Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Garmanium Hot Springs
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91
4
"Ahh... I'm melting......"
My entire body loses all strength in the warm hot spring water.
I might just melt away and turn into a slime like this.
It's so comfortable that I could almost believe it.
I gaze blankly up at the sky, submerged up to my neck in the hot spring.
The clear late summer sky stretches impressively high.
It's a sign that autumn is just around the corner.
Rolling my eyes, I see no one else around.
Instead, partitions block off both sides.
This hot spring is private, so partitions are only natural.
Still, the space is spacious enough that it doesn't feel cramped.
"That Leon guy... he recommended a great spot......"
The place Leon suddenly dragged me to was the Garmanium Hot Springs.
It's one of Riverflow's famous landmarks and top tourist attractions. The hot spring water, containing Garmanium just like its name, supposedly activates cell activity, boosts immunity, and relieves migraines or whatever.
Anyway, it's good for the body.
I don't know about those effects, but... the sensation of fatigue melting away feels amazing.
The cool breeze of approaching autumn perfectly cools my heated skin.
Cool above and hot below—the contrasting sensations blend in exquisite harmony.
Since it's private, no need to mind others, and it's a healing hot spring, maybe my lingering minor injuries will finally heal.
"It's almost a shame we couldn't come last time...."
When we were in Hilfenberg Territory before, we couldn't even get near the Garmanium Hot Springs.
It couldn't be helped. The Midnight Summer Festival is Riverflow's peak season, so reservations were fully booked... and they were closed for maintenance before the festival anyway.
Anyway, the hot spring is soaking in.
I didn't feel much watching through a monitor... but now I get why everyone loves hot springs.
At least I understand why hot spring bath bombs sell so well.
"If only I had banana milk and loess eggs."
Those are the classics for public baths.
Sikhye never appealed to me much, and sometimes I'd crave chocolate milk over banana milk.
All childhood memories now.
"Why don't you come in too?"
Choco, who had been circling around me anxiously, cautiously pawed at the hot spring water.
Steam rose in wisps, making him wary, but once he confirmed it wasn't too hot, he gingerly slipped in.
The water's deep for Choco.
His paws don't touch the bottom, so he pokes just his head above the surface.
A total doggy paddle pose, but his expression is completely relaxed, eyes half-closed.
Just floating limply without swimming, it seems he's soaking in too.
"Feels good, right?"
He doesn't even pretend to answer.
He must love it that much.
Since he was just bobbing around, I held out the rubber duck I'd bought earlier.
It squeaks when squeezed—a toy.
"Saw it for sale and got it."
Probably meant for kids to play with.
I squeezed it, making squeaking sounds, and Choco's eyes lit up as he paddled after the rubber duck.
Not splashing, but doggy paddling—puddle-puddle-puddle—the sight was both hilarious and adorable.
Watching quietly, I cupped my hands.
Filled my palms with water and shot it like a gun.
The arcing stream hit Choco's head dead-on.
Drenched suddenly, Choco glared at me, then copied me by cupping his front paws.
A clumsy imitation... but with paws structured differently, it was never going to work.
After a few tries, realizing the impossibility, he gave up and just squeezed the innocent rubber duck repeatedly.
"Haa......"
A contented sigh escapes.
Gazing blankly at the sky again... I dove underwater.
Submerged head to toe in the warm hot spring, I held my breath until my lungs burned.
"Puha!"
Surfacing just before I had to breathe, Choco mimicked me and dove in.
He dove skillfully, then resurfaced with a big inhale.
Pretty impressive momentum, but......
Yeah, a wet raccoon really looks like a drowned rat.
"Choco... you're all about the fluff, huh?"
Realizing that "all wet means ugly" as his fur soaked, Choco puddle-puddle-paddled over and smacked me with his front paws.
Still, Choco's punches didn't hurt.
5
Maybe because it's a high-class hot spring, Garmanium provides dedicated robes.
After drying off, I slipped into the soft robe and dressed Choco in one too, for good measure.
Heading down the corridor from the hot spring to the lounge in our robes, I ran into an extremely familiar face.
"Oh! Friend!"
Ethan, whose bulk made his robe look ready to burst, waved happily.
Beside him, Noel—whose robe sleeves hung loose—sipped a fruit drink.
"...Why are you guys here?"
"To relax! And recuperate!"
"Rest is training too......"
No, if you're resting, there are plenty of other spots.
Out of all those resorts, why the Garmanium Hot Springs?
It's too coincidental to be chance......
"Did Leon tell you?"
"Yep! He said you were heading to Hilfenberg Territory together during the break! Told us it's great for recovery!"
Of course.
Knowing Leon, he'd have told Louis and Kyriakos too.
They just didn't come.
"Anyway, rest well."
It really is a good spot for recovery.
Short greeting done, I turned to leave with Choco.
Before I could escape, Ethan's firm hand gripped my shoulder.
"Passing by when we finally meet?"
"I wanna go."
Someone said it's a rare chance to be at Garmanium Hot Springs.
Sunset means hunting early birds, so I want to rest fully during the day.
No way I'm giving up this private peace and leisure.
"Harsh, friend. Is that how we are?"
"Pretty much. If you're here for the hot springs, just soak."
"Already did!"
Oh, right, they're in robes too.
"Come on~ Don't be like that! Let's hang out since we're together, friend!"
"Hey, wait...! Hey!"
Ethan dragged me by the shoulder.
I struggled, but Ethan didn't budge.
Injured or not, why's your strength fine!
Meanwhile, Choco puddle-puddle-paddled toward me.
Good boy, Choco, coming to save me!
Before I could say it, Choco climbed onto Ethan's shoulder.
Noel grabbed his half-empty fruit juice bottle and followed.
And just like that, I understood Caesar's feelings getting stabbed by Brutus......
6
"Why sweat after bathing?"
"It's fun!"
Ethan answered my complaint instantly.
Haa, a sigh slips out.
"Just hop back in?"
"Yeah, that's true. Noel...."
No one's on my side here.
Despairing at reality, I looked away.
First thing I see: a flat rectangular blue table.
With a small net in the center—it's unmistakably a ping-pong table.
Tiny ball and paddles included, confirming it.
"That eager to go back to your room?"
"Honestly, yeah, nap time."
"Then beat me at wafwaf and you're free! Friend!"
Wafwaf is what they call ping-pong in Broken World.
From the bouncing sound, apparently.
Doesn't matter.
I grabbed a paddle at Ethan's words.
"Keep your promise."
"Of course! But it won't be easy?"
"We'll see."
Gripped the paddle.
Bounced the ball on the table to check my feel.
Don't underestimate my ping-pong career from school PE to factory summer jobs.
Low stamina or not... skill and experience will cover it.
Ethan gripped his paddle too.
His size makes the same paddle look like a toy.
"...But why are you two teaming up?"
Noel grabbed a paddle beside Ethan.
Why 2-on-1?
How bad do you want to keep me?
But Ethan casually pointed to my side.
"This makes it 2v2?"
"Hey, Leon. When did you get here...."
"Just now."
Leon in a robe had slipped in silently, examining the paddle.
"You... first time?"
Leon nodded.
Noel's grip looks awkward too—beginners.
Doubles with one newbie each.
Not purely my skill, so it'll be tough.
But should be fine?
Leon's physicals are near-superhuman.
He'll get the hang quick.
"Leon, never played at all before?"
"Once. Not properly."
"Then you know the rules. Just think 'over the net' for now."
I'll handle tough shots; he just lobs.
Best odds strategy.
Players ready.
Referee: somehow Choco in cheer mode.
Cute, so whatever.
"Wafwaf to 21, single set! Go!"
Ethan served with gusto.
Textbook serve, probing.
Easy return would let him gauge me fast.
So, one choice.
I smashed the incoming ball full force.
Textbook smash.
It rocketed back, slamming Ethan's side.
"First point!"
"Too serious from the start?"
Ethan served again.
Aiming the corner perfectly to foil my return.
Smash impossible... but I snapped my wrist for spin.
"Noel!"
"Huh? Uh...!?"
The spinning ball curved after bounce.
Noel reacted sharply to the change, but that's it.
He flailed in panic, missing.
2-0.
Smooth start.
But once I had serve, Ethan smashed back.
First testing reaction speed, then with spin.
Couldn't return either.
"Not bad, Ethan."
"You've played wafwaf too! Friend!"
We wiped sweat, facing off.
Freshly bathed, but sweating soon.
Noel's serve now.
Can't hog it all, so I signaled Leon.
He nodded slightly, then smacked Noel's light serve.
Paaaang...!
An impossible sound from a paddle racket.
Everyone turned slowly to follow Leon's shot.
The ball flew straight, physics-defying, piercing between Ethan and Noel.
Hitting the wall, it was crushed beyond recognition.
......
......
Silence fell.
Leon spun his paddle a few times, then calmly said,
"Force control is tricky."
This guy's physicals are too good.
One more and it's out—game over.
"Alright, Leon. Plan change. Loosen up, tap gently over. Got it?"
I pleaded, gripping his shoulder.
He nodded, seeming to get it... but oh, the trials ahead.
Soon, 20-20.
No deuce—next point wins.
The ball zipped relentlessly over the net.
Rally tests stamina and focus to the limit.
Stamina was my downfall.
Arms slower now.
Can't keep up.
Sensing defeat, Leon swung instead.
Bwak!
Another boom.
But low trajectory.
His smash grazed the net.
Slight deflection dropped it.
Hit the table edge perfectly.
Net-graze to edge—nightmare even for superhumans.
"We won...!"
"Guess we did."
21-point match ends.
Finally, room rest!
Dropping paddle, cheering inwardly—Leon glanced out the window calmly.
"Sun's already set."
"Oh yeah! Bath and dinner, friends!"
"What's for dinner?"
Kids headed back to hot springs casually.
I couldn't believe it, clinging to the window.
Damn, tricked by Ethan...!
Fist trembled.
Only Choco patted me.