Chapter 24: Massage Therapist Career Switch

I'd already been brainstorming ways to make money using my abilities, and beauty-related services were one of them.

Salon de Freya, where Shim Uran worked—no, Esthetic de Nonhyeon—offered not just massages but a full range of beauty services. Working there would mean picking up all sorts of useful skills, no matter what.

Since I've got these powers anyway, I need to rake in enough cash to live like a king without a worry in the world.

And besides.

Massages brought back a certain memory. Oil glistening all over her body. A white swimsuit turned sheer from the slickness, clinging to every curve. The woman desperately stifling her moans.

Make money, touch hot girls' bodies... sounds like a blast.

My eyes locked onto the reward. WeLike app update, huh? If it lifts the restriction so I can use reality correction on others too, that'd be perfect.

Just lifting that limit would put me on easy street. I could turn things like mole removal, wrinkle erasure, body reshaping into business goldmines.

With the quest popping up, my decision was set.

"I can't work every day, though. That okay?"

"Yeah. Wanna give it a shot? My place is a big shop with top-notch facilities. They've been needing a guy masseur lately. They wanted experience, but with hands like yours, a little training and you're golden."

Shim Uran suggested coming with her to work tomorrow, and I agreed.

The next day, I met up with Shim Uran and headed straight to her workplace.

On the way, she explained. "I did say let's work together, but I'm not the boss, so you'll need to do a test first."

"A test?"

"Yeah. Give the boss a massage. She'll hire you on the spot. Hands like yours are rare as hell."

Made perfect sense. No complaints here.

"Got it. But check out my practice—see how much better I got?"

I applied Love Weapon Level 1 to my hands and kneaded her shoulders.

"Hng... Definitely better than yesterday?"

"Yeah? Good to hear."

It was the payoff from Shim Uran's basic massage and acupressure lesson the day before, plus a night of YouTube tutorials and practice.

"Hng. Feels amazing. The boss'll approve this in a heartbeat. Full-time might be a stretch, but apprentice status is doable."

She kept humming and moaning softly the whole time I worked her shoulders.

"Practicing already? You're more gung-ho than I thought. I suggested it 'cause your hands are killer, but you're a hacker, right? Pay-wise, it won't touch what hacking brings in."

Shit. Quick excuse. "Yeah, my main gig's been too stressful lately, so I'm on break. That's why I was doing pro bono for ladies—figured while I'm chilling, why not try something new for fun."

"Hng. Fair enough."

The chat shifted her train of thought.

Come to think of it, are my videos all deleted...?

Whoops, forgot to tell her.

"Oh yeah, Uran, all your videos are wiped."

Her face lit up with gratitude. "Thanks a ton, Yunho."

We arrived at the beauty center. Shim Uran dragged me straight to the boss's office.

Knock knock.

"Boss, it's Shim Uran from massage therapy. Brought the guy I mentioned yesterday."

The door opened, and out came the owner—a dignified mid-40s woman.

"Ah, this is Song Yunho? Handsome young man."

"Yes. Nice to meet you."

I shook her proffered hand.

"We don't usually take newbies, but Uran's vouching hard, so let's test you. Follow me."

She led us to a room with a massage bed.

"Do a full-body sampler, 15 minutes. Your call on the order."

"Got it."

The boss stripped off her top and lay face-down on the bed.

Start with the erector spinae.

Core muscles, prime spot for fatigue buildup.

I placed my hands on her back.

"Haaang!"

The sudden moan startled me—I yanked my hands back. Silence blanketed the room. Shim Uran looked flustered too.

"Did that hurt?"

"N-no, just... caught me off guard. Ahem."

Her face flushed crimson as she stammered.

"Resuming then."

Hands back on.

"Hng! Ngh, what the—? Ahem!"

I barely stifled a laugh. Boss lady's got some serious ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sensitivity.

Weird seeing a middle-aged woman melt under my touch, but turning off Love Weapon meant failing the test. No choice.

After 15 minutes, the boss rose from the bed, face like an erupting volcano.

"Pass. Total pass, Yunho. Twenty years in this biz, and hands like yours? First time."

Clutching her discarded top, she continued. "Ahem. Can't go full-time right away—start as apprentice, prove reliability, then convert. That's it."

She bolted awkwardly. Obvious why.

I grinned at Shim Uran. "Uran, I passed."

"Knew you would. But what's with the boss?"

"Sudden bathroom emergency, probably."

"Maybe. C'mon, I'll show you around."

Shim Uran toured me through the center, explaining layout and facilities. Esthetic de Nonhyeon was huge—not just massages, but full beauty spectrum: skincare, nails, body shaping, everything.

I've been coming a month, so I know it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠all, but...

Getting the intro from staff felt different, so I played along quietly.

"Tour's good. Now, meet the team."

She led me to the break room—a big space with five women and seven guys lounging. Some faces familiar; one was the trainer I'd PT'd before. All acquaintances, apparently—Shim Uran called out warmly.

"Everyone! New guy in massage therapy!"

Great reactions. A chubby-cheeked woman beamed. "Ooh, hot new hire! The friend from the group chat yesterday?"

"Yep. Song Yunho. Boss approved. Yunho, say hi."

"Hi, everyone. Song Yunho. Nice to work with you."

A slight smile, and the women squealed.

"Look at those eyes! Uran, jackpot! How'd you snag him? Welcome dinner tonight!"

"Hi, Yunho. Nail tech, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Seo Jihye."

"Hair department, Seo Jihyun!"

Handshakes flew; I scanned their profiles and status messages. Genuine welcomes.

Bit disappointing, though.

No one over late 60s in looks except Shim Uran. Job meant styled hair, makeup—polished vibe—but mostly 50s, low 60s max.

Had hoped for workplace sparks. Oh well.

Average is average exceeded here anyway. Can't flirt with Uran at work regardless.

After the women, I greeted the men.

"Hi. Song Yunho. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Looking forward to it."

"Uh, yeah. Kim Jeongseok."

"Lee Hyeonwoo. Damn, kid's handsome~"

"Nah. Thanks, though."

Shim Uran slung an arm over my shoulder. "Oppa crew! Welcome dinner for Yunho later—you in?"

"Yeah, sure."

Seeing us cozy, the guys' wariness spiked—status messages didn't lie. Pros hid it well, but I could tell.

Shim Uran outshone the women looks-wise. Center idol, for sure.

And I claimed her.

Then a guy stepped up. "Hot junior alert. Go Seokhyeon. We'll be massage buddies."

Best-looking staffer. Sharp, bit sleazy vibe.