Ch.49Chapter 49

The Wendigo possessing the clone slowly turned its head and examined the summoners.

Each of their faces was filled with tension, as if they had ulterior motives…

‘Ah. Is it because I’m holding a sword?’

When the Wendigo noticed the summoners’ gazes shifting toward the sword, it realized why they were tense.

Certainly, it was natural to be nervous when encountering a monster wielding a weapon in such a dark space. Especially if that opponent was a Djin.

‘Habits can be so frightening.’

Usually when meeting someone, they were either my people or enemies…

The Wendigo standing before the summoners stabbed the sword into the ground. Even with that brief motion, the summoners remained wary.

They feared that if they somehow disturbed the Wendigo’s mood, the terrible cold emanating from the sword would engulf them.

‘To claim this is a test, yet present something so terrifying right before us…’

‘That Issac fellow was talking nonsense.’

The summoners abandoned what little trust they had left in the Wendigo. Clearly, Issac must have fallen victim to some vile(?) trick.

The Wendigo, reading the summoners’ emotions, felt somewhat wronged but couldn’t help sympathizing with their thoughts.

Indeed, drawing a weapon at first meeting was certainly discourteous.

The Wendigo decided to continue with this awkward encounter, choosing to address them more intimidatingly.

“I can guess why you’ve come to the forest. Being summoners, not ordinary folk, you must have come to enhance your summoning arts.”

“Indeed. O Djin who rules the End of the World, guardian of the forest, and bearer of the frost heart…”

‘Do all these summoner fellows prepare and spout such greetings?’

When one summoner stepped forward to offer formal greetings, the Wendigo was visibly disgusted.

In truth, though the Wendigo didn’t know it, this summoner was famous among his peers for his exceptional eloquence.

The tale of how he had once pacified an enraged Djin using only his words was quite the topic of conversation among summoners…

However, even this summoner’s silver tongue couldn’t stir the Wendigo’s impassive emotions.

Such flattery only worked on those who enjoyed it, and the Wendigo simply didn’t care for such things.

A quality cut of meat or a new food recipe would have been far more appealing than such honeyed words.

‘As expected of a summoner said to have pacified a Djin with words. With such eloquence, even this Djin might be favorably…’

“Your words are sweet but lack substance. Let’s move quickly to the main point.”

“……”

The summoner who had just been singing praises about how magnificent and thrilling the Wendigo’s appearance was suddenly froze as if struck by lightning.

The Wendigo hadn’t wanted to rebuke him, but time was too precious to waste.

“As you all heard from Skadi, I will ask you questions. Nothing particularly difficult.”

The summoners didn’t believe the Wendigo’s words. If the questions weren’t difficult, why ask them of summoners?

Surely these must be profound questions designed to test the depth of a summoner’s knowledge!

“Yes! We are ready!”

“Then I’ll ask. Would you be willing to oppose the forest for the sake of your summoning arts?”

“… Pardon?”

The summoners, who had been eagerly awaiting the question, blurted out a response so foolish that even a novice summoner wouldn’t make it.

The Wendigo looked at them as if they were pathetic and repeated the question.

“I asked if you would be willing to oppose the forest for the sake of your summoning arts.”

Though they knew the Wendigo had no expression, the summoners somehow felt its contempt.

They felt wronged. What kind of insane Djin would ask summoners who came seeking its favor, “Are you planning to become my enemy?”

The summoners concluded that the Wendigo was a less reasonable Djin than they had expected.

“Absolutely not! How could we ever turn against the forest where the Djin resides?”

“We merely came to explore summoning arts. Knowing whose domain this land is under, how could we possibly do such a thing?”

“Hmm…”

A skilled summoner must also be adept at acting.

The summoners answered with expressions conveying maximum innocence, sadness, and regret.

The Wendigo approached them, bringing its face close to each one, examining them one by one.

As the cold breath from the Wendigo’s mouth brushed past their necks, the summoners shuddered with goosebumps.

“You there.”

“Yes, yes sir!”

The Wendigo tapped a summoner’s shoulder with its claw and called out. The summoner responded promptly, as if he had returned to his childhood days studying under his master.

The Wendigo looked directly into his eyes and pointed to the side.

“You go over there.”

“?”

The summoner couldn’t understand the situation but obediently followed the Wendigo’s order. Unnecessary questions might disturb the Djin’s mood.

The Wendigo proceeded to select a few more summoners and sent them to the side.

After completing the questioning, the Wendigo manipulated the tree cave. With a tremendous sound, the roots forming the cave moved to create two passages.

“Those who stepped aside, take that passage. The rest, go this way.”

“O Djin. I sincerely apologize, but our humble minds cannot comprehend why you have divided us. Could you please explain your reasoning?”

When a rather experienced summoner raised his hand and asked, the Wendigo nodded.

“I cannot tell you the reason, but I understand your fear. I merely choose whether to pass you based on your answers to the test, and I swear I will never attack you.”

When the Wendigo made this oath, the summoners were relieved. Djin valued oaths as much as summoners did.

The smaller group of summoners headed toward their passage with disgruntled expressions, while the rest entered the opposite passage…

And there stood the Wendigo.

“???”

The summoners were startled and turned around, but the passage had already disappeared.

They hastily opened their spiritual eyes to look at the Wendigo before them, but its body still radiated immense mystical energy.

They hadn’t sensed the Djin using any summoning arts…

‘…Perhaps it’s such a high-ranking Djin that we couldn’t detect it?’

“Now, let’s move on to the next question.”

When the Wendigo posed the question, the summoners let go of their passing doubts.

After all, it was unlikely that it would do something as inefficient as creating a clone with so much mystical energy.

* * *

Each time they passed through a passage, the Wendigo appeared before the summoners and asked questions.

If it had asked about their mastery of summoning arts, experiences, or treasures they could offer, the summoners would have responded calmly.

However, the Wendigo strictly asked questions about character. The summoners simply couldn’t understand the Djin before them.

‘What exactly is it judging based on??’

“You all, enter over there.”

Once again, the divided group entered their respective passages. They racked their brains over the Wendigo’s questions, which were more difficult than any challenge they had faced before.

Skilled flattery, detailed descriptions, or confident attitudes.

None of these seemed to be the criteria.

To the summoners, it appeared as if the Wendigo was simply choosing based on its mood.

“How on earth did Issac manage to get frost essence from such a Djin?”

“Who knows. Maybe he had connections with that summoner we met at the entrance.”

“Be quiet. Look, there’s an exit ahead.”

As someone pointed out, the summoners could see a passage leading outside.

With excited expressions, they passed through the passage and were greeted by the entrance to a temple.

“Ohhh. Is this the temple where the Djin lives?”

“It’s less grand than I expected…”

“Congratulations on passing!”

Skadi congratulated the summoners who were examining the temple with a bright voice.

The successful candidates smiled at her cheerful demeanor. Despite her unusual skin color and hair, this summoner was strangely endearing rather than off-putting.

Osa, the only woman among the summoners, looked around and asked Skadi:

“Where are the other summoners? There are only five of us…”

“The others failed and had to leave the forest.”

“Oh…”

Surprised by this unexpected news, the summoners looked at each other. They had thought that each group was taking a different test when they were directed to separate passages.

But to think that over ten summoners had left without any gains because of those incomprehensible questions…

Skadi immediately understood what they were thinking and smiled mysteriously.

The summoners knew well what such a smile meant. They too made such expressions when playing tricks with puzzling words.

“Miss Skadi. Do you know why the Djin asked such questions?”

“Yes. I’ll explain on our way to meet Wendigo directly.”

“Huh? But we’ve already met the Djin directly and taken the test?”

Skadi smiled enigmatically again and guided them. The summoners followed her toward the temple, not understanding why she was behaving this way.

* * *

The atmosphere in the temple was heavier than usual.

Warriors wearing bone helmets were stationed throughout, watching the passing summoners, while workers silently performed their duties.

‘So many… warriors armed with enchanted weapons.’

‘Those weapons seem to be made of wood… crude, but the energy they emit is unsettling.’

The summoners couldn’t help but feel tense from the pressure. It was clear that if they made any mistake here, those warriors would brandish their weapons.

Skadi smiled bitterly at their reactions.

‘When Geron suggested this, I thought it was quite reasonable… but now I feel a bit sorry for those who passed Wendigo’s test.’

Though Geron spoke casually with Wendigo, few people considered Wendigo’s authority as seriously as he did.

Geron had hoped that the visiting summoners wouldn’t take Wendigo too lightly…

Seeing the summoners’ anxious expressions as they surveyed their surroundings, Skadi reassured them.

“Don’t worry too much. Since you passed Wendigo’s test, those people won’t attack you.”

“Right. The test, what was the meaning of the test?”

“The test was exactly what it appeared to be—an assessment of your character. But no matter what you said, you couldn’t have deceived Wendigo.”

“Most summoners are adept at deception, so how is that possible?”

Skadi nodded as if agreeing with this statement. However, the fact remained unchanged.

It was nearly impossible to hide lies or truth from Wendigo.

“The Djin can detect sin, falsehood, character… such things through smell.”

“What? Isn’t the Djin associated with cold and plants, not truth or mental attributes?”

One summoner reflexively questioned this unbelievable claim. It was beyond their common sense.

It was already difficult to accept that the Djin controlled the opposing attributes of cold and plants, but to think it also possessed mental attributes?

“Even I don’t know the extent of Wendigo’s abilities. I’m only telling you what I know from experience—that the Djin has such capabilities.”

“Hmm…”

With expressions of utter incomprehension, the summoners hastened their steps. In such situations, it was best to ask directly.

They stopped in front of the room with Wendigo’s throne, deep within the temple.

Two exceptionally large warriors knelt with a thud, paying respects to Skadi.

“Ahem. O-Open the doors!”

Skadi awkwardly commanded them, and the helmeted warriors opened the doors, grinning as if watching a daughter’s adorable behavior.

Fortunately, the summoners couldn’t see the warriors’ expressions because of their helmets.

As the massive doors opened, the summoners entered. Torches illuminated the surroundings, but an inexplicable chill permeated the room…

“Gasp!”

“Ah, so Issac’s story was true.”

On a large, beautiful lacquered throne sat a giant.

A giant with the appearance of the Wendigo they had encountered was looking down at them.