Upon arriving at the campsite, though simple, it was enough to relieve their fatigue after a long day of hard work in the hot and humid Kalimantan jungle.
Their tents, although not large, were set up quickly and efficiently, providing adequate shelter from the increasingly cold night and the forest that was coming alive with wild sounds.
The fading sunlight created a hushed atmosphere, accompanied only by the sounds of night insects and the gentle breeze.
Ethan paused in front of the main tent, scanning the surroundings with vigilant eyes. "Some of you can rest, while others will stand guard," he said in a firm yet calm tone. "Let me know if anything happens. I want to close my eyes for just a moment."
"Understood, Boss," his subordinates replied in unison, quickly dividing tasks as ordered. Some prepared to guard the perimeter of the camp, ensuring no threats approached, either from forest rangers or wild animals, while others began to lie down, taking advantage of the brief time to rest.
Ethan entered his tent. Inside, there were only basic supplies some hunting gear, ammunition, and a backpack lying in the corner.
He sat on the dirt floor, opened his backpack, and took out some dried food he had brought. Slowly, he began to eat, his mind drifting to what he enjoyed most: the meat of rare animals.
As he chewed, his thoughts filled with images of his prey for that night. He imagined the fresh meat of protected wildlife, its texture, the flavor that only a few like him could savor.
Each bite of the dried food in his hand tasted bland compared to his visions of the exquisite meat of rare animals.
Just picturing it was enough to make his mouth water. He smiled faintly, imagining the satisfaction of sinking his teeth into the flesh of a trapped animal a tiger or perhaps a hornbill.
That image made his adrenaline surge, as if he couldn't wait for midnight to arrive.
After feeling satisfied, Ethan lay down on the tent floor. Although hard and uncomfortable, it was familiar to him. For years, his life had been spent in places like this, full of danger and pursuit, but that was what made him feel alive.
His eyes slowly closed, trying to experience a fleeting moment of peace, even if just for a while.
Outside his tent, his subordinates stood watch. The atmosphere in the camp was relatively calm, with only the sound of the wind blowing and the occasional snap of twigs in the distance.
Everything seemed to be going according to plan, but Ethan knew that in a place like this, danger was always lurking.
His tired eyes struggled to close, but his mind remained alert, ready for any possibility. His subordinates would wake him later when the time was right.
Amidst the quiet of the night, Ethan felt himself drawing closer to his goal. Nothing could stop him.
Their mission to capture wild animals would soon be realized, and when the time came, the satisfaction of the hunt would be his.
At midnight, he would lead his subordinates back to the traps they had set, and then everything would be revealed whether their prey had been caught or if some unforeseen danger awaited them.
"Boss, wake up! It's time to head to the trap site," one of his subordinates said softly yet firmly, rousing Ethan from his sleep.
Ethan opened his eyes slowly, slightly disoriented, but quickly realized what needed to be done.
"Alright. Everyone prepare, but leave some behind to keep the camp safe when we return," he commanded with a hoarse voice, his eyes still not fully awake from the brief sleep.
Within seconds, his mind regained focus. He gathered the equipment he needed: a dagger, rifle, and a few additional tools.
As he strapped his weapon belt around his waist, Ethan stepped out of his tent and saw his subordinates ready, their tense faces illuminated by the moonlight peeking through the clouds.
They began walking towards the trap site in the dark of night, illuminated only by flashlights hidden beneath their cloaks to avoid unwanted attention.
The forest felt much quieter than usual, but there was something in the air that night a dark foreboding pressing down on them all.
The night in the Sumatra jungle deepened. The sounds of nocturnal animals began to echo as Ethan and his subordinates cautiously made their way to the trap site.
They moved in darkness, illuminated by the moonlight that occasionally broke through the thick clouds. Ethan's thoughts were still fixated on the traps they had set earlier.
He felt that tonight would be significant, and his instincts, though not entirely clear, hinted that something special awaited them.
Upon reaching the site, tension filled the air as they heard a strange sound a faint roar that shook the atmosphere.
It was not a sound they typically heard from wild animals, let alone from those usually caught in traps. The roar resembled a cry of pain, yet with lingering strength.
Ethan felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, but his curiosity overcame everything.
"Everyone stay alert," he whispered, his eyes sharp as he observed his surroundings. They approached the traps cautiously, their weapons ready at hand.