Chapter 4 - The Competition

Four years have passed. Ulf was already about five years old. In this period life of the tribe went without any major changes, but not for Ulf. He had collected almost every detail about the village. However, that knowledge made him feel under more pressure than before. There were some important events, which helped Ulf obtain what he had desired.

The most important and unforgettable event for him was the competition. Not just common competition, but a fight between the tribe members, when one could beat the opponent until he or she was on the verge of death. If that kind of defeated participant was lucky and the shamaness could save her/him, then good, if not bay, bay. Ulf was told by his father that, if anyone wanted to take a part in the competition or challenge others with his/her free will, must also be ready to die on the stage.

The Tribe's competition was regularly arranged by the chief and shamaness together. Ulf didn't know yet how, but after the observation of the weather, when the end of the year was one or two months away, the shamaness would notify the chief about the upcoming winter. Then the chief must start preparing hunting groups for a large-scale resource gathering period outside of the village, for more than one week.

The resources were scarce in the forest during the winter, so they must collect and save as many supplies as possible. It was a huge honour for every member to be part of strong hunting groups and for that, they had to show their capabilities. As for why it was for honour and not more chance of survival according to his father's words, the stronger the group the harder missions it has to carry out. However, the members of this team could have more privilege, fame and food in the village.

Ulf has also gotten some information about the cultivation system, which was the same for a lot of tribes, who had connections to each other and weren't separated. The system was rather straightforward and was based on the tribe's hierarchy, which was the same everywhere. The first rank was a novice, young ones who were building their foundation and it was physical strength. The second was the warrior rank. If anyone wants to be part of any hunting group, he/she at least should reach this stage. Mostly, warrior-rank village members fight against each other in every year's competition. The third was the leader rank. As every team had leaders, they originally must be dependable enough to have the power over the situation if anything would go wrong. The fourth was captain rank. It was a stage that the vice-chief should reach. At that time Ulf glanced at his father. Bjorn jokingly said that, due to having more members in the group, the responsibility vice-chief had outside, in the wild, was greater, so more power was needed.

'The captain rank? good job old man.'

The last rank which was known to Bjorn was the chief rank. He didn't know much about this one, because even their village chief hadn't reached there, even if he was still called chief. As for the higher stages he didn't speak if there was any.

Bjorn explained that much to Ulf because, even if the letter at this time was only three years old, he was known already to have a quite sharp mind. As for differences between these ranks, the old man said that there wasn't any use to knowing it and for him more important was to build a good foundation. No matter how much Ulf was pleading like a real three years old stubborn child, this man became like a closed door. He even pretended to cry but had no use for it.

Back to the competition. Ulf was one and half years old when he first watched it. On one day in the autumn season, villagers started to gather around the village centre, and there was a training ground. Everyone had the same characteristic black hair, and huge muscular Body structure, no matter if they were women or men. Watching these women, Ulf felt that his mother was an exception, due to her elegant body and delicate face. Most likely she wasn't from this tribe, but Inga didn't like to talk about her origin. Ulf had asked her, because of his curiosity, but got no response.

A huge number of people had gathered, Ulf and Hilda were with their mother, Bjorn went out earlier and nowhere could be seen in this sea of crowd. The tribe members were chattering with each other endlessly. At that Huge middle-aged man, with a long beard came into the centre of the stadium and said:

"Silence."

Even though some tribe members, especially young ones, didn't pay attention to it. Beard man himself didn't seem to be a patient guy. Suddenly the air became tense and Ulf sensed a kind of suppression. It wasn't painful, but Ulf felt like he was bordered by the huge amount of qi and everyone could hear shouting:

"Sileencee!!"

The surrounding had calmed down right away and the bearded man continued loudly:

"So today, the Hadda's tribe, which was denominated by the name of our supreme god, will hold the tournament. As Hadda, the god of storm and thunder has stated, those, who don't have the vigour and spirit of the warrior, won't be able to become a hunter. He or she will only be prey for the strong. And I, Olaf the chief of the tribe of Hadda, announce that our people can only be warriors and hunters. There isn't a place for the weak. That's why, today for the supreme god and our pride we will once again show the sovereign our undying beliefs and eternal power."

It was a really inspiring short speech, especially when the chief demonstrated part of his power. Everyone has started like the crazies crying and shouting:

"Hadda, Hadda, Hadda...!"

Even his elder sister was screaming, as loud as she could. However, it wasn't weird to him. The girl was smiling with sparkling eyes, even when the village chief was trying to suppress tribesmen. Ulf knew that this kid was thirsty for power and admired every powerful man or woman. Of course, the chief was her favourite, obviously only after her father. She was a natural-born warrior. However, it wasn't only his sister. Many children or adults were so excited that they were ready to destroy anything if the chief ordered them, who had absolute power over them. Huh, the tribe of hot-headed guys.

"Now rather than speaking, it's time for the real action and demonstration of strength," said the chief." Firstly, young ones will show their power against experienced warriors. They don't have to win, but must show that they are worthy to carry the name of Hadda outside of the village."

"First, who will start will be Bakar, the son of Ishta against warrior Argo."

What weird a*s names. Where did they get so many different kinds of names?! From Ulf's point of view, it must be due to a close connection with the various tribes but still wasn't sure. He didn't know much about the outside world. The tribesmen and even his father said that Ulf must experience it himself in future or that he was still too young.

'No need for excuses man, you are just too lazy to satisfy one child's curiosity.' thought Ulf after these responses.

Soon one young boy went to the centre of a stadium, with his huge muscular physique, brown eyes and bit the unnaturally big ears. He had clothed just animal skin. His opponent was the same. He looked like was around 30 years old, and had a wound on the cheek and a fearsome expression on his face.

" As always you have to prove your capabilities only by using fists. Don't even dare to use any hidden weapon or will be severely punished. Now then let's start a fight!!"

Young participant Bakar, who was already agitated from the chief's speech and the encouraging shouts from tribesmen, ran forward to Argo. The latter also expressed his desire to fight but had some self-control. As the young Bakar got closer threw his fist toward his opponent's face. The speed of the fist was quite fast. Ulf had to be extremely careful not to miss anything.

It seems Argo wasn't going to avoid the oncoming punch. He brought his arms up in front of the face to block a fist and...

BOOM...

The loud voice of collision has spread around the stadium.

'Sh*t, rather just punch, it was like the crash of two cars!!'

After taking the punch warrior smiled a little and said:

"It was quite heavy. Seems like you had reached warrior rank and chose to use max from the start. A very good decision or else I would be disappointed in you junior."

Instead of becoming happy, Bakar was more agitated.

" I am a warrior, not a junior or novice."

"Haha, show me then..."

Bakar threw several more punches. From Ulf's experience, he started using a knuckle punch to make his fist sharp and reach a bit farther. His throwing fists were like swinging two knives. Bakar was attacking so fast, in order to not give his opponent time to rest for thought and also to find some weakness in defence.

Argon wasn't doing anything, other than covering his face and letting his opponent have his way. Barak's punches were getting faster again and Argo had to be more careful if he wanted to maintain his defensive position. In the end, it didn't have any positive results for Bakar. Argo got just minor injuries, even if one punch like that could cut common human flesh and even damage the bones.

Suddenly Bakar stopped, it seemed he was getting ready for something new. Then an aura of him suddenly changed and mainly around his right hand. It has got a much more threatening feeling. Argo hasn't anticipated anything like that.

"Haha, good. You like taking the risks."

P.S. The cultivation ranks

1. Novice

2. Warrior

3. Leader

4. Captain

5. Chief