Hunting the Wendigo

Even the back road we took yesterday got completely buried in the snow overnight.

Ha...! I've been driving carriages for twenty years, and I've never seen that road get blocked before.

This blizzard really is something else...

Until the roads reopen, I suppose I'll do as Claire suggested and conduct reconnaissance at the hot springs...

The way of the hunter...! One glance is all you need to tell what's good!

As for this particular item...

I acquired it from a sage who lived near an oasis in the midwestern desert...

And I'm told it was once worn by the Star Savior in the fight against evil.

It's said there were several of them so they could be shared among companions...

But unfortunately, I only have two left.

That's amazing!

And it looks awesome too! That green gem glowing in the middle is totally my style!

I'll take both! I've got plenty of money!

Then... it's been a pleasure doing business with you. Heh heh heh...

But what's all that in your bag...?

Something like this won't keep out the cold properly.

And what is this flimsy-looking trap? Even a small mouse wouldn't get caught in this.

I-I know that much! I just... bought them because they looked cool...! They're like souvenirs!

For example... how about these semi-automatic waterproof shoe covers?

When they detect rain, they snap open like this and keep your shoes from getting wet.

Pretty cool, right? Don't you think they'd be useful on a rainy day?

If you're worried about traveling over deep snow, ordinary snowshoes would be more practical.

Th-then what about this limited-edition shining gold wire restraint gun?

Here, watch closely. You aim this launcher at your target and fire...!

And the loaded wire automatically binds them!

See? This one's actually useful, right? If we find the Wendigo, we can restrain it with this!

And... apparently the launcher and wire are plated with pure gold! It's a special limited edition!

If you buy unreliable equipment based on looks alone, you may come to regret it.

And aren't all of these from questionable sources?

I caught a glimpse earlier. You were buying all sorts of things from an incredibly suspicious peddler.

You should only buy tactical gear that's proven in the field, and only from trusted sellers—

More importantly... you said you can't return to NOA for now, right?

Perfect. Then you've got time, don't you? Want to come hunting with me?

Ahem! Of course, you'll just be helping. The top-tier hunter Trish will be the one who catches it!

Sure, you and I... um... have pretty different styles!

But when we fought together last time, I thought, "Wow, she's actually pretty good."

If you come with me, I think you'll be a big help on a dangerous Wendigo hunt.

Oh, I'm not forcing you. This hunt is going to be... an incredibly dangerous journey!

But, of course, with an expert like me around, we probably won't run into too much trouble!

But Kalaid is full of unexplored areas where no human has ever set foot.

The journey to find the Wendigo definitely won't be easy.

And the most dangerous part is...

The legendary monster known as the Wendigo. An incredibly powerful and terrifying beast that lives deep in the great snowfields.

It's been sighted a few times, but no one has ever managed to bring one down.

But... if we succeed, we'll earn a huge bounty and tons of glory!

That's why almost every hunter dreams of taking down a Wendigo at least once in their life!

So, what do you say? Want to come?

*...Gulp*

The Wendigo was spotted in a place called the Great Snowfield to the northwest...

Ah, I'll explain the details on the way!

Tch... Where is this hill supposed to be?! There's so much snow I can't make out the terrain—

We should set up a tent for the night and gather firewood first.

My instincts are telling me... we're really close to the Wendigo.

You saw it too, didn't you? Those huge footprints! And the claw marks on the trees!

This is definitely part of its territory...!

We finally caught up to its trail. If it snows heavily overnight, we might lose every trace of it.

Just a little longer! Let's search a little more. Please?

But it's also undeniably reckless to spend a night in the snowfields without making any preparations.

I'll search around here a little longer, and if I don't find anything, I'll come right back.

I won't go far! Seriously, I'll only check places you could reach quickly.

If I spot the Wendigo, I'll blow my whistle. Then you can come join me.

How's that? Not a bad idea, right?

If a blizzard suddenly hits, visibility will drop sharply.

I'll leave the preparations to you, Emily! I'll be back soon!

I swear on the honor of a top-tier hunter, I'm not the kind of person who'd stoop to lying.

If I remember correctly... that's what a Wendigo looks like, isn't it?

...?!?!

Raaaargh!

That thing hits incredibly hard, but it's slower than I expected.

We've already worn it down quite a bit, so this next strike should finish it!

All right, you can just sit back and watch from here!

Because I'm going to be the first hunter ever to take down a Wendigo!

Here we go!

Ahaha! Hold still!

I'll finish you off in no time!

The way of the hunter! Show the prey mercy with a quick, clean kill!

The slope is steep too, so a strong impact could be dangerous—

Agh! You're gonna blow out my eardrums! Pipe down!

Now stay down!

Here's one!

...Huh?

What was that light just now?

Something fell off its neck, didn't it?

A stone...?

Now for the real finishing blow!

Phew...!

I did it! I actually did it!

Top-tier hunter Trish defeated the monster Wendigo! Ahaha!

Hmm... But...

Was that really a Wendigo?

That was... way easier than I expected.

And now that I'm seeing it up close... it kind of looks like a bear.

Hmm...

Your fighting style really is...

I want to enjoy this moment.

Anyway, we won, didn't we?

First, let's prepare to spend the night safely.

The fight delayed us quite a bit.

As for the campsite... we should move somewhere else.

I took a look around during the battle, and this area seems prone to avalanches.

At first, I thought this was flat ground... but it's actually a slope buried under deep snow.

We can recover the Wendigo's body... tomorrow, right?

Didn't the Wendigo collapse over there?

Where did it go already...?

We're getting swept away!