Mountain lord

Sangun (The Lord of the Mountain).

Although this word was once used to refer to tiger, it had completely disappeared from a society that had become stiff due to the development of technology and industry in the 21st century.

However, the Sangun still exists.

Even my shaman grandmother told me that she once performed an offering ritual for Sangun of Baekdusan Mountain.

Of course, they were not real animals.

They were spirits who borrowed the appearance of a tiger and were guardian deities.

And my grandmother, who used to talk about various things with me, in her old age, told me about how to hold the ritual and the food that Sangun likes.

[Have you come to me again, boy?]

My age was 28 years old, far too old to be called a boy.

But there was nothing else to say if Sangun, who had lived for thousands of years, addressed me as a boy.

"I am Deus Verdi. After three months of staying away from home, I have come to pay my respects."

…accompanied by the warm wine and rice cake that Sangun likes.

The warm wine given by the maid had already cooled down in the cold of the North Whedon Mountains, but the yellowish mana gently wrapped around the bottle and warmed it up again.

The first time I climbed the mountain and met Sangun was about a month after I became Deus Verdi.

At that time, I tried to run away.

Learning magic was difficult, studying etiquette was difficult, and Deus had too much trash to take care of.

But among them, the most troublesome were the evil spirits in the mansion.

For some reason, the number of evil spirits inhabiting Verdi's mansion was quite high.

Because I hadn't learned necromancy at the time, I had no choice but to pretend that I didn't see the evil spirits, but the stress was too much for me, and I ran away.

That was when I met the Sangun.

Sangun, who tore apart the evil spirits chasing me, and pitied me.

"I bought some wine and rice cake that Sangun might like. Please enjoy if it suits your taste."

[….]

Sangun's mouth opened and a blue-colored spirit body emerged, wrapping itself around the wine and rice cake.

Then the offerings disappeared naturally as if they were absorbed into the spiritual body.

Although it didn't show in his expression, the oppressive feeling that had been pressing down seemed to disappear, so he seemed to be satisfied.

[ This is the first time. ]

"...."

I must not interrupt recklessly.

I listened to him with a nod of my head, leisurely taking in his words that flowed smoothly.

[For thousands of years, I have only been a presence of fear. It's the first time a human has come to me like this.]

"That is because Sangun saved me."

[....]

An awkward silence hung between the Sangun and me.

Did he not actually intend to protect me five months ago?

Of course, I knew that.

Why would the Sangun bother to save me, a mere human being chased by evil spirits? He only tore them apart because the evil spirits invading his mountain didn't please him. He had no intention of saving me.

'But why does that matter?'

No, it didn't matter.

I would just use this relationship to my advantage.

Even if he didn't have that intention, I would force a connection between us.

'That will be like a leash.'

[I know you didn't come to find me just for a simple greeting.]

A solid voice resonated. He was getting to the point.

"The truth is, I was afraid Sangun would be feeling uncomfortable, so I came to visit in advance."

[...The ignorant immigrants are rampaging on my mountain.]

"However, we do not have the strength to defend this mountain."

Sangun's blue eyes sparkled. As if hit by a waterfall in the middle of winter, my body stiffened and the pressure pressed down on my entire body.

[So, have you come to ask for my help? How dare you?]

"Oh, Sangun."

I took a deep breath and slowly rose from my seat, meeting his gaze.

I knelt down to set the table for negotiation, offering my riches.

Then, I sat on the other side, certain that I had what he desired.

Because I had no intention of giving the initiative in negotiations to a tiger sleeping alone in the mountains…

…I raised my hand and pointed to the east beyond.

"The desert to the east, named Sahar, has now become a human outpost."

This time, to the opposite. I pointed toward the west.

"To the west, in the waters of Parlair, I hear they have built underwater tunnels and undersea fish farms."

Finally, I stretched out my hand and pointed to the sky.

"Beyond the mountains, the Clark Republic has recently developed a flying tool called the Glider."

[What do you mean?]

I carefully placed my hand on my chest, apologizing.

"A thousand years ago. The Sahar Desert was a cursed land for humans. It was said that one day took away flesh, two days blood, and three days life."

[...….]

"However, today. Humans are planting potatoes there. I've heard that the potatoes that have adapted to the climate there don't rot easily and are hard, making them easy to store and the number of recipes has increased."

Sangun's eyes narrowed as if he understood what I was saying. He looked like he was about to tear me apart at any moment, so I used the staff to paw at the ground.

I would have been on my knees if it hadn't been for it.

I couldn't show it though.

I continued my speech in the same tone and without shaking.

"The notorious Leviathan and Kraken in the waters of Parlair. Humans, on the other hand, have driven them out and coveted their underwater resources. It is said that a handful of salt there is worth a fortune in gold."

[...….]

"Sangun... Just a thousand years ago... Did you think humans could fly? Uncivilized humans who had to diligently walk for a month to reach a distance that you, Sangun, could reach in a single leap."

His white breath obscured my vision. But thanks to this, Sangun's appearance was blurred, which helped me endure more.

"Sangun, don't you find it quite interesting? How the Uncivilized humans are taking away the homes of spiritual beings one by one."

[Is this a threat?]

-Thud.

Sangun took a step forward.

The white tiger that was standing on the mountain ridge came closer, growling and baring his teeth right in front of me, despite the snowstorm.

For a split second, I couldn't even blink.

[I could tear you apart with just my breath. Bring a hundred men, and with a flick of my tail, they will no longer be alive.]

[Bring a thousand men, and my claws will tear them apart one by one.]

[Bring ten thousand men, my teeth are eternal; they will not rust, they will not break.]

It was a bold declaration.

In reality, it would be more than possible if they were inside the mountain range.

"On the first day, I will bring ten thousand men."

However, I did not back down.

"On the second day, another ten thousand will come."

[....]

"On the third and fourth day, twenty thousand will come. And they will all perish at the feet of the mountain. Carcasses will pile up on top of one another, and the mountain will longer be covered with trees, but with bones and flesh."

The reason why the Sangun was strong was because he was on the mountain. But what if that mountain becomes dirty?

"Five days."

I extend my finger and declare firmly.

"In just five days, Sangun will fall."

[....]

"Sangun..." my outstretched hand came down naturally. As if asking for a handshake, I reached out to Sangun, "I, Deus Verdi, the second son of the Verdi family, swear here. I will protect your home."

[...You.]

"No human feet will dare to step here. If anyone dares to plant the flag of humans here, I will be the first to kill them."

[....]

"So, Sangun."

A blunt but extremely cold voice came out. It felt like the temperature of North Whedon had affected me too.

"Please help me."

* * *

"Hm?"

Finden Ai, who was resting at the North Whedon mountaintop outpost, felt a strange sensation when she lit the fire on her cigarette.

It wasn't mana, but rather a feeling that passed through her throat.

If an ordinary person had felt it, they would have simply ignored it as a mere misperception, but Finden Ai was different.

With a sense comparable to those of a beast, she quickly grabbed the axe next to her and stood up.

Her comrades, who were planning to raid North Whedon while relieving their battle fatigue, were curious and asked.

"What's wrong?"

"What is it?"

Although Finden Ai was the leader of the Gocheolsang, they were all like one family, so there was no formality.

After all, even if former slaves were concerned with formalities, it would look like a kid imitating an adult.

"Something is coming."

Exhaling smoke from her cigarette, Finden Ai immediately went outside. Her comrades in the outpost followed her, gripping their weapons.

Although it was just a feeling, they believed in Finden Ai's "feeling" absolutely and followed her.

"Hah, the backup team should be coming soon."

"We'll just try to stall for time. Did that fool Count finally request support?"

They were members of the Gocheolsang who were surprised that Darius Verdi had chosen the citizens of North Whedon over his family, but Finden Ai ignored them and looked away.

"Phew."

She pulled the cigarette out of her mouth. Although she had only taken a few sips, she realized that it was not the time to be holding onto it.

"It's not that."

Finden Ai, who was twisting his wrist, caught sight of a man walking towards them through the pouring snow.

"There is only one enemy."

"Just one?"

"What?"

One of the unit members, who was holding a sniper rifle, raised his scope to his eyes and shouted.

"I really mean it! A man in a coat, holding a staff, is coming this way by himself!"

"Is he surrendering?"

"Or maybe he's here to negotiate?"

Although the Gocheolsang group members were relieved to hear that it was only one person, Finden Ai gripped her axe tightly, more tensed than ever before.

And the sniper's report continued, "Oh, he appears to be a wizard! Every time he moves forward, the accumulated snow melts on its own!"

"A noble wizard indeed."

"Looks like all the Griffin aristocrats know how to show off."

"For a guy who came here to surrender and negotiate, he's already making a bad first impression."

Finden Ai showed a sharp reaction to the comrades who still couldn't grasp the situation.

"You fools, wake up and get your heads straight... He is the 'enemy'."

"Yes?"

"...?"

At that moment, a sphere of flames came flying toward them. It was a magic that was neither massive nor threatening.

But Finden Ai didn't let her guard down and swung her axe to split the fire pit in half, however...

"...!"

Her gaze turned towards the fireball she had just split in half.

The half that was split merged back together as one.

Then, as if bending in mid-air, it turned its orbit and came flying back towards Finden Ai once again.

[Kyahahaahaha!]

With a terrifying scream.

- Whoosh!

The fireballs split apart once more. But as if it hadn't been hit, it merged back together.

From that point, large and small balls of fire poured out from the wizard.

[Kill! Let's kill him!]

[We're free! F*ck, freedom!]

[Let's quench our thirst with blood and fill our stomachs with flesh!]

[Immigrants! Get the mace!]

"What, what is this!"

"The magic is speaking! Get into formation!"

"Even if you beat it, it'll come back! Stand back to back and defend!"

The fireballs filled with various voices were randomly circling the sky as if they had a will, swallowing the falling snow.

Meanwhile, Finden Ai's bloodshot eyes glared at the wizard in a coat, who strode toward them without pausing.

"Necromancer...!"

It was the guy's true identity.

Finden Ai growled as if she were about to tear him apart.

Deus Verdi did not even look at her, speaking in a low voice that was as cold as the mountain range's chill.

"Go and eat them up, you evil spirits."