Ch.15Chapter 15

Though Ivan’s request was immediately accepted, they couldn’t depart right away.

Whether large or small in scale, the Wendigo was still the leader of a tribe.

Naturally, he couldn’t move alone. No matter how strong he was, he needed escorts for appearance’s sake, and he also needed to select someone to take care of the tribe while he was away.

Selecting escorts wasn’t difficult. Any warrior of the tribe wanted to perform this glorious role.

“If you choose me, I swear to serve with all my might to protect the Djin’s honor!”

“I pride myself on being the strongest in the village!”

“I’m the best cook among everyone!”

“You idiot, how is that an advantage…”

“You, you’ll come along.”

“!?”

The Wendigo evaluated the warriors fairly and strictly to determine his escorts.

Those without injuries, who had no recent family celebrations, and who possessed good skills were selected as his escorts.

Why select people based on such conditions rather than ability? Shouldn’t escorts be good fighters first and foremost?

‘Since I’m the strongest, there’s no need for that.’

It’s natural for important figures to have escorts. Escorts aren’t merely for personal safety.

This was especially true for the Wendigo. For him, escorts were a kind of symbol.

‘Their role is to show that I’m a Djin, not a monster, and that I’m perfectly safe to be around.’

So they didn’t need to be strong. It was enough if they had just enough skill to protect themselves.

With the escort issue resolved, one problem remained.

Finding someone to take care of the tribe. Honestly, the Wendigo thought this would be the easiest task.

Someone who had been with him the longest, who was capable enough to protect the village from potential dangers, and who was well-respected.

“Skadi. I want you to stay in the village and protect everyone.”

“B-but, Lord Wendigo!”

Skadi, who had excitedly rushed over when called, looked at him pitifully as if the sky had fallen upon hearing his request.

Normally, his heart would have wavered, but this time there was no choice. She was the only Summoner, so what could he do? For the safety of the village, this was the best solution.

Skadi knew this fact too, which is why she could only plead with her eyes.

“I have no one else to ask but you. I’m sorry, but please take care of the tribe.”

“Uuugh…”

Skadi couldn’t argue and just looked sad. Being responsible and diligent, she simply couldn’t choose to throw a tantrum.

Skadi channeled her frustration at not being able to go in a constructive way. She made talismans for the escorts.

On the day of the Wendigo’s departure, she brought the talismans and greeted them.

Talismans engraved with patterns resembling the Wendigo’s head.

The talismans contained mysteries that absorbed cold and made skin as hard as tree bark.

Each time she personally hung a talisman around a warrior’s neck, they felt their hearts swell with pride.

“Oh my. For the Summoner to make such things for us. Thank you so much!”

“I hope you do well for Lord Wendigo. Don’t worry about your families. As Lord Wendigo’s Summoner, I’ll take responsibility and protect them safely.”

Ivan was impressed. Indeed, as expected of a Summoner who serves an excellent Djin, she too was a Summoner with admirable character!

‘I’m envious. It would be nice if our tribe had people like her.’

While he was looking at the escorts with envy in his eyes, Skadi approached him. He faced her, extremely nervous.

“Ivan. Please take this too.”

“What? Me?”

When Skadi offered him a talisman, Ivan unconsciously accepted it. But was it really okay to give such a precious item to an outsider?

Skadi held Ivan’s hand with a smile as beautiful as the sun.

“Of course. You’re also someone recognized by Lord Wendigo. Being recognized by Lord Wendigo means you’re an excellent person. You’re more than qualified to receive a talisman.”

“Ah…”

Ivan’s heart pounded and his eyes trembled. Though they weren’t people he had lived with, Ivan felt a sense of kinship with them, like they were from his hometown.

“However, if you return to your tribe, I’d appreciate it if you spread the word about Lord Wendigo. There are many evil and petty Djin in the world, but Lord Wendigo is different.”

“Yes. Of course! Compared to other Djin, he truly is…”

“A blessing, isn’t he?”

“Yes! That’s right!”

‘Skadi seems to be getting better at charming people.’

Still, it shouldn’t be a problem since she was doing this to Ivan, who was just a warrior, not someone important.

The Wendigo dismissed Skadi’s behavior without much concern.

* * *

The Wendigo and the warriors left the village amid cheers.

The forest had nothing that could be called a proper path.

It would have been a difficult journey for ordinary people, but for forest dwellers, such paths were everyday life. Though they didn’t look particularly disciplined, their movements conveyed a sense of military order.

The Wendigo led them deep into the forest. Despite it being autumn, the dense forest shadows devoured the sunlight, making it colder than usual.

Geron, who had joined as an escort, exhaled as he cut through the vegetation with his sword.

“Phew, the talisman the Summoner gave us must really be something special. The trees are frozen stiff, but I don’t feel cold at all.”

“Of course. Have you forgotten whose Summoner she is? I have an eye for people, and she was extraordinary from our first meeting.”

“Hahaha. It sounds strange when you say ‘extraordinary,’ Lord Djin.”

Perhaps the word “extraordinary” didn’t suit a Djin. Aren’t Djin among the most wondrous beings in the world?

‘Sometimes he feels like a human. Even though anyone can see he looks like a Djin.’

Geron’s thoughts weren’t his alone.

The Wendigo wasn’t just revered by people; despite being a special being called a Djin, he understood human hearts too well.

From the beginning, while his body wasn’t human, his mind was, so it was natural. But to those who didn’t know this, the Wendigo was an ideal being.

Something close to a god with a human heart.

The Wendigo, who treated people humanely, was naturally loved by people.

While the warriors were chatting, the Wendigo sensed something strange.

An unfamiliar smell troubled his nose.

‘Since I’m the only one who smells it, it must not be an ordinary scent.’

The others showed no change in expression. The Wendigo realized this smell originated from his abilities.

As he closed his mouth and raised his head, Geron stopped the warriors.

As if their laughter and chatter had been a lie, the warriors’ expressions filled with killing intent. They drew their weapons and began to guard the surroundings.

“Lord Djin. Enemies?”

“I’m not sure yet. But… there’s a terrible smell.”

It wasn’t the scent of sin, but a dirty, murky smell like sewage. The Wendigo moved, tracking the scent.

“Follow him! Don’t lose sight of the Lord Djin!”

Though the Wendigo controlled his speed, it was still quite fast by normal human standards. Geron and the warriors exhaled rough breaths as they chased after him.

At some point, the Wendigo stopped.

“Kieeeek!!!”

“Grrrr…”

Hideously ugly dwarves, decaying corpses, abnormally large wolves, and spiders.

Numerous monsters emitted that terrible smell. They seemed crazed, throwing themselves at a palisade.

On top of the palisade, a group of warriors were fighting the monsters with spears and bows.

‘They probably can’t hold out with those numbers.’

No matter how brave the warriors were, numbers couldn’t be ignored. The palisade was creaking as if it would collapse at any moment.

“Huh!? Lord Djin. Are these the monster hordes Ivan mentioned?”

“I’m not sure.”

Would it have taken Ivan that long to find their village?

It didn’t seem likely. If it had been such a long distance, he would have sought out another tribe first, even with a Djin present.

Then why were these creatures here?

“They might be an advance party.”

“What? You mean the monsters?”

“Things that normally can’t gather have come together, so nothing seems impossible now.”

When the Wendigo confirmed this, the warriors were shocked. Even so, monsters as an advance party?

The warriors couldn’t believe it but quietly held their positions. They believed that if their Djin said it, there must be some possibility.

As the Wendigo invoked his mystery, a root-formed sword emerged from the ground. Then, as cold gathered around the handle, a large, beautiful ice sword appeared.

The ice sword was more formidable than before. This was thanks to the roots that could serve as its framework.

“Geron. Command the warriors. Keep a reasonable distance from me and deal with any that attack.”

“What about the rest?”

“Let them flee if they run. Our job is to drive them back, not annihilate them.”

Geron and the warriors nodded. Yes, why would they risk their lives in a bloody battle with monsters?

The Wendigo was satisfied as the warriors found their composure. Moderate tension helps, but excessive tension creates mistakes where there were none.

The rest could be left to Geron and the warriors’ capabilities.

The Wendigo charged toward the monsters. The monsters, unaware that the Wendigo was charging at them, were tearing at the palisade.

The Wendigo raised his head. He could hear warriors shouting loudly from atop the palisade.

‘They’ve noticed reinforcements…’

“A huge monster has appeared! Everyone, retreat from the palisade!!”

“Shit. What kind of monster carries a sword!!”

“……”

It was a situation ripe for misunderstanding. That was understandable, but…

‘Still, I can’t help feeling annoyed.’

The Wendigo’s muscles twitched, conveying his anger throughout his body. Eventually, his anger transformed into a single sword strike.

The sword, swung with enough force to cut through the palisade, cleaved through monsters as it advanced. A terrible sound of destruction echoed through the forest.

CRASH!!

“… I made a mistake.”

With destructive power beyond the Wendigo’s expectation, the already-weakened palisade was shattered.

The Wendigo looked at the remains of what had been a palisade with a sour expression. There, several warriors were trembling as they stared at him.

“M-monster…”

“……”

The Wendigo was at a loss for words out of embarrassment.