'No way...'
I was speechless, staring blankly at the latest chapter titled 'God Exists, and His Name is "Iggokden"'.
Even with a donation of just a thousand won, something miraculous would happen. Like a sudden gush of water or finding clean food on the street.
Just with that level of intervention, I could feel a strange sense of exhilaration, like I was stirring up this world to my will.
Begging for donations every chapter, every moment, might seem a bit vulgar, but... well, I enjoyed it in my own way, so I didn't want to blame it now.
But.
Just because the donation amount went from a thousand won to ten thousand won.
The chapter now included my nickname, and the character Erin would openly shout my nickname.
Then, after some sort of light spear came down from the sky, it directly impaled the bellies of the third-rate villains who were tormenting Erin.
The most surprising part was the artwork depicting this scene.
Although it was pretty enough to look at, the artwork had transformed from something that still had an amateurish feel to a highly sophisticated, high-quality piece, almost as if the artist had changed!
Moreover, the endless messages ―― Ten Thousand Won Sponsorship Forever!
The cherry on top of this crazy fan service was the author's note at the end.
'...'
...I couldn't help but let my lips twitch into a smile.
What was even more absurd than all this fan service was... the fact that I was actually enjoying this 'fan service'.
After all, if I wasn't enjoying it, why would I keep donating to save Erin in this obscure webtoon?
[Iggokden: It feels like the money was well spent ^^]
ㄴ [PleaseGiveMoney (Author): Of course! Given the amount you've invested, it's only natural for the world to change accordingly. I will notify you with a comment when the next chapter is out, so please continue to follow Erin's journey until the very end!]
'Wow, look at the speed of that reply.'
I couldn't help but marvel at the ridiculously fast response time.
Anyway, fortunately or unfortunately, there was no begging for donations at the end of this chapter. Perhaps they were holding back a bit because they received ten thousand won?
Amidst all these mixed feelings, there was one emotion I was certain of―
'The ten thousand won was worth it.'
I didn't feel like it was a waste to spend money to change the plot of a webtoon that no one else was watching.
After that day, I became the sole reader watching Erin's saga unfold.
Curiosity about what would happen next was one thing, but what kept me hooked was how ridiculous the plot got.
After hearing the voice of God, Erin, who had witnessed the thieves being pierced by a spear of light, became convinced that her path was that of a saint.
From then on, she realized that the gushing water, the food discoveries, everything was not by chance but by 'the power of God'.
Well, with the narrative in her head constantly echoing 'God exists', it was only natural for her to act this way...
The problem was, now even with a donation of a thousand won, she was overly conscious of my presence.
And when she encountered a dangerous situation during her travels, instead of the usual 'Author's Note' begging for donations―
[Our one and only God, Iggokden. Please, I beg of you, have mercy on this poor lamb one more time. Grant me the opportunity to overcome this trial and deliver your words...!!]
'...'
―They started speaking through the character 'Erin' in the story.
[Iggokden: What happens if I don't donate?]
ㄴ [PleaseGiveMoney (Author): Whether or not you donate is entirely up to you, Iggokden! Erin would never blame you if no miracle occurs. However, if deprived of your blessings, she would have to accept her predetermined fate... But what can we do? It was her destiny to end up like this anyway, so please don't feel pressured.]
Predetermined fate, huh.
How can I not care when you put it like that!
'Ha... this guy's a good businessman.'
Why does this guy keep drawing this obscure webtoon with such dedication?
'What should I do?'
Maybe I've grown attached to Erin, who keeps calling my nickname.
Even knowing that the author is typing out each line, I couldn't ignore her.
This might be what they call the desire to be a hero, a feeling I once had when I was young and got hurt.
At least this time, the author isn't scamming me.
Anyway, my donation spree continued.
Feeling hungry?
A thousand won donation!
[Thanks to the grace of Iggokden, I was able to have a meal today. Thank you.]
Feeling dirty because you haven't washed?
A thousand won donation!
[Iggokden, my father, thanks to you, I could soak in the hot spring. You've shown mercy to me again. With this, I can keep my body pure for Iggokden.]
Although it was a bit irritating, when Erin smiled and thanked me, it made me feel good, and I found myself grinning.
When was the last time I felt appreciated?
I once heard that the human brain is simpler than we think, capable of tricking itself into believing it experienced something just by reading about it.
In other words, fulfilling my need for recognition through a fictional character like Erin wasn't such a foolish thing. ...Definitely.
What was particularly annoying about this marketing was... how Erin's artwork improved noticeably with each chapter.
Initially, she was just a girl running around, barely eating or washing, but thanks to my continuous thousand won donations, she got proper traveler's gear, ate well, and even took a bath in a hot spring.
Her appearance, which I hadn't really noticed before, began to catch my eye. Long, platinum blonde hair, sky-blue eyes, and a surprisingly voluptuous figure hidden under rags, now revealed in proper women's clothing.
Even though she hadn't grown up in ideal conditions, if she had, I wondered how much further she could have developed― I stopped myself there. It felt somewhat sacrilegious to have such thoughts about someone who calls me 'God'.
Especially striking was the scene where she bathed in the hot spring I provided.
I found myself stopping the scroll to admire her nudity, though it was only up to her upper torso since she was in the water.
Even so, the presence of those large, fair breasts was undeniable... and I couldn't help but swallow my saliva.
'Can I... maybe... you know...'
I shook my head.
No matter what, asking for more 'boobage' while donating would be too much for my dignity.
But... a compliment or two, that's okay, right?
[Iggokden (Donation / 1,000 won): Hey, author. Erin looks... cute this time... I like the divine energy pouch... hehe]
ㄴ [PleaseGiveMoney (Author): Thank you. It's an honor that you like Erin. I will make sure to pass it on to her. She will be very happy!]
'This concept is really something.'
Despite saying that, I found myself grinning.
Yeah, I'll admit it.
I was so immersed in her story that I was thinking like this. Spending a thousand won here and there no longer felt like spending money.
After all, if Erin could become a saint safely, it wasn't that expensive, right?
Of course, not everything could be solved with just a thousand won.
[This is...]
A huge rock appeared before me.
With the path blocked by this rock, Erin began to kneel and pray.
[Iggokden, I humbly ask, please give me the strength to overcome this trial. I beg you...]
By this point, I was used to this pattern, but what caught my eye was the 'Author's Note' after a long while.
[This time, a donation of 1,000 won won't be enough to solve the problem! Lol Considering the mass and destructive power of the rock, a donation of at least 3,000 won is needed to help Erin. Please don't abandon Erin!]
"Ha!"
I couldn't help but let out a dumbfounded laugh at the author's note.
[Iggokden: Hasn't a thousand won always been enough?]
ㄴ [PleaseGiveMoney (Author): I apologize. I too wanted to resolve this with 1,000 won, but... it has been determined that at least 3,000 won is necessary to move such a rock. I'm sorry to ask, but if you wish to help, please consider donating at least 3,000 won.]
'Why don't you just draw it for a thousand won!!!'
...I wanted to comment that, but.
The important thing was, I wasn't that annoyed yet.
[Iggokden (Donation / 3,000 won): Let's get this over with quickly]
ㄴ [PleaseGiveMoney (Author): Thank you! You are truly generous! We will never forget your bold ambition, courage, and the timing of your decisions!]
The next chapter showed the rock being shattered by lightning.
Erin, moved by this, immediately looked up to the sky in prayer.
[Iggokden. Thank you. You are watching over me...! I will never forget this grace in my lifetime...!!!]
'Yeah, yeah.'
Even considering the money I was spending, it was quite an enjoyable time.
How much time had passed?
When Erin finally arrived at the Vatican―
'What's this?'
What awaited me was the despairing news that she could never become a saint.