Ch.14Chapter 14

After Hegilson had shown off his eloquence and left, Wendigo collected his thoughts.

‘My mind is spinning. No, come to think of it, perhaps my mind has rarely been clear.’

He had been somewhat prepared for life to become tiring since becoming a large deer-headed monster.

However, he hadn’t anticipated this kind of fatigue. He had secured food, clothing, and shelter, but who would have thought that his very existence would become a source of problems?

Wendigo found peace of mind as he chewed and swallowed a deer leg, bones and all. The sweet sauce was truly exquisite.

‘Well, it’s all about making a living. In a world like this, being involved in incidents and accidents is normal if you want to be treated well.’

This wasn’t a world where food appeared after ordering through a delivery app. In this world, if you were unlucky, you might have to risk your life for a loaf of bread.

As his mind found peace, his thoughts became more positive. Thinking about it, there might not be many problems.

Forest people were fundamentally tough. Living in harsh environments had made them inherently strong.

Such people tried to solve problems on their own when they arose, rarely seeking outside help.

Besides, Wendigo was a Djin. While his abilities wouldn’t be questioned, everyone would doubt his character.

Even in urgent situations, it was clear that few would seek help from a Djin.

… Surely that would be the case.

* * *

Though he had unknowingly become a merciful, kind, and wise Djin, Wendigo’s daily life hadn’t changed much.

He would discuss mysteries with Skadi, hunt for exercise, and make important decisions for the village. That was about it.

After spending about two months peacefully, Wendigo concluded that his worries had been unfounded. The village was extremely peaceful.

“Peace is such a wonderful thing. Don’t you think so, Geron?”

“Yes. All of this is thanks to your merciful and kind—”

“Ah, Geron. Please, I beg you, spare me those cringe-worthy flowery phrases. Hearing such words at Skadi’s gatherings is difficult enough.”

“Hahaha. Understood.”

Geron burst into laughter as Wendigo, who had been chewing on offered fruit, grimaced. This Djin was truly different from his appearance.

‘He is truly worthy of serving.’

Even the chieftains of tribes living in the southern forest tried to maintain their dignity by asserting their authority and power, but this Djin had none of that.

He didn’t need it. This Djin was dignified by his very existence, and his character was worthy of respect.

Geron continued with a pleasant smile.

“It’s certainly nice to be peaceful. Winter is coming soon, and normally we would have been anxiously wondering how to secure food and deal with the cold.”

This wasn’t about being relieved of the burden of being the village chief. Most problems were resolved by Skadi.

Cold was ultimately a form of chill. As it belonged to Wendigo’s essence, dispelling the cold wasn’t difficult.

“It is warm in the village with Skadi’s totems set up.”

“Yes. And it seems we’ll soon be able to harvest the crops blessed by you, Djin. There’s no worry of a poor harvest; it’s more likely to be a bumper crop. What is there to worry about? Hahaha!”

This luxury was possible thanks to Wendigo’s boundless mystery. Wendigo felt proud, though he hadn’t done anything in particular.

‘Since my mystery is imbued in it, it’s as good as if I did it myself.’

It wasn’t wrong, and there was no one to deny it. Even Skadi, who had directly led the work, would have nodded in agreement if she had heard those words.

At this rate, they could spend the winter peacefully.

‘Wait, usually when I think like this, problems arise…’

“Djin, an outsider wishes to see you. May we let him into the village?”

“Why do only these unpleasant predictions come true?”

“Should we send him away?”

Wendigo pondered as he chewed on the fruit.

The village had found sufficient stability, and winter was approaching, a time when everyone would be cautious about movement.

Even if they turned away the outsider and incurred his resentment, retaliation would clearly be difficult.

After all, coming to a village with a Djin meant that there was likely no Djin where he came from.

‘Still, I suppose I could at least hear what he has to say.’

It wouldn’t matter if he didn’t meet him, but the world wasn’t a place where one could isolate oneself just because they wanted to.

If they had to face each other someday anyway, wouldn’t it be better to meet from a position of power?

“Tell him to wait a moment. Geron, please clear away the food.”

“Yes, I’ll call people to clear it away.”

People came to clear the meal and tidy the place at Geron’s direction. After a short time, Wendigo commanded in a solemn voice.

“Tell him to come in.”

The door opened, and a man entered.

A sturdy build with unhealed wounds. Unkempt hair.

The rugged man entered cautiously, looking around warily. Then he startled and stepped back.

A body full of muscle covered with tough leather and skin, and a deer skull emitting a fierce glow from its eye sockets.

Wendigo’s appearance had the power to intimidate people, and the aura that naturally flowed from him made people’s spines tingle.

“Don’t be afraid. I may look like this, but I don’t eat people.”

“I-I’m sorry!”

Wendigo tried to calm the man, knowing it wouldn’t work. The man was greatly startled and knelt down.

“Well. You must have a reason for coming here despite your fear. Speak. Why have you sought me out?”

The man couldn’t easily open his mouth. Wendigo sensed the man’s emotions.

A scent full of confusion. It seemed the man was conflicted.

It was clear that he had come seeking help for a problem, but he couldn’t decide whether this was the right choice or not.

Wendigo decided to try to ease the man’s wariness.

“Oh my, I’ve been rude when a guest has arrived. Let’s talk over a cup of tea.”

“No, how could I impose on you, Djin!”

“It’s fine, please drink. You look tired in body and mind, as if you’ve been through a lot. Shouldn’t you rest a little at times like this?”

Geron, who had been waiting outside, brought in warm tea.

There was none for Wendigo; given his size, he couldn’t drink from an ordinary cup, so he didn’t have tea separately.

“It’s good for you, so drink it all.”

“Th-thank you.”

The man sipped the tea awkwardly.

The bitter taste and subtle sweetness harmoniously moistened his mouth. The man exclaimed in admiration.

“My goodness, such tea exists.”

“Not only does it taste good, but it will also restore your vitality.”

The man’s eyes trembled. The unexpected hospitality eased his tension, and his heart naturally warmed.

As the atmosphere softened, Wendigo began his formal inquiry.

“I still don’t know your name. I am Wendigo. Think of me as the Djin who has settled in this village.”

“I-I am Ivan of the Bearenren tribe. I’m an herbalist and warrior.”

Herbalist and warrior weren’t compatible professions, but most forest people were like that.

In a place where attacks could come at any time, everyone lived as part-time warriors.

“I’m afraid I don’t know where the Bearenren tribe has settled.”

“That’s only natural. There are many tribes, and none are large.”

The forest wasn’t a good place for many people to live together. Even this Nidhorn tribe was just one village.

After some small talk and as the atmosphere became friendly, Wendigo asked about the main issue.

“You must have a reason for traveling the rough road to find this village. What is it?”

“… Actually, recently, there have been unsettling signs from deep in the forest.”

“Unsettling signs. Has an evil spirit appeared?”

Honestly, he thought Djin and evil spirits were equally disastrous, but it seemed people viewed evil spirits more negatively, so that was more likely.

Ivan shook his head. If it had been an evil spirit or a Djin, they could have prepared.

Many evil spirits were too lowly to be called Djin, and people could exorcise them if they were prepared to die fighting.

As for Djin, well… they often lost interest if their demands were met.

“It wasn’t an evil spirit. What we saw was a horde of monsters.”

“Monsters, what kind? Goblins? Ghouls? Big Spiders?”

Wendigo listed the monsters that came to mind. According to Skadi’s knowledge, they all lived in this forest.

Ivan shook his head. He began with a rather serious expression.

“Please don’t doubt what I’m about to say.”

“Alright, tell me.”

When Wendigo responded indifferently, Ivan said with a stern face.

“The monsters you mentioned were moving south as a single group. Perhaps even more diverse types of monsters.”

“… Was that something you needed to be so serious about? You’re more frivolous than I thought.”

“!?”

Ivan couldn’t help but be surprised at the unexpectedly dismissive response.

While all monsters were called monsters, they were strictly different species. Naturally, different species viewed each other as food or enemies.

These creatures, who couldn’t unite even if they wanted to, were moving south as one group. He and the warriors with him had doubted their own eyes, yet this was the response.

“Did you already know?”

“Not at all. I just thought that if forest people, as sturdy as hundred-year-old trees and as steadfast as rocks, were seeking help from another tribe, it couldn’t be a small matter.”

Wendigo had elegantly rephrased ‘how would I know that?’

Ivan was moved by the unexpected praise. To think that such a kind Djin actually existed in the world.

‘So the words of the storyteller Hegilson were true!’

While Ivan was organizing his overwhelming emotions, Wendigo was lost in thought. This seemed to be an unavoidable incident.

Whatever the monsters’ purpose was, it certainly wasn’t benevolent, which meant they would clash eventually.

There was the option of abandoning the village and fleeing, but he didn’t want to do that.

‘I’ve just started to adapt, so I’d rather not be driven out.’

That meant they had to confront the monsters…

“It is indeed a serious matter. If tribes move individually, many will lose their lives in vain. I’ll help.”

“You’ll… help us?”

Wendigo nodded. Ivan finally couldn’t contain his emotions and burst into tears.

‘Truly a benevolent Djin!’

‘If we establish a good central point, other tribes will want to join for survival.’

Contrary to Ivan’s misunderstanding, Wendigo wasn’t offering help out of benevolence. This was a matter of efficiency.

No matter how strong he was, he was still just one body. Even counting Skadi, there were only two of them, and it was uncertain if they could cover the entire village.

Wendigo had no intention of throwing himself into an uncertain future. Why should he refuse to endure a little inconvenience when it could secure the village’s safety?

“Let’s go together to find neighboring tribes and form an alliance. If a Djin guarantees it, they’ll likely believe us.”

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

“I understand your feelings, but stop crying. There will be much to do from now on.”

“Yes!”

Ivan swallowed his tears and widened his eyes. With his worries gone and courage burning, his eyes were worthy of being called those of a warrior.

Wendigo nodded with satisfaction.

‘It’s a bit uncomfortable to see a grown man cry.’

Unaware of his thoughts, Ivan burned with respect. Sometimes, ignorance was bliss.