Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Butchering
After dragging the wolf carcass back to my cave, I couldn't help but notice the incredible calm I felt during the attack. It was my first time killing an animal of that size, and surprisingly, none of it affected me. Maybe it was some effect of this new body. I focused on what I needed to do next.
I searched my cave for a long rope, tied the wolf's hind legs together, and hung it from a tree branch. My plan was to bleed the carcass and save the blood for later, maybe to cook something with it. After a while, the blood stopped flowing, so I took the carcass down and started skinning it. Even though it was my first time, I had gotten used to watching videos on YouTube explaining the processes of skinning an animal, so I had an idea of what to do.
As I cut into it, I realized that my knife was good for growing plants but not so good for skinning. I'll have to try to create a new one more suited to this task later. After I had cut all the hide off and divided it into the main parts, I remembered that I didn't have any salt to preserve the meat. It was going to rot very quickly. I thought I might try air-drying it, but I had never done that before, so it would be something new for me.
I also had to tan the hide. I remembered that to do this, you first soak it in water, then rub it with brain and blood, and let it sit for several days. Afterwards, you should let it air-dry, and that would give you leather. Even though it wasn't the most professional method, it was the easiest one I knew.
With all that in mind, I prepared to get to work. There was a lot to do, but I couldn't afford to hesitate.