Civ was shocked by what he witnessed. Based on the weather now, they have high humidity. He was expecting these fibers to dry for a couple more days. But right now, it has completely dried, like toasted dried. Seeing that the fibers were already dry, he dropped all of the things he planned to do. Then, he started working on these fibers. He might not believe it yet, but the signs are there. Civ will need more evidence to confirm his assumptions.
"Looks like my plans will be done two or three days earlier". Civ smiled and started to focus.
The fibers were almost 63 inches (160 cm). He was planning to do a braid method, but it's too much for him right now since he needs this as soon as possible, so he can test it. Civ started twisting the fibers into one. Bending it so there was a call eye at the start, and he started to twist it counterclockwise. After that, he twists the first bundle clockwise. Then twists it with the second bundle switching sides. He continued to do it, and when he reached the batch of fibers, he sealed it by using an overhand knot.
"Now I have a cordage!" Civ exclaimed.
Cordages have not yet been discovered by their tribe. They use long leaves or fresh tree bark to create their covering. But they need to make it again after a week.
He was able to create around a 3-meter-long cordage. Enough for his new project.
While Arsh and Horm were busy creating the stone knives, Civ went to them.
"My friends, I need to do something that will make me busy. I might not be able to help you today."
They saw Civ holding multiple items, such as a stick and other items. They did not want to bother Civ. Scolded by the tribe leader is the one they want to avoid. They do not want to mess up what they are doing right now.
After telling his friends that he would be busy, he gathered his tools and materials:
A stick that is 5 feet tall (1.5 meters ) and 2 inches thick.
A cordage
A serrated stone knife
A stone tip with a corner notch at the bottom
First, he firmly holds the tip of the stick and gradually scrapes it. He patiently scraped it until he was able to create a gap at the center. He gets his stone tip and checks if it fits. But it does not fit. So he continues to slowly scrape it until the stone tip fits.
Once the stone tip was properly placed and fit, he wrapped the cordage around the corner notch. He continued to wrap it until he was sure that it was thoroughly tight and not wobbly. He tried to pull the stone tip, but it was attached to the stick like it was part of the stick.
"Part 1 finished! Spear is done!". Civ was already tired, but his eyes were still sparkling like a star in the night.
Satisfied, he left it aside and started looking for trees that were just growing. He looks for "Y" shaped branches. Once he saw a sturdy one, he started sawing it using his stone knife. It did take more time than he expected. After cutting it, he sawed again one of the branches, and right now it looks "J" shaped. He scraped the shorter end for about 1 and a half inches thick. It looks more like a hook now.
"Part 2 finished! For the final step." Civ gets the spear. He starts drilling on the bottom, about 2 inches deep, and checks if it fits on the hook.
"Congratulations Civ! You created an atlatl!". Civ felt relieved that he was able to create it.
The atlatl is an ancient tool used by early humans for spear-throwing. Long before the more complex weapons were created or discovered on Ancient Earth. This spear-throwing device acts as an extension of a human arm. It increases the range and power generated compared to a hand-thrown technique.
Seeing this weapon, Civ cannot help but feel a sense of accomplishment. These two things are the tools that helped early humans to survive. This also means he can push the development of his tribe a little faster.
"Now to test it." Civ is sweating right now, but impatience is overshadowing it.
He stands up and imitates what he remembers. Facing sideways like a baseball pitcher, he set the spear at eye level. He steps forward to gain momentum and with an overhand throw. Before he extends his arms, he snaps his wrists, accelerating the spear.
"THUUUNN".
'Now it's time to check how far it is.' he said to himself
"60 yards?!". Civ screamed.
"Based on this measurement, we can hunt that boar without an issue!". An involuntary grin appeared across his face, lighting up the surroundings.
"But now, I need to make some more and need to test its accuracy." He takes a deep breath, he celebrates his accomplishments, but there is still a long way to go.
He continued to make more atlatls and spears and did some tests. He returned to his friends to deliver some exciting news. Arsh is almost finished with the second knife that she is knapping.
"Hey guys. Since Arsh is almost done with that second knife, would you mind if you both follow me after this?" Civ asked.
"What are you planning again?". Arsh looked at Civ, scanning his face for any potential reaction.
Noticing the curly brow of Arsh, Civ immediately explained.
"No, no, no, I just want to show both of you something."
Civ eyes visibly sparkle as the same reaction Civ when he teaches them how to make the knife.
Seeing this, both Horm and Arsh knew there was something new that Civ had discovered.
"Alright, let's wait for Arsh first," Horm replied.
Arsh, having experience in working on these knives, was able to finish it in a flash.
They clean the area and follow Civ on the farther side of the forest.
Arriving at the Civ's workplace, they noticed two sticks that were leaning against the tree. Arsh quickly grabbed one of the sticks. She noticed that there was a small stone knife attached to the tip of the stick.
"Civ, what is this?" Arsh hurriedly asked.
"I did not name it yet, but I can show you how it works!". Civ answered with brimming enthusiasm.
Civ demonstrated it. "You need to hold it and find the balance of the stick. Grip full and tight. Then put your arm back straight while twisting your upper body. Step your foot forward and stretch your arm while releasing the stick!"
Whooshhhhh! The pointy stick stuck on one of the trees 18 yards (16 meters) away.
They went to the tree where it rests. Arsh and Horm were dumbfounded. The stick penetrated the tree! Seeing this, they know that this is not a plaything but a thing that will make someone bleed!
Looking at their friend Civ, a cold sweat ran down their spine both of them realized.
'Civ is really serious about hunting that boar. '
"So what do you think?" Civ asked.
"Uhm Civ, I believe this is amazing. Ha ha ha" Horm replied while sweating.
Civ noticed the awkward expressions of his friends. He knows these two are aware that he is serious about hunting that boar.
"Do not worry my friends. I still need to show this to my father." Both of them heaved a sigh of relief. They are thinking that tomorrow they might hunt the boar.
Understanding the plan, Horm and Arsh were also curious about this pointy stick. So they tried following the instructions of Civ.
Arsh was able to penetrate the tree not much deeper. But with Horm, it penetrated much deeper into the tree compared to Civ's attempt earlier.
Their throw reached around the same distance as Civ reached.
Seeing the satisfied faces of his friends, Civ pulled out the second part.
"Wanna see it go farther?" Civ playfully asked them.
"Civ, we already threw it with all of our bodies, I do not think it can go farther," Arsh questioned Civ
"Hmm? Well look at this". Civ got one of the spears and attached it to the atlatl.
Doing the atlatl throwing technique, Civ releases the spear.
Whoosshh
The pointy stick penetrated the farther tree ahead of them.
Arsh and Horm's mouths are agape, and they cannot speak. This is something they cannot comprehend anymore!
"So Civ about thi-"
"You can try it!" Civ interrupted Arsh. She also noticed Civ was excited about handing her this shorter stick.
Civ teaches them how to use it. Both of them are able to reach much farther, as Civ mentioned.
They still cannot believe it. Something so common yet uncommon in their eyes. They look at Civ differently now. But they are trying this out and have made themselves realize something.
There is a chance now to fight the boar!
Civ notices the fear wavered on their faces and was replaced with determination.
"Civ! Let's go to the tribe leader and show him this good news!" Horm exclaimed while Arsh nodded.
Knowing his friends have his back, a relaxed smile appeared on Civ's face.
"Sure! Let's deliver the news!".
At the Shaman's hut, Kivrah was already waiting for them.
Seeing the tribe leader, Horm immediately bowed. "Tribe leader, we want to show you something."
Kivrah was surprised. Horm is a timid person, but right now he is full of joy. Seeing also the other two, a wide smile shows, and they are anticipating.
"Show me the way." Tribe leader Kivrah commanded them. They followed suit, including Shaman Mashu.
When they arrived, Civ immediately got one of the pointy sticks and showed it to his father. Inspecting this item, he noticed that there was a small version of the stone knife at the tip of the stick. Curious, he wanted to ask his son, but Civ had already called his attention.
"Father, let me show you." Using the hand-thrown technique, he demonstrates the purpose of this pointed stick.
Same as before, it penetrated the tree.
"Ahh!" Kivrah exclaimed. "My son, why did you throw it at the tree? The giants will hunt us if they know it." Kivrah was horrified by what he saw.
Civ paused for a moment and then bowed. "I am sorry my father. As you noticed, there is no giant appeared when I hit the tree. We already did this earlier multiple times, but they did not appear also"
Kivrah heavily sighed. He wants to discipline his son for always endangering his life, but he is also right. No giants appear means that as long as the giants do not see it, they will not hunt his tribe.
"Here father, please try it also." Kivrah's thoughts were interrupted by Civ. His son excitedly handed him one of the pointy sticks.
Kivrah's curiosity grew, and grab the pointy stick right away. Civ gave him the instructions. After hitting the target, he felt an unfamiliar feeling of excitement. He can't help but smile. But this tool is a bit risky. Remembering his son wanting to hunt the boar, he doesn't think they can use it without a casualty.
"Father, since you see how far this can go, do you think we can make it throw farther?" Civ again, playfully asked his father.
Hearing this, Kivrah's curiosity reached its tipping point, and he asked, "How?"
'Gotcha!' Civ internally exclaimed.
Again, he revealed the shorter stick and attached it to the end of the spear, and then.
Whoosshh
It went farther!
Before Kivrah can say anything, Civ gets one of the spears and invites his father.
"Before we go there, can you try it also Father?"
Without hesitation, Kivrah attempts to use it also.
After he experienced it, Kivrah froze. He could not imagine that adding this stick would improve the reach of the pointy stick.
Civ invited them to follow him to the target.
When they went to the target, it penetrated deep into the tree. Shaman Mashu and Tribe leader Kivrah were beyond astonished right now.
Seeing the faces of both his Father and the Shaman, he could not waste this crucial moment and bowed in front of them.
"With these tools Tribe leader, I ask your permission to hunt boars".