It seemed that Wip’s web novel from his past life was quite a successful piece.
[Vegetarian Heavenly Horse donated 10,000 won, burning like a flame!]
– Was it you?
That viewer who had told me not to read [Too Many Dark Elves] sent a calm message.
It was only three letters long, but it carried a multitude of emotions.
Moreover, a few viewers in the chat were quietly venting their frustrations.
– Ugh…
– Wow, I see the news here.
– I’m holding back because of the Archbishop’s lecture.
– It was indeed a punishment.
– I want to spit.
– So you didn’t retire; you reincarnated, huh? LOL
Thanks to Kelaout, there wasn’t much cursing, but the atmosphere seemed to be one where everyone was barely suppressing their boiling anger.
Just how famous was this work that so many victims appeared?
There was no way I couldn’t find out.
‘This should be interesting!’
I quickly typed Wip’s work into Google.
As expected, the top result was a green wiki document.
“Can I read this together?”
“…Yes.”
Despite it being a potentially uncomfortable situation, Wip, with the good-natured spirit of a Dark Elf, readily gave permission.
However, his long ears drooped helplessly downward.
An appearance that revealed unease and guilt.
He was probably regretting the things he did in his past life, even if it was too late.
“Alright, let’s give it a read.”
Sharing my screen with the broadcast, I clicked onto the green wiki with a cheerful heart.
[Too Many Dark Elves]
The first thing I saw upon entering the document was the cover.
An illustration of an elf holding swords in both hands, staring directly ahead.
It was slick and impressive; you could tell a lot of money went into it.
When I checked the table of contents next, I found sections like plot summary, characters, settings, and reviews.
It wasn’t just a short blurb; it was detailed and specific enough that one would have to switch to another document to see the content.
That meant it was a work loved by many readers.
I hadn’t even read the content yet, but it was already impressive.
“It’s quite popular.”
“…It was at one time.”
“But why did you do such a thing?”
Wip started staring blankly out the window, unable to answer.
He must have been blaming his past self in his mind.
Good-natured people usually dealt with their dark histories in such timid ways.
“I’m too curious, so I’ll read the ‘Reviews’ first.”
I quickly skimmed through the review section.
It was quite lengthy, but true to the green wiki style, it was filled with stimulating content that was easy to read.
“Oh… it was an amazing piece.”
That was the first thought that crossed my mind.
The content written compelled such a reflection.
“It made a whirlwind of popularity right when subscription models were just emerging.”
As I read the text from the review section, I turned my head, and Wip awkwardly met my gaze.
“I see you were a popular author. At this level, can’t we call you the ancestor of web novels?”
There was a good reason why people expressed their anger towards Wip.
He had helmed the early web novel scene, wielding countless fans with his work.
To end such a masterpiece with the main characters suddenly being wiped out was enough to infuriate anyone.
Of course, to me, who had never read it, it was just intriguing.
“I don’t think I need to read the characters or settings.”
I scrolled down efficiently until I reached nearly the end.
[Controversy]
I planned to read the section deemed most interesting, “Controversies and Incidents.”
“…Your Holiness.”
“Why do you call for me?”
“Are you not too thrilled?”
“That is not the case. I personally feel sorry. Just how upset must Wip have been to make such decisions?”
“……”
While Wip hung his head low, flushing red, I leisurely read through the ‘Controversies’ section.
“It was evaluated as a solid work without drawn-out development or significant setting errors even past over 600 chapters, but then it abruptly concluded.”
The reason was embedded in a screenshot right below.
[Karl]
– I’m starting to get bored…
A not-too-long comment.
It wasn’t strongly negative but also not particularly positive—a mundane expression of opinion.
As a reader, it was certainly something one could say, but it seemed Wip didn’t think so.
[Pers]
– Hello, this is the author.
The first line was polite, but what followed was quite audacious.
That’s why I asked Wip to read it.
“Wip, please read it yourself.”
“…Alright.”
His ears had completely drooped below, and Wip hesitantly opened his mouth slowly.
“To be honest, I think my work is perfect. I find it fun, thrilling, and appropriately exciting. But if you’re getting bored, it might be because your level doesn’t match mine. If it’s not enjoyable, then just drop it. Don’t disrupt the flow.”
That was a comment expressed with the utmost arrogance.
It was hard to believe the humble Wip now could have ever been so cocky.
“You really went through a lot in that other world, huh?”
“…Yeah.”
“Please continue.”
“……”
After a deep sigh, Wip resumed reading.
“Why do you get so angry if all I said was I’m bored? It’s your fault for not enjoying the perfectly designed narrative I laid out. I don’t need readers who have low intelligence like you.”
As he read the comment he wrote in the past, Wip’s voice gradually became quieter, and his head bowed lower.
The shame was clearly visible.
He looked like someone who knew exactly what wrong he had done.
So, I decided to poke some more fun.
“Wip from your past life was quite vigorous, huh? Your confidence in your work shines through each letter. That’s how a true author should be, don’t you think?”
“Your Holiness…”
While Wip floundered, a school of piranhas who wouldn’t miss such an opportunity agreed with my words in the chat.
– LOL for real.
– A Dark Elf needs to be arrogant to be delicious.
– Being cocky suits him better.
– The great author!
– LOL I was wondering why everyone was so mad, but now it makes sense.
I couldn’t help but read out the gems from the chat that Wip couldn’t bear to look at.
“Oh, it seems Emoticon Tteokbokki thought you were crazy. I doubt that’s the case. You were just being arrogant.”
I deliberately spoke slowly and at length, causing Wip’s long ears to twitch rapidly up and down.
I found it amusing to keep reading the chat, and just then, a viewer presumed to be a fan of [Too Many Dark Elves] sent another donation.
[Vegetarian Heavenly Horse donated 10,000 won, burning like a flame!]
– If you know the shame, you should start re-serialization…
“What do you think, Wip?”
“…I’ll try my best.”
Even if he returned now, he wouldn’t be able to win back the hearts of those who had left, but there might be some readers who still appreciated him.
At the very least, the viewer named Vegetarian Heavenly Horse belonged to the latter group.
“You heard that, right? He promised to return. Now that he’s widely recognized as a returnee, he won’t be able to run away.”
“……”
“Wip, why does your expression look like that? You look like you’re plotting to abruptly end things again.”
“Please stop…”
The sight of Wip pleading with me brought a bright smile to my face.
Indeed, teasing others about their dark pasts was always the best kind of fun.
*
Having had my fill of playing around with Wip, I decided it was time to resume the interview.
“During your life as a reincarnator, have you experienced any developments different from the original novel?”
“From start to finish, everything has completely changed. I think I should use this as a base for serialization.”
It was an advantage that when an author becomes a returnee, they could directly revise their work based on their experiences.
“I can offer advice related to storylines to game companies as well, though you don’t reach out to me very often.”
“Oh, I heard that [Solar Scepter] is going to feature Pope Clitia soon?”
“Really?”
Now that I mentioned it, I had indeed asked the general director to cast me as a strong boss.
Once it’s released, I should at least watch some gameplay footage. After all, it would take too long for me to level up a character and take on the challenge myself.
“Wip, have you experienced anything in the world of [Too Many Dark Elves] that would surprise or intrigue your readers?”
“Yes, it wasn’t just once or twice. If I had to pick one….”
As I continued the interview, I checked the viewer count.
[Viewer count: 45,598]
It was quite a lot, but it still didn’t reach the all-time high of 70,000.
But I decided not to rush it. It hadn’t even been an hour since we started the broadcast.
It would surely increase as we went on.
With that positive mindset, I continued to ask questions and exchanged stories.
As we chatted, the topic gradually shifted to more recent times.
And finally.
We arrived at the part that everyone was most curious about.
“Next, we should delve into the story related to the Great Demon.”
As I lightly made the opening statement, the chat sped up drastically, as if everyone had been waiting just for this moment.
Moreover, the donations began to pour in at a faster rate.
Most were “1,000 won punches,” but the continuous flow made it quite profitable. Some donations were even trickling in late.
“You all seem too excited. Please calm down.”
Naturally, the enthusiasm of the people wouldn’t calm down with just that, and only after manager Seo-yoon activated slow mode did things slow down a bit.
“It seems even more people are interested than I thought.”
Wip mumbled in surprise, observing the chat. It seemed he still didn’t realize where he stood.
“Wip, from today, Korea officially becomes a nation with seven returnees. Naturally, all eyes will be on you.”
“That’s true. But I still can’t wrap my head around it.”
“Eventually, you’ll experience the ‘fame,’ whether you want to or not. After all, you’re the first returnee.”
“…That’s terrifying.”
Could the kind-hearted Wip withstand the overwhelming and excessive attention of the people?
It probably wouldn’t be easy.
[Birapbabab’s warm donation of 50,000 won!!]
– Your Holiness, get Wip’s autograph, the future super popular returnee!
[ksy11’s budding 1,000 won!]
– Breaking news) Your Holiness quitting.
[MyName’s budding 1,000 won!]
– Turn on Wip’s broadcast!
[ChickWater Bottle’s budding 1,000 won!]
– Our Eluke Pope was a water rocket after all.
“Everyone, what’s wrong with you….”
Wip was so flustered by the donation messages that praised him and belittled me that he couldn’t even gather his thoughts.
This was certainly not the way it should be.
They really ought to attach someone to provide mental care beside this timid Dark Elf.
“Anyway, now we’ll begin discussing the Great Demon. Wip, please.”
Wip nodded at my words and cautiously opened his mouth.
“When I first returned, the Great Demon appeared right before my eyes. And demanded my submission.”
This was a truth revealed for the first time to the people.
It was an event that carried great consequences, one only a rational Wip could narrate.
Other returnees were either unable to control their emotions or lacked eloquence, leaving them with only one choice.
“When I refused the Great Demon’s demands, he threatened me. He said he would kill my younger sister from my past life if I didn’t follow his orders.”
After that, the narrative continued in a way I was already familiar with.
The Great Demon’s covert machinations.
Wip and the other returnees, weakening and collapsing one by one.
During that time, two returnees who left calmly for China, completely unfazed by the threat of their acquaintance’s death.
Korea was nothing more than a playground for the Great Demon.
That was how it had been until I returned.
“Your Holiness dealt with the Great Demon’s fragments and healed all the injuries of the returnees free of charge. Thanks to that, everyone is living healthily now.”
“It was nothing special. It was simply something I had to do.”
I spoke calmly while trying to maintain my expression.
I was particularly struggling to suppress the corners of my mouth that kept wanting to curl upwards.
‘…That was impressive.’
Even though Wip didn’t have a lively personality, he simply laid out the facts of what had happened, and yet my actions sound quite marvelous.
Hearing it from someone else’s mouth made me feel as if I possessed some noble motives.
Was I really that great?
Honestly, even I thought that it was a true act befitting a Pope.
Especially the part where I treated everyone without expecting anything in return was the best of all.
As I was congratulating myself on that, I heard a cheerful chime.
Ting-ting!
With a lively sound, a familiar username sent a donation.
[Lerorna’s budding 1,000 won!]
– What a joke!
Lerorna.
That was the nickname of the Great Demon.
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