I Became a Wendigo in a Fantasy World

4 – Episode 4

“…Is that really all you need? Truly?”

“Yes.”

“You mean it’s enough, not delicious food, rare herbs, or even a statue carved in Lord Wendigo’s likeness, just… that?”

“Isn’t it a relief when you’re paying the price to just deal with light requests? That’s enough for me.”

Wendigo responded as if he was bothered. His demand for information as a price was not due to his undermining the work he did. Killing a person wasn’t exactly lighter than a few spoken words.

Of course, I would prefer valuable goods if I could…

“But it does feel a bit wrong to snatch goods from a woman who hasn’t got much.”

From what he saw, Skadi was a pauper. While she had become a monster, he still wasn’t cruel enough to steal anything from such a poor (?) person.

Wendigo had asked for payment, considering her situation, but the problem was with Skadi.

“Is this okay? No matter what, you’re a spirit, and just to pay such a price, but Wendigo says it’s enough…”

Any other Shaman might’ve welcomed such an easygoing spirit and form evil plans to take advantage, but Skadi was different from those reckless Shamans.

Her mother had become a renowned shaman precisely because she never played games with the spirits; if she had sacrifices to make, she would make them, never bargaining or treating it as a joke.

Skadi’s mother never bargained with spirits. Spirits are narrow-minded, arrogant and do as they please, and once their feelings are hurt, they refuse to help.

So, Skadi wanted to pay the spirits a justifiable price.

Especially a strong and kind (?) spirit like Wendigo!

“My mother always said that we must repay the guidance we received from the spirits. Of course, I will repay Wendigo as soon as I get the chance,” Skadi promised.

“Fine, fine. Do as you please.”

Wendigo was contemplating trying to dissuade her but gave up. Skadi’s determination was too strong.

Wendigo thought it was better to change the subject, fearing that Skadi might do something reckless.

“We’ll talk as we go. Where did you live?” he asked.

“My village? Why do you ask…?”

Skadi expressed her confusion. It hadn’t been long since she met Wendigo, but from what she could gather, Wendigo seemed to avoid contact with people.

But asking about a village? Where on earth would be crowded with people like a village.

Skadi’s suspicion was plausible, but Wendigo couldn’t help it.

Naturally, he didn’t want to encounter humans. If only he could communicate, but most people would flee at the sight of him.

The reason he visited the village was purely for Skadi’s sake. Unlike himself, Skadi was human, a creature that needed more than he thought.

Food was essential, as was drink, and it was challenging to do anything without proper tools. And besides, clothes…

‘Come to think of it, I need clothes too.’

Despite his fur and hide, Wendigo was technically naked. He was uncomfortable with his lower body swaying about.

Although he wasn’t as embarrassed as a human would be, being bare still felt disconcerting.

Getting clothes on this occasion wouldn’t be too bad.

“You said you didn’t have time to pack your stuff, so go to the village and pick up some things. I’ll escort you there. You can think of me as a harmless spirit you control… And it would be good if you can get me something to wear.”

“!”

Skadi was taken aback, not expecting him to help this much.

Indeed, this spirit was different, quite different. Was he not a kinder being than the spirits she knew!

‘There’s bound to be something in the cabin that Wendigo would like!’

‘It’d be nice if I could get a few large pieces of leather.’

The one willing to give and the one casually willing to receive had diverging thoughts. The ways of the world were indeed puzzling.

* * *

The path to the village was rather long. Wendigo realized anew how hard Skadi must have been striving to survive. The seriousness of her life-threatening ordeal was apparent.

Yes, it certainly was…

‘She doesn’t seem gloomy at all, considering.’

“There’s not much difference between a spirit and a demon. If they can converse with people, they’re spirits; otherwise, they’re demons. There are even so-called demons who can talk. And…”

Ironically, Skadi, the subject of the discussion, was busy imparting knowledge to Wendigo. Anyone who didn’t know better could have thought she was educating a random village child.

There was no likelihood of one’s heart being at ease even when the life was at stake. There were many reasons why Skadi could regain stability quickly.

First off, it was not the first time that Skadi’s life had been threatened. Her mother did her best to protect her, but she couldn’t fend off all the malice alone. Skadi faced numerous life threats throughout her childhood in various ways.

Poisonous snakes were released when she was asleep. Offering poisoned fruits under the pretense of kindness. Driving a horse to bump into her to make it look like an accident… The malice of people was indeed dreadful. They casually committed acts that pushed others to death, simply because they were different.

Still… she survived through all these threats, puzzlingly. It was great luck, and it was a terrible misfortune. Because of it, she didn’t lose her will easily, even in the face of danger. When she faced the bear, she gave up because she had nowhere to escape as she was surrounded by enemies, but her will was as robust as a rope made of buffalo tendon.

Moreover… she had faith. She looked at Wendigo while mumbling. There was an inexplicable comfort when looking at Wendigo.

Yes. Skadi’s faith was in Wendigo. The belief that no matter what enemy appears, Wendigo would protect her. ‘Wendigo said he would protect me, so I will be safe no matter what happens!’ This was a misunderstanding.

If a danger approaches that he can’t handle, Wendigo intended to take Skadi and escape. That’s natural since he wasn’t the type to enjoy adventures by taking risks. That was possible because he thought there would be no strong enemies in the village, which is why he headed there.

The so-called warriors were sliced in half in an instant, so the judgement was that there would be no enemies in the village stronger than them. This was why he made this choice. Skadi, unaware of this, started moving her feet, chanting her knowledge.

“People believe that shamans can summon thunder and spit fire, but the reason it is possible is because of the contract with the spirits. The spirits help shamans to pull out the natural powers in exchange for a bit of mystery.”

“Then, through me also, are you able to use power?”

“Huh? We have never made a contract… I suppose it would be possible if we do?”

“Haven’t we made a contract? I’m assisting you in return for obtaining information and items for clothing from you.”

Wendigo looked at Skadi, and Skadi looked back at Wendigo. It was bizarre seeing the giant monster and beauty staring at each other.

Scadi was appalled when she finally understood Wendigo’s words. She had suspected something was off when she began asking about spirits and demons!

“Could it be… you truly know nothing about the spirit realm? Not even the pacts?”

“I wouldn’t ask if I knew. I have only just cleared my thoughts; not even a full day has passed.”

“I-I’m sorry! I thought you were testing my abilities by asking all those questions… that is, was I wrong?!”

Scadi was flustered. To her knowledge, spirits were complete entities from birth.

Being a complete entity didn’t only mean they were physically mature from birth.

It implied the knowledge of harnessing one’s powers, bestowing mystic abilities upon others, and the understanding of how to maneuver between mystic and material realms among other things.

Being a spirit meant not only having control over one’s abilities but also holding a strong sense of self, knowing who they are and how they came into being.

Initially, the Snake that Drinks from the Rocks, the Hawk that Eats the Lightning, these names weren’t given by people, but spirits self-proclaimed.

Spirits would never allow a human to name them. Being addressed by a wrong name was seen as a great insult, nothing more needed to be said.

Scadi, calming her bewildering thoughts, decided to ponder over each point one by one.

“… Master Wendigo, do you know exactly what your abilities are?”

“I can control cold, I’m strong and quick. If being undetected is an ability, then that’s it too. Oh, and I can detect feelings and sins of others. Besides that, I’m not sure.”

“You knew your name since birth? As I know, spirits are given names by Mother Nature at birth…”

“Didn’t have one. The name Wendigo was self-given.”

“Can you return to the mystic realm, leaving your body behind?”

“If I knew how to do that, I wouldn’t have run into you in the first place. At that time, I had no intention of meeting humans.”

The more they spoke, Scadi’s face became perplexed.

He knew how to use his abilities but didn’t know his full potential.

That he, who displays the power of spirit realm, wasn’t named by Mother Nature was troubling.

The fact that he didn’t know how to return to his mystic form was strange too.

Spirits, inherently, were entirely mystic beings.

In spirit’s perspective, having a physical form was an anomaly. If compared to humans, it was like wearing heavy and uncomfortable clothes; naturally odd.

She then asked the most important question.

“What is the source of you, Master Wendigo? The source of the Hawk that Eats the Lightning is lightning, and for the Snake that Drinks from the Rocks, it’s earth and rocks. You too, Master Wendigo, must have a source in nature…”

Wendigo fell into thought after her question. After a moment of contemplation, he responded.

“I don’t know.”

“Oh…”

With a gasp, Skadi put her hand on her head. It was a moment when all her knowledge went array.