Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Talking to Erin
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After mustering up my courage to convey my intention, I felt parched for no reason, so I opened the fridge, gulped down some cold water, and when I returned, there was a message from the author.
[ Gimme Some Money: If it's your girlfriends, do you mean you want to have conversations with the 'girlfriends'? ]
[ Igugwoden: Yeah ]
[ Gimme Some Money: Hmm... Please wait a moment. ]
[ Gimme Some Money: To be honest, it's a method I've never tried before, so I'm not sure if it's possible. ]
[ Gimme Some Money: As I mentioned, if Dtamuk Thinking Army could do it, I believe Lord Igugwoden can certainly achieve it as well. ]
[ Gimme Some Money: Could you give me a little time? ]
[ Igugwoden: Yeah, take your time~~ ]
[ Igugwoden: I'm not going anywhere, and neither is my money. ]
Thump, thump.
'Ha... What the hell is this.'
What on earth was this? How amazing could it be that my heart wouldn't stop pounding?
An otaku whose heart races at the thought of a 1:1 conversation with a manga character (essentially role-playing with the author)...
Even for me, this was truly legendary.
'My life is truly legendary....'
While reflecting on myself and getting a few virtual slaps from a cyber frog, how much time had passed?
[ Gimme Some Money: I just checked and came back. ]
[ Igugwoden: Oh ]
[ Igugwoden: How is it? What do you think? ]
[ Gimme Some Money: From what I investigated, it seems the Observers who showed the world to Dtamuk Thinking Army have a fundamentally different 'observation method' from ours. ]
[ Gimme Some Money: Therefore, perfectly replicating it might be difficult... ]
[ Gimme Some Money: However, with a different irregular method, I think we can set up a conversation space as you desire. ]
'An irregular method, huh....'
Come to think of it, the Dtamuk Thinking Army in the story gave the impression of perceiving this world as a 'game,' calling it shit game or god game.
Given that the author is more sincere about the world-building than anyone, the 'observation method' must refer to that.
In other words— the world I see is a manga, but to Dtamuk Thinking Army, it appeared like a game. To avoid breaking the world-building, the method might need to be slightly different—is that okay?
[ Igugwoden: Yeah, that's fine. ]
[ Igugwoden: But specifically, how does it work? ]
[ Gimme Some Money: For now, it would be best to limit the target to one person at a time. ]
[ Gimme Some Money: The more people you try to reach at once, the Divine Power required will increase exponentially. ]
[ Gimme Some Money: It would strain even a god, and based on our observation method, focusing on one person for communication seems most efficient. ]
The Divine Power required increases, and communicating with one is more efficient—
In other words, we'll do it if you pay a lot, but please refrain from role-playing with multiple at once since it's tough.
Even though I'm the one spending money, I didn't want to lord it over the author with cash. Forcing something difficult just because I pay—what's the difference from Dtamuk Thinking Army?
[ Gimme Some Money: Also, since it's real-time observation, the immediate responses might be a bit slow. ]
[ Gimme Some Money: From Your Divinity's perspective, waiting for responses from our world each time might feel frustrating. ]
[ Gimme Some Money: Additionally, continuing the conversation increases contact with the 'domain of the god,' which could disrupt the world's balance, so the number of times will likely be limited. ]
This means exactly that.
Since I have to ping-pong conversation with the character, it can't follow the webtoon format like before.
It'll probably proceed like showing one line of dialogue per panel.
And since role-playing isn't easy, it'll cut off at an appropriate point—is that okay?
Having wrestled with the author in WWE-style chats so much, I could almost read the author's inner thoughts, so I rubbed the bridge of my nose.
'I could get a master's in "Gimme Some Money"-ology with this.'
[ Igugwoden: OK OK, got it. ]
[ Igugwoden: So, how much will it cost? ]
[ Gimme Some Money: In Erin's case, as someone closely connected to the god, it should be possible with about 1,000 won worth of Divine Power per line. ]
[ Gimme Some Money: For other characters, it would consume at least 3,000 won per line. ]
[ Gimme Some Money: The price will probably vary based on how closely connected they are to the god... That's my guess. ]
[ Gimme Some Money: I sincerely apologize for not being able to explain in detail, as this is uncharted territory. ]
Erin: 1,000 won per panel.
Others: 3,000 won or more.
The detail-oriented author wouldn't just copy-paste panels and change dialogue.
What they call communication is essentially the author drawing panels where characters converse with me, one by one, for my money.
In other words— think of it as the price of one illustration.
And considering the level of allure in how the author draws female bodies...
'This is a steal!'
A 1,000-won illustration commission?
Not doing this would be the weird thing...!
[ Igugwoden: Got it. ]
[ Igugwoden: Let's chat go go. ]
[ Gimme Some Money: Lord Igugwoden. ]
[ Gimme Some Money: May I ask which girlfriend you wish to converse with? ]
[ Gimme Some Money: As you know, there are more than one or two women in our world who deeply revere Lord Igugwoden. ]
'Hmm....'
Of course, anyone who's appeared even once is potentially 'my woman'...
But right now, even in daily life, the characters that come to mind are two.
The cute saintess Erin, like my first love whom I met first.
My wife Eirene, who takes up my phone wallpaper.
There were plenty of characters I particularly liked, like the Dish of Holy Knights with Luca, Ophelia, and Linea; Demon King-chan; Reina of the Wood Magic Tower; or the New Continent elf Pibiola—
But it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say those two are the biggest reasons I've stuck with this manga so far.
I briefly thought maybe pick one to not burden the author too much—
'No, can't do that.'
With the indecisive protagonist mindset from a harem light novel, I cautiously messaged the author.
[ Igugwoden: About that. ]
[ Igugwoden: Is it possible to do two separate conversations, one with each of them in turn? ]
[ Igugwoden: If it's too hard, no worries. ]
With the usage limit in place, the author would accommodate me as much as possible.
So I intended to accommodate the author in return—but—
[ Gimme Some Money: Of course it's possible. ]
[ Gimme Some Money: As long as there's Divine Power, it is my mission to make your desires come true. ]
[ Gimme Some Money: Rather, I'm sorry for not being able to provide exactly the same experience as Dtamuk Thinking Army had. ]
'No....'
Author-chan... why do you speak so beautifully!
Seeing how you draw female characters so pretty, sexy, and busty, you're clearly a guy who loves boobs like me. As a fellow boob enthusiast, I hope you succeed and become a great author.
Until then, I can at least cover the meal costs.
[ Igugwoden: lololol Then... I won't hold back. ]
[ Igugwoden: The first person I want to meet is ]
I pondered for a long time... then cautiously placed my hands on the keyboard.
* * *
Nightfall came reliably even to the New Continent.
Having changed out of the saintess robes that only she could wear on the continent, into comfortable negligee, Erin bowed her head apologetically to the red-haired holy knight Ophelia, who was in full armor in stark contrast to her.
"As I mentioned last time, I'm fine. The elves are all friendly, so there's no need for you to go this far...."
"No, Saintess. In this new era of coexistence with demons, the greatest purpose of us holy knights is to prioritize your safety. I've rested plenty during the day, and yesterday Luca took care of it, so please don't worry about me."
As expected of a saintess.
A holy knight and a few priests stood watch every time she slept.
Even Empress Eirene traveled with soldiers escorting her all night... but even as a saintess, receiving the same treatment as the empress felt guilty.
"...I understand. It would only burden you all if I kept insisting. Then, I'll leave it to you, Lady Ophelia."
"Leave it to me, Saintess! Now, Rabbit Lord. Eat the Epsilon fruits in moderation and come over here. We have to stand watch together."
"Igogodon."
Hop!
The rabbit munching on Epsilon fruits on Erin's bed hopped onto Ophelia's head as if returning home.
It had eaten so many fruits that its lips were slightly blue.
"By the way, where did you get those? You must have eaten all yours, and I even yielded some of mine because you liked them so much."
"Igogodon."
"You asked and they gave? I heard it's precious... The elves sure are generous."
"Igogodon."
"Is today's topic that too? It was something about the Big Bang, right? The process of the universe being created? Honestly, I don't understand a word, but listening to you always made even the moon, which seems eternally fixed in the night sky, vanish quickly."
After Ophelia finished chatting with the rabbit and left—
Erin cautiously returned to her bed.
It wasn't as plush as her bed at the cathedral, but it was fine.
As long as the holy book—the Holy Scripture—that always accompanied her nights was by her side, she was confident she could sleep peacefully even on a bed of straw.
'Lord Igugwoden....'
As always, she gently stroked her Divine Power Pouch.
When her heartbeat felt close, she carefully opened the Holy Scripture.
No bookmark, so which page it opened to was random.
'Great Igugwoden Chronicle, chapter 12 today.'
She had read it dozens of times, but each time she chewed it thoroughly as if new—when suddenly—
[ Erin, can you hear me? ]
"!!!!!!!!"
A man's voice echoed in Erin's mind.
It was a first-time voice.
Not the voice of God's Proxy that always resounded in her head.
Yet—it felt like she knew him, not from the first time.
Erin instinctively realized the owner of this voice was no stranger.
That was the moment.
Past memories surfaced in Erin's mind.
The first miracle she witnessed: clear water springing from the ground.
The first miracle that saved Erin, who was dying of thirst.
Water and food, and divine punishment on those who tried to kill her.
In that process, one absolute truth she awakened to—
—God exists.
God's name is Igugwoden.
"Ah... Ah?"
Realizing it, Erin slowly looked up with a foolish expression.
—Light.
Warm sunlight-like light enveloped her, transcending any worldly law.
Erin thought it felt like someone stroking her cheek with their hand.
At the same time... she felt the divine providence she carried wriggling in her womb.
The clearer its movements became, the more Erin realized.
She couldn't help but know whose voice that man's was.
[ Can you hear my voice? ]
[ Do you know who I am? ]
"Se... Surely...."
She cautiously opened her mouth in disbelief.
It was strange.
Nothing was before her eyes, yet she was certain her voice would reach Him.
Because—Erin had always been with Him.
From the moment she drank the water, becoming a saintess, through countless events, every moment thinking only of spreading His will across the world—she had never been apart from Him.
Erin parted her lips carefully.
To Him, whom she had prayed to and spoken to countless times... not in prayer, but as if speaking to a living person—
Gazing at the worn window of the building where light poured in, whispering cautiously with a trembling voice.
[ Igugwoden: The first person I want to meet is ]
[ Igugwoden: Erin. ]
"Igugwoden... Lord, is that you?"
—To the god she had always carried enshrined in her bosom since becoming a saintess.