Chapter 206: Goblin Cave (1)
Chapter 206: Goblin Cave (1)
The Association Chairman told Miko the same thing he had told me. Of course, he didn't relay it exactly as it was; he added a bit of professional polish.
"Hmm, I see."
Creating a girl group idol unit out of a few high-visual female heroes. I inwardly expected the blunt-looking Miko to refuse immediately, but surprisingly, she didn't.
"However, this maiden was already aware of what you just spoke of. In fact, I only entered Korea today because I had heard word of this beforehand."
Contrary to my worries, Miko was unexpectedly calm. Well, it made sense. Since it was likely a matter pre-arranged between the Korean Hero Association Chairman and the Japanese Hero Association Chairman, it wasn't strange for Miko, a hero originally affiliated with Japan, to have received a heads-up.
Still, it was a bit fascinating. An idol? Her, who always looked so serious? I suppose there would be a demand for it in its own way, but I never expected Miko herself to agree. She seemed like the type who would loathe the very idea of being an idol.
Wait, maybe it’s not that strange?
Thinking about it, Miko’s entire concept as a Shrine Maiden Hero was something you couldn't pull off unless you were incredibly thick-skinned. She just happened to have exorcism powers that worked well against evil spirits and wicked monsters, yet she never failed to go around in full shrine maiden cosplay.
In my case, I have to transform into a Magical Girl to use my powers, so I have an excuse. But Miko can use her powers without dressing up like that.
There are often cases where a country brands a hero using its traditional culture. However, there had never been a success story quite like Miko. It was Miko who had recently sparked the "Traditional Japanese Miko" boom in Japan and parts of the West.
The people who came up with the concept were impressive, but ultimately, the biggest contribution to that success was Miko’s elegant beauty.
"It’s unexpected to hear that Miko-nim wants to be an idol. But then again, I think it suits you well."
Just as I was beginning to think that, despite appearances, Miko might actually be the most suitable member for a hero girl group, she murmured softly.
"This maiden once dreamed of being an idol as well, so it was quite welcome news."
"R-Really?"
"Why? Do you think it does not suit me? Believe it or not, before I became a hero, I often worked as an underground idol as a part-time job."
"An underground idol? Isn't... isn't that dangerous?"
"What are you imagining? Since they don't really exist in Korea, you might not know, but whatever it is, it won't be as dangerous as you, Floss, are thinking."
I cleared the impure thoughts from my head and gave a small cough.
"Ahem, anyway, it’s nice that we’ll be working together. Goblins aren't that difficult, so let’s just finish this quickly and go take some photos."
"This maiden's ability is exorcism. I specialize against formless, evil spirit-type monsters or villains. I cannot be the natural enemy of monsters with physical bodies like goblins, but... since you are here, Floss, I do not think it will be a particularly arduous mission."
"Of course. Honestly, I could finish this in ten minutes by myself."
"Listen to you boast. You were late even during the incident with the Halloween Ghost Raper, yet you are quite shameless. By the way, we are the same age, and hearing you use formal speech is uncomfortable, so please speak comfortably."
"During the Ghost Raper incident... k-ahem, well, since you want me to, I'll speak casually."
I could never tell her. That I was enjoying a defeat play and time had slipped away before I knew it.
*
"Then, let's head out."
"I feel exhausted before we've even begun, haah."
It was just as the Association Chairman had said. Perhaps because it was a joint operation between Korean and Japanese heroes, a massive crowd had gathered even before we entered the gate. If it was already like this, I was terrified to think what it would be like when we finished the subjugation and came back out.
Actually, it wasn't that rare for heroes from different countries to cooperate. As far as I knew, today wasn't the first time for a joint Korean-Japanese hero operation either.
So why on earth were there so many people today?
The reason lay not in the situation or the setup, but in the individuals: the Shrine Maiden Hero Miko and the Magical Girl Hero Floss. In fact, the people gathered here were shouting our hero names at the top of their lungs.
"Floss! Floss! Floss!"
"Miko! Miko! Miko!"
Since we were in Korea, the shouts for my name were louder than those for Miko, and for a moment, I was dazed. Honestly, I hadn't expected the reaction to be this explosive. I suppose it was partly because I had spent quite a while living as Shin Tae-geon's sexual relief maid.
However, I soon grasped the situation and understood. This wasn't just a simple joint operation between Korean and Japanese heroes. This was a joint operation between the most popular female heroes in Korea and Japan respectively. Someone might say it was just a meaningless descriptor added to a joint operation, but it was an element more than capable of changing the public's reaction.
"You are more popular than I thought, Floss."
"I know. I didn't think it would be this much either..."
Back when I first discovered the Female Hero Gallery Back Alley and realized my true nature, I was just a rising rookie hero. My fans were mostly just a core group, and there weren't that many of them. But at some point, my fan base began to explode, and now, regardless of rank, I had become the most popular female hero in the country.
They say they can feel a certain 'sexiness' from me lately or something. It's funny how that caused my male fan base to skyrocket.
Regardless, it was a grateful thing that so many people liked me. As a reward for that, performing the role of a magical girl who serves the citizens by becoming an idol for a short while wouldn't be so bad.
"Go, go, fighting!"
As my motivation surged and I thrust my clenched fist high into the air, an explosive cheer followed. Along with it, I felt a surge of enthusiasm for being a hero idol.
...Ah, is it time to stop being a sexual relief maid for a moment and return to being Magical Girl Floss?
However, there was one thing I was overlooking. The more my motivation as a magical girl grew, the more my hidden nature—my lewd defeat addiction—grew along with it. Even though I was a magical girl with powerful superpowers who was loved by the people, delusions of being violently violated by pathetic trash mobs would pop into my head of their own accord.
No. I have to endure. Miko is here this time.
My female body, which was already lewd but had become even more slutty after being broken by Shin Tae-geon for over twenty days, sent me a signal. But I forced myself to ignore that signal. I reminded myself over and over that the goblins in the gate were just enemies I had to fight and kill.
Once I finish and go back, I can work as Shin Tae-geon's maid again anyway, or the Association Chairman might bully me, so let's just endure for today...
I soothed myself with the thought that I had plenty of outlets for my sexual desire anyway. However, I was vaguely realizing that simple sexual desire was clearly distinct from the defeat addiction I was currently craving.
Would I be able to hold out? Carrying an inner sense of anxiety, I stepped into the goblin gate with Miko.
Flash!
The inside of a gate is an unpredictable place.
I had learned from the Dark Elf Ceylon that the other side of a gate is actually another world. A specific location in that other world becomes "gated," creating a passage to the Earth where we live.
In other words, this cave that Miko and I were currently standing in was also another world.
"A cave... I see."
"It'll be hard to just smash everything. It might collapse if we're not careful."
"It is likely a goblin den. The leader will be in the deepest part, so we must descend while slowly exorcising them. Floss, you take the front line, and I will support you from behind with my Evil-Destroying Arrows."
I nodded. Honestly, I was confident I could kill every one I saw before Miko could even notch an arrow, but as I've said before, it's an unwritten rule to leave low-rank gates to juniors so they can gain experience.
I sometimes forget because she's so famous and looks so smart, but Miko is still only a B-Rank Hero.
Miko, who was on the verge of A-Rank by the standards of the Japan Hero Association. She was keeping her eyes peeled for decent missions to increase her skill and accumulate achievements. Of course, a goblin gate, which was C-Rank or lower, wouldn't be of much help to her either... but at least it would be more efficient for her than for me.
"Don't get too far away, and follow me while maintaining a proper distance. Aim well. I'll be mad if you accidentally put an arrow in my back."
"What a ridiculous thing to say. Do you think this maiden's arrow would ever find its way to an ally? My Evil-Destroying Arrows fly only to pursue evil... Hmm?"
Miko, who had been chattering arrogantly from behind, suddenly cut herself off with a look of confusion. When I turned around to see what was wrong, a suspicious-looking purple magic circle was drawn beneath Miko's feet.
"W-Wait...!"
As soon as I turned around, the magic circle emitted a purple light, and Miko, who had been standing on top of it, vanished in the blink of an eye. Without a single word. Soon after, the magic circle lost its light as well.
What on earth just happened? Why was there a trap like this in a mere goblin den? I tried my best to maintain my composure and pressed myself flat against the ground.
"Was she teleported somewhere...?"
When I pressed my ear to the ground, I could feel countless presences far below. It was likely where the boss monster of this goblin cave was located. Among them was a presence identical to Miko's. It seemed the magic circle had sent Miko straight to where the boss monster was.
This is troublesome.
Miko was a B-Rank Hero in her own right. Normally speaking, she should be able to handle a boss monster from a mere C-Rank goblin gate on her own.
However, after considering several specific factors, I judged that Miko was currently in a very dangerous situation.
First, it wasn't just one boss goblin down there. Countless subordinate goblins were moving with it. As the saying goes, quantity has a quality of its own; a goblin army that charges mindlessly with overwhelming numbers is extremely difficult to deal with. To face them alone, one would need to be at least an A-Rank Hero.
Second, Miko was not a hero who could exert 100 percent of her power alone in the middle of enemy territory. If I had been the one caught in the teleport trap and dropped alone in the middle of the enemy, I would have actually been happy that it saved me travel time. I could just use my brute strength to wipe out the goblins with area-of-effect attacks.
But unlike me, Miko was a hero specialized in long-range sniping combat using her Evil-Destroying Arrows. If she were surrounded by hundreds of goblins, she would have no way to cope.
I have to go save her quickly.
Still, since Miko was a hero with her own fair share of experience, I didn't think she would be defeated immediately. Just as I was about to run, hoping she would hold out until I arrived...
"Kereuk, kereuk!"
Something approached from deep within the cave.
Green-skinned monsters emerged from the darkness. I recognized them as the true masters of this gate: goblins.
"Kereuk, kereuk... It's a human!"
"Human female! Kereuk! Haven't seen one in a long time!"
"Before we take her to the King... kirik! Let's have a taste!"
The goblins spoke human language clumsily with their hideous faces. They dripped viscous saliva and bared their sharp fangs. Some of them held crude wooden clubs, but most were bare-handed.
"Ugh..."
I felt an instinctive sense of revulsion. The ones who at least covered their crotches with old, tattered rags were the better ones, but several were completely naked.
It was unavoidable that my eyes were drawn to the ugly green monstrosities dangling between their legs. What was even more horrifying was that the goblins' things were hardening in real-time. Blood must have rushed there the moment they laid eyes on me. Even for the goblins wearing rags, it was obvious at a glance that they were erect as the cloth bulged outward.
...Disgusting.
Damn it, I need to kill them right now and head inside...
However, I couldn't act as I thought. It was because of the goblins' very weakness.
There was no way low-level monsters like goblins could perceive my true power just by looking at me. As they just said, they probably saw me as just another human female... no, just a woman.
And yet, the goblins hesitated and couldn't bring themselves to attack me readily. Even though there were dozens of them, they were such weak creatures that they had to approach and attack even a single human—and the most fragile-looking woman at that—with such caution. Watching them, it was almost pitiful.
"You guys, if you're that scared, you should just quietly go back..."
Slap—!
"N-Ngh-hyat...♡?!"
It happened right then. A goblin that had slunk up behind me struck my butt hard with its bare hand. I knew it was approaching, but since a goblin couldn't possibly harm me with its bare hands, I had just let it be. I never expected it to slap my ass...!
"W-What do you think you're doing...!"
"Kihit! Human female's butt is bouncy!"
"Hips are big too! Looks like she'll bear many young!"
"Kereuk! Let's turn her into a goblin baby factory!"
One might think I was just caught off guard and hit once, but that one strike meant a lot to me. Because I had realized that goblins were, after all, males capable of harassing a female with their base desires.
No. This is bad. The defeat desire—the urge to be violated by trash mobs weaker and more pathetic than me—is rising again. I was going to restrain myself because Miko was here, but since Miko disappeared, I can't help but think it might be okay.
"Ngh...!"
Get a grip, Floss. What kind of defeat play is this when Miko might be in danger right now? Hurry up and go deep inside, kill the goblin boss, and save Miko...
...Wait, but what did these goblins just say?
"You guys... you're going to take me to the King...?"
"Kereuk! Kereuk! Excellent female! All belong to the King!"
"Kihit! Human female! So hot! She's perfect to be the King's breeding sow!"
The "King" they were talking about was most likely the goblin boss monster. Rather than wandering around and getting lost while killing the endless stream of goblin mobs alone, it might be faster to let these guys kidnap me and take me to where the goblin king is.
I can do a defeat play with the goblins, get to Miko faster, and satisfy my own desires at the same time?
...Why wouldn't I do this?
I changed my attitude in an instant. I was no longer the predator, but the prey. However, the goblins were still unable to approach me readily.
They're still scared.
Fortunately, I knew very well. I knew how to make the goblins perceive that they were the stronger, superior hunters without having to say it all directly with my own mouth. I knew how to let them know I was nothing more than a fragile female prey they could catch even with their bare hands.
It was a simple matter. To instill the perception of being a hunter in the hunters surrounding me, I just had to act like prey in a way that anyone could see.
So, here's the question. What is that "prey-like behavior"?
"Kya, kyaaaaah! Help me!"
What else could it be? Running away.
I turned my back on the goblins and began to run slowly, swinging my arms in a comical fashion. I didn't forget to subtly wiggle my lewd butt, which made me want to have goblin cocks thrust into it and filled with semen.
"Kereuk, kereuk! It's a hunt!"
"Hunt the human female!"
"Fuck her! Rape her! Get her pregnant!"
Only then did the goblins let out a shout and begin to chase after me with their short legs. The thought of being horribly violated if caught made me feel my pussy getting soaking wet.
Drip, drip...
"Haah, ha-ah...♡"
...A prey that leaves a trail of lewd honey on its escape route. How could it be this easy?
