The World I Was Supporting Was Real - Chapter 53



53. St. Chicken’s Day

* * *

*Derrrrr, derrrrr.*

After scrolling to the top, then slowly back down, repeating the process several times—

‘…???’

She couldn’t understand this chapter’s development at all.

No, but why is there suddenly an infinite refill of chicken on the altar? Out of the blue??

[Iguoguo-don: Dude]

[ Iguogwodun: What the hell is with this unfolding this round??? ]

[ GimmeMoney: Hello, Iguogwodun-nim ]

[ GimmeMoney: Perhaps… the world’s response didn’t sit well with you? ]

[ Iguogwodun: It’s not a matter of sitting well or not… it’s just so out of the blue ]

[ Iguogwodun: Why the heck is there chicken in the temple??? ]

[ GimmeMoney: Everything is according to Iguogwodun-nim’s will ]

[ GimmeMoney: It is because Iguogwodun-nim commanded it ]

????

The more we talked, the more nonsensical it became, that moment.

‘……No way.’

Eh, it couldn’t be, I thought… but I cautiously placed my fingers on the keyboard.

[ Iguogwodun: No way ]

[ Iguogwodun: Is it because of that 50,000 won I gave you for chicken money…??? ]

[ GimmeMoney: That is correct ]

[ GimmeMoney: I understand that “chicken” is a term referring to fowl meat… am I mistaken? ]

No.

No, no, no.

[LeeGwoGwoDon : No, that’s… ]

[LeeGwoGwoDon : Ha]

[GiveMeMoney : ?]

What’s with the reaction???

No, I meant give me the money *for* the chicken, for *you* to buy some.

Use the money you get to go buy chicken.

Not to freaking refill the chicken like you sponsored 50,000 won’s worth in this world!!!

‘Normally when you say “for chicken money” wouldn’t everyone assume the former?’

And, it was weird that they just gave out raw chicken.

Since it’s a miracle anyway, wouldn’t it be better to just generate fried chicken itself?

Actually, in the manga, the part that took up most of the time was the cooking part.

If it had been cooked chicken from the start, sure, it might have been a little less tasty cold, but wouldn’t it be a lot easier and faster to distribute — I thought, then shook my head.

‘That’s not what’s important!’

[Lee Guo-guodun: Okay, so, uh…]

[Lee Guo-guodun: The thing about saying “pay for the chicken,” I didn’t mean like, provide an actual chicken for the comic, it’s—]

[Lee Guo-gwon: No, seriously, where do I even start explaining this? ]

[Please give me money: I’m not entirely sure what’s happening, but if I have made a mistake, please do tell me what it is. ]

[Give me some money: It is my duty to absolutely follow the will of God. ]

[Please give me money: If my mistake has led ‘The World’s Response’ to reach an incorrect conclusion, I will take full responsibility, no matter what. ]

[Lee Guo-guodun: No, it’s not like you have to take responsibility or anything… ]

[Lee Guo Guo Dun: Just hold on a sec]

[Lee Guo-guodun: You know what chicken is, right? ]

[Give me some money: I understand it to mean the animal, a fowl. ]

[Lee Guo-guodun: No, not that, I mean the chicken *dish*, the kind you order for delivery ]

And.

After the next reply came, I couldn’t help but feel a wall between me and the writer, once again.

[Give me some money: …?? ]

From noble mtl dot com

‘Wow… is he seriously this immersed?’

There were rules just for the two of us, the writer and me.

I was a god. The rough setup was that if I sponsored them, they could use ‘divine power’ or something.

The comic’s plot changing? That was the result of using divine power.

The more money I shelled out, the more divine power could be used to push forward various developments.

Putting it this way, it probably sounds like nonsense—but, the bottom line was that it was just a skin.

The writer had created their own over-immersed universe and kept calling me a god, and if they were to say, “Oh, thanks for the money~! Time for some satisfying plot developments~!” It’d be so lame, wouldn’t it?

Anyway, the conclusion was we were essentially role-playing. They were the observer of the world, and I was a god. Something like that.

But, honestly, I never thought they’d take it this seriously.

I mean, when they occasionally used real-world terms like ‘new BM,’ you’d think that meant they knew it was all a concept, right?

I never expected them to not know what chicken was…

…No, that’s not the problem!

The problem is—

‘My complacency is the problem!’

I’ll admit it.

The reason I was able to get so immersed in this world was partly thanks to my conversations with the writer.

Because the writer so thoroughly catered to my mood, and acted as if they were a real high priest without breaking the world-building, wasn’t that how I felt like I had become a real god?

The reason I was able to immerse myself in Erin and Eirene, and the reason I felt a desire to save my paladin friends, was all the same.

It’s cowardly to enjoy all the fun, then turn around and ask, “Why are you getting so overly-invested?”

So.

If the writer is going that far―

I needed to be reborn, thoroughly, as a god神.

[YeeGuhGuhDone : First off]

[YeeGuhGuhDone : How long is this chicken supply going to last?]

[GimmeMoneyPlz : You have bestowed a divine power worth a whopping 50,000 won]

[GimmeMoneyPlz : So, for a very long time, the love of god in the form of chicken will spread throughout the continent]

[YeeGuhGuhDone : Let’s stop that first]

[GimmeMoneyPlz : Are you saying you want to cease the supply?]

[YeeGuhGuhDone : Yep]

A certain food item being constantly refilled.

While it might feel purely good at first, in the long run, the continued supply of a certain food material could cause social chaos.

First off, the related economy would get shaken up, and there was also the possibility of those b*stards, who noticed the temple chickens were being refilled, getting any funny ideas.

Of course, I knew it. That even if those guys showed up, they’d get zapped by some electricity after a quick donation, boom.

But I wanted to read manga. I’m not trying to do some live chicken defense, you know?

[ GIMME MONEY : If it is the will of God, then of course I shall obey ]

[ GIMME MONEY : In that case, a great deal of ‘divine power’ will be left over… ]

[ IGUOGUEDEON : Well, with the remaining power ]

[ IGUOGUEDEON : Could you provide the other ingredients so we can make that one ‘chicken’ dish, just one last time? I’ll even give you the recipe ]

[ IGUOGUEDEON : The rest of the divine power, keep it for now ]

It all started because I said to pay for the damn chicken in the first place.

Now that it’s come to this, wouldn’t be so bad to feed my kids some chicken too.

Spreading chicken to this other world—classic but delicious cliche, right?

[ GIMME MONEY : Cooking ingredients and recipe… Understood ]

[ GIMME MONEY : Is it perhaps the recipe for that dish you mentioned, ‘chicken’? ]

[ IGUOGUEDEON : Yeah, you get it? ]

[ GIMME MONEY : I am deeply sorry to say, I do not. However, if you provide the recipe, I will learn it ]

“What the hell, you don’t know chicken?” The words almost clawed their way out of my throat, but I swallowed them down just in time.

I’m a god. This kid’s an observer. It’s natural for an observer to be clueless about modern society!

The more the author immerses themselves, the more I should immerse myself too. It’s the only way to keep my precious little author, the one who draws my comic, from being any more embarrassed!

[Iguogeodon : Okay, just wait a sec.]

I searched for a “Fried Chicken” recipe, one detailing the secrets to a good batter.

Modern-day chicken. A bloom of diverse cooking methods, a queen among delivery food. Koreans can enjoy the ecstasy of chicken anytime—but frankly, just frying a chicken simply won’t achieve *this* kind of taste.

Judging from the methods used by the royal chef in the comic, even if they fry a chicken, it’s likely going to be pretty basic.

So, what I’m giving them is, arguably, a batter recipe. Even if they can’t marinate the chicken, this alone will definitely take the flavor up a notch.

And so, after passing along the recipe.

[Iguogeodon : How is it?]

[Iguogeodon : Ask if there’s anything you don’t understand.]

[GiveMeMoney : No, it’s all spices that exist in our world as well.]

[GiveMeMoney : Chicken refers to a fried chicken dish… Today, I feel like I’ve learned another thing from you, Iguogeodon.]

[GiveMeMoney : Thank you for sharing your precious divine knowledge.]

[Iguogeodon : Sure.]

[ Iguogeodon : Alright, let’s get this show on the road ]

[ Iguogeodon : Chicken Party ]

* * *

The next day.

To tackle the god-given chicken once again, Erin and the priests headed to the temple, and what greeted them was—

“This is…a barrel of oil?”

“There’s also something like white flour!”

“And there are some incredibly unique-smelling spices…!”

The mountain of raw chickens was the same, but this time, there was also a pile of other ingredients.

Erin wondered what on earth was going on, when her eyes caught a piece of paper lying on the floor.

Carefully, Erin picked it up and read it.

「To Saintess Erin.

This is the will of god. You must immediately prepare a dish called ‘chicken’ and share it with everyone.

This is the last time chickens will be provided.

The recipe for the dish is as follows…」

(Omitted)

This dish comes from the ‘Realm of the Gods,’ where Iggwogwodun-nim resides.

The recipe itself is a divine gift from Iggwogwodun-nim.

You must never forget, not for a single moment, that being able to eat ‘chicken’ is all thanks to Iggwogwodun-nim.”

“Iggwogwodun-nim…!”

Erin placed the paper against her chest and hugged it as if embracing it.

Crumpled, the paper slipped between her breasts.

‘Iggwogwodun-nim’s unadorned facts… I will share them with everyone, without fail…!’

Erin wiped away a few tears and slowly rose from her seat, turning her head to look at everyone.

“Cecilia-nim. Could you please visit the Royal Family for a moment?”

“The Royal Family, you say…”

“That’s right.”

Then, nodding, her blue eyes sparkled.

—Sparkling. Erin’s pride in spreading the divine cuisine shone like a jewel.

“Please gather the Royal Family’s chefs. As many as possible, if you can.”

* * *

“Alright, let’s begin.”

* * * Zzzzzzz- * * *

A single chicken leg, coated in the finished batter, was lowered into the massive, heated oil vat to begin frying.

Cooking oil itself wasn’t exactly a common ingredient, so frying an entire piece of food like this was an undeniably extravagant method of preparation –

……*gulp.*

The cook swallowed unconsciously.

As a royal chef, he had relatively more opportunities to encounter fried food. Of course, he’d fried chicken before, but never in this style, at least.

This was an incredibly bold method, unlike the finely minced meat formed into balls and then fried.

Moreover, from the batter-making stage, the subtle aroma created by the various spices had been assaulting his nose all day.

And so, adhering strictly to the recipe… the finished fried chicken leg was lifted from the oil vat.

A fried dish that looked, at first glance, to be of exceedingly high quality!

The cook carefully placed it on a plate and carefully carried it over to the woman chosen by the god.

“It is ready, Holy Maiden.”

“I’m… the first to try it?”

“Prepared with the recipe gifted by the gods, wouldn’t it be?”

Erin, without hesitation, carefully accepted the plate.

Her eyes, as if drawn by a magnet, fixated on the steaming, golden-yellow fried chicken drumstick.

‘Woah…!’

This was the food bestowed upon us by Lord Igugueodon!

And the first to taste it… would be herself.

This strange fact caused Erin’s stomach to flutter again.

Half from hunger. And half from…

‘Lord Igugueodon. I will gratefully partake in this new dish you have bestowed upon us.’

Erin slowly grasped the drumstick in her hand.

“Saintess, the utensils are beside you-“

“No. This dish… it feels like it needs to be eaten this way.”

It was a sensation close to instinct.

Erin, holding it in her hand… cautiously brought it to her lips.

And—

—*ShhhSHHShhh!!!*

“——!!!!!”

What Erin felt on her tongue was a fragrance that felt like it would explode.

As the batter, infused with all manner of spices, shattered, her mouth was first coated in a captivating aroma.

And then, throwing itself upon that, was scalding hot juice!

Followed by the *crunch crunch, crisp crisp* texture, Erin couldn’t stop chewing.

As the finely sliced meat and batter, torn apart by her teeth, slid down her throat—

“——Igu Gwo Don!”

Unconsciously, she uttered the name of the revered god.

The very name she’d shouted when she first became aware of the god’s existence!

“Saintess…?”

Erin, her eyes still closed, savored the divine love poured into the dish–

Then, slowly opening her eyes, she spoke.

“Everyone. It will be a busy day, but… this too is a profoundly meaningful undertaking to spread the god’s simple truths. As each dish is finished, please proceed with the distribution as we did on the first day. So, chefs—”

—Please, make more of this!

* * *

“Take a piece, everyone!”

“It’s called chicken! A gift given to us by Lord Igwogeodeon!”

“Today is the last day we’re handing out chicken! Please, come visit the church!”

The chicken was cooked at a much faster pace than any of the old chicken dishes, allowing more people to receive the food quickly.

“Thank you so much…!”

“Igwogeodeon! Igwogeodeon!”

Even just giving them ordinary food, they would be bowing with gratitude.

But what they were handing out wasn’t ordinary. It was a precious fried dish of a form they’d never seen before!

And the taste was nothing like the roasted chicken the priests had simply grilled not long ago, or the roast chicken made with various sauces by the royal chefs.

“I never thought the day would come when I’d eat fried food….”

“Is this really a dish given by a god?”

“The priests are probably just saying that.”

“Maybe the Saintess developed it?”

“I… I want to try this with some beer.”

Rumors, thick with embellishment, had grown, but no thorns could be found within them.

Now, at least in the capital, it was rare to find anyone voicing discontent with the Guoweoden faith.

All of this, the Saint’s grace!

Everything had been changing since the Saint descended.

Excessive tax rates had been lowered to reasonable levels, and priests, in their zeal to dismantle the old ways, continued to push forth innovative policies, quickly winning the people’s hearts.

Naturally, the number of people uttering the name of Igguoweoden increased—

And so, little by little, the whole world was becoming stained with Igguoweoden’s color.

*

—The day the god Igguoweoden imparted a new dish to Saint Erin.

This day was recorded as ‘St. Chicken’s Day,’ and on this day many would gather at the cathedral to share chicken.

A plausible holiday was born, complete with a curious rule: ‘Each time one eats chicken, shout “Igguoweoden!” and express gratitude to the god.’

And, all of this was possible thanks to the grace of god.

New food that delighted the human tongue, a progression in food culture through it!

To share food is to share life. Without daily sustenance, one cannot continue to live—

Of course, this world could not help but pay homage to the one true god once more.

Fifty Thousand Won Donation, Huzzah!

The grace of Lee Gwo-gwo-dun is clearly recorded, and each year people shall cry out his name.

Fifty Thousand Won Donation, Huzzah!

The fried chicken drumstick in hand is an expression of awe for him, and the fried chicken wing shall signify his burning love for us!

Fifty Thousand Won Donation, Huzzah!

Lee Gwo-gwo-dun, Huzzah!

! ! ! Fifty Thousand Won Donation, Huzzah ! ! !

* * *