Ch.28Chapter 28

One week had passed since Oneton’s one-sided threat.

A week was enough time for people to settle in the village and assimilate.

Wendigo faced the people in the temple’s meeting room. Representatives from each tribe sat in chairs arranged in long rows on both sides, looking up at Wendigo.

As Wendigo, with his massive build, looked down at them with fierce eyes, they swallowed nervously.

‘If only he were smaller, he might be less intimidating.’

‘If his head wasn’t just bones… no, if it were a real deer head, that would be scary in its own way.’

Fear and respect naturally manifested in their demeanor. They looked up at Wendigo with unwavering posture.

Of course, this didn’t escape the notice of Skadi, who occupied the seat right next to Wendigo.

Though she maintained the cool expression befitting a Summoner, inwardly she felt deep satisfaction.

‘That’s the proper attitude when serving Lord Wendigo!’

While Skadi wasn’t someone who enjoyed feelings of superiority or discrimination, she didn’t deny that such things were sometimes necessary.

When used properly, superiority becomes dignity, and discrimination can make people humble.

Of course, Wendigo didn’t particularly like this atmosphere.

It wasn’t that he suddenly burned with enthusiasm for democracy. He simply thought that such a heavy atmosphere reduced people’s efficiency.

‘The mood is too heavy. This makes it difficult to share opinions.’

When the atmosphere is heavy, it’s hard for people to express their views.

Wendigo gestured to Geron, who was standing at attention behind him. Geron approached Wendigo with disciplined steps.

“Is there something you need, sir?”

“Do we still have those herbs Skadi gathered last time? She said they could be brewed into tea.”

“Yes, we have quite a bit left, but…”

“Bring some tea made with those. These people have taken time out of their busy schedules to attend this meeting, so we should at least do that much.”

“!”

The meeting attendees widened their eyes. Serving tea was one thing, but herbs gathered by a Summoner?

One might wonder why they were so surprised over mere herbs, but to them, it was quite significant.

A Summoner’s possessions, whatever they might be, were inherently mysterious to ordinary people.

Moreover, herbs personally gathered by a Summoner were absolutely not ordinary items.

Surely only precious herbs that couldn’t be entrusted to others would be personally gathered by a Summoner!

‘To think he would serve tea made with such precious herbs. He truly is unlike other Djin.’

‘How wonderful it would be if all Djin were like him.’

People’s fear diminished, and their goodwill deepened.

It was only natural that their hearts would soften when they felt cared for, even by someone as intimidating—or rather, a Djin—as Wendigo.

Wendigo felt his conscience twinge as he observed their emotions. Actually, he didn’t even need to check their emotions.

He could tell what they were thinking just by looking at their eyes.

‘…In truth, these are just herbs Skadi gathered around here because she didn’t want to rest.’

As important as it was to win people’s hearts, it wasn’t worth wasting precious herbs.

If they used them for such trivial matters and then ran short during a truly important moment, it would be a disaster.

If Skadi hadn’t gathered plenty of herbs, Wendigo would have ordered ordinary tea to be served.

Geron, who immediately understood which herbs Wendigo was referring to, had a gleam in his eyes.

‘I’ll bring something appropriate.’

‘I’m counting on you.’

Wendigo, understanding the meaning in Geron’s eyes, responded with his own gaze.

Shortly after, Geron returned with attendants and served the tea.

The tea had the distinctive sweetness of honey mixed with the sharp aroma of herbs.

The meeting attendees tasted the tea and expressed their admiration. They could feel energy flowing through their bodies with just one sip.

“Is it really all right for us to taste such excellent tea?”

“Herbs will grow back with time, but you won’t. I consider those who stand with me more precious than herbs, so it’s fine.”

“Lord Djin!”

The people saw a halo shining behind Wendigo’s head.

Of course, the combination of a deer skull and a halo was quite odd, but that just showed how moved they were.

Once the people’s hearts seemed sufficiently warmed, Wendigo gradually began to speak.

“I hate to bring this up during such a happy time… but I have something I need to tell you all.”

“What is it? Don’t tell me another demon has appeared?”

“Demon? Why suddenly bring that up?”

Wendigo couldn’t help but express his confusion at the mention of demons.

Why would they suddenly talk about demons when he had never even encountered one?

“Pardon? Didn’t you lead us to vanquish a demon, Lord Djin?”

“My friend, it was an earth dragon, not a demon.”

“I heard it was a parasite…”

Perhaps it was the warm tea.

People sipped their tea and shared their experiences.

Wendigo suddenly found himself credited with slaying an earth dragon that was also a parasite and had ascended to become a demon.

As Wendigo was pondering how to handle this situation, Skadi slammed her hand on the round table and shouted fiercely.

“What do you all think you’re doing in front of Lord Wendigo? Have you forgotten that he is still speaking?”

“We-we’re sorry.”

“Ahem. Yes, why are you saying such strange things?”

“But I really did hear that—!”

Glare!

When Skadi fixed him with an icy stare, the man who had brought up the demon story closed his mouth.

If I say one more word, the Summoner might kill me!

Feeling his life threatened, the man hurriedly bowed his head and begged for forgiveness.

“I’m sorry! I got carried away!”

“Whether it was a demon or an earth dragon, what matters is that we came together with a unified purpose. I’m fine with it, so raise your head.”

As the man raised his head with reverence, Skadi clicked her tongue. The people tensed at her unusually strict demeanor.

If we disrespect Lord Wendigo in front of Lady Skadi, we’ll pay dearly!

‘Come to think of it, I’m the one who incited—no, embellished the story too much… I feel a bit sorry.’

If he had said it was an evil earth dragon from the beginning rather than a demon, the man wouldn’t have been scolded like this.

Wendigo cleared his throat awkwardly to move past the uncomfortable moment.

“Let’s continue our discussion. You all remember being attacked by wolves recently, right?”

“Yes, of course. Have you discovered something suspicious?”

When one man asked, Wendigo nodded. The people began to discuss among themselves with serious expressions.

“A Summoner I met long ago said that beasts wandering in winter are possessed by evil spirits.”

“Don’t be stupid. It’s spring now.”

“It might feel like winter to southern wolves. The spring in the forest is harsher than winter in the south.”

“Indeed… that makes sense.”

Though it was foolish talk, Wendigo didn’t stop them. This kind of conversation helped create an atmosphere where people could freely express their opinions.

After listening to their discussion for a while, Wendigo raised his hand to stop them.

“It’s good to offer various theories based on your knowledge.”

“Was any of our opinions correct?”

“Unfortunately, no. The wolves were controlled by a Djin who came from outside.”

At the mention of a Djin, people frowned. Just when they thought life was getting better, why would a Djin come and cause trouble?

“This is why Djin are…”

“Why come to the forest instead of visiting the wealthy southerners?”

“Must be terribly greedy. My father said Djin are more vicious than hungry wolves.”

As people shared harsh words about the evil deeds of Djin, Wendigo was a bit taken aback. It wasn’t that he felt personally attacked.

He was surprised by how strong their hostility toward Djin was.

From the people’s perspective, Wendigo was essentially a Djin too.

So he had thought they would be quite favorable toward Djin…

“This might be awkward to ask in this situation… but don’t you consider me a Djin?”

“You are a Djin, Lord Djin… but you’re not like a Djin.”

Everyone nodded at one man’s answer. It wasn’t wrong.

He was a Djin… but not like a Djin. A Djin who used his power for others.

If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, they would have dismissed such a story for their entire lives.

‘Djin… have a worse reputation than I thought.’

They truly were a species that would have gone extinct without their power.

“I appreciate your kind thoughts. Anyway, let me tell you about the Djin who controlled the wolves.”

Wendigo told them about Oneton. He didn’t need to embellish the story to provoke their anger.

The mere mention of human sacrifice was enough to make their expressions turn grim.

“To think such an evil Djin exists!”

“Djin are evil to begin with. Calm down.”

“But there are degrees of evil. Lord Djin, we must not let him go unpunished!”

Wendigo nodded. The people’s intense gazes were fixed on his mouth.

“Now, listen carefully. This is my plan.”

* * *

Eastern outskirts of the forest.

A place where various beast-folk had set up tents and formed a settlement.

Oneton was enjoying meat in the largest and most lavish tent, but it wasn’t ordinary meat…

“You still haven’t captured any humans? The numbers are too few…”

“…Our tribespeople are unfamiliar with the forest, so it’s taking time.”

“Tsk… That’s why I specially provided beasts to help you.”

Oneton glared at the wolf-man in front of him while chewing human flesh.

Rektar, the young chief of the Blue Mane tribe and a wolf-man, trembled in submission as the intense killing intent brushed against his nape.

‘Damn this Djin…’

Rektar swallowed his anger.

He wanted to rise up against Oneton, but he couldn’t. Not because he feared Oneton—a true warrior doesn’t fear Djin.

Yet he couldn’t draw his sword. Oneton knew why and sneered.

“Your father was an excellent warrior and a true wolf. Although he lost his life to the enemy’s schemes, I still acknowledge him.”

“I too am my father’s son and a wolf! If you’re thinking of mocking me…”

“If you don’t like it, prove it to me. Become a true wolf by offering the heart and glory of a Beast, just like your father did.”

Oneton licked the blood from his muzzle and taunted Rektar. It wasn’t particularly out of contempt for Rektar.

It was just his twisted nature.

Rektar knew this, but he couldn’t contain his anger.

If only this cursed Djin didn’t have such abilities, I would have cut off his head!

‘Once I gain enough power, you’ll be the first I kill!’

Rektar clenched his teeth so hard they might break and left the tent. Oneton watched him go and cackled.

‘Foolish one. Do you think I don’t know what you’re thinking?’

Even among Djin known for their wickedness, Oneton was a born villain.

He had backstabbed more than ten Djin and Summoners for mystical powers.

As they say, betrayal is best done by those with experience—Oneton knew Rektar would betray him.

‘I’m using him because he’s capable… but once I’ve gained enough mystical power, I’ll kill him and set up a new puppet. It would have been easier if he were stupid like his father.’

Oneton sank into thought, imagining how Rektar’s eyes would roll back in rage if he knew these thoughts.

‘Quite some time has passed. By now, he must have let his guard down.’

Oneton recalled the Djin he had met a few days ago. Of course, that Djin was Wendigo.

Oneton was planning to backstab Wendigo as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Even for a mere handful of humans, Oneton was too greedy to hand them over willingly.

‘Besides, there might be a way to extract mystical power from that Djin…’

“We have trouble!”

Flinch.

When Rektar urgently entered the tent, Oneton glared at him.

He couldn’t tolerate being interrupted during such pleasant thoughts.

“What could be so urgent that you barge into my tent—”

“Our warriors have been defeated! The warriors attacking the village were all slaughtered by a giant wearing a deer skull!”

“…Did you just say a giant wearing a deer skull?”

“Yes. Do you know him?”

Oneton trembled with rage.

How dare this backwater minor spirit humiliate me!

“…Was this information brought by a survivor?”

“Yes. But I asked if you know him.”

“Silence! I’ll tell you after I hear the story. Bring him to me!”

As Oneton’s aura flared up fiercely, Rektar cursed and left the tent.

Left alone, Oneton finally unleashed his pent-up fury.

The howl of an enraged wolf echoed across the wide plain.