Chapter 85

“Stab! Stab until you die!!!”

“There, there’s a small group. Kill those guys first!”

“You, you sons of bitches!”

Wendigo silently watched the deathmatch unfolding below the cliff. Most were trash who usually engaged in thievery, but some were even worse than that.

Mercenaries who came after hearing rumors due to lack of work, duelists who had studied at sword guilds, and the best among them…

“Are those the ones called knights?”

Wendigo pointed at a group showing outstanding performance among the followers and asked Skadi.

Skadi looked at those Wendigo indicated and was puzzled. They were in such a mess with ragged clothes and covered in ash that their hair and faces were a disaster.

“For knights… aren’t they in too terrible a state? Moreover, knights are arrogant and obsessed with honor, so there’s no reason for them to bow their heads to a witch…”

Her observation was seemingly valid. Knights were no different from kings in their own lands, and if they had sufficient ability, they could sell their martial prowess to nobles to obtain gold and treasures.

No matter how fertile the northern lands had become, there was no reason for knights to come in such a state.

However, Wendigo’s eyes could see farther and more clearly than Skadi’s.

“They’re wearing armor under the rags. Moreover, the man at the center of the group is killing people with surprisingly calm and efficient movements.”

At Wendigo’s observation, Skadi focused mystery in her eyes. Wendigo was right.

Although they had wrapped themselves in roughly tanned animal hides, underneath, blackened chain mail was protecting them.

With their faces dirtied by ash, they were attacking… no, slaughtering those around them, centered on one man.

“It seems that guy doesn’t even intend to hide.”

The man at the center of the group was freely wielding a greatsword as tall as himself, sweeping through his surroundings.

It didn’t matter whether his opponents were three or five. The man’s greatsword was powerful enough to cut through shields and armor entirely.

“Unlike the others, that person does seem to be a knight. The shape of his armor and sword isn’t from the North.”

“At this level, it’s like he’s advertising for us to notice. The rest are just unlucky trash.”

With the suspicious one confirmed, there was no reason to watch this boring scene any longer.

Wendigo gently put Skadi down and pulled an ice sword from the ground, then instructed Skadi:

“Tell the warriors to attack the enemies. But tell them not to approach those ashen guys.”

“There’s no need for Wendigo-nim to deal with the small fry. I’ll handle everyone except the man presumed to be a knight.”

Wendigo looked at Skadi with a worried gaze.

It wasn’t that Skadi was weak, but he questioned whether there was a need for her to throw herself into a dangerous situation.

Skadi skillfully understood the meaning in Wendigo’s gaze.

Even without expressions, she could understand the heart of her fa-, no, lord whom she sincerely served.

“Don’t worry. I have a way to deal with the enemies without going down the cliff.”

“!”

Wendigo was startled and looked at her as mystery stirred in her body.

Skadi began to extract the mystery she harbored using a ring as a medium and started creating ice dolls resembling herself.

‘I knew Skadi’s talent was excellent, but I didn’t know it was to this extent.’

The ice dolls with joints made of branches and roots were no different from people.

The ice dolls, each creating swords and spears, headed towards Wendigo according to Skadi’s will.

Skadi examined the completed ice dolls and smiled.

“I was a bit worried, but it seems they turned out quite well.”

“It seems more than just ‘quite well’.”

At most two entities, yet the dolls were no different from avatars moving according to Skadi’s will.

She created two such avatars right away, and their movements were even smoother than Wendigo’s avatars.

Wendigo felt a strange jealousy at Skadi’s talent.

‘I’m envious. I can barely use avatars as tools yet.’

Honestly, at this level, wasn’t it more like Wendigo’s avatar was the doll and Skadi’s dolls were the avatars?

… Wendigo dismissed such foolish thoughts. No matter what, it was too greedy to complain about shamanic talent while possessing overflowing mystery.

“But… can these guys go down?”

Wendigo pointed to the bottom of the cliff and asked Skadi. The height of the cliff couldn’t be called extremely high, but it certainly couldn’t be called low either.

If one fell wrong, it was clearly a height where a person would die.

At least the slope wasn’t too steep, but…

“Meeeh~”

“Mountain goats?”

Wendigo turned around at the bleating sound from behind. There, two sturdy mountain goats were walking towards Skadi.

Surely she wasn’t thinking of riding mountain goats down?

“Meeh!”

“Yes. I’d like you to help me.”

Skadi stroked the mountain goats that approached her and infused them with mystery.

The mountain goats accepted her power without resistance. Then, the goats began to change in appearance.

Their size doubled, their horns grew aggressively threatening as if ready to gore someone to death at any moment, and their canine teeth grew sharp.

They could no longer be called mountain goats. They were closer to man-eating beasts.

The goats showed off their majestic appearance and carried the ice dolls on their backs.

“These children should be able to easily go down the cliff.”

“……”

Can I do something like that too?

Wendigo pondered as he looked at the goats’ appearance.

He had tried making livestock healthier and beasts fiercer before, but he had never tried making docile creatures suitable for battle.

‘… I should be able to.’

Thinking he could do it, Wendigo jumped off the cliff.

… If he couldn’t, it would probably make him feel quite self-deprecating.

---

“Huh?”

“My apologies.”

Affected by gravity, Wendigo struck the ground like a boulder launched from a catapult, and some unlucky individuals were crushed to death under Wendigo’s hard soles.

The followers who had been fiercely fighting around looked at Wendigo with surprised eyes.

Had this grueling bloodbath ended now that the spirit following the Forest Witch had come down?

“Is, is it finally over…!?”

“Kill them all!!!”

Of course, no such thing happened.

The followers approaching Wendigo were greatly flustered when they saw the wolf riders coming over the forest wall.

The guys who had been guiding them began to slaughter them by shooting arrows and throwing spears.

Weren’t we supposed to take a test and join under the Forest Witch?

Eyes seeking explanation turned towards Wendigo.

Wendigo had no intention of hiding and clearly stated the fact.

“Unfortunately, you’ve all failed.”

“What… what’s the reason!”

One of the followers who had been killing each other until just moments ago shouted at Wendigo, filled with resentment.

His question represented the hearts of most people here.

Wendigo stared at them and explained the reason briefly and concisely.

“What use would there be in accepting those with wicked hearts? Whether in low or high positions, it’s obvious you’d cause problems, so there’s no reason to accept you.”

“……”

The followers blankly stared at Wendigo, dumbfounded.

So you’re saying this so-called witch decided to kill everyone because the followers’ hearts were dirty?

The followers didn’t believe Wendigo’s truthful explanation.

If those words were true, the Forest Witch would need to be able to discern people’s hearts without knowing their past and present, but they thought that even for a witch, such a thing would be impossible.

Surely she must have intended to kill them from the beginning!

“Damn it, everyone stop fighting! Right now, dealing with this spirit should be the priority… Aaagh!”

“What do you mean deal with, get out of the way. You lot aren’t the ones I’m after.”

As Wendigo’s ice sword swung widely, the followers were either split apart and died or froze to death.

When five or six died instantly, the followers screamed and retreated.

Wendigo pushed past them and ran towards the man he had targeted.

The man seemed to have expected Wendigo to come, as he had thrown off his rags and even put on a helmet, waiting for him.

Wendigo relaxed his strength, intending to subdue him, and swung his sword.

Since he’s wearing armor, he should be able to withstand this much…

Bang!

“Huh?”

The man’s subordinates threw themselves at Wendigo’s ice sword as if their lives didn’t matter at all.

The ice sword shattered the shields and slaughtered the man’s subordinates in one go.

The torn corpses instantly turned the surroundings into a scene from hell, but the man’s subordinates didn’t even flinch.

“Even decent warriors would tremble at such a sight… Your subordinates must either be fearless or mindless.”

“To notice that fact already, a spirit is indeed a spirit.”

The ashen knight frankly admitted the fact and faced Wendigo, stabbing his greatsword into the ground.

Wendigo closely examined the ashen knight. Perhaps this knight was also being controlled mentally like his subordinates.

However…

“The others have lost their souls, but you alone seem normal. Or are you the one controlling them?”

“It is indeed I who controls them. Though to be precise, it would be more correct to say that the power was lent to me by the one I serve.”

The knight answered Wendigo in fluent pronunciation, as if proving he was normal.

The knight tilted his head and revealed his identity.

“I am Damian of the Plant family. Though I’m in a bit of a mess, I can say I was a knight who made quite a name for myself.”

“I can’t believe it. What would make a knight cover himself in ash like a charcoal maker?”

“Haha, it couldn’t be helped. The one I serve had something they wanted to confirm.”

Snap!

Damian burst into laughter and snapped his fingers. At that, his subordinates rushed towards Skadi’s ice dolls that had somehow already reached nearby.

Wendigo glanced sideways and checked the skills of the ice dolls.

With dazzling skill that was hard to believe they were riding mountain goats, they wielded spears and swords, looking as if they would slaughter the enemies in an instant.

“It seems the fight over there will end quite quickly.”

“Haha, you think so?”

“Of course.”

Wendigo slowly approached Damian. He kept his strength ready to dive in instantly if Damian tried to run away.

However, Damian didn’t back down but pulled out his greatsword and shouted loudly:

“My love, my master, my whip!”

“!?”

Along with Damian’s strange incantation, flames enveloped the greatsword.

Of course, that wasn’t the trivial point that surprised Wendigo. He had faced flaming swords before.

What surprised Wendigo was that at the same time the greatsword burst into flames, Damian’s subordinates also began to burn intensely.

“Aaaaargh!!!”

The subordinates rushed towards the ice dolls while letting out horrible screams. As if the burning flames would subside if they reached the ice dolls.

Wendigo asked Damian, dumbfounded:

“Have you perhaps lost your mind?”

“My, do I look that crazy to you? Don’t worry. That fire is flashy but not as painful as you might think. They’re just acting like that because the suggestion implanted in their heads has strengthened along with the burning sensation.”

As if to prove his words, Damian’s subordinates clung tenaciously to the ice dolls while letting out beastly cries.

They didn’t care at all about the blades the ice dolls were swinging.

Unless it was a fatal wound like having their heads cut off, wouldn’t the hot flames cauterize the wounds and heal them instantly?

Damian watched the scene with satisfaction and provoked Wendigo in a cheerful voice:

“Now then, as a dog serving its master, shall we roll around together?”

“Among the guys I’ve seen recently, none have been more creepy than you. You really must be a pervert.”

Wendigo rushed towards Damian with a look of disgust.

Since he couldn’t kill him if he wanted to find out about his backer, he had to control his strength…

“Come to think of it, I guess I could blow off one arm or leg.”

Wendigo swung his ice sword, aiming for Damian’s leg.

The ice sword, boasting overwhelming length and power, was swung like a whip targeting Damian’s leg.

Damian ignored the intimidating presence and calmly took one more step forward.

It looked like he was offering his neck to the guillotine, but…

“This reminds me of a giant I faced long ago!”

Wendigo realized that Damian hadn’t made a mistake.

Damian instantly dove forward and blocked the ice sword with his sword hilt.

Kagagagak!

“Hup!”

Lowering his body sharply, he used the force to deflect the ice sword in the opposite direction.

Wendigo’s ice sword cut through the air, and his body naturally came to a stop.

‘An opening!’

Damian, befitting an experienced knight, didn’t miss the opening.

Resolving to cut off the leg in one go, Damian swung down his greatsword towards Wendigo’s leg.

Wendigo instinctively realized he couldn’t block it… so he just left it be.

Whoosh!

The greatsword, spewing hot flames, sliced Wendigo’s hide.

It clearly sliced, but…

“Huh, your body is truly like rock.”

“I don’t know about anything else, but my body is damn tough.”

Crack!

Damian’s all-out strike succeeded in cutting about 1/5 of Wendigo’s leg, but that was it.

The flames that seemed about to incinerate Wendigo instantly lost their momentum upon cutting into Wendigo’s body. The cold energy dwelling in his body flowed out and enveloped the greatsword.

Frowning at the unexpected toughness, Damian tried to pull back his greatsword, but it was futile.

Wendigo’s strength was holding onto the greatsword and wouldn’t let go.

Damian belatedly realized this fact, but…

“Oh dear.”

Damian clicked his tongue as he witnessed Wendigo’s foot striking his abdomen.

Bang!

Wendigo’s kick aimed deep into Damian’s stomach.

‘It hit exactly.’

Wendigo was certain as he pulled out the greatsword stuck in his leg. The heavy sensation felt at his toe was definitely Damian’s.

Damian, blown backwards, bounced off the ground and crashed into a tree.

Wendigo approached Damian with heightened caution.

Those who had left wounds on him so far…

‘Come to think of it, there seem to be quite a few.’

… Anyway, those who had left wounds on him were no ordinary fellows.

Sure enough, Damian coughed up blood and staggered to his feet.

He took off his helmet and moved his mouth.

“Kuh… This tangy taste of blood is truly irresistible.”

“Your bravado is excessive. Can you even tell if what you just spat out was blood or pieces of internal organs?”

“Ah, now that I look, it’s internal organs. No wonder it felt thick.”

Damian, having thrown off his helmet, slicked back his shaggy hair with his own blood. Then, fingering the pieces of his internal organs on the ground, he burst into maniacal laughter.

Wendigo, dumbfounded, snapped at Damian:

“It’s not just bravado, you’re really insane. Or an extreme pervert.”

“Hahaha! A pervert, how harsh. Despite how I look, I’ve never forced my tastes on innocent people.”

“Instead of wasting time with nonsense, surrender. Then I’ll at least kill you without pain.”

Wendigo made an offer to Damian. If he was fated to die anyway, it would be better to die as cleanly and painlessly as possible.

However, Damian looked at Wendigo seriously, as if he had heard an absurd proposal.

“A painless death? What a horrible thing to say!”

“?”

Wendigo stared at Damian in disbelief, but he was answering sincerely.

What kind of nonsense was this, and he was serious about it?

“And don’t talk as if this enjoyable time is already over. I can still fight more.”

“With that body?”

“Of course not with this body. But my master has given me power that fits me perfectly.”

There was no need to ask what that was. Suddenly, Damian’s armor began to spew fire.

Damian accepted the flames with a terrible scream… no, a scream full of ecstasy.

Wendigo watched the scene in amazement. The raging flames were burning Damian while simultaneously healing him.

Soon after, Damian stood up from his place, looking perfectly fine as if it was unbelievable he had been on the verge of death.

He shuddered, immersed in the afterglow.

“Phew… Thanks to that, I got to taste valuable pain.”

“Is that a curse?”

To Wendigo’s eyes, the flames just now were a curse.

What else could it be but a curse that burns a person while healing them at the same time?

Familiar with such questions, Damian smiled and answered:

“Others call it a curse, but to me, it’s a blessing. It lets me continuously taste pain that’s hard to experience even once in a lifetime.”

“You’re completely insane.”

Wendigo raised his ice sword with a look of disgust.

Regardless of Damian being crazy, he had to admit the guy was no ordinary fellow.

Perhaps it might be better to kill him rather than subdue him…

“Ah.”

“What is it?”

When Damian, who seemed about to start fighting at any moment, hesitated, Wendigo asked out of curiosity.

Perhaps Damian’s body hadn’t fully recovered?

“I remembered the pain of being hit by you and got a little exci-“

Unable to endure the insult, Wendigo threw his sword at Damian.