Chapter 109 — Fishing Trap Optimization
S.C. 1511 — Early January
Foosha Coast → Hidden Island Shore
The winter breeze carried a crisp bite as Ren checked the rope lines along Foosha's rocky shoreline.
Small waves rolled across the coast, glinting under the pale morning sun.
Zemo trotted beside him, nose twitching eagerly.
Today's mission was simple… but important.
Food.
Not stored food.
Not dried fish.
Fresh fish.
For himself.
For Zemo.
And for the future workers who would one day depend on the island.
Ren crouched beside his old fishing trap—a square bamboo frame with rope lattice and stone weights.
It had done its job for months…
…but Ren frowned.
"It's too weak, too slow, and too obvious."
Zemo poked the trap with his paw.
The trap broke slightly.
Ren sighed.
"Exactly."
Time for an upgrade.
---
Step 1 — Studying Fish Behavior
Ren sat on a flat rock and observed the water.
Small silver fish swam in swirls near the tide line.
Bigger fish lurked deeper, moving in predictable paths shaped by currents.
He sketched quick notes:
• small fish → attracted to movement & shiny bait
• medium fish → like hiding spots
• big fish → follow scent trails
• predators → avoid shallow traps
Zemo dipped his paw in the water and yelped at the cold.
Ren laughed.
"You're not helping, but I appreciate the enthusiasm."
---
Step 2 — Trap Design Upgrade
Ren knelt on the sand and opened his crate of supplies:
bamboo sticks
KEA-nails
seaweed rope
polished shell pieces
wooden stakes
a small KEA-chisel
fish bait jars
He sketched a new design on the sand:
Multi-Level Trap
1. entry funnel
2. shiny lure strips
3. bait chamber
4. escape-prevention angled grid
5. weighted bottom
6. top latch for easy harvest
Zemo stuck his nose into the drawing and erased part of it.
Ren groaned.
"…I had to redraw that, you know."
Zemo pretended not to hear.
---
Step 3 — Construction Begins
Ren cut bamboo into precise lengths using the KEA-saw.
Shrrrk—Shrrrk—
Smooth, clean slices.
Zemo watched in awe.
Next, Ren tied the bamboo into a frame using seaweed rope—light but strong.
Then came the new reinforcement:
KEA-nails.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The frame tightened instantly, becoming sturdy enough to withstand rough waters.
Ren stepped back.
"Perfect. It won't break this time."
---
Step 4 — Lure Mechanism
He attached small polished shell pieces inside the trap.
When the water moved, they would sparkle.
Like little bait fish.
Zemo's eyes widened at the shiny movement.
Ren grinned.
"If it attracts you, it'll attract the fish."
Zemo huffed proudly, as if he helped design it.
---
Step 5 — Bait Chamber Upgrade
Ren placed a perforated wooden box inside the trap.
Inside it, he packed:
dried shrimp
seaweed fragments
fermented fish oil (made secretly last week)
Zemo sniffed it—
—and immediately backed away.
Ren coughed.
"Yes… it smells terrible. Which means it will work perfectly."
The scent would drift through the water, drawing mid-sized fish from meters away.
---
Step 6 — Placement Strategy
Ren carried the trap into the shallow water.
He planted the bamboo stakes firmly into the sand, anchoring the trap in place.
Then he tied the rope line to a stone peg hammered into shore.
Zemo circled nervously as the cold waves splashed.
Ren knelt beside him.
"Don't worry. The tide won't take it."
He tugged the rope—
Strong.
Stable.
Reliable.
Exactly what he wanted.
---
Step 7 — Waiting… Sort Of
While waiting, Ren collected seaweed and shells for future projects.
Zemo patrolled the area like a self-appointed guard.
Minutes passed.
Ren checked the rope.
It tugged lightly.
He leaned forward.
"Already?"
He pulled the trap toward shore—
Splash.
Scrape.
The trap wasn't even half an hour old…
…and already contained:
3 silver fish
1 striped fish
and a small crab angrily threatening everyone
Zemo barked loudly at the crab.
Ren picked up the fish with calm efficiency.
"Good protein. Good start."
He released the crab.
Zemo looked offended.
Ren shrugged.
"He has a family somewhere."
---
Step 8 — More Traps
Ren set two more traps in deeper spots:
Trap #2 → deeper current line
Trap #3 → near rocks with natural fish cover
Each with slight adjustments for depth and size.
He tied them all to concealed stakes anchored behind rocks.
---
Step 9 — A Small Win
By noon, Ren had collected enough fish for:
today's meals
tomorrow's dried stock
and future food experiments
Zemo trotted happily beside him, carrying one fish in his mouth like a trophy.
Ren smiled softly at the haul.
"Food security… one more step closer."
And for future workers— consistent food meant stability.
A stable group survived. A stable group grew. A stable group became trusted.
Ren looked at the water, eyes calm.
"This island is feeding us already."
---
End of Chapter 109