Accepting Ivan's Plea, But Unable to Depart at Once
Ivan's request was accepted in an instant, but Wendigo couldn't leave right away. No matter the scale, he was the chief of a tribe now. Naturally, he couldn't move alone.
No matter how strong he was, he needed escorts if only for appearances. And someone had to take charge of the tribe while he was away.
Selecting the escorts wasn't difficult. Every warrior in the tribe yearned for that glorious role.
"If you choose me, I swear on my life to protect the spirit's honor with every fiber of my being!"
"I'm the strongest in the village, I swear it!"
"I'm the best cook around!"
"You idiot, that's not a selling point..."
"You're coming with me."
"!?"
Wendigo evaluated the warriors fairly and strictly, selecting his escorts from those without injuries, no recent family events, and with notable skills.
Why choose based on those criteria instead of raw strength? Weren't escorts supposed to be fighters first?
I'm the strongest. No need for that.
It was only natural for a high-ranking figure to have escorts. They weren't just for personal protection.
For Wendigo, especially, they served as a symbol.
They're to show that I'm not a monster, but a spirit—and a safe one at that.
So strength wasn't necessary. As long as they could protect themselves adequately, it was enough.
With the escort issue settled, only one problem remained: finding someone to lead the tribe.
Honestly, Wendigo thought this would be the easiest part. Someone who'd spent the most time with him, possessed outstanding ability to defend the village from threats, and commanded great respect.
"Skadi. I want you to stay in the village and protect everyone."
"B-but, Wendigo-nim!"
Skadi, who had come running excitedly at his call, gazed at him with heartbreaking eyes, as if the sky itself had fallen.
Normally, it might have swayed him, but not this time. She was the only shaman. What choice did he have?
For the village's safety, this was the best option. Skadi knew it too, so her silent pleading was all she could muster.
"There's no one else I can ask. I'm sorry, but take care of the tribe."
"Ughhh..."
Skadi couldn't argue and simply grieved. With her strong sense of responsibility and diligence, throwing a tantrum was never an option.
She channeled her frustration into something constructive: crafting talismans for the escorts.
On the day Wendigo departed, she handed them out with the talismans in tow. Each bore a pattern resembling Wendigo's head. They absorbed cold and hardened the skin like tree bark—a mystical blessing.
As she personally hung them around their necks, the warriors felt their chests swell with pride.
"Aigoo, for the shaman to make these herself... Thank you so much!"
"Do your best for Wendigo-nim. Don't worry about your families. As his shaman, I'll take full responsibility for your safety."
Ivan was impressed. As expected of a shaman serving an exceptional spirit—she was a woman of fine character!
I'm jealous. If only our tribe had someone like her.
As he watched the escorts with envious eyes, Skadi approached him. He faced her, tense as ever.
"Ivan. You take one too."
"Me?"
Ivan unwittingly accepted the talisman as Skadi hung it on him. Was it really okay to give such a precious item to an outsider?
Skadi flashed a smile as radiant as the sun and grasped his hand.
"Of course. Wendigo-nim has acknowledged you, which means you're a fine man. You more than deserve it."
"Ah..."
Ivan's heart pounded, his eyes trembling. Though not kin who'd lived alongside them, he felt a profound sense of camaraderie, like family from his homeland.
"Just... when you return to your tribe, please spread the word about Wendigo-nim. There are many wicked, petty spirits in the world, but he's different."
"Yes, of course! Compared to others, he truly is..."
"A blessing, right?"
"Yes! Exactly!"
Skadi's getting better at charming people.
Still, it was harmless for a mere warrior like Ivan. Wendigo brushed it off without a second thought.
Wendigo and the warriors departed amid cheers.
The forest had no proper paths. To ordinary folk, it would be treacherous, but to the forest people, it was everyday terrain.
Though not rigidly disciplined, their movements exuded a disciplined air—impressive.
Wendigo led them deep into the woods. The autumn chill was biting enough, but the dense canopy devoured the sunlight, making the cold even more oppressive.
Geron, one of the escorts, hacked through vegetation with his sword, exhaling deeply.
"Hoo... No matter how I think about it, that talisman from the shaman is something else. The wood's frozen stiff, yet I don't feel cold at all."
"Of course. Have you forgotten whose shaman she is? I'm uncanny at picking people, and she stood out from the first meeting."
"Hahaha. Hearing a spirit say that feels odd."
"Bi-bim" didn't quite fit a spirit, after all. Spirits were among the world's most wondrous beings.
Sometimes he feels so human. His form screams spirit, though.
Geron's thoughts weren't unique. Wendigo earned more than awe—he understood human hearts too well, despite being a special spirit.
His mind was human, after all, even if his body wasn't. To the unaware, he seemed ideal: something godlike with a human soul.
By treating people humanely, Wendigo naturally won their love.
As the warriors chatted idly, Wendigo sensed something off. An unfamiliar scent assaulted his nose.
No one else notices, so it's not ordinary. Must be from my abilities.
The others showed no reaction. Wendigo realized it stemmed from his powers. As he fell silent and lifted his head, Geron halted the warriors.
Their jovial faces turned deadly serious in an instant, as if the laughter had been a lie. They drew weapons, scanning the surroundings.
"Spirit-nim. Enemies?"
"Not sure yet. But... there's a foul stench."
Not the scent of sin, but something filthy and murky, like sewage.
Wendigo traced the odor, moving forward.
"Follow him! Don't lose sight of the spirit-nim!"
He moderated his pace, but it was still swift for humans. Geron and the warriors panted as they pursued.
Suddenly, Wendigo stopped.
"Kieeeek!!!"
"Grrr..."
Hideously ugly dwarves, rotting corpses, abnormally large wolves and spiders. A horde of monsters reeking of that stench hurled themselves at a stockade.
Atop the stockade, a group of warriors fought back with spears and bows.
They can't hold with those numbers.
No matter how brave, sheer quantity overwhelmed. The stockade creaked, on the verge of collapse.
"Hah!? Spirit-nim, is that the monster horde Ivan mentioned?"
"Dunno."
Would it have taken Ivan so long to reach them if this was it? Unlikely. If it were that far, he'd have sought another tribe first, spirit or no.
So why were these here?
"Could be the vanguard."
"What? Monsters?"
"They're things that shouldn't band together, but now they have. Not impossible."
The warriors recoiled at Wendigo's affirmation. A monster vanguard? Unbelievable—but they held position silently, trusting their spirit's words.
As Wendigo invoked his mysticism, roots erupted from the earth, forming a sword hilt. Frost swirled around it, birthing a grand, beautiful ice blade.
Larger and fiercer than before, thanks to the root skeleton.
"Geron, command the warriors. Keep distance and take out any that stray."
"And the rest?"
"Let runners go. Our job's to drive them off, not exterminate."
Geron and the warriors nodded. Why risk their lives against monsters for no gain?
Seeing their composure return, Wendigo was pleased. Moderate tension helped; excess bred mistakes. The rest was up to them.
Wendigo charged the monsters.
They didn't notice, too focused on clawing the stockade. Wendigo raised his head. Shouts echoed from above.
Realizing reinforcements have arrived...
"A massive monster appeared! Everyone, fall back from the stockade!!"
"Fuck, what monster carries a sword!!"
"......"
A perfectly understandable misunderstanding. Still...
Annoying all the same.
His muscles rippled, channeling fury through his body. That rage manifested as a single sword stroke.
Swinging with stockade-shattering force, the blade cleaved monsters in two.
A horrific crash echoed through the forest.
Kwaaajik!!
"...My bad."
The destructive power exceeded even Wendigo's expectations, shattering the already crumbling stockade.
He eyed the debris awkwardly. A few warriors trembled there, staring at him.
"M-monster..."
"......"
Embarrassed, Wendigo was at a loss for words.