Ch.30Chapter 30

Wendigo moved his body to check the condition of the wooden doll.

He felt slightly sluggish and weaker, but there was no major hindrance to movement, and his eyesight was normal as he could see Oneton’s rotting face.

“To appear before me after breaking your promise. You’ve got guts. Let me hear your excuse…”

‘This works.’

Oneton’s words struck Wendigo’s ears and bounced away. It was natural since he had no intention of listening.

He wasn’t ignoring him deliberately; he was too busy admiring his own abilities.

‘Who knew imitating that wolf would be helpful.’

Wendigo prided himself on having a fairly objective understanding of himself.

If his strengths were his power, somewhat(?) frightening appearance, and endless mystery like a vast forest…

His weakness was a lack of creativity. Why else would someone who could control cold and plants constantly make weapons to fight with?

If someone suggested it was for the sake of romance, Wendigo would have been offended. What good was romance in a world where life was constantly in danger?

He simply lacked imagination and used the easiest things that came to mind.

‘If I’d known I’d end up in a world like this, I would have become a writer.’

It was fortunate that using mystery only required intuition and imagination; otherwise, he would have had to survive solely on strength.

In that sense, Oneton was a good learning subject. Unlike the boar or Gicas, hadn’t he demonstrated abilities using mystery?

Truly a thankful son of a…

“Don’t ignore me!!!”

-Ignore you? I was listening to everything.

When Oneton shouted, Wendigo denied it with a serious face. He was so confident that even Oneton, who had lived a life of betrayal and fraud, hesitated momentarily.

‘Is he really not ignoring me?’

-More importantly, can you show me some other abilities? Not like this, but something real like splitting your body in two.

“…May all the curses from the underworld and sky find you!”

In response to Wendigo’s polite question, Oneton glared with bloodshot eyes and uttered a curse.

He had hoped for something, but to say such nonsense!

While Oneton felt his insides twisting, Wendigo had asked quite seriously.

One should learn from enemies if there’s something to learn.

Especially from those like Oneton who, despite having a bad personality and many enemies, managed to live long.

Such people must have good abilities to survive.

-Come on, can’t you show me?

“Shut up! I know you’re no ordinary Djin, yet you dare to mock me!”

Though he looked down on him, Oneton acknowledged that Wendigo was no incompetent Djin.

The pure and clear mystery that formed his body was not something an incapable Djin could gather.

He didn’t understand why he couldn’t gauge its quantity… but he was certain of one thing.

This Djin, though not as experienced as himself, was quite seasoned!

“A Djin of your caliber would naturally know one or two spells that Djin can handle. For such a being to ask me to show spells… how lightly do you take me!”

……

Wendigo desperately wanted to refute but kept his mouth shut.

There was no benefit in clearing up the misunderstanding. Besides, Oneton probably wouldn’t believe him anyway.

“More importantly… how dare you break your promise with me and touch my subordinates. Are you truly seeking war with me!”

-…What are you talking about? I only acted because you broke your promise.

“…What?”

Oneton reflexively asked back in disbelief. Breaking a promise? He hadn’t even prepared to backstab yet!

Wendigo crossed his arms and declared proudly.

-The village you were about to attack pledged loyalty to me just an hour ago. I merely stepped in to protect my subordinates.

Wendigo spoke the lie as if it were truth. Of course, the village that was almost attacked did express hope to join after learning the truth, but they were strangers before the attack.

It was an obvious lie, but Oneton was more bewildered by another aspect.

“…Wait, what? Protect your subordinates? Are you serious?”

Oneton was dumbfounded. Being a Djin, Wendigo couldn’t be deaf, so he couldn’t have misheard…

‘Why on earth would a Djin protect subordinates!’

In Oneton’s understanding, subordinates weren’t to be protected but controlled as tools.

If this were just his personal belief, he might have let it slide, but none of the Djin Oneton had met ever went against this common sense.

While Oneton was exceptionally wicked, other Djin were equally wicked and arrogant.

“What a crazy Djin! You call that an excuse? Where in the world is there a Djin who wastes mystery to protect subordinates!”

“…Though I say this as an enemy, are you really a Djin?”

-Why shouldn’t a Djin care for subordinates? It’s only natural to look after those who work hard for me.

Oneton and Lektar stared at Wendigo as if looking at an incomprehensible madman. Wendigo took it in stride.

He was already accustomed to such shocked gazes.

Oneton was now certain. It had seemed strange that such a Djin would settle in this forest, but now he was sure.

“So you’re a mad Djin… I was foolish to try making a deal with you.”

‘Is that all? That’s not… No, judging by that beast-man’s eyes, I must really look insane.’

Wendigo decided that since he was already seen as mad, he might as well act completely insane.

-Now, tell me. You broke your promise and attacked my subordinates. How will you compensate for this?

“Cut the nonsense! You dare to swindle me and then talk about compensation? Besides, if we’re keeping score, you killed my subordinates too!”

Lektar nodded and glared at Wendigo. Just hearing Sekunda’s story, he could imagine how cruelly Wendigo had slaughtered the warriors.

Wendigo looked at Lektar. Though it was just a wooden puppet connected to his mind, not his true self, Lektar tensed up.

The creature might use the wooden doll to cast spells!

-Lektar, was it? Judging by your aura, you seem to hold an important position in this village.

“…I am the chief of the Blue Mane tribe.”

-I see. Are you a warrior?

The tribal chief was always a warrior, and naturally, he was a warrior with nothing to be ashamed of.

To such an obvious question, Lektar nodded.

“Yes, I am.”

-Good. If you are a warrior, answer my question. Should a truly honorable warrior hesitate to kill an enemy?

“A true warrior would never fear to strike down an enemy.”

-Then isn’t it natural for an honorable warrior to kill those who attacked my people? What reason do I have to spare your subordinates?

“……”

Lektar couldn’t answer Wendigo’s question. He couldn’t think of a suitable rebuttal.

After all, for Lektar, both chief and warrior, it would be dishonorable not to draw weapons when his tribe was harmed.

Oneton looked at Lektar as if he were pathetic. How could a chief be so uncrafty!

“Enough with your sophistry. I warn you for the last time, if you interfere with my affairs again, I’ll make you regret it!”

-It seems you’re the one with regrets, not me. Instead of talking nonsense, let’s have a more productive conversation…

“ARGHHHH!!!”

While Oneton had a talent for irritating people, he couldn’t match Wendigo.

How infuriating it was to be unable to refute someone calmly spouting nonsense.

Finally, unable to contain his anger, Oneton destroyed the wooden doll.

He bit off its head and smashed its body, but his anger wouldn’t subside.

“Lektar! Prepare the warriors!”

“Oneton, no matter what, we can’t recklessly send in warriors. You know better than anyone how difficult it is to face a Djin.”

“I’ll help. Take my beasts with you!”

“Hmm… your beasts.”

Though Oneton offered generously, Lektar was reluctant.

The beasts were strong, true, but they were only useful if controlled.

He was already dissatisfied with the human sacrifices… or rather, kidnappings for human offerings, and dealing with ill-tempered beasts was too much.

With Oneton alone, his anger was reaching new heights daily; he couldn’t make such a bad move.

“Promise me one more thing. That the beasts will obey the warriors’ commands.”

“…Fine. At least until that cursed deer-head Wendigo’s mystery is torn to shreds, my beasts will be loyal to your warriors.”

Oneton swallowed his discontent and swore.

Though he was unhappy about his beasts having to obey mere humans, he was willing to accept that loss to kill Wendigo.

‘I will definitely kill you!’

* * *

“…The connection was cut. I could have extracted more information.”

“To interrupt you while you were speaking. He’s a Djin with a fittingly bad temper.”

Skadi, who was guarding Wendigo, waved her staff in displeasure as she cursed Oneton.

Wendigo nodded in agreement.

Throughout their conversation, Oneton’s constant anger suggested a truly terrible temper.

‘Given how angry he got without me even cursing once, he must have a fiery personality.’

If Skadi knew the truth, she might have exclaimed, “Lord Wendigo could kill someone with words alone!” But unfortunately, Skadi hadn’t seen Wendigo’s performance.

As they opened the door and stepped outside, the village representatives were waiting with solemn faces.

“Spirit Lord, should we move right away?”

Geron, fully armed, asked Wendigo, who nodded.

“Yes. Judging by his temperament, he’ll likely attack the forest soon. How long will it take for the messengers to reach the village? Their quick arrival would make it easier for you to act.”

“They should arrive faster than the enemy. Unlike them, we’re familiar with the forest and its geography.”

“Besides, it will take them quite a while to come inside since the snow won’t melt for some time.”

The forest was definitely not an easy place to traverse. Warriors who lived in plains wouldn’t be familiar with forests.

At least in Wendigo’s estimation, there was plenty of time.

“Skadi, is what I asked for ready?”

“Yes! It wasn’t a difficult spell, and the materials were simple, so I made it quickly.”

Skadi brought over an item from the corner and handed it to Wendigo.

It was a kind of totem. While the characters she had carved were important, the most crucial part was the totem’s head.

The totem was decorated with a deer skull.

Wendigo breathed mystery into the totem. The totem’s eyes glowed blue, then its mouth opened and began to exhale mist.

“Good. Use this totem when you encounter enemies. It will make them hesitate greatly.”

“It seems helpful for obscuring vision… but can this really stop the enemies?”

“Don’t worry. It will definitely be effective.”

Wendigo stroked the totem’s head and assured them.

Of course, even he didn’t think enemies would fear a little mist.

However…

‘If they tremble just looking at the mist, that’s all that matters.’

If warriors die en masse in the mist, they’ll be afraid whether they want to be or not.