I Became a Wendigo in a Fantasy World

17

Dmitri.

He loved the village. But it was not the land he loved.

After all, a village was a place where people came together to live. Dmitri treasured the memories he had made with them, and he loved them.

Therefore, he had fought for his life. The only way to protect the village was to fight.

‘But not now.’

He wasn’t sure why he had denied breaking the fence, but this spirit was different. Very different.

It wasn’t about power or prestige. It wasn’t a judgment that came from his head, but his instincts were shouting.

At least in this forest, there was nothing that could oppose the spirit before him.

Dmitri trusted his instincts. That’s why he bowed his head without hesitation.

“Hmm…”

The Wendigo sat on the remains of the fence (it couldn’t help it because of its size) and tapped the debris with its claw.

The Wendigo sniffed out Dmitri’s emotions. Reverence, fear, and deep affection.

‘Surely he isn’t in love with me. Is it his family… or the entire village?’

If he was in love with him, he would have shuddered as if a bug had landed on his back. But if the subject was different, the story would change.

‘It’s similar to when I first met Heggilson.’

It’s easy to say you love your hometown and your village, but not easy to show it in actions.

From Noble mtl dot com

There must be many people in the world who want the protection of the spirits. Who wouldn’t want to wield the power to kill and save people?

Nevertheless, the reason people couldn’t do that was because dealing with spirits entailed considerable risk.

“Admirable. Do they mean so much to you that you can overcome your fear?”

“Yes. It’s the village that took me in when I shamelessly was ready to die anytime. How could it not be important?”

The Wendigo noticed that he was telling the truth.

In such a world, it was not an easy task for a man who was once an orphan to love the village where he was born and raised. Yet, to value the village to the extent of risking his own life…

It was only a single question, but Wendigo sensed much about the village.

“Lift your head. I understand your heart. But to be taken in by me means that you have to leave here. Can you do that?”

“Yes. I’ve already discussed it with the villagers and obtained their approval.”

“It’s likely for a young village chief to be doubted, but your credibility is impressive.”

“Yes? No, I’m not a village chief. Our village is so small that no one is worthy of being called a chief.”

As Dimitri lifted his head and spoke, Wendigo shook his head. As if that was a possibility.

Even mere beasts elect a leader when they form a pack.

Wendigo pointed at Dimitri with his finger. Dimitri looked at Wendigo with a questioning gaze.

“You must have been their village chief. It seems you’re the only one who doesn’t know.”

“Y-yes? But how could I be the village chief…”

Dimitri modestly waved his hand. The word ‘chief’ had always seemed heavy to him.

But then…

“Hey, Dimitri! If you’re not the chief, then who is?”

“Mr. Dimitri, people don’t just listen to you for no reason.”

“Wh, what?”

He was undoubtedly a chief. At the very least, he was the village leader.

As the villagers began cheering one by one, they were soon chanting Dimitri’s name.

Was it because his heartbeat was so strong?

Dimitri shed tears. Wendigo silently embedded the totem into the ground.

A black and sturdy spear shot up from the totem carrying his will, and Wendigo pulled it out in a flash.

“Here, have this. Thinking back to how you wielded a spear from a fence made me want to gift this to you.”

“This, this is?!”

As Wendigo tossed the spear, Dimitri reflexively caught it. His eyes widened at the fresh aroma and mysterious energy emanating from the spear.

“Strive for the people in the future too. This is a gift given for that reason.”

‘Th-thank you. Thank you!”

Tears streamed down Dimitri’s face as he expressed his gratitude. Wendigo nodded and rose from his seat.

“I have to get up now. Geron, I know you are tired, but I will need your help.”

“Not at all.”

Geron responded with a smile. As Wendigo left, Dimitri’s name echoed loudly.

* * *

‘Hmm, I think I’ve melted his heart enough. Making allies is indeed a difficult task.’

Was this the plan of someone, or a spirit… well, something, who had just stirred up the passionate zeal of a man?

Wendigo, having left his seat, was passively assessing the village. It was not about the loss of humanity or anything like that.

This was an inevitable thought for the Wendigo, who had come to rule over people.

‘Increasing the number is good, but not everyone suited can be accepted because parasites tend to follow.’

Although it is said that one’s nature can be changed with hard work, Wendigo didn’t easily believe such words. It was because one’s nature takes a considerable amount of time to form.

Wendigo wanted his people to be clean, and for that reason, a test was required.

Fortunately, they were qualified enough.

‘Dimitri, who is no different from a leader, is a upright young man, and the villagers too passed the test.’

People who repaid their kindness in spite of poor conditions.

There wouldn’t be any issue if people like these joined the village.

That’s why he tried to accumulate goodwill. It was filled quite well, enough to think that he had filled it nicely.

This goodwill will be the reason for their arduous actions and a weight to suppress any cunning thoughts.

Organizing his thoughts, Wendigo looked up at the night sky. The moon was still beautiful even though the world had changed.

He snickered.

‘I never imagined I would have such worries.’

And now, he’s evaluating the character of people. Even though he himself is not a human.

Indeed, the world’s affairs are interesting because you don’t know what lies ahead.

The village, under Dmitri’s guidance, has quickly readied themselves for departure. Wendigo was astonished by their speed.

“You guys aren’t as panicky as I thought. Even though you know you should leave, it wouldn’t be easy for your bodies to follow suit.”

“hahahahaha, for us forest dwellers, migrating is a common occurrence.”

For many forest dwellers, their homeland was the forest itself, not because they loved the forest, but because they had no time to get attached to the ground.

When monsters took over, they left. When famine struck, they left. When an obnoxious chief rose among the neighboring tribes, they left…

Dmitri’s lack of attachment to the ground now seemed natural.

After all, he wasn’t born and raised here!

Almost instantly, houses were demolished, and both men and women equally shouldered their loads as they began marching in rows.

Wendigo casually watched the people. Contrary to their trivial appearance, they were brimming with vigor. Above all, he liked the clear and clean sparkle in their eyes.

“Gerón, assign some warriors to Dmitri. He will leave half of his warriors and head toward the village under their guidance. My shaman, Skadi, will welcome him when he shares his situation.”

“Spirit, will you be alright without us?”

At Dmitri’s question, Wendigo burst into laughter. He did not expect to be the subject of concern.

“Who do you think I am? I am not someone to get hurt and bleed, so don’t worry.”

Dmitri scratched his head. When he thought about it, Wendigo was right.

‘Honestly, I can’t imagine the spirit falling.’

Dmitri wondered if there could be any being, other than the celestial gods they believe outside the forest, who could defeat Wendigo. He felt even an ogre could be sliced in one stroke.

When two warriors picked by Gerón led Dmitri’s group towards the village, Wendigo resumed his steps towards his destination.

After walking through the forest for a while, Ivan cautiously approached and spoke to Wendigo.

“Um, Mr. Wendigo, can I ask you a question?”

“If it’s something I can answer, I will. Tell me.”

“If, if our tribe were also to be needed by you, could we be taken under your care?”

Wendigo stroked his chin. It wasn’t that he was contemplating, but because it would be embarrassing if he were to question too fervently.

He had never seen Ivan’s tribe, but he had a fair amount of trust in them. After all, what had prompted him to action in the first place?

“It was thanks to Ivan’s tribe that the danger was reported.”

Logically, it would have been better for them to flee rather than to alert others to the danger.

Nevertheless, they did not run away. On the contrary, hadn’t they endeavored to alert others to the danger, even at the risk to themselves?

The fact they discovered a horde of monsters and survived was proof of their abilities.

“Ivan, your tribe could have ignored the danger, but chose to act for others. I see no reason to reject such noble ones. Rather, I wish to ask you something.”

“Mister Spirit! *sob*”

Wendigo felt uncomfortable seeing Ivan’s eyes turn red. He didn’t expect him to shed tears.

‘Ivan, apart from other things, his tear glands are too weak…’

“Sob. Your words are so warm!”

“I have never met anyone as kind as you, Mister Spirit!”

“……”

Wendigo swallowed his astonishment and coldly looked at the men shedding tears.

If it were not for their emanating trust and emotion, he would have thought they were crying merely to manipulate him.

When Geron burst out laughing, Wendigo reprimanded him.

“Geron, stop laughing and try to calm down.”

“hehehe. I wondered where Skadi got her eloquence from, but it’s clear she learned it from Spirit.”

“What? I haven’t taught Skadi anything. I don’t even know how.”

Geron winked and let out another laugh. Wendigo felt unjustly doubted.

Did he look as if he had the ability to captivate people like Skadi? It was impossible to believe given how his looks usually incited fear in people at first sight.

‘It must be because people in this world are full of emotions.’

Wendigo comforted them even as they traveled. Of course, it had no effect. Rather, their tears flowed even more at the care he showed.

His hardship ended only when they arrived at the next village.

“Mister Spirit. You can see the village there.”

“I see. Everyone should stop their tears now. We can’t let the villagers see us in this pathetic state.”

“Yes, yes! We will show pride and dignity worthy of woodland folk!”

“No, what kind… never mind. Do as you want.”

“Yes!!!”

The response was robust. Wendigo was slowly beginning to question if the problem lied within himself.

‘People say you go insane when faced with a monster like Cthulhu… Am I losing my mind, too? But I was sane at first..’

“Sir Spirit. I’ll gather the people.”

“That’s a good idea. I think they’ll be surprised when they see my face.. hmm?”

Just as Wendigo agreed with Geron, he suddenly stopped when he saw the gate opening.

The ones walking out of the gate were the villagers. They approached with their hands held high, showing no signs of resistance.

“We will resist no further! Take whatever you want, just spare our lives, please!”

“……”

As Wendigo maintained his silence, Geron felt a pang of sadness. Despite the scary outer appearance, Wendigo was warmhearted; it hurt to see him misunderstood.

Quickly, Geron stepped forward to dismiss the misunderstanding.

“We’re not pillagers. We’re here to notify you about some strange events…”

“Urgh!?”

He clamped his mouth shut as Wendigo’s large arm darted past his face. Geron cautiously turned his head to look at Wendigo.

“You. You have a suspicious smell about you.”

“L-, Lord Spirit?”

As the indication of an imminent threat intensified, Geron swallowed hard.