Episode 9: Shrine Maiden Sodohui's First Real Combat Deployment

"Huaaaah……."

I let out a massive yawn that felt like it would split my mouth, stretching my arms wide. The midday sun pouring through the window was blindingly harsh. It had been two days since I got dumped into this hellish eroge world. Just two days. Subjectively, it felt like half a year had dragged by, but nope—just two.

"……Still, this ain't bad, right?"

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Mornings weren't busy with customers anyway. The hungover mercenaries and villagers heading out early for farm work were about it, and Bargus could handle them solo no problem. Plus, I'm the protagonist of this game—the destined one to take down the Demon King, the Shrine Maiden. Even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠if I'm just a signboard girl at some no-name inn right now, the system wouldn't let me waste all my time serving drinks. So I got some free time until lunchtime.

"Alright, time to get moving today too."

I swapped my inn uniform for plain clothes that wouldn't draw eyes and slipped out of my room. My daily routine was pretty solid. Mornings: scout the village corners for intel. From market aunties' gossip to beggars' ramblings in alleys, I listened to it all. Terrain of the world? How far the Demon King's army had pushed? Any traces of other 'players' besides me?

"Hey, miss! New face today? Where you from?"

"Oh, just…… looking for work from a nearby village."

"Yeah? Watch yourself. World's gone to shit lately—young girls shouldn't wander alone."

I brushed off the grumpy fishmonger's warning and scanned the village bulletin board. Bounties, lost livestock, weird symbols now and then. Every scrap was a hint, a piece for survival.

By ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the time I'd pounded the pavement till my soles sweated, the sun had slid past its peak.

"Bargus, I'm back."

"Right on time. Mercs'll swarm soon."

Back at the inn, I ditched the robe and squeezed into that corset uniform again. Afternoon me wasn't the 'info gatherer' anymore—she was the 'signboard girl' soaking up every lecherous stare.

"Dea! Black ale keg here!"

"Hey, pretty! Snacks are skimpy—got any service?"

"Aw, sir. My wink's your service~"

I fired off a cheeky wink while pouring, ears perked the whole time. Drunk guys spilled rawer intel than market ladies.

"Heard? Succubus in the Western Valley."

"Nah, rumor. Real scary shit's deserters from the northern fortress."

My grip tightened on the tray. Precious intel—quest hooks for EP, or warnings of death traps.

After that frantic afternoon, when the inn lights dimmed, my body was wrecked.

"Good work today. Hot water's ready—wash up."

"……Thanks, old man."

Bargus's gruff care meant nightly hot baths, the one luxury in this sewer life. Steaming in the tub, the day's sleazy gazes and fatigue melted away.

"Haaa…… feels alive again……."

Floating languidly, legs loose, I realized: in just two days, I'd been tamed by this eroge routine. Morning scout. Afternoon grind. Night rest.

"……Gotta snag better intel tomorrow."

Back in my room, hair still damp, I crashed into bed. Consciousness blacked out the second the soft quilt hit.

Even in dreams, I carried mugs, muttering 'gotta survive.' The signboard girl's drudgery etched deeper than the Shrine Maiden's duty…… sweet sleep like that.

"Huh, what's this?"

At the village square's rickety bulletin board, plastered with papers, one stark white notice gleamed. Freshly posted, stamped with the knights' seal.

"Monsters in Western Valley, raiding livestock……."

Skimming it, clanking boots hit from behind.

"Hey! You……!"

My heart dropped. But his reaction exploded beyond expectation.

"Shrine Maiden! It's you, right?!"

"……Huh?"

Whirling around, a sweat-soaked guard gawked. He charged like I'd saved his life.

"No way, the real Shrine Maiden! Here of all places!"

"Uh, think you got the wrong……."

"Nonsense! How could I forget that holy aura! Perfect you're here—situation's dire!"

He grabbed my hands, rough calluses prickling vividly. Didn't even wait for my reply.

"Monsters berserk near village! Three guards down yesterday. Without your blessing, we're done. Please, help us!"

"I-I'm busy at the inn…… in training……."

As I scrambled excuses, a crystal-clear system window burned my retina.

"Haa……."

A deep sigh escaped. 'Reputation drop' and 'restrictions'? No choice. It was a leash yanking me along.

"Shrine Maiden? You can't? Abandoning us?"

His eyes welled up. This game's NPCs had hyper-real emotions—made refusing brutal. Plus, 'massive EP' scrambled my brain. Half a year's serving wages in one go.

"……Fine. But conditions."

His face lit up.

"Ooh! Name it! Anything!"

"Not today. Need prep time, personal…… schedule. Full purge starts tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Of course! Waiting's nothing if you're coming!"

He fumbled a thick, crumpled parchment—knight-stamped monster purge orders.

"Target list and spawn zones. Please review. And……."

Glancing around, he whispered:

"Tomorrow dawn, old chapel outside west gate? Avoids eyes, quickest to valley."

"Deal. Dawn there. Don't be late."

"Swear on my life! Thank you, Shrine Maiden!"

Bowing repeatedly, he bounced off like he'd won the world. Left: heavy parchment and looming real combat dread.

"Western Valley…… big rewards mean brutal, huh?"

Eyed 'massive EP' again. Yeah, escape this dump? Risk it. Serving scraps? Rot as signboard girl forever.

Shoved parchment deep in robe. Sun dipped, orange sunset bathing the village. Peaceful view, but my mind raced—inn peak time soon.

Slipped alleys to inn, dodging eyes.

Tomorrow's life-or-death quest. Tonight's sleazy stares.

"Let's go, Sodohui. Sell beer today to slay beasts tomorrow."

Self-mocking mutter as I pushed the creaky door. Bargus's gravel voice and sour ale welcomed me. Back to fake daily life—real survival grind.

"Dea! ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Another black ale! Move it!"

"Yessir~ Coming right up!"

Inn reeked of roars and smoke. Foam sloshed trays, but sticky gazes raked my body relentlessly.

"Hey, signboard girl. Skirt too long? Uncomfy working—want me to shorten it?"

"Oh, sir. Worry 'bout your spill, not my skirt. Clean your mess."

Grinned sly, dodged his grab by a hair. But rear sneak attack landed—thwack on ass, hairs stood.

"Heh heh, inn girl meat's prime."

"……Haha, sir's hands wander far. Next time they mop floor 'stead of mugs—watch it."

Twitchy smile on lips, but inside? Long smashed his skull in a keg. Routine harassment now. Rage boiled, but corner-vision EP +1s forced endurance.

'Hold it, Dohee. That's my lifeline.'

Sighing, tray reset, eyes drifted to dimmest corner.

"Zzz…… Hrrrr……."

Dusty gray robe: Lucas. Mug empty, snoring oblivious. Amid mercenary screams, he seemed another dimension—serene.

'What's this geezer's deal?'

Nudged table leg—no stir. Even Bargus ignored him, no tab chase. Ghost treatment.

"Bargus, that old guy's daily? Sleeps sans snacks—why not boot?"

Chopping meat, Bargus snorted at Lucas.

"Leave 'im. Keeps seat, blocks rats. Good-luck charm."

"Charm? Looks homeless……."

Doubt lingered. Appeared lunchish, dozed corner till close—vanished sans trace, door silent.

"Dea! Clear table four!"

"On it!"

Lucas mystery drowned in shouts. Hours later, past sleaze and stacks of dishes, closing time.

"Phew…… done."

Yanked sweat-soaked apron, stretched—crack.

Survived roughneck jungle. Or endured harassment for EP squeezes. Parchment scratched robe—tomorrow worse.

"Lucas gone again……."

Corner empty. Snored seconds ago—poof.

"This game, full of weirdos."

Bittersweet chuckle, grabbed mug. Creepy old man, rowdy mercs, monster purge. Shrine Maiden's eroge day far from normal, fading.

Mopped, propped broom, shook apron water. At creaky stairs, Bargus loomed at counter, ledger-bound.

Tomorrow's purge—tell? No ditch possible. This my sole haven/base.

"Bargus."

Pen paused, nod.

"What? Tired—sleep."

"Nah. Can't help tomorrow."

Brow twitch, sharp gaze—gulp.

"Can't? Why. Sick?"

"No. Day scout, guard snagged me. Valley monsters bad…… cried I must help as Shrine Maiden."

Shrugged 'annoyed drag-in.' Inside? EP frenzy. But cosplay 'duty-bound saintess' for him.

"Purge tomorrow. Can't ignore village danger."

Silence. Deep stare—caught my lie? Heart squeezed.

"……Got it."

"Huh?"

"Shrine Maiden, not slacking. Tomorrow off—go."

Flat. Expected rage or grill—cool? Or no loss sans me? Mild hurt.

"Whoa, cool dude? Worry bit?"

"Worry? Your skill's clear from serving. Don't get eaten—back on time. Hate cleaning empty rooms."

Back to ledger, blunt. Gruff, but 'come back alive' care warmed cheeks.

"Yup. Smash monster skulls. Night!"

Perky reply, dashed stairs. Downstairs, Bargus scribbled by candle.

His odd rough cheer(?), door shut, bed-flopped. Tomorrow: not signboard Dea, Shrine Maiden Sodohui's debut fight. Pounding heart—fear or EP hype? Unsure night deepened.

Dawn's blue filtered window. Time for sword over tray. Deep breath bedside.

"Hoo…… Let's do this."

Slashed air—inventory. Dusty corner: Holy Sword Erilos.

Heavy from inventory. Holy silver blade. Demon-slayer sword, yet inventory dust-bunny. If it talked, chokehold.

"Sorry, eroge world—bad owner."

Gripped hilt—cool palm, tension surged. Lie if no fear. Fights since drop? Just…… that. Mercs overstep, dodge bad end with Last Struggle. Wild punches floored thugs—that's my record.

"Shrine Maiden still! Mobs doable?"

Memory: valley trash mobs—slimes, horned bunnies. No complacency. Eroge death? Nasty endings, not game over.

"Gotta spec stats."

Shaky summon: status.

Pitiful vanilla stats. Pure level 1. No auto-level from XP—EP from quests/labor/erotica invested manually. Grind cash, pump body forcibly.

Checked sleaze-endured EP haul.

"Let's see…… lifeline stock?"

Sharp gaze on hologlow numbers. Tears, shame—monster-smashing power.

Held EP: 273. Neck stiffened. Two days' humiliations for this? Pathetic.

"Haa…… shit ROI."

Sigh. 10 EP per basic stat. 27 points max. All attack? Survival HP?

"Nah. Think, Sodohui."

Chin-rub ponder. Valley mobs, but eroge monsters crave not life…… else.

"Decided."

*****

Next dawn, west gate outskirts. Fog-lingering old chapel: yesterday's guard paced.

Spotted me—barefoot dash.

"Shrine Maiden! Sleepless wait!"

"Early bird. Ready?"

"Yes! Brought guard escorts!"

Behind: three armed men, tense.

"Greetings, Shrine Maiden! Jack, 1st Guard!"

"Tom here! Please!"

"……Hans."

Synced bows, armor clanks shattering dawn quiet. Worlds from inn yellers—proper soldiers.

"Uh, hi…… casual's fine. Not that big deal."

Scratched head awkward. Hours ago corset-winking; now saintess treatment itched.

My meh vibe? Their eyes mixed tension-awe.

"Enough intros! I'm Kimis, your guide today."

Teary-square guy stepped up crisp. Unrolled map, route brief.

"Kimis, Jack, Tom, Hans. Five total."

"Elite picks!"

Chest-thumps. Elites looked nervy, but beats solo. Meat shields…… allies at worst.

"Move. Distance before sun-up."

Signal dropped—weird party marched to Western Valley. Walls faded, forest shadows swallowed. Waist-sheathed Erilos thumped thigh each step. Like asking: ready to fight?

"Hoo……."

Lips bit. No ale stink—dense green whiff. Real start. Eroge heroine's first page unfurling on valley chill breeze.