Ch.186Chapter 186

The moment Wendigo decided to meet Skadi, he was convinced his heart would no longer waver.

Why worry further when he could simply have an honest conversation with Skadi and make up his mind?

So when the appointed time approached, Wendigo visited the university without any hesitation.

“Um… Lord Wendigo?”

“I apologize. I was momentarily distracted.”

Wendigo’s conviction crumbled instantly upon facing Skadi.

As if the stars and moon were shining for this very moment, they beautifully enveloped Skadi who appeared at the doorway in the darkness.

The pure white silk dress she wore flowed with gentle moonlight as if gifted by an angel.

The ring and necklace he had given her sparkled like fallen stars, adding elegance to her appearance.

‘…The saying that clothes make the person was no exaggeration. No, perhaps it’s true that one must be worthy to wear wings.’

When Skadi smiled shyly with a faint blush, Wendigo unconsciously covered his face in admiration.

Though not extravagant, she was beautiful and lovely.

Was it truly right to speak of love to this precious woman?

“Um, perhaps I should have worn something more elaborate?”

As Skadi asked while fidgeting with one arm, Wendigo shook his head.

Unless she wanted to change clothes herself, she was already beautiful enough as she was.

Wendigo bent one knee and reached out toward Skadi. He intended to place her on his shoulder as usual.

“You’re pretty enough, so there’s no need. We should probably get going now.”

Flinch.

Skadi, who was about to sit on Wendigo’s hand, unconsciously hesitated.

Now that love had entered the equation, things she hadn’t paid much attention to before strangely bothered her.

Was this actually rude? Would she look unattractive if she got too close…?

Ironically, love had the power to make people most anxious. No one wants to show their flawed or inadequate self to the one they love.

Love forced one to demand the nearly impossible—perfection—from oneself.

“…Excuse me for a moment.”

“Eek?!”

But when two people love each other, who has time to look for flaws?

When there’s barely enough time to observe each other’s good qualities.

Wendigo lifted the hesitating Skadi onto his shoulder and asked her:

“Or have you grown to dislike my shoulder?”

“No! That’s absolutely not it…”

“I’m glad. Then let’s depart.”

Though Skadi was fidgety at first, after Wendigo took about ten steps, she smiled, held onto his horns, and gradually leaned against him.

They walked down the corridor in silence.

Strangely, just walking together made both of them feel at ease.

* * *

Wendigo and Skadi raced through the dark forest by moonlight.

The passing breeze, the faint sounds of insects, and the fresh scent of grass.

‘This happened before, too.’

On the day her mother—who had protected her from the world’s malice—breathed her last, Wendigo became her new pillar and shelter.

To her, Wendigo was the first being who approached her with goodwill rather than lust or malice, unlike her mother.

Because of this, she tried hard not to be abandoned… and efforts born from twisted motives soon became obsession.

Nevertheless, Wendigo didn’t abandon her. Through a vow that might become shackles, he soothed the wounds in her heart.

‘Perhaps from that moment… I may have loved him.’

Skadi gently stroked Wendigo’s head as she leaned against him, wearing a faint smile.

Efforts that began as repaying a debt became obsession, obsession turned into respect for his character, and at some point, respect became love.

No, perhaps she had loved, obsessed over, and revered him from the very beginning.

Before she knew it, the familiar yet gradually changing forest scenery began to flow past along with her memories.

“That village used to be so insignificant back then, but look how big it’s grown already.”

Skadi spoke to Wendigo, pointing at a village they were passing.

Wendigo looked at the village she indicated. If his memory served him correctly, it was where the tribe that had joined before the subjugation of Oneton lived.

As she said, the village that had once been full of pit houses was now lined with cabins.

Moreover, seeing fences erected in some open spaces for building construction, it was clear the village would continue to expand.

“It must be thanks to everyone’s efforts. You, Geron, and Dario… It can be seen as the result of all the officials and people working hard.”

“You’re leaving yourself out again. You should be more proud of yourself.”

“I’m just a layabout who got lucky enough to gain power.”

Wendigo meant it sincerely, but Skadi thought he was joking and laughed brightly while covering her mouth.

But he truly considered himself just a fortunate layabout.

This power wasn’t something he earned through effort, and even his position as king was ultimately due to the dedication of his subjects and officials.

Of course, it would be a lie to say he never felt tempted.

Suddenly losing his human body and being bound to a monster’s form, with immense power as his only consolation.

The human heart is hopelessly cunning. When you’ve lost something, the vile compensatory psychology that it’s okay to wield power as you please is unavoidable.

‘If Skadi had grown greedy and harbored ill intentions, or if Geron had tried to cling to my power to seize authority…’

Then he too might have surrendered to desire and, like the Djin, exploited and tormented humans, rampaging with insatiable satisfaction.

Because there wasn’t a single being in this world he held dear. That’s why he was grateful to Skadi and Geron.

For becoming beings he should cherish.

‘…The cabin should be visible soon.’

Come to think of it, though their first meeting might have been near Skadi’s hometown, that place was essentially where their time together began.

The times they spent under the same roof, eating and sleeping together, flashed through his mind.

‘If I hadn’t gone hunting then, I might never have become king.’

To think that someone who merely hunted beasts to fill his stomach now strutted about as a king.

Wendigo chuckled and slowed down. Since they were here, he might as well visit the cabin and pay respects to its owner and Skadi’s mother…

“Huh?”

“Oh my, raindrops from the sky… Eek!?”

Rain suddenly began to fall from the sky without warning.

Wendigo and Skadi were startled by the raindrops soaking their bodies. One of the rarest sights in the north was a downpour.

Snow would have been one thing, but Wendigo clicked his tongue at the rain falling on such a day.

“Are you alright?”

“Are you alright?”

Flinch.

Even amid the confusion of the pouring rain, Wendigo and Skadi cared more for each other than themselves.

An awkward current flowed between them for a moment…

SWOOOOSH!

The sky, as if displeased with their leisurely demeanor, poured down heavy rain.

“…It might be a bit uncomfortable, but please bear with it.”

“Pardon?”

Skadi asked, not understanding his meaning, but Wendigo’s actions preceded his answer. He couldn’t let her continue getting soaked in the rain.

Wendigo took Skadi, who was on his shoulder, into one arm, pressed her close to his body, and headed toward the cabin.

Given Wendigo’s size, being held wasn’t uncomfortable, but her heart was pounding as if it would burst.

Normally, she would have asked to be put down out of consideration, but Skadi couldn’t easily open her mouth.

‘She didn’t want to be let go.’

After hesitating, she buried her face against Wendigo and embraced him.

His body was extremely cold, but warmth settled in her heart.

A warmth she never wanted to lose.

* * *

The cabin they reached to escape the rain was unchanged, as if cut out from the past.

Even in the downpour, the flowers in the front yard remained beautiful, and those at rest remained in deep sleep.

Looking at the house that hadn’t aged at all, Wendigo thought:

‘Perhaps this cabin is also an artifact created by its original owner.’

The cabin had maintained its past appearance so well that such thoughts crossed his mind—

Creak… THUD!

“Oh dear.”

But some things couldn’t escape aging; when he touched the cabin door, the rusty hinges broke and the door fell inward.

Wendigo carefully set Skadi down and said:

“Go inside and dry yourself. If possible, light a fire to warm up.”

“What about you, Lord Wendigo?”

Skadi asked while wringing water from her clothes. Strangely, it sounded as if he wanted her to stay in the cabin alone.

And Skadi’s suspicion was correct.

“I won’t catch a cold or weaken from rain, so I’ll be fine.”

“…Is it because I need to take off my clothes?”

“……”

Just wearing wet clothes could make a person catch a cold. Moreover, she wasn’t just slightly damp but completely soaked, so not removing them would cause problems.

Since it wasn’t even certain if they could light a fire, it would be better if Skadi used the cabin alone…

“If that’s the reason, I’d rather stay outside with you in the rain.”

“Skadi. I’m really fine, so don’t worry—”

“No.”

Shaking her head firmly, Skadi stepped toward Wendigo. Worried she might get even slightly wet, Wendigo blocked her path.

However, due to the broken door, rainwater bouncing off his body soaked Skadi.

Wendigo tried to speak more forcefully. But he couldn’t.

“Either we go in together, or we both stay in the rain.”

The moment he met her stubborn gaze, that intention completely vanished.

Because it was the first act of defiance from Skadi, who had never once spoken against him.

“Let’s go in together.”

Skadi pulled on Wendigo’s claw, and Wendigo unconsciously stepped inside the cabin.

Only then did Skadi’s expression soften into a smile.

“If my memory serves, there should be firewood left in the kitchen. I’ll light a fire with the flint, so please rest inside, Lord Wendigo.”

“I’ll leave it to you.”

Wendigo headed deeper into the cabin. Thanks to its size, which seemed too large for a summoner who lived alone in his later years, moving around wasn’t uncomfortable.

Wendigo entered his room and slumped down on the floor.

‘At times like this, one must remain calm.’

He cleared his mind of distracting thoughts and focused on the sound of rain. As only the pouring rain echoed in his head, he felt his mind becoming clearer.

Yes, they were just under the same roof. Surely Skadi would become drowsy by the time she dried her clothes and body completely.

Though confirming their feelings would have to be postponed, that shouldn’t be a major issue—

Creeeeeak…

“Huh…”

“I, I thought I should light a fire in your room too, Lord Wendigo.”

Covering herself with a thin cloth, Skadi entered with a shy smile.

With the cloth fluttering as she entered, Skadi crouched in front of the fireplace and began striking the flint to light a fire.

The cloth clung to her body due to the remaining moisture, accentuating her curves…

Wendigo bit his tongue with his teeth to escape his torment. He stared intently at a stain on the ceiling, waiting for time to pass.

Shortly after, with a whoosh sound and spreading warmth, Wendigo realized Skadi had lit the fire.

Now he just needed to wait for Skadi to leave… but strangely, he didn’t hear the door closing.

No, rather, the footsteps were coming closer…?

“!?”

Skadi approached Wendigo with quick steps and, after brief hesitation, slipped between his legs. Thanks to his habit of sitting cross-legged, there was enough space for Skadi to fit.

As Wendigo froze with his hands raised, unable to react, Skadi looked up at him and asked:

“Do you dislike it…?”

“That’s not it… but are you sure?”

Wendigo asked Skadi in a bitter voice. He knew perfectly well why she was acting this way.

To this question filled with many meanings, yet still containing his consideration for her, Skadi smiled and said:

“It’s fine. As long as I’m with you, Lord Wendigo.”

“Hah… I can’t resist.”

In the dark room, Wendigo and Skadi gazed at the fireplace flames and conversed.

About their concerns and gratitude for each other, and…

“Ah…”

About love.

* * *

The next day, Wendigo muttered while arranging Skadi’s hair as she slept in his embrace:

“What have I done.”

The disheveled room, torn cloth, and bed sheets stained red…

Recalling the previous night, Wendigo dropped his head in self-loathing with a deep sigh.