Emojis
ForTestingPurpose“I’m back.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven though I knew there would be no response, I still called out as I returned home.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe weather has gotten pretty chilly now.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt’s the perfect season for peeling and eating mandarins.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI tossed my coat off casually and, though I wanted nothing more than to collapse onto my bed, I stopped myself.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘No.’
EmojisForTestingPurposeWho am I? I’m the ‘god’ who propelled Ophel forward, making her understand plain facts and keeping her on track.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf I’m a ‘god,’ then shouldn’t I set an example by diligently doing what needs to be done, without slacking off?
EmojisForTestingPurposeStarting with tidying up the coat I had just taken off, I began my routine.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter putting away all my clothes, I turned on the shower.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe music I chose for the moment? A sophisticated tune brimming with the artist’s struggle over bass.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAs the voice from my smartphone crooned, “Ne Ne Kimi-!”, I washed my body thoroughly, rinsing away the exhaustion of the day under the hot water. Of course, I didn’t turn the volume up too high. Annoying my neighbors wasn’t worth it—I’d rather not listen to music at all than cause a disturbance.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter finishing my shower, I immediately tidied up my room.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI double-checked to make sure none of my discarded clothes were lying around. Spotless.
EmojisForTestingPurposeTruly.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe mere thought that I’m a god shifted my mindset entirely, making me more conscious of my actions.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt was fascinating.
EmojisForTestingPurposePicking up trash I found on the roadside, helping an elderly person struggling with their smartphone to find their way—everything I did was driven by the thought, ‘Wouldn’t a god do this?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf I’m the god Erin worships, the one Eirene loves, and the one paladins look up to for guidance, isn’t this level of behavior only natural?
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Pfft.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt was a bit funny when I thought about it, but still…
EmojisForTestingPurposeLiving by these lofty ideals, rejecting even miracles that offered unknowable truths, and walking the hard path—I thought that was the least I could do to earn the ‘god’ status Ophel bestowed upon me.
EmojisForTestingPurpose***
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘What an amazing story that was…’
EmojisForTestingPurposeI recalled the final scene of the latest chapter.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe image of Ophel walking forward with resolve in her eyes, the rabbit I created perched on her head, stayed with me for a long time.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt left such an ache in my chest that I almost cried.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut I held it in—cheering her on with tears streaming down my face wouldn’t be very god-like, would it?
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven though Ophel made a romantic, admirable choice, it wasn’t a fundamental solution to her problems.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHer path ahead wouldn’t be an easy one.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWell, minor issues would likely be resolved without me having to intervene—her 500,000-won rabbit companion seemed more than capable of handling them.
EmojisForTestingPurposeConsidering how that rabbit opened some portal of hell to throw away a band of extra thieves into a literal washing machine, its potential was clearly limitless.
EmojisForTestingPurposePlus, the rabbit wasn’t even temporary. If that’s not generous, what is?
EmojisForTestingPurpose***
EmojisForTestingPurposeLying in bed and staring at the ceiling, I suddenly realized something.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe hollow feeling in my heart had eased, at least a little.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven when I played online games, became a high-ranking player, or managed a guild, there had always been something missing.
EmojisForTestingPurposeYet somehow, a simple webtoon managed to fill that void.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt was such a strange thought.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Who is the author?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven when I tried checking their other works, there wasn’t much information.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe webtoon I read—the only one the author seemed to have published—had been stuck at a single view since before Erin even appeared.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt seemed like the author wasn’t making any real money from it, aside from my support.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThinking about the short comics they sent me privately—like the recent one of Eirene taking a bath—it wasn’t an exaggeration to say the author was creating this story just for me.
EmojisForTestingPurposeNot that I minded, of course.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI loved reading it.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘But considering all the work they put in, hasn’t the support I’ve given fallen short of sustaining them?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeMaybe that’s why the author was so insistent about finding a sustainable way to keep creating.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHonestly, the more I thought about it, the more fascinating the author seemed.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThey responded to my messages perfectly, drew everything I requested, and always thanked me profusely for even the smallest donations.
EmojisForTestingPurposeReally, they’d done everything I asked.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI suddenly remembered something the author often said.
EmojisForTestingPurposeLike when they shamelessly drew a busty character and commented, “Looks like a character just your type has appeared, Igogodon-nim.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeOr when they claimed they could only observe the world and not fully foresee the future, insisting that everything happened through ‘divine power.’
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt was all part of their concept—a roleplay that they took seriously.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe core of this ‘concept’ was clear:
EmojisForTestingPurpose-Acting as if the world they created truly existed.
EmojisForTestingPurposeDespite using terms like “new business model” that would resonate in our world, they were desperate to maintain the illusion that their fictional world was real.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf I’d been a bit younger, I might’ve genuinely wondered if their world was real.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Of course, it isn’t.’
EmojisForTestingPurposeNo matter how much I immersed myself in the webtoon or played along with the ‘god’ role the author had assigned me, the truth remained unchanged.
EmojisForTestingPurposeA webtoon is not reality.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Still, there’s no harm in indulging in a little fantasy, right?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeIn the light novels and web novels I often read, characters would usually get transported into such worlds after immersing themselves in them.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘What if I somehow got transported into that world?’
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Would I meet Erin, who admires me endlessly? Or Eirene, who once went on a date with me?’
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘What about the paladins who diligently follow my teachings?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeSuddenly, a chat I once had with the author flashed through my mind.
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Igogodon: Lol, how would I even get there hahaha]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[MoneyPlease: Why do you think that?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[MoneyPlease: If divine power exists, nothing is impossible.]
EmojisForTestingPurposeI sighed.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘What am I even thinking about at my age?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeStill, once the thought had taken hold, my imagination kept running wild.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHonestly, Erin’s looks alone made me want to meet her at least once.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEirene, after the bath scene bonus—honestly, I’ve been relying on her quite a lot recently.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe same goes for the paladins.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAll three of them are unique characters, each with their own charm.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf I could meet them in real life, even just a little, just a tiny bit…
EmojisForTestingPurposeI think I’d be okay with being transported into their world.
EmojisForTestingPurposeSome might call it pathetic, but don’t all otakus think this way? It’s no wonder that isekai stories are so popular.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘I should stop.’
EmojisForTestingPurposeClearing my head, I checked my smartphone.
EmojisForTestingPurposeLet’s see…
EmojisForTestingPurposeNo notification for the new chapter yet.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAlthough the webtoon was uploaded daily, the release times weren’t always consistent.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt was more accurate to say that a new chapter would be posted within 24 hours of the previous one.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘How much should I donate next time…?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeIn any case, it’s my responsibility to keep supporting the author so they don’t burn out while drawing a custom webtoon just for me.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAt the very least, as long as I’m enjoying this comic, I want to support the author financially, so they have the motivation to keep going.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI get to read a great webtoon, and the author gets money to, I don’t know, buy themselves some chicken or something.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘If the pattern holds, the next chapter should be out sometime in the evening.’
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘I’ve already showered, and I’ve had dinner…’
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘I might as well tidy up the house while I wait for the update.’
EmojisForTestingPurposeWith that thought, I got up from my bed and started cleaning my home with a light heart.
EmojisForTestingPurpose***
EmojisForTestingPurposeA few days after Ophel’s ordeal…
EmojisForTestingPurposeAs usual, Luca and Linnea were having breakfast when Ophel’s confident voice echoed behind them.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Good morning, everyone!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe greeted them lightly and took her seat.
EmojisForTestingPurposeLuca smiled as she spoke to her.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Ophel, I heard some news. Apparently, the entire gang of bandits you captured has turned over a new leaf!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeJust as Luca said, “Ophel’s name was now the hottest topic in religious circles.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Not only had the bandits reformed, but they were also attributing their change to the simple truths spoken by none other than Saint Ophel, chosen by Igogodon himself.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Their newfound devotion and humility had deeply moved the Pope and other clergy.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Who wouldn’t welcome someone claiming their faith had made them a better person?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“What did I do? I simply followed the teachings of our god. All of this is thanks to Igogodon’s sly fox.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Igogodon.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Exactly, the plain truth. That’s what I meant to say.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeLuca knew all too well that Ophel didn’t grasp the concept of ‘plain truth’ as written in their holy texts.
EmojisForTestingPurposeSome priests were openly critical of her, and, of course, their murmurs reached Luca’s ears.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe had been worried about Ophel, thinking that her usual cheerful demeanor was beginning to crumble.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Igogodon.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Hm? Does the rabbit want some food too? Here, open wide.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeOphel placed the steak from her plate directly in front of the rabbit.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe rabbit consumed it as though it were drinking liquid, with a crunch-crunch-crunch sound.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter chewing for a while, its round eyes began to sparkle brightly.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Pa, Igogodon!!!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeSince the rabbit messenger of god had appeared, Ophel’s expressions had noticeably brightened.
EmojisForTestingPurposeComplaints from priests had also decreased since the bandits reformed.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAt first, people were startled by the idea of a carnivorous rabbit, but…
EmojisForTestingPurposeWell, it was a divine messenger, so of course, it wasn’t an ordinary rabbit.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven its cry was unique.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThis too must be one of Igogodon’s plain truths.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Good morning, Mr. Rabbit! I hope you’re having a great day.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Igogodon.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeLuca patted the rabbit on Ophel’s head a few times before cautiously glancing at Linnea.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter greeting everyone, Linnea had quietly returned to her meal.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe wished she could strike up a conversation with her…
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut seeing her lack of reaction to the rabbit, Luca suspected she wasn’t particularly fond of animals, making it difficult to find a topic.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘I hope I can grow closer to Linnea soon.’
EmojisForTestingPurposeFor the three of us to truly become one united team of paladins, trust between us is essential.
EmojisForTestingPurposeGetting closer to her would be a way to follow the will of god.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAs she mulled this over, the voice of the saintess called out from afar.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Thank goodness… All three of you are here.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Good morning, Saintess.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“It’s an honor to see you, Saintess.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Formalities aren’t necessary. More importantly, you’re free to skip your schedules today.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Is something the matter?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeErin closed her eyes briefly in prayer.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThen, with an exceptionally serious expression, she spoke, her blue eyes filled with resolve.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“The Emperor has given her approval. A shrine to honor Igogodon will be built, using the old ruins as a foundation.”