9 – Episode 9
Wendigo spent a night in his mansion before heading to Heigelsson’s village. They’d decided not to depart immediately because of Heigelsson’s poor health condition.
Receiving Skadi’s austerely kind (even though she didn’t seem eager to offer) nursing, Heigelsson was consumed with worry en route to the village. Never had he expected to be nursed by a shaman.
‘I can’t even begin to imagine the cost of invoking the shaman and the spirit, what about the herbs used to treat me?’
Heigelsson recalled a tale an old man had once told him about a shaman who pretends to be kind only to rip people off.
“Heigelsson, I see you’re worried but don’t be. We’re not that destitute to resort to such measures.”
“Huh!? My lord spirit. That wasn’t what I intended to say, just… an old memory popped up…”
Hegelson tried hard to explain himself, but Wendigo wasn’t particularly interested in what he was thinking. It wouldn’t have been strange even if he had suspected him.
The reason Wendigo took care of Hegelson wasn’t to make him owe him. What Wendigo wanted was to leave a good impression on him.
‘At first, I thought I should keep myself hidden, but eventually, I figured there’s no need.’
If the world of spirits was unfamiliar, then it would’ve been right to stay hidden. How could anything be safer than hiding, especially when humans, like predators, are out hunting if they see a monster?
But then… After talking with Skadi and interacting with humans, Wendigo’s thoughts had changed.
Unlike Earth, magic existed and spirits were relatively well known.
Even monsters clearly existed, according to the stories. Even the fur he wore was made out of troll skin.
At this point, Wendigo concluded that it was more beneficial to approach humans than to hide in the forest.
If he roamed the forests with Skadi and built a reputation, it wouldn’t be difficult to blend in with the humans.
‘Once the misunderstanding is cleared, they will propagate good stories about me. The medicinal herbs I gave to Hegelson weren’t particularly rare or precious anyway.’
“Hegelson. More importantly, I am curious about the beasts that attacked you. Was there anything unusual?”
“There definitely was. Honestly, it was quite special.”
Hegelson recalled those horrifying memories he wished he could erase.
“There were blood-soaked roots sprouting out of every hole in its head. They looked like monsters burst forth from hell. Even if you decapitate them, as long as the root connected, they continued to move…”
“You mean they looked like that?”
“Yes, they looked like that… Huh!?”
Wendigo pointed out the wolves running towards them from the other side of the forest. Hegelson’s description was absolutely accurate.
“hehehehe!”
“That’s a strange cry. Skadi, take Hegelson and fall back.”
Skadi nodded without objection. Hegelson followed Skadi and asked,
“A-Are you sure you’ll be alright? Even for you, dealing with that pack of animals alone wouldn’t be easy.”
“Don’t worry. Those beasts won’t even touch a hair on Wendigo.”
Skadi told him not to worry, but Hegelson couldn’t do so. The number of wolves was quite a lot after all.
Once a few wolves got past Wendigo, the remaining would definitely turn their attention towards them. Would they be able to solve the village’s problem if Skadi gets hurt?
‘No way. The spirits are helping us thanks to the shaman. If the summoner disappears, there’s no reason for them to help anymore.’
Hegelson swore to protect Skadi no matter what. With this resolve, he stepped in front of Skadi and raised his sword.
“Shaman. Retreat, it could be dangerous…”
Hegilson uttered these words, only for his gaze to be drawn towards a chilling presence directly in front of him.
The Wendigo didn’t move. It merely opened its mouth towards the advancing wolves.
That was enough.
From the Wendigo’s mouth poured a dense fog. Hegilson felt a discomforting sense in the fog that he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
Unlike Hegilson, who instinctively stumbled back, the wolves lunged towards the fog, their instincts malfunctioning due to parasitic control.
The fog spread, swallowing grass, trees, and wolves alike, leaving in its wake a frozen white world.
Of course, the wolves also became a part of that snowy landscape.
“I tried to mimic dragon’s breath, but it’s not as effective. It’s not easy to control.”
The Wendigo retracted the fog, approaching the wolf, manipulating the cold to unearth the wolf’s head from the ice.
The Wendigo split the head with its nails, ripping out the parasite.
The parasite wa
A potent mystery could be sensed from the living seed. Despite its strange behavior, the mystery encapsulated in the seed held the pure energy of nature.
“Skadi. It’s certain that a spirit planted this seed. Can we locate that creature through this seed?”
“Well… We’re not controlling it through the seed, but rather we’ve implemented commands, so tracking it might be difficult. But when you come across the mystery a spirit has planted, you should be able to recognize it.”
So the seed wasn’t particularly important then.
Wendigo crushed the seed. The mystery that lost its vessel scattered into thin air.
Heggilson dumbly watched the scene, swallowing a hollow laugh.
What, safekeeping the shaman? A shaman being protected by such spirits?
“If there are things that the spirit can’t handle, it would be better to give up and accept death.”
Heggilson felt something melt away inside him. He wasn’t sure whether it was fear or anxiety…
* * *
‘Somewhat feels like your face has loosened?’
“There, that’s our village, Nidhorn. The entrance is a mess, but we’d appreciate your understanding.”
Heggilson guided Wendigo with an ease like a merry monk. He had come to realize that if Wendigo were to do something, there was nothing he could do to stop it.
Wendigo read Heggilson’s emotional shift but let it pass. If there had been a negative twist to his mood, it would have been alarmed, but rather, Heggilson seemed to be at peace. That had to be a good thing.
Wendigo surveyed the village. The entrance was a disaster, indicating that Heggilson indeed was not lying when he mentioned that they had been attacked while he was away.
Blood of beasts, severed roots, and a fence half-collapsed.
If it wasn’t for the human presence felt inside, it would have been entirely mistaken for ruins. Approaching the entrance, men with fierce eyes and raised weapons approached.
‘They’re famished but their eyes are stronger than those of Skadi’s village.’
“Calm down, friends! It’s me, Heggilson!”
“What. It’s Heggilson. But who’s that… behind you?”
Upon a single inquiry, the men’s gazes turned to Wendigo. Wendigo had become accustomed to looks filled with subtle fear.
At first, he was hesitant about how to explain not to scare people, but now it was different. Because there were people to explain for him.
“This gentleman is Wendigo, whom I serve. He is a benevolent spirit, so don’t be afraid.”
“Well, although he looks scary, he truly is a good spirit. So please, put your weapons away.”
Dryly, Skadi spoke; pleadingly, Heigilson addressed them.
The man’s face distorted strangely at the mention of a ‘benevolent spirit.’ The idea of ‘mercy’ did not compute when associated with spirits.
‘Just how much mischief have these spirits caused for them to react to that phrase like that… well, considering what’s happening right now, it’s due to a spirit.’
Wendigo felt slightly wronged, but understood. At this moment, people were suffering because of some unknown spirit, causing doubt.
Seeming to deliberate for a moment, the men put away their weapons. Although he appeared intimidating and was a spirit, they decided to trust Heigilson’s words.
“Seems my reputation carries more weight than I thought?”
“hahahahaha. Am I not a person of some standing?”
Admittedly, self-proclamation of one’s importance isn’t particularly appealing, but it wasn’t entirely wrong. What was the reason Heigilson risked his life to leave the village in the first place? Was it not to save the villagers?
If a character who acted to save a village wasn’t respectable, what would be?
While the men were still fearful, they didn’t stop Wendigo from entering the village. Frankly, they didn’t seem capable of stopping him.
As he entered, all eyes focused on Wendigo. Obviously, curiosity couldn’t help but grow as a giant wearing deer antlers wandered about.
Wendigo read people’s emotions.
Worry, anxiety, anger… and hope.
‘Hope in such a situation… Did someone arrive before us?’
“Wendigo, I sense strong magic inside.”
At Skadi’s words, Wendigo focused on the magic. Just as she said, strong magic could be felt coming from deep inside the village.
The magic was not concentrated, but scattered, much like a shaman’s would be.
“It seems a shaman arrived before us. What is happening in that direction?”
“Ah, that’s the village granary. If only that warehouse had been spared, we could have held on a little longer… Suddenly all the grains and fruits began to rot and caused a big mess.”
“I should head over there.”
Wendigo set off for the granary. From the building reeking of decay, two middle-aged men were having an intense conversation.
“It is clear that the spirits that dwelled in this land are punishing us for not serving them. Look, do you see the rotting roots beneath this warehouse? This root is the conduit of a sinister energy…”
“Mayor Geron, my apologies for interrupting, but the shaman we’ve brought wants to greet you.”
At Hegilson’s word, a middle-aged man with a stern face turned his head. Geron expressed pleasure upon seeing Hegilson, and shock upon seeing Wendigo.
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“Just who did you bring!”
“Well, if I were to explain…”
“I’ll speak. My name is Wendigo. This here is Scadi, the shaman under my contract. Think of me as something like a spirit.”
At the mention of the word spirit, Geron’s expression changed. He’d been mentioning how the spirits had caused all this ruin to the village, and now one appeared before him.
Promptly, Geron bowed his head in respect. He had no intention of upsetting the spirit.
“I, a humble old man, have the honor of meeting the embodiment of nature, the majestic spirit.”
“By maintaining a village in this dangerous forest, you’ve already proven your abilities, there’s no need to humble yourself.”
“!”
Geron was surprised, having not expected to receive a compliment from a spirit. His gaze shifted towards Hegilson, who didn’t seem to have much to say.
“Just be honest. Compared to ordinary spirits, you are more generous and merciful..”
“Just say I’m better than those worthless spirit scumbags.”
Startled, the other middle-aged man standing next to Geron shuddered. He was an amiable middle-aged shaman.
The shaman composed his face and respectfully greeted.
“I, Lyurik, the shaman who explores the mysteries, greet the merciful spirit.”
“Ah, spirit. This man is a shaman who came to help our village.”
In a respectful manner, Geron introduced Lyurik, admiration evident in his voice.
Lyurik is helping the young man who fled the village, brought herbs and food supplies, and is working hard to solve the problem…
Hegilson was astounded as Geron, who was usually stingy with his praises, heaped compliments on Lyuric.
“What a great Shaman indeed!”
Despite everything, Hegilson believed the heavens hadn’t abandoned them. There would be a price to pay, but there was a shaman and a spirit to help their village who were filled with altruism.
Wendigo stared at Lyuric and approached him.
“Are you saying you’re dedicated to helping the village?”
“Yes, indeed! It’s remarkable, he identified the problem right away..”
“Indeed.”
Wendigo didn’t even listen to the rest of Geron’s words, flicking his claw. The frost-ridden claw flew toward Lyuric’s throat with a harsh sound.
“Huh?”