Chapter 2: Virtual Shrine Maiden, Rising!

With the old priest’s blessing (and some hesitation), Miko reinvented herself as an online shrine maiden—streaming blessings, fortune readings, and divine rituals. At first, her streams were awkward, filled with technical errors and accidental chaos. However, her mischievous personality and endearing charm quickly won the hearts of thousands.

Her channel, "Sakura Miko's Holy Shrine of Entertainment," exploded in popularity. Donations poured in, shrine visits increased, and soon, even spirits from the celestial realm took notice.

However, success came with its own set of problems. Rival shrine maidens, jealous of her sudden fame, spread rumors about her being a fraud. Some spirits were displeased with her casual behavior, arguing that she was tarnishing the dignity of celestial beings. The celestial auditors from the heavenly bureaucracy issued an official warning, citing a list of "mortal transgressions" she had committed, including excessive meme usage, performing blessings without a license, and, worst of all—

"Miko-san, did you just summon a minor deity to play video games on stream?!"

"Ehh? But they were really good at FPS games! Elite, daze!"

To make matters worse, vengeful spirits, drawn to the shrine’s rising power, began causing disturbances. Electronics flickered, eerie whispers filled the air during streams, and strange comments started appearing in her chat.

Miko, realizing the severity of the situation, sought out guidance from the old priest. He handed her an ancient scroll containing purification rites, but modern problems required modern solutions. With her growing audience, she decided to turn exorcisms into content.

"Welcome, everyone, to 'Miko's Ghost-Busting Live'! Today, we're sending some spooky spirits back to the afterlife!"

Armed with holy sutras, digital wards, and the unwavering support of her fans, Miko began a series of purifications, mixing sacred rituals with comedic flair. Her unconventional exorcisms quickly became legendary, drawing attention from both believers and skeptics. The shrine’s popularity soared as people flocked to witness the streaming shrine maiden’s unique approach to spirituality.

But fame brought new challenges. As her reach expanded, more powerful spirits took notice. Some wished to test her strength, while others saw her as a threat. A particularly malicious entity, envious of her growing influence, launched a direct attack on her live stream, causing blackouts and distortions mid-broadcast.

"Nai yo! The ghosts are stream-sniping me!"

The battle between Miko and the dark spirit escalated, with thousands watching in real-time. Using both her celestial heritage and her newfound connection with her audience, she devised a plan. Through a combination of sacred chants, comedic roasts, and overwhelming positivity from her viewers, the spirit was eventually banished.

As the dust settled, Miko collapsed onto the tatami floor, exhausted but triumphant. The old priest watched with a knowing smile. She wasn’t just an entertainer—she had become a beacon of faith in a digital era.

Yet, even as she basked in her victory, a question lingered in her mind. Was this truly the life she wanted? Or was there still a part of her that longed to return to the heavens?

With each passing day, the choice became harder.