What Have You Been Seeing Me As Until Now?

As expected, instead of eagerly giving the OK like I'd hoped, Hanbyeol tilted her head first. "A raid? Hmm... Sis, you still don't look so good. Maybe we should push back the schedule..."

Iris had already headed out for work, leaving just Hanbyeol, me, and Laila at the table. Even sitting up straight was a struggle, so my tail supported my waist while I chewed on the sandwich she fed me bite by bite. My complexion must really be off. But this was all because of the prayer ritual.

"Ah, no. I'll be fine after some rest. If we're doing the raid tomorrow, we can just delay the prayer ritual..."

"Wouldn't it be better to rest a few more days? Sis, your eyes are drooping even now."

"Mmm."

"Sis, you're not even listening to me."

Hanbyeol's voice turned sharp. A sudden chill ran down my spine, and I flinched, tearing my eyes from the sandwich to look at her. She was glaring at me with a cold stare I'd never seen before.

"S-sorry. I must've zoned out from fatigue for a sec. Yeah, I've been sleeping in every day lately. Not used to waking up early... That's probably it."

"No excuses. What did you even do at that prayer ritual?"

"Well... We prayed together in the bathhouse and..."

"If it was just praying, would your face look like that? Hey, Laila. What was Sis doing there?"

Hanbyeol's fierce interrogation turned to Laila. Laila gave an awkward laugh and mumbled vaguely.

"Ahaha. It was a ritual to purify the bodies and minds of the priests and nuns...? But it was all women there, and the male slaves had their eyes covered..."

"...Plug your ears for a bit. Before I burst your eardrums."

"Yes! I'll bury my head in the pillow!"

Laila dove into the still-unmade bed in the living room and shoved her head under the pillow. Just as I wondered if that would really block out our conversation, Hanbyeol snapped her fingers. A translucent barrier sprang up around us.

"Sis. Do you think I'm some naive kid who doesn't know how the world works just 'cause I'm younger than you? You look like you've done drugs. Your pupils are dilated, your face is wrecked from exhaustion. And you're saying it was just praying? Sis, why do you keep making me feel so pathetic? Am I nothing to you? Why do you always hide stuff from me?"

"N-no, it's not like that..."

"What do you mean 'not like that'? I told you you could pounce on me anytime because I was worried you'd struggle adapting to your new body as a woman, or that you'd fall for some other creeps. I said it'd be fine if it was you—that I'm yours!"

"How could I ever say that to you...? You know I think of you like a little sister."

"Really? If you care about me like a sister, then why are you treating your body so carelessly! Were those priests and nuns in the bathhouse people you knew? Did you let them have their way because you liked it? No, you didn't! What the hell did Iris do to you?!"

"L-let them have their way...? It wasn't like that... They were strangers, sure, but..."

"...Huh?"

I finally realized what misunderstanding Hanbyeol had. Iris had been acting a bit suspiciously, after all. She must've thought Iris made me service the other ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠clergy sexually. Thank goodness that wasn't it. Still, a sense of relief washed over me that I could calm her down a bit. Of course, it was mostly my fault for stumbling home in a daze without pulling myself together.

"We... used devices in front of those people... Yeah, something like that. As the Saintess—like, even though I'm not really one, that's how people see me. Anyway..."

I hesitated, wondering if I should even tell Hanbyeol this, and her expression turned even more incredulous.

"What, like you were their jerk-off toy or something?"

"No, not quite that bad... No one was masturbating right in front of me or anything..."

"Ha, did Iris tell you to do it? Weren't you embarrassed doing that in front of them? What was I even expecting from Laila, that succu—er, never mind. Iris went too far too. A 'little sister's body,' my ass, making you do that?"

"That's just the culture here. The Saintess helps people keep their weird tastes in check..."

"You believe that?! What if some random stranger later says 'pay up,' and you hand over your wallet because 'it's the culture'? If they say 'give me your liver, it's tradition,' are you gonna slice yourself open?!"

"S-sorry..."

"It's not you who should be sorry! I'm pissed at the idiots who think they can treat you like a fool and pull that crap! You've said it yourself plenty of times—being too nice just makes you an easy mark."

I shrank back at Hanbyeol's rampage, but deep down, I was grateful she was mad for me. And honestly, I doubted Iris was trying to screw me over. She probably worried about roughing up her actual little sister's body. It must've just been following tradition.

"But Iris too..."

"I'll go chew her out myself. Who thinks it's okay to exploit someone as clueless as you? Seriously, even nice people have limits—using you up like that without giving anything back?!"

"Um... they paid for it. 30 gold..."

"30 gold a week?"

"Per day. She put it in my wallet earlier..."

Hanbyeol shut her mouth. Glancing at her, I saw her eyes wavering—she seemed pretty conflicted. Her reaction made it clear we were in a tight spot financially and needed to earn money fast.

"Sorry... It might feel like I'm selling my body, but I really didn't get physical with anyone... Though thinking about it, it kinda feels like being an AV actress. Am I gross to you? Sorry. But you're busy every day, and I can't just lounge around at home forever... So something like this."

"No, gross? Who you sleep with doesn't matter. Even if you go have fun somewhere, that's fine. As long as it's not someone forcing or manipulating you. I like you for you. But... 30 gold a day? Haah... That's 900 a month..."

Guess it was too much money to stay mad about. I had no real sense of value since I hadn't spent much, but Hanbyeol's reaction told me it was a fortune. Seeing her face soften a bit, I apologized again, hoping the anger had passed.

"If anyone forces me into anything, I'll quit right away. Sorry for doing it on my own without talking to you and trying to hide it."

"Yeah... Stop immediately if it gets rough. Using toys only is probably fine. But no one actually jumped you or anything, right? Sorry I snapped. I really thought something bad happened to you."

"It's okay. Really, no one touched me except when securing my body to the devices. I'm still a virgin. You can check if you want."

"What do I need to check for? Virginity isn't what's important. And I trust you. So no lying, got it?"

"Yeah."

So she was mad about the lying. Hanbyeol dropped the barrier and came over to hug me tight.

"But is that something only you can do? What exactly do you do with the devices? Shove a dildo in your precious little—? Or on your tits...?"

"H-Hanbyeol?"

"What? Ignoring me 'cause I'm a kid? Huh? You think I don't. Know. About. That. Stuff?"

"Ahh, Hanbyeol... We can't do this..."

She poked my breasts accusingly. I twisted away, but they weren't small enough to dodge easily.

"Don't worry. I'll stop here. For now. Hah. Just wait 'til my birthday. Call me a kid then."

She climbed onto my lap and started kneading my breasts for real, her eyes predatory. I was the helpless herbivore in front of her. Why was I shrinking and thrilling at a kid like this? We shouldn't...

"You done yet? My back hurts... And I'm hungry. Gotta absorb today's vital energy."

Hanbyeol, smirking creepily as she groped me just shy of pain, went cold again at Laila's whine. She raised her hand like she'd blast her with magic, glanced at me, sighed, and got off my lap.

"Hah. Fine. Sis needs to finish eating. Rest at home today. I'll ask Daesik oppa about the raid. I'll probably go too. Laila can just stay in the same space as me—let her suck energy while I nap in the living room. I'll send her to whichever guildmate's turn it is for energy draining today."

"You sure that's okay?"

"Eh, cleaning's easy with your Purify. Hey, Laila. Don't wake Sis up while she's sleeping."

"Of course. I have standards. I don't touch the totally wiped-out ones."

"You better keep that promise."

"I'd never pounce with the little mage scaring me!"

Laila, who'd buried her head ostrich-style under the pillow, popped up with messy hair and yelped. Ignoring her, Hanbyeol hugged me tight and inhaled deeply. She quickly cast Purify on me—probably checking for sweat. It felt like she was trying to impress her, which was oddly amusing.

"Sis smells sweet as ever today. I'll head out, so rest well. If you get hungry, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠have the guildmate coming today grab you a snack."

"I don't eat much anyway. No junk food either. I'm good."

"Yeah, whatever. Not like I'm gonna force-feed you stuff you hate. See ya."

She planted a sudden kiss on my cheek and left. Kids these days are so bold. Well, with internet access, sex ed's no big deal... My cheek tingled where her lips touched, my mouth twitching oddly. We shouldn't... I shouldn't get butterflies from a kid... I'm a creepy old dude inside—do I deserve this affection? If she says it'll be fine after her birthday, could I accept it? A slightly naughty dilemma bubbled up.

Laila tugged me to the bed.

"I'll do it on the sofa or floor, so sleep already. If the mage comes back and you're tired, I'll be half-dead. Cooperate, please."

"Ahaha."

Even Laila, who'd brought those masturbation toys, was starting to feel like family. Tough in the food chain under Hanbyeol and Iris, but she stuck to her guns and showed her feelings openly—basically friend territory.

"Alright, I'll nap then. Guard the house. Oh, Laila, succubus talk... You won't jump me in my dreams or anything, right?"

At my half-joking question, she awkwardly tucked me in.

"No, uh... Don't like naughty dreams?"

"Not that I hate them, but... when others are around or I'm exhausted, it's kinda..."

"Got it. Only when you're alone and in good shape—I'll take those dreams then."

"Ah, no... I didn't mean that."

"Should I do it while you're wide awake?"

"..."

I turned away without answering. My face burned. I'd been fluttering over Hanbyeol moments ago, and now Laila's temptation tugged at me a little—embarrassing how weak I was. Iris was right; humans are frail ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠against pleasure.

"Eve? Hehe, faking sleep won't work—your ears are red. Your owner asked; answer up."

She stroked my hair and toyed with my earlobe. I pretended to sleep harder. Calling herself "owner" now that we were in bed? Scary consequences or not, I desperately kept up the act. At least she wouldn't touch me now. Even as I thought that, a shiver of dark anticipation hit me that she'd torment me more later.

"Eh, you really seem wiped, so your lady'll let it slide today. Sleep well."

She patted my back gently. Exhaustion from endless morning orgasms piled up, and I passed out cold.

"Nngh... Hic."

A dizzying pleasure stabbed my brain unbidden, drawing out a moan. Lying there, I instinctively clenched my legs, knees trying to bend—but something pinned them down.

"Mmm...?"

Did Laila touch me while I slept? Half-dazed, I opened my eyes. A woman in red priestess robes straddled me. Iris. What time was it? Already dusk...? How long did I sleep?

Various thoughts swirled as a chest-bursting climax faded. I shuddered as her fingers slipped out of me.

"Sleep well, Saintess? Figured you'd be shy if I did it awake, so... Guess you woke up anyway."

"Nngh... Yeah..."

My thighs twitched as I caught my breath. Wiping away sleep's fatigue only to stack a climax right away? If this were an eroge, it'd be hell-mode difficulty. I'd planned to scold her if it was Laila, but Iris checking my hymen or whatever left me speechless.

Waking fully, I looked around. Laila knelt in the living room center, hands up.

"Hing... Eve, stop the inquisitor please."

"That demon needs punishment. Splashing filthy fluids from the entryway to the living room, saying Purify fixes it."

"As long as I didn't touch Eve! Semen and love juices clean up easy!"

"It ends here only because she didn't assault the Saintess."

She really hadn't touched me. I'd expected at least lewd dreams, but I slept sweetly. A bit aroused from Iris down there, but overall, I felt refreshed—raid-ready tomorrow.

"Hanbyeol should be back from work soon. Drop your hands when she arrives."

"Hing."

"Iris. Laila didn't touch me or wake me... Let it go this time."

"Hmph. If the Saintess insists. Demon, hands down."

"Eve, I love you!"

Arms up wasn't tough for a demon; Laila bounced right up. Iris lightly scolded her after, but Laila brushed it off. Hanbyeol soon returned with food. In this family-like vibe, we ate dinner and heard her update.

"A berserk fire spirit sensing otherworldly energy. Probably destabilized when we crossed over? But only enchanters with gear or magic damage dealers can hurt spirit bodies."

"We haven't got artifacts yet... So you're saying you'll have to solo DPS?"

"Pretty much. Put paladins tanking the adds, bring a few for holy water cleanup. Scale depends on how big we go."

Most spirits are passive, but rampaging ones attack any life they spot and burn everything. In-game, they stayed in range, so zerg rushes worked. Better not assume that here.

"Where'd it spawn?"

"Plains right outside south gate. Caravans detour via east or west ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠now. If it nears the city, damage'll be bad."

"No mage support from the palace or city?"

"Nope. All in the Magic Tower. No player wanderers, and hires aren't worth it. I'll DPS solo."

"Safety first—gather max numbers minus fundraisers."

"Daesik oppa said the same. Probably fight tomorrow morning once rallied. Temple's got player paladins and priests on board."

"Got it, that's the plan?"

"Yeah. But Sis, you really okay?"

"Nap fixed me right up. No issue deploying tomorrow."

Not even technical stuff, yet Laila and Iris stared silently at us. The awkwardness made me glance at them.

"Why stare like that...?"

"No, just... Thought you were some naive saintess. Didn't expect this."

"What've you been seeing me as...?"

I felt wronged but shut up—fair enough. They missed the evil tree boss, and after, I was too busy moaning to seem like a priest, let alone saintess. No wonder they saw me as a pushover. Unfair, but that's how I'd acted. Gotta show off cool in tomorrow's raid. With that resolve, I burned with motivation.