451: Chapter 448: Poisoned Arrow 451: Chapter 448: Poisoned Arrow The term “poison dart frog” isn’t the name of a single toxic species but rather a common designation for all toxic frogs, primarily those colorful and highly poisonous frogs found in the Amazon rainforest.
And this is where the problem lies.
Not all poison frogs carry lethal toxicity, and the source of their toxicity varies.
Some poison frogs produce their own toxins, while others accumulate toxins from eating toxic insects.
After ingesting these insects, they store the toxins within their bodies and transform them into defensive weapons.
As a result, some poison dart frogs raised by humans are entirely non-toxic.
Due to the unreliable nature of poison dart frog toxins, sometimes only a minute amount is required to swiftly kill prey.
Other times, despite being struck by the poisoned arrow, the prey may suffer no harm.
Of course, Indigenous People in South America have dealt with poison dart frogs for years and certainly have ample experience.
Anyone but a complete novice should know which frog’s poison can be used for arrow poison and which can’t.
Indeed, there are many primitive tribes that specifically use frog toxins for hunting, but such tribes are few and far between, vastly outnumbered by those employing plant-based arrow poisons.
The reason is simple: frog poison is not only more lethal to the prey but also more dangerous to the user.
Common plant-based arrow poisons cause the prey to asphyxiate, while most poison dart frog toxins are neurotoxins, meaning that the victim is beyond saving.
This is similar to the beetle larva toxin Gao Yang used in Africa, but poison dart frog toxins can kill prey much faster than any toxin Gao had used.
For hunters who often walk along riverbanks, it’s hard to avoid getting wet shoes, so it’s quite difficult to prevent accidental pricks from their own poison arrows.
A prick from an arrow dipped in the potent toxin of a poison dart frog means certain death.
Therefore, if the toxicity isn’t as severe, it might as well not be used at all compared to plant-derived arrow poisons.
Researchers around the world have studied poison dart frogs extensively, and Gao Yang’s knowledge of them came from a documentary.
According to his understanding, the world’s most toxic poison dart frog is found in Colombia, a species known as the Kokoi Frog.
The toxin of this frog requires only 0.0003 grams to kill a strong man, and the fastest recorded human death by poison dart frog toxin is four seconds, although there is no concrete evidence to prove this record.
Although poison dart frog toxins are extremely potent and can kill quickly, even if it could kill someone within two seconds, that’s not enough time to prevent the person from even making a sound.
Gao Yang didn’t doubt Lucica’s words, he was just very puzzled.
So after questioning Lucica, he was hoping to get an answer.
The answer Lucica provided didn’t disappoint Gao Yang.
After smiling and uttering an Indigenous word, Lucica continued, “I’m speaking of a tribe’s name.
This tribe has nearly vanished because its people have embraced modern civilization and no longer live in tribal form.”
After a pause, Lucica added, “I know many people from this tribe.
Someone told me that there were elders in their tribe who knew how to create a type of arrow poison—a mixture of toxins from two species of poison dart frogs.
They didn’t use it for hunting but specifically in warfare against other tribes.
One of the frogs used for the poison is no longer seen, and there are very few people left who know how to make this arrow poison.
However, there are remnants of this poison still available, and I have some right now.”
Gao Yang immediately became interested and excitedly said, “You actually have this stuff?
That’s fantastic, what’s it like?
How effective is it?”
Lucica whispered, “The people of that tribe use this kind of poison arrow when they ambush their enemies.
According to someone I know, those hit by the poisoned arrows die before they can open their mouth to cry out, so they call this poison ‘Silent Death’.”
Gao Yang immediately asked, “Is the effect really that exaggerated?
You know, we can’t just use a live person to test it, and we also can’t wait until we’re in action to verify the effects of the poison you mentioned.”
After a moment of silence, Lucica nodded and said, “I’ve seen the effects of this poison arrow.
The poison is smeared on blow darts, and those who are hit by the darts die silently and instantly.”
Gao Yang chose to believe Lucica and said excitedly, “That’s excellent.
If we have this, our operation will be much simpler.
I’m curious, how did you come across this?”
Lucica glanced at Bruce, then biting her lip, said, “It was left to me by my ex-husband, who was from that tribe.
The arrow poison was passed down to him by his father, and after his death, it belonged to me.”
Gao Yang immediately said with a look of regret, “I’m sorry, I’m very sorry.”
Bruce patted Lucica’s shoulder, then wanted to embrace her, but whether it was out of shyness or something else, she pushed Bruce’s arm away and said calmly, “There’s nothing to be sorry about, it’s all in the past.”
Gao Yang cleared his throat and continued, “Well, we now have silent weapons.
I can use a bow and arrow; I’ll just make a simple set later.
Lucica can use blow darts.
Now, let’s discuss what other equipment we need, especially Lucica, what kind of gun are you proficient with or prefer?
Also, for now, I can’t find you the same equipment as us, you’ll have to make do with whatever is available.”
Lucica frowned and said, “I’ve always used an M16 rifle, I can use an AK47 too, and I know how to use a pistol, but I haven’t really shot one much.
As for other equipment, I don’t know what you’re referring to, all those things you have, like night vision, I don’t know how to use them.”
Gao Yang suddenly realized a very serious problem, asking urgently, “Lucica, can you read?”
Lucica’s expression turned a bit uncomfortable as she said, “I was born and raised in the Pailano guerrilla camps, never went to school, so I can’t read.
However, if it’s in English, then I can read.
I can speak and write it too, my mother taught me, although I don’t know many words when it comes to reading and writing.”
Gao Yang breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “Please, you don’t have to know Spanish to be considered literate.
It doesn’t matter about Spanish.
As long as you can read English, that’s fine.
You can read, that’s what matters; other things you don’t know can be learned, but starting from scratch with literacy would be troublesome.
Now I have to tell you, there’s a lot you have to learn, a lot.
But for the moment, you just need to get by with what’s in front of you.” (To be continued.
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