I knew this was all just a sales tactic.
Still, what could I do about this frustration?
After immersing everyone in the character and then developing the plot like this, they would run a survey saying, “If you pay a bit, we’ll change the story for you,” and quite a few people would happily spend money.
Scrolling down, I noticed something.
“Huh?”
I realized the last panel showed Erin surrounded by guards.
Surprised, I scrolled up and down frantically, but there were no additional panels.
Even the author’s note was completely blank!
‘What’s going on?’
Why wasn’t there the usual sponsorship prompt—the “begging comment” that always came up when the comic ended?
And it wasn’t just the comment.
For this episode alone, the “support” button was deactivated.
Could it be that, unlike before, I couldn’t change the content through sponsorship?
Curious, I immediately left a comment.
Thanks to the author’s quick replies, sometimes I felt like this was a chat rather than a comment section.
[Igogodon: Not accepting donations today?]
[Donjomjuseyo (Author): Erin hasn’t sent her prayers up yet. Looks like Erin will manage by the next episode. Please wait just a little longer!]
[Igogodon: Didn’t you just not finish the drawing?]
[Donjomjuseyo (Author): What do you mean, Igogodon? I only reveal what’s projected from the world. I’m merely following Erin, whom you all seem to love.]
[Igogodon: What kind of answer is that, you nerd lol. Author, stop pretending already!]
[Donjomjuseyo (Author): This isn’t pretending.]
‘Wow… seriously devoted.’
Maybe to make others truly immerse in the world he creates, the author first immerses himself the most.
Perhaps the author was even more obsessed with the world he created than I was.
To be honest, it wasn’t a bad strategy.
After all, if the creator of the world was dismissive, saying, “I’ll do what I want because I’m the one drawing,” it would break the excitement for those sponsoring.
[Igogodon: Haha, I give up. When’s the next episode?]
[Donjomjuseyo (Author): It’ll be uploaded in a few hours. I’ll notify you right away, so please stay tuned for Erin’s journey until the end!]
‘A few hours later, huh.’
Great. I’ll have a cigarette, eat, and then come back.
I got up, letting time pass until the next episode was uploaded.
***
“What did you just say?”
“I was mentioning that there are many blasphemous people who claim to hear the voice of God.”
Hearing her words, Erin shuddered slightly.
‘Calling me blasphemous?’
It didn’t matter if they insulted me.
It wasn’t like I had ever received noble treatment.
But I couldn’t stand them looking down on the god I served, Igogodon.
Erin spoke in a slightly firmer tone.
“So, are you saying my words are a lie?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Can you take responsibility for those words?”
“What?”
The woman frowned slightly, but Erin didn’t flinch, keeping her gaze steady.
“I’m asking if you’re willing to take responsibility for dismissing me, a mere mortal, who hears the voice of God, as a liar.”
“You insolent girl! Do you even know who you’re talking to right now?!”
At that moment, the guards pointed their spears at her.
Normally, Erin would have been trembling.
She wasn’t particularly brave.
If anything, she was closer to an ordinary citizen, the type whose heart would pound just encountering a few bandits.
But this time was different.
Igogodon was by her side.
That’s why she wasn’t the least bit scared, even as the guards surrounded her with murderous intent.
Then—
“What’s going on here?”
Another woman’s voice called from behind.
The guards quickly lowered their spears and bowed toward the source of the voice.
The woman who had been confronting her also turned around swiftly, bowing her head in deference.
It seemed she was someone of quite high status.
“Lady Lumina.”
“It was noisy in front of the holy cathedral, so I stepped out to see what was happening… What’s going on?”
Erin carefully observed the woman called Lumina.
Long, golden hair.
A cross necklace prominently hanging on her chest.
Her attire, although similar to Erin’s, was adorned with much more elaborate embroidery, exuding luxury.
Yes, her appearance was close to that of a saint—a being celebrated in the tales of minstrels.
“I apologize for the disturbance. However, a blasphemous person came claiming lies and demanded the Holy Father be brought here…”
“Lies, you say…”
With a glance, Lumina signaled to her surroundings.
In response, the woman glaring at Erin and the guards moved aside.
Before Erin could comprehend, Lumina stood directly before her.
“Greetings, Sister. I am Lumina. Currently, I am one of the candidates for sainthood, serving at the Grand Cathedral of Ophel Aichel, where I offer prayers daily to receive God’s will.”
“You’re a candidate for sainthood?”
“Yes. Since I have yet to hear the voice of God.”
“Then—”
“Lady Lumina is the one closest to sainthood! It would be wise to be cautious with your words—”
The woman who had been talking with Erin moments before snapped at her, but—
“Erin, please leave this to me.”
At Lumina’s simple gesture, the woman fell silent and stepped back.
Though Lumina was technically still a candidate, it was evident her standing within the Order was incredibly high.
“What is your name, Sister?”
“Erin.”
“Very well, Sister Erin. If you are on the path of the faith, we are all sisters here. Hurting one another is not something our great god, Ophel Aichel, would wish for. So, please, feel free to continue with what you were saying.”
“Lady Lumina, isn’t it true that if you haven’t heard the voice, you are merely a candidate for sainthood and not yet a saint?”
“Yes. Embarrassingly, I am but a humble lamb who has yet to reach God.”
“Then there should be no problem. Because I have heard the voice of God.”
“Is that so?”
The guards were visibly trembling, but with Lumina present, they refrained from intervening.
Lumina, still unshaken, half-closed her eyes and spoke with a gentle smile.
“If that’s the case, Sister, would you kindly share the word of God with us? What message has our great goddess Ophel Aichel conveyed to you?”
“I was just about to.”
“Please, take your time. Let us hear the word of God—”
“No. What I’m about to say isn’t about the word of God.”
Yes.
Erin wasn’t interested in discussing what she had heard from God.
Instead, she had a more fundamental question to pose—a question so blasphemous that only someone who had truly heard the voice could dare to ask.
“God’s name isn’t Ophel Aichel.”
“It’s Igogodon. God’s name is Igogodon. And God is not female but male.”
For the first time, Lumina’s serene expression began to falter.
Erin didn’t miss the opportunity and pressed forward, like a bee aiming for its target.
“If you’re mistaken about even the basic identity of God, how can you stand here confidently as a candidate for sainthood?”
“You insolent wretch! How dare you!!!!”
Just as the guards began to surround Erin again—
“Stop!”
Lumina shouted forcefully, opening her eyes wide, and then, slowly, removed the serene mask of kindness from her face.
“Erin, this… this isn’t something that can end with simple excommunication. To deny the existence of God… how could you commit such a dreadful act?”
“From my perspective, you’re the dreadful ones. Aren’t you ashamed of ignoring the true God and playing meaningless religious games while serving a false deity?”
Lumina’s face twisted with anger as she struggled to control her temper, breathing heavily.
Then, she closed her eyes tightly and began to pray.
“Oh, merciful and only God, Ophel Aichel. Please save the soul of this misguided lamb in the afterlife, for her eyes are clouded by delusions…”
“What…?”
“Save her in the afterlife?”
“You mean… you intend to kill me?”
“For the sin of desecrating God before our very eyes, you should face a punishment equivalent to immediate execution… but I’ll show mercy and allow you a trial instead.”
As soon as those words were spoken, two guards restrained Erin.
“What are you doing?! Let me go! You’ll regret this! I came here after hearing the voice of God, to become a saint!”
“We’ll confine her in the underground prison. We’ll arrange the trial as soon as possible. Yes… burning at the stake seems fitting.”
“I’ll handle the arrangements with the judge.”
“Thank you.”
Once again, Lumina donned a sorrowful expression and offered a prayer to the god she believed in.
Watching this, Erin also closed her eyes and prayed to the “true God.”
‘Igogodon… if this is a trial you’ve given me, I’ll accept it willingly. But please, just spare my life… I’m not merely begging to survive. All I ask is the chance to spread your word! Please, help me save everyone deceived by this false god…!’
***
After reading to the last panel, I went back to reread the comic multiple times.
…Frustrating. Infuriating. I felt like I was about to explode.
Those people weren’t even listening to Erin’s words.
Erin was someone who could prove herself.
She just had to show them a miracle.
Of course, I was planning to sponsor her.
But they wanted to kill her, calling her blasphemous and such?
‘I give up, author.’
Alright. Let’s sponsor.
Without thinking, I mumbled, “Haha, let’s go teach those jerks a lesson~” and prepared to donate a thousand won.
—Wait.
Suddenly, I felt curious.
I remembered that when there was a massive stone in the way, they’d said, “You need at least three thousand won to move forward.” In other words, the author had certain criteria for changing the plot.
But from my perspective, Erin’s current situation was far more dangerous than facing a mere stone.
So this only cost a thousand won, while that one required three thousand?
Come to think of it… didn’t I donate ten thousand won once?
That time, my username “Igogodon” resounded throughout the comic.
Spears fell from the heavens, and the praise for Erin was overwhelming.
I erased the comment I was about to post and wrote a new one.
[Igogodon: So does it cost only a thousand won this time? How does this work?]
[Donjomjuseyo (Author): If you donate 1,000 won, fate will change, and Erin will safely escape the crisis and continue her journey to become a saint!]
[Igogodon: No, I mean, what happens if I donate ten thousand won?]
[Donjomjuseyo (Author): It will be similar to the last time you donated 10,000 won. The “power to change fate” will apply to that extent.]
[Igogodon: You’re not telling me exactly what happens, are you?]
[Donjomjuseyo (Author): It’s not that I won’t tell you; it’s that I can’t. It’s an unobserved future, after all.]
Although it was part of the author’s style, this time, I felt compelled to make a larger donation.
‘Then let’s go with ten thousand won for another refreshing twist.’
And as I added another zero to the donation amount—
Why did I do it?
Was it because I was so deeply immersed in this comic?
Or perhaps because the sanctimonious saint candidate treating Erin so poorly annoyed me?
Looking back, it was an impulsive decision.
‘Screw it.’
Without hesitation, I pressed the donation button after adding another zero.
[Igogodon (Donation / 100,000 won): Haha, let’s go teach those bastards a lesson]