A Wolf Named OneTon
Having neatly polished off the prepared meal, the Wendigo set off for the village from which the messenger had flown. The village lay to the north, in a notably cold area near the mountains—likely no coincidence that the musk deer had appeared there. The Wendigo slowly surveyed the village from nearby, suspecting his absorbed Origin as the cause but considering the possibility of outside interference just in case.
'None of the outsiders I've met in this forest have been normal.' From the thorn boar and the shaman who followed it, to the parasites and OneTon. OneTon had said there was no food in this forest, so why were so many problems cropping up...?
'At least this time, it doesn't seem like any outside meddling.'
The Wendigo headed toward the thickets around the village. There, a herd of musk deer grazed peacefully. He approached the warrior keeping watch over them.
"Ugh. Can't even hunt these cows, what a pointless job..."
"You've had a rough time."
"Huh? Who..."
The warrior froze mid-sentence, whipping his head around at the unfamiliar voice. His eyes locked onto the massive deer-skull head, instantly recognizing the speaker. He stared blankly at the Wendigo for a long moment.
The Wendigo waited patiently for him to snap out of it. These reactions happened so often now that he'd grown used to it.
"Uh... no, that's not right!"
Thwack! Finally coming to his senses, the warrior slapped his own cheek hard and dropped to his knees.
"Forgive me! I failed to recognize you, Spirit! To show such an unsightly face...!"
"No, it's fine. If anything, I was wrong to approach without a sound. More importantly, is that the herd that came to the village?"
"Yes! They showed up out of nowhere and just settled in, refusing to leave the area."
Ignoring the warrior—who was shouting like a eager recruit—the Wendigo approached the musk deer. They didn't flee as he drew near. If anything, their bright, sparkling eyes staring up at him were almost unnerving.
'...Savagery isn't just for beasts of prey, huh.' Most wild animals inherently possessed a feral nature. So why had OneTon only...
'With that guy's personality, he'd have sneered at animals like these as weaklings.'
If OneTon had sought genuine trade instead of deception, he wouldn't have stuck to just predators. Fierce beasts might help in battle, but they were useless otherwise. Coldly speaking, predators were just meat sinks without fights to justify them.
But what about cattle, horses, pigs?
'Cows and horses for plowing fields, pigs thriving even in this harsh world.'
Leaving behind such perfect assets to collect beasts that matched his ego... what a waste.
As the Wendigo stroked a musk deer's head, it let out a pleased bleat and rubbed against his hand. Deciding to grant this fine creature a small gift, he channeled mysticism from his palm into its body, triggering a transformation. The deer's size grew, its fur becoming softer yet tougher. He even tempered its spirit to prevent any wild outbursts.
'Looks like it turned out well.'
The Wendigo pulled his hand back and nodded in satisfaction. This would make for excellent livestock. He turned to the warrior.
"Tell the village chief to raise these musk deer properly. Help that big one breed—don't butcher it."
"Yes, sir! I'll stake my life on making sure the herd prospers!"
"...No, I didn't mean you to take charge. No need to go that far."
The Wendigo tried to rein in the warrior's blazing passion, but the man's eyes burned with unyielding resolve. Having witnessed the musk deer receive the Wendigo's blessing firsthand, the warrior saw it as divine revelation.
'I have to make these thrive!'
'Doesn't look like he'll listen no matter what I say.'
The Wendigo gave the warrior—soon to be a shepherd—a wry glance. He'd never imagined deciding one man's fate like this. Watching the man dash off, he mused,
'This herd won't be the first or last.'
Who could even guess how many beasts lived in this forest? This village wasn't special, so others would see visitors too...
"Hope the useful ones show up."
With that expectation, the Wendigo returned to his temple.
The Wendigo's prediction proved correct. As if musk deer were just the beginning, messengers arrived daily. No oxen or horses for labor, unfortunately, but pigs, chickens, goats—animals perfect for husbandry—began appearing one by one.
Even at the Wendigo's temple, beasts showed up...
"Wolves, you say?"
"Yes. A pack with snow-white fur. Quite large, too."
"Wolves..."
Geron's report sent the Wendigo into thought. Not livestock material, but wolves had their uses. Since they'd chosen to join willingly, they could serve like dogs. With luck, they'd make fine tribal companions... but
'Of all things, wolves. Makes me think of OneTon and feel uneasy.'
He pictured OneTon smirking slyly. The beast-spirit's wolfish form was bad enough, but the real issue was that wolves had been his most common minions. Even if OneTon had lost his Origin and vanished, the Wendigo couldn't relax. If these were OneTon's old wolves, trouble was guaranteed.
"Where are the wolves now?"
"Playing near your avatar, Spirit?"
"...Right, the avatar's still up."
The Wendigo recalled what he'd forgotten. He hadn't dismantled it yet. Geron, assuming it was for maintaining dignity, shot him a cold look. But the Wendigo had his excuses—he'd been busy visiting villages.
"Don't look at me like that. It's not like having an avatar standing around causes a fuss."
"...Please keep such talk to yourself in front of others. I'm afraid they'll lose their reverence."
"That's why I'm saying it to you. I'd never say it in public."
The Wendigo meant it as a show of trust, but Geron felt a stiff neck from the stress. Always at the Wendigo's side, he earned respect from many... but they bombarded him with questions about the Spirit.
'What does the Spirit do in the temple? Patrolling the forest to protect us?'
'Crops are bearing more fruit lately—is that his blessing?'
'A cold wind brushed me during dawn training—was that him watching over me?'
Those without close contact imagined the Wendigo performing profound, mystical rites in the temple. His feats had been too impressive! Their questions stemmed from awe, but...
Answering them was torture for Geron. The Wendigo was so casual in private!
'Sometimes I wonder if he's really a spirit. How can I tell people that?'
If he acted solemn even around him, fabricating answers wouldn't be necessary. Geron, forced to invent tales to meet expectations, naturally resented the culprit.
As Geron stared with layered meaning—reverence mixed with fury—the Wendigo looked away. He knew exactly how Geron felt; the scent of awe and anger wafted from him.
'One wrong word here, and he might collapse.'
The Wendigo didn't want that. Few were as easy to talk to as Geron.
"Go see Skadi and have some tea good for body and mind. I'll check the wolves via the avatar."
"...Understood."
Geron bowed obediently. He needed the break too. Tea for body and mind might calm this rage...
He paused at the door, sensing something off.
"Spirit, when you mentioned tea good for body and mind, did you perhaps know my—"
Before Geron finished, the Wendigo shifted his consciousness to the avatar.
"...Sharp intuition can be a curse. Gotta watch my words next time."
"Wendigo-nim!"
Regaining awareness in the avatar's body, the Wendigo turned at the familiar voice. There stood Skadi, surrounded by wolves. Surprised by his sudden arrival, she flapped her arms in delight.
"Skadi. How'd you know I possessed the avatar?"
"Hehe. I saw the mysticism surge with my Spirit Eye! Here to check the wolves too, Wendigo-nim?"
"Something like that... but it seems unnecessary."
The Wendigo eyed the wolves fawning over Skadi with curiosity. Beasts showed him goodwill sometimes, but never humans—unless they recognized her as his follower and held back.
'Anyone'd think she's the wolves' queen.'
They wagged tails and exposed bellies to her like she was him. The largest one even let her ride its back, grinning.
The Wendigo pegged it as male.
'At least not OneTon's leftovers.'
If they were, Skadi wouldn't be playing. Half would be frozen solid, the rest skewered on roots.
Relaxing, he approached Skadi and petted the wolves. They bounded around him joyfully.
"That big one's the leader?"
"Yes. Seems so. They say it led the pack into the village."
The Wendigo glanced between the wolf and Skadi. A guard or two for her wouldn't hurt. The avatar worked, but without control, it moved too rigidly, lacking flexibility. An independent thinker would be ideal...
'This one looks promising. Strong mysticism, and it takes to Skadi well.'
He placed a hand on the leader's head and surged mysticism. Sensing what was coming, the wolf dropped its grin for a solemn gaze befitting an alpha.
The wave of mysticism reshaped it: size up to the Wendigo's waist, bones and teeth steel-rending, eyes sharp with intelligence. Pulling back after pouring in a hefty dose, the Wendigo watched the wolf howl purely.
Skadi's eyes sparkled. He pointed at it.
"Skadi. Raise this one."
"Really!?"
She beamed; he nodded, satisfied. Should've given her a pet sooner, seeing her joy...
The wolf nuzzled her leg happily. She giggled, stroking its neck.
"Glad you like it. What'll you name it?"
"A name..."
As Skadi pondered, the Wendigo smiled warmly. Infused with mysticism, it'd live long with her—a lifelong companion, so the choice mattered...
"Got it!"
"Quick decision. What is it?"
"OneTon!"
"......"
Stunned by her savage naming sense, the Wendigo gaped. Skadi was sharp despite her quirks—why name it after that recent foe?
But her reason, as always, revolved around him.
"A wolf too stupid to know its place, daring to challenge Wendigo-nim? Nothing of it deserves to remain. Even its name should serve to glorify you!"
'Never thought I'd pity that wolf.'
He sighed at the unforeseen motive. Stealing even a dead foe's name!
With her beaming 'Did I do good?' look, he couldn't suggest a change.
"Y-yeah. Good thinking."
"Yes! From now on, you're OneTon!"
"Woof!"
Ignoring his turmoil, the wolf—now OneTon—barked brightly. Its carefree cheer drew a chuckle from the Wendigo.
'Fine. Names don't matter. As long as it doesn't cause trouble.'
He gently petted new OneTon's head.
Days later.
"Spirit. A shaman chasing the white wolves has arrived at the village..."
"Damn. Shouldn't have named it after that accursed spirit."
The Wendigo cursed his past self, swayed by Skadi's puppy eyes.