Chapter 4

“… Is that really enough? Really?”

“Yes.”

“Not delicious food or rare herbs, or even a statue carved in your likeness, but just that is enough?”

“Shouldn’t you be happy with a light request if you’re in the position of paying a price? I’m telling you, that’s enough.”

The wendigo answered as if annoyed. His request for information as payment wasn’t because he undervalued what he had done. Taking a life couldn’t possibly be lighter than a few words.

Of course, he would have liked to receive something useful if he could, but…

‘Honestly, it feels wrong to extort something from a woman who has nothing.’

From his perspective, Skadi was penniless. Although he had become a monster, he wasn’t so heartless as to extort something from a pitiful(?) person.

The wendigo had made his request with consideration for her situation, but the problem lay with Skadi.

‘Is this really okay?? Even though he’s a spirit, to pay such a meager price, but Wendigo-nim says it’s enough…’

Other shamans might have rejoiced and plotted evil schemes to take advantage of the wendigo, but Skadi was different from such foolish shamans.

The reason her mother had become a famous shaman was that while she made grand offerings to spirits, she never played games with the offerings.

Skadi’s mother never bargained with spirits. Spirits were narrow-minded, arrogant, and willful, so once their mood soured, they would never help again.

That’s why Skadi also wanted to pay a fair price to spirits.

Especially for a strong and kind(?) spirit like the wendigo!

“My mother always said that favors received from spirits must be repaid. Of course, I’ll do as you say, but if given the chance, I’ll definitely repay your kindness.”

“Yeah, yeah. Do as you see fit.”

The wendigo considered trying to dissuade her again but gave up. The resolve he felt from Skadi was too strong.

He thought it would be better to change the subject. At this rate, it seemed like Skadi might do something drastic.

“I’ll listen to what you have to tell me as we move. Where is the village you lived in?”

“The village I lived in? Why are you asking about that…?”

Skadi expressed doubt. Although not much time had passed since meeting the wendigo, from Skadi’s perspective, the wendigo didn’t seem to want to encounter people.

But a village? Where else would be as crowded with people as a village?

Skadi’s doubt was reasonable, but the wendigo had no choice.

Of course, he didn’t want to encounter people. Even if he could talk to them, most people would obviously run away just at the sight of him.

The reason he was looking for the village was purely for Skadi’s sake. Unlike him, Skadi was human, and humans need many things.

Food was important, as was drink, and without proper tools, it was difficult to do anything. And then there was clothing…

‘Come to think of it, I need clothes too.’

He had forgotten because of his fur and hide, but the wendigo himself was naked. Even now, his dangling bits bothered him.

At least he wasn’t embarrassed because he was a monster, not a human, but it still felt lacking.

It wouldn’t be bad to get some clothes on this occasion.

“You said you didn’t have time to grab your things, so go to the village to get them. I’ll escort you on the way. My identity can be that of an evil spirit or spirit you command… and I’d appreciate it if you could get something I can wear.”

“!”

Skadi was greatly surprised, not expecting him to be so considerate.

Indeed, this spirit was different, very different. Wasn’t he a kind being unlike the spirits she knew!

‘If I look in the hut, there should be at least one thing Wendigo-nim would like!’

‘I hope I can just get a few large pieces of leather.’

The opinions of the one trying to give payment and the one trying to receive it casually were thus misaligned. The ways of the world were truly unpredictable.

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The journey to the village was quite long. The wendigo newly realized how hard Skadi must have run to survive. She must have felt a serious threat to her life.

Yes, surely that must be the case, but…

‘For someone who went through that, she doesn’t look depressed at all.’

“There isn’t really much difference between spirits and evil spirits. It’s just that if they can communicate with people, they’re called spirits, and if not, they’re called evil spirits. In fact, among beings called evil spirits, there are some that can communicate. And…”

The person in question, Skadi, was busy chattering away, conveying knowledge to the wendigo. If a stranger saw them, they might think they were just out for a stroll in the forest.

It was impossible for a person not to be affected after having their life threatened. There were several reasons why Skadi was able to quickly regain her composure.

First, this wasn’t the first time Skadi’s life had been threatened. Although her mother tried her best to protect her, she couldn’t block all the malice alone.

Skadi had her life threatened in various ways since childhood.

Releasing a venomous snake while she slept.

Feeding her poisoned fruit under the guise of kindness.

Driving a horse into her to make it look like an accident… malice was truly terrible. They committed acts that could lead to death so casually, just because she was different.

However… surprisingly, she survived all threats. It was great luck, and terrible misfortune.

Thanks to this, she didn’t easily lose her will even when faced with threats.

When she encountered the bear, she gave up because enemies surrounded her on all sides and there was nowhere to run, but her will was as tough as a rope made of cow tendons.

Moreover… she had faith. She glanced at the wendigo while chattering. Looking at the wendigo gave her an inexplicable sense of comfort.

Yes, Skadi’s faith was faith in the wendigo.

The belief that no matter what enemy appeared, the wendigo would protect her.

‘Since Wendigo-nim said he would protect me, I’ll be safe no matter what happens!’

It was a misunderstanding.

The wendigo planned to grab Skadi and run if a danger he couldn’t handle approached. It was natural, as he wasn’t the type to enjoy adventures while risking danger in the first place.

What Skadi had seen was transcendent power, but he still valued survival and comfort above all.

Even going to the village was a choice made possible because he thought there wouldn’t be strong enemies in the village.

The judgment that there wouldn’t be enemies stronger than the warriors in the village, since those warriors were cut in half with a single stroke.

It was a choice made based on that judgment. Skadi, unaware of this, continued to recite her knowledge as she walked.

“People believe that shamans can call thunder and breathe fire, but in fact, this is possible thanks to contracts with spirits. The spirits help shamans draw out the power of nature in exchange for a bit of mystery.”

“Then can you use power through me too?”

“Huh? We haven’t made a contract, so… I guess it would be possible if we did?”

“Aren’t we contracted? I’m helping you in exchange for getting information and things to use as clothes from you.”

The wendigo looked at Skadi, and Skadi looked at the wendigo. The sight of a large monster and a beautiful woman staring at each other was quite strange.

Skadi understood the meaning of the wendigo’s words and was shocked. She had thought something was odd from the moment he asked about evil spirits and spirits!

“Could it be… do you really know nothing about spirits? Not even about contracts?”

“I wouldn’t ask if I knew. I’ve only been conscious for barely a day.”

“I-I’m sorry! All this time, I thought you were asking to test my qualifications… So, that means?!”

Skadi was bewildered. As far as she knew, spirits were complete beings from birth.

Being a complete being didn’t just mean being an adult from birth.

How to handle their power. How to bestow mystery upon others. How to traverse between mystery and matter, and so on.

Spirits were born not only knowing how to handle their abilities but also with a firm sense of self about how they were born and who they were.

In fact, names like “the snake that drinks rocks” or “the eagle that eats lightning” weren’t given by people, but were names the spirits called themselves.

Spirits didn’t allow humans to name them. It was considered a great insult to call them by the wrong name, so there was no need to say more.

Skadi calmed her confused mind and decided to examine things one by one.

“… Do you know exactly what your abilities are, Wendigo-nim?”

“I can handle cold energy, I’m strong and fast. Being able to move without making a sound is also an ability, I suppose. Ah, I can also sense others’ emotions and sins. Other than that, I’m not sure.”

“Did you know your name from birth? As far as I know, spirits are given names by Mother Nature at birth…”

“I didn’t. Even the name ‘wendigo’ is one I gave myself.”

“Can you withdraw your body and return to mystery?”

“If I knew how to do that, I wouldn’t have encountered you in the first place. I had no intention of meeting people at that time.”

As the conversation continued, Skadi’s expression became more and more perplexed.

He knew how to use his abilities but didn’t know the extent of what he could do.

He wielded spirit-like power but wasn’t given a name by Mother Nature, the mother of spirits.

Not knowing how to return to mystery was also strange.

Spirits were beings made of mystery from the start.

From a spirit’s perspective, wandering around in a physical body was rather strange. It was like a human walking around wearing heavy and uncomfortable clothes, so it was natural.

Finally, she asked the most important question.

“What is your origin, Wendigo-nim? The eagle that eats lightning has its origin in lightning, and the snake that drinks rocks has its origin in earth and rocks. Wendigo-nim must also have a natural origin…”

The wendigo pondered her question. He thought for a moment and then spoke.

“I don’t know.”

“Ah…”

Skadi exclaimed and held her head in her hands. It was the moment when all her knowledge had been proven wrong.