Chapter 28

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

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

The 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 at the wendigo.

As the wendigo, boasting a huge body, looked down at them with fierce eyes, they swallowed dryly.

‘If only he were smaller, he’d be less scary.’

‘If only 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 showed in their attitudes. They looked up at the wendigo without a hint of wavering.

Of course, this sight didn’t escape Skadi’s eyes, who occupied the seat right next to the wendigo.

Like a proper shaman, she sat with a cool expression, but inwardly she felt deep satisfaction.

‘That’s the attitude one should have when serving Wendigo-nim!’

Skadi wasn’t someone who enjoyed feelings of superiority or discrimination, but she also wasn’t someone who denied that such things were sometimes necessary.

Depending on how it’s used, a sense of superiority can become dignity, and discrimination can make people humble.

Of course, the wendigo didn’t particularly like this atmosphere.

It wasn’t that he suddenly became passionate about democracy. He thought this heavy atmosphere would reduce people’s efficiency.

‘The atmosphere is too heavy. It’ll be hard to share opinions like this.’

When the atmosphere is heavy, it’s difficult to express one’s opinions.

The wendigo beckoned to Geron, who was standing at the back. Geron approached the wendigo with a measured gait.

“Is there something you need?”

“Are there any herbs left from what Skadi gathered last time? She said they could be brewed into tea.”

“Yes, there’s quite a bit left, but…”

“Bring some tea with that. These people have made time to attend the meeting, we should at least do this much.”

“!”

Those attending the meeting widened their eyes. Serving tea was one thing, but herbs gathered by a shaman?

One might wonder why they’re so surprised over mere herbs, but for these people, it was quite significant.

A shaman’s possessions, whatever they may be, are naturally mysterious from people’s perspective.

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

Wouldn’t a shaman only personally gather herbs that are too precious to entrust to others?

‘To serve tea made with such precious herbs. He’s truly unlike a spirit.’

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

People’s fear faded and their goodwill deepened.

It was natural for hearts to soften when feeling cared for by even the most difficult person, or spirit.

The wendigo felt his conscience tingling as he confirmed their emotions. No, he didn’t even need to confirm their emotions.

Just looking at their eyes, he could tell what they were thinking.

‘… Actually, these are herbs Skadi gathered from around here because she didn’t want to rest.’

No matter how important it was to win people’s hearts, it wasn’t to the extent of wasting precious herbs.

If they used them for such trivial matters and ran out of herbs at a truly important moment, it would be a big problem.

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

Geron, who immediately understood what herbs the wendigo meant, brightened his eyes.

‘I’ll bring something suitable.’

‘Please do.’

The wendigo, understanding the meaning in Geron’s eyes, answered with his eyes in the same way.

Shortly after, Geron returned with servants and served tea.

Tea with the characteristic sweetness of honey and the sharp scent of herbs.

Those attending the meeting tasted the tea and exclaimed in admiration. They felt vitality coursing through their bodies with just one sip.

“Is it alright for us to taste such excellent tea?”

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

“Spirit-nim!”

People saw a halo shining behind the wendigo’s head.

Of course, the combination of a deer skull and a halo was quite off-putting, but that’s how moving it was.

Once people’s hearts seemed sufficiently warmed, the wendigo slowly began to speak.

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

“What kind of story? Don’t tell me another devil has appeared?”

“Why suddenly a devil?”

The wendigo unconsciously expressed doubt at the mention of a devil.

He had never encountered a devil, so why was the devil story suddenly coming up?

“Eh? Didn’t Spirit-nim lead us to subjugate a devil?”

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

“I heard it was a parasite…”

Perhaps it was because of the warm tea they drank.

People sipped their tea and shared their experiences.

The wendigo suddenly found himself in a situation where he had caught a parasite that was an earth dragon and had ascended to become a devil.

As the wendigo was pondering how to handle this, Skadi slammed the round table and shouted fiercely.

“What are you all doing in front of Wendigo-nim? Have you forgotten that Wendigo-nim is still speaking!”

“We’re, we’re sorry.”

“Ahem. Why are you saying such strange things?”

“No, I really heard that…”

Glare!

As Skadi stared with a gaze full of cold energy, the man who had brought up the devil story shut his mouth.

If I say any more, I might be killed by Shaman-nim!

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

“I’m sorry! I got carried away!”

“Whether it’s a devil or an earth dragon, isn’t what’s important that you and I have gathered with a united purpose? I’m fine, so raise your heads.”

As the man raised his head respectfully, Skadi clicked her tongue. People tensed at her unusually strict attitude.

We’d be in trouble if we’re disrespectful to Wendigo-nim in front of Skadi-nim!

‘Come to think of it, it’s because I embellished, no, colored the story too much… I feel a bit sorry.’

If I had said it was an evil earth dragon from the start instead of a devil, they wouldn’t be getting scolded like this.

The wendigo cleared his throat unnecessarily to get past the awkwardness.

“Then let’s continue the story. You all remember being attacked by wolves not long ago, right?”

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

As one man asked, the wendigo nodded. People began to discuss with serious faces.

“The shaman I met in the old days said that beasts wandering in winter were possessed by evil spirits.”

“Fool, it’s spring now.”

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

“Indeed… that makes sense.”

Although it was foolish talk, the wendigo didn’t stop them. This kind of conversation helps create an atmosphere where people can freely express their opinions.

After listening to their talk for a while, the wendigo raised his hand to stop the conversation.

“It’s a good attitude to make various inferences based on your knowledge.”

“Was there a correct answer among our opinions?”

“Unfortunately, no. The wolves’ backer is the doing of a spirit that came from outside.”

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

“This is why spirits…”

“Why come to the forest when they could go to the wealthy ones in the south.”

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

As people shared harsh words about the spirit’s evil deeds, the wendigo was a bit taken aback. It wasn’t because he felt particularly guilty.

He was surprised because… the hostility towards spirits was stronger than he thought.

From people’s perspective, the wendigo was no different from a spirit.

So he thought they would be quite favorable towards spirits…

“It’s a bit awkward to say this in the current situation, but… don’t you think I’m a spirit?”

“Spirit-nim is a spirit, but… you’re not like a spirit, are you?”

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

He was a spirit, but… he wasn’t spirit-like. A spirit using his power for others.

If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, it would have been a story they would have dismissed for a lifetime.

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

They truly were subordinates who would have gone extinct if they weren’t powerful.

“I’m grateful you think well of me. Anyway, let me tell you about the spirit who controlled the wolves.”

The wendigo talked about Oneton. There was no need for additional embellishment to provoke their anger.

The word “human sacrifice” alone was enough to make people’s expressions fierce.

“To think such an evil spirit exists!”

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

“But there’s a limit. O Spirit. That one must not be left unchecked!”

The wendigo nodded. People’s heated gazes were directed at the wendigo’s mouth.

“Now, listen well. This is my plan.”

---

The eastern outskirts of the forest.

A place where various beastkin had set up tents and formed a colony.

Oneton was enjoying meat while occupying the largest and most luxurious tent there.

However, that meat wasn’t ordinary meat…

“Have you still not captured any humans? The numbers are too few…”

“… Our tribesmen are unfamiliar with the forest, so it seems to be taking time.”

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

Oneton glared at the wolf beastkin in front of him while chewing and swallowing human flesh.

Lektar, the young chief of the Blue Mane tribe and a wolf beastkin, trembled prostrate as a thick killing intent brushed past his nape.

‘Damn spirit bastard…’

Lektar swallowed his anger inwardly.

He wanted to rise up against Oneton, but… Lektar couldn’t.

It wasn’t because he was afraid of Oneton. A true warrior doesn’t fear spirits.

But he couldn’t draw his sword. Oneton knew the reason and sneered.

“Your father was an excellent warrior and a true wolf. Although he lost his life to the enemies’ schemes, I still acknowledge your old man.”

“I too am my father’s son and a wolf! If you think to mock me…”

“If you don’t like it, prove it to me. Just like your father became a true wolf by offering the heart and glory of a magical beast.”

Oneton licked the blood on his muzzle and taunted Lektar. It wasn’t particularly because he looked down on Lektar.

It was just his inherently twisted personality.

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

If only this damned spirit didn’t have ability, he would have cut off his neck!

‘Once I gain enough power to satisfy you, I’ll kill you first!’

Lektar gritted his teeth as if about to break them and left the tent. Oneton watched him and snickered.

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

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

He had backstabbed over ten spirits and shamans for mystery.

As they say, those who have betrayed do it better, Oneton knew Lektar would betray him.

‘I’m using him because he’s capable, but… once I gain enough mystery, I should kill him and set up a new puppet. If only he were stupid like his father, it would have been convenient.’

Oneton pondered, thinking that if Lektar knew this, he would have gone mad and swung his sword.

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

Oneton recalled the spirit he had met a few days ago. Of course, the spirit’s identity was the wendigo.

Oneton was planning to backstab the wendigo as if it were the most natural thing.

Even if it was just a handful of humans, Oneton was too greedy to hand them over willingly.

‘Moreover, there might be a way to extract mystery from that spirit…’

“Big trouble!”

Flinch.

As Lektar urgently entered the tent, Oneton glared at him.

He had been indulging in pleasant fantasies, and to be interrupted… it was unacceptable.

“Is it such big trouble that you’d barge into my tent…”

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

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

“That’s right. Do you know him?”

Oneton trembled with anger.

How dare this backwater minor spirit humiliate me!

“… Was this information brought by a survivor?”

“Yes. More importantly, do you know him?”

“Shut up! I’ll tell you after hearing the story, so bring him to me!”

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

Left alone, Oneton finally couldn’t contain his anger and let it out.

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