Chapter 3: Returnee Eluke (3)

“Give me time to think about it.”

Seoyoon, after a long moment of deliberation, gave a neither yes nor no answer.

She reserved judgment.

It seemed she was still struggling to make a decision.

I understood her feelings.

If it were me alone, I would have agreed immediately, but a family of five is a bit much.

Honestly, I was anxious. I was afraid Seoyoon would ultimately refuse.

The composure I’d practiced as the Pope always shone in moments like this.

“Take your time and think about it.”

My seemingly calm expression and demeanor rarely faltered.

Hiding my true feelings wasn’t difficult for me. Even when I first found out I was pregnant, I couldn’t help it.

“I’m sorry. It was so sudden.”

Perhaps because I was so calm,

Seoyoon apologized with a troubled expression.

“It’s okay. Even I think it’s too much to ask.”

I said it nonchalantly, but in reality, it wasn’t.

If Seoyoon refused, where would I go?

No solution came to mind. I really would be stranded on the street.

‘…That won’t do.’

If it were just me and Liam, we’d be fine with being homeless for a while. We’re a former saint and a warrior, after all.

We’re used to sleeping outdoors, and a few days without sleep is no problem.

But the kids are different.

Five-year-old twins and a baby not even a year old yet. They’re all at an age where they need warmth and stability.

And I couldn’t raise my precious children outdoors.

“Seoyoon, I’ll definitely earn my own living expenses. I’m quite capable.”

“…Okay.”

A lukewarm response. It seemed she hadn’t quite grasped the power of the title of ‘Pope.’

Should I demonstrate my power directly?

Just as I was contemplating, Seoyoon’s eyes widened.

“Oh, right. Oh… Unnie, have you eaten?”

Now that I think about it, I was starting to get hungry. The simple meal I had half a day ago was my last.

I glanced back and asked my husband and daughters.

[“Are you all hungry?”]

Erina and Ivayla, who had been chatting with Liam, nodded vigorously at the same time.

“It’s about time, isn’t it?”

And Liam answered in his usual unemployed manner.

It was in Korean.

It was a little awkward, but it was understandable.

“…What did you do?”

“I simply analyzed what you and your sister were saying and applied interpretation magic. How was it?”

He seemed to be acting strangely quiet. It seemed like he was secretly using magic.

In any case, he was a warrior’s talent.

“Not bad.”

To be honest, he was quite talented, but I said it deliberately nonchalantly. If I flattered him, he would become arrogant.

“So you can speak Korean too?”

Seoyoon, who had been listening to the conversation, suddenly spoke to Liam. She was always so friendly.

“I just learned it. Isn’t it amazing?”

Liam, true to form, crossed his legs and acted arrogantly towards a stranger.

Unfortunately, that nemesis suffered from an incurable disease that prevented him from being humble.

“Liam, please keep your mouth shut and take care of the kids.”

“Oh, why? Let me join in.”

“…”

“…Okay.”

I tried to coax him a little, but he quickly lost his composure. That was one of the former warrior’s few strengths.

Liam soon practiced a specialty he had developed over his long years of unemployment: playing with the kids.

He looked at Erina, who was laughing happily in her father’s arms, and then turned his head again.

“It’s time for everyone to eat.”

“Right? I’ll order something for you first.”

Seoyoon pulled something out of her pocket. It was an iPhone with an apple design engraved on the back.

Is that still the most popular? I watched Seoyoon diligently wiggle her thumb before speaking.

“Why are you suddenly touching your phone?”

“I’m ordering chicken through a delivery app.”

“A delivery app?”

“Oh, don’t you know? Everyone orders through this these days.”

Come to think of it, I think there was an app like that before I was possessed. I’ve never used it though.

“I ordered two chickens. One fried, one seasoned.”

“Thank you. It’s been a while since we’ll feast.”

It’s been twenty years since I’ve had chicken. I’d gotten used to a vegetarian diet and forgotten about it, but I was excited to see how the taste has evolved.

I vaguely recalled the taste of chicken from faded memories and stood up from the sofa.

“Seoyoon-ssi, would it be alright if I step into the inner room for a bit?”

“Why all of a sudden?”

“Rohan isn’t old enough to eat chicken yet.”

“…Oh.”

Seoyoon jumped up from her chair and led me to the master bedroom. She whispered softly.

“Is it what I’m thinking?”

“Correct. Breastfeeding.”

“…”

Seoyoon, with a complicated expression, sat me on her bed and gave an awkward smile.

“Who would’ve thought Siu oppa would breastfeed a son he gave birth to himself?”

“…It’s Elluke unnie.”

“I’m still not used to it. For now, I’ll just call you oppa.”

It was a fair suggestion, so I agreed.

‘How bewildering must this be?’

Soon, Seoyoon closed the door and left. I told her it was fine to stay, but she refused, saying it made her uncomfortable.

The guest in the master bedroom while the host is outside? It felt odd, so I planned to feed him quickly and leave, but Rohan wouldn’t wake up today.

Normally, he’d be stirring and fussing by now, but he was sound asleep, oblivious to the world.

“Rohan, are you trying to stress me out like your dad already?”

Maybe I should feed him when he wakes up later. As I pondered, the bedroom door opened.

It was Liam.

“Why are you coming in? Go look after the kids.”

“Your sister-in-law agreed to watch them for a bit. Erina warmed up to her quickly, surprisingly. Ivayla’s the same as always.”

Liam casually sat next to me.

Then he put his arm around my waist, with a tender gaze and a soft smile.

It was a familiar situation.

“…No way. What kind of shameless thing are you trying to do in someone else’s house?”

“What? I just wanted a kiss. What were you imagining?”

“…”

It was an obvious trick I’d fallen for many times. He sets the mood and makes me out to be the inappropriate one.

It’s the same pattern every time, and I always get caught up in it.

“You don’t even want a kiss? Should I just leave?”

“…I didn’t say I didn’t want it.”

I had no chance of winning against this hopeless guy I’d fallen so hard for.

After some twists and turns, it was time for a late lunch.

The chicken, after so long, was surprisingly underwhelming.

‘Salty, greasy, and way too much.’

Maybe I’d grown used to a healthy diet, but Korea’s favorite food wasn’t to my taste anymore.

Still, it seemed to suit my daughters’ palates. They were both quietly munching away.

I didn’t check Liam’s reaction. He probably ate fine. He’s the type to survive a month without food anyway.

“Oppa, I’ve decided.”

After the meal, Seoyoon finally gave her answer to my request.

“Let’s live together for now. Just until you can save enough to live on your own.”

“…Thank you.”

“But there’s a condition.”

Seoyoon’s condition was simple. I had to outline my plans and goals moving forward.

So, I found myself sitting at the dining table, staring at a laptop.

Fortunately, I picked up how to use it relatively quickly, thanks to Seoyoon’s guidance and a 30-minute struggle.

I opened a blank document on the screen and placed my hands on the keyboard. So far, so good.

The problem came after that.

‘…How do I make money?’

I’d said I’d earn my own living expenses, but thinking about how to do it felt overwhelming.

Twenty years as an unpaid Pope had completely dulled my sense of making money.

[“Mama, what are you doing?”]

[“Play with us.”]

Meanwhile, the twins clung to me, doubling my stress.

I’d left them with Liam, but… he was now asleep on the sofa with Rohan. He must be tired from crossing dimensions, so I couldn’t bring myself to wake him.

Seoyoon was out because she had a prior engagement. I wanted to ask her not to go, but I held back.

I have my own shame, after all. Ultimately, childcare fell entirely on me.

[“Erina, Ivayla. Behave yourselves. I have to work.”]

I sat my two daughters side by side on my lap, lost in thought.

“What should I do?”

No matter how much I pondered, no good plan came to mind. Lacking basic common sense and information, I couldn’t even formulate a plan.

At times like this, I’d have to resort to the power of the internet. I typed the name of a website buried deep in my memory into the search bar.

[Wikipedia]

A fun website to browse when I had free time. I figured I’d start by gathering some information here.

First, I searched the name of the organization Seoyoon had told me about.

[World Association of Returnees]

The name was ominous. The word ‘returnee’ made me skeptical, but my guess was correct.

‘I’m not the only one.’

It was an unexpected turn of events, but not particularly surprising.

I’d already been possessed and crossed dimensions. And I’d experienced even more incredible things.

So I had a rough idea. There might be others like me.

However, it seemed there were no returnees in Korea.

‘Thank goodness.’

For now, my rarity was secured. I needed to figure out a way to make money using it.

This time, I relied on the power of Wikipedia. I wondered what other returnees were making a living from.

[“Mama, I’m bored.”]

[“I told you to play with me.”]

I swept my nagging daughters’ hair while perusing the wiki.

As I mentally organized the possible livelihood options, one profession in particular caught my eye.

‘Streamer…’

According to the wiki, the most popular occupation for returnees was none other than internet broadcaster.

Their attractive appearance and unique talents—

it was supposedly the most effective way to make a living. It made sense, to a certain extent.

To me, an internet broadcaster was someone who poured soy sauce or cola on themselves for money, but apparently not everyone was like that.

Unlike before, the perception was good, and if you did well, you could earn quite a bit of money.

Broadcasting from home would allow me to balance childcare and work.

And I liked the idea of a job that would showcase my looks.

“People as pretty as I am are rare.”

Honestly, I thought, ‘I could attract attention just by my looks.’

If I somehow became famous, everything would be smooth sailing from there. Money could pour in even if I just sat in the corner of my room.

The more I thought about it, the more appealing it became.

*

I quickly made up my mind.

“A beautiful working mom streamer with a former Pope. Sounds great.”

My goal was to earn over 100 million won within six months.

As always, you have to aim big.