READ NOVEL ONLINE I turned on the broadcast and sat up straight, waiting for the viewers to join in.
During my first stream, I just sat there blankly for dozens of minutes. With no one listening, I couldn’t even open my mouth.
But this time, unlike last, viewers were coming in at a relatively quick pace.
[Viewer count: 104]
I had even surpassed a hundred already. It hadn’t been long since I started streaming—why were they all coming in so fast? It was as if they had all been waiting for me to arrive.
As the viewer count rapidly increased, the chat started zooming by.
– Hello, Pope!
– Why did you take so long to go live!!!
– You’re beautiful even after seeing you again!
Smiling at all the ways I was welcomed in the chat made me feel good. Just watching made me happy.
Even back in my busy days as a pope, I felt this kind of joy often.
Every time I went out to greet those who came to see me at our cathedral, “Sunlight Hall,” I felt a surge of pride and exhilaration.
Such a special feeling, one I couldn’t experience anywhere else, had come back to me.
“Hello everyone. It’s great to see you all.”
I opened my mouth, leaving my smile intact, and bowed politely. This was just common courtesy for those who came to see me.
“How have you all been?”
Having taken a three-day break, I figured I’d start with a simple check-in. The viewers exploded with excitement.
– Why haven’t you streamed in so long?
– I believe in you, Pope! I believe in you, Pope!
– If I curse here, will my husband come to get me?
– Show us the kids!
– This stream is risking lives, lol!
But somehow, not a single person answered my question properly.
Off-topic questions, sudden praises, just people saying whatever they wanted. It felt like they were all in their own world.
And unlike my first stream, the chat was flying by too fast. There were just so many people now.
I checked how many had joined and gasped.
[Viewer count: 1275]
‘Already?!’
In the brief time I took to read the chat, I’d crossed a thousand. It was an abnormal speed.
“There are an impressive twelve hundred of you watching. How did you all find out about this?”
My question was answered by the familiar sound of ‘ding’ followed by a mechanical voice.
[취직하고싶다 has donated 1,000 won]
– I spread the word in the community!
“Oh, I see?”
The one named “I Want to Get a Job.”
My first viewer and supporter. Also, a formal layperson of our order and a “Blessing Holder.”
They didn’t even ask, but they took it upon themselves to promote me.
Such a kind soul, helping others selflessly. I liked them.
“Thank you. You’ve been a great help.”
The type of viewer I needed was just like “I Want to Get a Job.”
Not those who are interested due to some issue, but those who solely focus on me. I needed to gradually increase these kinds of viewers.
“‘I Want to Get a Job’, once our order establishes itself in Korea, I’ll make sure to grant you a priesthood.”
This wasn’t an empty promise. It was a direct opportunity for a promotion granted by the Pope.
– ‘Priest I Want to Get a Job’, wow!
– Isn’t that too low-class?
– Look, they finally got a job, lol!
– Anyone can become a priest, I guess?
I expected them to be envious or surprised, but for some reason, the reactions weren’t great.
I briefly closed my mouth and surveyed the chat.
The chat rolled by too quickly for me to read properly, but I could catch the general atmosphere. A timely donation helped me gauge the situation.
[비랍바밥 has donated 1,000 won]
– Please think about it again, Pope!
A viewer who had supported me during my first stream—now awarded layperson status—showed a negative reaction.
It was enough to make me reconsider.
“Um, I apologize. I take back what I said earlier. Instead, I’ll offer you the chance to have a priest promotion evaluation.”
What on earth had I done that made the public sentiment turn so sour? I’d have to ask Seo-yoon later.
– Lol
– Taking back what you offered, lol
– The job seeker is crying
– Phew, what a relief
Regardless, thanks to the little incident with the priesthood, the viewers who were previously just chatting began to focus on me.
The atmosphere became lively. Our “I Want to Get a Job” had effectively sacrificed themselves to save the broadcast.
‘Thank you.’
I silently thanked the job-seeking viewer I didn’t even know and opened my mouth again.
“Everyone, before we get started, I have a few announcements to make. This will be good news for those who missed the last broadcast.”
During my three-day break, I didn’t just lounge around. I was busy with household stuff but also worked on streaming-related matters.
“Firstly, I made some adjustments to the donation system for joining. To prevent any unnecessary spending, I’ve currently limited donations to under 1,000 won.”
As I continued speaking, I moved my hand to display a message on the broadcast screen.
[Layperson Qualification = 500,000 won]
The viewers were utterly bewildered as I showed them the text.
– ???
– ?
– 500,000 won is a bit much…
– Wow, raising the price is bold
Some of the reactions were what I expected. General resistance was apparent.
There were even accusations saying I was crazy for money, but those were deleted quickly thanks to an overly diligent chat moderator from my hero days.
“Please refrain from using profanity. My husband is watching.”
My comment filled the chat with playful “gasp” and “wow” messages. They all seemed to think it was a joke. Some truth was mixed in, though.
Perhaps it was better for them to see it as a joke. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
“Anyway, I didn’t raise the price because I’m obsessed with money. All the donations made by anyone seeking to become a layperson will be fully donated to help those in need.”
This was my first step toward building a reputation—image-making through good deeds to gain positive honor.
Of course, I genuinely wanted to help those who were struggling. So it’s not hypocrisy. It’s exactly as dictated by the laws set forth by our Goddess.
“Rest assured, I have alternatives for those viewers who find 500,000 won burdensome.”
Next, I introduced a less expensive option.
“Actually, starting today, you can now ‘subscribe’ to my broadcast. Anyone who subscribes for over six months will also receive the status of layperson.”
That system of subscription, a regular donation concept, was allowed only for partner streamers of Tribe.
As a newbie still doing only my second broadcast, I hadn’t even thought about it, but Tribe had contacted me about making a partnership agreement.
They must have thought it crucial to keep me from switching to another broadcasting platform.
“Of course, the money earned from subscriptions will also be donated. Isn’t that a rational expense?”
The chat reactions regarding this new joining method split into two groups.
– Do we really need to join though?
– That sounds good.
– With a real Goddess and a beautiful Pope here, how can you not believe in this?
– I don’t see the necessity at all.
– Money wasted.
– Even if it were a million won, people would come.
There were viewers who were negative about our order and those whose hearts were already devoted as believers. The opinions were sharply opposed.
In fact, the former group was slightly more numerous. It was natural. Faith isn’t easily built; it’s a precious thing.
There was no quick method of bolstering the faith of those lukewarm individuals.
Even if the Goddess herself descended to the earth and granted blessings, some people would still not believe. That had been my experience in that other world.
‘I have to change all their thoughts.’
As the Pope, my mission was to turn the hearts of those skeptical about the Goddess and the order.
It wouldn’t be too difficult. With suitable miracles and reasonable narratives, that was all it took for just about anything.
However, I would not force faith upon anyone. Doing so would only backfire.
“The choice to join or not is yours. Freedom of religion is also written in the Constitution of Korea. Our Goddess is an attorney of law and respects earthly laws.”
I finished speaking and glanced at the viewer count.
[Viewer count: 10675]
Suddenly, I had surpassed ten thousand. And it was growing in real-time. At this rate, it seemed I could climb even higher.
“Now, let’s start the main broadcast. Today, I’d like to engage in a deep Q&A with all of you. I’ll clear up all your curiosities.”
This Q&A was the content the viewers wanted the most. A lot had happened in just a week.
“But, questions will only be accepted through donations. If I accept questions from everyone, the chat would get too heated.”
I subtly lifted the restriction I’d placed on donations of under 1,000 won.
Even if people paid more to ask a question, the answers wouldn’t change, but my wallet would appreciate it. Then I could buy some delicious snacks for Erina and Ibailla.
Truth be told, I didn’t expect much. Who would drop large amounts of money just to ask a single question?
Then it happened.
Bang Bang!
[havant has donated 100,000 won]
– Please tell us what kind of person you were in another world!
Right as I opened the Q&A, a significant donation rolled in. It was a familiar nickname, and I quickly bowed my head.
“Mr. Havant, you’ve arrived.”
While taking breaks to watch other streamers, I’d seen them all refer to anyone who donated a lot as “Mr. Havant.” So why wouldn’t I follow suit?
– Has the Pope succumbed to capital?
– What kind of order is this, lol?
– Havant will be immortalized in heaven again!
The chat moved quickly. Among the messages, one hit me right in the feels.
– The Pope has to feed her kids, so what can she do…
It was the exact sentiment that captured my heart. The reason I started streaming was ultimately for my precious daughters and youngest.
“Mr. Havant, thank you for the 100,000 won. Because of you, my kids can eat delicious food and wear warm clothes.”
Last time, my twins had barged in, forcing me to end the stream abruptly, but now that I’d shown myself, I saw no need to hide it.
“To be honest, it’s not just the twin daughters you saw; I also have a son who isn’t even a year old yet.”
As I confessed plainly, the viewers began murmuring in surprise. I guess it was uncommon to have three kids.
They couldn’t be shocked already. There was still one more surprise left to reveal.
“By the way, I’m 36 years old in Korean age.”
This time, the uproar was even louder.
– In your thirties?
– ??
– Married women for the win!
– You’re quite young for a Pope.
– So you’re an ajumma?
I watched the chat, lively and colorful, squinting at one particularly grating term.
“Ajumma…?”
I could handle just about anything else, but this I couldn’t let stand. I checked to see who said it, hoping to remember their nickname.
It was “I Want to Get a Job.”
“…”
Now I see why I get treated poorly by other viewers. I briefly tapped my fingers on the desk, then pointed at the webcam.
“From today onward, any believer who refers to me as ‘ajumma’ will be excommunicated.”
This wasn’t anger; it was merely a measure to establish the order’s rules.