30 – Episode 30
Wendigo moved to inspect the condition of the wooden doll. It seemed a bit dull and weakened, but there was no significant hindrance to its movement. The vision was normal, showing Oneton’s decayed face.
“To break the promise and appear before me. The audacity is impressive. Where’s the excuse…”
‘So, this is happening.’
Oneton’s words brushed against Wendigo’s ears before turning away. It was natural since Wendigo had no intention of listening.
Rather than ignoring it to snub, Wendigo had been busy admiring his own abilities.
‘Following that wolf guy turned out to be helpful.’
Wendigo prided himself on having a fairly objective understanding of himself.
Strong in strength, a face that looked somewhat intimidating(?), and the advantage of a mysterious, vast forest-like ability to control cold and plants…
The drawback was the lack of creativity. Why bother making weapons persistently and fighting when you can control cold and plants in the first place?
If asked whether it was for romance, Wendigo would have looked serious. In a world where life is at risk, who would prioritize romance?
It was merely a lack of imagination, utilizing the most easily imaginable things.
‘If I knew I’d fall into a world like this, I would’ve become a writer or something.’
At least using mystery only required senses and imagination, unlike pigs or gigas, who had to survive seriously with strength alone.
In that sense, Oneton was a great subject of learning. Unlike pigs or gigas, he had not demonstrated abilities using mystery.
Truly a thankful son of a b*tch.
“Do not ignore my words!!!”
– To ignore. I heard it all.
When Oneton confronted Wendigo, Wendigo denied with a serious expression. Even Oneton, who had lived a lifetime of betrayal and deceit, was momentarily taken aback by how confident Wendigo was.
“Is it really not true?”
– Can you show some other ability rather than this? Like really making your body into two.
“…May all the curses in the underground and the sky seek you out!”
In response to Wendigo’s polite question, Oneton recited the curse with bloodshot eyes wide open.
As if he had expected, saying such absurd things!
Oneton felt twisted inside, but Wendigo had asked quite seriously.
If there’s something to learn from an enemy, you must learn it.
Especially for those like Oneton, with a bad personality and many enemies, there was much to learn for survival.
For such a guy to survive, he must have some abilities.
– Can’t you show something instead of just talking about it?
“Shut up! I know you’re not an ordinary spirit, daring to mock me!”
Though he looked down on him, Oneton acknowledged that Wendigo was not a mediocre spirit.
The pure and clear mystique that composed his body was not something an incompetent spirit could gather.
He didn’t know why he couldn’t estimate the quantity of that energy… But still, one thing was certain.
This spirit might not be as good as himself, but he was quite a skilled one!
“If you’re a spirit like yourself, you must know one or two spells that spirits can handle. Asking a guy like that to show a spell… How ridiculous!”
…..
Wendigo had a strong desire to refute, but he didn’t open his mouth rashly.
There was no point in trying to clear up the misunderstanding. It didn’t seem like they would believe it in the first place.
“Instead… Instead, dare you come and mess with my subordinates, breaking our promise. Are you really saying that you want to go to war with me?”
-… What are you talking about? I only acted because of your broken promise.
“… What?”
Onoton was incredulous and reflexively blurted out. Breaking the promise? He hadn’t even prepared to be betrayed yet.
Wendigo crossed his arms and shouted confidently.
-The village you were about to attack is made up of those who pledged loyalty to me just an hour ago. I only took action to protect my subordinates.
Wendigo spoke as if his lies were the truth. Of course, the village that was almost attacked had expressed their desire to join after learning the truth, but they were still enemies before the attack.
It was an obvious lie, but Onoton was more bewildered by something else.
“… Wait, what? Protecting your subordinates? Are you seriously saying that?”
Onoton was incredulous. As a spirit, he couldn’t have misheard what the spirit in front of him was saying…
‘What on earth is this spirit talking about, protecting subordinates?’
According to Onoton’s common sense, subordinates were not to be protected but rather tools to be controlled.
If it was just his own opinion, then it could be dismissed, but at least the spirits Onoton had encountered had never contradicted this common sense.
In the first place, it was not just Onoton who was wickedly evil, but the other spirits were also wicked and arrogant.
“You crazy spirit! Are you calling that an excuse! Where in the world is there a spirit wasting their mystique by protecting subordinates!”
“… Although it’s not something an enemy would say, are you really a spirit?”
-Why shouldn’t a spirit treasure their subordinates? It’s only natural to take care of those who work hard for me.
Onoton and Lektar looked at Wendigo with a look of incomprehension. Wendigo shrugged as if to say, “So be it.”
Already accustomed to receiving such astonished gazes, Oneton was certain in his response that made Wendygo nauseous. It was strange from the start that they had set foot in this forest, but now he could be sure.
“He was a mad spirit… I was foolish to make a promise with such a creature.”
From Noble mtl dot com
“Is it that bad? No, it’s not. Looking at the gaze of that supernatural being, it’s enough to make him seem completely insane.”
Since Wendygo already appeared crazy, he decided to act completely insane.
“Now, speak up. You broke the promise and attacked my subordinates. How will you compensate for this?”
“Get rid of that nonsense! How dare you deceive me and talk about compensation. Besides, if we’re going to argue, aren’t you the same for killing my subordinates?”
Lectar nodded and glared at Wendygo. Just listening to Sekunda’s story, it was clear how cruelly Wendygo had slaughtered the warriors.
Wendygo looked at Lectar. Although he was nothing more than a wooden doll connected by a mere spirit, Lectar was tense.
Because that guy might use the wooden doll to perform sorcery!
“Did you say Lectar? Judging by the aura I feel, it seems like you hold quite an important position in this village.”
“… I am the chief of the Blue Mane Tribe.”
“I see. Are you a warrior?”
The chief of the tribe was always a warrior, and of course, he was a proud warrior.
In response to such an obvious question, Lectar nodded.
“Is that so?”
“Good. If you’re a warrior, then answer my question. If you are truly an honorable warrior, should you hesitate to kill the enemy?”
“A true warrior should not fear killing the enemy.”
“In that case, isn’t it the honorable action for a true warrior to kill those who attacked my people? Is there a reason for me to spare your subordinates?”
“……”
Lektar couldn’t answer Wendigo’s question. There was simply no reason that came to mind to counter it.
For Lektar, who was originally both a chief and a warrior, not drawing a weapon when the tribe was in danger was dishonorable.
Oneton looked at Lektar with a disdainful expression. That chief wasn’t cunning enough!
“That argument ends here. I warn you for the last time, if you interfere with my affairs again, you’ll regret it!”
-Regret seems to be more of your concern than mine. Let’s have a more useful conversation rather than empty talk…
“KRaaaH!!!”
Oneton had a talent for infuriating people, but he couldn’t catch up with Wendigo.
It’s incredibly frustrating to be unable to refute nonsense being spouted indifferently.
In the end, Oneton couldn’t contain his anger and smashed the wooden doll.
Despite tearing off the head and smashing the torso, the anger wouldn’t subside.
“Lektar! Prepare the warriors!”
“Oneton, no matter what, we can’t recklessly send the warriors in. You, of all people, should know how difficult it is to face elementals.”
“Help me. Take my beasts with you!”
“Hmm… beasts.”
Despite Oneton’s plea, Lektar hesitated.
While the beasts were strong, they were only useful if they could be controlled.
Already discontent with the raids… no, kidnappings for the sake of the human sacrifice, asking him to deal with unruly beasts with questionable temperaments was too much.
With Oneton alone, the peak of anger was renewed daily, and adding such a handshake was impossible.
“Promise one more thing. Ensure that the beasts will obey the orders of the warriors willingly.”
“…Fine. At least until Wendigo, that damn deer-headed fool, is torn apart piece by piece, my beasts will remain loyal to the warriors.”
One-ton shoved his discontent and swore.
The fact that beasts should be loyal to mere humans was displeasing, but he was willing to endure such losses to kill Wendigo.
“Make sure you kill him!”
* * *
“… The connection has been cut. Could have unearthed more.”
“To interrupt during your talk. A creature with a bad temperament, true to its spirit.”
Scadi, who was guarding Wendigo, shook his staff in apparent dissatisfaction, cursing One-ton.
Wendigo nodded in agreement.
Throughout the conversation, it was evident that One-ton had a particularly bad temper.
“He got angry without a single curse. Must be a fiery character.”
If Scadi knew the truth, she might have exclaimed, “Wendigo might be able to kill with words!” Unfortunately, Scadi did not witness Wendigo’s appearance.
As they opened the door and stepped outside, the village representatives awaited with serious faces.
“Spirit. Can you move right now?”
Garun, perfectly armed, asked Wendigo. Wendigo nodded.
“Yeah. Judging by his temperament, he might attack the forest soon. How long until the messengers sent to the village arrive? You’d better act quickly once they get here.”
“At least we’ll arrive faster than they will. Unlike them, we are familiar with the forest and the terrain.”
“Besides, it’ll take quite a while for the snow to melt before they can come inside.”
The forest was not an easy place to navigate. Warriors who lived on the plains were unfamiliar with the forest, making it even more challenging.
At least, according to Wendigo, time was more than enough.
“Scadi. Is what I asked for ready?”
“Yes! It’s not that difficult of a magic, and the materials were simple, so I made it quickly.”
Scadi brought an item from the corner and handed it to Wendigo.
It was a kind of totem. The characters she had carved were important, but the most crucial part was the head of the totem.
The totem’s head was adorned with a deer skull.
Wendigo infused mystery into the totem. As she did, the totem’s eyes began to glow blue, and its mouth opened, spewing out mist.
“Excellent. Use this totem when encountering enemies. They’ll hesitate greatly.”
“It seems like it could help conceal Shia… But can it stop our enemies?”
“Don’t worry. It’ll surely have a good effect.”
Wendigo reassured while petting the totem’s head.
Of course, she didn’t think that just emitting mist would make the enemies scared.
But…
“Just the sight of the mist will make them tremble.”
Even if they didn’t want to be afraid when facing warriors in the mist, they would inevitably become afraid.