had activated his "Belial's Eye."
Feeling the low roars from beyond the thorns and illuminated by the firelight, a pair of shining giant eyes appeared outside the thorns.
All three of them understood that it was an adult male lion.
The formidable aura of the male lion left the three of them petrified, and none of them dared to sleep. Shōgo looked at the Belial's Eye before him and smiled faintly.
Indeed, how lucky! On the first night, he witnessed the Belial's Eye.
It was around 4 am now. The trio stoked the bonfire, making the camp look even more threatening and providing them with a greater sense of security.
After the eerie growls faded into the distance, they were replaced by the continuous howls of over a dozen baboons, making them extremely anxious. They wanted to go out and subdue the group of baboons surrounding them.
However, Shōgo could only think about it; he didn't dare to go out.
Until dawn, the surroundings finally quieted down. The three weary individuals sat by the bonfire, chatting. And, as usual, Friedrick was the first to speak.
"Hey! Nash, your aura last night was quite something. It almost made me feel like there were two wild beasts next to me."
"Really?"
Nash glanced at Shōgo without saying much, not asking any further.
"Also, Shōgo, you did well too. Neither of you is a coward!"
"Hehe!"
Seeing that neither of them was paying much attention to him, Friedrick wasn't discouraged. He continued with some idle chitchat, like asking Nash about his favorite food or asking Shōgo whether he liked French ladies...
Because they were awakened in the middle of the night, Shōgo drifted back to sleep amidst Friedrick's fragmented words.
Until sunlight filtered through the cracks above their heads and shone into their eyes, Shōgo slowly woke up.
Opening his eyes, he looked at the scorching environment around him and finally realized he was no longer in his mansion at home.
Nash and Friedrick beside him had their eyes half-closed, not speaking.
After some thought, Shōgo sighed and said:
"Guys, shouldn't we be glad we didn't end up in the jaws of a big lion last night? Should we make a pot of catfish soup?"
"It's a bother, you can do it, Shōgo. I'm tired."
"I don't know how to cook."
Well, it was Friedrick who said he was tired. His energy had finally run out. As for Nash, he was direct as always; he didn't know how.
Shōgo liked Nash's straightforward nature. In this kind of environment, straightforward communication was the best.
"Alright, I'll make a pot of catfish soup. After eating, should we go out to hunt? What do you think?"
"Sounds good!"
"Sure!"
As soon as hunting was mentioned, Friedrick's spirit perked up. Shōgo quickly closed his mouth and began making the soup.
Around noon, the three of them sat by the bonfire, each holding a large piece of fish meat. The 10 fish Friedrick had caught yesterday had dwindled to only 4.
So, in the afternoon, the three of them had no choice but to go hunting.
Whether they would have any success, no one knew, not even Shōgo.
After finishing their fish meat and fish soup, the three of them locked the gate of thorns and left the campsite.
Nash led the way, Friedrick was in the middle, and Shōgo brought up the rear. The three of them began their exploration and hunting of the African grasslands.