A Wendigo was a mythological creature believed by some villagers in the city of Quentall.
It was said to have the form of a deer, but so thin that its ribs were visible. What made it different from an ordinary deer was that the Wendigo had fangs, walked on two legs, and bore claws.
According to the myth in Quentall, a Wendigo was once a deer that had escaped from hunters, but the wounds on its body caused it to die a few days later. The deer died in a state of starvation and emaciation.
Then, its corpse was possessed by a forest spirit, and it became a flesh-eating creature known as the Wendigo.
"…that is what I know," Ronan explained.
Crowne still did not understand several things about the Wendigo myth, but there was indeed a possibility that this creature was the culprit behind all of this.
Especially since Ronan had said that a Wendigo was a cunning being, highly skilled at hiding, and always starving.
"If the one behind all of this truly is a Wendigo, then how do we find such a creature?" Crowne asked.
Ronan swallowed hard. He hesitated to answer, even turning his face away, but Crowne forced him to explain.
With heavy reluctance, Ronan finally answered, "A Wendigo is a flesh-eater—human flesh included—but it is a cowardly creature. That is why it will not attack humans in groups, unless cornered."
Crowne narrowed his eyes. "You mean we have to split up in order to lure it out?"
Ronan nodded. "But I don't think that's a good idea. It's far too risky, because I've heard that no one has ever survived an encounter with a Wendigo."
Ronan shook his head repeatedly. He even patted Crowne's shoulder, trying to convince his master that what he had just suggested did not need to be done.
He even repeated his words several times.
"We're going to try it."
No matter how many times Ronan tried to stop him, it would all be useless once his master had already made a decision. Crowne was the stubborn type, difficult to sway once his mind was set.
In the end, Ronan could only give in and nod. "But be careful! A Wendigo is extremely strong."
**
The atmosphere in the village of Garlun grew tenser. Most of the villagers stayed inside their homes, only going out when absolutely necessary. The village almost looked like a ghost town.
Yet the village chief continued walking around the village at all times. Not to watch over his people, but rather to make offers to livestock owners.
"If you want to sell them to me, I'll buy them for two gold coins. What do you say?"
The livestock owner shook his head with a gloomy face. "You always make such unreasonable offers. Today's offer is almost forty percent lower than yesterday's."
The village chief shrugged his shoulders. He looked as if he did not care much. He turned around, but before leaving, he glanced at the man's livestock.
The man still owned ten cows, sixteen goats, and dozens of chickens.
"I'm only offering help. If you don't want to, that's fine. But when your livestock gets attacked again, I'm certain you'll regret it," he said before walking away.
The village chief did not only visit one household. He visited every home that still had livestock.
Of course, he offered to buy their animals for relatively cheap prices. Some refused and tried to hold out, but others were forced to sell their livestock at low prices—because if their livestock were eaten by wolves, they would gain nothing at all.
Better a little than nothing. That was what some of them thought.
And besides, with the gold coins they earned, they could start other work—like farming, opening a restaurant, or something else safer.
**
That day, the village chief successfully bought dozens of livestock from his own people. He walked with a wide smile on his face.
However, as he was walking home, he saw Ronan and Crowne standing in the middle of the road. They were looking directly at him.
The village chief narrowed his eyes. "What are they doing? Have they started to suspect me?" He shook his head slightly. "No. They're only F-rank adventurers. They shouldn't be smart enough to realize it."
The chief finally stopped walking. He put on a warm smile, as though he had no burden at all on his face. "Adventurers, why are you standing in the middle of the road like that? It looks like you're searching for something?"
Ronan bowed respectfully, while Crowne kept his sharp gaze locked onto him. "We want to ask you a few things, village chief," Crowne said in a flat tone.
The chief spread his hands wide. "Of course, of course. Please. If I can help, I'll gladly answer."
Crowne took a step forward. "Last night, the creature managed to attack livestock again. Even though Ronan and I circled the village dozens of times, we still missed it. Did you see or hear anything suspicious? Sounds, shadows, anything."
The village chief shook his head slowly while letting out a small laugh. "Ah, no. Last night I was only at home. My soldiers also reported nothing. Still… I was shocked this morning when I heard the news. What a pity about the Loran family's cow. If only they had sold it to me, they wouldn't have suffered such a huge loss."
"Then what about the previous incidents? Were there any signs when the creature attacked the livestock? We need as many clues as possible."
The chief shook his head again, this time faster. "I don't know. At the time of the incidents, it was midnight. Do you expect me to still be awake then?"
"Ah, very well. Thank you."
Crowne patted Ronan's shoulder, signaling him to continue their walk. As the two of them left, the village chief smiled.
"Just as I thought—they're fools."
**
The sun was already leaning westward when they returned to the old woman's shabby house, the one who had given them lodging. The grandmother and her granddaughter were already waiting outside. When she saw them coming, the old woman smiled brightly.
"Ah, you're back. Come inside. My granddaughter has made some hot tea."
The little girl shyly handed them cups of simple tea. Ronan accepted it with a warm smile, while Crowne only gave a short nod.
They sat on old chairs in front of the house. The cool afternoon breeze brought a bit of peace, though their minds were filled with countless thoughts.
"Master, are we really going to carry out the plan we talked about earlier?" Ronan asked with a worried face.
Crowne nodded.
"But a Wendigo is far too dangerous to face one on one."
Crowne looked calm. He was confident enough in himself. He had a trick in mind, one he believed would allow him to win easily.
And besides, there was something he wanted to investigate beyond the Wendigo itself.
As Ronan and Crowne looked toward the road—or more precisely, straight ahead—they saw the old woman's granddaughter standing there with her eyes wide open.
"You two… know about the Wendigo?" the girl asked.