Ch.40Chapter 40

After finishing his prepared meal, Wendigo headed to the village where the message had arrived.

The village was located in the north, quite cold and close to mountains—likely not a coincidence that musk deer had appeared there.

Wendigo carefully observed the village from nearby. Though he suspected the source he had absorbed was the cause, he was considering possible outside interference.

‘None of the outsiders I’ve met in this forest have been normal.’

From the boar and the summoner who followed it, to the parasite and Oneton.

Oneton had said there was nothing to eat in this forest, yet why were so many problems occurring…

‘Still, it seems there’s no outside meddling this time.’

Wendigo approached the bushes near the village. There, a herd of musk deer was quietly grazing.

He approached a warrior who was watching over the musk deer.

“Sigh. Having to watch these deer without being able to hunt them, what am I even doing…”

“You’re working hard.”

“Huh? Who…”

The warrior froze.

When he turned his head at the unfamiliar voice and saw the massive deer skull, he immediately recognized who was speaking to him.

The warrior stared at Wendigo with a blank expression for quite some time. Wendigo patiently waited for him to regain his composure.

Having experienced this reaction often, he had grown accustomed to it.

“Uh… no. This isn’t right!”

Smack!

Finally coming to his senses, the warrior slapped his own cheek hard and knelt down.

“I apologize! I failed to recognize you, Djin, and showed such an unseemly appearance!”

“No, it’s fine. If anything, I’m at fault for approaching without making my presence known. More importantly, are those the musk deer that came to the village?”

“Yes! They suddenly gathered here and refuse to leave the area.”

Leaving behind the warrior who was shouting like an eager new recruit, Wendigo approached the musk deer.

The musk deer didn’t shy away from Wendigo’s approach. Rather, they stared at him with such bright, attentive eyes that it was almost uncomfortable.

‘…It seems ferocity isn’t limited to predators.’

Certainly, most wild animals naturally possessed some ferocity. Then why did Oneton only focus on predators…

‘With his personality, he probably would have mocked these animals as weak.’

If Oneton had been seeking trade rather than deception, he wouldn’t have only kept predators.

While strong predators might help in battle, they were useless in everyday life. Objectively speaking, predators were just meat-consuming burdens when there was no fighting.

On the other hand, what about cattle, horses, and pigs?

‘Cattle and horses can be used for farming, and pigs would thrive well even in this harsh world.’

Leaving behind animals that were useful in every way, he had only gathered beasts that matched his temperament…

When Wendigo stroked a musk deer’s head, it made a pleased sound and nuzzled against him.

Wendigo decided to bestow a small gift on this endearing musk deer. Mystical energy gathered in his palm and seeped into the deer’s body, causing transformation.

The musk deer grew larger, and its fur became softer yet stronger. He also made sure to make it docile so it wouldn’t run wild.

‘This turned out quite well.’

Wendigo nodded with satisfaction as he withdrew his hand. This would make an excellent livestock animal.

He gave instructions to the warrior:

“Tell the village chief to raise these musk deer well. This large one should be used for breeding, not for eating.”

“Yes! I will stake my life on ensuring the musk deer prosper!”

“…No. I’m not asking you personally to be responsible for the musk deer, so there’s no need to go that far.”

Wendigo tried to dissuade the warrior’s passionate response, but the warrior’s eyes were burning with determination.

Having witnessed the musk deer receive Wendigo’s blessing, the warrior took Wendigo’s suggestion as a divine revelation.

‘I must help these creatures prosper!’

‘He doesn’t seem willing to listen no matter what I say.’

Wendigo looked at the warrior with a wry smile. He hadn’t expected to determine one warrior’s future like this.

As he watched the running warrior—no, the future herdsman—Wendigo thought:

‘This herd of musk deer probably won’t be the first and last.’

It was difficult to even imagine how many animals lived in this forest.

Obviously, this village wasn’t special—the animals had simply found their way here. That meant other villages would likely receive animal visitors too…

“I hope useful ones will come to the other villages.”

With that hope, Wendigo returned to the temple.

* * *

Wendigo’s prediction proved correct. As if the musk deer were just the beginning, messages began arriving daily.

Unfortunately, there weren’t animals like cattle or horses that could be easily used for labor, but animals suitable for livestock like pigs, chickens, and goats began appearing one after another.

Even at Wendigo’s temple, animals made an appearance…

“You said wolves appeared?”

“Yes. A pack of wolves with snow-white fur appeared. They’re quite large too.”

“Wolves…”

Wendigo fell into thought at Geron’s answer.

While not suitable as livestock, wolves had many uses. At least they had chosen to join voluntarily, so they could be trained like dogs.

With proper handling, they could become good companions for the tribe, but…

‘Of all things, wolves rather than dogs. It reminds me of Oneton, which makes me uneasy.’

Wendigo recalled Oneton’s vile smile. Not only was his form that of a wolf, but the biggest problem was that wolves were the predators he most commonly controlled.

Though Oneton had lost his source and disappeared, Wendigo couldn’t let his guard down.

If the wolves that appeared at the temple were those once controlled by Oneton, any problem wouldn’t be surprising.

“What are the wolves doing now?”

“They’re playing near your avatar, my lord.”

“…Oh right, my avatar is still there.”

Wendigo remembered something he had forgotten. Come to think of it, he hadn’t yet dismantled his avatar.

Geron, who had naturally assumed Wendigo kept it there to maintain his dignity, gave him a disappointed look.

However, Wendigo had his excuses. Hadn’t he been busy visiting various villages recently?

“Don’t look at me like that. It’s not like having an avatar standing around is causing any trouble.”

“…Please keep such comments to yourself in front of others. I fear people might lose their reverence.”

“Of course I only say these things in front of you. I wouldn’t say such things in front of others.”

Wendigo meant to express his trust in Geron, but Geron felt a stiffness in his neck.

As Geron always accompanied Wendigo, he was respected by many people… The problem was that people asked him questions about Wendigo.

‘What does the Djin do in the temple? Is he watching over the forest, protecting people from danger?’

‘Recently, crops have been bearing abundant fruit—is this also due to the Djin’s blessing?’

‘During my morning training, a cold wind swept over me—is this a sign that the Djin is watching over me?’

People who rarely interacted with Wendigo believed he was engaged in mysterious, incomprehensible activities at the temple.

After all, the feats Wendigo had shown were so impressive!

Naturally, people’s questions stemmed from reverence, but… Geron found it extremely difficult to answer such questions.

Wendigo’s usual demeanor was far too casual!

‘Sometimes I wonder if he’s really a Djin, but how can I tell people that?’

It would have been easier if Wendigo had maintained a dignified, mysterious appearance even in front of him. Then he wouldn’t have needed to fabricate answers!

It wasn’t strange for Geron to resent Wendigo, who was essentially the cause of his having to use nonexistent talents to meet people’s expectations.

When Geron looked at Wendigo with a gaze full of various meanings, Wendigo turned his head away. Of course, Wendigo was well aware of what emotions Geron harbored.

How could he not know when the scent of reverence mixed with anger was wafting from right beside him?

‘If I say one wrong word here, Geron might collapse.’

Wendigo didn’t want Geron to collapse. There weren’t many people he could be comfortable with like Geron.

“Go visit Skadi Brynhild and have some tea that’s good for your mind and body. I’ll check on the wolves through my avatar.”

“…Understood.”

Geron obediently bowed his head in response. He too felt he needed rest.

Indeed, tea that was good for the mind and body might help manage this anger…

Wait.

As he was about to open the door, Geron realized something strange and stopped.

“My lord, when you mentioned tea good for the mind and body, were you perhaps aware of my thoughts…”

Before Geron could finish his question, Wendigo had already transferred his consciousness to his avatar.

* * *

“…Being perceptive can be troublesome too. I’ll have to be more careful with my words next time.”

“Wendigo!”

Regaining consciousness in his avatar’s body, Wendigo turned his head at the familiar voice. There was Skadi Brynhild, surrounded by wolves.

Not expecting Wendigo to visit, Skadi flapped her arms in excitement to express her joy.

“Skadi. How did you know I possessed my avatar?”

“Hehe. I saw mystical energy gathering with my spiritual sight! Did you also come to check on the wolves?”

“Yes, but… it seems there was no need.”

Wendigo looked curiously at the wolves who were showing affection to Skadi.

While animals often showed goodwill toward Wendigo, they rarely showed such affection toward humans.

They usually just didn’t resist humans who followed Wendigo…

‘Anyone would think she’s the queen of wolves.’

The wolves were wagging their tails and exposing their bellies to Skadi as if she were Wendigo himself.

Moreover, the largest wolf had Skadi on its back and was grinning. Wendigo was certain it was male.

‘At least these aren’t wolves left behind by Oneton.’

If that were the case, Skadi wouldn’t be playing with the wolves now.

Probably half would be frozen to death and the other half impaled on roots, wouldn’t they?

Wendigo let down his guard and approached Skadi to pet the wolves. The wolves were so happy to see Wendigo that they ran around excitedly.

“Is that big wolf their leader?”

“Yes, it seems so. When they first entered the village, this one was leading the wolves from the front.”

Wendigo looked at the wolf and Skadi. Come to think of it, it wouldn’t be bad to have someone to guard Skadi.

While protecting her with his avatar wasn’t bad, the avatar moved too simply without his direct control, lacking flexibility.

If possible, he needed someone who could think and move on their own…

‘This one would be quite suitable. It has considerable mystical potential, and more importantly, it seems to follow Skadi well.’

Wendigo placed his hand on the leader wolf’s head and stirred up mystical energy.

Did the wolf also understand what Wendigo was doing?

It stopped grinning and looked up at Wendigo with the dignified attitude befitting a leader.

The mystical energy that surged like waves transformed the leader wolf’s body.

It grew large enough to reach Wendigo’s waist, its bones and teeth became strong enough to tear through steel, and its eyes gained intelligence.

After pouring a considerable amount of mystical energy, Wendigo removed his hand, and the leader wolf let out a clear howl.

As Skadi watched with sparkling eyes, Wendigo pointed to the wolf and suggested to her:

“Skadi. You should raise this one.”

“Really?!”

When Skadi asked with shining eyes, Wendigo nodded with satisfaction. If he had known she would be this happy, he would have given her a pet earlier…

The wolf, also pleased, nuzzled against Skadi’s legs as she sat on its back. Skadi giggled and stroked the wolf’s neck.

“I’m glad you like it. What are you thinking of naming it?”

“The name…”

As Skadi fell into contemplation, Wendigo looked at her fondly.

The wolf, now imbued with mystical energy, would likely accompany Skadi for many years.

It was natural for Skadi to carefully consider the name of a companion who might be with her for life…

“I’ve decided!”

“That was quick. What name did you choose?”

“Oneton!”

“……”

Wendigo stared at Skadi in disbelief at her bizarre naming sense.

While she was sometimes a bit scatterbrained, Skadi’s intelligence had never been in question, yet she chose the name of the wolf they had recently confronted.

However, her reason for naming the wolf Oneton was, as always, centered around Wendigo…

“A wolf who dared to challenge you without knowing its place doesn’t deserve to leave anything behind. Even its name should be used to glorify you!”

‘I never thought I’d feel sorry for that wolf.’

Wendigo sighed at the unexpected reasoning. To think she would even steal the name of the dead!

When Skadi looked at him with an expression that said “Did I do well?”, Wendigo couldn’t bring himself to suggest changing the name.

“Y-yes. That’s a good idea.”

“Yes! From now on, your name is Oneton!”

“Woof!”

Unaware of Wendigo’s mixed feelings, the wolf—no, Oneton—barked happily with a bright expression.

Seeing its carefree demeanor without a hint of concern, Wendigo couldn’t help but smile.

‘Right. What does the name matter? As long as it doesn’t cause trouble.’

Wendigo gently stroked Oneton’s head.

* * *

A few days later.

“My lord, a summoner who followed the white wolves has come to the village…”

“Damn it. I shouldn’t have let her use that cursed Djin’s name.”

Wendigo regretted his past self for giving in to Skadi’s puppy eyes.